This Director Is Not To Be Trifled With - Chapter 11

Before the age of eighteen, her life was full of uncertainty. After turning eighteen, she moved forward step by step according to her own plans, both in career and in marriage.

But recently, too many variables had appeared in her carefully mapped out life Song Xian being one of them, affecting both her emotions and her work.

Song Xian was like air constantly around her, impossible to grasp, yet impossible to escape. This made her feel uneasy. She disliked anything intangible and uncontrollable.

Xiao Yutong had said a lot, but Song Xian only heard one sentence clearly:

“I admit you’re very charming.”
So, from Xiao Yutong’s point of view, she was attractive? That meant Xiao Yutong could possibly be attracted to her too, right? For some reason, that thought made Song Xian inexplicably happy.

Xiao Yutong thought, If my previous rejections were ambiguous, this time it should be clear, right? No matter how shameless Song Xian was, surely a direct rejection like this would make her back off a little?

“Alright then, but Director Xiao, I’m a petty person. I like to keep the books balanced. I’m sure you don’t want to owe me anything, right?”

“Our first meeting, I approached you, true, but you invited me to the hotel. The second time, you kissed me while drunk. I served you one sidedly and even cleaned up your house. So, now you owe me one round of service. As for cleaning your place…”

Song Xian put on a thoughtful expression, “Let’s just say that one was a freebie.”

Xiao Yutong sighed. “Song Xian, you really should be in client services.”

With that kind of silver tongue, she’d definitely close a lot of deals. Xiao Yutong closed the book in her hands and casually tossed it aside, then wrapped her arms around Song Xian’s neck. “No better time than the present. Let’s settle the score now.”

Just in case Song Xian tried to pull some stunt again she had to strike first.

Before Song Xian could react, Xiao Yutong pushed her down and leaned in, peppering kisses across her face, lips, and ears. Song Xian felt her whole body go numb. She could smell Xiao Yutong’s hair, feel her softness. Of course she wanted to take Xiao Yutong right then and there but she didn’t want things between them to be over so quickly, so cleanly.

Clinging to a shred of reason, she pushed Xiao Yutong away.

“Not today. I’m on my period,” Song Xian blurted, then bolted for the door. Once home, with the door safely shut, her heart was still pounding wildly.

Back at the apartment, Xiao Yutong lay on the sofa, propping her head up with one hand as she gazed out the window. What a beautiful sunset.

Because she kept thinking about Xiao Yutong, Song Xian was too wired to sleep early. She ended up sleeping in the next day, only waking up around noon when Zhang Xin called to ask her out shopping.

It just so happened that Jiang Chen had plans that afternoon. She had been wondering what to do—now she had something.

They met at a nearby mall, along with one of Zhang Xin’s roommates. The three of them shopped for over two hours before sitting down at a milk tea shop to rest.

“Song Xian, be honest are you a rich second generation?” Zhang Xin asked.
Song Xian had bought so much stuff it could equal three months of an average salary, so the question wasn’t exactly unreasonable.

Song Xian never planned on hiding anything, and answered truthfully, “Kind of. My family got rich after I started high school, so maybe I’m only half of one.”

“Then why do you still take the bus with me?” Zhang Xin said, feeling a little deceived.

“Who says rich kids can’t ride the bus?” Song Xian raised an eyebrow.

“But in my head, all rich kids drive sports cars, and when they walk into a company, people bow and greet them with, ‘Hello, young CEO Song!’” Zhang Xin said earnestly.

Song Xian looked at her with disdain. “Zhang Xin, you need to stop reading so many romance novels. Those domineering CEO stories have rotted your brain.”

Zhang Xin got even more excited. “Song Xian, we’re friends now, right?”

“Of course.”

“Oh my god! I actually have a rich second-generation friend!”

The three of them giggled and joked, then drifted into talking about coworkers. When they brought up Zhou Yao, Zhang Xin casually mentioned that she had a boyfriend of seven years apparently a programmer.

If he’s a programmer, then remotely controlling a computer wouldn’t be hard.
Could Zhou Yao be the one behind that sabotage?
But what would she gain from making the third team lose that ad?

Does Xiao Yutong know about any of this? Should I warn her?

After dinner, which Zhang Xin insisted on paying for (“It’s the first time I’ve treated a rich friend!”), Song Xian ruffled her hair affectionately. “You’re just too cute.”

“Don’t ruffle it! I won’t grow taller!” Zhang Xin protested.

This Zhang Xin was really growing on her. Honestly, putting aside their work relationship Zhang Xin was totally her type.

After dinner, they parted ways their homes in opposite directions.

Weekends always flew by too fast. Song Xian had only been working for a week and already had a case of the Monday blues. How am I going to make it to retirement?

Because her sleep schedule had been off all weekend, she overslept, missed the bus, and had to take a cab. Fortunately, traffic wasn’t bad, or she’d have been late.

After exiting the elevator and greeting the front desk, she headed to the office but something felt off. Both the design and client departments were unusually tense.

“What’s going on? Everyone seems off today,” she asked Zhang Xin, who was busy with something.

Zhang Xin turned and hushed her. “Shhh! Big news.”

“What happened?” Song Xian asked, eyes wide.

Zhang Xin pulled a folder between them like a shield and whispered, “That ad deal fell through. Word is, A Ad Agency offered Liroka a quote that was half of ours.”

“What?” Song Xian nearly jumped from her seat.

Her reaction caught everyone’s attention. Zhang Xin quickly tugged her back down.

“Even President Yang showed up. Xiao and Yao directors are in a meeting right now. He never shows up unless it’s something serious,” Zhang Xin said.

“You two still have time to gossip?” Zhang Jin had appeared behind them at some point.

Zhang Xin rolled her eyes and sat up straight, clearly not fond of him.

“I bet Director Yao is going to push for a price cut again, and Director Xiao will object, and then they’ll get into a major showdown, and then President Yang will…” Zhang Jin kept rambling. Zhang Xin ignored him, and Song Xian stared at the meeting room door, thinking of Xiao Yutong.

She’s so proud. Will she agree to lower the price?

Turns out getting clients isn’t just about having good ideas they have to be willing to pay for them.

Suddenly, the meeting room door opened. First out was President Yang, followed by Xiao Yutong. Her brow was furrowed, and though she said nothing, her eyes were sharp as knives. No one dared meet her gaze.

Zhang Jin quickly shut up and scurried back to the client department. After President Yang left, the two directors returned to their respective offices.

Worried, Song Xian started toward Xiao Yutong’s office, but Zhang Xin grabbed her.
“Are you crazy? You’ll get chewed out!”

“Relax, I’ll be fine,” Song Xian said. “Director Xiao’s not as scary as you think.”

Just as she was about to walk over, Director Yao came storming out of his office and into Xiao Yutong’s.

“Yutong, I’ve arranged a dinner with Liroka’s President Jiang tonight. Come with me.”

“I told you I’m not handling client work anymore,” Xiao Yutong replied coldly.

Back when Jincheng was just starting, there were no employees only her, Yao Mingkai, and Yang Yuhan. Those early years were tough working overtime, drinking with clients. She’d even made herself throw up with mulberry juice after getting too drunk. Her stomach problems began then. After her surgery, she stuck to overseeing the design department only.

“I know, but this is a special case. Don’t worry, you won’t have to drink,” Yao said.

Seeing that she still wasn’t moved, he added, “You know A Agency is backed by Rong Group. They’ve been eyeing Jincheng for a while. You don’t want that, do you?”

“Fine, I’ll go. Happy now?” She couldn’t stand listening to his endless persuasion.

But just thinking about dealing with President Jiang gave her a headache.

After he left, she lowered the blinds and rubbed her eyes in exhaustion.

Before they fully closed, Song Xian caught a glimpse of her tired face through the slats.

As soon as Yao left, Song Xian rushed over and knocked then opened the door before getting a reply.

Thinking it was Yao again, Xiao Yutong snapped, “I said I’ll go already”

“Go where?” Song Xian asked, closing the door behind her.

“You?” Xiao Yutong frowned. She forgot there was now another person bold enough to barge in like that.

“Who else could it be?” Song Xian said.

“I don’t have time for your games today,” Xiao Yutong said wearily.

Unbothered by the cold tone, Song Xian said gently, “Is that all I am to you? Just someone who plays games?”

Realizing she’d been too harsh, Xiao Yutong softened her tone. “Sorry.”

Song Xian hadn’t taken it to heart but seeing Xiao Yutong apologize like that, so cool and a little awkward, made her like her even more.

“It’s fine,” Song Xian said lightly.

“But you just said you’d go. Was it to meet President Jiang?”

“Mhm,” Xiao Yutong responded absentmindedly while reviewing files.

“Take me with you!” Song Xian said.

“No.”

“Give me a chance to show off, Director Xiao” Song Xian said, pouting and acting cute.

Still unmoved, Xiao Yutong gave her a look that said no means no. Song Xian could only leave, sulking.

Oddly enough, after talking with Song Xian, Xiao Yutong felt better. Seeing her pout as she left, her own lips curled into a smile one she didn’t even realize had formed.

Before the end of the workday, Yao Mingkai was already texting her to hurry up. She shut down her computer, tidied her desk, and headed out. On the way, she saw that Song Xian’s workstation was empty clearly one of those Gen Z types who left on the dot. Xiao Yutong shook her head with a smile.

Yao had gone ahead first. She drove to the restaurant using the location he sent.

President Jiang hadn’t arrived yet, so she went to the reserved private room. As she opened the door a shadow leapt out.

“Ta-da! Surprise!”

“Song Xian.”