QT: I hijacked a harem system and now I'm ruining every plot(GL)-Chapter 39: Did not plan

Han Li’s POV

I glance down at Jiang Yuxi, her legs still wobbly like a newborn deer, struggling to find stability. She glares at me with a mixture of embarrassment and irritation, but the flush dusting her cheeks betrays her.

I bite back a smirk. Adorable.

I shrug on my jacket, adjusting the sleeves as I step toward her.

> "Hands on my neck," I instruct.

She narrows her eyes at me, clearly wanting to argue, but in the end, she complies.

Her delicate fingers settle around the nape of my neck, cool against my skin.

The moment she grips me properly, I bend down and slide my right arm beneath her knees, hoisting her up with ease.

A startled gasp leaves her lips, and instinctively, she tightens her arms around me, clinging closer.

> "This is embarrassing," she mutters against my neck, her voice muffled by the fabric of my suit.

I chuckle, shifting her weight effortlessly as I grab her purse with my free hand.

> "Would you rather walk?" I tease.

She tenses slightly, then huffs, squeezing me tighter. That’s what I thought.

I stride out of the office, ignoring the curious glances of my employees. My personal secretary remains impassive at his desk, not reacting in the slightest.

Not surprising—With the salary I pay him, he wouldn’t dare.

I press the elevator button, waiting as Jiang Yuxi continues to grumble against my collarbone.

> "You didn’t have to carry me," she complains, shifting slightly in my arms.

I glance down at her, amusement flickering in my eyes.

> "Oh? So you can walk, then?"

She falls silent.

That’s what I thought.

The elevator doors slide open with a soft ding. I step inside, adjusting my grip on her.

The moment the doors close, she fidgets in my hold, her fingertips brushing against the collar of my shirt.

> "Han Li..." she starts, hesitance lacing her tone.

I tilt my head slightly. "Hm?"

She doesn’t continue immediately, but I can feel her heartbeat against my chest, fast and uneven.

I know what she wants to say, what she’s thinking, but she’s hesitant—like she doesn’t know how to put it into words.

Instead of pressing her, I wait.

The elevator hums softly as we descend, the golden glow of the ceiling lights casting a warm halo around us. Jiang Yuxi shifts again, this time nuzzling slightly into my shoulder as if trying to hide.

> "I’m tired," she murmurs.

I chuckle.

>"I wonder why."

She groans in embarrassment, smacking my shoulder weakly. "Shut up."

The doors slide open, and I carry her through the private lobby, ignoring the subtle glances from passing employees and hotel staff, nothing to worry about my NDA is ironclad.

My car is already waiting outside. The driver, ever efficient, has the back door open before I even reach it.

I lower her into the seat carefully, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as I settle her down.

> "We’re going home," I say, brushing a thumb over her cheek. "Rest."

She blinks up at me, lips parting slightly like she wants to argue, but in the end, she doesn’t.

Instead, she sighs, sinking into the plush leather of the seat.

As I slide into the car beside her, I can’t help but steal one last glance at her peaceful face.

God help me, I think to myself.

I’m in way too deep.

I did not plan to fall in love, I do not even know when it happened but unfortunately it’s too late for me now.

***

Jiang Wei’s POV

A sharp, throbbing pain pounds in my skull, the aftereffects of last night’s drinking still clinging to my body like an unwelcome weight.

I groan, rubbing my temples as I blink against the harsh morning light filtering through the curtains.

Something feels... off.

I shift slightly, and the warmth of a body beside me registers in my half-conscious mind.

A vague feminine figure is curled up under the sheets next to me, her dark hair spilling over the pillow in soft waves.

What the hell—?!

Sleep vanishes in an instant.

I sit up abruptly, heart hammering as my brain scrambles to catch up.

The woman stirs at my sudden movement, and as she turns towards me, recognition slams into me like a truck.

My secretary?!

What. The. Actual. Fuck.

Last night’s memories flood back, fragmented and blurry.

The drinking party after work, the rounds of shots, the way we ended up in my penthouse—talking? Laughing? I can’t even remember who made the first move.

Shit.

This is bad. This is really, really bad.

I stiffen, my mind running through the possible consequences.

If Lin Meyu finds out... or worse, if that spoiled heiress does...

Damn it.

I move quietly, carefully sliding out of bed. If I can get dressed and leave the room before she fully wakes up, maybe I can—

The rustling sheets stop me cold.

I glance over my shoulder just in time to see her eyes flutter open, sleepy and dazed at first. But then she blinks, realizes where she is, and pure horror takes over her features.

She bolts upright, clutching the bedsheet to her chest as if it’s some holy barrier between us.

Her entire face turns crimson.

It’s cute, really—too damn cute for a situation this messed up.

That’s when I realize I’m naked.

Her wide eyes dart downward, and I swear I see something flicker in them before she quickly looks away, flustered.

Shit.

I grab the nearest pair of boxers from the floor, tugging them on hastily before turning around to give her some space.

I can hear the frantic rustling of fabric as she scrambles to cover herself, the nervous energy in the air thick enough to choke on.

A long silence follows.

When I turn back, she’s already dressed—or, well, dressed in one of my shirts.

It swallows her frame, the sleeves too long, the hem falling dangerously high on her thighs.

The sight shouldn’t do anything to me, but it does.

I push the thought aside.

She bows suddenly, catching me off guard.

> "I’m sorry," she says, voice small.

I blink.

> "No, no, no. It was—"

I wave a hand vaguely.

> "An honest mistake between us."

Her shoulders stiffen.

I curse internally.

Wrong choice of words.

It’s no secret that she likes me. Hell, I’d have to be a complete idiot not to have noticed by now. She does far more than what an assistant or a manager should.

And now?

Now she looks crushed.

Damn it.

I sigh, rubbing a hand down my face.

This could turn messy real fast if I’m not careful. But at the same time... rejecting her outright would mean losing someone invaluable.

Someone I know is actually loyal to me.

And the truth is?

I don’t dislike her.

She’s cute. Pretty, even.

Among all the women orbiting around me, she’s probably the one who actually loves me the most.

So really... what’s one more?

I tilt my head, studying her carefully.

She stands there, wringing the hem of my shirt in her hands, waiting for my next words with an expression that’s equal parts nervous and hopeful.

I step closer.

She tenses, but she doesn’t step back.

Slowly, I reach out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

> "It’s fine," I murmur. "Let’s not make this complicated."

---

SYSTEM:

[PLOT INTEGRITY STABLE.]

[MAIN CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRESSING AS EXPECTED.]

[HAREM GOING AS EXPECTED.]

SYSTEM 404: [ MAYBE THE PLOT CAN BE SALVAGED]