This Director Is Not To Be Trifled With - Chapter 17

At this moment, Song Xian wasn’t even sure what she was feeling. Was it pain? Honestly, it didn’t hurt nearly as much as that punch from yesterday. But why did she feel like crying?

Was it because she felt wronged? Perhaps a bit. She hadn’t cried much in her life the last time she shed tears was at her high school graduation. So what was she upset about? When Zhou Yao hit her, she’d only felt angry. In fact, she was ready to kick her right back the second she raised her hand again.

Song Xian had always been the kind to repay every grudge. So this unfamiliar emotion… had to have started when Xiao Yutong showed up.

Speaking of which, what exactly was going on in Xiao Yutong’s mind? She had dragged her into the office and left her sitting there for over ten minutes now. Aside from saying “Sit down” when they walked in, she hadn’t spoken a single word. She just sat at her desk and started working. Classic straight-girl behavior, no doubt.

Song Xian was so bored that she ended up curled on the couch scrolling through her phone.

Knock knock knock.

Someone was at the door. But instead of the usual “Come in,” Xiao Yutong actually got up to open it herself. Song Xian didn’t get a clear look at who was outside  she only saw Xiao Yutong accept something from the person and coldly say, “Thanks,” in that overly formal tone that almost felt ruder than saying nothing at all.

Then Xiao Yutong walked over and placed the item on the small coffee table in front of the couch. She took out an ice pack.

Song Xian’s heart secretly swelled with joy, biting her lip to suppress the smile tugging at her mouth. So she hadn’t been ignored after all she’d even asked someone to buy medicine for her. Suddenly, she didn’t feel like crying anymore.

Xiao Yutong knelt in front of her, as if examining the bruise on her face. Her soft, slender fingers gently brushed against her cheek. It still stung. Song Xian flinched and hissed, instinctively pulling away.

“Does it hurt?” Xiao Yutong’s voice was so soft, so gentle, that it melted all of Song Xian’s anger and frustration.

Tears welled in her eyes. A single teardrop slid down her swollen cheek and fell on Xiao Yutong’s fingers. Sure, there was a hint of performance in those tears but judging by the look of genuine concern on Xiao Yutong’s face, it worked.

With a sigh, Xiao Yutong pressed the ice pack to her red, swollen face. She looked at the other side too, clearly distressed. Xiao Yutong didn’t know what to think anymore. That morning she was still angry at Song Xian, silently swearing never to speak to this heartbreaker again. But seeing her cry like a wronged little kitten… she just wanted to wrap her in her arms and comfort her.

When Zhou Yao hit her, it hurt more than if it had landed on her own body. If they weren’t in the office, she would’ve slapped Zhou Yao right back.

“Why didn’t you fight back?” Xiao Yutong asked, flipping the ice pack to a colder side.

“I was afraid if I did, she’d end up in the hospital,” Song Xian replied, taking the ice pack from her. “I’ll do it.”

She wasn’t lying but Xiao Yutong didn’t buy it.

Sitting casually on the edge of the coffee table, facing Song Xian, she teased, “Always with the slick talk,” her voice tinged with indulgence she didn’t even notice herself. Her face softened with a rare smile, and her starlit eyes still held a trace of concern.

“You don’t believe me? I was actually…” Second place in Taekwondo in Qingchuan city!

Before she could finish, there was another knock at the door. Xiao Yutong stood up quickly. Song Xian also straightened in her seat. As she walked over, Xiao Yutong glanced back and said, “Keep applying it. Don’t slack off.” She pointed to the bag. “There’s medicine inside. Apply it yourself later. Stay here and wait for me.”

Song Xian nodded, smiling like a pampered kitten. But Xiao Yutong didn’t return after she left probably off handling business with the Liloca team. Truthfully, Song Xian was a bit disappointed to miss the meeting, but she consoled herself: it was just one meeting, and she’d have plenty more chances.

After icing for about ten minutes, she applied the ointment and, bored again, reached for her phone. The blinds in the office were drawn, so she laid back on the couch. It was a bit short, with half her legs hanging off, but still comfy. After all, who else got this kind of VIP treatment in the Director’s office?

This special treatment felt really good.

She opened her phone to find a message from Xiao Yutong sent three minutes ago.

Xiao Yutong: Turn on the Tencent Meeting app on the tablet. Password: xyt1991

“Tablet?” Song Xian mumbled, spotting one on the coffee table. No idea if it was always there or if Xiao Yutong placed it while she was distracted.

She typed in the password, “xyt1991 isn’t that way too simple? 1991? So she’s seven years older than me?”

After clicking confirm, the meeting launched. Clear HD video showed the ongoing team discussion. Clearly, Xiao Yutong knew her well.

The content of the meeting was standard not much different from last time. So instead of focusing on the topics, Song Xian paid full attention to Xiao Yutong: her posture, how she explained things, every gesture and expression. Even the way she tapped the table was adorable.

Truly worthy of being Director Xiao every word and movement was flawless. Song Xian thought she was pretty good herself, but next to Xiao Yutong, the gap was obvious. Still, she felt proud. A woman she admired should be that exceptional.

The meeting lasted about an hour and a half. After escorting the Liloca team out, Xiao Yutong returned to the office to find Song Xian cuddled up on the couch, hugging the tablet.

“…Did she fall asleep?” she thought.

All that effort for nothing. Though annoyed, she kept her steps light. The melted ice pack had left a puddle on the table, which she cleaned with tissue. After tidying up, she turned to look at Song Xian again.

She gently poked her bruised cheek. It didn’t look like a slap mark. And not like a fall either a fall usually left scrapes, but this was just bruising. Could it really be what she suspected?

That woman from this morning popped back into her mind. Thinking about Song Xian possibly spending last night with her stirred up an uncomfortable feeling a mix of jealousy and possessiveness.

Leaning closer, she noticed a small cut at the corner of her lips. A fight? Did she actually get into a fight?

Lost in thought, she was startled when Song Xian suddenly grabbed her finger and smiled. “You’re back?”

“Mm,” Xiao Yutong responded. “Still hurt?”

Song Xian shook her head. “Not anymore.”

“The handprint’s faded. The bruise is lighter too. Not as noticeable.”

“There’s a dinner tonight with the Liloca team. You coming?” Xiao Yutong asked. “If not, I’ll take you home to rest first.”

Song Xian was shocked. Take her home? Was this the benefit of being injured? Before, she wasn’t even allowed to hitch a ride. But Xiao Yutong had to attend the dinner. And honestly, she didn’t want to sit home alone.

Playing coy, Song Xian asked, “Are you going?”

“Of course.”

“Then I’ll go too.” She reached out to loop her arm around Xiao Yutong’s neck only for her to dodge.

Song Xian was speechless.

Two hours ago, she looked like she wanted to cry for her. Now, after one meeting, she was back to cold, no nonsense Director Xiao. Was it because her injury looked better?

Song Xian seriously considered getting hurt again.

After work, the entire Group 3 headed to the dinner venue. Only one person in the team drove, and since there was an extra body Song Xian she naturally ended up in Xiao Yutong’s car. No one else dared ride with the Director anyway.

“Ooh, fancy ride, Director Xiao!” she said, reaching for the door but Xiao Yutong stopped her.

“I need to tidy up first,” she said awkwardly.

What followed looked like a mini move out. Song Xian watched as Xiao Yutong transferred piles of documents from the front and back seats into the trunk.

Arms crossed, Song Xian shook her head. “Tsk, tsk… Has no one ever sat in this car before?”

Who would’ve thought the elegant, aloof Director was such a mess behind the scenes face looked like she had OCD, but…

“Hurry up or take a cab,” Xiao Yutong snapped.

“I’m coming!” Song Xian instantly caved, jogging to the front seat. As the car rolled out of the garage, she quickly slipped on her sunglasses.

“Xiao Yutong, why don’t you just drive me to and from work every day? I’ll tidy up your car in return. Consider it gas money.” She offered cheerfully. More time with Xiao Yutong? Yes, please.

“I can tidy it,” Xiao Yutong replied.

“But you don’t,” Song Xian shot back.

“I just don’t have time.”

Before Song Xian came to stay with her, she’d been traveling nonstop no time to clean. The papers weren’t there out of laziness but convenience.

“Once filming starts, it’ll get busier. You’ll be busy too,” Xiao Yutong added. Really, she just didn’t want to seem messy in front of a subordinate.

Song Xian saw through her easily. This mix of pride and vulnerability so amusing. Another new side to her cold boss unlocked.

“Do you get up early? I start work early,” Xiao Yutong asked out of nowhere, about thirty seconds later.

It took Song Xian a moment to realize she was agreeing to give her rides. Excited, she replied, “I can! I usually get up early too.”

She turned to look at Xiao Yutong, who just shook her head. Probably thinking, “This girl, always clocking in last minute, and now she’s saying she gets up early?”

She didn’t care what Xiao Yutong thought. Praise or scolding she’d gotten her way.

The thought of riding to work with her every day filled her with warmth. Even the heavy traffic didn’t seem so bad anymore.

It was Tuesday exactly one week since she met Xiao Yutong. Only a week? It already felt like forever.

When they arrived, they realized they were the last to show up despite not leaving the office last. Apparently, Zhang Xin and the others, who left later, had somehow arrived earlier.

Inside the private room, Song Xian chose to sit with Zhang Xin and the Liloca team  to encourage mingling. Though her facial bruises had faded a lot, they were still visible. Usually a lively presence at dinner, she was unusually quiet tonight, mostly eating and whispering to Zhang Xin, using the rest of her time to observe Xiao Yutong.

At the table, Xiao Yutong was no different from her office self. No alcohol  just plain water. She didn’t say much, letting Director Yao and Director Yang run the show.

She might’ve come to be a background player, but to Song Xian, she was the main character. Even sipping water, she radiated queen energy.

At one point, Xiao Yutong seemed to notice Song Xian watching her and met her gaze  but showed no particular reaction.

“Hi, I’m Li Jie from Liloca. Can I add you on WeChat?