The Domineering CEO's Indifferent Lover

Chapter Five: Best Friends

Qin Yuanhao overheard Xue Che on the phone. "Xue Che, have you lost your job?"

"Dad, yes, I was just let go."

"Never mind, you can always find another job. It's my fault. If not for that car accident, leaving me with a broken leg and in need of care, your stepmother wouldn’t have kept you at home. I thought after three years of recovery, you'd be able to live independently. But I... I've just had this surgery, and it’s I who have burdened you..." Qin Yuanhao felt a pang of guilt for not providing his daughter with a single good day, especially since Lin Peipei, with her small clothing store, was often busy, leaving no one to care for the house.

"Dad, don't say that. I willingly stayed home. It has nothing to do with you or Auntie. This is my home. If I’m not here, where else would I go?" Qin Xue Che reassured him.

"My daughter, you are so understanding. It’s your father who has been too weak."

"Don’t say that, Dad. As long as Aunt Pei treats you well, nothing else matters."

After making lunch for her father and tidying up the house, Xue Che went out.

Their usual meeting spot was a small, cozy café called Novan Café, perfect for conversations. By the time Xue Che arrived, Ruxin was already waiting. As college friends, Ruxin had always been concerned about Xue Che, though Xue Che rarely talked about her home life. Still, Ruxin knew enough to understand her struggles. Coming from a good family, Ruxin had always tried to help. She wore a simple ponytail and professional office attire—had she skipped work?

"Xue Che, what happened? Why were you fired?" Ruxin asked with concern.

"This morning, I ran into someone extremely rude, flaunting his wealth. I fell and dirtied my clothes, making me late for work. The manager fired me."

"What? That's outrageous! It wasn't your fault! Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine, just dirty clothes, so I went home to change. You know, I don’t even know who that man was. He wore huge sunglasses and had the nerve to offer me money! It infuriated me!" Xue Che still felt indignant about the morning’s incident.

"Those rich young men always think money can solve everything. Don't be angry, Xue Che. What will you do next? Keep job hunting?"

"Yes, what else can I do? Hey, Xin Xin, why are you in business attire? Are you at work?"

"No, I had an interview this morning, thanks to my dad’s connections. They said they’d get back to me tomorrow, and it's almost a sure thing. When you called, I had just left the interview and came straight here. Haven’t even gone home to change."

"Really? That’s wonderful! You look quite good in business attire! Hehe."

They chatted idly, knowing such leisurely days would become rarer. Since graduation, their meetings and calls had dwindled, leaving Xue Che feeling increasingly isolated. Unlike Ruxin, who had many friends, Xue Che was slow to warm up to people, taking a long time to let her guard down and truly get to know someone.