At first, she didn't notice it. But then her eyes shifted slightly. A neatly packed lunch sat beside his legs.
Guo Min paused. Then a soft chuckle slipped out.
The faint sound was enough. As always. Zihan stirred.
His brows furrowed slightly as he shifted, eyes slowly opening before he let out a quiet sigh and buried his face deeper into the pillow, the familiar scent he was used to.
He closed his eyes again for a brief second, as if trying to confirm it.
"…Such a pervert you are, Mr. Zhu."
Guo Min's voice cut through the silence.
Zihan's eyes snapped open. He shot up immediately from the couch, movements a little too abrupt, the tips of his ears turning red almost instantly.
"…Guo Min?" he said, clearly caught off guard. "What are you doing here?"
She looked up from her tablet slowly, one brow lifting.
"Huh?" A pause. "In my office?"
Silence.
Zihan blinked. Once. Twice.
Then slowly, his composure settled back into place, like nothing had just happened. He sat back down, clearing his throat lightly. "I didn't do anything wrong," he said, tone calm again. "…You're still my wife."
Guo Min raised a brow. "Oh really?"
"…."
Zihan paused, then smoothly changed the subject. "…I brought lunch."
He pulled the packed bag toward him and placed it neatly on the table between them. One by one, he unpacked the containers, arranging them with quiet precision before handing out the chopsticks.
Guo Min leaned back slightly, eyes scanning the spread.
"…Why is it this much? It's just lunch."
On the table sat, sweet and sour pork, steamed shrimp dumplings, stir-fried beef with black pepper, garlic butter vegetables, egg fried rice, and a small container of chilled fruit slices on the side
Zihan didn't look at her as he replied. "Nothing… I just felt like buying something you'd like."
Guo Min paused for a second. Then, without pressing further, she picked up her chopsticks and started eating.
Silence settled between them again. A few minutes passed.
Then, "…Guo Min."
She didn't look up. "Hmm?"
A slight pause. "…You won't call me to eat?"
Her chopsticks paused mid-air.
Slowly, she lifted her gaze at him. "…Are you five?".
Zihan didn't respond. He just looked at her. Lips pressed into a thin line, eyes steadily waiting.
Guo Min held his gaze for a second longer before letting out a quiet scoff. "…Eat." She passed him a pair of chopsticks.
A faint smile bloomed on his face as he accepted them. And just like that, they began to eat... Together.
Halfway through the meal, something felt… off.
The man who was usually silent, especially during meals was talking. "Guo Min."
She didn't even look up this time. "What?"
"…Are you free tomorrow?"
That made her pause.
She glanced at him briefly before answering, "Tomorrow… I don't think so."
And just like that... His expression dropped, subtly, but noticeably. Like a disappointed puppy trying to hide it. "…Okay," he said quietly. "That's fine too."
Guo Min watched him for a second.
Then. "…If the evening works, I...".
"Yes." He cut in immediately. "That works."
Guo Min blinked. Then narrowed her eyes slightly. "…I wasn't done talking."
Zihan didn't even look embarrassed. "If it's the evening, then I'm free," he replied calmly, though the slight lift at the corner of his lips betrayed him.
Guo Min stared at him.
They were done eating.
So… why was he still here?
"Aren't you going back to the office?" she asked, raising a brow.
Zihan didn't hesitate. "No. I'll drop you home."
His gaze stayed on her face, waiting... almost expectant. There was a faint glint in his eyes, something soft trying to surface, though he masked it as usual.
Guo Min didn't miss it, but she ignored it. "I brought my own car," she replied calmly. "And I don't plan on leaving it in the hotel garage. So… no, thank you."
And just like that his expression fell, subtly but noticeably. "I understand."
He turned and walked toward the door.
One step. Two steps, then he stopped, just a few meters away.
Waiting for her to call him back but... Minutes passed. The only sound in the room was the faint tapping of her stylus against the tablet. She didn't even look up.
Zihan stood there a second longer, then finally left.
Outside Zhu Empire
The ride back was silent.
Heavy. The driver didn't dare speak, his hands tight on the steering wheel as the tension from the back seat filled the car.
Zihan sat with his lips pressed tightly together, his expression dark.
It was obvious, he was looking for someone to take it out on.
"Sir, we've arrived." The driver quickly stepped out and rushed to open the door.
Zihan hadn't even fully stepped out when... "Sir!" Secretary Lin came running toward him, slightly out of breath.
"The shareholders' meeting... you didn't attend," he said, panting. "I tried to reach you, but your phone was off."
Zihan didn't even pause.
"What's with the noise?" he said flatly, adjusting his suit as he stepped out. "I trust you to handle them as usual."
He started walking toward the building.
Secretary Lin hurried after him.
"Besides," Zihan added casually, "I was having lunch with my wife."
Secretary Lin froze for half a second. Then looked at him like he had just grown a second head.
"S-sir… do you know how much your shareholders bullied me?" he said, nearly crying. "And you chose to eat lunch with madam instead?"
Zihan didn't even glance at him.
"What did I hire you for?" he replied coolly. "I need you to be useful."
"But President..."
"One more word," Zihan cut in, clicking his tongue lightly, irritation creeping into his voice, "and I'll dock your pay."
Secretary Lin immediately shut his mouth. "…Huh?"
And just like that, Zhu Zihan walked into the building like nothing had happened. While behind him... A certain secretary silently questioned all his life choice.
Zhu Villa Living Room
Zihan and Ruoxi sat across from each other. From the outside, it looked serious, like a business negotiation.
But in reality…
"Ruoxi," Zihan said, his expression completely straight. "What's Guo Min's favorite food?"
Ruoxi didn't even blink. "She's not picky, but… fried rice and Kung Pao chicken."
Zihan nodded once.
"Favorite drink?"
"Boba tea. Strawberry flavor."
"Favorite places?"
Ruoxi paused, thinking. "Hmm… I don't think she has a specific place." She leaned back slightly. "But she likes simple things. The beach… sunsets… anywhere calm."
Zihan nodded again, mentally noting everything.
"Hobby?"
"Motorcycle riding."
"Favorite sport?"
"Motorcycle riding."
"….". Zihan paused. Clearly, he was running out of questions. "Is there anything else I should know?" he asked after a moment.
Ruoxi grinned. "If I remember anything, I'll let you know." She casually stretched out her palm toward him and was unsurprised, he placed his card in her hand.
Ruoxi's smile widened instantly. "Nice doing business with you, Brother Zihan," she said, clearly pleased. "You really are a businessman at heart."
She hopped up from her seat... And immediately stumbled forward.
"Whoa...".
Before she could fall, a hand caught her arm, steadying her.
She looked up. "Xiang?"
He frowned slightly. "What are you doing here?"
Ruoxi pulled her arm back, crossing her arms immediately. "No, what are you doing here?"
Their tones sharpened instantly. Like always.
Seeing the familiar storm brewing, Zihan stood up calmly. "Ruoxi, wait here," he said.
Then he turned to the man beside her. "Xiang. Let's talk in my study".
Zhu Villa ...Study.
The door clicked shut behind them. Zhu Zihan didn't sit immediately this time. Instead, he stood by the desk, one hand resting on its edge, his expression calm but his eyes sharp.
Across from him, Wu Xiang spoke first, his tone stripped of its usual teasing edge.
"As you thought… the accident wasn't an accident." He slipped his hands into his pockets. "It was planned. Intentional."
Silence fell.
Zihan's jaw tightened slightly, but that was the only visible reaction.
"…Who?" he asked.
"Still digging," Xiang replied. "But whoever it is… they're bold enough to strike."
That was enough.
Zihan finally moved, walking slowly around the desk before sitting down, his fingers tapping lightly against the surface... once, twice, then still.
"Xiang," he said quietly, his voice dropping into something colder, more dangerous. "Before anything else…"
He lifted his gaze.
"Tighten security around Guo Min." A brief pause.v"…Not just her," he added. "Her family. Her friends. Anyone close to her."
Xiang studied him for a second, then gave a short nod.
Zihan leaned back slightly, the tension in his shoulders easing just a fraction.
"…Good." A beat passed before he asked, more quietly this time, "How's your sister?"
Xiang's expression softened, just a little. "She's better. The doctor said she'll be discharged tomorrow."
Zihan nodded once. "That's good." Silence settled again. Then..."Drop Ruoxi home," Zihan said suddenly.
Xiang blinked. "…What?"
"I had a driver bring her here," Zihan continued, already reaching for a file like the conversation was over. "But since you're heading out…". His eyes flicked up briefly. "She should go with someone I trust."
"…Alright," he replied simply.
He turned to leave, but paused at the door.
"Good night," he said without looking back.
Zihan didn't respond immediately.
Only after a second did he speak, voice low. "…good night".