Chi Zhan braced himself. “…Still looking,” he mumbled.
Zhou Yanxing was practically gnashing his teeth in frustration.
Secretary Chi was flawless at work—sharp, efficient, dependable—but when it came to emotions, he was utterly, hopelessly dense. Why couldn’t he get it?
“In that case, why don’t you temporarily act as my fiancé? That way, living at my place would be perfectly reasonable…”
“President Zhou, actually, there’s something I’ve been meaning to say…” Chi Zhan had no choice but to cut him off, sighing inwardly.
What’s meant to happen will happen, no matter how badly he wishes otherwise. This moment was inevitable.
“Say what?”
“I’ll be staying at home… My boyfriend will be taking care of me,” Chi Zhan said softly, unable to meet Zhou Yanxing’s gaze. His voice trailed off. “There’s no need to trouble you… or Doctor Cen.”
***
The moment Chi Zhan finished speaking, the air fell into a suffocating silence.
It felt like the atmosphere had grown a thousand pounds heavier—every breath weighed with tension and pressure.
“…What did you just say?”
Zhou Yanxing’s voice was low and controlled. But when Chi Zhan averted his gaze, Zhou’s breathing visibly hitched. Still, his tone remained eerily calm.
“Chi Zhan, say that again.”
Chi Zhan kept his eyes down, refusing to look at him. His gaze drifted aimlessly until he noticed Zhou Yanxing’s fingers—they were trembling.
…He’s seriously pissed, isn’t he?
Chi Zhan didn’t know why, but Zhou Yanxing’s reaction made it feel like he’d committed some massive transgression—even though, officially, they were nothing more than superior and subordinate.
If only… if only he’d said it first. If only he’d beaten Zhou Yanxing to the punch.
His lips pressed into a thin line. Even without looking up, he could feel Zhou Yanxing’s eyes locked on him, intense and unrelenting, impossible to ignore.
For a split second, Zhou Yanxing had assumed he’d misheard. But when Chi Zhan didn’t speak again or offer some flippant clarification, a terrible, undeniable truth surfaced.
“When did you get a boyfriend?” Zhou Yanxing demanded, keeping his tone even with visible effort. “When you joined the company, you said you were single.”
“I just met him recently,” Chi Zhan said, trying to mask the guilt in his voice. “I just didn’t tell anyone yet…”
“Look me in the eye,” Zhou Yanxing cut him off. “Is. That. True?”
Each word was bitten out from between clenched teeth, his control fraying at the edges.
Chi Zhan had no choice but to lift his eyes.
He almost never looked Zhou Yanxing in the eye—no one could hold that gaze for long.
Zhou Yanxing had the kind of face that radiated dominance: thick, blade-like brows, deep, piercing eyes, a gaze so sharp it could strip a person’s defenses bare in seconds. That had always been his style—intense, direct, overwhelming.
Only occasionally, when he smiled, did those eyes soften. But right now, Chi Zhan saw something far more complicated in them—
Rage. Disbelief. Betrayal. And beneath it all, something heartbreakingly vulnerable.
It flashed by in an instant. When Chi Zhan tried to focus again, Zhou Yanxing had already buried it. His expression turned dark, unreadable, his emotions cloaked beneath impenetrable stillness.
What’s meant to happen will happen. Sooner or later. Might as well get it over with.
Chi Zhan drew in a breath.
“It’s true, President Zhou… Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
Zhou Yanxing’s jaw tightened. After a moment, he said flatly, “When is your boyfriend picking you up?”
“He’s still at work. I can go home myself. It’s not that serious…”
“……”
What kind of boyfriend is that? Are you blind?!
Zhou Yanxing looked like he was about to explode. He opened his mouth, seemingly about to lash out—but somehow, he held it back. Instead of anger, he let out a cold, brittle laugh and nodded, over and over.
“Alright. Fine.”
He suddenly stood up, snatching the crystal orb from beside Chi Zhan. His face was thunderous. Chi Zhan noticed the whiteness of his knuckles—the way he gripped the orb like he was moments away from smashing it into shards. He half-expected Zhou Yanxing to hurl it to the ground and sneer, Don’t flatter yourself. I was just joking anyway.
That would’ve been the classic Zhou Yanxing—biting and mean. But in the end, he simply slammed the orb down hard on the table… and left without another word.
“……”
Even his back was broadcasting the giant word: FURIOUS.
Outside, Cen Chi was on a call. He glanced up when he saw Zhou Yanxing storm out, something clearly off. Zhou radiated a volatile aura—if emotions had form, he’d be surrounded by black lightning, crackling wildly, lashing out at everyone in range.
Something was definitely wrong.
The only explanation Cen Chi could think of was… Chi Zhan had chosen him. But that alone didn’t seem like enough to send Zhou Yanxing into a rage.
Zhou wasn’t the type to get angry easily—unless it involved someone he actually cared about. Every other time, it was just an act.
In all four years of university, Cen Chi had never seen him truly lose his temper. Even at work, when he chewed people out, it was always more bark than bite—just enough to teach a lesson.
“What happened?” Cen Chi observed him carefully, brows furrowed. “You didn’t lay a hand on Secretary Chi, did you?”
Zhou Yanxing lifted his eyes. They were bloodshot.
Realizing he’d lost control, he took a deep breath and forcibly composed himself.
“…None of your business.”
“Should I take him home?” Cen Chi offered. “In case he’s in the way here.”
“He has nothing to do with you, Cen Chi,” Zhou snapped, teeth clenched. “If you don’t want a fight, leave now. I won’t be responsible for what happens if you don’t.”
Cen Chi held his gaze.
“Don’t be so aggressive,” he said patiently. “You’ll scare him.”
This was Zhou Yanxing’s territory. And if a fight broke out here, the one who’d get hurt—physically or otherwise—would be Chi Zhan.
Cen Chi knew that well. He didn’t want to put Chi Zhan in a difficult spot.
Especially not over a mad dog like Zhou Yanxing.
