The words that were not spoken the first time could never be spoken the second or third time. In the end, LEO only said softly,
"Not stupid; at least your work ability is decent."
Qi Sui propped her head up and looked up at his words. The awkward atmosphere in the room made it almost impossible for her to breathe.
Of course, if Selina were here, she would smile and correct her misunderstanding—this atmosphere was not awkward, but rather that two people in unsuitable roles had discussed an unsuitable topic.
One harbored ulterior motives, while the other was still oblivious.
Qi Sui could only hastily end this topic. She simply concluded:
"I won't let this affect my work."
LEO nodded with an "Mm," hesitated, and said: "I've never experienced something like this."
He paused, then added: "But when Sister S got divorced back then—" LEO's face showed a complicated expression, "Anyway, she was in a very bad mood."
"That's what happens when you meet a scumbag," Qi Sui said, head down.
"Mm, right." LEO agreed with her, even adding with some inexplicable emotion: "Unreliable people are unreliable everywhere, but walking into an unreliable marriage is not your fault."
"You just didn't choose the right person."
"If you had chosen a reliable person..."
He couldn't continue the rest.
Selina had warned him that it was best not to say unclear things. He wasn't as socially adept as his cousin. Seeing Qi Sui's somewhat dejected expression, he couldn't bring himself to say any comforting words.
Qi Sui held her breath.
Perhaps it was because Sister S had said such shocking things before that gave her a subtle illusion. Or maybe it was a woman's nature to be sharp and sensitive when it comes to emotional issues.
LEO had never been in a relationship, yet he analyzed someone else's marriage with such fluency.
Qi Sui heard him say again: "If it were me, I would never do such a despicable thing."
Qi Sui gave him a strange look, then lowered her head again. "Mm, I believe you."
She was already making excuses carelessly.
It was clear that LEO wanted to comfort her, but she could only think to herself—
Good comfort, but please don't comfort me again next time.
All he did was promote himself, not anything else—did he want her to introduce a spouse for him?
Then he should go to a matchmaking agency.
Qi Sui had to stand up, reaching her left hand toward him to get the notebook back from LEO.
Her fingers were slender and smooth, extending to the tips where the nails were a delicate pinkish-white with prominent moons. On the ring finger, usually covered by a diamond ring, there was a light brown mole, oddly conspicuous.
So she wasn't wearing the ring anymore?
LEO stared at her hand, dazed.
A dull joy began to sprout in his heart.
Until the hand in his line of sight shook impatiently, and the woman leaned in to look at his expression. Qi Sui explained her action:
"Please hand me my notebook. I still have to attend the International Department's regular meeting this morning. If there are any more problems, can we communicate via email?"
"Mm, sure."
The next second, the small notebook was placed in her palm.
Qi Sui straightened up. The water droplets splashed on her collar earlier had seeped down, tracing the movement of her body onto her bra. The summer heat didn't make it dry faster; instead, it turned into a damp, sticky moisture.
In this already strange environment, the sticky clothes felt squeezed by the odd atmosphere, wrapping around her like a cocoon, making her feel irritated and impatient.
She grabbed a stack of materials and turned to leave.
But LEO looked up, dazed.
His eyes were misty, his irises pure black—a stark contrast to his mixed-race identity—staring straight at some unknown place.
Apart from the hint of exotic beauty on his face, he had very few features linking him to a mixed heritage.
Qi Sui looked down at him.
She could even spy, from his top buttoned collar where the thin fabric revealed a hint of skin, the crowded curve of his chest.
How generous.
She couldn't help but sigh again.
If she grabbed his collar and pulled it slightly, she might see the straight bones and long, narrow muscles—flat and flexible muscles, made nimble by frequent movement.
She mustn't look anymore.
If she kept looking, the male fox spirit would steal her heart.
Qi Sui decisively hugged her files and left.
By the time she returned to the International Department, the entire floor was quite lively.
Qi Sui sat nearby and overheard: the deputy director of the International Department was buying coffee for the entire department because, due to the newly established export project, the department had been working overtime to clarify the project terms by the end of this month.