"Actually, the reason is simple: you're not down-to-earth," Pei Man said seriously, meeting Shen Shao's gaze. She withheld other reasons.

"Not down-to-earth?" Shen Shao was surprised.

"Yes. Can you laugh loudly, shout, and indulge yourself recklessly, like those people?" Pei Man asked indifferently.

"I can't," Shen Shao shook his head.

"No, you dare not," Pei Man countered with a cold laugh, a hint of mockery in her expression.

"Perhaps. But we're not from the same world. We have our own," Shen Shao replied calmly, unoffended; partly because it was true, and partly because the words came from Pei Man.

"In short, you can't let go of your pride," Pei Man said, curling her lips. "And I don't think I'm so different from them."

"That's your perspective. You can't enter their world, just as they can't enter yours," Shen Shao maintained.

"Perhaps. But the difference is, I don't mind entering their world, while you remain aloof," Pei Man said lightly. Her eyes suddenly brightened, recalling a man unlike Shen Shao. Both were exceptional, but this other man was far more interesting. The thought brought a subtle smile to her lips and a spark to her eyes.

"What are you thinking about?" Shen Shao asked, intrigued by this rare glimpse of Pei Man.

"Someone," she replied.

"Who?"

"A man. Someone far more interesting than you," Pei Man said, glancing at him.

Su Chen awoke from his nap past three in the afternoon, finding himself with little to do. Cultivation in his office was impractical. Then, inspiration struck: he couldn't go to the PR department, but they could come to him. He strolled over. The women already knew of President Lin's order. His absence had left a void.

Their eyes lit up at his arrival, surprising Su Chen. He composed himself and said indifferently, "Zhao Lin, come to my office."

He returned to his office. Zhao Lin felt uneasy, fearing a reckoning for a recent joke that had led to Su Chen's office confinement. She hesitantly obeyed.

"You've arrived," Su Chen said coldly.

Zhao Lin's heart pounded. "Minister, I'm sorry," she stammered.

"Sorry? You've been diligent. What's there to apologize for?" Su Chen said playfully.

"Minister, about yesterday... it was a joke..."

"Yesterday? What happened yesterday?" Su Chen interrupted.

Zhao Lin's internal monologue: I'm swallowing my pride, and he's being relentless! Annoyance flared; she almost threw her heels. But he was her superior. She'd use her usual tactic.

"Minister, I know I was wrong!" she said, smiling charmingly, approaching and gently taking his arm.

"Don't think you'll get off so easily," Su Chen said, though his nostrils registered her scent and his arm felt her touch.

"I was teasing you!" Zhao Lin, twisting and spinning, landed in his arms.

"Stand up," Su Chen said, nervously checking for onlookers.

"I'm tired," she pouted, snuggling closer.

"Sit on the sofa," Su Chen said, practicality—and the potential for Lin Ruoxue's discovery—governing his response.

"Your body's more comfortable," Zhao Lin murmured, her eyes fixed on him.

Overwhelmed, Su Chen conceded, "I forgive you. Go."

"I won't disturb you," Zhao Lin said sweetly, giving him a lingering backward glance before leaving.

"Wait, call Ran Ting," Su Chen called out.

"Pervert!" Zhao Lin retorted.

Su Chen hastily closed the blinds, a sly smile playing on his lips. Ran Ting arrived and departed half an hour later, blushing.

Su Chen subsequently spoke with every woman in the Yandu PR department—excluding the men.

"Being in the office has its perks," Su Chen mused after his last conversation. While close contact was unavoidable, he avoided anything excessive; this wasn't their first encounter.