Chapter 20 – Shuhui Feels Even Qin Yushen’s Breathing Is Wrong!

The councilor greeted with a warm smile, shaking hands with Qin Yushen.

The senior host followed, apologetic.
“Sorry, Mr. Qin. To have startled your wife—please forgive us. I’ll have people clean up and restore order right away.”

For an event organizer, apologies were always the safest move, whether at fault or not.

Lin Wenran was dragged out, mouth covered, while the onlookers quickly dispersed. The banquet soon returned to its glitter and laughter.

“Frightened?” Qin Yushen asked softly, lowering his gaze.

Shuhui stepped out of his arms, smoothed her dress, and cut him off before he could say more.
“I need to use the restroom.”

She needed space to calm down.

“Madam, let me accompany you. I know the way.” Gina volunteered quickly, ignoring Zhang Sheng’s bitter expression.

That’s what colleagues were for—throwing each other under the bus at critical times.

She couldn’t afford to face President Qin’s wrath, so best to flee.

At the restroom, away from Qin Yushen, Gina’s eyes behind her glasses regained their sharp, professional edge.
“Madam, I’ll wait for you outside.”

Shuhui nodded without a word.

She entered. Champagne-toned décor, an entire mirrored wall gleaming spotless, and an even heavier perfume scent than outside.

The counter was stocked with toiletries and cosmetics.

Water gushed as Shuhui washed her hands again and again. She wanted to splash her face but held back for the sake of her makeup.

Her thoughts churned.
Could it be that Lin Wenran had also been reborn? Or was it something even stranger?

A reborn person possessed privileged knowledge, almost godlike perspective. That naturally bred an air of superiority, making one prone to arrogance.

Shuhui herself sometimes slipped, inadvertently revealing traces of her past life.

That was why she’d immediately recognized something wrong in Wenran. Yet her arrogance felt peculiar—almost manic.

“Chosen by destiny”? Who said things like that?
What exactly gave her such confidence?

Shuhui couldn’t figure it out, only feeling more irritable. To lose the sole advantage of rebirth—that would make anyone uneasy.

Looks like she needed someone to keep a close eye on Wenran…

From behind, a woman emerged. Chic short hair, flawless makeup, a fishtail gown of pristine white.

Shuhui saw her through the mirror but didn’t turn around.

The woman washed her hands in silence before suddenly speaking.
“Miss Shu, that must have been a scare?” Her tone seemed kind, almost sympathetic.

Shuhui’s fingers stayed under the water. She didn’t look over, showing no interest in making acquaintances.

The woman didn’t mind, only smiled and left.

Outside, Gina glanced up as the stranger emerged—not the Madam, but still offered a greeting.
“Miss Fu.”

…

Wine glasses clinked, and the banquet wound to its close.

The official Weibo and Twitter accounts posted a group photo of the ladies in attendance, Shuhui at the center, elegant smile beside the gracious First Lady.

Caption: An evening of joy, opening the prelude to the summit.

Comments flooded in—celebratory, lively.

In the car afterward, Shuhui scrolled a little then exited the app without interest.

In her last life, she had never been in such photos—locked away in her room all night, no chance at all.

Thinking of it now seemed absurd, as if she’d been cursed.

But her thoughts inevitably circled back to Lin Wenran—frustrating dead ends that only worsened her mood.

In the Rolls-Royce, two cold, flawless faces—man and woman—sat in silence.

Zhang Sheng stole glances through the rearview mirror, despairing.

Whether he reported or not, either way spelled death: instantly tonight, or drawn-out tomorrow.

“Mr. Qin…” He forced himself to speak.

“Lin Wenran is indeed a probationary secretary in our department. She just joined. I failed to supervise properly, letting her blur personal motives with work, speak out of turn, and commit mistakes. The blame is mine.”

Qin Yushen gave no reply. Zhang Sheng’s nerves stretched taut.

Shuhui glanced at her husband, voice dripping sarcasm.
“Some presidents don’t even know who works in their own secretary’s office. Poor Assistant Zhang has to worry about everything for them.”

“……”
Zhang Sheng wanted to cry.
Couldn’t they fight without dragging him in?

Qin Yushen had thought Wenran was just attending with her family. When she approached, it seemed rude to dismiss her—he never imagined this fiasco.

His own face darkened, pressing fingers to his brow.
“Shuhui, there are many in the secretary’s office. Not everyone has the right to report directly to me—least of all an intern.”

“Didn’t your mother already beg you on her behalf?”

“I never agreed.”

“Pfft. That’s not what people say. ‘Secretary-lover’, isn’t that how the story goes?”

“Shuhui!” His temples throbbed.

She glared back. “Why are you yelling at me!”

“……”

Whether he’d lied, she could tell he hadn’t. She believed him mostly.

But her mood was too foul. Their voices clashed like sparks on dry gunpowder.

At this moment, Shuhui felt even Qin Yushen’s breathing was a mistake.

“Let’s talk when we’re calmer,” he finally softened.

She ignored him, turning her face to the blur of neon lights rushing past the window.

When gods quarrel, it’s the little ghosts who lose their heads.

“Zhang Sheng.”

His spine froze. “Yes, sir?”

“Lin Wenran—terminated immediately for gross misconduct. Investigate how she passed two rounds of review to get in. I want the report on my desk tomorrow.”

“Y-yes, sir.”

But Qin Yushen wasn’t done. His cold face remained stern, his words like death sentences.

“The entire secretary office will submit recent work reports tomorrow morning, and quarterly summaries within three days.”

“…Yes, sir…” Zhang Sheng’s heart sank like ice.

“And every staff member on external duty for this banquet—record a performance fault and deduct this month’s bonus.”

“Cough, cough… cough…”

From under her coat, Shuhui suddenly coughed, sniffling softly.

Qin Yushen frowned, pausing mid-command. He checked the air vent—warm air flowed steadily.

“Still cold?”

He shrugged off his jacket and laid it over her shoulders.

“Yes. The capitalist’s blood runs too cold—it chilled me through.”

“…………”

Everyone in the car understood the jab.

Zhang Sheng reacted fast, pinching his thigh to suppress tears of joy, then leapt to assist.
“Mr. Qin, your other instructions?”

Qin Yushen looked sideways at the woman bundled in his jacket, now silent. His voice eased.
“That’s all. Do as I said earlier.”

“Yes, sir!” Zhang Sheng nearly cheered.

Whatever happened to others, he didn’t care—but his own bonus was safe!

Thank heavens for Madam!

---

[Group Chat: “Aspiring to Be the CEO’s Secretary (11)”]

Lin Wenran has been removed by group admin Zhang Sheng.

Zhang Sheng: Come back, everyone. The secretary’s office is facing doom.
Zhang Sheng: @Gina, we owe Madam a kneel [crying emoji]