Did the Tsundere Miss Get Slapped in the Face Again Today? - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: “Why Are You Being so Fierce?”

 

The early morning was not heralded by an alarm clock, but by Lin Anran’s “clinking and clanking” and “chattering” sounds.

 

Jiang Zhi had assumed the young lady would sleep in and be grumpy after being woken up, but unexpectedly, she was up earlier than the birds.

 

Lin Anran burst out of the bathroom, holding a toothbrush: “This toothbrush is too inferior, get me a better one.”

 

“Also, I don’t like the towel, it scrubs my face raw, change it.”

 

“Why is this broken bathroom so small? It’s hard to even turn around.”

 

“I don’t like any of it.”

 

“Change everything!”

 

Faced with a barrage of complaints, Jiang Zhi was accustomed to it. She yawned and replied indifferently, “No money, can’t change it. You’ll have to make do.”

 

Lin Anran pouted: “Pauper.”

 

She huffed and went back to continue brushing her teeth.

 

Jiang Zhi stretched, feeling a bit stiff from sleeping on the sofa all night, which left her with an aching back.

 

She stood by the window to exercise, rotating her neck, then her waist, and finally doing a chest expansion exercise. With her movements, she occasionally heard the crackling sound of her bones.

 

Lin Anran spat out the foam in her mouth. During the rinsing interval, she glanced at Jiang Zhi twisting and stretching by the window.

 

Against the light, she was tall but a bit too slender, a long, lanky figure wearing dull, grey pajamas and black-rimmed glasses. Her hair, just past her shoulders, was a little frizzy from just waking up.

 

She was someone completely unconcerned with fashion, utterly plain.

 

Lin Anran said with disgust: “Don’t waste time, hurry up and get ready. We can’t be late for work.”

 

Jiang Zhi paused her stretching, adjusted her black-rimmed glasses, and felt a surge of novelty. This young lady was actually worried about being late for work?

 

But upon reflection, although Lin Anran was displeased that her family had assigned her to work here, despite her discontent, she had shown up on time every day for the past month.

 

Perhaps she made an agreement with her family? That if she showed up on time every day, she could end this ordeal sooner?

 

Who knows. Jiang Zhi shook her head, no longer dwelling on unimportant matters. The most important thing now was to quickly send this little tyrant away.

 

By the roadside, Lin Anran subconsciously asked, “Where is the driver?”

 

Jiang Zhi: “What driver?”

 

Lin Anran paused for a moment, muttered, “Pauper. Fine, a taxi will do.”

 

“No money.”

 

“You don’t even have money for a taxi? Do you expect me to walk to the company?!”

 

“It won’t come to that.”

 

Inside the subway, during rush hour, the place was packed with noise and people.

 

Lin Anran stood in the crowd, utterly stunned. She had never seen such a scene—a chaotic swarm of people packed together.

 

With a click accompanied by a beep, the subway doors slowly opened.

 

People getting off surged outward; people getting on surged inward.

 

Lin Anran didn’t want to step in; she felt she might be flattened into a pancake if she did.

 

But it was too late to regret. Swept up by the crowd, she had no room to retreat and was forced to move inside with the flow.

 

Even with her history of pickiness and delicacy, in this environment, all that remained was bewilderment.

 

She subconsciously looked for Jiang Zhi, like a helpless kitten.

 

Jiang Zhi sighed, struggling to push through the crowd to pull the third Miss Lin close to her.

 

“Stand here.”

 

Jiang Zhi supported herself with both hands on the sides of the carriage, enclosing Lin Anran within a small space, shielding her from the bulk of the pushing crowd.

 

Only now did Lin Anran slightly recover from the crush of the environment and regain a tiny sense of security.

 

She looked up, meeting the eyes of Jiang Zhi, who was close by, wearing black-rimmed glasses and half a head taller than her.

 

She had never closely observed Jiang Zhi before, only thinking she was bland and plain. But now, she could clearly see Jiang Zhi’s fluttering eyelashes.

 

Her eyelashes were truly long, and the eyes beneath the glasses were long and beautiful. Without makeup, she looked clean and scholarly.

 

“Although I don’t know why Miss Lin suddenly had the impulse to stay at my place, as you can see, this environment is not suitable for you,” a teasing voice sounded in her ear.

 

Lin Anran snapped back to reality, frowned, and instantly and unexpectedly stamped hard on Jiang Zhi’s foot.

 

“Hiss.” Jiang Zhi sucked in a breath, causing people around them to look over.

 

Lin Anran snorted: “Serves you right.”

 

Jiang Zhi looked at her exasperatedly, both pained and annoyed, wishing she could throw her off the train and let her fend for herself.

 

Perhaps sensing Jiang Zhi’s thoughts, Lin Anran instinctively grabbed a corner of her clothing: “Don’t you dare leave.”

 

Her tone was fierce, but the hand clutching her clothes and the look in her eyes clearly showed fear.

 

Jiang Zhi fell silent. In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to abandon her here, though the foot that was stamped on really hurt.

 

At the next station, not many people got off, but another wave poured in. The already crowded space became even more packed.

 

The hands Jiang Zhi was using to support herself on the carriage sides began to strain. She bit her lip, struggling to hold on, and the veins on the back of her distinct knuckles stood out from the effort.

 

Lin Anran turned her head, her gaze falling on Jiang Zhi’s hands, which were long and fair, actually quite good-looking. She just wondered why this person constantly wore a plain, unfashionable bracelet on her wrist.

 

Did it have some special meaning? Was it a gift from someone important? Lin Anran didn’t think too deeply about it, but her mood suddenly became irritable.

 

It was all due to this suffocating environment, which made her feel entirely uncomfortable.

 

When she felt uncomfortable, she naturally had to voice it; she wasn’t the type to tolerate things.

 

“I don’t like this place, it’s so crowded! It’s all your fault! Why didn’t we just take a taxi? Why force us onto this cramped subway? Are you that poor? How much money can you even save…”

 

Before she could finish her sentence, the carriage lurched. Jiang Zhi couldn’t hold on any longer, her hands giving out, and she stumbled forward onto the person in front of her.

 

Lin Anran’s complaints instantly stopped.

 

Softness pressed against softness, cheeks brushed against cheeks, and the air seemed to still for a second.

 

Their position was like a hug, yet not quite, and their breathing and heartbeats became incredibly clear.

 

After what felt like a long time, maybe a few minutes or less than half a second, everything returned to normal, or perhaps it hadn’t been abnormal at all.

 

Jiang Zhi tried to regain her balance and pull away.

 

But with people packed behind her, her attempts to move were futile.

 

Lin Anran was displeased with her wriggling: “Why are you fidgeting? It’s already crowded and annoying, stop moving!”

 

Jiang Zhi: “…”

 

This posture was truly torturous, and Lin Anran was particularly talkative, chattering and chattering in her ear…

 

As for what Lin Anran was chattering about, Jiang Zhi didn’t hear a word.

 

Her ear felt so ticklish.

 

She began to regret it. She should have just taken a taxi. Spending a bit of money would have been better than ending up in this sorry state.

 

“Fudu Station. Passengers preparing to alight…”

 

Finally, with the announcement of the station, Jiang Zhi felt like she heard music from the heavens. She had never found the station announcement so pleasant before.

 

“We’ve arrived! We can get off now.”

 

“How can we get off when it’s so crowded and we’re so far from the door…”

 

Just as she was squeezed onto the train, she was squeezed off the train.

 

Lin Anran stood rooted to the spot, stunned for a full three seconds, her hair disheveled, and her delicate clothes wrinkled from the crush.

 

Jiang Zhi rubbed her nose: “The subway during rush hour is like this. I didn’t intentionally torture you. Miss Lin, you’ve experienced it once. Tomorrow, you should obediently go back to your own home. Don’t come here to suffer again. You can’t handle this.”

 

Lin Anran irritably smoothed down her messy, long, wavy curls and glared at her in a bad mood: “If you can handle it, why can’t I?”

 

With that, she stomped forward angrily.

 

Jiang Zhi looked at the person walking away in high heels, sighing helplessly. She was giving her well-intentioned advice, but why did it spark her competitive spirit?

 

“Miss Lin.” Jiang Zhi called after her.

 

Lin Anran didn’t stop; she walked even faster.

 

Jiang Zhi jogged up and grabbed her arm.

 

Lin Anran looked at the hand that grabbed her with displeasure.

 

Jiang Zhi released her hand, shrugged, and pointed to the sign: “The exit is over there. You’re walking the wrong way.”

 

Lin Anran was silenced, then immediately flared up: “I knew that without you telling me!”

 

She spun around angrily.

 

Jiang Zhi shook her head, not attempting to get close to her again, and followed her from a short distance.

 

She didn’t look back once until they reached the company, clearly upset, although Jiang Zhi wasn’t sure what had upset her this time.

 

Lin Anran was like a firecracker, one that could spontaneously detonate for no reason. She spent her days either being angry or complaining and nitpicking. After a month of dealing with her, Jiang Zhi was somewhat used to it.

 

Although she had a terrible temper, she didn’t seem to have any malice, perhaps even being quite simple-minded.

 

Inside the office.

 

The editor-in-chief tilted her head in confusion: “Why did she go to your place to live?”

 

Jiang Zhi: “I don’t know. She just showed up suddenly.”

 

The editor-in-chief contemplated for a moment: “It’s not a big deal. After all, normal people can’t understand her thinking. If she wants to stay, just let her.”

 

Jiang Zhi widened her eyes and quickly shook her head: “No, no, no.”

 

The editor-in-chief cleared her throat. She naturally knew Lin Anran was a huge hassle and difficult to deal with, otherwise, she wouldn’t have offered Jiang Zhi triple the salary to handle her.

 

“If she wants to stay, let her. During her stay, I’ll reimburse you for the entire month’s rent, plus give you an extra month’s rent as a subsidy. How does that sound?”

 

Jiang Zhi’s determined argument instantly fizzled out.

 

Who could say no to money?

 

“Alright, Editor-in-chief, if Miss Lin wants to stay, of course, we must let her,” Jiang Zhi said with a smile and a wink.

 

The editor-in-chief pointed outside, signaling her to look out the window: “Since you agree, go and deal with the situation outside.”

 

Outside the window, next to the printer, Lin Anran was kicking the printer repeatedly.

 

No one knew what the printer had done to provoke her.

 

“Why aren’t you moving? Move!” Lin Anran stood with her hands on her hips, kicking the printer with loud bangs.

 

A colleague preparing to print a document stopped in their tracks, completely afraid to approach, watching from afar.

 

Jiang Zhi sighed, bracing herself, and went to face the challenge.

 

“What’s wrong, Miss Lin?” Jiang Zhi asked gently.

 

“Are you blind? Can’t you see?” Lin Anran snapped.

 

Jiang Zhi didn’t mind; she was used to being snapped at by her.

 

“It’s probably a paper jam,” Jiang Zhi skillfully opened the printer cover and removed the stuck paper: “This is common. You just take it out and reinsert it. Kicking it hurts its ‘foot,’ don’t you think?”

 

Lin Anran stood behind her, arms crossed: “This kind of broken junk should be replaced.”

 

Jiang Zhi: “It certainly should be replaced. I’ll take the opportunity to speak with the logistics department and see if we can get a new one.”

 

She handed her the printed documents: “Here you go.”

 

Lin Anran haughtily snorted, offering no thanks, and instead said: “You’re so slow.”

 

After Lin Anran left, a colleague passed by, looking sympathetic, and patted her shoulder: “You have it tough.”

 

Jiang Zhi: “…”

 

In the time it took her to turn around, Lin Anran was already kicking the water dispenser. It seemed the water dispenser had also offended her.

 

She truly couldn’t stay still for a moment.

 

Jiang Zhi walked over and pressed the dispensing button for her: “This button is a bit insensitive. You have to press it firmly and hold it down like this.”

 

Lin Anran snatched the cup of water Jiang Zhi had filled for her, opening her mouth to complain.

 

Before she could voice her complaint, Jiang Zhi seamlessly interjected: “This broken water dispenser needs to be replaced, I know. I’ll find time to ask the logistics department about it and try to get a better one.”

 

Lin Anran sized her up, lifted her chin, rolled her eyes, and walked away.

 

Jiang Zhi looked at the person marching off arrogantly and shook her head helplessly.

 

In the evening.

 

Jiang Zhi shut down her computer, packed up, put on the canvas bag hanging on her chair, and left work.

 

After taking a couple of steps, she suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Lin Anran’s desk.

 

She was long gone.

 

Jiang Zhi frowned in confusion. Did she just say she was going to stay at her place long-term just casually?

 

It made sense. How could a young lady tolerate that kind of living environment? She probably just said it on a whim, and after her strange impulsive phase was over, she would go back home. She couldn’t possibly stay long-term.

 

Although she wouldn’t get the rent subsidy, it was better that she didn’t stay. To endure that much trouble for a bit of rent money wasn’t worth it.

 

Having figured this out, Jiang Zhi stepped into the elevator with a light heart.

 

She looked miserable going to work, but the opposite was true leaving work, humming a little tune happily.

 

The tune stopped abruptly halfway through.

 

She saw someone standing at the company’s main entrance from a distance.

 

A vibrant red dress, high heels, long wavy curls, tassel earrings, a refined and gorgeous face, and an inherently arrogant demeanor that kept others from approaching easily.

 

The colleagues leaving work saw her blocking the entrance, arms crossed and looking displeased, and fearing they might provoke her, they all detoured and left through the side door.

 

Could she possibly be waiting for me? A question popped up in Jiang Zhi’s mind.

 

“Why did you take so long to come out? Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you? Do you have no sense of time?” Seeing Jiang Zhi, Lin Anran immediately yelled.

 

Well, well, she really was waiting for her.

 

Jiang Zhi: “How long have you been waiting?”

 

Lin Anran: “One minute!”

 

Jiang Zhi was silent: “Yes, that’s on me. I really did keep you waiting too long.”

 

“Forget it,” Lin Anran waved her hands with their exquisite manicure: “I’m generous, I won’t bother arguing with you. How are we getting back? Don’t tell me you’re making me take that awful subway again.”

 

Jiang Zhi shook her head: “No need for that.”

 

Lin Anran raised an eyebrow: “Amazing. You’re actually willing to spend money on a taxi.”

 

“Not a taxi. Wait a moment, I’ll be right back.”

 

“Why do I have to wait again? Where are you going?” Lin Anran was extremely impatient.

 

“I have a vehicle. I’m going to drive it over now.”

 

“A vehicle?”

 

Lin Anran was skeptical. Could this pauper actually have a car?

 

Two minutes later, Jiang Zhi appeared before her riding a small electric scooter.

 

After a full three seconds of silence, Lin Anran exclaimed in disbelief: “You call this a vehicle??”

 

“Why isn’t it a vehicle?” Jiang Zhi patted the back seat: “Hop on, Miss Lin.”

 

Lin Anran put her hands on her hips: “Do you think it’s appropriate for me, dressed like this, to ride on this kind of vehicle?”

 

Jiang Zhi glanced at her outfit: a red dress, high heels, delicate and extravagant.

 

Indeed, her attire wasn’t suitable for an electric scooter.

 

Lin Anran: “I will die before I ride this beggar-mobile. Only beggars ride this kind of thing. You might not be embarrassed, but I won’t lose face over this.”

 

Five minutes later, Lin Anran was sitting sideways on the back seat.

 

Jiang Zhi grumbled internally. She was clearly willing to ride it and was already on it, yet she insisted on being stubborn. Did she never tire of this performance of contradicting herself every day?

 

Jiang Zhi took off her jacket and handed it to her.

 

Lin Anran recoiled in disgust: “What do you want? Do I have to carry your dirty jacket for you? Are you ordering me around now?”

 

Jiang Zhi calmly placed the jacket over her skirt.

 

Lin Anran instinctively wanted to throw it off, but stopped mid-action, as if realizing Jiang Zhi’s intention.

 

Of course, even after understanding Jiang Zhi’s kindness, she wouldn’t say thank you. Instead, she grumbled and complained: “What kind of jacket is this? The material is so rough, it hurts my legs.”

 

Jiang Zhi: “Then give it back to me.”

 

She reached out to take the jacket back, but couldn’t pull it away because Lin Anran was holding it down tightly, looking at her with displeasure and threat.

 

Jiang Zhi chuckled: “I know, my jacket material is poor. Please bear with it.”

 

She was truly resigned to this person.

 

“Here you go,” Jiang Zhi offered her a helmet.

 

Lin Anran didn’t take it. It was a black helmet, a standard model.

 

“What a broken helmet. It’s dirty and ugly. I don’t like it. It’s embarrassing to wear. You wear it yourself. I won’t.”

 

In the blink of an eye, the helmet was on her head, although her mouth continued to express dissatisfaction.

 

“It’s messing up my hairstyle.”

 

“It doesn’t look good at all. I don’t like black things.”

 

“I’ll make do with it today. Tomorrow, you get me a nice one.”

 

Jiang Zhi chose to let all these rambling words go in one ear and out the other.

 

“Did you hear me?” Not getting a response, Lin Anran became annoyed.

 

“Oh, right,” Jiang Zhi said dismissively.

 

“I want a pink one, and a red one too. No, no, one color is too dull.”

 

Lin Anran began picking colors for herself, then a calm voice drifted into her ear: “Stop picking. I don’t have money to buy them for you. You’ll have to make do with the helmet you have on, Miss Lin.”

 

Lin Anran pouted, rolling her eyes in disdain: “You don’t even have money to buy a helmet. Pauper.”

 

Jiang Zhi pretended not to hear and calmly continued driving.

 

She thought the matter was over, but unexpectedly, the third Miss Lin’s temper flared up. She began swaying back and forth aggressively in the back seat, expressing her displeasure this way.

 

Jiang Zhi was driving smoothly, and didn’t expect the person in the back to suddenly act out.

 

The electric scooter nearly went out of control. She braked hard and, after stabilizing, breathed a sigh of relief, then turned around to glare at Lin Anran.

 

Lin Anran seemed slightly guilty but, given her personality, she certainly wouldn’t admit fault: “What’s the matter? My legs were tired sitting still. Can’t I even move a little?”

 

Jiang Zhi’s brows furrowed tightly.

 

Lin Anran shrank her neck a little. Why was she so serious? She had never seen her like this…

 

“Lin Anran,” she called her by her full name for the first time, “I’ll indulge your tantrums in other matters, but I strongly advise you not to repeat that death-wish behavior. I’m not planning to risk my life for the few dollars I earn.”

 

Jiang Zhi was genuinely angry. A large truck had just passed by. If she hadn’t managed to stabilize the scooter and stop in time, they might have been dragged under the truck. A momentary lapse could have finished both of them.

 

Lin Anran pursed her lips, puffed out her cheeks, and remained silent.

 

She was the one who did the dangerous thing, yet why did she look like the one who was wronged now?

 

Jiang Zhi sighed, softening her tone: “Forget it, forget it. Why am I arguing with you? Don’t do that again. It’s very dangerous.”

 

Seeing her attitude soften, Lin Anran immediately took advantage: “Why are you being so fierce? As if you’re so powerful. You won’t even buy me a new helmet. I want a pink helmet!”

 

Jiang Zhi rubbed her forehead.

 

“Did you hear me? I want a pink helmet.”

 

“I heard you, I heard you. I’ll buy it for you.”

 

“That’s more like it.” Lin Anran swung her head smugly.