[BL] Oops! I Seduced My Sister's Fiance (And Now I'm Pregnant)-Chapter 41: Being Seen

The Wuchen Group headquarters is... a lot.

I knew it would be big, obviously, but standing in front of it now, looking up at glass that keeps going until it almost hurts my eyes, it feels less like an office and more like a statement. Not loud or flashy, just the kind of quiet confidence that assumes you already understand what it means.

So this is Bael’s world.

The car door opens and he steps out first, already adjusting his cuffs like he’s stepping into something familiar. I’m just about to follow when he turns back and holds out his hand, not hesitating, not even looking like he thinks I might refuse.

I pause for a fraction of a second, then place my hand in his.

His grip is steady as he helps me out, warm against my fingers, and instead of letting go, he shifts slightly, threading his fingers through mine like this is normal for us. Like we do this every day.

We don’t.

But from the outside, it looks convincing enough.

The doors slide open before we even reach them, and the moment we step inside, I realize we’ve walked into something that was clearly planned.

People are already waiting.

Not just a few employees passing by, but a full line of them, arranged neatly across the lobby, posture straight, expressions carefully neutral in that way that takes effort. They bow almost at the same time, the movement synchronized enough that it feels practiced.

"Welcome back, CEO."

"Congratulations on your marriage."

The voices overlap slightly, polite and measured, and for a second I just stand there, very aware of how many eyes are on us.

On me.

I incline my head just enough to acknowledge them, keeping my expression calm, the way Grandmother taught me. Not too friendly, not cold either, just... appropriate.

It works, mostly.

Except for the fact that they keep looking.

Not directly, not in a way that would be rude, but I catch it anyway, the quick glances, the way a few of them look at our hands and then immediately look away like they’ve seen something they shouldn’t.

One of them actually looks like she’s trying not to smile.

Another one blinks too fast, then lowers her head again.

I almost glance at Bael, but stop myself.

He definitely knows.

If anything, his fingers tighten slightly around mine, subtle enough that no one else would notice, but I feel it.

We move forward, and the tension shifts with us, like the whole lobby is trying to stay perfectly composed while still very aware of what it’s seeing.

Someone steps forward to meet us, timing it so smoothly it almost looks accidental. He’s dressed just as sharply as the rest, but there’s something different about him, less rigid, more... comfortable in his own role.

"President Wuchen, Young Master," he says, bowing slightly before straightening again, his voice calm without sounding rehearsed.

Bael doesn’t stop walking. "Runze, this is Shen Rui. He keeps everything running when I’m not looking."

Shen Rui glances at me, just enough to acknowledge without overdoing it. "That’s an optimistic description. I mostly make sure things don’t fall apart."

There’s a faint edge of humor there, quiet enough that it doesn’t break his professionalism.

"I’ll try not to make your job harder," I reply.

"Appreciated."

That almost-smile shows for half a second, then disappears, and he falls into step beside us like he’s always been there.

Bael slows slightly, not enough to draw attention, but enough that I realize he’s actually showing me around. Offices, departments, glass walls that reveal people working in spaces that look too clean to be messy, everything organized in a way that feels intentional rather than decorative.

People greet him as we pass, some nodding, some speaking, all of them careful with their tone. I notice the way their posture shifts when he looks at them directly, the slight straightening, the pause before they speak.

No one is relaxed around him.

Not even a little.

And yet, he doesn’t do anything obvious to cause it. No raised voice, no harsh expression, just... presence.

Power, apparently, doesn’t need to announce itself.

By the time we reach the top floor again, I’m already aware of how long I’ve been watched, even if no one has done it openly.

Shen Rui moves ahead and opens a set of doors. "Your office."

Bael walks in without hesitation, and I follow.

The space is large, but not in a way that feels empty. Everything has its place. The desk sits near the windows, positioned to look out over the city, shelves lined neatly, the colors dark enough to feel controlled without being heavy.

Off to the side, there’s a seating area. Couch, low table, something that looks comfortable enough to sit in for too long if you’re not careful.

Shen Rui pauses near the door. "I’ll be outside if you need anything."

Bael nods, already moving behind his desk, and within seconds he looks like he belongs there completely, like the rest of the building rearranges itself around him when he sits down.

The door closes.

And just like that, it’s quiet again.

I stand there for a moment, then move to the couch and sit, sinking into it slightly before adjusting my position.

Then I pause.

...Now what.

I glance toward Bael.

He’s already working, attention on his laptop, expression focused, like I’ve stopped existing the moment he sat down.

So I’m just here?

Sitting?

Waiting?

That thought barely settles before the door opens again.

Shen Rui steps in, carrying a tray this time, setting it down in front of me with the same calm efficiency.

"I wasn’t sure what you’d prefer," he says, "so I prepared a few options."

A few is... not the right word.

There’s strawberry milk, mango yogurt, sparkling water, neatly sliced fruit, and several small containers arranged so precisely it looks planned. Chocolate mousse, matcha cake, mango pudding, chilled custard tarts, even something savory, rice rolls with sauce on the side and a small portion of seasoned tofu.

I stare at it for a second.

"You expected me to eat all this?"

"Not all at once," he replies, completely serious. "But you have options."

"That’s one way to put it."

"Lunch will be outside," he adds. "This is just to keep you occupied until then."

Occupied.

That sounds about right.

"Thank you."

He nods once and leaves again, the door closing softly behind him.

I look back at the table.

Then I reach for the chocolate mousse.

The first bite is good, smooth and balanced, not too sweet, and before I realize it, I’ve taken another, then another, switching to the mango pudding halfway through without really thinking about it.

Somewhere between the third bite and the strawberry milk, I stop paying attention to where I am. The couch is comfortable, the room is quiet except for the faint sound of typing, and the food is distracting enough that everything else fades. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

I swipe a bit of cream from the edge of the container with my finger without thinking, tasting it absently.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

I freeze.

The voice is close.

Too close.

I look up and find Bael standing right in front of me, close enough that I can see the slight curve of his mouth before he even says anything else.

I didn’t hear him get up.

Didn’t hear him walk over.

His gaze drops to my mouth, and I immediately know why.

Before I can do anything about it, his thumb brushes against the corner of my lips, slow, deliberate, like he’s in no hurry at all. He looks at it for a second, then brings it to his mouth and licks it clean, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

"Trying to seduce me, huh?" he murmurs, that familiar hint of amusement in his voice. "You’re really good at it though."

Heat creeps up my neck before I can stop it.

"I was just eating."

"Mm." His eyes flick back to mine. "Looked convincing."

"That doesn’t even make sense."

He doesn’t argue.

Instead, he steps closer, one knee coming up onto the couch between my legs, shifting the space until there’s barely anything left between us. My back presses slightly into the cushions without me meaning to.

His hand comes up to the back of my neck, fingers curling just enough to guide.

Then he pulls me forward and kisses me.

No hesitation, no pause, just direct, like he already decided and saw no reason to wait.

My hand tightens against his sleeve before I even realize I’ve moved, my body leaning into the contact like it’s already used to this.

Then—

Voices.

Muffled, outside, getting closer.

The office phone starts ringing, sharp enough to cut through everything.

Bael doesn’t move immediately, his hand still at my neck, his face still close.

Then the door swings open.

"Bael, it’s been so long since I visited your—"

The voice stops.

I turn my head.

Xue Lian stands there, staring.

For a second, I just look at him, trying to place why he feels familiar in a way I don’t like.

Then it clicks.

Right.

I had almost forgotten this white lotus trash existed.