Have you ever experienced being trapped in an enclosed space with the highest-ranking boss of your company, the one who holds absolute power over your fate and the entire organisation?
And amidst this torment, just when you feel like you’re about to suffocate, you have to face a harsh reality, which is…
This torment will last for another three hours.
Three hours, during which others might be enjoying a romantic dinner with their partner, laughing uncontrollably at a variety show in bed, getting lost in a video game, or…
But she, Ju Li, could only sit stiffly in the car, painfully counting each second.
To avoid making eye contact with her boss, Zhong Liyan, and to refrain from competing with him for the precious, limited air in the car, she clenched her hands, twisted her head toward the neon-lit cityscape outside the window and endured the growing pain in her neck.
As the car turned at an intersection, Zhong Liyan suddenly spoke, his first words since she had followed him on this business trip.
He instructed the driver, “Stop at Wanda Plaza up ahead.”
Ju Li pursed her lips, listening attentively but remaining motionless, maintaining her original posture as if she hadn’t heard anything.
She had no idea what the boss intended to do at Wanda Plaza.
Her phone suddenly vibrated. She quickly pulled it out and saw that the [Little Secretary System] had popped up a new message:
Hidden Reward: A high-end branded dress shirt (Triggered when task completion is rated as ‘Perfect’. Personally issued by the chairman. Requirement for task activation: wearing an asymmetrical top).
Retrieving…
Ju Li raised an eyebrow, carefully studying this hidden reward.
As she focused on deciphering the text, a hand suddenly appeared in front of her, long fingers, neatly trimmed nails, smooth and healthy nail beds.
The hand held a black card between the index and middle fingers, shaking it slightly as a signal for her to take it.
Ju Li was momentarily stunned. She turned to look at the owner of the hand and black card, only to see a hint of impatience on Zhong Liyan’s face.
She hurriedly reached out and accepted the black card.
Only then did Zhong Liyan speak, his voice deep and lazy yet carrying an undeniable authority:
“Go buy a symmetrical dress shirt. Change out of this one.”
As he spoke, his gaze swept over her asymmetrical white shirt with a look of disdain.
“Ah…” Ju Li was momentarily at a loss. She had never learned how to respond in a situation like this.
“It will be counted as a company uniform expense. You’ll be reimbursed. Be back in 15 minutes, or find your own way to Suzhou.” With that, he turned his face away, looking out his own window.
“Thank you, Zhong zong.” No matter what, gratitude first.
By now, the car had already stopped at the curb. Ju Li glanced at the time.
Fifteen minutes to buy a shirt… in a place like Wanda Plaza…
The only time she had spent money in such a place was to watch a movie.
But there was no time to dwell on it. The moment the car came to a full stop, she got out.
After taking a few steps, she suddenly remembered something and turned back to open the car door. Urgently, she asked, “Boss, would you like anything to eat?”
Zhong Liyan waved his hand, indicating no need.
She then turned to the driver. “Master Liu, do you want anything to eat?”
“Oh, no need, thank you!” Driver Liu was surprised that she would even ask him and quickly declined her offer.
Only then did Ju Li turn and dash toward Wanda Plaza.
Fifteen minutes, time was not on her side!
…
Ten minutes later, Zhong Liyan, still in the car, received a transaction notification.
[Expense: 800 yuan.]
For him, this was an excessively frugal number, almost stingy.
He barely even knew that shirts could be sold for 800 yuan.
Staring at the digits, his lips twitched slightly, his gaze dark and unreadable.
…
Five minutes later, the young woman jogged back, now wearing a perfectly symmetrical, standard white dress shirt.
When she saw that the car was still parked at the curb, her face lit up with joy.
Under the streetlights, Zhong Liyan could clearly see her slightly flushed face as she opened the car door, evidence that she had sprinted the entire way there and back.
“Sit in the front passenger seat,” he said, glancing briefly at her bright, glistening eyes before retracting his gaze.
“Oh, okay, Zhong zong.” Ju Li responded quickly, closing the back door and moving to the front.
As she opened the front passenger door, she felt an overwhelming sense of relief.
Great! She wouldn’t have to share the back seat’s tense atmosphere with the big boss anymore!
She wasn’t sure if the boss was just considerate or if he also found her presence suffocating.
Either way, after settling into the front seat, Ju Li finally found the car’s leather seats to be exceptionally comfortable.
The cool air inside the vehicle was truly refreshing.
As the car started moving again, she placed the bag containing her old clothes at her feet and hugged her purse. Then, she suddenly remembered, the black card was still clutched in her palm.
Sweat had gotten on it, so she quickly wiped it on her shirt.
Turning toward her boss, she was just about to return the card when a sudden flash of light from outside the window illuminated his face.
She froze.
The soft glow made his features appear much gentler, smoothing the sharpness of his brows and long eyes.
The beauty of a mature man was not as sharp as that of the young, it carried a hidden strength, an understated elegance that radiated an air of reserved nobility. It was an allure both mysterious and dignified.
The light flickered away and Zhong Liyan turned to look at her.
Ju Li snapped out of her daze and quickly smiled. “Boss, here’s your black card.”
She handed it back.
Without a word, Zhong Liyan took the card, slowly placing it back in his wallet before leaning back and closing his eyes.
The words of thanks Ju Li had prepared remained unspoken. She pursed her lips, glanced at his face for two more seconds, then hurriedly looked away.
Facing the car window, she took a deep breath and reminded herself not to entertain any foolish thoughts. More importantly, she had to guard herself against making mistakes due to youthful naivety, she couldn’t afford to ruin her future.
Focus on work! Stay dedicated!
She mentally repeated these five words, recalling the faces of her mother and younger brother to steady her racing heart.
Letting out a quiet sigh, she couldn’t help but lament: Beauty is disastrous! Beauty is disastrous!
From now on, she had to be even more vigilant, she couldn’t let herself be blinded by good looks!
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