Deal With Them

"Miss Qiuqiu?"

The female voice calling her name jolted Qiuqiu out of her reverie. She jerked her head up in shock, stammering out in reflex, "Y-Yes— yes, I'm here!" 

It wasn't until the words escaped her mouth that Qiuqiu realized she had been too loud. She bit down on her lip and cursed herself mentally, while peering at the other person nervously through her lashes. But fortunately – or not – the woman's expression remained blank and neutral, showing neither comfort nor displeasure at Qiuqiu's visible unease. 

Qiuqiu had no idea whether she should feel relieved or not.

But fortunately, what she feared did not happen. The tall and professional woman – a secretary, she reckoned – simply stepped aside and gestured at the corridor behind her, "Please come with me. Master is ready to see you now."

"O-Okay." Qiuqiu rose to her feet and discreetly wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt as she trailed after the secretary.