Chapter Fifty-Seven: First Signs of Murderous Intent

At this moment, Xue Tian’ai sat in the passenger seat, his gaze fixed on Qin Mengxue’s long legs wrapped in black stockings, feeling as if he were floating in bliss, secretly delighted. He had to admit, Qin Mengxue was not only stunningly beautiful, but her legs were even more lethal.

Yet Qin Mengxue’s face was icy cold, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, fury burning in her eyes as she stared straight ahead. She had thought something serious must have happened to make Xue Tian’ai look so sorrowful, and had even prepared comforting words in her mind. But it turned out he was just teasing her again! Since getting in the car, Qin Mengxue had refused to give Xue Tian’ai a pleasant expression.

Still, confusion filled her heart. If he was only upset because she ate his breakfast, that shouldn’t warrant such a look—and besides, there had only been enough breakfast for one person on the table. If Xue Tian’ai wanted to eat, he easily could have cooked for two. And since getting into the car today, Xue Tian’ai was unusually quiet. Normally, he’d be chattering non-stop. Did he really have something troubling him?

They drove a while longer before Qin Mengxue, unable to stand Xue Tian’ai’s abnormal silence, turned to look at him. But the next moment, her expression darkened. She saw no trace of sadness on his face; instead, his eyes gleamed greedily, staring directly at her. The look on Xue Tian’ai’s face resembled that of Marshal Zhu Bajie descending to earth, piggish and lascivious.

Following Xue Tian’ai’s gaze downwards, she realized he was ogling her legs. Her pretty face grew even more livid. This scoundrel had made her worry twice already this morning, yet nothing was wrong at all. This lecher, this pervert! Wasting her concern, only to covet her legs!

“Xue Tian’ai, you bastard, haven’t you stared enough?” Qin Mengxue gritted her teeth, gripping the steering wheel.

“What… what are you talking about?” Xue Tian’ai feigned innocence, asking dumbly.

“You know perfectly well what you’re looking at!”

“Heh heh, darling, since you’ve figured it out, let’s not expose it. Think about it, we’re married, husband and wife. Isn’t it only right for a husband to admire his wife?” Now that Qin Mengxue knew what he was doing, Xue Tian’ai grew bolder, his roguish eyes sweeping over her, embodying reckless impunity.

Seeing his shameless expression, Qin Mengxue would have stamped her foot in anger if she weren’t driving, so she could only slap the steering wheel in frustration.

“Darling, I must offer a suggestion. I believe it would be very helpful for you!” Xue Tian’ai’s gaze never left her legs.

“Spit it out!” Qin Mengxue replied coldly.

“Darling, be refined. How can you say such things? Remember, you’re the dream woman of all men in Beiyang City, you’re—”

“Are you going to say your piece or not?” Qin Mengxue cut him off, knowing if she let him continue, he’d ramble even more.

“Darling, I think the black professional outfit with black stockings is a bit too conventional. It looks nice, but lacks a certain vitality. Why not try a silver-gray business suit paired with pure white stockings?” Xue Tian’ai said seriously.

Hearing this, Qin Mengxue’s face turned frosty. Clearly, she had underestimated his ability to spout nonsense.

Just then, the car reached a busy intersection. Qin Mengxue slowed down and glared angrily at Xue Tian’ai.

“Xue Tian’ai! Do you have to be so annoying?”

“Darling, I’m just giving honest advice. How is that annoying?” Xue Tian’ai spoke truthfully for once; he genuinely believed silver-gray attire with white stockings would suit her.

“Oh? How do you think I should match it, then?” Suddenly, Qin Mengxue’s eyes sparkled, a sly smile appearing.

Xue Tian’ai’s eyes lit up at her question—was she asking for his aesthetic opinion? This was his forte!

“Darling, you could try a black-and-red business suit, with safety shorts and bare legs. I think that would be an excellent combination!”

“And?”

Her smile remained faint but persistent.

“I think you could also try pure white women’s suits, paired with pure white heels! That would be top-notch!”

“Go on…”

“Still more? Darling, are you sure you want to hear?” Xue Tian’ai was surprised—had his suggestions really moved her?

“I told you to continue, so continue!”

“Alright! I also think…” With animated gestures, Xue Tian’ai began describing his various ideas, his mouth growing increasingly absurd, even suggesting wearing sexy swimsuits in the office for comfort.

After a long period of enthusiastic discussion, he finally finished, proudly asking, “So, darling, do you think your husband’s aesthetic sense is explosive or what?”

“It’s certainly impressive. Have you finished all your suggestions?” Qin Mengxue turned to him, smiling sweetly.

“Yes, I’ve said everything I could think of! Darling, do you want to adopt any of my ideas?”

“Very well, your suggestions are excellent. I’ve decided to accept them!”

“Darling, you have such vision!” Xue Tian’ai couldn’t help but applaud.

Before he finished clapping, Qin Mengxue added, “So from tomorrow, you’ll wear all the outfits you mentioned to work!”

Xue Tian’ai stared, dumbfounded, at her. “Darling, did I mishear just now? I thought you said I should wear those clothes to work?”

“Of course you didn’t mishear. Didn’t you say those combinations are top-notch, absolutely perfect? Since you said so, as your boss, how can I not encourage you?” As she spoke, Qin Mengxue’s lips curled into a cunning, triumphant smile.

“Darling, you can’t do this. Imagine if I wore a silver-gray women’s suit with pure white stockings—I’d be a laughingstock!”

“But that’s exactly what you said was the perfect combination. I’m only fulfilling your wish!”

“No, no, no, if I really dressed like that, all the dignity of the Xue family heir would be gone!” Xue Tian’ai shook his head like a rattle.

“Hmph! Let’s see if you dare run your mouth again!” Seeing him surrender, Qin Mengxue felt an immense sense of satisfaction. The grievances she’d accumulated from being tricked and teased by Xue Tian’ai this morning dissipated, replaced by pure contentment.

Xue Tian’ai was a bit disappointed that Qin Mengxue ultimately dismissed his suggestions, but mostly he was relieved. If he really showed up at the company dressed like that, it would be disastrous! Not to mention what his new lover Gan Bingning would think, even Su Jiaqi, that unreasonable woman, would surely laugh herself silly at his expense!

So for the remainder of the journey, Xue Tian’ai kept his mouth shut, not daring to utter another word—after all, a wise man avoids immediate trouble! He could always speak up again later.

Yet, once Xue Tian’ai fell silent, Qin Mengxue felt a bit uncomfortable. Though she was annoyed by his rambling, bantering with him was often quite entertaining. Now, she found herself in a dilemma—wanting him to talk, but not wanting him to ramble.

Fortunately, they soon reached the side of the Menghua Group. Qin Mengxue parked at the spot where Xue Tian’ai had gotten out yesterday, and broke the silence first.

“Are you getting out here again today?”

“Yes, yes, I’ll get out here. It’s safe enough; I shouldn’t be seen.” With that, Xue Tian’ai opened the door and hopped out.

Watching his retreating figure, Qin Mengxue let out a soft sigh, a fleeting sense of disappointment stirring in her heart. But it lasted only an instant. She quickly resumed her icy CEO demeanor, driving straight to the underground parking lot.

After jumping out, Xue Tian’ai’s expression turned cold, his gaze icy as he looked across the street. Just as he’d exited the car, he’d sensed a faint killing intent from the other side—a subtle but real presence.

The sensation lasted only an instant, then vanished without a trace. He stared across the street for a while longer, but seeing nothing unusual, turned and strode nonchalantly toward Menghua Group.

The street remained bustling, pedestrians hurrying by with different expressions and purposes. Yet things might not be as simple as they appeared…