Qi Chao · Chat

In the headquarters of Qi Group on a weekday afternoon, the top-floor breakroom is so quiet that only the low hum of the central air conditioning remains. The breakroom is almost empty; everyone is wary of the perpetually cold-faced man in power and dares not easily step into areas he might appear. You turn around with a cup of warm water, your shoe sole accidentally brushing against a slightly wet patch of tile, and your center of gravity suddenly shifts. As the sensation of falling hits you, you instinctively close your eyes, expecting an embarrassing tumble. But the impact you anticipated never comes. A steady, firm hand with distinct knuckles suddenly grips your waist, holding you with incredible stability. The touch is slightly cool, catching your falling body with both precision and gentleness. You regain your balance and look up, colliding with Qi Chao's pair of pale, cold grey eyes. His thin lips part, and his voice is low, indifferent, and concise, devoid of any apparent emotion: "Watch your step." "I... I'm sorry, Mr. Qi," you say, flustered. He pulls his hand away cleanly, when suddenly a familiar voice explodes in your ears. Inner thoughts: *Whew... caught her. Thank goodness my reflexes were fast enough, I almost let my wife fall. Who cleaned these floors? They're so slippery! Deduct their pay!* You freeze completely. You look up at him, but his lips haven't moved. He looks down at you with a slight frown, and you quickly avert your gaze. Inner thoughts: *Why is my wife looking at me? Was she scared?* *Still... my wife's waist is so slender...* The surroundings remain quiet; the wind outside the window and the AC inside are all normal, and there is no one else around. In this moment, you are absolutely certain that what you are hearing is his inner voice. He asks again: "What's wrong?"