He Came to Pick Me Up—Right in Front of My Rival

They had arrived early.

When they finished lunch, it was barely past twelve.

Prime lunch hour.

Customers were starting to trickle into the small restaurant.

They paid and left, walking back through the sun-drenched alley.

Just as they got in the car, Tao Ruoqing’s call came through.

That morning, when Qin Jianhe had picked him up at the Ye residence, Tao Ruoqing had already gone out.

She’d said she was playing cards, but Ye Zhiqiu guessed she’d probably gone to the film set.

“Xiaoqiu.” Tao Ruoqing’s tone was exceptionally gentle. “Out again today?”

“Mm.” Ye Zhiqiu replied, fumbling in his coat pocket until he found a piece of candy.

Just as he was about to unwrap it, he remembered something.

Instead, he opened his palm and offered the candy to Qin Jianhe.

The young man’s palm was fair and beautiful—slender, long-fingered, with a clean, pale pink flush.

It was just an ordinary piece of candy from a streetside shop, but in his palm, it suddenly looked noble and appetizing.

The car was very quiet.

The woman’s voice on the phone filtered through faintly.

“You’ve been busy all week—why not rest at home?” Tao Ruoqing’s tone was reproachful. “Mama specially told Aunt Zhao to buy a free-range chicken from the market. Planning to make you soup to build up your strength.”

“Have Aunt Zhao make it and save me a bowl.” Ye Zhiqiu said. Then added, “And a drumstick.”

“Fine, fine.” Tao Ruoqing’s tone was helpless yet doting.

Sometimes Ye Zhiqiu wondered how she could act so naturally, so seamlessly.

“Aunt Zhao just mentioned a very impressive car came for you this morning.” Tao Ruoqing finally got to the point. “Who was it? Does Mama know them?”

“Just one of those suitors.” Ye Zhiqiu smiled casually. “It’s not like you haven’t seen them before.”

“Not Xiao Qi?” Tao Ruoqing asked. “Is this one Mama knows?”

“You know the Qin family that runs Q.L.?” Ye Zhiqiu laughed, looking at Qin Jianhe with mischief, shaking the hand that held the candy.

Qin Jianhe said nothing, only glanced at him flatly in refusal.

Ye Zhiqiu unwrapped the candy and popped it in his mouth.

“How could Mama not know them?” Tao Ruoqing’s voice came through, her tone shifting almost imperceptibly, like a thread so thin it was choking her.

“The one who came this morning was the Qin family’s driver.” Ye Zhiqiu paused for effect.

On the other end, Tao Ruoqing fell strangely silent.

Ye Zhiqiu smiled. “The grandson of the Qin family’s head butler sent someone to pick me up.”

Hearing the faint exhale of relief on the other end, Ye Zhiqiu asked, “Mom, compared to Qi Xin, which one do you think is better?”

“Mama hasn’t met him, how can I judge?” Tao Ruoqing said. “But Xiao Qi seems like a steady, reliable child.”

“Hmph!” Ye Zhiqiu’s snort was especially spoiled.

“Alright, alright. Forget about him for now.” Sensing his mood hadn’t passed, Tao Ruoqing coaxed patiently. “When are you coming home? Mama will have Uncle Wang pick you up.”

Uncle Wang. Ye Zhiqiu had been meaning to look into him.

He didn’t have any particularly trustworthy people at hand. Outsiders didn’t know the situation.

Jin Baobao and Li Shaojun wouldn’t work either. If they made a move, their families would definitely find out.

And suddenly investigating Uncle Wang out of nowhere would be hard to explain to them.

Qin Jianhe, with no connections to any of them, would be much more convenient.

But Ye Zhiqiu dismissed the thought.

The game was just getting interesting. No need to rush.

“Isn’t Uncle Wang at the film set?” He asked with a smile. “Why make him come all the way back just to pick me up?”

“Xiaoxia has no scenes today or tomorrow. Uncle Wang brought him home. They’re both here now.”

“Oh.” Ye Zhiqiu responded. “My company has an event tonight. Not sure when it’ll end. Afterward, everyone might go out to eat. Could even be an all-nighter.”

“No need for Uncle Wang to come,” he said. “If I need him, I’ll call.”

“Alright then.” Tao Ruoqing had no choice but to agree.

****

After he hung up, Qin Jianhe quietly nudged Ye Zhiqiu’s clean white sneaker.

“Who’s the suitor?” he asked.

When Ye Zhiqiu didn’t answer, he leaned closer.

“Who’s the suitor, hmm?”

“Me, me.” Ye Zhiqiu smiled, candy in his cheek.

“And who’s the butler’s grandson?” Qin Jianhe pressed.

Ye Zhiqiu: “Me, me. All me.”

Only then did Qin Jianhe sit back, the corner of his mouth lifting in a faintly mocking arc.

“You know a lot,” he said. “You even know the Qin family’s head butler has a grandson?”

“I didn’t specifically dig into your family’s business.” Ye Zhiqiu quickly explained. “There was a senior from our school who knew the butler’s eldest grandson. He always said he could get him into Q.L. after graduation.”

“Hey.” Ye Zhiqiu rested his chin on his hand. “So that’s why Tang Le went to Young Master Yu. If nepotism can get you in…”

“Going through the CEO himself is better.” Qin Jianhe said. “More stable connection. Higher success rate.”

Ye Zhiqiu pressed his lips together.

It was a joke, sure. But this was the first time Qin Jianhe had invited him.

Before, it was always Meng Da pushing. Even when they met at the factory, Qin…

“I’m not like them.” Ye Zhiqiu played hard to get. “I don’t fall for just any offer.”

“So VIA’s offer must be pretty mediocre.” Qin Jianhe retorted. “Otherwise, how could it have tempted you?”

Ye Zhiqiu: “…”

* * * *

Fortunately, the e-commerce incubation center had arrived.

Not waiting for the driver to circle across the street, Ye Zhiqiu quickly raised his hand.

“Here’s fine,” he said.

The car pulled over.

Ye Zhiqiu got out quickly.

Just as he was about to close the door, he remembered something and leaned back in.

“Wait for my message tonight.” He grinned. “Won’t be too late. I’ll call you when I’m almost done.”

* * * *

The new product launch didn’t actually require much from Ye Zhiqiu.

Designs, samples, prototypes—all ready. All data complete.

Compared to the designer, tonight belonged to the livestream hosts.

But this launch was crucial to VIA’s future development, and to his personal influence in the industry.

So he still needed to be on site, keeping an eye on things, just in case.

Especially since he knew Jiang Nan would definitely come.

When he arrived, Sun Wei was already there.

Several other company designers and assistants had also arrived.

The hosts were discussing details while memorizing their scripts.

The place was a hive of activity.

Compared to VIA’s emphasis on this promotion, Jinqi’s side was much more casual.

No one from their team had shown up yet.

Only the materials for the bags sat on the hosts’ table.

“What are you doing here?” Sun Wei came over with a folder when she saw him. “I told you you didn’t need to come. I know your designs by heart.”

“Still had to see for myself.” Ye Zhiqiu smiled, taking off his coat. “Nothing else to do at home anyway.”

“Xiao Ye doesn’t have a date on the weekend?” another female designer teased. “That’s not right.”

“About to break up. What date?” Ye Zhiqiu laughed with them.

“Just brought someone to the dinner the other day, and now you’re about to break up…” The studio door opened. Jiang Nan arrived. “Designer Ye certainly treats relationships lightly.”

Compared to Friday’s dinner, Jiang Nan looked noticeably more worn out.

Faint shadows under his eyes—clearly hadn’t slept well.

“Director Jiang.” Ye Zhiqiu greeted him with a smile, completely unconcerned by Jiang Nan’s remark.

“That alumni of yours is really something.” He smiled and shook his head. “Doesn’t know what’s good for him. Why keep someone like that? Don’t you think?”

“I think my alumni is quite dignified and gentlemanly. It’s Designer Ye.” Jiang Nan countered. “Aren’t you being a bit too spoiled and rude?”

As he spoke, his gaze unconsciously fell on Ye Zhiqiu’s hands.

Fair, slender, very beautiful.

That photo from Moments flashed before his eyes.

A large, ringed hand with defined knuckles, wrapped tightly around a smaller, snow-white palm. Extremely intimate.

The folder in his hand crumpled instantly.

Jiang Nan clenched his jaw.

“If you admire him so much, Director Jiang, why not give your alumni a try?” Ye Zhiqiu was completely unconcerned. “Haven’t you already made plans with him?”

The word “plans” was subtle. And Ye Zhiqiu deliberately emphasized it, making it sound like he and Qi Xin had done something shameful.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Everyone turned to look at the two of them, locked in this pointed, veiled confrontation.

Jiang Nan was furious.

“What did you say?”

“I’m saying.” Ye Zhiqiu looked at him with an ambiguous smile. “Fighting over a man really isn’t worth it.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Sun Wei quickly stepped in to mediate.

But Jiang Nan couldn’t let it go.

He was losing sleep over Qin Jianhe, burning with jealousy. And Ye Zhiqiu deliberately twisted his words to make it about Qi Xin.

How dare he?

Qi Xin wasn’t even worthy.

But the torture was, he couldn’t say it outright.

Jiang Nan glared at Ye Zhiqiu, his gaze dark and cold.

But Ye Zhiqiu didn’t back down. Smiling, he stepped closer.

“Director Jiang.” His voice was very low. “You care so much about Qi Xin. Does he know? Does he appreciate it?”

He smiled. “With men, you have to make them chase you. Not the other way around. Otherwise, they won’t value you.”

“Don’t you think?” He straightened up.

Jiang Nan: “…”

Who the hell was chasing Qi Xin?

But then something clicked in his mind.

Was Qin Jianhe chasing Ye Zhiqiu, the same way Qi Xin did?

No way.

If not, why would Ye Zhiqiu say that?

Or… was even Qin Jianhe unable to resist his allure?

That scene from the club flashed through his mind again—Ye Zhiqiu hooking his finger under Qi Xin’s chin, smiling like a seductive spirit.

Jiang Nan’s heart tightened.

No way.

He’d never seen Qin Jianhe give anyone the time of day.

But how to explain those photos?

That was definitely Qin Jianhe’s hand. He’d recognize it even in ashes…

Hypothesis formed, then overturned. On and on.

Like a blade working the tender flesh of his heart, carving and tearing, destroying his last shred of reason.

Just as he was about to lose control and scratch that beautiful face, Ye Zhiqiu smiled and stepped back.

“We’re all professionals here.” His smile was slight, his voice clear and calm. “Director Jiang, tonight, let’s focus on work.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Sun Wei immediately stepped between them, handing Ye Zhiqiu the folder. “Go double-check the details with Host Zhou one more time. The pre-order channels for tonight’s items will open soon.”

“Okay.” Ye Zhiqiu took it, smiling easily. “I’m on it.”

He said work, and he worked.

For the rest of the afternoon, except when necessary, he didn’t spare Jiang Nan another glance.

* * * *

At eight o’clock, the studio lights blazed.

Several hosts went live simultaneously.

Ye Zhiqiu retreated to the outer break room and dialed Qin Jianhe.

After hanging up, he turned and saw Jiang Nan approaching, his face dark.

Compared to his earlier loss of control, his expression had calmed considerably.

But still a far cry from the serene, composed image he’d projected in the past life.

“I won’t let you succeed.” Jiang Nan’s eyes were full of contempt. “Someone like you doesn’t deserve him.”

He didn’t say who “him” was.

They both knew.

“Really?” Ye Zhiqiu’s smile remained, but his beautiful eyes held an undeniable superiority and challenge.

That superiority and challenge should have been his.

Jiang Nan clenched his jaw.

“He’s coming to pick me up.” Ye Zhiqiu said.

Ignoring Jiang Nan’s pale face and momentary shock, he smiled, walked past him, put on his coat, wrapped his scarf, and carefully adjusted his knit cap in the mirror.

It made his face look even smaller.

Innocent. Harmless.

And even more beautiful.

“I’m off.” Ye Zhiqiu smiled and waved at Sun Wei. “See you at the office tomorrow.”

“Bye, Xiao Ye.” The others were also preparing to leave. Only Sun Wei stayed to monitor.

“Did you drive today?” someone asked. “Need a ride?”

“No, thanks.” Ye Zhiqiu smiled slightly. “Someone’s picking me up.”

Ignoring the teasing, he pushed open the door and walked out.

* * * *

The hosts’ studio was on the second floor.

Ye Zhiqiu didn’t take the elevator. He went straight down the stairs.

When he pushed open the large glass door downstairs, the cold night air greeted him.

Along with it, an exceptionally low-key black Bentley.

The Bentley pulled up slowly.

The door opened.

The man’s tall, upright figure appeared in Ye Zhiqiu’s view.

The wind lifted the hem of his coat.

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

He reached out his hand to Ye Zhiqiu.

Ye Zhiqiu knew that at this moment, Jiang Nan was watching from the second-floor window.

He smiled and jogged toward Qin Jianhe.

When he was just a step away, Qin Jianhe took his hand.

Ye Zhiqiu bumped lightly into his chest, then looked up, smiling.

“Want to fake a kiss?” He pushed his luck, eyes curving.

“I don’t do fake.” The man’s voice was even deeper in the cold night air. “If I do it, it’s real.”

His gaze lifted from the light pink mole on Ye Zhiqiu’s nose and slowly settled on his soft, pink lips.

Tsk. Acting, but saying he doesn’t do fake. This guy…

But Ye Zhiqiu didn’t dare say it out loud. He was afraid this man might actually turn on him.

“Never mind, then.” He muttered. “That’d be too big a sacrifice.”

The corner of Qin Jianhe’s mouth curved up.

He raised a hand to shield Ye Zhiqiu’s head as he guided him into the car.

Through the car window, Ye Zhiqiu could see a figure silhouetted against the brightly lit second-floor window.

Frozen like stone. Not moving at all.

He pulled off his knit cap, tilted his face up with a smile, and generously praised Qin Jianhe.

“Great performance, President Qin. Ninety-nine points.”