Lin Lanxing stormed through the building, checking the cafeteria and planning department before rushing to Shen Chi Yan's office. Her mind raced with images of Song Qi Nian throwing herself at him. If she caught that woman making advances on him in broad daylight, she'd make her regret it.
At the sound of Lin Lanxing's voice outside, Song Qi Nian froze. Shen Chi Yan, however, seemed unfazed. If anything, he pressed against her harder, his voice dripping with cruelty. "What's wrong? Scared she'll see you?"
Song Qi Nian glared at him, struggling to free her pinned hands. She wanted to tell him she had nothing to fear - after all, they were legally married, even if there was no love between them.
"Brother Chi Yan! Brother Chi Yan!" Lin Lanxing's desperate calls and knocking finally prompted Shen Chi Yan to end their encounter.
He fastened his pants and cast a cold look at Song Qi Nian, who was scrambling to dress herself. "I sent you to the planning department to work, not to seduce men. If you can't handle that, just go home."
Without waiting for her to finish dressing, he strode to the door and pulled it open. Lin Lanxing nearly stumbled forward, catching herself as she met his gorgeous but distant face.
"What do you want?"
"Brother Chi Yan, have you eaten yet? I wanted to discuss my sister's situation over lunch."
As she spoke, her eyes darted past him, trying to peek into his office. But his tall frame blocked her view completely, keeping Song Qi Nian hidden from sight.
"Let's go."
"What?"
"Didn't you say you wanted to eat?"
Lin Lanxing hadn't expected Shen Chi Yan to actually agree to her hastily made-up excuse. Her face lit up with joy, but it was short-lived.
"At the company, address me as President Shen from now on," he said, his voice devoid of warmth.
His face remained impassive, leaving her unsure whether this was a warning or a simple reminder. "I'm sorry," she said, her lower lip trembling slightly. "I've just gotten so used to calling you Brother Chi Yan."
"Habits can be changed."
"...Understood."
Meanwhile, in the CEO's office, Song Qi Nian finished dressing, her frustration mounting with each passing moment. Her eyes fell on a piece of paper on the desk. Seized by emotion, she snatched up a pen and scrawled several large characters across it.
As she turned to leave, her hand brushed against the mouse, bringing the computer screen to life. Had she lingered just a moment longer or glanced back, she would have seen her own drawing of the night sky set as his screensaver.
When Shen Chi Yan returned that afternoon, his eyes immediately caught the message she'd left:
"Shen Chi Yan! You're nothing but a big jerk!!!!"
The excessive exclamation marks practically radiated her anger. A soft snort escaped him, his lips curving into an unbidden smile. He'd thought she was just a docile little cat, but it seemed she had claws after all.
Later that afternoon, Song Qi Nian's empty stomach only worsened her already dark mood. That's when Xie Xue Yi, with characteristic poor timing, approached her desk.
"Song Qi Nian, I need you to complete this activity plan by the end of the day."
Since Song Qi Nian had joined the planning department, Xie Xue Yi had made a habit of dumping work on her. Until now, Song Qi Nian had always helped, believing in being a good colleague and lending a hand when possible. She'd rarely said no.
Song Qi Nian was learning the hard way that kindness often gets taken advantage of. Xie Xue Yi wasn't even pretending to ask for help anymore - she was barking orders.
She tossed the proposal onto Song Qi Nian's desk and walked away. Song Qi Nian watched as she went to chat with Lin Lanxing, catching the smug look Lin Lanxing threw her way. Without hesitation, Song Qi Nian picked up the proposal and sent it right back to Xie Xue Yi with a note: "Sorry, I have plans this afternoon and can't help."
As Song Qi Nian turned to leave, Xie Xue Yi's voice cut through the office. "Hold it right there!"
She marched over, waving the proposal in Song Qi Nian's face. "You're new to the planning department. We're doing you a favor by giving you extra work - it's called training."
"Exactly," someone chimed in. "We all went through it. How else would you learn?"
Sensing trouble, Miao Zi Ai rushed over and tugged at Song Qi Nian's arm. "Nian Nian..." she whispered urgently.
Song Qi Nian felt the weight of every stare in the office. Their looks made it clear: as the newcomer, she was expected to submit to senior employees or be labeled ungrateful.
While Song Qi Nian typically avoided confrontation, she wasn't about to let herself become everyone's doormat. An idea struck her. She took the proposal and wrote: "I can't finish it tonight, but I'll have it on your desk first thing tomorrow morning."
Xie Xue Yi's face broke into a satisfied smirk. She thought this quiet little mouse wouldn't dare refuse.
"This proposal goes into effect tomorrow. President Shen considers it a priority, so you better not mess it up."
President Shen values it? Song Qi Nian's slight smile went unnoticed as she nodded. To everyone else, it looked like she had backed down.
So, a rookie thought she could stand up to company veterans? She was practically begging to get crushed.
Back at her desk, Song Qi Nian listened as Miao Zi Ai tried to explain. "Nian Nian, that's just how Xie Xue Yi's group operates. They targeted me when I first started too. Give it time - they'll move on to the next new hire."
"You're saying this kind of bullying is acceptable?"
"No, no, that's not it at all! Of course I'm against workplace bullying. But you have to understand - new employees have no influence, no experience. If you don't play along, you won't last here."
Right. Everyone claimed to oppose workplace bullying, but no one dared take a real stand. They were too afraid of becoming targets themselves. Some even deluded themselves into thinking they'd be safe once the bullies found fresh prey.
But letting it continue only meant more victims down the line.
Being mute, Song Qi Nian had dealt with bullies since childhood. She'd never let them win then, and she wouldn't start now. If they were going to openly target her, why should she sacrifice herself just to keep workplace peace?
After work, Song Qi Nian was riding her electric scooter home as usual when she heard someone call out at a traffic light.
"Song Qi Nian!"
She turned to see Lin Lanxing's smirking face in the passenger seat next to Gao Kunlun. She recognized the car instantly - Shen Chi Yan's Bugatti Veyron. The back windows were tinted, but she knew he was there.
"Storm's coming. Think that little scooter will get you home before the rain hits?"
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