Chapter 19: A Day at the Office and an Unexpected Kiss

Bai Mengqi had her own private office. Her first day at work, particularly the hour before closing, had left her utterly swamped. She had to review contract documents one by one and diligently try to comprehend the various business situations across different departments. Had she not been a cultivator, blessed with an eidetic memory, such a workload would surely have overwhelmed any ordinary person, likely causing their head to explode from the sheer complexity. Indeed, high-paying work invariably came with greater responsibility. For Bai Mengqi, who lacked any prior work experience, it was undeniably exhausting.

Yet, she sensed that the secretaries seemed intentionally to keep her so busy. While outwardly friendly, they were subtly ostracizing Bai Mengqi. For instance, since her official onboarding, they had barely acknowledged her after their initial greetings.

Soon, it was half-past six in the evening. In their positions, overtime was generally uncommon unless special circumstances arose. Typically, it was the frontline technical departments that frequently worked late, often pressured by project deadlines and progress that allowed for no delays.

“Secretary Bai, it’s time to leave. We’re heading off now.”

The secretaries, observing Bai Mengqi still engrossed in her documents, warmly bid her farewell. Bai Mengqi, hearing their voices, finally lifted her head and offered them a smile in return.

Only after everyone had departed did Bai Mengqi finally sigh in relief, setting aside her work with a dejected expression. She rose, stretched, and loosened her somewhat stiff body, before directly pushing open the door to Zi Yanran’s office. Zi Yanran was seated behind her own desk, attending to some final tasks.

Upon seeing a weary Bai Mengqi enter, a peculiar smile instantly played on Zi Yanran’s lips as she teased, “So, how do you like the work?”

Bai Mengqi immediately shot Zi Yanran a glare, retorting indignantly, “You’re asking the obvious! You knew I understood nothing, yet you assigned me such troublesome work. I’m utterly exhausted! I’ve never felt this tired, not even battling demons, monsters, or superhumans.”

“Haha, it’s normal. You’ll get used to it in a few months. But let me remind you, if you encounter anything you don’t understand, come directly to me. Don’t just listen to what they say, or you’ll easily run into trouble.”

Although Zi Yanran’s face held a smile, her tone carried a hint of seriousness. There were certain matters she felt compelled to specifically advise Bai Mengqi about. This left Bai Mengqi somewhat perplexed. Frowning, she asked, “What’s wrong? Is there an issue with them?”

Zi Yanran sighed softly, patiently explaining, “Ah! You’re new to the workplace and completely unaware of its rules. As the saying goes, the business world is like a battlefield. Your position is a stepping stone for their own promotions, so you’re not just superior and subordinate, but also competitors. Not to mention you’re a newcomer. If they secretly trip you up and cause you to make a mistake, I’d normally have to transfer you out of this role.”

Bai Mengqi fell silent upon hearing this. She understood inwardly that this was Zi Yanran’s first lesson to her: in this complex corporate environment, one could not casually trust others.

“But don’t worry,” Zi Yanran said, rising to address Bai Mengqi. “The first three months are your internship period. I won’t have you directly handling matters; just observe. Come on, let’s go to dinner. After we eat, I’ll take you back to your place.”

“Oh.” Bai Mengqi nodded, quickly slinging on her bag, ready to leave for the day. However, the moment Zi Yanran saw Bai Mengqi’s attire, she couldn’t help but want to laugh. Imagine a senior secretary carrying a men’s backpack—the sight felt utterly incongruous, no matter how one looked at it.

“It seems I’ll have to get you a women’s handbag, or it will be too out of place,” Zi Yanran remarked, observing Bai Mengqi, who appeared both innocent and a little uneasy. As she spoke, she suddenly moved to Bai Mengqi’s side, gazing at her with a hint of alluring charm.

“Hey? What are you doing?”

Bai Mengqi immediately grew wary as Zi Yanran suddenly leaned closer. Zi Yanran smiled gently. “Don’t be so nervous, alright? Since you don’t deny our relationship, just relax. We’re the parents of a child, after all,” Zi Yanran said with a playful grin.

Faced with Zi Yanran’s proximity, Bai Mengqi swallowed hard, retreating repeatedly until she was cornered against the wall. “I…” Bai Mengqi tried to speak. However, Zi Yanran suddenly extended a finger to gently press against Bai Mengqi’s lips.

“Don’t speak,” Zi Yanran soothed in a soft whisper. “Don’t reject contact with others; it’s not so scary, really.” Zi Yanran’s voice held an inexplicable magic, causing Bai Mengqi to relax momentarily, her inner resistance significantly diminishing.

Zi Yanran then pressed closer to Bai Mengqi, one hand very gently caressing Bai Mengqi’s cheek. “Your skin is truly beautiful, cool as jade.”

Feeling the soft hand roam across her cheek and neck, Bai Mengqi felt a strange tingle, yet also a profound comfort. ‘Bai Mengqi, relax. The person before you is your child’s mother, not a stranger. Since you’ve decided to accept each other, intimate moments are bound to happen frequently from now on.’ Bai Mengqi continuously tried to convince herself internally. ‘Some things, you just have to push yourself into.’

Zi Yanran observed Bai Mengqi’s relaxed expression and offered a faint smile. Her luscious red lips parted slightly, then slowly drew closer to Bai Mengqi, pressing against her soft, pink lips before Bai Mengqi could even react.

“Ah!” Feeling the softness on her lips, Bai Mengqi jolted awake from her daze. The moment she opened her eyes, they met Zi Yanran’s gaze, brimming with amusement.

Without giving Bai Mengqi time to react, Zi Yanran immediately pulled away. “Mm! That’s a taste I like. It seems you are destined to be my chosen one,” Zi Yanran said with a wide smile, touching her own lips. What was happening? Ever since the incident all those years ago, Zi Yanran would feel disgusted by contact with anyone other than her parents and child.

Bai Mengqi, meanwhile, stood frozen, instinctively pursing her lips and then touching them with her fingers. ‘What the hell? My, my first kiss, just gone like that?’ Bai Mengqi was stunned. It had been too sudden, without any warning.

Although she had previously had an intimate encounter with Zi Yanran, they had never actually kissed. ‘Damn it, what just happened? Wasn’t this woman supposed to be aloof? Why did she suddenly turn into a vixen, leaving me feeling utterly disoriented?’ Indeed, Zi Yanran just now had been completely different from her usual demeanor. ‘But, but honestly, if she were a little gentler, I don’t think I’d be particularly resistant to her touch.’

After murmuring to herself inwardly, Bai Mengqi quickly hurried after Zi Yanran.

****

Meanwhile, outside Zijing Group, in a secluded corner, the mysterious man who had been on surveillance was intently watching the group’s main entrance. He observed Zi Yanran’s car slowly departing the building and, noting the absence of bodyguards, immediately made a call.

“Hello! Boss, Zi Yanran has left the company. It seems she doesn’t have any bodyguards with her,” the mysterious man reported in a lowered voice. His gaze remained fixed on the group’s entrance, ready to react with immediate vigilance at even the slightest rustle. When he finally saw Zi Yanran’s car start and slowly drive out of the complex, a subtle sense of relief actually washed over him.

He held his phone, his ear pressed tightly against the receiver, awaiting his boss’s reply from the other end. On the other end of the line, the boss paused for a moment after hearing the news, seemingly contemplating something. After a short silence, the boss’s voice finally came through: “Understood. Continue following her. See where she goes, and report any developments immediately.”

The boss’s tone was composed yet carried an undeniable authority, instantly revealing someone accustomed to controlling situations. The mysterious man immediately responded, “Understood, Boss!” upon hearing the instructions. He then hastily hung up, cautiously emerged from his hiding spot, and swiftly pursued the direction Zi Yanran’s car had taken.

Bai Mengqi and Zi Yanran had already settled into the car, preparing to drive towards their dinner destination. Bai Mengqi leaned back in her seat, eyes slightly closed, still replaying the recent events in her mind. Zi Yanran, meanwhile, drove with focus, occasionally glancing sideways at Bai Mengqi. ‘Such a pure, innocent girl, truly adorable. There’s still so much room for ‘training’ her.’