Chapter 19: Work Arrangements

Secretary Su’s revelation was nothing short of a depth charge.

It left her completely stunned. Every assumption she had made until now was wrong.

"Wait, Secretary Su, why would the eldest young master’s computer password be my birthday?" Shi Ran realized something was amiss, her mind racing.

On the other end of the line, Secretary Su remained silent.

"Assistant Shi, do not ask about things you shouldn't," a cold warning came after a moment.

Before Shi Ran could say another word, the call was disconnected.

Shi Ran shut down the computer, feigned a calm demeanor, and returned to the first floor. She successfully located the study. It was significantly smaller than the one on the third floor, though the computer inside was much the same.

She entered her birthday, and once unlocked, she saw the new meeting materials. Compared to the endless documents she had faced before, this set was much more concise. Shi Ran opened the document containing Secretary Su’s instructions. After clarifying the requirements, she began searching through the subsequent files. The task required her to pair images with the text, ensuring that clicking on an image would link directly to the relevant reference material. Despite the volume of files, Shi Ran managed to complete the task.

After a final review to ensure everything was correct, she packaged the files and emailed them to Secretary Su. She checked the time: 7:07 PM. There was an hour and a half left before her scheduled appointment. She could just make it.

She tidied up, changed her clothes, and applied a light layer of makeup.

She unlocked the door and stepped outside. Drawing from her previous experience, she used several ride-hailing apps simultaneously. After more than ten minutes, a driver accepted, but shortly after, she received a call.

"Cancel the order, miss."

Shi Ran paused, and seeing the driver’s firm tone, she canceled the request. As she waited for another vehicle, a black car pulled up in front of her. A sense of dread washed over her; she had developed a reflexive reaction to black cars by now.

"Where are you headed, beautiful? I can give you a lift," the window rolled down to reveal a youth dressed in flashy, gaudy attire. He did not look like a good person.

"No thank you, I’m waiting for someone," Shi Ran replied, rejecting the man with dyed hair despite her desperation to reach her destination; her safety remained the priority.

"Beautiful, you won't be able to get a ride here," the man reminded her.

"Why?" The moment the word slipped out, she felt foolish. She had basically admitted to the man that she was unfamiliar with the area.

"Security is extremely tight here; regular vehicles can't get in," he explained.

"Will I be able to hail a ride once I'm outside?" Shi Ran asked, her voice tinged with anxiety. So that was why she hadn't been able to get a ride earlier; it explained why the previous driver had likely canceled.

"Where are you going, beautiful? Let me give you a ride," he offered again.

"Just to the exit will be fine," Shi Ran said cautiously.

"Get in."

Shi Ran opened the back door, but just as she was about to sit down, she heard the man’s disgruntled voice: "Beautiful, sitting in the back is a bit disrespectful, don't you think?"

After a brief hesitation, Shi Ran moved to the passenger seat. She sat there tensely, rolling down the window to let the cool night air in.

"Beautiful, want a candy?" The man picked up a gum container, shook two pieces into his palm, and held them out to her.

"No, thank you." Shi Ran had remained vigilant since getting in; there was no way she would eat candy offered by this stranger. His flippant attitude made her deeply uncomfortable, and had it not been for the inability to hail a car, she never would have compromised.

"Beautiful, don't be nervous. I'm not a bad guy," he said with a smirk.

Shi Ran did not respond. The man started the car.

"Beautiful, do you mind if I turn on the AC?" he asked, chewing his gum.

"I’d like to see the night scenery," she replied, using it as an excuse. She dared not let him close the window, fearing she might fall for some trick.

"Beautiful, have you ever heard a certain saying?" the man asked.

"What saying?" Shi Ran felt her eyelids growing heavy, struggling to keep them open.

"Once you're in my car, you're at my mercy." Before she lost consciousness, she heard his wicked laughter.