Chapter 17

Qin You soon emerged from the special passageway.

Returning to Yan Tingshen's ward, before even reaching the door, he spotted Assistant Cui sneaking out from inside.

The moment Cui Ling turned and saw Qin You, he was nearly scared out of his wits. "Mr. Qin..."

Seeing his reaction, Qin You glanced into the ward, his tone casual. "Done talking?"

Cui Ling's heart clenched instead. "Yes..."

Qin You asked, "What did you say?"

Cui Ling didn’t hide anything and answered truthfully, "I just explained what was said between you and Miss Liu—"

Qin You smiled.

Cui Ling’s voice died in his throat.

He had been watching Qin You the whole time.

Though Qin You hadn’t moved, his hands still casually tucked into the pockets of his trench coat, looking as casual as ever, that smile suddenly brought an unseen pressure bearing down, making it impossible for Cui Ling to continue explaining himself.

This was the first time he had seen Qin You smile like this.

Not the occasional unyielding command, nor the calm statement of a fact—

This smile subtly betrayed Qin You’s displeasure. Though fleeting, the cold glint reflected in his eyes behind the lenses made Cui Ling's hands go cold.

"Mr. Qin..."

Qin You kept his gaze on him, the smile unchanged, and simply said, "After returning to the company, arrange the handover."

Cui Ling froze. "Mr. Qin, I—"

"Don’t worry. I’m not removing you from my team, and your salary won’t be cut."

Qin You continued, "From today onward, you only need to complete your assigned tasks. Everything else will be handled by the new assistant."

Cui Ling stared at him blankly, fists clenched, still trying to explain himself. "Mr. Qin, I know I crossed the line this time, but my intention was—"

"Assistant Cui."

Qin You cut him off. As he walked past, he patted Cui Ling’s shoulder. "Tell the new assistant that working with me, I don’t need anyone acting on their own or knowingly breaking rules."

Cui Ling’s shoulder went rigid under Qin You’s touch.

He never expected that just saying a few words—just trying to clear up a minor misunderstanding between Qin You and Yan Tingshen—would nearly get him removed.

He wasn’t boasting, but he had assumed Qin You, being so easygoing, wouldn’t come down so hard if angered, since Qin You still needed him to deal with the chairman.

Yet now, while Qin You indeed kept him on for handling the chairman, he had also put him on the sidelines, caught completely off guard.

So straightforward, so final—it left him speechless.

All over... just a few words...

Qin You opened the ward door. But before stepping in, he locked eyes with Yan Tingshen and couldn’t help but smile. "Have you been here all along?"

Yan Tingshen said, "Mhm."

He had planned to leave before Qin You arrived and, upon hearing Qin You's voice, decided to avoid him. However, his recovery was still recent, and he hadn't been quick enough for either attempt.

He kept the reason to himself.

Qin You didn’t seem to mind, just closing the door and asking, "Tired?"

Yan Tingshen looked into those almond-shaped eyes that sparkled with warmth.

Having failed to evade earlier, he had heard their conversation clearly.

He also understood well that beneath those seemingly casual, warm eyes lay a subtle yet unmistakable ruthlessness.

This was the real Qin You.

Once he made a decision, there was no arguing with him.

"The things you said to Miss Liu—didn’t you want me to know?"

Hearing Yan Tingshen’s question, Qin You chuckled. "Why would I?"

Since he had already confirmed that the arranged meeting had no effect on how she felt about him, whether the target knew about it or not made little difference.

What he had said to Cui Ling was nothing more than the literal meaning of the words themselves.

Yan Tingshen said, "Then he didn’t reveal anything important."

Qin You couldn’t help but feel surprised. "Are you defending him?"

Given the target’s personality and background, logically, he should have understood Qin You’s approach rather than wasting his breath.

But the system genuinely pleaded: "Host, isn’t this too risky? Secondary characters are very useful, especially this one—he’s the most helpful to you. Are you really going to push him away?"

Qin You said, "Did I push him away?"

The system was confused. "Ah… then what are you doing now…?"

Qin You replied, "This is called necessary adjustment in our working relationship."

Having worked together for so long, he could see that Cui Ling was indeed very capable—otherwise, Qin Hengzhong wouldn’t have put the original in his care.

Perhaps it was this sense of responsibility that made it hard for Cui Ling to understand his role, always wanting to do something for Qin You. And whatever he did, regardless of his intentions, revealed a particular attitude.

When Cui Ling believed something was good for Qin You, he would take matters into his own hands, even if it went against Qin You’s instructions.

Cui Ling was a competent assistant, but this mindset showed he didn’t see Qin You as a real boss.

Maybe he truly saw Qin You as a hapless dependent, or maybe he was just trying to help—

But beyond work, sentimental attachments were unnecessary.

If a lesson was what it took for his assistant to learn his place, then it was necessary to teach it.

The system muttered, "Necessary… adjustment…?"

It didn’t understand much else, but it could easily read the situation from what had just happened.

Was the host really adjusting? That sounded more like straight-up bullying…

But having it advocate for a side character is absolutely out of the question.

The host has disdained it since their pairing. If it angers the host and gets replaced with a new system, it wouldn’t even have time to regret it.

If the host calls it mutual, then it’s mutual…

At this moment, Yan Tingshen also spoke up: "The Qin family's roots run deep. Without help, your position will become even more precarious than it is now."

Qin You chuckled lightly. "So this is your concern for me."

Yan Tingshen halted mid-stride and glanced at him. "I—"

"No need to worry."

Qin You said, "When the time comes, he’ll come to me on his own."

Earlier, he had met with his original body’s father, Qin Hengzhong, who had said something similar.

Cui Ling was an aide Qin Hengzhong had handpicked to help him consolidate his position in the Qin family more quickly.

It was also from Qin Hengzhong that he learned the reason for Cui Ling’s loyalty to the original body.

Cui Ling came from a poor background and had depended on the Qin family's patronage to complete his education.

To repay this kindness, after graduation, Cui Ling declined all other opportunities and determinedly joined the Qin organization.

Given his excellence, he quickly earned the appreciation of his superiors—until this backstory inadvertently reached the ears of the Qin family’s president, his original body’s father. Impressed by him, the president broke protocol to accelerate his rise, allowing him to assume a senior role at a young age.

So when he was transferred to the original body’s office, even if Cui Ling nursed some grievances, his sense of responsibility outweighed it. He wanted to shape the original into a proper executive to repay the president’s favor.

A person like this wouldn’t accept defeat over a few words.

By the time he returned, Qin You hoped Cui Ling would learn to divorce personal sentiments when it came to work.

Yan Tingshen didn’t speak again.

He and Qin You walked side by side back to the bed. As they sat down, he noticed Qin You looking at the vase on the nightstand.

Vibrant roses overflowed the narrow vase, each blossom opening distinctively.

Qin You smiled, lifting a finger to brush away a droplet of water from a petal before turning to Yan Tingshen. "Was it the nurse who arranged these?"

Your assistant did.

Cui Ling?

Qin You’s smile didn’t fade as he withdrew his hand. "I wasn't aware of this talent of his."

Yan Tingshen watched him, his expression guarded.

Earlier, when Cui Ling had entered, he had made a show of small chores before getting to the point, artfully mentioning last night and then bringing up Miss Liu.

Especially those few words Qin You had said to Miss Liu after meeting her in the car—Cui Ling had repeated them verbatim while pretending to chat idly, head bowed as he arranged the flowers.

‘I have no plans to settle down for now. I came today to discharge a duty.’

From the very start, Qin You had made his stance clear.

That matchmaking had simply been an obligation assigned by Qin Hengzhong.

During their two encounters since the incident, Qin You hadn’t mentioned a single word about the matter—whether he thought it wasn't worth mentioning or had other reasons.

As for Cui Ling, what made him risk making Qin You mad just to clarify such a trivial misunderstanding?

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Qin You turned and met his gaze. “Do you have something to ask?”

Yan Tingshen looked away. “No.”

Qin You said, “About that Miss Liu, it's not like I didn't want to tell you, but—”

Yan Tingshen glanced back at him.

Qin You sat down beside him with mock seriousness. “I was worried that bringing up my dating life in front of you might remind you of that night.”

That night.

Yan Tingshen’s expression clouded slightly.

“But now that you know, I guess it's okay to mention it now.”

Qin You added, “Don't worry, no matter how many ‘Miss Lius’ the old man finds, I won’t date any of them.”

With that, he smiled at Yan Tingshen. “You know why, don't you?”

The system panicked: “Host, now that the truth is out and you’ve personally explained it to him, what if his favorability shoots up?”

Qin You said, “Has it?”

The system replied, “…Nothing's changed yet.”

Qin You said, “Then what's there to worry about?”

Data always reveals the root of the problem.

Judging by changes in favorability, the fact of the blind date had no impact on the target. Instead, it was the confession that night that had affected him the most—so much so that he had tried to flee without even saying goodbye the next morning.

This proved that only the confession itself could truly make a difference.

Of course, he still couldn't bring himself to confess to a man again.

But reminding the target of that incident required only three words: “that night.”

Those three words, paired with the relentless clinginess from the original host, should be enough to lower favorability.

Beside him, Yan Tingshen, not wanting to get into it, simply put some distance between himself and Qin You.

Qin You chuckled, watching the target brush off his words. “See? I knew you’d be upset if I brought it up.”

Yan Tingshen paused, then changed the subject. “Was it Mr. Qin who came to see you earlier?”

Qin You held back a smile. “Yes.”

If Cui Ling had even spilled private details like the blind date, he was sure he'd mention Mr. Qin’s purpose for visiting.

Such a lame attempt to shift the conversation—clearly, the target really didn't want to talk about “that night.”

But since they'd resorted to such a flimsy excuse, he humored him and continued, "He came to see my dad."

Yan Tingshen said, "So Mr. Qin is getting treatment here."

"Everyone in the Qin family gets treatment here."

Qin You turned to meet his gaze, his tone loaded with meaning, "In the past, there were no exceptions."

When these eyes weren't smiling, they held an intense focus, with an unusual depth.

Yan Tingshen looked away again, "If it's inconvenient here, I can be transferred anytime."

"No need. For you, anytime."

Yan Tingshen's lips pressed into a thin line in displeasure.

He simply stood up, "Mr. Qin, if there's nothing else, I have a meeting to attend. I'll let you see yourself out."

Qin You chuckled, "Throwing me out again?"

He glanced at his watch, "Never mind, I’ll go check if my father is done. You stay."

Yan Tingshen didn’t respond.

Only when the footsteps faded and the door opened and closed did he turn around, his gaze first landing on the incongruous rose on the table.

Like the person who gave it, knowing it was out of place, yet it sat there, impossible to ignore.

Before long, a nurse hurriedly knocked and entered.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" The nurse, carrying a medical kit, explained as she entered, "I was helping a colleague find something to dress Mr. Qin's wound, so I’m late."

Yan Tingshen frowned slightly, "Qin You?"

The nurse nodded, "Yes."

Yan Tingshen asked, "Qin You’s stitches were removed a week ago, and there’s no infection. Why does he need dressing?"

The nurse, taken aback by his knowledge of the exact recovery status, quickly reasoned that they must be close, so she was forthcoming, "It’s not the stitched wound. It’s the bruises on Mr. Qin’s right arm and shoulder needing treatment as soon as possible."

Right arm?

Yan Tingshen recalled last night, his frown deepening.

To help him, Qin You had taken the fall, taking the full impact of a grown man—must have been painful.

"Where is he?"

The nurse faltered, "Next door."

Yan Tingshen was already striding toward the door.

Standing before the closed door next door, he knocked twice and pushed it open.

Inside.

Hearing the noise, Qin You frowned and grabbed his shirt off the armrest of the sofa, "Who is it?"

As he was pulling it on, Yan Tingshen's voice came from behind.

"It's me."

Qin You turned around and was surprised to see Yan Tingshen. "What are you doing here?"

Yan Tingshen didn’t glance at his bare torso, his gaze fixed on the extensive bruising on Qin You’s right arm, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Qin You followed his line of sight and chuckled. "It looks worse than it feels."

But Yan Tingshen wasn’t entirely convinced.

He observed Qin You’s still-stiff left hand, then watched as Qin You started to put on his shirt. "Finished with the ointment?"

Qin You paused slightly. "No hurry."

Yan Tingshen walked over and raised a hand in front of him.

Qin You halted again while buttoning his shirt and glanced at him.

Yan Tingshen said flatly, "The ointment."

Qin You coughed lightly. "Don’t worry about it. You’re hurt too—I’ve got this."

Yan Tingshen replied, "It’s just a tube of ointment—I can handle it."

Seeing him dead set on it, Qin You gave in with a sigh and handed him the tube.

Yan Tingshen added, "Your shirt."

Qin You looked at him, then shrugged it off again before sitting down together on the sofa.

Yan Tingshen opened the medical kit and hesitated for a second at the sight of the finger cots inside.

Qin You noticed his hesitation. "Maybe we should skip it."

Yan Tingshen glanced at him but continued.

Qin You watched as he carefully slid on the finger cots for his middle and index fingers, then squeezed out a bit of ointment—

The cool gel spread over his arm, slowly rubbed in by Yan Tingshen’s clumsy fingers, drawing out a faint warmth beneath the touch.

Qin You rested his arm on the sofa’s armrest, close enough that he didn’t need to lift his gaze to see Yan Tingshen’s face right before him.

Same as always—still looking detached.

Only now, the same eyes and hands that were always buried in work were now fixed on his bruises.

Yan Tingshen met his gaze briefly, his grip tightening slightly around the tube before he lowered his eyes again. "Just say it."

Qin You smiled. "I’m too busy being touched by your help to talk."

Yan Tingshen gave him another look, digging his fingers in a little harder before saying, "It’s no big deal."

Qin You chuckled.

At a 33% favorability rate, even if he wanted to keep his distance, he couldn’t ignore his injuries.

From his clumsy movements, this was probably his first time putting ointment on someone else.

Too bad—even in this warm moment of growing friendship, he couldn’t just let it be.

If the affection level rises again and triggers a new mission, it would be another headache.

Seeing the ointment was nearly applied, Qin You brought up the past again: "See, you don’t dislike me."

Sure enough, Yan Tingshen’s hand stopped.

Qin You didn’t react.

Yan Tingshen looked at him, his voice flat: "Qin You, if you let go of what happened when you were four, perhaps you’d realize what you feel for me isn’t what you think it is."

Qin You said, "I can’t let go."

Yan Tingshen fell silent for a moment, then finished applying the last bit of ointment, removed the finger cots, and stood up. "Then you should understand that during this time, I don’t wish to see you again."

Qin You replied, "Not happening."

Another heavy silence filled the ward.

Yan Tingshen turned to leave but glanced back at him, about to speak.

Qin You smiled and said, "At the very least, let’s meet every afternoon at 2:30. Rain or shine."

"..." Yan Tingshen walked out without another word.

With what happened to that side character in mind, the system immediately praised, "Boss, you killed it! You angered Yan Tingshen, and the affection level didn’t rise at all!"

It didn’t rise.

Nor did it drop.

Qin You glanced at the unchanged value on the panel, then turned his gaze to Yan Tingshen’s retreating figure.

*His ice-prince act was really screwing things up here.*

Once raised, the affection level had no room to fall.

*Yan Tingshen took emotions too seriously, messing with his game.*

Lost in thought, Qin You looked back at the carefully treated wound.

The bruises were fully covered, leaving just the ghost of his touch lingering.

The system asked, "So boss, you just gonna camp here till 3 p.m.?"

Qin You said, "Yep."

With that, he stood up and put his shirt back on.

If he was gonna sit around anyway, sitting next door would give him a two-for-one deal—bugging Yan Tingshen while replicating the original host’s methods.

After all, being disturbed during work annoyed anyone.

Qin You fished out his tablet from his coat pocket and made a beeline for the neighboring ward.

He gave two perfunctory knocks before barging in.

Yan Tingshen was at his desk and glanced up at the interruption. Recognizing Qin You, he asked, "What is it?"

Yan Tingshen noticed the open laptop on the desk and then the earbud in Qin You's right ear, asked with a smile, "In a meeting?"

Yan Tingshen replied, "Yeah."

After speaking, he expected Qin You to step away. Instead, Qin You moved closer, plopping down comfortably on the sofa beside him, leaning back toward him.

Yan Tingshen eyed him.

Qin You grinned. "I'll keep you company."

Just those three words, no further explanation.

Yan Tingshen's brow furrowed slightly before relaxing. He said to him, "Keep it down."

Qin You replied, "No problem."

Yan Tingshen answered the call.

Given that Qin You had previously leaked Qin Corp's confidential docs to him multiple times, he didn’t believe this visit was an attempt to spy.

Besides, the meeting was about to start, and he had no intention of delaying it over such a non-issue.

Soon, the video connected.

On the other end of the call, numerous executives sat ramrod straight, taking turns reporting to Yan Tingshen.

But gradually, everyone picked up on something weird.

Strange… Was there something wrong with the boss’s earpiece? Why did game sound effects keep bleeding through?

Yet, even facing Yan Tingshen only through the screen, nobody said a word. They could only glance repeatedly at Zhang Ming. But Assistant Zhang kept a straight face, acting like he heard nothing.

Until they saw Yan Tingshen suddenly turn his head and speak to someone off-screen.

"Qin You."

Everyone immediately snapped to attention, all ears, only to hear a man’s voice respond from off-screen.

"Ah… Sorry, I’ll turn the volume down."

Yan Tingshen turned back.

They waited and waited.

The meeting rolled on like normal, but nothing else came of it.

…Wait, what?

This wasn’t right!

They looked at each other in disbelief, unable to believe it.

Since when does the boss put up with this?

Someone was playing games during the meeting!

And that’s all he gets??