Chapter 54

Han Qian was done playing games with Wen Nuan—these games always ended in blows, and he couldn't keep up with that. He lay on the tatami in his room, staring at the ceiling in a daze. The gap between the two bedrooms was telling: Wen Nuan's side boasted a TV, a computer, a smartphone, while his side had nothing but a dusty antique radio.

He was about to drift off when the door creaked open and Wen Nuan entered in her cartoon pajamas. She kicked off her slippers and sat cross-legged on the tatami, her tone plaintive.

"Han Qian, I can't sleep. Talk to me."

Han Qian pulled the blanket over his head, mumbling,

"I'm sleeping. Go play that match-3 game you love, or watch *Boonie Bears*."

"No!" she protested. "Han Qian, talk to me! Or let's play a game together. Back when we were first married, you'd sneak off at night to play games. You've got that new computer—come on, teach me!"

She pressed down on his shoulder, rocking it in a playful, coaxing manner. Han Qian flung the blanket off, sat up, and squinted at her.

"Alright, fine, we'll talk. But forget about gaming tonight—you're the classic case of *no skill, all enthusiasm.* Wen Nuan, doesn't Changxiang have any work for you? You're always this free?"

Wen Nuan hugged her feet, swinging them from side to side, a mischievous smile on her lips.

"Not busy at all! Lin Zongheng took over everything when he got back. I wanted to step in, but the board told me to let him prove himself first—see if he's cut out for the CEO seat. That's what Uncle Lin told them when I first joined, so I can't really object."

"You're not worried he'll just sideline you completely? I've heard from Lao Wen and your mom that the Lin family's been itching to control the whole company. If Lin Zongheng actually shows he's got what it takes, you'll be in real danger. At Rongyao, I've seen how the VP's always trying to edge out the GM. If Lin Zongheng does the same, you'll be overruled in every meeting. Do you even have people you trust in Changxiang?"

She gave a little shake of her head, then a nod, then shook it again, looking sheepish.

"Not really… You know me, I'm not good at social stuff. Even at work, I barely smile—everyone calls me the Ice Queen. Some of Lao Wen's old friends support me, but… I never really knew how to show them I cared."

She dropped her head, fiddling with her clean, white toes, looking both forlorn and embarrassed. When she started picking at the bandage on her foot, Han Qian reached over and tapped her hand.

"Don't."

Wen Nuan stopped and looked up, lips quivering.

"I'm upset now. You made me upset."

Han Qian lay back down, propping his head on one hand as he chuckled.

"You're at loose ends for now, and I can't help you much. But remember—what's between you and me, we handle ourselves. Don't always go running to Second Uncle for help; it'll just make it seem like you can't stand on your own. Once or twice is fine—more than that, people start to resent it. And by the way, I might be working with Tu Xiao soon—just to make a little extra money."

Wen Nuan sat up straighter, her gaze serious.

"You're doing this to repay me, aren't you? Han Qian, asking for the money back was just a petty thing I said during the divorce—I was angry. I'm not as smart as you, but I have my looks, my family… and you still dumped me. I'm not asking for that money anymore—Tu Xiao is dangerous. Second Uncle told me he's an old mad dog. I don't want you involved with him."

Han Qian shook his head with a wry smile.

"It's not as bad as you think. And whether you want the money or not, I need to earn it anyway. Tu Xiao wants to pivot to legit business with Rongyao, and I'm going to see what I can skim off the top. Plus, there are other reasons—I might need to get close to people like Guan Junbiao. I can't tell you why yet. I'm curious how much I can make in a year—are you sure you don't want that four hundred thousand?"

She studied him for a long moment, then sighed.

"Alright, fine—I'll take it. Men with money always get ideas—I'm not giving you the chance to cozy up to that fox, Yan Qingqing. I'll be your creditor, so you'll have to listen to me. I'm the mistress of this house!"

Han Qian snorted.

"Mistress, my foot. Why not just let Lao Wen come back to the office? He's not old enough to be retired yet."

"It's not that simple," she murmured. "Lao Wen and Old Lin had a deal. Old Lin stepped down two years early, and once I joined the company, Lao Wen promised not to meddle. I didn't understand it back then—but living with you taught me to be smarter. I see now how dumb I used to be. I've got 17% of the shares, but that's enough for the Lin family to control over 50%—maybe Old Lin figured I'd just marry Lin Zongheng and it'd all work out."

"And he miscalculated, didn't he?"

"Whatever." She stuck out her tongue. "Anyway, the way Changxiang runs is totally different from Rongyao. There, the shareholders just take dividends—they don't get to interfere."

"Not bad. You're not as clueless as you used to be. In honor of your improvement, I'll teach you to cook."

"I'm not learning," she huffed. "If I know how, you'll stop doing it for me. I'm not stupid."

"Then I'll teach you to do laundry."

"I can wash my own underwear, thank you. I just bought a mini washer. Let's play games—I can play Gold Miner! I'm not going to work tomorrow."

"I'm not playing with you. Go watch your cartoon bears."

"Aren't you going to ask why I'm not going to work?"

"Do I look like your brain?"

"Ask me and I'll tell you."

"Not asking."

"Han Qian!"

She lunged at him, and Han Qian yanked the blanket over his head as she pounced, punching and kicking and gnawing at him through the covers. But it only lasted a minute.

When she stopped, he cautiously peeked out—only to find her leaning in close, her head lowered, lips brushing his forehead.

*Smack!*

Wen Nuan froze, startled, and Han Qian clutched his forehead, wailing.

"You little pervert—stealing a kiss from me!"

Her shyness vanished in an instant. She yanked the blanket away, grabbed his throat, and hissed,

"Stealing a kiss—my ass! What's this mark on your forehead? Oh? A bite mark? Let me see—"

Before he could answer, she grabbed his ears and cracked their heads together.

"Is this that fox Yan Qingqing?"

Meanwhile, in her bath, Yan Qingqing let out an involuntary sneeze as she reached for her phone to call Han Qian.

"Ah-choo! Huh? Someone thinking of me? If it's not my parents, it'd better not be that little brat—he's not allowed to daydream about me!"