C7 The Unpredictable Lih Qingcheng.

"Why do I get the feeling you're looking way handsomer than before? Spill it, did you get some work done?"

"Getting plastic surgery is no big deal. No need to feel shy about admitting it."

Li Qingcheng teased Qin Xiaoliu, who seemed lost in thought.

"Boss, I swear I haven't had plastic surgery. I've always looked this way—you just never took a good look before."

Qin Xiaoliu responded, at a loss for words.

"Oh, is that so?"

"Let's leave it at that for now. Go take care of the important stuff."

Li Qingcheng's expression shifted to one of sternness as she spoke.

"Yes, boss. I'll make sure the task is completed."

Qin Xiaoliu replied with a straight face.

Internally, he couldn't help but grumble about how quickly this woman could change her demeanor.

Some things just can't be learned.

"Alright, you're dismissed."

Li Qingcheng spoke with a hint of indifference.

"Yes, boss."

After responding, Qin Xiaoliu turned and slowly exited the room.

The moment the door shut behind him, a bead of cold sweat formed on his forehead.

Thank goodness he knew the script well enough to avoid the boss's scrutiny.

Otherwise, he'd surely be on his way to becoming dog food by now.

He just hoped Zhou Yingxue wouldn't let anything slip—he wanted nothing more than to quietly play the sidekick role.

As Qin Xiaoliu emerged, the bodyguards on the platform ceased their sparring.

"Six Brother, you didn't get a beating, did you?"

"Six Brother, how's it feel to have a private moment with the boss? Was it like soaring through the skies?"

"Cut it out, you're making Six Brother turn green!"

...

The bodyguards ribbed Qin Xiaoliu mercilessly.

For them, the biggest thrill, aside from the usual rough stuff, was the banter among brothers.

Qin Xiaoliu's face grew darker by the second. These guys really knew how to make a spectacle of things.

He had narrowly dodged one disaster only to be caught in the crossfire of their jokes.

Yet, Qin Xiaoliu felt a warmth in his heart.

Their teasing was just a front; they were genuinely concerned about how harshly the boss might punish him.

"Don't sweat it, guys. I'm fine. I just went in for a quick cup of tea."

"You know, there's something special about the Longjing Tea the boss brews himself."

Qin Xiaoliu, sensing the mood, naturally offered his response.

"Damn, nicely done, Six Brother!"

"The boss personally made the tea."

"Leaving everything else aside, when it comes to boasting, Six Brother is in a league of his own."

"He can brag without so much as blinking—an old dog couldn't be steadier."

"Hahaha..."

The bodyguards, of course, weren't buying it. The boss making tea for them? Who did they think they were?

But his comment suggested the boss hadn't come down too hard on him, so they let their guard down.

"Who's bragging? Just now, the boss was..."

Qin Xiaoliu was about to spin another yarn when the door opened behind him.

Then came a voice that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

"What about the boss? Go on, I'm rather curious myself."

Li Qingcheng said to Qin Xiaoliu with a gentle tone.

Qin Xiaoliu shivered slightly and turned his head stiffly, his face twisting into a pained smile.

"Good to see you, boss."

While speaking, he desperately signaled the other bodyguards with his eyes, pleading for their help.

In unison, the bodyguards chimed in, "Good to see you, boss."

Then they doubled down on their efforts.

As if they'd help Qin Xiaoliu out of this mess.

Only a fool would take that on. Count me out.

Qin Xiaoliu shot them a look of deep betrayal.

A bunch of disloyal goons.

He then turned to Li Qingcheng with a sycophantic smile.

"Boss, what brings you out here?"

"If there's anything you need, just give the word."

"I'd climb a mountain or dive into flames for you, no questions asked."

Li Qingcheng listened to Qin Xiaoliu, her smile soft and warm as she continued to gaze at him tenderly.

Qin Xiaoliu faced Li Qingcheng, whose smile was as comforting as an aunt's.

His face twitched, and his heart quivered uncontrollably.

Damn. He'd never seen the boss smile with such tenderness.

With her stature, she was utterly mesmerizing.

But I'm freaking out here. Who's going to rescue me?

"Xiaoliu, why is your face twitching? Is my appearance that frightening?"

Li Qingcheng looked at Qin Xiaoliu with such a sense of grievance that her eyes seemed ready to brim with tears.

Qin Xiaoliu shuddered. Torn between laughter and tears, he looked at Li Qingcheng and pleaded,

"How could you ever look scary?"

"You're the epitome of beauty, grace, and virtue—gentle and erudite."

"Just tell me the punishment, don't leave me in suspense."

"This kind of uncertainty is really unnerving."

"Let me tell you, I've always had a weak heart. You could literally scare me into a heart attack."

The security guards, overhearing Qin Xiaoliu's exaggerated flattery, silently gave him a thumbs-up, impressed by his smooth talk.

How could he not get promoted with such a silver tongue?

"Pfft—"

Li Qingcheng couldn't help but laugh.

Qin Xiaoliu was momentarily spellbound by the scene before him, thinking, The boss is truly stunning.

But then he snapped to his senses with alarm.

This is Li Qingcheng, for heaven's sake. How could I entertain such thoughts?

With that, he quickly averted his gaze, silently praying she hadn't noticed.

Li Qingcheng, cheeks flushed, found herself thinking, When did I fail to notice how charming and hilarious this guy is?

She then composed herself and addressed Qin Xiaoliu with a stern look.

"Enough, go take care of the task at hand."

"And as for the rest of you, it seems you've had too much idle time today."

"If no one gets a scratch on them, no one eats."

She then turned to the bodyguards in the ring and spoke with authority.

The bodyguards internally cried foul, thinking it was grossly unfair. Six Brother was the one who stirred up trouble, so why should they bear the consequences?

They all shot Qin Xiaoliu looks that could only be described as those of deeply wronged souls.

Qin Xiaoliu, however, chose to ignore their resentful stares.

After all, they had abandoned him in his time of need, leaving him to fend for himself.

"Boss, may I take off now?"

Qin Xiaoliu glanced cautiously at Li Qingcheng before posing the question.

Truth be told, he was genuinely intimidated by Li Qingcheng, the woman whose moods were as unpredictable as the weather.

He feared that any more time spent in her presence might actually induce a heart attack.

"What, you want to stick around for some Dragon Well tea?" Li Qingcheng asked with a sidelong look at Qin Xiaoliu.

At her words, a shiver ran down Qin Xiaoliu's spine.

There's wisdom in the adage: of all the strategies, retreat is supreme.

Staying would surely earn him a thrashing.

With that thought, he spun on his heel and bolted for the door.

He cursed his two legs for not being fast enough—if only he could sprint at supersonic speeds.

"Ha!"

Li Qingcheng couldn't help but laugh as she watched Qin Xiaoliu dash away.

She wondered to herself if she was truly that frightening.

Yet, she hadn't noticed before how amusing the lad could be.

Unbeknownst to her, Li Qingcheng's feelings toward Qin Xiaoliu had undergone a significant shift.