C7 Go Home

"Hey, Zhang Yang! I asked you to pick someone up at the airport. Why haven't you shown up yet?"

"Oh, Director Bai, I'm actually having noodles with her at a street-side restaurant. We'll head back soon."

"What! You took Ling to eat at a roadside stand? Get back here immediately!"

...

After hanging up, Zhang Yang just shrugged and continued to savor his noodles without a care.

Bai Ling slurped her noodles and asked, "That was my sister on the phone, wasn't it?"

"Mhm."

"So why aren't you worried?"

Bai Ling set down her fork, eyeing Zhang Yang with curiosity.

"What's there to worry about? The worst she can do is fire me. I've been wanting to quit anyway," he said nonchalantly.

Zhang Yang, with no regard for manners, hoisted the large bowl and noisily slurped the broth.

"Such a bumpkin, you have the worst eating habits."

"Mind your own business."

"Hmph, but isn't today your first day on the job? Why the sudden change of heart?"

"Well... if I don't feel like working, I don't need a reason, do I?"

"Aren't you still trying to woo my sister? Or is it that you dislike me..."

Bai Ling's voice was barely audible as she looked down, nervously fidgeting with her fingers.

"What? Oh, boss, I'm leaving the money here."

"Okay."

Zhang Yang wiped his mouth with a napkin, stood up, and said to Bai Ling, "We should get going before Director Bai decides to kick my butt."

Bai Ling couldn't help but laugh, nodding in agreement. She took Zhang Yang's hand, and they left the noodle shop together.

Zhang Yang hailed a cab, and they set off toward the company.

"Man, it cost over 110,000 yuan just to pick you up. I doubt the company will reimburse me for that."

Zhang Yang sighed as they rode in the taxi.

"You have the nerve to complain? You're the one who threw away that money," Bai Ling shot back, giving him a look.

"You're too young to understand the adult world," Zhang Yang said, feigning wisdom as he reclined and closed his eyes.

Bai Ling turned away, refusing to engage further, yet she couldn't help stealing glances at Zhang Yang. Seeing him actually fall asleep, she felt an inexplicable irritation bubble up inside her.

This guy... Why is he so irritating?

Over half an hour later, Zhang Yang strolled into the company with Bai Ling in tow.

"Hey, Zhang Yang, how can you be so laid-back? Director Bai just lost her temper!"

At that moment, a bald man pacing in the lobby spotted them and hurried over.

"Oh, this little one claimed she was hungry, so I took her out to eat," Zhang Yang said nonchalantly, gesturing towards Bai Ling with no hint of urgency.

"I'm not little! I'm sixteen years old!"

Bai Ling smacked Zhang Yang hard, clearly annoyed at being called small.

"Really? You don't look it. Why so short? Is Director Bai not feeding you?"

"That's ridiculous, she treats me very well!"

As they bantered, their argument escalated, drawing the gaze of many in the company, all of whom were astounded.

Bai Ling had a reputation for her fiery temper and for bullying others. Everyone feared her, and apart from Director Bai, no one seemed able to keep her in check.

So naturally, everyone was curious about Zhang Yang's background.

The bald man mopped his brow, puzzled at how Zhang Yang managed to tame the notorious Bai Ling. He had assumed Zhang Yang was doomed that morning.

"Ahem, you two, quiet down. Director Bai has an urgent client meeting. Zhang Yang, she instructed you to take Miss Bai Ling home. If you deviate from that, don't bother coming to work tomorrow."

"Does that mean I'm going to be fired?"

Zhang Yang's eyes sparkled.

"Exactly. If you want to keep this job, don't mess around. A monthly salary of ten thousand is excellent for a recent graduate like you. Treasure it. I mean, back in my day, I also..."

The bald man spoke with a grave tone, adopting a lecturing demeanor.

"Come on, Bai Ling, I'll take you somewhere fun!"

"Really? Where are we going?"

Before the bald man could finish, Zhang Yang had already grabbed Bai Ling's hand and dashed outside.

"Hey, are you even listening to me? If you don't take this seriously, don't show up for work tomorrow morning!"

The bald man, on the verge of a meltdown, chased after them, calling out to Zhang Yang.

At 8 PM, in a sprawling ten-acre villa on the outskirts of the city, Zhang Yang and Bai Ling made their way through the garden to the front door of the villa.

"That's it for now. You should head home," Zhang Yang said.

"Sure, sure. Next time, come over and hang out again," Bai Ling replied.

As Zhang Yang bid farewell to Bai Ling at the door, preparing to leave, the villa's main door suddenly swung open, revealing Director Bai, who fixed a cold gaze on them.

"Sister," Bai Ling uttered upon seeing Director Bai, her head instantly drooping like a child who had done something wrong.

"Bai Ling, go inside," Director Bai instructed.

"Sister, it's not Zhang Yang's fault. I made him bring me here," Bai Ling hurriedly interjected, trying to clear Zhang Yang's name.

"Inside!" Director Bai's voice rose sharply, tinged with anger.

Clearly intimidated by her sister, Bai Ling cast a regretful glance at Zhang Yang and entered the villa, her head hung low.

"Do you have anything to say?" Director Bai asked Zhang Yang coldly, once Bai Ling was inside.

"You're the boss; do as you please," Zhang Yang replied with a nonchalant shrug.

Director Bai was taken aback by his composure, her icy demeanor unchanging as she probed, "Aren't you afraid I'll fire you?"

Zhang Yang sensed his chance and adopted a cocky stance, tilting his head back and looking down his nose at Director Bai. "Fire away. What's a big guy like me supposed to be afraid of, getting fired?"

"Hehe, remember you said that. Don't bother coming to work tomorrow," Director Bai retorted, her expression souring. She was unaccustomed to such insolence, especially from an employee.

"Fine by me," Zhang Yang said, barely concealing a smirk as he turned to make a suave exit.

Just then, the villa's door burst open again, and a petite figure darted out.

"Sister, please, I'm begging you—don't fire Zhang Yang!" Bai Ling pleaded, rushing to embrace Director Bai.

Caught off guard, Director Bai stumbled and began to fall forward.

"Ah!" Zhang Yang, hearing the commotion, looked back in surprise to see Director Bai toppling over towards them!

In a rush, he spun around and extended his arms to steady her.

However, as soon as he extended his hands, he inadvertently touched her chest, and ultimately, they both tumbled to the ground.

Zhang Yang found himself pinned underneath, with Director Bai in an intimate embrace, their faces pressed close together, and his hands trapped between them.

Meanwhile, the instigator, Bai Ling, was clinging tightly to Director Bai's waist.