Right now he wanted to tease her even more.
"Seems you left something at my place." Jiang Cheng finished speaking and subtly pointed toward the room.
Chen Xueer's delicate brows knit; she stared blankly where Jiang Cheng's finger aimed, not catching on for a moment.
Her mind raced, replaying everything.
She simply couldn't think of anything she'd have left in Jiang Cheng's room.
Hadn't she only gone into the bathroom? And in the end she hadn't even managed a shower.
Chen Xueer asked in bewilderment, "What thing?"
Jiang Cheng saw her blank look didn't seem feigned; she really didn't know. Helpless, he offered a hint.
"Inside the bathroom, red, a set of…"
After that description, clarity struck Chen Xueer instantly.
The composure on her cheeks gave way to a rising flush.
She wailed inwardly: why did this mortifying situation have to happen to her?
On the verge of tears, she gave herself a pep talk before finally stammering,
"I… I'll come get it later."
Seeing her try to dodge, Jiang Cheng put on a worried face. "Can't do that. What if the housekeeper finds it while cleaning and gets the wrong idea?"
As expected, the excuse had Chen Xueer fretting immediately.
Besides herself and Jiang Cheng, no third person could ever know.
One more person meant one more risk.
"Fine, I'll fetch a bag." Chen Xueer's face darkened, her tone laced with annoyance.
With that she spun around and fled.
More than ten minutes later she shuffled back in, tote in hand.
She slipped inside, head down, hurried into the lounge, grabbed the item from the bathroom, and rushed out again without once looking up.
The whole process was lightning-quick.
She treated Jiang Cheng like thin air—not a single glance.
Jiang Cheng likewise pretended she was invisible.
After all, a joke stops being funny if you overuse it.
Done right, teasing can bring two people closer.
Push it too far and favorability value won't rise an inch.
Right now Chen Xueer was drowning in embarrassment.
He ought to be considerate and protect her dignity.
So he just looked down at his phone, saying nothing more.
Sure enough, seeing him act as if nothing happened, Chen Xueer felt a flicker of gratitude.
Had he spoken now, she'd have wanted to sink through the floor.
Just as she was about to step out, she hesitated and turned back. "Sorry, I thought you weren't here last night so I came in for a shower. I had to work late, Zhao Linger was using my bathroom, so I…"
She worried Jiang Cheng might think she wandered in and out of his office at will.
Noting her awkwardness, Jiang Cheng nodded generously. "All right—just remember to take your things next time."
"Don't worry, I won't come again." She vowed.
"Hey, hey, Manager Chen, I'm not that petty. Come anytime you like; last night was an accident. I'm rarely in the office, so feel free."
Hearing that, she added, "I really thought you weren't in—the lights were off, Pitch-Black, I didn't know anyone was here."
Jiang Cheng waved magnanimously. "No problem, just remember to lock the door next time. Not your fault."
"Well then, sorry for the trouble."
Listening to her apology, Jiang Cheng nearly burst out laughing.
The usually shrewd girl hadn't noticed she'd been led in a circle.
He coughed to cover it and put on a straight face. "It's fine—off you go."
"Okay, back to work." She turned and left.
Chen Xueer beat a hasty retreat to her own office.
Sinking into her chair, she finally relaxed.
But the moment she eased up, something felt off.
Had she actually apologized to Jiang Cheng?
What on earth was she feeling guilty for?
He'd seen everything and taken full advantage—why was she the one saying sorry?
Where was the logic in that?
Realization hit and a herd of alpacas galloped through her mind.
She was annoyed she'd let Jiang Cheng steer her emotions.
Cheeks puffed, she glared at the contents of her bag.
A twenty-something led by the nose by an eighteen-year-old—how ridiculous.
She resolved not to let it happen again.
She needed to get a grip… At nine p.m., after resting all day, Jiang Cheng walked into the conference room.
Only Chen Xueer and Zhao Linger were inside.
They were discussing the stock market.
Seeing him enter, Zhao Linger giggled behind her hand. "Chairman Jiang, you're here. Does that mean you're chairing tonight's meeting? How exciting—my first overtime session with the boss. I'm a little thrilled."
"Is that so? Then I'll try to keep you on overtime more often."
He added silently:
Though the overtime topics would have to switch to discussions on the Birth and Progress of Human Civilization,
or lessons on physiological structure.
Chen Xueer, recalling how Jiang Cheng had played her at noon, rolled her eyes.
"Who knew Chairman Jiang's mouth was so sweet?"
Surprised to see her back to her old self, Jiang Cheng raised a brow. "Sweet? How would you know—have you tasted it?"
Chen Xueer opened her mouth but couldn't find a comeback.
A deep blush crept across her fair face.
Technically she had tasted it.
She decided ignoring him was safest; whatever she said, he'd twist it.
After a brief silence she changed the subject with a nervous laugh. "Chairman Jiang is so humorous. So, will you be working late tonight too?"
Jiang Cheng smiled: same as ever—never initiate, never refuse, never remember.
If she brought it up, he'd play along; if she dropped it, so would he.
His policy: stay passive, act nonchalant, don't dwell.
He nodded solemnly. "Slept too much today, so yes—working late together."
…