L&H - 14

Yu Qing unconsciously pressed the side button of her phone, assuming Xiao Yilin had come to confront her about the Zhuo Hua Trading matter.

Xiao Yilin strode over, her anger barely concealed beneath the rhythmic “click-clack” of her high heels.

“Yu Qing, what do you mean by this?”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was laced with gritted teeth and deliberate pauses between each word.

Yu Qing could tell that every syllable Xiao Yilin spoke carried an overwhelming sense of resentment.

The cafeteria was slowly filling up with people heading in for lunch.

Unwilling to appear nosy, they didn’t crowd around but instead watched from a distance, even delaying their meals.

Yu Qing put away her phone. Xiao Yilin’s accusatory tone made her lose any patience for pleasantries. “What do you mean, ‘what do I mean’?”

Xiao Yilin coldly replied, “You’re holding up the Tianjin contract—you know exactly what I’m talking about. The distributor was snatched by Le Meng. You tell me—how are you going to take responsibility for this!”

Yu Qing frowned. “The Tianjin contract? It passed through the OA system ages ago. When did I ever hold it up?”

“The OA system approval is just a formality—of course you wouldn’t be stupid enough not to approve it there. I’m talking about the official paper contract !” Xiao Yilin tried to restrain herself, lowering her voice so as not to shout.

Yu Qing crossed her arms, silently observing Xiao Yilin’s rage. She herself was utterly baffled, unsure where this baseless accusation was coming from.

She calmly responded, “Sorry, I haven’t received the paper contract yet.”

Xiao Yilin sneered. “Keep pretending. Keep acting innocent.”

Yu Qing chuckled faintly, exasperated.

If she had received the contract, why would she lie? There was no need.

Even if there had been unpleasantness before, holding grudges was something she rarely bothered with in life.

Xiao Yilin pulled out her phone and opened a video. “I just left your office not long ago. Do you think I’d come after you without solid evidence?”

Yu Qing was momentarily stunned. Before clarifying the facts, she didn’t defend herself but simply reached out.

Xiao Yilin, having already backed up the video, wasn’t afraid of Yu Qing deleting it. She handed over her phone. “Take a good look. Is that your desk or not? Am I falsely accusing you?”

Yu Qing moved to the side to avoid blocking others heading to the cafeteria.

Xiao Yilin stepped aside as well.

Passersby who didn’t know what was happening couldn’t help but glance at them twice.

Two beautiful women together made quite the eye-catching scene.

By the time they reached the cafeteria entrance, whispers among the distant onlookers revealed the reason behind the confrontation.

Yu Qing began watching the video. Sure enough, it showed the legal department’s office area.

In the video, a stack of folders sat next to her computer on her desk. One pink folder had an index label marked: Xiao Yilin .

When opened, it contained the contract for Tianjin.

Also visible in the frame was the colleague seated in front of her. At one point, the colleague turned around and exchanged a few words with Xiao Yilin.

Xiao Yilin had asked, “Excuse me, where did Lawyer Yu go?”

“Oh, she went out with Director Zhao from your sales department. I don’t know when she’ll be back.”

“She went out with Zhao Shuqun?”

“Mm-hmm.”

That was the end of the video.

Xiao Yilin reminded her, “Don’t say I fabricated another copy of the contract and placed it on your desk just to frame you. I only went to your office to grab my phone. There’s surveillance at your office entrance too. If you’re not convinced, go check the footage right now.”

Yu Qing didn’t doubt Xiao Yilin’s words. Xiao Yilin was someone who only cared about profit. She wouldn’t go to such lengths to frame her after a mere argument—it would eventually be exposed anyway.

Instead, Yu Qing was pondering how those documents ended up on her desk.

She was certain that before leaving with Zhao Shuqun, she had tidied everything neatly.

Files were locked in the cabinet, the computer was turned off, and aside from office supplies, a cup, and the potted plant Zhang Xiaochi gave her, there was nothing else on her desk.

Xiao Yilin held out her hand.

Yu Qing snapped back to reality and returned the phone.

A vague sense of unease settled over her.

Zhang Xiaochi wasn’t in the office today, so she called the colleague seated in front of her. “Was anyone delivering documents to me this morning?”

The colleague hesitated. “I’ve been busy—I didn’t notice.”

“Thanks.” Yu Qing hung up.

Xiao Yilin sneered again. “Stop pretending. It’s pointless. I already called Director Zhou, and she said the contract arrived at your desk ages ago. That’s why I went to your office to find you.”

Yu Qing ignored Xiao Yilin and dialed Zhou Yunli’s number.

Assuming Yu Qing was calling another colleague, Xiao Yilin lifted her chin slightly. “Do you dare call your director right now, in front of me? Let’s confront this face-to-face and see if I’m wrongfully accusing you.”

The call was on speakerphone.

Zhou Yunli answered: “Yu Qing, what is it?”

“Director, did you have someone place a contract on my desk?”

“What contract? I didn’t have anyone deliver a contract today. What’s going on?”

“It’s the Tianjin distributor contract from Xiao Yilin.”

“Didn’t I give it to you a few days ago? I have another call coming in for a case—I’ll hang up now.”

This time, Yu Qing found herself in an awkward position.

Their company only installed surveillance cameras in hallways, elevators, stairwells, and other public areas—not inside individual offices.

Even if a colleague had delivered documents while she wasn’t around, they wouldn’t just leave them on her desk.

If something were to get lost without proper handover procedures, whose responsibility would it be?

In any case, no one in their legal department would act so carelessly.

Yet today, someone had done exactly that.

At this moment, she suddenly realized—this was Zhou Yunli’s way of teaching her a lesson.

So even if the colleague seated in front of her had seen Zhou Yunli place the contract on her desk, they would only say: “I was busy and didn’t notice.”

It was normal.

No one would risk offending their direct superior for the sake of a newcomer who had only been there for a few months.

“Why aren’t you speaking? Am I wrongfully accusing you?”

As she spoke, Xiao Yilin became increasingly agitated, blurting out words without thinking. “Did you rush off so excitedly after hearing Zhao Shuqun called you out that you didn’t even tidy up the files on your desk?”

“You probably never dreamed that I’d go to your office looking for you and catch the contract sitting right there on your desk, huh?”

She glanced at Yu Qing’s new bag. “Nice bag. You received it yesterday and couldn’t wait to use it today, could you? Makes sense—if you’re going out together, you’ve got to show it off.”

‘Oh my god!’

The onlookers silently echoed those two words. Based on years of gossip experience, they sensed a scandal brewing.

Xiao Yilin’s earlier remarks clearly insinuated something about Yu Qing.

What a juicy piece of gossip they had stumbled upon.

Two women fighting over one man—it was quite the spectacle.

The area fell completely silent.

Yu Qing lowered her gaze. Fu Ji Chen’s bag, like the man himself, certainly knew how to stir trouble.

She slightly raised her eyelids. “Manager Xiao, if you have something to say, say it. If you’re yelling and making a fuss over work-related matters, I won’t hold it against you—we’re all here for the paycheck. But if you slander me or attack my reputation with baseless accusations, there will come a day when you’ll cry and apologize to me.”

Xiao Yilin chuckled coldly, her laughter dripping with sarcasm. “Who’s slandering you? Don’t you know the truth better than anyone else?”

Yu Qing glanced at her watch, estimating that Fu Ji Chen would soon arrive. She didn’t want him to witness this scene.

Such arguments were too low-class.

“Xiao Yilin, let me kindly advise you—eat whatever you want, but don’t speak recklessly. Otherwise, you’ll regret the consequences.”

People passing by on their way to the cafeteria turned back repeatedly, walking slower than snails.

Yu Qing didn’t have time to argue endlessly with Xiao Yilin in public over these convoluted matters. “Stop blocking the way and affecting others’ meals. When we’re back at work, if you have grievances, report them to your leader. The legal department will naturally cooperate. I believe you haven’t wronged me, but I also haven’t held up your contract.”

Xiao Yilin laughed—a laugh filled with mockery, self-deprecation, and an indescribable sense of frustration.

She hadn’t expected Zhao Shuqun to so decisively cut ties with her.

Though their relationship had been mutually beneficial and consensual, the sudden breakup—and being dumped—left her bitter.

“I guess finding shortcuts got you a fancy new bag. Clinging to powerful people gave you backing. You delayed my contract, and now with a casual word to my leader, you think you can brush me off. Do you really believe someone will always clean up your messes no matter what you do?”

As she spoke, Xiao Yilin felt a lump in her throat.

“Yu Qing, if you despise me, bring out your real skills instead of stabbing me in the back. I detest women like you who gloat once they get ahead.”

Yu Qing shot her a warning glance. “Don’t casually assign me the title of ‘mistress.’ I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle the consequences. The men you covet are beneath me, and the men I desire wouldn’t look twice at you.”

Xiao Yilin choked on her anger, unable to respond.

She took a deep breath.

It seemed nothing would be resolved here. She decided to go straight to the legal department in the afternoon to demand an explanation.

Just as she was about to take a step forward, a sudden commotion arose.

Yu Qing looked up, and Xiao Yilin quickly turned around.

It was Fu Ji Chen, accompanied by Pan Zheng from the president’s office.

Fu Ji Chen was looking down at his phone, typing away.

The gossiping women lost interest in their chatter; all eyes were now on Fu Ji Chen.

In their eyes, Fu Ji Chen’s sharply defined, flawless face paired with his long legs was like the clothes and bags in luxury stores.

Though he didn’t belong to them.

Just seeing him lifted their moods.

The women exchanged knowing glances, excitement dancing in their eyes.

They recalled that the last time they saw Fu Ji Chen dining in the staff cafeteria was half a year ago.

Xiao Yilin squinted. Today was truly unlucky—she couldn’t even drink water without it spilling. Usually, she’d never encounter him, but today, during her sarcastic rant, the boss happened to overhear.

What rotten luck.

Yu Qing greeted calmly, “President Fu, Secretary Pan.”

Fu Ji Chen merely nodded slightly, saying nothing.

The overwhelming aura of dominance radiated from him, filling the corridor.

Yu Qing avoided looking at Fu Ji Chen again, fearing she might not resist teasing him with her eyes.

He was less than two meters away—not too close, not too far, just enough for her to feel his presence.

Every night before bed, she read his note to her again.

It was heartfelt advice.

This was the first time since they’d been together that he had seriously discussed work—and even life—with her.

Four days apart.

Taking advantage of the gossiping women’s focus on Fu Ji Chen, Yu Qing quickly sent a message to lighten the mood: [President Fu, I still recognize you. Do you still recognize your little fish?]

On the other end, Fu Ji Chen dialed his office number, holding the phone to his ear, pretending to be engaged in conversation. “I’ve reviewed it. There are quite a few issues—I’ll send them to you via WeChat.”

He then hung up.

He continued typing, seemingly indifferent to the unfolding scene.

No one suspected that Fu Ji Chen was messaging Yu Qing.

Soon, Yu Qing’s phone screen lit up.

Fu Ji Chen: [She already called you the mistress. Why were you so restrained in countering her? Now that I’m here, tell her your man is me.]

“...”