Zhou Shijing did not answer her.
He walked over, took her hand, and led her toward the elevator lobby.
It was already after work hours, and the office building was pitch black.
Wen Xuxue looked at the sparse, faint lights on the empty workstations and felt somewhat puzzled.
Turning her head, she said, “I thought since they called you back so urgently, the whole company would be working overtime. I didn’t expect only you, the boss, to come back to work late.”
“What’s the matter? So important,” she asked curiously.
Zhou Shijing said lightly, “A billion-dollar acquisition proposal.”
Wen Xuxue was shocked. “You’re doing business on such a large scale?”
Zhou Shijing glanced at her, his gaze weightless and airy, as if looking at a fool. “You still don’t know how rich Older Brother is?”
Wen Xuxue said, “You’ve never shown me your bank balance. How would I know?”
So Zhou Shijing took out his phone, opened the banking app, and held it in front of her for her to see.
Wen Xuxue took his phone and carefully examined the long string of densely packed numbers.
Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, hundred thousands, millions… billions.
Her lips parted slightly, looking genuinely astonished. “Your net worth is ten billion?”
Zhou Shijing said casually, “Obviously?”
Wen Xuxue emphasized his age. “You’re only 30!”
Zhou Shijing reached out and pinched her cheek, coaxing as if to a child. “So, will you try to please Older Brother from now on?”
Wen Xuxue dodged his hand and snorted. “Don’t think I don’t know—people as rich as you must have a pile of debt. Didn’t the news report before? That one boss had a net worth of one billion but owed five billion.”
Zhou Shijing: “…”
Wen Xuxue observed his expression.
Still cold, devoid of emotion.
But he didn’t refute her.
That must mean she hit the mark.
Could it be that he really has a net worth of ten billion but owes the bank twenty billion…
Would the woman who marries him in the future also inexplicably take on five billion in debt?
The thought terrified Wen Xuxue.
Five billion!
Enough to buy countless lives like hers!
While her mind was wandering, Zhou Shijing had already led her into his office.
Even after he sat down in his office chair, he still hadn’t let go of her hand.
Wen Xuxue gradually snapped back to reality. Lowering her gaze, she saw his thick eyelashes and felt a stir in her heart. “You get busy. I’ll wait over there.”
The office lights usually cast a faint, pale glow, but tonight Zhou Shijing had switched to a warm light.
The dim yellow light shone down, softening the man’s originally sharp features.
He looked up at her, his cool gaze holding a hint of meaning. “Xiao Xue, stay here and keep Older Brother company.”
Wen Xuxue frowned. “You want me to stand? That’s tiring.”
Zhou Shijing’s lips curled slightly, but there was no smile in his eyes.
He patted his thigh and said, “If you’re tired, sit here.”
Wen Xuxue instinctively looked down.
And noticed.
There.
It was still a sizable bulge.
Even though a cold breeze seeped in through the window, she couldn’t help but feel hot.
Her face was hot, her body felt a little warm.
Even her ears turned red.
“N-no, I don’t want to,” Wen Xuxue stammered. “Y-you get busy first. We’ll talk after you’re done.”
With that, she tried to run.
But her arm was suddenly pulled back.
Zhou Shijing exerted a slight force, causing Wen Xuxue’s body to sway, and in the next moment, he pressed her onto his lap.
Zhou Shijing reached out and gently stroked her face, his gaze deep and profound, asking, “Does Xiao Xue know how to ride a horse?”
Wen Xuxue’s body stiffened, her eyes filled with a hint of fear as she looked at him.
Zhou Shijing lifted her chin and commanded, “Now, treat Older Brother as a horse to ride, understand?”
“No…” she refused pitifully, trying to plead, “Don’t you have work to do?”
Zhou Shijing’s expression remained mostly unchanged, calmly stating, “It’s precisely because Older Brother has work to do that Xiao Xue needs to be proactive.”
He patted her back and coldly urged, “Quickly.”
Wen Xuxue still refused.
Zhou Shijing began threatening, “Do you still want to come work by my side?”
Wicked capitalism.
Heartless businessman.
Bad Older Brother.
Wen Xuxue had no choice but to yield to him.
She reached out, lifted her skirt, pursed her lips, feeling extremely aggrieved, and asked, “Will this not affect your work…”
“No.” Zhou Shijing expressionlessly opened his laptop.
It seemed as if there was no one sitting on his lap at all.
Wen Xuxue’s hair swayed gently, reflecting a faint light brown under the light, occasionally tangling with his suit jacket before quickly dispersing again.
She deliberately controlled her breathing, but upon seeing his cold and sharp profile, she suddenly felt like crying.
This was so uncomfortable…
It felt like only she was moved.
He was like a block of ice, indifferent.
Why?
Wen Xuxue helplessly leaned against his shoulder, motionless.
Zhou Shijing softly scolded, “Not being obedient again.”
Wen Xuxue muttered gloomily, “You don’t need me at all. Go busy yourself with your work.”
Zhou Shijing grasped her shoulders, pulling her out from his embrace, slightly lowering his head to look at her. His deep eyes were exceptionally captivating as he said, “Older Brother really needs you.”
His voice paused, then he asked in a serious tone, “Can’t you feel it?”
“I…” Wen Xuxue’s voice faltered, unsure how to answer this question that seemed so “complex” to her.
Zhou Shijing rubbed the back of her head and softly said, “Xiao Xue did very well earlier. Be obedient and continue. Later, after work, Older Brother will take you to buy gifts.”
Wen Xuxue met his gaze, and a warm current flowed through her heart.
Soft. Sweet.
Often, if he would just patiently coax her a little, she would agree to anything.
She couldn’t help but hook her arms around his neck, leaning close to his ear, her voice trembling slightly, “Older Brother, this… really won’t affect your work?”
Wen Xuxue was genuinely worried and spoke again, “You said earlier, this project is worth ten billion.”
Zhou Shijing calmly reassured, “It’s fine.”
“Mm…” Wen Xuxue responded.
However, at some unknown moment, the originally pitch-black office building suddenly lit up.
Wen Xuxue hugged him, facing away from the door, unable to notice anything.
Zhou Shijing’s gaze remained fixed on the computer screen, his slender fingers occasionally typing on it, seemingly unaware as well.
Then, amidst the profound silence, a knocking sound suddenly rang out.
This sound was too loud, too abrupt, startling Wen Xuxue, who was immersed in her own world, unprepared.
Her face turned deathly pale, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably from fright. She bit her lip, forcing back the scream that threatened to escape.
Zhou Shijing, however, appeared utterly calm. He lowered his gaze, glanced at her, and let out a soft, almost amused sigh. After a moment, he placed a hand on her back, patting it gently and rhythmically, as if to soothe her.
The knocking sounded again.
Followed by a deep male voice: “Mr. Zhou?”