Chapter 50: We Communicate Through Actions

Qiao Xi hurriedly covered her friend’s mouth and pulled her into a more secluded corner.

“Shh, keep your voice down!”

Qiao Xi’s cheeks were flushed as she lowered her voice. “I hadn’t planned to make this public…”

Lin Moran’s eyes widened in disbelief as she grabbed Qiao Xi’s wrist.

“Oh my god! When did you two get married? No one in the entire company knows!”

Qiao Xi smiled helplessly. “We got our marriage certificate three months ago, but… I don’t want anyone at work to know yet. I’m worried it might affect my job.”

“Three months!”

Lin Moran gasped. “So every night you stay late at the office, you’re actually going home with President Fu?”

Qiao Xi nodded, a sweet yet resigned look in her eyes.

Suddenly, Lin Moran remembered something and slapped her own forehead.

“And I just badmouthed President Fu in front of you! Said he’s out of your league…”

“Qiao Qiao, please don’t tell him!”

Seeing her friend’s panicked expression, Qiao Xi couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t worry, I won’t say a word.”

At exactly noon, the door of the laboratory was gently knocked.

Zhou Ze stood at the entrance, nodding politely. He said President Fu requested her presence in the top-floor office to discuss project details.

All her colleagues looked at Qiao Xi with complicated expressions.

Everyone knew that being summoned personally by President Fu was a rare honor.

Qiao Xi stood up under their gaze, trying her best to remain composed. “Alright, I’ll be right there.”

Lin Moran winked at her.

President’s Office.

Fu Yancheng stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, his back to her.

“President Fu, you wanted to see me?” Qiao Xi spoke formally.

Fu Yancheng turned, a faint smile in his eyes. “Yes, there’s an important document that needs Group Leader Qiao’s personal review.”

He walked to the desk, took a folder from the drawer, and handed it to her—but deliberately didn’t let go.

Qiao Xi tugged gently, but it wouldn’t budge.

“President Fu?” She looked up, meeting his deep gaze.

Without a word, Fu Yancheng pulled her into his arms.

“This is the office…” Qiao Xi murmured in protest, afraid to struggle too much.

“So?”

Fu Yancheng chuckled softly. Instead of letting go, he leaned in and gently kissed the spot she’d tried to conceal that morning.

“President Fu!”

Qiao Xi pushed him away in alarm. “Someone might come in!”

He seized her hand, drawing her closer. “The door’s locked.”

He wrapped an arm around her waist. “Besides, it’s lunch break. Zhou Ze won’t let anyone disturb us.”

Qiao Xi was trapped between the desk and his embrace, with nowhere to escape. “Weren’t we supposed to discuss the documents?”

“We are discussing them.”

Fu Yancheng’s lips brushed her ear, his breath warm. “Discussing how to best please Mrs. Fu…”

His hand gently slid under the hem of her blazer, caressing her back through the shirt.

Qiao Xi shivered. “Don’t… I have a meeting this afternoon…”

Ever since they’d crossed that line, he became increasingly clingy.

Wasn’t he famous for being cold and aloof?

Judging by last night, his restraint didn’t seem so restrained. More like a wolf starved for decades, impossible to satisfy.

“I know.”

Fu Yancheng’s voice was low and magnetic. “So I’ll just hold you for a bit, nothing more.”

True to his word, he simply held her, his chin resting gently atop her head.

Qiao Xi gradually relaxed, unconsciously leaning deeper into his arms.

Fu Yancheng sensed her reliance and his lips curved upward.

He scrutinized the thick makeup on her neck. “You covered it too heavily.”

“You’re the one to blame,” Qiao Xi grumbled, poking his chest.

Fu Yancheng laughed softly and took her hand. “My fault. That’s why I’m here to make amends.”

He led her to the desk and opened a delicate lunchbox. “All your favorites.”

Qiao Xi stared in surprise at the dishes. “Isn’t this from that private kitchen in the southern district? You need to book at least a week in advance.”

“I had Susu go early this morning.”

Fu Yancheng served her. “I remember you love their crab roe tofu.”

He cooled the tofu before offering it to her, his gaze gentle and focused.

Qiao Xi’s heart warmed as she accepted the bite.

The tofu was silky, its fresh flavor melting in her mouth, but sweeter still was his thoughtfulness.

“Is it good?”

He asked softly, wiping a bit of soup from her lips with his thumb.

Qiao Xi nodded, her ears tinged red. “You should eat too.”

Fu Yancheng took a bite from her hand, his eyes never leaving her face. “Watching you eat is more interesting.”

The meal was cozy and sweet. Fu Yancheng fed her now and then, carefully wiping her mouth.

Whenever footsteps echoed in the corridor, he immediately sat upright, reverting to the cold and distant President Fu.

Once the coast was clear, he returned to his gentle self, making Qiao Xi laugh.

“What’s so funny?” he raised an eyebrow.

“It feels like we’re having a secret affair,” Qiao Xi whispered.

Fu Yancheng’s eyes darkened as he suddenly pulled her close. “How about this?”

He kissed her softly.

The taste of crab roe lingered, mingling with the subtle sweetness of tea—a tender, lingering kiss.

Qiao Xi responded instinctively, clutching the front of his shirt.

Just then, a knock sounded from outside. “President Fu? Are you there? There’s an urgent matter to attend to.”

They separated quickly. Fu Yancheng took a deep breath, his voice resuming its usual coolness. “Just a moment.”

He straightened Qiao Xi’s collar and hair, ensuring nothing looked amiss, then opened the door.

The assistant stood respectfully, reporting, “The board has called an emergency meeting. Your immediate attendance is required.”

Fu Yancheng nodded, then turned to Qiao Xi with a businesslike tone. “Group Leader Qiao, that’s all for today. We’ll continue the proposal tomorrow.”

But, out of sight of the assistant, he gently squeezed her fingers, his gaze tender and reluctant.

Watching his departing figure, Qiao Xi felt her heart melt with sweetness.

When Qiao Xi returned to the laboratory, her cheeks still carried a lingering blush.

No sooner had she sat down than she noticed several boxes of supplements missing from her desk.

“Moran, where are my things?” she asked, puzzled.

Lin Moran looked up. “Assistant Zhou came by earlier. Said President Fu needed to check the ingredients and took a few boxes.”

Those were the gifts from Lu Xingzhi. Did he know? Her heart tightened.

She’d planned to bring them to her mother after work today, but now…

After work, Fu Yancheng, as usual, went home with Qiao Xi.

The atmosphere in the car was strangely quiet.

He focused on driving, saying nothing.

“Was work exhausting today?” Qiao Xi tried to probe.

“It was fine.”

Fu Yancheng answered briefly, his gaze fixed ahead.

Qiao Xi had no choice but to drop the matter.

It wasn’t until they returned to the villa that she cautiously asked again, “Yancheng, are you… angry today?”

Fu Yancheng said nothing.

Suddenly, he lifted her into his arms and strode toward the bedroom.

“Yancheng! Let me explain—” Qiao Xi clung to his neck in panic.

She knew it was because of those gifts…

But Fu Yancheng didn’t want to listen anymore. He laid her on the bed, leaning over her. “Tonight, we’ll communicate in action.”

His kiss carried a hint of punishment, more domineering and forceful than usual.

Qiao Xi was left breathless, helplessly clutching his shirt…