Volume One, Chapter Four: Standing Up for Her

Jiang Qin’s heart skipped a beat as she turned off her phone. In the past, she might have thought that Huo Sili was jealous. But now, she no longer overthought and answered honestly, “Just so-so.”

Huo Sili glanced out the opposite window, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, his eyes dark and inscrutable. Just so-so? Yet moments ago, she had spoken so close to him.

The car fell into silence as usual, quietly arriving at Yunhai Hua Mansion.

Jiang Qin didn’t know when she had grown accustomed to the silence between her and Huo Sili when they were together. She no longer found the atmosphere odd.

Once the car stopped, she unbuckled her seatbelt, opened the door, and walked straight inside.

It was late, and tomorrow was Friday—she needed to get up early for work.

Just as she was about to step into the villa’s main hall, footsteps quickened behind her, and suddenly a man’s hand gripped hers tightly.

The grip was strong and forceful, the palm rough and warm, clearly bearing the calluses of someone who worked out regularly with equipment.

Jiang Qin was a hand enthusiast. Growing up poor, she had no choice, but after gaining financial independence, she paid particular attention to hand care. Now, her own hands were fair and delicate.

The sudden, rough contact of Huo Sili’s calloused palm made her hand ache, startling her. She instinctively frowned, her tone confused and annoyed: “What are you doing?”

Huo Sili hadn’t expected such a reaction from Jiang Qin. His voice instantly turned colder.

“Xie You’an is no good. Stay away from him.”

Jiang Qin found it amusing and was about to ask why he would say that.

A man who had cheated during his marriage had the right to judge whether others were good people?

Before she could speak, a strange smell wafted out from inside the house. Jiang Qin frowned and turned to see Aunt Liu, whom she had met that morning.

“Madam, you’re finally back!” Aunt Liu set down her tray and, perhaps noticing Jiang Qin out of the corner of her eye, called out loudly.

As she approached and caught sight of Huo Sili lurking in the shadows, her expression changed abruptly. “M-Mr.!” she corrected herself hurriedly, unable to finish the word she had started.

Huo Sili’s brows furrowed sharply, his gaze growing colder. “Who are you?”

Aunt Liu looked embarrassed, forcing a dry laugh. “I-I am…”

She stammered nervously, clearly afraid. She was sent by Yuan Lianqing, and the man before her was known to lash out even at his own mother when in a bad mood, let alone at a servant.

Huo Sili still held Jiang Qin’s hand. Having been sleepless last night, Jiang Qin was now drowsy, her eyelids heavy, her mind foggy—she really didn’t want to waste time here.

“She’s the live-in nanny sent by your mother,” Jiang Qin said, taking advantage of Huo Sili’s distraction to pry her hand free and hasten toward the elevator.

As the elevator ascended, Huo Sili glanced at his empty hand and then at the woman before him.

“What’s this?” he asked, pointing to the tray on the dining table.

Aunt Liu trembled, unwilling to answer. Huo Sili moved closer and looked.

On the tray was a large bowl filled with a dark brown, thick soup. Even from a distance, its complex, pungent medicinal aroma filled the air.

Huo Sili’s expression darkened sharply. He picked up the bowl and smashed it!

With a crack, the soup splattered everywhere.

Aunt Liu’s calves trembled. Huo Sili shot her a cold glance, his deep black eyes icy with every word.

“Yunhai Hua Mansion doesn’t lack people who know how to make tonic soups. Call her and tell her not to bother with me and Jiang Qin’s matters.”

“If she makes these things again, tell her to go back to the old residence.”

The next morning, Jiang Qin was awakened abruptly by her alarm. Still groggy, she sat up as soon as she realized where she was.

In recent days, sharing a bed with Huo Sili inevitably meant intimacy. Before, unaware she was a substitute in his eyes, she still harbored lingering feelings and could accept it. But now that she knew, she was unwilling to be his wife in truth.

So last night, after showering, too sleepy to care, she locked the bathroom door from the inside and slept on the massage bed there.

Yet now, she was lying in the master bedroom’s large bed, covered tightly by the quilt.

She looked toward the bathroom door and clearly saw that the lock was missing—someone had removed it.

She vaguely recalled, half-asleep, hearing someone anxiously calling her name, but she was too tired to tell if it was reality or a dream. Just as her consciousness cleared, she slipped back into confusion.

Her thoughts churned for a moment.

But soon, she dismissed the idea that Huo Sili still had feelings for her.

Of course, even a stranger on one’s own turf who faced life-threatening danger would cause some concern.

But was that concern really just about the stranger? That was uncertain.

When she went downstairs, Jiang Qin was genuinely surprised—

The elevator opened, and Aunt Liu and Aunt Wang stood together, greeting her.

Aunt Liu smiled kindly at her, clearly imitating Aunt Wang. “Good morning, Madam! Breakfast is ready; please eat while it’s hot!”

There was no strange smell in the house now, and the table was laden with a variety of breakfast dishes.

Though surprised, Jiang Qin usually didn’t eat much for breakfast. She ate a little, then got into the car.

The car headed to the company. Having slept well last night, Jiang Qin’s mind was clear. Sitting in the back seat, she opened her email, intending to catch up on correspondence during the ride when Huo Sili’s call suddenly came through.

Jiang Qin hesitated, then answered. “The people from Xingwen Entertainment will arrive at 10:30 for a cooperation meeting. You’ll handle the reception. You don’t need to attend the launch event.”

The man’s cold voice came through, leaving no room for discussion.

Jiang Qin frowned, about to argue but swallowed her words. “Understood, President Huo.”

After hanging up, she suddenly felt as if winter had come early, a chill running through her body.

This morning at ten, according to the schedule, she was supposed to attend a product launch alongside Huo Sili.

It was a brand-new product—the first generation. From market research to proposals, product development, adjustments, and launch, she had been involved every step of the way, accompanying Huo Sili through countless overtime hours and numerous business trips worldwide.

Huo Sili could not fail to understand how important this launch was to her.

Besides, Xingwen Entertainment…

Yesterday, Su Lejia had sent a screenshot mentioning that Li Xueqian was an artist under Xingwen Entertainment.

Could this cooperation be related to her? Jiang Qin tightened her grip on her phone.

“Sister Qin, are you okay?”

At the entrance of Huo Corporation’s headquarters, Jiang Qin led a group to welcome the representatives from Xingwen Entertainment. Noticing Jiang Qin’s pale complexion, Lin Xiaoyu asked with concern.

“I’m fine. Maybe I didn’t rest well last night,” Jiang Qin smiled.

Lin Xiaoyu was about to say more when a pure white nanny van pulled in and stopped nearby.

Jiang Qin’s heart skipped a beat, but her smile remained unchanged. “They’re here. Let’s go.” She stepped forward first.

A woman dressed in a light pink short skirt, exuding sweetness, was helped out of the car. The moment she stepped down, the woman looked down at Jiang Qin with clear, beautiful eyes and smiled in surprise.

“Secretary Jiang, what a coincidence! We meet again! Today is the Huo Corporation’s new product launch. I was wondering who would come to greet us. I didn’t expect Brother Sili to arrange for you.”