Chapter 120

Just after lunch, Kong Xiyan was holding Yanyan as she napped on the sofa. Yanyan lay beside her, belly up and snoring, occasionally nudging Kong Xiyan's palm for pets. Kong Xiyan looked down, the corners of her lips curling upward as she rubbed Yanyan's white fur and squeezed her belly, feeling nothing but softness under her fingertips.

Unable to resist, Kong Xiyan buried her face in Yanyan's little belly, took a deep breath, and then lifted her head with satisfaction.

Chi Wanzhao noticed her expression and chuckled. "What's it like?"

Kong Xiyan kneaded Yanyan's belly and said, "Plump and soft. Very comforting."

Chi Wanzhao poured two cups of tea and came over to sit beside her. She set the cups on the coffee table and casually rubbed Yanyan as well, then raised an eyebrow. "What's your favorite part of Yanyan?"

Without hesitation, Kong Xiyan pointed at Yanyan's pudgy belly and said, "Here."

It always satisfied her when she buried her face in it.

Chi Wanzhao's gaze followed her finger. "Because it's chubby?"

Kong Xiyan thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement with Chi Wanzhao's opinion.

Unhappy at being squeezed by the both of them, Yanyan let out a complaining "meow," twisted around, and nibbled on Kong Xiyan's fingertip—not hard, just grinding her sharp little teeth. Kong Xiyan was about to scoop up Yanyan when she saw Chi Wanzhao lean in close.

She instinctively leaned back into the sofa, only to hear Chi Wanzhao's voice against her chest: "I like places with a little meat on them too."

At first, Kong Xiyan didn't catch the meaning, but then she bit her lip and pushed Chi Wanzhao away, cheeks flushed crimson, eyes shimmering with allure.

Seeing her like that, Chi Wanzhao only leaned in and gave her lips a gentle peck before pulling back and asking, "What made you think of coming to the office today?"

Kong Xiyan smiled. "I missed you, so I came."

The tension in Chi Wanzhao's jaw softened immediately, and her voice was light. "Really? Not because you were jealous?"

Kong Xiyan put on a serious face. "Jealous? Dream on!"

Chi Wanzhao pressed her lips together to hold back a smile, and right on cue, Yanyan hopped onto Kong Xiyan's body, wedging herself between the two of them. She raised her head and meowed directly at Chi Wanzhao's face.

Kong Xiyan stroked the cat's fur and asked, "What did Yanyan say?"

Chi Wanzhao picked Yanyan up, set her down off the sofa, then scooped Kong Xiyan into her arms and headed toward the rest area inside. She said, "Yanyan says you're definitely jealous."

Kong Xiyan: ...

The nap room was just inside the office and was not large—just a bed and a wardrobe with a few clothes hung inside. Chi Wanzhao placed Kong Xiyan on the bed, then picked up Yanyan, who had followed them, and set her in Kong Xiyan's arms. "Get some rest," she said.

Seeing that Chi Wanzhao was about to leave, Kong Xiyan grabbed her hand. "Aren't you resting?"

Chi Wanzhao looked down at her slender fingers. "Is my lady inviting me?" She paused. "In that case..."

Kong Xiyan immediately let go of her hand, hugged Yanyan, and turned her back to Chi Wanzhao, saying irritably, "Get out, then!"

Chi Wanzhao said nothing more. She simply stared at Kong Xiyan's back, her expression overflowing with gentleness, her gaze lingering with affection.

Kong Xiyan stubbornly kept her back to her, and after a moment, Chi Wanzhao took two steps closer, sat down on the edge of the bed, and reached out to stroke Kong Xiyan's cheek. "Do you really care so much about my relationship with Chai Yin?"

"No, I don't."

Kong Xiyan's muffled voice came from beside the pillow. Yanyan curled up obediently in Kong Xiyan's arms. In the room, only the soft breathing of the two women and Yanyan's purring could be heard.

Chi Wanzhao heard the lie in Kong Xiyan's words and pinched her cheek lightly. Then she said calmly, "Really not?"

Kong Xiyan kept her head on the pillow and fell silent at Chi Wanzhao's question.

Of course she minded. Even though she knew there was nothing between Chi Wanzhao and Chai Yin, seeing the speculation on Weibo and hearing the gossip in the office still made her ache and her thoughts spiral.

Her indifferent facade could fool the world, but when it came to Chi Wanzhao, she still loved, resented, and felt jealous.

She was only human; she couldn't be completely unaffected.

Chi Wanzhao placed a hand on Kong Xiyan's shoulder and said with conviction, "Xiyan, soon I'll make sure everyone knows that the person I love is Kong Xiyan."

"In the past, now, and forever."

"My whole life."

Hearing Chi Wanzhao's low, earnest voice, Kong Xiyan's nose tingled and her eyes burned. She bit her lip, forcing herself not to make a sound, holding back with all her might.

Her shoulders trembled.

Sensing her distress, Chi Wanzhao gently turned her body around.

Kong Xiyan's beautiful face was streaked with tears. She bit her lip, saying nothing, her face flushed, her long lashes trembling slightly, and her bright eyes glistening with moisture.

"Xiyan..."

Chi Wanzhao quickly leaned down, and Kong Xiyan took the opportunity to wrap her arms around Chi Wanzhao's neck, pulling her closer.

The previously cool atmosphere in the rest room burned like a flame, spreading to the two tangled figures on the bed. Kong Xiyan scattered kisses across Chi Wanzhao's cheeks and neck, breathing unevenly, her movements clumsy and uncoordinated.

They were like two wild animals tearing at each other. Kong Xiyan already had tears in her eyes, and now with desire rising, they were crimson and fervent. Her gaze seemed to devour every inch of Chi Wanzhao's skin, and Chi Wanzhao could no longer restrain herself under that look.

All she wanted was to sink into the moment together.

For a time, the small rest room was filled with a mix of sounds that did not subside for a long while.

Outside the office, the staff were hard at work.

After the lunch break, Zhou Sheng met with the head of Department Two. He gave brief and clear instructions, and the department head wiped the fine sweat from his forehead, nodding repeatedly. "Assistant Zhou, rest assured, I'll handle it properly."

Zhou Sheng smiled. "Of course you will. Or maybe Team Leader Zhang would prefer to explain it in person to President Chi's office?"

Zhang quickly waved his hands. "No, no, that won't be necessary. President Chi is so busy; I wouldn't want to disturb her."

Zhou Sheng made no further comment, simply watching as Zhang left the office.

Shortly after the break, an announcement circulated internally in Jingyan: Zhang xx, the head of Department Two in the publicity division, had 2 months of bonus deducted for improper management, and all staff in Department Two had their monthly bonus deducted as well. The notice urged all Jingyan employees to take warning and remember: speak less, do more.

After the announcement, Department Two became a hot topic. Several adjacent departments went over to interview the people involved, and when they learned that the disciplinary action was for gossiping about President Chi and Chai Yin in front of Kong Xiyan, everyone's expressions turned interesting.

Jingyan's internal group chat was buzzing too.

—So, is President Chi making an example of them?

—Probably. Who told them to gossip so much!

—Hey, hey, let me tell you: Secretary Han from the executive office told me that President Chi and Kong Xiyan aren't faking it—they're really married!

—Wait, seriously??? Then what about Chai Yin?

—What about Chai Yin? Haven't you noticed? People online are saying that three years ago President Chi and Chai Yin broke up because their families objected—something about unequal status. But think about it: when Kong Xiyan made her comeback, what did she have? Nothing! Not even a family background or net worth! Yet President Chi still married her. That says something.

—Says what?

—Are you stupid? It means the rumor is false. If President Chi just wanted to get married, would she care about social status?

—But could there be another reason? I still find the whole fast marriage surprising.

—What other reason? It's simply that she fell in love and wanted to marry her. There's nothing Kong Xiyan could offer that President Chi would need. The only explanation is love.

—True!!!

—Now, everyone, keep your mouths shut. If I catch anyone gossiping about this again, Department Two is what you'll get.

—Let's just wait and see.

—Actually, I still like Kong Xiyan a bit more.

—Oh, shut up! If someone screenshots that and sends it to President Chi, you'll be packing your bags!

...

Jingyan's internal channels were bustling, but the top floor seemed isolated from it all. Zhou Sheng was going through documents when the intercom rang. He picked it up immediately. "President Chi."

Chi Wanzhao's voice was a little hoarse. "Come in."

Zhou Sheng closed the files and went into the president's office.

As soon as he entered, Chi Wanzhao swiveled her chair around and asked, "Alright, what is it?"

Zhou Sheng kept his head down. "President Chi, it's about some people who talked to your wife about you and Chai Yin..."

Before he could finish, Chi Wanzhao's face darkened. Her eyes flashed with cold intent, and her voice was icy. "Send their manager in."

Zhou Sheng remained with his head bowed. "President Chi, I've already punished them."

Chi Wanzhao looked up at him, and after a moment, said, "Contact Mr. Wei Tianye for me."

Zhou Sheng was puzzled but didn't ask, simply replying, "Yes, President Chi."

Chi Wanzhao closed her eyes. "You may go."

Zhou Sheng straightened his back and left the office.

Chi Wanzhao leaned back in her chair, resting her eyes. After a long while, she rose and walked to the rest room. Kong Xiyan had turned over in her sleep, and Yanyan was lying by her pillow with her eyes shut, tail flicking lazily.

Yanyan's tail brushed against Kong Xiyan's face. She reached up to scratch it, then opened her eyes.

Chi Wanzhao walked over, sat on the edge of the bed, and, stripping away the coldness from her demeanor, said softly, "Xiyan, time to get up."

Kong Xiyan gave a questioning "Hmm?" and then reached for her phone to check the time. "It's still early. I want to sleep a little more."

Chi Wanzhao scooped her out from under the blanket and wrapped her in a thin throw to cover her bare body. "Get dressed. We've got something to do in a bit."

Kong Xiyan looked up at her suspiciously, but Chi Wanzhao's expression was calm, her bright eyes dark and clear.

"What is it?" she asked in confusion.

Chi Wanzhao took some fresh clothes from the wardrobe and handed them to Kong Xiyan. "Nothing much. I heard Team Leader Zhou punished a whole department today. As the boss, it's only right to go show some concern."

Kong Xiyan: ...