Qin Yue hadn't planned to see Li Feng after work hours.
In her mind, their relationship began and ended inside the walls of Feng Corporation. Outside of it, they were two people from two entirely different worlds.
That was the plan.
Reality, however, had other ideas.
---
It was Friday evening, and the city was buzzing with weekend energy. Qin Yue had promised Qing Feng they'd meet at a small noodle shop they used to frequent during school. She left work at six sharp, eager to breathe something other than office air.
The drizzle from earlier had stopped, but the streets were still slick, reflecting the glittering neon signs of cafés, bars, and shops.
She'd just reached the corner of the street when a familiar black luxury car slowed beside her.
Her stomach sank.
The tinted window slid down, revealing Li Feng in a dark shirt and no tie—casual, but somehow still immaculate.
"Get in," he said.
She frowned. "Why?"
"You're going the wrong way."
"I'm meeting a friend."
His eyes narrowed slightly, as if this was an unacceptable answer. "I'll drop you there."
She hesitated. "Why are you even here?"
His gaze flicked away for a moment before returning to hers. "Business dinner. But I'm early."
---
Against her better judgment, she got in.
The car's warmth wrapped around her instantly, and she noticed the faint music playing—a smooth piano melody that didn't match his cold demeanor at all.
They drove in silence for a few streets before he asked, almost casually, "You eat in places like that often?"
She turned to him. "Places like what?"
"Those tiny shops with three tables and questionable hygiene ratings."
She gave him a look. "Yes. Some of us don't have gold-plated kitchens at home."
The corner of his mouth twitched—so quickly she almost thought she imagined it.
---
When they stopped at the noodle shop, Qing Feng was already waving from inside. Qin Yue unbuckled her seatbelt. "Thanks for the ride."
But as she opened the door, Li Feng spoke again. "Don't stay too late."
She blinked. "Are you my boss or my father?"
His eyes met hers, steady and unreadable. "Neither. But you have work tomorrow."
Before she could respond, the door closed, and he drove off.
---
Inside the shop, Qing Feng was practically vibrating with curiosity. "Who was that? That car looked… expensive. And so did the man driving it."
Qin Yue sighed, sliding into the seat. "My boss."
Her friend's jaw dropped. "Your boss gives you rides home? Is he—wait—don't tell me you're secretly in love with him."
"Absolutely not." The words came out sharper than intended. "He's… complicated."
---
They spent the next hour chatting over steaming bowls of noodles, but Li Feng's sudden appearance kept tugging at Qin Yue's thoughts. It wasn't like him to go out of his way for someone. Especially her.
When they stepped out of the shop, the drizzle had returned, fine and misty under the streetlights. Qin Yue pulled her jacket tighter and said goodbye to Qing Feng, heading for the bus stop.
But the bus never came.
She checked the schedule and realized she'd just missed the last one for the night.
Her phone battery was at 5%. Calling a taxi app was risky—it might die mid-request.
---
That's when the black car appeared again.
The passenger window rolled down. "Get in."
Qin Yue blinked. "What are you, stalking me?"
Li Feng's gaze was calm, but there was an edge to it. "You're alone at night. This area isn't safe."
She hesitated for a moment too long, and he leaned over, pushing the passenger door open from inside. "Don't make me get out and drag you in."
Rolling her eyes, she slid into the seat. "You're very bossy, you know that?"
"I'm a boss," he replied simply, starting the engine.
---
The streets were quieter now, the city's weekend buzz settling into a softer hum. They drove past rows of closed shops and glowing apartment windows.
At a red light, Qin Yue noticed a faint tiredness around Li Feng's eyes. "You work too much."
He glanced at her, expression unreadable. "Says the girl who stayed up past midnight revising a report last night."
Her lips parted. "How did you—?"
"I read the email timestamp."
She huffed. "It's different. You have… people. Assistants. Secretaries. A whole company to help you."
"And yet I still needed you to correct that report," he said, almost as if it were a compliment.
---
When they reached her street, he didn't just stop at the corner—he pulled up directly in front of her building. The rain had grown heavier, tapping softly on the roof of the car.
"Go inside," he said.
She nodded, unbuckling her seatbelt. "Good night, Mr. Li."
But as she reached for the door, his voice stopped her.
"Qin Yue."
She turned.
His gaze was steady. "Don't walk alone at night again."
Her heart gave an odd little jolt. "I'll… try not to."
She stepped out into the rain, running for the entrance. But even as she closed the door behind her, she had the strange feeling that his eyes were still following her.
---