“Alright, I’ll walk you just up to here,” He Li said as they reached the door of the CEO’s office.
Since Yu Qingge had already said the script discussion was just an excuse, he figured it was enough to accompany her this far and then return to his desk.
That was his plan—except Yu Qingge clearly had other intentions.
“Why are you in such a rush? You really don’t want to spend a little more time with me?” Yu Qingge clung tightly to his arm, pouting and refusing to let go.
He Li shook his head, “It’s not like that. But don’t you have CEO duties? Don’t things around the company need your attention? If I stay here, won’t I just be delaying your work…?”
“How am I delaying anything?” Yu Qingge smiled sweetly. “If you’re here, I’ll be in a better mood, and if I’m in a good mood, I’ll work more efficiently. So you being here actually improves productivity.”
“And besides, what would you be doing if you went back? Slacking off at your desk with only a cold, lifeless computer for company. But here with me? That’s a different story. You get to slack off with a gorgeous woman beside you… Isn’t that pure enjoyment? Still want to leave?”
He Li hesitated. That did sound kind of reasonable… Yu Qingge seemed to know exactly where to strike.
Feigning helplessness, she added, “Sigh, if you really insist on leaving, then I suppose I’ll reluctantly let you go…”
She sneaked a glance at him while speaking.
He Li immediately straightened up and said, “An excellent subordinate never lets their superior feel troubled. How could I possibly refuse your request, CEO Yu? Please, allow me to stay.”
Yu Qingge couldn’t help but cover her mouth and giggle. This guy—he even made his nonsense sound official. Anyone overhearing would really think he was some perfect employee who only ever thought of his boss.
“Hehe, you’re pretty entertaining, you know. Saying something so enjoyable in such a serious tone… if someone else heard it, they might think you were off to suffer instead of relax!” Her eyes sparkled with laughter as she looked at him.
He Li shrugged and followed her inside.
Her office was spacious and fully equipped… and He Li even spotted a refrigerator?
“Wait, why is there a fridge in your office?” he asked instinctively.
“Why not?” Yu Qingge replied proudly. “I’m the CEO, I get to decide. Oh right, Wei Wei, go grab the cake from the fridge for him.”
As if suddenly remembering something, Yu Qingge gave the order. Wei Wei nodded and quickly carried it out.
When she brought out several plates of small cakes, He Li was momentarily stunned, then turned to Yu Qingge, who was smiling from ear to ear, with suspicion in his eyes.
Was this woman really here to work? Or was she just here to enjoy life?
Perhaps noticing the expression on his face, Yu Qingge pulled him to sit down with perfect calm, “What’s wrong? Is it weird for my office to have a fridge?”
“You tell me,” He Li muttered. Was it not strange? What kind of CEO equips their office like this?
He was speechless, but Yu Qingge responded with confidence, “Work is also physically demanding, which means energy and sugar need replenishing. Otherwise, I might collapse in front of my computer. Makes sense, right?”
Before he could finish, she cut him off with a grin, “Exactly! No need for buts. If it makes sense, then it’s fine!”
By now, Wei Wei had brought the cake over.
Without any hesitation, Yu Qingge picked up a fork, pierced a piece of cake, and held it up to He Li’s mouth. He took a bite, eyes lighting up, “Mmm? Not bad. Where’d you buy this from?”
“You can’t buy it. I brought it from home.”
She shook her head ruthlessly, crushing He Li’s hopes of buying some for himself later.
Then, with a teasing smile, she asked, “Tasty?”
“Yeah, it’s better than any I’ve had before,” He Li replied while chewing, completely missing the trap.
“Then do you want to keep eating it?”
“Of course I do, but didn’t you say I can’t buy it?”
“That’s fine. I can bring it for you.” Yu Qingge grinned. “As long as you come see me every day, you’ll get to eat it. So, will you come keep me company every day?”
He Li finally realized what she was leading to. So this was the trap? But free dessert every day did sound tempting. Maybe he should just say yes?
He thought about it and nodded. “Alright, but if I come to your office every day…”
“Don’t worry!” Yu Qingge smiled. “I’ve already thought of a reason for you to come.”
“What reason?” He Li asked, slightly skeptical.
Yu Qingge hummed proudly, “Hmph, the reason is you have to report your script progress to me every day.”
“What script progress?” He Li was confused.
“Obviously, the story for that trending game,” she said with rare seriousness. “I know I originally said it was just an excuse, but I do have ideas.”
“You’re the best scriptwriter in the company. I doubt anyone else could pull it off. And I’m still new as the CEO—I haven’t produced any results yet. I don’t want my first project to be a failure. That’s why I’m trying to do my best in every aspect!”
Although Yu Qingge had a bit of a romantic brain, that didn’t mean she was clueless about her job. As a strong, capable woman, she thought a lot about her work too. She wasn’t short on money, but now that she was in the CEO seat, she wanted to prove herself.
He Li nodded as he listened. “I’m not a fan of doing extra work. But since you treat me so well, I guess I don’t mind helping with something small.”
The scent of her perfume filled his nose, and her soft, warm body pressed against his chest. His heart pounded uncontrollably, and even his breathing grew heavier.
He couldn’t help but warn, “You’d better let go soon, or I won’t be able to hold back.”
Yu Qingge snapped back to her senses, her cheeks flushing pink. “W-What do you mean, hold back?” she said, pretending not to understand.
He Li rolled his eyes. “Drop the act, will you?”
“Hehe!” She giggled and let go but then leaned gently on his shoulder and said softly, “I’m really happy you’re willing to help me. But if you end up exhausted from juggling both things, I’ll feel terrible.”
“That’s why I’ll try to reduce your workload so you can keep slacking comfortably.”
“Huh?” He Li was both touched and suspicious. “But if my work gets reduced, won’t that just increase everyone else’s load? Isn’t that… not great?”
Yu Qingge nodded without hesitation, “What’s wrong with that? They get paid to work. I’ll give them a raise, problem solved. But you’re different. If you get overworked and collapse…”
“Are you trying to make me a widow one day?”
By the end, her voice was barely a whisper, filled with shyness and affection.
He Li looked at her adorable expression and the sincere favoritism in her words, and his heart skipped a beat.
“What widow nonsense? You’re talking crazy again,” he muttered under his breath, his voice a little conflicted.
Not far away, Wei Wei rolled her eyes hard.
Did the two of them forget she was still here?
And Yu Qingge… what happened to the cold, distant CEO image? Acting all gentle and clingy was one thing, but feeding He Li with her own hands? And then hugging him full-on, face-to-face, without restraint?
Where did her image go? This couldn’t be good. It was emotionally devastating to single people like her—completely unbearable.
Still, she had to admit… He Li was seriously enviable.
“Even if CEO Yu likes him, this is just too much! She knows he does nothing but slack off, yet she’s afraid of giving him too much work and burdening him? I mean, come on…” Wei Wei was both jealous and exasperated. She was genuinely at a loss for words.
Truth be told, she wished she could be loved like that too.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t a guy.
And even if she were, Yu Qingge probably still wouldn’t be into her.
Sigh… how can people’s fates be so different?