SDS: Chapter 39

"I’ve Fallen for Qin Zhiyan"

 "Then I won’t go to that restaurant. I’m not stupid."

"Why not? You have to go!" 

Han Qiuqiu declared emphatically. 

"If a man has slept with his ex, does that mean he can never go back to that place? We’re going to outshine the ex!"

He slammed the table. 

"Not only are we going, but you’re dressing to impress! Completely overwrite his memories of anyone else! From now on, whenever he thinks of that restaurant, it’ll only be about your romantic moments—everyone else can get lost!"

Tang Keyi awkwardly replied, 

"You’re getting carried away. I’m just thanking Qin Zhiyan for helping me that night—don’t overthink it."

"You think you can hide your feelings from me? Forget our friendship—just the fact that you’re so hung up on what that director said proves you’re jealous." 

Han Qiuqiu stared straight at Tang Keyi. 

"So admit it, Tang Keyi. You’ve fallen for Qin Zhiyan!"

Tang Keyi stammered, caught off guard.

"What’s there to be shy about? Did you really think I bought your whole 'eternal bachelor' act? You just never met someone you liked before. And let’s be honest—someone like Qin Zhiyan? It’s no surprise you’d fall for him after spending so much time together."

"Fine, I admit I might have some feelings for Qin Zhiyan, but it’s definitely not love yet!" 

Tang Keyi stubbornly insisted.

Han Qiuqiu raised an eyebrow. 

"From what I’ve seen, Qin Zhiyan treats you differently too. Especially that night you had your episode—I doubt anyone else could’ve handled it as well as he did."

"Really?" 

Tang Keyi recalled that night.

So… 

does that mean Qin Zhiyan might like me too?

"Don’t overthink it for now. By the way, a new resort just opened in the suburbs. They’ve invited us for a soft opening this weekend—wanna go? Skiing, hot springs, just relax a bit."

"Sure." 

Tang Keyi agreed readily.

---

With the flurry of year-start meetings, 

Tang Keyi had few chances to talk to Qin Zhiyan alone. 

Meanwhile, Ning Muxi was constantly in and out of the CEO’s office.

"Here’s the proposal for this year’s projects. Let me know if there are any issues—if not, I’ll notify Finance to proceed with the budget." 

Ning Muxi handed the documents to Qin Zhiyan.

He took them and began reviewing immediately.

Ning Muxi’s sharp eyes caught the new bracelet on Qin Zhiyan’s wrist—

something completely out of place with his usual style.

She prided herself on knowing Qin Zhiyan well. 

He never wore accessories beyond his watch, 

let alone something as cheap and tacky as this.

Her gaze lingered on the small silver charm engraved with what looked like… 

a candy?

Candy? 

What does that mean?

Tang… 

as in Tang Keyi?

Her face paled.

---

Not long after Ning Muxi left the office, 

Tang Keyi went to the break room for water and found her still there.

"Director Ning, you’re still here?" 

Tang Keyi asked.

"I noticed President Qin’s coffee was running low. I was about to make him another cup," 

she replied.

"No need to trouble yourself. That’s my job as his assistant."

"President Qin is very particular about his coffee. I doubt your version would suit his taste."

Tang Keyi recalled Qin Zhiyan’s past compliments and said confidently, 

"Not at all. He likes mine just fine."

Ning Muxi stepped aside. 

"Then let me witness Assistant Tang’s skills."

Tang Keyi followed his usual steps, 

while Ning Muxi watched with growing disapproval.

Even an amateur wouldn’t make coffee this poorly, 

let alone for someone as discerning as Qin Zhiyan.

Tang Keyi even poured cups for himself and Ning Muxi. 

"Here, try it."

He rarely drank coffee himself and 

could barely tell the difference beyond it tastes like coffee.

"I’ll pass." 

Ning Muxi waved it off. 

"Assistant Tang, I’ll be blunt—your skills are… lacking. Let me demonstrate."

She cleaned the machine, ground fresh beans, prepared the filter, and meticulously added the perfect ratio of milk and sugar before stirring thoroughly.

"President Qin prefers a 5:2:1 ratio of coffee to milk to sugar. Even a slight deviation ruins the taste. There can’t be a single grain of coffee residue, and the temperature must be exact. Try it."

She handed the cup to Tang Keyi.

He took a sip—much bitterer than his version, 

though he couldn’t discern anything else.

But Qin Zhiyan’s preferences were exactly what I followed…

Then Ning Muxi remembered the bracelet.

Something so unfitting for Qin Zhiyan’s image shouldn’t stay on his wrist.

She’d already dug into Tang Keyi’s background—

a spoiled rich kid shamelessly chasing Qin Zhiyan, 

even dreaming of marrying him. 

The audacity.

A worthless playboy like him has no place by Qin Zhiyan’s side.

Her eyes darkened. 

"This is the taste President Qin prefers. Assistant Tang, are you sure he likes yours?"

Tang Keyi froze.

He suddenly realized—after that first time, 

Qin Zhiyan had never asked him to make coffee again.

So… he never liked it.

Maybe he’d just been sparing Tang Keyi’s feelings. 

Or the Tang family’s reputation. 

Or couldn’t be bothered to correct him. 

Or pitied him.

Whatever the reason, 

I’ve been fooling myself.

"President Qin was probably just being kind, not wanting to discourage you. Yet you took it as him liking your coffee." 

Ning Muxi watched Tang Keyi’s expression crumble with satisfaction but pressed on mercilessly. 

"It happens. Some people mistake basic courtesy for special affection, thinking they’re the exception. When really, it’s just delusion."

Delusion?

Tang Keyi lowered his gaze.

So that night, his gentleness was just courtesy too.

I deluded myself into thinking he liked my coffee.

And deluded myself into thinking he might like me.

Tang Keyi’s visible dejection pleased Ning Muxi immensely.

Seeing her goal achieved, she smiled and brewed another cup. 

"I’ll deliver this to President Qin. Could you inform him for me? Even though we’re close, workplace protocols should still be followed."

"Right. I’ll call him." 

Tang Keyi nodded numbly and left the break room.

---

As dusk fell, Qin Zhiyan was still reviewing reports when his phone rang.

"Zhiyan, still at work?" 

Qin Yulin asked.

"Mm. Reports aren’t done yet. What’s up?"

"Want to hit the slopes and hot springs this weekend? There’s a new resort in the suburbs."

"Pass."

"I heard Qiuqiu’s going—which means Tang Keyi definitely is. Still sure you don’t want to come?"

Qin Zhiyan recalled Tang Keyi’s subdued mood lately. 

He had been meaning to check in, 

but between meetings, year-end reports, and new project plans, 

their interactions had been either crowded or strictly work-related—

no chance to hear Tang Keyi’s inner thoughts.

A weekend getaway might not be a bad idea.

"Fine, I’ll go."

"Great. We’ll leave early tomorrow."

---

Weekend.

Han Qiuqiu and Tang Keyi, freshly suited up in ski gear, 

had just entered the slopes when Han Qiuqiu spotted two familiar figures.

"Ugh. They’re like bad pennies."

Qin Yulin, who’d been watching for Han Qiuqiu’s arrival, immediately waved. 

"You’re so late! We’ve already done a few runs."

---

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