Ever since that night at Yanse, the relationship between the two of them had taken a significant step forward.
Although they had not yet pierced through that final layer of unspoken understanding, Sheng Yanqing could clearly feel that Chi Ruanli liked him as well.
During the morning meeting, she had been staring at him the entire time.
Whenever he looked back, she would shyly avert her gaze.
After it happened three times in a row, Sheng Yanqing could no longer sit still.
For the first time ever, he became distracted during a morning meeting.
Taking out his phone, he sent her a message.
“If you want to look, then look openly.”
Always sneaking glances at him—
Was she deliberately tempting him?
Seeing the message, Chi Ruanli blushed.
Then she immediately raised her head and stared at him without blinking.
Ironically, it was Sheng Yanqing who became embarrassed.
He cleared his throat and looked away.
Ever since that night when Sheng Yanqing had held onto her hand and refused to let go, if Chi Ruanli still failed to understand his feelings, she would truly be a fool.
Since he liked her, and he was also the man from that night, and she herself had admired him for a long time—
Why shouldn’t she bravely take a step forward?
From childhood to adulthood, she had always been a good girl.
She stayed within the rules and never crossed the line.
But now, she wanted to be impulsive for once.
Even if she ended up bruised and battered, she still wanted to try.
“Secretary Chi, come to my office.”
Before they had even left the conference room, Sheng Yanqing spoke in a calm, professional tone loud enough for everyone to hear.
The other executives thought nothing of it.
Only Jing Xun’s lips curved into a conspicuous grin.
The old man had finally figured it out.
After entering the CEO’s office, Chi Ruanli stood about a meter away from Sheng Yanqing.
Looking at his back, she fell into thought.
She remembered that night had probably been the second time…
She had been so angry that she clawed at his back with her hands, leaving bloody scratch marks across his skin.
The next morning, she had even found bits of skin beneath her fingernails.
She only noticed it after returning home.
“Chi Ruanli?”
At some point, Sheng Yanqing had already walked over and stopped in front of her.
Bending his knees slightly so he could meet her eyes, he asked,
“What are you thinking about?”
Her expression was soft and sweet, her eyes carrying a hint of springtime affection.
She looked absolutely charming.
“I’m thinking about your back.”
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Only afterward did she realize what she had said.
Embarrassed, she bit her lip.
“Hm?”
Sheng Yanqing looked at her inquisitively.
“My back?”
“Your… your back looks especially broad and dependable.”
The moment she finished speaking, Chi Ruanli wanted to slap herself twice.
“Heh.”
Sheng Yanqing chuckled.
Watching her shy expression, he suddenly lifted his hand and pressed firmly against her lower lip.
“Stop biting it.”
His voice was low and teasing.
“One more bite and you’ll break the skin.”
Flirting?
As if he didn’t know how.
Chi Ruanli was so startled by the rather roguish gesture that she took two steps backward.
Her heart pounded all the way up into her throat.
Only after taking several deep breaths did she calm herself enough to meet his gaze.
Then she flashed him a sweet smile.
“President Sheng, your tie is crooked.”
He was too tall.
She had to rise onto her tiptoes.
Her fair hand reached up to the dark blue tie patterned with subtle golden designs.
Pretending to straighten it, she fiddled with it twice.
In the process, she managed to make the perfectly neat tie even more crooked than before.
As she adjusted it, she deliberately maintained eye contact with him.
Their gazes collided.
Crackling sparks seemed to fly through the air.
It felt as though anyone standing far away could hear them.
Chi Ruanli’s skills were still far too shallow.
How could she possibly know how to flirt properly?
By now, a thin layer of sweat had formed on her back.
Even her tiptoes were beginning to ache.
Sheng Yanqing seemed to notice.
He lifted an arm and wrapped it around her slender waist.
It was so slim that it barely filled his hand.
“Secretary Chi…”
His warm breath brushed against the side of her neck.
The sensation made Chi Ruanli instinctively shrink her shoulders.
That tiny reaction caused the corners of Sheng Yanqing’s lips to lift.
He leaned closer.
And closer.
Their noses touched.
Their lips were moments away from meeting.
Just before the distance between them completely disappeared, Chi Ruanli suddenly turned her head away.
Her face flushed crimson.
Then she bolted from the office.
She ran all the way to the stairwell.
Bending over, she gulped down breaths of air.
Only after a long while did the wild pounding in her chest gradually settle.
Yet the smile at the corners of her lips refused to disappear.
Her bright doe-like eyes sparkled with mischief.
Counter-flirt successful!