Rong Xiu remained motionless, his eyes calm, not frightened by her extreme behavior.

But the broken bottle in Rong Yan’s hand was still a threat.

Without thinking, Fan Xia stepped forward and, drawing on her years of experience living in an orphanage, swiftly restrained Rong Yan’s arm.

“It hurts, it hurts! Let go!” Rong Yan cried out in pain. Although she was a woman, Rong Yan had been a pampered young lady since childhood. Even her life in prison had been made comfortable by people taking care of things for her. She had no strength to resist.

Fan Xia didn’t listen to Rong Yan, but instead looked towards Rong Xiu.

Rong Xiu was also looking at her. Their gazes met again, but this time Rong Xiu didn’t avoid it. His thin, pale lips even curved into a rare smile, the small wine-red mole under his long, narrow eyes displaying a seductiveness completely contrary to his usual ascetic demeanor.

“Fan Xia, let her go,” Rong Xiu said calmly.

Fan Xia released her hold. Rong Yan rubbed her arm that was almost broken and glared fiercely at her.

Rong Xiu stood up unhurriedly, stepping in front of Fan Xia. His wrinkled white shirt and messy hair didn’t diminish his aura one bit. Instead, it added a touch of earthiness that he usually lacked.

He lowered his gaze and looked at Rong Yan silently for a moment, his voice distant: “You should leave. I won’t hold this against you.”

Rong Yan was filled with resentment: “Why? This group originally belonged to me.”

“Because I’m now the largest shareholder of the group. If you have the ability, come and fight me for it,” Rong Xiu said, his narrow eyes filled with indescribable contempt.

“You— Father, he—” Rong Yan said through gritted teeth.

Rong Xiu glanced at her arrogantly: “Oh, by the way, don’t think about using father to pressure me. It’s better if he doesn’t recognize me. I’ll take the opportunity to kick him out of the board of directors too.”

“Fine, fine, for money you’ve become completely heartless,” Rong Yan, with no more tricks up her sleeve, could only vent a few more words before leaving the office. As she left, she didn’t forget to bump into Fan Xia hard, taking the opportunity for revenge.

“Are you alright?” Rong Xiu stared at Fan Xia’s shoulder that had just been bumped by Rong Yan, his voice sounding as if something was gripping it.

“I’m fine,” Fan Xia smiled slightly and handed the hot milk to Rong Xiu. “Drink some hot milk to ease your hangover.”

Wisps of steam rose from the paper cup, the mellow aroma of milk spreading throughout the office, dispelling the originally pungent smell of alcohol. The milky white liquid swayed slightly in her hand, her long fingertips becoming even more rosy from the heat conducted by the paper cup.

Rong Xiu’s eyes moved slightly, his tightly closed thin lips almost biting his tongue: “Did you buy this especially for me?”

Fan Xia nodded slightly, her eyes smiling silently.

Rong Xiu’s mind trembled, an unidentified sweetness almost making him dizzy.

He struggled to maintain his composure, reaching out to take the hot milk. He touched exactly where she had just held, the slight heat transferring to his palm. His earlobes turned slightly red as if burned: “Th-thank you.”

Looking at the thick, fragrant white milk in the cup, Rong Xiu was about to drink it when he suddenly remembered Wen Lan Sheng’s boastful smile from before.

Base jealousy and competitiveness clouded his reason, and he actually tried to compare himself with the original husband: “If Wen Lan Sheng gets drunk, would you buy him milk too?”

“No,” Fan Xia shook her head and smiled.

Rong Xiu was overjoyed, a fine and dense satisfaction welling up in his heart, like little insects in a dark corner, hiding a happiness that couldn’t see the light of day.

“Lan Sheng doesn’t drink,” Fan Xia added.

If he doesn’t drink, naturally he won’t get drunk. If he doesn’t get drunk, naturally she wouldn’t need to buy him hot milk.

The secret little happiness hidden in his heart instantly solidified, turning into bitterness and jealousy that swelled in his heart. That’s right, how could a good boy drink?

“Actually, I didn’t drink before either. It’s just that sitting in this position, there are some drinking parties and banquets that can’t be avoided, so I had to learn to drink,” Rong Xiu slightly raised his eyes, carefully explaining, observing Fan Xia’s reaction, wanting to see if there was any disgust in her eyes towards his drunkenness.

Fan Xia sat beside Rong Xiu, the morning sunlight from outside the glass window shining on her, as if she was covered in a layer of soft, hazy light.

She listened quietly, her expression showing no discomfort. On the contrary, she said gently: “Regardless of gender, as a group leader, various social occasions are unavoidable. It’s not easy for you to manage Shanhai Group, but you should also pay attention to your health. Drink moderately and less, to avoid developing stomach problems.”

As she spoke, Fan Xia laughed lightly: “A stomach ache is not pleasant to endure.”

“Mm… I’ll be careful, and try not to drink in the future,” She was concerned about him. Rong Xiu’s fingertips holding the hot milk cup pressed slightly harder, his heart pounding wildly, his whole body tingling and trembling from the concern in Fan Xia’s tone, his ears turning red.

“Good,” Fan Xia smiled slightly, as bright and gentle as spring water.

Rong Xiu lowered his head in a daze, almost not daring to look directly at Fan Xia like this. He could only pretend to be occupied with the milk, hiding his nervous and flustered state.

But in his haste to drink the hot milk, Rong Xiu overlooked the steam still rising from it. He took a big gulp, burning his throat, choking and coughing, spilling milk from the cup onto his clean white shirt.

“Be careful, it’s hot,” Fan Xia’s warning came a step too late. She quickly pulled out two tissues.

“It’s fine,” Rong Xiu covered his mouth and coughed lightly, taking the tissues she handed over.

Because it was too hot, even the corners of his long, cold eyes welled up with two drops of moisture, trembling as they hung on his thick, curled eyelashes. The small wine-red mole under the corner of his eye looked particularly pitiful.

“Oh my, President, why are you coughing so badly? Did you catch a cold?” Zhuang Nian, carrying an exquisite men’s briefcase, had just stepped into the office when he saw Rong Xiu coughing incessantly, and said with concern.

“I just choked on the water, I’ll go to the inner room to change clothes.” Rong Xiu’s face flushed red as he clutched his milk-soaked collar and ran into the inner rest room specially designed for his midday rest.

Quickly closing the door, Rong Xiu leaned against it, breathing rapidly. He slowly slid down, sitting on the carpet as if drained of strength. Even though he had escaped Fan Xia’s gaze, he still felt that gaze that made his whole body tremble lingering on him, his heart pounding deafeningly.

“Deputy Fan, did the President drink all night?” Zhuang Nian asked in a low voice.

“Mm.” Fan Xia returned to her desk and opened her computer.

“Sometimes when the President encounters particularly difficult issues, he likes to have a little drink to relieve stress. But he rarely drinks all night like this. Look at all these empty bottles on the floor. It must have been something that made him feel especially thorny or angry to be like this,” Zhuang Nian said. “Oh right, when I came to work today, I saw Rong Yan. I guess the President drank because of this. No wonder he didn’t let us get involved, after all, it’s their family matter.”

Fan Xia rested her chin on one hand, recalling how calmly and coldly Rong Xiu had responded to Rong Yan’s fury earlier. She felt that this matter shouldn’t be so important in Rong Xiu’s heart.

About half an hour later, Rong Xiu finally came out from the inner room, having changed into a new black double-breasted pinstripe suit. His messy hair had been meticulously groomed, and he had returned to his usual ice-cold beauty appearance, immediately entering work mode.

The half-spilled cup of hot milk she had given him, which she thought would have been thrown away, was surprisingly placed next to his computer. He would occasionally take a small sip, and after finishing, his gaze would linger on it for a second or two. Then he would quickly glance at her, and when discovered, he would immediately lower his head, his fingertips flying as if deeply focused on work.

“Deputy Fan, I’m not having my diet meal today. I heard there’s a nice new restaurant across the street, want to go together?” During lunch break, Zhuang Nian left his seat, stretched, and asked.

“No need,” Fan Xia smiled and took out the lunch Wen Lan Sheng had made from the refrigerator. “I brought lunch from home.”

“A love lunch box!” Zhuang Nian exclaimed, covering his mouth. “Made by your fiancé?”

Fan Xia nodded slightly.

Zhuang Nian’s voice reached Rong Xiu’s ears. He stopped his work and looked at the lunch box in Fan Xia’s hand, his eyes gradually turning cold.

“Let me see, let me see.” Zhuang Nian excitedly opened the lunch box. “Braised shrimp, stir-fried broccoli, tomato shrimp balls, and lotus root corn rib soup. He even prepared the dipping sauce for you. My goodness, your fiancé is so virtuous! I’m not worthy! Not worthy at all!”

With each of Zhuang Nian’s praises, Rong Xiu found it more and more grating and unpleasant to hear, his expression becoming even colder.

It’s just ordinary home-cooked dishes, what’s there to boast about? The private boys’ high school he attended in junior and senior high had cooking classes, taught by famous chefs. His dishes always ranked first in evaluations. In Rong Xiu’s eyes, what Wen Lan Sheng made was merely showing off in front of an expert.

It’s just that he can openly cook for her under the identity of Fan Xia’s fiancé. If only he… Rong Xiu felt a pain in his heart, both envious and resentful of Wen Lan Sheng.

“Fan Xia.” Rong Xiu’s cold voice interrupted Zhuang Nian’s endless praise for Wen Lan Sheng.

“Does the President need something?” Fan Xia asked.

“Do you have time at noon? Come with me to inspect the new district hospital,” Rong Xiu said.

Although somewhat surprised, as the President’s assistant receiving a high salary, she naturally had to be prepared for work at any time. Without hesitation, Fan Xia put away her lunch box and said, “I have time. I’ll drive.”

Rong Xiu nodded slightly, quickly glancing at the lunch box as she closed it.

The shrimp veins were processed too hastily, not completely removed, with some broken and left in the shrimp meat; the broccoli wasn’t blanched with salt, so the color wasn’t green enough; not enough starch was added to the shrimp balls, causing their shape to be less full.

Virtuous? Nothing special. Rong Xiu’s eyes revealed a pathological jealousy.

Fan Xia quickly tidied up and went to the new district hospital with Rong Xiu. Because it was a sudden decision, the director and staff of the new district hospital didn’t know about his visit. Fan Xia followed Rong Xiu around the hospital for a round and then left.

That’s right, they left.

Usually, a hospital inspection wouldn’t be so cursory. They arrived at the new district hospital at 12:30 and left at just 1:10.

Noticing the confusion in Fan Xia’s eyes, Rong Xiu, hiding his guilty conscience, said, “This visit was just a simple surprise check on the hospital’s service quality. A specialized inspection team will follow up later.”

Fan Xia nodded.

Seeing that Fan Xia believed him, Rong Xiu let out a sigh of relief. His distant eyes were tinged with a rare smile: “I’m sorry for taking up your lunch break. As compensation, let me treat you to a meal.”

Xi Zhou Private Residence, a high-end Chinese restaurant with elegant and simple decor.

Of course, what’s more high-end is its price, exorbitantly expensive.

But in Rong Xiu’s eyes, it was no different from buying a two-yuan grilled sausage by the roadside.

After ordering, the waiter quickly brought the dishes. Tea mushroom fish fillet, pan-fried fresh matsutake mushrooms, perilla seaweed seared wagyu beef, baked stuffed crab shell, and dried scallop matsutake abalone soup. The portions weren’t large, just right for two people, and the taste was exceptional. Each dish preserved the original freshness of the ingredients as much as possible.

Throughout the meal, Rong Xiu’s behavior was graceful, chewing slowly. As they were about to finish, Rong Xiu suddenly asked, “Is it still to your taste?”

Fan Xia wiped the corner of her mouth: “It’s delicious.”

Rong Xiu’s eyes moved slightly. Perhaps due to the warm lighting of the restaurant, those narrow, cold eyes seemed to have a faint hint of a smile when looking at her, appearing ambiguous: “When you’re tired of the monotonous home-cooked meals, it’s not bad to try something fresh outside occasionally, right?”

Fan Xia uncomfortably murmured an agreement. His smile seemed like a tongue of fire licking her eyes. She had never seen Rong Xiu like this before. Beneath his cold and ascetic exterior lay a seductiveness that was difficult to describe in words.

At 11 PM, after Wen Ming Yue and Xie Cen had fallen asleep, Wen Lan Sheng secretly took a taxi back home.

Looking at the already sleeping Fan Xia, Wen Lan Sheng quietly walked over, gently brushed aside the hair covering her face, and with great affection and admiration, lightly kissed her cheek. Then he went to the kitchen to prepare ingredients, so that he could save time when making the lunch box early the next morning.

In the kitchen, the lunch box had already been washed clean and put away. Wen Lan Sheng smiled slightly and was about to open the refrigerator to cut vegetables when he keenly noticed that the garbage in the trash can was the lunch he had carefully prepared for Fan Xia.

Wen Lan Sheng was stunned for a moment. He crouched in front of the trash can. Because it hadn’t been eaten all day, the food had already spoiled and turned sour!

__________

*Spotlight on Finished Novel Translations*

He Said He’s Pregnant, and It’s My Child (Female-dominant)

Intro

Something seems a bit off about this world.
Wang Zhao thought as she watched a pregnant man walking towards her.

Link to read