Daily Life of a Villain at Work [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 36

Chapter 36: The Thirteenth Day the Protagonist’s Heart Fluttered Wildly~

Amidst the chorus of employees hailing her as the “Clear Soup Grandmother” (a generous boss), Wen Qingyun stepped onto the stage with a smile to deliver her speech.

“Thank you all for your support over the past year; I’ll be counting on you next year as well. The holiday starts tomorrow and runs until the 11th of the first lunar month. We officially resume work on the 12th, and everyone reporting that day will receive an 1,888-yuan ‘opening’ red envelope.”

Wen Qingyun was too lazy to draft a long speech and didn’t want to waste anyone’s time. “I’ll wish you all an early New Year. Happy New Year!”

“Boss! Happy New Year!” “Clear Soup Grandmother! Happy New Year!” “Boss! I want to work for you in my next life, too!”

Wen Qingyun was amused by the employees’ shouts and blew a flying kiss before leaving.

The annual meeting for Good Wind Studio was held on the 27th of the twelfth lunar month, with holidays officially beginning on the 28th. Red Stone Group, however, followed the national statutory holidays—starting on the 29th and resuming on the 9th of the first lunar month, totaling ten days.

Wen Qingyun remembered her five-million-yuan “gig.” On the 28th, she woke up early to start styling her hair and picking out clothes.

As Ms. Wen Feishi’s special assistant, Wen Qingyun didn’t choose a flashy haute couture gown. Instead, she opted for a sharp, custom-tailored suit. A simple black shirt paired with a white blazer instantly maxed out her commanding presence.

At the entrance of the gala, Wen Qingyun even bumped her father out of his usual spot to walk beside Ms. Wen Feishi, appearing at the very front of the procession.

Wen Qingyun and Ms. Wen had identical almond-shaped “peach blossom” eyes, and their other features were 60% similar. When they appeared together, no one questioned the biological connection.

The senior executives of Red Stone Group had long known that Wen Qingyun was the Chairman’s daughter. Business owners with close ties to the group had also heard rumors, and many had seen Wen Qingyun at various banquets and auctions.

The truly shocked ones were the middle management and grassroots employees attending the gala. Their impression of Wen Qingyun was limited to her being a celebrity with lots of scandals, a preference for female fans, and a girlfriend. They had never once linked her to their own Chairman.

Red Stone Group’s gala was much more formal than Good Wind Studio’s—opening speeches, leader introductions, annual summaries, and future outlooks were all included. Awards for outstanding employees and lucky draws were interspersed to keep the atmosphere from becoming too stifling.

When Wen Qingyun turned on her “serious mode,” she had quite the aura. The distant yet polite smile on her face gave her about 70% of Ms. Wen Feishi’s temperament. Middle and high-level leaders instinctively bowed in thanks when receiving honorary certificates from her; not a single person dared to look down on her.

During the gala, the employees who were shocked by her identity didn’t immediately broadcast it online—most only shared it with those close to them. Being employees of Red Stone Group, they had some reservations, worrying that reckless talk might cause trouble for the Chairman’s only daughter or leave a bad impression on a future boss.

However, they soon lost that concern. The official Red Stone Group account posted photos of the outstanding employees receiving their awards, and there was Wen Qingyun, standing tall in the presenter’s spot. The official website even released a leadership introduction image, with Wen Qingyun holding the title of “Special Assistant,” sitting openly in the number two spot.

【Huh? Huh? What am I seeing? Why am I seeing Wen Qingyun next to Ms. Wen Feishi!】

【Red Stone Group has started inviting celebrities to galas? Is there a future collaboration?】

【Please! Look at the nameplate on the desk! Wen Qingyun is a Special Assistant! Not a guest!】

【Haven’t you noticed they look exactly alike? And they share the surname Wen. It’s common knowledge that Ms. Wen Feishi’s husband married into the family. If they had a child, wouldn’t it look like Wen Qingyun?】

【OMG! For real! Netizens have been digging for Wen Qingyun’s ‘backer’ forever, guessing all sorts of things, and it turns out her backer is her own mother! It’s Wen Feishi! If I were Wen Qingyun, I’d be a million times more arrogant!】

【Why is everyone so excited? Isn’t Wen Feishi just a CEO?】

【Bold! That is Ms. Wen Feishi! Did you not study history? She’s a woman written into the textbooks! I remember her being mentioned in middle school history and politics!】

【I know this one! Ms. Wen Feishi contributed so much to the country’s opening up! I heard a professor mention that when she returned from studying abroad, she brought in huge amounts of foreign exchange! She spearheaded cooperation between domestic and foreign companies when we first joined the WTO!】

Whether it was Red Stone Group or Ms. Wen Feishi, both held immense fame and prestige. As the topic hit the trending searches, Weibo employees were forced into overtime to filter out negative comments at top speed. Any inflammatory or malicious attacks resulted in a 30-day ban; sensitive topics resulted in permanent account deletion.

The higher one’s position, the more one understood Ms. Wen Feishi’s special status. Who was she? She was a figure invited to attend military parades, a regular at entrepreneur symposiums held by the government, and someone who had shaken hands with the top leadership!

Red Stone Group wasn’t just large; specific subsidiaries had close ties with the military, producing many vital mechanical components. Tracing it back, the Wen family had been patriotic entrepreneurs since a hundred years ago—essentially “original shareholders” of the nation. It was just that Wen Feishi’s branch didn’t enter politics, choosing instead to continue the ancestral legacy as patriotic entrepreneurs of the new century.

The news quickly reached the entertainment industry. Upon learning who Wen Qingyun’s backer was, those celebrities who had harbored ill intentions toward her panicked. They began frantically reviewing whether they had done anything out of line or offended her in public. Those who had paid for “water armies” to smear her were sweating as they called marketing accounts to delete posts and apologize immediately.

Lai Xuan, who had been sidelined for half a month, felt as though the sky had fallen. He wished he could go back to the start of the Green Bamboo filming and slap himself several times, then treat Wen Qingyun like a goddess.

Wen Qingyun had expected people to grovel once her identity was revealed. But as a vengeful and petty person, she wasn’t prepared to forgive them. After completing her five-million-yuan “gig,” she escorted her mother home before having Xiao Si drive her to the airport.

On the way, she checked her Super Topic and fan count. For the first time in history, there were no “haters” surfacing. Her follower count surged with every refresh, sprinting toward 20 million.

It really is nice to lean on Mom, Wen Qingyun mused. She checked her flight app. The plane was on time and expected to land five minutes early.

Considering her skyrocketing fame, she had Xiao Si and the others follow her through the less crowded VIP channel to pick someone up. Chu Ke’s ticket, bought by Wen Qingyun, was for business class. As soon as she got off the plane, staff members proactively brought her luggage to her.

Thinking of seeing her girlfriend, Chu Ke couldn’t suppress the smile on her face. Since she had been traveling since the afternoon, she hadn’t seen the hot topics. While scanning the area for her girlfriend, she instinctively ignored Wen Qingyun, who was dressed in a formal suit and looked like a top-tier business elite.

It wasn’t until Chu Ke’s gaze passed over Wen Qingyun a second time that she stopped, sensing something familiar. Her face showed surprise, then joy, and she strode toward Wen Qingyun.

Wen Qingyun openly opened her arms and accepted her girlfriend’s embrace. After a quick peck on the cheek, she led Chu Ke toward the exit, giving curious passersby no chance to recognize her.

“When does your holiday end?” Wen Qingyun asked. The car’s heater was high; after a moment, Wen Qingyun unbuttoned the top two buttons of her shirt.

“I go back on the 7th, but leave is permitted,” Chu Ke said truthfully. “I visited the villages to deliver supplies before the New Year. The first round of visits after the New Year will be handled by other colleagues. I only need to be back by the Lantern Festival.”

“The leadership let you take that much leave?” Wen Qingyun raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t even announced that Chu Ke was her girlfriend yet.

Chu Ke’s tone was subtle. “The leader already took leave and doesn’t plan to return until the 14th.”

Wen Qingyun realized—if the officials can light fires, the commoners must be allowed to light lamps. If the leader isn’t working, they can’t very well stop subordinates from taking leave.

As they chatted, Chu Ke’s eyes kept drifting toward Wen Qingyun. Eventually, they stayed glued there. Chu Ke had never seen Wen Qingyun so formally dressed. As a celebrity, she usually wore high-fashion gowns that showcased her unbridled beauty. Even in a suit, it was usually a casual, rebellious look. But today, Wen Qingyun felt efficient, serious, and proper.

To Chu Ke, her gaze felt casual, but to Wen Qingyun, it was incredibly obvious. However, Wen Qingyun didn’t call her out. She acted as if she hadn’t noticed, casually playing with Chu Ke’s fingers while secretly adjusting her posture to look more “elite.”

See? Just a little effort and I’ve got my girlfriend hooked.

It seemed no one could escape the charm of a uniform. She could play some “new games” tonight.

…

Ms. Wen and Mr. Wen showed great enthusiasm for Chu Ke’s arrival, treating her like family. On the 29th, Wen Qingyun and Chu Ke took on the task of grocery shopping, driving to a large supermarket nearby and blending into the crowd to shop. Wearing hats and masks, they spent an hour in the store without being recognized.

As they left the supermarket, the cloudy sky turned darker. The capital was prone to traffic jams, especially during New Year’s shopping hours. When a multi-vehicle accident occurred ahead, traffic came to a standstill.

The navigation system announced slow traffic. In five minutes, the car moved less than ten meters—a snail’s pace. Seeing the snow begin to fall outside, Wen Qingyun suddenly wanted to admire it. She looked at Chu Ke. “Want to get out and see the snow? You don’t often get snow this heavy where you are, right?”

Within minutes, the light dusting turned into large flakes, swirling like willow catkins in the wind.

“Sure, shall we just walk along the street?” Chu Ke was tempted.

Wen Qingyun thought for a moment. “It’s only a little over a kilometer to the house. Let’s just walk back.”

Chu Ke had no objections. As long as Wen Qingyun was there, she would probably agree to a winter swim after a moment’s hesitation.

“Xiao Si, take the groceries home. We’ll walk,” Wen Qingyun said as she wrapped a scarf around her neck. “It’s safe nearby, don’t worry about us.”

Chu Ke reached out to help, flattening a collar so the scarf fit snugly. Once Wen Qingyun was dressed, she draped a matching scarf over Chu Ke, wrapping it one extra turn. Xiao Si hesitated, but seeing plainclothes security nearby, she agreed and helped open the door, opting not to stay and be a “third wheel.”

The temperature difference was stark. A faint mist rose from Wen Qingyun as she stepped out. However, it wasn’t too cold as long as they kept moving.

“Have you ever seen snow this big before?” Wen Qingyun interlocked her hand with Chu Ke’s and stuffed them both into her coat pocket.

“Once, when I was very small,” Chu Ke said, looking up at the falling flakes. “But I don’t remember what the flakes looked like, just that it was very cold.”

When Chu Ke was young, they didn’t have air conditioning. Heating depended on charcoal saved up from the wood stove. “My favorite thing was boiling water with honeycomb coal; it was warm standing nearby.” Chu Ke blinked as a snowflake landed on her eyelash.

“Your experiences back home?” Wen Qingyun asked, her hand in the pocket gently pressing her girlfriend’s knuckles.

“Mhm. The last time I went back was… last year.” Chu Ke’s eyes grew deep as old memories resurfaced. “Wen Qingyun, I never imagined I could be with you, or be in the capital for the New Year, walking in the snow like this.”

I thought I’d be like last year, spending the New Year alone in the dorms.

“What a coincidence; I never thought I’d be with you either,” Wen Qingyun laughed, her grip tightening slightly. “I thought I’d pick three or four people who looked pleasing and keep them around, choosing one at random based on my mood.”

Chu Ke paused. Her slight sadness vanished, replaced by tension. “And now? Do you still have thoughts like that?”

“Hmm…” Wen Qingyun mischievously dragged out the sound. Not until Chu Ke’s hand in the pocket gripped her back did she smile. “I might keep many obedient ‘little lovers,’ but if I have a girlfriend, I only care about her.”

“Chu Ke, remember your identity. You are currently my only girlfriend.” Wen Qingyun stopped, pulled down her scarf with her other hand, and kissed her. Ten seconds later, she calmly pulled the scarf back up. “Next time, don’t ask me if I have those thoughts. You should confidently tell me: ‘Wen Qingyun, you have me now, so you can’t have any little lovers.’ Got it?”

Chu Ke nodded blankly, her heart thumping. “Got it. I’ll remember.”

…

Ms. Wen’s routine was very healthy—she was usually in bed by 11:00 PM. But New Year’s Eve was special. The family of four sat through the somewhat boring Spring Festival Gala until the countdown hit zero.

“Happy New Year.” Ms. Wen gave her blessings and handed out red envelopes to Wen Qingyun and Chu Ke.

“May the new year be smooth and safe.” Mr. Wen followed, handing each of them a heavy wooden box.

“Thank you, Auntie, Uncle. Happy New Year.” Chu Ke stood to accept the gifts. Two days of interaction had relaxed her significantly.

“Thanks, Mom! Thanks, Dad! Happy New Year~” Wen Qingyun laughed and let Chu Ke hold her share while she gave her mother a peck on the cheek.

“Rest early. Breakfast is at nine tomorrow,” Ms. Wen patted her daughter’s shoulder. She seemed to say nothing, yet everything.

Once her parents disappeared toward the third floor, Wen Qingyun turned off the TV and pulled Chu Ke back to the bedroom. Before Chu Ke could even set the gifts down, Wen Qingyun’s kisses landed—lips, neck, earlobes.

“Wait, I’m still holding the gifts.” Chu Ke’s face was flushed, her breathing ragged.

Wen Qingyun gave her one last nip before letting go. “Let’s see the gifts then.”

Chu Ke quickly opened her red envelope. “A check?” She blinked, counting the 8s.

“1,888,888 yuan exactly,” Wen Qingyun read the number out loud. “We’ll cash it once the banks open.”

Chu Ke opened her mouth to protest, but Wen Qingyun cut her off. “Mom is only this generous to her own people. Take it.” She then opened the wooden box. Inside was a heavy gold bar—2,500g. At current prices, it was worth about 1.5 million.

“These… these are too expensive.”

“A little. Use the money to buy a house in your county and install a safe,” Wen Qingyun said. “Your dorm is too small; it’s inconvenient when we… do things.”

“Huh?”

“Buying a house makes it convenient for us to do it. Understand?” Wen Qingyun was blunt. The gold bar was tossed aside, and she led her girlfriend toward the en-suite bathroom.

She’d experienced the uniform; now it was time for the bathroom. A New Year should be about trying new things.

…

Since her identity was revealed, Sister Xiao’s phone had been ringing off the hook. Her holiday plans collapsed, and she had to start working on the 6th.

“No interest, not going, don’t need the money.” Wen Qingyun rejected most invitations, only accepting magazine covers and top-tier brand endorsements.

“Many artists want to join our studio; I found some good talent,” Sister Xiao said. “Should we expand after the New Year and sign more people?”

“Can you handle the workload, Sister Xiao?” Wen Qingyun asked, opening her mouth to take a cherry offered by Chu Ke.

“Some old friends want to join. I’ll take some shares from my portion to give them 1% each.” Sister Xiao saw a bright future and didn’t mind working for more money.

“Sure. You arrange it, Sister Xiao. We’ll each provide half the shares.” Wen Qingyun spat the pit into the trash and winked at Chu Ke, who intuitively fed her a piece of apple.

“It’s a deal then. Whether our studio becomes big and strong depends on you!” Wen Qingyun’s cheeks puffed slightly, perfectly transferring her former grand ambitions to Sister Xiao.

The task for playing the villain had hit 100% one night before the New Year. With no tasks left, Wen Qingyun chose to “lay flat” and relax.

As a villain, being happy was the most important thing. If fighting made her happy, she’d fight; if causing trouble made her happy, she’d cause trouble; if being a “salted fish” (doing nothing) made her happy, she’d lie down!