"Who called me the Big Bad Wolf?!" Gu Bei loomed over, grabbing the corner of Xie Bingxia's quilt with one hand and shoving his phone right in front of her face. "Do I look that scary?"
Actually, what Gu Bei really wanted to ask was, "Do I look that ugly? Comparing me to an animal?" But he was terrified of getting an affirmative answer from Xie Bingxia. His absolute confidence in his appearance over the past two decades would surely crumble in an instant.
Xie Bingxia rolled her eyes. Every time she glanced at the phone screen, Gu Bei's face seemed to grow larger in front of her. With him closing in step by step and her being grabbed like that, it was impossible for her to turn her back. So she simply shrank her neck and burrowed under the quilt, looking just like a hermit crab hiding in its shell.
Then she stuck out her bandaged hand and waved it left and right. "Take the wontons away. I don't want them."
"What's going on? Are you going to keep this up?" Boss Gu's patience was wearing thin.
"Who knows if, after you've fed me, you'll use me as bait again and throw me to those Boss Li, Boss Zhang, or Boss Wang!"
So that's what she was angry about. He'd been tricked by a simple scheme, which had caused Xie Bingxia so much suffering. He really owed her an apology. Alright, alright. Boss Gu decided to put aside the misery of his first time in the police station and focus on soothing the person in front of him first.
Gu Bei personally picked up the bowl of wontons, scooped up a crystal - clear, tender wonton with a spoon, blew on it gently, and then held it up to the edge of the quilt. "I'm sorry. It's all my fault. But your stomach is innocent. How about filling it up first? Then you'll have the strength to scold me."
Two eyes peeked out from the crack in the quilt. After confirming that the words had really come from Boss Gu, Xie Bingxia slowly emerged from her "shell" and replied awkwardly, "Feed me."
All this was witnessed from start to finish by Xiao Mei, who was standing outside the ward. She couldn't help but shout in her heart, "Oh my god—what was she hearing? The young master was actually apologizing so sincerely? And willingly serving someone? The sun must be rising in the west tomorrow!"
She couldn't help but admire Miss Xie. "Good job! You're amazing!" She gave an imaginary thumbs - up.
Secretary Zhang was standing outside too. Seeing Xiao Mei getting so excited, alternating between surprise and delight, he curiously craned his neck to see what was going on inside the ward. But after looking for a long time, he still didn't understand.
Xiao Mei waved him away in disgust. "Get lost. This is called romance. You don't understand, Secretary Zhang. You're doomed to be single!"
After Xie Bingxia was full, a satisfied blush spread across her cheeks. Seeing Gu Bei obediently cleaning up the bowls and chopsticks, she couldn't help but smile. Then she picked up the glasses on the table and put them on her nose.
Gu Bei casually asked, "If they don't fit, don't wear them. Why force yourself? I'll get you a new pair tomorrow."
"I'm used to them. I feel uncomfortable without them." Xie Bingxia pushed up the frame of her glasses.
When she first woke up, Xie Bingxia was very worried that Gu Bei would notice something strange about her face. Now it seemed she'd been over - thinking. Even without her glasses, Gu Bei showed no signs of suspicion. Maybe in his eyes, her sickly appearance was just like a wilted vegetable leaf.
Xie Bingxia picked up her iPad again, ready to play some games. Gu Bei's next words almost made her vomit up the wontons she'd just eaten. "You look better without your glasses."
What was Boss Gu doing? Flirting? Should she respond? She desperately needed advice from her friends!
Xie Bingxia coughed lightly and quickly changed the subject. "Um... What are you going to do about your business with Boss Chen?"
Gu Bei was surprised. "You seem really concerned about my business."
"I'm just asking. Boss Chen is not trustworthy."
"I know." After cleaning up the dishes, Gu Bei took out a tissue to wipe his hands. Then he bent his finger and flicked Xie Bingxia on the forehead. "You just rest and recover. Don't worry about other things."
Gu Bei was always shrewd and sensitive. Xie Bingxia didn't plan to press further. She simply said, "He bullied me. I don't want you to let him off easily."
"Oh?" Gu Bei raised his eyebrows. "He was really lust - driven. But you, this little rabbit, bit his people hard. You're quite fierce."
Xie Bingxia pouted. "Should I just wait to be eaten? Would you bear to see that?"
Gu Bei sighed and reached out to ruffle her soft hair. "I'm telling you not to bite people casually in the future. You might hurt yourself."
—I'll protect you. Gu Bei almost said these words, but he hesitated at the last moment and swallowed them back. Looking at Xie Bingxia with her obediently lowered eyes, his heart was filled with mixed emotions.
It was so strange. Just a while ago, their relationship had been tense. When had they become so close? His hand retracted as if it had been electrocuted. Fortunately, Xie Bingxia didn't notice anything amiss and just lay back on the bed to play games.
The next day, Xie Bingxia was discharged from the hospital and went home to recover. She became extremely clingy and just wanted Gu Bei to dote on her and accompany her. For this reason, Gu Bei almost moved his entire company home, and Secretary Zhang became a frequent visitor.
Xie Shuwen came to visit her once. With a mournful face, he was extremely distressed. "Oh, my poor Bingxia. How could you be so badly injured?" As he spoke, he cast a reproachful look at Gu Bei.
"Uncle Xie, it's just a soft - tissue injury. I'm fine."
"Oh, with your hand wrapped like this, you still say you're fine?" Xie Shuwen picked up Xie Bingxia's left hand and took the opportunity to lean in and whisper, "Is Boss Chen taken care of? Leave the rest to me."
Xie Bingxia tightly held Xie Shuwen's hand and said with a smile, "It's okay. Really." Gu Bei almost rolled his eyes at the affectionate act between the two of them and went straight back to the study to work.
Xie Shuwen left happily after getting a satisfactory answer. Xiao Mei took out the new dress he'd brought and asked, "Do you want to try it on, Miss Xie?"
It was the latest high - waisted lace - trimmed dress from LV. Of course, Xie Bingxia couldn't resist. After putting it on, she admired herself in the mirror for a long time.
Xiao Mei exclaimed in admiration, "Are you having a second growth spurt, Miss?"
"What do you mean?"
"Recently, it seems like you've grown a bit taller and your chest has become fuller. Coupled with your long, white, and straight legs... The young master will surely praise you for being beautiful!"
"Really?" Xie Bingxia's eyes sparkled. The mischievous side of her quickly came up with a naughty idea. She bounced over to the study and quietly poked her head in. "Brother Gu?"
"What is it?" Gu Bei was looking down at some documents at the moment.
Xie Bingxia walked over and sat on the edge of the desk. She deliberately lifted her legs and crossed them, saying coquettishly, "Do you think my new dress looks good?"
Gu Bei didn't even lift his head. He picked up his coffee cup and took a sip. "It looks good. Go play by yourself. Don't make a fuss."
"Is your work more beautiful than me?" Xie Bingxia got upset. She snatched the tablet from his hand and leaned forward even more, making her beautiful collarbone fully visible.
Gu Bei had no choice but to look up at her. Then he stood up, picked her up horizontally, and threw her out of the door, adding, "Don't let Xie Shuwen buy you clothes like this in the future."
Xie Bingxia, who'd been shut out, stamped her foot angrily. "You're such a straight - laced guy. You have no taste!" Little did she know that on the other side of the door, Gu Bei was struggling to calm his racing heart.
What was going on? In just a few days, Xie Bingxia had transformed into a young woman. She was both playful and cute, sexy yet mature. Where had that dull and quiet girl gone?
She must be doing it on purpose. Bored at home, she was just having fun teasing him. Next time, he'd spank her and punish her by not letting her have any snacks. Gu Bei calmed himself down. He had work to do. He needed to focus and get rid of these distracting thoughts.
But Xie Bingxia didn't let him off easily. She knocked on the door impatiently. "Brother Gu? Gu Bei... Open the door. I know you're in there."
Gu Bei had just picked up the tablet, but before he could warm it up, he impatiently turned the doorknob. "It looks good. Is that okay? Don't stick to me today. I have work to do—"
Suddenly, Xie Bingxia threw herself into Gu Bei's arms and hugged him tightly. After a while, she said, "You have a guest."
"She's your fiancée!"