Shen Xi Fan boldly met his gaze, her expression stern. Yan Heng smirked mischievously and abruptly released her hand. She maintained her composure as she stepped back, but something inside her began to crumble. If their interaction had lasted a moment longer, she feared she might fall apart entirely.
Yan Heng—she had never been a match for him.
Suddenly, a woman’s voice rang out. “Oh no! How can you walk like that? You spilled wine all over him!”
All eyes turned to Ling Yu Fan, whose white shirt was soaked across the chest. A nervous young waiter apologized profusely, visibly distressed, and turned to Shen Xi Fan for help. “Manager Shen, could you please handle this?”
What choice did she have? She nodded reluctantly. “My apologies, sir. Please follow me.”
Ling Yu Fan raised an eyebrow. “I’ll go change. Manager Shen, could you send this to the laundry?”
She nodded again and followed him out of the hall. Even as she walked away, she could feel Yan Heng’s gaze lingering on her. She knew people would start talking, but at least it gave her a chance to escape.
* * *
Ling Yu Fan’s room was a mess. Clothes were strewn across the sofa, and newspapers cluttered the table. Shen Xi Fan thought to herself, He must be extremely guarded if he doesn’t even let housekeeping clean regularly.
The large room felt tense with just the two of them inside. Ling Yu Fan didn’t speak, and she remained silent, creating an atmosphere that was both uncomfortable and oddly charged.
To her shock, he started changing clothes right in front of her. After her initial surprise, Shen Xi Fan quickly calmed herself. This guy… if I let myself feel embarrassed, I’m the only one who loses. She lowered her gaze, staring intently at the carpet, counting the patterns on it as if her life depended on it.
Out of nowhere, Ling Yu Fan asked, “Shen Xi Fan, don’t you like attending parties?”
Caught off guard, she chuckled lightly. “It’s work. I don’t think about liking or disliking it.”
His expression softened, becoming surprisingly sincere under the warm light. His probing eyes locked onto hers, compelling her to answer. “Why don’t you feel strongly one way or the other about your job?”
She hesitated briefly but answered honestly. “I may not enjoy this kind of work, but I’m good at it. It’s a way to make a living, so I’ve made my peace with it.”
He laughed, his tone shifting to one of playful teasing. “Shen Xi Fan, is working in a hotel a way to snag a rich husband?”
She stiffened. Many people viewed women in the hotel industry with suspicion, assuming they were either being kept by someone or marrying wealthy clients. It made her job seem opportunistic to outsiders.
But she had never entertained such thoughts. Her goal was simply to become a competent hotel manager—nothing more, nothing less.
Now, her integrity was being questioned.
Fine, she thought. This kind of person has lived his entire life in suspicion, fearing others will take advantage of him. He finds joy in mocking others, a product of a loveless upbringing and a warped personality. Explaining myself will only make things worse.
She felt a twinge of regret for briefly finding him likable earlier.
Picking up his shirt, she looked him in the eye, her gaze tinged with disdain. “Mr. Ling, I don’t think the relationship between customers and staff is the right context for such a deep conversation. Your shirt is here. I’ll leave now. Someone will deliver it to you tomorrow. Goodnight, and Merry Christmas.”
Ling Yu Fan was taken aback, then burst into laughter. He thought her expression when she was angry was genuinely adorable. He wondered, If I cornered her against the wall or made a bold move, how would she react? Would she bite me, slap me, or curse me out?
At least it would be better than her usual cold indifference.
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