Song Qinian stood still, her gaze cautiously fixed on a spot covered by the quilt.
Shen Chi Yan, such a proud man, if he truly couldn't... in the future.
He would surely break down, wouldn't he?
"I'll say it again..."
Realizing her tone wasn't quite right, Shen Chi Yan softened his voice a few degrees, "Come to me."
Song Qinian hesitated for a few seconds, then slowly walked towards Shen Chi Yan.
Finally, she stopped about a meter away from him.
Shen Chi Yan was displeased with Song Qinian's distance. He slightly pushed himself up and, with a stretch of his long arm, pulled Song Qinian into his embrace.
His hand gently stroked her bitten lip, "It hurts..."
However, before he could finish speaking, Song Qinian, as if startled, abruptly pushed him away. She recoiled like a startled bird, putting even more distance between them.
Her beautiful deer-like eyes were filled with wariness and anger.
Shen Chi Yan's expression immediately turned cold, his voice becoming frighteningly icy, "You're avoiding me?"
Song Qinian's heart pounded rapidly. Memories of last night flooded her mind; he had hurt her and given her no chance to beg for mercy.
She didn't want to be hurt again, so her instinct was to avoid his touch.
But when she thought about how this might wound his pride, her heart felt incredibly conflicted and tormented.
And her demeanor, in Shen Chi Yan's eyes, was seen as her being angry about last night's events.
Last night, he must have really hurt her!
This little woman, who appeared so docile and obedient on the surface, was actually quite resentful.
"Secretary Li!"
Upon hearing Shen Chi Yan's voice, Secretary Li immediately pushed open the door and entered.
Seeing the grim expressions on both Shen Chi Yan and Song Qinian's faces, her heart sank slightly.
What was going on?
Were they not having a pleasant conversation?
"Mr. Shen."
"Tell the doctor I want to be discharged."
Both Li Nanshun and Song Qinian were stunned.
Li Nanshun: "But your injuries..."
"I can recuperate at home too."
Shen Chi Yan was adamant about being discharged, and no one could stop him.
Fortunately, it was mainly his right arm that was severely injured; the other injuries were minor and could be treated at home.
Shen Chi Yan's legs also had some contusions on the cartilage, causing him to limp slightly when walking.
Song Qinian's mind was solely occupied with the injury to Shen Chi Yan's private parts, assuming his limp was due to fear of friction there, and her worry only deepened.
Shen Chi Yan looked at Song Qinian, who was still standing a meter away, and felt immensely frustrated.
Normally, that woman would have rushed over to help him by now. But now, she was just staring at his leg, not coming to help, completely lacking in foresight.
In the car.
The atmosphere was quite somber. Gao Kunlun's gaze swept over their faces before he asked Shen Chi Yan, "Fifth Master, shall we return to Xiangshanyue?"
Shen Chi Yan was in a terrible mood, "Or else? Go to your place?"
Gao Kunlun: "..."
Gao Kunlun felt a bit wronged. Fifth Master had been living in Jingyuan recently. He was afraid of being scolded if he assumed they were going back to Xiangshanyue without confirming, but he had still stepped on a minefield.
As soon as they arrived at Xiangshanyue, Zhang Qiaoqiao saw Shen Chi Yan's injuries and immediately rushed forward, "Oh dear young master, what happened to you?"
She instinctively wanted to help Shen Chi Yan, but then remembered his潔癖 (cleanliness obsession) and forcefully withdrew her hand.
"I'll be working from home for a while."
"Oh, okay..."
As they went upstairs, Shen Chi Yan's leg pained him. After just two steps, he broke out in a cold sweat. He turned and shot Song Qinian a cold glance, "What are you standing there for?"
Song Qinian pursed her lips. Just as she was hesitating whether to help him, Gao Kunlun rushed forward several steps and supported Shen Chi Yan, "Fifth Master, be careful."
Shen Chi Yan: "..."
This Gao Kunlun was also completely lacking in foresight. He should be fired!
Seeing Song Qinian's resolute stance of not touching him, Shen Chi Yan's mood grew even worse.
For the next few days, Shen Chi Yan worked from home.
Li Nanshun would bring the documents requiring Shen Chi Yan's signature to Xiangshanyue daily, sometimes making several trips back and forth, which was quite arduous.
Song Qinian wanted to help Li Nanshun share the burden but didn't know what she could do.
One day, Li Nanshun came out of the study and saw Song Qinian waiting at the door. He called out to her, "Miss Song, Mr. Shen wants you to go in."
When Song Qinian entered the study, Shen Chi Yan was still working. His right hand was in a sling, so he had to sign with his left hand.
As the CEO of Dingsheng Group, he was indeed very diligent.
Shen Chi Yan's expression turned very displeased when he saw Song Qinian standing far away and acting like she was invisible.
How long was she planning to be angry?
"Song Qinian, as my personal assistant, you're taking your salary without doing any work. Isn't that a bit too much?"
Song Qinian immediately shook her head and gestured with her hands, "What are Mr. Shen's instructions?"
"I want to eat an apple. Peel one for me."
Song Qinian: "..."
"What? You don't want to?"
Song Qinian shook her head. It wasn't that she didn't want to, but Li Nanshun was handling his official duties, while she was relegated to peeling an apple.
However, on second thought, she was Shen Chi Yan's personal assistant and was responsible for his daily life, so peeling fruit was considered part of her job.
With this realization, she felt a little better.
As she turned to leave, Shen Chi Yan's cold voice rang out again, "Bring the apple here to peel."
Song Qinian paused. Seeing that Shen Chi Yan was engrossed in his work, she didn't dare to disturb him and quietly left.
Taking the fruit plate and a paring knife, she quietly returned to the study.
With one person working and the other peeling fruit, the atmosphere was uncharacteristically warm.
Song Qinian was focused when she did anything.
As an art student, she often cut and trimmed things, so her knife skills were excellent.
In her slender, delicate hands, an apple was transformed into little rabbit-shaped pieces in just a few moments.
Seeing that Shen Chi Yan was still busy, she didn't want to disturb him. She quietly placed the peeled apples on the desk and was about to leave when she heard Shen Chi Yan's voice.
"Stop!"
Song Qinian turned to look at him.
"Can't you see my right hand is injured and my left hand is busy? How am I supposed to eat?"
Song Qinian furrowed her brow slightly, "Then... you can eat it later when you're not busy?"
Shen Chi Yan felt a pang of frustration. Wasn't this woman usually quite clever?
Why was she so foolish now?
"I want to eat it now. Come over here and feed me!"
Song Qinian didn't understand why Shen Chi Yan would make such a request. Feeding someone was something only couples did. She was his assistant.
"Any objections?"
Song Qinian dared not object. After all, her monthly salary depended on Shen Chi Yan.
Thus, Song Qinian picked up a small rabbit-shaped apple piece and brought it to Shen Chi Yan's lips.
Shen Chi Yan took a bite from her hand and suddenly grabbed her wrist.
Song Qinian was startled and immediately tried to pull her hand away, but Shen Chi Yan held on, his dark eyes fixed on her, "What? Are you planning to never let me touch you again?"