Qi Longbing’s expression darkened, and he stared at Hua Xiaomo. "You woman, you really don’t know what’s good for you. Do you want to truly get angry?" he asked.
"I’m sorry, it wasn’t intentional," Hua Xiaomo said. For now, I can’t afford to offend him. He must be persuaded to take his company public!
How annoying! Before, when I didn’t have money, I was controlled by others at every step. But now that I have money, I’m still being controlled. What in the world is going on? Why must I be constrained by this man, feeling as if I can never escape?
"If it wasn’t intentional, then you did it on purpose," Qi Longbing said. Seeing that it wasn’t that serious, he slowly moved his hand to the buttons on his collar.
Hua Xiaomo squinted and quickly tried to stop him. "What are you doing?"
"What do you think I’m doing? I’m undressing!" Qi Longbing said, ignoring her gaze and beginning to take off his clothes.
"Hey, hey! Don’t take off your clothes! I’m still here!" Hua Xiaomo frowned, her words becoming sowhat jumbled.
"My clothes have been stained by you. I definitely won’t wear such dirty clothes," Qi Longbing declared. Regardless of her opposition, he quickly took off the white shirt he was wearing, tossing it onto the sofa with displeasure.
At this mont, Hua Xiaomo’s face turned beet red. She promptly turned away, refusing to look at him any longer, and stood up. She felt as if even a single glance would lead her soul astray.
This man was truly too captivating. Inexplicably, the longer I spend with him, the stronger this feeling grows.
"You must have other clothes here, right? Put them on quickly! Otherwise, you’ll catch a cold," Hua Xiaomo finally said, having found a suitable excuse.
On hearing this, Qi Longbing wanted to laugh. Was she concerned about , or worried about herself?
"Thank you for your concern, but I find it more comfortable without clothes," Qi Longbing said with a smile, nonchalantly leaning back on the sofa with his arms propped on it, appearing extrely relaxed.
Just as Hua Xiaomo was about to say sothing else, Qi Longbing spoke first. "How long has it been since you last painted? I wonder if you can still pick up a brush."
Upon hearing this, Hua Xiaomo tensed up. What did he an, ’can I still pick up a brush’? I don’t understand his point at all. Painting is my expertise; how could I possibly be unable to pick up a brush? This guy is simply insulting !
Seeing her slightly angry look, Qi Longbing knew he had successfully diverted her attention. He couldn’t help but smile as he spoke, "I’m giving you a chance now. I’m right in front of you. Paint a portrait of . If it’s a good likeness, it will prove you can still paint. If not, then I advise you to drop this profession sooner rather than later."
That statent directly provoked Hua Xiaomo. People can say anything else about , but questioning my professional skill and advising to drop it? That’s enough to make turn on them!
Yes, no matter how rich I beco or how big a boss I am, I’ve always felt that my greatest passion is painting. I can paint, and I can use my paintings to bring endless wealth—sothing I’ve already achieved!
"Qi Longbing, don’t underestimate people! My paintings are as good as they’ve always been, whether you believe it or not. I will never abandon my painting or my profession," Hua Xiaomo said. Then, looking up at the paintings she had done on the tower walls, she continued, "You see these? All these paintings were done by . You probably couldn’t paint like this without exceptional skill."
"Oh? I bet you can’t paint like that now," Qi Longbing provoked, a mischievous smirk on his face.
Indeed, he saw the woman before him visibly struggling to restrain herself, clearly spoiling for a fight.
"Who says I can’t paint now? I’ll show you!" Hua Xiaomo said angrily. Then, looking at Qi Longbing, her gaze shifted to a painting easel not far away, and she quickly walked over to it.
She picked up a brush and looked at him on the sofa. "Strike a pose. I’ll paint you. If my painting is a good likeness, then you have to sign a contract with my company. How about that?"
The mont she said this, Qi Longbing’s eyes narrowed into slits.
Who said this woman’s emotional intelligence hasn’t improved? Even her IQ is almost catching up to my level! To think she’d know how to negotiate terms at a ti like this!
"Director Hua, you surprise yet again," Qi Longbing said with a smile, looking at her.
"What’s the matter? Don’t you have the guts to make this bet with ?" Hua Xiaomo looked at him. For so reason, my interest is completely piqued.
This challenging remark made Qi Longbing’s smile deepen.
"Truly the words of a successful person. I’ll take you up on it. What harm could it do?" Qi Longbing responded. He then crossed his legs casually, looking at her, an air of ease suddenly apparent in his deanor.
Hua Xiaomo quickly began painting him, a sense of déjà vu washing over her. How many tis before had I painted him in this very tower?
So of his words even made my heart beat faster again. I felt as though my eyes were filled with nothing but him.
I never expected there would co a day when I would paint him again. Was this really arranged by fate?
How could I possibly escape this man?
At this mont, Qi Longbing watched her, also imrsed in mories of the past.
He rembered his first encounters with Hua Xiaomo—her naivety, her simplicity. Perhaps it was that version of her that had attracted him.
But their initial interactions weren’t like this at all. In fact, he had wanted to toy with her. But as they spent ti together, she hadn’t fallen into his trap; instead, he himself had beco ensnared, unable to break free.
And now, her seriousness made her even more beautiful, endlessly charming to him. He was curious about what kind of resilience within her had allowed her to persevere to this day.
He admired this kind of success, a success vastly different from that of other won who attained it by marrying into wealth or by climbing the ladder through various sches. That kind of success wasn’t real success. In fact, he despised those won.
But his Hua Xiaomo wasn’t like that. He knew that in this world, he would only give his lifelong devotion to her.
An unknown amount of ti passed without them exchanging words, Hua Xiaomo continuously painting Qi Longbing. After a while, the painting was finally completed. However, Hua Xiaomo didn’t stop imdiately; she was still ticulously refining the details.
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