Chapter 58: Meeting Interrupted
I open the door and walk in with my head held high, shoulders back, posture perfect in a way that would make Grandmother proud, and honestly I really should take her out for lunch or dinner one of these days because her teachings have been absolutely invaluable.
Bael is at his desk, focused on something on his laptop, fingers moving across the keyboard with practiced efficiency, and Xue Lian is sitting on the edge of the desk facing him, back to the door, back to me, leaning toward Bael while saying something I can’t hear from here, smiling in that way he does like everything is going exactly how he planned.
Bael just keeps working, composed and controlled, not stopping Xue Lian but not encouraging him either, just letting him talk while maintaining focus on whatever he’s doing.
The moment I open the door though, Xue Lian turns slightly, just enough to see who walked in, and surprise flickers across his face before smoothing into a smile that carries an edge I recognize immediately, the kind that says *I thought you said you didn’t mind*.
He doesn’t stand up though, doesn’t move from his position on Bael’s desk, just sits there looking at me like this is his space and I’m the one interrupting.
Bael glances up and I catch the subtle surprise in his expression, the slight raise of his eyebrows that suggests he wasn’t expecting to see me again today after I’d just left a few hours ago.
I don’t pause.
I don’t hesitate or stumble or show any reaction to the scene in front of me, I just close the door behind me with a soft click and walk further into the room, heels clicking against the floor with steady rhythm as I make my way to the couch where I set my bag down on the table with casual ease.
I don’t look at Xue Lian, don’t acknowledge him sitting there on Bael’s desk like he belongs, just turn my attention to Bael and offer him a soft smile.
"You’re still working?" I ask, letting concern color my voice naturally. "I thought you’d be done by now."
Then I walk over to his desk, closing the distance between us, and position myself closer to him, close enough that I’m in his space, close enough that Xue Lian has to shift slightly to accommodate my presence.
"Why are you working late now?" I continue, reaching up to adjust his collar that doesn’t need adjusting, smoothing the fabric while maintaining eye contact. "You said you’d eat dinner at home, hmm?"
My left hand stays on his face, palm resting against his jaw, fingers curled gently around the side of his neck in a gesture that looks affectionate but carries clear territorial weight.
Then I glance at Xue Lian like I’m just noticing him for the first time.
"Oh, you’re here."
Back to Bael immediately, not waiting for Xue Lian’s response, not giving him the satisfaction of my attention.
"Let’s go home for dinner, okay?"
Bael’s expression doesn’t change, still composed, still controlled, but I see something shift in his eyes, something that might be amusement.
"Hmm," he says slowly, "but I’m in the process of a meeting right now. You think that’s a good idea?"
Something cracks inside me.
How dare he just sit there like some prize while two people compete for his attention, like he’s Cinderella at the ball waiting to see which suitor wins. Seriously, he’s not even worth the fight, but Xue Lian is sitting there with that smile on his face and it irks me more than anything Bael is doing right now.
My smile at Bael doesn’t change, but my fingers do.
My left hand, the one still resting on Bael’s face, my fingers curl slightly and I dig my nails into his skin, not hard enough to draw blood but definitely enough to make a point, enough to feel him flinch slightly under my palm even though he keeps his expression perfectly controlled.
"Oh yes," I say, my smile never wavering, voice sweet and concerned, "that’s a very good idea, because you’re working yourself too hard and you need to come home with me for dinner so you can rest properly, it’s already past closing time after all."
I look at him directly, maintaining eye contact, making sure he sees the message in my eyes even while I’m smiling, *you better come with me right now*.
Bael holds my gaze for a moment, and I see him fighting to conceal both amusement and the slight pain from where my nails are still pressed against his skin.
"You’re right," he says finally, tone perfectly reasonable. "I should take care of myself more."
Then he closes his laptop with a decisive click and stands, and I immediately wrap my arm around his, hugging it the way girls do with their boyfriends, fingers interlacing with his, body pressed close to his side in a way that announces ownership without needing words.
I glance at Xue Lian, who looks like he just got slapped, expression tight and carefully controlled but not quite hiding the frustration underneath.
"We should go," I say lightly, like I’m being helpful. "Unless you want to be locked in a closed office building all night, which seems uncomfortable."
Then we leave, Bael and I walking together with my arm still wrapped around his, Xue Lian following behind us like an afterthought, and I don’t look back to see his expression, I don’t give him the satisfaction of knowing I care enough to check.
Shen Rui is still at his desk when we emerge, and he stands immediately, looking professional and composed but there’s something in his expression that suggests he wasn’t expecting this particular outcome to the evening.
I smile at him warmly.
"Oh, you can close now," I say, tone light and friendly. "You know how your boss is, I’m the good wife who has to remind him not to overwork himself. He’s lucky to have me, right?"
Shen Rui’s lips twitch slightly, like he’s desperately trying not to smile, and he inclines his head with careful professionalism.
"Very lucky, Young Master."
We continue toward the elevator, Bael silent beside me, his arm still in my grip, and I maintain my bright smile all the way down to the parking garage where our respective cars are waiting.
Xue Lian peels off at some point, heading toward his own vehicle, and I don’t even notice when he leaves because I can’t be bothered to pay attention to the likes of him, can’t waste energy tracking his movements when I’ve already won this round.
Bael and I reach his car and I finally release his arm, sliding into the back seat with practiced grace while he settles in beside me, and Liang Feng and Qiao Jun get into their vehicle to follow us back to the estate.
The door closes and suddenly it’s just us in the quiet interior, the privacy partition already up, and I can feel Bael looking at me even though I’m staring straight ahead.