Volume 1, Chapter 39: The Ascetic and Refined High-Mountain Flower

Ever since Song Qinian transferred to the planning department, she rarely crossed paths with Shen Chiyan unless she went out of her way to do so. Furthermore, this was the employee elevator, not the private one reserved for the CEO.

When she saw Shen Chiyan standing there, Song Qinian stopped abruptly. Miao Zi’ai and Shen Yushu followed suit, noticing him only a moment later.

"Mr. Shen..."

The two of them greeted him respectfully, and Song Qinian quickly steadied herself and gave him a nod. All three remained standing still; Shen Chiyan’s presence was so overwhelming and intimidating that no one dared share an elevator with him.

"Are you not coming in?"

At his command, Shen Yushu stepped in first, keeping his head low as he stood behind Shen Chiyan. Seeing this, Miao Zi’ai nudged Song Qinian, and the two followed. Miao Zi’ai moved faster than Song Qinian, scurrying to stand behind Shen Chiyan and stealing glances at him with a look of infatuation.

Just as Song Qinian tried to move past, Shen Chiyan’s tall frame subtly blocked her path. She looked up at him, and seeing his expressionless gaze fixed on her, she didn't dare move again. She stood obediently in front of him, trying her best to be invisible. It was only a matter of seconds; she could endure it.

From his height, Shen Chiyan could see the back of Song Qinian’s fair, delicate neck and her small, charming earlobes. His cold, dark eyes suddenly dimmed, and he felt his palms itch.

Suddenly, the elevator shuddered and emitted a loud, rhythmic thudding sound.

"Ah!"

Miao Zi’ai screamed in terror, grabbing onto Shen Yushu for dear life. Song Qinian was also startled. Immediately after, the elevator jerked to a halt. The lights flickered before dying out completely.

"Ah... what’s happening? Is the elevator broken?"

Shen Yushu, pained by Miao Zi’ai’s tight grip, whispered, "Mr. Shen is here, don't be afraid." Hearing this, Miao Zi’ai calmed down slightly.

The elevator had an emergency intercom, and upon hearing Shen Chiyan’s voice, the maintenance crew seemed ready to grow wings and fly to their location.

The darkness made it hard for Song Qinian to breathe. Just as she moved toward a corner to lean against the wall, a warm palm suddenly covered the back of her neck. Before she could react, a body radiating immense pressure enveloped her.

It was Shen Chiyan. What was he doing?

***

Song Qinian was trembling with fear from his embrace when, in the next second, her earlobe was captured by Shen Chiyan’s mouth. Her body shuddered violently, and a surge of electric sensation made her legs go weak.

He was insane! This man was absolutely insane! First the haunted house, and now this—the elevator! There were other people in here! Wasn't he afraid...?

"Where is the bell?"

Shen Chiyan’s voice was a low murmur. After asking, he bit lightly at her neck, as if he didn't care for her answer at all and had only asked in passing.

Song Qinian was terrified to the core. The elevator was neither large nor small; didn't he want to keep their relationship a secret? Why was he doing this? Was he punishing her just because she wasn't wearing the bell?

The sound of footsteps outside was chaotic; the rescue crew must have arrived. Song Qinian was desperate. She pushed against Shen Chiyan, but instead of pushing him away, she only irritated him. He gripped her chin, turned her face to the side, and kissed her.

"Mr. Shen, are you alright? Please bear with us for a moment, we will get you out immediately."

Miao Zi’ai exclaimed excitedly, "Great! Someone is here to save us. Qinian... Qinian, where are you? Are you okay?"

Miao Zi’ai finally remembered her friend. Song Qinian’s face drained of color. Driven by desperation, she hardened her heart and pinched the soft flesh at Shen Chiyan’s waist with all her might. In the next second, Shen Chiyan gripped her chin, forced her mouth open, and deepened the kiss with his tongue.

The moment the elevator doors opened, Shen Chiyan released her. Song Qinian bolted out first, and after Miao Zi’ai gave a quick nod to Shen Chiyan, she chased after her.

"Qinian, what’s wrong? Were you scared stiff? Oh my, why are your face and ears so red?"

Song Qinian desperately wanted to cover Miao Zi’ai’s mouth. Even if she didn't speak, no one would mistake her for a mute! Seeing everyone looking at her, Song Qinian wanted to dig a hole and hide.

"It must be that it was too hot in the elevator. I’m sweating all over."

Seeing Shen Yushu provide an excuse, Song Qinian nodded quickly.

As they exited the building, Song Qinian couldn't help but look back. Shen Chiyan was talking to the security manager and the maintenance workers. His expression was as cold and distant as ever, as if he weren't the one who had just behaved like a beast in the elevator.

This man truly had two faces.

***

The three of them went to a Thai restaurant. While eating, Miao Zi’ai was still mooning over the incident.

"Oh my god, Mr. Shen is so handsome and gives such a sense of security. Standing next to him, I wouldn't even be afraid if it were the end of the world."

Song Qinian gave Miao Zi’ai a complicated look, speechless.

"Hey, don't you think a high-mountain flower like Mr. Shen—so stoic and refined—is the type that no woman could ever pull down from his pedestal? I can't even imagine what he would be like when he’s moved by passion."

Song Qinian: "..."

Stoic? Refined? She had thought the same thing during the first three years of their marriage. Now, she realized that Shen Chiyan never deprived himself of anything, and he particularly loved to experiment with various positions in all sorts of places. The mere thought made her face heat up.

Halfway through the meal, while Miao Zi’ai was in the restroom, Shen Yushu looked at Song Qinian and asked as if in passing, "Qinian, are you very close with Mr. Shen’s sister... the one we met at the amusement park, Shen Keqin?"

Song Qinian wondered why he would suddenly bring up Keqin, but fearing he might suspect her relationship with Shen Chiyan, she signed, "Not very close. I just saw her a few times when I was Mr. Shen’s secretary."

Since the three of them had become friends, Miao Zi’ai and Shen Yushu had learned sign language to communicate better with her. Shen Yushu was a fast learner and could already understand her.

Song Qinian asked, "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, nothing. I just think she has a nice personality. It would be fun to be friends with her."

Song Qinian nodded; that was true.

After work, just as Song Qinian rode out on her scooter, she saw Shen Yushu by the side of the road, frantically trying to hail a cab. She pulled up next to him, holding the handlebars with one hand, and signed, "What happened?"

"My grandmother fell. The neighbors took her to the hospital, and I don't know how she is. I can't catch a cab."

Seeing the sweat on Shen Yushu’s brow, Song Qinian signed, "It’s rush hour, it’s hard to get a car. Which hospital is your grandmother at? How about... I take you there?"

Since she moved to the planning department, Shen Yushu had helped her a lot. Now that he was in trouble, she couldn't just sit by as a friend.

Shen Yushu glanced at her electric scooter. "Your scooter... will it be alright?"

Song Qinian nodded.

As the two rode away, Lin Lanxing, who was capturing the scene on her phone, gave a cold laugh. "Song Qinian, oh Song Qinian, I’d like to see how you explain this one."