Substitute Bride to the Crippled Billionaire-Chapter 192: The Villain Behind

Su Qingnuan snapped back to reality and nodded with a smile. "Our department is currently preparing for this project."

Hearing this, Fu Yihan’s lips curled into a disdainful smirk.

"How are you preparing?"

If it were according to the current plan, it was definitely their work.

But the smile on his lips made Su Qingnuan hesitate for a moment.

"Well, the manager divided the project into several sections, and each of us is responsible for one section," Su Qingnuan said, lowering her head.

Her voice was small, as if she were sharing some secret.

Glancing at her indifferently, he asked, "Which section are you responsible for?"

"I’m responsible for the language component."

"Heh." Fu Yihan sneered. "Your manager sure knows how to delegate. The language system is the core of this project, and it’s handed to an intern like you to handle?"

Su Qingnuan gave a wry smile.

If Fu Yihan knew that this project had already been entirely entrusted to her, she wondered what he would think.

Seeing Su Qingnuan silent with only a forced smile, Fu Yihan straightened up.

"Tell me your thoughts."

"Huh?" Su Qingnuan was momentarily stunned. From his posture, was he planning to tutor her?

Fu Yihan frowned, looking impatiently at her. "Do I need to repeat myself?"

"... No." Su Qingnuan quickly sat up straight, grabbed the papers from the desk, and smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Fu. There are a few areas I can’t quite figure out; how should I address them..."

When it came to work, Su Qingnuan seemed to transform into a different person.

She shed all traces of hesitation, her face radiating confidence, making her look as though she were glowing.

As she spoke, Fu Yihan did not interrupt, quietly waiting for her to finish before offering his own opinions.

After discussing the issues with the language component, Su Qingnuan looked at Fu Yihan with excitement. "Mr. Fu, you’re truly amazing."

Fu Yihan raised an eyebrow. "You don’t need to say that."

"Um..." Su Qingnuan cautiously observed Fu Yihan’s expression and continued, "I still have one more question I’d like to ask you."

"Go ahead."

"It’s about the shortcut keys issue. I feel..."

Listening to Su Qingnuan freely share her opinions, Fu Yihan’s brows furrowed.

After she finished speaking, Fu Yihan calmly asked, "Isn’t this outside your section’s scope?"

"It is." Su Qingnuan nodded, keeping her face neutral. "It’s from Xiaoxiao’s section."

"Aren’t you each responsible for one section?"

"Yes, but not mine."

Giving Su Qingnuan a meaningful glance, Fu Yihan withdrew his gaze and proceeded to explain the previous issue.

Looking at the materials Fu Yihan had organized, Su Qingnuan remarked, "Mr. Fu, I initially thought this project was really challenging. Now it seems quite simple."

Fu Yihan sneered, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Does this count as favoritism?"

Su Qingnuan froze briefly before shaking her head rapidly. "Not at all, Mr. Fu. You’re assisting those beneath you; this is absolutely not favoritism."

"Oh?" Fu Yihan raised an eyebrow, an invisible smile flickering in his eyes. "So, this assistance—does it deserve any feedback?"

"Of course!"

Su Qingnuan immediately picked up an empty bowl and refilled it with soup for Fu Yihan, smiling sincerely. "Mr. Fu, what soup would you like to drink tomorrow? I’ll prepare it ahead of time."

Leisurely accepting the soup, Fu Yihan lazily glanced at her. "Just soup?"

"..."

Su Qingnuan lowered her gaze, pondering what else she could do to help or perhaps repay Fu Yihan.

As time passed, Su Qingnuan’s frown deepened.

After a long pause, Fu Yihan finally put down the bowl.

"Invite me to dinner."

"Huh?" Su Qingnuan looked up, staring at Fu Yihan in surprise.

"Why?" Fu Yihan met her astonished gaze and sneered. "I’ve helped you this much, and you won’t even invite me to dinner?"

"I will! Of course, I will! It’s just..."

Su Qingnuan gave a wry smile, hesitantly asking, "Mr. Fu, you’re quite picky with food. I wouldn’t know what you like to eat."

"I’ll choose the restaurant myself. You just bring money and yourself to accompany me," Fu Yihan said calmly.

This was wonderful!

Su Qingnuan nodded and smiled. "Alright!"

After all, if money could solve the issue, it wasn’t really an issue.

Afterwards, Su Qingnuan’s mood was noticeably good, with a cheerful expression throughout.

Her lightened mood lasted until the first day of the new month when she returned to the office.

At her workstation, while tidying up, someone suddenly patted her on the shoulder.

"Qingnuan."

A familiar voice. Su Qingnuan smiled as she turned her head.

"Ah!"

Seeing the large greenish-black circles under the person’s eyes, Su Qingnuan instantly retreated two steps, startled.

"What’s wrong? Why are you overreacting?" Xiaoxiao rubbed her eyes, looking at her with irritation.

Clutching her chest, Su Qingnuan still hadn’t recovered from the shock. "What did you do last night? Why are your dark circles so bad?"

Sitting down, Xiaoxiao sighed. "I went home last night and kept thinking something wasn’t right. I mean, we’re just two interns, so why would such hard tasks fall onto us?"

All for this?

Feeling helpless, Su Qingnuan sat down and chuckled. "So, did you figure something out?"

"Nothing at all." Xiaoxiao tilted her head back, looking miserable. "But when I came in this morning, I did see someone."

"Who?" Su Qingnuan reached for her cup.

"Sister Hong."

Her hand froze mid-air before swiftly recovering. Taking her cup, Su Qingnuan smiled. "What about Sister Hong?"

"I saw her arriving at work with the manager today," Xiaoxiao said, moving closer and mysteriously adding, "Do you think what we’re dealing with was arranged by Sister Hong?"

"Don’t know." Su Qingnuan stood up, glancing at the direction of the pantry, and smiled. "Forget about that for now. Want coffee?"

Rubbing her tired eyes, Xiaoxiao replied with a bitter laugh, "Of course. I’m not sure I’ll make it through the day otherwise."

Su Qingnuan chuckled and supported Xiaoxiao as she leaned against her shoulder, weakly saying, "Qingnuan, you have to take care of me today."

"Alright, I’ll take care of you."

To show her determination, Su Qingnuan specifically made Xiaoxiao’s coffee stronger, ensuring she wouldn’t doze off during work.

The two lingered in the pantry for a while before preparing to leave.

But just as they turned to go, the door to the pantry swung open, and Xia Xing entered.

Seeing Xia Xing again, Su Qingnuan paused momentarily. Smiling, she greeted, "Good morning, Director Xia."

Xia Xing glanced at her and placed his coffee cup on the table. "No sugar."

Xiaoxiao froze slightly, looking at Su Qingnuan in surprise.

Maintaining her composure, Su Qingnuan took the cup and turned to prepare the coffee.

Xiaoxiao stood stiffly, not daring to move.

Xia Xing sat on the sofa, but his gaze was fixed on the outer office.

It wasn’t until Su Qingnuan handed him the coffee that he withdrew his stare.

"How’s the project going?" Xia Xing suddenly asked.

Su Qingnuan froze, staring at Xia Xing’s eyes hesitantly. "Director Xia, you already know?"