Volume One, Chapter 74: Courtship

The holiday came to an end.

When Song Qingyu returned to work, she found that the usually quiet twelfth floor had suddenly become bustling with activity.

Xie Liuzheng had told her that in the company, she must handle interpersonal relationships well and could not act as freely as she did at university. So, to everyone who came to see her, Song Qingyu greeted them with a smile.

As time went by, more and more people came to the twelfth floor. Especially at lunchtime, many people came to invite her to eat—both men and women.

She couldn’t accept every invitation, so she found excuses to decline and went to the cafeteria every day.

The cafeteria at Tianqi Group was the best of any company in all of Shangjing City, with a different menu every day.

The dishes Pei Jingmo made at home were always too bland, so when Song Qingyu saw spicy hotpot in the cafeteria, she was ecstatic and immediately ordered a portion.

She had just set the dish on the table and was about to dig in when a man in a suit, holding a bouquet of roses, walked toward her.

“Qingyu…”

Song Qingyu looked up to see Manager Yang from the PR department. When she noticed the flowers in his hands, she smiled politely, “Manager Yang, you really know how to create a special moment—even bringing roses to lunch.”

It was the peak lunch hour, and the cafeteria was full of employees. Witnessing this scene, everyone immediately became spectators, eager to see what would happen next.

Song Qingyu’s words nearly made them spit out their food.

“No, Qingyu, I’m not here for lunch. I’m here to confess my feelings to you.”

“What?”

Song Qingyu was so shocked that the piece of beef she had just picked up with her chopsticks fell back into her bowl.

Manager Yang blushed, looking shy and earnest. “Qingyu, I’ve liked you for a long time. I know you don’t have a boyfriend. Would you give me a chance?”

Song Qingyu was at a complete loss. She had only met Manager Yang twice—how had she attracted his affections?

Before she could reply, several more men rushed in, each holding bouquets of roses, surrounding her.

“Qingyu, I like you too. It was love at first sight. Please agree to go out with me.”

“I—I—I'm the one who likes you most. I can cook, sing, and dance, and I’ll treat you like a little princess.”

“Qingyu, what they feel is like, but what I feel is love. Whatever you want, even the stars in the sky, I’ll bring them to you.”

With so many voices all at once, Song Qingyu felt as if a swarm of bees was buzzing around her ears.

It was no wonder everyone seemed so frenzied.

Tianqi Group had always had more men than women. Ever since “The Interpreter” became a hit, everyone knew a talented and beautiful young lady had joined the twelfth floor.

Most importantly, she was single!

At first, people doubted her looks—after all, she was a STEM major working in IT; how could she possibly be a beauty?

But as soon as they met her in person, everyone declared they had found true love.

If they didn’t make a move now, when would they?

So Song Qingyu became the most sought-after person in the company.

Pei Jingmo rarely came to the cafeteria, but today, the first thing he saw was Song Qingyu surrounded by seven or eight men confessing their love.

Jie Changhe followed behind Pei Jingmo and was utterly terrified by the scene.

To confess to the wife of the company president—did these men have a death wish?

He cleared his throat loudly.

“President Gu—”

At the mention of President Gu, everyone immediately straightened up as if a commanding officer had arrived, standing at attention.

Song Qingyu also saw Gu Yuandong. Although President Gu was usually approachable, causing such a commotion at work still made her a little uneasy.

Especially as she watched Gu Yuandong walk steadily toward them—her heart was in her throat.

The men confessing to her hadn’t expected the president to show up either. Each of them was still clutching their roses, looking more festive than ever.

“When did the company cafeteria become your venue for love confessions?”

His tone was unhurried, but there was a chilling coldness to it that made everyone shiver involuntarily.

Some, unable to withstand the pressure, grabbed their roses and fled.

In the end, only the first man who approached Song Qingyu was left.

He was actually quite frightened, but Song Qingyu was so beautiful and so much his type that he felt he could take on the world for the woman he loved.

Summoning his courage, he addressed Gu Yuandong, “President Gu, I really like Qingyu. Please give us your blessing.”

He looked as determined as someone taking an oath, “I’ve already decided to dedicate my life to Tianqi Group. You can rest assured, even if I marry Qingyu, our work won’t be affected.”

Jie Changhe: “……”

Isn’t living a good life enough? Why seek death?

He stole a cautious glance at Gu Yuandong. Because he wore a mask, his expression was hidden, but Jie Changhe could sense that the president was in a foul mood.

The entire cafeteria seemed to freeze, the air turning frigid.

“Is that so?” Pei Jingmo’s dark eyes settled on Song Qingyu. “That also depends on whether Miss Song is willing.”

“I’m not willing!” Song Qingyu spoke up immediately. She thought that if she refused them in private, these men might not give up and would continue to pursue her.

But things were different with the president present.

Seeing the men who had confessed to her peeking from the doorway, Song Qingyu took a deep breath. “Manager Yang, and everyone, thank you for your affection, but I’m sorry—I’m already married.”

Manager Yang looked as if he’d been struck by lightning, frozen in place.

Unwilling to accept the truth, he shook his head in disbelief. “Impossible! You must be lying. If you’re married, why aren’t you wearing a wedding ring?”

It was a fake marriage; where would she get a ring?

“Heh… That’s because the ring my husband gave me is too valuable. I’m afraid of losing it, so I leave it at home and don’t wear it out.”

Manager Yang still wanted to argue, but Pei Jingmo said coldly, “What? Are you hoping to be a homewrecker and steal someone else’s wife?”

Under that icy gaze, Manager Yang shuddered. “Of course not!”

He glanced at the roses in his hand, then at Song Qingyu, and finally thrust the flowers into her arms. “Qingyu, then I wish you happiness.”

He left, heartbroken.

Song Qingyu let out a heavy sigh of relief. Seeing that Gu Yuandong was still standing there, she said quickly, “Thank you, President Gu, for helping me out.”

“Since Miss Song is married, perhaps you should act a bit more like a married woman.”

“…Thank you for the reminder, President Gu.”

Pei Jingmo’s gaze fell on the spicy hotpot in front of her, his brows furrowing slightly. “Is this what Miss Song is eating?”

Song Qingyu’s eyes lit up. “Yes! The cafeteria’s spicy hotpot is amazing. Would you like to try it, President Gu?”

Pei Jingmo knew that Song Qingyu had no restraint when it came to spicy food—if she ate an entire plate of this, she’d surely regret it that night.

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony.”

He picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.

Song Qingyu: “……”

She’d just been being polite, but he really wasn’t holding back!

With President Gu eating, Song Qingyu naturally didn’t dare to fight him for the food.

She watched as he ate all her favorite meat right in front of her, her mouth practically watering.

Song Qingyu could only watch helplessly as Gu Yuandong finished the entire plate of spicy hotpot.

How could anyone eat so much? And not leave her a single bite!

After he finished, he wiped his mouth with deliberate care. “Sorry, it was just too delicious—I couldn’t stop myself.”

“Heh—” Song Qingyu nearly gnashed her teeth to dust. “There should be more. I’ll go check.”

She hurried to the serving window, only to receive a thunderbolt of an answer.

There was no more spicy hotpot.

“There’s no more spicy hotpot, but we still have bird’s nest pumpkin porridge, sweet and sour ribs, and stir-fried bamboo shoots. Would you like any of those, Miss Song?”

“Yes!” she replied. Although she hadn’t gotten her spicy hotpot, she liked all three of those dishes—at least it was some consolation.

“Will there be spicy hotpot tomorrow?”

The chef shook his head. “Many people complained that the spicy hotpot was too fiery, so we won’t be making it anymore. The menu will be lighter from now on.”

“……”

Song Qingyu shot a resentful glare at Gu Yuandong, her mood thoroughly soured.

Pei Jingmo caught every bit of her small frustration, the corners of his mouth curving up slightly.

Jie Changhe, standing nearby: “(￣_￣|||)”

Great, now they’re showing off their affection for each other. So the entire Tianqi Group is just a stage for their play?

Missing out on the spicy hotpot put Song Qingyu in a bad mood for the rest of the afternoon.

That evening.

Dragging her weary body home, she was greeted at the door by Pei Jingmo. As soon as he opened the door, she smelled a familiar aroma.

She looked at him in disbelief. “You made spicy hotpot tonight?”

Pei Jingmo smiled. “Yes. I thought since you’ve been eating bland food lately, you must be craving something spicy—”

Before he could finish, Song Qingyu threw herself into his arms with excitement. “You’re the best!”

The impact made his chest tremble, his heart pounding uncontrollably. He wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her into the house and helping her into her slippers.

Song Qingyu was so focused on the spicy hotpot that she didn’t realize what had happened until Pei Jingmo sat her down at the table. Only then did she blush furiously.

“You… I…”

“Hmm? What’s the matter?” Pei Jingmo’s expression was so natural, as if carrying her in and helping her with her shoes was nothing at all. She let the matter drop, “No, nothing. Let’s eat.”

Pei Jingmo’s spicy hotpot wasn’t as fiery as the cafeteria’s, but it was flavorful and utterly delicious.

Song Qingyu ate until she was stuffed.

Later that night, Pei Jingmo suggested taking a walk to help digest the food. As Song Qingyu was putting on her shoes, her phone suddenly rang.

It was a call from Xie Liuzheng.

But when Song Qingyu answered, it was her assistant Chen Xiaorou on the other end.

“Xiaoyu, something’s happened—Liuzheng fell from the wire rig and has been taken to the hospital.”