This Director Is Not To Be Trifled With - Chapter 5

When Song Xian was in elementary school, her family’s financial situation was modest. Her parents were in the early stages of starting a business, running a small home appliance company. Later, the company grew in scale, established its own brand, and gradually turned into a nouveau riche success story.

Because her parents were always busy with work and felt guilty about neglecting her, they compensated with money. Starting in middle school, she began receiving a generous monthly allowance  which increased rapidly. She couldn’t spend it all, so she saved most of it. After something happened following her high school graduation, her father simply gave her a supplementary bank card. So, she was never short on money.

Jiang Chen gave her a ride back to the company, and she packed up some desserts on the way, planning to offer them to Xiao Yutong if she hadn’t eaten yet  a little gesture to win her favor. Unfortunately, before she even reached the office, the desserts were snatched up by her colleagues.

There were still over forty minutes before work officially began, but all three teams in the design department were already present presumably to prepare for the bridal advertisement project.

According to what Zhang Xin told her that morning, whichever team presented the best concept would be assigned the campaign. For big cases like this, the bonuses were very generous, so everyone was eager to come out on top.

All afternoon, the atmosphere in the design department was tense and suffocating. Song Xian had many ideas swirling in her mind, but she rejected them one by one. The third team held a brainstorming session, but there was still little progress. Even when the workday ended, no one dared to leave.

The team leaders of Team 1 and Team 2 each entered the Creative Director’s office with their proposals, only to come out looking utterly defeated. After hesitating for a while, Zhou Yao, leader of Team 3, entered under everyone’s expectant gaze.

From the glass window, it was clear: Xiao Yutong took one glance at the proposal, then tossed it on the desk after less than a minute. Everyone’s hearts collectively sank.

Song Xian could almost hear the slap of the papers hitting the desk, imagine Xiao Yutong’s icy tone  polite, yet sharp as knives. Not long after, Zhou Yao picked up the proposal from the desk, gave a slight bow, and turned to leave.

Everyone immediately averted their eyes and pretended to be busy.

“The Director says everyone can go home,” Zhou Yao announced.

Everyone exchanged glances before quietly gathering their things. Their movements were cautious, as though afraid to make any sound that might disturb the woman inside  even though the office had soundproof walls.

“Song, the Director wants to see you.” Just as Song Xian was about to leave with her bag, Zhou Yao called her back.

Song Xian knew why Xiao Yutong wanted to see her  probably to mock her, and maybe to circle back to her tardiness that morning.

She reassured Zhang Xin, who was looking at her with sympathy, then resolutely stepped into the office.

“You had a whole day, and this is what you bring me?” Xiao Yutong said, referring to Team 3’s proposal.

Song Xian countered, “Didn’t you say one day? A day has 24 hours, you know. It hasn’t even been that long.”

Xiao Yutong stood up. Her pale, elegant neck resembled that of a proud swan. She walked over to Song Xian. “Fine, I’ll wait the full 24 hours. Song Xian, this is the design department  not a place to play games with words. If you can’t prove your abilities…”

As she spoke, Xiao Yutong walked around her desk to stand in front of Song Xian. “…then please leave on your own.”

Song Xian: She’s trying to kick me out?!

Just as Song Xian was about to respond, a sharp beam of sunset light pierced through the window and hit her eyes. She squinted and instinctively closed her eyes, letting out a soft hiss. Losing balance, she reached out to steady herself on the desk.

Her body swayed toward Xiao Yutong, who noticed something was off and instinctively reached out to help. Song Xian stumbled halfway into her arms. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Xiao Yutong’s head blocking the harsh sunlight.

“You okay?” Xiao Yutong asked her voice soft and unfamiliar, unlike her usual commanding tone. It reminded Song Xian of the Xiao Yutong from that night.

Everyone else had left. The office was silent, and they were so close that Song Xian could see every eyelash on Xiao Yutong’s face, could see her own tiny reflection in those pupils. The gentle voice, the familiar scent  green apples.

Xiao Yutong, in high heels, stood slightly taller. Hair tied up, wearing a skirt, but still exuding strong, dominant energy.

“You smell good, Xiao Yutong,” Song Xian blurted, not knowing why sounding like some sleazy rogue teasing an innocent woman.

“Song Xian.” Xiao Yutong pushed her away.

Song Xian stumbled back a few steps, finally escaping the glare of the sunset.

Though the sky had darkened, Song Xian decided to move that night. Jiang Chen helped contact a moving company. She went home to pack.

Originally, she planned to take a cab, but since Jiang Chen had just been stood up by his “older sister” and was feeling moody, he came to pick her up at Jin Cheng instead.

After Song Xian left the office, Xiao Yutong also drove out from the underground garage. She happened to catch a glimpse of Song Xian getting into Jiang Chen’s car.

She only took one look, then stepped on the gas and sped off.

Night quietly swallowed the city. The sunlight was gone, replaced by the glow of urban lights.

“Xiao Yutong, where the hell are you? Don’t tell me you haven’t even left yet. This is, what, the third time you’ve been late?” The call came from Jiang Lan, a long-time friend.

Jiang Lan had heard about Liu Qianwen’s engagement that afternoon and insisted on meeting up to get the full story, regardless of how busy Xiao Yutong was.

“I just left the office. You’re the one who made it so sudden,” Xiao Yutong replied, making a U-turn at the intersection and arriving at the restaurant.

“You’re blaming me now? I ditched my sister to come be with you!” Jiang Lan was already outside. She saw the car arrive, hung up, and got in.

Xiao Yutong was blunt: “Like I need your company.”

She asked Jiang Lan, “Where to?”

Jiang Lan: “Let’s go eat first. I bet you didn’t have dinner again, workaholic Director Xiao.”

On the way, Xiao Yutong recounted what happened at Liu Qianwen’s engagement party and the things she said. Jiang Lan swore the entire ride  clearly enjoying the gossip, but also genuinely angry at Liu Qianwen.

Jiang Lan cursed so much she couldn’t stop, even after they reached the restaurant. She even threatened to confront Liu Qianwen herself.

“Enough. You don’t need to do anything. But there is something I need your help with.” After laying out her request, the food arrived, and they moved away from the topic of Liu Qianwen. They didn’t want to ruin their appetites talking about her.

For some reason, Xiao Yutong thought of Song Xian  of that reckless night, of her flirtatious behavior. She blurted out, “Jiang Lan, there’s something…”

Jiang Lan paused mid-bite. “What?”

“Never mind.” Xiao Yutong thought, How could I possibly explain that I slept with a girl barely over twenty, who now works under me and keeps flirting with me? Jiang Lan would never let me live it down.

Song Xian didn’t have much to pack, so it went quickly. Jiang Chen said he was helping, but in reality, he was heartbroken from being stood up and just lay on the couch watching videos on his phone, occasionally giggling.

The movers came and started hauling boxes. Song Xian, worn out, sat down beside him to rest and scrolled through her phone. She saw a flood of new messages in their team chat  and suddenly remembered her promise to Xiao Yutong about the bridal campaign.

Just then, Jiang Chen giggled again. She looked up  the video had changed, and his face was serious now. Song Xian could hear the video  it sounded like an ad, but also like a story.

Even someone like Jiang Chen, who hated ads, kept watching. That meant it had to be compelling.

When the video ended, Jiang Chen went to switch to a new one.

“Don’t move!” Song Xian shouted, startling him. Before he could speak, she snatched the phone and rewound to the previous video.

A new idea sparked in her mind.

At 10 PM, she finally reached her new place. By the time the movers finished, it was nearly 11. Jiang Chen left. She tidied up the essentials, made her bed, and showered.

Once everything was done, she had a chance to look around. The apartment had three bedrooms and a living room, decorated in a simple yet stylish way she liked. There was even a bathtub  a small one, but enough for her needs.

Though it had been vacant for a while, the place didn’t smell musty. Before her stuff was moved in, the space had been clean and tidy, the bathroom spotless. Clearly, the landlord had it cleaned in advance.

The living room was a mess from unpacking, so she retreated to the bedroom  which was eerily empty except for a bed and a lamp. Creepy. She switched the lighting to a warmer hue and climbed into bed. Before sleeping, she organized her thoughts on the bridal campaign concept.

She didn’t fall asleep until past 1 AM.

“Zzz zzz zzz please don’t oversleep, please don’t oversleep!” Her alarm rang at exactly 7:50 giving her thirty more minutes than usual. Song Xian stretched contentedly, thinking she had time to wash up and leave leisurely.

But a message from Zhang Xin shattered that illusion.

Zhang Xin: “Meeting at 8:40 sharp this morning. Don’t be late again!”

What?! A meeting?! Song Xian nearly choked on her toothpaste. There was a notice? I didn’t see it!

Too late to worry about that now. All she knew was that if she was late again  no matter the reason  she’d be kicked out of Jin Cheng.

She rushed to wash up, dug out a change of clothes from her still-unpacked luggage, threw on a bit of makeup, and bolted out the door.

In her haste, she saw both elevators were descending  bad luck. She waited over a minute. And maybe it was her imagination, but she thought she smelled Xiao Yutong’s signature scent in the elevator lobby.

Was it just in my head?

Outside the apartment complex, Song Xian checked her ride-share ETA on her phone when a white Mercedes drove by. Through the half-open window, she caught a glimpse of the driver  perfect makeup, dangling earrings, long hair down, gold-rimmed sunglasses covering half her face.

Right after that, a black car pulled up in front of Song Xian.

She made it into the meeting room with less than a minute to spare. Moments later, Xiao Yutong walked in. Clutching her chest, Song Xian let out a sigh of relief  just in time.

Xiao Yutong got straight to the point: “Regarding the creative concept for the Liroka bridal ad have the teams made any progress?”

The room fell dead silent. Everyone tried to calm their pounding hearts.

Song Xian spoke up: “I have an idea.”