Shine on Me

I was beaten by Yin Jie until I fled in panic.

By the time Xiao Duan called someone to help move the things, I had already completed my task and returned to the office, where I was unsurprisingly met with a barrage of Yin Jie-style stares...

How fast rumors spread!

It was just a few minutes before the end of the workday, and Lin Yusen was still in a meeting with the department heads in his office. I was packing up my things, ready to leave, when I suddenly received a text message.

"Sorry, the situation earlier was sudden—had to do some crisis PR. Thinking back, it might have been inconsiderate."

I immediately turned to look toward Lin Yusen’s office. He was still in the middle of the meeting, looking completely serious and not glancing around at all. It was hard to connect him with the person who had just sent that text.

After a moment’s thought, I silently turned off my phone. As the end-of-workday music played, I walked out of the office with the same straight-faced composure, then broke into a jog all the way back to the dorm.

Hmm, I don’t know why I ran—I just did.

I skipped the cafeteria and nibbled on some crackers in my dorm. I waited and waited until finally, it was nine o’clock. I ran to the parking lot near the office building to check and confirmed that Lin Yusen’s car was no longer there. Then I turned on my phone, sent him a reply, and swiftly powered it off again.

After doing all that, my mood suddenly soared to an all-time high. With no way to vent my excitement, I went to the company’s small supermarket and bought a pile of snacks. Back in my dorm, I tore open one package after another, munching on this and that. Just as I was debating whether to make instant noodles, a knock sounded at the door.

My movements froze instantly. That unhurried, distinctive knocking rhythm made three words flash through my mind—

No! Way!

I hesitated for a full minute, long enough for the knocking to stop, before I finally got up and shuffled to the door. As expected, the tall, imposing man was leaning against the opposite wall, watching me with a silent smile.

I coughed. "...You’re still at work?"

No way—his car was gone.

"I drove halfway when I got your text. Called you, but your phone was off." He stepped toward me with deliberate ease and held up his phone in front of me. "What does this mean?"

On the screen was the text I had sent him—three words and a punctuation mark: You got this!

I gave him an innocent look. "Ah, wrong person."

You and your "crisis PR," your "inconsiderate" actions. After everything that’s happened, and after being tricked into working overtime yesterday, did you really think I’d believe your "inconsiderate" excuse?

"Oh, wrong person? I thought you were deliberately trying to make me lose sleep."

"Hahaha... how could that be?" How did he know what I was thinking... was it that obvious?

"What a disappointment."

His tone was full of regret, but his eyes sparkled with amusement. "Then if it wasn’t sent to the wrong person, what were you trying to tell me?"

Without waiting for my answer, he continued, "Were you telling me that although the revolution isn’t yet complete and I still need to work hard, the policy has already opened up to me?"

This high-class, sophisticated interpretation was really...

"If you insist on interpreting it that way... you’re not wrong." I nodded with difficulty. "Oh, I mean, if it wasn’t sent to the wrong person." I quickly added that last part.

"Of course, I understand." His smile deepened, his eyes suddenly burning bright. Still, I hesitated, wavering. "But...""No more 'buts'," he interrupted me, glancing at his watch. "It's not too late now. I specifically filled up the gas tank on my way here. Miss Nie, would you like to join me for a late-night snack?"

"...Now? It's already past nine, isn't it?"

"When it comes to refueling, I don't discriminate between day and night."

"Uh, better not. I haven't been sleeping well lately and planned to turn in early today."

He drew out a long "Oh," then said, "Nie Xiguang, many people saw me when I came up just now."

"..."

"Or would you prefer we stand here chatting? If people don't see me leave for too long... Hmm..."

After staring at him for a full half minute, I said, "...Fine, let's go. Where to?"

"Rumors spreading like wildfire" perfectly described the current situation.

Mr. Lin maintained his usual composure about it. Of course, how could the instigator not be composed? I even suspected this was exactly the effect he wanted.

I remained composed too.

Truth be told, I've never paid much attention to office gossip. Perhaps after going through that university ordeal, I've become somewhat desensitized to these things. What bothered me was—why did I always let Lin Yusen talk me into things with just a few words? Whether it was meals or movies... Every time I firmly said no in my heart, but after ten sentences...

I don't even want to mention it.

I recalled what Lin Yusen had said—"How stupid would I have to be not to catch you?"

Suddenly, I had this ominous premonition of an inevitable defeat.

However, while I might not care about rumors, hearing malicious and ugly comments firsthand was still infuriating.

Holding my teacup, I stood at the entrance of the pantry. The slightly ajar wooden door did nothing to block the voices inside.

"I knew there was something off about her when she was clinging to overtime every day before. You all didn't believe me, but look now—wasn't I right?"

"But don't envy her. Do you really think Mr. Lin would actually fancy her? Hah, don't be naive. Just look at the car he's been driving lately—you can tell his family background is extraordinary. How could a man like that be interested in some ordinary little employee? He's just playing around because she's pretty."

The other female colleague didn't say much, probably unsure how to respond, just laughing awkwardly to brush it off.

I pushed the door open.

The sound startled the people talking inside. Jiang Ya and that colleague turned around simultaneously, and the latter immediately stood up.

"Hahaha, Xiguang, what a coincidence! Haha, I've made my tea. Got a ton of work to do—I'll head out first."

She scurried away, leaving only Jiang Ya and me in the pantry.

I stepped forward to fill my cup.

Jiang Ya averted her gaze.

"Jiang Ya, when Minister Li from Marketing pursued the receptionist, you went around saying he must be trying to take advantage of her. Now you're spreading that Vice President Lin is trying to take advantage of me. I'm genuinely curious—do you not have any concept of normal, decent relationships in your mind?"

Jiang Ya probably didn't expect me to confront her so directly. After a long pause, she stammered, "...Y-you brought this on yourself by being shameless."

I nearly laughed in anger. "How am I being shameless? Just because Vice President Lin is pursuing me?""You're just relying on your good looks, aren't you?" Jiang Ya sneered. "I admit you're attractive, but there are plenty of beautiful women out there. How long do you think your novelty will last? I advise you to wake up—do you really think someone of Vice President Lin's status would take you seriously?"

"Oh, but I am serious."

...

Both Jiang Ya and I turned our heads.

Our much-admired Vice President Lin stood gracefully at the doorway of the break room, holding a teacup, clearly having been listening for a while.

Why did this feel like the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind?

And why was he even in the break room when he had a water dispenser in his office?

As if reading my mind, he calmly explained, "The water dispenser in my office is broken."

He walked in, poured himself a cup of water, then leisurely walked away. Before leaving, he added with a leader's demeanor, "However, I suggest everyone refrain from discussing personal matters during work hours. Let this be the last time."

Jiang Ya turned pale, probably thinking her career was over after being caught badmouthing the boss behind his back.

Honestly, I felt the same way.

So I looked at Jiang Ya sincerely and said, "Jiang Ya, how about we make a deal? Let's both agree never to mention this to anyone, okay?"