QTIMP -Chapter 193 Character Persona – Overachiever (Part 25)

Before returning to the country, she had wanted to test Tang Chaoyun’s attitude—this man had worked with her to achieve a cooperation, yet still refused to abandon his incompetent wife for her.

Now, seeing Si Qiu in person again, she realized that hope was even more distant than before. She let out a quiet sigh in her heart. It seemed she really needed to hold on tightly to Lucas.

At the very least, that would secure her a comfortable life for the rest of her days.

Si Qiu had naturally learned about her situation online. When she mentioned the divorce, it wasn’t meant as mockery—after all, divorce itself wasn’t shameful. She was simply reminding Tang Chaoyun that the other party was now single, and he should be careful about rumors.

After all, they weren’t divorced yet. If any scandal broke out, it would be Si Qiu who lost face.

Qiao Nana smiled warmly. “I won’t be settling in the country for now. Even if there’s a divorce, I still received some assets, so I need to go back to France to manage things.”

“This time I came back mainly to follow up on the Tang Corporation project. After all, President Tang offered me a very high commission.”

“For that money, of course I have to do my best.”

“The contract has already been signed. You should indeed receive your commission soon. I’ll notify the finance department tomorrow to process it.”

“Alright then. You all go ahead with your plans—I won’t interrupt a family outing of three.”

Qiao Nana accepted his arrangement cheerfully, smiling warmly as she watched the family of three leave.

Only after they entered another store did the women behind her quietly call out to her again.

Qiao Nana snapped back to attention and smiled at them. “Oh right, I haven’t told you yet—I actually have a boyfriend in France. Don’t go trying to matchmake me randomly.”

“If he misunderstands, it’ll cause trouble, and my boyfriend will get jealous.”

The women quickly reacted and nodded repeatedly.

“Right, right, we just talk too fast without thinking!”

“That’s true. So Nana, when are you planning to remarry?”

The family of three didn’t pay attention to their conversation and went straight into another shop.

Tang Chaoyun enthusiastically picked out accessories and shoes for Si Qiu.

While she was trying on shoes, he carefully explained, “I did know Qiao Nana before, but after she married abroad and her family went bankrupt, I was busy taking over the company, so we lost contact.”

“This time she came back, we met a few times for the company’s France project.”

“Lucas is pursuing her, so I asked her to help connect us. I also clearly set a commission rate for her.”

“There really is no inappropriate relationship.”

Si Qiu listened to his nonstop explanation and only felt that he was putting on quite a performance.

The ripple caused by Qiao Nana’s return had already been borne by the original owner of this body.

She had no right to forgive anyone on behalf of the original Si Qiu, nor did she have the right to take revenge for her.

Living her own life well was what mattered most now.

Being able to treat Tang Che this way already came from her good upbringing—and the remaining conscience she once had as a mother.

By the time night fell, the father and son were satisfied as they watched the mall staff deliver their purchases home, then drove to a restaurant.

After dinner, they returned home and coaxed Tang Che to sleep.

Si Qiu went back to the study to continue working.

Not long after, there was a knock on the door, and it opened.

Song Huaiyi walked in carrying a fruit platter and water.

“Miss, you’ve worked hard. These fruits were air-freighted fresh today. Please have some to replenish vitamins.”

Si Qiu hummed in response, but didn’t stop working. Her fingers kept moving across the keyboard.

A moment later, she suddenly felt a cool touch brush against her lips.

A clear, slightly seductive voice followed immediately after.

“Try this cherry.”

Si Qiu opened her mouth and bit into it. The flesh was quickly swallowed, and Song Huaiyi’s hand moved to her jaw.

“Spit it out.”

Her attention wasn’t on that, and she subconsciously followed his instruction. Only after the pit came out did she react.

When she turned back, she met Song Huaiyi’s smiling eyes. Si Qiu let out a sigh and was about to say something when a green grape was already held up to her lips.

“Since Miss is busy with work, let me take care of her.”

His gaze was serious. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, two buttons at the collar were undone, and he was leaning in too close.

This was no longer a hint—it was a direct statement.

Si Qiu took the grape from him, pinching it between two fingers and idly playing with it.

“Song Huaiyi, you should know I signed a contract. I can’t divorce within five years, and I definitely can’t cheat. I can’t afford the penalty for breach.”

As she spoke, her hand slipped. The grape rolled out of her palm, about to fall onto her loungewear and then onto the floor.

Song Huaiyi immediately dropped to one knee and caught it.

Then he stayed like that, looking up at her. His suit trousers tightened over his legs due to the kneeling posture.

“Qiuqiu, please allow me to wait for you.”

He took the hand she had been holding the grapes with and gently pressed a kiss into her palm.

He was clean and fresh-looking, with soft hair and slightly upturned, elongated eyes. When he smiled, he was charming and alluring; when he didn’t, he carried a quiet calm.

But right now—his posture, his tone, his actions—made him look pitifully submissive.

A beauty like this, so vulnerable… it was only natural she’d soften, right?

“You waiting or not is your business. I won’t take responsibility for the time you waste due to your own desires. So if in the future the answer isn’t what you hope—”

He interrupted her sharply.

“Qiuqiu, every decision I make is my own responsibility. I may be two years younger than you, but I’m already an adult and have been working for four years.”

“I know exactly what I’m doing, and I’ll bear the consequences of my choices.”

Hearing this, Si Qiu lifted his chin with her fingers. Song Huaiyi straightened slightly, lowering his gaze with an almost pleading expression.

She lightly brushed her thumb over his lips.

“It’s late. Go rest. You’ve worked hard during this time.”

After Song Huaiyi left the study, he saw Tang Chaoyun standing at the bedroom door.

His gaze was deep and cold as he examined him from head to toe, as if evaluating a product.

His eyes lingered briefly on Song Huaiyi’s unusually red lips.

“Know your place,” Tang Chaoyun said, his voice like ice shards. “Otherwise, I don’t mind dealing with you myself.”

With that, he turned and went back into the bedroom.

Song Huaiyi showed no discomfort at all from the warning. Instead, he touched his lips.

A provocative yet enamored smile appeared on his face.

When Si Qiu finished work, it was already past one in the morning. She didn’t expect Tang Chaoyun to still be awake. She didn’t think he was waiting for her—just assumed he might also be working before bed.

But just as she was about to lie down, he suddenly spoke about Old Madam Tang.

“My mother has gone traveling around the world with the housekeeper. She won’t be back to disturb us for a while.”