A Surprise Delivery

Jian Ye had prepared a lavish spread, featuring everything from stir-fries and soups to noodles and specialty snacks.

Having heard that Yi Siyu preferred spicy food, he had generously added chili to most of the dishes. There was shredded pork with garlic sauce, stewed chicken with flatbread, braised fish, spicy bullfrog, and roasted duck, all looking incredibly appetizing. He had also slow-cooked a seaweed, corn, and pork rib soup. Later, he prepared crab noodle soup and beef shaobing, complemented by some spicy cumin-flavored fried chicken strips and potato fries. For greens, he included stir-fried water spinach and shredded lettuce.

Aunt Wen, observing from the side, was utterly amazed by his culinary skill.

“Young Master Jian, you are truly capable. With so many dishes, the Third Young Master will surely be delighted. Let me help you pack them.”

“Thank you, Aunt Wen. I made quite a lot, so I’ve left some for you as well,” Jian Ye said, untying his apron and retrieving several insulated containers from the cabinet.

“How could I possibly eat the Third Young Master’s loving dinner?”

“It would be a waste if it’s not eaten, wouldn’t it? Aunt Wen, don’t you want to taste my cooking?” the young man replied with a smile.

Aunt Wen couldn’t refuse Jian Ye. She eventually relented, and after Jian Ye left, she tried a few dishes. They were unbelievably delicious. She had been suffering from a recent lack of appetite, but this meal instantly reawakened her taste buds. She continued to eat several more bites and even added an extra bowl of rice.

‘The Third Young Master is truly blessed,’ she thought. ‘The household will never lack delicious food from now on.’

Jian Ye had Little Dong drop him off at the Zheyuan Group building.

“Don’t tell Siyu-gege yet. I want to give him a surprise.”

Little Dong, the driver, chuckled. “Understood, Young Madam.”

Jian Ye choked slightly on the title “Young Madam.” This sudden shift in identity was still quite unfamiliar to him.

[System 748: Host, you are now a virtuous little wife bringing food to your husband.]

[Jian Ye: Don’t overthink it. I just don’t want to constantly be indebted to others.]

[System 748: I understand. Among you humans, loving couples often create surprises and romance for each other.]

[Jian Ye: What strange books have you been secretly reading lately?]

[System 748: I’m reading ‘The Marriage and Love Preservation Handbook,’ ‘How to Capture Your Husband’s Heart,’ ‘A Hundred Ways for Couples to Show Affection,’ ‘The Original Form of Love,’ and…]

[Jian Ye: Enough, enough! You know the real situation between Yi Siyu and me, don’t you? Read fewer of these books in the future, or you’ll turn into a love-struck system.]

[System 748: We systems don’t need to get married, but Host… I’ve noticed you’ve changed a bit since getting married.]

‘Have I changed?’

Jian Ye himself hadn’t noticed any changes, though perhaps his mindset had shifted, making him feel more like a native of this world. The more earnestly and diligently he lived, the more he realized that the paper characters in the book world, as he understood them, were no different from those in the real world. They too possessed emotions, their own stories, and savored life’s bittersweet flavors in different dimensions.

Having accepted that he couldn’t return to his previous world, Jian Ye felt that staying here wasn’t so bad. Even in another world, he could continue to pursue his dreams and shine brightly. As long as the cannon fodder plot didn’t relentlessly chase him, he could live a life just like any ordinary person.

The car arrived at its destination.

Jian Ye entered the group’s main entrance, carrying two large bags. His remarkably striking appearance immediately drew the attention of some employees in the lobby. Jian Ye was dressed in a blue casual outfit, looking every bit the bright and energetic university student. Naturally, a student walking into an environment so steeped in corporate professionalism became an instant focal point.

Yi Siyu had previously told Jian Ye that if he wanted to visit, he should call either him or Assistant Xu. He had just pulled out his phone, hesitating over whom to call.

A polite young lady from the front desk approached him. “Excuse me, whom are you looking for?”

Jian Ye’s finger paused, and then he looked up. “I’m looking for your CEO Yi.”

“CEO Yi is currently in a meeting. Do you have an appointment?”

Jian Ye shook his head. “No.”

The front desk staff member’s expression remained unchanged, and she replied, “Please wait a moment. I’ll make a call for you. May I ask your surname?”

“My surname is Jian, the jian from simple.”

“Alright.”

Watching the young lady maintain a smile throughout their interaction, he couldn’t help but marvel at the high caliber of Zheyuan Group’s employees. Truly a large company. Little did he know that no girl could maintain a stern face when confronted with such a handsome man. Just exchanging a few words with him was enough to make her heart flutter.

Not long after, the front desk lady, Xu Qingqing, hurried back, bowing profusely. “My apologies, Young Master Jian, I didn’t recognize you. Please follow me, this is CEO Yi’s private elevator.”

Initially, the group had been managed by the Yi family’s eldest son, but three years ago, management had been transferred to the Yi family’s third son. As front desk staff, they were required to memorize the names of important clients, high-level executives’ family members, and other significant individuals.

Recently, a rumor had circulated throughout the company: CEO Yi was married. This gossip had been discussed in various company chat groups, but no one truly knew if it was accurate. Since it concerned the CEO’s private life, the buzz had died down after a few days.

Who would have thought that today, she, Xu Qingqing, a mere employee, would be the one to confirm it?

When she called Assistant Xu, he had merely heard the surname, and his tone instantly became incredibly respectful, repeatedly asking if she had offended the person. Xu Qingqing was startled by Assistant Xu’s reaction and couldn’t help but ask, “Who is he?” She hadn’t expected an answer, but to her surprise, Assistant Xu solemnly introduced her to the full name and identity of “Jian Ye.”

He had also instructed her that from now on, whenever this esteemed guest arrived, she should allow him to use the elevator directly. ‘Did the CEO’s spouse really need an appointment to visit their own husband? That would be a joke!’

Xu Qingqing was relieved by her professional demeanor earlier. That had been a close call. ‘CEO Yi’s spouse… so young? And so handsome, gentle, and seemingly easy to talk to.’

As she escorted Jian Ye into the elevator, she couldn’t resist secretly snapping a photo with her phone. Once the elevator doors closed, she excitedly bounced twice in place, then quickly shared the picture in her company’s sister chat group.

‘Help! He’s so virtuous, even bringing food to the CEO!’
‘This CP, if not shipped now, when will they ever be?!’

When the elevator stopped on the 17th floor and the doors opened, Jian Ye saw Assistant Xu waiting there.

“Young Master Jian, why didn’t you call me when you arrived?” Assistant Xu, ever perceptive, immediately took the bags from Jian Ye’s hands.

“I was about to…” Jian Ye scratched his head sheepishly.

It was his first time visiting Yi Siyu’s company, and he looked around with great curiosity. ‘This is where Siyu-gege comes to work every day? How grand.’

“I’ll take you to the Third Young Master’s office first. His meeting will be over soon.”

Jian Ye followed Assistant Xu and quickly arrived at the CEO’s office area. Other employees were present in the outer office. Seeing Assistant Xu escort a young man who looked like a student, they all craned their necks to get a better look.

Secretary Zhang couldn’t help but whisper, “Could this be… the rumored person?”

Little Wang, clueless, asked, “Who?”

Little Li, with a gossipy expression and a smirk almost reaching her ears, replied, “Who else could it be? Our CEO Yi’s wife, of course!”

Secretary Zhang admonished, “How bold! Is ‘wife’ a word you can just casually say? You should respectfully call them ‘the Madam CEO.'”

Little Li pouted. “You know, CEO Yi is such an aloof, handsome man. How did he suddenly get married? I always thought he wasn’t interested in love or anything like that.”

Little Wang chimed in, “Who told you that disinterest means you can’t get married? For wealthy families like theirs, it’s definitely a political marriage.”

Secretary Zhang pressed, “So you’re saying it’s a marriage without affection, and the CEO’s spouse coming to see CEO Yi now is all an act?”

Little Wang immediately clapped a hand over Secretary Zhang’s mouth. “Keep your voice down! Don’t over-analyze! Do you want to get me killed?”

Jian Ye was completely unaware of the secretaries’ chatter. Assistant Xu led him to the innermost office. This was the CEO’s private office, separate from the others in the outer office, making it very quiet.

“Young Master Jian, please wait here for a moment. I’ll go back to my work now,” Assistant Xu said.

“Mhm, mhm.” Jian Ye nodded obediently.

After watching him leave, Jian Ye instantly transformed into a curious child. One moment he was touching the gleaming golden CEO nameplate on the desk, the next he was spinning around in the CEO’s office chair.

[Jian Ye: System, this young master is a big boss now!]

[System 748: Why do humans like to be bosses?]

[Jian Ye: Because being a boss means you can order people around! For example, ahem, System, go earn me a full year’s worth of green tea points.]

[System 748: !!!]

[Jian Ye: Or, for example, System, go to the system store and restock some free items and props.]

[System 748: This System is incapable of doing any of that. Bosses are truly terrifying creatures, sob~]

Yi Siyu’s meeting had dragged on for quite some time. A significant marketing issue had arisen with a certain product; its packaging design bore a striking resemblance to a competitor’s, and there had been errors in coordinating with the manufacturer, even sending the wrong blueprints. A cascade of frustrating problems had converged.

During the meeting, he sternly criticized the department managers, demanding several solutions to be implemented as quickly as possible to prevent negative online public opinion from escalating. This company was his elder brother’s brainchild. Although he had been given management with the expectation of being a hands-off boss, Yi Siyu naturally wouldn’t truly act that way.

The demeanor and attitude of a company’s leader determined the spirit and quality of its lower-level employees; if the beam above was crooked, the pillars below would surely lean. While he delegated most matters to Assistant Xu, he still personally handled crucial decisions.

Today had been unusually busy, and he had forgotten to call Jian Ye to tell him he wouldn’t be home for dinner.

After the meeting, Assistant Xu approached, intending to speak, but Yi Siyu cut him off. “Order a meal, the usual. And bring up a black coffee, no sugar.”

Assistant Xu recalled the large delivery bags someone had brought earlier and chuckled inwardly. He decided not to remind Yi Siyu further, instead feigning normalcy. “Understood, Third Young Master. Please head back to your office. I’ll bring it up as soon as I’ve bought it.”

‘Heh heh, I only need to buy coffee. You want dinner? Your spouse personally delivered it!’

Yi Siyu didn’t notice the fleeting glint of slyness in Assistant Xu’s expression. He felt a slight weariness. As he walked into the CEO’s office, several secretaries watched him with very subtle glances. He assumed they didn’t want to work overtime, so he waved a hand. “Everyone, you can go home.”

Everyone looked conflicted, wanting to stay for the gossip but also thrilled by the command to leave.

Yi Siyu raised an eyebrow. “What? Don’t want to go home?”

“We do! We’re leaving now!” they chorused, then scattered like birds.

Just as he pushed open the door, he noticed the lights in the room were on. ‘Who turned them on? I had switched them off when I left.’

The man frowned, wondering if Assistant Xu had done it. Yet, as he took another step inside, he sensed something amiss. Someone was in there.

Two large bags rested on the desk, and the CEO’s chair was angled towards the bookshelf. Curled up like a baby on the black sofa near the floor-to-ceiling window was a person. The young man had waited for who knew how long, falling asleep without moving, clutching a cushion tightly. His face was squashed, creating a plump cheek, and his rosy lips were pursed into a pout.

The CEO’s furrowed brows instantly smoothed at the sight of him, a warm current flowing through his heart.