Xia Yang’s heart pounded fiercely.
That statement carried a strong sense of authority, leaving him stunned in place for several seconds. Though he often jokingly called him his “fake husband,” when the word “husband” came out of Han Yi’s mouth, especially in that serious, powerful, and slightly oppressive questioning tone, the impact was incredible.
It was an unprecedented, unparalleled experience. Xia Yang’s gaze became a bit dazed…
“Are you even listening to me?” Han Yi’s sudden question snapped him out of his thoughts.
Startled, Xia Yang quickly looked up. Just then, a gust of cold wind blew, lifting his slightly long hair by his ears, wafting a jasmine scent across his cheek and nose, tickling him.
“Achoo!” He couldn’t hold it back and sneezed, and the droplets, carried by the wind, blew back onto the man in front of him just as he turned his head to avoid them.
Han Yi, who seemed to have gotten a face wash: “…”
“Sorry,” Xia Yang turned back, rubbing his nose, unaware of what had just happened, and was even a bit proud of his quick reflexes.
“Good thing I was quick; a moment later and I might have accidentally hurt you.”
“…You already did,” Han Yi closed his eyes briefly and took out a tissue from his pocket. “You didn’t check the wind direction, did you?”
“Oh.” Noticing his actions, Xia Yang felt embarrassed. “I didn’t, but don’t worry,” he said as he took the tissue from Han Yi and gently wiped his face, trying to comfort him. “I just had a physical last month—no Helicobacter pylori. Besides, saliva has some antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.”
Han Yi: “…”
Han Yi: “Oh, so I should thank you then.”
Xia Yang pursed his lips, embarrassed, “That’s not necessary.”
The small interlude seemed to ease the tension between them a bit.
Xia Yang composed himself, patted Han Yi’s back, and returned to the previous topic.
“Honey, about my earlier ‘denial’ behavior, let me explain…”
“Let’s discuss it elsewhere,” Han Yi interrupted, checking his watch and gesturing toward the parking lot. “Let’s have dinner together.”
“Sure,” Xia Yang agreed readily.
The black Bentley was parked in the far corner of the studio parking lot. As Xia Yang approached and opened the passenger door, he was met with a burst of bright yellow.
Looking down, he saw a large bouquet of champagne roses on the passenger seat.
“Wow, this is…?” he looked up in surprise, meeting Han Yi’s deep eyes.
“For you.”
“!!”
Xia Yang’s surprise deepened.
Who would’ve thought? The aloof Han Yi also did such things. He picked up the champagne roses and got into the car, but the bouquet was so large it almost obstructed his view. The petals spiraled outward in layers, and a few dewdrops glistened on the petals, shimmering in the sunlight.
Xia Yang leaned down, inhaling deeply. The rich fragrance lingered in his nostrils, making him feel slightly tipsy, like he’d had a glass of sweet wine.
“So beautiful,” he murmured, caressing the amber petals, a crescent moon-like smile spreading across his lips. After a moment, he turned slightly, fluttering his eyelashes as he asked, “Isn’t red the usual color for roses? What made you choose champagne? It hit me right in the feels.”
Han Yi started the car and smoothly drove onto the expressway, his long fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel.
“Different colors have different meanings. I chose champagne roses because it best suits our current relationship,” he explained.
Xia Yang was momentarily taken aback, his mouth agape in surprise.
He had always thought of Han Yi as a serious and traditional person, but who knew he’d understand the language of flowers?
“So… what’s the meaning of red roses?” he asked.
“Passionate love,” Han Yi replied. “It’s appropriate for lovers in a passionate relationship, full of fiery passion.”
“Uh,” Xia Yang murmured softly, “Full of passion… I guess that’s not quite right for us.”
“That’s why I gave you champagne roses today,” Han Yi said calmly. “I’ll give you red roses in a few days.”
Xia Yang: “…”
His ears turned warm, and he quickly looked down, fiddling with the rose leaves, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
“No rush.”
“Full of passion” was something that couldn’t be rushed…
Han Yi noticed the subtle pink spreading across Xia Yang’s ears and seemed to chuckle softly.
After a moment, he added quietly, “The meaning of champagne roses is ‘I only love you.’ Now and forever.”
Xia Yang felt a lump in his throat, suddenly unable to speak.
All he felt was a continuous warmth surging in his chest, his blood rushing to his head.
Listening to Han Yi speak such tender words—it was indescribable.
He now felt that Han Yi was a true onion. As layers of coldness and strength peeled away, the more he got to know him, the more he realized his core was warm, gentle, and even a little romantic.
It was like opening the door to a new world, each glance revealing something new and intriguing.
The reserved restaurant was about ten kilometers from the studio. They drove for over half an hour due to the evening rush, arriving after nightfall.
“We’re here,” Han Yi said, parking the car and helping Xia Yang put the bouquet of champagne roses in the back seat.
Xia Yang unbuckled his seatbelt and followed him into the private restaurant.
“Today is Cold, so what would you like to eat?” Han Yi asked, scrolling through the tablet on the table to check the day’s specials. “How about winter mushroom and cured meat sticky rice?”
“Yes,” Xia Yang swallowed, just hearing the name. “I also want sour fish soup, fried konjac, and spicy chicken.”
“Okay,” Han Yi selected the dishes on the tablet.
Xia Yang picked up the tea the waiter poured, ready to take a sip, but his phone rang in his pocket.
He pulled it out and saw it was his agent.
“Brother Qi, what’s up?” He glanced at Han Yi and, after a moment’s thought, decided not to avoid him, answering the call directly.
“Xia Yang, the ‘Newbie at Work’ show contacted me,” his agent said. “They’re shooting the promotional poster this weekend and starting filming next weekend. Be prepared.”
“That soon? Okay,” Xia Yang replied. After a pause, he asked, “Do you know which company they’ll assign me to?”
“They’re keeping it a secret, but they said your workplace is a highly prestigious, top-tier company in the industry. However, they did mention your role would be assistant to the chairman.”
Xia Yang: “…”
Xia Yang: “!!”
Why did they assign him such a high-profile role?
Now he was nervous!
After hanging up, he replayed his agent’s words in his mind. He clenched his fingers, looking at the experienced businessman before him with a plea for guidance.
“Boss.”
“Hmm?”
Han Yi had finished ordering, set the tablet aside, and looked at him.
“I’m going to film a workplace reality show, but I’ve never worked a day in my life. I have some questions for you,” Xia Yang said, pulling out a small notebook from his bag, looking at Han Yi with his clear, doe-like eyes.
“Sure, ask away.” Han Yi sipped his tea, his expression calm as water.
He had overheard some of Xia Yang’s conversation with his agent.
Initially, his brand director had tentatively assigned Xia Yang to a market department assistant role, but Han Yi had “forcefully intervened,” changing the position to ensure Xia Yang stayed close to him.
The show producers were thrilled, feeling they had struck gold, while the brand director was stunned for days…
Back to reality, Xia Yang had listed his questions on the notebook, nearly filling a page.
“Here, this is what I’ve thought of so far,” he said, scratching his head and handing over the notebook.
Han Yi quickly scanned the page, noting questions like “How to deal with a violent chairman,” “How to comfort a chairman who has been cheated on,” “If the chairman’s mother-in-law and wife fall into the water, who should be saved first,” and more…
Closing the notebook, he took a deep breath and patiently explained, “These questions are too niche and unrealistic. Such situations are unlikely in a real workplace, let alone on a reality show.”
“Hmm? Really?”
“Yes, there’s no need to worry so much. Don’t overthink the workplace,” Han Yi reassured him.
“But…” Xia Yang hesitated, resting his chin on his hand, still uncertain. “Let me think of something more practical… Ah, I got it!”
His eyes lit up as he suddenly thought of a new scenario.
“What if I encounter an old lecherous chairman who sexually harasses me in the office? What should I do?”
Han Yi choked on his tea, his chest heaving a few times.
After a few seconds, he pursed his lips and said, “It’s a proper show, and the companies involved should be reputable. The chances of encountering an old lecherous chairman are slim.”
“Well, you never know,” Xia Yang blinked innocently, not convinced by his answer. “Don’t you read the news? It often happens that the more powerful and respected they are, the more they are wolves in sheep’s clothing—hypocrites, true scoundrels! In today’s world, office sexual harassment is not uncommon!”
“…Alright,” Han Yi pinched the bridge of his nose, reluctantly following his train of thought. “So, tell me, what would you do if you encountered such a situation?”
“Me?” Xia Yang tilted his head, quickly running through videos, anime, and dramas he’d seen in his mind. After a moment’s thought, he said firmly, “If the chairman dared to harass me, I’d immediately use my beauty trick!”
Han Yi: “?”
“Uh, no, no, I misspoke,” Xia Yang quickly corrected, slapping his cheeks. “If he dared to harass me, I’d use my ultimate move.”
“What ultimate move?” Han Yi raised an eyebrow.
Xia Yang stood up and walked to the table, gesturing. Suddenly, he raised his knee, “I’d give him a high kick, hitting the scoundrel right in the crotch—a deadly nut shot!”
Han Yi: “…”
Han Yi: “……………………”
A deadly nut shot, indeed. What a savage move.
Author’s Note:
He’s a beast!
Keep me fueled with caffeine! Support me on Ko-fi! It helps a lot ! Thank you so much ♡(´･ω･)(･ω･`)♡
