Quan Quan was hospitalized.

He was beaten into the hospital by Huo Zhou, and Huo Zhou's hands were ruthless. Every punch landed on Quan Quan's face. The doctor had to wrap Quan Quan's head like a pig's, with only his eyes exposed under layers of bandages.

Of course, Huo Zhou didn't get any benefit either. Both he and Quan Quan ended up in the hospital together, with rib fractures being the cause. It was clear that Quan Quan didn't show any favoritism just because Huo Zhou was his boss.

When Qiao Guangyu arrived at the hospital, it was already the third day since he was taken in by the Wu family.

Old Master Wu 's health wasn't robust anymore. Upon learning that he still had a son in his twenties, he was overjoyed. For the next few days, his face glowed with happiness, looking twenty years younger. He cherished Qiao Guangyu dearly, wishing he could tie him to his waist and take him wherever he went.

Qiao Guangyu, like a child, focused solely on pleasing Old Master Wu after entering the Wu family. And Wu Jun and Wu Yu were happy to see this. Despite not having contact for over twenty years, the family members gathered together without feeling much estrangement.

Qiao Guangyu used every means to win over Old Master Wu, speaking volumes of flattery, finally persuading him to grant him a few days of freedom.

With Old Master Wu 's permission, Qiao Guangyu immediately brought a basket of fruit and rushed to the hospital.

Quan Quan seemed to be in good spirits, with the corners of his mouth raised under the bandages. When he saw Qiao Guangyu coming in, his eyes were particularly gentle. "I knew you'd come," he said softly.

Qiao Guangyu felt both distressed and melancholic as he looked at Quan Quan's bandaged face. Wanting to touch but hesitating, he asked, "How did you end up fighting each other?"

"It's all for you," Quan Quan said, without a hint of complaint in his tone, but rather appearing quite happy.

Qiao Guangyu looked at him with concern. "Are you not affected by Huo Zhou's beating?"

To be beaten and still be this cheerful?

Quan Quan shook his head. "The boss wanted to go to the Wu family to find you, but I stopped him, and then we ended up fighting." Honestly, in terms of injuries, Huo Zhou's rib fractures were more severe. Although Quan Quan's external injuries looked scary, he would recover in about a week with rest.

"Thank... thank you," Qiao Guangyu said softly.

Even though the Wu family was there to back him up, Huo Zhou couldn't do anything to Qiao Guangyu. Even if Qiao Guangyu skipped the last two months, Huo Zhou could only accept it. But Quan Quan, who had no blood relation to him, could help him to this extent, which was already quite touching.

"Well, this is the first time I've stood up to the boss for you. You should indeed thank me," Quan Quan noted matter-of-factly.

"Then... let me peel an apple for you." Qiao Guangyu took the best-looking apple from the fruit basket, pulled out a fruit knife, sat beside the hospital bed, and started peeling. While doing so, he continued to talk to Quan Quan, "What did you say to him? Huo Zhou doesn't seem like someone with a grudge. Why did he still resort to violence?"

"All right, I did say a few things." Quan Quan recalled for a few seconds, watching Qiao Guangyu peel the apple with a softened gaze. "The boss said he likes you and wants to pursue you again. I told him not to waste his efforts."

Qiao Guangyu widened his eyes, looking at Quan Quan as if it were their first day meeting. "You... you... you really said such rude things?!"

He wasn't swayed by Huo Zhou's affection; his attention was fully on Quan Quan's tone. Before this, Quan Quan's secretary persona was quite perfect. Qiao Guangyu had never heard him speak so bluntly, especially not to Huo Zhou or anyone else, let alone with such blatant rudeness.

"Honesty hurts!" Quan Quan exaggeratedly sighed. "I laid it out for the boss. Firstly, the Wu family will never agree to you two being together. Secondly, he claims to like you, but he doesn't really understand you. He doesn't even know that you like seafood but can't drink alcohol, let alone that you actually disdain his elegant style. Lastly, you left before the contract term was up, so he'll never be able to keep you in the future because you simply don't like him."

These three points directly hit Huo Zhou's sore spots. Even the most composed and rational person couldn't accept such a bloody, mocking analysis.

Huo Zhou lost his temper under the successive blows. Feeling betrayed by everyone—there was Wu Yu, Qiao Guangyu, and also Quan Quan, his trusted right-hand man.

The feeling of being abandoned by everyone was unbearable. So, Huo Zhou ended up hitting Quan Quan.

Despite getting beaten up, Quan Quan didn't speak as seriously as before. There was a hint of ease in his tone. "I've been fired, Xiao Qiao."

"What's funny about being fired?!" Qiao Guangyu couldn't understand how he could still laugh at a time like this. He was genuinely worried. "What are you going to do now? Weren't you so determined to get that secretary position?"

Quan Quan seemed to consider for a moment, then looked at Qiao Guangyu. "Hire me."

"What?"

"President Qiao, I'll follow you from now on." Quan Quan naturally changed his tone. "I'm a very capable secretary. Employ me, and you won't lose out."

Qiao Guangyu: "... Are you kidding me?"

Quan Quan put away his smile and became serious. "No, in fact, I've even written a job proposal."

Quan Quan continued, "I plan to use the five million—oh, maybe only three million now—to invest in a cooperative relationship to get closer to you. I'll discuss the same thing with you repeatedly, report to you on time every day, make myself familiar to you, and let you see my excellent work abilities."

Qiao Guangyu: "..."

Quan Quan: "If this approach doesn't work, I'll play the emotional card. I've been advising you for these years, finding ways to avoid Mr. Huo's attention, providing psychological comfort, and even helped you reclaim your roots. I might not have achievements, but I've put in a lot of effort, right? Oh, and I got beaten up too, so I can play the victim in front of you to gain your sympathy."

Qiao Guangyu: "..."

Finally, Quan Quan sighed. "If all else fails, I'll have to resort to the ultimate move—the handsome man strategy. I'll strip naked, tie a necktie around myself, stuff myself into a delivery box, and send myself to your house. Considering I still have some charm left, will you accept me then?"

Quan Quan carefully observed Qiao Guangyu's facial expression, unsure if such a direct confession would scare him off.

Qiao Guangyu's focus was not on Quan Quan at this moment. His lips moved several times, as if he wanted to say something. The apple in his hand was almost peeled, and as Quan Quan reached out to take the apple, Qiao Guangyu suddenly moved his hand away from Quan Quan's.

He casually tossed the apple and the small knife into the fruit basket.

Suddenly, Qiao Guangyu fiercely plunged into Quan Quan's arms and hugged him tightly. "Mine, mine, mine! Who wouldn't want such a great secretary? I'd take ten of you without hesitation!" With a hint of sobbing, he continued, "I thought you'd abandon me once you threw me into the Wu family! You jerk!"

Quan Quan gasped for air, feeling the pressure from Qiao Guangyu's tight embrace, but he couldn't bring himself to push him away. He could only whisper softly in his ear, "Dragging you into the mess between Huo Zhou and Wu Yu is already something I regret. How could I let you stay alone in those wealthy families? What if they chew you up and spit you out? Your two brothers aren't easy to deal with."

"Mmm!!" Qiao Guangyu held him tightly, wishing he could merge Quan Quan into his body, never to part again, expressing his dependence and deep love for him.

In a way, the Wu family members were quite similar. They liked to use extensive physical contact to show affection.

Quan Quan, feeling both pain and joy, struggled to lift one arm and gently stroked Qiao Guangyu's soft hair.

"And... having ten secretaries is too many. Just having me alone is enough."

 

(End of the main text)

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The author has something to say:

After finishing this, I realized it should be called "It's Not Easy Being a Secretary" hahaha

Don't go away, there's an extra chapter, stay tuned~

 

Translator : DarNan