The mood in the restaurant became awkward, and even Han Xueyou felt uncomfortable. There was obviously panic in her eyes, and they kept darting toward Han Qing’s face.
She wasn’t sure if Han Qing noticed any discrepancies, so Han Xueyou could only search for topics to chat about in order to attract his attention.
However, no matter how hard she tried, the two men at the table barely paid her any attention.
“Achoo!”
At that moment, Shen Qi felt a tickle in her nose, and she turned around reflexively with a hand over her nose and mouth to sneeze.
She wasn’t loud, but it attracted everyone’s attention, and they glanced at her, including Han Qing and Ye Moxuan who always appeared indifferent.
“What’s wrong?” Ye Moxuan asked with a scowl.
Han Qing gave Shen Qi the once-over.
Initially, Han Xueyou wanted to show her concern for Shen Qi, but when she saw both Ye Moxuan and Han Qing staring at Shen Qi, her movement stopped. It’s normal for Ye Moxuan to be concerned about Shen Qi, but why is Qing also…?
Han Xueyou bit her lip in silence when she witnessed that, and her fists clenched subconsciously underneath the table.
Why is this happening? I tried my best to speak and present myself well, but no one pays attention to me. However, one sneeze from Shen Qi, and everyone’s attention is on her.
Besides, Qing has always been a very calm and detached person, so why is he looking at her too? He’s even staring at her unblinkingly. Is she really that pretty?
Han Xueyou was already anxious from the beginning, and she became even more panicky now. She wrung her fingers so tightly that she wasn’t even aware that her fingernails were digging into her flesh.
Shen Qi’s fair face blushed instantly when she realized that everyone was staring at her. She covered her nose while shaking her head. “I’m fine. You all should continue.”
Ye Moxuan frowned immediately. Did she sneeze because she caught a cold? She had been sleeping on the floor ever since Ye Moxuan shifted her bed. In the middle of the night, Ye Moxuan would often snatch her blanket away and hug her to sleep. She would also kick her blanket away during the night, and when she woke up from her sleep, she wanted nothing more than to leave Ye Moxuan.
Just then, a server walked toward them with coffee, and he was most probably preparing to serve coffee on the table. Han Xueyou, who was sitting on the outer part of the table, had a sudden thought.
“Ouch!”
“Argh!”
Han Xueyou, who was sitting quietly all this while, stood up abruptly when the server brought the coffee for the table. With that, she knocked the hot coffee over, and the hot liquid spilled out everywhere and all over herself.
“It’s so hot!” Han Xueyou’s eyes turned red with tears in an instant, whereas the skin over her neck became bright red, and she screamed while jumping around.
“I’m sorry!” the server apologized immediately, and his eyes bulged with shock. “Miss, are you all right? Let me get some ice from the kitchen for you right away to apply on your skin!”
It was his younger sister after all, so Han Qing finally stood up. He grabbed Han Xueyou’s hand and asked, “Do you have cold water?”
“Yes, we do. It’s in the kitchen.”
Hence, Han Qing brought Han Xueyou to the back of the restaurant, and he took some paper towels before wetting it with some cold water. He then applied the cold, wet paper towel over her reddened skin around her neck. Han Xueyou’s eyes were brimming with tears due to the pain. “I’m so sorry, Qing. I was too clumsy, and I’ve troubled you.”
Han Qing looked down at her when he heard that, and he felt rather helpless when he saw how pitiful she looked. “Be careful next time,” he softened his voice.
“Mm-hmm, Qing… will it leave scars?”
Han Qing frowned slightly, and Han Xueyou took the chance and grabbed his arm while speaking pitifully. “If it does leave scars, will I look ugly? By then, would no one want to marry me?”
After he pondered for a while, Han Qing unbuttoned his suit jacket and took it off to wrap it around Han Xueyou’s shoulders. “Let’s go to the hospital.”
Han Xueyou felt gleeful when she heard that Han Qing was about to personally send her to the hospital. She gazed at Han Qing with anticipation. “Thank you, Qing.”
After that, she followed Han Qing back to the restaurant. As long as Han Qing sends me to the hospital, he won’t be able to continue to interact with Shen Qi here, and that’s the safest way for now.
“Xueyou, are you all right?” Shen Qi had been worried sick the moment Han Xueyou was scalded with hot coffee. However, Han Xueyou’s older brother was present, so Shen Qi couldn’t very well interrupt them. Hence, Shen Qi rushed over to check on Han Xueyou the moment she appeared.
Han Xueyou’s eyes flashed with displeasure when she saw Shen Qi making her way toward them because she had a feeling that Shen Qi was just trying to get Han Qing’s attention. Thus, Han Xueyou was disgusted with Shen Qi.
“I’m fine.”
Han Xueyou avoided contact with Shen Qi while looking rather cold and detached.
Shen Qi stretched out her arm, but it was left hanging mid-air. She then glanced at Han Xueyou, looking puzzled.
What is happening? Xueyou is…
“Secretary Su.” Han Qing broke the silence with his cold voice. “Send Miss to the hospital, and make sure that the wound is well-attended to in order to avoid scarring.”
Han Xueyou, who was filled with anticipation and glee initially, felt as if she was splashed with a bucket of cold water. The color drained from her face immediately when she heard that.
“Qing, a-aren’t you going to send me to the hospital?”
Assistant Su stood up and explained calmly to Han Xueyou, “Miss Xueyou, President Han is very busy with work. He has to rush to an important meeting in another ten minutes, so please allow me to accompany you to the hospital.”
Han Xueyou answered sadly, “Is that meeting more important than my injury, Qing?”
Assistant Su scowled because she was afraid that Han Xueyou would further upset Han Qing. Hence, she rushed forward and put her arms around her shoulders while reassuring her. “All right, Miss Xueyou. I know that you must be feeling unwell. I will take you to the hospital for a check-up, and your brother will visit you at night once he is done with work. Let’s go then.”
Assistant Su led Han Xueyou out swiftly.
Han Xueyou bit her lower lip angrily, and before she left, she turned around toward Shen Qi’s direction. “Qi, I’m scared. Can you accompany me?” she asked with a catch in her throat.
Shen Qi was obviously worried about her judging by Han Xueyou’s current situation. But I invited Han Qing over today, and if he is still here, how can I possibly…
Shen Qi glanced at Ye Moxuan instinctively when she thought of that.
Ye Moxuan frowned when he saw her pleading with her eyes.
Is this woman a fool?
However, Ye Moxuan couldn’t reject Shen Qi, so he answered in an icy tone, “Go ahead. It’s a rare opportunity for me to meet President Han,m. You guys better not dampen the mood here.”
Shen Qi was rendered speechless by his response.
Is this man trying to help or mock me?
He really has a sharp tongue, and he is so arrogant.
Nevertheless, Shen Qi shot him a grateful look anyway, and she apologized to Han Qing quickly before leaving with Han Xueyou while supporting her.
Shen Qi figured that since Han Xueyou was Han Qing’s younger sister after all, and if she were to accompany Han Xueyou to the hospital, Han Qing couldn’t possibly be mad at her.
Han Xueyou leaned against Shen Qi weakly while commenting. “Qi, it’s great that you’re accompanying me. Assistant Su, why don’t you go back?”
Assistant Su was astounded when she heard that. “But President Han instructed me to…”
“My brother is worried that I have no company, but Qi is keeping me company now. Besides… didn’t you say that my brother has a very important meeting in another ten minutes? He would definitely need your help, so you should go ahead and help my brother.”
