Confessing To An Annoying Boss

Warm breath mixed with her unique scent washed over Qiao Ziman, making her ears flush and her heartbeat quicken uncontrollably.

Danger!

At this moment, Qiao Ziman’s only thought was to stay away from this dangerous woman. She quickly took a step back, but due to the wide motion, her balance faltered, and her body uncontrollably fell backward. Behind her was the hard corner of a desk.

“Be careful.”

At the critical moment, her wrist was tightened, and Qiao Ziman solidly crashed into Chi Yin’s soft embrace. Her hands were still gripping Chi Yin’s chest.

So big

Qiao Ziman pinched again.

So soft

“Have you had enough touching?”

Qiao Ziman awkwardly withdrew her hand and quickly stepped away from Chi Yin’s embrace, keeping a meter of distance. “Sorry…,” she said, shifting her gaze uncomfortably and adding, “Thank you.”

Chi Yin: “Hmm?”

What am I even saying! Qiao Ziman was speechless.

“Chi Yin, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now,” Qiao Ziman paused, “I have the right to refuse matters unrelated to work. Bye.”

She absolutely couldn’t let this woman know that she had discovered her secret. Otherwise, she’d be in big trouble. Qiao Ziman quickly scurried out of Chi Yin’s office like a rabbit.

Chi Yin looked at her retreating figure in confusion, slowly raising her lips into a smile.

Qiao Ziman, awkwardly fleeing back to her workstation, stared at the extra BMW key in her hand, deep in thought. She had intended to go and tell Chi Yin that she couldn’t serve her, so why had she inexplicably ended up with a different car?

She silently replayed the events in her mind, glancing out of the corner of her eye as Chi Yin left the office and returned with the black bag a few minutes later. She quickly grabbed a stack of materials and followed her.

“Qiao Qiao, wait for me, I need to tell you something,” Tang Xiaoxiao said excitedly, blocking Qiao Ziman.

Qiao Ziman looked towards Chi Yin’s office with an urgent expression. “If it’s not important, say it later.”

“Cheng Peng came looking for you this morning. When he didn’t find you, he asked me to check if you’re free tonight. He wants to see you,” Tang Xiaoxiao teased. “A date, huh?”

Qiao Ziman: “No.”

Tang Xiaoxiao grabbed her again. “Qiao Qiao, you’re turning down a ready-made choice and constantly going on blind dates. What are you thinking? Cheng Peng might be a bit below your standard, but he’s not unattractive and he’s reliable. Why not give it a try?”

Why did Tang Xiaoxiao sound just like He Cuizhen? Suspicious, Qiao Ziman cast a sharp look at her. “Did my mom buy you off?”

“Do I look like a traitor?” Tang Xiaoxiao said indignantly. “I’m just looking out for your future.”

True, He Cuizhen probably didn’t have the ability to infiltrate the company. Qiao Ziman relaxed her guard, patting Tang Xiaoxiao on the shoulder. “I don’t date colleagues; it’s a principle of mine. And,” she pointed towards Chi Yin’s office, “do you think I have time for this right now?”

“So what should I tell Cheng Peng?”

Qiao Ziman paused. “I’ll find a time to explain it to him myself.”

After dismissing Tang Xiaoxiao, Qiao Ziman went to Chi Yin’s office.

“Chi Yin,” Qiao Ziman slowly surveyed the room, her gaze settling on a file cabinet with a new lock under the desk, thinking: This person hides things in a strange way.

Alright, she at least knew that keeping such small toys in the office was inappropriate.

“What are you looking at?”

Qiao Ziman calmly withdrew her gaze and placed a stack of documents on the desk. “Chi Yin, I’ll send the design drafts for the client to your email later. We discussed with the project manager there last night and made some changes to the key character costumes and scene designs. Also, this is the quarterly work summary for each department, organized by date with labels. I’ve also prepared the electronic version if you need it; I can send that to your email as well. Feel free to call me for any work-related instructions; I’m available 24/7. It’s inconvenient to contact me through other means. I hope we can have a pleasant time working together.”

Keep work and personal matters separate, and avoid crossing boundaries!!!

Qiao Ziman felt she had made herself clear. If this woman still didn’t understand, she’d keep playing along and refuse to be manipulated any longer.

Chi Yin responded with a satisfied “mm,” and Qiao Ziman couldn’t figure out her thoughts at all. Did she understand or not?

“Thank you for your hard work. Inform the management of all departments that there will be a meeting in Conference Room 1 in five minutes. Remember to bring a notebook for minutes. Also,” Chi Yin handed Qiao Ziman a thermos from her bag, “please get me a cup of water, thanks.”

Qiao Ziman: “Alright.”

Five minutes later, Qiao Ziman arrived at the meeting room first and immediately saw the senior manager and Liu Dahai standing at the door.

The senior manager, in her forties, was well-maintained and still had a certain charm. She was ambitious, the type who would seize any opportunity to climb higher. As soon as Ji Yun left, she aimed to promote Liu Dahai to pave the way for herself. She leaned against the door with a flirtatious gaze, smiling brightly. “Dahai, make sure to perform well later, and leave the rest to me.”

“Got it, sis. I’ve booked a restaurant for lunch,” Liu Dahai said, leaning in close and whispering something in the senior manager’s ear. Her cheeks turned slightly red, and her smile grew more pronounced.

Qiao Ziman squinted, thinking that their close proximity looked more like flirting.

Liu Dahai suddenly noticed Qiao Ziman not far away. After a moment of surprise, he quickly distanced himself from the senior manager and greeted her casually, “Little Qiao, you’re here. Where’s Chi Yin?”

“How would I know!” Qiao Ziman said, dismissing them. She didn’t care what they were up to as long as they didn’t bother her.

“Little Qiao, didn’t you get promoted to Chi Yin’s assistant? How come you don’t know anything? Your work isn’t up to par,” Liu Dahai said, emphasizing the word “assistant” with a hint of sarcasm.

Qiao Ziman walked past him without giving him a glance. “Yes, yes, I should learn from you. You’re so skilled, always sticking close to the senior manager. Anyone would think you’re her assistant. Maybe I should suggest to Chi Yin that she transfers you to a different department?”

“Little Qiao, what’s your meaning?” The senior manager’s face stiffened, and she said angrily, “I advise you not to talk nonsense.”

“Tsk, I meant it literally. What else could it mean?”

Both were taken aback. Qiao Ziman glanced at them with amusement and then turned to enter the meeting room. Inside, the heads of various departments took their seats, and Qiao Ziman prepared the PPT that Chi Yin would need.

She faintly heard Chi Yin’s voice from outside the door and moved closer, straining to listen.

The senior manager said, “Chi Yin, this is Liu Dahai from the Art Department. After Supervisor Ji Yun’s transfer, he has temporarily taken over the department. So, I suggest he participates in this high-level meeting to give a report on the department.”

Qiao Ziman thought, Pah.

There was a brief silence inside, then Chi Yin replied, “No need. Qiao Ziman will handle it.”

“Is Qiao Ziman up to it? I think her personality is too unstable, and her work ability needs improvement.”

Chi Yin: “Are you questioning my judgment? If there’s any important notice, I’ll have her distribute it.”

Qiao Ziman slowly curled her lips into a smile.

“Of course, that’s not what I meant. Chi Yin, I’ve arranged for Liu Dahai to book a restaurant for lunch. After the meeting, I’ll take you there.”

Chi Yin: “No need. Qiao Ziman has arranged everything here.”

Qiao Ziman: “?” What do you mean, I’m handling everything? Am I her nanny? But it felt pretty good that this woman was actually on her side.

The meeting room door was suddenly pushed open. Before Qiao Ziman’s smile could fade, she was caught off guard.