Chapter Forty: Honey, Can You Be a Little Gentler? I'm Afraid It’ll Hurt...

How could Xue Tian'ai have known that, while he was anxiously worrying about one thing after another in Gan Bingning’s office, Su Jiaqi was already at Qin Mengxue’s place, adding fuel to the fire and painting him in the worst possible light?

He was also completely unaware that Su Jiaqi had actually suggested that Qin Mengxue fire him, as if what had just happened in the restaurant had nothing to do with her at all.

But even if he had known, Xue Tian'ai probably wouldn’t have cared too much. After all, he and Qin Mengxue were legally married—what did he have to fear?

Swaying a little, he stepped into the elevator and headed straight for the twenty-third floor, where Qin Mengxue’s presidential office was located. At this hour, almost no one was around, so the elevator was completely empty.

This left Xue Tian'ai a bit disappointed. He had actually been hoping for a crowded elevator, maybe running into a few beautiful women so he could enjoy a little harmless fun.

Moments later, the elevator reached the twenty-third floor. As Xue Tian'ai was about to step out, a graceful figure appeared at the entrance, about to step in.

When Xue Tian'ai looked up and saw that striking silhouette, his face instantly darkened. The woman was none other than Su Jiaqi, who had just left Qin Mengxue’s office.

“It’s you?” Su Jiaqi’s autumn eyes seemed to blaze with fire as she glared at Xue Tian'ai. As the saying goes, enemies meet and their eyes blaze with fury.

“Well, if it isn’t President Su. You changed clothes so quickly? Finished touching up your makeup already?” Xue Tian'ai said flippantly, as if he hadn’t noticed the murderous look in Su Jiaqi’s eyes at all.

“We really do seem destined to keep running into each other, don’t you think?”

“Get lost! Only a ghost would be destined to meet you! Just wait, you’ll get what’s coming to you soon enough!” Su Jiaqi’s face was ashen with rage.

“What’s coming to me? Usually I’m the one who lets others have a good time—especially women!” Xue Tian'ai laughed, looking down at Su Jiaqi.

“Hmph! Just you wait and see!” Su Jiaqi snorted coldly and pressed the elevator button. She truly couldn’t stand to be in Xue Tian'ai’s presence for another second.

“A friendly reminder, President Su—your makeup’s a bit off. Your eyebrows aren’t even!” Xue Tian'ai tossed out this parting shot, then turned and headed for Qin Mengxue’s office.

Su Jiaqi was startled by his words. As the elevator doors closed, she hastily pulled out the small mirror from her pocket and checked her reflection. Seeing that her eyebrows were perfectly fine, she flew into a rage and bellowed inside the elevator, “Damn you, Xue Tian'ai! You dare mess with me? This isn’t over!”

Humming a little tune in a good mood, Xue Tian'ai saw the sign for the president’s office and pushed the door open. “Honey, I—”

He was about to call out “Honey, I’m here!” but stopped short when he saw a young girl standing before Qin Mengxue’s desk, holding a folder. He quickly swallowed his words and changed his greeting.

“President, I’m here…” Xue Tian'ai’s gaze fell on the young girl. She was clearly quite young, younger than Qin Mengxue at least, her doll-like face radiating innocence, her low ponytail adding a touch of charm.

Though her figure was not voluptuous, it was beautifully proportioned, her delicate curves wrapped in a light blue business suit that accentuated her youthful allure.

Those big, beautiful eyes were gazing at Xue Tian'ai with a hint of curiosity.

The young girl was none other than Qin Mengxue’s secretary, Yu Xiaoxiao, who was just reporting the latest information on the Yangda tender.

Qin Mengxue had been about to scold Xue Tian'ai for barging in without knocking, but, mindful of Yu Xiaoxiao’s presence, she regained her composure.

After a quick glance at Xue Tian'ai, Qin Mengxue said to Yu Xiaoxiao, “Xiaoxiao, just leave the documents here. I’ll handle the rest.”

“Oh, all right, President Qin.” Yu Xiaoxiao nodded, but her curious gaze lingered on Xue Tian'ai. Who was this man, not in a suit, who entered the president’s office without knocking—and, most importantly, didn’t upset Qin Mengxue?

Could he be the president’s boyfriend? After all, the president had recently started wearing a stunning pale blue diamond ring, though it was on her little finger, which usually meant she wasn’t interested in dating…

As one of the employees who interacted most with Qin Mengxue, Yu Xiaoxiao noticed even the subtlest shifts in her expressions. Not to mention, she’d immediately spotted the breathtaking new ring on her finger today.

“Oh, right, Xiaoxiao, let me introduce you,” Qin Mengxue explained, noticing Yu Xiaoxiao’s curiosity. “This is my new assistant, Xue Tian'ai. You’ll be colleagues from now on, so take care of each other.”

“Assistant Xue, this is my secretary, Yu Xiaoxiao.”

“Hello, Assistant Xue.” Yu Xiaoxiao nodded shyly.

“Hello, Secretary Yu. I look forward to working with you!” Xue Tian'ai replied with a bright, friendly smile, reaching out his hand.

Seeing Xue Tian'ai’s extended hand and radiant smile, Yu Xiaoxiao blushed slightly, gently shook his hand, and then left the office.

Though it was just a brief, light handshake, Xue Tian'ai still felt the softness and delicacy of Yu Xiaoxiao’s hand.

With the office door closed, Xue Tian'ai sprawled out on Qin Mengxue’s sofa and sighed, “Honey, employing child labor is illegal, you know…”

After all, Yu Xiaoxiao’s baby face made her look so young that Xue Tian'ai couldn’t help but voice his doubts.

Qin Mengxue was already fuming from Su Jiaqi’s complaints; now, with Xue Tian'ai’s careless entrance and his question about child labor, her temper finally exploded.

“Xue Tian'ai, after all that time eating, where did you go?” She didn’t bother answering his question, but snapped furiously.

At her words, Xue Tian'ai’s heart skipped a beat. Had she found out he’d gone to Gan Bingning’s office? No, that wasn’t possible!

“I was just eating, really. I have to say, Dreamhua Group’s breakfast is amazing—and absolutely delicious!” Xue Tian'ai decided to say half the truth and see how Qin Mengxue would react.

“Tell me, what happened between you and Su Jiaqi in the cafeteria?”

“Su Jiaqi?” Xue Tian'ai froze at the mention of her name, then remembered running into her at the elevator, and her promise that he’d get what was coming to him.

So that woman had come to Qin Mengxue to complain about him! Xue Tian'ai’s face darkened. Was this elementary school? Getting bullied and running to the principal to tattle?

“Who’s Su Jiaqi?” Xue Tian'ai decided to play dumb.

“Xue! Tian! Ai!” Qin Mengxue hadn’t known him for long, but she was already well aware of his talent for feigning ignorance. She wasn’t about to believe a word of it.

“Oh! Now I remember. Boo-hoo, honey, you have to stand up for me! Just now in the cafeteria, that Su Jiaqi you mentioned saw how handsome I am and tried to force me to chase her. When I refused, she tried to pour millet porridge on me! I fought back and barely escaped her clutches!”

“To think that vicious woman would rush to complain first! I’m so wronged!” As he spoke, Xue Tian'ai pretended to wipe away tears.

But he had no idea that his words were having the opposite effect—each sentence only made the chill on Qin Mengxue’s face deepen.

This scoundrel! She was working on smoothing things over for him, and he couldn’t say a single serious word!

“Honey, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you saying anything?” After pretending to wipe his eyes for a while, Xue Tian'ai noticed Qin Mengxue’s silence and grew puzzled.

“Xue Tian'ai, do you really think I’d believe such nonsense?” Qin Mengxue’s tone was as calm as she could make it. If they weren’t in the office, she would have already leapt at him and given him a good beating.

“Has my acting gotten worse? That can’t be!” Xue Tian'ai touched his face in confusion. Was his performance slipping lately? Why had both Qin Mengxue and Gan Bingning caught him lying?

“Honey, do you have a mirror? Let me practice a bit.” Xue Tian'ai asked cheekily.

At his words, Qin Mengxue’s expression darkened further, her breathing grew heavier, her pearly teeth ground together audibly, and the curves of her chest heaved with each indignant breath, swelling and quivering like a water-filled balloon.

It was clear she was furious—all thanks to Xue Tian'ai! But his eyes were glued to her surging curves, his mind chanting, “36D, 36D!”

“You really want a mirror?” Suddenly, Qin Mengxue’s expression changed; she smiled sweetly at him.

“Of course! I’m seriously worried my acting’s gone downhill for lack of practice!” Xue Tian'ai stroked his chin, pretending to ponder.

“All right, come here. I have a mirror.” Qin Mengxue beckoned him over, her face still wearing a gentle smile.

Seeing her so inviting, Xue Tian'ai hopped up from the sofa and cheerfully approached her desk.

When he got close, he asked, “Honey, where’s the mirror?” At that moment, Qin Mengxue’s expression shifted abruptly!

Her hands turned into claws and lunged for Xue Tian'ai’s waist! He’d already experienced the full force of her pinching that morning—it was how she’d woken him up. He had no desire for a repeat performance; a wise man knows when to retreat.

He quickly dodged backward, evading her grasp.

Qin Mengxue had thrown all her strength into the attack, but hadn’t expected to miss. Her momentum carried her forward and she nearly toppled over.

Seeing this, Xue Tian'ai didn’t dare hesitate. Fearing she’d fall, he lunged forward and caught her.

With Qin Mengxue safely in his arms, he breathed a sigh of relief and looked down at her with concern. “Honey, are you all right?”

But instead of a flustered face, what greeted him was a triumphant, scheming smile!

Seeing that sly grin, Xue Tian'ai’s heart sank, and he pleaded, “Honey, could you go easy? I’m afraid of pain…”

The next second, Xue Tian'ai’s wail of agony echoed through Qin Mengxue’s office.

“Aaahhhhh!”