This Director Is Not To Be Trifled With - Chapter 23

Song Xian had a new goal now. By all accounts, she should be happy about it. But Xiao Yutong felt like there was a hole in her heart, an emptiness she couldn’t shake. She was absentminded the whole drive home. When she arrived, she thought Xiao Qiang would still be there, but her little boyfriend had already come and picked her up.

Just as she lay down on the sofa, her phone buzzed it was Jiang Lan.

Xiao Yutong:
“Hey, our beautiful Jiang Lan is coming back soon?”

Jiang Lan:
“Not soon. I’m already back.”

Xiao Yutong shot up from the sofa.
“Why didn’t you say earlier? I probably won’t make it to the airport now!”

Jiang Lan:
“No need. I’m already with our little one.”

Xiao Yutong paused for a moment. “Little one”? Could it be the one Jiang Lan mentioned last time?

Jiang Lan:
“Come have dinner with us later, yeah?”

Xiao Yutong:
“No need. I won’t intrude on your couple’s time. Besides, I’m really tired today.”

Jiang Lan:
“Alright, then get some good rest.”

There was a long pause on the other end before she spoke again.
“Yutong… you’re really not coming?”

Xiao Yutong didn’t read too much into it, thinking Jiang Lan was just worried she wouldn’t eat or rest well.
“Don’t worry! I’ll take good care of myself.”

On the other end, Jiang Lan gave a bitter smile.
“I know,” she said, and hung up.
Then she turned to look at Jiang Chen, who was grabbing the luggage behind her. Suddenly, she felt like she was the bad guy.

After much hesitation, Song Xian added Shen Jiaqing’s daughter on WeChat. She used to do this sort of thing all the time but that was out of her own will. This time felt forced, which made her resistant. She didn’t even bother to look at the photos before adding her. After all, people used all sorts of filters these days no point in looking.

She had dinner with her coworkers, and someone suggested going to a bar afterward. Since she had nothing else to do, she tagged along.

Ironically, it was the same bar where the fight happened last time.

Song Xian was curious would those three people show up again? Anyway, they had a lot of people today. Maybe they could get revenge.

(Just kidding, of course she’s a law-abiding citizen.)

Once inside, everyone let loose, shedding the masks they wore at work.

Some coworkers danced awkwardly on the dance floor. Zhang Xin, who couldn’t hold her liquor, ended up puking in the bathroom after just a few drinks. Song Xian sat at the bar alone, drinking away her boredom.

Suddenly, a drunk woman approached and asked the bartender for another drink.

“One more! Your strongest!”

Song Xian: Whoa, tough lady.

She glanced over and felt the woman looked familiar. Taking a closer look it was Pei Zixuan. Seriously, her again? That familiar panda eyed look crying again? Didn’t she learn her lesson from last time?

Pei Zixuan also looked over and calmly said,
“Oh, it’s you.”

She sounded like she was slurring.

Song Xian waved a hand in front of her face.
“Wow, even this drunk and you still recognize me?”

Pei Zixuan took the drink from the server and downed it in one gulp. Song Xian had to admit this girl could really drink. And she wasn’t done yet she ordered another.

Song Xian had no intention of interfering at first, but that alcohol was really strong. If she drank too much, it could actually be dangerous.

“Hey, maybe that’s enough?”

Just as she said that, Pei Zixuan slammed down onto the table.

Song Xian looked around, then poked her. Totally out.

No way was she really going to have to carry this woman home again? Nope. Not gonna do that stupid thing twice.

She turned to leave, took a few steps, then stopped.

Looking back at Pei Zixuan, she cursed herself.

“You’re just asking for it, Song Xian.”

She texted Zhang Xin, then told the others she was leaving. Hailing a cab, she hauled Pei Zixuan back to her apartment complex.

Last time, she heard Pei Zixuan lived on the 11th floor. Song Xian carried her to her door but couldn’t get in it had a code lock, and she couldn’t wake her up.

She had no choice but to take her home instead.

The elevator started going up to the 16th floor.

Strange. She hadn’t pressed 16.
Maybe her subconscious had.

Even more dramatic Xiao Yutong was standing right there as the doors opened.

Apparently, she had pressed the button herself, probably taking out the trash based on the black bag in her hand and her casual clothes.

Why did she always run into Xiao Yutong at times like this?
Holding a drunk woman in her arms she was definitely going to misunderstand again.

Sure enough, Xiao Yutong glanced at her, then stepped to the other elevator.

Song Xian dragged Pei Zixuan out and quickly explained:
“She lives downstairs. I don’t know her code, so I brought her up. Don’t misunderstand.”

Xiao Yutong’s face was cold.
“I’m not misunderstanding. And you don’t need to explain anything to me.”

She tried to stay composed, but Song Xian could see through it.

Song Xian:
“Really? No misunderstanding?”
(Secretly pleased was she jealous?)

Xiao Yutong got flustered and replied quickly:
“Of course. You can do whatever you want. You can sleep with whoever you want. That’s your freedom.”

But to Song Xian, those words were full of jealousy.
Just then, the other elevator arrived. Xiao Yutong walked in and the doors closed.

As the elevator descended, she took a deep breath.

Don’t be angry. Don’t be angry.
She regretted what she had said. She knew she sounded jealous.

Song Xian was probably telling the truth. But still, she was angry of that Song Xian was holding someone else, acting so intimate, even though she liked her.

And more than anything, she was mad at herself for caring so much about someone like Song Xian.

Song Xian put Pei Zixuan down at her place, then immediately went back downstairs to intercept Xiao Yutong.

Since she was jealous, that meant she still cared and Song Xian wasn’t going to waste this chance.

Just as she got down, the elevator reached the 16th floor again.

Xiao Yutong stepped out, ignored her, and went straight to unlock her door.

“Xiao Yutong,” Song Xian grabbed her hand.
“You’re jealous.”

It was a statement, not a question.

“Song Xian, are you crazy?” Xiao Yutong tried to shake off her grip, but Song Xian held firm.

The whole scene looked like some kind of rom-com drama.

Song Xian pulled her closer.
“Yeah, I’m crazy. I’ve been crazy since the day I met you.”

Xiao Yutong looked up, met her gaze.
Song Xian’s eyes were bright, innocent almost misleadingly pure.

After a long moment, Song Xian said:
“Xiao Yutong, give me a chance to explain. Please.”

“Alright. Let go of me first.”

The moment Song Xian let go, Xiao Yutong opened the door and slammed it shut behind her.

Song Xian chuckled. She had a chance to stop the door but she didn’t.

She wanted Xiao Yutong to open it for her.

She knocked twice, then called her phone. No answer just as expected.

So she texted her:

“If you don’t open up, I’ll keep knocking. I don’t mind waking the neighbors.”

About a minute later, the door swung open and a hand grabbed her by the collar, dragging her inside.

“You have one minute to explain,” Xiao Yutong blocked her in the entryway.

“Remember the bruise on my face?” Song Xian smiled, seeing the suspicion in her eyes.
“Her name’s Pei Zixuan. Some guys drugged her at a bar. I fought them off. We even went to the police station. She passed out cold. I had no choice but to bring her back. I swear nothing happened.”

Xiao Yutong:
“What about tonight? She got drugged again?”

Song Xian:
“Just a coincidence. I went to the bar with Zhang Xin and the others. She just happened to be there—drunk. I couldn’t leave her like that.”

Xiao Yutong had suspected a fight was involved and she was right.

But still, she wasn’t convinced.
“Song Xian, are you really saying you didn’t even think about doing anything with her?”

Given their first meeting, she found it hard not to suspect.

Song Xian:
“Come on, Xiao Director. Do I really seem like I’d go for just anyone? Even for a one-night stand, I’d choose someone with your looks.”

Xiao Yutong smirked.
“Smooth talker. Well, your minute’s up. You can leave now.”

Song Xian wasn’t planning to leave.
“To avoid misunderstandings, how about I stay here tonight?”

“I’ll sleep on the couch.”

She ran to the couch with a grin on her face.

Xiao Yutong smiled, half scolding:
“Suit yourself.”

She was actually happy to hear the explanation.
Even though she didn’t want to be entangled with Song Xian, she also didn’t want to drive her away.

Having her around made the place feel less empty.

If Song Xian wanted to stay so be it.

She had thought a lot lately. If she couldn’t let Song Xian go, maybe they could maintain this kind of relationship.

A no strings attached affair.
Like business partners get what they want, no messy emotions.
As long as they stuck to the “contract,” it could be a win-win.

That night, Xiao Yutong went to the living room under the excuse of getting water. She didn’t see Song Xian, thought she might’ve left. But her shoes were still by the door.

Guessing she was on the balcony, she went over and opened the door.

Song Xian was leaning against the railing, cigarette between her fingers, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
Her hair blew messily in the wind.

When she saw Xiao Yutong, she turned to look at the sky.

“Xiao Yutong,” she said softly.
“The moon is beautiful tonight.”