Secretary Yuan escorted Lina through the private elevator of Bo Qiang's company, their ascent smooth and quiet as they approached the office of the man she was meant to protect today. When the elevator doors slid open, they stepped out and found themselves standing before the large wooden doors of Bo Qiang's office. Yuan knocked gently, and they waited in silence until a deep voice from inside responded, "Come in."
Yuan moved aside, gesturing for Lina to enter first. She hesitated for a brief moment, her heart inexplicably fluttering with nerves. Come on, Lina, pull yourself together. You're here to protect Bo Qiang today, not to be shy. Summoning all her courage, she stepped forward into the office. The door closed behind her with a soft click, leaving her alone with him.
Bo Qiang was sitting at his desk, his head bent down, focused on the paperwork in front of him. Lina stood there, unsure of what to do next. Just as she was about to greet him, Bo Qiang lifted his gaze, locking eyes with her.
For a long, stretched moment, neither of them spoke. Bo Qiang just stared at her, his dark eyes intense and unreadable. The silence hung in the air, growing heavier by the second. Lina shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, her face heating up as she fidgeted with her hands.
Finally, unable to stand the tension, she blurted out, "Do I... look pretty?" Her voice came out more timid than she intended, and she immediately regretted asking such a silly question.
Bo Qiang blinked, as if suddenly coming back to reality. In his mind, he thought, She looks more than pretty—she's stunning. But out loud, he muttered, "You look... okay." His tone was casual, almost indifferent, but he kept his eyes firmly on the documents in front of him, unwilling to let her see the truth in his gaze.
"I'll be done in a few minutes," he added, pretending to focus on his work. "Just let me finish this."
Lina nodded, feeling a bit awkward, and sat down in one of the armchairs across from his desk. She pulled out her phone, scrolling aimlessly as she waited. The silence in the room was only broken by the occasional rustle of paper as Bo Qiang worked.
Several minutes passed before Bo Qiang finally stood up, shrugging into his sleek, tailored coat. He glanced over at her and asked, "Ready?"
Lina lifted her head from her phone and met his gaze. "Yeah, I'm ready," she replied, slipping her phone back into her purse. She stood and began walking towards the elevator, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor.
But as she moved, her foot caught on the edge of a rug. Lina stumbled forward, arms flailing, her balance completely thrown off by her high heels.
Bo Qiang reacted instantly, moving faster than she could process. His arm shot out, wrapping around her waist to steady her, while his other hand gently cupped her face to prevent her from falling.
"Are you alright, Lina?" His voice was low, filled with concern, his face inches from hers.
Lina's heart pounded in her chest, not from the fall, but from how close they were. She hadn't even realized how intimate the moment had become, Bo Qiang's strong arms holding her firmly in place. Her breath caught in her throat as she nodded, looking up at him with wide eyes.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her lips curled into a soft smile as she added, "Thank you, Brother Bo Qiang."
For a brief moment, Bo Qiang was completely captivated by her. The way she smiled at him, so sweet and innocent, made his heart race. His hand, still resting on her waist, instinctively tightened just a little, holding her a bit closer.
Across the room, Secretary Yuan witnessed the entire exchange. He felt a twinge of awkwardness at the sight of his boss and Lina so close, yet he maintained his professional demeanor. Clearing his throat loudly, he broke the moment. "Sir, the car is ready for you in the garage," he announced, his voice pulling Bo Qiang back to the present.
Bo Qiang blinked, as if waking from a trance. Slowly, he loosened his grip on Lina's waist and stepped back, his face returning to its usual calm expression. "You should hold onto my arm," he said after a brief pause, his tone more formal. "You're wearing heels, and I don't want you to fall again."
Lina, completely unaware of the tension that had just filled the room, smiled gratefully and slipped her arm through his. "Thanks," she said brightly, not thinking anything of it. Together, they made their way to the elevator, chatting casually about their day as if nothing unusual had happened.
Secretary Yuan followed a few steps behind them, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed their interactions. Why do they seem more like a couple than siblings? he wondered to himself, scratching his head in confusion. Something about their chemistry felt... different, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
As the elevator doors closed and they descended toward the garage, Yuan couldn't help but feel as though he had just glimpsed a piece of the future—one where Bo Qiang and Lina were far more than just "siblings."
Bo Qiang and Lina sat in silence as the car glided through the streets, each lost in their own thoughts. The atmosphere between them was thick with unspoken words, but neither made any attempt to break it. When they finally arrived at the venue, Bo Qiang was the first to step out. He walked around to Lina's side of the car and, like a gentleman, opened the door for her, offering his hand. Lina glanced up at him, smiling softly, and took his hand as she stepped out. She moved gracefully, but Bo Qiang could tell from the slight tension in her grip that she was nervous.
He leaned in close, his lips almost brushing her ear as he whispered, "Are you nervous?"
Lina turned her head instinctively, her lips unintentionally grazing his nose as she answered, "A little." Her voice was soft, but steady. She was so caught up in the moment, she didn't even realize what had happened. Bo Qiang, on the other hand, felt a jolt from the accidental touch. His heart skipped a beat, thudding harder in his chest, but he masked his reaction, pretending nothing was amiss.
As they approached the entrance of the party, a staff member stood before them, offering an array of elegant masks. Lina hesitated, unsure of which one to choose. She turned to Bo Qiang, her brow slightly furrowed, and asked, "Which one do you think would look best?"
Bo Qiang scanned the masks briefly, but his gaze quickly shifted back to her. "We don't need those," he said casually. "Only certain people will be wearing them." Without another word, he wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her towards the entrance, pulling her closer than necessary.
Lina followed him, somewhat bewildered but trusting. What she didn't realize was that the masks were more than just an accessory for the evening. They were a discreet signal—most of the women wearing them were the mistresses of wealthy businessmen attending the event. Bo Qiang wasn't about to let Lina be mistaken for one of them.
As soon as they stepped inside, all eyes seemed to fall on them. Bo Qiang was, after all, one of the most eligible bachelors in the city. His presence always drew attention, and tonight was no different. People whispered and stared, trying to gauge who Lina was and what her relationship with him might be.
Among the crowd, Mrs. Xiuying noticed their arrival. She wasted no time approaching them, her expression both welcoming and calculating. "Bo Qiang, welcome," she said in a smooth tone, her eyes flickering with recognition as she looked him up and down. But her gaze hardened the moment it landed on Lina, who stood confidently at his side without a mask. Mrs. Xiuying's distaste was evident as she asked, "And who is this accompanying you?"
Inside, she fumed. "Who is this girl with Bo Qiang, my future son-in-law?" she thought bitterly.
Bo Qiang's demeanor shifted the moment Mrs. Xiuying addressed them. The relaxed, almost playful man Lina had just been with moments ago became someone colder, more distant. His expression hardened as he greeted Mrs. Xiuying with a formal nod. "Hello, Mrs. Xiuying. This is Lina," he said simply, his tone neutral.
He didn't introduce Lina as his sister, and he wasn't quite sure why. The words just didn't seem to fit.
Lina, however, didn't seem bothered by it. They weren't really siblings, after all, and she didn't need the title to define their relationship. Still, she couldn't help but notice the judgment in Mrs. Xiuying's eyes and thought, "What's her problem?"
Mrs. Xiuying's smile faltered, clearly displeased by Bo Qiang's lack of formality, but she recovered quickly. "My daughter, Fen Chu, has been waiting for you," she said, her tone laced with subtle provocation as her gaze darted once more to Lina.
Lina caught the pointed look and, for a brief second, a smirk played at the corner of her lips. Suddenly, everything clicked into place. "Now I get it," she thought. She had changed so much over the past two years, no longer the shy, timid girl she once was. There was a certain thrill in this new confidence she carried.
Taking advantage of Bo Qiang's choice not to introduce her as his sister, Lina slid her hand into his, holding it gently but firmly. Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she looked up at him and said in a sweet, almost innocent voice, "Bo Qiang, I'm hungry. Can we go to the buffet?"
Bo Qiang blinked, slightly surprised by her sudden display of affection. The feeling of her small hand in his sent another wave of warmth through him, and without a second thought, he nodded, his voice softening as he replied, "Let's go."
He turned away from Mrs. Xiuying without so much as a glance, focusing solely on Lina. Together, they walked away, leaving Mrs. Xiuying standing there, speechless. Lina threw her a mocking smile over her shoulder, savoring the look of disbelief on her face as they made their way into the heart of the party.
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