Chapter 28: Missing Me, Aren’t You?

As Long Ye silently stepped into the elevator, Yao Yao finally let out a long sigh of relief. She didn't even glance at the man and woman who got on last before quickly pressing the close button.

As the elevator ascended slowly, the unusual silence inside made Yao Yao, who had her back to them, increasingly uneasy. Long Ye, Long Qi, and Yu Ao Tian—weren't they all on the same side? Why were the three of them so quiet now that they were together? Could it be because of the other couple in the elevator that they were restraining themselves?

Ha! Perfect!

The elevator arrived safely at the 41st floor. For the first time, Yao Yao felt like the morning at Bo Sen Group was beautiful. Once most of the people had exited the elevator, she seized the opportunity…

"Yu… Yu…"Should she call him Boss Yu? Or…

"Mr. Yu."

"Oh? Princess Taiping? Ao Tian didn't mess with you today, and yet here you are throwing yourself at him?"Everyone stopped walking. Long Qi turned to her with a mischievous grin like he had just discovered something amazing.

Whoosh—Yao Yao darted out of the elevator and shoved something quickly into Yu Ao Tian's hand. She sprinted back just in time for the doors to close."Whew… Perfect timing."Yao Yao let out a breath of relief.

Outside the elevator, the remaining group stared at Yu Ao Tian's hand.

"What's that little girl up to?" Long Ye smiled gently. "She looked so nervous—it was like handing over a love letter. Ao Tian, getting tangled with a little girl like her can be a real headache, you know."

Yu Ao Tian narrowed his eyes silently. He already had a good guess what Yao Yao had slipped into his hand.

At that moment, Long Qi leaned in to take a closer look."Uh, bro, I don't think it's a love letter… It's… money?! Ao Tian, did that Princess Taiping mistake you for a freeloader? Still, you don't have to actually take her money, do you? Even from a little girl? Hahahah—mmph!"

Before he could finish laughing, Yu Ao Tian's eyes flashed, and he shoved the money straight into Long Qi's open mouth.

"Cough, cough! Damn it, Ao Tian, that's dangerous!"Long Qi spat out the bills, grumbling, but when he saw the expression on Ao Tian's face, he immediately went quiet.

"Long Ye, you're meeting with the Feng Corporation rep today, right?"

The atmosphere in the hallway turned serious at once in response to Yu Ao Tian's solemn tone."Yes."

"This person Feng Corporation sent might actually be a valuable ally. Do your best to win him over."

"But Ao Tian, he's still with Feng Corporation!"The relationship between Feng and Bo Sen Groups was complicated—on the surface, they were business partners, but in reality, they were fierce competitors. Long Ye, usually diplomatic, couldn't quite understand Yu Ao Tian's angle this time.

"Heh. Long Ye, trust me. This person is more willing to work with us than you think."With that, a sly smile crept across Yu Ao Tian's lips…

"Luo Yao Yao, please report to the Service Department Manager's office."

Hearing the intercom, Yao Yao hurried to the department.

The moment she walked into the office, all eyes immediately turned toward her.

What's going on with this atmosphere…?Her heart tightened. Carefully, she knocked on the manager's door."Manager Zhang, you wanted to see me?"

"Close the door."

Uh-oh… that tone doesn't sound good. Did she mess up again?The moment she closed the door, she heard—

"Luo Yao Yao! You left your post for nearly thirty minutes yesterday morning, and again for half an hour before clocking out! Do you even want this job?!"

Crap. So it's about those two incidents…"Manager Zhang, please let me explain…"

"Shut up! I don't want your excuses. I want efficiency. If you want to flirt, do it after hours. But using company time to go chase guys? Don't you think that's a bit much?"

What's with this manager? Why is she being so mean?"Manager Zhang, I—"

"Luo Yao Yao, I hear a lot of male coworkers from other departments know your name now? Impressive. Just two days on the job and you're already a hot topic. Keep it up—maybe the CEO will notice you and make you his wife. But until then…"Smack! She slammed the desk in anger."You're still under my management. You follow my rules. Now get out!"

"Wait, Luo Yao Yao, one more thing."Manager Zhang slowly walked up to her, smiling coldly."Let me give you a little advice: Men with real power prefer women with substance, like me—not shallow little girls like you. Being pretty might get you noticed, sure, but the only place it'll get you… is as someone's side piece."

Yeah, she was shallow. But at least she had self-awareness.Yao Yao clenched her fists and forced a smile."Thanks for the advice, Manager Zhang. I'll… be going now."

She couldn't deny that she'd been at fault for slacking off. But Manager Zhang's constant verbal attacks clearly had nothing to do with the job.

So what if male coworkers knew her name? So what if she was trying to flirt? Not that she was—but even if she were, what business was it of Zhang's?

She had looked forward to graduating high school, stepping into society, seeing the world…All she wanted was to make a little extra money and gain some experience during the summer.

This was her first job ever, and she truly wanted to do it well—to leave with fond memories. But instead…

"No! Yao Yao, you can't let something this small defeat you! If you do, how will you survive after graduating college?"

She returned to her post, completely dazed. The elevator started again. Someone had stepped in, but she didn't even notice.

Ding…The elevator's alarm went off, snapping her out of it."Huh? Why's it stopped at the 41st floor?"She looked outside—empty."No one's here. Did I press it by mistake? But why would I press 41?"

As she puzzled it out, a voice suddenly came from behind—"Maybe… because you missed me?"

Instinctively, she turned around—

"Ah!"A devilishly handsome face was inches from hers.She stumbled back a step and finally got a clear look."Yu… Yu Boss! W-when did you get in here?"

"I've been here a while."

That means… she had been zoning out the whole time?"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! We've already arrived at the 41st floor. Please exit, Boss Yu."

"Little thing, shouldn't you be a bit more attentive at work? I just got in—why would I be getting off?"

"Huh?"Seeing his face darken, Yao Yao wanted to crawl into a hole. What a mess!"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Boss Yu! What floor would you like to go to? I'll send you to heaven—no! I mean, I'll send you there right away!"