17 DO YOU DOUBT MY CREDIBILITY?

Hu Lei looked properly chastised, like a little school girl in trouble, as she sat down opposite Zhong Feng. She had only taken a short nap, but she had been discovered by the big boss immediately. This lady with a heart full of grievances did not admit that she had slept for almost three hours.

He must know that it was not intentional. She comforted herself in her heart. She had only wanted to close her eyes for a moment before consulting Sister Lin for more materials. It was not her fault that her tiredness had taken over her faculties.

"Miss Hu, are the office desks more comfortable than your bed?" Zhong Feng inquired with a strange non-smile.

Hu Lei did not seem to see the intent behind the question though the hairs on her neck stiffened at the cool voice. Or perhaps, she intentionally ignored the meaning behind the words. When she wanted, she could be quite the skilled in playing the fool.

"You mean I can go home?" she asked in delighted surprise.

The face of the man before her darkened considerably at seeing her face brightening up like the sun. He could not tell whether she was playing the idiot.

"Do you feel that you can go home?" he parried the question.

"Well, I was going to ask whether there were more materials from Sister Lin before going home. Then, I accidentally slept." She said with tangible sadness. If she was a little animal, her ears would be drooping pitifully.

She sneaked a little look at him from her lowered head. She felt that she had efficiently exonerated herself without being too obvious or admitting that she was wrong. Zhong Feng almost replied with another scathing question, but he realised what she had said.

"You have already covered all the information provided?" Zhong Feng spoke with doubt.

Hu Lei frowned at him as if she was deeply wronged by his words. She decided to play righteous.

"Do you doubt my credibility?"

The look on Zhong Feng's face stated his stand clearly.

"You can give me a test if you wish." She smiled slyly and with pride, folding her arms below her ample bosom.

Of course, Hu Lei was naturally not serious about getting a test. She was still tired, her neck felt stiff and she had other things to do. She had spoken impetuously with arrogance because she wanted to prove a point and discourage further questioning of her prowess. Regrettably, she needed a hundred years before she could get one over her opponent.

The evil emperor did not apparently understand proving points or jokes. And Hu Lei could not grasp what had happened within less than five minutes. One minute, she was feeling smug and satisfied. The next, Assistant Chen was presenting her with a pile of test papers.

"Miss Hu, these are copies of the tests given to new employees after a period of training. If you have covered all the information given, you should be able to answer everything." Assistant Chen said in his usual professional tone.

Hu Lei turned to the man behind the desk with pitiful wide eyes. Unfortunately, she was looking at the wrong person. After all, it was his idea. No, that wasn't right. It was her idea. She could only allow the rivers of tears to fall in her heart as she looked at the papers.

Zhong Feng looked at the expressive face that was filled with grievances. Those large complaining eyes seemed to be condemning him. However, it did not cause him any anger. In fact, he felt quite satisfied and happy. In that moment, her entire being was focused on him. It was an elevating feeling.

"I cannot do anything from this large chair. Can I go back to the ninth floor?" Hu Lei asked, still wearing her sad face.

Zhong Feng frowned.

For some reason, he remembered her defenceless face when she was lying comfortably on that desk. He did not want her to go back to that place. He did not want to admit his discomfort at the prospect. Instead, he told himself that it was because he did not want her to cheat.

He indicated the plush leather sofa in the far side of his office.

"You can work from over there. I will give you two hours. I have some business to handle, but you can consult Chen if you have a problem." Zhong Feng said.

Hu Lei felt defeated as the man walked out. She had always believed herself to be clever and quick-witted in all situations. Unfortunately, she had eaten a loss today, she thought as she moved to the sofa with her small pile of test papers.