Two Faced Lover - Chapter 6

6: Bullying

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‎All of yesterday’s overtime had been a waste of effort. But the film and television costume project was a rare opportunity—one that didn’t come easily. If forced to choose, even Bo Mingyan herself would have picked the latter.
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‎However, designing for film was like dancing in shackles—no easy feat. Bo Mingyan had no prior experience with it and wasn’t sure she could do it well.
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‎As if reading her mind, Meng Xuran said, “This project is a rare chance, with potential follow-up haute couture collaborations with actors. If you don’t think you can handle it, say so now. I’ll replace you.”
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‎Her tone was like dangling candy in front of a child—take it now, or I’ll give it to someone else.
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‎Bo Mingyan’s eyebrow twitched, “I can do it.”
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‎Watching Bo Mingyan pick up the documents, a faint smile flickered in Meng Xuran’s eyes before her expression cooled again. “I need your summary and plan by tomorrow at the latest.”
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‎”Understood.” Bo Mingyan asked, “Anything else… Little Ceo Meng?”
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‎”Little Ceo Meng” was what employees called Meng Xuran behind her back—everyone knew she was the chairman’s youngest daughter. Officially, she should be addressed as Director Meng.
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‎Bo Mingyan hadn’t expected to slip up and say it to her face. Meng Xuran’s slight pause suggested she was aware of the office gossip.
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‎”If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back.” Bo Mingyan added.
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‎”Hmm~” Meng Xuran drew out the syllable, then tapped her coffee cup. “Get me a refill, would you?”
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‎She pushed the cup toward Bo Mingyan.
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‎It felt like a deliberate power play.
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‎”…”
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‎Bo Mingyan held her gaze for two seconds before taking the cup and leaving.
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‎The break room had a coffee machine. She brewed a fresh cup and returned just as Sun Haoqi entered the office. After setting the coffee down, she left without a word.
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‎”Bo Mingyan,” Ava whispered, “was that coffee for Little Ceo Meng?”
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‎”Yes.” Bo Mingyan flipped through her files.
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‎”Did you add milk or sugar?”
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‎”No.” She pulled a pen from the holder. “Why?”
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‎Ava winced. “Little Ceo Meng can’t stand bitterness. Last time someone forgot the sugar, she took one sip and turned into an ice queen. The whole office heard about it.”
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‎Bo Mingyan’s pen stilled. A vague memory surfaced—Fu Junxue once complaining that her little sister was “so spoiled she can’t handle even a hint of bitterness.”
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‎She glanced toward the office.
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‎If Meng Xuran really turns into a “level-ten ice queen” over bitter coffee… Sun Haoqi must be frozen solid by now.
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‎…
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‎Inside the office:
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‎Sun Haoqi was, in fact, freezing.
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‎Minutes earlier—
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‎After warning him not to reveal their living arrangement, Meng Xuran listened as Sun Haoqi questioned Bo Mingyan’s reassignment.
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‎”Manager Sun,” she said, lifting her coffee, “are you trying to poach my people?”
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‎Before he could respond, her delicate brows furrowed. The cup hit the desk with a sharp clink, splashing droplets.
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‎Sun Haoqi stiffened. “N-No! The haute couture project takes priority. I’ll reassign the spring-summer team immediately.”
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‎The bitterness lingered on her tongue. Meng Xuran stared at the cup, then smirked. “I thought… someone would’ve known better.”
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‎”Y-Yes, of course!”
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‎She blinked, her icy mask sliding back into place. “You’re dismissed, Manager Sun.”
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‎As he fled, he heard her mutter, “Know what? I wasn’t even talking to you.”
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‎…
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In the afternoon, the HR department issued a notice about the position transfer, moving Bo Mingyan to the haute couture design team. Hu Jingjing, who had unexpectedly ended up as Bo Mingyan’s assistant, followed along.

The murmurs of discussion around them were drowned out by Hu Jingjing’s excited voice: “Ahhh! I’ve been dreaming of joining the haute couture team! Sister Mingyan, you’re my lucky charm! I’ll treat you to bubble tea!”

Just as Bo Mingyan was about to refuse, Ava leaned over and said, “I knew someone with your résumé shouldn’t have been stuck in the online sales team. Hey, Hu Liuri, sharing happiness is better than enjoying it alone—I want bubble tea too.”

Other colleagues, hearing there was free bubble tea, didn’t care who was treating and joined in the clamor: “Yeah~ spread some of that luck to us, won’t you?”

Hu Jingjing’s face fell. She had just graduated, and as a design assistant, her salary wasn’t high. Treating this many people would definitely leave her overdrawn.

“I’ll cover it.” Bo Mingyan said, pulling out her phone and opening a food delivery app. “Which shop do you want?”

“Wow! Ms. Bo, you’re the best!”

“Score~ we’re in for a treat!”

The group eagerly called out their usual orders from a popular bubble tea shop, and Bo Mingyan added them one by one to her cart.

“Thank you, Sister Mingyan. I shouldn’t have shown off—now you’re spending so much,” Hu Jingjing whispered apologetically. “You don’t have to get me anything.”
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‎”I was planning to treat them anyway.” Bo Mingyan softened. “If you don’t pick a flavor, I’ll choose for you.”
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‎A newcomer promoted so fast? Milk tea bribes would at least curb the gossip.
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‎As she finalized the order, a WeChat notification popped up:
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‎[Fu Junxue: How’s work? Settling in?]

‎[Bo Mingyan: Good. When are you free? I’ll treat you.]

‎[Fu Junxue: No need~ Just mentioned you to the little princess when I heard you were back. Btw, taking her for hot pot this week. Join us? I’ll introduce you so she doesn’t bully you.]
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‎Bo Mingyan’s fingers paused.
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‎(As I thought—Fu Junxue never told Meng Xuran who I am.)
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‎[Bo Mingyan: I’ll pass. If she realizes I know her blackmail-worthy secrets, it’ll backfire.]

‎[Fu Junxue: [Snickers] True. She holds grudges. Next time, then.]
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‎”Bo Mingyan,” Ava called, “did you order yet?”

‎”Not yet.”

‎”Wait—change mine to full-sugar kumquat passionfruit. I’m ‘dieting.’”

‎Liu Yang snorted. “Dieting with full sugar?”

‎”Their passion fruit’s too sour otherwise!”
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‎Bo Mingyan suddenly recalled Meng Xuran’s bitter coffee.
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‎”What flavor does Little Ceo Meng like?” she asked Ava.
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‎”Cool mint! Her assistant buys it often.” Ava grinned. “Getting her one too?”
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‎”Compensation for this morning’s black coffee.”
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‎And to avoid giving her a reason to ‘bully’ me.
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‎…

‎Later, in the restroom:
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‎Bo Mingyan ignored the unread message from [Mom: Did you change your number?] and pocketed her phone. As she fixed her glasses, the door opened.
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‎Meng Xuran walked in, heels clicking.
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‎”That candy looks familiar.” she remarked, eyeing Bo Mingyan’s tin.
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‎”Supermarket brand.” Bo Mingyan offered it. “Want one?”
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‎”No thanks.” Meng Xuran reapplying her lipstick.
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‎Bo Mingyan turned to leave.
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‎”Have we met before?” Meng Xuran’s voice was light. “Before that photo you sent.”
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‎In the mirror, her lips—soft, carefully tinted—curved.
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‎That night’s touch flickers in memory.
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‎Bo Mingyan met her reflected gaze. “Maybe, I don’t remember.”
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‎Meng Xuran’s brow arched. “Your glasses are… unique.”
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‎”Pinduoduo special. 199 yuan, free shipping.”
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‎”…”
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‎As Bo Mingyan left, she overheard Ava and Liu Yang in the hall:
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‎”You’re sure this is for Little Ceo Meng?”

‎”Positive! Bo Mingyan’s apologizing for the bitter coffee—”
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‎A chuckle sounded behind her.
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‎”So this is my tea? Meng Xuran plucked the cup from Hu Jingjing’s hand.
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‎”I keep work and personal matters separate.” she purred, echoing Bo Mingyan’s words from last night.
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‎Then, leaning close, her breath brushing Bo Mingyan’s ear:
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‎”I won’t bully you… without a reason.”
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‎The words bully without reason dripped with playful threat.
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‎Bo Mingyan turned sharply—only to be met with Meng Xuran’s sweet, innocent smile.
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Bo Mingyan: ‎”…”