After getting the room card, Xiao Qing finally managed to bring Zhao Tongtong back to the room. Only then did she let out a sigh of relief. Zhao Tongtong was still clinging restlessly to Xiao Qing’s arm, rubbing her nose against Xiao Qing’s neck in a spoiled whine. “Your waist is so slim. Kiss me more.”
Xiao Qing’s gaze fell on Zhao Tongtong’s face. She saw her with eyes closed, waiting expectantly for a kiss. The frustration Xiao Qing had been holding back the entire way finally boiled over. She wasn’t some saint who could resist temptation; with someone in her arms making such an open invitation, how could she possibly hold back?
Zhao Tongtong found herself pressed against the wall at the entryway, locked in a deep kiss with Xiao Qing. Lost in a haze as she was kissed senseless, she couldn’t help thinking that the woman kissing her had incredible technique. It felt so good that her legs had turned to jelly, completely devoid of strength.
Still in a drunken daze, Zhao Tongtong was guided by Xiao Qing to the bathroom for a shower. When she was wasted like this, she was perfectly obedient—aside from her constant stream of chatter, she did whatever Xiao Qing asked.
Even after Xiao Qing carried her to the bed, Zhao Tongtong remained a limp puddle, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, a deep blush spreading from the corners of her eyes all the way to her ears. Xiao Qing leaned down to kiss the tip of Zhao Tongtong’s ear, coaxing her softly. “Good girl, hold yourself steady. Spread a little wider.”
Her kisses rained down, leaving Zhao Tongtong too dazed to think straight. She simply obeyed Xiao Qing’s words without question.
The next morning, Zhao Tongtong woke with a pounding headache and a body that ached all over, utterly drained of energy. As her mind cleared a bit, she keenly realized she was being held from behind by someone—and to make matters worse, neither she nor the person embracing her wore a stitch of clothing. And the arms around her clearly belonged to a woman.
Last night’s hazy memories came flooding back like the tide. Zhao Tongtong recalled kissing a woman at the bar who looked a bit like Xiao Qing, then heading back to the hotel together to sleep. She’d been so obedient, doing all sorts of shameful things. The thought made her want to crawl into a hole and die.
She didn’t dare look back. Cautiously, she pried the woman’s arm from around her waist and scooted forward, hoping to slip out of bed without waking her and spare them both more awkwardness. They were adults, after all; what was done was done. Reassuring herself like this, Zhao Tongtong sat up and glanced around for her clothes.
Xiao Qing had woken the moment Zhao Tongtong moved her arm. Curious to see how she’d react upon waking, she’d stayed silent. Now, watching her try to sneak away, Xiao Qing’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Planning to just slip out like that?”
Zhao Tongtong hadn’t even reached the stool by the bed where her clothes lay when the voice from behind froze her solid. The voice sounded familiar, but in her panic, she couldn’t quite place it. She blurted out anyway. “What else? We’re both adults; it happened. You’re not seriously thinking of swapping numbers, are you? I’m straight—this was just a one-time accident.”
Xiao Qing’s smile deepened at her words. “Straight? You sure didn’t act like it last night.”
“Of course I’m straight. Don’t go spreading nonsense. Once we leave this room, we pretend it never happened. We don’t even know each other.” Zhao Tongtong kept talking as she hurriedly dressed.
By the time she finished pulling on her clothes and was ready to bolt, she couldn’t resist turning for one last glance at her one-night stand. She turned to stone right there on the spot.
“CEO Xiao?” Zhao Tongtong felt like the world had ended. This was beyond ridiculous—her hookup from last night was the finance manager from their company. She might as well be dead.
“Mm. What, forget me already now that you’ve had your fun?” Xiao Qing was still lounging in bed, propped lazily on her side as she eyed Zhao Tongtong.
“How could it possibly be you?” Zhao Tongtong’s hands trembled as she spoke, her face draining of color in sheer terror.
“Why not me? Last night you were clinging to me, begging for more kisses. All gone from your head today?” Xiao Qing sat up lazily in bed, a teasing smile on her lips as she looked at Zhao Tongtong.
Face burning red, Zhao Tongtong bent to shove her feet into her shoes while mumbling under her breath. “I was totally hammered last night and had no idea it was you. I never would’ve dared otherwise. Oh, right—suddenly remembered I’ve got stuff to handle at home. CEO Xiao, I’ll get going now.”
Without waiting for a reply, Zhao Tongtong dashed to the door, flung it open, and fled.
Xiao Qing watched the direction of her escape with a soft chuckle. “Like a little cat—runs pretty fast.”
Now that she knew Zhao Tongtong was an employee at her company, Xiao Qing wasn’t worried at all. The girl was right under her nose; she couldn’t run far. From here on out, she’d keep a close eye on Zhao Tongtong to make sure no bad apples lured her away.
Zhao Tongtong regretted it the moment she got home. She buried herself in the sofa, lacking even the energy to lift her head. How could she have been so bold as to sleep with Xiao the Big Devil from the company? Would she even live to see another day? And what would she do if she ran into her at work?
“Done for. Why sleep with her of all people? You’re dead meat now.” Zhao Tongtong curled up on the sofa, completely wilted. Still, she figured with so many people at the company, Xiao Qing probably didn’t even know her name. Clinging to that faint hope, she reasoned that in such a huge place, they might never cross paths. And even if they did, Xiao Qing, as the manager, would likely want to pretend it never happened.
After consoling herself like this for a good while, Zhao Tongtong finally let out a small sigh of relief.
~~~
Lu Yao had spent the past few days at home. With something heavy on her mind and no work to occupy her, she felt an inexplicable unease.
Seeing their daughter in such low spirits, Zhang Huichun and Lu Jitong simply stayed to keep her company for those two days.
It wasn’t until Monday, back at work, that Lu Yao mustered a bit of energy. The fatigue lingering in her eyes was still impossible to conceal, though. She couldn’t quite understand why the separation from Shen Zhirou had left such a lingering aftereffect.
Lu Yao sighed and continued flipping through the documents in her hand, her expression icy.
During the morning meeting, the project team witnessed Lu Yao zoning out for the first time—but it lasted only a few seconds before she quickly refocused and motioned for the presenter to continue.
She barely touched the lunch Chen Qingqing brought in. When Chen Qingqing entered later to deliver files and noticed Lu Yao’s pallid complexion, she couldn’t help reminding her, “CEO Lu, if you’re not feeling well, maybe head home and rest. You don’t look good at all.”
Lu Yao glanced at her coolly. “I’m fine. I’d feel worse at home.”
Busy work offered brief respite from thoughts of Shen Zhirou, but the moment she returned home, they came flooding back. Lu Yao shook her head slightly, trying to settle her mind and focus on the tasks at hand.
Meanwhile, Shen Zhirou carried on with her routine, no longer paying attention to the occasional WeChat messages from Lu Yao as she focused on house-hunting.
Shen Zhirou had noticed Zhao Tongtong acting strangely all morning. She’d been parked at her desk obediently, venturing to the break room just once. Curious, Shen Zhirou sidled over. “You okay? You haven’t budged from your spot all morning.”
“Probably?” Zhao Tongtong lifted her head from the desk to peer at Shen Zhirou, her face a picture of utter despair. “I think I offended one of the company bosses. Sigh.”
“Which one? We’re always holed up in the office—how’d you manage that?” Shen Zhirou whispered. The other colleagues were chatting away, oblivious to their hushed conversation.
“Don’t even ask. I’ve gotta be in some cosmic bad luck phase—it’s been nonstop disaster. Hope that boss takes pity and lets me off.” Zhao Tongtong pulled a long face as she spoke. These days, stepping into the company elevator left her on edge, terrified of running into Xiao Qing.
“What exactly happened?” Shen Zhirou prodded after listening to the vague complaints, still none the wiser.
“Just drop it—I don’t even know how to explain. It’s pure bad luck, that’s all. Zhirou, can you stick with me after work and take the elevator together? I’m scared of them now.” Zhao Tongtong grabbed Shen Zhirou’s wrist and gave it a little shake.
“Sure, we’ll head out together later.” Shen Zhirou smiled in agreement. Since her best friend wasn’t spilling, there must be something she couldn’t share, so Shen Zhirou didn’t press—just vowed to keep her company.
“I knew you were the best to me.” Zhao Tongtong let out a few pitiful whimpers from her desk before finally relaxing a touch. Facing Xiao Qing alone in the elevator might as well be a death sentence.
As the workday ended, Shen Zhirou smiled helplessly down at Zhao Tongtong draped over her left arm. What boss had frightened her normally chatty friend into this state?
They waited a moment for the elevator. The doors on the left slid open slowly. With quitting time upon them, it was crowded inside. Shen Zhirou didn’t think twice and lifted a foot to step in—only to feel a force yanking her back from behind.
She turned to find Zhao Tongtong, shooting her a puzzled look.
“Zhirou, what are you waiting for? Get in the elevator—don’t keep CEO Xiao waiting.” A colleague from their department shot Shen Zhirou a meaningful glance, signaling that a higher-up was aboard.
Shen Zhirou glanced over and, sure enough, spotted Xiao Qing’s figure at the far end of the elevator. With the boss right there and one foot already inside, backing out now wouldn’t look good. Outsiders might even think she had some beef with CEO Xiao.
Shen Zhirou pulled Zhao Tongtong into the elevator with her. The moment Tongtong stepped in, she ducked her head, looking for all the world like someone who owed a ton of money and was terrified of being spotted by her creditor. With so many people crammed in the elevator, Shen Zhirou didn’t dare ask what was up. A heavy silence settled over the car.
Tongtong kept her eyes glued to the floor until they reached the first floor. Only when Shen Zhirou was about to step out did she reluctantly let go, her back ramrod straight as she rode the elevator down further.
By the time they hit the second underground level, only four people were left. The other two gave Xiao Qing a polite nod before heading off to their cars. Tongtong didn’t dare turn around. Steel yourself, she thought, and forced out the words: “CEO Xiao, goodbye.”
Seeing Tongtong bolt for the exit, Xiao Qing reached out from behind and grabbed her wrist. With a light chuckle, she said, “In such a hurry to run off? Just like last time, planning to ditch me here all by my lonesome?”
Tongtong wanted to cry. She shot a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching, then plastered on an awkward smile as she gently pried Xiao Qing’s hand away. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, CEO Xiao. Goodbye.”
With that, Tongtong dashed toward her car like a gust of wind. Xiao Qing shook her head with an amused laugh. “So scared of me?”
