He Li finished the meal feeling completely satisfied. Yu Qingge, though the one who paid, felt just as happy. Spending a few thousand yuan in exchange for He Li’s gentleness—it was totally worth it in her eyes.
“Next time, I’ll treat you again, okay?” Yu Qingge clung to his arm as they left the restaurant.
He Li didn’t refuse, only replied, “We’ll see.”
“Where to now?” he asked once they got in the car.
Yu Qingge stretched lazily and didn’t answer directly. Instead, she asked back, “Don’t you want to rest a bit after eating?”
“Fine, just wake me when you’re ready,” He Li said, understanding her real intention. She just wanted to spend more time with him, whether it was shopping or anything else. That was her goal, and he wasn’t going to argue about it.
He leaned back in the seat to relax, feeling quite comfortable. Yu Qingge sat beside him, silently watching him. The car was quiet, but the atmosphere was warm and cozy.
Meanwhile, back at the company…
“Where’s He Li?” Wu Qian frowned at the empty desk and looked around.
No one replied. He Li usually got along well with the others in the studio, so no one was going to rat him out. Plus, they genuinely didn’t know where he’d gone.
Wu Qian grew irritated seeing no one responding. Still, he wasn’t dumb enough to blow up at everyone. He’d just arrived—offending the whole team on day one would be career suicide.
So he targeted He Li instead.
“This morning he looked so serious…”
“But just a few hours later, the mask slips and he shows his true colors.”
He glanced around the room and kept muttering to himself.
“Skipping work in broad daylight. What does he think the company rules are, a joke?”
“Even if something came up, the least he could do is apply for leave.”
“Coming and going as he pleases—does he even see me as his superior?”
“He thinks just because he’s got some skills, he can do whatever he wants?”
“Hmph. I just emphasized this morning that everything should be done by the book, and look at him—completely ignored me.”
“When he gets back, send him straight to my office!”
With that, Wu Qian turned to leave.
Wei Huo thought for a moment and said, “Maybe you should check with HR to see if he applied for leave?”
Knowing He Li, Wei Huo figured he wouldn’t skip work without covering his tracks. If he was absent, it likely meant it was approved.
But Wu Qian clearly didn’t take his advice seriously.
“Why should I go to HR? Are you saying He Li doesn’t even need his supervisor’s approval to take leave?”
With a cold snort, Wu Qian stormed off.
Wei Huo just shrugged, not bothering to argue.
…
Back in the car, He Li had dozed off without realizing it. When he woke up, he felt like he’d been resting on something warm, soft, and fragrant.
Rubbing his eyes and sitting up, he realized with a jolt—he’d fallen asleep with his head on Yu Qingge’s lap.
“Sleeping on my lap felt nice, didn’t it?” Yu Qingge asked with a grin as he stirred.
He Li scratched his head. “Yeah… it was pretty comfortable.”
“What about you? Your legs numb?” he asked, reaching out to gently press her thigh. Yu Qingge blushed and softly replied, “A little…”
Before she could say more, He Li had already started massaging her leg.
His technique was skillful and soothing.
“Wow, your massage skills are amazing!” she couldn’t help but praise.
He Li shrugged, “Just something I picked up in my spare time. Nothing amazing.”
Seeing she had recovered, he asked, “So, now that we’re fed and rested, where to? Time’s running out. When it hits the end of the workday, I’m heading home.”
“Can’t you work overtime and stay with me?” Yu Qingge pouted.
He Li shook his head firmly. “Overtime? No way.”
“I strictly follow the company’s work schedule. Not a minute early, not a minute late!”
Clearly, he just didn’t want to make the extra effort. But the way he said it sounded like he was upholding some noble principle.
Yu Qingge was speechless, but then she had a new idea. If He Li wasn’t willing to work overtime for her, she could go home with him instead. When it was time to go, she could say she’d drive him back. Once at his place, she could stick around and refuse to leave—knowing his personality, he wouldn’t kick her out.
With that thought, a sly smile crept onto her lips.
But on the surface, she still acted all helpless.
“Other people would kill for a chance to be with me, and you don’t even want to… forget it, I won’t force you.”
“Let’s go to Century Mall then. While there’s still time, keep me company and shop with me.”
“So sensible~” He Li smiled and praised her.
Yu Qingge didn’t reply, only gave him a playful smile.
He Li focused on driving toward Century Mall, not noticing the mischief hidden in her expression.
When they arrived, Yu Qingge ignored the envious stares from passersby and happily clung to He Li’s arm. “Let’s go! I’ll take you to the luxury section to broaden your horizons!”
“Say what you want, just keep your hands to yourself!” He Li protested. “Look at the way people are staring. They probably want to skin me alive from jealousy!”
“What? Getting nervous already?”
“Me? Nervous? I’m super brave, okay?”
“Then enjoy my embrace to the fullest!”
As she spoke, Yu Qingge deliberately pressed her generous chest against his arm. He Li flinched at the softness and heat, feeling his blood surge with excitement.
But suddenly, a voice from the front doused his mood like cold water.
“Hey? Isn’t that Xiao Li?”
“You’re looking more handsome every time I see you!”
“Whoa, is this your girlfriend? You’ve got good taste!”
“No wonder you weren’t interested in the girl your aunt picked out for you.”
Hearing the voice, He Li looked up and saw a middle-aged woman with curly hair walking out from the mall.
“Aunt Wang! What a coincidence running into you here!” He Li greeted her quickly.
Aunt Wang was his mother’s close friend and quite familiar with their family. But that wasn’t the point—the point was she had just mistaken Yu Qingge for his girlfriend.
And Aunt Wang had a reputation: once she got her hands on gossip, it would spread like wildfire.
If He Li didn’t clarify now, by tomorrow the entire neighborhood, every family friend and relative would think Yu Qingge was his girlfriend.
Even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn’t wash that off.
“Colleague?” Aunt Wang smiled knowingly. “Come on, don’t try to fool me!”
“What kind of colleagues are this close?”
“Look at how sweetly she’s hugging you!”
“Tsk, reminds me of when I was dating back in the day!”
Aunt Wang even looked a little sentimental, like seeing Yu Qingge reminded her of her youth. That’s when He Li realized his hand was still being held, and tried to pull away.
But Yu Qingge wouldn’t let go.
He Li lowered his voice, “Let go already!”
“If Aunt Wang misunderstands, it won’t be a joke.”
“She’s a master at spreading rumors. If we don’t clear this up now, people will be saying we’re getting married by the time it gets back to us…”
His tone grew anxious, but Yu Qingge’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
Not only did she refuse to let go—she clung to his arm even tighter.
She even gave Aunt Wang a sweet smile. “Hello, Aunt Wang!”
“Ay, good, good!” Aunt Wang grinned from ear to ear.
“What a lovely girl! So polite!”
“Xiao Li, you’ve really hit the jackpot.”
“You’ve got to cherish a girl like her.”
“Alright, I’ve got some errands. I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it.”
She walked off beaming, wearing a full-blown “auntie smile.”
He Li didn’t even get the chance to explain.
Watching Aunt Wang hurry off, then looking down at the still-smiling Yu Qingge, he couldn’t help but pinch her soft little cheek.
“Great. Now Aunt Wang misunderstood completely!”
“I told you to let go, and you refused.”
“When the gossip spreads through my relatives, how am I supposed to explain it?”
Yu Qingge replied casually, “Explain what?”
“Just admit it. You’re already my man. I’ve decided that I won’t let go.”
“It’s only a matter of time before we get together.”
Then she gave him a wicked little smile.
“Aunt Wang’s a pro at spreading the word. Once everyone knows you have a girlfriend, they won’t try setting you up anymore, right? Hehe, that way I’ll have no competition left and can focus on winning you over.”
“…You sure know how to come up with schemes,” He Li sighed.
Yu Qingge leaned on his shoulder and whispered, “I don’t know how to make you fall in love with me or become my boyfriend.”
“So… I can only try whatever I can…”
“Please don’t hate me, okay?”
“I just… really want to have you.”
Her voice was soft, barely a whisper, filled with vulnerability.
He Li heard it and, feeling a mix of emotions, gently ruffled her hair…