"Father is up," Qian Meng warned Qing Yuan. He stiffened before shoving the booklet into his loose pajama pockets.
"What did you just put in your pocket?" Yun Sui Bo's booming voice came. Qing Yuan turned, a trace of fear in his eyes.
"Take it out," Yun Sui Bo said firmly. Qing Yuan looked between Qian Meng and his father before pulling out the booklet tentatively. It was snatched from him the moment he took it out.
"Why is it here with you? Are you about to give it to this ungrateful girl?" he asked.
Qian Meng couldn't help but glare. "Qing Yuan, go to your room and get some sleep," she told him.
"Who are you to order people around in my house?"
Qian Meng looked at him with distaste. "I am standing on your property, but I didn't enter your house," she began. "And if you have a problem with your son going to his room and sleeping because he stayed up all night, I am going to have a problem with your attitude as a father."
Yun Sui Bo sucked in a breath. "Did you tell him to steal it and give it to you so that you can marry that wretched man?" he asked, his voice raising with each word.
"It's too early in the day for screaming. Don't give me a raging headache when I have to work for the next twelve hours," Qian Meng warned.
"No. Sis didn't ask me to—"
Qian Meng stopped him with a look. "If you really cared about my life and what I was doing, you would know that I already got married days ago."
Yun Sui Bo's eyes widened. "Without my permission? You didn't even call your family to the wedding!" he accused.
"No. It was just between us husband and wife. We don't need others to tell us what is right for us." She scoffed. "And you are not going to bring up the real issue, is that it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Qing Yuan, go back," Qian Meng told again. This time, her brother scurried away without a word.
"Tell me. What trick did you pull up to make me regret my decisions?" Yun Sui Bo asked sarcastically.
"The man you tried to marry me off to… he tried to kill his own father. He is suspected of killing his older brother." Her smile was wide. "I wonder if you knew that. Maybe it would have been easier for you to marry off a daughter who would die in the marriage."
Yun Sui Bo looked stunned. "You—"
"Don't start pretending now," she said immediately. "I don't have time for your explanations or your coercions. I have a busy life and there is no place for you in it. I hope you realize that and keep what little dignity you have. People will call you to congratulate you on my wedding and ask you questions. Because I don't want my image to suffer, you will tell them you knew about it and that we had been dating for months without anyone's knowledge." She gave him a knowing look. "Don't try to falsely tell me you will rebel. With how much emphasis you put on saving your face, you will definitely follow what I said."
She didn't bid farewell as she turned and went over to the car. As she wound out of the driveway, she saw Yun Sui Bo turning and going back into the house.
She didn't care what he said. But she knew he was a rat who would hide when things got difficult. Only, she didn't know the extent to which he could do it.
- - - - -
She was sitting in her office and just getting ready for the day when she heard a knock on the door.
"Come in!" she called, confused why Li Min was suddenly knocking for permission. She saw Li Min peer in with a small but professional smile.
"Why are you knocking?" Qian Meng asked immediately as Li Min slid in. But then she saw a man follow her secretary inside. "What are you doing here?" Qian Meng asked with a grin. "Showing off your affection right after the wedding?" she teased.
He placed a box in front of her. "Your breakfast. I knew you would forget it so I asked Xiong Hua to pack it for you. I am dropping it off on my way to the office," he announced.
She smiled. "I saw the customized containers, too. What is up with that?"
Mo Qingchen shrugged. "I know you have community fridges for food here, so I brought something to distinguish you by. I have a set for myself too. I just sent the idea and Xiong Hua took the delivery while we were on our honeymoon," he said.
"Are you trying to say that I should eat my meals on time?"
Mo Qingchen just nodded. "I'll get going now. I have a meeting in fifteen minutes," he told her. He came to her side and planted a kiss on her cheek before rushing out.
Qian Meng silently looked at the door he had gone through. She heard a cough and turned to Li Min. "Feeling jealous?" she asked.
"I am happy being single, Boss." She paused. "Congratulations on your wedding. And I am sorry to burst your bubble." She placed down the files on the table.
"What are these about?"
Li Min began to speak. "The design team and marketing team made the slight changes that were decided on in the last meeting. 'The Shift' jewelry line is set to go into production. I need your explicit approval to get the ball rolling. On top of that, 'The Goddess' bridal dress collection drafts were due. The design team sent it over already with sample materials. They have everything set up in the design floor, you'll need to take a look and make the changes you want."
"When is the estimated launch date?" Qian Meng asked.
Li Min blinked. "For 'The Shift' line, the factories will be working in overdrive. Our fashion show garnered a lot of attention last time when we showed the titbits from the line, so we are fast-tracking production."