When the Male Lead Finds Out I’m the Transmigrator Trying to Win Him Over - Chapter 54

The private rooms were connected one after another. Yun ruo entered the restaurant cautiously, careful not to be seen by Assistant Liu and the others.

Han Qi followed behind, watching Yun ruo act like a thief, his face calm and unbothered.

Finally, they sat down. Han Qi smiled: “Feeling relieved now?”

Yun ruo was still a bit nervous: “The private rooms should be booked separately, not connected. If someone accidentally walks into the wrong room, that would be awkward.”

Han Qi just looked at her silently.

Yun ruo knew her earlier behavior was a bit improper. She lingered next to Han Qi: “I’m not looking down on you.”

Han Qi responded with a simple “Hmm,” signaling her to continue.

Yun ruo: “But after all, these are our colleagues. It’s still the crazy year-end busy season.”

“If we were out shopping and ran into people on the street, of course we could openly show our relationship. Actually, Assistant Liu and the others probably already guessed.”

“But announcing it here feels a bit strange. Everyone is working hard, and I’d be dating my boss during work hours…”

“Oh?” Han Qi glanced at her hand on his arm, calm and deliberate. “So it’s your sense of responsibility acting up?”

Yun ruo clapped her hands: “Yes.”

Han Qi thought that was a very convenient excuse.

He didn’t react much, only asking: “So when would be a good time to go public?”

“After this busy period.” Yun ruo leaned back, estimating it would be next spring. “Besides, we’re all at that age—do we really need a press conference just to announce we’re dating?”

She smiled as she poured him some water, seemingly unconcerned: “Let things happen naturally.”

Han Qi’s gaze darkened slightly.

Yun ruo seemed completely unaware. She picked up the tablet to start ordering dishes. She knew Han Qi’s preferences perfectly and could place the entire order herself without him needing to lift a finger.

Soon the food arrived. Yun ruo deliberately saved the first bite for Han Qi, feeding him with chopsticks: “Try it?”

Han Qi paused, ate it, then started picking out fish bones… except he let his guard down—the fish had none today—and he ended up picking two more pieces for Yun ruo.

Yun ruo caught them in her bowl, ate a bite, and commented: “Fish prepared by President Han really tastes better.”

She was unusually attentive.

Han Qi’s temple twitched. The more attentive Yun ruo acted, the more guilty she felt about going public.

She was likely trying to appease him, afraid he would be unhappy.

Han Qi felt a twinge of regret, but nothing was more important than having Yun ruo by his side. He lifted her and the chair and brought her close to his seat. They sat closely together. “Let’s just eat like this.”

Yun ruo accepted happily.

After finishing, they sneakily rushed back to the office. Two people ate faster than a group, leaving the office empty except for them.

Yun ruo brought water to Han Qi’s office and was about to get back to work. In the office, she was fully in work mode; her professional dedication seemed even stronger than Han Qi’s. She put down the water and turned to leave, but Han Qi’s slow, deliberate voice stopped her: “Miss Yun.”

“Even in the office, can you turn back and give me a kiss?”

Yun ruo bit her lip. Fine, fine. Han Qi had been feeling wronged tonight.

She turned back and Han Qi pulled her onto his lap, pressing her down. Their tongues met, and she tasted a hint of mint.

…Han Qi had clearly been prepared in advance.

With the office desk and Han Qi’s body sandwiching her, Yun ruo couldn’t move. She wondered when Assistant Liu and the others might return.

Her tongue was bitten, and she snapped back to reality. Han Qi opened his eyes slightly, giving a warning glance.

Whenever Yun ruo got distracted, Han Qi could tell, and he wouldn’t allow it.

Their lips brushed again. Yun ruo bit back.

After an uncertain amount of time, Han Qi let her go, letting her catch her breath while leaning on him. He lightly patted her back: “Alright, alright.”

Yun ruo glared at him with her watery eyes.

She got off Han Qi and strode out of the office.

After she left, Han Qi didn’t rush to work. He sat on the office chair for a while, then leaned against the desk, admiring the night view outside the floor-to-ceiling window.

He wondered if it would snow this winter. Binh City didn’t get much snow, it depended on luck.

But in the years with Yun ruo, it seemed to snow every year.

He smiled suddenly.

People said he was always scheming and calculating, yet here he was, being plotted against, and he didn’t mind at all.

Playing hard to get, the tactics of teasing and keeping distance—it all worked on him.

Ah, Yun ruo, ah Yun ruo.

Yun ruo knew her strategies weren’t particularly clever. Han Qi had fought his way to his current position, with a mind far above ordinary.

But as long as he didn’t expose her, she had to give it a try.

After that day, life went on as usual. Yun ruo spent half of each month out of Binh City, traveling with Han Qi on business trips, seeing many places across the country.

Before long, the year turned. Yun ruo began coordinating with the administrative department for the annual company party. That night, Han Qi had to speak on stage, give awards to outstanding employees, and deal with media interviews. She was busier than ever.

Returning home, she wanted nothing more than to sleep immediately.

Now she understood what the system had said: too busy to have time for love. Han Qi’s affection rating stuck at 92%.

Sometimes she got home a bit early and watched movies in the home theater with Han Qi. They only watched the beginnings and endings, recognizing the lead actors, nothing else, because in between, Han Qi pulled her away for kisses.

After kissing, Han Qi wiped his mouth, slightly upset. Yun ruo grabbed his collar: “Are you lying to me?”

Crossly, she asked, “Do you not like me?”

Otherwise, why wouldn’t his affection rating increase!

Love overflowing from Han Qi’s eyes: …

Many times, he had to wonder about Yunruo’s eyes. The office gossip squad had already figured out he liked her, yet Yun ruo still doubted.

“How do I prove it?” he asked directly.

Yun ruo lost her momentum.

The proof she wanted couldn’t be said.

Finally, she played stubborn: “Then love me a little more.”

“Alright, fine.” Han Qi spread his hands. “Miss Yun, please love me a little more too.”

There was meaning behind his words.

Yun ruo leaned in and kissed him again.

Time passed slowly.

Yun ruo didn’t worry too long; the opportunity she’d been waiting for arrived unexpectedly.

She was reviewing interview drafts with the media. Many wanted to interview Han Qi, and he let her select two outlets. She reviewed their credentials carefully and finally presented them to Han Qi, but he set them aside.

“I trust your ability.”

Yun ruo looked nervous: “I don’t.” She hadn’t done this much before.

Han Qi smiled: “Then making mistakes is the best way for you to grow.”

He truly wanted her to become better and planned to discuss her career development after the new year.

But for now, he had something else to say: “Wen Shao organized a gathering for everyone to meet up. Almost all the prominent figures in Bin City will attend, and I agreed to go.”

The Wen family was an established Bin City family. Not enormous, but with exceptional connections. Whatever they did could easily bring a crowd. Wen Shao, like Feng You, enjoyed eating, drinking, and partying. He organized several large gatherings every year.

Han Qi had declined the previous gathering due to work, but he couldn’t this time.

“Do you want to come with me?” Han Qi thought about bringing Yun ruo, but her previous attitude had been “indecisive,” so he wasn’t sure if she would agree.

Bringing her to the party could be excused as bringing his assistant. But a private party with her present would almost confirm their relationship.

Yun ruo considered Wen Shao’s party and finally nodded: “I’ll go.”

Seeing Han Qi’s surprise, she repeated: “I mean it. I’ll go with you.”

Her decisive action left Han Qi anxious; he wasn’t used to such straightforwardness.

“Speaking of which,” she remembered, “you always came alone to events before.”

At business events, company dinners, and parties, he always attended alone. No wonder there had been no rumors for so many years.

Han Qi simply said: “I’m fine on my own.”

Yun ruo teased: “Then why bring me now?”

Han Qi looked up from his writing, half-smiling: “Are you sure you want to ask that?”

Yun ruo zipped her lips.

On the day of the gathering, Yun ruo and Han Qi left on time.

Private gatherings didn’t require formal attire. Yun ruo wore a long dress with a long coat. Wen Shao’s venue was in the suburbs, a ski club with membership restrictions.

Yun ruo had been given a membership card before but rarely used it.

After an extra night of work to free up the day, Yun ruo rubbed her neck and entered with Han Qi. She muttered she wanted to get a massage later.

Han Qi looked down: “I said last night I could help, but you refused.”

“I don’t trust your technique,” Yun ruo replied honestly. She had just seen a news report about someone being hospitalized due to a massage gone wrong. Han Qi hadn’t professionally trained, so it was better to rely on a professional.

“Fine.” Han Qi didn’t argue. “We’ll go after a short break.”

“No need. I know the location.” Yun ruo straightened her collar naturally. “You go join them, I’ll go myself.”

Han Qi said, “Alright.” They appeared intimate.

“Ahem,” a cough came from behind.

Yun ruo and Han Qi turned to see Meng Tingmo and Feng You behind them.

They had come together, but didn’t expect to run into Yun ruo and Han Qi.

There was some awkwardness between the four, mostly from Feng You. Meng Tingmo had returned to his overworked state, and Feng You knew Meng Tingmo was upset, so he brought him out to relax.

He regretted not anticipating that Wen Shao’s gathering would invite Han Qi, who had a 50% chance of bringing Yun ruo.

Now, Meng Tingmo would be even more emo.

Yun ruo remained calm, greeting Feng You but only nodding to Meng Tingmo.

As for Han Qi and Meng Tingmo, they didn’t exchange a word.

Han Qi didn’t want to “show off” and make it look like he had taken his friend’s wife. To outsiders, it seemed he had, but he wouldn’t provoke Meng Tingmo.

The four walked inside. Around the corner, the spacious lobby appeared, already filled with many prominent figures from Bin City. Yun ruo recognized most of them.

Seeing the four enter together, everyone’s gaze subtly shifted.

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