[Disclaimer: This chapter is written by author Sun Da, a parallel world short story that does not affect the main storyline.]
In the capital city, at a certain internet company.
Early in the morning, a young woman in a professional suit walked into the company, took a sip of coffee, and then clapped her hands to get everyone's attention:
"Everyone, please put down your work for a moment, let's have a short morning meeting."
The one speaking was Project Director Wei Lai. Seeing all the employees gather around, she cleared her throat and continued:
"Today is the first day our company is officially acquired by the Tiancheng Group. President Shen Kai will come in person to inspect. I hope everyone can be fully energized these days and leave a good impression on the new boss."
[Shen Qingqing: Tiancheng? Isn't that the parent company of Tianshi Watch? The president is not Kai Ge, the president's surname is Wei...]
[Youyou: This is fanfiction! Shen Qingqing be quiet and listen to the story!]
Wei Lai glanced at her watch:
"It's almost time, let's go to the entrance to welcome the new boss!"
Perhaps because the family started out in the watch and clock industry, President Shen was always punctual. Right on time, over a dozen luxury cars drove in, led by a Rolls Royce which stopped at the company entrance. The car door opened and a impeccably dressed man stepped out from the car.
The man wore a custom tailored high-end suit, with a pair of shiny handcrafted Italian leather shoes, spotlessly clean without a speck of dust. He was about 188 cm tall, with a refined and handsome face, drawing gasps from many colleagues:
"Heaven is so unfair! Why would it give boundless wealth and breathtaking beauty to the same person?"
"Could it be... he is the chosen one of God!?"
President Shen walked into the company lobby. Project Director Wei Lai led everyone in a bow:
"Welcome President Shen for your inspection!"
President Shen nodded with his usual aloof expression. He was like a medieval marble statue, exuding nobleness and detachment, flawlessly refined.
"President Shen, let us go upstairs to take a look."
Wei Lai said and walked over to call the elevator. She gestured for Shen Kai to enter after the door opened.
The other employees took separate elevators upstairs.
"Wait!"
The elevator doors closed and opened again. A woman wearing a plaid shirt and a gray cardigan stood at the entrance, gasping for breath, her hair slightly disheveled.
The woman had plain looks with a somewhat clunky pair of black-framed glasses.
"Sorry, sorry..."
The woman kept apologizing while getting on the elevator, about to press the floor button when she noticed the button was already lit.
"Qin Wei, get off!"
Hearing Project Director Wei Lai yelling inside, Qin Wei looked back and noticed.
"Director? You were late too?"
Qin Wei pushed her glasses, somewhat surprised.
[Youyou: Wait... is my senior being described as "plain looking"? What misunderstanding do you have about plain looks? And senior doesn't wear glasses, this setup...]
[Qin Wei: It's okay I'm not the protagonist, no need to care about these details. And I'm actually near sighted, just not that severe, usually Li Yao doesn't let me wear glasses...]
Wei Lai's expression was unhappy. She didn't want to explain to her right now, only emphasized word for word:
"Get、off!"
Qin Wei didn't make a sound and quietly got off the elevator.
"Wait."
The silent President who had not spoken suddenly said. He glanced at the junior employee and said:
"It's fine for her to come up too."
Wei Lai quickly said "Yes" and called for Qin Wei to come back on.
...
The elevator reached the specified floor. Qin Wei, who stood at the very front, was the first to get off. She bowed to the handsome man to express her gratitude, then took out her staff pass preparing to leave.
"Hold on."
Seeing that she was about to run off, the President called for her to stop. He then leisurely walked out and pointed at the canvas bag she was hugging:
"What's inside there?"
"Steamed dumplings."
Qin Wei blurted out and shrank back a little hugging her bag. This man isn't trying to take her breakfast, right?
He opened his mouth as if wanting to say something more, but Liu Simin reminded him:
"President Shen, it's time for the meeting."
President Shen nodded. By the time he wanted to talk to her again, she was already gone without a trace. This caused him to be laconic throughout the entire meeting. Even when the Directors and Managers were speaking, he was preoccupied.
[Qin Wei: Is he that hungry?]
[Shen Qingqing: ...]
"Kai."
At lunch time, the office door of the President's office was pushed opened. A woman with a pleasant voice walked in wearing a white Chanel dress suit and exquisite makeup, very beautiful.
"Auntie said you've taken over a new company and was worried you'd forget to eat being so busy. She specifically asked me to bring some food over."
The woman spoke while placing the paper bag in her hands on the table:
"Truffle pasta, your favorite."
President Shen looked up at her and spoke plainly:
"Sixiao, when did you come back to the country? How come I didn't know?"
[Qiao Sixiao: Full name? No one calls me that...]
"Qiao Sixiao, when did you come back to the country? How come I didn't know?"
"This morning."
Qiao Sixiao replied while opening the lunch boxes for him.
"I went to your house as soon as I came back and asked auntie, only finding out then you were here. You must be hungry now right? Eat while it's hot."
President Shen didn't say anything more, looking at the exquisite meal but had no appetite.
That steamed dumpling the junior staff member had, somehow smelled more delicious...
[Qin Wei: See, told you he was hungry...]
"Thinking about something?"
Qiao Sixiao sat opposite of him and asked seeing that he was distracted.
"Have you eaten steamed dumplings before?"
Shen Kai suddenly asked.
"Steamed dumplings? Why..."
"It's nothing... Thank you for bringing me lunch, you shouldn't have gone through the trouble."
"..."
......
"How unlucky."
Junior staff member Qin Wei returned to her desk looking exhausted.
That morning, being late and running into the Director, then right after getting busy with work, the Director called her into the office. Not only did she get a severe reprimand, she was also made to write self-reflections in the office.
1,800 words, hand written, no checking on the phone allowed.
It would be fine if it was someone else, but someone without much brains like Qin Wei, writing was truly difficult.
[Qin Wei: (= =)...]
Struggling for the whole morning, she didn't even get a chance to eat breakfast.
Now with her stomach growling from hunger, going to the canteen would cost money. She used up her perfect attendance this month, still needed to pay rent and utilities, plus daily expenses...
In the end, Qin Wei took out the uneaten dumplings from the morning and heated them up in the microwave. She then sat at her desk and started eating.
emmm...
The dumpling skin had gone a little soft but the taste was still amazing. This dumpling store - I could eat ten bowls a day for life and never get bored of it!
[Youyou: I can attest to this! It's truly delicious!]
[Qin Wei: No need for ten bowls, I wouldn't dare...]
Immersed in delicious food, Qin Wei suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of pressure behind her... Don't tell me the Director read her self-reflection full of nonsense and came to pick faults...
Qin Wei put down her chopsticks and slowly turned her head...
