Volume One, Chapter Three: Weren't you braver last night when you climbed onto the bed?

"Miss Lin's physical condition is stable, but we cannot give an accurate timeline for when she might wake up. It could be a month, two months, perhaps two or three years, or even..."

Seeing the dark and terrifying expression on Shen Chiyan's face, the doctor dared not continue.

"Take good care of Qiuqiu. Contact me immediately if there is any change in her condition."

"Understood."

Without Shen Chiyan's permission, Song Qinian dared not leave. Besides, securing medical parole for her father depended entirely on him.

As soon as Shen Chiyan walked downstairs, he saw Song Qinian nodding off in a chair. Her complexion seemed even paler, and her frame was so slight that she looked both petite and pitiable sitting there.

Pitiable?

Hah... how could he ever feel pity for a scheming woman like Song Qinian?

Seeming to sense his arrival, Song Qinian looked up. Upon realizing it was him, she jumped to her feet like a startled bird, standing ramrod straight, much like a student being punished by a teacher.

Shen Chiyan’s handsome brows furrowed tightly. Was he really that terrifying? Hmph... she hadn't been so timid when she crawled into his bed last night, had she?

"I have a meeting with a business partner. You are coming with me."

Song Qinian was surprised. Ever since she married Shen Chiyan, his grandmother had arranged for her to work as his personal secretary at the company. This only made Shen Chiyan despise her even more. Her duties as a "personal secretary" were limited to managing his daily affairs—his clothes, food, housing, and transportation. He rarely brought her along to business meetings; she wondered what he was thinking today.

Once in the car, Shen Chiyan began working immediately. As a CEO who held the economic pulse of Jinghua City in his hands, he was exceptionally busy. After a while, he looked at her. Seeing her dressed in a t-shirt and casual pants, he frowned. "Are you broke? Why are you dressed so shabbily?"

Song Qinian was about to gesture, but Shen Chiyan had already looked away, as if even glancing at her was disgusting. She lowered her eyes in silence. Their marriage was a secret; those who knew assumed she had flown onto a golden branch and become a phoenix, living the life of a wealthy lady who wanted for nothing. In reality, her only income was the meager salary from the company.

After accounting for her own expenses, she still had to provide living costs for Liu Xiaohan and Song Jiashu. Song Jiashu, her younger brother, was in high school, and his study materials and tutoring classes were a significant burden. She had no money left for high-end clothing. Shen Chiyan rarely went home, so he knew nothing of this, and she never brought it up. Besides, since he didn't like her, there was no point in dressing up; she had become indifferent to her appearance.

When they arrived at the hotel, Li Nanxun was already waiting with a set of clothes. Li Nanxun was Shen Chiyan's chief secretary; while Song Qinian managed his private life, Li Nanxun handled his professional affairs. Dressed in a sharp black business suit with her hair pulled into a meticulous ponytail, she radiated a stern and professional aura.

"Secretary Song, I'll leave President Shen to you today," she said, handing over the clothes without a smile.

Song Qinian glanced at Shen Chiyan, whose expression was already impatient. She quickly took the clothes and went to the restroom to change. When she emerged, Shen Chiyan gave her a faint look. The goose-yellow dress Li Nanxun had prepared made Song Qinian’s fair skin glow. However, there were hickey marks on her neck—remnants of Shen Chiyan's ferocity from the night before.

Blushing like a boiled shrimp, Song Qinian, who never carried makeup, had to shamelessly borrow concealer from Li Nanxun. Even so, the marks were still faintly visible. Shen Chiyan’s dark eyes flickered for a moment before he looked away. "Let's go."

When they entered the private dining room, it was already filled with people. Song Qinian didn't recognize anyone, so she followed silently behind Shen Chiyan.

"Good evening, President Shen. We've been eagerly awaiting your arrival."

A man approached enthusiastically. He seemed slightly uncomfortable when he noticed Shen Chiyan was wearing gloves as he shook his hand. The president’s germaphobia was clearly getting worse. The next second, his eyes lit up upon seeing Song Qinian.

"My, my! When did such a lovely creature join you, President Shen?"

It was President Liang of the Liang Group, his gaze fixed hungrily on Song Qinian. Accustomed to flashy, sexy women, he found Song Qinian’s乖巧 (obedient) and soft, sweet-girl demeanor far more appealing.

Feeling uncomfortable under his naked, sticky gaze, Song Qinian instinctively leaned toward Shen Chiyan, only to hear his languid, distant laugh. "My secretary, surnamed Song."

Shen Chiyan turned to her with a smile. "Secretary Song, this is President Liang."

Song Qinian gave a slight nod. Seeing she didn't greet him, President Liang looked displeased. "Does Secretary Song look down on me? Why won't you speak to me?"

Song Qinian bit her lip, wanting to gesture but fearing he wouldn't understand.

Shen Chiyan spoke up again. "My apologies, President Liang. Secretary Song is a mute; she cannot speak."

Feeling the warmth of his protection, Song Qinian felt a flicker of gratitude. She couldn't speak, and she wasn't good at socializing. But since Shen Chiyan had come in person, this man must be important. She couldn't let him think she was difficult to get along with; after all, she was Shen Chiyan's assistant, and her every action reflected on him. Even if she couldn't help him, she wouldn't cause him trouble.

Unable to express herself, she could only respond with a smile. When she smiled, her eyes curved into crescents, revealing two adorable dimples, and her teeth were white and neat. Her sincerity was pure and disarming.

President Liang, rather than being disgusted by her muteness, seemed even more excited. "A mute? A mute is fine! A mute is even better!"

Seeing the smile on Song Qinian's face, an inexplicable irritation and anger surged within Shen Chiyan. Shortly after, Song Qinian was seated next to President Liang, with Shen Chiyan sitting opposite them.

Disturbed by the distance between her and Shen Chiyan, she felt even more uneasy about the man beside her. Initially, President Liang acted like a gentleman, but seeing that Shen Chiyan seemed indifferent to his mute assistant, his hand began to wander.

Song Qinian’s attention had been entirely on Shen Chiyan, so when she felt President Liang’s hand touch her leg, she gasped in shock and bolted to her feet.