Chapter 7: Breakfast

As the elevator reached their floor, Jiang Nai and Yao Qi headed toward the office area, going in a different direction from Li Qingji and the others.

After sitting down, Jiang Nai started to eat her breakfast for the day. Chen Min had prepared a generous spread: a tuna sandwich, milk, an egg, fruit, and a box of caramel pudding that looked delicious. While eating, she took out her phone to send a message to Chen Min to ask where she could buy this breakfast so she could send the address to Yao Qi.

Just as she was about to send it, Chen Min had already sent the address ahead of time and thoughtfully added: [Miss Jiang, only the sandwich and pudding are from this store; the other items in the bag are from a different store.]

Jiang Nai replied: [Okay, thanks.]

Jiang Nai: [By the way, there’s no need to prepare breakfast for me anymore; I can eat at the company.]

Chen Min: [Got it.]

Jiang Nai forwarded the address to Yao Qi. Just as she was about to put her phone away to enjoy her breakfast, she suddenly noticed Li Qingji’s name in her conversation list.

She had always saved his contact as [Li Qingji], straightforward and formal. It didn’t seem like much before, but now… maybe it was time to change it.

What should she change it to?

Jiang Nai recalled the glance they exchanged earlier in the elevator, separated by the reflective mirror.

The boss who commanded respect without being angry, the boss whom all employees feared…

It was indeed a bit intimidating.

Lowering her head, she typed away on her phone. After a moment, three words popped up on the screen: [Big Demon King].

“Jiang Nai, don’t you think?” Yao Qi suddenly turned her chair to face her.

Jiang Nai put her phone away: “What?”

Yao Qi said, “The boss’s looks, isn’t he very handsome?”

After the “dismissal” warning had passed, Yao Qi returned to her usual self, bringing back her gossip-loving nature.

She took out a mirror to check her own face, frowning as she said, “My skin is in terrible shape; it’s even visible with makeup on. But look at the boss—he didn’t show any flaws even at such close distance in the elevator. How can his skin be so good? Does he use some high-end skincare products?”

She hadn’t seen any special men’s skincare products in the cloakroom or bathroom, at most just two bottles of hydrating lotion… They probably weren’t even bought by Li Qingji himself.

“I think it’s just natural good looks,” Jiang Nai said honestly.

Yao Qi sighed, “It really isn’t fair; he’s got a good family background, high looks, and a successful career. How can someone like that exist? I’m telling you, in the matchmaking market, people would fight over him. Of course, our boss doesn’t need to date anyone.”

Yao Qi had recently been pressured by her family to marry, having met a few bizarre blind dates, none of whom were normal. It was really too difficult.

Suddenly, she added, “Hey, do you think he has a girlfriend?”

Jiang Nai slowed her chewing and glanced at Yao Qi.

Yao Qi didn’t seem to expect a response from her, continuing on her own, “He probably has a girlfriend, and quite a few, I’d guess.”

Jiang Nai cleared her throat but didn’t reply.

As for this matter… she really didn’t know.

Not long after finishing breakfast, it was time to officially start work. Today was Jiang Nai’s second day on the job. She first completed a small task that Yao Qi had given her and then joined her team for a meeting at eleven o’clock. Their team was primarily responsible for the smart home products sector, and the project discussed in the morning meeting was about the upcoming launch of the Snint Robotic Vacuum Cleaner 3.0.

The Snint robotic vacuum held a significant market share, but the market was rapidly evolving, and they needed to prepare for the launch of version 3.0 this year. During the meeting, they discussed marketing strategies, promotion, and advertising. Jiang Nai sat nearby, taking notes and listening attentively.

After the meeting, everyone dispersed.

Since it was just about lunchtime, after putting away her computer, everyone got ready to go eat. Yao Qi wasn’t feeling well and decided not to go, so Jiang Nai planned to head down to the cafeteria by herself.

“Are you adjusting okay?” Suddenly, someone beside her asked.

Jiang Nai turned to see it was a member of their team, Xu Xiao. He had joined the company at the same time as Yao Qi, and Jiang Nai learned yesterday during introductions that he was a senior from the same university, two years above her. However, aside from their initial self-introduction when they first arrived, they hadn’t spoken since.

Jiang Nai responded warmly, “I’m doing alright.”

Xu Xiao said, “If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. We’re from the same school, after all.”

“Okay, thanks!”

Xu Xiao walked with her towards the elevator and said, “Actually, I knew about you back in college; it’s quite a coincidence that we can be colleagues now.”

Jiang Nai looked at him in surprise.

Xu Xiao smiled and explained, “You were the belle of the economics and management department, so of course, I knew about you.”

Jiang Nai paused for a moment and smiled slightly, “That’s just something people say.”

The girl before him had an outstanding appearance, her hair styled up, dressed in a light-colored shirt and trousers, exuding a scholarly beauty that was particularly pleasant. Xu Xiao thought to himself that the whole “belle” thing was definitely not just talk.

“I was really busy yesterday and couldn’t join you all for lunch. So as your senior, I should treat you to lunch today,” Xu Xiao said.

Jiang Nai replied, “Oh… there’s no need for that, you don’t have to be so polite.”

“It’s nothing; it’s just right to take care of a junior from the same school,” he insisted.

Two people were saying they were almost at the elevator when two others were approaching from the other end of the hallway.

Seeing the newcomers, Xu Xiao stopped and greeted, “President Li.”

Li Qingji looked over, nodded at Xu Xiao, and then shifted his gaze to Jiang Nai, who was standing next to Xu Xiao.

Jiang Nai paused for a moment and imitated the person beside her, calling out, “President Li.”

Li Qingji responded in the same way, his gaze not lingering, and turned back to converse with the person beside him.

“What do you like to eat? Our company has quite a variety of cuisines,” Xu Xiao asked.

Jiang Nai replied, “Senior, really, no need to be polite.”

…

Li Qingji turned and entered his office, while the two behind him continued their conversation as they walked away.

“This office is quite different from your previous style,” his friend Lu Feng, who entered the office with him, remarked.

Li Qingji replied, “It hasn’t been changed.”

The office had a French minimalist decor, left by the previous occupant. He had just arrived and was busy with company matters, so he hadn’t made any changes to the office.

“Have a seat.” Li Qingji gestured casually.

Lu Feng sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and jokingly commented, “Hey, your company is full of hidden talents; there are quite a few beautiful women.”

Li Qingji settled onto another sofa. “Is that all you see?”

Lu Feng said, “Not really, but those are the most eye-catching. Like that girl at the door just now, she’s pretty striking.”

Li Qingji paused for a moment and silently sipped his tea.

Seeing that he didn’t respond, Lu Feng assumed he was displeased with the topic and quickly changed the subject. “Oh, I’ve noticed other things too, like this environment is nice.”

Li Qingji couldn’t be bothered to engage. “Just say it. What brings you here?”

“Nothing much, just wanted to see you since you’ve been hard to reach lately. I thought I’d come check out what’s keeping you busy at this new place.”

“Not much, I’ve just been traveling for work recently.”

“Not on a business trip today, right? We could go out tonight.”

“No, thanks.”

Lu Feng exclaimed, “Wow, if you’re not busy and still don’t want to go out, is it because you’re under strict supervision at home?”

Li Qingji, still holding his dark blue tea cup, looked suspicious. “At home?”

“Your wife, the one you’re keeping hidden, from the Jiang family,” Lu Feng chuckled, “Is she as domineering as her sister Jiang Yao?”

Li Qingji realized he was referring to Jiang Nai.

Domineering…

She really didn’t resemble her sister at all. Of course, Lu Feng was just teasing. There was no way Li Qingji could be the type to be controlled by anyone; he was the kind of person no one could dominate.

“Qingjiu, seriously, when you suddenly said you got your marriage certificate last time, it shocked all of us,” Lu Feng returned to the main topic.

Li Qingji poured boiling water into the teapot, releasing a fragrant aroma. “It was only a matter of time; there’s nothing surprising about it.”

“Still feels surreal that you’re a married man now,” Lu Feng said with curiosity, “So what does your wife look like? Why not bring her out to show us?”

Jiang Nai had only recently returned to the Jiang family, and many people hadn’t even known there was a younger Miss Jiang until Li Qingji suddenly announced his intention to marry the second daughter of the Jiang family.  However, shortly after the engagement was confirmed, Jiang Nai went abroad for further studies, which meant that most people, including Li Qingji’s friends, didn’t know what she looked like.

Li Qingji replied, “There will be a chance in the future.”

“Alright, I’ll be waiting,” Lu Feng nudged him playfully, “By the way, what’s it like being married?”

“What kind of feeling?” 

“What’s it like having a wife?” 

“If she’s not troublesome, that’s good enough for me,” Li Qingji replied, glancing at his watch. He changed the subject, “Do you want to have lunch? If not, you can leave; I have a meeting in the afternoon.” 

“Hey, wait a minute.” Lu Feng, unable to satisfy his curiosity, was reluctant to leave. “What do you mean ‘not troublesome’? Is that all you have to say about your marriage?” 

“What do you want to hear?” Li Qingji looked at him with a cold gaze, his expression devoid of any emotion, as if marriage was simply that for him—clear-cut and straightforward, with nothing more to discuss. 

Lu Feng clicked his tongue, realizing that he understood this perspective. 

After all, for people like them, marriage didn’t carry much to evaluate since most of their paths were already set. 

—— 

At lunch, Xu Xiao insisted on paying, and Jiang Nai had no choice but to say she would treat him next time. After lunch, back in the office, Jiang Nai continued with the topics from the meeting; she needed to collect some recent market information about competitors from the media. 

A few hours later, work ended. 

People began leaving one after another, and Jiang Nai went downstairs with Yao Qi. When they reached the first floor, Yao Qi asked if she hadn’t driven today. Remembering the little lie she told yesterday because of Li Qingji, Jiang Nai had to say she hadn’t driven and would take a taxi home instead. 

“Do you live nearby?” 

As she waited for her driver to accept the order, Jiang Nai replied, “It’s okay, about twenty minutes to get there.” 

Given the rush hour traffic, getting home in twenty minutes suggested she rented a place close to the company. 

Yao Qi said enviously, “I need to move soon too, to somewhere closer to the office; otherwise, the commuting time is going to drive me crazy.” 

“How long does it take you?” Jiang Nai asked. 

“Fifty minutes by subway, a bit better by taxi, but at this time, the traffic is so bad that it’ll probably take about the same to get home,” Yao Qi replied. 

… 

A few minutes later, they each got into their cars and drove away. 

When Jiang Nai got home, the housekeeper was preparing dinner. She greeted her and went to her room to change into something comfortable.  After a long day, once she had changed, she didn’t head downstairs immediately. Instead, she sat in the little hanging chair on her bedroom balcony for a bit and pulled up photos from lunch at the company to share. 

“[The company food is pretty good, and my colleagues are friendly; they even treated me to lunch (attached is a picture)].”

Jiang Nai didn’t receive a reply, but she remained fixated on the chat box, lost in thought. 

At that moment, her phone rang.

It was her grandfather, Jiang Yuantao, calling her.

“Jiang Nai, your grandmother said, if you’re free this weekend, come home with Qingji for dinner.”

Jiang Nai replied, “Okay, I’ll ask him.”

“Mm.”

The person on the other end probably didn’t have anything else to say and seemed ready to hang up.

Jiang Nai felt a tightening in her chest and suddenly spoke up: “Grandpa, I want to see her.”

There was a brief silence on the other end.

Jiang Nai lowered her gaze and repeated, “I want to see her. Is that okay?”

“Am I stopping you from seeing her? It’s her who doesn’t want to see you.”

Jiang Nai pressed her lips together: “Grandpa, she’s scared. As long as you say it’s okay, she will want to see me.”

Jiang Yuantao fell silent for a moment before coldly saying, “There’s no need for that.”

“Why not? There’s no reason not to. I want to see her, and that’s reason enough.” Even a placid balloon filled with air will burst; Jiang Nai tightly gripped her phone, suppressing her voice, “Grandpa, I’ve already obeyed your wishes and married someone. I do whatever you say. Why can’t you let me see my mom?”

“Marrying into the Li family is already a cost for you? How many people want to marry but can’t?!” The old man replied angrily, “Jiang Nai, your mother knows what’s best for you. She understands that, so she doesn’t contact you. We didn’t force her!”

Didn’t force her.

She didn’t believe that.

“Then tell me where she is, and I’ll go find her myself.”

The old man’s voice turned colder, “What kind of attitude is this when you’re talking to me?! We have never mistreated your mother. If it weren’t for the Jiang family supporting her with her health, she would have died long ago when I brought you back!”

Jiang Nai opened her mouth but quickly found her eyes welling up, “So I’ve already met your demands. I’m not asking for anything else; I just want to see her!”

“I said it’s her who doesn’t want to see you.”

“But…”

The call was abruptly disconnected.

In an instant, all her hopes were blocked out.

No… still no…

Why?

Jiang Nai clenched her teeth and, in frustration, threw the pillow she was holding onto the ground. The pillow bounced upon hitting the floor and rolled away to a farther spot. Jiang Nai’s gaze followed it unconsciously, only then noticing that someone was standing at the door of the room.

She looked up and recognized his face, her heart skipping a beat.

Li Qingji had returned home a few minutes earlier. He intended to change his clothes before going to dinner but accidentally overheard her phone call. Though he hadn’t meant to, he still picked up some context from the fragments of conversation.

Li Qingji glanced at the pillow on the ground and then at Jiang Nai’s reddened eyes not far away.

She looked pained and stubborn, holding back her emotions.

After a few seconds of silence, he walked over and picked up the pillow from the floor, speaking softly, “Dinner is ready. Do you still want to eat?”

Jiang Nai felt embarrassed and turned her head away, giving a soft “mm” in response.

Li Qingji had already turned away and didn’t look at her again. “Come down.”

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