The afternoon sunlight stretched long shadows across the polished floors of He Corporation. Most employees were returning from lunch, coffee cups in hand, conversations hushed beneath the hum of air conditioning.
Lin Xinyi had just finished explaining a new marketing proposal when the glass door of the conference room opened — and a familiar voice entered with an easy smile.
"Director Lin, I hope I'm not interrupting."
Her pen paused midair. She turned, expression brightening just slightly. "President Jiang," she greeted smoothly, standing to shake his hand. "I thought your meeting was scheduled for tomorrow."
Jiang Rui — CEO of RuiTech, their long-time partner company — looked effortlessly sharp in a navy suit, his smile confident and friendly. "I happened to be nearby. Thought I'd drop in early and save us some time tomorrow."
Her lips curved politely. "Efficient as always."
Their exchange drew a few curious looks from the staff. They had collaborated for over a year now — product campaigns, joint events, and several client projects. Their teamwork was the kind that looked easy to anyone watching.
It wasn't the first time he'd been here.
And it wasn't the first time He Zhiyuan had seen him with her.
Across the hallway, Zhiyuan stood near his office door, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a tablet. His gaze lifted — calm, unreadable. The sound of Jiang Rui's laugh carried faintly through the open door, followed by Xinyi's low, amused reply.
Nothing unusual.
Just work.
He told himself that the first time, and the second, and the fifth.
This time, however, when he saw Jiang Rui leaning slightly closer as Xinyi showed him the campaign draft on her tablet — close enough that the two of them seemed like a matched pair discussing secrets — his fingers tightened imperceptibly around the tablet's edge.
When the meeting finally ended, Xinyi stepped out with a calm smile, walking alongside Jiang Rui as she saw him to the elevator.
"Send me the updated visuals tonight," he said lightly. "And maybe that coffee I owe you for last week?"
Xinyi smiled, professional but friendly. "If the project wraps on time, I'll consider it."
The elevator doors slid closed. She turned, exhaling softly, only to see Zhiyuan standing down the hall, arms crossed loosely, his expression as composed as ever — except for the faintest shadow behind his eyes.
"Vice President He," she greeted evenly, stopping a few steps away. "Did you need me for something?"
He tilted his head slightly, voice mild. "I heard RuiTech dropped by unannounced again."
"Mm." She met his gaze directly. "They're finalizing the product pitch. It's normal."
Zhiyuan didn't respond right away. The corridor was quiet — only the soft echo of their voices against marble. After a long second, he stepped closer, just enough that his shadow brushed against hers.
"Normal," he echoed softly, tone almost too even. "You seem to get along with President Jiang quite well."
Her brows lifted slightly, a faint smile curving her lips. "You're not jealous again, are you?"
He gave a quiet laugh — low, dry, but not denying it. "Would it make any difference if I said no?"
She tilted her head, eyes gleaming with amusement. "You've been jealous before. You just pretend it's strategic concern."
His lips curved faintly. "And you enjoy testing that, don't you?"
"Maybe." Her voice softened, teasing but controlled. "You're the one who told me to maintain good client relations."
Zhiyuan exhaled through his nose, a quiet sigh that wasn't quite annoyance. "I didn't realize 'good relations' included laughing at every one of his jokes."
Xinyi's smile deepened, eyes glinting. "Then perhaps you should try being funnier."
That earned her silence — the kind that vibrated with quiet heat rather than irritation.
Then, in a single step, Zhiyuan closed the distance. One hand pressed lightly against the wall beside her, his other brushing against the edge of her waist — not possessive, not aggressive, just deliberate.
His voice dropped, low enough that only she could hear.
"Keep teasing, Mrs. He, and I'll remind you what happens when you do."
Her breath caught. "In the office?" she whispered, lips curving. "You wouldn't dare."
His gaze lingered on her mouth, and for one taut second, the air between them hummed — the quiet war between restraint and temptation.
"I've been daring for a long time," he murmured.
The faint sound of footsteps broke the tension. An employee turned the corner, bowing quickly before hurrying past. Zhiyuan straightened immediately, expression returning to calm professionalism as if nothing had happened.
"Vice President He," Lin Xinyi said, tone perfectly normal, as if they hadn't been standing a heartbeat apart seconds earlier. "If that's all, I'll return to my office."
He inclined his head slightly. "Of course, Director Lin."
She walked past him, the faintest trace of a smile playing at the corner of her lips — a smile only he could read.
That evening, the company lights dimmed one by one. Most employees had left, the parking lot slowly emptying. Lin Xinyi exited through the back stairwell, heels clicking softly against the concrete. Moments later, a sleek black sedan pulled up.
He Zhiyuan rolled down the window. "Need a ride, Director Lin?"
She glanced around instinctively before sliding into the passenger seat, voice light. "Isn't the VP worried about rumors?"
"Only if someone sees." He started the car smoothly, eyes fixed on the road ahead — though his lips were faintly curved.
From a distance, Assistant Zhou exited the building, yawning. His gaze caught movement near the parking exit — two faint silhouettes inside a car — but when he blinked, the vehicle had already turned the corner and disappeared into traffic.
"...Probably just seeing things," he muttered, rubbing his eyes before heading the other way.
Inside the car, silence hung for a moment. Then Xinyi said softly, "You're quiet."
Zhiyuan's fingers tapped the steering wheel once. "Just thinking."
"About?"
He looked at her briefly — a faint gleam in his eyes, both teasing and dark. "About how much I hate seeing another man make you laugh."
Her lips parted, but before she could answer, the car stopped at a red light. Zhiyuan leaned in, catching her chin with gentle precision and pressing his mouth to hers — deep, restrained, but unyielding.
She exhaled softly, pushing at his shoulder after a moment. "This is still the office parking lot in spirit," she murmured. "Wait till we get home."
His thumb brushed the corner of her lip, eyes narrowing slightly. "Then you'd better hurry and open the door when we get there."
She laughed quietly, settling back against the seat, heart steady but warm.
Outside, the city lights began to blur.
The car merged into the quiet streets. Inside, the air was thick with unspoken words, restrained desire, and the faint echo of shared glances. Both breathed a little easier now, the office behind them — and yet, the moment wasn't over.
Some things waited for the privacy of home.