After Accidentally Sending a Text Message to My Cold Boss - Chapter 3

“Da, da, da…”

In the empty corridor, the rhythmic clicking of high heels seemed to be the only sound near the ear.

As the area housing the President’s office and the Secretariat, the top floor of the building held no one else at this moment besides Mai Suisui and Kim Eun-na, who had led her up.

Sometimes, thinking about it, the jokes the staff made in private about calling the top floor the “Cold Palace” weren’t entirely without reason.

On such a vast floor, there were usually only two living souls—the President and the President’s Secretary. Just imagining it gave off an indescribable sense of desolation and aloofness, even a hint of a ghost story.

Trailing behind, Mai Suisui looked thoughtfully at Kim Eun-na’s graceful back.

Kim Eun-na, in her thirties, was no less beautiful than girls in their twenties. She was skilled at grooming herself; she rarely wore those lifeless black professional suits, usually opting for light, exquisite makeup.

Mai Suisui didn’t have much of a personal relationship with Kim Eun-na, but she deeply admired this “Big Sister” of the company for her professional capability.

Normally, when the head office arranged for someone like President Yu to be parachuted in, they would send a team to assist. Yet, after Old Li left, Kim Eun-na remained immovable and steady—and she didn’t rely on her face, which bore few traces of time, to achieve that.

Old Li was an ambitious man. In the eyes of such people, the sole criterion for choosing those around them was competence. With competence came performance, and performance equaled career advancement; the logic was simple and clear.

Everyone in the company knew that Kim Eun-na had a strong personality. Sometimes, she didn’t even necessarily pay heed to Old Li himself.

There was only one reason Old Li consistently tolerated her and was even somewhat helpless against her: her ability.

In the eyes of the young girls in the Secretarial Department on the ninth floor, Big Sister was undoubtedly a mythic existence.

It seemed that no matter the task, she could complete it promptly and, simultaneously, do it well.

This was precisely what Mai Suisui admired.

To work under a superior like Old Li, who never considered the difficulty of a task, was hard enough just to keep up with the pace, let alone maintain the composed posture Kim Eun-na displayed.

One could only imagine how much Old Li, who usually kept his emotions hidden, truly valued her.

Now that Old Li was gone and the newcomer was Yu Nian…

Mai Suisui really wanted to know why Yu Nian would specifically send the only person she could quickly develop into a confidante to fetch her.

A summons from the President was something that only required a phone call, yet Yu Nian insisted on Kim Eun-na going down in person. This move clearly signaled something.

It was just that Mai Suisui couldn’t yet discern whether the implication was good or bad.

…

“President Yu is inside. I brought her afternoon tea before I went down; counting the time, she should be finished by now.”

Standing before the door of the President’s office, Kim Eun-na suddenly turned and said a word to Mai Suisui. Hearing this, Mai Suisui showed a look of understanding.

These words weren’t a hint for Mai Suisui to bring more tea to refill Yu Nian’s cup; that was Kim Eun-na’s job, and doing so would actually offend her.

Kim Eun-na meant that after finishing her tea, Yu Nian had entered her “work mode.” It was a reminder that the President was a workaholic, and no workaholic likes to be disturbed during work hours—even if she was the one who called for the person. It was a kind warning for Mai Suisui to be cautious with her words and actions once inside.

Seemingly satisfied with Mai Suisui’s reaction speed, Kim Eun-na curled her lips into a charming smile. Then, she turned back, curled her finger, and knocked twice on the door, saying through the wood: “President Yu, Mai Suisui is here.”

After speaking, she pushed the door open just a crack. She didn’t enter herself, but tilted her head in a “please” gesture to Mai Suisui, then turned directly and walked away on her high heels.

Mai Suisui felt she could read a message in the eye contact they just shared:

Take good care of yourself.

In that instant, a thought flashed through Mai Suisui’s mind—could this President Yu be seeking a personal vendetta?

Was the “new official’s three fires” really going to burn her first?

But Mai Suisui couldn’t keep Yu Nian waiting, so she pushed the door open and walked in.

As she entered Yu Nian’s office, a cool-toned, minimalist style rushed over her.

At a glance, everything was simple and clear.

Aside from the neatly arranged important documents in the filing cabinet, even the windowsill held only a single hibiscus plant for decoration and greenery.

A person’s style can be seen through their decor; it seemed this woman’s work style followed suit.

However, this office wasn’t decorated by her; it was Kim Eun-na’s handiwork.

“Have a seat.”

In the brief moment Mai Suisui’s mind wandered, a cool and pleasant voice reached her ears.

Casting her gaze over, President Yu was sitting behind the desk, processing documents without even looking up.

Mai Suisui discreetly bowed to Yu Nian in greeting before taking a proper seat in front of the desk as instructed.

Just as Mai Suisui sat down, there was another knock. Kim Eun-na entered with teacups and brewed tea for both of them.

Only after Kim Eun-na left did Yu Nian continue: “I brought you up here to tell you something.”

What made Mai Suisui involuntarily frown slightly was observing an action from Yu Nian that made her feel a bit apprehensive.

Yu Nian actually capped her expensive Montblanc fountain pen and set it down right in front of her, striking a pose of suspending her work.

What reason could make someone, who kept working even during a general company meeting, stop the task at hand?

Unable to think of a reason for a moment, an uneasy premonition began to grow in her heart.

“The head of your Sales Department will be leaving with President Li after the New Year. Are you… interested?”

Subsequently, the sentence Yu Nian spoke caused a significant stir in Mai Suisui’s heart.

Who was the head of the Sales Department?

Old An!

Old An was also being promoted?

Then why had he been scowling all day?

Mai Suisui quickly found the thread from this seemingly unrelated matter, linking it back to that absurd meeting today—a meeting destined to be remembered as a disgrace.

Sure enough, Yu Nian glanced at her inexplicably and continued: “The company gave President Li and Manager An one slot each to take someone with them to South Korea.”

South Korea?

Not back to the head office?

Now Mai Suisui understood everything.

What was the difference between Old An following Old Li to the South Korean branch and being here?

In a situation where they were in a foreign land, wouldn’t he still be suppressed by Old Li?

“Manager An’s report to me was to take you with him. That’s why he suppressed you in the meeting and wouldn’t let you be promoted; that report is currently in my hands. Logically, I should submit it directly to the head office, but seeing your reaction at the meeting, you were clearly unaware. So, I am asking you now: are you willing to go with Manager An?”

Without much beating around the bush, Yu Nian’s style was indeed that blunt and aggressive. She laid her cards on the table immediately.

Mai Suisui narrowed her eyes imperceptibly.

She had heard about the Sales Department in South Korea; the competition there was far more brutal than here. Most importantly, South Korea placed heavy emphasis on seniority. No matter how capable you were, it was very difficult for a junior to get a promotion that “belonged” to a senior.

Old Li and Old An going to South Korea would be as “parachuted” leaders, but what would she be if she went?

Thinking further, the South Korean branch would definitely target the two incoming leaders. They wouldn’t dare openly, but they would use underhanded means—and she would be different.

At that time, she would become the human shield for Old Li and Old An.

“Time is tight. The company will issue the new year’s personnel transfers after the Spring Festival, so you don’t have much time.

The news of Manager An’s departure will be announced at the company meeting next Monday, along with the person he recommends as his successor. But, I will give you a chance to compete.

You should know that you are Manager An’s only request before leaving. Rationally and emotionally, no one will object—especially since you are just an insignificant minor staff member.

If you don’t want to go, then you must seize that position at next Monday’s company meeting. A minor staff member isn’t qualified to make me disrespect Manager An’s wishes, but a Sales Department Manager is a different story.”

Yu Nian spoke quickly, her words carrying an air of unquestionable dominance. She spoke as if issuing a simple command. After finishing, she calmly picked up the fountain pen on the desk again.

At the same time, perhaps noticing Mai Suisui’s silence from beginning to end, she added intentionally or unintentionally as she lowered her head to resume work:

“Don’t overthink it. The South Korean branch isn’t bad. With your age and ability, even without being South Korean, you could at least become a department head there before you’re forty.”

Hearing this, Mai Suisui unexpectedly had no reaction.

Yu Nian was somewhat surprised, then coldly issued an order to leave: “Go back to work.”

However, Mai Suisui remained firmly seated, unmoving.

The pen in Yu Nian’s hand stopped. She looked up at her with an expressionless face.

A very tense atmosphere suddenly filled the office.

Ultimately, the deadlock was broken when Yu Nian set her pen down once more.

“Whether you choose to stay and work under me or choose to follow Manager An to South Korea, let me teach you one thing. That is: for subordinates who have their own conflicting opinions, our approach is to discard them without hesitation. Disobedient people are of no use at all.”

Yu Nian looked at Mai Suisui, her face remaining tranquil.

Having finished her piece, Yu Nian ignored the figure sitting in front of her and picked up her pen to work again, just as Mai Suisui had seen her when she first entered.

After sitting in the chair before Yu Nian’s desk in silence for a few seconds, Mai Suisui made her choice.

“President Yu, what should I do?”

“Secretary Kim will teach you the specifics. Now, go back to work.”

Mai Suisui stood up expressionlessly, gave a slight nod to Yu Nian—who didn’t even look at her—and walked out of the office without a word.

Only after she walked out and pulled the door shut behind her did Yu Nian suddenly stop her pen.

Unlike before, however, the faint trace of gloom had vanished from between her brows.