SDS: Chapter 11

"Ouch! Be Gentle!"


Tang Keyi headed straight for the door. 

"Grandma, I'm off to work."

"Aren't you having breakfast?"

"No time—if I eat, I'll be late." 

Tang Keyi waved dismissively.

"I knew you'd say that." 

Grandma Tang, as if anticipating this, handed him a prepared bag from the table. 

"I got this ready for you earlier. Eat it in the car. The driver's already waiting outside. And no driving yourself—I don't want you mixing up the brake and gas pedal while half-asleep."

"You're the best, Grandma!" 

Tang Keyi opened the bag and frowned. 

"Why are there two portions?"

"One's for Qin Zhiyan. Tell him you prepared it for him. See how thoughtful Grandma is?"

Tang Keyi's lips twitched. 

"He's probably already eaten. No need to be so... enthusiastic."

"Silly child! This isn't enthusiasm—it's an expression of love." 

Grandma Tang lectured earnestly. 

"Back in the day, this was how your grandfather won me over. Whether Qin Zhiyan's eaten or not, your gesture matters."

"Fine, fine." 

Tang Keyi brushed it off, 

figuring he could just not deliver it—Grandma would never know.

Grandma Tang saw right through him. 

"I'm teaching you how to pursue someone properly. Don't be shy. I know it's just your pride talking. You must personally give this breakfast to Qin Zhiyan, or next time I'll ask him about it myself."

"Alright." 

Defeated, Tang Keyi had no choice but to agree.






Tang Keyi arrived unusually early that day and ran into Qin Zhiyan right at the entrance.

"Young Master, don't forget your breakfast." 

The driver got out to hand him the forgotten bag from the backseat.

"Thanks." 

Tang Keyi forced a smile.

[Great. Now I can't even use 'I forgot it' as an excuse.]

Qin Zhiyan glanced at the breakfast in Tang Keyi's hands.

Doesn't he want to eat it?

Tang Keyi glared at Qin Zhiyan, unsure how to broach the subject of handing it over.

Finally, Qin Zhiyan spoke first: 

"Tang Keyi, haven't you eaten yet?"

Seizing the opportunity, Tang Keyi shoved the bag into Qin Zhiyan's arms. 

"I already did. This is extra—for you."

With that, he darted into the building.

[Finally got rid of that hot potato!]

Qin Zhiyan understood—

Grandma Tang must have made Tang Keyi bring him breakfast.

Resigned, he carried the bag inside.

It was peak commuting hours, and the elevator lobby was packed—

except for one elevator that stood empty, inexplicably ignored by everyone.

Puzzled, Tang Keyi pressed the call button, wondering, 

Is this elevator broken?

He finally asked the person beside him, 

"This elevator's here—aren't you coming?"

Just as the colleague was about to explain it was the CEO's private elevator, 

Qin Zhiyan arrived, stepped inside, and held the door open. 

"Tang Keyi, quit dawdling. Get in."

"Oh." 

Seeing Qin Zhiyan enter without issue, 

Tang Keyi assumed the elevator was fine and followed, 

leaving the crowd of coworkers exchanging bewildered looks.

Inside, Qin Zhiyan spoke first: 

"This breakfast—you brought it for me?"

Tang Keyi had a sudden idea—

if he could get Qin Zhiyan to refuse the breakfast outright, 

he'd have an excuse for Grandma.

"Yeah, but you've probably eaten already. My bad."

Unexpectedly, Qin Zhiyan defied logic.

"It's fine. Keep bringing them. From now on, I won't eat breakfast beforehand—I'll wait for yours."

His eyes gleamed with mischief. 

I'll help you cement this 'devoted admirer' persona of yours. 

No slacking off.

[I'm shocked. The audacity of this man!]

Qin Zhiyan handed the bag back. 

"It's gone a bit cold, though. Heat it up for me."

[You should be grateful I'm giving you anything at all! Who do you think you are?]

Qin Zhiyan stoked the flames: 

"What's wrong? So happy I'm accepting your 'breakfast of love' that you're speechless?"

Tang Keyi clenched the bag, resisting the urge to hurl it at him, and forced a strained smile. 

"Yeah. I'm overjoyed. Practically delirious."

Qin Zhiyan lowered his gaze to hide his amusement.




Thus began Tang Keyi's life as an assistant.

Handling documents, answering calls, typing, taking meeting minutes, 

running errands—all simple, hard-to-mess-up tasks.

His years-long habit of late nights and late mornings had been upended, 

and by 10 or 11 AM, he was already struggling to stay awake.

[So tired... so, so tired...]

Qin Zhiyan glanced at Tang Keyi beside him, 

fighting to keep his eyes open while taking notes.

Too noisy.

"Let's stop here and continue this afternoon," 

Qin Zhiyan interrupted the project manager mid-presentation.

The manager blinked in confusion. 

Did I say something wrong?

After lunch, Tang Keyi promptly passed out on Qin Zhiyan's office sofa.

In his private adjoining restroom, 

Qin Zhiyan was reviewing documents when he heard a thud.

By now, he was used to it—Tang Keyi must have rolled off the sofa again.

Too far to hear Tang Keyi's thoughts, he cracked the door open to check.

Sure enough, 

Tang Keyi was groggily climbing back onto the sofa, already dozing off again.

Qin Zhiyan smirked. 

That sleepy? 

Can't even stay awake long enough to hit the floor properly?

He stepped out silently and stood over the peacefully sleeping Tang Keyi.

Messy hair, closed eyes, flushed cheeks, slightly parted lips—

he looked like a harmless, defenseless little lamb.

Much more obedient when asleep.

His gaze fell on the small blanket tangled on the floor—a casualty of the earlier fall.

You should be grateful I even let you use the sofa. 

No matter how many times you fall, don't expect me to offer my bed.

He picked up the blanket—soft and cozy, just like its owner—

and draped it carelessly over Tang Keyi.

Consider this blanket the extent of my mercy.

Unbeknownst to him, his boundaries had already eroded beyond recognition.






"Ow ow ow—gentler!"

A sheen of sweat formed on Tang Keyi's forehead.

"Young Master Tang, this is my usual pressure. Why so sensitive today?" 

The masseuse lightened their touch on his back.

"I'm a miserable office worker now—times have changed," 

Tang Keyi lamented.

Beside him, Han Qiuqiu asked, 

"So? How's work after a week?"

"Don't ask." 

Tang Keyi started to elaborate but stopped, 

remembering the masseuse was still there. 

"I'll tell you later."



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