SDS: Chapter 15

"Is the Big Shot Flirting With Me?"

[I’m absolutely stunning! I’ll definitely be the most dazzling one tonight!]

Before even stepping out of the dressing room, 

Qin Zhiyan heard Tang Keyi’s inner monologue.

Tsk. 

So narcissistic.

Qin Zhiyan turned the doorknob and, sure enough, 

saw Tang Keyi admiring himself in the mirror.

"This outfit suits Young Master Tang perfectly. With your looks, anything would look good on you."

Faced with the attendant’s flattery, 

Tang Keyi maintained an air of dignified elegance, 

merely giving a slight hum of acknowledgment.

[Damn right! I’d look good even in a potato sack!]

The usual icy detachment in Qin Zhiyan’s gaze cracked slightly.

Not just narcissistic—extremely narcissistic. 

But… he wasn’t wrong.

The young man in the mirror was picturesque, 

his eyes brimming with unconcealed delight.

The well-tailored suit perfectly accentuated his long legs and narrow waist.

Noticing Qin Zhiyan’s reflection, Tang Keyi turned around with a smile. 

"President Qin, I’m all set."

[See how good I look? Here’s your chance to praise me!]

Qin Zhiyan withdrew his lingering gaze and replied indifferently, 

"Hm."

[Still not praising me? Do you have no eyes?!]

[Wait… is he waiting for me to praise him first?]

Tang Keyi’s eyes sparkled as he earnestly complimented, 

"President Qin, you look incredibly handsome in this!"

[But still slightly less than me.]

Qin Zhiyan let out an imperceptible scoff and played along. 

"Still slightly less than you."

Tang Keyi was finally satisfied.

[Oh-ho! Qin Zhiyan really knows his place. Sure, it’s only slightly less, but just by a tiny, tiny bit…]

The attendant, skilled in diplomacy, chimed in, 

"President Qin and Young Master Tang each have your own unique charm."

In high spirits, Tang Keyi wandered off to browse ties, 

picking out a few for Qin Zhiyan as well.

Qin Zhiyan usually wore darker colors, and today’s suit was black. 

Lighter accessories could offset the somberness, adding a touch of freshness.

"Which of these ties do you like?" 

Tang Keyi held up his selections for Qin Zhiyan to choose.

"Any is fine. You pick." 

Qin Zhiyan didn’t care much and left the decision to Tang Keyi.

Tang Keyi settled on a silver-gray one—more eye-catching—but paused mid-handoff.

[This one looks great, but the color’s too similar to my suit… it’d look like matching couple outfits…]

Just as he was about to swap it for another, the tie was plucked from his hand.

"This one’s fine. It’s nice."

Seeing Qin Zhiyan’s expression as calm and indifferent as ever, 

Tang Keyi relaxed slightly.

[It’s not like he’d notice anyway. Whatever.]

The attendant brought over cufflinks for them to choose. 

This time, Tang Keyi only picked for himself.

When the tray was presented to Qin Zhiyan, he said, 

"No need. The same as his will do."

Tang Keyi’s ears perked up, and he felt oddly unsettled.

[Cufflinks are personal items. Choosing the same ones as your admirer? That’s basically flirting!]

[Could Qin Zhiyan actually have feelings for me?]

[Well, it’s only natural. Faced with someone as gorgeous as me, how could anyone resist?]

Qin Zhiyan froze. 

With the tie, he’d indeed intended to tease Tang Keyi, 

but with the cufflinks, he’d simply deferred to Tang Keyi’s taste without much thought.

Now that he considered it, 

it was inappropriate.

To prevent Tang Keyi from spiraling further into narcissism, Qin Zhiyan clarified, 

"Since you’ve been performing decently lately, I’ll reluctantly wear the tie you picked and matching cufflinks. Happy?"

[What kind of nonsense is this? ‘Reluctantly’? Who asked you to be reluctant?! I don’t need your pity!]

Suppressing the urge to roll his eyes, Tang Keyi forced a stiff nod. 

"So. Happy."

Qin Zhiyan’s mischievous streak satisfied, he said lightly, 

"If you’re happy, hurry up and get ready. We’re running short on time."

The attendant swiftly helped Tang Keyi with his tie and cufflinks while Qin Zhiyan finished dressing himself.

According to Qin Zhiyan’s member profile, he disliked being assisted by others. 

The attendant waited respectfully until he was done before saying, 

"President Qin, your and Young Master Tang’s original outfits have been packed."

Qin Zhiyan nodded. 

"Check us out."

As Tang Keyi reached for his wallet, 

Qin Zhiyan stopped him.

"Business expense. It’s on the company."

Though money was no object to Tang Keyi, freebies were always welcome. 

"Thanks, President Qin."

---

Tonight’s banquet primarily catered to business circles, 

a different crowd from Tang Keyi’s usual social scene, so few recognized him.

Their ignorance didn’t stop Tang Keyi from observing them and indulging in some gossip.

[Old Mr. Wang looks radiant. Guess the power struggle between his sons hasn’t affected him.]

[The Lius are hilarious. Why pretend to be a model couple? Everyone knows they’re in an open marriage.]

[Miss Liu, your eyes are practically glued to Qin Zhiyan. Tone it down.]

[Sir, your taste is atrocious. Which brand is that suit? I’m blacklisting it immediately.]

[Why are so many people glaring at me? I’m just a lowly assistant. What did I do?]

Several young heirs and heiresses hoping to cozy up to Qin Zhiyan found themselves utterly overshadowed next to Tang Keyi.

His looks were simply too overpowering—anyone standing near him paled in comparison.

No wonder people were glaring.

Those who didn’t know Tang Keyi didn’t speculate much about his identity. 

Just as some brought glamorous female secretaries, 

Qin Zhiyan bringing a handsome male assistant wasn’t unusual. 

Still, many lamented that even Qin Zhiyan, 

long known for his indifference to beauty, had finally fallen from grace.

However, Tang Keyi didn’t stay by Qin Zhiyan’s side for long—Qin Zhiyan got fed up first.

Tang Keyi was too noisy.

How could someone have so many inner thoughts?

Qin Zhiyan decided to dismiss him. 

"No need to stick around. Go enjoy yourself."

"Okay."

[First, you drag me here, then tell me to scram. So hard to please.]

[As if I want to be near you! I’ll go drink by myself, hmph!]

Qin Zhiyan’s eyebrow twitched, and he added sternly, 

"Don’t drink too much."

"Got it." 

Tang Keyi played the obedient role.

Once freed from Qin Zhiyan, Tang Keyi wasn’t bored. 

Many who noticed his arrival with Qin Zhiyan came to chat him up.

A handful who recognized him exchanged pleasantries, while others probed cautiously. 

Tang Keyi dutifully played the assistant role, 

not revealing his identity as the Tang family’s young master.

Once it became known he was "just an assistant," some couldn’t resist sneering.

"Only an assistant? Dressed so finely, I thought you were someone important. Guess the clothes were a gift from President Qin?"

"What kind of assistant can afford designer wear? Mooching off luxury items—how shameless."

Tang Keyi regarded the two young women trading mocking remarks with an oddly benevolent smile.

They were unfamiliar faces, not from his usual circles.

In his over twenty years of life, Tang Keyi had been pampered and revered—

this was the first time anyone had implied he couldn’t afford clothes.

Rather than feeling insulted or embarrassed, he found it amusing, 

like watching children throw tantrums while he, the wise elder, remained unbothered.

This is actually kind of fun.

Tang Keyi’s smile was a lethal weapon—even the two disdainful young ladies couldn’t help blushing under its radiance.

---

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