The drama surrounding Ethan Cole, the professional rival who was entirely too interested in Xiao Mei's code, left CEO Liang in a state of corporate and domestic anxiety. He wasn't just worried about intellectual property theft; he was worried about Code-Flirting.
Liang decided to implement a highly personal and utterly illogical security measure.
He summoned his CSO wife, Xiao Mei, to his office. On his massive desk, next to the usual stock reports, lay a neatly printed document titled: Liang Group Anti-Rivalry Protocol, V 1.0.
"CSO Xiao Mei," Liang announced formally, tapping the document with a pen. "I have analyzed the threat profile of Rival CEO Ethan Cole. The danger is not financial, but emotional/professional. It requires a proactive counter-protocol that utilizes maximum Public Display of Affection (PDA) to establish an impregnable emotional firewall."
Xiao Mei, sensing the peak of his absurdity, folded her arms, trying hard not to smile. "And what does this brilliant protocol entail, Hubby?"
"I have drafted a contract," Liang stated seriously. "It establishes a Mandatory Public Display of Affection Schedule to firmly shut down all external technical flirting attempts.Xiao Mei scanned the document. Her programmer's heart was objectively evaluating the logic, but her wife's heart was melting.
[Contract Excerpts]:"Protocol Time/Location Purpose
Kiss 1: The Morning Login 8:00 AM, CSO Office Entrance "Reboot the Chairman's focus before core business hours."
Kiss 2: The Midday Audit 1:00 PM, Corporate Cafeteria (Public) "Mandatory data verification and threat neutralization."
Kiss 3: The Threat Response Anytime, if a rival CEO is within 10 meters "Active Denial System activation."
Kiss 4: The After-Hours Report 6:00 PM, Executive Parking Garage "Confirmation of safe departure and data transfer."
Kiss 5: The System Shutdown 10:00 PM, Nursery Door (Private) "Finalizing the day's emotional metrics.""Hubby! This isn't a security protocol; this is a highly personalized list of your preferred kissing locations!" Xiao Mei burst into laughter, resting her head against his shoulder. "This is wildly inefficient."
"Inefficiency is necessary for maximum emotional impact," Liang insisted, his cheeks slightly pink. "It is a Strategic Defense Initiative, Xiao Mei. Now, sign the acceptance clause, CSO."
Xiao Mei, finding his jealousy and romantic dedication adorable, quickly signed the document.The next day, the Kissing Contract immediately went into full, public effect.
Kiss 1: The Morning Login (8:00 AM, CSO Office Entrance)
Xiao Mei entered her high-tech office to find Liang already waiting. He stood ramrod straight, like a security guard awaiting orders.
"Protocol 1 initiated," he announced, pulling her in before she could set down her laptop bag. It started as a firm, quick kiss but quickly escalated into a demanding embrace, right there in front of the startled security team who were clocking in.
"Report!" she gasped, pulling back, her corporate composure slightly compromised.
"Data transfer successful. Focus rebooted," he confirmed, adjusting his tie smugly. "The system is online."
Kiss 2: The Midday Audit (1:00 PM, Corporate Cafeteria)
The cafeteria was packed with employees trying to avoid eye contact with the executive table. Liang walked straight up to Xiao Mei's table, ignoring his own lunch partner, the serious CFO.
"CSO," he declared loudly, causing a ripple of silence. "I need an immediate, mandatory data verification check and potential threat neutralization."
He leaned over the table, ignoring the dropped forks and gasps, and delivered a long, deep, undeniable kiss right in the middle of the crowded room.
"Audit passed," he announced, pulling back, slightly breathless. "No external emotional threats detected. The data is 100% mine."The opportunity for Kiss 3: The Threat Response came that afternoon during an emergency board meeting discussing the Aether Corp. threat.
Just as Liang was delivering a presentation, the door opened, and who walked in but Ethan Cole, the rival CEO, invited by a hostile board member as an "industry consultant."
Ethan smiled smoothly and walked toward the empty seat—which happened to be right next to Xiao Mei.
Liang's eyes narrowed to tiny slits. He didn't say a word. He simply walked straight down from the podium, ignoring the gasps of the board members, and headed directly for his wife.
He grabbed her face in his hands and delivered a fierce, deeply possessive, and wildly inappropriate corporate kiss right in front of the entire stunned board and the surprised Ethan Cole. It was a kiss that made it abundantly clear that this woman was impenetrable corporate hardware.
Liang pulled back, his breathing ragged. He looked directly at Ethan Cole, his expression utterly serious. "Threat Response Protocol activated. Active Denial System successful. Do not attempt further professional engagement with the CSO."
Ethan Cole simply chuckled, raising his hands in theatrical surrender. "Understood, Chairman. That is indeed an impenetrable, proprietary firewall."Kiss 4: The After-Hours Report (6:00 PM, Executive Parking Garage)
As they walked to the car, Xiao Mei was shaking her head, half in disbelief, half in adoration.
"Hubby, you just committed a serious breach of corporate decorum in front of the entire board," she laughed. "I love you, but you are the most illogical CEO in history."
"My security protocols are always effective at securing my most valuable asset," he insisted, pulling her against the car for a sweet, quick, mandatory kiss, confirming their safe departure.
Kiss 5: The System Shutdown (10:00 PM, Nursery Door)
After a final, chaotic check on the twins—who were surprisingly quiet, which Xiao Mei found highly suspicious—they stood by the nursery door.
Liang pulled Xiao Mei into a tight hug, his corporate facade entirely gone, leaving only the devoted husband.
"Final protocol of the day, CSO," he whispered. "The metrics show that the emotional rating is stable at 100%. System shutdown required."
He gave her the final kiss—a long, tender, and profound embrace that symbolized not a contract or a protocol, but the quiet, deep, and perfectly designed love they shared.
"Mission accomplished, Hubby," Xiao Mei whispered, melting against him. She realized that the initial ridiculous Love Rating System had simply been a catalyst for their real, entirely illogical, and perfectly designed love.