Chapter 27. This is Just Ridiculous

Listening to the voice on the phone, Ye Chen felt a dull ache in his teeth—and a deep sense of awkwardness.

Damn it.

How could I forget about this?

“Uh, Secretary Qin—let me explain—”

Before he could finish, the other side cut him off.

“Don’t call me Secretary Qin! Call me Bore! Otherwise, I’ll resign immediately, fly abroad tomorrow, and never come back!”

Her voice was laced with anger.

Holy shit.

Ye Chen’s head buzzed. Swallowing his pride, he lowered his voice.

“Fine—Bore.”

“But… I’m still a married man. You can’t just—”

Qin Bore snorted. “So what? Back when you married Bai Xiyi, you were a married man too. Fine! I, Qin Bore, didn’t interfere. I waited quietly.”

“Then, after years of waiting, you finally got divorced. But every time I tried to ask you out, you made excuses.”

“Three months after your divorce—without a single date—you got married again!”

“This time, I won’t back down! Even if you’re married, I won’t retreat an inch!”

“Bai Xiyan, right? Your ex-wife’s little sister, right? I, Qin Bore, have never considered myself inferior to anyone.”

“I want to see just what made you rush into another marriage so quickly!”

“You’re still living at Zhongliang Yihao, right? Prepare dinner. I’m coming over tonight!”

With that, she hung up.

A secretary.

Hanging up on her boss.

This was a first.

And yet, Ye Chen couldn’t even muster any anger.

He set down his phone and scratched his head in frustration.

“This is just fcking ridiculous!”*

He had met Qin Bore after marrying Bai Xiyi. Over the past two years, Qin Bore had confessed to him multiple times, but he always refused, citing his marital status.

They maintained a purely professional relationship—he gave her the best benefits, and she worked tirelessly for him.

But three months ago, after his divorce, Qin Bore confessed again and asked him out.

At the time, Ye Chen was in a bad place emotionally and didn’t want to complicate their working relationship, so he never responded.

Then—Bai Xiyan returned.

She seized the opportunity, effortlessly breaking through Ye Chen’s defenses.

And just like that—he was married again.

Qin Bore was left behind. Again.

“What a mess.”

He sighed, steadied himself, and walked out.

“Wife, prepare a couple more dishes. I invited Secretary Qin for dinner.”

In the living room, Bai Xiyan—who had been texting legal friends—nodded quickly.

“We should treat her to dinner. After all, she’s helping with the law firm registration. It’s my way of thanking her.”

“Let me check if we have enough ingredients. If not, I’ll order groceries.”

She opened the fridge. Inside were two large cuts of swordfish (perfect for steaming), some vegetables, and beef brisket.

“Husband, we can make steamed swordfish, braised beef with potatoes, and two stir-fried greens.”

“We’re just missing soup—we’re out of tomatoes. I’ll order some, along with fresh veggies.”

Ye Chen nodded. “Sounds good. You decide.”

Bai Xiyan grinned, stepped onto the balcony, and placed the grocery order.

After finishing, she nestled back into Ye Chen’s arms and resumed texting her law school seniors studying abroad.

[Xiyan]: Senior Zhou, Senior Zhuge, Senior Zhang—it’s settled then. The law firm registration will be done in a couple of days. Once you wrap things up abroad, come back and join the firm. We’ll help Professor Zhang win this international case together.

[Zhou Zhou]: No problem. But when we land, you’d better treat us right as our host!

[Lawsuit Man]: *I need 3-5 days to handle things here. If Zhou and Zhuge are ready, we’ll be back within a week.*

[Zhuge the Lawyer]: *Same here. About 3-5 days. Xiyan, you’d better pick us up at the airport!*

[Xiyan]: Then I’ll be waiting in Shanghai for my brilliant seniors to return triumphant~

…

After sending the last message, Bai Xiyan set down her phone and nuzzled Ye Chen’s leg.

“Husband, you’re the best.”

Ye Chen gave a strained smile, his fingers absently tracing her smooth cheek.

Soon, the groceries arrived.

Bai Xiyan got up to cook. When Ye Chen tried to help, she shooed him out.

“Take it easy today. We have a guest coming—just keep her company. I’ll handle the cooking.”

With that, she shut the kitchen door.

Outside, Ye Chen’s eye twitched.

Damn it.

Our “guest” isn’t here for the food—she’s here for me!

But he wasn’t stupid enough to say that out loud.

So he obediently sat on the sofa, crossed his legs, and scrolled through his phone.

A few minutes later—

Ding-dong. Ding-dong.

The doorbell rang.

Ye Chen opened the door to find a stunning woman standing there—taller than 170 cm, wearing a beige dress and contact lenses, her features delicate and her figure voluptuous.

In her hands was a gift box.

“Qin—”

Ye Chen barely started when Qin Bore’s sharp glare cut him off.

He forced a smile.

“Bore… you’re here.”

Hearing him call her by name in person, Qin Bore’s face lit up with joy.

Then, with a polite smile at Bai Xiyan (who had just stepped out in an apron), she presented the gift.

“Chairman Ye, Miss Bai—this is a cake I made myself. I hope you like it.”

Bai Xiyan accepted it warmly, but her eyes briefly scanned Qin Bore.

This woman is dangerous.

And she’s my husband’s secretary.

But then she glanced at Ye Chen and relaxed.

If anything were going to happen between them, it would’ve happened already—long before I came into the picture.

I trust my husband.

“Secretary Qin, please come in! Husband, keep her company. I’ve got two more dishes to finish.”

She set the cake on the dining table and retreated to the kitchen, perfectly at ease.

On the sofa, Ye Chen sat stiffly.

Qin Bore, however, smiled playfully and scooted right next to him.

Ye Chen shifted uncomfortably, as if sitting on needles.

Undeterred, Qin Bore leaned closer—until her lips were nearly brushing his ear.

Her voice dropped to a husky whisper.

“Chairman Ye… are you scared of me?”