"Can You Be a Little Less Charming?"

Tang Mianmian felt a rush of gratitude. It seemed this man truly embodied the mature and steady type.

Compared to those arrogant, overbearing men, she found this kind of man far more attractive.

Wait—

What was she even thinking?

She patted her cheeks, feeling like she was about to swoon over him.

Hurriedly, she dashed downstairs, feeling like she could finally breathe freely again.

This man's influence was too overwhelming; she worried that she might lose control of herself one day!

Since she had bought all his favorite ingredients, Tang Mianmian decided on a menu of three dishes and a soup.

With the seaweed and pork rib soup she had simmered earlier in the morning, the kitchen was soon filled with a rich, enticing aroma.

Being a foodie, she had learned to cook simply to satisfy her own cravings.

Back then, however, part of the reason she learned was for Su Shijie.

And now, ironically, Su Shijie hadn't had the chance to enjoy her cooking, while this man who had suddenly appeared in her life had become the first to benefit from it.

Well, he was her husband now, after all.

Speaking of which, she realized she had never called him by his name.

"Is Dinner Ready?"

Tang Mianmian was startled by Long Yejue's voice. She hadn't noticed him standing at the kitchen door, arms crossed, leaning against the frame.

His thin lips curved into a sly arc, and his eyes carried a haughty, teasing glint.

Her heart began to race uncontrollably, and her cheeks flushed. "It's ready—just give me a moment."

This scene stirred something in the man leaning against the doorframe.

Ripples he had never felt before spread across his calm exterior, soon swelling into towering waves that threatened to drown his reason.

His phoenix eyes darkened slightly. He turned away nonchalantly and returned to the dining table, one step at a time.

Perhaps to distract himself, or perhaps as an excuse, he picked up his phone and aimlessly tapped at it.

But no matter how much he tried, his mind kept replaying her flushed cheeks and those irresistibly alluring lips.

Why did he suddenly have the urge to kiss someone?

Dinner Time

Tang Mianmian brought the dishes to the table one by one, finishing with the seaweed and pork rib soup she had carefully prepared.

The soup's creamy, milky-white color made it look irresistibly appetizing.

She even served him a bowl and introduced it with a smile. "Have some soup before eating. It'll warm your stomach—it's good for you."

He accepted the bowl, glancing at the steaming soup. With a rare note of approval, he remarked, "It looks good."

Tang Mianmian's eyes lit up with joy, her dimples appearing as she smiled brightly. "Really? Try it—it might taste even better."

His brows arched slightly, and a faint, playful smile graced his lips. "Mm, it's all good. Very appetizing."

"Huh?" Tang Mianmian blinked, momentarily confused by the compliment.

He hadn't even tasted the soup yet—how could he say everything was appetizing?

Was it her low IQ at work again?

She blushed and lowered her head, focusing on her meal.

Normally, she ate quickly, often in a rush to get to work. But now, the man's refined pace forced her to slow down, making her too self-conscious to take big bites.

It was an odd sort of restraint.

But tonight, she deliberately took her time eating—there was something she needed to ask him.

She spent most of the meal working up the courage, rehearsing her words in her head.

Finally, after finishing half her bowl, she nervously looked at him. "Um... does your company have any job openings?"

"You can call me Jue—or husband."

His thin lips curled into a devastatingly charming smile.

Tang Mianmian felt her rationality abandon her entirely.

Jue. Husband. Husband. Jue...

Every word seemed to carry an irresistible allure.

She swallowed nervously and, with a face as red as a tomato, finally whispered under his deep, piercing gaze, "H-Husband."

The word clearly pleased Long Yejue. His dark eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "What is it? Thinking of working at my company?"

"No, no—it's for a good friend of mine. She's unemployed right now and looking for a job." Tang Mianmian explained earnestly.

"A friend?"

His long, narrow eyes gleamed with an almost predatory charm. "A man? Our company isn't hiring male employees right now."

"No, it's a woman." Tang Mianmian let out a relieved sigh, though she couldn't help but wonder why his company didn't hire men.

Wasn't that gender discrimination

Lost in thought, she missed the sly glint in his eyes.

He nodded. "Is it the friend who was with you during that car accident?"

"Yes, that's her. She's very capable—she used to work as a secretary at a big company. But now she's pregnant, and her previous company let her go. That's why I wanted to ask if you have any suitable positions."

She poured out her thoughts all at once, her heart hanging on his response.

"Pregnant women shouldn't be working. They should stay home and rest," Long Yejue replied bluntly.

After all, if it were the woman sitting before him who was pregnant, he wouldn't let her lift a finger.

Wait—why was he even thinking that far ahead?

And why did he feel a faint, inexplicable sense of anticipation?

"She needs to earn money," Tang Mianmian insisted, mistaking his response as a refusal. "When the baby is born, there will be so many expenses. She has no choice but to work!"

Her earnest plea left him momentarily silent.

Looking into her hopeful eyes, he finally nodded. "I'll arrange something."

Wasted Resources?

Tang Mianmian's concern grew as Long Yejue's tone became a bit impatient.

"It's not impossible," he finally said, lowering his gaze as he idly stirred the food in his bowl.

The seaweed was particularly crisp—clearly chosen with care.

As hope lit up in her eyes and she looked at him excitedly, waiting for his next words, he calmly added, "But you'll have to start working too."

"Me? Work there?" Tang Mianmian was dumbfounded. She hadn't studied secretarial work and couldn't imagine working in such a high-end company.

Jueshi only hired graduates from top universities. While she had a degree from a prestigious school, her major was entirely unrelated.

"She's pregnant, so she won't be able to work for long. When she leaves, someone will need to take over. It would save me the trouble of finding someone else if you take her place," Long Yejue explained, his downcast eyes hiding a glimmer of calculation.

That... made sense.

For Fu Ranyan's sake, she would do it!

"But I haven't resigned from my current job yet," she hesitated.

"I've already had Shou Anyi handle it for you."

"…"

Why did she feel like she'd been tricked?

Something wasn't adding up.

Celebration Call

That night, as Tang Mianmian rolled around on the massive bed in her room, she excitedly called Fu Ranyan. "Ranyan, I have great news! My husband agreed to let you work at his company!"

"Really?" Fu Ranyan, who hadn't held much hope, sounded pleasantly surprised.

"Of course! And the best part—I'll be working there too!" Tang Mianmian couldn't contain her excitement. "Back in school, we studied different majors and never got the chance to work together. But now, it's finally happening. What a surprise!"

"It is a surprise, but... working at your husband's company? Is that really a job?" Fu Ranyan teased. "Honestly, it feels more like your husband sent you to keep an eye on me."

Tang Mianmian blushed, feeling a bit awkward. "What makes you say that?"

"Think about it. If you were a regular employee and the boss's wife was your colleague, how would you feel?"

"... Awkward. Uncomfortable. Weird."

"Exactly! That's because you're the boss's wife!" Fu Ranyan rolled her eyes, exasperated by Tang Mianmian's obliviousness.

Realization dawned on Tang Mianmian, and she stopped rolling on the bed. Fiddling with her hair, she suggested, "Then should I keep our relationship a secret?"

"..."

Wouldn't that solve the problem entirely?

"Great! It's decided!" Tang Mianmian concluded enthusiastically when Fu Ranyan didn't respond. "Keeping it a secret is better for everyone. Besides, being 'the boss's wife' would cause such a stir."

Just the thought of it made her cringe.

"Alright, leave this to me. You're pregnant, so make sure my future godchild stays well-fed and healthy. That's your top priority!" Tang Mianmian said, trying to reassure her friend.

Though slightly uneasy, Fu Ranyan softened at Tang Mianmian's sincerity.

She sighed and said gratefully, "Tang Mianmian, does your husband know how meddlesome you are?"

"Nope, he doesn't! Haha."

"So, what kind of company is it? When should I start?" Fu Ranyan asked, shifting into serious mode as she mentally prepared herself.

"Well... it's Jueshi. Have you heard of it?" Tang Mianmian hesitated before answering.

A long silence followed on the other end of the line.

Tang Mianmian began to feel nervous.

Then came Fu Ranyan's shocked voice. "Tang Mianmian, there's only one Jueshi in all of Jiangcheng. Don't tell me your husband is Long Yejue—the heir to the Long family!"

Tang Mianmian cringed. In a small voice, she replied, "I think... his name is Long Yejue."

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!" Fu Ranyan's scream was deafening.

Tang Mianmian winced, covering her ears. "Can you calm down, please?"

"Long Yejue! Ahhhhh! The Long Yejue!"

"…"

Tang Mianmian imagined a flock of crows flying over her head.

Was it really that exciting?

Was Long Yejue really that exciting?

"I can't. I need to calm down. Quick, take a photo of your husband and send it to me. Otherwise, I'll think this is just a dream!" Fu Ranyan demanded, still not over the shock.

Her request startled Tang Mianmian. "Right now?"

"Yes, right now! Not a second later!"

"But... he's in the shower."

"Even better! That'll make it more authentic!"

"…"

Why do I even have this friend?

Seeing Tang Mianmian hesitate, Fu Ranyan relented a bit. "Fine, you don't need to send the whole picture. Just the upper half will do."

"…"

Could lightning strike her friend down, please?

After much deliberation, Tang Mianmian offered an alternative. "How about I send a photo from our marriage certificate? That's just as real."

"Oh, scared I'll ogle your husband's body? Didn't think you were this jealous!" Fu Ranyan teased. "Fine, fine. The marriage certificate will do."

At least this compromise was bearable.