“Que Tang, time to wake up.”
Que Tang opened her eyes dizzily from her slumber. When she saw Lan Mi, she yelped in fright, clutching her quilt and rolling to the other side of the bed. “Ge—General Manager…” Her eyes snapped wide open a second later. “Why are you here?”
Lan Mi sat on the edge of the bed, watching her antics. She couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. “Did you forget I stayed over at your place last night?” She reached out to pinch Que Tang’s cheek. “Get up quickly. I’ve already prepared breakfast. My skills aren't as good as yours, but I can manage breakfast.” She then thoughtfully picked up the underwear and pajamas from the bedside and placed them on the bed, her gaze lingering suggestively on the quilt covering Que Tang’s chest. Then, with a smile, she turned and walked out.
*What was that look for? Dammit!* Que Tang silently bit the edge of her quilt, gnashing her teeth.
After changing into loungewear and freshening up, she walked out of the bedroom to find the usually empty table by the window now laden with a sumptuous breakfast. Lan Mi was sitting elegantly in one of the chairs, reading the newspaper and sipping coffee.
Que Tang shuffled over and sat down across from her. Her gaze swept from Lan Mi to the table, and she suddenly realized something. “General Manager… the clothes you’re wearing…” She didn't own that shirt or those trousers. That meant there was only one truth…
“I brought them with me. I thought the weather was particularly nice yesterday, so I prepared my toiletries and a change of clothes, thinking I might spend the night out. I didn't expect to put them to use at your house,” Lan Mi said with a beaming smile, completely devoid of guilt.
If she could, Que Tang swore she would have given her a dry "ha-ha." But Little Mushroom wasn't around, and she didn't know how far the female lead’s "sickly" or "obsessive" tendencies had progressed. If this turned into some "I love you so I want to tie you up" scenario…
Forget it, she should just eat her breakfast in peace.
She picked up a spoon, scooped a mouthful of golden Hungarian scrambled eggs with mushrooms, and her eyes instantly widened in surprise. This—this was the exact taste of the Hungarian scrambled eggs she had missed so much but could never replicate! When she looked at Lan Mi again, her eyes were filled with "love"; she felt like she was falling for her.
“General Manager… the tenderness of these eggs is just right. They aren't overcooked, so the yolks stay silky and smooth, but they aren't too raw either. The mushrooms and onions are sautéed perfectly, and the seasoning… it’s so much better than that soup from yesterday,” Que Tang praised without reservation.
*Ah, so my little assistant is a foodie.* The corners of Lan Mi’s mouth curled upward. She had finally found something that could make Que Tang’s expression change. In her mind, she quickly drafted a "Sugar-Sprinkling Plan." She arched an eyebrow at Que Tang, reached out to pull her closer, and leaned in. Under the assistant’s bewildered gaze, she extended her tongue and licked the corner of Que Tang’s mouth, pretending to swallow a non-existent crumb. “It really is delicious. Thank you for the compliment,” she replied politely.
Que Tang blinked, her inner self throwing a tantrum. *My spoon didn't even touch the corner of my mouth just now! Delicious my foot!* However, looking at the mysterious woman before her, she silently swallowed the roar that had almost escaped her throat and lowered her head to eat.
After breakfast, Que Tang was reaching the limit of her patience and was about to kick Lan Mi out when the latter received a phone call. Lan Mi’s expression grew increasingly grim. After hanging up, she said to Que Tang, “We were currently negotiating a collaboration with a world-renowned architect, but for some reason, they suddenly refused to work with us. The project manager I sent to sign the contract just called to say the other party won't even show up to talk.”
She bit her thumb, pacing back and forth nervously. “This project is extremely important to us. The company wants to align with government policy and launch a series of affordable public housing units, moving away from our previous focus on luxury developments. Firstly, it will win public favor and improve the company's image. Secondly, if the cooperation with the government goes well, it will lead to breakthroughs in local or national engineering projects in the future.”
“The company has already invested a lot of preliminary capital into this project. We’ve had our eye on this architect from the start because of his high international reputation and his long-standing support for affordable housing. Everything was settled; how could this happen?” Lan Mi frowned.
For the first time since her rebirth, she felt helpless. She had thought she had everything firmly in her grasp, but how could something happen that she hadn't encountered in her previous life? Was she destined to lose to Wanqi Aotian in this life as well, despite being reborn?
Seeing Lan Mi pacing with a panicked expression, Que Tang knew she had lost her composure. She stepped forward and pulled her into a comforting embrace. “General Manager, calm down first. Then we can think about how to handle this.”
Held by Que Tang, Lan Mi’s tense body gradually relaxed, and she eventually leaned into her arms. “Que Tang…” That’s right, this person was by her side now, which meant that not everything after her rebirth would follow the trajectory of her previous life. Things could be changed.
“General Manager, I have always been impressed by your calm and collected demeanor. It’s just one architect backing out. To us, the biggest loss is the time and expense of finding a new one. But I believe you can definitely minimize that loss.” Que Tang patted her back, lying through her teeth. “You have always been a reliable person in my heart. So don't worry, we will definitely find a way to solve this.”
Lan Mi clutched Que Tang’s clothes tightly…
In her previous life, she hadn't particularly liked this assistant; she just thought she was diligent and honest. But once the girl had hooked up with Wanqi Aotian, that feeling had turned into utter loathing and even hatred.
From the beginning, when they saw each other behind her back, to the end, when they joined forces to swallow her company...
Back then, having lost everything, she had driven off a cliff with the intent of dragging both of them to hell, only for them to escape at the last second. No one could understand the despair she felt as she sat in the driver's seat, staring down at the valley floor alone. But perhaps dying was for the best—a clean break, never having to see those two again.
But unexpectedly, it was like waking from a dream. She had returned to the time before Que Tang arrived, when she and Wanqi Aotian were still in an on-again, off-again relationship.
She thought this was a chance for revenge granted by the heavens. So, she moved cautiously, humoring Wanqi Aotian while planting her own people in the company. On the other hand, when she saw Que Tang during the interview, the most painful and hateful part of her heart was ignited. She seized the opportunity to keep both of them in the palm of her hand, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
But now, in Que Tang’s warm embrace, listening to her soft words of comfort, she suddenly felt like crying. Why hadn't she noticed Que Tang’s good qualities in her previous life? No wonder a selfish, self-centered person like Wanqi Aotian had been so hopelessly obsessed with her…
“General Manager?” Que Tang called out again.
“I’m fine now. Thank you.” Lan Mi hugged her tightly.
“Um, I just remembered that one of my seniors is also in the architecture industry… and he’s quite famous.” Que Tang slowly dropped the news.
Lan Mi looked up in confusion.
“His graduation thesis was based on the concept of affordable housing. He traveled all over Europe studying public municipal housing and has been dedicated to promoting it ever since…” *Dammit, thinking about this second male lead architect makes me really want to drink Coke, Fanta, and Wang Lao Ji.*
“Who is he?” Hearing that her little assistant had a contact that fit the company's needs so perfectly, Lan Mi looked at her with newfound respect once again.
“His name is… Han Geng.”
Lan Mi’s eyes widened. “He is indeed very 'International.' I didn't expect him to be your senior…” Que Tang was constantly surprising her.
“We knew each other back in school.” Que Tang covered her face. “I’ll try to contact him and see if he’s free…” *This author is either a fan or a hater!*
Upon receiving the call from his junior, Han Geng immediately accepted her dinner invitation. Back in school, he had always been fond of this junior, but she was a studious, well-behaved girl who never noticed his advances.
Later, he had to go abroad for further studies, so he gave up on pursuing her. Over the years, they had stayed in touch sporadically, but they weren't very close.
He hadn't expected his junior to invite him out of her own accord. He immediately went to Master Wang’s shop downstairs to get a perm. By the time it was finished, it was almost time for dinner. He took a car to the most high-end hotel in the city.
As soon as he stepped inside, his gaze locked with another person’s. That person had a towering hairstyle, likely held up by an entire tin of hair wax. As they brushed past each other, the world seemed to freeze. When hair wax met setting spray, the only thing these two focused on was each other.
*He’s probably using the latest hair wax on the market, but it’s still too weak compared to my setting spray. This is a scrub with a combat power of only five.* Han Geng gave a score in his heart. After deciding the other man was no match for him, he retracted his gaze and headed toward the private booth his junior had mentioned.
When Han Geng opened the door, he saw his junior being fed by another woman.
“Ju…nior?” He stepped back out to check the room number on the door. It was correct, Room 233. But how could his usually shy and old-fashioned junior… *The way I opened the door must have been wrong!*
“Se—Senior?” Que Tang pushed Lan Mi away in embarrassment and stood up to walk over to Han Geng. Her eyes were fixed in shock on the curly hair atop his head, which was dyed a mix of blue and white. “Your hair…”
Thinking his junior was impressed by his hairstyle, Han Geng touched his hair and flashed a confident smile. “I had Master Wang downstairs perm it for me. He said this is how they do it abroad. I think it looks pretty good.”
Que Tang was speechless. The aesthetic sense of the named male characters in this world was truly bizarre. She invited her senior to sit down and then returned to her seat next to Lan Mi.
“Mr. Han? Hello, I am Que Tang’s superior. My surname is Lan.” Seeing Que Tang sit obediently back by her side, the smile on Lan Mi’s lips grew more pleasant, making her tone toward Han Geng more polite and hospitable.
“Hello.” Facing anyone else, Han Geng always maintained a cold, untouchable persona.
“The reason we invited you here today is to discuss a collaboration.” Lan Mi sat up straight, both hands placed under the table… but her left hand was resting on Que Tang’s thigh.
Que Tang could only lower her head and pretend to eat, using the action to suppress the urge to slap Lan Mi away.
*Is this about to turn into a hotel booth .mkv file?!*
“Collaboration?” Han Geng asked, his voice as cold as his name. “I don't do commercial architectural design.”
“No, you misunderstand. What our company wants to launch this time is a public housing project. The prices will be fifteen to thirty percent lower than the market average.” Lan Mi’s eyes were full of confidence, and her left hand quietly slid toward the sensitive inner part of Que Tang’s thigh.
Que Tang suddenly stood up. Under Han Geng’s confusion and Lan Mi’s knowing gaze, she said with a deadpan face, “I—I need to go to the restroom.” She walked out quickly.
As she walked toward the restroom with her head down, she bumped into someone coming out.
“Who’s the one without eyes?”
Que Tang froze. That voice was so familiar. She looked up, and sure enough, it was Wanqi Aotian. Did he use an entire tin of hair wax for his hairstyle today?
“It’s the ugly girl?” Wanqi Aotian arched an eyebrow at her. Looking at the clean-cut Que Tang, his dormant feelings began to stir again. Lately, Lan Mi seemed very busy and didn't have much time for him. He could use the excuse of visiting Lan Mi to ask this assistant out.
Seeing how pure she looked, she should be easy to handle. Wanqi Aotian thought wickedly.
“Ma—Master Wanqi.” Que Tang took a stumbling step back, her voice trembling as she addressed him.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m here with the General Manager to host a guest.” After saying this, Que Tang kept nodding and apologizing. “I didn't realize it was Master Wanqi. I’m sorry. Master Wanqi, I’ll take my leave now.” She skirted around him and entered the restroom. She ducked into a random stall and locked it, her face immediately falling.
She suddenly missed Little Mushroom so much. She now deeply understood that even a crappy cheat was still a cheat. Even if it was useless, at least she’d have a cat to help her complain about this bizarrely developing plot.
Once Que Tang had composed herself and returned to the booth, she looked at Lan Mi in surprise. “Where’s my senior?”
“He just verbally accepted my invitation. He said he suddenly felt inspired and had to get back to his firm. He’ll come to the office on Monday to officially discuss the contract.” Lan Mi took a sip of tea. In a very good mood, she walked over to her little assistant and pinned her against the door of the booth. “My little assistant… you’ve been such a big help this time. How should I thank you? It seems the only way is to offer myself to you in marriage.”
“No—No need, General Manager. As a member of the company, this is my responsibility and duty. Since there’s nothing else, let’s get back to the office and prepare the contract details.” She rejected the offer righteously, escaped through a gap in Lan Mi’s stance, opened the door, and quickly left the booth.
Lan Mi stared at her retreating back, shook her head, and let out a sweet yet wicked smile.
***
Glossary:
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
---|---|---
国民合宜住宅 | Affordable Public Housing | A government-aligned housing project for citizens.
寒耕 | Han Geng | Que Tang's senior, a famous architect.
王师傅 | Master Wang | A local barber/stylist mentioned by Han Geng.
以身相许 | Repay with one's body / Offer oneself in marriage | A classic trope where someone offers themselves as thanks.
233 | 233 | Chinese internet slang for laughter (equivalent to "lol").
战斗力只有五的渣渣 | A scrub with a combat power of only five | A reference to Dragon Ball (Raditz's line).
