Sweet as Honey and Sugar - Chapter 2

He Qingrou wasn’t a native of Nancheng. She had come here for university, and after graduation, decided to stay and build her career.

Her major was in engineeringnot an easy field for women, where gender bias still lingered.

After five or six years of hard work and setbacks, her efforts were finally paying off.

Her salary had risen past ten thousand, and if she passed the year-end evaluation in October, she was likely to be promoted to deputy manager of the design department.

This latest set of design drawings had been her responsibility.

She’d already completed the handover on Wednesday, but when she heard what the intern, Xiao Wu, was saying now, her heart sank.

What happened? she asked sharply.

Between quiet sobs, Xiao Wu stammered, The the quality inspection department found an issue with the bolt holes.

In automobile parts, casting holes had to be precise to the millimeter.

Any mistake meant either scrapping the product or recasting it  and the success rate for recasting was notoriously low.

He Qingrou’s brows drew together. She clenched her hand unconsciously.

Too big or too small? How many pieces?

Too small. Smaller by 0.02 fifteen parts in total. The manager’s out of town till tomorrow and told me to contact you first.

He Qingrou exhaled slowly in relief. Fortunately, it was fixable.

Xiao Wu had only been interning for two months, still green and easily rattled  any minor issue felt like the end of the world.

It’s alright, don’t cry. I’ll take care of it, He Qingrou soothed her.

For now, go to the quality inspection department, get the drawings back, and bring them to the design office for revision.

Then find Master Jiang Fengyi in the workshop. Tell him I’m asking for his help. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.

O-okay.  Xiao Wu sniffled. Thank you, Sister He.

Mm. Hang up for now.

As she spoke, He Qingrou was already changing clothes  slipping out of her skirt and into her formal suit.

She took out a tin of premium Longjing tea she had recently bought, placed it inside a plain paper bag, and drove straight to the company.

Dongning Automobile Group’s Nancheng branch sat on the eastern edge of the old city.

It didn’t take long to get there by car. She headed first to the staff lounge near the workshop and quietly placed the tea inside Jiang Fengyi’s locker.

The company was quiet on weekends; most people working overtime were stationed on the production lines. The lounge was empty.

After that, she went to Workshop No. 2 to find him.

Though most processes were now automated, re-casting work required an experienced craftsman  especially for small-batch corrections. Jiang Fengyi, a senior master

sent from the head office two years ago, was known for being kind and easygoing.

The design department worked closely with the workshop, so He Qingrou knew him well. They got along easily  which was why she had turned to him for help.

When she entered, Jiang Fengyi was already waiting.

Before she could speak, he said, They’re already reworking it. It’ll be done before the end of the shift.

Thank you, Master Jiang. Sorry to trouble you again, she said with a smile.

That young girl from your department came over crying her eyes out I thought it was a catastrophe.

Please forgive her. She’s still learning.

Jiang waved it off. No problem. But you’d better think about how to explain this upstairs.

There’ll probably be two or three rejects. Lucky the holes were smaller  if they’d been larger, those guys in quality control would’ve made your life miserable.

He Qingrou nodded. There’s no choice now but to fix it and move on.

It’s not the first time something like this happened. I’ll cover things here for you. Just be careful when you talk to Manager Yang  don’t let this mess up your evaluation.

I really appreciate it, Master Jiang. You’ve helped me more times than I can count.

He waved a hand. It’s nothing. Just be cautious. Don’t give those restless types any excuse to use this against you.

Design drawings had to pass through multiple rounds of inspection before reaching the workshop. Such an obvious error couldn’t have gone unnoticed.

Whatever the reason, if upper management decided to dig into it, everyone involved would share the blame but as the project lead, she would inevitably take the fall first.

I’ll keep that in mind.

Alright, Jiang said. Go handle your end. I’ll let you know once we’re done here.

I’ll come by again later.

Back in the design department, He Qingrou compared the printed drawing with the original file. Sure enough, the original was correct — the tolerance value on the new

version had been altered, 0.02 too small.

Her expression turned cold. Someone must have done this intentionally.

Just then, her phone rang. Manager Yang.

Yang Shuncheng was notorious for his temper. He launched into a tirade the moment she picked up.

Over the past two years, his career had been on the rise, and rumors said he was due for a promotion to headquarters before year’s end.

Being away on a business trip now already made him uneasy — this kind of problem was enough to make him blow a fuse.

If anything jeopardized his promotion, he’d skin his subordinates alive.

He Qingrou listened quietly, letting him vent. When he finally paused, she said calmly, I’m truly sorry for the trouble, Manager Yang. I’ve already handled it. I’ll visit the

quality inspection department myself. Please don’t worry.

The day I stop worrying will be when the Yellow River dries up! Do any of you even look before starting production?

You all bolt the moment a holiday starts faster than rabbits running from hawks!

Tell me, who’s taking responsibility for this? I have to clean up your mess even when I’m not there I must be cursed!

It was my mistake, she said evenly. I’ll take full responsibility.

Meaning, she would protect him his name wouldn’t appear anywhere in the report.

I really feel sorry for causing you this much trouble.

There was a long silence on the other end, before Yang spoke again, voice clipped.
When I’m back tomorrow, I don’t want to hear another word about this.

Yes, sir. Understood.

He hung up without another word.

Rubbing her temples, He Qingrou reprinted the corrected drawings and sent them to the production line.

The quality inspection office was behind the workshop and usually manned.

Thanks to Jiang Fengyi’s prior notice, the staff didn’t give her a hard time. Once the new batch passed inspection, she finally allowed herself to relax.

Meanwhile, Workshop No. 2 completed the rework quickly only two defective parts, nothing major.

Back in the office, she wrote up her report and submitted it to the manager’s office before six.

Once a problem was solved, it was no longer a real problem.

The report was just procedure essentially a written shield for Manager Yang. The workplace was full of hidden traps and politics; it was better to swallow some losses

than leave others a handle to use against you later.

Sister He, Xiao Wu called when she saw her. The girl’s eyes were red, arms full of documents.

Working overtime? He Qingrou asked.

No, no. Just sorting out the department’s records from the first half of the year. I’m about to return them to the archive and head home.

Alright. Go early. It’s not very safe around here at night.

Thank you, Sister He. And. about today.  Xiao Wu lowered her head, speaking softly. I’m really sorry. Manager Yang must’ve been

It’s not your fault, He Qingrou interrupted. I was responsible for the project. You did the right thing by calling me immediately I should be the one thanking you.

Xiao Wu shook her head, still guilty. But when I delivered the drawings, there was nothing wrong. How could it suddenly change.

It’s handled now, He Qingrou said, her tone gentle but firm. Just don’t mention it at work again.

You never know whose ears things might reach.” She glanced at the clock. Go on, it’s nearly six.

Okay, okay,  Xiao Wu nodded quickly. See you tomorrow.

See you.

After running around all afternoon, He Qingrou was exhausted. All she wanted now was a long, hot bath and to collapse into bed.

Her legs ached badly from walking in heels even her thighs felt weak.

She stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the first floor. The doors began to close slowly then reopened.

Out of reflex, she looked up.

A pair of long, slender legs came into view, the pale arch of a foot framed by nude pointed heels.

Straight-cut slacks, a fitted blazer, a few open buttons at the collar. Neat, elegant with just a hint of allure.

It was her.

He Qingrou’s heart skipped. She forced herself to look away, pretending calm.

Lin Nai, of course, recognized her too. Yet she didn’t speak or move, simply stood to the left, calm and composed.

The elevator doors closed again, sealing them inside the small space. Though it was barely twenty degrees outside, the air suddenly felt stifling and warm.

Lin Nai’s back was straight, her posture graceful. The shape of her shoulder blades faintly visible through the fabric butterfly bones, as they were called.

People said that women with such shoulders were born temptresses, inviting a touch. Just a few hours ago, He Qingrou had traced those same lines herself, dizzy from

the warmth and softness of that body.

Now, though, Lin Nai stood immaculate in her tailored suit every inch proper and professional.

How strange.

He Qingrou looked straight ahead, keeping her eyes fixed on the elevator panel.

Yet in the mirrored walls, Lin Nai’s tall, elegant silhouette was perfectly reflected. She stole a glance and in that same moment, realized Lin Nai was looking back.

A soft laugh escaped Lin Nai’s lips, her mouth curving with quiet amusement.

Quite the coincidence, she said, voice low and meaningful.

He Qingrou didn’t respond. She only watched the floor numbers change, willing them to move faster.

5… 4… 3…

Ding.

The elevator stopped at the second floor.

An employee stood outside with a cart piled halfway to his chest. He peered over it and said politely, Excuse me, miss, could you step aside a bit? Thanks.

He Qingrou shifted to the right but a hand caught her arm and pulled her left instead.

The man pushed the cart in, nudging it farther to make space.

He Qingrou almost stumbled into Lin Nai’s arms. They stood so close now their bodies nearly touched 6separated by only a breath. She could feel Lin Nai’s warmth at

her neck, the faint rhythm of her breathing.

It was warm.

And sweet.

It spread through her chest like honey.