Volume 1 Chapter 14: Picking Up My Husband from Work  

Jiang Ya didn’t have many hobbies.  

Painting was one of them.  

It seemed she was born with an innate talent for it.  

Even if she couldn’t remember anything, the moment she picked up a brush, she could effortlessly sketch the most beautiful scenery.  

Their home had a dedicated art studio, where most of her finished paintings were stored.  

One day, she casually asked why there were no paintings from her past in the studio.  

Shi Jianchuan simply replied, “I don’t know.”  

His mood had been off that entire day.  

Qin Ya didn’t understand what was going on, so she didn’t press further about the paintings.  

Her relationship with Shi Jianchuan had improved quite a bit.  

At the very least, he no longer avoided her like the plague. Occasionally, she even managed to sneak in a chance to hold his hand.  

Qin Ya was beyond satisfied.  

Boiling a frog in warm water—she believed that, given enough time, she would eventually win him over.  

Qin Ya’s alarm went off. She packed her things, changed her clothes, and headed out.  

On her way out, she ran into Aunt Wang.  

Aunt Wang smiled. “Madam, are you going to pick up President Shi from work again?”  

“Of course! A wife should spoil her own husband.”  

“You two are so sweet together.”  

Qin Ya grabbed her keys. “Aunt Wang, I’m craving hot pot tonight. Can we make it in time?”  

“Hahaha, of course, of course! I’ll start preparing right away.”  

Qin Ya waved. “Aunt Wang, I’m off!”  

The underground garage housed dozens of luxury cars. Shi Jianchuan usually only drove one or two of them, while the rest seemed to match Qin Ya’s taste—extravagant, flashy, but undeniably stunning.  

Qin Ya walked past rows of pink, purple, and red supercars.  

Then, on a whim, she decided to switch things up today.  

She chose a sleek motorcycle and patted its head. “Alright, you’re the one for today.”  

She put on her helmet, revved the engine, and sped off.  

Outside Qin Corporation.  

Employees leaving work spotted Shi Jianchuan standing downstairs and greeted him one after another.  

“President Shi.”  

“President Shi, see you tomorrow.”  

“President Shi, I’m heading out first.”  

“President Shi.”  

Shi Jianchuan gave them a slight nod.  

On the first day, the employees had been surprised to see him there.  

The underground garage was on the first basement level, and Shi Jianchuan’s elevator usually went straight down. The chances of running into him at the company entrance were slim.  

And then, they saw it.  

President Qin, driving a supercar to pick up President Shi.  

Cold, hard dog food was being shoved down their throats.  

Vice President Lin had been away on a business trip for the past few days and had just returned. As he drove out of the garage, he spotted Shi Jianchuan waiting by the roadside and found it odd.  

He pulled over and rolled down the window. “President Shi, did you not drive today? Hop in, I’ll give you a ride.”  

Shi Jianchuan’s lips curled slightly. “No need. The one at home insisted on picking me up. She should be here soon.”  

Vice President Lin: ?  

The one at home?  

“President Qin?”  

Shi Jianchuan nodded faintly, though he seemed slightly troubled. “It’s over an hour round trip. I told her not to bother.”  

Vice President Lin: ?  

Had the world changed this much in just the few days he’d been away?  

The lower-level employees might not know, but those in higher positions were well aware—President Qin and President Shi’s relationship had been strained. There were even rumors they were on the verge of divorce after several public outbursts from President Qin.  

What had he missed?  

Before he could process it further, a motorcycle executed a sharp drift and came to a stop right in front of them.

The person on the motorcycle wore a helmet, their face obscured.  

Dressed in denim shorts, their legs were pale and long.  

Qin Ya took off her helmet, her hair cascading down as her radiant smile outshone the sun.  

“Honey, I’m here to pick you up from work.”  

From somewhere, she produced a single rose.  

“A gift for today. You’ve worked hard.”  

Vice President Lin: “…”  

He seemed to be hallucinating.  

Shi Jianchuan’s gaze flickered over Qin Ya’s legs, his brow imperceptibly furrowing.  

“President Qin.”  

Employees who hadn’t left yet greeted her warmly.  

Qin Ya waved back. “Hello, everyone. You’ve worked hard today too—go home and rest early.”  

“Sure, President Qin. You and President Shi should too.”  

Shi Jianchuan wasn’t happy whenever anyone exchanged more than a few words with Qin Ya.  

He took the rose from her, then grabbed the helmet and put it on. With a long stride, he settled onto the back of the motorcycle.  

“Let’s go.”  

“Wait, there’s one more thing.”  

Qin Ya reached back, guiding Shi Jianchuan’s hand to her waist and pressing it firmly against her.  

Her top wasn’t long either, revealing a sliver of skin.  

Shi Jianchuan’s hand fit perfectly there.  

“Like this. Otherwise, you might fall off later.”  

A chorus of teasing erupted around them.  

Neither Qin Ya nor Shi Jianchuan was the type to blush easily, so they ignored the commotion entirely.  

Qin Ya waved to the others, started the engine, and rode off with Shi Jianchuan.  

In high spirits, she said, “I finished another painting today—it’s for you. See if you like it when we get back.”  

“Let’s have hot pot tonight. It’s been ages.”  

“How was work today? Tiring?”  

Her voice, muffled by the helmet, lost some of its usual clarity as it carried on the wind.  

Shi Jianchuan responded with a noncommittal, “Mm.”  

His hand rested on Qin Ya’s waist—she had trained in dance, so her waist was slender and supple.  

Shi Jianchuan knew this. He had tested it before.  

In those reckless nights.  

When Qin Ya had begged him through tears to let her go.  

Now, he was holding her again.  

Qin Ya’s shorts left her legs exposed, and his hand brushed against her smooth, milky skin.  

Shi Jianchuan’s breathing grew tight, the light in his eyes flickering. The scent in the air turned cloyingly sweet.  

Qin Ya’s words became indistinct, fading from his awareness.  

She was like a Siren, every movement luring him deeper, tempting him to drown without remorse.  

“Honey! My phone’s ringing—can you answer it for me?”  

Shi Jianchuan didn’t react to her first call.  

Qin Ya raised her voice and repeated, “Honey, my phone’s ringing. It’s in my pocket—get it for me.”  

“Mm.”  

Shi Jianchuan’s movements were stiff.  

Qin Ya had worn ultra-short shorts today, and her phone was tucked into a pocket at an awkward angle. As he reached for it, his fingers inevitably grazed more of her skin.  

His hand burned—so hot that Qin Ya squirmed slightly.  

*His body temperature is so high…*  

*Perfect for cuddling in winter.*  

*If only I could win him over before winter comes.*  

Qin Ya’s mind was full of indecent thoughts.  

Shi Jianchuan answered the call. On the other end, Aunt Wang’s voice came through.  

While prepping ingredients, she had realized they were out of garlic and wanted them to pick some up on their way home.  

She was in the middle of simmering the hot pot broth and couldn’t leave.  

Her tone was apologetic—she could have sworn there had been some garlic left in the fridge.

“Don’t worry, Aunt Wang. Someone planted the garlic from the fridge in a flower pot, so we’re just buying some to take back,” said Shi Jianchuan.