The engagement was with the younger brother, but I've fallen for the older brother.

He Sichen's question fell to the ground.

Si Yimian felt a chill run down her spine from his gaze and immediately switched to obedient baby mode.

"Dr. He, let me explain first."

He took a step forward, and she took a step back.

"How much did the video sell for?"

Si Yimian blinked, her confidence suddenly wavering.

"It sold for 300,000."

She held up one finger and tentatively added a sentence.

"Can I give you it all, as your appearance fee?"

He Sichen's brow twitched.

Appearance fee?

Does he look like the top hostess at the club?

His name, He Sichen, is only worth 300,000 yuan when tied to Qin Enyu's underwear.

"You think 300,000 is a lot?"

Si Yimian paused for a moment, then thought about it carefully.

"That's a bit too little."

She counted on her fingers.

"Someone of Dr. He's caliber shouldn't be sold off cheaply; it should start at least at one million."

"Next time I'll drive higher."

There's actually a next time.

He had never been quantified like this before, even using the pricing units of brothels.

He Sichen took a deep breath, raised his hand to grab her wrist, and pulled her into the nearby emergency exit.

The fire door slammed shut behind me.

The voice-activated light suddenly turned on and then went back off.

He Sichen pinned her against the wall, supporting himself with one hand beside her ear.

His other hand was still gripping her wrist, not letting go.

The distance is excessively close.

"Si Yimian".

His voice lowered.

"What do you take me for?"

Si Yimian stared at him blankly, then thought about it seriously.

"Hmm...the leader of the male virtue class?"

Si Yimian cleared her throat, deciding to strike first.

"You haven't done anything wrong, and I haven't spread any rumors."

"Qin Enyu threw herself at you, but you dodged her. You were dignified and restrained throughout, a true gentleman."

"I released the video to help you build your public image."

He Sichen laughed in exasperation.

"Help me build a persona?"

He took a step forward and looked down at her.

Did you ask me before you started creating this persona for me?

Si Yimian took half a step back, her back pressed against the cold wall.

"It's too late..."

"I've done the math; this won't cause you any real harm."

"Now the whole internet knows you can remain unmoved by a woman's advances, a model of male virtue, and your popularity has skyrocketed."

"Who would dare to slip underwear into your hands again?"

"I'm protecting you from unwanted romantic advances, and I'm making 300,000 yuan for free."

He Sichen's gaze involuntarily fell on her lips.

Those red lips parted and closed, uttering words that would infuriate him.

He suddenly felt a strong urge to block her, so she could never make him angry again.

"So I should thank you?"

"You're welcome."

Si Yimian waved her hand.

"We're like brothers."

He Sichen was both amused and annoyed by her self-righteous attitude.

Her logic is frighteningly self-consistent.

She meticulously accounted for every single expense, except for him.

"You abacus bead, you actually hit me in the face."

"You played the 'besieging Wei to rescue Zhao' strategy brilliantly."

"Use bigger news to divert attention and resolve the public opinion crisis at minimal cost."

"Very smart, I admire that."

He was clearly praising her, but there was no warmth in his tone.

"I said I was willing to help you resolve this, but that doesn't mean you can push me down without even telling me."

"I don't like being used as a pawn."

"I especially dislike it when someone puts you on the chessboard without even saying hello."

He paused, his throat tightening, as if he were saying something extremely disgusting.

"I especially dislike having my underwear listed in the same trending topics as other people's, so that everyone can see it."

He loosened his grip on her wrist and took a half step back.

"I don't want to be seen by so many people."

Si Yimian remained silent.

The way he said those words carried an inexplicable awkwardness.

She suddenly realized that he was a germaphobe.

Severe obsessive-compulsive disorder about cleanliness.

She reached out and patted his chest, her face serious.

"Dr. He, if you think it's dirty, I'll help you wash it."

He Sichen: "What are you washing?"

She tilted her head back and blinked.

"Wash your eyes."

"Just look at me more, I'm clean-looking."

He Sichen: "..."

Looking into her clear, bewildered eyes, He Sichen suddenly felt powerless.

He found that reasoning with this woman was like punching cotton.

She does the most wicked things with the most innocent expression.

Then, using the most innocent logic, they make you feel like you're the unreasonable one.

"Si Yimian, you're so infuriating, yet you don't even realize it."

He raised his hand, pinched her cheek with his thumb and forefinger, and gently pulled it outward.

Si Yimian's face was being pinched by him, and she spoke indistinctly.

"Dr. He, please stop pinching! Your face is going to get deformed."

Seeing her like this, He Sichen felt a pang of guilt.

He released her and created distance between them.

"Never mind, you did nothing wrong."

"From now on, you're on your own."

"Don't drag me into this."

He turned around, opened the door, and went out.

Si Yimian jogged after him, following closely behind.

"Dr. He, do you want that 300,000 or not?"

"don't want."

"What do you want?"

He Sichen paused, not turning his head, and squeezed out the words through clenched teeth.

"I need peace and quiet."

"Don't talk to me this week."

Si Yimian frowned as she watched his retreating figure.

Why are we having a cold war?

She clearly helped him fend off unwanted romantic advances and even made 300,000 yuan.

He didn't thank her; instead, he gave her the cold shoulder.

What's the reason?

……

For the rest of the morning, He Sichen truly treated her like she wasn't there.

Si Yimian followed him around like an abandoned little tail all morning, but she couldn't get him to open his mouth.

What a jerk, so stingy.

One's temper outlasts one's life.

Didn't she just make 300,000 from him?

It's not like I didn't give him any; he just didn't want it.

At noon, she dragged her leaden legs back to the duty room, and was stunned when she opened the door.

A thermal lunchbox was placed on the table.

She lifted the lid, and a burst of hot air rushed out.

Spicy crab, spicy blood curd, garlic spare ribs, and a bowl of rock sugar pear soup to relieve the spiciness.

It was so oily and spicy that the aroma made her feel completely overwhelmed.

Everything was to her liking.

She paused, picked up the bag and rummaged through it, but there was no receipt or note.

Last night she complained that Yu-An Cafeteria was like pig swill, and today the special offering is being precisely fed to her?

I wonder who overheard her words.

Si Yimian stared at the special meal and couldn't help but smile.

This man told her not to talk to him this week, but secretly he was giving her extra help.

What is this?

A hot war within the Cold War?

The afternoon work proceeded as usual.

He Sichen still didn't speak to her, and relayed everything through Zhou Mu.

Zhou Mu is going crazy.

In one afternoon, he ran back and forth between He Sichen and Si Yimian eight times.

"No, why doesn't he tell you himself?"

Si Yimian was organizing the sample tubes without even looking up.

"Because he is now mute."

"What, a mute?"

"Selective aphasia, it only affects me."

Zhou Mu sensed something was wrong and secretly asked Si Yimian.

"Mianmian, did you have a fight with Dr. He?"

Si Yimian sighed.

"no."

"I was unilaterally sanctioned by my client."

Zhou Mu was amused by her and moved a little closer.

"What's wrong with him?"

Si Yimian thought for a moment, then looked up at Zhou Mu.

"It's probably a hormonal imbalance; he can't stand anyone."

He Sichen paused as he passed around the corner.

Zhou Mu's gaze suddenly sharpened, staring intently at what was behind her.

Si Yimian didn't see it; she was still outputting.

"Try to understand. After all, Dr. He is not young anymore. It's normal for his physical functions to decline and his hormone levels to fluctuate."