Chapter 291: Chapter 291

It was hard to tell how much time had passed. Yu Bao stood outside the door, not daring to enter, much less knock.

The reason was self-evident.

He often stayed close to his boss and naturally understood the importance of staying away at times like these.

He clutched a pair of newly bought designer high heels in one hand. Besides waiting by the door, he also shielded those inside from any unwanted intruders.

And just as expected, the two nurses Qi Longbing had called earlier to give Hua Xiaomo a foot massage were indeed stopped outside by Yu Bao.

"Mr. Yu, we are here by President Qi’s orders, to provide foot therapy for Miss Hua," one nurse said.

Yu Bao couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. Did Miss Hua’s feet still need their massage now?

"No need, you can all go back!" Yu Bao dismissed them outright.

"But, isn’t that not quite right? After all, it’s President Qi who gave the order," another nurse added.

The two nurses still tried to enter the room.

Yu Bao’s expression turned stern. "Get out!" he barked. "Come any closer, and I’ll have Director Wang fire you immediately!"

Indeed, gentle persuasion hadn’t worked, but the firm approach was instantly effective. The two nurses obediently, yet reluctantly, left the doorway of the hospital room.

Whether they wanted another glance at Qi Longbing or hoped to use this opportunity to climb the social ladder and achieve overnight success, the timing and circumstances were all wrong.

Besides, compared to Hua Xiaomo, these women were like common wildflowers next to a rare, fragrant peony, instantly paling in significance.

The longer he accompanied Qi Longbing, the more Yu Bao understood the CEO’s temperament. Qi Longbing had no interest in the docile women who threw themselves at him. Instead, he had a unique fondness for Hua Xiaomo, who seemed to have a dual nature, exuding a rebellious and playfully wicked vibe.

Of course, Hua Xiaomo only appeared that way on the surface. At her core, she was genuinely exceptional and sophisticated.

She wasn’t greedy, nor did she care for wealth or lust. She pursued true love and possessed a unique, independent character, making her a woman men found incredibly difficult to control.

Such a woman was exceptionally capable of arousing a man’s desire to conquer.

So, even if she did something wrong or betrayed someone, it was all a fight for the true love in her heart. Such actions didn’t typically arouse deep hatred in men. On the contrary, it only made them want to conquer her more, to subdue her completely. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮※𝓷𝓮𝓽

Yu Bao looked at the door and chuckled softly to himself.

For Hua Xiaomo to encounter Qi Longbing was like a fateful clash with her nemesis; they were destined to be entangled for life.

How could Qi Longbing possibly let go of her easily?

He didn’t know how long he had been standing there, only that the commotion inside seemed to be gradually subsiding. Through the frosted patterned glass, he could make out dark silhouettes, but before he could get a better look—

the door was suddenly pulled open from the inside.

Qi Longbing, his expression icy yet stunningly handsome, stood directly facing Yu Bao.

Yu Bao was momentarily stunned, just about to speak, when—

"You dare spy on me? Are you looking to die?" Qi Longbing snapped, his blue eyes filled with clear suspicion and displeasure.

Ugh, heavens, he hadn’t been peeping, alright!

"No, President Qi, I didn’t see anything!" Yu Bao quickly explained, then held up the shopping bag in his hand. "President Qi, Miss Hua’s shoes were ruined, so I went to the mall and bought her a new pair."

Qi Longbing glanced at the bag, the corners of his lips curving slightly as he looked at Yu Bao. "Well done. You understand my intentions quite well. I hadn’t even given the order, and you already took care of it. Very good, you deserve a reward."

But before Yu Bao could feel too pleased, Qi Longbing’s voice turned sardonic. "However, since you dared to peep, consider your bonus cancelled. Go reflect on your actions properly!"

Then, Qi Longbing snatched the shopping bag from Yu Bao’s hand and went straight back into the hospital room.

The door remained open, and Yu Bao stood at the entrance, unsure whether to go in or retreat. It really was a situation where one careless move could earn him a harsh scolding.

Well, working so close to the President really isn’t easy, he thought. Gotta keep my spirits up!

Inside the room, Hua Xiaomo was already lying back on the hospital bed. She watched Qi Longbing walk in carrying the bag, and then her gaze fell on Yu Bao standing at the doorway.

Before she could say anything, Qi Longbing approached her with a gentle smile, holding out the shopping bag. "Xiao Mo, look at the new shoes. Do you like them?"

It was a pair of beautiful burgundy high heels, the high-end label still attached: Prada. Shoes like these were generally unobtainable for less than ten thousand.

Hua Xiaomo frowned. "You had Yu Bao buy me shoes again? President Qi, do you really have so much money you don’t know how to spend it?"

Qi Longbing smiled, reaching for her hand. "Still not addressing me differently? Still not going to be obedient, hmm?"

Hua Xiaomo turned her face away and said in a low voice, "President Qi, please take them back. I won’t accept these shoes. Besides, you didn’t ruin my shoes; I did it myself. There’s no need for you to compensate me."

The words had barely left her lips when Qi Longbing suddenly tightened his grip on her hand, causing her pain.

"You..." Hua Xiaomo stared at him, noticing the sudden gloom in his eyes, and her own expression darkened. A surge of astonishment welled up within her.

"Is there a problem with me buying things for my woman? Am I wrong?" Qi Longbing said icily, all traces of tenderness gone from his eyes.

What remained was a cold command.

To put it bluntly, whatever he bought for her now, she had to accept. Refusing meant directly challenging his authority.

In that case, he wouldn’t spare her! Nor would he treat her as he had before!

"This is so frustrating! It’s just a pair of shoes. Is all this really necessary?" Hua Xiaomo frowned, then took the shoes from his hands and examined them. "They are quite nice. I’ll try them on now and see if they fit."

As she spoke these words, a hint of amusement touched Qi Longbing’s eyes. It seemed he had finally figured things out; she wasn’t going to provoke his anger over this anymore.

"Alright, try them on quickly. I wonder if they’ll fit, but Yu Bao should have bought a pair that suits your feet," Qi Longbing said, his gaze on Hua Xiaomo softening even more.

Without another word, Hua Xiaomo took the shoes, flipped back the covers, and slipped her foot in to try one on.

"They look quite nice," Hua Xiaomo said honestly, "but they’re a little tight around the heel. If they were one size larger, they’d be perfect." After all, she thought, shoes aren’t like clothes; you only know if they truly fit when you put them on your feet.

And indeed, as she tried them, they felt a little tight around her heel.

"Oh, so they are a bit small. Alright, I’ll have Yu Bao exchange them for a larger pair immediately," Qi Longbing said. He then looked towards the doorway and called out, "Yu Bao! These shoes you bought for Miss Hua are a bit small. Go get her a pair one size larger. Take these back and exchange them."