The Boss Always Thinks I'm After Him - Chapter 19

Chapter 19 — Heartbeat Progress 1.9%: Asking the Boss to Pretend to Be My Partner…

Phantom offers great benefits; even the cleaners earn more than those at other companies. No matter what, Liu Hui was unwilling to leave.

Gu Che laid the evidence in front of her. Liu Hui cried and yelled, claiming she didn’t know this would cause such consequences, but in the end, the company security escorted her out.

That morning, Xiao Yang’s computer had issues, and by the afternoon, Shi Cang and Liu Hui were both fired. Everyone in the office guessed what had happened, whispering and discussing it among themselves.

“The boss fired them directly; it must be a serious issue.”

“Did Xiao Yang offend her somehow?”

“That’s impossible. How would a cleaner know anything? It must be Shi Cang who ordered her.”

“But Shi Cang just joined recently…”

“Shh.”

…

The door to the CEO’s office opened, and Gu Che came out with a cold expression. His eyes scanned everyone, and the cubicle area immediately fell silent.

“Announcement: New employee Shi Cang bribed cleaner Liu Hui to install a virus on Xiao Yang’s computer, resulting in the hard drive being formatted and all work data lost. The damage is severe, so both are hereby terminated.”

As he spoke, Gu Che’s gaze meaningfully passed over Peng Hui, reminding everyone: “Others work hard for a long time, but a single careless act can erase all their efforts. Instead of plotting harm, put that energy into your work.”

“If I catch anyone maliciously damaging others’ equipment or destroying work again, I will make sure they cannot survive in this industry. Consider this a warning.”

After venting his anger, Gu Che turned and entered the elevator.

Two minutes later, the third tech team’s cubicle exploded with chatter.

“Oh my god, how could someone be so vicious as to format your hard drive? That’s too much!”

Meng Yue stood up, shouting across several desks to Xiao Yang, “What about the smart guide glasses code? It’s not gone too, right? This bad luck can’t be real.”

Xiao Yang gave a bitter smile, “That’s just how unlucky I am. Everything’s gone.”

“Really?” Meng Yue couldn’t believe her ears and held her head in her hands, “What do we do? The prototype test is next week!”

Hearing this, everyone tensed up.

“How could Shi Cang do this? So malicious.”

“Luckily he was caught. If someone like that stayed, we’d always be worried about our work.”

“There’s only a week left. Is it even possible to start over?”

…

While everyone sympathized with Xiao Yang, Peng Hui also wore a pitying look, sighing repeatedly.

Jiang Ni glanced at Zhong Jun, “Jun Ge, think of a way, or this will be a total disaster.”

Zhong Jun stood, looking around, “Whoever can, put aside your less urgent work and help Yang Zi.”

No one spoke up—who wants to do such thankless work?

Xiao Yang waved his hand, refusing, “It’s okay. I’ll just pull a few late nights and get it done myself. No need to trouble anyone.”

The atmosphere grew awkward. Everyone lowered their heads, avoiding eye contact.

Ma Weiran turned to Peng Hui, “Peng Hui, I heard you two are classmates. You don’t have urgent tasks, why not lend a hand?”

Zhong Jun thought it was a good idea, nodded and pointed at him, “Exactly. Do well, and I’ll help you apply for the bonus.”

As soon as the word “bonus” was mentioned, others quickly raised their hands.

“Since Peng Hui is new, I’ll do it.”

“I’ll do it, I’m already done with my tasks.”

“Stop arguing, I’ll do it.”

…

“Get lost! When I asked before, no one said a word. Now there’s a bonus, and suddenly everyone wants to do it,” Zhong Jun shrugged, teasing, “Too late now.”

Though the chance for permanent employment was tempting, this was Xiao Yang’s project. Even if someone else did the work, Xiao Yang would get the credit. Peng Hui hesitated.

Xiao Yang glanced at him, deliberately loud enough for others to hear, “No need, really no need. This is my bad luck; I shouldn’t waste others’ time.”

“At worst, I’ll just get scolded by the boss. No big deal.”

If he hadn’t reacted fast and realized the computer was infected with a virus, he might have unknowingly taken the fall.

Hearing Xiao Yang say he might get scolded, Peng Hui had a sudden idea.

If he helped Xiao Yang now and later made a critical mistake at a key moment, maybe the boss would fire both Xiao Yang and him, leaving no one to steal his spotlight.

“That’s nonsense,” Peng Hui said, disapproving but stepping forward, “We’re classmates after all. I won’t abandon you. Just send me what needs to be done.”

Xiao Yang looked relieved, “Really? Thank you so much! I’ll treat you to a meal.”

He sat down and picked the hardest modules from all the code sections, then sent them to Peng Hui.

Xu Mubai, unsure what Xiao Yang was up to, quietly tapped his phone.

[Xu Mubai]: Are you really going to let him write?

[XYZ]: Don’t worry, no code was lost.

[Xu Mubai]: …

[Xu Mubai]: What scheme are you plotting now?

[XYZ]: Look at you, he hit me first and caused huge losses. I have to get back at him somehow, right?

[Xu Mubai]: Good job.

Xiao Yang’s face was hidden behind the computer screen; no one saw his smile.

Suddenly, the group chat of Team Three popped up messages.

[Yuan Ming]: Attention all departments, attention.

[Yuan Ming]: Got some insider news: The higher-ups are cracking down on office romances. Everyone be careful.

Xiao Yang froze, looking at Xu Mubai.

[XYZ]: Heard the company is cracking down on office romances. Be careful, guys.

[Xu Mubai]: Panic.jpg

[Xu Mubai]: Why suddenly now?

He immediately messaged Yu Qian to remind him to leave separately after work.

After putting down their phones, Zhong Jun received a survey from HR.

“What’s this weird stuff? What’s the boss thinking?” he muttered, forwarding the survey to the Team One group chat, “Everyone fill this out.”

Xiao Yang opened it: “Company policy satisfaction survey? What does this mean?”

He quickly clicked answers and on the last question—suggestions—he casually wrote, “Suggest lifting the ban on office romances.”

Before submitting, he added, “Add a staff canteen.”

The little incident passed quickly, and everyone went back to work.

Xiao Yang’s smart guide glasses code had two modules left. He buried himself in work, arriving early and leaving late, always the last to leave.

Everyone else had gone home, but he stayed to work overtime. He was clearly dedicated.

Soon, Xiao Yang finished all the coding and integrated the parts Xu Mubai was responsible for, checking everything once over.

To avoid suspicion from Peng Hui, he kept pretending to be busy and only left after everyone else.

In the blink of an eye, it was Friday.

Xiao Yang stayed until eight at night before leaving. While waiting for the elevator, he received a message from Zhang Heng.

[Zhang Heng]: Tiger wants hotpot. Tomorrow we go to Central Street for hotpot.

[Zhang Heng]: Location sent.

[Zhang Heng]: 6 pm. Don’t be late. Remember to bring your partner.

Xiao Yang took a deep breath, realizing he had completely forgotten.

He despairingly shoved his phone in his pocket, thinking he’d just confess to them tomorrow. No shame in being honest.

“Xiao Gong has been working so hard lately, always the last to leave,” Zhang Rui happened to come down, carrying a briefcase, and stood beside him. “Still worried about the smart guide glasses?”

“No,” Xiao Yang shook his head. After a few seconds, his eyes lit up. “Secretary Zhang, how about I treat you to dinner to thank you for helping find the surveillance footage?”

He decided to give it a try; maybe Zhang Rui could help with this matter, so he wouldn’t have to stress over it.

Zhang Rui politely refused, “It’s my duty. No need to mention it.”

“That won’t do. I’m not ungrateful,” Xiao Yang insisted with unusual enthusiasm, “How about hotpot?”

The elevator arrived. They both stepped in, Xiao Yang kept persuading Zhang Rui.

Unfortunately, no matter what he said, Zhang Rui kept refusing, so Xiao Yang finally came clean.

“Don’t misunderstand. I have no feelings for you. I’m just trying to save face in front of friends, so I’m asking you to pretend to be my partner.”

As he spoke, he felt increasingly embarrassed.

Not only was he showing off in front of friends and losing face, but now he had to ask the boss’s secretary to fake being his partner. How did he end up in this situation?

Luckily, Zhang Rui didn’t give him a strange look. Otherwise, Xiao Yang would have wanted to dig a hole and hide.

“Ding,” the elevator reached the first floor. They walked toward the company entrance.

Zhang Rui was about to refuse again but suddenly had a clever idea.

“I think if you want help pretending, you might as well ask the boss.”

“Look, the boss is taller, handsomer, and richer. Taking him along would be even more impressive.”

“Ding,” another elevator also arrived on the first floor.

Xiao Yang’s eyes widened in shock, speechless. “Secretary Zhang, are you crazy or am I crazy? Asking the boss to pretend to be my partner? I’m afraid I won’t see tomorrow’s sunrise.”

His reaction was so normal and innocent that Zhang Rui instantly wondered: does he really have no feelings for the boss?

At that moment, the elevator door opened next to them, and Gu Che stepped out, turning to look at them.

Xiao Yang sucked in a breath, forcing a fake smile, “Haha, boss, what a coincidence.”

How could it be? Every time he talked behind the boss’s back, he ran into him.

Gu Che’s cold gaze fell on them, sensing something odd about Xiao Yang. He parted his thin lips slightly, “What are you two talking about?”

“We were just talking about Xiao Gong…”

“Nothing,”

Zhang Rui started to speak but was quickly cut off by Xiao Yang’s urgent glare, signaling him to stop.

Gu Che’s chin lifted slightly, exuding a bit of coldness, “Secretary Zhang, you speak.”

Zhang Rui opened his mouth, then pointed at Xiao Yang, “He won’t let me.”

Xiao Yang gave an awkward smile, trying to brush it off.

“Boss, really nothing, just a small personal matter, nothing important.”

“Really.”