Two days later, while on a business trip, Manager Kong asked Qian Fei to tell Xiao Yuan to book him a return flight to Beijing for the next afternoon. He said he couldn’t get through to Xiao Yuan’s phone.
Qian Fei tried calling Xiao Yuan, but indeed, the call wouldn’t go through—Xiao Yuan’s phone had been suspended.
Gritting her teeth, Qian Fei topped up Xiao Yuan’s phone with fifty yuan via Alipay. When she called again, the line went through.
But all this hassle left her flustered, and when she relayed the message, she ended up saying, “Book Manager Kong a flight for tomorrow morning.”
About half an hour later, Manager Kong called Qian Fei and asked, “Xiao Qian, didn’t I say book an afternoon flight? My meeting isn’t over by the morning!”
Qian Fei was so startled she nearly wet herself. She immediately called Xiao Yuan again to cancel the ticket and rebook for the afternoon.
The issue was eventually resolved, but because of this incident, Qian Fei felt listless and out of sorts for the rest of the afternoon.
At the end of the workday, Li Yifei noticed her dejected expression and asked what was wrong. She recounted the whole incident.
Li Yifei looked at her with undisguised disdain. “Seriously? It’s such a small thing—why get so worked up over it?”
Qian Fei hung her head low. “I just don’t understand why I keep making such stupid mistakes. Today it was booking the wrong flight for the boss, and before that, I brought the wrong materials to a meeting. What do I have to do to stop being so careless?”
Seeing how close she was to spiraling into depression, Li Yifei felt an unexpected flicker of sympathy.
“Here’s a method you can try. Get a small notebook, and every time you make a mistake, write it down. Then, whenever you have time, flip through the notebook to reinforce the lesson. That way, you won’t repeat the same mistakes.”
Qian Fei looked up, her eyes brightening. “That’s actually a great idea!” She clapped her hands together. “So, does that mean you used to make mistakes too, and this method helped you turn over a new leaf?”
Li Yifei scoffed. “Someone as perfect as me making mistakes? This method was refined from the blunders of an idiot named Shen Yufeng. Since you two are about the same level of low IQ, I figured his trick would work just fine for you.”
Qian Fei rolled her eyes. “You’re the one who’s low! I’m tall, big, and up, thank you very much! And perfect? Pfft! If you’re perfect, then I’m Amway!”
From then on, Qian Fei followed Li Yifei’s advice, and indeed, she rarely made those careless mistakes again.
She couldn’t help but marvel once more.
Though Li Yifei had the spoiled air of a young master and was hopeless in everyday life, there was no denying that his emotional intelligence in work and social etiquette was remarkably high. He truly was a master at navigating the workplace.
※※※※※※
Just before bedtime, Qian Fei received a message from Hu Zining. He said he was back from his business trip and asked if she was free the next evening for dinner.
Qian Fei replied that she was.
The next day at work, Qian Fei got a call from an online shopping platform’s customer service. They informed her that some of her reward points were about to expire and reminded her to redeem them for gifts in time.
Qian Fei logged onto the website to browse for something to exchange. As she scrolled through the page, she suddenly spotted a stylish men’s coat—perfect for young men and just the right thickness for the current weather.She immediately clicked the exchange button and called customer service to ask if the clothes could be delivered urgently. The customer service representative said it wouldn’t be a problem—if she was willing to cover the extra shipping fee herself.
Qian Fei gritted her teeth and agreed to pay the fee.
Not long after hanging up, she suddenly became extraordinarily warm, considerate, and full of affection as she proactively asked Li Yifei, “Young Master Li, are you thirsty?”
It was just a shipping fee—no big deal. It was nothing more than pouring him a glass of water, after all.
Li Yifei didn’t even lift his head, merely extending his arm to push his cup toward her.
Qian Fei took the cup and stood up. “I’ll give you a 40% discount on this glass of water—just 12 yuan. When the courier arrives this afternoon, you can go ahead and settle the bill for me, okay?”
Li Yifei glanced up at her and scoffed. “Qian Fei, are you being naive, or have I not made myself clear enough? I can’t even be bothered to walk to the water dispenser, and you expect me to go downstairs to receive your package?”
Qian Fei rolled her eyes at him. “Fine, then. I won’t trouble you with the errand. But how about paying the ‘errand fee’ right now?”
Li Yifei chuckled coldly. “Giving you 12 yuan right now isn’t a problem. But I’m afraid those 12 yuan might ignite my competitive spirit. When I play Landlords later, I might get carried away and win 120 yuan from you!”
Qian Fei nearly dropped to her knees, still holding the cup.
So, pouring him water had become a way for her to repay a debt in advance? If this young master’s talent for exploitation were measured by belt colors like in Taekwondo, it would undoubtedly be as black as his conscience!
※※※※※※
The clothes arrived just before the end of the workday. Qian Fei held them in her hands, examining them over and over, feeling extremely satisfied.
Li Yifei suddenly asked from the side, “For your boyfriend?”
Qian Fei nodded while packing the clothes away. “Mhm.”
Li Yifei chuckled. “You’re quite thoughtful toward him.”
Qian Fei replied bashfully, “Oh, it’s really nothing. I exchanged points for this—didn’t spend any money!”
Li Yifei seemed to sneer. “Points, my foot! Big Sister Qian, you really need to wise up!” With that, he turned and went upstairs to get documents from the securities representative.
Qian Fei glared at his retreating back indignantly. “Big Sister? Excuse me? My ID proves I’m younger than you, Big Brother!”
※※※※※※
During dinner that evening, Qian Fei handed the jacket to Hu Zining. She didn’t mention that it was exchanged with points, afraid he might look down on it.
Hu Zining took the jacket, his eyes lighting up. “Feifei, you know what? I’ve always wanted a jacket like this but never had the heart to buy it! Feifei, you’re truly my sweetheart!”
Qian Fei laughed. “As long as you like it, that’s all that matters!”
Just like that, the jacket dispelled the awkward tension that had lingered between them.
Hu Zining enjoyed the meal immensely and even insisted on paying the bill. When they left the restaurant, he wore the new jacket, carrying the old one in a bag. They strolled slowly along the path to walk off their meal. At one point, Hu Zining lifted his arm to drape it around Qian Fei’s shoulders, then leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Baby, do I look handsome in my new clothes?”
Qian Fei couldn’t suppress a shiver. “Very handsome!”
Hu Zining, pleased, kissed her again before they continued walking side by side.Qian Fei quietly fell into self-doubt. During the later stages of her relationship with Wang Ruohai, she often complained that he refused to say sweet nothings to her. But now, here she was—someone was showering her with sweet talk, yet she shivered every time she heard it. She wondered if she had contracted the legendary "cheapness disease."
After strolling around for a while longer, they arrived at the subway station. Before Qian Fei went in, Hu Zining asked her, "Do you want me to walk you home?"
Qian Fei glanced at her watch and grinned carefreely. "It's still early! I can get back by myself. You just got back from a business trip—you must be exhausted. Go home and rest!"
Hu Zining looked at her, smiled, and didn’t insist.
For several days in a row, Hu Zining invited Qian Fei to dinner after work. After eating, they would either take a walk or catch a movie. Qian Fei felt their rapport growing harmonious again.
During a phone call with Yao Jingjing, Yao asked her, "Feifei, are you happy with Hu Zining? Do you like him? I always feel like there’s something off about him!"
Qian Fei thought carefully before answering, "Like I said before, my relationship with Wang Ruohai lasted too long and hurt too much. I don’t have any more beautiful illusions or girlish fantasies about love. My family’s pressuring me to hurry up and find someone to marry before I become a leftover woman. Sure, Hu Zining has his quirks, but there’s no denying he’s the most suitable marriage candidate for me right now. At least he’s good-looking, has a stable job, and is willing to say sweet things to cheer me up. Yao Jingjing, do you know how long it’s been since someone last tried to make me happy? Since I’m not going to fall in love easily anyway, I might as well find someone who’s willing to pamper me."
After she finished, Yao Jingjing was silent for a long time. Finally, a sigh came through the phone. "Girl, seeing you joke around with me every day like nothing’s wrong, I thought you’d moved on. But now I realize—you’re still heartbroken! You’ve hidden it so well. It wasn’t until just now that I understood heartbreak doesn’t always mean crying your heart out every day. Sometimes it’s the exact opposite—not crying at all, eating, drinking, laughing, even dating, but never believing in love again." She sighed again, slowly. "Feifei, are you protecting yourself by numbing your feelings?"
Qian Fei laughed at her words. "Why so sentimental all of a sudden?" But as she laughed, her eyes began to sting.
After all this time, only Yao Jingjing had truly seen through her.
※※※※※※
After work on Friday, during dinner, Hu Zining asked Qian Fei, "Sweetheart, didn’t you say before that you wanted to go hiking together? How about we go tomorrow?"
Qian Fei shivered but agreed.
Ever since she’d gifted Hu Zining that coat, his pet name for her had leveled up—from "Feifei" to "sweetheart."
Every time he called her that, she couldn’t help but shudder.
She had asked Yao Jingjing if there was any cure for her "cheapness disease"—wanting to be pampered but recoiling at sweet talk.
Yao Jingjing had replied, "Don’t bother. I don’t think you’re the sick one—that guy’s even worse than you!"
The next day, after their hike, Qian Fei felt refreshed. Hu Zining suggested catching a movie.
After the movie, they went out to eat together.Hu Zining kept serving her dishes while asking with utmost care, "Sweetheart, did you have a good day today?"
Qian Fei grinned widely. "I did!"
Hu Zining gazed at her with what could only be described as an adoring look.
Qian Fei felt that if she had never met Wang Ruohai or been in a relationship before, she would have surely drowned in Hu Zining's loving gaze by now.
Hu Zining put down his chopsticks and looked at her affectionately. "Sweetheart, there's something I'd like to discuss with you!"
Author's Note: Thank you to the five beautiful ladies for the landmines and grenades, mwah, much love >33<
Hu the Scoundrel is just one more despicable move away from completing his mission, grinning cheekily
The professor says, let the beauties leave comments (﹃?)
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