Chapter 5

One day, Shi Xiao was out of the office.

I finished my work, stretched, and found myself a little bored.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the black ergonomic chair behind his desk.

It looked incredibly comfortable.

I glanced around. Nobody there.

Sitting in it for a second couldn’t hurt, right?

I put down my files and carefully lowered myself into it.

Wow. This chair was amazing!

Just the right firmness, perfect lumbar support. No wonder he could sit in it all day without getting tired.

Delighted, I swiveled halfway around, rested both hands on the armrests, and frowned like Shi Xiao. Then I addressed thin air in a deep voice.

“This proposal won’t do. Start over.”

“I don’t want excuses.”

“You’re fired.”

Hahaha. This felt fantastic.

Usually he was the one chewing people out. Today, I got to be the CEO.

Getting carried away, I crossed my legs and continued issuing orders to nobody. “Your performance this month—”

“What about my performance this month?”

A deep voice came from the doorway.

I went rigid and slowly turned my head.

Shi Xiao stood in the doorway, one eyebrow raised.

Several executives stood behind him. Their faces were a sight to behold. They wanted to laugh, didn’t dare, and were suffering terribly for it.

I thought I might as well jump straight off the twenty-third floor.

I shot out of the chair and stood bolt upright, my face hot enough to roast sweet potatoes.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Shi! I just wanted to check whether your chair was comfortable! I was worried sitting in it might tire you out!”

Shi Xiao walked in.

“And what did you find?”

“It’s very, very comfortable! You have excellent taste.”

My voice grew smaller and smaller.

“Mm.”

He sat down in the chair and looked up at me. I thought I saw the corner of his mouth curve. “Little troublemaker. Don’t do it again.”

I nodded obediently.

This morning, Shi Xiao went upstairs for a long meeting. Before leaving, he told me to watch the phone and take a message if any important clients called.

Half an hour later, it rang.

I picked up, my voice sweet and professional.

“Hello, Mr. Shi’s office.”

After a second’s silence, a warm, middle-aged woman’s voice said, “Oh, I don’t recognize your voice. Are you new?”

“Hello, I’m Lan Zhizhi, the intern. Mr. Shi is in a meeting. May I ask who’s calling?”

“An intern!”

It was as though a light had switched on in her voice. “How old are you? Where are you from? Do you have a boyfriend?”

I nearly dropped my pen.

Why wasn’t this client sticking to the script?

But the customer was always right, so I obediently answered, “Twenty. I’m at University A. And n-no, I don’t.”

“University A! Such a good school.”

She sounded even happier. “I’m Shi Xiao’s mom.”

I sprang to my feet, my voice cracking. “A-Auntie?”

“Don’t be nervous!”

Mrs. Shi laughed kindly. “I only wanted to ask if Shi Xiao’s coming home for dinner this weekend. By the way, Zhizhi, are you free this weekend? Come have dinner at my house—”

While I was struggling to work out how to answer, Shi Xiao returned.

I felt as though I’d been pardoned.

He came over, taking in my shell-shocked face. “Who’s calling?”

“Your mom.”

I handed him the phone and swallowed. “She wants you home for dinner this weekend.”

Shi Xiao took the receiver. Whatever his mother said, it actually made the corners of his mouth lift.

I felt awkward staying to listen to my boss discuss family matters.

I slipped out quietly.

Just before I pulled the door closed, I heard him say into the phone, “Mom, don’t scare the poor girl.”