Chapter 1410: Chapter 1410: Secret Maneuvers (6)

Assistant Luo witnessed this scene and privately thought that the big boss truly had no clue about how to win a woman’s favor.

Making Du Qingyu wait so long without a single explanation—what woman wouldn’t mind that?

He hadn’t intended to meddle, but now he couldn’t help himself and offered a word of explanation to Du Qingyu: “Here’s the thing, Director Ding gets so absorbed in work that he forgets to eat or sleep. He accidentally worked until this hour. I ask for Director Du’s understanding—Director Ding has always been a workaholic.”

“Men who work seriously are the most attractive. I understand.” Du Qingyu smiled seductively, her gaze fixed on Ye Qilan’s impeccably sharp side profile.

Ye Qilan, however, was visibly distracted. Standing by the elevator, his gaze was unfocused, still preoccupied with what Su Hongxing had just said to him. She had told him not to let other women take advantage of him. Did “other women” specifically mean Du Qingyu, or did it refer to all women, including her?

Of course, Su Hongxing didn’t need to instruct him—he instinctively kept other women at bay. That much self-awareness, he did have.

After Du Qingyu spoke, she noticed Ye Qilan ignoring her, and her expression dimmed slightly.

Assistant Luo, on the other hand, could see everything clearly and thought their big boss was as emotionally obtuse as a block of wood. If it weren’t for his good looks and wealth, what woman would take a liking to such a wooden man?

“Director Ding is a little distracted because he worked so intensely earlier,” Luo explained tactfully, clearly hoping Du Qingyu wouldn’t hold Ye Qilan’s behavior against him.

Du Qingyu simply smiled and said no more.

By the time they sat down for the meal, it was Du Qingyu doing most of the talking. Ye Qilan appeared focused on his food but, in truth, his mind was elsewhere.

Even someone as slow-witted as Du Qingyu couldn’t help but notice his distraction. She set down her utensils and asked with concern, “Director Ding, is something bothering you? Feel free to share—maybe I can help.”

Ye Qilan finally remembered he was having dinner with Du Qingyu and replied in a calm tone, “What could possibly be bothering me? But there is one thing you did get right—my wife isn’t as magnanimous as I’d imagined.”

The reason he lied to Su Hongxing over the phone last night was that his words were deliberately aimed at Du Qingyu. He wanted Du Qingyu to think he was feeling guilty, as this was the most straightforward and effective way to provoke conflict between him and Su Hongxing.

Only when Du Qingyu was convinced that there were cracks in his marriage with Su Hongxing would she see an opportunity to wedge herself into it.

A game that blurred the line between truth and lies—it was the only way to confound a cunning adversary.

“I understand now. You’ve been distracted because Su Hongxing suspects there’s something ambiguous between us, right?” Du Qingyu homed in on the heart of the matter.

“When I told her I was having lunch with you, she hung up on me. I never knew she could be so petty—forget it, it’s not worth discussing!” Ye Qilan’s words were, more than half, the truth.

As for Su Hongxing, he actually wished this woman were a bit more possessive, that she’d show a hint of jealousy—which would at least prove she cared about him. But, ironically, it was the opposite; Su Hongxing hadn’t felt jealous over him in ages…

Du Qingyu chuckled softly. “Having lunch with me and deliberately telling her about it—that might’ve seemed like you were trying to provoke her, as though you’re saying you don’t lack female company. If I were her, I’d likely hang up on you too.”

“You think her reaction was normal?” Ye Qilan asked flatly.

For now, he truly couldn’t discern whether Du Qingyu harbored any improper intentions toward him. Yet his instincts told him that by targeting Du Qingyu, he’d eventually uncover the person pulling the strings behind it all.