“Baby, I just got an emergency call. I’ve got to go.”
Shen Shiyu’s shoulders dipped with a flush of disappointment. She had been hoping for more time—after all, she’d been the one doing all the moving in the hospital earlier; her waist still ached. They hadn’t quite finished, not by a long shot.
“All right then…” she said, voice small.
Zhu Kai studied her face and pulled her into a sympathetic hug. “Why don’t I have my buddy take you out for a bit? He’s been on plenty of police runs and knows some great spots. You could use a break.”
“Huh? Me?” Hao Zhibin blinked as if the suggestion had landed on him by mistake.
“Done,” Zhu Kai said lightly, planting a feather-soft kiss on Shen’s lip. “Love you.”
“Ouch—oh my God, killed right before my eyes!” Hao clutched his chest theatrically, wounded.
“Hey, don’t even think about my girl,” Zhu Kai warned, then laughed. “If you mess with her, I’ll—well, I’ll make you regret it.”
Hao bowed out, grinning like a man who’d been dismissed but secretly pleased. Zhu Kai jogged off; his departure left Shen’s mood frayed.
“Are we going too?” Hao asked.
“Uh… I’d rather not,” she hedged. She was in no mood for company.
Hao read her expression and, with a practiced ease, produced a duffel of spare clothes and slipped out of the ward. “Actually, I’ve got somewhere to go. It’ll be easier if you come with me.”
Intrigued despite herself, Shen followed. She didn’t expect where he led her: Zhong Petroleum. No wonder the drive had felt familiar.
Hao smoothed his shirt, extended his hand, and offered a polite smile. “Vice President Shen, hello. I’m the new secretary starting under you tomorrow.”
She froze. After the merger between Zhong Petroleum and Shen Group, Bo Siming had handed her half the shares—she was now, quite suddenly, a vice president. She’d heard HR say a new secretary was coming but hadn’t thought much of it. She certainly hadn’t expected to meet him today.
“Pleased… to meet you,” she managed, forcing a professional smile as she shook his hand.
“I thought I’d only see you tomorrow,” Hao drawled, stretching the word today with exaggerated emphasis. “But here we are. I’ll work hard, so please go easy on me.”
Shen’s color drained. A flash of panic stabbed through her—if this man ever mentioned her closeness with Bo Siming, everyone in Yancheng would hear, and Bo would—she couldn’t even imagine the fallout.
Noticing her tightened face, Hao’s chest swelled with satisfaction. These glossy magnates always looked spotless in public, but their private lives were a mess—how delicious.
“Vice President Shen, it’s my first day; would you mind showing me around? If we get this done fast, we can leave earlier,” he said smoothly.
She kept her voice low. “Fine. Follow me.”
They walked through the office corridors and people smiled and complimented her as they passed. “Vice President, you look even more radiant today.” The flattery was warm and indiscriminate.
Hao had his hands in his pockets, whistling like a teenager. “You’re pretty popular around here. Kai’s gonna be jealous.”
“It’s just polite talk,” she replied, forcing a laugh and avoiding eye contact.
He wasn’t fooled. At HR, everything was wrapped up in less than ten minutes. Hao beamed, holding his new staff badge like a trophy.
“Thanks so much, Vice President Shen. If you hadn’t shown me in, I’d probably still be wandering around this huge company.” He fanned the badge theatrically.
Shen wanted nothing more than to leave. Her instincts were prickling; something felt off.
“You’re too kind. Since it’s done, let’s go,” she said.
“No way—after you helped me so much, I have to treat you to dinner.” Hao glanced at his watch. “It’s six. Perfect dinner time.”
“I’m not hungry,” she lied. Staying would serve no good purpose; her gut refused.
“You’re snubbing me?” He put on a wounded expression.
“No, I’m just tired today,” she said, voice thinner than she intended.
“All right, fine. Kai gets all your attention anyway.” Hao fanned himself with the badge. “Then I’ll try someone else. I’ll tell them Vice President Shen didn’t want to—”
She grabbed his arm before he could finish. “I’ll go. I’ll go.”
He broke into a wide grin. “That’s the spirit. I know a place with great food—we can get there early and grab a table.”
They drove in silence. Shen berated herself—how had she let him pull her along like this? Even if she was scared, she didn’t have to be so passive.
They stopped in front of a small, unpretentious restaurant—an old-style Sichuan hotpot and skewers joint. Hao hopped out. “Me and Kai come here almost every month. The food’s amazing; everything’s fresh. You’ll like it.”
She only managed a strained, “Okay.” The smell hit her as soon as they stepped out—a heavy, greasy scent of beef tallow that made her want to retch. She pinched her nose on the way in.
At the table, a simmering pot bubbled in the center. The lacquered table shone like it had been scrubbed within an inch of its life. The stools dug into her tailbone uncomfortably.
“Dig in,” Hao said, stabbing a skewer of chicken feet with his chopsticks.
Reluctantly, she picked up a stick. No dipping sauce—she shoved it in, deciding to play brave. A few chews later, she froze, pleasantly surprised. It was actually good. Tender, flavorful—nothing like the upscale fare she ate at home every night.
Hao watched her with relief. “See? Not like anything you’ve had before.”
“He’s a lucky guy,” she said suddenly, raising her glass. “Kai’s got you—hope you two last a lifetime.”
“Thanks.” She let a real smile slip for the first time.
Encouraged, Hao leaned in. “Honestly, I’m a little jealous. I’m single, you know.”
“I can help with that,” he offered with a wink. “I’ve got plenty of beautiful friends.”
She chewed and smiled, savoring the unexpected comfort of the food. It was oddly grounding, a simple pleasure that threaded through the tension.
“Thanks in advance,” he said. Then his face shifted; the playfulness faded to something more serious. He locked onto her eyes. “There’s something I’ve been wondering about—if I should even say it.”
She tensed, bracing herself for whatever question might endanger her.