Volume 1, Chapter 35: Looking for Trouble

I handed Lin Feifei another slice of orange and asked softly, "What’s the matter?"

She took the orange, popped it into her mouth, and seemed a bit embarrassed. After a moment’s hesitation, she smiled slyly and said, "You just touched my foot. My foot... it’s not smelly, is it?"

The calm in my veins instantly boiled over again. Just the thought of her delicate, creamy-soft feet sent a tingling sensation coursing through my entire body.

Our eyes met, and her upturned peach blossom eyes sparkled like flickering sparks, igniting the tangled thicket of my heart.

She swiftly snatched a slice of orange from my hand and stuffed it into her mouth. "I’m asking you! Why aren’t you answering? Is it such a difficult question?"

Watching her enjoy the orange, I suddenly remembered something and smiled. "Not smelly. Definitely not smelly."

Lin Feifei rolled her eyes at me, a mischievous gleam at the corner of her eyes. "Hmph! That’s just brushing me off."

"I’m serious!" I insisted.

"Then give me a reason. A reason, please?"

Seeing her savor the orange so happily, I hesitated before stammering, "The reason... is that I touched your foot and then peeled the orange without washing my hands..."

"…"

Lin Feifei looked like she wanted to cry but had no tears, fuming as she grabbed the remaining orange slices, pretending to stuff one into my mouth. I struggled to resist, and amid the playful tussle, her plump, fair hand was caught in mine.

Her face flushed red; flustered, she quickly pulled her hand away, a hint of panic flashing across her delicate features as she shot me a sharp glance.

My heartbeat quickened involuntarily. Today I had taken full advantage—touching her hand, grabbing her foot—though none of it was intentional, the differences between men and women nagged at me, worrying I might tarnish the image she held of me.

Just then, Lin Feifei’s phone buzzed. She picked it up, shot me a glance, and pouted irritably.

"Tang Qin and Xue Qiuyun created a group and asked me to add you. They’re both insisting that you take us all out for chicken later!"

I was just fretting over how to change the subject when these two beauties handed me a golden opportunity. I secretly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Now you see how strong I am, right?"

Lin Feifei pouted. "Hmph! Don’t get cocky. Tell me, maybe it was just luck earlier. Where do you think you’re strong?"

I didn’t answer right away, instead clutching my waist—no words needed.

Lin Feifei was stunned for a moment. When it sank in, she angrily scratched me a few times, leaving several red marks on my arm.

She seemed well accustomed to my subtle teasing style; the worst consequences were a few scratches and kicks, but I didn’t mind. Whenever I was with her, I loved seeing her flustered like this.

By the time we left Lin Feifei’s house, it was already noon. I reluctantly declined her invitation to lunch because it was Monday, and I had to report to the company.

I first went home to change, then drove with Zhou Shutong in her car.

As usual, I was behind the wheel. Just as I started the engine, her orchid-like voice rose beside me.

"Didn’t come home again last night?"

She closed her eyes.

I chuckled softly, "Did you take down my home surveillance? How did you know I didn’t come back?"

Zhou Shutong glanced at me casually, smiled faintly, and said slowly, "Last night, I wanted to show off my cooking skills to you. I knocked for ages, no answer. Then no sound of the door opening—I figured you just didn’t come back."

"I went drinking with a friend last night and got pretty drunk."

Concern flickered across Zhou Shutong’s face. "Why don’t you take the day off and rest? I can do the broadcast myself tonight."

In that moment, warmth flowed through me. Though love and family tormented me unbearably, there was still someone in this world who cared. As the saying goes, after enduring much bitterness, a little sweetness becomes all the sweeter.

The car sped like the wind. Approaching the company, both Zhou Shutong’s and my phones rang almost simultaneously. Messages flooded in uncontrollably.

I glanced at the phone holder and said while driving, "What’s going on? Why so many messages in the group?"

Zhou Shutong picked up her phone, and her expression instantly changed.

Her uneasy look gave me a faint sense of trouble. I suppressed my curiosity and waited for her to speak.

After reading all the messages, she frowned. "Those were all from Yang Shao. He says there’s a problem with the system you developed. Many orders were sent wrong. Some customers ordered one box of cookies but received a whole case. He was questioning you in the group just now."

Zhou Shutong paused, glanced at me with a bitter smile, and sighed, "Looks like you’re going to be targeted by him later."

In truth, I had already felt a bad omen when Yang Shao kept tagging me, but after Zhou Shutong’s words, I suddenly felt at ease.

I calmly drove, smiling lightly, "I know the system I made. It’s impossible for it to send the wrong orders. It must be his manual input that messed up."

Zhou Shutong breathed a sigh of relief, her long, slightly curled lashes fluttering beautifully.

"Good. At the meeting later, he’ll definitely cause trouble for you. Just explain it clearly. Yang Shao is the type who gets flustered both at the front and the back. Sigh..."

I smiled calmly, "Forget about him for now. Let’s focus on how to reassure the customers. After all, reputation is the most important. I don’t care how much he stirs things up."

Zhou Shutong gave me a deep look, her expression shifting. "If only everyone could think like you."

I was silent for a few seconds. "Actually... don’t take work too seriously. Don’t let others affect your mood. Let those meaningless blame games and accusations just blow away with the wind."

Zhou Shutong playfully stuck out her tongue. "Alright, alright, I get it!"

We walked side by side into the company, the oppressive atmosphere clearly palpable. Upon arrival, we headed straight to the conference room. Facing the door was a huge floor-to-ceiling window. The gloomy weather filtered in, making the vast room feel heavy and stifling.

I glanced around. Everyone was already there except President Mei. All sat silently, the entire room shrouded in an oppressive mood.

Yang Shao shot me a cold glance, his eyes icy. Impatiently, he snapped, "Yu Bin, I just tagged you in the group. Why didn’t you reply?"

I poured myself a glass of water, calm and collected, smiling, "I saw it. Is there something you need my help with?"

Yang Shao suddenly stood up with a bang, furious. "The shipping system you made is malfunctioning, and you still have the nerve to say you’ll help? Wait until President Mei arrives. You explain it to her yourself!"

I remained composed. "Then we’ll wait for President Mei."

No sooner had I spoken than the sharp sound of high heels clicking on the floor echoed suddenly...