Pressed against his chest, Shen Xi could clearly hear Qin Si Ye's powerful heartbeat, significantly faster than a normal person's.
What was happening to him? His behavior today was too abnormal.
"Qin Si Ye, I can barely breathe. Can you loosen your grip?" Shen Xi adjusted her emotions, managing to lift her head slightly from his embrace.
Upon hearing her, Qin Si Ye reluctantly let go.
Once free, Shen Xi raised her hand to slap him.
But she met the man's deep, sorrowful eyes. Recalling the scene of him saving her earlier, the hand she had raised slowly lowered.
She recoiled slightly, sitting down in the corner opposite him.
A slight curve suddenly appeared at the corner of Qin Si Ye's lips. He bowed slightly, reached out, and pulled her to sit beside him.
"Qin Si Ye, what exactly do you want?" Shen Xi's body stiffened. She wanted to get up, but was held firmly by his arm.
"I just don't want you to be too far from me." Qin Si Ye's voice was as warm and gentle as the spring sunshine, utterly captivating.
Shen Xi, however, felt a jolt of unease. She wanted to escape again, but knew she was no match for him. She had no choice but to compromise for the moment, looking up at him. "Then take your arm away, and I'll sit here."
Qin Si Ye gently released his arm, and Shen Xi immediately moved to the side.
Seeing that she hadn't retreated to the opposite side again, Qin Si Ye's eyebrows slightly rose. He took out his phone and made a call.
"Drive."
Soon, Zhao Ze opened the door and walked in. "President, where are we going now?"
"To eat first." Qin Si Ye glanced at Shen Xi and replied softly.
Shen Xi looked down at her watch. It was already past two in the afternoon, no wonder she felt hungry.
But all she wanted now was to go home. This man's state today was abnormal, even making her feel a sense of danger she had never experienced before. She had to escape from his side quickly.
"Assistant Zhao, please drive me back to Hua Ban Li. I'm going home to eat."
"This... President, you see..." Zhao Ze had just started the car and found himself in a dilemma, unsure who to obey.
"Are you his assistant, or my assistant?" Qin Si Ye suddenly retorted with a cold voice.
Zhao Ze fell silent, instantly understanding what he should do.
He must have been out of his mind just now to have asked such a foolish question.
"Mr. Qin, you saved me just now, and I'm very grateful. But you can't restrict my freedom.
If it's like this, wouldn't I have just escaped a fierce den only to enter a tiger's lair?" Shen Xi said, turning her head to glare at him with anger in her eyes.
Zhao Ze in the front nearly burst out laughing upon hearing this.
Miss Shen had quite an analogy, comparing the President to a tiger.
Even if it were a tiger, it would be a deeply affectionate tiger with eyes only for her.
"What tiger's lair? Is that how I make you feel?" Qin Si Ye's gaze, filled with sorrow, gained a cold edge.
"Yes. You're always so overbearing, forcing your will upon others." Shen Xi met his gaze fearlessly.
Qin Si Ye's heart couldn't help but tremble. This look was so similar to how she was five years ago.
"Am I forcing my will on you by asking you to eat?" Qin Si Ye suddenly curved his lips, his voice dropping a few notches. "You're treating me to this meal. No need for separate thanks for saving you; it can be deducted from previous expenses."
He found that this was the only tactic that worked on her.
As expected, Shen Xi no longer resisted upon hearing this, turning her face towards the window.
The car quickly arrived at the entrance of a restaurant, and the two walked down together.
They sat down, ordered, and ate, with almost no verbal communication.
Only Qin Si Ye's gaze would occasionally rest on her face.
After the meal, Qin Si Ye remembered that she hadn't had her vaccine today.
He then had Zhao Ze drive them to the First People's Hospital. After her vaccination, he finally sent her back to Hua Ban Li.
As soon as they reached the entrance, Shen Xi pushed the door open and stepped out. Qin Si Ye retrieved the antique from the trunk, intending to accompany her inside.
Shen Xi quickly took it from his hand and, with a look of distance, bowed to him.
"Thank you again, Mr. Qin, for your help today. I apologize for taking up so much of your time. Please go back and rest."
With that, she walked towards her home without looking back.
Qin Si Ye slowly lowered his right hand, which was suspended in mid-air, and watched her retreating figure with a sudden smile on his lips.
He turned and got into the car, saying to Zhao Ze in front, "Return to the Qin residence."