Song Qi Nian rarely crossed paths with Shen Chi Yan at the Planning Department unless he meant for it to happen. Plus, this was the regular employee elevator, not his private one.
So when she saw him there, she froze mid-step. Miao Ziai and Shen Yu Shu halted beside her, only then registering his presence.
"President Shen..."
The two greeted him respectfully, while Song Qi Nian managed a simple nod. None of them moved - Shen Chi Yan's commanding presence made even sharing an elevator feel like an intrusion.
"Getting in?"
At his words, Shen Yu Shu stepped in first, taking her place behind him with downcast eyes.
Miao Ziai gave Song Qi Nian a nudge, and they both followed. Miao Ziai moved quicker, slipping behind Shen Chi Yan where she could secretly gaze at him with undisguised admiration.
As Song Qi Nian tried to join them, Shen Chi Yan's tall frame shifted subtly, blocking her path.
She glanced up at his impassive face and found him staring down at her. Taking the hint, she stayed where she was, directly in front of him, trying to make herself as unobtrusive as possible.
It was just a few seconds. She could endure it.
From his height, Shen Chi Yan had a clear view of the elegant curve of her neck, the delicate shell of her ear.
His cold eyes darkened, and his hands twitched at his sides.
Suddenly...
The elevator lurched with a series of violent thuds.
"Ah..."
Miao Ziai let out a terrified scream, her fingers digging into Shen Yu Shu's arm. Even Song Qi Nian jumped at the sudden jolt.
The elevator shuddered to a halt. The lights flickered once, twice, before plunging them into total darkness.
"What's going on?" Miao Ziai's voice quavered. "Is something wrong with the elevator?"
"President Shen is here," Shen Yu Shu whispered through gritted teeth, trying to ignore Miao Ziai's painful grip. "We're safe."
Her words seemed to calm Miao Ziai somewhat.
There was an emergency phone in the elevator, and the moment the maintenance staff heard Shen Chi Yan's voice, they scrambled to respond.
The darkness was suffocating. Song Qi Nian started to move toward the wall for support, but before she could take a step, a warm hand cupped the back of her neck. In the next instant, a powerful body pressed against hers, enveloping her completely.
Shen Chi Yan? Her mind raced. What was he doing?
Before she could process what was happening, his mouth found her earlobe. Her body shuddered violently, her knees threatening to give way as tingles shot down her spine.
He's lost his mind, she thought frantically. First the haunted house, and now this elevator? There are other people here! How could he possibly—
"Where's the bell?" His voice was barely above a whisper against her ear. Then his teeth grazed her neck, as if her answer was merely an afterthought.
Song Qi Nian's heart hammered in her chest. The elevator wasn't particularly large or small, but that wasn't the point – hadn't he wanted to keep their relationship hidden? What was he thinking?
Was this punishment for not wearing the bell?
Hurried footsteps echoed outside - the maintenance team had probably arrived.
Song Qi Nian pushed against Shen Chi Yan in panic, but her resistance only seemed to provoke him further. He seized her chin, turned her face to the side, and claimed her mouth with his.
"President Shen, are you okay in there? Just hang on a moment longer - we'll have you out soon!"
"They're here to help!" Miao Ziai's voice brightened. "Nian Nian... where are you? Are you alright?"
Song Qi Nian's stomach dropped as Miao Ziai called out for her. Desperate, she dug her fingers into Shen Chi Yan's waist, pinching hard. His response was immediate - he tightened his grip on her chin, forced her lips apart, and deepened the kiss.
The instant the elevator doors slid open, he released her. Song Qi Nian bolted out first, with Miao Ziai hurrying after her, pausing only to nod respectfully at Shen Chi Yan.
"Nian Nian, what's wrong? Did the elevator scare you? Your face is so flushed - even your ears are red!"
Song Qi Nian wanted nothing more than to clamp her hand over Miao Ziai's mouth. Why couldn't she just stay quiet? She felt the weight of everyone's stares and wished the ground would swallow her whole.
"It was stifling in there," Shen Yu Shu cut in smoothly. "I'm sweating too."
Song Qi Nian nodded gratefully.
As they left the building, she couldn't resist glancing back. Shen Chi Yan stood talking to the security manager and maintenance crew, his expression cold and professional - as if he hadn't just trapped her in that elevator like some wild animal.
The man truly wore two faces.
At the Thai restaurant later, Miao Ziai was still gushing. "God, President Shen is just so handsome. And he makes you feel so safe! I bet even the apocalypse wouldn't be scary with him around."
Song Qi Nian could only stare at her friend, at a loss for words.
"Can you imagine anyone breaking through President Shen's ice-cold exterior? I can't even picture him being passionate."
Song Qi Nian stayed silent. Ice-cold? Reserved? That's exactly what she'd thought during their first three years of marriage. Now she knew better. Shen Chi Yan was anything but restrained, especially given his appetite for trying new positions in the most unexpected places.
Her cheeks burned at the memory.
When Miao Ziai left for the bathroom, Shen Yu Shu turned to Song Qi Nian. "Nian Nian, how well do you know President Shen's sister? Shen Ke Qin - the one we met at the amusement park?"
Song Qi Nian tensed, worried Shen Yu Shu might suspect something about her relationship with Shen Chi Yan. She signed carefully: [Not very well. I only saw her a few times when I was President Shen's secretary.]
Since becoming close friends, Miao Ziai and Shen Yu Shu had learned sign language to communicate better with Song Qi Nian. Shen Yu Shu picked it up quickly and could now understand her easily.
"Is something wrong?" Song Qi Nian asked.
"No, nothing like that. Just thought she seemed really nice - like she'd be fun to be friends with."
Song Qi Nian nodded in agreement.
After work, she was heading out on her bike when she spotted Shen Yu Shu trying desperately to flag down a car, clearly distressed.
Song Qi Nian pulled up beside her, balancing her bike with one hand while signing with the other. "What's wrong?"
"My grandmother fell. The neighbors took her to the hospital. I can't get a car, and I don't know how she is."
Seeing Shen Yu Shu's worried face dripping with sweat, Song Qi Nian signed: "It's rush hour - taxis are impossible right now. Which hospital? I could take you."
Shen Yu Shu had helped her countless times since she'd joined the Planning Department. She couldn't just leave her friend stranded in an emergency.
Shen Yu Shu eyed Song Qi Nian's electric bike doubtfully. "Will this be okay?"
Song Qi Nian nodded...
As they rode away, Lin Lanxing snapped photos on her phone, letting out a harsh laugh. "Oh, Song Qi Nian. I can't wait to see how you explain this one."
0 Comments