I Secretly Read My Boss' Diary (GL) - Chapter 19

Although overtime during the holiday didn’t require arriving too early, it was pure torture for Yan Zhao, who spent her entire vacation practically glued to her bed.

Grimly washing up and silently cursing Gong Muyu as she left, Yan Zhao found her tormentor waiting as if summoned by her thoughts. Just outside the neighborhood, Gong Muyu stood by the gate, holding two drinks, checking her phone while peering into the complex. Spotting Yan Zhao emerging with her bag, she waved her over and climbed into the car first.

“General Manager Mu, why did you come by?”

Yan Zhao fastened her seatbelt and turned to look at Gong Muyu, her gaze filled with confusion.

“I was worried you might have trouble catching a taxi during the holiday, so I decided to pick you up on my way.”

Yan Zhao was about to say that buses and subways don’t stop running during the holiday, but before she could speak, Gong Muyu glanced at her out of the corner of her eye and pointed to the drink on the console. “I picked up a drink for you while I was out. Drink it while it’s hot.”

“Thank you, General Manager Mu.”

Yan Zhao swallowed her words, feeling a chill at her fingertips. Only then did she realize the weather was gradually turning cooler. She had only brought a thin jacket when she left home, and the cold wind blowing through the window made her shiver. Seeing that Gong Muyu had brought her a warm drink, Yan Zhao didn’t hesitate to take a sip.

The car radio was playing classic songs by Liu Ruoying. The songs were good, but the sentimental commentary from the hosts grated on Yan Zhao’s nerves. Perhaps sensing her unusual mood, Gong Muyu reached over and turned off the radio.

“Don’t want to work overtime?”

Yan Zhao inwardly rolled her eyes. You already know, so why are you asking? Besides, how could she answer such a dangerous question honestly? If she told the truth, that ‘Terror’ would likely turn on her.

“It’s nothing,” Yan Zhao replied. “Just didn’t sleep well and feeling a bit tired.”

Gong Muyu could tell from Yan Zhao’s expression that she was lying. She knew Yan Zhao didn’t want to work overtime, but she wanted to keep her around anyway, even if it might make Yan Zhao resent her or think she was targeting her. She simply wanted that silly little Yan Zhao by her side, not wanting to be apart for even a second.

Seeing Yan Zhao’s weary state, Gong Muyu switched to a more soothing piano melody. Noticing Yan Zhao’s disinterest in conversation, she silently drove to the company parking lot.

There was still about a week before the client’s bidding deadline. In truth, the proposal was nearly complete, needing only some final touches. Bringing the silly girl along was just an excuse to see her.

Gong Muyu drove Yan Zhao to the company parking lot without a word. Only after parking did she realize Yan Zhao had fallen asleep.

Unwilling to wake her, Gong Muyu cracked the window slightly for ventilation. She then reclined her seat, turning to face Yan Zhao.

Gong Muyu gazed at Yan Zhao’s peaceful sleeping face, unable to resist tracing the outline of her features with her fingers in the air. That serene countenance made her want to reach out and touch it, to embrace and kiss it. But she dared not act, afraid that even a hint of her intentions would scare this little snail into retreating into her shell, never to emerge again.

The person before her was of average height, even slightly slender compared to others, yet she had a plump, bun-like face. Though she appeared so soft and docile, her rejections were so absolute they could be heart-wrenching.

Even so, Gong Muyu couldn’t muster even the slightest shred of resentment toward her.

Because she loved her—a love etched into her very bones.

Gong Muyu continued to watch Yan Zhao quietly until two hours had passed. Seeing that it was almost lunchtime, she worried Yan Zhao might be hungry and gently patted her shoulder to wake her.

When Yan Zhao finally woke up, she glanced at her phone and realized she had been sleeping in Gong Muyu’s car for over two hours. A wave of embarrassment washed over her.

Scratching the back of her disheveled head, Yan Zhao asked, her face flushing with shame, “General Manager Mu, why didn’t you wake me?”

“I stayed up late last night. I just parked the car and accidentally dozed off myself.”

With that, Gong Muyu opened the car door and stepped out, carrying her bag. Noticing Yan Zhao still sitting in the car, staring blankly, she turned and gestured for her to get out. Yan Zhao finally snapped out of her daze and scrambled out of the car, clutching her small backpack.

However, instead of heading to the company, Gong Muyu led her toward the adjacent shopping mall.

Yan Zhao hurried to catch up, realizing they were heading in the wrong direction. “General Manager Mu,” she asked, “isn’t this… not the way to the company?”

Without stopping, Gong Muyu grabbed Yan Zhao’s wrist and pulled her into the elevator.

“It’s already noon. Let’s grab something to eat before going to the office. There’s no rush.”

Hearing this, Yan Zhao couldn’t help but feel resentful. If there’s no rush, why drag me into overtime?! she thought. I’d rather give up the triple pay for holiday overtime just to sleep at home. But since she was already there for overtime, she should at least get the triple pay, right?

Although she arrived a little late and was chauffeured to the office, she should still get paid, right?

Thinking about her wages, Yan Zhao suddenly remembered something. She quietly sidled up to Gong Muyu, a smile playing on her lips as she asked with a probing tone, “General Manager Mu, does this count as overtime during the holiday? About the pay…”

Gong Muyu turned to look at her and nodded.

“Since I asked you to come in, we’ll definitely have to pay you overtime. Just submit the overtime form after the holiday and I’ll sign it.”

With Gong Muyu’s confirmation, Yan Zhao’s face lit up. She nodded obsequiously and, when the elevator reached their floor, linked arms with Gong Muyu and stepped out together.

Gong Muyu had originally planned to take Yan Zhao to the same buffet restaurant as before, but the bitterly cold weather made Yan Zhao’s eyes linger on the bone broth hot pot restaurant to their right.

“You want hot pot?” Gong Muyu asked.

“Mm-hmm!” Yan Zhao tugged at Gong Muyu’s sleeve and nodded vigorously. “It’s cold out. Hot pot will warm us up.”

After several such incidents, Gong Muyu had noticed that Yan Zhao only stubbornly held her own opinions when it came to food. Naturally, Gong Muyu didn’t object. She nodded and allowed Yan Zhao to lead the way inside.

Perhaps because she was finally getting the food she craved, Yan Zhao seemed much happier than before. They found a two-person booth in a corner, set down their bags, and beckoned a server over.

Just as they were about to order, a brown-haired youth walked in. His gray hoodie hung loosely on his frame, his hands were shoved into the pockets of his black pants, and his silver earrings glinted in the restaurant’s light. His gaze swept over the timid girl in the school uniform trailing behind him, his eyes filled with impatience.

After a quick glance at the boy, Yan Zhao immediately pushed aside the menu the server was holding and stood up.

Gong Muyu, who had been pouring juice for Yan Zhao, noticed her sudden agitation and quickly set down the pitcher to watch. By then, Yan Zhao had already risen and strode toward the newly arrived pair.

“What are you doing here?”

The youth jumped at Yan Zhao’s sudden appearance from the corner, then sneered and rolled his eyes. He shoved Yan Zhao aside and pulled the schoolgirl closer to him. With a defiant expression, he sneered, “None of your business, bitch!”

After the boy swept past Yan Zhao, pressed the little girl into a chair, and settled her down, he returned to Yan Zhao and held out his hand. “Hey! I’m broke. Got any cash? Give me two thousand now.”

“Why are you even here?” Yan Zhao demanded, her eyes practically spitting fire at the sight of the boy.

Unfazed by Yan Zhao’s glare, the boy ignored her question and repeated his demand for money.

“It doesn’t matter where I am! Just give me the money and I’ll get out of here!”

Staring at the boy, who was a head taller than her, Yan Zhao’s mind flashed back to the recent phone call from her divorced father, his voice filled with accusatory questions. Unable to suppress her pent-up frustration any longer, she raised her hand and slapped him across the face.

The sharp crack of the slap echoed through the spacious restaurant, drawing numerous curious glances. Yan Zhao, however, paid them no heed. Holding back her tears, she glared at the shocked boy clutching his face and repeated her question through gritted teeth.

“Yan Chong, I’ll ask you one last time: Why is your mother here?!”

Seeming to lose all restraint, Yan Zhao shoved him roughly and shouted, “Tell me!”

Gong Muyu, standing nearby, hadn’t expected the usually timid Yan Zhao to suddenly resort to violence. Seeing the struck youth raise his hand to retaliate, she feared Yan Chong might hurt Yan Zhao. She quickly grabbed Yan Zhao, who was still shoving at Yan Chong, and forcefully restrained her in her arms, her gaze full of warning directed at Yan Chong.

Yan Chong, accustomed to being domineering with Yan Zhao, was now infuriated by the slap. He wanted to retaliate, but the cold, stern gaze of the woman behind Yan Zhao made him hesitate.

Gong Muyu held Yan Zhao tightly and soothed her. “Yan Zhao, calm down and talk it out.”

Across from them, Yan Chong was also startled by Yan Zhao’s breakdown, especially with the mysterious woman standing beside her. After a moment’s hesitation, he quickly pulled the little girl sitting in the chair and left.

Seeing Yan Chong leave with the girl, Yan Zhao tried to chase after them, but Gong Muyu held her firmly in her arms, preventing her from moving. Helplessly, Yan Zhao watched Yan Chong disappear through the restaurant door, tears streaming down her face.

Gong Muyu felt the person in her arms gradually calm down. She half-carried, half-dragged Yan Zhao to a chair and sat her down. She brought over the glass of water she had already poured and pulled out a pack of wet wipes from her bag to wipe Yan Zhao’s face.

“Thank you, General Manager Mu. I’m sorry for the scene.”

After a moment, Yan Zhao composed herself, holding the water cup and nodding apologetically at Gong Muyu.

“By the way, was that your brother?”

Gong Muyu asked tentatively, remembering the young man with the same surname as Yan Zhao.

“Yes, that was my brother. He ran away from home recently, and I never expected to run into him here today.” Yan Zhao rubbed her thumb along the rim of the cup, her mind drifting through memories from childhood. Tears began to well up again, unbidden.

She wiped her face roughly, then tried to smile at Gong Muyu, but the effort proved futile.

“Do you remember that call from the other day, General Manager Mu? That was my father calling me.”

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