Fang Xihe returned to her desk with a dark expression.
The round-faced girl at the neighboring desk leaned over. “Xihe, stop taking so much leave. Be careful, the ‘Abbess Extermination’ might really fire you.”
“Abbess Extermination” was the nickname everyone secretly gave Zhao Jing.
Famous for being strict.
The original host dreamed of marrying into a wealthy family and didn’t put her heart into work. After becoming a full-time employee, she often came late, left early, and frequently asked for leave.
In the past month alone, she had taken leave four times just to go on blind dates.
She took half a day off yesterday, and another half this morning.
No wonder Zhao Jing was furious.
What Fang Xihe was thinking about, however, was that this month’s salary would probably be almost nothing.
The round-faced girl was named Sun Shasha.
“Xihe, what did you do this morning? Another blind date?”
Fang Xihe pressed her forehead. The original host had told Sun Shasha about the blind dates before.
“No, I had something to do.”
Sun Shasha looked puzzled. “You just graduated—why are you in such a hurry to go on blind dates?”
Fang Xihe felt awkward.
That was all the original host’s doing—it had nothing to do with her!
She forced a laugh. “My mom is pushing me.”
Sun Shasha looked at her sympathetically.
Not wanting to continue the conversation, Fang Xihe buried herself in work.
Although she had complained countless times about hating work, once she actually sat down, she gave it her full focus.
This job wasn’t difficult for her. In just one afternoon, she figured everything out and even organized all the clients into categories for easier follow-up.
At 5:30, it was time to get off work.
Fang Xihe packed up and stood, only to realize none of her coworkers were leaving.
She glanced at the office door—Zhao Jing was still inside.
Then she looked at Sun Shasha.
…And spotted a male colleague playing cards.
Sigh—unspoken overtime culture.
She had no intention of staying.
Picking up her bag, she walked out boldly.
A group of people watched her from behind.
Fang Xihe pretended not to notice.
After leaving the industrial park, she rented a shared bike at the entrance and rode to the subway station.
She checked her phone for the route to the apartment—Line 5 went directly there.
Shang Chenzhou’s apartment was right by the subway exit, even more convenient than her previous place.
During rush hour, the subway was packed.
Fang Xihe was squeezed into a corner.
After half an hour, she finally arrived.
Standing downstairs, she hesitated to go in.
Going upstairs meant facing Shang Chenzhou.
She felt a bit nervous.
She should’ve just stayed late at work.
After lingering for ten minutes, she slowly went upstairs.
Just as she was about to enter the password, the door opened from inside.
Shang Chenzhou’s tall figure stood there, backlit by warm yellow light.
Fang Xihe looked up and froze.
So handsome!
She had to admit—the male lead was truly handsome, just like her idol.
Shang Chenzhou took the cloth bag from her hand.
He bent down and placed a pair of white rabbit-fur slippers in front of her.
“Come in.”
Fang Xihe stared at the slippers.
She had worn this pair yesterday too.
He had specially prepared them for the original host.
Very thoughtful.
She changed into the slippers and entered, closing the door behind her.
Shang Chenzhou hung up her bag and turned to the kitchen.
A delicious aroma drifted out, making Fang Xihe almost drool.
She leaned by the kitchen doorway.
Watching him bring dish after dish to the table.
It was a lavish spread—probably to celebrate their marriage.
Shang Chenzhou was a man of few words, but a man of action.
He glanced over. “Go wash your hands and eat.”
Fang Xihe didn’t hesitate—she quickly washed up and sat at the table.
He served her a bowl of rice.
“Thank you.”
“Can I start eating?”
He nodded. “No need for so many rules. If you’re hungry, eat.”
She smiled slightly and began eating enthusiastically.
She was really hungry.
All she had eaten that day was one bowl of wontons—plus a small packet of biscuits from Sun Shasha.
Shang Chenzhou was startled by how fast she was eating.
“Slow down. No one’s competing with you.”
With her mouth full, she mumbled, “I’m starving.”
He added fish and vegetables to her bowl.
After eating her fill, she took the water he handed her and drank.
“Thank you.”
Shang Chenzhou frowned.
She had said “thank you” to him many times.
After the meal, Fang Xihe took the initiative to wash the dishes.
But Shang Chenzhou stopped her. “I’ll do it.”
She realized this man was a bit traditionally minded.
She didn’t insist.
She went to get clothes for a shower—
Only to find the clothes she had packed earlier now hung neatly on the balcony. The bedding she hadn’t washed had also been cleaned and clipped up, fluttering in the wind.
The balcony wasn’t enclosed, separated by sliding doors.
No need to guess—Shang Chenzhou had done all of it.
Such a diligent male lead!
She thought his mother must be a gentle and capable woman to have raised him so well.
Smart, capable, hardworking.
She had never seen such a perfect man.
Of course—someone this perfect only existed in novels.
The next second—
Fang Xihe suddenly realized something, and her mind exploded.
She rushed over and slid open the door.
Sure enough—
Hanging above were several thin pieces of fabric.
Her bras and underwear.
Her face flushed instantly, all the way to her ears.
An image popped into her mind—Shang Chenzhou seriously hanging her intimate clothing on the rack.
She was going crazy!
Then she started brainwashing herself: These aren’t mine… they belong to the original host… not mine…
“What are you doing on the balcony?”
Shang Chenzhou’s voice sounded as he walked over.
Fang Xihe quickly jumped back inside and slammed the door shut.
He stopped, staring at her flushed face.
As if realizing something—
He coughed awkwardly.
“I saw your clothes were wet, so I hung them outside.”
Fang Xihe didn’t dare look at him, nor did she want to continue this topic.
Flustered, she said, “I—I’m going to shower. Where’s my suitcase?”
“Under the bed.”
She was about to crouch down to get it, but he pulled her up.
Looking at her reddened face, he said in a low voice, “Your clothes are in the closet.”
“Oh.”
She pulled free and opened the closet.
Her clothes were neatly hung inside.
No need to ask—he had done it.
Behind her, his low, magnetic voice sounded again:
“Your undergarments are in the drawer.”
Fang Xihe opened the drawer.
Her bras and underwear were neatly stacked—bras inside, underwear outside.
Her vision went dark.
She really wanted to say: Male lead, why are you so housewife-like?
She didn’t need this!
Closing her eyes, she randomly grabbed a bra and a set of pajamas and rushed into the bathroom.
The door slammed shut.
Shang Chenzhou curved his lips slightly.
Why was she so easily shy?