Chapter 4

Zhang Jianian relied on his experience and stood by the work principle of talk less do more, so he chose to remain silent and did not say anything. President Chu’s temperament was often irritable. In this kind of situation, whoever opened their mouth would get rebuked, so him being a statue was the best choice.

Chu Chu’s whole body was still in pain. She thought to herself that Zhang Jianian came just right in time; this way he could help her get familiarized with Yinda Investment environment’s quickly. She pondered for a moment and said, “You wait for a bit, I will go to the company right away.”

Zhang Jianian politely inquired, “Alright, will you be driving yourself, or would you like me to arrange for a driver to come over?”

The female supporting character was a motorhead. Not only did she collect countless of luxury cars, but she also loved street racing. If condition allowed, she would drive on her own, completely unused to being chauffeured around. However, Chu Chu did not have the original body’s skill. If she were to drive on her own, it was estimated that she would flip the car over.

Chu Chu hesitated for a long time before she replied, “Just arrange a driver.”

“Understood.” Zhang Jianian was a little surprised, but when he looked at President Chu’s unwell complexion, he quickly understood that her condition presumably was not good, so it was unsuitable to drive.

Zhang Jianian waited at the door. Chu Chu resisted the urge to vomit blood with great difficulty and entered the cloakroom. She opened the closet, saw a neat row of women’s suits, and quickly picked one to wear. Chu Chu carelessly tidied up her hair by simply putting it in order. Soon she was ready to leave, hoping to arrive at the company as soon as possible to relieve the blood vomiting pain.

Zhang Jianian saw that President Chu was not even using makeup and her face looked haggard. He also did not dare to say much and could only be concerned and suggested, “Otherwise you could rest at home today, and I will contact Dr. Hu to come?”

Chu Chu’s face was stretched taut, she was suffering from the pain and said resolutely, “Go.”

If she were to stay at home and rest, she would be toast. It would be better to finish the task quickly to alleviate the pain.

Zhang Jianian had adapted to President Chu’s vigorous and swift attitude, so he simply stopped talking nonsense and arranged Chu Chu to go downstairs appropriately. The driver had already been waiting downstairs. After the two got on, the car slowly started and proceeded to the company.

Zhang Jianian presented today’s work as usual and reminded, “President Chu, Han Dong from Xiaoying Culture will come to the company to discuss the cooperation’s follow-up this afternoon. Will you be free to attend?”

Chu Chu’s head extremely hurt, while bearing the pain with her back drenched in cold sweat, she strenuously said, “Mm.”

After confirming the itinerary, Zhang Jianian continued to report the company’s situation over Chu Chu’s three days of absence. Hearing ‘AB round financing’, ‘VC’, ‘PE’, ‘IPO’, and other financial related terms, Chu Chu got a headache. It went without saying that she did not understand a single thing about financial investment. Now that her whole body felt like burning, she couldn’t help but feel rather on edge. “Talk about this later, okay?”

Zhang Jianian immediately stopped talking. His mentality was very good, he thought President Chu sure still was as hot-tempered as before. Inside the car was as silent as cicada in the winter[1]. The driver also did not dare to speak for fear of provoking the boss who was sitting at the back seat.

The moment Chu Chu stepped into Puxin Building, the pain all over her body cleared off. She inhaled deeply and only felt refreshed, as if being reborn after breaking through a cocoon. She was tortured to the point of breaking cold sweat, but now she finally relaxed.

[Congratulations for completing the task, the ‘Villainess’[2] aura has been strengthened.]

Chu Chu’s step was immediately light, recalling her impropriety in the car earlier, a little guilty she said, “What did you said in the car earlier, I didn’t hear clearly.”

Zhang Jianian looked a little unnatural seeing his boss’s dramatic change in attitude. His face didn’t show anything, pressing the elevator button calmly, he mildly said, “It is alright, I will continue reporting in the office.”

Upstairs, the President’s office was in a total disarray. All secretaries walked hurriedly and began to put on makeup frantically; the office was noisy.

“Quick quick quick, the Boss and Chief Assistant are already in elevator, quick hand me the financial report!”

“Hurry and turn on the air conditioner in President Chu’s office now, don’t dawdle!”

“I’m done for! Who has oil-absorbing sheets, what a broken foundation…”

Xia Xiaoxiao looked at the busy people blankly, and asked in a small voice, “Big Sis Wang, should I buy coffee?”

Wang Qing was equally hard-pressed. She glanced at the time anxiously and urged, “Go go, double American style espresso, no ice no sugar, and come back quickly.”

Xia Xiaoxiao nodded repeatedly, she went out urgently and went downstairs using the elevator on the other side.

After the secretaries are fully equipped, they waited at the door energetically to welcome the arrival of the boss. The elevator made a ‘ding’ sound, and the secretaries immediately wore their professional smiles.

Chu Chu followed Zhang Jianian out of the elevator and lifted her eyes to see a row of bright and beautiful metropolis white-collar workers. Standard business smiles were blooming on their faces, they gently greeted in an orderly manner, “Hello President Chu.”

Chu Chu was taken aback. She had never seen this kind of troop before, and hurriedly replied, “Hello hello hello?”

Chu Chu used to work in a film and television company, the workplace atmosphere was relaxed and free there, so she never encountered this kind of corporate culture. Zhang Jianian led Chu Chu, opened the door first, and welcomed her into the office.

As soon as the office door was closed, the secretaries immediately buzzed and enthusiastically discussed, “The boss is in a good mood today? She unexpectedly replied?”

President Chu normally would look straight ahead, didn’t bother to recognize anyone and marched directly into the room. When did she ever paid any attention to them?

“No way, President Chu’s complexion looked terrible…”

“The boss didn’t put on makeup today?”

Xia Xiaoxiao brought the coffee and returned wearily. Wang Qing helped her check the coffee order, and after confirming that it was correct, she instructed, “Not bad not bad, knock on the door politely and send it in. Talk as little as possible.”

Infected by Wang Qing’s tense feeling, Xia Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. She nodded obediently and walked to the office with the coffee.

[Please strengthen the ‘Villainess’ aura through the task. Disappearance of the aura will cause removal by the main world.]

[The ‘Female Lead’ aura owner was detected nearby, rejecting you as an automatic response. Forcefully entering the duel task.]

[Duel Task: Make Xia Xiaoxiao lose her face[3] and leave the company in embarrassment.]

“President Chu, Chenxing Film and Television side inquired about how Li Taihe’s contract should be handled…” Zhang Jianian stood on the side reporting the work dutifully and diligently. Chu Chu had not spoken, so nobody dared to handle Li Taihe’s matter.

Chu Chu had not yet settled down when she saw the strange words appearing on the wall and couldn’t help but have another burst of headache. She couldn’t think of the reason why the female lead appeared, so she decided to lay low. She decisively said, “Wait a minute, I will talk about it after I get back…”

Zhang Jianian’s whole face was at loss looking at President Chu walking out in large strides, didn’t know what else happened?

The task prompt this time was in scarlet red, clearly indicating the duel task and the normal task was different. The rejecting response seemed very serious. There was even an alarm noise in Chu Chu’s ears, but Zhang Jianian couldn’t hear it. Mystified, he watched Chu Chu left.

Chu Chu decided to immediately get away from the office to stay out of this calamity.

Outside the door, Xia Xiaoxiao was cautiously preparing to knock on the door when Chu Chu who was inside the room suddenly opened the door. Xia Xiaoxiao was caught off guard, her figure was unsteady, and she was taken to the ground and fell on top of Chu Chu! The American style coffee spilled all over, soiling the clean carpet and splashed on the two of them.

Chu Chu fell to the ground awkwardly, with her body still under Xia Xiaoxiao, only feeling a burst of unbearable pain in her pit of stomach and a familiar burning pain sprung up. She pursed her lips, forcefully subdued the feeling of wanting to vomit blood, her face was pale and blue.

[Your ‘Villainess’ aura is about to disappear, please complete the duel task as soon as possible.]

[Duel Task: Make Xia Xiaoxiao lose her face and leave the company in embarrassment.]

Zhang Jianian went pale from fright and stepped forward hurriedly. “Are you alright!?”

Not far away, Wang Qing and other secretaries were also terrified and swarmed over. They lifted up both of them, tensely and considerately asked, “President Chu, are you alright?”

“I’ll get your blanket and spare coat…”

“What is with this door’s design!? Quickly let them know, it’s too dangerous!”

“President Chu, here is clean clothing…” The secretary immediately fetched clothes from President’s lounge and carefully handed them to President Chu.

President Chu’s shirt was completely ruined by the coffee, her lips were pursed tight, her eyes darkened, like dark clouds brewing before a storm. Everyone immediately dared not to break the atmosphere. Nobody anticipated an intern who came up recently would make the boss close to exploding. They prepared to greet the upcoming torrent of abuse.

Xia Xiaoxiao was also covered with coffee stains, stood aside unable to do anything, apprehensively looking at President Chu who was surrounded by the crowd. President Chu was very appealing, it was just when she raised her eyebrow indifferently, nobody dared to look straight at her. She wore a casual suit, on her wrist was a platinum watch adorned with diamond.

Xia Xiaoxiao lowered her head looking at her sneakers that was daubed in stain, and once again looked at the other party’s minimalistic exquisite high-heeled shoes, feeling ashamed of her inferiority.

[Your ‘Villainess’ aura is about to disappear, please complete the duel task as soon as possible.]

[Duel Task: Make Xia Xiaoxiao lose her face and leave the company in embarrassment.]

Everyone took a breath as they saw a layer of chill appearing in President Chu’s face. Resisting the pain with great difficulty, Chu Chu beckoned towards Xia Xiaoxiao. “You come here.”

Xia Xiaoxiao stepped forward trembling in fear, she glanced at the other party’s serious and cold expression. Feeling ashamed, she worriedly lowered her head. “President Chu, I am really sorry. It was me who was too reckless… Give me the clothes that you changed and I will help you get them washed!”

Wang Qing held her forehead in despair. When the secretaries heard this, the expressions on their faces became even more horrified and they inwardly said, little intern is thoroughly cold already! How can the boss wear washed clothes, isn’t this mentioning the pot that doesn’t boil!? [4]

There were a lot of spare suits in President Chu’s lounge and they were taken care by a specialist. How would it be possible to leave dirty clothes behind?

Sure enough, the glum looking President Chu pulled the spare coat from the hands of the person, and threw it towards Xia Xiaoxiao. Xia Xiaoxiao was shocked when she was abruptly covered by the suit. She hesitantly held the suit, waiting for the death sentence from President Chu; she didn’t expect she would be leaving Yinda Investment so soon.

President Chu frostily said, “Put it on.”

Everyone who originally waited with rapt attention for some cursing and did not expect such simple sentence: “???”

Everyone: Wasn’t it agreed that she should be irritable and angry, cold and harsh? What’s with the sudden change of nature?

Xia Xiaoxiao was extremely surprised, quickly waved her hands wanting to politely decline. “No need no need, your clothes are too expensive, I can change it after work…”

President Chu’s eyebrow frowned slightly, she scrutinized Xia Xiaoxiao’s garment and not allowing rejection she said, “Since you have no business proficiency when you first enter the workplace, then pay more attention to your clothing.”

Xia Xiaoxiao clothing style was particularly conspicuous in Yinda Investment and out of tune with everyone else. Upon hearing this her face went bright red, as if someone laid out her inner worries. Her eyes was full of embarrassment and unease, and she did not dare to refuse again.

Chu Chu pulled the blanket silently and walked out in large strides. The people around immediately made way for the boss, parting to two sides, in fear of making her find them unpleasant to her eyes. Seeing her walked far, someone murmured, “President Chu didn’t take the clothes, where is she going…”

Wang Qing glanced at Xia Xiaoxiao who was still absentmindedly staring at President Chu’s back. Seeing that she was still wearing the coffee-stained sweater, she reminded, “Okay, you should go change your clothes first. Consider this matter resolved.”

Although everyone did not know why President Chu did not hold the blame, Xia Xiaoxiao obviously gathered a small life back.

Hearing this, Xia Xiaoxiao came back to reality in a flash. She was holding the suit and noticing the faint cold fragrance, she couldn’t help but feel a little lost in thought. The suit in her hands was made of special material, it feels particularly pleasant to touch. Because the housekeeper would spray perfume that President Chu liked in the closet, the coat was still scented with fragrance.

This custom suit and that box of cranberry cookies made Xia Xiaoxiao feel that President Chu was even more mysterious and unique. She seemed difficult to approach with her frosty face, but in reality she was a very gentle and warm person?

[Your ‘Villainess’ aura is about to disappear, please complete the duel task as soon as possible.]

[Duel Task: Make Xia Xiaoxiao lose her face and leave the company in embarrassment.]

“Shut up.”

Chu Chu wrapped her blanket tightly, her face turned blue enduring the severe pain as she stepped towards the roof of the building with great difficulty. The reason why she couldn’t squeeze out a smiling face a moment ago was simple, it was because she was dying of pain.

The small door leading to the rooftop was not locked for some reason, allowing Chu Chu a chance to come out and take a breath.

There was no railing on the deserted rooftop. Standing on the edge and looking down, Chu Chu could feel a burst dizziness.

She raised her head looking at the sky, gazing at the emptiness, and word by word she said, “I hate being threatened the most in my life.”

The principle that she firmly believed would not be easily changed even if she died.

“No matter what you are, don’t think about controlling my life.”

After Chu Chu finished speaking, she jumped off the building without any hesitation.

[1] As silent as cicada in the winter (噤若寒蝉 jìn ruò hán chán) – deathly silence.

[2] Changing ‘vicious supporting female character’ into ‘villainess’ coz it’s too damn long lmao.

[3] Lose face – Lose image/prestige; be embarrassed.

[4] Mention the pot that doesn’t boil (哪壶不开提哪壶 nǎ hú bù kāi tí nǎ hú) – to touch a sore spot; to talk about somebody’s weak point.