MWCBTC Chapter 10: Got Praised
Qin Shen hated people like Qiao Chen the most—those who clearly had something to say but just wouldn’t say it, hemming and hawing, dragging things out.
Just like when he’d asked him about Qiao Yu before. Same reaction.
Damn it, can the guy speak or not?
Qin Shen’s temper flared instantly. He slammed his phone down hard onto the coffee table with a loud “bang,” then stood up abruptly.
Startled, Qiao Chen instinctively took two steps back. He knew this was a sure sign that Qin Shen was about to lose his temper.
And sure enough, the next second Qin Shen roared fiercely, “If you’ve got something to say, then spit it out! Who are you saving your thoughts for, huh? Did I tape your mouth shut or something?”
Qiao Chen was taken aback by the yelling. He hadn’t planned to say anything else. Why was Qin Shen suddenly this angry?
The more passive Qiao Chen acted, the angrier Qin Shen got.
He barked again, “I asked you a question and you didn’t answer. Your work got stolen and you didn’t even say anything. What, did you lose your voice?!”
As harsh as he sounded, Qin Shen had finally hit the nail on the head.
He knew? Qiao Chen blinked in surprise and replied, “No.”
“No what?” Qin Shen nearly exploded again. Was this guy really talking back to him now?
Qiao Chen shook his head and said, “I’m not mute.”
“Not mute? Then can you speak or not? Do you even know how to talk?” Qin Shen fumed, still pushing the issue.
Now that Qin Shen had asked directly, Qiao Chen stopped holding back. He nodded and said calmly, “Yes, I can speak. I know how.”
That answer finally soothed Qin Shen a little. He sat back down on the couch, waiting for Qiao Chen to explain.
Qiao Chen stayed where he was and started, “I actually only found out about it today…”
But he was interrupted again almost instantly. “You talking to a ghost? Should I hand you a megaphone?” Qin Shen snapped, nitpicking again.
Used to Qin Shen’s attitude by now, Qiao Chen didn’t argue. He simply stepped forward and stood in front of him.
Qin Shen was thoroughly exasperated. What, did he look like he was going to eat him or something? Why did Qiao Chen always act so cautious around him?
The next second, Qin Shen reached out, pulled Qiao Chen down, and sat him right on his lap. “Talk.”
Qiao Chen’s face flushed red instantly. “What are you doing…?”
Maybe because this was the first time Qiao Chen showed an actual expression, something about him felt different. Qin Shen’s temper eased a little. He said, “You want me to crane my neck just to talk to you?”
Qiao Chen quickly shook his head like a rattle drum and scooted to the side, putting a bit of distance between them.
Qin Shen had only wanted to mess with him a little anyway. Since Qiao Chen moved, he didn’t push it further.
Then it was down to business.
Qiao Chen explained everything clearly, logically, and without too much emotion. He laid out the whole situation from beginning to end.
Of course, he skillfully avoided mentioning how people had been giving him a hard time.
After all, it wouldn’t be appropriate to complain about company decisions to someone directly involved.
Ten minutes later, Qin Shen nodded. “Got it.”
Now that he understood the whole story, he had a clear picture in his mind.
As much as he disliked Qiao Chen personally, to be fair, personal grudges shouldn’t affect work. And Qiao Chen’s talent was undeniable—he really was a rare genius.
From a company executive’s perspective, Qin Shen knew he had to protect Qiao Chen as an artist and safeguard his work.
He also absolutely loathed office politics, especially among the art staff. He believed everything should be based on skill and output.
Ultimately, Qiao Chen was clearly the victim here—innocent, and likely feeling pretty wronged.
Qin Shen suddenly felt like offering a few words of comfort, from a boss to his employee.
But maybe out of habit, having always been harsh to Qiao Chen, he couldn’t bring himself to say anything nice.
He meant to offer a piece of candy, but what came out was a stick: “Next time, just speak up. No one’s stopping you from talking, got it?”
Qiao Chen nodded and softly replied, “Mm.”
There it was again—such a flat response, like showing a little emotion might kill him.
He hadn’t done anything wrong, and yet somehow always managed to trigger Qin Shen’s temper, like he had a fuse wired straight to Qin Shen’s brain.
Qin Shen lectured, “Stop acting like nothing matters. That’s why people think you’re easy to bully and treat you like a pushover. That’s why someone dared to steal your work in the first place.”
Qiao Chen opened his mouth and weakly protested, “I didn’t…”
“Didn’t? Didn’t what?” Qin Shen shot back. “If I hadn’t pushed you just now, wouldn’t you have just let it go?”
Qiao Chen paused to think about it. And yes… that was probably true.
He wouldn’t have been able to do anything. He would’ve compromised, accepted it. That’s what he always did.
Growing up, he was used to giving things up to others. Even if he didn’t like it, in the end, he could always accept it.
Seeing Qiao Chen purse his lips in silence, Qin Shen knew he’d hit the mark again.
That only made him angrier. “Can you at least respect your own work? Don’t you get it? Not just anyone can create something like this!”
“Fine. If you really don’t care, I’ll just send this project back to you and pick someone else. If you don’t even take your own work seriously, how am I supposed to trust you with something this important?!”
The more he talked, the more frustrated he got. He felt like there was no communicating with Qiao Chen at all.
He stood up abruptly, ready to head upstairs before his blood pressure spiked.
But just as he walked past, Qiao Chen, who had stayed quiet all this time, suddenly moved. He reached out and tugged on the hem of Qin Shen’s shirt.
Still seething, Qin Shen looked back impatiently. “What?”
He was rough, as always. His actions, his tone, even his expression—harsh to the core.
But Qiao Chen looked him straight in the eye and, with genuine sincerity, said, “Thank you.”
Maybe it was because Qiao Chen’s reaction was so unlike his usual self. Maybe it was those bright, glistening eyes filled with sincere gratitude. But for a moment, Qin Shen was caught off guard.
He awkwardly replied, “Thank me for what? This is what you deserve.”
At that, Qiao Chen’s tightly pursed lips curved into the faintest smile, his eyes narrowing slightly as he repeated, “Really, thank you.”
This might’ve been the first time since they got married that Qin Shen saw him smile. And when he did, he realized—Qiao Chen’s smile was so soft, so gentle, like a warm spring breeze brushing past.
Such a shy smile, and yet… ridiculously good-looking.
Qin Shen spaced out for a moment.
But only for a few seconds. He quickly snapped out of it and muttered, This damn Qiao Chen, always trying to seduce me!
He threw out a grumpy, “Psycho,” then turned and went upstairs, leaving Qiao Chen standing alone in the living room.
Qiao Chen blinked, puzzled by Qin Shen’s sudden irritation. From the back, he looked stormy again. Did I upset him somehow?
Still…
Qiao Chen's eyes crinkled into crescent moons, joy dancing on his face that he just couldn’t hide.
He’d been praised.
He’d been recognized.
And that feeling—it was wonderful.
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