“To be honest, darling, I’m worried if you have a female assistant around you. But I also don’t want you to always have someone like Yuan Mu, who is so careless. Since I don’t have much to do lately, why don’t I be your personal assistant for a while?”

After Bai Tao finished, she stole a glance at Pei Shi’s expression, waiting for a crazed look of surprise to appear on his face.

However, Pei Shi didn’t show any crazed surprise. Instead, his face darkened, and he almost immediately refused, “No.”

“Why?!” Bai Tao was incredulous. “Don’t you want to see me every day?”

“No.”

?

Just as Bai Tao was about to erupt, Pei Shi grabbed her shoulder. His expression was complicated, as if he were giving himself psychological preparation, “Our relationship is good.”

So what?

Pei Shi furrowed his brow and somewhat dryly explained, “So, of course I want to see you every day.”

“Then wouldn’t it be perfect for me to be your personal assistant?”

“But success requires restraining one’s desires and battling with one’s inner self.” Pei Shi’s expression was serious, and he spoke earnestly, “Although I want to see you every day, one must have self-control. As long as you’re around, I can’t think straight, can’t be rational, can’t work. So, do you understand? It’s better for you to stay at home.”

This sincere explanation struck Bai Tao deeply. How could she not understand? Maybe her classmates were right—all it took was a glance from her to make Pei Shi lose his senses. If she were to appear before him every day, his company might actually go bankrupt…

Oh, how embarrassing. Bai Tao couldn’t believe that five years later, she had become such a femme fatale in Pei Shi’s eyes.

“I understand…”

As she started to speak, Pei Shi across from her visibly relaxed, showing a relieved survivor’s expression.

Sometimes, this man could be quite adorable. Who would have thought that he could only focus on work when she wasn’t around?

But… the comic still needed to be submitted…

Bai Tao affectionately patted Pei Shi’s shoulder and said with a serious tone, “You know, some people are allergic to protein, but most foods contain protein. If you’re allergic and don’t treat it, your future life will be troublesome. So, desensitization therapy is necessary. For mild allergies, you start by gradually introducing small amounts of protein into your diet, allowing your body to get used to it…”

Pei Shi furrowed his brow, “What?”

Bai Tao tried to sound understanding, “Darling, I understand you. I know I’m your weakness, but you’re a mature man now and should learn to overcome human weaknesses.”

Pei Shi looked puzzled.

Bai Tao sighed, “You need to grow up. Here’s the deal—I won’t be your assistant long-term, but you do need to address this weakness of yours. So, I’ll be your temporary assistant for a couple of months, just like desensitization therapy. Otherwise, how will your business partners react if they find out about this weakness?”

“…” Pei Shi seemed to struggle to contain his intense emotions. He calmly said, “I think it’s unnecessary…”

“It is necessary.” Bai Tao smiled, “Besides, it’s a win-win situation. It’ll help you improve and become stronger while also providing me with material for my comic. I need the perspective and experience of being an assistant.”

“…”

“Alright, it’s settled then!” Bai Tao cheerfully exclaimed, “I’ll go to work with you tomorrow!”

“It might not look good…” Pei Shi continued to struggle, “Having you around might blur the line between public and private. Once employees know who you are, they won’t treat you like an ordinary junior staff member. In the end, it won’t achieve the experience you’re looking for. You should…”

“Nothing to worry about, darling!” Pei Shi was touched by Bai Tao’s appreciation for his meticulous consideration. She reassured him, “Although the news reports know us as deeply in love and inseparable, I’ve never publicized our photos. Everyone only knows me as a cartoonist. If we don’t say anything and threaten Yuan Mu that he’ll be fired if he dares to reveal anything, who else would know?”

Bai Tao cleverly concluded, “So, even if I’m by your side, we can just say I’m a newly hired personal assistant! There’s really no need to disclose my true identity! No one will treat me differently! I can still hide my identity and experience the joys and pains of being a junior staff member! This is totally fine!”

Feeling she might have focused too much on herself, Bai Tao quickly sent Pei Shi a flirtatious glance and added empathetically, “You see, with our relationship, even if I hide my name and stay by your side, just being able to watch over you from afar makes me content… I don’t need recognition… You don’t have to worry about not being able to acknowledge our relationship…” Bai Tao looked understandingly at Pei Shi, “It’s okay for me, darling. Being with you, just seeing you, is happiness to me.”

“…”

Author’s Note:

[Chubby Fortune Cat]’s [Little Theater]

Bai Tao: Oh my, my husband loves me so much, he’s so considerate and affectionate. What should I do? I’m so moved by my darned charm…

Pei Shi: IPO, my IPO. I can do it. I can sacrifice everything for the IPO. Money is my life. I can endure. Let’s go. I’m the most patient turtle.

[Slowly]’s [Little Theater]

Bai Tao: Sob, sob, my husband loves me so much.

Pei Shi: I don’t want the company anymore. Let me die.