After Disabled A was Reborn, She Got Scummed Again - Chapter 23

Chu Qiyan stood quietly in the distance. She glanced up at Qin Xiao, then quickly dropped her gaze and started walking toward her.

Meanwhile, Shang Niannian had already bounced over to Qin Xiao at the first sound.

Assistant Liu’s lips curled into a slight, knowing smile.

Qin Xiao gave Chu Qiyan a light glance, her phoenix eyes slightly raised with a trace of coldness—and a flicker of dissatisfaction.

Chu Qiyan soon arrived before her. She lowered her eyes, thoughts swirling in their depths, filled mostly with emotion and a tangle of unspoken feelings. Her heart was racing, her breath uneven, and she no longer knew how to face Qin Xiao. It felt like she’d crossed a line… asking for more than she should.

Looking at the gentle, obedient girl before her, Qin Xiao felt a sudden flicker of irritation rise in her chest.

“Do you know what to do next time something like this happens?” Her cold voice cut through the air with a sharp authority.

“…What?” Chu Qiyan looked up, wide-eyed and dazed, her round almond eyes full of confusion. But she quickly dropped her gaze again and gave a small, unsure nod.

“What did I tell you before?” Qin Xiao asked again. The way Chu Qiyan was standing—like a schoolgirl caught doing something wrong—made her frown.

“…” 

Chu Qiyan slowly raised her eyes. “That you’d protect me…?” she offered hesitantly.

“Mhm. So what were you afraid of today?” Qin Xiao lifted her tea and took a sip, not looking at her.

“…I… thank you…” There was so much she wanted to say, but the words caught in her throat. In the end, all she could manage was a soft thank-you. A quiet, overwhelming emotion filled her chest, her heart pounding wildly.

Qin Xiao glanced at her. Chu Qiyan was staring directly at her, her obsidian-like eyes shining brightly, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling like diamonds. Her lips, delicate like petals, curled into a radiant smile—it was a beautiful sight.

At that moment, all of Qin Xiao’s anger simply melted away.

“What are you two doing?” Shang Niannian suddenly popped in between them, partially blocking Qin Xiao’s view. Qin Xiao shifted her gaze away as if nothing had happened and sipped her tea again.

“Seriously, with Qin-jie around, what are you scared of? Next time that happens, just splash the water right back! Don’t just sit there crying after getting bullied,” Shang Niannian grumbled.

“Mhm… thank you, Niannian.” Chu Qiyan smiled gently at her.

“Hmph! I’m only doing this for Qin-jie’s sake. Since you’re using the title as her fiancée, you better not embarrass her!” Shang Niannian huffed, crossing her arms and turning her head stubbornly.

“Alright,” Chu Qiyan replied softly, saying no more.

But her gaze drifted back to Qin Xiao, who was now quietly reading over some documents.

A hint of sweetness crept into her heart. Qin Xiao had really stood up for her. She was on her side. She would protect her.

Back at the Chu family, she’d always had to shrink herself, yield to others. No one ever cared what she wanted—they just used her to maintain a façade of peace.

But this person… she meant what she said. She did it for her. No other reason.

Her smile deepened, her face glowing with joy.

While Qin Xiao and Assistant Liu were busy with work, Shang Niannian dragged Chu Qiyan to the side and asked curiously, “How did you become Qin-jie’s secretary? I wanna be one too!”

“…That was Qin Xiao’s decision,” Chu Qiyan replied honestly, licking her lips nervously.

“Then put in a word for me with Qin-jie! I wanna be her secretary too!” Shang Niannian’s eyes sparkled with hope.

“That might not be possible…” Chu Qiyan blinked uncertainly.

“Why not? Just help me ask… Fine, what do you want in return?” Shang Niannian quickly shifted tactics.

“…No, nothing,” Chu Qiyan said, looking her in the eyes and shaking her head.

“You—fine! I don’t care!” Shang Niannian grumbled darkly.

Chu Qiyan just shook her head again, quietly.

At some point, Assistant Liu came over and smiled gently. “What are you two talking about?”

“Perfect timing, Assistant Liu. I want to be Qin-jie’s secretary too. Can you set it up for me, please?” Shang Niannian asked sweetly, blinking her dark lashes.

“Ask her yourself,” Assistant Liu replied gently but firmly.

“Secretary Chu, go make a coffee run,” Assistant Liu added. “If you don’t know where to go, ask Secretary Lin.”

“Okay,” Chu Qiyan replied and quickly escaped from Shang Niannian’s clutches.

For the rest of the morning, Chu Qiyan mostly handled small, unimportant tasks. She spent most of her time in Qin Xiao’s office, occasionally chatting with Shang Niannian. It was far more relaxed and manageable than she’d expected.

And surprisingly, no one dared to stare at her anymore. The prying eyes had all backed off. She was more than happy with that.

Before long, it was lunchtime. An assistant brought up boxed meals, and the four of them ate together in the office.

Only the four of them remained. Shang Niannian still refused to leave, always clinging to Qin-jie.

Chu Qiyan had gotten used to it. She even found it a little amusing when Qin Xiao came up in conversation—like right now.

“Qin-jie, why can’t I be your secretary?” Shang Niannian pouted, her eyes shimmering with hope.

“You’re not qualified,” Qin Xiao replied coolly.

“I am! Didn’t you say yesterday that I could follow her? If she can do it, why can’t I?” Shang Niannian argued.

“No talking while eating,” Qin Xiao said with a glance, then turned her eyes to Chu Qiyan, who was quietly eating. A soft glimmer passed through her eyes.

Shang Niannian pouted unhappily but obediently shut up.

Once lunch was over and Assistant Liu cleared the coffee table, Shang Niannian once again latched onto Qin Xiao, begging to be her assistant.

“…No,” Qin Xiao flatly rejected her.

“I’ll behave! I won’t complain, promise!” Shang Niannian raised four fingers and looked to Chu Qiyan for backup. “Right? Back me up?”

Chu Qiyan just smiled politely and didn’t chime in.

“No. If you bring it up again, don’t bother coming back,” Qin Xiao said sternly.

Finally, Shang Niannian shut up, though she looked like she was filled with grievances. She shifted her attention back to Chu Qiyan instead.

Chu Qiyan could only shrug helplessly as Shang Niannian tugged her toward the couch.

“Hmph. If I can’t be her secretary, then you can’t either. Come keep me company!” she insisted, dragging Chu Qiyan along.

“…Assistant Liu,” Chu Qiyan turned to her in a silent plea.

“There’s not much to do this afternoon. Go ahead and keep her company,” Assistant Liu said gently, her narrow eyes curving in a warm, soft smile—though her words sent a chill through Chu Qiyan’s heart.

“…” 

Chu Qiyan gave up resisting. If she had a choice, she’d rather focus on being a proper secretary than deal with this clingy young lady.

“Tell me the truth—nothing happened between you and Qin-jie last night, right?” Shang Niannian narrowed her eyes threateningly.

“No,” Chu Qiyan shook her head like a rattle drum.

“Tch, seems like your intel’s outdated, Niannian. Secretary Chu is living with the head of the family now,” Assistant Liu casually dropped the bomb as she passed by.

“What?! You’re living with Qin-jie?!” Shang Niannian jumped off the couch, looking at her like she’d just grown two heads. Her eyes darted between Qin Xiao and Chu Qiyan.

Everyone in the room turned to look at her. Then, noticing the awkward flush on Chu Qiyan’s face, they quietly lowered their heads and pretended they hadn’t heard anything.

Qin Xiao glanced over as well. Seeing the embarrassed redness creeping up Chu Qiyan’s cheeks, the corners of her lips curved up ever so slightly. Then she murmured, “Talkative.”

Assistant Liu raised an eyebrow but said nothing, watching the two of them with a soft smile.

“Ohhh, Chu Qiyan! I thought you were all proper and innocent back at the Chu family,” Shang Niannian said with mock anger. “Turns out you’ve been seducing my Qin-jie in secret?!”

“I didn’t…” Chu Qiyan immediately shook her head. “It was arranged by President Qin… and we’re not even in the same room.” She quickly added.

“So you want to share a room?!” Shang Niannian’s eyes were practically spitting fire.

Chu Qiyan sneaked a glance at Assistant Liu, who stood serenely by Qin Xiao’s side, smiling as always.

“No… that’s not what I meant…” Chu Qiyan was almost ready to cry from frustration.

Qin Xiao, watching this little scene, couldn’t help but smile faintly. Chu Qiyan was nervously shaking her head, lips pressed tight, her expression full of helplessness and fear—adorably so.

“Hmph. Spill it. I want every detail,” Shang Niannian demanded, crossing her arms.

“…Alright,” Chu Qiyan told the story, though she left out much of the Chu family’s posturing and scheming.

“…I see,” Shang Niannian said reluctantly. “Wait—did you meet that illegitimate daughter from the Cheng family?” she asked curiously.

“Yeah, Cheng Mianxin,” Chu Qiyan repeated her name.

“What did you think?” Before Chu Qiyan could answer, Shang Niannian added, “No wonder—there’s a rumor that Chu Qian is close with that new Cheng girl.” She nodded to herself.

“Hmm… I guess so,” Chu Qiyan murmured thoughtfully.

Behind the desk, Qin Xiao and Assistant Liu both looked over at them, then exchanged glances.

“Master Qin, Cheng Mianxin has scheduled a meeting with you for this afternoon,” Assistant Liu said, reading the new message.

“Alright,” Qin Xiao agreed after a moment.

“And Miss Chu Qian will be joining her,” she added.

“…” 

Qin Xiao instinctively glanced at Chu Qiyan. She, too, was looking back with eyes wide with surprise.

Chu Qian and Cheng Mianxin… were coming together?