Official Announcement! More Than the Boss's Wife, I Want to Be the Boss

The blinds in the conference room were not fully closed, and a few rays of sunlight stubbornly slipped through, illuminating every speck of dust in the air.

In front of the broad mahogany conference table, Jian Ning braced both hands against the edge. The hard corner of the table pressed against his waist, making it ache slightly. The culprit behind all this—Huo Si—had one hand hooked around his lower back while the other leisurely retied the tie that had been messed up during Jian Ning's "struggle."

"M-Mr. Huo..." Jian Ning's voice was soft, still tinged with lingering breathlessness. "This is the company... What if someone comes in..."

Huo Si did not stop moving. His fingertips deliberately brushed Jian Ning's burning earlobe as he replied calmly, "This is my company. Without my permission, not even a fly can get in."

Flies can't get in, but Assistant Lin has a key!

And is this conference room really soundproof? That sound I made earlier... Could someone outside have heard it?

Ahhh! I can't go on living! My glorious image has been completely ruined by this old beast!

Hearing the words "old beast," Huo Si's hand paused slightly before he pinched the soft flesh at Jian Ning's waist in punishment.

"Mm!" Jian Ning cried out, glaring at him with watery eyes.

"Don't curse me in your head." Huo Si helped him stand straight, adjusted his collar, and looked at him with deep, unreadable eyes. "Jian Ning, that kiss just now was a seal. Starting today, everyone in Huo Corporation will know who you belong to."

Rubbing his aching waist, Jian Ning muttered softly, "Who I belong to? It's just the relationship between a worker and a capitalist."

Huo Si raised an eyebrow but did not refute him. He simply took out his phone and, right in front of Jian Ning, opened the group's official Weibo account, which had been inactive for ages despite having tens of millions of followers.

After tapping a few times, he turned the screen toward Jian Ning.

"Posted."

Jian Ning froze. "Posted what?"

He hurriedly pulled out his own phone.

At the top of Weibo's trending list, a dark-red "Explosive" tag was flashing wildly.

#Huo Si Official Announcement#

#Jian Ning Boss's Wife#

Jian Ning's hand trembled as he opened Huo Si's personal Weibo account—verified as President of Huo Group.

The latest post had been published just one minute ago.

[Huo Si V: Let me introduce my lover, and also my partner. @Jian Ning [Image]]

The attached image was a candid photo Huo Si had taken in the conference room moments ago.

In the photo, two hands were clasped together on the dark conference table. One was long and strong, its knuckles sharply defined; the other was pale and slender, with an ancient, plain band on its ring finger, glowing warmly yet impossibly conspicuously in the sunlight.

Jian Ning stared at the post, completely dumbfounded.

P-Partner?

Lover?

Is this old man actually serious? He's coming out to the entire internet!

Well, that's it. Even if I want to run away in the future, I won't be able to. The entire internet is watching me!

The comments section had already completely exploded.

[Holy shit!!! He really made it official?!]

[I told you it was real! I could tell during that dating show! You can't fake looks that intense!]

[That ring... If I'm not mistaken, isn't that the Huo Household's ancestral Matriarch Ring? I heard it's priceless and symbolizes the family's authority!]

[Did Jian Ning just turn into a phoenix by climbing a branch? What kind of luck is that?]

[Where are the haters? Come out and get slapped! They're a proper married couple—well, not married yet. Does your face hurt after calling it sugar daddy sponsorship?]

Jian Ning looked at those comments, his emotions complicated.

There was the thrill of having his vanity satisfied, along with the panic of realizing he had boarded a pirate ship with no way off.

He looked up at Huo Si. "Mr. Huo, doing this... Is it really okay? Won't the stock price fall?"

Huo Si put away his phone. Seeing that money-grubbing expression on Jian Ning's face, he chuckled. "Relax. After the cleanup at the board meeting just now, Huo Corporation's control is entirely in my hands. As for the stock price..."

He paused, then said meaningfully:

"Because of this official announcement, Huo Corporation's jewelry brands and wedding division stocks just hit their daily limit."

Jian Ning's eyes instantly turned into the shape of "¥."

They hit the daily limit?!

Doesn't that mean my value has risen along with them?

Hahahaha! Huo Si, you really are a business genius! You can boost GDP while dating!

Watching his face go from stormy to sunny in an instant, Huo Si shook his head helplessly.

This little thing could throw all shame to the wind the moment money was mentioned.

"Since you're my partner," Huo Si said, walking over and extending his hand, "shouldn't you exercise some of your rights?"

Jian Ning blinked. "What rights?"

"Checking the accounts," Huo Si said solemnly. "As the boss's wife, you have the right to inspect all the group's financial reports, as well as... my private accounts."

Jian Ning's breathing immediately quickened.

C-Checking the accounts?

Private accounts?

How many zeros are we talking about? I'm bad at math. Will I faint trying to count them?

When Jian Ning left the company, he practically floated out.

Clutching several black cards Huo Si had stuffed into his hands and a thick stack of asset transfer agreements—though they had not been signed yet, just looking at them felt amazing—Jian Ning thought the sunlight that day was especially bright. Even the security guard at the company entrance, who had always seemed to dislike him, suddenly looked rather handsome.

The moment he got into the nanny van, Su Mo called.

Her voice was as composed as ever, though there was a faint trace of excitement beneath it.

"Jian Ning, you're famous. Completely famous."

"After that official announcement, thirty endorsement offers came in. All top luxury brands. There are also five S-tier scripts, and you can pick whichever you want."

Jian Ning toyed with the ring on his finger, his tone airy. "Sister Su, low-key, low-key. I'm the boss's wife now, after all. We need to consider the level of endorsement offers. Don't show me any of those random online sellers or Pinduoduo deals."

Su Mo: "..."

"Enough messing around. There's something serious."

Su Mo paused, her voice growing more solemn.

"One of those five scripts is special. Director Li—the director of Azure Cloud Legend—recommended it. It's called Twin Emperors, a dual-male-lead mystery political film aiming for awards."

"I've read the script. It's excellent. But there's a problem."

Jian Ning sat up straight. "What problem? Is the scale too explicit, or is the pay too low?"

If the pay is less than a hundred million, I'm not taking it now.

Su Mo sighed. "The pay is top-tier. The problem is... the other male lead hasn't been decided."

"The director hopes you'll play the 'villainous seductress bottom.' It's a role that severely tests acting ability, but it's also very likely to attract fans. However, they haven't found a suitable candidate for the 'righteous, aloof top' role."

"Looking across the entire entertainment industry, there are very few people who have the acting skills, can overpower your presence—after all, you have President Huo backing you now—and also have CP chemistry with you..."

Jian Ning thought about it.

Someone who can overpower me and has CP chemistry with me?

Wouldn't that be hard to find? If they cast some ugly guy to film romance scenes with me, wouldn't Huo Si, that vinegar jar, tear the whole production apart?

"Sister Su, send me the script first," Jian Ning said. "As for the partner... if we really can't find anyone, we can hold auditions."

After hanging up, Jian Ning received the electronic script Su Mo had sent him.

He skimmed through it.

The script really was impressive.

It told the story of a prince from a fallen kingdom, burdened by a blood-soaked vendetta, who disguised himself as a dancer and infiltrated the side of the regent of an enemy state. The two plotted against each other in court and tested each other in bed—though not really, it was all an act—before ultimately falling in love and trying to kill each other.

That regent's character setup...

Cold and ruthless, holding all power in court, with eyes that could kill. Yet he alone developed a soft spot for the bottom...

As Jian Ning read on, Huo Si's face surfaced in his mind without his control.

Tsk, why does this character sound so much like that old Huo man?

If Huo Si played him, he wouldn't even need to act. He could just be himself.

Just as Jian Ning was thinking about it, someone suddenly knocked on the car window.

He rolled it down and saw Assistant Lin standing outside with a respectful expression. "Mr. Jian, President Huo said there is a charity gala tonight and requires your attendance. Your formalwear has already been delivered to the villa."

Jian Ning nodded. "Got it."

A charity gala? Does that mean there'll be more gossip?

Those places are always full of socialites, celebrities, and wealthy wives... My gossip radar is starving!

That evening, the largest banquet hall in the capital was brightly lit.

This was Jian Ning's first official appearance in the highest social circles as Huo Corporation's "partner/boss's wife."

He wore a custom white suit with a sapphire brooch pinned to his chest—something casually taken from Huo Si's collection—and linked arms with Huo Si, who wore a black suit and radiated an overwhelming presence, as they slowly entered the hall.

At that moment, the entire room's gaze converged on them.

Some were envious, some jealous, some curious, and some... afraid.

Jian Ning maintained a proper smile, while his mind frantically scrolled with thoughts.

Whoa! That woman in the red dress is the Zhang family's eldest daughter, right? Why is there a green exclamation mark over her head?

Oh? That President Li clinking glasses with someone has the words [About to Go Bankrupt] floating over his head?

And that... Who's that pretty boy in the corner staring at me? His eyes look so fierce.

The system notification sounded.

[ Ding! A new villain NPC has been detected. ]

[ Target: Song Qi. ]

[ Identity: A washed-up Best Actor who was once supported by Huo Si. He has always claimed to be Huo Si's "first white moonlight substitute" (before you). He came today to put you in your place. ]

Jian Ning nearly laughed aloud.

First substitute?

Is the substitute industry really this competitive these days? First Bai Xue, now Song Qi?

President Huo, your talent for attracting bees and butterflies is really something else.

Huo Si seemed to sense his distraction. He tilted his head and asked softly, "What is it? Tired?"

Jian Ning shook his head, leaned close to Huo Si's ear, and said with a wicked smile:

"Not tired. I just spotted a few 'old acquaintances.' Mr. Huo, if someone comes looking for trouble later, can I... be a little arrogant?"

Looking into those eyes sparkling with cunning, Huo Si's gaze was full of indulgence.

"You're the boss's wife. Here, you can be as arrogant as you want."

"If anything happens, I'll handle it."

As soon as he finished speaking, Song Qi from the corner indeed approached with a wineglass and a fake smile on his face.

Song Qi stopped before them. He first gave Huo Si an affectionate look, then turned his gaze to Jian Ning, his tone dripping with mockery.

"Oh, so you're Mr. Jian? I've heard so much about you. I heard Mr. Jian used to be... an extra? You must have some impressive methods to climb to where you are today."

The surrounding guests stopped chatting one after another and perked up their ears, ready to watch the show.

Everyone knew that Song Qi had once had something "unclear" with Huo Si—though in reality, it had all been Song Qi's one-sided hype. Now that the new lover and old flame had met, things were bound to get interesting.

Jian Ning looked at Song Qi. The smile on his face did not fade. If anything, it grew brighter.

He did not rush to retort. Instead, he lightly swirled the champagne in his hand, then did something shocking in front of everyone.

He poured the champagne directly over Song Qi's gleaming leather shoes.

"Oh dear, sorry." Jian Ning covered his mouth, looking astonished. "My hand slipped. Best Actor Song, your shoes... They seem to be knockoffs, don't they? Genuine leather doesn't absorb water. Why are yours so absorbent?"

Song Qi's expression changed drastically. "You—!"

Jian Ning gave him no chance to speak and turned to Huo Si.

"Honey, I think Best Actor Song's shoes are too old. Why don't you give him that trash can you were about to throw away? I think even the material of that trash can is better than these shoes."

Huo Si nodded cooperatively. "Whatever you say."

The entire hall fell silent.

Then a wave of stifled laughter erupted.

Song Qi's face turned the color of pig liver. He wanted nothing more than to crawl into a crack in the ground.

Trying to fight me? I have a system cheat. I can tell at a glance that everything on you is fake!

You wanted to put me in my place? You should've checked who holds the cards now!

Just as Jian Ning was feeling smug, the system suddenly displayed a red emergency notification.

[ Ding! S-tier script mission triggered! ]

[ Director Li has been detected at the banquet, currently discussing the male lead role in Twin Emperors with... a mysterious big shot. ]

[ Mission objective: Steal the role! That mysterious big shot is Gu Han, the uncle of your sworn enemy Gu Yan! You absolutely cannot let him play the top! Otherwise, you will die horribly, because Gu Han is a genuine pervert! ]

Jian Ning was startled.

Gu Han? The lunatic rumored to have played several young celebrities to death?

Absolutely not!

Jian Ning grabbed Huo Si's hand and said urgently:

"Honey! I need to ask you for something!"

"That Twin Emperors movie... Can you play the regent?"

Huo Si raised an eyebrow. "You want me to act?"

He was the president of a trillion-yuan corporation. Go act in a movie?

Jian Ning nodded desperately, leaning close to his ear and speaking in a coquettish yet threatening voice only they could hear.

"If you don't go... then I'll have no choice but to film opposite Gu Han. I heard that movie has... bed scenes."

Huo Si's face instantly darkened.

His gaze immediately turned dangerously cold.

"Gu Han?"

"Bed scenes?"

Huo Si let out a cold laugh, then took Jian Ning's hand in his and strode toward Director Li.

"I'm investing in this drama."

"I'll play the male lead."

"As for the bed scenes..."

He lowered his head and glanced at Jian Ning.

"We can... do them for real without stand-ins."

Jian Ning: "..."

Wait! I was joking! What did he mean, do them for real?!