Savage Kiss - Chapter 77

When Xu Qingyi woke up again, aside from feeling tired, she didn’t feel uncomfortable anywhere.

Rolling over, she saw an ointment on the bedside table along with a note from Shen Yanzhou, telling her to apply it again after getting up.

So, it wasn’t a dream.

She closed her eyes again, taking a moment to steady herself, then reached for her phone.

She finally found it under her pillow, right where she usually kept it, though she had no memory of putting it there the night before.

Xu Qingyi had intended to make a call but realized her throat was too hoarse, so she switched to texting Shen Yuqiao.

[I want to see my brother.]

Shen Yuqiao sat at the head of the conference table when one of the phones on the table vibrated.

The board members were well-acquainted with the young CEO, he never took calls during meetings.

Unexpectedly, he picked up the phone and glanced at it for a few seconds.

Then he set it down.

The meeting concluded with a vote: Shen Yanzhou was permitted to participate in the election for the new director.

“Meeting adjourned.” Shen Yuqiao announced, rising and leaving the conference room.

[Looks like it’s resolved.] he replied to Xu Qingyi via text.

Considering how crazed Shen Yanzhou had been the previous night, Xu Qingyi figured he must have been sufficiently provoked.

[Good.] he added another two words.

Immediately after, Xu Qingyi received another satisfactory payment, 150,000 yuan.

In just a few months, she had managed to accumulate exactly one million yuan.

Did that make her a millionaire?

…

Shen Yuqiao had originally intended to send the usual 100,000 yuan, but the conference room door suddenly swung open, making his finger slip.

Oh well, just a few extra bucks.

He looked at his furious father, standing up respectfully and unhurriedly. “What brings you here?”

Shen Jiashan’s brows were tightly furrowed. “You’re letting your brother run in the election?”

Shen Yuqiao remained silent.

“Have you forgotten how you’ve maintained your stability and sole authority all these years? It’s because I kept him from setting foot in the company, and now you’re undoing that!”

Shen Yuqiao finally met the eyes of the enraged man. “What exactly are you afraid of? I’m your son, and so is he. After all these years, isn’t it enough to prove that I’m more capable than him, that I’m the most qualified successor?”

Keeping Shen Yanzhou out felt like a denial of his own ability to secure the position.

Shen Jiashan stared at him. “You’re capable?”

Shen Yuqiao let out a soft, bitter laugh.

Throughout the corporation, even within the industry, no one failed to praise him, except for his elders, who had never once commended him.

“Dad, I’ve brought the corporation to where it is today. Is it really so hard for you to acknowledge that I’m capable?”

Shen Jiashan, however, was exasperated. “Do you think the corporation’s success is all your doing?!”

“What good does praising you do? How old are you that you still need others’ approval?”

“What is your brother capable of? Don’t you know? Fix this!” Shen Jiashan stormed out, slamming the door.

A self-mocking smile tugged at Shen Yuqiao’s lips.

His age was no excuse, from three years old to thirty, he had never received a single word of praise.

…

Xu Qingyi got up, planning to go to the bank.

Given how things had gone with Shen Yanzhou, it was likely over between them, and Shen Yuqiao probably wouldn’t seek her out again.

She pondered what to do after Xu Chen’s surgery and how to plan for the future with this one million yuan.

When she arrived at the bank, she realized it was closed.

Oh, it was the weekend.

She had no choice but to head back.

Driving into the garage, she didn’t notice Shen Yanzhou’s car parked not far away and went straight upstairs.

Stepping out of the elevator, she glanced casually down the hallway and froze in her tracks.

Several people stood at her door, some holding balloons, some carrying flowers, and one even holding a small cake.

At first, their faces were blocked, but when they turned to look at her, Xu Qingyi recognized Shen Yanzhou, Uncle Pang, Liang Fanglin, and two others whose names she couldn’t quite recall, people from Shen Yanzhou’s circle.

Uncle Pang nudged Shen Yanzhou. “Go on, help her with her bag!”

It seemed like young boyfriends were supposed to carry their girlfriends’ bags.

Xu Qingyi racked her brain, trying to figure out what day it was and what he was up to.

But her mind drew a blank.

She had never encountered such a situation in her life.

Shen Yanzhou took a few steps toward her, then stopped, watching her approach with a reverent gaze.

Xu Qingyi’s heart raced, but she remained outwardly composed.

“Are you all here for me?” she asked with a light, joking tone.

Liang Fanglin, caught under her gaze, had no choice but to respond, “We’re here for you, but only Brother Zhou is here to confess! We’re just the supporting cast!”

Xu Qingyi’s heart beat even faster, forcing her to look at Shen Yanzhou.

He stood before her, lowering his gaze as he handed her the flowers with sincerity.

Xu Qingyi had only seen this kind of confession in videos, where a guy professed his feelings to a girl. But wasn’t that supposed to happen after their relationship had already deepened?

What made him think this would change her attitude? Instead of winning her over, wasn’t he just putting her on the spot and making her resent him?

Shen Yanzhou spoke softly, “I didn’t mean to pressure you. I just didn’t want to leave myself any way out.”

With so many people watching, if he ended up embarrassed, it would be a complete humiliation.

Xu Qingyi felt this was a matter between the two of them and didn’t need to be aired in front of so many people. She decided to preserve his dignity.

She smiled and accepted the flowers. “How did you all know it’s my birthday today?”

“The flowers and cake are lovely, but aren’t the balloons a bit over the top?”

Her reaction made Shen Yanzhou think he had a chance.

Xu Qingyi even invited them all inside to sit and share the cake.

After all, in a few days, she would likely move out, maybe even leave the city.

But the more welcoming she acted, the more the others took the hint. They all claimed they were just there to help Shen Yanzhou deliver the gifts and suggested the two of them enjoy some time alone, with plans to have dinner together later.

Then, in the blink of an eye, they all scurried away.

Xu Qingyi thought it was nice that he had such a good group of colleagues.

Once everyone had left, the smile on her face gradually faded.

Shen Yanzhou was already holding a couple’s ring box in his hand. Calmly and coldly, she asked, “What are you doing?”

Looking at her face, he must have realized that her earlier friendliness was just to save him face. Cracks appeared in his expression, but he still managed to curve his lips into a smile.

He reached for her hand.

Xu Qingyi pulled it back. “Shen Yanzhou.”

His movements visibly stiffened. This was the second time she had called him by his full name.

“What are you really doing? Was what I said last night not clear enough?” She did her best to sound cold and detached.

It was as if he genuinely couldn’t understand her words.

He continued on his own, “I’ve been too busy lately, making you feel insecure. So today, I’m officially asking you to be my girlfriend. That way, you won’t overthink things, right?”

His eyes were even gentle as he spoke. “Xu Qingyi, I’m serious. Will you be my girlfriend?”

Back in high school, Xu Qingyi had been liked by boys, but she had always felt an aversion to them. Whenever someone showed interest in her, she instinctively recoiled.

At twenty-four years old, this was the first time someone had confessed to her earnestly and face-to-face. The aversion she expected to feel was absent, but her heart tightened without any trace of excitement.

She forced a sarcastic smile. “No.”

“Do you even know what kind of person I am? Do you know anything about my family background, and yet you want to be with me?”