Sweet as Honey and Sugar - Chapter 3:
She felt terribly uneasy.
The gaze hovering above her was like invisible threads, binding her in place.
The moment she lifted her head, she caught sight of the other woman’s slender, delicate neckfair,
smooth, and beautiful.
He Qingrou turned her face slightly, pretending to study the elevator wall.
Which department do you work in? Lin Nai suddenly asked.
At that moment, the elevator reached the first floor. A few employees pushed carts of goods out,
and Lin Nai gently pulled He Qingrou inward to make space.
The movement was natural and fleeting, as if nothing had happened.
He Qingrou paused, then asked in return, Are you a new hire?
Lin Nai smiled. I start work tomorrow. Came by early to get familiar with the place.
She looked about twenty, but not like a student probably recruited from outside,
He Qingrou guessed.
A one-night stand turned coworker she suddenly felt like she’d dug her own grave.
Which department?
You haven’t answered me yet.
Design department, He Qingrou replied as she stepped out of the elevator. You?
Close by, Lin Nai said, matching her pace. Right next door to you.
The next department over was Human Resources. He Qingrou breathed a quiet sigh of relief. The
two departments were adjacent but rarely interacted.
Turning left into the open parking lot, He Qingrou unlocked her car. See you.
She got in and shut the door in one smooth motion.
Lin Nai raised an eyebrow. See you.
On the way home, He Qingrou called Chi Jiayi.
Jiayi, I’ve got something to do tonight. Dinner’s on me next time.
The sound of rustling sheets came through the phone as Jiayi turned over sleepily.
How did things go at work?
He Qingrou gave a bitter laugh. She hadn’t told Jiayi about it yet. So the news spread that fast?
I thought I could keep it under wraps for a while.
Jiayi sat up, hair tousled. You know how those women in our department gossip. The one from
Quality Inspection Li she can’t keep her mouth shut. She probably announced it before the ink even
dried. I swear, I could slap her.
He Qingrou sighed helplessly. Let it go. It’s not like they can actually do anything to me.
They only dare because you’re too nice, Jiayi snapped. If it were me, I’d have torn them a new one!
A bunch of old hens who only know how to talk behind people’s backs!
He Qingrou couldn’t help but laugh. It’s all handled. Let them talk it won’t change anything.
That’s good. Jiayi hesitated, then added, I heard that little Wu went over your head and reported
directly to Yang Shuncheng.
Is that true?
Yeah. She was crying the whole time, He Qingrou said, steering onto the highway.
I already filed my report it should be fine.
Jiayi clicked her tongue. “That girl’s got no brains. You’ve been nothing but kind to her, and she
turns around and stabs you in the back.”
She’s just new to the corporate world. She’ll learn, He Qingrou said. She was the one who had
brought Wu into the design department the girl had talent. With proper guidance, she might even
become a capable assistant one day.
Jiayi rolled her eyes. You’re too soft. At this rate, she’ll never toughen up.” She got out of bed,
slipping on her slippers. By the way, that beauty from last night how was she? Don’t tell me it
wasn’t sparks flying, passion overflowing, waves crashing till sunrise
No, He Qingrou cut her off, cheeks warming at the memory of running into Lin Nai in the elevator.
She definitely couldn’t tell Jiayi the truth. If Jiayi found out Lin Nai worked at the same company,
she’d never hear the end of it. drank too much, my head was spinning. I don’t even remember
much.
Yeah, right, Jiayi scoffed. You only had two, maybe three drinks.
You and Chen Ming left early, so I drank more. Got drunk, couldn’t see straight, and next thing I
knew, I woke up in the hotel.
You expect me to believe that?
He Qingrou ignored her doubt. I’m driving, so I’ll hang up now. We’ll talk tomorrow at work.
She ended the call.
At home, He Qingrou made a quick bowl of noodles, showered, did laundry, watered the plants on
her balcony, and, before bed, habitually checked her phone.
The company group chat was buzzing as always. The usual chatter filled the feed, so after scrolling
through a couple of pages, she exited.
She opened her Moments feed nothing interesting. She liked a few posts from friends, then was
about to sleep when a friend request popped up.
The username was L The profile picture a chubby orange cat, round and adorably soft.
She opened the request. The note read: Lin Nai.
She must’ve found her through the company chat group. He Qingrou hesitated for a moment,
then hit Decline.
A few seconds later, another request came through. This time, the note simply said: Please accept.
Without thinking, He Qingrou declined again, switched off her phone, and went straight to bed.
She was truly exhausted her head hit the pillow, and everything went dark.
The next morning, she woke up at 6:50, washed up, ate breakfast, and drove to work. She clocked
in at 7:55, stepping into the design department right as the clock struck eight.
Morning, a friendly coworker greeted.
Morning, she replied, picking up the task brief on her desk. After a quick read, she mentally
planned her day, grabbed her mug to get coffee and stopped.
Across the room, a female colleague was crying while editing a design draft, tissues piled halfway
up her desk.
They weren’t close, so He Qingrou leaned toward the man beside her and whispered,
What’s wrong with her?
He shook his head with pity. Her design got rejected last week. Got scolded for half an hour and lost
half a month’s bonus.
He Qingrou frowned. Didn’t it already pass review?
Didn’t make it past the new director, he whispered. New boss wants to make an impression been
calling in people all morning. She’s lucky; HR already fired two.
He Qingrou froze. New director? No one told her that. Before the break, she’d just been to the
director’s office for a signature—the man hadn’t looked like he was planning to leave.
And now, suddenly, a replacement?
What new director? she asked.
Her coworker gaped at her. You didn’t check the group chat last night?
I slept early.
Someone from headquarters was sent down. Don’t know the details, he whispered.
Anyway, Manager Yang’s here.
He quickly sat up straight and started working as Yang Shuncheng waddled in his beer belly leading
the way, eyes scanning the room like a hawk. They landed squarely on He Qingrou.
Her back stiffened. She stood up and greeted politely, Good morning, Manager.
Yang glanced sideways, chin tilted arrogantly, and tossed a folder onto her desk.
Take this to the director’s office.
The new director had a temper, and Yang was clearly trying to avoid being the one to get scolded.
He Qingrou clenched her jaw and silently cursed him to the eighteenth generation, but her face
remained calm. She picked up the folder. Alright. I’ll deliver it right away.
And come by my office after.
Got it.
The folder was warm probably from sitting in his hands for too long.
She subtly shook it off as she stepped outside.
The director’s office wasn’t far just across a small meeting room. Before knocking, she smoothed
her clothes and steadied herself.
Come in.
The voice was cool and firm familiar somehow. He Qingrou froze for a moment,
then pushed the door open.
Behind the solid wood desk sat Lin Nai, reviewing documents with quiet focus. She wore a pure
white suit today, her hair loosely pinned up, a few strands falling beside her ear as she leaned over
her work. She looked calm, elegant, and self-assured.
He Qingrou stood silently, heart pounding. So she’s the new director.
When Lin Nai said yesterday that her office was “right next door,”
she hadn’t meant HR she’d meant this.
After signing off the document, Lin Nai looked up and gestured toward the chair. Sit.
Feeling awkward, He Qingrou set the folder down. This is the design department’s proposal for the X6 car’s speed reducer. Please take a look.
I’ll review it after this batch. Come by the day after tomorrow to get it, Lin Nai said, leaning back in
her chair. She’d been working since six in the morning and was starting to feel the fatigue set in.
Understood. Thank you. He Qingrou spoke respectfully, ready to make her escape. Then I’ll
Would you mind making me a cup of coffee? Lin Nai interrupted, pushing her cup toward her.
Of course. Like she could refuse.
Even her coffee mug was an Hermès limited edition worth more than a week of He Qingrou’s salary. She handled it with utmost care; dropping it would be a disaster.
Lin Nai probably didn’t drink instant coffee, but He Qingrou wasn’t sure what kind she liked, so she made a cup of freshly ground brew and placed it before her.
Thank you.
You’re welcome.
The rich aroma of coffee filled the air. Lin Nai took a small sip the bitterness spread across her tongue instantly.
Next time, add a little sugar.
Okay.
You seem nervous, Lin Nai said lightly.
No,” He Qingrou denied immediately.
Lin Nai tapped her slender fingers twice against the desk, her lips curving slightly. Are you free tonight?
I’m having dinner with friends, He Qingrou replied evenly, as if it were true. Everyone’s busy it’s hard to get together.
Lin Nai didn’t respond, just studied her with a quiet, amused gaze.
Feeling her skin prickle under that look, He Qingrou cleared her throat. If there’s nothing else, Director, I’ll return to the design department. I still have work to finish.
Mm. Lin Nai’s lips curved faintly, letting her go.
He Qingrou stepped out with a stiff smile and exhaled deeply the moment the door closed behind her.