Chapter 8: Deliberate Obstruction

Originally in a fairly good mood, Lu Qiqi felt somewhat down after running into Chu Linchen. Wearing her low heels, she looked up at the sun above, squinting her eyes before suddenly breaking into a smile.

Since I’m in a bad mood, then everyone should be in one too.

Turning on her heel, Lu Qiqi headed to Si Qinyu’s company. The receptionist immediately recognized her and hurried over, eagerly attending to her. “Madam, you’re here.”

“Is President Si around? I came to see him,” Lu Qiqi said kindly with a smile.

The young receptionist was nearly melted by the smile, nodding repeatedly. “He’s here, he came in early this morning and hasn’t left since. You can wait upstairs.”

“Thank you,” Lu Qiqi said softly and stepped into the elevator.

Back at her desk, the receptionist whispered excitedly to her colleague, her tone full of admiration. “Wow, Madam Si is so kind and beautiful. I was so close just now and couldn’t even see a single pore on her skin—no idea how she keeps herself so well. And she smells amazing!”

“Well, she’s rich, of course she takes good care of herself. No wonder President Si is so devoted to her, she really is stunning,” her colleague replied.

“You know, I heard their romance was so sweet…” The receptionist eagerly shared the gossip she had gathered, the two of them huddling close with excited expressions.

Exiting the elevator, Lu Qiqi strode straight toward Si Qinyu’s office, only to be suddenly stopped halfway by an obstacle.

“Madam, wait a moment!”

Assistant Zhao, relieved to have blocked Lu Qiqi, forced a professional smile despite his pounding heart. “Madam, the boss is still in a meeting. Maybe you should wait outside for a bit?”

Only he knew how close he had been to a heart attack when the receptionist told him Madam Si had arrived. While others might be unaware, he knew exactly what was going on: the boss and Shen Manli were having an affair in the office. If they were caught, it would be like a volcano erupting—he dared not even imagine the scene.

He didn’t know what the outcome would be for the boss and Shen Manli, but he was sure he’d be fired.

At least he had stopped her.

But his relief was premature. Lu Qiqi, noticing the sweat on Assistant Zhao’s brow, smirked mischievously and said, “I can wait in the meeting too. Is there some secret I’m not allowed to hear?”

How could Zhao respond to that? Racking his brain, he finally came up with an excuse. “But if you’re there, the boss will be distracted by you, which might delay work.”

He thought he had delivered the perfect compliment, and seeing the smile dawn on Lu Qiqi’s face, he felt even prouder—unaware she was mocking him.

She knew perfectly well that Si Qinyu and Shen Manli were definitely up to no good in the office; Zhao was just a watchdog.

However, tearing the mask off now wasn’t part of her plan. So she pretended to enjoy Zhao’s flattery, giving him the chance to send a message warning Si Qinyu.

Once she saw him receive the message and his expression soften, Lu Qiqi quickened her pace, slipped past Assistant Zhao, and forcefully pushed open the office door.

Though the two had time to compose themselves, Shen Manli and Si Qinyu still appeared flustered. Lu Qiqi also noticed the lipstick on Shen Manli’s lips was smudged—perfectly aligned with the corner of Si Qinyu’s mouth.

“Shen Manli! Si Qinyu! What exactly are you two doing?”

Lu Qiqi stormed over, yanking apart the two who were standing a little too close, her tone accusatory.

“Sis Qiqi, you’ve got it all wrong. Si Shao and I… we were just discussing work, really nothing else,” Shen Manli quickly explained, glancing nervously at Si Qinyu.

Si Qinyu stepped forward, trying to wrap his arm around Lu Qiqi, but she brushed him off playfully. “Don’t touch me! Explain why you left me behind today. What emergency work were you hiding from me?”

“Qiqi, you’re overthinking. I’m working overtime just to finish quickly and come home to you. My heart belongs to you—you don’t know? Don’t misunderstand me, please. Hearing you say that hurts me,” Si Qinyu said, holding Lu Qiqi’s hand over his chest, his innocent pout and loving eyes full of affection.

Nearby, Shen Manli found the scene unbearably painful to watch. She turned away, her heart burning with anger.

It was always like this—whenever Lu Qiqi appeared, all eyes instantly turned to her, leaving Shen Manli feeling like a clown in comparison.

Yet Shen Manli knew Si Qinyu was drawn to her considerate, gentle, and pitiful demeanor. Clearing her throat, voice hoarse, she said, “Sis Qiqi, please don’t misunderstand because of me. Otherwise, I’d really feel terrible.”

Seeing the two so guilty and anxious was like watching a comedy to Lu Qiqi. Suddenly, she burst into laughter, grabbed Si Qinyu’s hand, and playfully flicked it. “Look at you two, scared stiff! I’m just teasing.”

“Huh?” Si Qinyu seemed caught off guard.

Lu Qiqi covered her mouth, giggling softly. She deliberately twisted his arm, watching him gasp in pain but pretending not to notice. “How could I possibly misunderstand you two? One’s my good friend, the other’s my husband. Even if the whole world betrayed me, you wouldn’t, right?”

Her words struck like two slaps in the face, yet their thick skins kept their expressions unchanged.

Both Shen Manli and Si Qinyu let out a relieved sigh. Especially Si Qinyu, who awkwardly adjusted his collar, looking at Lu Qiqi with a mixture of indulgence and helplessness. “You’re so mischievous. That joke scared me to death. I almost wanted to pull my heart out to prove my love to you.”

“All right, husband, you get back to work. I’ll wait for you to come home with me,” Lu Qiqi said, pushing Si Qinyu into his office chair, then taking Shen Manli’s hand. “Why don’t we go shopping together?”

Shen Manli had no desire to join. Having just been interrupted during an intimate moment with Si Qinyu, she was in a foul mood and had no patience for Lu Qiqi. Clearing her throat a few times, she said, “No, thanks. I’m not feeling well and want to go rest.”

With that, she gave Si Qinyu a lingering look before opening the office door and leaving.