As if to prove it, he brought up all his subsidiaries and projects he had worked on, pushed her into the computer chair, and looked at her as if expecting praise.
Huo Rou found it difficult to suppress a laugh and a sigh. It was common knowledge nationwide that Qin Corporation held the top spot in Yu Chang City. Was he trying to show off his wealth?
She glanced casually, and it was indeed somewhat surprising.
In addition to the real estate and construction businesses from which Qin Corporation originated, his subsidiaries included special materials research and development, laboratories in collaboration with research institutes, and fashion and apparel categories managed by Qin Feiwan, covering a wide range of sectors.
At first glance, the businesses operated by these subsidiaries seemed like normal private enterprises. However, Huo Rou spotted a familiar laboratory among them.
When she was helping with medicinal herb cultivation, a laboratory provided them with a large amount of experimental data annually for reference. Those data had helped them overcome many difficulties. Furthermore, the company where this laboratory was located annually provided substantial funding for their medicinal herb cultivation projects.
Qin Ningyi had never publicized these matters. If she hadn't been frequently called upon to assist, she wouldn't have known about them.
Another subsidiary focused on special materials research and development, ostensibly to aid with fabric materials for clothing and preserving freshness in skincare products. Yet, within its scope, she noticed some familiar names, and their research directions were far from simple.
Qin Ningyi offered no explanation of these companies' deeper contributions. He merely watched her, awaiting praise.
Huo Rou looked at the person with a faint smile before her. He was still the same, with a pure and devoted heart.
Even without remaining in the military, he was contributing in his own way.
It was precisely because of his sincere and pure dedication that she had also embarked on this path.
"Why are you looking at me like that..." Qin Ningyi saw her gaze lingering deeply on his face and his eyes, which had been seeking praise, flickered with a hint of unease.
Before he could finish speaking, Huo Rou kissed him.
She had never been so proactive in kissing him, and Qin Ningyi's heart raced.
Unable to control himself, he scooped her from the chair onto his lap.
As Huo Rou’s chair moved away, she came to her senses and tried to break free. However, Qin Ningyi wouldn't allow her to evade him. He firmly cupped the back of her head with one hand and gently supported her with the other, deepening the kiss.
Outside, the rain began to fall softly, the cold autumn rain pattering against the windows, each sound like the rapid beat of Qin Ningyi's heart.
The temperature inside rose sharply, and Huo Rou's eyes became moist and misted.
She could feel Qin Ningyi's warm palm slowly moving from the back of her head to her nape.
The vital point for a martial artist.
She expected to instinctively defend herself, but to her surprise, as Qin Ningyi's hand caressed her nape, she felt a strange sense of peace.
The heat spread, a profound tenderness.
She leaned back affectionately, wanting to rub against his hand.
Qin Ningyi sensed her movement, a faint smile playing on his lips, his deep, low voice rumbling, "Just like a little kitten."
Seeing the kitten inching away from his lips to nuzzle his hand, Qin Ningyi's eyes flashed, and he increased his pressure, pulling her closer.
Huo Rou gasped, her hands flailing to find something to brace herself.
Qin Ningyi grunted, and a fine layer of sweat immediately appeared on his forehead.
He reached out, moved her small hand away, clasped it, and murmured in a hoarse voice, "Don't move around."
As if mindful of something, he shifted backward, but his lips, reluctant to leave the sweetness, passionately mingled with her breath.
Huo Rou tilted her head back, remembering something, and asked, "I heard it's very uncomfortable?"
Qin Ningyi, breathing unevenly, turned his face away and leaned against her shoulder, remaining silent.
His stubbornness had resurfaced.
Seeing the sweat on his forehead, Huo Rou blurted out, "Should I help you?"
Hearing her somewhat hoarse voice utter such a surprising statement, Qin Ningyi, annoyed, bit her shoulder.
"How will you help?"
His tone was somewhat ferocious. He wanted to know what else this little woman could say!
Qin Ningyi suppressed the swirling depths in his eyes and dared not relax.
With the conversation having reached this point, Huo Rou was unwilling to appear timid and said expressionlessly, "..."
As soon as she spoke a word, Qin Ningyi lifted his head from her shoulder, his gaze fixed on her, his eyes full of danger. "What did you say?"
Huo Rou's cheeks flushed, but her eyes were innocent. She recalled a joke she had heard, "They say that the power required for a bomber to circle and ascend is..."
She spoke a sentence that shocked them to the core.
Huo Rou slowly repeated what she remembered hearing.
Qin Ningyi became enraged. He pinched her fiercely, and the light in Huo Rou's eyes shattered.
Qin Ningyi's voice carried a dangerous edge, "Where did you learn that? From Fenghuo?"
He had heard this joke before; it was told by a teammate during Fenghuo.
Someone was ambushing him from behind... Hmph.
"Yes." She knew many more.
"Bastard." Qin Ningyi cursed. He placed his hand on Huo Rou's nape, his tone full of threatening interrogation. "Those scoundrels told you this?"
Huo Rou gave him an innocent look, as if saying: They are all brothers, why can't she listen to anything?
Before she could say anything, a sharp pain shot through her body.
The toxicity struck unexpectedly.
"What's wrong?" Qin Ningyi released his hand, thinking he hadn't controlled his strength, and nervously reached out to check her complexion.
Huo Rou, however, immediately covered his eyes.
Qin Ningyi's words were all swallowed by her.
Buttons, like defenses, were loosened one by one.
"Arou..." He suppressed his nerves, which were on the verge of collapse, and softly called her name.
Huo Rou remained silent, but every action confirmed the question he wanted to ask.
Qin Ningyi gave in, their breaths mingling, the atmosphere tumultuous, with no sign of stopping.
"Mr. Qin..." Xiao Konglin's voice sounded from outside. Qin Ningyi roared, "Scram!"
Xiao Konglin sensed something and quickly gathered his documents and slipped away. He also instructed his subordinates not to let anyone up and to consolidate all matters with him first.
He glanced back at the direction of Qin Ningyi's office upstairs with apprehension, sighing inwardly at Mr. Qin's remarkable stamina.
"Assistant Xiao, what's the situation? I still have documents to request Mr. Qin's approval on."
Xiao Konglin said sternly, "Mr. Qin's leg injury has flared up, and he is resting."
"Is Mr. Qin's leg injury very serious?" the assistant asked, concerned.
"Yes, disturbing Mr. Qin's rest is a very serious problem!" Xiao Konglin said with a straight face, telling him to compile the matters and report them later.
Upstairs, Huo Rou was also worried about his injury.
Qin Ningyi's gaze deepened as he pinched her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.
"Arou..." He glanced meaningfully at his disheveled appearance, then answered her with a stern expression, "Very serious."
"Uncomfortable."