What to Do, I've Been Targeted by the Villain Again [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 14

Although Ji Ying had said, “I won’t be as busy in a few days,” the reality was that she remained swamped even after those few days had passed. Still, she was quite satisfied watching the plot points light up one after another.

At least this time, she wouldn’t just be scraping by with a base salary.

“Are the male and female leads’ feelings rapidly heating up now?” Ji Ying asked curiously.

System: I can’t really tell. Do you want to go see for yourself?

“Forget it. Working overtime every day is painful enough—do I really need to concern myself with his love life too? I’d have to be utterly jobless to do that.” Ji Ying signed her name on a document and poured herself half a glass of red wine. “As long as the plot points are lighting up, that’s good enough.”

These days, she had to coax herself into going to work, or she’d be tempted to smash the office to pieces within minutes.

Anyone who could work overtime every day without losing their mind was practically a saint.

The system stayed silent. Looking at the frequency of the male and female leads’ recent meetings and conversations, it couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off… They only ever met during lunch and dinner, which technically counted as eating together, but as for conversation? They hadn’t exchanged a single word in the past week. Based on the data alone, you’d think they were just ordinary coworkers.

But seeing how Ji Ying was already half-delirious from overtime, it decided not to say anything.

After all… as long as the plot points were lighting up, that was enough.

Xu Sangning’s winter break started in early January. She had originally planned to take advantage of the lack of plot points involving her to go on a short trip and only return to the company by mid-month.

But who could’ve guessed that Xu Qiexing, that absolute scoundrel, somehow managed to convince Xu’s parents to issue a “royal decree,” forcing her to report to the company on the third day of her break?

Since she had already made plans with Ji Ying, Xu Sangning went to see her on the first day of her vacation, timing her visit perfectly for lunch.

She had heard that the food at Ji Ying’s company was excellent, and the desserts from the in-house café were particularly well-reviewed.

After Ji Ying took over, she had even opened a milk tea shop on the ground floor of the company building. No one knew where she got the recipe, but it was truly one-of-a-kind—limited in variety but incredibly delicious. Many had tried to replicate it, but none had succeeded.

Before coming, Xu Sangning had stumbled upon an online post where employees at Ji Ying’s company had ranked the milk tea flavors, sparking a wave of outsiders flocking to try them.

She had a strong suspicion that, given Ji Ying’s current personality, she had probably bought the recipe from her “company.” It was exactly the kind of thing Ji Ying would do.

When Xu Sangning arrived downstairs, she saw a crowd of delivery drivers waiting outside the milk tea shop, along with a long line of customers.

After a brief glance, she turned away and asked Ji Ying’s assistant which floor she was currently on before heading upstairs.

Xu Sangning was already on the company’s whitelist, so facial recognition granted her immediate access.

The receptionists peeked at her as she passed, exchanging glances.

They really couldn’t understand how Xu Sangning could still come to see Ji Ying when the Ji and Xu families seemed on the verge of an open feud.

One of them whispered, “I saw in the anonymous group chat that someone messed up some important data, causing a huge mess that Xu Qiexing took advantage of. The director was yelling so loudly I could hear it even when I went up to deliver something.”

“Xu Qiexing even called this morning to mock Ji Ying over it. She didn’t yell back, but you could tell she was barely holding it together.”

“Wait, so if Xu Sangning goes up now… you don’t think they’ll end up fighting, do you?”

“That won’t be necessary. Our President Ji has too much pride for that.”

…

When Xu Sangning arrived on the 27th floor, Ji Ying had just stepped out of the conference room with a dark expression.

The others who followed her out were unusually quiet, hardly daring to breathe, their footsteps light as they trailed silently behind Ji Ying.

“Ji Ying!” Xu Sangning immediately approached when she saw Ji Ying’s grim face.

Ji Ying was in a bad mood—perfect timing. Xu Sangning would wait for Ji Ying to scold her, then turn and leave. But then… Ji Ying’s face broke into a smile.

“You’re here? I thought you wouldn’t come see me until the afternoon,” Ji Ying greeted her warmly.

The icy demeanor melted away like spring thaw, leaving those nearby stunned by the abrupt change—such a rapid shift in expression was rare.

And Ji Ying’s happiness didn’t seem the least bit forced.

The assistant trailing behind Ji Ying looked at Xu Sangning as if she were a savior.

Though Ji Ying never yelled or took her frustrations out on others, and work proceeded as usual, her stormy expression was terrifying enough!

Every time she had entered Ji Ying’s office that morning, it felt like enduring a trial.

“My brother is so annoying! I wanted to go on a trip, but he somehow convinced my parents to make me start work the day after tomorrow. It’s infuriating,” Xu Sangning complained as she naturally looped her arm through Ji Ying’s.

Ji Ying: !!!

The sky was falling.

“Absolutely infuriating,” Ji Ying frowned.

If Xu Sangning had been in a good mood, she might have visited more often. But now, with work in the way, how could she?

Damn it, why was love so hard for her?!

Stupid Xu Qiexing!!!

“Are you all off for lunch now?” Xu Sangning glanced at the awkward group behind them.

“Three more minutes,” Ji Ying replied, then turned to the others. “Let’s just go eat now.”

The crowd behind them shot grateful looks at Xu Sangning—the oppressive atmosphere that had loomed all morning had finally lifted. Then, as soon as Ji Ying turned away, they quickly slipped out through a side door.

“Hey, if Xu Qiexing hadn’t forced Miss Xu to start work, could we have called her next time President Ji was in a bad mood?”

“Wishful thinking.”

…

Xu Sangning chuckled. “I want to try your cafeteria—I heard the food’s good. Then, on the way back, I’ll grab some bubble tea… Do you usually take a nap at noon?”

“I don’t nap. No time for naps,” Ji Ying said, her expression wilting slightly.

“Oh,” Xu Sangning nodded.

Ji Ying eyed her suspiciously. “Are you laughing at me?”

“Not at all. Once I start at the company, I’ll check if my brother has time for naps.”

“Annoy him to death,” Ji Ying muttered under her breath.

Who said that tricking someone into bothering Xu Qiexing wasn’t a form of corporate warfare? The best outcome would be him oversleeping and missing an important meeting.

“I wouldn’t dare. What if he makes me work overtime with him?” Xu Sangning looked at Ji Ying and shook her head in refusal.

Besides, she suspected Xu Qiexing was rushing her into work precisely because of Ji Ying.

Noticing Xu Sangning’s shifting expression, Ji Ying blinked innocently, feigning ignorance of the probing look.

Xu Sangning opened her mouth, then swallowed her words.

Never mind…

Work was hard enough already—no need to tease her further.

Ji Ying had a designated spot in the cafeteria for meals. It wasn’t that she wanted special treatment—it was mainly because her presence in the cafeteria might affect others’ appetites. However, most of the time, she ate alone in her office.

Xu Sangning ordered a pile of food, and it took two trips with Ji Ying to carry everything back.

To avoid waste, Ji Ying took a takeout box and portioned out some of the food.

Someone like Xu Sangning wouldn’t normally care about waste, but since Ji Ying was doing it, she didn’t go out of her way to stop her.

The food was indeed delicious.

“I hope our company’s cafeteria is just as good.”

“If you start working, should I still have someone deliver meals to you?” Ji Ying looked up at Xu Sangning and asked. She thought it was a great idea—it would give her a chance to bond with Xu Sangning while also provoking Xu Qiexing.

“No need. I plan to eat with my colleagues and listen to some gossip.”

Ji Ying fell silent for a few seconds. “Are you sure they’ll share gossip with you?”

“Sister Ji Ying, didn’t you say I’m very likable? If I’m so likable, why wouldn’t they include me in their chats?”

Ji Ying: “…”

“I don’t like tattling, and I can even join them in badmouthing Xu Qiexing.”

Ji Ying glanced at Xu Sangning. “Good luck. If no one talks to you, you can chat with me. I’ll do my best to reply instantly.”

She had already planned it out—she’d have the system notify her of incoming messages, then she’d dictate her replies for the system to type out! That way, even the useless system would have a job.

“Gossip from another company isn’t interesting,” Xu Sangning declined politely, then paused. “If my boss turns out to be awful, I’ll let you know.”

Xu Sangning lowered her head and ordered two cups of milk tea on her phone. Only after placing the order did she realize that, at some point, she had unconsciously memorized Ji Ying’s preferences.

For example, Ji Ying liked her milk tea iced with 30% sugar, preferred only one topping, and didn’t like too much of it—though she wasn’t picky about the flavor.

But it wasn’t surprising. This milk tea shop even allowed customers to adjust the amount of toppings. The entire store seemed tailor-made for Ji Ying’s tastes, down to the tea leaves and milk, which Ji Ying had personally selected.

The shop seemed to exist solely so Ji Ying could enjoy her favorite drink anytime, anywhere.

Looking at the ingredients and then at the price, Xu Sangning wondered if the profit margin per cup even reached one yuan.

Xu Sangning felt that Ji Ying lived a much more carefree life than she did.

But considering Ji Ying’s recent overtime workload, Xu Sangning’s envy subsided slightly.