Chapter70

"Wanwan, step out for now. I'd like a word alone with your so-called Brother Qian—such a young man, yet full of cunning."

"Aunt…"

"I said out!"

Qian Ling's sudden, thunderous command left Qian Wan no choice but to abandon her protests. She exited the office, slamming the door behind her in clear frustration. Seeing this, Qian Ling sighed heavily—this niece was beyond her control.

With Qian Wan gone, Qian Ling resumed her seat in Yan Qingqing's chair, casting a sidelong glance at the two on the sofa: Yan Qingqing and Han Qian. She sighed again.

"I've long abandoned the hope of having children of my own. Qian Wan is my niece, but I see her as my own daughter. Han Qian, I admit you have an enviable streak of luck, and I know you're quick-witted. When did you realize that Qian Wan's aunt was a shareholder of this company?"

Han Qian's heart sank—he had grown too confident, assuming everyone else to be fools. He took a slow, steady breath and spoke quietly.

"I found out on Monday or Tuesday."

"Very well. Tell me this—if the girl in the internet café that day had been another employee, not Qian Wan, would you still have risked intervening? Maybe you would have. But would you have called on Guan Dagou instead of dialing the police?"

At this, Han Qian raised his head and offered a crooked smile.

"Qian Wan tried to call the police herself, but her phone was snatched and smashed—something you probably didn't know. You do know she's already replaced her phone, though, right? My decision wasn't about who stood behind me—it was about finding the simplest, most effective solution. That's just my way. Besides… I'm wary of the authorities—I've made mistakes in the past, and I'd rather not deal with them."

"My niece was slapped across the face," Qian Ling said pointedly.

"Want to see the injuries on my back?" Han Qian retorted.

"I have no interest in your injuries."

"Then this is a matter between Da Qian'er and me," Han Qian said coolly. "You may be a shareholder, but you've overstepped by probing into my personal life. I don't expect thanks from you, nor did I seek out this conversation. I simply did my best to protect those beside me."

"Qian Wan is still a child," Qian Ling snapped.

The moment those words left her mouth, Yan Qingqing's slender hand slid under Han Qian's suit jacket to pinch his side. Only then did Han Qian fully grasp what Qian Ling truly meant. He looked up, smiled faintly, and in that fleeting moment of amusement, his mind raced. Then he swatted away that small hand and teased softly.

"Stop it—when no one's around, I'll explain everything."

Yan Qingqing hadn't expected that and, feeling self-conscious in front of Qian Ling, quietly withdrew her hand. Yet this fleeting exchange did not escape Qian Ling's keen eye. She leaned forward, a mischievous glint in her gaze as she studied them both.

Ah, so there *was* something between Yan Qingqing and this Han Qian! That would certainly explain his eagerness to protect Qian Wan. Yan Qingqing must have said a word in his ear—Qian Wan had even told her aunt how she and Han Qian had been caught gaming by President Yan and then tossed out together.

So, the mystery was solved—the flower already had a keeper.

But Qian Ling frowned as a thought crossed her mind: wasn't Wen Nuan's ex-husband also named Han Qian? The description matched the man before her exactly, and she'd seen the photos too. This young man—what sort of abilities did he have, to charm both the Vice President of Changxiang and now to be so… close to Rongyao's general manager?

Whatever the truth, Qian Wan was safe now.

At last, Han Qian broke the silence with a wry grin. "Director Qian, you really should've been upfront. My relationship with Da Qian'er is purely collegial—at most, friendly. If I'd wanted to pursue her, would I have called her 'Big Qian'er' like that? That's the kind of name only friends use. Besides, you know I'm divorced—damaged goods, hardly worth much."

"Exactly! Second-hand men are worthless," Yan Qingqing interjected, her tone flippant. "Director Qian, this fellow is such a good-for-nothing that even the trash heap wouldn't want him—ugly, cheap, and in debt!"

At that moment, Yan Qingqing's usual composure completely deserted her. Qian Ling eyed the two of them suspiciously, then sighed again.

"Well, since you're both so determined, I'll stop suspecting things. Han Qian, I suppose you were hoping I'd feel indebted to Tu Xiao because of this rescue—maybe you thought I'd owe him a favor because of Wanwan. But if that's what you were thinking, you've miscalculated. I don't believe Tu Xiao would dare send one of his lackeys to collect that sort of debt from me."

Han Qian winced inwardly—this woman was certainly difficult. Before he could gather a response, Qian Ling continued.

"But! It's true that you saved Qian Wan. You took a steel pipe for her sake. I don't want her to owe you—understand? As for that Su Liang, whether he was the ringleader or just an accomplice, I'll see to it that he gets triple his usual wages while he's in the hospital. That's all. And as for Tu Xiao's supposed 'favor'? It has nothing to do with me—understand?"

Han Qian understood well enough. He tried to rise, but the pain in his back made him pause, wincing as he forced a smile.

"Understood, Director Qian. Your success has nothing to do with luck—it's all your sharp mind. Next to you, I'm no better than Meng Huo in front of Zhuge Liang."

"Enough with the flattery," she said dismissively, standing and stretching her arms. "Qingqing, I'm taking Wanwan home with me today. And I heard there's some boy in the Comprehensive Department who wants to mess with my niece—set up a video conference with Liu Shengge when you have a moment."

Yan Qingqing neither nodded nor shook her head. She rose to escort Qian Ling out. When she returned, Han Qian noticed a dangerous glint in her eyes. She stalked up to him, her high heel slamming down mere inches from his foot.

He flinched, cold sweat breaking out as he stared at her, his voice cracking.

"Have you lost your mind?!"

That might have been the most repeated phrase Han Qian had ever uttered to Yan Qingqing. Her temples throbbed with fury as she glared back.

"You're the one who's lost his mind! Why didn't you demand anything from Qian Ling? You took that hit for nothing!"

Han Qian simply laughed. He reached out and let his hand fall lightly on her stockinged leg, then tilted his head back with a theatrical sigh.

"Ah… so smooth."

No matter how fierce she was, Yan Qingqing was still a woman. She recoiled at his teasing, raising her hand as if to slap him. But just then, Han Qian spoke again.

"Anyway, the deal's already done. You should focus on your own negotiations. I'll be seeing Tu Xiao in the next couple of days."

Her hand froze mid-air, her head tilting slightly as she asked, "What deal?"

"Let me stroke your leg a bit more and I'll tell you," he teased.

"Take your paw off me, Han Qian. Don't you dare get ideas."

Han Qian was about to let his hand drop with an embarrassed grin.

"Can't help it—'can't let go,' you know that idiom? Want me to explain it to you?"