Keqing's explanation was clear, logical, serious, and highly convincing.
But that wasn't entirely the truth.
Things like win-win cooperation, strategy, and economic benefits didn't really matter at all. What Keqing cared more about was her office romance plan.
Having clear goals and strong initiative had always been one of Keqing's proudest talents. That talent had once shone brilliantly in Liyue's land planning projects, and now it was proving equally effective when applied to planning her relationship.
Just as a project required precise consideration and planning, so did love.
Keqing didn't believe that gaining the upper hand meant she could let herself go and rest easy.
With her first-mover advantage secured, she needed to proceed steadily and advance step by step. Living with Ye Ming was one aspect; working with him during the day was another.
Sleeping together at night and working together during the day—she had to seize both fronts and hold them firmly. If this continued, who could possibly shake Keqing's position as the rightful wife?
Although she had no experience with romance, Keqing believed that as long as something was carefully planned and prepared for, even a beginner could achieve the desired result.
Like the sweet words she had said to Ye Ming just now. They sounded simple, but she had gathered countless materials online, compiled them into a document, and memorized them for a long time before she could deliver them so naturally.
Before such painstaking preparation and planning, Ganyu was nothing more than a defeated dog.
Even Hu Tao, with all her clever tricks, was nothing to worry about.
Keqing was brimming with confidence.
Her position as the rightful wife would surely remain as solid as a rock.
Keep Your Voice Down, Okay?
Keqing's explanation was logical and her expression serious. Ye Ming thought about it and decided there was no reason for her to lie to him about this, so he nodded and accepted her explanation.
"Then where are the project materials?" Ye Ming glanced at the desk. Its broad surface was completely bare. Aside from a computer and a cup, there wasn't even a single sheet of paper, let alone files or document folders.
"I'll have Coco bring them to you later."
Though she spoke of mutually beneficial cooperation, Keqing wasn't concerned with the project's specifics. "Dedicated staff are responsible for the actual work. Your job is to communicate with both sides promptly in case anything unexpected happens, and then..."
At that point, Keqing paused. She leaned close to Ye Ming's ear and drew out her words. "Maintain our relationship and deepen our feelings."
What should have been perfectly ordinary public relations work somehow took on a hint of ambiguity when Keqing said it like that.
Ye Ming wasn't some little boy who would turn red and panic the moment a girl teased him, especially not after they had already slept together.
Leaning back in his chair, Ye Ming caught Keqing's arms around him and stroked the back of her hand. Turning his head, he smiled. "Oh? So my main task is to work hard at pleasing beautiful President Keqing and become an outstanding simp?"
"Maybe I should just quit and become President Keqing's secretary. Don't people always say, when there's work, the secretary does it; when there's no work, they do that?"
Under normal circumstances, Ye Ming definitely wouldn't make jokes like that in an office. But since Keqing had started it, he simply went along and teased her back.
No, I'd rather be your secretary, please you, and be your simp.
That was what Keqing had wanted to say, but just as the words were about to leave her mouth, inspiration struck. She suddenly remembered certain video materials she had prepared before pushing Ye Ming down.
Thinking of those terrible scenes, Keqing's face instantly reddened all the way to her neck.
She took a deep breath, stood up, and walked from behind Ye Ming to stand before him. After hesitating slightly, she held the back of the chair and slowly sat on Ye Ming's lap.
Then, sitting in his arms, she raised her head slightly. One hand wrapped around Ye Ming's neck while the other slowly caressed his cheek.
Though she was so shy and nervous that she felt like dying, Keqing still took a deep breath and tried her best to reveal the alluring smile she had practiced for so long.
She gently stroked Ye Ming's cheek, shifted her body, and said seductively, "There's nothing to do right now, so shouldn't I... do that?"
Ye Ming sucked in a breath.
Honestly, Keqing's acting was truly terrible.
Her movements were awkward and unpracticed, and she couldn't relax at all. Though her voice was soft and sweet, it trembled faintly, revealing its owner's shyness and nervousness. Even her seductive smile was somewhat stiff. Her face was red all the way to her neck, and her long, fair neck was flushed as well. She had none of the grace and composure an experienced seductress should have had.
But this version of Keqing was even more heart-stirring than an experienced seductress.
Ye Ming was instantly aroused.
"Don't take the joke too far."
Ye Ming took a deep breath and warned Keqing, "This is the office, not the bedroom. Don't mess around."
Keqing looked directly into Ye Ming's eyes. Though her gaze contained unconcealable shyness, she showed no intention of backing down. "The remote for the curtains is in my desk drawer."
Seeing Ye Ming hesitate, she provoked him again. "You're not scared, are you? If you're afraid, if you think you can't do it, you can beg me for mercy. I might consider letting you off."
"Can't do it? How could I, Ye Ming, possibly not be able to do it?!"
At this point, how could Ye Ming possibly keep holding back? "I want to see who can't do it in the end, and who'll be begging whom for mercy!"
Pleasant work hours were always so short. It felt like only the blink of an eye had passed, and the entire morning was gone.
Ye Ming lay back in the executive chair, picked up his cup, took a sip of hot tea, and let out a satisfied sigh.
Across from him, Keqing sat behind her desk as well, her face flushed and her gaze somewhat unfocused. As she tidied her messy long hair, she also checked herself in the mirror and wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes.
That morning's work had ultimately ended with Keqing begging for mercy.
That also helped Ye Ming regain his confidence.
In fact, after work was over, Ye Ming still had some energy left and wanted to help Keqing straighten her clothes and comb her hair. But Keqing, afraid of causing undesirable consequences, refused his request.
Helpless, Ye Ming could only return to his seat and drink tea.
After Keqing finished tidying herself up, Ye Ming finally got to the real matter. "Have you packed your luggage at the hotel?"
"Luggage at the hotel?"
Keqing's body was still feeling a little floaty. Hearing that, she froze for quite a while before understanding what Ye Ming meant, then hurriedly said, "Yes, it's packed."
Keqing lied with a perfectly serious expression.
The hotel room last night had merely been reserved by her instructions to the hotel manager. Her real residence was a villa in the city, so there naturally couldn't have been any luggage at the hotel. The so-called luggage was merely what she had deliberately moved from her villa to the hotel early that morning.
"Do you have work this afternoon? If not, we'll move your luggage to my place this afternoon. If you do, we'll move it tonight."
Noticing that Keqing had been stunned for a while, Ye Ming assumed he had been too impressive. Feeling smug, he didn't think much more about it.
"No, I'm very free. Let's move it this afternoon."
Keqing, who had still been a little tired, immediately perked up when she heard that.
"Then it's settled. We'll move the luggage after lunch."
Having made his decision, Ye Ming put down his cup, stood up, and stretched. "After working all morning, I'm starving. Come on, let's go downstairs and eat together."
"Mm."
Keqing answered, put away her mirror, walked to Ye Ming's side, and looped her arm through his.
Seeing how Keqing looked, Ye Ming hesitated briefly, then changed his mind again. "Forget it. What do you want to eat? I'll bring it up for you."
"Huh?" Keqing was confused.
Ye Ming pointed at Keqing's cheeks and neck. Keqing froze, then finally understood. Her face, which still held a faint blush, turned even redder.
You're not as bold as you pretend to be.
Ye Ming secretly found it amusing, but he could vaguely guess what Keqing was thinking, so he only kept those words to himself instead of saying them aloud.
But honestly, shy Master Keqing was adorable too.
Their life together would definitely be very pleasant, right?
As he thought that, Laffey's adorable little face flashed through his mind, and Ye Ming suddenly realized there was a serious problem.
"Um, Keqing."
"Mm?" Keqing raised her head in confusion.
"Actually, I've been planning to move to a new place recently, but I still need some time to prepare."
"Huh?" Keqing was surprised.
Looking at Keqing, Ye Ming deliberated for a long time before finally saying hesitantly, "Your voice is very cute, but if we live together in the future, until I move to a new place... um, could you keep your voice down a little?"
PS: There have been so few votes lately. Could I get some votes, please?
This Is My Wife, Keqing
In the end, Ye Ming still didn't get to go downstairs for lunch.
He ordered takeout, ate with Keqing in the office, and while drinking tea afterward, he turned on his computer. Holding Keqing, he watched Micro Speed Advance for a while, then went to the Brothel Frontline next door and watched Human Mini Theater for a while. By a little after two in the afternoon, Ye Ming shut down the computer and left the office building with Keqing.
This time, they didn't trouble Keqing's little secretary. Ye Ming drove Keqing to the hotel himself.
"Uh, that's all the luggage you have?"
Before you continue