Chapter 5

"Oh my god! Where is Miss Song?!" Mei Wei shouted at the whole department as Miss Song was nowhere to be seen. Today she was supposed to go with Yu Zhao to an important event. It would be troublesome for all of us if she didn't get there in time. Something was anyway off with Yu Zhao nowadays. Nobody wanted to piss him off.

"Xiu Zheng, do you know where is Miss Song?" Zing Xu asked me with a rather frustrated mood.

"No." I simply replied.

"What will we do now? She's not even picking her phone." Chen Lu pulled her hair in frustration.

"I've got an idea!" Shi Rong suddenly spoke.

"Just say whatever it is. It better be good though." Zing Xu said.

"Okay so what I thought was that Xiu Zheng could take Miss Song's place cuz we don't know where Miss Song is and we can't clearly do anything about it and." She spoke as her eyes sparkled.

"Wait!" Mei Wei cut her off. "So you're saying that we send Xiu Zheng in Miss Song's place?" She raised her eyebrows at me. "This is so not gonna work." She let out an annoyed huff.

"It's not a bad idea to be honest. Plus we don't really have an option. If the PR head doesn't reach the event in the next 1 hour then we are all screwed." Chen Lu said while fiddling with her pen.

"I agree with Chen Lu." Zing Xu spoke in support of Chen Lu.

"Aren't you gonna ask me whether I'm up for it?" Xiu Zheng asked while she looked at everyone who just kept blinking at her.

"You don't really have an option. Your responsible in Miss Song's absence. Remember?" Mei Wei rolled her eyes. Xiu Zheng hated her bratty attitude.

"So you support of the idea then?" Zing Xu looked at Mei Wei hopefully.

"Now at this moment this all we can do to save our dignity." Mei Wei replied.

"Okay then let's get started. We don't have time." Zing Xu clapped alerting everyone. She walked towards Xiu Zheng who flabbergasted as well as annoyed. "I'm sorry about Mei Wei. You know she's a little..."

"Rude. I know." Xiu Zheng replied.

"Yeah." Zhing Xu chuckled. "I know it is all so sudden but we can only rely on you. You're the only one who's directly involved with Miss Song in the work. So I hope you can cooperate." She looked at Xiu Zheng with pleading eyes.

"Okay. What do I do?" Xiu Zheng sighed.

"At the moment can you try this dress?" She handed a black colour sleeveless dress to Xiu Zheng. "This was originally for Miss Song but since we are time bound we hope this fits you." She said hopefully.

"Okay I'll try it on." Xiu Zheng slightly bowed at Zing Xu and went to the washroom to try the dress. The dress was fine but it was hard for Xiu Zheng to pull it down since the dress got stuck at hips.

"Guys it fits her just fine!" Chen Lu clapped happily while Xiu Zheng smiled forcefully thinking about the struggle she had to go through to pull the skirt down.

"You look so pretty Xiu Zheng." Zing Xu smiled.

"Yeah. You should dress up more often." Kris Yu winked at me while giving me a thumbs up.

"You know we only have 30 minutes left." Mei Wei spoke while catching everyone's attention.

"I'll do her make up." Zing Xu raised her hand. "And I'll be her hairdresser." Shi Rong volunteered.

Everyone was so hopeful of this new girl who had just joined Pengxi a while ago. Xiu never thought that so people believed in her. Somehow the energy around her was motivating her. She suddenly wanted to help everyone by being substitute for Miss Song.

"All done!" Zing Xu smiled with last brush stroke on Xiu Zheng's cheeks.

"And there are still 5 minutes left." Chen Lu spoke while she looked at Mei Wei.

"What?!" Mei Wei rolled her eyes.

"Here try on the heels." Chen Lu kept a pair of black coloured pencil heels in front of Xiu Zheng. "I brought them just a few moments back from a store nearby according to your size."

Xiu Zheng looked at her and then looked at the heels. She swiftly stepped into the heels and she was completely ready for the event. At least that's what she thought so. Everyone hugged each other and Xiu Zheng.

"Mei Wei will drop you to the event. Don't worry it's all gonna be fine. Just be yourself." Zing Xu smiled assuringly.

*****

"Okay. We're here." Mei Wei stopped the car in the parking lot. "There is the entrance." She pointed to the gate which which was decorated with lights and flowers. "Now if boss asks where is Miss Song then you'll say that she had an emergency so she asked you to go instead of her and look at these." Mei Wei scrolled through some photos. "Just in case you meet any of these people. Don't loose your shit there. Be confident."

"So who are these people." Xiu Zheng asked while getting to the point.

"I was getting there." Mei Wei said getting annoyed all of a sudden. "So this is guy." She referred to a guy with jet black hair and brown eyes. "He's Guan Shi Long and he's gonna sign a deal with boss very soon so you have to be careful there and this guy over here." She said while referring to a guy with reddish orange hair who was holding a wine glass in one hand and a girl in another. "He's Han Qian, the one who's hosting the party tonight. I've not really seen him much at Pengxi but he's a big flirt, that's what I've heard from rumours about him."

"Okay." That's the only word that came out of my mouth.

*****

I showed my invitation card to the guard. Miss Songs name was written over the invitation but he didn't really bother about it. I walked hall which was filled with all the famous people. China's biggest businessman gathered there. I couldn't make out whether their conversations were casual or professional.

"Miss Zheng." Li Zhuang covered my sight with a huge smile plastered on his face. "It's a pleasant surprise to see you here."

"Likewise." I replied with a forceful smile.

"Did you come with your friend. Um what was her name?" He wondered.

"Have you seen Mr. Zhao?" She asked while changing the topic.

"Oh yeah he's waiting for Miss Song over there." He pointed at Yu Zhao who was talking to a guy with a champagne glass in one hand the other hand in his tux pocket. He looked at his watch in annoyance and then continued talking. Xiu Zheng Slowly walked towards Yu Zhao. He was wearing a royal blue coloured tuxedo. His hair were perfect as usual. He dimples were evident as he smiles. Xiu Zheng brushed away the thought of how attractive was her boss. She waited until their conversation got over. Yu Zhao looked at her with a vague expression.

"What are you doing here? Where is Miss Song?" He asked Xiu Zheng who was feeling intimidated with Yu Zhao.

"Miss Song had an em-emergency so she sent me here instead." Xiu Zheng tried not to stutter.

"What?!" Yu Zhao tried to compose himself. "She sent you here?" He huffed in annoyance. "Does she think of this as some kind of joke or something? I'm gonna sue her the next time I see her." He grits.

"I'm sorry." Xiu Zheng said in a low voice.

"Quit with the apologising. Just do what I ask you to do. Don't mess this up." He bent down at her eye level. "Just stick with me at all times." Those words didn't really mean anything but Xiu Zheng's heart was racing.

"Okay." She nodded in approval.

The party was going normal. Just like any business related party would be. Everyone was anxiously waiting for the most anticipated announcement by none other than Han Qian, the host of the party. Yu Zhao was busy interacting with some business associates and Li Zhuang was playing fortnite on his phone. Xiu Zheng couldn't help but laugh a little. How could he play fortnite at that moment. Yu Zhao noticed but ignored it as he continued talking. For a subtle moment Xiu Zheng and Yu Zhao we're alone.

"You're doing fine. I didn't really expect you to be so good." He said without looking at her.

"So now your okay with me?" She looked at him in anticipation.

"I didn't really have any problem with you in the first place. I just thought you were weird." He said honestly.

"I don't blame you. Everyone thinks I'm weird." She smiled sheepishly.

"How can you be so honest about everything?" He asked suddenly facing her.

"I guess I don't really have anything I should be dishonest about." She said while looking away from his gaze.

"That's good...I guess." He replied looking in the opposite direction as well.

The organiser of the event told everyone to be seated just before the light went dim. Han Qian walked up to the stage and lights focused on him. Yu Zhao's attention was fixed of every word that Han Qian said. The most awaited moment had arrived when Han Qian invited Yu Zhao on the stage and signed the deal in front of a billion people. They joined hand in union for the success of Pengxi. Everything was going as planned. Xiu Zheng knew two things for sure. One that everyone would be happy to know that everything went well. Two that Miss Song is doomed.

Yu Zhao was congratulated by many people. Huan Qian And Yu Zhao we're having a quick chat and then suddenly everyone's attention shifted towards an unexpected guest. Fa Cheng and Min Ting arrived while catching everyone's attention including Yu Zhao. Their arms were linked and they were all smiles as they walked towards Huan Qian and Yu Zhao to congratulate them.

"Congratulations to both of you. Especially Yu Zhao. It's a big night for you." Fa Cheng extended his hand to congratulate Yu Zhao but he refused it. Fa Cheng felt badly dejected.

"Congratulations Yu Zhao." Min ting spoke softly as she looked at Yu Zhao.

"Thank you." He made an eye contact with her and looked away. He was uncomfortable with her gaze. Every time he looked at her, he thought of all the words she told him that day. The thought of it was enough to hurt him.

"Let's have dinner." Huan Qian said while realising the tension. Everyone busy eating on their tables. Yu Zhao sat on the seat beside Huan Qian. Min ting was about to pull the chair beside Yu Zhao but he stopped her.

"This seat is taken." He told Min Ting who was slightly taken aback. "Xiu Zheng. Sit here." He looked at a very confused Xiu Zheng.

Xiu Zheng slowly came and sat beside him. She obviously had heard the rumours about Min ting and Yu Zhao's breakup but witnessing it was another level crap. She felt squeezed between Yu Zhao and Min Ting. This was the worst third wheeling of the century. Awkward. Awkward and just simply and despicably awkward. Li Zhuang Just disappeared from the party. She thought maybe if Li Zhuang was here then he might've saved her.

"What's wrong? Why are you not eating?" Yu Zhao asked Xiu Zheng referring towards her plate which was untouched.

"I am going to." She said getting nervous all of a sudden since everyone was now looking at her.

The dinner was extremely awkward. No one spoke everyone just quietly ate. After the event got over Xiu Zheng looked over for Mei Wei but she was nowhere to be seen. Xiu Zheng dialled her number countless of times but no response.

"Everything Okay?" Yu Zhao asked Xiu Zheng who was walking with discomfort.

"My ride isn't here so I guess I'll have to look for taxi." She said while removing her heels. Yu Zhao couldn't help but notice the wound on the back of her ankle due to the discomfort the heels may have caused.

"I'll give you a ride." He said while signalling her to sit in the car.

"I'll manage it's alright." She said.

"Just sit in the car and don't argue." He opened the door for her.

"Where should I drop you?" He asked while his eyes were on the road.

"Can you stop by the office? My car is parked there." She replied.

"Okay." He said casually.

She got down of the car with the heels in one hand and her clutch in another hand. Her feet were hurting because of the pain her heels put her through. The event was long and those heels were hell not comfortable. Seeing this Yu Zhao felt guilty since he had put her through a lot still she didn't complain unlike other women. Xiu Zheng managed to get through the night. She was happy that she didn't disappoint anyone. She drove back home. She couldn't help but wonder if today what she saw was Yu Zhao's real self. If it was then she might have to change her perceptions.