Men are visual creatures.

As for Xiang Ge, it would be impossible for Song Zhi to say he didn’t have any feelings for her at all.

This woman possessed too many qualities that attracted the opposite sex. Even if we set aside her appearance temporarily, her personality alone evoked an inexplicable desire to get closer to her.

But men aren’t entirely driven by lust.

At least Song Zhi, after weighing the pros and cons of the situation, quickly made a judgment and drew clear boundaries.

It began with attraction and ended with attraction.

The idea of being ambiguously involved with someone he had personally promoted was simply out of the question.

Song Zhi always considered himself a competent businessman. He was absolutely rational and capable of discerning how to maximize benefits in any situation.

Of course, this rationality did not include impulsively deciding to drive Qiao Xin home.

Especially after she had just analyzed his emotions so enthusiastically moments earlier, calling him a coward, which made him want to beat her up.

When Song Zhi said those words, he hadn’t thought much about it.

Not until his car stopped under Qiao Xin’s building, watching the young girl bow deeply in gratitude with an expression of both awe and excitement, then sprint upstairs as if fleeing from a flood or a wild beast—only then did he laugh.

In that moment, Song Zhi’s sharp mind seemed to freeze for a second.

He only remembered: when she smiled, she looked quite nice.

He sat in the car for a while, watching the figure wrapped in his coat disappear into an old, dilapidated building. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he pulled out his phone.

There was the photo he had just sent. The girl’s big eyes, black and white分明, stared straight at the lens.

She looked quite nice like that.

Aside from being a bit foolish.

After clearly understanding that his grandson didn’t intend to bring his girlfriend home anytime soon, Old Master Song began to feel anxious.

Song Zhi had originally said it offhandedly to stop his grandfather from pestering him about the matter. He even took a quick photo to make it seem more believable. He certainly didn’t mean to bring anyone back to play the role of his girlfriend.

Old Master Song had the photo printed in color, enlarged, and framed it in a small picture frame. He placed it on his desk every day, sighing deeply, longing to see the real person.

That same day, he had already thoroughly investigated the girl’s family background. Learning that she had dropped out of high school to work, he initially felt a bit dissatisfied. However, the next day, the little daughter-in-law from the Lu family next door came over again.

The petite girl stood on tiptoes, wrapping a scarf around the Lu boy’s neck and cheerfully placing a hat on his head.

The two stood at the iron gate, rubbing and hugging each other, inseparable.

Old Master Song felt a pang of jealousy. That little Lu boy’s personality and temper were far worse than his own grandson Ah Zhi’s, so why had he managed to find such a lovable wife?

Thinking about this, he realized that his grandson’s little girlfriend also looked sweet and innocent. As for her family background, it wasn’t something she could choose—it was truly pitiful.

Old Master Song decided that this couldn’t continue. He immediately put on his clothes, grabbed two scarves, called his driver, and secretly went to the company without telling Song Zhi.

Qiao Xin’s faint red marks had faded, and with some powder, they were barely noticeable. However, after Song boss inspected the studio and deemed her makeup affected photo quality, he impatiently ordered her to remove her makeup and leave, giving her two days off as well.

Qiao Xin obediently went to remove her makeup and changed her clothes, preparing to leave. Just as she reached the entrance, she coincidentally encountered an elderly man bundled up tightly.

The old man had several scarves wrapped around his face, covering everything except his eyes, which shone brightly as he looked at her.

Leaning on a cane, he stood silently at the bottom of the steps, unmoving.

Thinking he might have difficulty walking, Qiao Xin quickly stepped forward to support him: “Shall I help you up?”

The old man smiled, his eyes crinkling: “Do you work here, young lady?”

Qiao Xin nodded softly and helped him up the steps, stopping in front of the rotating glass doors. After a brief pause, she gently suggested: “Grandpa, this door isn’t convenient to use. Let’s go through the push door instead.”

She opened the side door and patiently waited for him to enter. Once inside, she pointed out the location of the elevator before leaving.

Old Master Song watched the small figure walk across to the bus stop, wait for a while, and board the bus.

He went upstairs and entered Song Zhi’s office. Upon seeing him, he couldn’t stop smiling and pushed open the door to declare: “I just saw your little wife!”

Song Zhi paused, taking a moment to process: “She’s not my wife.”

“You’ve got good taste, boy. I think that girl looks better in person than in the photo. You two suit each other,” Old Master Song plopped down into the sofa. “How old is she?”

Song Zhi glanced at him: “You already know, so why ask me?”

Old Master Song chuckled, unwrapping the scarves from his head: “The girl’s grades were pretty good back in school, and she’s still young. You should ask her if she’d like to go back and continue studying. It’d be a shame if she didn’t.”

Song Zhi remained silent.

“Did you hear me?”

Song Zhi raised his eyes: “Whatever happens is her own choice. Why should I meddle in her affairs?”

Old Master Song snorted: “You’re a little rascal, aren’t you? That girl had no other options, which is why she ended up like this.”

Song Zhi twirled a pen in his hand, unsure how to explain.

What could he say? She wasn’t really his girlfriend. Should he say, “Boss Song is feeling generous today, so I’ll not only pay you normally but also fund your return to take the college entrance exam”?

Song Zhi sighed: “Grandpa, she won’t accept it.”

Old Master Song rolled his eyes: “Then come up with a way! What do you use your brain for?”

Song Zhi frowned, covering his eyes, and waved his hand dismissively: “I understand. Go back now; Grandma is waiting for you at home.”

By the next day, Qiao Xin’s skin had healed, and there were no marks left on her face. When she arrived at the studio, Song Zhi was already seated inside.

The man casually pulled a chair to the center and sat down, holding a coffee cup in his hand. From afar, Qiao Xin respectfully bowed slightly toward him.

Song Zhi slowly placed the coffee cup on the table, raised his hand, and gestured for her to come over.

Almost reflexively, Qiao Xin shrank back.

Boss Song: ???

The man raised an eyebrow, leaning back into his chair, and mouthed silently: “Come here.”

The little girl approached reluctantly, dragging her feet like a turtle, tears streaming down her face: “Mr. Song…”

Song Zhi: “….”

“Am I going to eat you?”

Qiao Xin shook her head violently: “No, no, I’m not very tasty.”

Song Zhi smirked and spoke directly: “You don’t need to come tomorrow. Go back to school and prepare for next year’s college entrance exam.”

Qiao Xin’s head shot up, stunned for three seconds. When she finally processed what he said, panic overwhelmed her, and she stammered: “Mr., Mr. Song!”

Song Zhi couldn’t think of any other reasons, nor did he want to bother. He simply stated: “I’ve already arranged a school for you—”

“Mr. Song!” Before he could finish, the girl’s voice rose slightly, interrupting him.

Song Zhi was surprised. She had always been soft-spoken and cautious—she had never spoken to him like this before.

After raising her voice once, she faltered again, her eyes turning red like a rabbit’s. Tears flowed freely, and she looked at him helplessly and pitifully: “You can’t do this… You promised me before… How can you go back on your word…”

He hadn’t even finished speaking when she started crying again.

Song Zhi’s temple throbbed, and his budding impatience was suppressed by a wave of helplessness. He frowned at her: “Stop crying…”

Qiao Xin couldn’t stop. She swallowed her sobs but continued to wipe away tears, her body trembling with each hiccup.

Song Zhi tilted his body slightly, watching her curiously: “Do your tear ducts just never run out of water?”

“The human eye is 99% water,” the girl sniffled, her voice thick and muffled from crying. Her mascara had smeared, and her eyeliner was slightly smudged. “I’m sorry, Mr. Song… please don’t fire me.”

“...”

Song Zhi rubbed his brow, feeling a headache coming on: “I’m not firing you.”

Qiao Xin didn’t believe him. She bit her lip pitifully: “But you just said I don’t need to come anymore.”

“I told you to go back and finish school. When did I say I was firing you?” Song Zhi finally lost patience, tapping the desk irritably. “I’ve already arranged the school for you. I’ll lend you the tuition for both you and your brother. Go back, finish your senior year. Attend classes on weekdays and come here to work part-time on weekends. You can pay me back with what you earn.”

Qiao Xin froze, her eyes still brimming with tears as she let out a soft, surprised sound: “Ah…”

“Why do you always say ‘ah’? Is that the only word you know?”

Qiao Xin hesitantly ventured: “Are you doing charity work? Is this for the company’s image?”

“...”

This simple-minded girl.

Song Zhi gritted his teeth, took a deep breath to calm his nearly exploding temper, and pulled a chair closer to him. Calmly, he said: “Sit.”

Qiao Xin timidly sat down.

Song Zhi: “I heard you ran into my grandfather yesterday.”

Qiao Xin looked utterly bewildered: “Huh?”

Realizing she’d just been scolded for using “huh,” she quickly corrected herself: “Is… that so?”

“...”

Song Zhi felt his patience being ground down to nothing. He spoke slowly: “The one wearing all those red scarves.”

Qiao Xin’s eyes lit up in sudden realization: “Ah!”

“...”

“Oh!”

“...”

Song Zhi waved his hand in defeat: “Just keep saying ‘ah.’ I won’t scold you anymore.”

Qiao Xin was still processing the fact that she had unknowingly spoken to the boss’s grandfather the day before. Then she heard the big boss continue: “He said he thinks we suit each other.”

The young girl tilted her head, looking utterly confused, as if listening to an incomprehensible lecture. Her mouth hung slightly open, her cheeks still plump, but her chin was pointed.

Song Zhi resisted the urge to reach out and pinch her chubby cheeks. Sitting up straight, he slowly leaned forward, closing the distance between them. He could even see the teardrops clinging to her lashes.

Qiao Xin tried to shrink back, her heart skipping two beats. From her neck to the tips of her ears, she turned bright red.

The man was too close; his presence filled her senses, his deep gaze fixed on her.

After a long pause, he suddenly said: “I think so too.”

The girl covered her rapidly heating, burning cheeks with her small hands and stared blankly at him: “Huh?”

“I also think we suit each other,” Song Zhi’s lips curved for a fleeting moment as he straightened up. “Then let’s give it a try. Be my girlfriend.”

Qiao Xin stared at him in a daze, as if there was a sudden bang —her cheeks and brain felt like they were burning up.

Song Zhi narrowed his eyes dangerously: “Do you dare say no to trying?”

She instinctively shook her head, looking both confused and uncomprehending: “Do you have a fever?”

“...”

Song Zhi wore an expression that said, “Are you tired of living?”

Qiao Xin shrank her shoulders and fell silent.

Song Zhi looked down at her: “Go to school tomorrow.”

Her eyes rose, about to say something, but after meeting his icy glare, she lowered her head again: “Oh...”

“I’ll take you there.”

She nodded.

“Come over for dinner the day after tomorrow.”

“...Okay.”

Song Zhi paused, cleared his throat, and averted his gaze: “Focus on your studies in class. No distractions, and no talking to other boys.”

“...”

Boss Song let out a dissatisfied hiss: “Did you hear me?”

Unable to bear it any longer, Qiao Xin weakly protested: “Mr. Song, how can you restrict my right and freedom to make friends? Why can’t I even talk to others...?”

“? “

“TAT... I heard you...”

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Author’s Note: That’s the end of this extra chapter! Song Zhi, how could you be so forceful and domineering?!

This is a short extra story for the secondary couple. What happens after they start dating is left to your imagination—if I kept writing, it’d take until next year!

And with this, the story has officially come to an end! Once again, please consider adding me to your favorites! Thank you, everyone! Kneels and kowtows repeatedly!

Finally, here’s the teaser for my next book, “How Much Does Cuteness Weigh?” If you’re interested, feel free to check out my profile and add it to your favorites! I’ll hold a giveaway on Weibo before its release!

[Lu Shao: “This is way too damn cute. Come here; let me hug you.”

For twenty years, Lu Jiaheng believed there was nothing in this world money couldn’t solve. If it couldn’t be solved, it simply meant there wasn’t enough money.

That belief lasted until he met Chuzhi.

With his flirtatious peach-blossom eyes half-open, he pushed a card toward her, his intentions blatantly obvious.

Chuzhi obediently took it.

She was deeply moved—it was the first time anyone had given her money since she could remember. Feeling she should reciprocate, she softly offered: “My family’s house in the city center is being demolished. How about I give you one of the apartments?”

Lu Jiaheng didn’t say a word.

Thinking he was too shy to accept, she continued gently: “Don’t be shy. My family has plenty of them.”

Lu Jiaheng: “...”]

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That’s all! Thank you for staying with me until the very end! I hope to see you all in my next book! Mwah mwah mwah, I love you all!!!