Chapter 7

— “I can’t be away from you for even a minute.”

Hearing that from the expressionless big boss was akin to the power of an atomic bomb.

Thankfully, Xie Rongzhuo just wanted her to get something and go with him to the changing room to change clothes.

Even though Shen Mi had an unbreakable, strong heart, she couldn’t help but feel a little flustered when she heard the person in question repeat the boast she’d made. But her professional training allowed her to manage her expression well.

Shen Mi’s cheeks flushed slightly. She smiled and pointed outside, her voice calm, “You dropped one of your cufflinks, I’ll go find it. It shouldn’t take more than a minute.”

…What was she saying!!

She really was picking at a sore spot!

Xie Rongzhuo looked away, as if he was too lazy to respond to her.

Shen Mi hurried to the lounge and immediately spotted the diamond cufflink sparkling in the sunlight. She took a wet wipe from her bag, gently wiped the cufflink, and then wrapped it in tissue paper.

Leaning against the railing, Zhong Xu clicked his tongue, “He really can’t be away from you for even a second.”

He clearly overheard. He smiled at Shen Mi, “I knew he had a strong possessive streak when it came to things, but I didn’t expect it to extend to people. He couldn’t even bear to be away from you for a few moments while chatting with me. If you ever get a boyfriend, he’s going to be miserable. Shen Mi, you’re probably not going to have a chance to date.”

Shen Mi thought for two seconds, her eyes suddenly lit up, “Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Zhong!”

Zhong Xu was taken aback, “No, what did I remind you of?”

Shen Mi’s expression was firm, “I’ll promise the boss that I will not date during my employment and affect my work!”

Zhong Xu: “???”

Those who could stay by Xie Rongzhuo’s side were truly extraordinary.

•  

The changing room curtain had already been pulled back. Xie Rongzhuo lifted his chin slightly and adjusted his tie in the mirror.

When he was done, Shen Mi handed him the cufflink, “Boss.”

Xie Rongzhuo took it, bent down and fastened it, “What time is the dinner party?”

Shen Mi: “6:30 pm.”

“You’re coming too.” Xie Rongzhuo put on his jacket.

Shen Mi: “Okay.”

After Zhong Xu’s unintentional reminder, Shen Mi was no longer as embarrassed.

She was Xie Rongzhuo’s secretary, wasn’t it normal for him to be inseparable from her? Bosses would love for their employees to be on the job 24/7, could it be that Xie Rongzhuo hired a secretary just to “leave” him?

Moreover, there’s nothing wrong with the boss valuing and appreciating employees; she didn’t need to act shyly as if she had something to hide.

This logic was flawless, and Shen Mi successfully regained her lost composure, straightening her chest.

Xie Rongzhu glanced at her and walked out of the changing room with long strides.

Zhong Guangpu changed into a long tunic and began discussing business matters with Xie Rongzhu while escorting him to the parking lot. After talking for a while, he switched the topic to his family’s pet dog that had just given birth to a litter of puppies, asking Xie Rongzhu if he was interested.

Zhong Xu said, “Having someone with severe cleanliness issues raise a pet, aren’t you making it difficult for him? You don’t need to promote it everywhere; I can take care of it for you.”

“You should just focus on managing your company well. Even if I let you raise it, you wouldn’t do it properly; it’s better to send it to your Aunt Lin. She can raise it to be plump and healthy, which is more satisfying to look at.”

Xie Rongzhu looked at Shen Mi’s face and suddenly added, “It is.”

Shen Mi met his gaze in confusion; it was hard not to suspect from Xie Rongzhu’s expression that he wanted to raise something too.

It wasn’t until they said goodbye to Zhong Guangpu and sat in the car that Shen Mi realized the meaning behind Xie Rongzhu’s earlier look.

— It was saying she had gained weight.

Had she really gained two pounds? Was it that obvious???

“Let’s get together when we return to Beijing.”

Zhong Xu was a chatterbox and a natural at making friends. After speaking, he leaned against the car window and smiled charmingly: “Shen Mi, call me back later—” before he could finish.

Xie Rongzhu said: “Drive.”

The driver slammed on the gas pedal, and Zhong Xu was startled and flung back a long way.

Shen Mi: “…”

This possessiveness of the boss was truly a bit abnormal.

He treated his secretary like this, so how would he treat his girlfriend… wouldn’t he tie her up and lock her in a small dark room, only allowing her to speak to him?

On the third day of being in Rongcheng, Shen Mi spent almost the entire day with Xie Rongzhu, except for showering, sleeping, and using the restroom. She didn’t dare to play on her phone at all, trying to make a good impression.

Zhang Zhiqing couldn’t take it anymore and bombarded her with a series of calls: “You promised to call me back after work, it’s been four days, have you even returned home?!”

Shen Mi: “…”

She always ditched people, but now she was the one being left hanging for days. Zhang, the little miss, was furious.

Shen Mi: “It has nothing to do with my boss, I just wanted to make a good impression and couldn’t reply to your message in time, it’s my fault. Tell me, how do you want me to make it up to you?”

“Oh, you’re so annoying, I’m not here to accuse you! I’m just worried about you! How can being a secretary be so tiring, when I was a secretary for my ex-boyfriend, I slept in his office every day.”

“He’s my boss, not my boyfriend.” Shen Mi said, “You were playing games with your ex-boyfriend, I’m seriously trying to survive.”