Come in

Secretary Yuan escorted Lina through the private elevator of Bo Qiang's company, their ascent smooth and quiet as they approached the office of the man she was meant to protect today. When the elevator doors slid open, they stepped out and found themselves standing before the large wooden doors of Bo Qiang's office. Yuan knocked gently, and they waited in silence until a deep voice from inside responded, "Come in."

Yuan moved aside, gesturing for Lina to enter first. She hesitated for a brief moment, her heart inexplicably fluttering with nerves. Come on, Lina, pull yourself together. You're here to protect Bo Qiang today, not to be shy. Summoning all her courage, she stepped forward into the office. The door closed behind her with a soft click, leaving her alone with him.

Bo Qiang was sitting at his desk, his head bent down, focused on the paperwork in front of him. Lina stood there, unsure of what to do next. Just as she was about to greet him, Bo Qiang lifted his gaze, locking eyes with her.

For a long, stretched moment, neither of them spoke. Bo Qiang just stared at her, his dark eyes intense and unreadable. The silence hung in the air, growing heavier by the second. Lina shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, her face heating up as she fidgeted with her hands.

Finally, unable to stand the tension, she blurted out, "Do I... look pretty?" Her voice came out more timid than she intended, and she immediately regretted asking such a silly question.

Bo Qiang blinked, as if suddenly coming back to reality. In his mind, he thought, She looks more than pretty—she's stunning. But out loud, he muttered, "You look... okay." His tone was casual, almost indifferent, but he kept his eyes firmly on the documents in front of him, unwilling to let her see the truth in his gaze.

"I'll be done in a few minutes," he added, pretending to focus on his work. "Just let me finish this."

Lina nodded, feeling a bit awkward, and sat down in one of the armchairs across from his desk. She pulled out her phone, scrolling aimlessly as she waited. The silence in the room was only broken by the occasional rustle of paper as Bo Qiang worked.

Several minutes passed before Bo Qiang finally stood up, shrugging into his sleek, tailored coat. He glanced over at her and asked, "Ready?"

Lina lifted her head from her phone and met his gaze. "Yeah, I'm ready," she replied, slipping her phone back into her purse. She stood and began walking towards the elevator, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor.

But as she moved, her foot caught on the edge of a rug. Lina stumbled forward, arms flailing, her balance completely thrown off by her high heels.

Bo Qiang reacted instantly, moving faster than she could process. His arm shot out, wrapping around her waist to steady her, while his other hand gently cupped her face to prevent her from falling.

"Are you alright, Lina?" His voice was low, filled with concern, his face inches from hers.

Lina's heart pounded in her chest, not from the fall, but from how close they were. She hadn't even realized how intimate the moment had become, Bo Qiang's strong arms holding her firmly in place. Her breath caught in her throat as she nodded, looking up at him with wide eyes.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her lips curled into a soft smile as she added, "Thank you, Brother Bo Qiang."

For a brief moment, Bo Qiang was completely captivated by her. The way she smiled at him, so sweet and innocent, made his heart race. His hand, still resting on her waist, instinctively tightened just a little, holding her a bit closer.

Across the room, Secretary Yuan witnessed the entire exchange. He felt a twinge of awkwardness at the sight of his boss and Lina so close, yet he maintained his professional demeanor. Clearing his throat loudly, he broke the moment. "Sir, the car is ready for you in the garage," he announced, his voice pulling Bo Qiang back to the present.

Bo Qiang blinked, as if waking from a trance. Slowly, he loosened his grip on Lina's waist and stepped back, his face returning to its usual calm expression. "You should hold onto my arm," he said after a brief pause, his tone more formal. "You're wearing heels, and I don't want you to fall again."

Lina, completely unaware of the tension that had just filled the room, smiled gratefully and slipped her arm through his. "Thanks," she said brightly, not thinking anything of it. Together, they made their way to the elevator, chatting casually about their day as if nothing unusual had happened.

Secretary Yuan followed a few steps behind them, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed their interactions. Why do they seem more like a couple than siblings? he wondered to himself, scratching his head in confusion. Something about their chemistry felt... different, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

As the elevator doors closed and they descended toward the garage, Yuan couldn't help but feel as though he had just glimpsed a piece of the future—one where Bo Qiang and Lina were far more than just "siblings."