Lu Qing really expected her to feed him one bite at a time, not missing even a single mouthful. Qin Miaomiao was practically rolling her eyes—her hand was sore, alright!
Finally done feeding him, she had just set the bowl down when she was pulled sharply, directly into his arms.
"Wha... what are you doing?"
Before she could finish her sentence, her pants were... cough cough. Lu Qing took one look and his face immediately darkened.
"Your... relative came to visit?"
Qin Miaomiao’s face turned a little red, but Lu Qing was utterly out of luck now. He hugged her tightly in his arms and began nibbling on her fiercely, grumbling:
"You tempting little vixen, you did this on purpose."
"I swear, I’m innocent!"
"Little Jin’er, what happened to your hand?"
Qin Miaomiao froze awkwardly; there was no way she could tell Ninth Uncle the truth.
Lu Qing, on the other hand, looked smug as he chuckled softly and said, "Miao Miao exhausted herself last night. Here, drink some porridge and replenish your energy."
Ninth Uncle’s gaze instantly cooled. This punk, flaunting in front of him? Unacceptable!
"Young Master Lu, you seem very busy with work. I won’t keep you here any longer."
Punk, hurry up and eat, then scram!
"Ninth Uncle, you’re too kind. I’m a man of leisure, and as long as Miao Miao is here, I must be here too."
Trying to chase him away? Keep dreaming!
"A grown man, lounging about with no serious business—you’re worthless."
Punk, just looking at you is irritating. Get out!
"Being with Miao Miao is my most important business."
Oh, I’m staying, alright—staying right here to annoy you!
Qin Miaomiao watched the undercurrents between the two men and quietly finished her porridge. Then she stood up:
"Ninth Uncle, I have company matters to attend to. I’ll come visit you another day."
She had work, so Mr. Jiu naturally wouldn’t insist on keeping her. Just as Lu Qing was about to rise, Mr. Jiu pressed his shoulder down:
"Young Master Lu, you can’t just come and go here as you please. Stay for a match. You can leave only if you win."
Lu Qing narrowed his eyes. "And if I lose?"
"Then you’ll stay out of Liyuan from now on."
Well, well, how insidious! Even pulling a stunt . Lu Qing agreed without hesitation:
"Alright, it’s a deal!"
Half an hour later, Lu Qing, looking smug as ever, wrapped his arm around Qin Miaomiao and strutted out of Liyuan’s gates. Turning back, he waved at Mr. Jiu:
"Ninth Uncle, I’ll be sure to drop by, plenty more often!"
Mr. Jiu’s face darkened. "Get lost, you brat!"
Qin Miaomiao was completely done with these two by now. Whenever they clashed, it was a constant back-and-forth, impossible to mediate.
"Lu Qing, could you maybe give my Ninth Uncle a little face here?"
Lu Qing rubbed her head and squinted as he smiled, though his smile somehow still felt a bit unsettling:
"What, are you siding with your Ninth Uncle?"
Her hair was practically a bird’s nest now! Qin Miaomiao angrily swatted his hand away. Ugh, men could be so childish!
When she returned to the company, Lu Qing naturally had his own affairs to handle. But as soon as she walked in, she saw Lin Han. Dressed in a black-and-white Chanel office set, she stood there respectfully. Admittedly, her looks were decent, and with formal attire, she did have an air of competence. The moment she saw him, her eyes lit up:
"What are you doing here?"
Han Shu, standing nearby, explained, "Madam’s instructions—Miss Lin is to be your personal assistant."
Lu Qing’s brows knit slightly. His mother’s instructions? Since when did she have a say in company matters?
"I don’t need a personal assistant. Tell her to report to Linda instead. You, follow me inside."
Han Shu let out a quiet sigh of relief and shot Lin Han a look of sympathy. The boss was famously headstrong, never allowing anyone to interfere—not even his mother.