Tong Yaqi was slightly stunned when she saw that scene, a trace of resentment flashed in her eyes, but it quickly turned into a teasing smile. She chuckled mischievously and suddenly slapped the teeth mark on Chu Ge's shoulder.

This time, Tong Yaqi actually used some force.

Chu Ge didn't expect Tong Yaqi to do that. Although it wasn't very painful, it did surprise him. He immediately realized why Tong Yaqi would slap his shoulder; she must have seen the teeth mark.

No matter what, given the current situation between Chu Ge and Tong Yaqi, it was inevitable for him to feel at least a little awkward. He had no choice but to feign ignorance and ask, "What's up?"

Chu Ge felt awkward, and he was quite speechless, wondering if the teeth mark on him was really that obvious. Could it be seen so easily? Quite a bit of time had passed, so why hadn't the mark faded yet?

Tong Yaqi giggled slyly, "President Chu, I was wondering why you haven't come to find me lately. Turns out, this is the reason? Which girl was so tough? We've known each other for so long, and I never had the heart to bite you."

Chu Ge smiled, took a drag on his cigarette, and remained silent. Even though the change in Tong Yaqi's gaze had only lasted a moment, he had noticed it. He didn't want to explain anything to her about it.

Although he hadn't done anything that night at Luo Suyun's house, explaining such things was completely pointless. Just like Qin Ruojing wasn't really anyone to him, neither was Tong Yaqi.

Seeing Chu Ge remain silent, Tong Yaqi chuckled softly, then feigned a relaxed demeanor and jokingly said, "Honestly, haven't you noticed that the chairman seems quite keen on pairing us up?"

Chu Ge turned his head with a smile, "Really? I hadn't noticed. She knows our relationship; surely she's not that bored, right?"

Tong Yaqi laughed as well, "Our relationship... Have you ever thought about the future? You're almost thirty, haven't you thought about getting married?"

If Tong Yaqi had been hinting before, this time she was being very straightforward, locking her gaze with Chu Ge's eyes.

To be honest, Chu Ge really didn't want to discuss this topic with Tong Yaqi, but since she brought it up, he clearly couldn't keep playing dumb. He had to address it.

Chu Ge thought for a moment. Although he had long known the answer to this, he still had to consider Tong Yaqi's feelings and pondered how to speak up appropriately.

Chu Ge exhaled a little smoke, stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, and since Tong Yaqi had asked so directly, he met her gaze, appearing a bit more serious.

"Tomorrow's matters will only be known the day after. Who can really predict the future? But honestly, I don't want to be tangled up in relationships right now. As for marriage, there's no need to even mention it. Yaqi, if you have such thoughts regarding me, I'm afraid I can only apologize."

Hearing Chu Ge say this, Tong Yaqi's fingers holding the cigarette trembled slightly, causing some ash to fall. Her eyes flickered with a hint of disappointment, but it quickly vanished and was replaced by a gentle smile.

"Oh, you're so annoying, you're such an egotist. Honestly, I was worried you'd have those kinds of thoughts about me. Since you think this way, I'm relieved."

Chu Ge wasn't a fool; he could tell that Tong Yaqi's words were not entirely sincere. She had even given up the position of executive director at Tianjiao Film and Television to be the general manager at Tianqing Company for at least seventy percent because of him. But he couldn't say it out loud.

All Chu Ge could do was smile and say, "Yeah, for the two of us, nothing is more suitable than this neither-friends-nor-lovers relationship, without impurities or burdens, each getting what they need."

Seeing Chu Ge say this so frankly, if Tong Yaqi claimed she felt completely comfortable, it would definitely be untrue, but she did agree. Sweet words are pleasant to hear, but how many people actually fulfill those grand promises?

Having gone through an incredibly bad marriage with her ex-husband, Tong Yaqi had become a bit cautious and fearful, thinking of the saying once bitten, twice shy. If Chu Ge were truly talking about marriage, it would scare her instead. So hearing him speak this way, while she felt slightly awkward inside, she mostly felt relieved.

Moreover, this way also seemed to maintain the attraction between them, like tonight, where the clash between their souls gave her a feeling of a rekindled romance.

"Chu Ge, we indeed suit each other like this, but don't you want to have a proper relationship at all? I see the chairman treats you quite well; aren't you tempted to make a genuine move and be with her?"

Tong Yaqi stubbed out her cigarette and placed the ashtray on the coffee table, smiling as she changed the subject.

Chu Ge turned his gaze to the ashtray that made a light "thud" and shook his head with amusement, "Don't tease, are you joking."

"I'm not joking, do you think the chairman is not good enough for you?"

"Ugh, you're really overestimating me here. It's not that she's out of my league; it's definitely me who's not good enough for her, okay? Once our little act is over, we'll only have a working relationship left. At most, she'll just consider me a friend because of our pleasant collaboration."

Tong Yaqi shook her head earnestly at this point.

"Chu Ge, saying that is really selling yourself short. Although I don't know much about your past, just from the things you've done since you came to Tianjiao Film and Television, it's simply unbelievable. I even suspect that He Qing likes you. So how could you possibly not be good enough for the chairwoman?"

Chu Ge grinned, contemplated for a moment, and then continued, "Yaqi, I really appreciate you thinking so highly of me. But let's put the whole 'good enough or not' aside. If we really ended up together, don't you think it'd be as awkward as possible the next time you two meet?"

Tong Yaqi wasn't oblivious to Chu Ge's words, but she still let out a small sigh, feigned a relaxed demeanor, and asked knowingly with a slight smile, "Why would it be awkward?"

"When she sees you, wouldn't she immediately think of our deep interactions in the hospital, at her house, at your house, and possibly in all sorts of places?"

Hearing this, Tong Yaqi thought to herself, 'I knew it,' but outwardly pretended to be stunned, as if the alcohol had suddenly evaporated completely when she realized this was a very serious issue she hadn't considered before.

Indeed, just a little empathy makes the situation extremely embarrassing.

Seeing the change in Tong Yaqi's expression, Chu Ge chuckled.

"Figured it out? But you don't need to think about it any further. That scenario won't happen for sure. We're not on the same path; we won't end up together. You can put your mind at ease and stop worrying about things that don't need to be worried about."

Tong Yaqi slightly curled her lips. What else could she say? She didn't want to say anything at all right now.

After one in the morning, Chu Ge returned to Qin Ruojing's house. He hadn't planned on coming back, but Tong Yaqi, considering that Qin Ruoying was also home, was worried the relationship between Chu Ge and Qin Ruojing might be exposed, so she persuaded him to return.

When Chu Ge returned to Qin Ruojing's house, he quietly opened the door, didn't turn on the light, didn't put on slippers, and tiptoed back to Qin Ruojing's bedroom. Except for the unavoidable noise when opening the door, he barely made a sound afterward.

Although Qin Ruojing said that Qin Ruoying was a heavy sleeper, Chu Ge thought it was better to be cautious to avoid any mishaps.

Feeling his way in the dark to the bedside, Chu Ge saw that Qin Ruojing was sleeping very soundly. He took off his clothes, gently lifted a corner of the quilt, and slipped right in, maintaining a one-person distance from Qin Ruojing, and lay down lightly.

By this time, Chu Ge was already very tired, and after lying down, he fell asleep without even a minute passing.

Early the next morning, Chu Ge suddenly felt someone nudge him. His awareness, still immersed in deep sleep, gradually became clear, and then he suddenly noticed a very awkward situation.

His right hand was being held by Qin Ruojing.

Qin Ruojing's bed was a spacious double bed. When Chu Ge and she slept here, they usually stayed on their own sides, ensuring a distance in the middle where another person could lie down. Not only would they subconsciously keep a distance from each other, but even turning over wouldn't cause them to touch.

However, because Chu Ge had gone to Tong Yaqi's place, Qin Ruojing thought she was going to be alone in the bed that night. Coupled with having drunk quite a bit at the farewell party, she wanted to relax completely and simply wore that very airy nightdress to bed, just like the night before.

If it were just like that, it wouldn't matter much, since there was still a quilt covering her. The problem was that Qin Ruojing never expected Chu Ge to come back, and she was sleeping as relaxed as possible, now actually holding onto Chu Ge's hand.

Although Chu Ge hadn't opened his eyes, his mind was fully awake and naturally aware of the situation between him and Qin Ruojing.

Qin Ruojing was holding his hand at the moment, and he only woke up because she moved slightly.

Chu Ge really hadn't expected this to happen. When he came home late last night, they were clearly far apart, right?

Also, because he returned so late after dropping Tong Yaqi home, aware there couldn't be any danger, he had slept with no wariness at all. He hadn't even realized when Qin Ruojing had taken hold of his hand.

But no matter what, his hand was now being held by Qin Ruojing, and Chu Ge couldn't do anything but continue to pretend to be asleep with his eyes closed.

Qin Ruojing indeed felt embarrassed and quite annoyed at this moment.

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