Because I couldn't involve Liu Liu and Yueyue, during the few days I worked at CES, I kept to myself.
I even tried to make friends, but I found my colleagues were divided into two types: those who were jealous of me for supposedly being favored by Vice President Lin while they weren't, and those who believed the rumors and looked down on my character. So, basically, no one paid any attention to me, and I didn't even have a single patient to attend to. I could only sit in the medical office and while away the time.
This situation lasted for about two weeks, and I was so miserable that even playing on the computer all day became tiresome. I used to stare at everyone I saw, looking for any sign of discomfort in their movements, any hints of pallor under their refined makeup, or any sickness in their eyes. If I noticed anything off about someone, I would immediately chase after them and ask, "You don't have a leg injury, do you? Shall I fix your bone for you? How's your bowel movement lately? If it's loose, you must seek medical attention. Are you losing hair—not fleas, but hair? Ah, you're eating so little; don't tell me you've got worms?"
I approached my job with earnestness and responsibility, but now everyone steered clear of me as if I were the one with an illness.
Moreover, I came to the company with an unspeakable goal, but ever since that brief encounter in the parking lot, I hadn't seen Lin Zexiu again. I couldn't waste my youth—and, uh—tail at CES, but without running into the male lead, I couldn't chat about life, dreams, or anything else. Never mind pursuing him, he probably doesn't even remember what I look like by now.
When we first met, he immediately recognized me as Doctor Yu. I was thrilled for a long time because he noticed me, but I later found out that the medical office was his idea, so he was just more concerned about the candidate and not particularly impressed by me or feeling any fondness. So after two weeks, he probably had forgotten me entirely.
Reality wasn't as straightforward or smooth as I had thought, leading to a severe sense of defeat. I lost interest in the delicious company lunches, and with my head bowed, I bumped my way through, eager to leave that suffocating place as quickly as possible.
Every day was the same: as soon as I entered the cafeteria, people would whisper and murmur to each other, and wherever I went, it would become so quiet as if surrounded by death, without even the sound of breathing. Sometimes when I ate or drank soup, I could hear the noise of my own consumption, which was truly awkward.
In the beginning, I still told myself to endure, but these past few days I just couldn't take it anymore. I would grab my meal as quickly as possible and then run back to the medical office to eat as if I had really done something wrong. In reality, just because I hadn't seen Lin Zexiu, many people were gleefully assuming I'd been rejected and wanted to see me embarrassed.
Like usual, I walked forward, but as I approached the entrance to the cafeteria, I felt an eerie silence. I paid it no mind, wanting to leave quickly, but was met with resistance as if I had hit a wall. Instinctively, I reacted by pushing my tray forward while I jumped back several steps.
There was a sudden clatter, and the area around fell into an even deeper silence that lasted for several seconds. When I finally looked up, I saw a guy with a livid face standing at the entrance of the cafeteria, his high-end suit and white shirt covered in vegetable juice and soup stains. Unfortunately, that unlucky person was the stingy and mean Lin Zefeng. And beside him stood his brother, my dream lover, Lin Zexiu.
I felt a mix of elation and shock, but the situation didn't allow me to dwell on my feelings, so I quickly stepped forward to apologize. Disliking him was one thing, admitting my own fault was another.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it wasn't intentional, I didn't see you," I said in rapid succession, along with bowing and scraping, "I didn't mean to offend you, but I really didn't see you."
"Just because it's an accident, does that mean you don't have to be responsible?" he obviously recognized me, his brow furrowing tightly.
Apparently, the rumors were right: this guy was petty. I was a nobody, and that assault incident was two weeks ago; he should have forgotten me by then. But no, he remembered, and here I was offending him once again.
"Then what else— I'll take responsibility. For your suit, I'll get it cleaned, and I'll cover the cost," I said quietly. I had made a mistake, but at least I could try to have a good attitude.
"Fine, I appreciate employees who take responsibility," he said slowly, yet his words felt like they carried a threatening undertone, "but don't bother washing it. Just buy me an identical suit, and we'll call it even."
I gasped.
I'd been at the company for two weeks and hadn't received a single paycheck. I was living in debt, unable to explain my situation to my mother, and consequently hadn't asked her for money. I only went home to eat meals occasionally and stole some cash from the dumpling shop to survive. Having been around for a while, I can tell by now that his suit would definitely cost a good eight or ten thousand. With what could I possibly compensate him?!
Besides, yes, I ran into him, and I was at fault, but doesn't he have eyes? Why didn't he dodge? Ultimately, he should bear part of the responsibility, too! Here I am, willing to take full responsibility, offering to wash the suit, and still, he insists on a new one— isn't this just making things difficult for me?
I'm someone who can't stand being bullied, especially in front of so many people and in front of the man I care about.
"Fine, Vice President Lin, I'll make amends. Taking a life means repaying with one's own, owing money means paying it back—it's the natural order of things," I said through clenched teeth, smiling sweetly. "So, please strip off all your clothes right here and now, because once you step out that door, I won't be responsible anymore. You understand the term 'on the scene,' right? Once you leave this place, legally speaking, when you withdraw from the location of the event, you can't claim anything anymore. Who knows if the item in question may suffer any further damage in the meantime? So please, strip off your clothes immediately."
Actually, I had no idea how the law worked—it was just a bluff.
He could just carry me out, but as soon as he touched me, I would cry sexual harassment. And although there were so many employees here to testify, I was betting he didn't have the time or energy to mess with me over a piece of clothing. And if he persisted, it would make others think he was intentionally making life difficult for a petty staff member.
Yeah, this is what it means to be shameless, to be the barefooted who aren't afraid of those with shoes. I'd already shown a willingness to apologize, but if he still forced a poor person to jump off a building, then I guess I'd have to resort to any tactic I could.
As a result, he said nothing, and neither did anyone else, because in this company, it was rumored no one dared to offend him.
Look, this is what it means to be beyond desire, to be firm. I wanted nothing from him, not a promotion nor a raise, nor any trouble with him, and even since I couldn't see Lin Zexiu, I couldn't care less about staying in this company. What did I have to fear from him?
I looked at him, and in his eyes was nothing but the fury of wanting me dead. But that wasn't the look you give to an opponent or even a human being; it was the look you give to a disgusting cockroach he couldn't wait to crush underfoot.
When I saw his gaze, I felt no guilt anymore, and decided to stick to my guns. He looked down on me, so naturally, I mirrored that contempt. There was no reason to be polite.
"Pay up!"
"Strip down!"
Our bizarre exchange continued, while the hundred or so people on the side stopped eating, all their senses fully engaged, excitedly watching this rare spectacle—the kind of gossip that could fuel conversation for two weeks!
And right in the midst of this tense stand-off, Lin Zexiu suddenly laughed, "Ah, Doctor Yu, don't be scared. Vice President Lin won't blame you. It's just a piece of clothing. He's just trying to make an impression on you, so you won't be so reckless next time. If you're this hasty with a patient, it won't do at all." He mediated, speaking so naturally as if Lin Zefeng were actually joking with me.
While speaking, he walked around behind Lin Zefeng and said in a voice that only we three could hear, "Bro, head over to my place first; I'll have someone from the design department bring you a set of clothes soon. Don't make a scene here."
See, that's the mark of someone who handles big affairs! My eyes provoked Lin Zefeng, noting that his nose was completely intact and hadn't been a problem for a while. He must have been inflamed by anger at me earlier, that's why he'd been squabbling with me. But now he knew better than to be stubborn here, even if he did win against me, he'd lose his dignity. So he took the easy way out, nodding his head and turning to leave.
I have to say, he's a man of deep schemes, because he was outwardly calm, his demeanor steady, showing no sign of emotion. And my Xiu Xiu, she shared a gentle smile with me, "Let's go too, Doctor Yu."
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