Volume One, Chapter Nine: I Will Surely Become an Outstanding Beast of Burden

Learning that Su Xiaowu had left without a backward glance, Chen Bojie became even more incensed after hanging up the phone. He paced back and forth in his office with his hands on his hips. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and the more he vented that frustration onto Lin Jingyi.

Lin Jingyi wore a look of mockery and disdain, her short, neat hair accentuating a rebellious air about her. As he continued to scold her, Chen Bojie suddenly snapped, "You are truly self-righteous! You’re cynical every day, convinced you’re a talent overlooked by the world, standing aloof from society while looking down on everything and everyone! But in reality? How are you any different from the rest of the world? You bring your personal emotions into your work and repeatedly provoke Su Xiaowu, who is the victim here! You think I don’t know? I’ve seen it clearly all along! It’s only because Su Xiaowu has a good temper that she never came to me to report your pettiness. I’ve been trying to keep things simple by turning a blind eye, but if she had ever truly come to file a complaint, I wouldn't have been able to let you keep provoking her!"

Lin Jingyi’s expression turned sour instantly. "Chen Bojie, stop trying to polish that slut’s image! You think she didn’t come to complain because she’s nice? She knows we were classmates for over a decade and was afraid you’d take my side; that’s the only reason she didn’t run to you with tales!"

Chen Bojie was even more furious. "Stop spouting nonsense! How many people in this entire company even know about that? She’s only been here for half a month; how would she even know!"

In the distance, Xiaotao stopped and peered ahead. "Oh my, they are arguing quite fiercely over there."

Jiang Qiong asked, "Little Miss, shall we still go over?"

"Yes! But it might seem a bit rude to just show up now. It would be quite unseemly to be seen while they’re red-faced from arguing; they’d probably be embarrassed. Here’s what we’ll do: call Boss Chen and tell him we’re almost at their office."

Jiang Qiong was taken aback, his eyebrows arching.

Xiaotao frowned. "Why that expression?"

"I’m just surprised that Little Miss knows those are considered poor manners..."

Xiaotao let out a cold huff, her small, chubby arms crossed over her chest. "Of course I know. I’m a genius, after all."

Chen Bojie and Lin Jingyi were having their blood pressure skyrocket as they argued, veins pulsing on their foreheads, when suddenly Chen received the call from Jiang Qiong. Right in front of Lin Jingyi, he performed a masterful, seamless change in demeanor.

"Oh, yes! Really? Oh, how wonderful! Where are you now? Yes, yes, sounds good..."

Lin Jingyi’s anger slowly faded, her gaze cold as she watched Chen Bojie. Ending the call hurriedly, Chen glared at her. "Get back to work! We have a distinguished guest arriving!"

After saying this, Chen looked down at his recent call logs and found "Su Xiaowu." He dialed, but the line was busy. He hung up and tried again, but it was still busy. Lin Jingyi rolled her eyes and turned to leave.

Chen Bojie suddenly added, "When Su Xiaowu returns, you are going to apologize to her."

Lin Jingyi’s face twisted into a hideous expression. She turned back to glare at him, practically gritting her teeth. "Why should I?!"

Chen Bojie looked up from his phone and said in a deep voice, "Can’t you tell yet? Su Xiaowu’s face is gold! She is beautiful and carries herself with grace. Taking such a stunning woman out to negotiate business makes closing deals incredibly easy! She’s only been here for half a month; she’s caused some trouble, yes, but look at the previous contracts and the seven or eight massive orders from President Zhou—they were all placed because of her! Don't you want to earn money to get your daughter a Haicheng residency permit? The studio finally has a god of wealth, and you want to drive her away? I’m just asking you to apologize and humble yourself—what’s the big deal? Are you against making money?"

Lin Jingyi was so furious her lips were trembling, her fingers shaking.

Dozens of seconds later, she said with bitter anger, "If it weren't for that bitch Su Xiaowu, I might have already secured that Haicheng permit for Xiaoting!"

Chen Bojie replied, "Heh, do you really think that Mr. Wu is just some brainless, careless fool who would just casually lay hands on any young girl? If a Haicheng permit were that easy to get, you would have succeeded years ago!"

Lin Jingyi slammed the door as she left.

The sound of the door slamming pained Chen Bojie’s heart; as he followed her out, he took a few extra looks at his glass door. Su Xiaowu’s phone was still unreachable, constantly busy. Chen began to suspect she had blocked his number.

Xiaotao and Jiang Qiong were waiting outside, where Chen’s assistant, Xiao Yang, was hosting them. Lin Jingyi stormed out, and Xiaotao took a few extra looks at her. So, this was the woman who had been speaking so horribly just now... Although she hadn’t heard the specific details, some of the crude language had been quite audible.

Before long, Chen Bojie followed. Seeing Xiaotao, a brilliant smile lit up his face, and he walked over quickly. "Miss Xiaotao, Mr. Jiang, hello, hello!"

Jiang Qiong stepped forward to shake hands. After they were introduced, Xiaotao asked, "Where is Su Xiaowu?"

Chen Bojie’s expression didn't change as he smiled. "She had something urgent come up and had to step out."

"She’s not here? When will she be back?"

"Probably not until tomorrow."

Xiaotao’s eyes drooped. "Oh, okay."

Unable to help himself, Chen continued to dial the number. Finally, the line stopped giving the "busy" signal. Chen felt a surge of joy, only for the other end to "beep" and directly reject his call.

"..."

Su Qiuyu sat in the back of a taxi, clutching a cardboard box to her side, watching her phone with trepidation. She had already rejected Auntie Li several times. Continuing to call would be impolite. As her mind wandered, Chen Bojie’s call came through again. Su Qiuyu stared at the number, feeling a sense of avoidant anxiety and fear.

After hesitating, she answered, her voice calm. "Hello?"

Chen Bojie let out a long sigh of relief. He left the guests with his assistant, Xiao Yang, and turned to step into the next room.

"Xiaowu, my dear ancestor, I haven’t agreed to your resignation, so why did you run off? And why aren't you answering my calls?"

"I’m sorry, Mr. Chen. Something happened at home, and I’m waiting for a call."

Chen Bojie immediately asked, "Right now? Is it serious? Is there anything I can help you with?"

After a few seconds of silence, Su Qiuyu said, "Mr. Chen, there is one thing you can help me with. Just now, did a child and a man come looking for me?"

Chen Bojie looked around. "How did you know? Are you still here?"

"No, I ran into them downstairs. Mr. Chen, could you do me a favor?"

"Say it! Anything is negotiable, except for your resignation!"

Su Qiuyu didn't know how to start, fearing that bringing it up would only confirm her guilt. But she had to say it. Her tone remained flat, struggling to suppress the tremor in her voice. "Mr. Chen, please... do not let them see my work files, especially my work photos."

Chen Bojie blurted out, "Why?"

Su Qiuyu gripped her phone tight. "Please, Mr. Chen."

The expression on Chen Bojie’s face slowly shifted, suspicion creeping in. "You didn't offend someone, did you? Wait—the problem is with that man! That child, Xiaotao, has already seen you, so it doesn't matter if she sees a photo, since she already knows you. It’s definitely that man, Mr. Jiang, isn't it?"

Su Qiuyu only said, "Mr. Chen, I need you to block them for me."

"Okay! I understand! But about your resignation..."

Su Qiuyu said earnestly, "I really have something urgent and have to leave. It’s a private family matter; it has nothing to do with the studio, nor with Lin Jingyi."

Chen Bojie calmed down. "How long will it take to resolve?"

"I don't know."

"It sounds like it’s really serious. How about this: I’ll put you on leave. How does that sound?"

"Leave?"

"Yes. Given your personality, I suspect you won't accept paid leave, so consider it an honorary leave. Whenever you want to come back to work, I’ll welcome you anytime. How about that?"

Su Qiuyu couldn't help but be moved. Right now, with her mother missing, she had no way to hold down a long-term job and could only do odd, part-time work. Keeping her name on the books here wouldn't affect her ability to find part-time gigs.

Su Qiuyu said, "Thank you, Boss. The day I return, I will definitely bring a candle to work, be an exemplary corporate slave, and drive everyone else to death with my work ethic—I won’t even use the company’s electricity to work overtime."

Chen Bojie felt a great weight lifted. "Oh my, my poor heart!"