Boss A Said the Child is Hers - Chapter 1

The setting sun streamed through the window into the spacious office. With ten minutes left until closing time, some employees were already packing up.

Xu Ci, an intern, continued working until she heard someone call her name. She looked up to see Jiang Ting. Xu Ci’s expression faltered, and she paused her work, stood up, and walked toward the door.

Jiang Ting was the boss’s secretary. When she called Xu Ci at this hour, Xu Ci had a vague sense of unease.

Could it be another business dinner with the boss?

Thinking this, Xu Ci asked, “Ting Jie, what’s up?”

“The boss wants you to accompany him to a business dinner after work,” Jiang Ting replied.

Xu Ci frowned and stopped in her tracks. “Ting Jie, I’m not going.”

“Well, it’s because you’re so pretty. You’re the company’s new face now. Think of it as overtime. You’ll just sit there like a decorative vase; it’s not like they’ll make you do any hard work,” Jiang Ting said, then asked, “Don’t you want to earn money? They’ll pay you a thousand yuan for one evening. The other girls in the office would kill for this opportunity. Besides, with Ting Jie there, what’s there to be afraid of?”

The money Xu Ci earned from accompanying the boss on business outings was substantial, which was the main reason she had agreed to go in the first place.

Xu Ci was a senior in college. Coming from a poor family, she had supported herself entirely through part-time jobs and work-study programs throughout her university years. Tuition was covered partly by student loans and partly by her own earnings. As graduation approached, while her classmates prepared for civil service exams, graduate school applications, or returning home to find work, Xu Ci had no choice but to focus on the fall recruitment season.

She needed money.

After applying to several companies, she ultimately chose this one primarily because it offered accommodation and a free lunch. Once she officially joined after graduation, Xu Ci wouldn’t have to worry about rent. For now, as a pre-graduation intern, her salary was modest—2,000 yuan per month—but the company allowed her to attend classes and work on her thesis without interference.

As for accompanying the boss on business outings, Jiang Ting had pointed out that Xu Ci was considered one of the prettiest women in the company and, as a young, unmarried college student, she was naturally asked to join these events.

Fortunately, her role was purely decorative, serving as the boss’s “face” without any inappropriate advances.

But taverns attract all sorts, and encountering scoundrels was hardly rare. After being harassed and forced to drink last time, Xu Ci had grown wary.

“Ting Jie,” Xu Ci hesitated, “I’m still a student with classes and a thesis to write. I can’t keep attending these social events. This is the last time. Could you please tell the Boss for me? Thank you.”

Jiang Ting had no reason to refuse. Such gatherings were indeed unsuitable for a university student like Xu Ci who hadn’t even graduated yet. She nodded. “Alright. You’ve completed your task this time. I’ll speak to the Boss later.”

Xu Ci finally smiled. “Thank you, Ting Jie.”

“Don’t mention it,” Jiang Ting replied with a smile, lowering her voice. “This is a twenty-million-yuan project. If we close the deal, the Boss promised us bonuses. Go get ready; we’re leaving at 6:30 PM.”

At 7:00 PM, the car pulled up to the entrance of a five-star luxury hotel. Xu Ci followed Jiang Ting and the Boss out of the vehicle.

As they waited for the elevator, the Boss said, as if reminding her, “Xu Ci, the success of this project hinges on you. Boss Zhang specifically requested you be here.”

At the mention of Boss Zhang, Xu Ci felt an instinctive revulsion. He had made unwelcome advances toward her during their last meeting, leaving her thoroughly disgusted.

The Boss, eager to secure the project, turned a blind eye to the client’s behavior. Xu Ci regretted coming. As a proper and conscientious university student, she had been dragged to this business dinner by her boss, making her feel like some kind of hostess.

Sensing her unease, Jiang Ting reassured her, “The Boss and I are here, along with Manager Liu. Just sit there, enjoy the food and drinks, and occasionally offer a flattering remark.”

Xu Ci forced a smile, but her inner revulsion remained unchanged.

As the elevator doors opened, Xu Ci caught a delicate fragrance—a subtle, elegant floral scent she couldn’t quite identify. It was utterly captivating.

Her first thought was that the woman inside the elevator must be wearing perfume. After all, she was the only person in there before they entered. However, blocked by Jiang Ting and Manager Liu, Xu Ci couldn’t see the woman’s face even after stepping inside. All she could glimpse was a pale wrist beneath a rolled-up shirt sleeve and slender, graceful fingers. A cigarette, unlit, dangled casually between those fingers, resting against the woman’s thigh.

Xu Ci confirmed that the fragrance was emanating from the woman. She subtly adjusted her stance, unable to resist glancing in the woman’s direction.

One look was all it took for Xu Ci to become utterly captivated.

The elevator’s lighting illuminated the woman’s near-perfect features, a striking beauty that left a strong impression. Yet her aloof demeanor created an air of distance. Xu Ci stared openly, her gaze lingering impolitely.

Perhaps sensing Xu Ci’s gaze, the woman turned to meet her eyes. In that brief, fleeting moment of eye contact, Xu Ci’s face flushed crimson, a sudden wave of embarrassment washing over her as if she’d been caught red-handed. She hastily lowered her head, focusing on the floor.

Xu Ci’s heart inexplicably began to race. She blinked, her gaze involuntarily drifting back to the aloof beauty, finally settling on her high heels.

The fragrance in the elevator seemed to intensify. What perfume is she wearing? Xu Ci wondered. It smells so good.

Suddenly, Xu Ci no longer regretted coming today. If she hadn’t, she would never have encountered this fragrant, aloof beauty.

Xu Ci liked women, especially beautiful ones. This was why she had chosen not to return to her hometown. In that remote, backwater place, homosexuality would likely be considered a violation of divine law. So she decided to stay in the big city. Even if she didn’t find a partner right away, at least here she wouldn’t be constrained by the rigid expectations of her parents and relatives.

“Xu Ci, when we get to the private room, sit next to Boss Zhang,” the Boss suddenly announced, emphasizing his words.

Xu Ci frowned and looked up. “Boss, isn’t that inappropriate? I’m just an intern. I should sit next to Ting Jie.”

Jiang Ting immediately chimed in, “Exactly, Boss! Let Xu Ci sit next to me.”

The Boss clicked his tongue, glared at Jiang Ting, and turned to Xu Ci. “If we close this deal, I’ll give you a bonus.”

Xu Ci was about to protest when her gaze inadvertently drifted to the aloof beauty. The woman was casually watching her, her expression still icy and detached. That frosty, stunningly beautiful demeanor made Xu Ci’s heart pound wildly, her face flushing again. She quickly averted her eyes, her mind suddenly blank.

By the time Xu Ci regained her senses, she had already stepped out of the elevator and was being led by a waiter into a luxurious private dining room.

As before, Xu Ci was seated next to Boss Zhang. The moment she sat down, he leaned in with a smarmy smile. The middle-aged man, dressed in a sharp suit, appeared affable, but the lecherous glint in his eyes, which he couldn’t conceal, filled Xu Ci with disgust.

Fortunately, Boss Zhang didn’t focus on her for long. Once the dishes were served, the bosses began discussing business.

Xu Ci felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, but she forced herself to endure it for the sake of her bonus. She silently prayed that everything would go smoothly tonight and that Boss Zhang wouldn’t try anything inappropriate.

“Boss Zhang, I’ll toast to you,” one of the bosses said with a smile, raising his glass. It seemed the project negotiations were nearing completion.

Boss Zhang didn’t respond. Instead, he lit a cigarette, took a puff, and stared directly at Xu Ci, his intentions unmistakable.

“Xu Ci,” her boss prompted, understanding the signal. “Hurry up and toast Boss Zhang.”

Hearing this, Xu Ci refused. “Boss, I don’t drink.”

At that moment, Jiang Ting raised her glass. “Boss Zhang, Xu Ci is still a student and truly doesn’t drink. I’ll toast to you instead.”

Boss Zhang’s face darkened, completely ignoring Jiang Ting. “Is this how your company intends to cooperate with me?” he sneered. “Boss Li, my money doesn’t grow on trees.” As he spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Xu Ci.

Xu Ci imagined pouring the wine over this idiot’s head, but she didn’t dare.

“Of course, of course, General Manager Zhang is right,” the boss said, rising to his feet and walking over to Xu Ci, frantically signaling with his eyes. “Quickly thank Boss Zhang for his patronage.”

Xu Ci felt a wave of nausea, desperately wanting to splash the wine in their faces, but she still didn’t dare.

Fine, she thought. For the bonus and the thousand yuan, it’s just one glass of wine. She picked up the glass and drank it.

Boss Zhang burst into laughter, then reached out and placed his hand on her thigh.

Like a startled rabbit, Xu Ci leaped to her feet and slapped the lecherous old man across the face.

The sharp crack of the slap shattered the tense atmosphere, plunging the room into chaos.

Xu Ci immediately regretted her impulsiveness, but the deed was done. Fine, she thought. I’ll just forfeit the money and quit. If they refuse, I’ll call the police.

But when she heard Boss Zhang bellow that he was canceling the twenty-million-yuan cooperation project, she instantly sobered up. The sheer magnitude of that sum was beyond her comprehension; even if she sold herself, she couldn’t possibly repay it.

When Boss Zhang, furious, declared the project canceled and demanded compensation, Xu Ci nearly burst into tears, apologizing profusely.

Poverty forced her to bow before wealth.

Everyone in the private room understood Boss Zhang’s intentions. As soon as Xu Ci apologized, they urged her to apologize to him directly.

Xu Ci knew what she had to do. Despite her deep reluctance and even disgust, she bowed deeply. “Boss Zhang, I’m sorry.”

Boss Zhang remained unmoved.

Xu Ci cast a pleading glance at Jiang Ting, who stepped in to smooth things over, forcing a smile as she asked Boss Zhang what it would take to appease him.

When Boss Zhang’s assistant lined up a row of glasses filled with liquor, Xu Ci’s last hope died.

A quick glance revealed about ten glasses.

Xu Ci knew that refusing to drink would mean losing the twenty-million-yuan project. Not only would Boss Zhang never forgive her, but her own boss wouldn’t either.

In the entire room, no one dared to intervene. Drinking was her only option.

Steel resolve hardening her heart, Xu Ci picked up a glass and downed it.

Boss Zhang’s face immediately lit up with delight. And so, Xu Ci was forced to gulp down five or six glasses of baijiu, until she was so drunk she could barely stand.

Xu Ci thought groggily, The project shouldn’t be ruined, right? But she couldn’t think any further. Her head was spinning, her mouth felt like it was on fire, her throat burned, and even her body felt unwell.

Jiang Ting helped her up. Xu Ci felt nauseous and desperately wanted to vomit, but she forced herself to stay upright and asked if she could go home.

Jiang Ting looked at the boss. “Boss, I’ll take Xu Ci home first.”

The boss clicked his tongue and gestured for her to go start the car with Manager Liu.

Jiang Ting immediately said, “Boss, let me help Xu Ci downstairs first.”

But the boss told her to stop arguing and hurry up with the car.

Jiang Ting frowned. “Boss…”

“What are you worried about? I’m here!” the boss interrupted impatiently.

Manager Liu winked at Jiang Ting, who reluctantly helped Xu Ci sit down. After one last worried glance, she left the private room.

Xu Ci’s consciousness grew increasingly hazy. She felt terrible—everything hurt, and she was burning up with a strange, suffocating heat that made it hard to breathe.

Xu Ci couldn’t remember how she left the private room. If she hadn’t suddenly rolled off the bed and crashed to the floor, she wouldn’t even have known how she ended up lying on a bed in the first place.

The fall jolted Xu Ci awake. She struggled to open her eyes and realized she was in a hotel room.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom, along with the muffled voice of someone on the phone. Xu Ci recognized it instantly: that disgusting Boss Zhang.

After a brief moment of disorientation, her body reacted almost instinctively. She lurched to her feet and bolted for the door.

Staggering, Xu Ci stumbled down the hallway, gripping the wall for support. She ignored the pain as she bumped into doors and scraped her hands, forcing herself forward. She had to escape this place as quickly as possible.

But her strength was failing. She grabbed at walls and furniture, her legs feeling like lead, each step heavy and labored.

“Help me,” Xu Ci murmured, her mind blurring. She tried to shout, but a sudden loss of balance sent her crashing to the floor. Fortunately, she managed to grab a doorknob.

With a click, the door swung open.

Losing her balance completely, Xu Ci tumbled inside. A familiar, clean scent washed over her. Gasping for breath, her wavering gaze slowly traced upward from the somewhat familiar shoes before her.

Finally, her eyes met a pair of beautiful, yet coldly indifferent eyes.

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