Chapter 26: Difficult to Speak

On the way to the He Corporation.

Qin Mang leisurely opened the electronic wooden fish that had already accumulated 888 merit points earlier and finished the remaining 112.

As usual, 1000 merit points can be exchanged for a moment of calmness.

This was Qin Mang’s first time visiting the headquarters of the building.

Wearing delicate high heels, she swayed gracefully toward the CEO’s exclusive elevator.

The underground parking lot was vast, but it couldn’t hide the girl’s extraordinary elegance. The gray cement floor seemed to turn into a runway, with each step a scene from a human magazine, high-end and distinct.

The bodyguard behind her, carrying a delicate food box, seemed as though he were carrying a meticulously prepared feast.

Meng Ting, seeing her determined and forceful appearance, worried that his young mistress might be up to some mischief and stubbornly followed her.

Even Secretary Cong, seeing this scene of Madam, was taken aback on behalf of his boss.

“Where is my hard-working husband?”

“How come my fair and beautiful wife, the fairy, comes to visit, but he didn’t come to greet her personally?”

Qin Mang, looking at Secretary Cong who had come alone, crossed her arms and coldly asked.

Secretary Cong coughed lightly, fearing he might answer incorrectly, “Mr. He… is in a meeting.”

“So he couldn’t personally greet you.”

“Really?”

Qin Mang stretched the tone of her voice, sneering, “Are you sure it’s not because he’s too lazy to come?”

“Absolutely not!”

“Mr. He cares deeply about all matters concerning you!” Secretary Cong tried his best to speak up for his boss. Regardless of whether Mr. He was involved or not, it had to be pinned on him!

It was his job to protect the harmony of his boss’s family!

After entering the elevator, Secretary Cong suddenly remembered something, “By the way, your new team is here. Would you like to meet them?”

New team?

Qin Mang slowly fluttered her eyelashes, her eyes flashing with suspicion. “What new team?”

In the next moment.

The elevator doors opened.

It wasn’t the top floor where the CEO’s office was.

Instead, it was a private meeting room.

Secretary Cong respectfully extended his arm, “Please, Madam.”

As he responded, “After your contract with Hezhou Entertainment ended, you only have one agent and one assistant, which is inconvenient.”

“Mr. He specially—”

He emphasized the last four words, then continued, “Set up a new studio for you, including a PR team, a legal team, and so on. The styling team from the He family has also been incorporated into your studio.”

“Manager Meng will continue to be your executive agent for daily work, but for the studio’s operations, we’ve invited the top domestic agent, Ms. Fu Yuan.”

As he spoke, they had already entered the half-open meeting room.

Qin Mang lifted her gaze, and her eyes first landed on the person sitting at the main seat.

Fu Yuan stood up, dressed in a professional suit, her face delicate but expressionless. The silver Bluetooth earphones gave her a mechanical, robotic feel, with an air of grandeur and restraint.

She exuded an aura that made people instinctively trust her.

The key point was, she was Fu Yuan!

Qin Mang hadn’t even spoken yet when she heard a sharp breath from beside her.

Qin Mang didn’t understand what “Fu Yuan” represented, but Meng Ting knew, and he understood the weight of this name.

It was practically a major bug in the agent world.

It was said that the first talent she brought out, within two years, went from an ordinary newcomer to a top-tier male singer, now at the level of a “god of singing.” Later, she continued to bring out movie kings and queens, and three of the top eight stars in the industry were all under her guidance.

In total, in just ten years, she had mentored six talents, each with an unshakable position in the industry.

Meng Ting, afraid of embarrassing Qin Mang, calmed himself down and whispered a few words to her.

Qin Mang’s eyes were beautiful and clear. After learning about Fu Yuan’s identity, she wasn’t as excited as Meng Ting had imagined. Instead, she remained calm and composed, walking to the seat across from Fu Yuan, raising her delicate chin slightly. “Let’s introduce ourselves.”

Meng Ting:?

As expected of a young lady.

Look at that mentality.

If anyone else in the industry knew Fu Yuan was becoming their agent, they would treat her like a treasure. Only Qin Mang would ask her to introduce herself…

It was like an interview.

And indeed, Qin Mang treated it like an interview.

She had casually selected an agent before, signed with an agency, and almost got scammed.

Meng Ting, though competent, wasn’t able to protect her from all the pitfalls.

Meng Ting quietly reminded her to mind her manners.

“Of course.”

Unexpectedly, Fu Yuan agreed first.

It truly felt like an interview. Fu Yuan introduced herself, including her achievements over the years. She didn’t exaggerate or be modest, but laid it out clearly, logically, and at the end, had a plan for Qin Mang’s future.

Qin Mang’s red lips slowly curled into a smile.

She was very satisfied with the new agent that He Lingji had chosen for her.

Anyone who could enter this meeting room was essentially the backbone of Qin Mang’s future work team. Seeing that Fu Yuan had been “interviewed,” they naturally didn’t dare to act overly confident and obediently introduced themselves.

An hour later.

Qin Mang, who had been leaning in her chair the entire time, appeared indifferent, but she had listened attentively to everyone’s speech.

Finally, she extended her hand:

“Fu Yuan, I look forward to working with you.”

“Qin Mang, I look forward to working with you.”

Despite knowing Qin Mang’s identity, Fu Yuan didn’t address her as Mrs. He but instead used her name.

A hint of pleasure flickered in Qin Mang’s eyes.

Under the bright white light, the two slender hands shook.

At that moment, no one knew what kind of storm they would stir up in the entertainment industry.

Before leaving, Fu Yuan said, “The movie *Soul Night*, we’ll handle it.”

“I have a script for a similar-level movie in hand. *Fading Glory* is a big male-lead film, with less screen time for the female lead, so it’s easy for the male lead to overshadow her. But considering your current status, it’s still a good opportunity.”

It was more than just a good opportunity.

Meng Ting felt guilty, thinking that the scripts he had given Qin Mang last time were completely outclassed.

As expected of Fu Yuan, her first offer was an S+.

She didn’t even need an audition!

It was him who had delayed Qin Mang’s career.

“Are you taking it?”

“I’ll take it.”

She was just starting out, so having a movie to shoot was already a good thing.

Qin Mang glanced at the time. Lunch break was almost over.

She directly left Meng Ting to handle the handover with Fu Yuan and casually went to the CEO’s office.

The emerald green dress swirled in the air, creating a beautiful curve.

No stage.

No spotlight.

But it felt like she was everywhere.

She was a natural-born star.

She was also a natural-born actress.

Fu Yuan withdrew her gaze and casually said, “Let’s continue the meeting.”

…

In the CEO’s office.

He Lingji had finished his meeting and was reviewing documents when suddenly, a door creaked open.

It was very faint, like it was being opened secretly.

Secretary Cong would knock on the door.

It was clearly not him.

He wouldn’t dare.

He Lingji casually looked up, and the first thing he saw was a little head peeking out from the large door crack. The lively green ribbon hanging down, and at the end, he saw the little white lion embroidered on it.

He couldn’t help but think of the lion emoji stickers his wife loved to send.

It looked like a picture of someone peeking out.

He smiled faintly, his voice calm and clear: “Miss Qin, are you trying to peek at the He Corporation’s commercial secrets?”

“I knew you wouldn’t have anything good to say!”

“Do I need to peek at the He Corporation’s secrets?”

“I already know the biggest secret!”

Originally, Qin Mang had planned to scare him a little, but since she was caught, she stopped pretending and pushed the door open with both hands, curiously looking around.


The office was spacious and futuristic in design—even the ceiling was made of cold metallic lines, creating a strong sense of technology.

However, Qin Mang thought the place quite matched He Lingji’s temperament.

Luxurious and cold.

He Lingji toyed with a silver pen, his hand veins slightly bulging, exuding a chilling sense of danger.

The next moment—

The man curled his knuckles and tapped the desk. “Come here.”

“For what?”

“Interrogation.”

“?”

Qin Mang held a delicate lunchbox. Her rising gratitude immediately withered as she muttered under her breath, “What’s there to interrogate? The biggest secret of the He Group isn’t anything about noble elegance or untouchable aloofness. It’s that their President He is nothing more than a shameless beast. Hmph.”

“Mrs. He, that’s slander—”

Before He Lingji could finish, Qin Mang snapped open the lunchbox.

The originally juicy and fresh navel oranges had turned a little limp after a few hours of being carried around.

“Navel oranges?”

“President He, you really do know a lot.”

The girl’s slightly flushed eyes lifted, her already soft and seductive voice deliberately drawn out, sounding even sweeter than the oranges themselves.

He Lingji met those tender eyes, burning with tiny flames, and finally realized why she was angry.

Completely unfazed by the setting.

He parted his thin lips slightly. “What, don’t you like it?”

“Of course not!”

She was a refined and elegant lady—how could she possibly like that…!

Ahhhh!

How did he manage to twist things like this?

She only ever sat that way to get closer to his waist.

But—liking his waist and liking that position—

Either reason was impossible to explain out loud!

Qin Mang placed a hand on the desk, her 12cm heels making her appear every bit the commanding queen. She kept a stern face.

Out of respect for the amazing team he built for her, Qin Mang resisted the urge to throw the box of oranges straight at his head.

Wash his brain with oranges.

Fight poison with poison.

From her angle, she could clearly see the man’s sharp nose bridge, flawless side profile, his slicked-back hair with a few strands falling loosely against his forehead—softening his otherwise distant look into something a bit more relaxed and roguish.

Undeniably—

He was very handsome and charming.

She couldn’t quite bring herself to throw the oranges.

Facing Mrs. He’s sharp gaze, He Lingji calmly sat in his office chair. He even took the time to finish reading and signing a document.

In an idle tone: “Oh, but every time you’re in that position—”

He set down the pen, poured her a glass of warm water himself, and slid it across the desk with his long fingers. “…It’s always a lot.”

Qin Mang stared at the glass of nearly overflowing warm water.

Her dark pupils dilated.

Even her delicate swan neck flushed red.

!

Who was doing it a lot!

Every time she started thinking slightly better of him, He Lingji would always find a way to say something that utterly destroyed his image.

What kind of decent man says something like that?

Her calm cracked once again!

Qin Mang was the kind of person who got calmer the angrier she became. Her red lips curved into a smile.

Lifting her skirt, she walked around the cold, wide desk and sat directly on his lap.

Her recently manicured fingers—ice-blue gradient blush nails, elegant and cool—picked up a piece of orange, now laced with a touch of dangerous allure.

Those hours-old oranges obviously weren’t edible anymore.

Poison him!

She slowly lifted the piece of fruit to his lips and said sweetly:

“My lord, have an orange.”

Outside the door, Secretary Cong was just about to knock when he almost burst into laughter. His raised hand froze on the door. On closer look, veins popped out on his restrained hand.

Cong Zhen recalled every sad memory of his life a hundred times over.

Just as he calmed down and hesitated whether to go in—

He Lingji’s cold voice came from inside: “Come in.”

Cong Zhen composed himself, face wooden, and handed over the next set of documents solemnly. “Senior executive meeting in ten minutes.”

It was a small meeting.

So it would be held right in He Lingji’s office.

He looked at the ceiling and floor, daring not to glance at the pair in front of him.

Afraid of seeing what he shouldn’t.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a nearly overflowing glass of water on the desk. He whispered, “Shall I bring the Madam some coffee instead?”

Unexpectedly—

His usually aloof boss actually picked up the glass of water and said with a low chuckle:

“Mrs. He just loves drinking…”

Qin Mang could no longer hear the word *water*.

She had planned to save face—for both herself and He Lingji—in front of others.

But this dog of a man—

Ignoring that Cong Zhen was still present, she reached out and tried to cover his mouth with her hand.

“Shut up!”

“Don’t you dare!”

But his long fingers easily caught her wrist.

And due to the force—

Qin Mang fell right into He Lingji’s arms.

The next second—

“Ow—!”

All he could smell was her rich fragrance.

Cong Zhen’s face was expressionless.

His mental system had already crashed.

Why did he always walk in at *these* moments?

…

In the CEO’s lounge, inside the restroom—

Qin Mang pulled down her delicate shoulder strap slightly.

Staring at the mirror—

A patch of skin just below her collarbone was flushed a deep red, as if smeared thick with rouge.

She rubbed the sorest spot.

It hurt like hell.

Didn’t he know how sensitive this area was on girls?!

All his fault for having such a sharp, hard nose!

Ten minutes later—

The executives all sat quietly, pretending not to notice President He’s rumpled collar or the elegant green ribbon—clearly from a woman—draped over the armrest.

He Lingji, calm as ever, casually picked up the ribbon Qin Mang had left, his fingers gently brushing over the embroidered white lion at the end.

With a half-smile, he glanced around and said in the same steady voice, “My wife brought me lunch—”

“That’s all.”

“Understand?”

“Yes, yes, we understand.”

Who would dare *not* to understand?

And so—

The He Group’s big news that day became:

Mrs. He brought President He lunch. The couple is deeply in love.

Previously, the idea that President He even had a wife didn’t feel real.

Ever since the marriage announcement, she’d neither been seen nor heard from. Now that she suddenly appeared—it was explosive.

He Group’s chat:

【Kinda jealous. I want my wife to bring me lunch too. But mine’s busier than I am.】
【Did Mrs. He really cook that lunch herself?】
【Ahhh she’s so talented and gentle, the perfect noble lady.】
【Anyone still saying their marriage is purely business can shut up.】
【President He said it himself—his wife brought him lunch today!】
【They’re totally showing off their love!】
【Come on, savor the details.】

And just like that—

By afternoon, rumors spread across the entire company that Mrs. He had personally cooked a table full of delicious food to help nourish President He’s body.

Very vivid and specific.

In reality—

After the short meeting, the secretary brought in the president’s exclusive lunch.

It had *nothing* to do with Qin Mang.

The only connection?

She ate it.

While He Lingji sat in front of an elegant crystal plate—

Covered in fresh, juicy navel oranges.

Not the ones Qin Mang brought.

Those had been delivered by the butler.

Qin Mang bit into a piece of sweet and sour spare rib, eyes narrowing in delight as she smiled.

“Finish that plate, and I’ll forgive you for accidentally crashing into my little bear. Plus, I’ll even give you a gift.”

He Lingji didn’t like sweet things.

Thinking of how she had almost cried from the pain just now, he couldn’t help but rub his brow. For the sake of family harmony, he slowly and deliberately took a bite.

“Mm, no wonder Mrs. He likes it. It really is fresh and juicy…”

*Plop.*

The small rib fell into the plate.

Qin Mang: “…”

She had underestimated him again.

It felt like he wasn’t eating the orange, but rather—
No! She couldn’t think about it any further!

Qin Mang had almost finished eating. She suddenly stood up and headed toward the door.

She was afraid if she stayed any longer, she’d actually consider murdering her husband.

He Lingji calmly called out to her, “Where’s the gift?”

Damn it.
This bastard really never lets himself suffer even a little loss.

To prevent him from saying anything outrageous again, Qin Mang—who hadn’t prepared a gift—paused in her steps. She rummaged through the small bag she carried with her, digging for a long while, until she suddenly found two rings in the corner.

Their wedding rings?

Her slender index finger hooked one of the silver men’s rings.

A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

She finally remembered.

Last time, she’d originally planned to coax him a bit after seeing that he had publicly acknowledged being married—but hadn’t revealed her identity. She wanted to return the favor. But then she got caught up in acting and forgot all about it.

It had been in her bag all along, unnoticed.

She had intended to give it to He Lingji back then, but forgot.

Now was the perfect time.

Qin Mang turned around, took He Lingji’s left hand, measured the size, and finally chose his ring finger to slide the ring onto.

A slender, fair woman’s hand—clearly feminine—was now resting on a clean and well-proportioned male hand.

Qin Mang: “I’m giving this to you.”

He Lingji glanced at it for a few seconds.

Then suddenly smiled. “If I remember correctly, I was the one who bought this wedding ring.”

“Isn’t it inappropriate to present Buddha with borrowed flowers?”

Qin Mang toyed with his knuckles and suddenly smiled, her red lips curving: “President He, you’ve got it wrong.”

“What I’m giving you isn’t a ring, it’s—”

She leaned in slightly and whispered in his ear, enunciating clearly: “A chastity lock.”

“You’d better keep it locked tight.”

More importantly—

“Be a decent man.”

With that, the slender and graceful girl turned and strode off.

Arrogant and dazzling.

Ha. Ha. Ha.

Today’s agenda not only landed her a top-tier team, but she’d also won a round against He Lingji. Qin Mang was in an extremely good mood.

Meng Ting felt a bit like he was dreaming.

He had just finished the handover with Fu Yuan.

Actually, there wasn’t much for Qin Mang to hand over—most of it was follow-up work.

“I’m letting you work under Fu Yuan. You’re not unhappy about that, are you?”

Qin Mang was always blunt. It was rare for her to care about her agent’s mental health.

Meng Ting nearly jumped out of the car. “What are you talking about!”

“That’s Fu Yuan we’re talking about!”

How could he possibly be dissatisfied?

“What, is she your goddess?”

Meng Ting actually blushed and smiled, “Idol.”

“Alright then. I’m still your agent, Fu Yuan’s in charge of overall management.”

He masked his delight and showed Qin Mang the new script. “Look!”

“*Illusions of Splendor* script!”

“But the female lead is a sickly beauty who’s so thin she could be blown over by the wind. You’ll need to lose weight before joining the crew.”

Qin Mang was already slim.

But hers wasn’t an unhealthy thinness—it was a perfectly proportioned, elegant slimness. Every inch of her was exquisite and flawless, not a bit more or less.

Qin Mang curled her lips. She was in a good mood today.

Even hearing this troubling news didn’t faze her.

…

As the last wisp of the girl’s teasing scent faded away,
the spacious CEO’s office returned to its usual calm and cold atmosphere.

The man sitting behind the desk didn’t rush to get back to work.

Instead, he slowly rotated the low-key wedding ring on his ring finger—
turning it over and over,
with a deliberate grace that carried an air of untouchable mystery and nobility.

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