“Jiang Xiaoyi!” Lu Xi hurried over and interrupted them. “Where are you going? It’s your turn.”
Jiang Xiaoyi quickly ducked her head and ran back. “Coming!”
Lu Xi strode toward her. “Who were you just talking to?”
Jiang Xiaoyi shook her head, her face flushing red. “No one. I just stepped out for a stroll.”
She had originally chased after her just to ask if she could drop by the office later, then figure out a way to complete the task once she got there. She never expected Big Boss Sister to invite her right away.
Three hours had passed, and they still hadn’t wrapped the scene. The director was a perfectionist, especially with newcomers like Jiang Xiaoyi—every take had to be reshot three or four times before he was satisfied.
“Xiaoyi, let’s do one more take of that shot.” The director directed her back to her mark for another run.
“O-okay.” Jiang Xiaoyi bent over, hands on her knees, gasping for breath. Her lungs felt like they were on fire, desperate for water to douse the flames, but she didn’t want to hold up the shooting schedule. She hurried back to reset.
The long chase scene with the bus took four takes before the director finally called it. “Cut! Moving on to the next one.”
Drenched in sweat after running at least two kilometers, Jiang Xiaoyi managed a weak smile. “Thank you, Director.”
The director, not one to praise rookies lightly, nodded approvingly. “Xiaoyi, you did great today. You’re in solid shape too—must work out a lot.”
Jiang Xiaoyi grinned and nodded. “I like going for runs in my free time.”
Flattering the director was something she excelled at.
Once he had walked off, Jiang Xiaoyi yelled to Lu Xi. “Water! Quick—I’m dying of thirst!”
“Here.” Lu Xi had been waiting nearby with the bottle, just looking for an opening to hand it over. “Take it slow.”
Jiang Xiaoyi twisted off the cap and chugged it down, finally soothing the burning in her throat.
“Take me home, Sister Lu Xi.”
With no more scenes left for the day, Jiang Xiaoyi just wanted to rush back, change out of her stinky clothes, and avoid showing up to see Big Boss Sister smelling like a gym sock.
“Sure. Go rest up.” Lu Xi took the empty bottle from her. “Want me to give you a massage when we get back?”
“No need. This was nothing.” Jiang Xiaoyi’s usual workouts were even tougher; another two kilometers wouldn’t faze her.
…
Dressed in a fresh, breezy tracksuit, Jiang Xiaoyi arrived at YN Group. Before she could even speak, the receptionist smiled brightly. “Here for President Meng?”
Jiang Xiaoyi nodded.
The receptionist gave her an apologetic smile. “Sorry, she’s still in a meeting.”
“No problem. I’ll wait for her here.”
The receptionist gestured toward the lounge to the right. “You can wait in there. I’ll let you know when President Meng is done.”
What a sweet receptionist. Jiang Xiaoyi thanked her warmly, but just then, a voice called out.
“Miss Jiang.”
Jiang Xiaoyi turned to see Meng Chuning’s assistant, Shen Ling.
Shen Ling’s face lit up with a knowing smile. “Are you here for President Meng?”
“Yeah, I’ll just wait a bit. I have some business with her.” To avoid any misunderstandings, Jiang Xiaoyi added, “Work stuff.”
She kept her voice soft, knowing Shen Ling was deep into shipping her and Meng Chuning. The assistant always got super awkward around her.
Shen Ling nodded with an “I get it” expression. She checked the time and said warmly, “President Meng specifically told me to come down and meet you. Would you like to head up to her office and wait there, Miss Jiang?”
Jiang Xiaoyi’s heart skipped. The office was the perfect spot for ripping those stockings, but she couldn’t look too eager in front of Shen Ling.
“Really? Is that okay?”
“Of course.” Shen Ling beamed. “President Meng’s always thrilled when she hears you’re coming.”
Jiang Xiaoyi: “…”
Total shipper brain.
Big Boss Sister would not be thrilled if she knew why she was really there.
As they stepped into the elevator, Jiang Xiaoyi suddenly remembered the mortifying scene from last time—trailing behind Meng Chuning through the entire office floor of YN Group. She froze. “Actually, maybe I should just wait in the lounge.”
“We’re almost there.”
Shen Ling had spent the whole day on her feet and was taking a break by the window when she spotted Jiang Xiaoyi arriving. Her exhaustion vanished in an instant. The real-life Chuxiao CP showing up at her door—could this be a reward for her hard work?
They were already almost at the top floor. Shen Ling wasn’t about to let this rare chance to bask in shipper bliss slip away.
Jiang Xiaoyi looked like the picture of youthful college-girl charm in her pink-and-white tracksuit—fair skin glowing with collagen, radiating an innocent vibe.
Shen Ling’s mind raced: Today’s Chuxiao fit was perfection. College girl x business CEO? She could already picture a 20,000-word fanfic. Ahh, tonight after work, she’d churn out some content. The fans in the Chu-Xiao CP Super Topic were starving for sweets.
But only Shen Ling got to savor the real-life CP up close. Being Meng’s assistant was pure bliss!
She’d stay by President Meng’s side forever, working like a dog if she had to.
“This way, Miss Jiang.” Shen Ling led the way, inwardly setting off fireworks, while Jiang Xiaoyi followed with gritted teeth.
She’d braced for stares from the entire office floor, but Shen Ling took a different route—straight to Meng Chuning’s office.
Why hadn’t Big Boss Sister shown her this path last time?
“Miss Jiang, make yourself comfortable. I’ll brew you some tea.”
“Thanks.”
Shen Ling was so thoughtful. Once she confirmed Jiang Xiaoyi needed nothing else, she slipped out to handle her tasks.
Big Boss Sister’s office was just as bright and tidy as last time.
There really was a sofa. Jiang Xiaoyi’s mind wandered to Su Jiuyue’s awful suggestions—like doing it on the couch or whatever.
“Eek…”
What was she thinking?
Jiang Xiaoyi averted her gaze.
The desk and computer were spotless, but stacks of documents had piled up beside it.
Was Meng Chuning swamped? Jiang Xiaoyi worried that showing up like this might be bothering her.
Meng Chuning had back-to-back meetings today and hadn’t had a moment to rest. Even if her stockings had a run, she probably didn’t have time to change.
“Sigh. What now?” Jiang Xiaoyi pinched her earlobe fretfully. Maybe she should just leave. Screw the stupid task.
Losing 100,000 was better than making Big Boss Sister hate her.
Jiang Xiaoyi was about to stand when the office door swung open, and Meng Chuning’s familiar voice drifted in.
Shen Ling finished her report at her side, then smiled. “President Meng, Miss Jiang is waiting for you.”
At the sound, Meng Chuning looked up from her stack of files.
For a split second—maybe Jiang Xiaoyi imagined it—the exhaustion in Meng Chuning’s eyes vanished.
“Got it. You’re dismissed,” Meng Chuning told Shen Ling.
The well-trained assistant and die-hard CP fan swiftly retreated, standing guard outside to ensure no one disturbed President Meng and Jiang Xiaoyi.
The door clicked shut, muffling all outside noise.
Meng Chuning set her files on the desk. “How long have you been waiting?”
“Ten minutes.” Jiang Xiaoyi’s cheeks warmed. Up close, Meng Chuning’s business skirt suit was even sexier—the hip-hugging skirt perfectly accentuated her curves.
Jiang Xiaoyi, who adored mature CEO types, felt sweat beading despite herself. She didn’t dare imagine how thrilling it would be to have Big Boss Sister—still in that outfit—stepping on her while she cooked.
Damn.
What the hell was she thinking?
Starved for too long, and now she was having improper thoughts about Big Boss Sister. Sinful!
Besides, Meng Chuning had clearly been joking at the set. No way she’d actually step on her in heels.
“Wait for me a sec.”
Meng Chuning walked over and sank onto the sofa. She crossed her legs to the right, leaning slightly as her wavy hair cascaded like a waterfall. She gently massaged her aching ankle.
Something was off. “Sister, what’s wrong with your ankle?”
Meng Chuning looked up, a faint crease between her brows. “Haven’t worn heels for this long in ages. My ankle’s sore.”
“Did you twist it?” Jiang Xiaoyi knelt beside her, trying to check the injury.
But Big Boss Sister’s stockings hid it. Jiang Xiaoyi thought: Maybe now’s the chance to tear them and inspect the damage. That’d be reasonable, right?
Before Jiang Xiaoyi could say anything, Meng Chuning winced softly.
Jiang Xiaoyi looked up. “Does it hurt bad?”
One sat on the sofa, the other knelt beside her. When Jiang Xiaoyi tilted her face up, their lips nearly brushed.
So close—Jiang Xiaoyi caught the faint, fresh scent of Meng Chuning’s hair. Meng Chuning didn’t pull away; instead, she leaned in a little more.
“S-Sister…” Jiang Xiaoyi blinked slowly, scooting back to create distance. Big Boss Sister’s sudden closeness made her heart race—she half-thought Meng Chuning was about to kiss her.
Meng Chuning stifled the urge to pull her back, steadying her breath as she asked softly, “My ankle’s really sore. Could you rub it for me?”
“O-okay.” Jiang Xiaoyi reached out to massage it, but Meng Chuning patted the spot beside her. “Sit here.”
How do you massage from the sofa? Jiang Xiaoyi figured kneeling was ideal, but she didn’t dare argue. Under Big Boss Sister’s gaze, she sat down.
The sofa was plush. As soon as Jiang Xiaoyi settled, a pair of slender legs draped across her lap.
Jiang Xiaoyi: “!”
She froze, not daring to move.
Meng Chuning leaned back lightly. Her skirt hem didn’t reach her knees, and the sheer black stockings hinted at soft skin beneath—irresistibly tempting.
“Sister, this is dangerous…” Jiang Xiaoyi’s ears burned crimson; her eyes darted everywhere, unsure where to look.
“Dangerous how?” Meng Chuning asked innocently, knowing full well.
“It’s just… it’s…” Jiang Xiaoyi yanked off her tracksuit jacket and draped it over Meng Chuning. Way too easy to flash someone.
The jacket covered her completely. Meng Chuning sighed helplessly. “It’s hot.”
“I’ll be quick.” Jiang Xiaoyi gripped Meng Chuning’s sore ankle and rubbed gently.
When she pressed a bit harder, Meng Chuning suddenly seized her wrist, tensing up as she lifted her head. “Slower.”
“Sorry, I’ll be careful. Just relax, Sister.” As the words left her mouth, Jiang Xiaoyi suddenly sensed something odd.
