This Director Is Not To Be Trifled With - Chapter 8

Friday morning was restless. The streets were jammed with heavy traffic, cars crawling forward, horns blaring from every direction. The noise was giving Xiao Yutong a headache. At a red light, she shifted gears and pulled the handbrake. Glancing at the countdown showing 70 seconds left, she pushed her sunglasses up and pressed her fingers against her temples.

She just couldn’t understand why did it happen again? How did she end up in bed with Song Xian again? Hadn’t she said she understood things now?

As for what happened last night, Xiao Yutong only vaguely remembered Song Xian handing her a can of alcohol, saying that if they drank it together, they would forget about that night.

But somehow, she started eating skewers, chatting with Song Xian, then one skewer after another, one drink after another… and after that, things were blurry.

She vaguely remembered crying. Maybe even kissing Song Xian.

She, a grown woman, had somehow seduced a girl barely in her twenties and this was the second time. Honestly, she had no right to blame Song Xian. After all, both times, she had been the one who made the first move.

The red light turned green. Xiao Yutong shook off the chaotic thoughts in her mind, shifted gears, released the handbrake, and eased into the flow of traffic.

No matter what things were like outside, once she entered this building Jincheng she became a warrior clad in armor, fearless and invincible.

Thick curtains blocked out all the sunlight. An alarm buzzed. Something squirmed under the covers. A hand finally reached out, fumbling for the phone, but didn’t turn it off.

After a minute, Song Xian sat up like a zombie. Her messy hair covered most of her face. She looked around the room… and at the empty space beside her just like last time.

Song Xian: “……”

Left alone again? What could she do? She found herself liking this runaway Director Xiao even more.

Song Xian did originally plan to get Xiao Yutong drunk and maybe do something more. But once she got drunk, Xiao cried and cursed her ex, hugged a streetlamp while sobbing, and even had a heart-to-heart with a stray cat. Song Xian couldn’t bring herself to take advantage of that. She planned to drop her off at home and leave. But…

Song Xian swore it wasn’t her fault this time.

Last night.

Xiao Yutong clung to her arm, giggling foolishly. Her smile was so beautiful childlike even it melted Song Xian’s heart.

Xiao Yutong traced her fingers along Song Xian’s face starting from the forehead, down the nose, then lips, chin, and finally… her Adam’s apple. Her finger stopped there, and Song Xian swallowed involuntarily, only to find Xiao Yutong staring.

Xiao Yutong: “What’s this? It moves.”

She sounded adorably childish when drunk so much more endearing than her usual cold self.

Song Xian humored her. “Take a guess.”

Xiao Yutong’s eyes were dreamy, her lips pouting. “I can’t guess.”

Song Xian smiled. “It’s candy.”

Xiao Yutong: “Candy?”

What Song Xian didn’t expect was that Xiao Yutong would suddenly lick it. She nearly died on the spot from shock.

It took all her effort to pull her off. But seeing the teary-eyed woman still smiling made her feel something strange in her heart something like… heartache.

Song Xian’s thoughts: What kind of person could make our Director Xiao cry like this? I’m jealous.

She tucked a strand of Xiao’s hair behind her ear, gently cupping her face.

“Xiao Yutong,” she whispered, “Can I take advantage of you?”

Xiao Yutong: “Why not?”

Then a kiss landed on her lips.

Song Xian walked out of the room and saw the house in disarray as if a burglar had gone through it. Clothes thrown on the sofa and chairs. The kitchen had unwashed dishes. Even yesterday’s lunchbox was still sitting out.

She opened the cupboard there were three identical lunchboxes inside. Clearly, Xiao Yutong only washed them on weekends.

So this is what Director Xiao is really like.

With limited time, she threw all the dirty clothes into the washer and cleaned up the kitchen before heading out. After going home, she showered, changed, put on some light makeup, and left for work.

While hailing a cab, she cursed Xiao Yutong: You slept with me and ran off at least give me a ride! Call it compensation for services rendered.

She arrived at the office just on time. As soon as she sat down, Zhang Xin handed her a file. “Here. Director Xiao wants you to go over the details again.”

Song Xian: “Got it.”

She glanced toward the office. The blinds were closed.

Director Xiao is hiding? Embarrassed, maybe?

All morning, she didn’t see Xiao Yutong. The blinds never opened. She couldn’t think of a reason to knock too many eyes watching. Song Xian didn’t mind being seen, but Xiao Yutong clearly did. Until she knew where Xiao stood, she had to keep things discreet.

There was another reason she didn’t knock: the PPT presentation originally prepared by Zhang Xin had mysteriously vanished. Even the backups were gone. No trace it had ever existed.

Zhang Xin had checked several times the day before. It was clearly deleted on purpose. She was distraught and terrified if this cost the company the project, she’d have to pack up and leave.

Everyone was panicking. Zhou Yao suggested reporting to the director, but Song Xian stopped her.

There were five hours left before the meeting. They had time to redo it. Finding the culprit now was pointless the priority was securing the contract.

Since they’d already made one version, the general layout was still in mind. The second version actually turned out even better, though with a few small flaws.

They grabbed a quick bite downstairs at noon, then went back up.

At 3 PM sharp, the clients from Liluoka arrived. Zhou Yao led the team to greet them in the lobby. This time, Song Xian stood at the front.

The client, Mr. Jiang, was a man in his forties, slightly overweight with a worrying hairline. He gave off a creepy vibe especially the way he looked at Xiao Yutong. It made Song Xian very uncomfortable.

Inside the conference room, Xiao Yutong was already there her first appearance of the day. She didn’t even glance at Song Xian.

She was back to her cold, aloof self shaking hands, offering official smiles.

Everyone sat. Song Xian began the pitch.

The client was very satisfied but didn’t sign the contract immediately. Still, it looked promising.

After the meeting, they all sighed in relief. Amid the laughter and chatter, Song Xian sneaked a glance at Xiao Yutong who was also looking at her. They shared a smile. It was brief, subtle, but Song Xian noticed.

A second later, Xiao Yutong disappeared into her office. Song Xian followed, slipping through the crowd.

“Not celebrating with everyone?” Xiao Yutong asked.

Song Xian stepped closer. “Director Xiao, about that reward you promised?”

Xiao Yutong set down her things and leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs. “Until we have the signed contract, nothing counts.”

From the client’s reaction, the deal was almost guaranteed. And Song Xian was confident no one else could offer a better campaign than hers. Still, Xiao Yutong had a point. The creative was done, now it was up to client services.

“Alright then!” Song Xian leaned forward, hands on the desk. “We’ll wait till the contract’s signed.”

“Oh right, Director Xiao, can you give me a ride this afternoon? I worked really hard today, after all.”

Xiao Yutong looked uncomfortable, avoiding her gaze and staring at a blank screen. “No. I have plans.”

She did have plans with Wen Lan.

Song Xian didn’t believe her, but she didn’t press. She simply replied with a loaded “Oh…” and turned to leave.

She had just reached the door when Xiao Yutong called out to her.

“Song Xian, trust is important in the workplace. But so is guarding against others.”

Song Xian knew that wasn’t a random comment. Something had made Xiao say that obviously the missing PPT.

There were cameras everywhere in the office except the bathrooms. Song Xian had bought snacks and drinks for the security team, then pretended she’d lost something to try getting access to the footage. But no luck. The guy told her only someone at director level or higher could approve that.

Frustrated, she returned to her desk, looking around at her colleagues.

Who could’ve done this? What would anyone gain by sabotaging the project or framing me?

Could it be Zhang Xin? Embezzling one’s own work wasn’t unheard of. Or Zhou Yao? She seemed diligent and was explaining things to the team right now but still, maybe?

At this point, everyone looks suspicious.

If Xiao Yutong knew about it, why wasn’t she investigating? Whoever did this was harming the company. Or did she have other plans?

Every computer had a password and webcam. The culprit wouldn’t be foolish enough to delete files directly they must have used some kind of technical method.

But who had those skills?

It was giving her a headache. Since she couldn’t figure it out, better not to overthink. Maybe, like the ad campaign, the answer would suddenly come to her.

Xiao Yutong likely knew the truth. Someone like her wouldn’t let a saboteur run free. She probably had something planned.

It was Friday, and everyone was eager to leave. Even Director Xiao was packing up she really did have plans. With whom? An ex? A new lover?

At home, Song Xian felt empty. Though she was in the city center, it felt like she was in the middle of nowhere.

Too suffocating. She needed to let loose.

She dropped a red envelope in the group chat. Like zombies resurrected, her friends appeared.

Song Xian: [Feeling down and frustrated. Anyone up for drinks?]

Replies:

• [Can’t find a decent job all week. Might have to go back and take over the family business. Count me in.]
• [I’m in. My soul’s been tormented by society. I need alcohol to disinfect it.]
• [Me too.]

Jiang Chen: [Me too. Weekend’s here and my “sister” ditched me for someone else. crying.jpg]

Others: [Ooooh, lost a “little sister” but found a new “big sis”? Congrats~]

Song Xian changed into her “club gear.” Unlike her sexy red dress last time, this outfit was more aggressive and edgy. She styled her hair into high ponytail braids, checked herself out in the mirror, admired what she saw, then headed out.

Zhang Xin had offered to pick her up, so no need for a taxi.

It hadn’t even been a week, yet everyone’s drinking mood had shifted. To revive the old vibes, they raised their glasses on the dance floor and let loose. Song Xian downed several shots. She was already dizzy.

While dancing, a girl squeezed into her arms someone she didn’t know.

She couldn’t have been older than twenty, with a sweet, innocent face but a wild, flirty energy. The girl wrapped her arms around Song Xian’s neck, leaned in, and shouted into her ear, “Jie jie, you’re so cool!”

The music was too loud. Song Xian didn’t hear. “What?”

The girl repeated the words, grabbed Song Xian’s hand, and guided it to her waist. That’s when Song Xian noticed the girl’s ultra-short skirt most of her legs were bare, and very enticing.

But all Song Xian could think of… was Xiao Yutong.

Xiao was about 168cm tall, with perfect proportions. Her long, pale legs were unforgettable. Song Xian still remembered how they felt.

Everything about Xiao Yutong was addictive no one else’s body had ever haunted her like this.

The girl, seeing Song Xian staring at her legs, smirked and leaned up to kiss her.

Author’s Note:

Xiao Yutong: “Your mouth is dirty. Don’t come kissing me again.”