Daily Life of a Villain at Work [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 66

Chapter 66: The Sixth Day of Being a Stingy (Frugal) CEO

The concert atmosphere was fantastic, and Wen Qingyun was very happy.

However, the crowds during the exit were massive; the car was stuck for a full half-hour before finally breaking free from the throng and driving onto relatively clear roads.

Chu Qi noticed Wen Qingyun’s good mood and took the opportunity to extend an invitation.

“Want to grab some supper? I know a barbecue place with great flavors. It only opens late at night and in the early morning; it should be just right at this hour.”

“How long will it take to get there?” Having just finished the concert, Wen Qingyun was still in a state of high excitement, but the energy she’d expended left her feeling a bit hungry.

“Twenty minutes. If there’s no traffic, it could be even faster.” A smile blossomed on Chu Qi’s face.

Having gained experience, Chu Qi didn’t ask a second question but drove directly toward the barbecue shop.

…

A Cold Night and Warm Wine

Haicheng in late December was damp and cold, especially on a night with no sun and only biting winds. Despite this, the weekend night barbecue stalls were packed. Before even stepping inside, the rich aroma and lively atmosphere seemed to overflow.

The large and medium tables were all taken, but there were plenty of small tables suitable for two. Chu Qi sharp-eyedly spotted a seat behind a partition and quickly pulled Wen Qingyun along to claim it.

Ordering was done via QR code again, but while choosing drinks, Wen Qingyun’s gaze was drawn to the house-brewed wine.

“Is the house-brewed wine here very popular? Why is it limited to one per person?” Wen Qingyun asked.

“It’s quite famous; it’s a pure grain wine brewed by the boss himself. The limit is because it packs a punch—usually, one portion is enough to get two people drunk,” Chu Qi explained. “Want to try? If you like it, I can pack my portion to go.”

Wen Qingyun was tempted. Barbecue and house-brewed wine seemed like a perfect match, and a little wine to warm the body in winter sounded lovely, as long as she avoided overindulging.

No explicit rejection was as good as a “yes.”

Chu Qi had made great strides in deciphering Wen Qingyun’s thoughts. She quickly added the 66-yuan portion of wine to the menu and placed the order along with the skewers.

The shop was busy with several barbecue masters working at once. Ten minutes later, the piping hot house-brewed wine was served. The one-jin (approx. 500g) portion was served in a small ceramic jar, looking quite charming.

Wen Qingyun didn’t even need to lean in; the aroma of the wine wafted into her nose, teasing the slight alcohol craving she harbored.

In private, Wen Qingyun touched both tobacco and alcohol—habits she picked up during college. Without the numbness of alcohol and the pull of tobacco, she couldn’t have accepted that ridiculous reality: that most of the hardships she experienced from birth to adulthood were artificially manufactured just to mold her into a “sufficiently outstanding” person.

How utterly laughable.

“Join me?” Recalling those unpleasant memories, Wen Qingyun took the initiative to invite her. Drinking alone was too dull; drinking together was far more interesting.

“Sure, I’ll call a designated driver for the way back,” Chu Qi agreed naturally. The relationship between her and Wen Qingyun was already much closer than before.

The warm house-brewed wine was different from high-proof spirits; it didn’t burn the throat. Instead, it felt mellow, sending a wave of warmth through the esophagus and stomach.

It was an excellent taste and texture.

Seeing Wen Qingyun proactively refilling her cup, Chu Qi knew she was extremely satisfied with this wine, so she took out her phone and added her own portion to the order.

The barbecue arrived soon after on an iron tray, the tempting scent triggering salivation. The quality of barbecue depends on the ingredients, the heat control, and the skill. The way Wen Qingyun finished one skewer and immediately reached for another was proof enough of the master’s skill.

It also proved once again: if Chu Qi recommended a place, it was bound to be delicious.

…

The Blurred Lines of Inebriation

Wen Qingyun had a high tolerance; even after a jin of wine, she only had a flushed face and a warm body, her mind remaining clear.

Chu Qi, on the other hand, had consumed less than half of what Wen Qingyun had, yet she was clearly becoming slow. She stared blankly at an empty iron skewer for several seconds before realizing the meat was gone and placing it on the tray.

Chu Qi was drunk.

Wen Qingyun accurately judged the situation. Fortunately, Chu Qi was a “good drunk”—she wasn’t incoherent. She could still settle the bill and knew to pull out her phone to call a driver.

Wen Qingyun didn’t stop her but couldn’t help moving closer, watching as Chu Qi set the destination to her own apartment building.

The driver arrived quickly, and luckily, it was a woman. The same-gender driver clearly put Chu Qi at ease. Shortly after the car started, she squinted her eyes and fell asleep.

A left turn caused Chu Qi to lean over, her head landing squarely on Wen Qingyun’s shoulder.

Thinking about how she hadn’t recruited this person into her company yet, Wen Qingyun didn’t push her away. She allowed Chu Qi to lean on her, letting their scents mingle.

Half an hour later, the diligent driver parked the car and kindly asked if they needed help.

“No, thank you.” Wen Qingyun took the keys. Chu Qi was still dazed, barely reacting as the driver left on her folding electric scooter.

It wasn’t until Wen Qingyun led Chu Qi into her own apartment and closed the door that Chu Qi realized something was slightly off. She blinked hard.

“Qingyun… you’re home. I… I’m going back?” Chu Qi’s speech was slurred. She thought she was awake, but her reactions were still sluggish.

“Isn’t this your goal? To get your foot in the door?” Wen Qingyun said, walking toward the bedroom to turn on the central air conditioning.

Wen Qingyun took off her coat and spoke plainly, “I’m in a good mood today. If you’re willing, I don’t mind sleeping with you.”

“A one-time thing. Leave on your own at dawn, take the car keys, and drive back,” Wen Qingyun added.

Perhaps alcohol truly amplified desire, making Wen Qingyun want to let loose for once. She saw through Chu Qi’s little scheme—the slow-burn romance intended to lead to genuine feelings. Wen Qingyun didn’t want Chu Qi to achieve that so easily, but she allowed herself to “sample the flavor” in advance.

Chu Qi stood still. She admitted that while drinking, she had imagined the possibility of something happening. They were both adults in their mid-twenties; with the right atmosphere, taking things further wasn’t an issue.

But Chu Qi had hoped to turn their mutual attraction into something concrete through a “happy accident,” not a clearly defined one-night transaction.

“If you’re not willing, the car keys are on the table. Take them and call a driver,” Wen Qingyun stood at the bedroom door. Her breath still smelled of wine, but her logic was razor-sharp.

“I’ll give you ten seconds to think. Silence means a refusal.”

Wen Qingyun began to count down, “10, 9, 8…”

Chu Qi had only just processed the meaning when she heard the countdown reach “3.”

“Willing! I’m willing!” Chu Qi blurted out, running toward the bedroom, only to fail at braking and crash into Wen Qingyun’s arms. Her body still hadn’t regained 100% control from the alcohol.

“Willing?” Wen Qingyun laughed, rarely reaching out to proactively hug Chu Qi.

“I’ll reiterate: after dawn, we are still just ordinary friends.” Wen Qingyun emphasized the word “ordinary.”

She knew very well that her feelings for Chu Qi were, at most, a mix of liking and admiration—still far from love. To put it another way, until Chu Qi left Hongyi, Wen Qingyun would not allow herself to fall in love with her.

The words were a bit hurtful, but Chu Qi nodded. As she thought before, if something happened between them, she wouldn’t be the one losing out. Why not take a gamble? Perhaps physical compatibility would increase Wen Qingyun’s affection for her.

“Love grows over time” could be interpreted in more ways than one.

…

A Night of Abandon

Once they agreed on the night’s indulgence, Wen Qingyun didn’t dawdle. She began undressing Chu Qi and pulled her into the bathroom, closing the door.

Chu Qi’s heart raced. Touching Wen Qingyun’s lean abdominal muscles, she couldn’t help but swallow hard. She wanted those too, but her long working hours only allowed for faint waistlines.

As adults, both knew what to do. Since it was a night of letting go, they might as well enjoy it to the fullest.

Chu Qi had known her orientation for a long time, so her theoretical knowledge was vast. Having finally landed a “practical” opportunity, she cherished it. When the warm water soaked her last piece of lingerie, she pressed in proactively.

The height difference of a few centimeters was ignored. Hooking her arms around Wen Qingyun’s neck, Chu Qi kissed those lips, mixing theoretical techniques with raw instinct.

Wen Qingyun had expected to be the dominant one, so she was caught off guard when Chu Qi took the lead. Chu Qi was bold and meticulous; once she had an idea, she executed it. This was true in work, in pursuit, and now in bed.

Chu Qi’s boldness exceeded Wen Qingyun’s expectations, but her combination of innocence and audacity pleased her. They played in the bathroom for two hours before finally emerging.

Wen Qingyun, wearing a bathrobe, slowly dried her hair in the warm bedroom, looking calmly at the hickeys on her neck in the mirror.

Chu Qi, now finally sobered up, covered her face, her ears beet red as she replayed the blushing scenes in her head. Alcohol really did provide courage—she didn’t know she could be so brave! She had used every bit of theory she knew on Wen Qingyun.

But judging by Wen Qingyun’s reaction, she must have been satisfied, right?

“Um… did I hurt you at all?” Chu Qi asked with concern, unsure if her “technique” was correctly calibrated.

Wen Qingyun froze, a flash of annoyance in her eyes. “I have a mouth. Don’t worry about non-existent problems.”

Asking that after the fact? Was Chu Qi bragging that her first-time technique was so good that Wen Qingyun was extremely satisfied? If she had been uncomfortable, she would have kicked her out of the house long ago!

“Oh, okay.” Chu Qi didn’t know how to respond. She just shook out her damp hair and sat where Wen Qingyun had been to dry it.

Wen Qingyun turned off the main lights, leaving only a small nightlight. She lay on the bed and closed her eyes to sleep. Chu Qi had been a bit unrestrained, and the excitement had made Wen Qingyun forget that the “first time” should have been a light sampling.

By the time Chu Qi finished with her hair, Wen Qingyun’s breathing was steady. Asleep, she looked much more approachable. Chu Qi grinned like a fool seeing the marks she’d left on Wen Qingyun.

I really did it with Wen Qingyun! Though the intimacy was supposedly for one night, things were different now.

Chu Qi’s heart was bubbling with joy. She knelt by the bed, tucked a stray hair behind Wen Qingyun’s ear, and held her breath to steal a kiss on the corner of her mouth.

She didn’t wake up. Can I have another? Wen Qingyun said the “friend” status returns at dawn. It was still the middle of the night—they were still “lovers.”

One, two, three…

When Wen Qingyun shifted her posture, Chu Qi scurried away like a caught cat, slipped to the other side of the bed, turned off the nightlight, and dove under the covers.

…

The New Normal

“Hiss, a bit sore. Why didn’t I feel it before bed?” Chu Qi peeked at Wen Qingyun’s back and discreetly rubbed her wrist. She decided she needed to start exercising—even if she couldn’t get abs, she needed better arm strength!

Seeing Wen Qingyun fully dressed, Chu Qi offered a polite smile from under the covers. “Um, Qingyun, could I borrow a set of clothes?”

She wasn’t being lazy; she was only wearing a bathrobe. It was fine for sleeping, but the thought of standing “commando” in front of Wen Qingyun made her shy.

“Nothing brand new, only clothes I’ve worn and washed. Is that okay?” Wen Qingyun asked, her voice raspier than usual.

“It’s fine! I don’t mind!” After what they’d done, how could she mind?

Wen Qingyun took out a set of undergarments she’d only worn once or twice and a standard set of commuting clothes. Chu Qi took them and wiggled under the blanket to get dressed.

“Breakfast time seems to have passed. Should we eat out or cook at home?” Chu Qi asked, secretly hoping for the former because her wrist wasn’t ready for a heavy frying pan.

“Let’s go out. There are no ingredients in the kitchen.”

Chu Qi breathed a sigh of relief.

Wen Qingyun’s gaze lingered on Chu Qi’s neck—which was suspiciously devoid of marks—for a second. She made a decision: Next time, I’m definitely going to bite Chu Qi a few times, specifically in places clothes can’t cover.

…

Routine and New Year’s Eve

Once there is a first time, there is a second.

Despite Wen Qingyun’s insistence on a “one-night stand,” she didn’t refuse when Chu Qi invited her over for dinner before New Year’s Day. Chu Qi brought out vintage red wine, and Wen Qingyun’s silence was a “yes.”

The alcohol gave them both an excuse. They spent New Year’s Eve rolling around the same bed. When they woke up on New Year’s Day, Chu Qi provided a fresh set of clothes.

Wen Qingyun narrowed her eyes, wondering if she’d fallen into a long-prepared trap. But dinner was her choice, wine was her choice, and intimacy was her choice. She was getting pleasure without paying or making promises.

I’m not the one losing out.

Without a formal discussion, they reached a consensus: every weekend, they would have dinner, some wine, and satisfy each other’s physical needs.

This continued until Chinese New Year’s Eve. Wen Qingyun went to her mother’s villa to spend the holiday. Her mother was delighted and tactfully avoided asking about her husband (Wen’s father).

“I’ve transferred the New Year’s money to your account. Buy whatever you want,” Wen Qingyun said during dinner. She was in a good mood but still kept a business-like distance.

“I don’t need much money; I can’t even spend 50,000 a month,” her mother protested.

“It’s from me, just take it. If you can’t spend it, save it. If I ever need money, I’ll ask you for it,” Wen Qingyun said flatly.

“Didn’t you used to love painting?” Wen Qingyun continued. “No one is stopping you now. Go wherever you want to sketch. If you’re worried, take the family bodyguards.”

Her mother’s lips trembled. She was a graduate of a prestigious art academy, but that felt like a lifetime ago. She had been forced into the role of a “traditional housewife” by her husband.

“If you don’t know where to go, start by visiting art galleries,” Wen Qingyun added. “Don’t stay in the villa all day. I don’t want people saying I neglect my mother.”

Her mother nodded, realizing this was her daughter’s awkward way of showing care.

Meanwhile, Chu Qi’s New Year was much lonelier. She spent it in her apartment, looking after a colleague’s orange tabby cat. She fed the cat, played with it, and watched the Spring Festival Gala.

At 12:05 AM, her phone buzzed.

[Wen Qingyun: Happy New Year.]

Chu Qi replied with a flying-kiss cat emoji. She felt comforted knowing she was among the first to get a reply.

She thought about her plan: once she got her year-end bonus, she would resign. If things went smoothly, she’d be at Tread Snow by mid-February, seeing Wen Qingyun every day.

With those happy thoughts, Chu Qi drifted off to sleep.