Chapter 55

Han Qian scarcely slept through the night. Wen Nuan, having decided to skip work, insisted on keeping him awake, demanding he clarify who had bitten his forehead. Eventually, Han Qian began to mutter incoherently in his sleep, and Wen Nuan, unable to resist fatigue, drifted off on the tatami mat.

Barely two hours had passed when Han Qian awoke to a dull ache in his arm. Groggily opening his eyes, he discovered Wen Nuan slumbering with her head resting on his arm. Gently, he lifted her head and placed the sole pillow beneath it. As he did so, Wen Nuan murmured, "Take my car. You're going to be late. Remember to close the door when you leave. I'm staying in today."

"I might be too tired to drive safely," he replied.

"Shall I drive you?"

"I'll manage."

The fewer times Wen Nuan visited Rongyao, the fewer complications Han Qian had to contend with. He dressed hastily and descended the stairs without even washing his face. The white Panamera pulled out of the residential complex, while Wen Nuan, left behind, had already slipped back into dreams. Han Qian pondered what to eat for breakfast and where he might catch up on sleep once at the office.

Neither felt awkward or uncomfortable about sharing a sleeping space. Han Qian understood that Wen Nuan, ever the sluggard, had simply been too tired to move. As for Wen Nuan, the thought hadn't even crossed her mind.

He dared not drive the car all the way to the company. About one station away, he parked in a public lot. As he locked the car, a familiar voice called out behind him, "Well, well, Brother Qian, hiding in plain sight, driving a luxury car to a white-collar job. Your salary probably doesn't even cover the fuel."

Turning to the source, Han Qian saw Qian Wan and sighed. "Same to you. That car of yours isn't cheap either. Keep my secret, and I won't tell anyone you're commuting in a supercar."

Qian Wan, the internet-addicted girl, stepped out of her car, grinning as she handed him breakfast. "Haven't eaten yet, have you? I'm on a diet anyway."

Han Qian raised his hands in refusal. "Don't ask me to play games. I'm terrible at them."

Qian Wan pouted. "Look at you, scared already. I've switched to a sandbox game. Spent half a year building a Titan, only to have it explode like fireworks. Can't play it anymore. Thought I'd find someone to game with. You're the most idle in the general department."

"Li Dongsheng is pretty idle too."

"Don't mention that mama's boy. At least we can have fun together. Come on, eat! Sister Yang won't mind if you play games."

Qian Wan was undeniably attractive and tall, but her boisterous personality clashed with her appearance. Dressed in professional attire, she looked out of place. At that moment, she had one arm draped over Han Qian's shoulder.

Han Qian stiffened, resisting her grip. "Da Qian, have you graduated yet?"

"I was advised to leave, then my aunt got me this job. Oh! Forgot to mention, my aunt's surname is also Qian. Don't call me Da Qian! Sounds like ancient currency."

Her personality starkly contrasted with her name and appearance. Han Qian suddenly wondered if she had been possessed, like Angela—a loli with the soul of a mature woman.

Breaking free from her arm, Han Qian said, "I know your aunt's surname is Qian."

"How do you know?"

"Your dad's surname is Qian, right?"

"Oh! You're right. My aunt owns 25% of the company, same as Li Dongsheng's dad. Their whole family is crazy. His mom once said I'd make a good daughter-in-law, and Li Dongsheng started chasing me relentlessly. I thought, why not form an alliance? Gaming requires teamwork. When I met his mom, I tried to be bold and chugged a bottle of beer. She called me unladylike."

Well...

Han Qian didn't know how to respond. Meeting a future mother-in-law and chugging a bottle of beer? He recalled when Wen Nuan met his mother—she had been unusually well-behaved, even venturing into the kitchen. Though she ended up serving two burnt fish, at least she made an effort. Qian Wan... was a bit too bold.

As they chatted, they reached the company's main entrance. Han Qian was about to cross the parking lot when Qian Wan pulled him back, warning him about the approaching Yan Qingqing. He quickly diverted to the walkway with her.

At the entrance, they encountered several colleagues. Su Liang and Yang Jia were among them. Qian Wan immediately abandoned Han Qian to gossip with Yang Jia. Su Liang, grinning mischievously, looked at Han Qian and teased, "Brother Qian, rough night? Those dark circles are showing."

Leaning on Su Liang's shoulder, Han Qian sighed, "Trust me, you don't want to know what happened last night."

Liu Jiulong, nearby, frowned at them. "Watch your behavior."

Su Liang promptly wrapped an arm around Han Qian's shoulder, joking, "Vice President Liu, imagine if our company's two most handsome men got together—how many hearts would break?"

Liu Jiulong shuddered and stepped back. Just then, Yang Jia called out, "Liang'er, I don't know about broken hearts, but I do know that President Yan would chop you into dumpling filling."

Su Liang shivered at that. The group chatted as they ascended the stairs. Upon entering the general department, Han Qian noticed an extra breakfast on his desk. Puzzled, he saw that only Wu Siwan had arrived early.

"Thanks. Lunch is on me," he said.

Wu Siwan blushed and nodded. Han Qian didn't think much of it and sat down, preparing to eat. Suddenly, Su Liang snatched the breakfast away.

"Brother Qian, better eat with President Yan. I'll take care of this for you. Siwan, lunch is on your Brother Liang."

"Hey?..."

"Silence!" Su Liang barked at Han Qian, who looked at him in confusion before heading out for a smoke. The office buzzed with curiosity—these two close friends seemed to be quarreling over a woman.

Wu Siwan sat at her desk, gripping her pen tightly, head bowed in silence. Qian Wan shot Su Liang a disdainful look before donning her headphones and immersing herself in her game.

After finishing the breakfast, Su Liang approached Wu Siwan's desk, tapping it as he grinned. "Don't play your little games."

At that moment, Li Dongsheng entered the office. Seeing Su Liang by Wu Siwan's desk, he frowned and asked coldly, "Su Liang, do you need something from Siwan?"

Su Liang shrugged and smiled. "Nothing much. Just had her breakfast and thought I'd return the favor tomorrow. Tit for tat, you know."

Li Dongsheng sat beside Wu Siwan, glaring at Su Liang as if his wife had been harassed. "No need. Worry about feeding yourself first, pauper."

Su Liang shrugged again, not bothering to argue. He pulled out a cigarette and left the office. In the restroom, he found Han Qian leaning against the door, frowning. Su Liang grinned, "Angry?"

Han Qian shook his head, tossing a lighter and a pack of cigarettes to Su Liang. "Try these. Got them from the military. Pretty good."

"Thanks, my good buddy. Not mad I stole your breakfast?"

Su Liang lit a cigarette, savoring it. Han Qian, smoking as well, muttered, "Something feels off."

Su Liang nodded. "Not just a bit—very off. You've only been in the general department a short while, so you might not know. Wu Siwan's trying to cling to Li Dongsheng. His mom sees her as a potential daughter-in-law. She's ignoring her wealthy background to play this game? Giving you breakfast at such a sensitive time? She must think we're all fools. If she dares give me breakfast, I'll eat it. Let Li Dongsheng come at me. He can't do anything outside the company. Qian, I know you can't leave Rongyao. President Yan won't let you go, and you can't."

Han Qian stubbed out his cigarette, slinging an arm around Su Liang's shoulder as they looked at their reflections. "Come on, let's go play games with Qian Wan. Then let's work hard and make some money. I've got a new plan."

"Don't give me the money too early. My back's not great! Save it for me. I need to bring some cash home for New Year's, or my dad will scold me for being useless."

"Bring a girlfriend home."

"How about Wu Siwan?"

Su Liang looked at Han Qian, who looked back. The two handsome men of the general department burst into laughter, only to be dragged away by Yang Lan, who grabbed their ears.

"Next time, smoke in the designated area! Or go to the men's restroom. People are complaining to the general department about you two rascals! Today, you're both getting a good scolding."

Yang Lan, seemingly in a new outfit every day, strutted ahead in a blue dress and high heels, flanked by two grimacing, handsome young men.

Passersby couldn't help but remark, "I want to transfer to the general department—relaxed, eye candy, and high pay."