He struggled to maintain his composure, reaching out to take the hot milk. He touched exactly where she had just held, the slight heat transferring to his palm. His earlobes turned slightly red as if burned: "Th-thank you."
Looking at the thick, fragrant white milk in the cup, Rong Xiu was about to drink it when he suddenly remembered Wen Lan Sheng's boastful smile from before.
Base jealousy and competitiveness clouded his reason, and he actually tried to compare himself with the original husband: "If Wen Lan Sheng gets drunk, would you buy him milk too?"
"No," Fan Xia shook her head and smiled.
Rong Xiu was overjoyed, a fine and dense satisfaction welling up in his heart, like little insects in a dark corner, hiding a happiness that couldn't see the light of day.
"Lan Sheng doesn't drink," Fan Xia added.
If he doesn't drink, naturally he won't get drunk. If he doesn't get drunk, naturally she wouldn't need to buy him hot milk.
The secret little happiness hidden in his heart instantly solidified, turning into bitterness and jealousy that swelled in his heart. That's right, how could a good boy drink?
"Actually, I didn't drink before either. It's just that sitting in this position, there are some drinking parties and banquets that can't be avoided, so I had to learn to drink," Rong Xiu slightly raised his eyes, carefully explaining, observing Fan Xia's reaction, wanting to see if there was any disgust in her eyes towards his drunkenness.
Fan Xia sat beside Rong Xiu, the morning sunlight from outside the glass window shining on her, as if she was covered in a layer of soft, hazy light.
She listened quietly, her expression showing no discomfort. On the contrary, she said gently: "Regardless of gender, as a group leader, various social occasions are unavoidable. It's not easy for you to manage Shanhai Group, but you should also pay attention to your health. Drink moderately and less, to avoid developing stomach problems."
As she spoke, Fan Xia laughed lightly: "A stomach ache is not pleasant to endure."
"Mm... I'll be careful, and try not to drink in the future," She was concerned about him. Rong Xiu's fingertips holding the hot milk cup pressed slightly harder, his heart pounding wildly, his whole body tingling and trembling from the concern in Fan Xia's tone, his ears turning red.
"Good," Fan Xia smiled slightly, as bright and gentle as spring water.
Rong Xiu lowered his head in a daze, almost not daring to look directly at Fan Xia like this. He could only pretend to be occupied with the milk, hiding his nervous and flustered state.
But in his haste to drink the hot milk, Rong Xiu overlooked the steam still rising from it. He took a big gulp, burning his throat, choking and coughing, spilling milk from the cup onto his clean white shirt.
"Be careful, it's hot," Fan Xia's warning came a step too late. She quickly pulled out two tissues.
"It's fine," Rong Xiu covered his mouth and coughed lightly, taking the tissues she handed over.
Because it was too hot, even the corners of his long, cold eyes welled up with two drops of moisture, trembling as they hung on his thick, curled eyelashes. The small wine-red mole under the corner of his eye looked particularly pitiful.
"Oh my, President, why are you coughing so badly? Did you catch a cold?" Zhuang Nian, carrying an exquisite men's briefcase, had just stepped into the office when he saw Rong Xiu coughing incessantly, and said with concern.
"I just choked on the water, I'll go to the inner room to change clothes." Rong Xiu's face flushed red as he clutched his milk-soaked collar and ran into the inner rest room specially designed for his midday rest.
Quickly closing the door, Rong Xiu leaned against it, breathing rapidly. He slowly slid down, sitting on the carpet as if drained of strength. Even though he had escaped Fan Xia's gaze, he still felt that gaze that made his whole body tremble lingering on him, his heart pounding deafeningly.
"Deputy Fan, did the President drink all night?" Zhuang Nian asked in a low voice.
"Mm." Fan Xia returned to her desk and opened her computer.
"Sometimes when the President encounters particularly difficult issues, he likes to have a little drink to relieve stress. But he rarely drinks all night like this. Look at all these empty bottles on the floor. It must have been something that made him feel especially thorny or angry to be like this," Zhuang Nian said. "Oh right, when I came to work today, I saw Rong Yan. I guess the President drank because of this. No wonder he didn't let us get involved, after all, it's their family matter."
Fan Xia rested her chin on one hand, recalling how calmly and coldly Rong Xiu had responded to Rong Yan's fury earlier. She felt that this matter shouldn't be so important in Rong Xiu's heart.
About half an hour later, Rong Xiu finally came out from the inner room, having changed into a new black double-breasted pinstripe suit. His messy hair had been meticulously groomed, and he had returned to his usual ice-cold beauty appearance, immediately entering work mode.
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