Volume One, Chapter Three: Are You Close with Him?

“Are you working at the Huo Corporation headquarters now? It’s been years, yet you remain as outstanding as ever.”

In the supermarket, Xie You’an walked beside Jiang Qin, carrying a shopping basket and speaking sincerely.

With a faint smile that concealed her pain, Jiang Qin replied, “Thank you for the compliment. You’re excellent as well.”

Her words were genuine. From their earlier conversation, she learned that Xie You’an, who was her age, was now the president of Yunteng Technology. Huo Corporation had previously collaborated with Yunteng Technology, which spoke volumes about their strength.

Upon hearing this, Xie You’an’s expression darkened slightly, as if recalling something, but the emotion quickly faded. He then turned to Jiang Qin and said, “By the way, didn’t you used to love painting? Since you’ve returned to live here for a while, I specially prepared a gift for you. I was actually planning to get in touch with you these past few days.”

Jiang Qin was genuinely surprised. “A gift? For me?”

In her memory, she and Xie You’an were never that close. They were high school classmates, but not in the same class—merely schoolmates of the same year. At best, they were acquaintances who might nod in passing.

Just as Xie You’an was about to speak further, a sudden voice interrupted their conversation.

“Secretary Jiang?”

The male voice was unmistakably familiar to Jiang Qin. She paused and looked towards the source, spotting Huo Sili pushing a shopping cart with Li Xueqian walking beside him.

Strangely, at that moment, Jiang Qin’s attention was drawn instinctively to Huo Sili’s necktie.

It was the birthday present she had given him in their second year of secret marriage.

It had been an expensive, custom-made designer tie. Though she came from a modest background and was accustomed to frugality, she hadn't minded spending on him at the time.

But now... the realization struck her painfully.

Though she was the one hurt, it seemed Huo Sili was the one more visibly displeased.

“What a coincidence, Secretary Jiang seems to be having a nice chat with President Xie,” Huo Sili said as he walked over with the shopping cart.

Jiang Qin found herself at a loss for words. Clearly, Huo Sili was the one accusing first, playing the villain.

She felt exhausted. The insomnia from the previous night and the emotional blows from that morning had not been alleviated by the brief midday rest. Now, facing Huo Sili, she simply did not want to engage.

“Jiang Qin?” Xie You’an looked surprised as he watched her walk away.

He glanced at Huo Sili and said, “President Huo, sorry, I must be going now.”

Jiang Qin’s indifference to his words seemed to strike a nerve with Huo Sili.

His expression darkened. Li Xueqian glanced at Jiang Qin’s retreating figure, then at the young man who was about to follow her, raising her eyebrows slightly before shifting her gaze back to Huo Sili.

“Brother Sili, aren’t you going to chase after her?” Li Xueqian asked in an innocent tone.

Huo Sili gave her a frosty look. “Why would I chase after her?”

Li Xueqian stiffened, realizing she had let something slip. She had only learned from Aunt Yuan Lianqing that Huo Sili’s wife was Jiang Qin, and that their marriage was a secret. Her earlier remark inadvertently revealed that she had been prying into his private life.

Clearly, this didn’t fit her innocent, angelic image she tried to maintain before Huo Sili.

Thinking quickly, she deflected, “Oh, isn’t she?”

“But Aunt Yuan called me before and said Brother Sili married his secretary, surname Jiang, and it’s a secret marriage,” Li Xueqian’s voice lowered. “Could it be that I heard wrong?”

Receiving no reply, she noticed Huo Sili’s gaze had shifted away to the distance.

Women’s intuition told Li Xueqian that Huo Sili was looking for Jiang Qin, and a flicker of resentment rose within her.

She was just a girl from an ordinary family, relying on a passing resemblance to her to win Huo Sili’s favor—and yet she dared to throw a tantrum in front of him.

Of course, Huo Sili was also at fault. As a prominent lady from the capital’s elite circle, if she were to find a double, wouldn’t it be someone from a more distinguished family? How could a woman of such low status be worthy of being her substitute?

“Have you bought enough? I’ll go pay,” Huo Sili said.

Li Xueqian frowned. “Brother Sili, I—”

Before she could finish, Huo Sili pushed the cart and walked away briskly.

“At this hour, my car is parked nearby. Should I give you a ride home?” Xie You’an asked Jiang Qin at the supermarket exit.

Jiang Qin shook her head gently. “No need. You just got back today and must be tired. You should go home. I’ll take a taxi myself.”

Xie You’an wanted to say more but fell silent when he caught the faint, gentle smile on her lips.

He returned a smile. “Alright then. Take care. About the gift—I’ll find time to give it to you. How about Saturday? Are you free?”

“I’m tied up all day Saturday,” Jiang Qin replied, frowning slightly as Huo Sili’s voice cut in.

“Secretary Jiang,” Huo Sili said, “Saturday is no good.”

She frowned again, glanced his way, then quickly replied, “Yes, I really am not free Saturday.”

“Then Sunday?”

“Sunday isn’t free either.” Huo Sili approached, carrying two large bags of snacks.

Xie You’an’s expression changed slightly while Jiang Qin’s brows furrowed, but she whispered swiftly, “Ignore him. He’s like this—can’t separate work and life, no boundaries. Annoying boss.”

Xie You’an glanced at Huo Sili and thought Jiang Qin’s description was accurate—indeed, quite irritating.

Jiang Qin looked up. “Alright, you should go. I’m about to call a taxi.”

Xie You’an looked at Huo Sili again, then smiled at Jiang Qin. “Okay then. Take care. If you need anything, just call me.”

Jiang Qin nodded politely, then stepped aside to call a cab.

Suddenly, an arm snaked around her waist from behind. Startled, she turned to find Huo Sili had quietly come up behind her, his hands no longer holding the bags.

He pulled her firmly towards the parking lot despite her attempts to resist.

“Don’t want to walk? Want me to carry you to the car?” he said, his grip unwavering.

He had truly carried her into the car in public before, but now, she couldn’t read him at all.

With people passing by, she dared not struggle further. Huo Sili’s face was too conspicuous, and he wasn’t wearing a mask.

She reminded herself constantly—they were secretly married and couldn’t be known to the public.

Then again, they were about to divorce. What harm would it do if the news came out now?

She stopped struggling but still cast him a cold glance in the night.

This man was her first love, her husband, yet now love had turned into resentment.

As the car started, Jiang Qin turned her head aside. Suddenly, her phone vibrated with a notification.

She checked it, and her eyes brightened instantly.

Her major had been in fine arts, and being a secretary was never her true calling. Due to various reasons, she had become Huo Sili’s secretary.

Over the years, she had been thinking of changing jobs, especially after sensing Huo Sili’s change of heart. But every resume she sent out vanished into the void, or the contacts turned out to be fake job postings, full of traps.

Unexpectedly, today, the overseas company she most wanted to work for had sent her an offer—with a four-month window to start.

Four months—enough time to finalize the divorce with Huo Sili and apply for the necessary visas to move abroad.

After reading carefully, she didn’t hesitate. She clicked to accept and signed the employment contract.

Suddenly, Huo Sili’s cold voice broke the silence beside her.

“You’re quite familiar with Xie You’an, aren’t you?”