Spellbound Hearts - Novelbike

The atmosphere in the car turned abruptly silent.

After a moment, Ji Xuan tightened her grip on the proposal in her hand. “President Song, you’re not short of women.”

Song Zhaoli didn’t deny it. “True.”

“I’m not the kind of person who can afford to play games,” Ji Xuan said, her gaze steady as she looked at him. Then, with a mix of sincerity and jest, she added, “President Song, aren’t you afraid I might cling to you?”

Hearing this, Song Zhaoli chuckled, his expression showing not a hint of fear. If anything, there was a trace of anticipation. “Why don’t you give it a try?”

Ji Xuan closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, there was a hint of resignation in her gaze, as if she had decided to throw caution to the wind. “President Song, how about marriage?”

Her sudden shift in tone caught Song Zhaoli off guard. For a moment, his usually composed demeanor faltered. “What?”

“You’ve probably done your homework on me,” Ji Xuan continued. “I’m in desperate need of money. I’ve only ever had one boyfriend, and he cheated on me. So, whether it’s because of financial struggles or emotional setbacks, I’m really not in the mood to play games with a man.”

Song Zhaoli raised an eyebrow. “So, you’re saying you want to get married?”

“That’s right,” Ji Xuan replied without hesitation.

Song Zhaoli studied her in silence. After a few minutes, his voice dropped, carrying a hint of warning. “I don’t do second place.”

Ji Xuan didn’t quite understand what he meant by that, assuming it was just an excuse to back out. She smiled faintly and shifted the conversation back to business. “Would you like to review the proposal, President Song?”

Instead of answering directly, Song Zhaoli asked, “Do you really like him that much?”

Ji Xuan knew exactly who he was referring to. Pressing her lips together, she replied, “President Song, that’s a personal matter.”

Song Zhaoli let out a mocking laugh. “Got it.”

With that, he took the proposal and feasibility report from her hands. He read through them carefully, offering a straightforward evaluation. “Not bad. Bring this to Song Group tomorrow and sign the contract.”

His decisiveness took Ji Xuan by surprise.

Her lips curved into a smile, her eyes softening. “Thank you, President Song.”

“Get back to work,” Song Zhaoli said.

“Will do. Take care, President Song.”

Ji Xuan smiled at him one last time before stepping out of the car.

She was dressed in a black business suit today, a rather conservative design. Yet, on her, it carried an inexplicable charm.

It wasn’t until Ji Xuan disappeared into the company building that Qiu Lin finally opened the driver’s side door and got in.

Song Zhaoli glanced at the bag of medical supplies Ji Xuan had left behind, his expression darkening. “Drive,” he ordered.

Qiu Lin glanced at him through the rearview mirror. Noticing Song Zhaoli’s less-than-pleasant mood, he didn’t dare ask questions. “Yes, sir,” he replied.

After the car had been on the road for a while, Song Zhaoli suddenly spoke. “Qiu Lin.”

Qiu Lin looked up, meeting Song Zhaoli’s gaze in the rearview mirror. “Yes, President Song?”

“Have you ever been in a relationship?”

“I have,” Qiu Lin answered.

Knowing that Qiu Lin was currently single, Song Zhaoli let out a faint scoff. “Why did it end?”

“The girl’s family thought I was just a poor kid with no future,” Qiu Lin said. “They forced her to break up with me.”

“Your first love?” Song Zhaoli asked.

Qiu Lin nodded. “Yes, my first love.”

Song Zhaoli was silent for a moment. He raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, his voice low and icy when he spoke again. “Is first love really that unforgettable?”

The chill in his tone startled Qiu Lin. After some careful thought, he mustered the courage to respond. “Well, generally speaking, yes. It’s the first time you experience those pure, innocent feelings, so-”

Before Qiu Lin could finish, Song Zhaoli’s face grew even darker.

“Enough,” he interrupted coldly. “You’re talking too much today, Qiu Lin.”