Volume One, Chapter Two: I Will Take Responsibility

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The sound of water rushing came from the bathroom where Zhou Yu’an was showering.

In the bedroom, Xia Xiyin searched everywhere for her clothes but couldn’t find them, so she resigned herself to waiting for Zhou Yu’an.

Her phone chimed with a message from the department group chat. Shen Wei had sent a video, its thumbnail showing Xia Xiyin at last night’s banquet. A bad feeling welled up in her heart.

“...President Zhou, I like you. Will you agree to date me?”

“Okay, let’s date.”

The video replayed the shocking moment from last night that stunned everyone present—until Xia Xiyin had fallen asleep in Zhou Yu’an’s arms and he carried her horizontally. Only then did the room erupt in cheers and applause.

After the morning’s series of blows, this one-minute clip rendered Xia Xiyin utterly speechless—no, more precisely, she couldn’t even let out a sound, her whole body drained of strength.

After the video was posted, her colleagues flooded the chat with congratulations and tagged Xia Xiyin, urging her to say something.

Shen Wei remarked in the group, “It’s so early now, how could she be awake?” followed by three smirking emojis.

Everyone instantly understood, their smirks perfectly synchronized.

Xia Xiyin sighed deeply, silenced her phone, and set it aside. Covering her face with her hands, she tried to recall her foolish behavior from last night. But instead, her mind conjured the image of her clutching the blanket while Zhou Yu’an stood naked.

Her cheeks flushed red as she swallowed nervously and thought to herself, “Should I say it or not… President Zhou’s physique is really damn impressive!”

Speak of the devil.

Zhou Yu’an appeared wearing a bathrobe, towel in hand, drying his hair as he stepped out.

Xia Xiyin glanced briefly at the faintly visible chest muscles beneath his robe, then pretended to fix her hair and turned away.

“Um, President Zhou, where are my clothes?” she asked awkwardly.

As if deliberately, Zhou Yu’an pulled out a chair and sat opposite her. “You were covered in vomit last night, so I took your clothes to be washed.”

“Oh.” Xia Xiyin ignored the question of who had helped remove her clothes but still felt embarrassed, slightly burying her face in the blanket and revealing only her bright eyes as she said, “Thank you, President Zhou.”

Zhou Yu’an looked into her eyes, as clear and rippling as a spring, stirring waves within him.

Clearing his throat, he got straight to the point: “Come on, let’s talk about us.”

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Xia Xiyin hugged her knees, resting her chin on them, her eyes lowered, cursing inwardly: “No way am I admitting I confessed to the wrong person.”

“President Zhou, what do you want to talk about?” she asked timidly.

Zhou Yu’an stared at the top of her head and slowly said, “About last night—I’ll take responsibility. We’ll find time today to register our marriage.”

Xia Xiyin’s eyes widened in disbelief, staring at Zhou Yu’an. This was not quite what she had expected.

She had naively thought he would compensate her with money or offer her a different position so she could stay by his side.

But to propose marriage outright! Good heavens! Could such a good fortune really befall her? Marrying a wealthy heir and highly capable company CEO, tall, handsome, calm, and reserved—this was a stacked advantage no one could refuse.

Yet, in that moment, the face of Zhou Minghao from her department flashed in her mind—that face that had stirred her heart.

She hesitated, then cautiously said, “President Zhou, it doesn’t have to be marriage to prove your responsibility. Your status is important; marriage is a serious matter.”

Zhou Yu’an raised an eyebrow, his sharp gaze meeting hers. “What, you don’t want to marry?”

Afraid of upsetting him, Xia Xiyin quickly denied: “No, no, that’s not what I meant.”

He said, “They say alcohol reveals truth. I don’t think you’re lying. You confessed in public, said you liked me—your sincerity was obvious.”

Xia Xiyin felt guilty and nodded obediently.

“I just think this is a bit too fast. I’m not ready for marriage yet. It’s hard to accept suddenly.”

Zhou Yu’an considered her words silently before nodding in understanding.

“Let’s date for a month first. If it feels right, then we get married.”

Puzzled, Xia Xiyin looked at him and asked, “President Zhou, may I ask—why do you seem in such a hurry to marry?”

Zhou Yu’an didn’t hide it, answering frankly, “Because my family is pressuring me. I don’t want to make the elders anxious.”

Xia Xiyin didn’t know what to say. Even the big boss was being pushed to marry. She truly felt sorry for him.

“Oh, I see.” She hesitated, “Alright, then let’s do as you say.”

What to do? She felt trapped, like a tiger rider with no way off. Xia Xiyin thought anxiously.

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At that moment, the doorbell rang. Zhou Yu’an got up to open the door and soon returned carrying a paper bag.

“Here, put this on.” He placed the bag on the bed and then left the room.

Xia Xiyin took out the clothes inside—none of them hers. The entire set, inside and out, was brand new. She went to the bathroom to shower again and changed into the new clothes.

In the living room, Zhou Yu’an was on the phone. When he saw Xia Xiyin come out, he reached out his hand, waiting for her to approach.

Nervous, Xia Xiyin didn’t dare refuse. She stepped over and cautiously reached out to hold his hand.

His large hand enveloped hers, warm in the palm, bringing her an inexplicable sense of comfort.

Holding her hand, Zhou Yu’an led her out of the room toward the elevator.

“Hungry? What do you prefer for breakfast?” he asked as they stood before the elevator.

“Nothing special, just something filling,” she replied.

“Alright. You pick what you want, and I’ll follow your lead,” Zhou Yu’an said with a hint of indulgence in his tone.

Xia Xiyin felt her heartstrings gently plucked by his words. All her life, no man had ever spoken to her with such tenderness.

Though pretty, she had few suitors and no romantic experience.

She turned her head away, quietly exhaling, telling herself not to appear so nervous.

They entered the elevator and headed downstairs to the restaurant. Along the way, some colleagues got on, and seeing them holding hands, all smiled knowingly.

Xia Xiyin had never been looked at like this before, her embarrassment so intense she felt she could carve a Disneyland castle beneath her feet. She silently prayed no more colleagues would come aboard.

Fortunately, they reached the second-floor restaurant without incident. When Xia Xiyin and Zhou Yu’an emerged, the bustling crowd immediately made them the center of attention once again.