Confessing To An Annoying Boss

In the moment of eye contact, Qiao Ziman felt a bit guilty, extending two fingers to show a slightly larger than a nail-sized spot. “There was a minor accident, and the car got a parking ticket.”

Chi Yin gave a soft laugh. “Are you dissatisfied with me?”

“Not at all, it was just an accident,” Qiao Ziman said with a blink.

Chi Yin glanced her up and down. “As long as you’re okay.”

With her being so easygoing, Qiao Ziman felt a bit embarrassed. She smiled. “It’s not that serious, just—”

“The fine will be deducted from your allowance.”

Qiao Ziman: “.” Knew it.

“And,” Chi Yin lifted the coffee in her hand, “Qiao Ziman, did you forget what I told you yesterday?”

Qiao Ziman: “??? Half ice, double milk with no sugar, is there a problem?”

“How early did you arrive?” Chi Yin stared at the tiny beads of sweat on her forehead, then subtly shifted her gaze away in that instant.

“Less than half an hour, is that a problem?” Qiao Ziman asked in confusion.

In the scorching heat, even the morning breeze carried the season’s sultriness. Chi Yin tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and adjusted the air conditioning a few degrees lower. “It’ll taste bad if the ice melts. Buy a new one.”

“Is it really that important?” Qiao Ziman glanced at the time and then at the line forming outside the coffee shop. “How about we just make do for now? We can—”

“Qiao Ziman,” Chi Yin suddenly interrupted, turning her head to look at Qiao Ziman with a deep gaze, “The word ‘make do’ doesn’t exist in my dictionary. Things that I want must be flawless.”

…Is this really necessary for just a cup of coffee?

Chi Yin’s words seemed strange, and her gaze even stranger, reminiscent of the absurd dream from last night. Qiao Ziman frowned.

“And,” Chi Yin turned her head back, looking at the bustling street, “didn’t HR give you a heads-up beforehand? I’m very particular, otherwise, why would I pay such a high price?”

Qiao Ziman pressed her lips together, speechless.

“While you were daydreaming, the coffee has already been bought.”

“Fine, fine, fine, who can outdrink you! Just buy it.” Qiao Ziman unfastened her seatbelt, pushed the door open, and dashed into the crowd.

Muttering, as if not quite satisfied, Chi Yin couldn’t help but smile as she watched Qiao Ziman’s retreating figure.

Qiao Ziman returned from the queue twenty minutes later, handing the coffee to Chi Yin. “Here,” she said, quickly fastening her seatbelt. “Ready to go.”

Sitting up straight, her whole body tense as she leaned close to the steering wheel, her expression extremely serious.

“Is this your first time driving after getting your license?”

Qiao Ziman’s shoulders twitched. “Second time. Yesterday was the first.”

…Alright.

Qiao Ziman started the car and slowly merged into the traffic.

“Can you drive a bit faster?”

Qiao Ziman focused on driving. The sudden voice from beside her startled her, almost making her lose grip on the steering wheel. She frowned and said irritably, “Chi Yin, be quiet.”

Chi Yin’s fingers paused as she caressed the coffee cup. She’s quite fierce.

The car moved slowly along the road. Chi Yin checked the time occasionally and finally couldn’t hold it in as they approached the second intersection. “Qiao Ziman, we’re going to be late. Can you step on the gas? …Signal before turning.”

Qiao Ziman’s hand shook, and she yelled, “Shut up!” Then she turned on the windshield wipers.

Chi Yin: “…”

The wipers swished back and forth, and Qiao Ziman felt a bit embarrassed.

In the silence, Chi Yin tentatively said, “How about… we pull over and let me drive?”

Qiao Ziman cleared her throat, murmured “Mm,” and said, “Alright, but this is what you asked for, so it’s not my problem.”

The two switched seats. This allowed them to drive to the company at a normal speed. As expected, even with their hurried pace, they were still late. Qiao Ziman looked at the time clock with despair, frustrated to the point of almost vomiting blood, while Chi Yin only added to the fire.

“Qiao Ziman, are you doing this on purpose?”

“What do you mean?” Qiao Ziman placed her bag on her workstation, put her hands on her hips, and glared at her. “Chi Yin, so according to what you’re implying, I’m to blame for this?”

“Alright, I know you don’t like being late. Do you think I like it?”

“And, if my driving speed is really intolerable, you can always get a new assistant.”

Chi Yin’s expression suddenly darkened. “Change just like that? Drive as slowly as you want, but the fines are coming out of your own pocket.”

“Fine, fine,” Qiao Ziman said, fuming as she threw herself into her workstation.

“Why were you arguing just now?”

“Is Chi Yin making trouble for Qiao Ziman?”

“This Chi Yin is really double-standard, demanding employees follow rules while being late herself.”

Hearing the surrounding gossip, Qiao Ziman felt inexplicably annoyed. She stood up and yelled, “Enough, aren’t we going to work?” She pulled out the car keys and headed straight to the office without looking back.

Knock, knock, knock.

Chi Yin: “Come in.”

Qiao Ziman pushed the door open and said straightforwardly, “Chi Yin, I’m here to return the car keys.”

Chi Yin gestured with her eyes to place them on the desk.

So quickly letting it go? Just a moment ago, wasn’t she acting all confrontational? Qiao Ziman wondered to herself. But it’s for the best, saving her breath. This woman is better kept at a distance; otherwise, who knows how she’d torture her. What’s the point of earning money if she doesn’t live to spend it?

Chi Yin casually flipped through the work reports, paused in silence for a moment, then opened a drawer and rummaged. “Qiao Ziman, that car is really not suitable for a beginner like you.”

Chi Yin found a set of car keys. “There’s a BMW Mini. Use this for now; it’s smaller and easier to handle. Practice with it.”

Qiao Ziman: “???”

Chi Yin smiled. “What, do you want me to be your driver forever?”

No, this plot is so strange. It feels like something is off, but she can’t quite put her finger on it.

“With this morning’s violation, I’ve almost used up all my driving points.”

Qiao Ziman, feeling guilty, looked away. “Alright,” she said, taking the keys.

“By the way, Qiao Ziman, did you see a black bag on the driver’s seat?”

“What black bag?”

Chi Yin: “I remember putting it under the seat.”

Qiao Ziman suddenly remembered the boxes of small toys and the cat tail, and her ears turned slightly red.

“Please bring it to the office for me.”

“!!! This is a company!”

“Hmm?” Chi Yin slowly stood up and leaned closer to Qiao Ziman’s ear. “What do you mean? Did you peek at what’s inside?”