NOVPUBChapter 43: Chapter 43 – Did I say you could leave?_1
Chapter 43 -43 – Did I say you could leave?_1
In the corridor, Jian Qing’s steps grew heavier, her stride slightly wobbly. It was a stark contrast to the persistence she displayed in the photo studio moments ago.
Jian Qing dug into her pockets, only to realize with dismay that she had forgotten to bring any candies today. Waves of intense stomach pain washed over her, causing her to bite down on her lip.
There was a turn at the end of the corridor. Almost on instinct, Jian Qing kept moving, only for a tall, lean figure to suddenly loom ahead of her.
Startled, Jian Qing reflexively stepped back. As her hand slipped against the wall, she stumbled and began to fall.
In that moment, she couldn’t help but mock herself for such a clumsy fall.
However, instead of the pain of impact, a strong hand caught her. Cradled in a warm embrace, she was taken aback by the familiar and comforting scent of the stranger. She barely had time to glimpse her savior before she fell into him.
“Are you hurt anywhere else?” The man’s deep voice was as mesmerizing as a cello, making it hard for her to resist.
Jian Qing snapped back to reality at the sound of his voice and quickly tried to withdraw from the man’s embrace, aiming to put some distance between them.
“You…” Jian Qing looked up to find the man’s unnaturally intriguing face.
After the soft body left his arms, Quan Jingwu’s gaze dimmed, and he asked again, “Are you feeling sick?”
Jian Qing shook her head, forcing herself to stay alert, “I’m fine.”
Quieting, Quan Jingwu’s gaze fell upon Jian Qing’s pale face, his expression spa hardening. “Let’s go.”
“What?” Jian Qing was befuddled by his abrupt comment. Assuming he wanted her to leave, she turned and left without hesitating.
Seeing her misunderstood his words, Quan Jingwu was both amused and frustrated. He stepped forward to grab her arm. “Who said you could leave?”
Jian Qing turned back, her lips curled into a faint smile. “Wasn’t that you telling me to leave?”
Her icy voice hinted at her annoyance, an emotion she might not even have realized she was feeling.
Quan Jingwu let out a quiet laugh, he was decidedly helpless, “I meant for you to leave with me.”
Jian Qing felt as if she’d been pawned.
Looking at his handsome face, couldn’t help but feel an urge to punch it.
Quan Jingwu suppressed his laughter, and smoothly took her hand again. “Let’s go.”
The warmth of the man’s hand burned into Jian Qing’s palm. Shrouded in subtle discomfort, she gently pulled away, “Let go.”
“Isn’t your stomach hurting?” Without releasing her hand, Quan Jingwu changed the subject, “Isn’t it hurting anymore?”
Jian Qing stopped struggling, “Did Yifei tell you?”
Without denying, Quan Jingwu led her towards the elevator. Luckily, it was quiet around there. Otherwise, tomorrow’s headlines would surely have been a spectacle.
Feeling the pinch of an awkward silence, Jian Qing noticed their intertwined hands. She stopped in her tracks. “Wait.”
“What’s wrong?” Quan Jingwu turned to look at her, his gaze tinged with concern. “Does your stomach hurt? Do you need a doctor?”
Meeting his worried gaze, Jian Qing’s voice softened. “Let go of me. I can walk by myself.”
After a few seconds of silence, Quan Jingwu released her hand. Jian Qing pulled back her hand, the atmosphere between them turning slightly awkward.
The elevator came to a stop on the fifth floor with a ‘ding’. Quan Jingwu stepped in, and Jian Qing followed suit. With only the two of them inside, the ride was uninterrupted.
Just as she was starting to wonder, Jian Qing glanced at a sign next to the control panel and realized.
It was the CEO’s private elevator. No wonder it didn’t stop at other floors on the way up.
After a while, the elevator stopped on the ninety-ninth floor. The corridor was eerily quiet, seemingly devoid of life. That was Jian Qing’s first impression upon stepping out of the elevator.
Quan Jingwu slowed down his pace, allowing Jian Qing to catch up. His gaze was on her the whole time, although she remained oblivious.
“Why did you bring me here?” Standing at the entrance of the office, Jian Qing looked at the man who had already entered, her voice even.
“To eat.” Quan Jingwu’s voice softened inadvertently.
Jian Qing was taken aback and followed his gaze to see a few bags on the coffee table nearby. The logo on the bags was unmistakably that of the Qianshi Restaurant, which she had just visited a short while ago.
“You…” Jian Qing turned back to look at Quan Jingwu, her face brimming with surprise.
“You’re my guest today, if you fell sick on my account, I wouldn’t be able to bear it.” Quan Jingwu returned to her, his expression free of any guilt, perfectly embodying the role of a considerate boss.
Jian Qing smiled weakly. Her pale face coupled with the soft smile made her seem particularly vulnerable, invoking a strong urge to protect her. “That’s not necessary. I’m fine now. Besides, the photo studio is already set up. Wouldn’t it seem inappropriate to delay the shoot for just one person?”
Quan Jingwu’s gaze darkened. Overcome with frustration at her lack of self-care, he swiftly took off her hat.
“Hey, why did you…” Jian Qing was startled, taken aback by his quick moves.
“There’s breakfast for everyone in the studio.” Quan Jingwu interrupted her, “Now, you are going stay here quietly and have breakfast, otherwise we’ll cancel today’s shoot.”
Jian Qing tried to snatch her hat back. “Give it back!”
Quan Jingwu took advantage of his height, raising his hand high enough that Jian Qing, even on her tiptoes, couldn’t reach the hat.
“Ugh-” Suffering from stomach discomfort, Jian Qing furrowed her brows, holding her stomach subconsciously.
“Come here.” Disregarding her protests, Quan Jingwu once again took her hand and led her to the couch, sitting her down on it.
Just as Jian Qing was about to retort his domineering nature, her gaze landed on the man opening the thermal lunch box and serving spoons. The moment he opened the lunch box, an appetizing aroma wafted out, stirring up hunger pains in Jian Qing.
Quan Jingwu served a bowl of porridge and sat next to her. “Be careful, it’s hot.”
Jian Qing glanced at the steaming bowl of seafood porridge. The pink shrimp meat and fresh spring onion garnish made the white, soft porridge look very appealing.
Looking at the peeled shrimp in the bowl, Jian Qing couldn’t help but recall the scene from Qianshi Restaurant where he peeled shrimp for her.
“Is simply looking at it going to fill you up?” Quan Jingwu teased her.
Jian Qing shot him a look. The atmosphere between them eased them. She decided to let slide his attitude considering the breakfast she was treated to.
The sweet and smooth seafood porridge flowed gently into her stomach upon tasting. The warmth instantly radiated throughout her stomach, making Jian Qing close her eyes satisfyingly.
Resting his chin on his hand, Quan Jingwu watched her savor the meal, and couldn’t help but think of a leisurely Persian cat.
Jian Qing suddenly lifted her gaze and saw that Quan Jingwu had been watching her eating. Startled, she stopped spooning the porridge into her mouth.
“Why are you watching me?”
This man’s gaze was too intense and his presence too overwhelming, making him hard for her to ignore.
Quan Jingwu chuckled. “If you weren’t looking at me, how could you know I was watching you, right?”
Jian Qing choked. “…”
She decided to let it go. After all, you can’t bite the hand that feeds you.
