"Nannan, I am sincere about you."
"I am already married, and I am carrying my husband's child."
"Impossible! How could you..."
Wang Han pushed open the door.
Inside the office, a young man in a white suit stood covering his face.
As the saying goes, if you want to look sharp, wear all white. Lin Jingpeng wore a white suit that, paired with his not-so-ugly face, actually possessed a certain dashing quality.
Though he was still far inferior to Wang Han.
Seeing someone suddenly barge in, Lin Jingpeng frowned. "What kind of employee are you? Don't you know how to knock before entering? Can't you see that President Su and I are discussing business?"
Su Qi was slightly startled when she saw Wang Han. Then, she walked around the desk, came up to Wang Han, and looped her arm through his. "Let me introduce you. This is my... husband."
Even as she said the word "husband," Su Qi found it somewhat hard to say.
Hearing those two words made Wang Han's heart flutter a little.
When Su Qi said "husband," it sounded rather nice—it had a completely different feel compared to how she had said it in bed that day.
Lin Jingpeng looked Wang Han up and down, meticulously scanning him from front to back. "You are Nannan's husband?"
Wang Han put down the food container. "The door is over there. My wife and I are going to have a sweet lunch, and I don't like anyone disturbing our private world."
The muscles in Lin Jingpeng's cheeks twitched. "Nannan, you..."
Su Qi pointed at the door. "The door is right there."
Lin Jingpeng threw a punch at the empty air, shot Wang Han a deep look, and left the office.
Su Qi dialed the front desk. "From now on, if anyone lets Lin Jingpeng up here again, don't bother coming to work."
With that, she hung up the phone with an air of absolute authority.
Wang Han opened the food container and took out the various dishes one by one.
"This rival in love of mine is pretty pathetic, too."
Su Qi sat down, picked up her chopsticks, and felt her mouth water as she looked at the table full of delicious food. "Strictly speaking, there is no romance between us, so he is not your rival."
Wang Han began packing the dishes back into the container.
Su Qi's small brow furrowed. "What are you doing?"
"Since we don't have any romance between us, I'm not going to let you eat."
Su Qi pressed both hands over the container. "But you're the one who got my stomach big!"
As she spoke, Su Qi pried Wang Han's hands away and snatched the food container back.
Wang Han was completely dumbfounded. This reason was simply unassailable.
Su Qi took a bite of the crispy fried pork. Her taste buds were instantly awakened, and the savory aroma of the meat diffused between her lips and teeth, leaving her deeply satisfied.
She glanced sideways at Wang Han. She had to admit, this nominal husband of hers was an exceptional cook.
"Since you cook so well, why don't you open a restaurant? Why bother delivering takeout? Shall I invest in a restaurant for you?" Su Qi took another bite of food.
Wang Han sat down in the swivel chair. "I only cook to serve myself, not other people."
"You've probably cooked for plenty of other women before, haven't you?" Su Qi said coldly.
Wang Han twirled a lighter in his fingers. "I've only ever cooked for one woman. Oh wait, we have no romance between us—I'm cooking for the baby in your belly."
Tch!
Su Qi thought the food tasted even better now.
Noticing that Wang Han wasn't wearing his delivery uniform, she asked, "I remember takeout deliverymen have to wear uniforms. Where's your clothes?"
"While delivering food, I ran into a sexy girl. She looked cold, so I gave her my jacket to wear," Wang Han replied casually.
Su Qi stared at Wang Han, realizing he didn't seem to be lying.
Snap!
Su Qi put down her chopsticks.
She stuffed everything back into the container. "I'm full. You can go back now."
Wang Han withdrew his gaze and looked at Su Qi, whose pretty face was pulled into a long pout. "Oh? Is someone jealous?"
Su Qi sneered. "I need to be jealous of you?"
"That's normal. Back in the day when I was hanging out in Europe and America, international starlets and world supermodels fighting and tearing each other apart out of jealousy over me was an everyday occurrence."
"I told you to get out!"
Su Qi pointed firmly toward the door.
"Don't get angry. Getting yourself worked up isn't good for the prenatal health."
"Get out! How many times do you want me to say it? If you don't leave right now, I'm calling security!" Su Qi stood up and pointed at the door.
Wang Han patted his backside and stood up.
As he was leaving, Su Qi pushed the food container forward again, acting like a little girl. "Take your things with you!"
With a cheeky grin, Wang Han picked up the food container. "Send me a message when you're hungry, and I'll bring it back for you."
Su Qi didn't speak. She sat down, lowered her head to look at her documents, and pointed one finger at the door.
Once Wang Han walked out the door, Su Qi slammed the folder heavily onto the desk.
She took a deep breath.
After calming down, Su Qi suddenly shuddered.
Why was she getting angry?
There wasn't any romance between her and him!
The only tie binding them together was the child in her belly!
Su Qi touched her lower belly.
She had heard that pregnancy makes people hot-tempered!
That had to be it!
Su Qi made up an excuse for herself.
Her stomach rumbled—she hadn't eaten more than a few bites earlier.
She had her secretary bring up another meal.
Yet it tasted like sawdust, completely lacking the delicious flavor of the meals that man cooked. Annoyed, Su Qi put down her chopsticks.
She reopened her folder, but the image of that man kept flashing through her mind. Once again, Su Qi slammed the folder onto the desk.
Her phone buzzed. She picked it up and saw a message from Wang Han:
"Hungry yet, baby's mama? I'm at the company entrance. Let me know if you're hungry and I'll bring the food up for you. /grin /grin"
Gritting her teeth at the message, Su Qi dialed the front desk. "That person carrying the food container at the entrance—if anyone lets him up again, you can all start preparing your resignations."
She paused, then added, "He doesn't need to come up, but the food container can be sent up."
With that, she hung up.
After a moment's thought, she sent Wang Han a message:
"Bring the food up!"
Food is innocent.
That was what Su Qi told herself.
While she was waiting, Wang Han sent another message:
"Damn it! You're ruthless!"
Su Qi let out a hum of satisfaction and typed out a reply: "That's the only way to deal with someone like you."
But she quickly deleted the message.
He's not worth me typing this much!
Su Qi simply sent a single emoji:
"/arrogant"
"Eat slowly, baby's mama. I'm off to earn milk money for our child. Remember to text me what you want to eat tonight."
Su Qi picked up her phone, hesitated, and replied with just one emoji: "/rolling eyes."
When the food container was brought back up and Su Qi opened it, she discovered that the food inside had been arranged into a smiling face.
She couldn't help smiling.
When she ate, she finished everything else first, saving the smiling face for last.
Her phone vibrated. Thinking it was a message from Wang Han, she was surprised to find it was from her mother, Yang Huimin:
"Don't forget to come home for dinner tonight."
Su Qi's willow-leaf brows raised sharply.
After agonizing for a long time, on an inexplicable impulse, she sent Wang Han a text: "Come home with me for dinner tonight."
"In what capacity?" Wang Han replied very quickly.
"Husband." Su Qi typed the two characters, but quickly deleted them in a wave of shame.
She re-entered a few words instead.
Chapter 20: Sit Here
"Child's dad!"
When Wang Han saw those words, he burst out laughing.
For all her cold and glamorous exterior, Su Qi was actually quite cute deep down.
After delivering takeout all afternoon, Su Qi picked up Wang Han at dusk. Wang Han wanted to change his clothes, but Su Qi glanced at him and said, "Wear that."
Tonight, on the surface, it was about having dinner, but the primary purpose was still the allocation of power within the company.
As soon as they stepped inside, the family members who had been chatting and laughing instantly fell silent.
All eyes focused squarely on Wang Han.
Su Yongzhi slammed his cane fiercely against the floor, producing a loud *clang*. "This is the Su family, not some stray cat or dog can just walk into!"
Locking her arm around Wang Han's, Su Qi replied calmly, "We've registered our marriage; we're a lawful husband and wife. There's no problem with me bringing my husband home, is there?"
"What?!"
Yang Huimin's voice shot up an entire octave.
"You... registered your marriage with a takeout deliveryman? Do you have any idea what you're doing?!" Yang Huimin shrieked.
"I know very well what I'm doing!" Su Qi retorted firmly.
"Alright, alright, stop arguing! It's rare for us to get together for a meal, don't start the evening with a shouting match!" chimed in Su Jianzhang, the eldest of the Su family.
Su Le quickly joined in. "Exactly, Auntie. Whoever my sister wants to register her marriage with is her own right."
Yang Huimin turned her head, her gaze full of doubt.
Su Jianye shook his head, signaling her not to stir up trouble just yet.
Su Le smiled brightly. "Sister, brother-in-law, come on in and sit down. Dinner will be ready in a moment."
Wang Han glanced around.
This entire Su family was a den of villains.
When things are abnormal, demons are sure to be at work.
This Su Le was definitely plotting something malicious.
"Nannan, go upstairs and change your clothes first. You can come down for dinner in a moment," Su Jianzhang said.
Su Qi took Wang Han upstairs to change.
Furious, Yang Huimin hissed, "What are you people doing? Are you just going to sit here and watch Su Qi marry some bottom-of-the-barrel social trash?"
"Auntie, what are you panicking for? We naturally have a plan of our own for doing this!"
"What plan?" Yang Huimin demanded.
Su Le smiled. "That bitch Su Qi replaced everyone in charge of the company's new projects these past two days with people she's cultivated for a long time, completely disrupting my dad's original plans. So we're making other arrangements."
Yang Huimin asked impatiently, "What arrangements?"
Su Le said smugly, "It's very simple. That bitch has made it clear she wants to monopolize the new project and concentrate all the power of the Su family's company in her own hands. She's been plotting this for a long time, and we absolutely cannot let her keep getting away with it. But getting rid of her isn't hard.
I've already called Young Master Qin, and he'll be here shortly. During dinner later, we'll slip something into Su Qi's drink to knock her out, then all of us will step outside and let Young Master Qin enjoy her. We'll take some indecent photos and videos. Once those leak, Su Qi's reputation will be completely ruined.
When that happens, the big boss behind this project will see what a loose woman she is and, for the sake of the big picture, will definitely force Su Qi to hand over all her authority!"
Yang Huimin frowned. "Did Qin Hao come up with this?"
Su Le puffed out her chest. "I came up with it. Young Master Qin doesn't know yet. That takeout deliveryman beat Young Master Qin up earlier, so Young Master Qin must be harboring a grudge. Letting Young Master Qin sleep with Su Qi can be a surprise for him. It'll make him happy while sticking a cuckold's horns on that deliveryman—killing two birds with one stone! No, the most important thing is ruining Su Qi's reputation so we can take back control of the company! Three birds with one stone!"
Yang Huimin looked at Su Yongzhi. "Dad, if we do that, Su Qi won't have the face to face anyone ever again."
Su Yongzhi let out a cold snort. "Did she have the face to face anyone by marrying a takeout deliveryman?"
Yang Huimin was still somewhat hesitant.
Su Le looked at Su Qi's father, Su Jianye, and smiled. "Uncle, looks like Auntie still doesn't have the stomach for it."
Su Jianye sneered, "What's there to have the stomach for? She's not even our biological flesh and blood! Besides, look at the way she's acting now—does she even take us seriously anymore?"
After a moment's thought, Yang Huimin slammed her fist down. "Fine! Let's do it!"
Someone knocked on the door.
Su Le scampered over eagerly.
Opening it, she saw Qin Hao.
She froze when she saw the cast on Qin Hao's arm. "Young Master Qin, what happened to you?"
"Ran into some bad luck and took a spill. Why did you mysteriously invite me over?"
Like a eunuch attending to royalty, Su Le fussed over Qin Hao and ushered him inside. "My sister offended you earlier, so I'm apologizing on her behalf. Besides, I've prepared a surprise for you today—you'll find out soon enough."
Qin Hao was ushered inside.
By now, the dinner was ready.
The family walked toward the dining room.
After helping Qin Hao into a seat, only a single empty chair remained.
Su Yongzhi looked at Qin Hao with a beaming smile. "Young Master Qin, we didn't know what you liked to eat, so we prepared all sorts of dishes."
Qin Hao only grunted in response, an ominous premonition nagging at his mind.
Su Qi and Wang Han walked down the stairs.
When she saw Qin Hao, Su Qi's expression instantly darkened.
The moment Qin Hao caught sight of Wang Han, he bolted straight out of his chair.
The muscles in his face trembled with tension.
Su Yongzhi shot Su Qi a cold look and slammed his hand on the table. "What are you standing there for, logs? Can't you see we have an esteemed guest? Aren't you going to say hello? Are you mute?"
A barrage of interrogations came right out of the gate.
Wang Han's expression darkened.
Qin Hao felt like crying without tears.
Seeing Qin Hao stand up, Su Yongzhi assumed he still harbored lingering feelings for Su Qi, so he smiled at him. "Young Master Qin, please sit. Why are you standing?"
Su Le fawned as well, "Sit down, Young Master Qin, don't stand."
Seeing that Su Qi still hadn't taken her seat, Su Jianye slammed the table. "What are you standing there for? Get over here and sit down!"
With a cold face, Su Qi walked toward the dining table.
Wang Han followed along beside her.
He flashed a smile at Qin Hao. At the sight of that smile, Qin Hao swallowed hard, his legs beginning to shake uncontrollably.
Mistaking Qin Hao's trembling and swallowing as excitement at seeing Su Qi, Su Le pulled him back down. "Sit down, Young Master Qin. Su Qi, hurry up and sit—right next to Young Master Qin, don't just stand there."
Su Qi looked at the single remaining seat by the dining table.
"Why is there only one chair left?"
Su Yongzhi sneered. "Why? Why so many whys? The seats of our Su family aren't meant for just any stray cat or dog! Low-class trash don't belong at our family dining table—that's the rule of the Su family."
With a cheeky grin, Wang Han pointed at Qin Hao. "If he can sit here, why can't I?"
Su Yongzhi sneered. "Why don't you take a piss and check your own reflection to see what you're worth? Do you think you're in the same league as Young Master Qin?"
"Exactly, how can some trash compare to Young Master Qin? Ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth!" Yang Huimin chimed in with a mock.
Su Jianzhang spoke up, "Alright! Everyone hurry up and sit down, time to eat! Those who aren't qualified to sit at the table can squat off to the side and eat."
Su Qi tugged at Wang Han's wrist. "You sit down. I'll stand."
*Bang!*
Su Yongzhi slammed his table again. "Have you lost your mind? Sit down with Young Master Qin!"
Suddenly jolted, Qin Hao sprang to his feet and pulled out a chair. "Brother Han, sit here! I'll stand!"
Chapter 21: Rules
Every single member of the Su family looked as though their jaws had dropped to the floor.
Who could have imagined that the dignified son of the richest man would act so servile in front of a takeout deliveryman?
Su Yongzhi forced a smile. "Young Master Qin, what are you doing? A person like him isn't qualified to sit at our family's table."
Qin Hao wanted to commit murder.
Wang Han had slaughtered the leader of the Black Dragon Society as easily as killing a chicken—did he dare not fear him?
Even the richest man's son only had one head!
"If Brother Han isn't qualified for your Su family's table, then I'm even less worthy!" Qin Hao declared.
These words left every single member of the Su family staring in dumbfounded shock.
Qin Hao pulled out the chair with the demeanor of a lowly servant.
"Brother Han, please sit."
Ignoring the gazes of the Su family, Wang Han sat down and turned to Su Qi. "Sit down, baby's mama. You're pregnant, don't keep standing."
Su Qi's pretty eyes went wide as saucers, and she looked at Wang Han in utter astonishment.
In her heart, she wondered what method Wang Han could possibly have used to make the usually arrogant and domineering Qin Hao behave with such absolute obedience.
Wang Han picked up his chopsticks and placed a piece of food on Su Qi's plate. "Eat this!"
The atmosphere at the dining table was bizarrely abnormal.
Only the sound of Wang Han eating could be heard.
Su Le and Su Yongzhi exchanged a glance, and Su Le said, "Young Master Qin, come with me for a moment. I have a surprise for you."
Qin Hao threw a questioning look at Wang Han. Wang Han was busy peeling a shrimp for Su Qi. "Why are you looking at me? Do whatever you want!"
Qin Hao followed Su Le toward the restroom.
"Young Master Qin, why are you so afraid of him?" Su Le asked, unable to suppress her curiosity.
Still trying to save face, Qin Hao kept up a stiff front. "I'm not afraid of him. I just don't want to get into conflicts with simple-minded brutes; it's pointless."
Su Le finally understood—he was just afraid Wang Han would resort to violence.
"Why'd you call me over? If there's nothing else, I'm heading back! And don't you dare ever call me if Wang Han's around!" Qin Hao snapped angrily.
Su Le quickly apologized. "Young Master Qin, don't be upset. I slipped something into Su Qi's drink. In a moment, once she passes out, go right ahead and enjoy her—consider it an apology from our Su family to you."
Qin Hao's eyelids twitched. "This is the surprise?"
"Right!" Su Le wore the expression of a petty sycophant waiting for praise.
"Fuck your mother! Are you trying to get me killed?!" Qin Hao punched Su Le right in the nose, then strode out of the restroom in giant strides.
Just as he walked out, he happened to see Su Qi picking up her wine glass to take a sip.
Qin Hao lunged forward frantically. "Don't drink that! There's a knockout drug in the wine!"
Su Qi froze.
Wang Han, who had been eating, put down his cutlery and turned his gaze toward Qin Hao. His eyes were sharp as swords, causing Qin Hao to shudder violently. Pointing at Su Le, Qin Hao blurted, "It's him! He's the one who wanted to drug Su Qi!"
Su Le clutched her bleeding nose.
In the corner of Wang Han's eye, he saw Su Qi stand up in a fury, holding her wine glass, and splash the contents right into Su Le's face.
*Snap!*
Crisp and resounding.
Su Qi slapped Su Le across the face.
"Shameless and despicable!"
Plunking her wine glass down on the dining table, Su Qi swept her gaze over every member of the Su family, her eyes brimming with intense disappointment.
She grabbed Wang Han's wrist. "Let's go!"
They walked out and got into the car.
Su Qi sat powerlessly in the passenger seat.
She let out a self-deprecating laugh. Her own family had actually treated her this way.
After a long silence, Su Qi looked at Wang Han. "Aren't you going to explain?"
"Explain what?" Wang Han started the car.
"Qin Hao is a spoiled scion. Why is he so terrified of you?"
Stepping on the gas, Wang Han shot the car forward. "Some people are just born asking for a beating; you've got to smack 'em hard across the face before they'll behave! How does that saying go? A sapling won't grow straight without pruning, and a person won't straighten up without a beating."
Su Qi rested her head against the car window.
Silence fell between them for a long time.
"Do you regret it?" Su Qi asked.