Captive Moon: Redeemed the Wrong Temptress (GL) - Chapter 11

Jiang Yunong took a step back, giving Deng Hao a deliberately exaggerated yet flawless smile.

“Don’t you have a project to follow up on? Don’t waste time here—go get to work.”

As she spoke, her smile widened another notch, radiating sincerity.

“It wouldn’t look good if the team leader and project manager saw you couldn’t even handle one task properly.”

Jiang Yunong added, glancing sideways at Deng Hao with that faint, almost imperceptible smile still playing on her lips. She turned and walked away from him.

She could almost hear Deng Hao grinding his teeth in fury. For the first time today, Jiang Yunong truly understood the lethal power of a smile. It was far more potent than any curse or insult.

In the past, she would have lost her composure. But some people were born with fewer ears. A dismissive “You’re being so emotional” from Deng Hao could effortlessly dismantle any argument.

But things were different now. Bai Lan’s advice had been sound. In the vast jungle of adult society, overt hatred was the weakest form of aggression. The smiling tiger was far more dangerous.

As she walked away, her smile faded. She tightened her grip on the USB drive, slipped it into her pocket. They had a team meeting scheduled for noon.

By the time Jiang Yunong finished filing the documents, it was already noon. She went to the cafeteria to get lunch and finally had a moment to check her phone while eating.

Bai Lan had sent her several messages.

[ Sorry, I was busy this morning, ] Jiang Yunong quickly typed back.

[ No worries. Are you still busy now? ] Bai Lan replied almost instantly.

[ Not really. What’s up? ]

[ I miss you, ] Bai Lan’s message popped up the next second. [ Can I call you? ]

Jiang Yunong stared at that direct expression of longing, a sudden pang piercing her chest. In this chilly autumn day, Bai Lan’s simple words felt warmer than the sunlight.

Before Jiang Yunong could even react, her fingers had already typed out a “Okay.”

Bai Lan’s call came almost instantly. As Jiang Yunong looked at the caller ID, a soft warmth began to spread across her back again.

“Hello?” Jiang Yunong unconsciously softened her voice.

“Yunong,” Bai Lan’s voice was filled with joy.

Jiang Yunong found herself involuntarily infected by her friend’s happiness, a faint smile flickering in her eyes. “Sister,” Jiang Yunong replied affectionately.

“Are you having lunch?” Bai Lan’s voice brightened with a smile. The crisp, clear tone reminded Jiang Yunong of a perfectly ripe peach.

“I’m eating in the cafeteria. What about you?”

“I made myself something. Yunong, I let Tangyuan out. She doesn’t seem afraid of people—she’s jumped onto me right now.”

Jiang Yunong assumed Tangyuan was pressing down on her. “Be careful. She doesn’t aim well—she might start launching chocolate chips.”

“…Okay.” Bai Lan’s gaze fell on a dark speck on the floor.

“And Mango? If he calls you ‘Luo Yunjian’ again, don’t give him any treats from the yellow bag this afternoon.” Jiang Yunong wanted to prolong the call as much as possible.

“He’s so annoying—he keeps calling me Luo Yunjian.” Bai Lan had picked up on the situation.

“What a troublemaker! I never realized it was such a mischievous little thing when I bought it.”

“It’s certainly beautiful,” Bai Lan said, but she couldn’t bring herself to compliment its personality.

Through the phone, their breathing synchronized.

“So… how are you doing?” Jiang Yunong asked, shoving the last bite of her meal into her mouth. She tilted her head to hold the phone against her ear while clearing her plate. “Do you get lonely?”

“Not really. Tangyuan and Mango keep me company. I just miss you a little,” Bai Lan said without hesitation. It was a genuine expression of heartfelt longing.

Jiang Yunong’s chest ached again. It had been so long since anyone had told her they missed her.

“I do too… when I’m working, when I’m giving Deng Hao a hard time, when I see your messages…”

Jiang Yunong gasped softly. She had already reached her office and couldn’t continue the conversation. “I’ll try to get home early. See you tonight.” She hastily ended the casual chat.

Back at her workstation, Jiang Yunong noticed signs that her chair had been moved and the documents on her desk were more scattered than when she’d left. A quick check confirmed her worst fear: the crucial USB drive was missing.

Jiang Yunong meticulously examined her belongings again. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath. Then she frantically searched her workspace until Xiao Ya casually asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Jiang Yunong replied, bracing herself.

During the team meeting, Jiang Yunong and Xiao Ya sat together in the middle. Deng Hao arrived late, slouching into a front-row seat and turning back to raise an eyebrow at Jiang Yunong.

Jiang Yunong returned his gesture with a smile as sharp as a knife. A flicker of mockery flashed in Deng Hao’s eyes.

After the meeting, Yan Jiaxin, as usual, kept Jiang Yunong and Deng Hao behind. Xiao Ya volunteered to stay and wait for Jiang Yunong.

“Is it finished? I need to review it now to ensure tomorrow’s presentation goes smoothly,” Yan Jiaxin said, her gaze sharp as she looked at Jiang Yunong.

Jiang Yunong tensed, a bead of sweat forming on her forehead. Deng Hao nearly laughed at her panicked expression. She might still be useful. Deng Hao pulled out his USB drive.

The bright yellow-green parrot charm dangling from the drive was impossible to miss.

“Team Leader Yan, rest assured, we’ve completed everything.”

Yan Jiaxin glanced at Deng Hao, then swept her gaze over Jiang Yunong’s anxious expression. After reviewing the backup files and PowerPoint slides, she ultimately handed the USB drive to Jiang Yunong.

“The PowerPoint could use some refinement, but overall it’s acceptable. I don’t want to see this kind of situation repeated.”

Jiang Yunong lowered her head.

Leaving the conference room, she walked straight to Xiao Ya, not wasting another word on Deng Hao.

Deng Hao watched Xiao Ya’s worried expression, Jiang Yunong’s quickened pace, and the palpable aura of displeasure radiating from her. He finally let out his first laugh of the day.

“Be careful, Deng Hao. He might try something again,” Xiao Ya whispered to Jiang Yunong as they wrapped up work.

“I know. He’s always been shady. Probably started as a petty thief—he’s too practiced at it,” Jiang Yunong said, slapping her cheeks.

“Just be careful. I heard a tech company wants to discuss a collaboration with us soon, and some executives might be visiting. I’m heading out now. See you tomorrow.”

Xiao Ya shared the intel in a rush and slipped away.

“See you tomorrow,” Jiang Yunong replied quickly, unusually punctual in leaving work.

Two hours after she left, the office was nearly deserted. A figure appeared at her workstation.

After rummaging through her things for a long time, the person suddenly let out a triumphant laugh. “…Got it. I knew that woman wouldn’t dare take this home.”

“And there’s even more good stuff here…”

Tech companies… On her way home, Jiang Yunong finished reporting her itinerary to Bai Lan and fell into a brief reverie. The largest tech company in all of Hong Kong—isn’t that where Luo Yunjian works?

Just don’t run into Luo Yunjian, Jiang Yunong thought. That’s all I ask.

She arrived home, opened the door, and was greeted by the aroma of stir-fried noodles.

Before she could even process the scent, someone suddenly threw themselves into her arms. A gentle voice carried on the breeze:

“I missed you so much.”

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