"Excuse me, is there a bonus?" Seeing that the meeting was almost over, but no one had mentioned the bonus at all, I finally couldn't hold back my inner torment and asked out loud.
The meeting room fell silent instantly, and all eyes were on me, sharp and piercing like swords. Curious about their reaction, I added another question to Cheng Jinghui: "It's the planning award, right?"
Someone chuckled softly, and someone else turned their head away. Even if I were slow to react, at this moment I finally realized I'd been tricked by "Hu Yitui"! I furiously scanned the conference room for "Hu Yitui," and spotted her sitting next to Ren Xiaoqi. She probably hadn't expected a casual remark to make me take it so seriously, and now she was flustered, lowering her head, thinking that this would allow her to disappear safely. I forced myself to remain calm and sat in my seat, mentally calculating what weapon in the conference room would be most convenient for me.
"Excellent! Clear goals and unwavering determination—we need employees like this!" The playboy sitting across from us suddenly spoke up and led the applause. The others, bewildered, also joined in.
After everyone quieted down, Cheng Jinghui said, "Gao Fei is right, and Miss Li Hao's suggestion is also very good. We will consider setting up such a special award and start implementing it from this 'Fisherman's Day' project."
The applause rang out again, much more enthusiastic than before; I was the one who applauded the most.
Finally, the senior executives decided that Cheng Jinghui would directly oversee the project and send someone to stay at the resort for two months to conduct a full evaluation. What made Ren Xiaoqi most excited was that the playboy who stayed behind was Gao Fei.
As Cheng Jinghui walked out of the conference room, he happened to pass by me and stopped to say, "How are you doing? Are you getting used to working here? A-Lian had a good eye for recommending you."
I looked at him in surprise: "Has A-Lian come to you about my matter?"
"Well, Ah Lian introduced a great helper to the company, it's a pity she's not here today, otherwise I should have treated her to a meal to thank her." Cheng Jinghui nodded and walked out after saying that.
I've thought about it for ages, but I still can't figure out his attitude towards A-Lian. His words were neither warm nor cold, neither heavy nor light, seemingly businesslike, yet not entirely heartless. Sigh, will A-Lian really have to suffer this unrequited love forever? Men, those bastards!
From that day on, Gao Fei really started showing up at the public relations department every day, and I had to submit a copy of every report to him, which greatly increased my workload. Yu Lishui didn't seem to be any different, but Ren Xiaoqi became very punctual for work, always dressed to the nines, and what I admired most about her was her ability to make expensive perfume look like insecticide. The other female colleagues were also secretly competing with each other; even Zhou Yuhong kept a waterproof lipstick in her drawer. The office was filled with a spring-like atmosphere every day, which occasionally gave me a pleasant illusion when I was feeling dizzy and overwhelmed.
I remained disheveled and worked tirelessly all day. Finally, the art director, Tao, couldn't help but ask me, "Sister Li, has your water been cut off for a long time?"
I sniffed myself and asked, puzzled, "What's wrong? I don't smell?"
"But you've already worn this outfit three days this week!"
"Really?" I smiled a little sheepishly. I drove all night, and when I got up in the morning, I just grabbed whatever clothes I could find and left, without even realizing I'd forgotten to change.
"You don't focus on your work all day long, all you do is look at your female colleagues to see if they're wearing new clothes. Are you kidding me!" I scolded him sternly.
"I'm innocent!" Tao Zui said with a completely innocent look. "I've never thought of you as a woman! Oh dear!"
After receiving the design drafts, I wanted to go downstairs to discuss construction with the engineering department, but the elevator was stuck on the first floor and wouldn't come up. Because I was in a hurry, I decided to take the fire escape. When I pushed open the first fire door, I heard people talking inside, but I didn't pay attention, assuming it was just the cleaning staff slacking off. However, when I pushed open the second door, the talking became very clear. The voices were coming from around the corner on the floor above, and they were quite loud. The speakers were probably a bit agitated and hadn't expected anyone to pass by at that moment. I was so frightened that I froze, unable to move. Because I recognized the speakers as Yu Lishui and a man!
Part Two, Chapter Eight
"Thank you for the flowers, they're beautiful." Yu Lishui's voice was so sweet it seemed to carry sugar threads, and even the air in front of me seemed to float with a layer of ambiguous mist.
"Why thank me? Beautiful women are born to be pampered by men. I'm just fulfilling a man's duty." An old acquaintance—it was Gao Fei's assistant! My heart started racing, and I had a premonition that I had stepped into a dangerous place.
"Hmm, so sweet-talking. Is that how you talk to Ren Xiaoqi too?" Yu Lishui seemed to have fallen into water, even her voice was wet and heavy.
"A man who lacks even the most imaginative way of praising doesn't deserve the favor of beautiful women." I felt the food I ate this morning was churning in my throat.
"What kind of favor does a man with such an imagination like you hope to receive?"
I hurriedly and quietly retreated, trying to avoid the sound of the door closing, which might disturb the couple who were getting into the mood. However, I still couldn't block out the series of enchanting sounds of their lips and tongues clashing.
I looked up at the window and exclaimed, "Ah, spring has truly arrived!"
Half an hour later, when I handed the media schedule to Gao Fei, his handsome face was as serene as a child who had just woken up, showing no trace of lewdness. But in my eyes, he still looked like a large germ marked "AIDS." I hurriedly threw the report on his desk and turned to leave.
"Miss Li, wait a minute, there are some things I don't quite understand, I need to ask you." Gao Fei looked up and called out to me.
I reluctantly turned around, stopped half a meter in front of him, and leaned out to ask, "Is there something you don't understand?"
Gao Fei asked curiously, "Why are you hiding so far away?"
"I have a cold and I'm afraid of infecting others," I said casually, while conveniently covering my mouth and nose with my hand.
"Oh, I thought you were afraid of me. Sunday is media reception day, lots of work to do, you need to take care of yourself." Gao Fei looked at me with a charming smile, and I lowered my head, silently reciting the Rebirth Mantra three times for the mosquito that had been electrocuted halfway through, feeling incredibly disgusted. I turned my head and met Ren Xiaoqi's dagger-like gaze, and I shivered.
Ah Lian returned to the resort on Friday, which relieved me; I was at ease knowing she was handling the housekeeping department. That evening, I cooked a few dishes and invited Ah Lian over for dinner. Ah Lian has a good tolerance for alcohol, and knowing that I'd gradually developed a habit since the Spring Festival of needing a few drinks every night to fall asleep, regardless of the type of alcohol, she brought homemade rice wine from home. The two of us ate and drank together.
"I've met your Mr. Right," I said, picking up a clam shell and getting straight to the point.
"He's here too?" She was startled, which surprised me. I didn't expect her to be so excited.
Are you really sure he's not married or has a girlfriend yet?
“Although he has many girlfriends, he doesn’t have a marriage partner yet,” A-Lian said with certainty. I couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Maybe I was overthinking it. A weight that had been pressing on my heart for the past few days could finally be lifted.
"Is he alright? Did he say anything?" A-Lian's breathing was a little rapid, and she looked somewhat dejected, probably regretting that she had gone on a business trip at this time.
"He said it was a pity you weren't here, otherwise he would have treated you to dinner." I didn't ask her about her speaking to Cheng Jinghui on my behalf. Since she didn't mention it herself, I was too lazy to ask.
"Did he really say that?" Ah Lian's cheeks flushed.
"Just tell him directly, whether it's good or bad, ask him clearly so you don't have to guess anymore. It will also help you plan your life."
"No!" Ah Lian's tone was firm. "I'm already very content with our current relationship. Those who are never satisfied don't deserve God's favor."
"What if he has the same thoughts as you?" I was unwilling to accept it.
"The odds are too low, the risks are too high. In your words, this franchise business is unsustainable," A-Lian said with a wry smile.
"Fool!" I downed the drink in front of me in one gulp. The alcohol choked me, and I coughed violently, tears streaming down my face. I finally realized that I was too greedy, and that's why I was rejected by heaven.
"When other men have a bunch of wives and concubines and a bunch of kids and they all call you 'Auntie,' I'll see how much you regret it," I said bitterly, secretly wiping away the tears from the corner of my eye.
"Then I'll come to you every day, cursing that stinky man while drinking myself into oblivion, until I give you alcoholic liver disease." Ah Lian looked very hopeful.