Chapter 11: Being a Woman Doesn't Have to Be So Strong-Willed

Huo Jingtang didn't say a word and coldly shut the door.

He turned back, placed the medical kit on the conference table, and commanded Qin Yucen, "Take off your stockings, I'll apply the medicine."

"It's just a minor injury, I can handle it myself," she rejected his kindness.

The man who looked like he would devour her moments ago now seemed tender and confusing. He really was so changeable it was baffling!

"Being stubborn won't do you any good," Huo Jingtang said as he removed his suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his crisp white shirt, revealing his toned forearms.

Then he picked up something from the medical kit and squatted down.

Qin Yucen hadn't retracted her foot yet when he grasped her ankle, startling her, "Let go!"

"Don't move!" his tone was domineering and left no room for argument.

He took a pair of scissors and cut through the black stockings on the instep of her foot, revealing the clearly visible wounds on her pale skin, and her small, round toes looked like smooth pearls.

As he applied medicine while holding her foot, the warmth from his palm transferred to her skin, from her sole right up to her heart. She stopped moving and let him handle her injuries.

From Qin Yucen's angle, his nose bridge stood straight and firm, his eyelashes surprisingly thick and long, so beautiful they caused her heart to flutter.

Staring closely at Huo Jingtang from this angle, the words Xi Yan had said suddenly sprang to her mind, "Sometimes you have to let go to find another happiness. What Guan Haoyang can't give you, maybe someone else can."

Someone else... Huo Jingtang...

What was she thinking!

She was married, and even if her marriage was less than perfect, she shouldn't entertain such thoughts! It wasn't just debasing herself but also insulting Huo Jingtang!

The next second, she fiercely banished these thoughts from her mind!

Huo Jingtang merely glanced at this incomprehensible woman, silently and gently took care of the wounds on her foot, cleaned them up, and applied medicine before bandaging them.

His movements were skilled and quick, and once he was done, he began packing up his tools, reminding her, "If you don't want scars, it's best to keep the wound dry for the next few days. Try to wear flat shoes."

Then Huo Jingtang turned around and walked to the head of the table, picking up the mobile phone, "Xu Rui, buy a pair of women's flat shoes, size 35. And also get a pair of trousers..."

Qin Yucen had no idea what he was up to, but soon Xu Rui arrived carrying a bag, set it down, and left.

Huo Jingtang opened the exquisite shoe box, pulling out a pair of nude-colored flat shoes adorned with crystal beads, sparkling beautifully under the light.

He extended the shoes to her, his normally harsh facial lines softening in the light, "Put them on."

"These are for me? How did you know I wear size 35?" she was quite surprised, were his hands like rulers? Just by holding, he knew.

Huo Jingtang handed her the paper bag, "There's also a pair of trousers here. If you change now, you should still make it to the meeting."

As he turned around, he heard a soft voice from behind, "Mr. Huo... anyway... thank you!"

She thanked him for his gentlemanly actions and his gentleness just now.

She had never experienced such genuine tenderness from a man, as too many men lusted after her beauty, wishing to dominate her. Although he was a bit harsh and somber, his heart was warm.

However, Huo Jingtang said, "Miss Qin, I can't accept your thanks."

Qin Yucen knew her actions had greatly embarrassed him, especially in front of his subordinates, which would be hard for any normal man to accept, let alone Huo Jingtang! In his eyes, she must look like a lunatic. She felt ashamed of her behavior and looked down to hide her disgrace.

"I'm sorry," her voice choked, and her eyes began to heat and redden.

Huo Jingtang looked at her and furrowed his brows.

Was this woman made of water?

"If you want to cry, just let it out. There's no need to be so strong," his rich, velvety voice held a soothing power, hitting the softest part of her heart, causing Qin Yucen's nose to tingle, and tears began to freely fall.

With her bright eyes wide open, tears silently streamed down, moistening her ethereal eyes, crying soundlessly yet helplessly.

She turned her face away, not wanting him to see her vulnerability.

But Huo Jingtang's eyes were sharply perceptive, nothing escaped his gaze.

Qin Yucen silently turned around, but the next second, he grasped her waist and pulled her into the embrace of this noble, aloof man.

His scent was somewhat cold, but she felt a warmth she had never known before. She leaned against his shoulder, instantly relaxing, her suppressed cries slowly intensifying, the falling tears creating dark stains on his white shirt. Standing tall like a pine, he supported her as she wept, providing her with a steadfast pillar of support.

After she had vented for a while and her crying subsided into sobbing,

her most disheveled appearance was gently soothed by him, "I..."

"Aren't you here to attend the meeting? It's nearly half-past three, are you sure you want to waste more time with me here? Do you not want this contract anymore?" Huo Jingtang finally spoke softly, cleverly shifting the topic, effortlessly easing her discomfort and awkwardness.

Then, he walked to the door and opened it.

Upon hearing the noise, Xi Yan turned his head, "President, do you need anything?"

"Take Miss Qin to the meeting," Huo Jingtang had returned to his cold demeanor, as if the tenderness had never occurred.

"Okay," Xi Yan nodded, then approached Qin Yucen. Seeing her red eyes and the injury on her foot, he discreetly supported her, "Let's go."

Qin Yucen, escorted by Xi Yan, walked to the door of the conference room, feeling an indescribable and complex emotion swirling in her chest. She paused, her gaze clear as water, while he had already sat down at his place, the dying light of the sunset casting a soft glow on his tough side profile through the glass, exuding charm and nobility.