Chapter 12

She first went to the small compartment in the bedroom to put away the dictionary and then quickly headed to the kitchen on the ground floor to prepare the meal.

A quarter of an hour later, she knocked on the door of the study.

"I made beef rice bowl, is it okay?" she asked the man in front of the desk, who had already undone two buttons of his shirt, using sign language.

Leng Chenxuan stopped his work, wordlessly stood up, and walked out of the study, striding down to the dining room on the ground floor.

At the dining table, the two of them silently ate the rice bowl, neither uttering a word.

Qianxue took small bites of the rice bowl with a silver spoon, quietly chewing, suddenly finding the food tastier. Perhaps she was influenced by his presence nearby.

He always finished every meal she cooked, leaving not a drop behind. She liked this feeling, as if she had been affirmed by him.

Moreover, the apartment felt somewhat livelier with his arrival, keeping her no longer afraid of the silence. Although they were silently dining at the moment, the room was still quiet.

She smiled faintly, accustomed to it. Four years of living together had at least made her understand that he didn't like talking while eating. She felt the same.

In the end, she cleared the tableware and wore gloves to wash up in the sink.

Leng Chenxuan didn't immediately return to his study; he stood behind her, his deep, black and shining eyes intensely watching her slender legs and back.

"Would there be a problem if we have the child next May?" he said, his voice carrying a seductive magnetism.

Qianxue's delicate frame suddenly tensed.

First, his voice startled her. She hadn't expected that he did not return to his study, but had silently walked up behind her.

Next, she was astonished by his words. If they were to have a child next May, accounting for a ten-month pregnancy, it meant she had to conceive now.

But if she got pregnant now, then she wouldn't be able to work.

She put down the dinner plate in her hand and turned to face the tall man behind her.

The man's dark shirt was unbuttoned at the top, revealing a bronzed chest, sexy and languid. His eyes, as dark and penetrating as a cold, deep pool, were intensely passionate.

Her heart was suddenly struck hard, always feeling that he, unlike his usual indifferent self, was more heated today, inexplicably making her breath quicken.

She signed, "I... I maybe..."

"Not ready yet?" his breath, pressing and difficult to ignore in the close space, intensified the urgency.

She avoided his burning gaze, recalling what he had said on graduation day. He had told her not to make him wait too long, seemingly eager to have children.

He had waited for her for four years, not touching her out of respect for her. Could she continue to wear down his patience like this?

So, she clenched the hem of her clothing, paused in silence, and signed, "I can now... My health check-up is all normal. If nothing goes wrong, I can bear you a child next May." And then, time to part amicably and set her free.

Leng Chenxuan's eyebrows rose, capturing every change in her expression. She seemed reluctant to conceive now but also seemed to be thinking of getting away.

Their four-year deal made their relationship delicate. Although she was his kept mistress, she was only meant to relieve his post-work fatigue and was not required to fulfill his physical needs.

In his mind, this woman was merely a vessel for conceiving his future child. After the child was born, the agreement would be terminated and they would have no further connection.

But today, seeing the fleeting expression of seeking release on her face, a sudden displeasure rose in his heart.

For a moment, he couldn't clear up where this emotion came from. And so he looked at her serene face, hiding his internal musings, and said in a low voice, "Since you're ready, from now on, you should keep a regular schedule, avoid smoking and heavy drinking, don't take contraceptive pills, and you are not allowed to have other sexual relations... I want a healthy child..."

Qianxue looked up at him, her eyes reflecting a hint of injury as she met his sharp gaze. All those "don'ts" and "not alloweds," she had never engaged in those behaviors. Was he reminding her? Or did he not understand her well enough?

Her hands gestured quickly, "My routine is very regular. Since you want a healthy baby, please also have healthy living habits." Her graceful neckline undulated intensely with emotion.

Leng Chenxuan looked at her defiant little face, somewhat surprised. This was the first time he saw an expression other than submission on this woman, and it was in pushback against him.

"I will try my best." He didn't get angry, took another deep look at her, and left the kitchen.

Qianxue watched his retreating figure, her rushed breathing steadied and her rational thoughts returned. As a mistress, she might have overreacted just then.

She swiftly turned back, put on her gloves again, and continued with the unfinished work.

When she finished tidying the kitchen and returned to the bedroom, Leng Chenxuan had already come out of the shower, wearing only a white towel around his waist and a few enticing water droplets lingering on his broad, attractive chest.

She stood at the doorway, uncertain whether to enter or leave. She found herself suddenly afraid to be alone with him in the same room.

Leng Chenxuan did not don his robe as usual and return to his study but instead grabbed a bottle of red wine, planning to sit on the couch and savor it in comfort.

"Why don't you come in?" he frowned, his voice somewhat cold.

She had no choice but to walk in, his presence filling her senses. "I'm going to take a bath," she said, somewhat flustered, using sign language, intending to escape.

Leng Chenxuan took a sip of red wine, quietly looked at her, and said, "Don't wear that black cut-out nightgown anymore. Change into something you like."

"Okay," she signed in response, quickly entering the bathroom to hide her panic.

That night, for the first time, she wore in front of him a plain silk nightgown she liked.

Three days later, Qianxue officially started working at Leng's.

The secretarial department at Leng's was on the twenty-fourth floor. When she pushed open the glass door and walked in, the men and women chatting or working inside all turned to look at her in unison. They raised their eyebrows, eyes filled with inquiry.

Qianxue bowed to them, a polite smile on her face.

The men in their crisp white shirts warmly returned her smile, while the meticulously dressed female secretaries offered a posture of feigned politeness, their smiles strained and brief as a form of response.

Qianxue noted their reactions, a chill settling in her heart, and she could even hear their whispers, not shy of eavesdropping.