Chapter 5: The Boss

A new boss?

Had there been a management change?

Jiang Nai hadn’t known about this before, but honestly, a shift in management wasn’t a big deal for an intern like her. Siningte was still Siningte, and that was good enough. So, this information didn’t linger in Jiang Nai’s mind for long. On her first day of work, she felt happy.

After exploring her new computer, she carefully reviewed the project materials Yao Qi had sent over regarding the current department initiatives. After finishing up, it was nearly lunchtime.

Taking the opportunity, she snapped a photo of her desk and sent it to someone on WeChat.

[I’ve started working! It’s a great company.]

After sending it, she didn’t receive a reply as usual.

Jiang Nai lowered her gaze for a moment, silently putting her phone away.

“Jiang Nai, let’s go eat together! I’ll help you get acquainted,” someone lightly tapped on her desk. Jiang Nai looked up to see a warm and cheerful face—a chubby boy who seemed quite cute.

She hesitated, unsure of his name.

The newcomer seemed to notice her confusion and laughed, “I’m Wang Wenbo from the planning group, I sit behind you.”

“Oh… hello.”

Wang Wenbo smiled, “It’s time to go; let’s head out.”

Beside her, Yao Qi yawned and pulled her hair up with a clip. “Liu Nian asked me to bring someone along, so why are you so eager to take my work?” 

Wang Wenbo replied, “Taking a newcomer out for dinner isn’t work; I’m just being helpful.” 

Yao Qi laughed, “Don’t give me that; it’s because you think Jiang Nai is pretty.” 

Saying that, she pulled Jiang Nai up and said, “Let’s go eat.” 

Wang Wenbo chimed in, “Hey, let’s eat together.” 

“Yao Qi, we’ll join too,” another colleague added. 

Yao Qi replied, “Alright, alright, let’s go.” 

So the group headed down to the cafeteria on the second floor to eat. Employees had a free allowance for meals each month, but it was Jiang Nai’s first day at work, and she didn’t have a meal card yet, so Yao Qi treated her to this meal. 

Jiang Nai felt a bit guilty and ordered a milk tea for everyone in the group after the meal. 

“Jiang Nai, why aren’t you drinking?” Yao Qi gulped down half a cup in just a few sips, as she loved milk tea but usually avoided it for fear of gaining weight. 

Jiang Nai said, “It’s too sweet; I don’t really like it.” 

“How about coffee?” 

Jiang Nai nodded. 

Yao Qi said, “Let’s go; I’ll take you to get coffee. The coffee at our company is pretty good.” 

Each floor of the main building had a break room stocked with snacks, coffee, and drinks, where everyone would go to relax when they were tired or hungry.  The break room was also a place for gossip, where chatting could lead to some company secrets being revealed. 

Since it was still before the official start of the afternoon work shift, Yao Qi was preparing coffee for Jiang Nai and said, “In previous years, we’d hire a lot of new graduates, but this year they cut it in half, and our group only got you. Jiang Nai, your resume is quite impressive; Liu Nian even showed it to me before.” 

Liu Nian was their department manager, whom Jiang Nai had met during her interview. 

Jiang Nai asked, “They cut the number of new hires in half this year? Why?” 

“Not just for your intern group; many long-term employees were let go too. The new boss is quite—” 

Yao Qi made a gesture across her throat. 

Jiang Nai tilted her head slightly, “Quite what?” 

“Decisive and ruthless, completely lacking compassion. Last week, two big shots from the finance and procurement departments resigned… well, they might have been pushed out,” Yao Qi said. “But this new boss has a powerful background and is definitely capable; he’s just intimidating. Oh, and he’s super handsome.” 

Intimidating yet super handsome? 

That sounded contradictory. 

Seeing Jiang Nai not responding, Yao Qi thought she didn’t believe her and insisted, “He really is handsome. When we saw him for the first time at the meeting, everyone was buzzing. You’ll see when you meet him.” 

“Oh…” 

Yao Qi set the coffee aside, added sugar cubes, and sighed, “In short, he’s handsome but tough. Right now, everyone in every department is on edge, afraid that they might be next to pack their bags and leave. Jiang Nai, you, being new, need to perform well during this time; don’t drop the ball, got it?” 

Yao Qi was not one to filter her words. The company had an open culture before, and she had gotten used to being casual, but she had been more restrained recently.  So when she told Jiang Nai these things, it wasn’t just gossip; it was genuinely a little reminder for the newcomer. 

Jiang Nai could tell and felt quite touched. “Okay, I understand.” 

“Alright, the coffee’s ready, here—” 

As Yao Qi turned to hand over the coffee, her gaze suddenly froze, and she stood still. 

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say her pupils trembled. 

Jiang Nai was confused and turned around as well. 

At the entrance of the break room stood a man. 

He was wearing a dark suit with a matching tie, the jacket unbuttoned, and a white shirt underneath. The man had broad shoulders and a slim waist, was very tall, and his suit fit him like a model, making him exceptionally attractive.

However, the reason Jiang Nai was stunned wasn’t just because he was good-looking. 

It was because…

He was Li Qingji. 

What was he doing here?! 

Wasn’t he on a business trip? 

“L-Li, boss,” Yao Qi stammered, her face turning pale. 

Jiang Nai quickly turned to look at Yao Qi. Boss?? 

“I-I-I just… I’m sorry!” Yao Qi truly hadn’t expected Li Qingji to suddenly appear here. His office had a dedicated break room, so he usually didn’t come to the employees’ side. 

Oh no, oh no, oh no. 

Yao Qi’s mind was filled with the voice of “I’m doomed,” and she was sweating profusely. 

Li Qingji’s gaze was cold, and he didn’t respond to Yao Qi, his eyes shifting from her to Jiang Nai’s face. 

So she was applying to Siningte. 

Maybe it was because of Yao Qi’s anxiety, but when Jiang Nai saw him looking over, she began to panic as well. Before coming here, she hadn’t known that the company had changed ownership, let alone that the new “owner” was him. If she had known beforehand… she would have thought twice. 

Li Qingji said, “You…” 

“Would you like some coffee?!” Jiang Nai suddenly interrupted him as he was about to speak. 

Her first thought was that she didn’t want anyone to know about their relationship! 

Yao Qi took a deep breath and shot a stiff glance at Jiang Nai. 

At that moment, Jiang Nai didn’t care about Yao Qi anymore and focused on Li Qingji, saying, “Boss, would you like some coffee? It’s quite good.” 

Yao Qi: “……” 

The atmosphere was very delicate, but Li Qingji understood Jiang Nai’s intention and slightly raised his eyebrows. “No, thanks.” 

“Okay…” Jiang Nai quickly replied, “Then it’s about time for us to get back to work?” 

Li Qingji didn’t say yes or no, just shifted slightly to the side. That gesture implied he was indicating for them to leave. Yao Qi felt like she had received a reprieve; she kept apologizing as she pulled Jiang Nai out. 

—— 

Once they sat down at their workstations and looked back, the boss was already gone. 

Yao Qi propped her head up with one hand, her face ashen. “It’s over.”

“He doesn’t seem to have any intention of making a fuss,” Jiang Nai comforted, “He probably didn’t hear.” 

Yao Qi shook her head: “He definitely heard; just look at his expression!”

Jiang Nai thought back and awkwardly realized his expression had always been like that.

Yao Qi sighed weakly: “Jiang Nai, it seems we’re not meant to be. I’m leaving just as you’ve arrived.”

Jiang Nai said, “That can’t be…”

“You, fresh and unafraid, even asked him if he wanted coffee…” Yao Qi continued, “Ah! I was practically talking behind his back right in front of him; he won’t let me off the hook.”

“Do you think he’s that ruthless…?”

Yao Qi recalled the recent wave of people directly dismissed by Li Qingji and felt a shiver in her heart. “He is.”

Jiang Nai didn’t really know Li Qingji well. Although she had known him since high school, they had almost never interacted. It wasn’t until their senior year, just before graduation, that she became a match for him, and they finally had some overlap. However, that overlap wasn’t much; they had a few meals and conversations, all related to marriage, and never delved into their personal lives.

Then she went abroad for further studies.

During her years in graduate school, they never contacted each other, except when she returned for the New Year. Li Qingji usually gave off a cold and unapproachable vibe, but she wasn’t sure if that was the same at work.

Yet she felt a bit worried for Yao Qi—what if…?

After all, Siningte was indeed a very good company. Moreover, on her first day, Yao Qi had shown her around the entire company, subtly guiding her so that she wouldn’t feel so out of place. She liked Yao Qi and didn’t want her to be dismissed just like that.

Yao Qi spent the entire afternoon in gloom, and only near the end of the workday did she perk up a bit, forcing a smile and saying, “Forget it, if I’m fired, I’m fired; at least I’ll get a hefty severance. Let’s go, Jiang Nai, I’ll treat you to dinner.”

Ding.

At that moment, Jiang Nai’s phone chimed. She glanced at it and saw that it was a message from Li Qingji.

[Come to the parking lot]

His name was prominently displayed in her contacts, and Jiang Nai quickly scrolled down her phone.

She looked up apologetically at Yao Qi and said, “I have something to take care of tonight, so I need to head home first. Uh… I’ll treat you tomorrow; you treated me at lunch today, so it’s my turn.”

“Alright, you head home first. But whether I can eat here tomorrow is another question,” Yao Qi replied.

Jiang Nai: “…”

The two walked together toward the elevator, where someone was already waiting.

When Yao Qi saw that person, she straightened up and politely greeted, “Hi, Sister Min.”

Chen Min turned her head: “Hi, off work?”

Chen Min was one of Li Qingji’s assistants, and Yao Qi was quite polite to her. After glancing around to confirm that Li Qingji wasn’t around, she said, “Yes, just got off work.”

Chen Min nodded but shifted her gaze to Jiang Nai. However, she didn’t say much and just lightly nodded. Jiang Nai realized from her reaction that she must have heard from Li Qingji about her working at Siningte, and she gave her a grateful glance. When the elevator arrived, Chen Min didn’t step in but instead stood to the side, holding her hand up to block the door.

Yao Qi paused for a moment, quickly thanked her, and stepped inside.

Chen Min looked toward Jiang Nai, showing no intention of lowering her hand.

“Jiang Nai, hurry and come in!” Yao Qi urged.

“Oh, okay!” Jiang Nai responded.

After the three of them entered, the elevator descended slowly. When they reached the first floor, Yao Qi walked out and then realized Jiang Nai hadn’t followed, turning back to look at her.

Jiang Nai had taken a taxi this morning, but Yao Qi didn’t know that, so she could only pretend that she had driven here today: “I’m going to the parking lot.”

“Oh, I see. Well, I’ll go ahead,” Yao Qi said.

“Okay.”

The elevator doors closed again, leaving only Jiang Nai and Chen Min.

“Miss Jiang, the boss is already waiting for you in the car,” Chen Min finally spoke up.

“…Alright,” Jiang Nai replied.

“If you need any assistance at the company in the future, feel free to come find me,” Chen Min offered.

“No, no, just treat me like a regular colleague,” Jiang Nai insisted.

Chen Min chuckled softly, “Understood.”

Li Qingji had a designated parking spot, and when Jiang Nai exited the elevator, she felt anxious about running into colleagues. She instinctively kept some distance from Chen Min, and upon seeing Li Qingji’s car from afar, she cautiously glanced around to confirm that there was no one around before quickly jogging over.

She pulled open the back door, jumped in, and closed it!

Li Qingji was sitting in the back seat, having spotted Jiang Nai and Chen Min from a distance. After Chen Min brought her to the car and left for her own vehicle, Li Qingji watched as the woman in the white shirt nervously looked around before rushing over with a tense expression, causing the door to slam louder than expected.

Li Qingji turned his head slightly to see the person beside him sinking slightly into the seat, clearly trying to shield herself.

“You can’t see in from outside the car window,” Li Qingji said.

Jiang Nai murmured, “You can see people through the front windshield.”

Li Qingji fell silent for a moment. “Are you that afraid of others discovering your relationship with me?”

Jiang Nai replied, “…It’s not fear.”

“Then what is it?”

“It’s that I don’t want to.”

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