TES - 17

The audacious little figure inside Shang Zhitao’s mind whispered: I want to sleep with you. She gave Luan Nian a faint smile, then quickly averted her gaze. The vivid, sensual story she imagined spread through her limbs, refusing to fade.

The awakening of desire—it wasn’t just a right for men but also for women. Those words were about to burst from her throat when she heard Luan Nian say:

“I suggest you don’t entertain such inappropriate thoughts.”

Did he think she was blind? Her flushed face, wandering eyes, and impure thoughts screamed volumes. Was this how girls behaved nowadays? Thinking they could climb into their boss’s bed to rise in the company? What was she even thinking?

The little figure inside Shang Zhitao’s mind was metaphorically beaten to death. Frantically shaking her head, she stammered: “I really wasn’t!” But her denial only made her guilt more obvious. With that, she bolted toward the elevator, managing to toss over her shoulder: “Good night!”

Luan Nian watched her dash into the elevator, his lips curling slightly. A faint snort escaped his nose, followed by the smallest hint of an amused grin.

She ran to the lobby, contemplating grabbing something to eat. From morning till now, she hadn’t had a bite, and her stomach growled loudly. Pulling out her phone, she browsed nearby food options. After a moment of deliberation, she looked up—and saw a woman stepping out of a taxi. That woman was stunning, her hair tied back, her slim figure upright, her chin slightly raised—a perfect blend of gentleness and wildness. How much did Shang Zhitao love admiring beautiful women? Naturally, she stole another glance, then couldn’t help but turn back for one more look. This time, however, she saw Luan Nian step out, greeting the woman warmly—an unusual softness in his tone: “What are you doing here?”

“I don’t have my key. Can I stay here for a bit?”

Damn.

Shang Zhitao rarely used foul language, but sometimes she cursed inwardly. What kind of rotten luck was this? First, witnessing her boss’s private life, and now seeing yet another woman linked to him.

When her eyes met Luan Nian’s, she hastily smiled at him, pinching her thumb and forefinger together and drawing them across her lips—I’ll keep my mouth shut, I won’t say a word, please rest assured.

Luan Nian suddenly understood what she was thinking, but he couldn’t be bothered to explain. Giving her a cold glance, he turned and walked inside with Zang Yao.

Shang Zhitao felt as though her luck had run dry since starting work. Things she should or shouldn’t see, hear, all seemed to find their way to her senses. Now, she worried Luan Nian might silence her permanently to ensure her secrecy.

Standing outside the hotel for a while, she lost all appetite to go anywhere. Instead, she bought instant noodles and sausages, returned to her room, ate, and collapsed into bed. Early the next morning, before dawn, she headed straight to Shunde, finally leaving Guangzhou behind.

Her first business trip was a whirlwind—meeting countless people, hearing endless demands—all in five days that flew by. When she dragged her luggage to bid farewell to Lu Mi at the airport, she momentarily felt like a powerful career woman.

But powerful career women didn’t get tired.

Back home, she went out for street-side spicy hot pot with Sun Yu, both of them drenched in sweat from the steam.

Shang Zhitao recounted her business trip experiences, including Luan Nian’s repeated suggestions that she quit. Turning to Sun Yu, she said: “It’s very likely I’ll be packing my bags and leaving soon. Before I go, I’ll write a big poster and stick it in the company elevator: ‘His girlfriends are everywhere!’” She sounded fierce but immediately laughed at herself.

Deep down, she was a lively girl, but work had worn her down for so long that her playful side rarely surfaced. Now, feeling relaxed, her carefree, silly liveliness bubbled back.

“He’s your superior—why does he bother picking on you? Don’t be so nervous,” Sun Yu consoled her.

“Could it be that someone was your enemy in a past life, and now you’re destined to fight to the death?” Shang Zhitao took a sip of cola, the bubbles exploding in her mouth. Carbonated drinks truly brought joy.

“That’s just your overthinking. Has this life even given you a chance to fight? You’d be crushed before you could even try!” Sun Yu teased Shang Zhitao, who had only been working for a short time compared to her three years of experience.

But did life really demand such mortal combat?

If a boss disliked you and made your life difficult, sooner or later, you’d reach your breaking point. By then, you wouldn’t even think of fighting—you’d just vanish like smoke, never to be seen again.

Shang Zhitao thought about it—Luan Nian was terrifying enough to crush her. Little did she know that soon, he would nearly do just that. Sighing, she said: “I don’t know why, but the more he dislikes me, the more I stumble upon his secrets.” She recounted everything to Sun Yu—his breakup, dinner dates, bringing women back to the hotel in Guangzhou. “See? I’m so unlucky. Every time, it’s like this. You can’t imagine—the way he looked at me that day in the hotel lobby, it was like he wanted to kill me.”

“Such a messy personal life?” Sun Yu’s eyes widened. “What does he look like? So irresistible to women?”

“Just… really handsome. The kind who looks trouble from head to toe.” In Shang Zhitao’s mind, Luan Nian was already that kind of man. She even wondered—if he changed women so frequently, surely he had some hidden issues?

After finishing their hot pot, the two headed home. Shang Zhitao felt drained. Back at her place, she showered, changed into pajamas, and collapsed into bed. This deep sleep felt long overdue—she hadn’t felt this exhausted in ages. Studying and part-time jobs had tired her out before, but that fatigue vanished after a walk around the track. This time, she felt too weary to lift even a finger.

When she opened her eyes, it was Sunday afternoon. The curtains fluttered in the breeze, the fan hummed faintly, and the smell of stir-frying wafted from the kitchen—Sun Yu must be cooking dinner.

Picking up her phone, she saw numerous missed calls from her parents. Only then did she remember silencing her phone before sleeping and forgetting to check in. Quickly calling back, the phone was answered on the first ring. She heard her father, Old Shang, sobbing.

“What’s wrong with Dad?” Shang Zhitao asked her mother.

“How dare you ask? You nearly scared him to death!” Her mother started crying too. “We called you so many times, and you didn’t answer. Your dad didn’t sleep all night—he thought something terrible had happened.”

Old Shang’s sobs were heart-wrenching. Hearing this, Shang Zhitao teared up: “Oh no, I’m so sorry! Please stop crying—I’m fine, really!”

The three of them wiped away tears, and her parents carefully inquired about her recent situation. When Old Shang learned she often worked late into the night, he grew concerned: “I’ll transfer money to you this afternoon. Buy yourself something good to eat.”

“No need! I often eat with my roommate.”

“That’s not right. You can’t keep taking advantage of others. For every meal you eat, you owe one in return.” Old Shang advised her earnestly: “Don’t skimp on food because of cost—I’ve got plenty of money!”

Where did Old Shang get so much money? Just his fixed salary—but he didn’t want his daughter to suffer. Shang Zhitao understood this well, so she never compared herself to others. Life, she believed, was about being content with modest comfort. As long as she kept striving daily, things would improve.

An optimist by nature, there were few things in life that truly troubled her. Right now, there was only one—Luan Nian.

Climbing back into bed, she opened her laptop and searched: “What should you do if your boss hates you?” The results were chaotic—some suggested treating your boss to dinner, others advised helping them solve problems, and still others recommended flattery.

What nonsense! Flatter Luan Nian? He’d probably grab you by the collar and parade you on the city wall. Dinner? She hadn’t even received her first paycheck yet! Lu Mi once said Luan Nian’s clothes cost as much as her monthly salary—his meals must cost half of hers!

Nothing seemed feasible.

Unsolvable.

Wait—coffee! Surely, she could afford coffee. Creative people lived off caffeine! That settled it!

Determined to mend her relationship with Luan Nian, Shang Zhitao arrived early the next day and stepped into the 24-hour café below the office building. It was still quiet, and the barista greeted her: “What would you like to drink?”

Stepping forward, she asked: “Every morning, there’s a tall, handsome man who comes to buy coffee. What does he drink?”

The barista gave her a meaningful look. “Luke?”

“Yes, yes!” Shang Zhitao nodded.

“Luke drinks iced Americanos every day.”

“Then, please give me an iced Americano.” After a pause, realizing how deliberate it might seem if she didn’t order for herself, she added: “And one for me too.”

With the coffees ready, she stepped out of the café, holding one in each hand, and collided with Luan Nian.

“Good morning, Luke!” Shang Zhitao greeted him with a smile. “Are you here to buy coffee?” Seeing him nod and move to enter, she hurriedly said: “I accidentally bought two cups earlier. Would you like to… um… buy one from me?”

Shang Zhitao almost bit her tongue in regret. Offering versus selling—one tiny word, worlds apart.

She’d been calling her mom since ten months old and arguing with neighborhood boys at age one. She prided herself on being quick-witted. Yet today, trying to offer her boss coffee, she blurted out: “Would you like to buy one?”

She couldn’t possibly afford this cup of coffee.

Once Luan Nian kicked her out of the company, she’d be drinking thin air instead of coffee!

Seeing her regretful expression, Luan Nian couldn’t fathom her convoluted intentions. All he thought was: Shang Zhitao is hopeless.

“Or maybe I should treat you?”

“If you can’t finish it, you can pour it out.” Luan Nian smirked, walking a few steps forward. Catching sight of Shang Zhitao’s open mouth but silent confusion in the glass reflection, he turned back, took the coffee from her hand, and said: “I’ll pay you back tomorrow.”

Finally sensing a glimmer of hope, Shang Zhitao eagerly followed him: “No need! I’ll treat you again tomorrow!”

Luan Nian finally understood.

Shang Zhitao was trying to ingratiate herself with him.

“Even if you treated me to coffee every day, it wouldn’t change the fact that you’re incompetent. Instead of wasting time on these schemes, focus on improving yourself.” Striding confidently ahead, his words were calm and collected. Behind him, Shang Zhitao trailed like a stray dog with nowhere to go.

Entering the elevator, he continued: “Ask yourself—half a month has passed. What have you gained? Running around aimlessly every day without reviewing your progress? Without reflection, how can you grow?”

Fine. Accepting her coffee earned her a few pieces of advice.

“Alright, Luke. I’ll remember. I’ll review today and send you the results for feedback.”

“Why send them to me? Am I your boss? Do I have to teach you every day?” After scolding her, Luan Nian felt pleased. Seeing her tilt her head in thought, he added: “If you can’t digest what I’ve said, you might as well write your resignation letter. It’s simple—just four words: ‘I quit.’”

“Oh.” Shang Zhitao left the elevator, her head hanging low after an unexpected lecture. Luan Nian was right—instead of scheming, she should focus on work.