The Green Tea Supporting Girl Is Still Playing Her Role Today (GL) - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Amid the upbeat song, the car finally reached the entrance of Wen Pinghan’s neighborhood. She thanked Xie Zhifei, got out calmly, and was about to leave when the person behind her called out.

“Wait.” Xie Zhifei leaned over the seat, grabbed a bag from the back, and held it out the window. “Here, thanks.”

Wen Pinghan guessed it was her T-shirt and took it.

“Bye-bye.” Xie Zhifei smiled, settled back, and started the car.

Back home, Wen Pinghan pulled the shirt from the bag. It carried the car’s pleasant incense scent.

After showering, she checked her phone and saw a message from her realtor: [Ms. Wen, another client is eyeing that two-bedroom. If you want it, you need to act fast [rose]]

Wen Pinghan frowned slightly. Though this might be a common realtor tactic to rush a deal, she knew the apartment would get snatched up eventually.

It was close to her company, near a subway station, with great amenities—prime real estate, but pricey.

Today was payday. She tallied her savings; borrowing from friends could cover the down payment, but the mortgage would strain her current finances.

If she got the promotion, though, it’d be much easier.

[Wen Pinghan]: I’ll reply next week.

Before bed, she glanced at the puzzle on her nightstand—a nearly completed house.

Just hold on a bit longer. Soon, she’d have her own place.

A home, free of family.

The next afternoon, too busy with clients to nap, she felt drowsy. On a whim, she put on earphones, and the song “Let’s conquer the docks together~” blasted. Her sleepiness vanished instantly.

She shook her head, chuckling. It really was energizing.

“Meeting time, everyone’s required,” the outgoing manager shouted at the door. “Other leaders are joining. Be ready.”

“Other leaders?” Lin Zhimin was holding a notebook and cup; she walked with Wen Pinghan toward the meeting room, then she whispered, “Could it be the new marketing manager, our princess?”

“No idea.” Wen Pinghan glanced at her, seeing her shrug sheepishly. “What gossip did you hear now?”

“You bet.” Lin Zhimin lowered her voice, covering her mouth. “They say the princess was jobless at home for over two years, only good for shopping. Putting her in the company—isn’t that just making trouble for us? And haven’t you noticed? She’s been here almost a week and hasn’t held a staff meeting. Because she barely shows up!”

“Marketing people don’t stay in the office. Isn’t that normal?” Wen Pinghan said.

“Sure, but she’s management, not like us salespeople. Ugh, I hate family businesses parachuting people in. I probably won’t deal with her, but if she tanks the marketing department’s performance, I’m thinking of jumping ship. Someone from the other team already quit, you know?” Lin Zhimin said.

Wen Pinghan knew but didn’t care. No matter who was in charge, her focus was the promotion.

They entered the meeting room. Wen Pinghan scanned the room and saw the “other leader” was just an extra regional director.

She sat in the front row, her team members behind her. When she finished her report, they clapped loudly, giving her full support.

Mr. Wu looked over, smiling slightly at her. Wen Pinghan nodded politely.

After the meeting, Mr. Wu kept the sales supervisors behind, encouraging everyone and praising Wen Pinghan in particular. The others had mixed expressions.

“Everyone else can go. Wen Pinghan, stay and go over Mr. Li’s project in detail,” Mr. Wu said.

Once the others left, Wen Pinghan connected the projector and opened her files. As her hand touched the mouse, another hand casually covered hers.

Startled, she yanked her hand back. Looking at Mr. Wu, she saw him flash an apologetic smile, quickly withdrawing his hand.

“Sorry, just trying to help.”

Her eyelashes trembled. Steadying herself, she stood and presented the project at the projector.

When she finished, Mr. Wu nodded, pleased. “Good work. Mr. Li’s deal added a lot of points for you. The higher-ups will be happy with your results.”

His words were practically a confirmation. Wen Pinghan downplayed her efforts, closed her laptop, and headed to the door. Seeing him approach, she stood by the door, letting him exit first, then followed and shut it.

Back at her desk, Lin Zhimin rushed over, grinning. “Mr. Wu talked to you about the project for so long. That’s a good sign! Next week, do I call you Manager Wen?”

But after half a minute, Lin Zhimin noticed Wen Pinghan wasn’t smiling. She was staring at her hand, lost in thought. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Wen Pinghan raised her hand, propping her forehead. After a pause, she asked softly, “Is Mr. Wu married?”

“Nope. I heard from the girls that when you go on business trips with him, he’ll even block drinks for female staff. Such a great boss is rare. Golden bachelor—several people have a crush on him.” Lin Zhimin noticed Wen Pinghan’s face darken and asked, worried, “What’s really wrong?”

“Nothing.” Wen Pinghan took a deep breath, sipped her cola, and paused. “Next time you hit the break room, take me.”

“Sure, but didn’t you always nag me for slacking there? You’re falling to my level now?”

“Just taking a break.”

*

“Heard someone’s badmouthing me in the break room?” Xie Zhifei turned to her secretary.

The secretary choked. “…Ms. Xie, you haven’t been to the office in three days.”

Implying: Isn’t it normal for people to talk?

“I don’t go, and the company still runs fine.” Xie Zhifei grinned.

Secretary: “…” Help, the thought of working with her long-term makes me want to quit.

“Don’t just stand there. Deliver this file.” Xie Zhifei handed it over.

“Yes.” The secretary took it, leaving the Xie mansion, on the verge of tears.

Ms. Xie hadn’t gone to the office in three days—she’d brought work home! And ruined the secretary’s off-hours, turning her life into a 996 grind. Utter misery.

In the living room, the table was piled with documents. Xie Zhifei lounged on the sofa, typing on her laptop. Free from cubicle constraints, this open workspace was her favorite.

Worker’s soul, worker’s core—work was etched into her DNA. Even reborn as a privileged heiress, she couldn’t escape the grind. But she could choose a comfier way to grind.

[Plot trigger: Male and female leads dine together; manipulative side character interferes.] The system popped up.

Main job timeને

Worker Xie Zhifei dutifully hopped into her Benz and headed to the gig.

At the restaurant, Wen Pinghan stared at the man across from her, unsure what to say.

Half an hour ago, on her way home, someone snatched her bag. Then this man appeared out of nowhere, chased down the thief, subdued him, called the police, and returned her bag.

So, she had to treat him to dinner, at Gu Zhizhang’s suggestion.

“What do you want to eat?” Gu Zhizhang asked.

“Whatever, order what you like. Don’t hold back.” Wen Pinghan eyed the menu prices, wincing. She suddenly regretted calling for help—the bag was only worth a few bucks, less than a dessert here!

Gu Zhizhang boldly ordered nine dishes.

Wen Pinghan: “…” You really didn’t hold back, huh?

“Eat up, this place is good.” Gu Zhizhang smiled.

Wen Pinghan forced a smile, facing a table of fancy, tiny-portioned dishes. She had no appetite.

She nibbled unenthusiastically, feeling no rich-person vibes. These pricey dishes tasted like cardboard.

“Brother Gu, you’re here~” A sugary voice cut in. Wen Pinghan didn’t need to turn to know who it was. Her first thought: Thank goodness—stir things up! This meal’s unbearable!

“Fei, what’re you doing here?”

“My friend bailed on our dinner plans.” Xie Zhifei pouted, looking innocent. “You ordered so much. Mind if I join?”

Gu Zhizhang glanced awkwardly at Wen Pinghan, about to shoo Xie Zhifei away, but another voice beat him to it.

“No problem, sit.”

“Thanks, sister, you’re the best. We meet again!” Xie Zhifei plopped next to Wen Pinghan, forcing her to scoot over.

“How’d you two run into each other?” Xie Zhifei asked.

Gu Zhizhang explained briefly. Xie Zhifei asked, concerned, “That’s dangerous. Anyone hurt?”

“No—” Gu Zhizhang started, but saw her staring at Wen Pinghan, waiting.

“?” Wen Pinghan met her gaze, confused. “No…?”

“Good, no one’s hurt.”

Gu Zhizhang’s mouth opened, closed, opened again, finally muttering, “Yeah, I’m fine too.”

Soon, Gu Zhizhang tried chatting Wen Pinghan up. “What do you do, Ms. Wen?”

“Just an ordinary employee.”

“Where do you work?”

“A medium-sized company.”

Xie Zhifei: “…?”

Kidding me? How could Qisheng’s just a “medium-sized” company?

Sensing her evasiveness, Gu Zhizhang dropped it and turned to Xie Zhifei. “Heard you started working?”

“Yup, at a huge company!” Xie Zhifei shot Wen Pinghan a look.

Wen Pinghan: “…”

Why’s she acting like a bragging kid?

“Of course I know.” Gu Zhizhang chuckled, winking at her.

Xie Zhifei: ?

Gu Zhizhang pulled out his phone, texting her: [Help me out.]

Xie Zhifei: [With what?]

Gu Zhizhang: [I’m into her. Didn’t you say you’d help?]

Xie Zhifei: [Got it, brother~]

Xie Zhifei looked up, flashed him an OK sign, and grinned at Wen Pinghan. “Hehehehehe…”

Wen Pinghan froze, spooked by her smile. “You sick or something? Forget your meds?”

“Hey, sister, got a boyfriend?”

“Why?”

“Just worried. It’s late—your boyfriend won’t get mad we’re eating with you, right?” Xie Zhifei blinked.

“…” Wen Pinghan looked away calmly. “No boyfriend.”

Gu Zhizhang exhaled, his lips curving.

“What a coincidence, I’m single too. Wanna team up and—”

Gu Zhizhang and Wen Pinghan both stared at her, baffled and shocked.

“—become sworn sisters!” Xie Zhifei suggested. “You’re single, I’m single. Perfect match.”

Wen Pinghan: “…”

Gu Zhizhang’s eyes darted, catching on. She’s getting close to her, becoming besties to help set us up.

“Yeah, you two seem like a good fit,” Gu Zhizhang chimed in.

Wen Pinghan ignored them.

Xie Zhifei pressed on. “Sister, you don’t like me?”

Wen Pinghan: What’s liking got to do with it??

“Don’t worry, sister, I’m a good person. Twenty-six, fair-skinned, pretty, long legs, eats on time, pays taxes.” Xie Zhifei pitched herself.

Wen Pinghan recalled their bar encounter, scoffing inwardly. Some people act all innocent but smoke and drink on the sly.

“Just team up with me,” Xie Zhifei said pitifully. “Being my sister’s no loss.”

No loss, but no point either.

“Be my sister, and whether you’re rich or poor, healthy or sick, I’ll stick by you forever. You in?”

Wen Pinghan stayed silent, feeling if she didn’t agree, this girl might get crazier. After a pause, she said gravely, “I’m in.”

Gu Zhizhang: “…?”

Why’s this giving wedding vow vibes???