Unspoken Frustrations

Yichen wasn't irritated.

At least, that's what he kept telling himself as he sat in the dimly lit lounge, an untouched glass of whiskey resting on the table beside him.

The business retreat was still in full swing outside, laughter and polite conversation drifting in from the ballroom. But he had no patience for pointless small talk, nor the need to entertain the sharks disguised as businessmen.

Yet, even from here, his mind refused to let go of the scene from earlier.

Lu Zeyan's lingering glances.

Jiang Wei's unwavering attention.

Feng Xinya's knowing smirk.

And Ruolan—completely oblivious to the silent war being waged around her.

Yichen let out a slow exhale, his fingers tightening around his glass.

It was ridiculous.

Why should he care? She was his assistant, not his responsibility beyond work. Yet the image of her standing between Lu Zeyan and Jiang Wei, caught in their pull like an unwitting pawn, gnawed at him.

And the most infuriating part?

She wasn't even trying to attract their attention.

She wasn't flirting, wasn't seeking admiration—she was just being herself.

And somehow, that was enough.

Enough for them to look at her like that.

Yichen's jaw clenched as he took a sip of his whiskey. He'd never cared about things like this before. Women came and went, none ever holding his interest beyond fleeting amusement.

Then why…

Why did the thought of Lu Zeyan looking at Ruolan like she was a challenge to be conquered irritate him?

Why did Jiang Wei's easy familiarity with her feel like an intrusion?

His fingers tapped against the glass, sharp and impatient. This was unacceptable.

The moment he realized he was thinking too much about her, he should've shut it down.

But it was already too late.

~~

Ruolan, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing inside Yichen, had finally escaped the ballroom for some fresh air.

The night breeze was cool against her skin as she stepped onto the quiet balcony. After hours of formalities and tension-filled encounters, she needed a moment to breathe.

The city lights stretched before her, twinkling like scattered diamonds against the night sky.

She barely had a second to enjoy the silence before a familiar presence appeared behind her.

"You're slacking off, Assistant Xia."

She stiffened slightly at the voice. Li Yichen.

Turning, she found him leaning against the doorway, his tall frame half-lit by the glow of the ballroom behind him.

His expression was unreadable, but there was something different about the way he was looking at her tonight.

Ruolan straightened, forcing a small smile. "Not slacking off. Just taking a break. I assume even you allow yourself that much?"

"You assume incorrectly." His voice was cool, but there was an edge to it.

Ruolan studied him for a moment before sighing. "Why are you here, President Li? I doubt you came out here just to reprimand me."

Yichen didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stepped closer—too close.

Ruolan's breath hitched slightly, but she held her ground.

His gaze was sharp as he regarded her, taking in the soft glow of the lights against her skin, the way the wind played with the strands of her hair.

She was… beautiful.

He had always known that. But tonight, with the city as her backdrop, there was something unreal about the way she looked.

Yichen's fingers twitched at his side. An unfamiliar, unwanted urge.

He needed to regain control of himself.

This isn't you, Li Yichen.

Forcing his usual indifference, he spoke. "Lu Zeyan seems quite interested in you."

Ruolan blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. "What?"

Yichen's gaze remained unreadable. "Lu Zeyan. He was watching you all night."

Ruolan frowned. "He was just making conversation."

Yichen let out a quiet scoff. "You're too naive if you think that's all it was."

Ruolan's eyes narrowed slightly. "And why does it matter to you?"

The words hit harder than she intended.

For a second, just a second, she thought she saw something flicker in his eyes.

But it was gone in an instant, replaced by his usual, unaffected mask.

"It doesn't." His voice was firm. "I just don't like unnecessary distractions in my business dealings."

Ruolan felt an inexplicable annoyance rise in her chest. Was that all she was? A potential 'distraction' in his eyes?

She turned away, gripping the cold railing. "Then don't worry. I have no interest in playing games with your rivals."

Yichen remained silent, watching her.

For some reason, that statement didn't ease his irritation.

In fact, it only made the unwanted tightness in his chest worse.

Because it wasn't just Lu Zeyan who had looked at her tonight.

It was Jiang Wei, too.

And maybe every other man at the retreat tonight.

And that was an entirely different problem.

One he wasn't ready to acknowledge.

~~

When Ruolan finally left the balcony, Yichen remained.

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

This was getting out of hand.

The irritation. The possessive pull that clawed at him when he saw another man looking at her.

It was wrong.

She wasn't his.

She was his assistant.

And yet…

Yichen's grip on the balcony railing tightened.

If he didn't put a stop to this now, things would spiral.

But deep down, a part of him already knew—

It was already too late.