Chapter 21

Everyone had their own way of interpreting art. This was also the case for writing. An author's work might appear good in some people's eyes, but it might also appear lacking in some other people's eyes.

Xu Chuanchuan had been secretly writing web novels for many years now. While her writing couldn't be considered top tier, it was still satisfactory. Hence, when evaluating her own writing, Xu Chuanchuan could confidently say that it was "not bad."

Hence, when Xu Chuanchuan first heard that Murong Shi wanted her to write something, joy filled her heart. However, she never thought Murong Shi would make such an absurd demand the next moment!

We're not living in the "Cultural Revolution" era, so why must I write praises?

Xu Chuanchuan deeply regretted her confident remark. Inwardly, she very much wanted to say: "I misspoke just now. My penmanship is not okay at all. I used to get the lowest score in class for literature."

Unfortunately, she dared not say such a thing.

Xu Chuanchuan felt that Murong Shi wouldn't have the patience to listen to her nonsense. Murong Shi might even have her write an additional few thousand words out of spite.

Hence, Xu Chuanchuan swallowed her grievances, bit down on her lip, and plucked up the courage to ask, "May I know why I must write this?"

Lightly tapping her finger on her desk, Murong Shi spoke loudly and clearly, "You may not."

Xu Chuanchuan: "..."

In reality, Xu Chuanchuan still wanted to ask the following: "Are the others receiving such a punishment as well?"

However, when Xu Chuanchuan met with Murong Shi's unwavering eyes, she shrank back in fear.

She was already having problems saving herself. How could she possibly afford to care about others?

Although Xu Chuanchuan felt wronged by this situation, when she recalled the Weibo post she deleted two days ago, she thought that she deserved this "punishment."

Lowering her head, Xu Chuanchuan muttered, "I understand. Then… If there is nothing else, can I go now?"

Murong Shi nodded.

After receiving Murong Shi's "pardon," Xu Chuanchuan fled the office with her fists clenched.

A few minutes ago, Xu Chuanchuan had still worried that she would get fired. Now, she wanted nothing more than to quit her job.

Xu Chuanchuan seriously suspected that the sip of water Murong Shi drank had gone straight to her head. Otherwise, why would Murong Shi make such a "perverse" decision?

Of course, Xu Chuanchuan felt that she would be a big wimp if she resigned over such a minor incident. After returning to the pantry and filling her stomach with water, she burped and muttered to herself, "I'll write it, then! Do you think I'm afraid of you?"

She had written several million words for her books throughout the past few years. Writing a thousand-word essay was nothing for her.

Praise? Isn't that just bootlicking? Fine! I'll shower you with fancy compliments from all 360 degrees! I'll lick your boots until they're sparkly clean!

Her anger turning into confidence, Xu Chuanchuan returned to her office with her chest puffed up.

The five-day time limit Murong Shi provided was more than enough. Xu Chuanchuan decided to write the essay as soon as she got off work.

Unfortunately, reality was a harsh mistress. When Xu Chuanchuan returned home, got onto her computer, and opened a blank document, her fingers froze above her familiar keyboard. She found that she couldn't type a single word.

This was an essay meant for Murong Shi's eyes. Were simple praises enough to appease an emotionally unstable person like her? On the off chance she struck the wrong note…

No, no, I can't write nonsense.

Hesitation transformed into anxiety, Xu Chuanchuan set the document aside and tapped on the QQ icon on her screen's bottom right corner. She then sent a message to Ange.

Xu Chuanchuan: "Angeeee, save me! I'm dying! [Crying][Crying]"

Ange: "What happened?"

Xu Chuanchuan: "Something big happened. [Crying][Crying]"

Ange: "What happened? Don't scare me!"

Xu Chuanchuan: "My boss's daughter told me to write a thousand-word essay praising her. How can she be so perverse! [Crying][Crying]"

Ange: "What the heck? An essay to praise her?"

Xu Chuanchuan's finger actively danced on her keyboard as she spent several minutes explaining the details of today's incident to Ange.

Xu Chuanchuan: "I've never badmouthed her in the office before. I don't even have the guts to listen to gossip about her. Why am I so unlucky? Of all people, why did I have to catch her notice?"

Ange: "This proves that you two are fated for each other."

Xu Chuanchuan: "What did you say?"

Ange: "Haha, I'm just joking."

Xu Chuanchuan: "I'm in serious trouble right now, yet you're still in the mood to joke?! [Dagger][Dagger]"

Xu Chuanchuan's threat was quite effective, as Ange promptly changed her tone and replied: "If you ask me, you shouldn't have told her the truth in the first place. When she asks if you've badmouthed her behind her back, wouldn't everything be fine if you just deny it? You've never revealed any names on your Weibo post, anyway. There's also no way she would ever see that post. What's there to be afraid of?"

Xu Chuanchuan understood Ange's reasoning, but when she was alone with Murong Shi in the office, the awkward atmosphere and Murong Shi's cold and sharp gaze triggered her instincts. She had a hunch that should she lie, Murong Shi would see through her.

Moreover, Xu Chuanchuan had never been good at lying since she was a child. So, she had no choice but to admit her guilt honestly.

Xu Chuanchuan: "What should I do now? Should I really write a bootlicking essay for her?"

Ange: "Lick her! You've already said her personality is unpredictable. Since that's the case, there's no point for you to overthink things. If you can't see through her thoughts, then just do what she says. [Shrug]"

Xu Chuanchuan realized that if she did as Ange told, all her worries would disappear. After stretching her back, she grabbed her phone and pulled up Murong Shi's photo she secretly took previously.

Xu Chuanchuan didn't understand Murong Shi's personality and history, so she couldn't praise the woman for her nuances. She could only limit herself to "surface work."

Using her phone as a picture frame, Xu Chuanchuan placed it in front of her computer screen and carefully observed Murong Shi's facial features. She did not spare even a single strand of hair from her inspection. After three whole minutes of observation, she began typing the first sentence of her essay.

"Miss Murong, has anyone ever praised you for your beauty? I'm sure there must be. I'm also certain that they are innumerable…"

Xu Chuanchuan finished the essay in less than an hour. Compared to her typical writing speed, she had completed the essay astoundingly fast.

Out of habit, Xu Chuanchuan decided to review her writing. However, when she moved her mouse cursor to the top of the document and read the first sentence, she suddenly had the urge to click the 'X' button.

"Pfft—"

Did I really write this? Why do I feel sick in the stomach…

I never knew bootlicking was such a difficult task. Not only must I have thick skin, but my praises also need to be on point. This simply isn't a job for the average person!

Xu Chuanchuan recognized that she was only a mortal. She deemed that she wasn't capable of shamelessly sucking up to someone. When she finished reading her thousand-word essay, she knew that it was garbage.

However, this wasn't the important point!

Xu Chuanchuan had praised all that needed to be praised. She had followed Murong Shi's demand down to the letter. Even if it was a little…cough…there were no faults to pick at.

In any case, Xu Chuanchuan didn't write this essay for herself. Even if it were nauseating, she wouldn't be the one disgusted by it.

After Xu Chuanchuan inspected her work twice and verified that there were no mistakes, she saved the document and sent it to her work email. She then turned off her computer and took a shower.

Before going to bed, Xu Chuanchuan chatted with her reader group. While browsing through Weibo, she suddenly recalled the warning "There Exists No Poem in a Girl's Feelings" had given her. She then decided to leave the other party a message.

I Love Malatang: "Girl, do you know how to read fortunes? Let me tell you, I got called to my boss's daughter's office for an interrogation today. She even forced me to tell her about how I badmouthed her behind her back. [Aggrieved]"

Xu Chuanchuan did not expect the other party to reply to her message. However, to her surprise, the other party was online.

There Exists No Poem in a Girl's Feelings: "Did you get scolded?"

I Love Malatang: "No, but I experienced something worse than a scolding…"

There Exists No Poem in a Girl's Feelings: "Let me guess; you got punished?"

Xu Chuanchuan nearly jolted out of her bed.

I Love Malatang: "You're amazing!!! She punished me by telling me to write a thousand-word essay praising her…"

There Exists No Poem in a Girl's Feelings: "You seem to be vexed."

I Love Malatang: "I'm still okay… I just feel a little upset. "

There Exists No Poem in a Girl's Feelings: "You better hold it in, then, lest she has you writing a 10,000-word essay next time."

I Love Malatang: "Don't scare me. [Panic]"

After searching through a bunch of emojis, Murong Shi selected one and sent her reply.

There Exists No Poem in a Girl's Feelings: "You can try it if you don't believe me. [Pick nose]"

Xu Chuanchuan was a little baffled as she read the latest reply. For some reason, she felt this reply to be threatening.

However, there shouldn't be a reason for her to threaten me…

Forget it. Everyone has their own interpretation of words. It's just a sentence, so I shouldn't overthink things. She might be warning me out of kindness.

I Love Malatang: "Since you're so good at fortune-telling, can you help me see whether I'll be lucky tomorrow? [Please]"

There Exists No Poem in a Girl's Feelings: "Are you honestly taking me for a fortune-teller?"

Xu Chuanchuan: "..."

Xu Chuanchuan dared not follow up with that message.

Are tycoon readers nowadays all so arrogant?

For the next few days, Xu Chuanchuan decided not to leave her office unless absolutely necessary to avoid coming across Murong Shi. Fortunately, the heavens had blessed her, and she didn't come across Murong Shi even once throughout the week.

When Friday arrived, five minutes before working hours ended, Xu Chuanchuan secretly emailed her thousand-word essay to Murong Shi.

Job well done!

Xu Chuanchuan tidied up her table and waited for the end of the day. At this time, the landline phone on her desk suddenly rang.

Xu Chuanchuan reached out to the receiver. However, when she saw the caller Id, her complexion changed instantly.

If I recall correctly, this is the general manager's internal phone number…

Her worst fears had come true.

Heavens! How long was she going to be tormented?!