Walking out of the office, just taking this chance to relieve myself! As I passed by the secretary’s desk, Yang suddenly called out to me, "Miss An."

"Hello." I was anxious about what she wanted from me. Was it work instructions? I spent the whole afternoon staring at the ceiling, and Huang Puchen didn’t assign me anything. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Miss An, just call me Yang."

Yang’s voice felt so gentle and unpretentious, with the demeanor of a noblewoman. Chairman Zhang, you really should compare yourself to Yang.

"Are you going to the restroom?" Yang suddenly whispered.

"Yes."

"Secretary Li is there. It’s best not to go now; she seems to be in a bad mood and might lash out at you. Just giving you a heads-up." So Yang was worried about me being bullied by Li Hua, and my heart warmed instantly. In a big company, having someone who cares is a moment of happiness, regardless of sincerity.

But Yang still doesn’t know me well, "Yang, thank you, but I’m not afraid." I playfully raised my eyebrows and walked toward the restroom.

"Cousin," a sweet voice reached my ears, and goosebumps instantly rose on my skin.

I slowly approached and held my breath.

"I don’t care," Li Hua was on the phone? "Letting her work in the tea room today is too lenient on her!"

The tea room? So it was her playing tricks behind my back! I wrongly blamed Chairman Zhang!

Li Hua came out holding her phone and bumped right into me. Arrogantly, she looked at me as I pretended to ignore her and was about to walk in when she blocked me with her hand.

"Miss An."

"Secretary Li, is there something you need?" My patience was running thin; on my first day at work, someone set me up, and now that I know who, I silently reminded myself to endure!

"Miss An, I’ve heard you’re a graduate of F University. How did you sneak in and actually into the boss’s office!" Li Hua practically spat out the last few words through gritted teeth, glaring at me fiercely.

"What’s wrong with F University? Young Master Huangpu is also a graduate of F University!" Would you dare to speak to Young Master Huangpu like that?!

I glared back fiercely, pushed Li Hua’s hand away, "Haven’t you heard a good dog doesn’t block the way?"

"Who are you calling a dog?" Li Hua’s face turned red up to her neck.

"Whoever’s in the way is the one!" I’m not someone you can bully as you please!

"You!" Li Hua was so angry she couldn’t speak; I glanced at her contemptuously. It must be tough to maintain such makeup.

She called out "cousin" during the phone call? Minister Li, Li Hua, ha, how funny it is, indeed, to be of royal blood!

They say the bigger the group, the deeper and more mysterious the connections, from royal relatives to little lords, all ranks are above the department head? The rumors are true.

Whatever, I’ll take my path of sunlight; on the first day, Li Hua gave me a hard time! I’ve noted down this debt!

...

Chairman Zhang’s dinner also invited other board members. It was clearly a trap. Huang Puchen pulled me into a five-star hotel, and from afar, I saw Li Hua gesticulating at Huang Puchen. Having shed her work uniform, Li Hua was now wearing a tight short dress. Huang Puchen ignored Li Hua’s existence, continuing to hold my hand as we entered the room. Li Hua angrily stomped her foot upon seeing us holding hands, huffed, and followed us inside.

I hadn’t met any of the so-called board members. Chairman Zhang sat at the head of the table, leisurely chatting with a middle-aged man beside him. Occasionally, he nodded slightly and smiled.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Huang Puchen approached the dining table, still not letting go of my hand.

The middle-aged man talking with Chairman Zhang had an initially smiling face that vanished upon seeing our gesture, squinting his eyes, adjusting his glasses, and staring straight at me. Instinctively, I tried to pull back my hand, but Huang Puchen gripped it, giving me a reassuring look.

Chairman Zhang noticed and broke the silence, "Huang Puchen, have Nangong Yang sit down. Let me introduce you all; this is Miss Nangong Yang, Huang Puchen’s girlfriend. He brought her today to introduce her to everyone. Nangong Yang, say hello."

At that moment, Chairman Zhang seemed none of the morning’s sternness. If I hadn’t previously interacted with her, I’d have thought she was a warm, gentle, and elegant mother.

"Hello, everyone, I’m Nangong Yang." I admit I’m not skilled in arrogance. I nodded and lowered my head slightly, sneaking a look at the board members’ expressions; all were blankly staring at me, except for the spectacled man who seemed lost in thought.

Suddenly, the spectacled man said, "Hua Hua, what are you doing standing in the back?"

Li Hua walked up beside me, cast me a glance filled with jealousy, and then walked to the spectacled man, "Dad."

The spectacled man was the legendary Chairman Li, son of the group’s founding father, no wonder he seemed more arrogant than the other board members. With such a heritage, the offspring bask in the reflected glory of their father’s achievements.

Li Hua gracefully sat down, and Huang Puchen helped me set up my chair. I sat down solidly, my legs naturally crossing. The person opposite, blocked by the table, couldn’t see my leg movements; Chairman Zhang noticed and sighed heavily with a complex look.

"Come, come, let’s not just sit and stare, waiter, serve the dishes." Chairman Zhang broke the silence.

Plates of gourmet food were brought out, but it seemed no one intended to start eating; weren’t they hungry? I was nearly starving! Which one should I eat first? That one, I picked up my chopsticks, grabbed a chicken piece in front of me, and stuffed it into my mouth, eating without concern for my image. The food at a fancy hotel is indeed different; it’s delicious. The server slowly exited. Was that all? Such a large table with just these few dishes?

The delicacies on the table successfully caught my attention. I picked another larger piece, stuffing it into my mouth.

Noticing peculiar glances directed at me, I looked up, meeting Chairman Zhang’s angry eyes. I glanced around; everyone was staring at me. I bit my lip, quietly put down the chopsticks, and looked at Huang Puchen. He picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a sweet and sour rib, and placed it on my plate, calmly saying, "Eat."

Chairman Zhang also picked up his chopsticks, saying, "Everyone, let’s start eating."

Li Hua twisted her waist, sneered disdainfully, slowly picked up a piece, slightly opened her mouth, took a small bite, and then looked at me. She raised her proud chin, and I furiously picked up the dish Huang Puchen gave me, stuffed it into my mouth, glared at Li Hua while chewing, mimicking her haughty chin raise, then picked a dish and put it on Huang Puchen’s plate, smirking at Li Hua, "Huang Puchen, eat quickly."

Li Hua hadn’t expected me to retaliate, especially in front of the board members. The others wisely pretended not to notice, except Chairman Zhang coughed, and Li Hua immediately pandered, "Auntie, are you alright? Have some water!"