Chapter 15

But Qin Zhixiu's smile… that pure satisfaction, that unadulterated joy… was truly beautiful.

Author's note:

Tonight I first slept a nap~~ but accidentally overslept~~ at 12 o'clock I still hadn't reached a chapter break~~ so I pushed past 12~~ Chapter 16 will definitely be posted early~~ I won't make you wait!

PS: Jiangshan received ten!!! Ten gifts!!! Waka kaka kaka!!!

Thank you to BBGMISS55, isjie (who also gave several gifts), chiu880621, Yuan Yuanwo, Dian Bian de Fuping, Xue Nü, each for a string of four gifts! (Haha! I previously received Little Top!!) And also to Ou Cai Dou Bao for her dazzlingly brilliant article~~~ Tonight I'll probably wake up laughing in my dreams~~ You girls are all so loving!!!

Jiangshan loves you all!!! (If I'm not dragged out unexpectedly today, I'll strive for two updates!! Because you're all so adorable!!)

☆ Chapter 16: Layered Bedsteads

"…I'm sorry."

He Lele set down her coffee, surprised by Qin Zhixiu's sudden apology. "You mean the porridge? It's fine—you didn't do it on purpose, and all the ingredients can be reimbursed." She casually tidied the table.

"…No, I mean…" Qin Zhixiu glanced again at He Lele's chest, then raised a hand to press his temples. "I mean what I did to you before." Does this woman have no nerves at all?

He Lele lowered her head and adjusted her collar. "…No need. That was your right."

As long as he wasn't deliberately mocking her, anything was fine. "Are you having a headache? Wait a moment."

Hearing the first half, Qin Zhixiu was full of confusion, but the topic shifted too quickly—he hadn't even voiced his question before this coarse yet generous young female administrator walked into the kitchen with bowl and chopsticks, then returned moments later, wiping her hands with a dry towel, and stepped behind him to press on his scalp. What is she doing?

"Don't move!" He Lele held Qin Zhixiu's head. "A little pressure will make you feel better after you wake up."

Baihui, Tianzhu, Touqiaoyin—these were the first three acupoints she learned, because her father loved wine and company, often drinking too much and suffering hangover headaches, so she asked her aunt, who studied traditional Chinese medicine, to teach her massage techniques, then bought books to learn how to massage him herself… She hadn't been home in half a year; after these three months, she should go back and visit.

"It's so late… you should drink less coffee." She still meddled too much after all.

"…" In fact, he couldn't drink coffee anymore.

When everything was finally cleaned up, He Lele had no energy left for a bath—she simply showered, washed clean, and climbed into bed. Closing her eyes, the past week flashed rapidly through her mind—Seeing Ruan Lin, Producer Seeing Shentu Mo, Ji Season, Qin Zhixiu… and one owner she'd never met. Hope… no, don't hope for anything—just get through these three months. Then go home to see her parents… then think about what she could do to support herself… then…

Deep night, same bed.

On the first floor, He Lele slept deeply, her expression calm and gentle.

On the second floor, Qin Zhixiu pulled two buttons from beneath him, stared at them for a while, then placed them on the nightstand, took out a photo frame from the drawer, and silently gazed at it until sleep claimed him.

On the third floor, Seeing Ruan Lin still held the posture He Lele had left him in, but if one looked closely, one would notice his brows occasionally furrowing—as if even in sleep he was desperately holding back rage…

On the fourth floor, Ji Season leaned against the headboard, watching the graduation video of the Muse Artist Training Class, observing their potential, their growth, constructing in his mind a blueprint for these newcomers' future development. Though since adolescence he had, like many wealthy youths, indulged in drinking, feasting, women, and debauchery, five years ago his father fell seriously ill and transferred all his Muse shares to him; since then, he had gradually come to understand the responsibilities he must bear.

He was now Muse's second-largest shareholder. Based on his interests and talents, his future role would be heading the Artist Department—all promising newcomers destined to become tomorrow's stars would be under his watch. Though he wasn't a natural workaholic like someone else, he never slacked off on what needed doing.

Ji Season looked up at the ceiling—Producer Seeing Shentu Mo, I won't lose to you… That kid's reportedly been working four straight extra days? He's insane! Forget it—he was going to sleep. He wasn't some freak who could function perfectly on only four hours of sleep a day!

The next morning, He Lele prepared a breakfast of both Chinese and Western dishes, though she didn't know whether the three owners at home would come down to eat—she simply thought it better to prepare it. Sure enough, around nine o'clock, the elevator doors opened, and yesterday's carefree man, Ji Season, stepped out with the handsome Qin Zhixiu.

Ji Season ordered Western-style, Qin Zhixiu ordered Chinese-style.

"…Thank you for the massage last night—it really helped a lot," Qin Zhixiu said after much hesitation.

"…No need. It was nothing."

Ji Season glanced between the two, puzzled. Last night? Massage? Wasn't this woman just getting thoroughly fucked by Seeing Ruan Lin last night? How could she…

Just then, the car wash staff arrived with the car. He Lele went out to receive it, and Ji Season turned to Qin Zhixiu with a strange expression. "What was that massage last night about?"

"…Nothing."

Ji Season wanted to press further, but the living room phone suddenly rang, drowning out his voice—he rose to answer it.

"Hello, who is this?" Ji the Young Master never introduced himself first.

"…Where's that woman?" The voice from the phone sounded like it came from a frozen abyss.

"Producer Shentu? Which woman? You mean the female administrator?" Ji's rakish, handsome face broke into a distinctly mischievous grin. "She's in Ruan the Mine Owner's bed."

"Ruan the Mine Owner" was the nickname they used among themselves for Seeing Ruan Lin, aware of his background and true nature. Though Seeing Ruan Lin was now Muse's undisputed top star and generated enormous profits annually, Ji had no qualms about occasionally stirring the pot—just imagining Seeing Ruan Lin secretly seething with rage while putting on airs of elegance and gentility in public filled him with pure delight.

So human beings' purest joy really is schadenfreude?

Producer Seeing Shentu Mo's temperament was impossible to fathom—this hidden "Crown Prince" of Muse. What would his reaction be if he learned Seeing Ruan Lin was sleeping with the apartment's female administrator?

"Tell that woman to come to my office before ten. I need her."

Author's note:

Hey, girls who were misled by the chapter title—come out and say hi!

Today feels so quiet~~~~~ Licking the sundae gifted by shanpeilee~~ Thank you, girl~~ Snuggling~~