Volume One, Chapter Five: He Swiftly Lifted Her into His Arms
“Secretary Jiang, what a coincidence! We meet again! Today is Huo Corporation’s new product launch, and I was just wondering who would pick us up. I didn’t expect Brother Si Li to arrange for you.”
If it weren’t for personally witnessing last night at the supermarket the sweet, clingy tone in Xueqian Li’s voice as she asked Huo Sili, “Brother Si Li, wouldn’t your wife be upset if you came out to accompany me like this?”
At this moment, judging solely by Xueqian’s obedient, sweet, and polite demeanor, Qin Jiang might have truly thought she was a straightforward girl who spoke plainly.
But unfortunately, reality was that she had overheard the interaction between Xueqian and Huo Sili last night and knew Xueqian’s true nature.
So how could Qin Jiang not understand the meaning behind Xueqian’s words now? It was clearly a deliberate stab aimed at her heart.
However, Qin Jiang didn’t particularly care why Xueqian was trying to wound her or whether she already knew about Qin Jiang’s secret marriage to Huo Sili—private matters were private, work was work; Qin Jiang had set this rule for herself since starting her career.
Upon hearing this, Qin Jiang’s smile did not waver; she nodded slightly at Xueqian and gestured an invitation with professional grace.
“What a coincidence, Miss Li. It’s my honor to welcome you. Please, come in.”
That perfectly measured smile, the poised and gentle gaze without a hint of nervousness, her entire demeanor exuding grace and sophistication.
Even though she hadn’t retorted with any cutting words, Xueqian suddenly felt a surge of frustration and a sense of being outdone by Qin Jiang.
About to say something to regain ground, Qin Jiang smiled and motioned toward her, “Miss Li, this way, please.”
With that, she turned and led the way with poise, occasionally glancing back with a smile, followed by a few Huo Corporation employees wearing professional expressions.
Xueqian pressed her lips together; seeing this, she ultimately held back her words.
Soon, the group arrived at the lounge. Qin Jiang stopped at the door and looked back with a smile.
Looking at Xueqian, she said, “Miss Li, Mr. Liu from the Advertising Department, who will discuss the collaboration with you, is currently in a morning meeting but should be here in about fifteen minutes. Please rest here in the meantime. There are freshly prepared tea and snacks inside.”
“Well then, we’ll get busy for now. If anything comes up, have someone contact me.”
Her tone and demeanor were impeccable, leaving no room for criticism. Despite her earlier annoyance, Xueqian could only smile and thank her politely.
“Alright, thank you, Secretary Jiang.”
“You’re welcome,” Qin Jiang replied with a smile, watching them enter before turning to leave.
Suddenly, a voice called from inside, “Hey, wait, Secretary Jiang!”
Qin Jiang and the others outside paused. She opened the door again, “What is it, Miss Li?”
Xueqian gestured toward the tea on the coffee table and spoke softly, sounding pitiful, “I just returned to the country and haven’t been sleeping well. I don’t really like tea either. Could you please trouble Secretary Jiang to replace it with a pot of plain boiled water? I’m a bit thirsty.”
Qin Jiang glanced at the table, her heart momentarily pausing, but she still smiled, “Of course, no problem. Please wait a moment.”
Xueqian smiled, “Thank you.”
---
The door closed behind them. Qin Jiang turned to Xiaoyu Lin and said, “Go to the pantry and get a stainless steel kettle, then fill it with warm drinking water from the dispenser—around 40 degrees Celsius, just warm enough to drink.”
Xiaoyu Lin was currently an intern at Huo Corporation’s secretarial office, personally mentored by Qin Jiang, and trusted her completely. Without hesitation, she nodded and went to do as told.
The rest of the staff were seasoned employees who were no fools to have landed jobs at Huo Corporation’s headquarters. Hearing Xueqian’s earlier request, they each had their own thoughts but knew what was appropriate to ask.
After all, Qin Jiang was the personal secretary to Huo Sili, the captain steering the entire Huo Corporation.
Moments later, Qin Jiang appeared at the lounge entrance downstairs, holding the kettle with Xiaoyu Lin.
The door was ajar. She knocked, and Xueqian’s voice came from inside, “Secretary Jiang, please come in.”
Once inside, Qin Jiang and Xiaoyu saw a flurry of activity.
Xueqian’s assistants were holding mirrors, snapping photos of her, wielding makeup brushes for touch-ups, and styling her hair.
It looked busy, but more like busy without purpose.
Qin Jiang wasn’t surprised; reality soon confirmed her suspicions.
Xueqian asked her to pour some water and hand it over.
As Qin Jiang reached to take it, the photographer suddenly spoke to Xueqian, who, in response, knocked the glass water cup with her hand.
The cup tipped toward Qin Jiang, and warm water spilled onto her clothes in front. Plop!
Instinctively, Qin Jiang stepped back. The glass shattered at her feet, shards scattering like a blossoming flower.
“Oh no!” Xueqian cried out in panic, full of guilt.
“I’m so sorry, Secretary Jiang! I didn’t mean it. Are you alright? Is it serious?”
Xiaoyu Lin stood stunned for a moment, then seemed to realize something.
Qin Jiang was grateful she had her wits about her, or else she might have needed to call an ambulance.
She glanced down at herself—water had splashed almost precisely on her face and body, especially a large patch soaked on her chest.
If it had been freshly boiled water, she dared not imagine the scene.
But suddenly, Qin Jiang thought—so this was Huo Sili’s white moonlight?
Truly despicable and lowly tactics.
“I’m fine,” Qin Jiang said.
---
But no sooner had she spoken than a faint sting at her ankle caught her attention.
“Sister Qin, your ankle is cut and bleeding from the glass!” Xiaoyu Lin’s voice came from beside her.
Qin Jiang looked down and saw blood droplets forming on her ankle, frowning slightly.
At her side, Xueqian’s eyes flashed with a hint of triumph, about to continue her act.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed down the corridor—several people approaching.
Qin Jiang recognized the familiar sounds and looked toward the door.
First came Huo Sili, followed by Mr. Liu from the Advertising Department and several others.
At that moment, Xueqian clearly noticed Huo Sili’s presence at the door. Her eyes brightened, “Brother Si Li!”
Her tone was intimate, as if they were very close.
Yet the man at the forefront showed little reaction, his gaze passing over Qin Jiang before settling on the pale, bleeding ankle. His pupils darkened.
Noticing she was being ignored, Xueqian’s smile faltered.
Suddenly, Huo Sili turned to her, his expression still mild, and gave a soft affirmative, asking, “Are you hurt?”
Xueqian’s eyes lit up, clearly feeling favored. Her smile instantly turned saccharine sweet, “No, no injury!”
She glanced at Qin Jiang, then quickly put on a look of remorse as she addressed Huo Sili, “It’s all my fault. I didn’t hold the cup steady, and Secretary Jiang got hurt.”
Hearing this, Qin Jiang could only laugh inwardly.
Suddenly, she felt Huo Sili’s gaze on her and paused, returning his look.
Huo Sili averted his eyes and looked behind him. “Mr. Liu, please take Miss Li and the others to the conference room for the collaboration discussion.”
Once they left for the meeting room at the end of the corridor, Huo Sili looked at Xiaoyu Lin. “Why are you standing there like that? Nothing to do?”
“Xiao Lin, go to my office and organize the files in the bookcase,” Qin Jiang intervened to break the awkwardness.
After everyone left, Huo Sili locked the door behind them.
Qin Jiang glanced at the broken glass on the floor, about to move, when Huo Sili spoke.
“Don’t move around. There’s glass behind you as well.”
Qin Jiang froze and turned to look down.
Suddenly, her head bumped against Huo Sili’s chest as he hurried over.
A slight ache caused her to frown, and the closeness felt ambiguous.
She instinctively lifted her head, intending to step away.
But at the same moment, Huo Sili bent down and scooped her up in his arms.