---

He seemed determined not to let me have even the slightest expectation.

In the next moment, he continued, “Don’t worry, he’s my brother. We’re not that kind of relationship. If you’re really concerned, after we get married, I’ll send him abroad. He’ll definitely listen to what I say.”

I felt as if I had been struck by lightning.

I even thought that he said this on purpose for me to hear.

Slap—

My palm warmly greeted his thick face.

Huo Beiming woke up.

---

My lips, marked by his bites, still had traces of blood that hadn’t dried.

Seeing this, he clicked his tongue, froze for a moment, and suddenly fled from the sofa.

After stepping back several paces, he frowned and hesitantly asked, “If I kiss you, why didn’t you dodge?”

I gave a wry smile.

“I thought you knew. Of course, it’s because I like you.”

I stood up and walked to his side.

“I’ve liked you since the moment we met. Didn’t you know?”

He shook his head repeatedly, stumbling back to the corner.

“But you’re my best brother.”

“Do brothers put their chins on each other’s shoulders?

“Do brothers perform magic tricks to make me happy when I’m angry?

“Do brothers hold my hand and write secret messages in my palm?

“Do brothers say they want to be with me for a lifetime?

“Zhang Fei and Guan Yu definitely wouldn’t do that.”

“Damn!” he cursed softly.

“Chen Qing, I admit that I like you, but it’s just brotherly love.

“If what I did gave you the wrong impression, I apologize. But… but we really can’t be together.

“Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you, I’m getting married. Sheng Sisi from the Shengshi Company, you know her. We… we’ve already set the date, and we’ll get engaged after the board election.”

I laughed.

“Then I wish you a happy marriage.”

I took a step forward and brushed the wall dust off his shoulder.

“I won’t force you. If you don’t like me, that’s fine.”

He left.

Leaving me alone in the double suite.

Back in the room, facing the carefully prepared items, I cried my heart out.

In fact, it was all just my one-sided feelings.

In one-sided love, you have to accept the consequences.

It really is time to leave.

---

The day before Huo Beiming’s engagement banquet, I had already completed my resignation procedures.

This meant that attending the banquet was not as a company employee, but as a brother.

Yes, after knowing each other for ten years, I finally placed myself in the right position.

But this position may not accommodate me anymore.

Since that day, whenever Huo Beiming saw me, he acted like a mouse seeing a cat.

He fled quickly.

I didn’t want to put him in a difficult position, so I took the initiative to resign.

Logically, at such a high position, I should receive a substantial severance payment.

In the end, I saved him some money.

Although this amount was just a drop in the bucket for the Huo family.

But by leaving voluntarily, I at least wouldn’t ruin our relationship.

After ten years of being “brothers,” it should end with dignity.

I don’t know how it happened, but news of my departure from Huo’s spread quickly.

This morning, I received job offers from at least six companies.

Among them was an olive branch from Huo Mingrui, the illegitimate son of the Huo family.

Here, I had no intention of considering him.

Although Huo Beiming and I had gone our separate ways, I certainly wouldn’t go to his rival’s side.

Of course, this was my thought before the engagement banquet started.

After the engagement banquet officially began, Sheng Sisi disappeared.

Everyone from the Huo family and Shengshi Group went out looking for her, and the venue became much emptier.

I was feeling a bit hungry, so I found a corner to nibble on the chocolate I brought with me.

By the way, my habit of always carrying chocolate was also because of Huo Beiming.

Two years ago, he randomly decided to compete with the young master of the Song family and took up extreme sports.

He was too timid, and as soon as he stood on the plane, his legs went weak.

After landing, he couldn’t even stand up.

Such incidents happened almost every month.

So, I developed the habit of always carrying a piece of chocolate in my pocket.

If someone asked why his legs were weak, I would say it was low blood sugar and then shove chocolate into his mouth.

By the time he slowly finished the chocolate, he was basically back to normal.

Such actions earned him a lot of face.

He appreciated that very much.

Now, looking at the chocolate, I took a hard bite.

I had long told myself not to think about him, yet I couldn’t help it.

“What? Bringing your own food to the banquet?”

A deep voice came from beside me.

---

I looked up.

It was Huo Mingrui—Huo Beiming’s half-brother, the illegitimate son raised outside by the Huo family.

His appearance and Huo Beiming were of two different styles.

If Huo Beiming was the typical romantic type,

then Huo Mingrui was the epitome of a charming villain.

He looked like a pure, enthusiastic young man full of life.

But anyone who knew him would understand how ruthless he could be, with a sweet mouth but a heart like a snake.

Yet he also had an extremely deceptive face.

With his curved eyebrows and drooping brows,

he appeared completely non-threatening.

He taught me a lesson—never judge a book by its cover.

“Why? Does young Master Huo want to eat too?”

He shamelessly extended his hand: “Eat.”

I helplessly broke off half for him.

“Why not come to my company?” he asked, “I think no one can offer better conditions than I can.”

“I’m tired from work and want to find a place to relax. I don’t want to work for a short time.”

“Ha ha ha, that excuse is really flimsy.”

I smiled at him: “I wouldn’t want to tell you that I hate you and don’t want any involvement, would I, young Master Huo?”

He snapped his fingers: “That’s the truth. No problem, take your time to think. As long as Chen Qing wants to come, Dreamway’s door will always be open for you.”

I sighed.

“You’re not afraid of losing out.”

He smiled and shook his head: “Not afraid. Chen Qing is worth this price.”

---

Just as we were chatting, Huo Beiming walked over.

---