Chapter 39: Sleeping Together...

Before the end of the workday, Song Jia called to say that Mrs. Xu was willing to apologize and reach a settlement, asking them to come to the police station.

Xu Si'an picked up his suit jacket and car keys, heading toward Qiao Xu's office. He knocked on the doorframe. "Assistant Qiao, want to play in the office?"

"Play with your—your grandfather."

Qiao Xu suddenly realized that he was truly shameless, impossibly so. "Mr. Xu, it’s time to clock out. Can I go now?"

Xu Si'an stood in front of her desk, watching her apply lipstick. "Painting them that red—are you going out to steal souls?"

Qiao Xu: "Get out!"

He leaned against her desk, his hands idly fiddling with the violet tattoo on her skin. She didn't seem to realize that there was a violet on her arm as well. During their last intimate encounter, they hadn't turned on the lights, and when they finally showered with the lights on, Qiao Xu hadn't had the chance—or the energy—to notice.

"Qiaoqiao, if violets were to bloom on my body, would you reconcile with me?"

Qiao Xu packed her bag. "Get some sleep early tonight."

"In your dreams, you have everything."

Xu Si'an snatched her bag. "Let's go. To the police station, to hear her apologize to you."

Qiao Xu resisted with every fiber of her being. "I don't want to go. You go for me."

"I have plans. Truly, I have plans."

Xu Si'an firmly wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into the elevator. "I'll take you to your date with that wild man afterward, will that do?"

"Stop talking nonsense. It’s a class reunion."

Xu Si'an was amused by her prickly retort, and he pinched her chin, leaning in for a lingering kiss. The elevator pinged suddenly, and Qiao Xu opened her eyes to meet the gaze of someone standing at the doors.

"Sorry, sorry, Mr. Xu."

Qiao Xu stomped on his feet, kicked him, punched him, and bit him, but he wouldn't let go. It wasn't until the elevator stopped at the underground parking garage that he pulled away. "Does this mouth of yours really need to be fed something to stay well-behaved, hmm?"

Once they were in the car, Xu Si'an pulled her seatbelt across and whispered something in her ear. Qiao Xu’s ears turned crimson. She gritted her teeth. "In your dreams."

"I think about it even in my dreams."

Xu Si'an drove toward the police station. Qiao Xu figured she could just arrive late to her reunion. Fortunately, it was rush hour, so everyone would likely be delayed. The station was relatively close to Xuxing Group, and by the time they arrived, Fang Yiqiu looked thoroughly disheveled, her exquisite makeup ruined by tears.

Qiao Xu instinctively tried to pull her hand away from Xu Si'an’s grip.

"If you dare pull away, you won't be going to any reunion."

Qiao Xu said coldly, "Mind your status, ex-boyfriend."

Xu Si'an led her to sit opposite Fang Yiqiu and Xu Shiran.

Xu Shiran stood up. "Miss Qiao, because of my mother's actions, you were harmed. I apologize on her behalf. I am sorry."

He bowed slightly. Fang Yiqiu glared at the two of them with eyes full of poison. She didn't look like someone who was repentant or ready to apologize.

Xu Si'an had undone the top two buttons of his shirt. In his black shirt, paired with that smirk, he looked a bit like a rogue. "Is this a show of mother-son affection for us to watch?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk... I’m terribly sorry, but I’m cold-blooded. I don't quite get it."

Qiao Xu chuckled softly. "Xu Si'an, don't make things difficult for them."

"Oh, my wife told me not to make things difficult."

"But, wifey, they don't seem to..."

Qiao Xu glared at him. "I am not your wife."

"Oh!"

Xu Si'an lost his patience. "Hurry up with the apology. I'm busy. My wife’s wild men are waiting for her."

Qiao Xu: "..."

*Is it too late for me to leave now?*

Xu Shiran said softly, "Mom, apologize to Miss Qiao."

Fang Yiqiu muttered reluctantly, "I'm sorry."

Xu Si'an slapped the table. "That apology sounded like you had a knife held to your throat."

"If apologizing is that hard, why don't you go inside and keep your daughter-in-law company?"

The officer couldn't help but interject: "Everyone, this table is public property of the police station."

Qiao Xu looked speechless. "My apologies."

"Xu Si'an, behave."

"Oh!"

Xu Shiran tugged at Fang Yiqiu’s arm. "Mom, if you don't apologize, I can't protect you anymore. My company is already in shambles; can you stop adding to my troubles?"

Fang Yiqiu’s eyes turned red instantly. "Son, Mom will apologize. I’m doing it right now." She turned to Qiao Xu. "Miss Qiao, I’m sorry. It was my loose tongue and I shouldn't have hit you. I will pay for your medical expenses and emotional damages."

Qiao Xu was in a rush to get to her reunion and didn't intend to make things difficult; after all, she had slapped the woman back a few times herself.

"I have received your apology, but I do not forgive you."

"If there’s nothing else, may I leave?"

Xu Shiran pushed the settlement agreement toward Qiao Xu. "Then, Miss Qiao, please sign here."

Qiao Xu checked the contents before signing.

Xu Si'an stood up and said, "One hundred thousand. Wire it to my wife's account."

"Song Jia, send Qiao Xu's card number to him."

As soon as Qiao Xu got into the car, she received a notification that one hundred thousand had been deposited into her payroll account. She couldn't help but laugh. "One hundred thousand for a slap. That’s quite easy money."

Xu Si'an’s lips twitched. "Looking for a beating?"

"Where are you eating?"

Qiao Xu gave him the address, and Xu Si'an dropped her off at her destination.

"You don't need to pick me up. I'll take a taxi home when I'm done."

Xu Si'an grabbed her hand. "If you don't want me picking you up, drive yourself. I'll give you the car keys tomorrow; it's gathering dust in the parking lot."

Qiao Xu nodded. Riding in his car every day only fueled more gossip. The company was already spreading rumors that they were secretly married and had children.

When Qiao Xu was leaving after dinner, she ran into an acquaintance.

He Yianxun raised an eyebrow. "Is it raining blood? That dog Xu Si'an isn't trailing you?"

Qiao Xu greeted her classmate and turned to him. "Mr. He, Mr. Xu and I are just superior and subordinate."

He Yianxun smiled. "A superior and subordinate who sleep together?"

Qiao Xu didn't want to engage with him. Truly, dogs only share a world with other dogs.

"Don't be like that, Assistant Qiao. Are you free? Let me buy you a drink."

"No time."

Qiao Xu took out her phone to call a taxi.

He Yianxun lit a cigarette, his tone turning serious. "Don't you want to know how he spent those four years abroad?"

"Or, perhaps, what kind of life he led after breaking up with you?"

Qiao Xu pursed her lips. "I can ask him myself."

"Do you think he’d tell you?"

"Qiao Xu, a drink won't cost you much time. He has secrets you know nothing about."

He Yianxun had the air of someone who would drag her along if she didn't agree. Qiao Xu canceled the ride she had just booked.

"Let's go."

There was a quiet bar across from the hotel where the dinner was held. He Yianxun followed behind her. As they pushed the door open, the wind chimes hanging on the door tinkled.

"Ah Xun? How do you have time to come by today?"

"And this is? A girlfriend?"

He Yianxun laughed as he greeted him. "What kind of broken eyesight do you have? This is Ah Si’s precious gold nugget."

The man who greeted He Yianxun lost his smile. "Sit down. What would you like to drink?"

At the bar, He Yianxun sat lazily on a high stool. "I'll have my usual. Show her the menu."

Qiao Xu took the menu, thanked him, and ordered a Long Island Iced Tea.