Chapter Forty-Four: What Is This Feeling?

Just as Xue Tian’ai had managed to slip out of Qin Mengxue’s office, she was intercepted by Yu Xiaoxiao, as if the girl had been waiting there specifically for Xue Tian’ai’s arrival.

“Assistant Xue, Qin’s expression didn’t look good just now! What happened?” Yu Xiaoxiao asked, her eyes wide and sparkling like black grapes.

“Nothing happened at all. After going in, President Qin just sat there working, barely saying a word,” Xue Tian’ai replied.

“She didn’t scold you or give you a hard time?” Yu Xiaoxiao blinked innocently.

“Why would she scold me? I’m such a well-behaved employee, why would she?” Xue Tian’ai asked, puzzled.

“Didn’t you provoke President Su…?”

“How did you know that!” Xue Tian’ai exclaimed, clearly surprised.

“It’s not just me—almost everyone in the company knows now! Assistant Xue, do you realize you’re becoming quite the sensation?”

“How am I famous? I didn’t know,” Xue Tian’ai muttered, bewildered. She was well-known in the world of assassins, but to be a hot topic at Menghua Group was beyond her imagination.

“A newly appointed assistant, handpicked by President Qin herself, going head-to-head with the infamous ‘Iron Lady’ manager of the investment department—you tell me, could you not be trending? You’re practically the company’s top search right now!”

“My goodness!” Xue Tian’ai hadn’t expected public opinion to be so powerful; her altercation with Su Jiaqi in the cafeteria that morning had made her the talk of the company.

“So, I suspect President Qin’s sour mood might have something to do with you!” Yu Xiaoxiao theorized, like a little detective.

“It’s just a minor conflict between employees… President Qin is so busy, she probably doesn’t care. Besides, when she returned to her office, she didn’t say anything, just continued working.”

“Then why did President Qin tell me not to let anyone in for the time being?”

“Maybe she’s having hormonal issues…” Xue Tian’ai replied offhandedly.

Hearing this, Yu Xiaoxiao was so astonished she covered her mouth—someone actually dared suggest President Qin had hormonal problems! For a moment, Yu Xiaoxiao was at a loss for words.

“Let’s not talk about that. President Qin asked me to get her a coffee; where do you usually buy it for her?” Xue Tian’ai remembered her task and hurriedly asked. She didn’t want to be sent to work in the security department for failing to deliver coffee.

“Ah, President Qin usually drinks canned coffee from the vending machine in the fifth-floor cafeteria.”

“Does President Qin really never eat breakfast?” Xue Tian’ai frowned slightly.

“It seems so. She only drinks coffee every morning; I’ve never seen her eat breakfast in the cafeteria.”

“Alright, got it. I’ll go downstairs and buy her coffee.” With that, Xue Tian’ai dashed off.

She quickly returned with the coffee. With her caffeine in hand, Qin Mengxue didn’t threaten to send Xue Tian’ai to the security department, but neither did she speak to her. It was as if she were sulking, working silently while Xue Tian’ai sat there like a fool.

At last, lunchtime arrived. In the cafeteria, Xue Tian’ai encountered Su Jiaqi and Gan Bingning again. The flames in Su Jiaqi’s eyes seemed ready to incinerate Xue Tian’ai, but Gan Bingning’s expression showed no displeasure. Instead, she told Xue Tian’ai to wait for her in the parking lot so they could dine together that evening.

In the afternoon, Xue Tian’ai tried to engage Qin Mengxue in conversation, but she was still buried in her paperwork, occasionally making phone calls to issue instructions, ignoring Xue Tian’ai entirely. Seeing this, Xue Tian’ai could only amuse herself by counting her fingers, enduring the boredom and torment.

When the bell finally signaled the end of the workday, Xue Tian’ai hurriedly told Qin Mengxue he’d be dining with some old friends from Beiyang City that evening, then left the office and headed to the parking lot, waiting beside the white Mercedes AMG as Gan Bingning had instructed.

Qin Mengxue watched as Xue Tian’ai rushed out, her face darkening. She had hoped that if Xue Tian’ai apologized sincerely today, she could let the matter go. But he showed no remorse whatsoever; aside from cracking crude jokes and flirting, he had nothing else to say. After work, he merely left a message about dinner with friends and vanished.

The more Qin Mengxue thought about it, the angrier she became. She pulled out her phone, quickly typed a message, sent it, and tossed her phone aside, returning to her work with a cold snort.

Because of Xue Tian’ai’s antics, many documents meant for today had piled up, so Qin Mengxue had no choice but to work overtime.

Meanwhile, sitting in Gan Bingning’s car, Xue Tian’ai stared at the message from Qin Mengxue on his phone, his face somewhat grim.

The message was succinct: “Come back after dinner.”

Could it be that her silence all day was because she was angry? But what did she have to be angry about—just because he’d spanked Su Jiaqi?

“What’s got your attention?” Gan Bingning asked, noticing Xue Tian’ai gazing at his phone in deep thought.

“Tsk, tsk. Why is it that the recent films from that country of scripts have such unattractive female leads? It’s truly disappointing!” Xue Tian’ai pretended to admire his phone screen, clicking his tongue in mock amazement.

“You have a beautiful woman right in front of you, yet you’re looking at those actresses. Don’t you think that’s a bit rude, or is it that I’m not pretty enough?” Gan Bingning feigned a hint of dissatisfaction.

“Heh, that was indeed a bit rude. Please forgive me, President Gan.” Xue Tian’ai chuckled, turning off his phone.

“So, what should we eat tonight?”

“We’re not eating dinner tonight!” Gan Bingning smiled.

“Not eating?” Xue Tian’ai looked at her, scanning her up and down. “No dinner—are you suggesting I eat you?”

Gan Bingning blushed, recalling the night Xue Tian’ai had devoured her completely. “What are you thinking? I just want to go drink.”

“Drinking?” Xue Tian’ai raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, just drinking. Are you afraid?” Gan Bingning’s beautiful eyes flashed with a hint of provocation.

“Afraid? Why would I be?” Xue Tian’ai said, untroubled. It was only drinking—what harm was there? Even if something happened after drinking too much, he wouldn’t be the one losing out.

He cast a wicked glance at Gan Bingning. “Anyway, it’s not about whether I’m afraid; why are you daring enough to go drinking? Aren’t you afraid you’ll get drunk and something will happen between us?”

Gan Bingning’s blush deepened, but she retorted, “Last time, I was drugged by someone else. Normally, I can hold my liquor quite well!”

Then she added, “But you, pretty boy—once you touch alcohol, you’re done for. You’ll end up passed out on the street, picked up by some older woman.”

“Men never admit they’re weak. Besides, whether I am or not, you should know—especially after that night…”

At these words, Gan Bingning suddenly slammed the brakes. Xue Tian’ai, who hadn’t fastened his seatbelt, nearly collided with the windshield, but managed to steady himself thanks to his strength.

“Hey, what are you doing? Slamming the brakes like that could kill someone!” Xue Tian’ai shouted, unhappy. If he’d been an ordinary person, he could have been seriously hurt.

“Hmph, let’s see if you dare to have such a filthy mouth again!” Gan Bingning snorted sharply, her face flushed, as she stepped harder on the gas, sending the AMG speeding away.

Having learned his lesson, Xue Tian’ai fastened his seatbelt and gazed out the window.

It was nearly dusk; the setting sun slipped behind skyscrapers as night began to envelop the bustling city of Beiyang. The lights flickered on, illuminating every wide street. People who had labored all day hurried home or sought ways to indulge themselves. Couples strolled arm in arm, displaying their affection, while husbands and wives, exhausted from work, walked hand in hand with their children, basking in the warmth of family.

Xue Tian’ai watched the peaceful happiness of Beiyang City, observing families of three on the streets, and was overcome by deep memories.

Beiyang had never been so prosperous; scenes of such happiness were once rare.

Time had mended the city’s dilapidated buildings, smoothed its rough streets, and economic progress had enhanced the people’s sense of joy.

But what of Xue Tian’ai’s own heart? Time had only deepened the pain of losing his mother, only intensified his guilt toward the figure haunting his memories.

Years ago, when he learned the disaster had been caused by the Xue family’s mistake, he grew disgusted with his family and his inept father, storming away from the pack to Europe alone.

Now he had returned, and the Beiyang of his memories had changed beyond recognition. Yet he still could not face that figure, could not confront the bloody night, could not bear to look at the nightmares of his past in Huaxia.

Gan Bingning drove quickly, soon arriving at a bar called Blue Moon Bay. High-powered spotlights blared, neon lights flashed, and sultry dancers swayed at the entrance, enticing passersby.

“Xue Tian…” Gan Bingning, her emotions calmed after the drive, was about to call him out of the car when she was struck by the expression on Xue Tian’ai’s face.

It was utterly devoid of emotion. His mouth was stiff, with no trace of a smile, his dark pupils empty, unfathomable, bottomless, as if stripped of all joy. It was the look of a wanderer who had lost his paradise, seasoned by decades of despair, carrying a sorrow so profound it could only be born of such suffering.

For a moment, Gan Bingning’s heartstrings were plucked by the sight; she suddenly found Xue Tian’ai unbelievably handsome. His flawless features, paired with that melancholy, made him irresistibly charming.

The mingled glow of sunset and streetlamps poured through the car window, bathing Xue Tian’ai’s handsome face in a gentle light.

Gan Bingning felt her heart struck hard, her pulse quickening.

Ah—what was this feeling?