The imposing CEO, who is hampered by his physical condition (09)

Since taking over the company’s affairs, this was the first time Shen Huai had ever skipped work without reason.

The butler, however, was quite delighted by this.

The young master lived far too disciplined, and far too lonely.

Unfortunately, after the butler’s reminder, the young master remembered the mountain of responsibilities awaiting him and decided to head to the company after all.

Si Jiu had received a slew of phone calls and needed to handle some matters at her workplace as well.

Shen Huai, in his wheelchair, escorted Si Jiu to her car, instructing the driver to be careful. Even after the car drove off into the distance, Si Jiu could still see his figure lingering in place through the rearview mirror.

“Tsk, so clingy.”

[For the male lead who’s never known warmth, your presence, your touch, is a beam of light in his darkness—a redemption in his abyss.]

Si Jiu: “Are you insane?”

Why the sudden madness?

[Now issuing a temporary side mission: take the male lead to eat spicy hotpot.]

Si Jiu: “Did you just say what I think you did?”

A chill swept by; the system felt somewhat cold.

[The male lead, unable to connect with others since childhood, harbors a deep longing in his heart…]

“All for a bowl of spicy hotpot?”

Ignoring Si Jiu’s sarcasm, the system continued in its monotone: [He yearns for an ordinary life—friends, lively streets, common delicacies. As a child, he overheard the household staff discussing spicy hotpot, and since then, the idea of this food has been etched into his memory.]

“…What a tragic male lead.”

[Please take the male lead to experience ordinary life today. After work, spicy hotpot pairs perfectly with winter’s chill!]

“I refuse.”

Si Jiu shut her eyes, completely unmoved.

The system was silent for a long while… [May I ask the host’s reason for refusing this side mission?]

It’s just a bowl of spicy hotpot—why refuse?

“Your copywriting is nauseating. It’s giving me indigestion.”

System: [……]

The system deeply regretted ever binding itself to Si Jiu. She was unlike other hosts: she neither respected the system nor attempted to befriend it.

Sometimes she was enthusiastic about roleplaying, completing tasks flawlessly, but more often she was unpredictable, highly emotional, and utterly uncontrollable.

They traveled in silence the rest of the way.

Si Jiu arrived at her workplace, explained to the manager that she had missed work due to health reasons, and handed in her resignation.

With her wages settled, Si Jiu left the cake shop and hurried back to her rented apartment.

The place was a mess, completely different from the neat state when she had left. “Was this a burglary?”

Facts confirmed: it was indeed a theft, but by someone from within.

[Tang Xin took the bank card Tang You hid under the mattress, bought the latest phone, two sets of clothes, and planned to treat her classmates to dinner and karaoke tonight.]

[Host, what do you intend to do?]

Si Jiu gave a cold laugh. “Of course I’ll choose to forgive her.”

With calm composure, Si Jiu pulled out her phone and called the bank to report the card lost.

System: …I don’t believe a word of it!

Si Jiu dusted off her hands, turned, and left—the master of silent deeds.

…

Shen Huai was distracted at the company until the phone rang, and he heard Si Jiu’s voice.

“When do you get off work? Want to go eat spicy hotpot together?”

“…Alright.”

System: Didn’t you just say you refused?

…

Tang Xin was in unusually high spirits today, her earlier frustration about not being able to reach Tang You or find her replaced by excitement.

Her coveted new phone was bought, her favorite new clothes acquired. With her whole persona refreshed, her roommates and classmates looked at her differently, as she’d noticed.

Feeling generous, she invited her classmates out to eat, choosing the most popular restaurant on University Street, and boldly told them to order whatever they liked.

University Street was lined with restaurants and brimming with snacks, lively and bustling.

Si Jiu pushed Shen Huai along this street, and even amidst the night’s hubbub, they were impossible to miss.

It was Shen Huai’s first time in such a lively, vibrant place. His expression remained calm and reserved.

Only Si Jiu noticed his right hand resting on his lap, fingers curling ever so slightly.

She pressed her lips together, the mischievous glint in her eyes hidden behind her glasses.

Leaning close to Shen Huai’s ear, she whispered, “Hold tight, big sister’s taking you on a rollercoaster ride.”

“What…”

Ahead was a steep slope. With a sudden force, Si Jiu charged down, wheelchair and all.

Shen Huai: !!!