It wasn’t until the end of the workday that Xiao Qing finally coaxed Zhao Tongtong back into a good mood. They stepped into the elevator together. Xiao Qing had wanted to hold Zhao Tongtong’s hand, but Zhao Tongtong was far too shy and kept a distance of about two fists’ width between them.
During the evening rush hour, they rode the elevator down from the 17th floor. People trickled in bit by bit until the car was packed. Everyone who spotted Xiao Qing greeted her politely—she was, after all, the big boss of the Finance Department.
As the crowd grew thicker, Xiao Qing instinctively edged closer to Zhao Tongtong. The fingertips of her right hand lightly hooked onto Zhao Tongtong’s left fingers, toying with them playfully.
Zhao Tongtong went rigid. She was just about to pull her hand free when the elevator dinged to a stop at the 11th floor. Huang Qingqing, Shen Zhirou, and a few others boarded.
Huang Qingqing noticed Zhao Tongtong from across the car—and Xiao Qing right beside her. “Hello, CEO Xiao.”
Xiao Qing gave Huang Qingqing a solemn nod by way of greeting, all while her fingertips continued their secret dance with Zhao Tongtong’s without pause.
Zhao Tongtong was breaking out in a cold sweat. How on earth did Xiao Qing pull off looking so straight-faced while exchanging pleasantries, all the while being utterly improper with her fingers?
Luckily, the elevator was so jammed that everyone could only really see each other’s upper halves.
By the time it finally reached the third floor, Zhao Tongtong let out a small breath of relief—they were almost at the parking garage. She glanced to her right and caught a female colleague from Human Resources staring wide-eyed at their tangled fingers.
The woman clearly hadn’t expected such intimacy between Zhao Tongtong and Xiao Qing; her gaze was locked in shock. Only after Zhao Tongtong cleared her throat did she snap back to reality. Their eyes met, and the colleague hastily looked away, feigning ignorance.
Zhao Tongtong curled her toes in mortification. She was finished—her colleague had definitely gotten the wrong idea, assuming some illicit fling with the boss.
She tried to tug her hand from Xiao Qing’s grasp, but she simply lacked the strength; it wouldn’t budge. All the while, Xiao Qing flashed her a smile.
That colleague kept sneaking peeks without fully committing, like she’d just bitten into the juiciest piece of office gossip!
Seeing Zhao Tongtong’s face turn beet red, Xiao Qing worried she might push her too far and end up having to coax her all over again. So when the elevator hit the first floor, she finally released her hold.
The two were heading back to Xiao Qing’s place that night, so Zhao Tongtong’s car stayed parked. They weren’t planning to hide their relationship from anyone, which was why Xiao Qing led Zhao Tongtong to her white Porsche with perfect composure—though Zhao Tongtong felt a touch embarrassed.
Plenty of people were in the underground level 2 garage, and more than a few witnessed them climbing into the same car. Gossip started buzzing right there on the spot.
“Hey, wasn’t that Zhao Tongtong? Why’s she getting into CEO Xiao’s car?”
“You haven’t heard? She’s been on temporary assignment with CEO Xiao these past few days. Probably tagging along for some overtime.”
“Doesn’t look like it. The boss is driving, and she’s shotgun?”
“Oh, true—I didn’t notice. But it’s gotta be work stuff. CEO Xiao’s such a workaholic; poor Zhao Tongtong got dragged into it. Her office gig is so laid-back, total fish-slacking paradise every day.”
“Yeah, she’s got it rough.”
They chattered away, but no one suspected anything romantic—Xiao Qing’s infamous “Big Devil” reputation loomed too large in the company. Nobody could picture her falling for anyone. In the end, they all just felt sorry for Zhao Tongtong, yanked from her cushy spot.
The moment Zhao Tongtong settled into the passenger seat, she lit into Xiao Qing. “Who said you could play with my fingers like that? Someone totally saw!”
“Can’t I hold my girlfriend’s hand? You hate it that much?”
Xiao Qing pulled a pitiful expression, leaving Zhao Tongtong flustered. She hurried to clarify: “That’s not it. I’m just… not used to it yet. You’re the company bigwig, and I’m a nobody peon.”
“Who says? I’ve got my own big boss now—my girlfriend. I’m totally obedient; whatever she tells me to do, I do.” Xiao Qing chuckled softly, sweet-talking her as always.
“You and your smooth lines.” Zhao Tongtong huffed and puffed, but the smile tugging at her lips never faded. Ever since getting together with Xiao Qing, her face had been wreathed in smiles nearly every day—Xiao Qing was a master at coaxing her.
“Not smooth lines; it’s the honest truth. Let’s swing by the supermarket first for some groceries. I’ll cook for you when we get home.” Xiao Qing smiled.
“You can cook? I figured types like you hire maids for that.”
“I call in housekeepers for cleaning, sure. But cooking? I prefer doing it myself. Especially now that I’ve got you—I need to sharpen my skills, or what if you ditch me someday?” Xiao Qing’s eyes twinkled with mirth. She always let her feelings unfold naturally, but when it came to someone she truly liked, she wasn’t about to let go.
“I’m not that easy to get rid of,” Zhao Tongtong said, glancing at Xiao Qing with a smile playing even more deeply at the corners of her lips.
Ten minutes later, Xiao Qing pulled the car into the supermarket’s underground parking garage. She and Zhao Tongtong grabbed a shopping cart together and headed inside to shop.
Xiao Qing moved with practiced ease through the produce and fruit aisles, selecting ingredients, while Zhao Tongtong stayed close by her side, picking out items alongside her.
Zhao Tongtong’s gaze drifted to Xiao Qing now and then. She found this everyday, grounded version of her all the more charming.
As the two of them shopped, Zhao Tongtong heard someone calling her name. She turned her head and spotted Wei Xuan standing there with a young girl.
“Yo, isn’t this my ex-girlfriend? Out buying groceries too?” Wei Xuan snorted derisively as he looked at Zhao Tongtong.
“Are you nuts, Wei Xuan? What’s with the rabid dog routine?” Zhao Tongtong fired back without missing a beat. He was the one who’d screwed up, after all, so she let him have it with a clear conscience.
“Still got that hot temper, huh? Good luck finding anyone else with an attitude like yours. Let me introduce my new girlfriend, Li Siyu. She’s just a sophomore—way younger than you.” Wei Xuan puffed up like a strutting peacock, itching to flaunt how great he had it now.
Xiao Qing hadn’t paid them any mind at first, absorbed in picking out cherry tomatoes. She only turned around after Wei Xuan finished talking, casting him a brief, dismissive glance as if he were something nasty she’d stepped in, then quickly looking away. “Come on, let’s go. No point wasting a look on random nobodies.”
That was when Wei Xuan finally noticed Xiao Qing. Her face clearly stunned him for a moment, but her words got under his skin. “And just who the hell are you? This is between me and my ex—mind your own business.”
Xiao Qing let out a faint laugh, though her eyes held nothing but chill indifference. “I’m her girlfriend. Keep blocking our way, and I’ll call the cops.”
With that, she turned to the girl beside Wei Xuan. “You’ve got terrible taste. A guy who can’t let go after a breakup and has to chase his ex for attention? Heaven knows what you see in him.”
The girl looked mortified and tugged at Wei Xuan’s arm. “Enough already. Let’s go.”
Wei Xuan wasn’t ready to back down. He swept his gaze over Zhao Tongtong and Xiao Qing. “You two got lucky. I’m busy anyway—no time to waste on you. But Zhao Tongtong, who’d have thought you’d end up with a girl? You and that Shen Zhirou—got something going on there, don’t you?”
“You sleazy hooker-chasing loser have the balls to question me? My friends and I are squeaky clean. You’re the one who thinks with his dick.” Zhao Tongtong unloaded on him without hesitation, laying out the plain truth. Wei Xuan hadn’t expected her to be so blunt, and his face soured.
“What’s she talking about?” the girl next to Wei Xuan demanded, turning to him.
“Don’t listen to her bullshit…”
Xiao Qing drew Zhao Tongtong into her arms. “Come on, no need to give trash like him the time of day. He’s the one who doesn’t know what he’s missing.”
“Mm.” Her good mood soured, Zhao Tongtong trailed glumly behind Xiao Qing.
Seeing that her girlfriend was upset, Xiao Qing took Zhao Tongtong’s hand and led her to the checkout. “Don’t think about it. He’s nobody. Just look at me more, and you’ll perk right up.”
After a bit of this sweet talk, Zhao Tongtong’s spirits had mostly lifted by the time they finished paying.
The two of them soon arrived back at Xiao Qing’s place—a spacious apartment over two hundred square meters. She also owned a villa in Jiangbei City, but it was too far from the company, so she usually stayed here.
This was Zhao Tongtong’s first time at Xiao Qing’s home. She took in the decor, done mainly in whites and grays—simple, elegant, and perfectly minimalist, just her style.
“What do you think? Like it? If not, I can have someone redo it.” Xiao Qing asked with a smile.
“It’s your place. If you like it, that’s what matters. Why ask me?” Zhao Tongtong muttered, though the smile tugging at her lips gave her away.
“It’s our home from now on.” Xiao Qing pulled her to the door and added Zhao Tongtong’s fingerprint to the lock.
She drew Zhao Tongtong into her embrace and planted a soft kiss on her. “Move in with me, okay? I can’t sleep without my girlfriend to hold at night.”
Zhao Tongtong’s ears flushed bright red. She glanced up to find the usually straitlaced Xiao Qing gazing at her with warm, smiling eyes. Just being held like this made her knees go weak.
She silently cursed herself for being so hopeless, wriggling in Xiao Qing’s arms in an attempt to break free. “Let go first—I’m hungry.”
“Alright. Eat up—you might need your energy later tonight.” Xiao Qing leaned in to kiss the corner of Zhao Tongtong’s mouth, then released her and carried their bags into the kitchen.
Zhao Tongtong couldn’t stand the way Xiao Qing coaxed her. Even though she hadn’t done anything strenuous, her legs still felt like jelly. She lounged on the sofa for a bit to recover before heading to the kitchen to lend Xiao Qing a hand.
Xiao Qing slipped back to her room to change into a nightgown, then clipped up her wavy long hair, exposing the slender, pale curve of her neck.
She had already gotten started on washing the vegetables by then. Zhao Tongtong’s gaze landed on Xiao Qing, her ear tips flushing pink. “Let me help you with the veggies.”
“No need. Go take a shower and slip into some pajamas. By the time you’re done, dinner will be ready. It’ll save us a ton of time.”
Zhao Tongtong wasn’t sure exactly what time they were saving, but her daytime work clothes felt grimy and uncomfortable, so she obediently headed into Xiao Qing’s bedroom.
The room followed a stark minimalist palette of black and white, mirroring Xiao Qing’s own aloof, ascetic vibe.
Zhao Tongtong grabbed the clothes Xiao Qing had laid out for her and ducked into the bathroom. About twenty minutes later, she emerged fresh from the shower. The moment she stepped out of the bedroom, the savory aroma of home cooking hit her.
Several hearty home-style dishes were already arranged on the dining table. Xiao Qing, wearing heatproof mitts, carried out a small clay pot. Spotting Zhao Tongtong, she flashed her a warm smile. “Perfect timing. Everything’s all set.”
A cozy warmth bloomed in Zhao Tongtong’s chest. If Xiao Qing kept this up, she was done for—she’d fall head over heels.
“Nice. You even made soup?” Zhao Tongtong peeked into the clay pot and asked.
“Yeah, pork rib and tofu soup. Give my cooking a try—it’s been ages since I whipped up a meal myself.” Xiao Qing ladled some into a bowl for Zhao Tongtong and passed it over.
Zhao Tongtong took the bowl, scooped up a spoonful, and sipped. Her eyes lit up. “It’s delicious!”
Xiao Qing’s smile deepened at her reaction. “If you like it, have seconds. Whatever you crave from now on, I’ll cook it for you.”
Zhao Tongtong sampled a few bites of the shrimp stir-fry, and the flavor was surprisingly spot-on. “Your cooking is amazing. Who knew?”
“I’ve got all sorts of hidden talents. So, what do you say? Move in with me. This place is way too quiet. Without my girlfriend to cuddle up to at night, I’d be crying myself to sleep.” Xiao Qing took a few bites of her food, her eyes never leaving Zhao Tongtong. She had to figure out a way to coax her girlfriend into staying over.
“Come on. A big-shot CEO like you, scared of sleeping alone? I don’t buy it.” Zhao Tongtong shot Xiao Qing a glare, her ear tips burning red.
“It’s true. You’ll find out soon enough.” Xiao Qing grinned back.
After dinner, Zhao Tongtong absolutely refused to let Xiao Qing handle the dishes. She volunteered and dashed into the kitchen to clean up. Xiao Qing didn’t protest, but as Zhao Tongtong scrubbed away at the sink, Xiao Qing slipped up behind her, wrapping her in a tight embrace. Soft, insistent kisses trailed one by one along Zhao Tongtong’s neck.
Zhao Tongtong’s legs buckled under the attention. She twisted side to side, trying to get some space. “Let go for a sec—I’m still washing the pot. We can kiss after.”
Xiao Qing held on tighter, drawing her closer and brushing a kiss against her cheek. With a playful pout, she whined, “Who told you to ice me out at the office? Can’t I get some affection at home?”
“It’s not that. Just let me finish this, then we can.” Zhao Tongtong’s breath hitched from the distraction, her flush racing from her cheeks down her neck.
“No big deal. Dishes can wait till morning. Time’s wasting—we’ve gotta make the most of it.” Xiao Qing soothed her while peeling off the dish gloves, then scooped Zhao Tongtong up in a half-hug and steered her toward the bedroom.
Zhao Tongtong’s ears glowed red as she gave Xiao Qing a light shove, grumbling, “You’re incorrigible. Did you bring me back just to have your way with me?”
“What’s wrong with wanting to sleep with my girlfriend? Come on, you miss me too, right?” Xiao Qing cut off any retort with a deep kiss, swallowing Zhao Tongtong’s protests.
Zhao Tongtong melted under the kiss, her legs giving out as Xiao Qing half-carried her to the bed.
Her eyes glistened red at the corners, her body utterly pliant. Xiao Qing, finding her irresistible, leaned in for another kiss and murmured teasingly by her ear, “If you don’t agree to move in, begging for mercy later won’t save you. Think it over.”
Zhao Tongtong burrowed into Xiao Qing’s arms with a couple of soft whines before caving. “Fine, that’s not out of the question. Just go easy—I have work tomorrow.”
“Deal. Tomorrow, I’ll help my girlfriend move in.” Xiao Qing murmured, sealing it with another kiss.
