This Director Is Not To Be Trifled With - Chapter 16

Xiao Yutong didn’t even know why she was so angry. She wasn’t someone with road rage, yet she had honked her horn more than ten times on the way to work.

When she entered the company, her expression was frosty. She immediately picked out a few people who had made mistakes and criticized them. But since they were used to her nitpicking, no one thought anything of it.

As soon as she got to her office, she received a call from Yao Mingkai the evidence of Zhou Yao’s betrayal was conclusive. The dismissal notice would be sent out by the afternoon. Still, Xiao Yutong felt the punishment was too light. But then again, whoever managed to convince Zhou Yao to betray the company must’ve promised her a great position. Would they really dare to use a traitor? Even if they did, she’d probably just be a lone wolf there.

Besides, Zhou Yao didn’t really have the ability to take on a higher role. Previously, the only reason they considered her valuable was her decent character and ability to maintain good relationships with colleagues  now, even that sole advantage was gone.

The traitor was dealt with, but the advertising deal still needed to be secured. Somehow, news about Jiang Haonan had reached Liloca. He’d already been suspended. Even worse, he never informed the company about Jincheng’s proposal. His reason for wanting to collaborate with Company A? Probably for personal gain.

Liloca felt deeply apologetic about the situation, so their CEO would personally visit Jincheng for a meeting that afternoon. Naturally, Jincheng’s own CEO, Mr. Yang, would also attend.

Song Xian knew about all this too she had seen it in the company chat. It was a hot summer day, and she walked into the office wearing a mask and sunglasses, barely arriving on time. In her haste, she bumped into Zhang Jin.

Zhang Jin joked, “Whoa, who’s this?”

Ignoring his dramatic reaction, Song Xian rushed to her desk, head lowered, slinking through like a thief.

Zhang Jin strutted over, tapping her desk. Song Xian looked up.

“Oh, it’s you?” he said, eyeing her outfit. “Headed to Hawaii or the Arctic?”

Song Xian snapped, “None of your business. I’ll go wherever I please.”

“Easy there,” Zhang Jin teased. “Girls who are too fierce won’t get married.”

“And what about you?” Song Xian fired back. “You think you can get married?”

Zhang Jin struck a pose with a flick of his wrist. “Of course I can!”

It was only after saying it that he realized how it sounded. Too late  the whole department burst into laughter, especially Zhang Xin, who laughed the loudest.

Zhang Jin pouted and stomped off. Zhang Xin quietly gave Song Xian a thumbs up.

Zhang Xin reminded her, “There’s a meeting at ten. You saw the group chat, right?”

Song Xian nodded. Ever since the last incident, she made it a habit to check the work group chat first thing in the morning.

Zhang Xin added, “I heard it’s about the Liloca case. You better prepare!”

Song Xian was already expecting it. She had a feeling the case would be revived, so she’d been preparing. She just forgot about the bruise on her face  makeup couldn’t even fully cover it.

At 10:00 a.m., Xiao Yutong entered the meeting room. Everyone was seated and alert. Word about Liloca had already spread like wildfire, especially through the design department.

This meeting was to assign responsibilities for hosting Liloca’s CEO that afternoon.

Everyone received their tasks Song Xian was last.

“Song Xian will present the proposal in the afternoon,” Xiao Yutong announced. Even though she was still upset with Song Xian, she kept personal feelings out of work.

“Yes, Director Xiao,” Song Xian replied from the back of the room.

Xiao Yutong looked up. “Song Xian, what are you doing? Take off the mask.”

Song Xian lowered her head, trying to avoid Xiao Yutong’s eyes. If she took off the mask, how would she explain the bruise? Say she tripped? No this kind of bruise clearly wasn’t from a fall.

Xiao Yutong wasn’t going to wait. “Are you planning to meet clients dressed like that?”

She had no choice. Under everyone’s gaze, she removed the mask. The bruise was on her left cheek — the side facing everyone. Although it had faded a bit since last night, it was still obvious.

“What happened to you?” Zhang Xin, seated beside her, asked with concern. She hadn’t thought much about the mask earlier, so she was just as shocked.

“Oh, nothing. I just tripped and fell.” It was the only excuse she could offer. Even if others didn’t buy it, no one would dig deeper. People had tact.

She didn’t care what others thought. What mattered was what Xiao Yutong would think. When they saw each other that morning, her hair had covered the bruise. Maybe Xiao Yutong hadn’t seen it. Or maybe she had and made her take off the mask on purpose as revenge, to humiliate her.

Who knew what Xiao Yutong was really thinking?

“No way a fall could cause that,” someone muttered. “Looks like she got hit.” Thinking of the disheveled girl who showed up at Song Xian’s place, she wondered maybe Song Xian tried to hook up with someone’s girl and got beat up. Or maybe she got wild in bed and got smacked during the heat of the moment.

All possible. Song Xian was known to live on the wild side.

Song Xian lowered her head, silent. Normally, she’d have ten comebacks ready which just proved she was hit. Xiao Yutong shook her head, frustrated. “You’re excused from the meeting this afternoon.”

After Xiao Yutong left, Song Xian felt both relieved and disappointed. It had been her first big case at the company, and she didn’t even get to present it. That stung.

Wait did Xiao Yutong say who would present instead? She had been too humiliated to notice. Well, it definitely wouldn’t be Zhou Yao.

Right, Zhou Yao why was she still here? Xiao Yutong had already confirmed her betrayal. Why was she still hanging around? What, waiting for the New Year?

Ah, whatever. She had her own problems to deal with.

After the meeting, no one asked her about the bruise directly. Not to her face, anyway. But there would definitely be gossip maybe that her boyfriend beat her or something. Let them talk. As long as she didn’t hear it, they could say whatever they wanted.

She flipped her hair confidently, exposing the bluish bruise. Since she didn’t need to prep for the meeting anymore, she was free to relax.

She glanced at the woman sitting in the director’s office sharp tongued and ruthless. Should she go explain what happened? No. Judging by Xiao Yutong’s reaction earlier, she probably wouldn’t care anyway. The truth speaks for itself.

She picked up her phone, browsed Weibo and her social circle. Got tired, then headed to the breakroom for snacks and coffee.

Zhou Yao appeared in the breakroom several times too, still chatting happily with everyone. Seemed like she had no idea her downfall was coming. How could she be so naïve, thinking she could play games with Xiao Yutong? Making an enemy out of her was definitely the worst decision of her life.

Entertainment was truly the best way to pass the time suddenly it was already the end of the workday. She went to dinner with Zhang Xin as usual, not knowing that right after they left, Zhou Yao received a notice from HR.

After dinner, they still didn’t plan to return to the office right away. Everything had been prepared in the morning anyway. They found a milk tea shop and sat down. Song Xian was in no rush to return either.

After a while, the other two coworkers left, leaving just Song Xian and Zhang Xin.

Zhang Xin asked, “Did Xiaoyun add you?”

“Xiaoyun?” Song Xian looked puzzled.

“She’s my roommate,” Zhang Xin explained. “Last night she asked for your contact info. Said you told me to give it to her. I didn’t think much of it, so I gave it.”

Song Xian: Wow, this Xiaoyun really doesn’t know when to quit.

Out loud, she said, “Not yet. Maybe she forgot.”

So she really did ask for it. Now it would be awkward to reject her. Fine she’d add her, just ignore her messages. It wasn’t like Xiaoyun had done anything to deserve her cold shoulder. Besides, she was Zhang Xin’s friend, and Zhang Xin had always been genuinely kind to her.

They chatted about everything milk tea, cake, food, celebrities. Turned out they had a lot in common, even liked the same singer.

Her name was Zhang Nannan a rising singer-songwriter. She was especially good at playing guitar. Song Xian had even taken guitar lessons because of her. Too bad she was already in high school by then. It was too late to get good at it drawing was her strength anyway. She only learned the basics.

Song Xian thought Zhang Xin would actually get along well with Jiang Chen. She mentioned introducing them one day. Zhang Xin was thrilled excited to meet a real rich second-gen, the kind that was filthy rich.

Zhang Xin wasn’t someone who befriended people just for money. She wasn’t materialistic. She was pure and liked people for who they were. As for disliking anyone well, Song Xian had never seen her do that.

They were so deep in conversation, they almost forgot the time. They rushed back to the office. As they stepped out of the elevator, they saw Zhou Yao carrying her belongings.

So Xiao Yutong wasn’t going to wait for New Year after all.

Zhang Xin, confused, ran up to her. “Sis, what’s going on?”

Zhou Yao gave her a cold, icy look. Zhang Xin instinctively stepped back.

Zhou Yao walked straight past her and approached Song Xian.

Song Xian stood her ground, meeting her gaze directly. As she got closer, Zhou Yao spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear: “I knew it was you.”

Song Xian replied calmly, “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t play dumb.” Zhou Yao suddenly lost control. Before Song Xian could react, a loud smack echoed Zhou Yao had slapped her on the right cheek. Her box of belongings fell to the ground. The commotion drew attention from everyone nearby.

Song Xian’s head buzzed from the impact. Zhang Xin rushed over, holding Zhou Yao back. “What are you doing?!”

Song Xian’s entire face felt numb. Great now both sides matched.

She clenched her fists, fighting the urge to strike back. If she hit Zhou Yao now, that girl’s tiny frame probably wouldn’t survive it.

Seeing no retaliation, Zhou Yao thought she had scared her. She pushed Zhang Xin aside and raised her hand again.

The first slap had caught Song Xian off guard. She wouldn’t let a second one land.

She was just deciding whether to punch or kick when the raised hand suddenly stopped mid-air.

Did she just unlock some superpower after being slapped? Like telekinesis?

Of course not.

She followed the arm holding Zhou Yao back it was Xiao Yutong.

“Zhou Yao, that’s enough,” she said coldly, then flung her arm away. Zhou Yao staggered, almost falling.

“I was going to let you leave with dignity. Clearly, that’s no longer necessary.”

With Xiao Yutong there, no one dared to continue watching. The crowd slowly dispersed. Zhou Yao, now outnumbered and humiliated, left without even picking up her things.

As the elevator doors closed behind Zhou Yao, the only ones left were Xiao Yutong, Zhang Xin, the receptionist, and Song Xian who felt half-dead.

Even though Song Xian had done nothing wrong, she didn’t dare meet Xiao Yutong’s eyes.

Xiao Yutong said nothing at first, and neither did Zhang Xin.

After about thirty seconds of unbearable silence, Xiao Yutong finally spoke.

“Come with me.”

Author’s Note:

Song Xian: “Please… I need some comfort right now.”