I'm a Professional at Being a Scumbag [Quick Wear] - Chapter 16

The phone rang for a long time, with no answer. Chu Ji’s expression grew increasingly grim.

What is that girl Chu Qiao up to now?! he thought. It’s one thing to be unreachable every few days, but to not even consult me about something as major as the company’s IPO? Has she grown too accustomed to being a absentee manager?

Tang Chen stood nearby, keeping his eyes downcast. This is beyond my pay grade as a mere assistant. To avoid being blamed, he decided to play dumb.

The Young Miss was in her rebellious phase. All the company’s senior executives avoided her, daring to be angry but not daring to speak out.

“Tang Chen, you…”

Tang Chen’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly gathered the documents on the desk into his arms.

“Boss, the finance department urgently needs these documents. I’ll be taking my leave now.”

He fled as if a tiger were chasing him.

Chu Ji: …

They’ve all gone too far!

Chu Qiao lay nestled in the soft embrace of her lover, Le Yi, completely oblivious to Chu Ji’s calls. She glanced at the missed call, tossed her phone aside, and drifted off to sleep with her lover.

As dawn approached, Chu Qiao finally deigned to return Chu Ji’s call. Her first words were, “Didn’t I tell you not to call me unless it’s an emergency?”

Chu Ji’s blood began to boil. “Isn’t the company’s IPO a major event?”

“What’s so major about that?” Chu Qiao replied dismissively.

Chu Ji took a deep breath, forcing down his anger. “Then what, in your opinion, would constitute a ‘major’ event?”

“Nothing compares to spending time with my sister.”

Realizing she had gone too far, Chu Qiao added, “I’ve been a bit busy lately, what with the company going public. Just hang in there a few more days. Once this is all settled, I’ll take over your responsibilities, and you can take as much time off as you want.”

Chu Ji remained skeptical. After all, Chu Qiao had dangled similar promises before, only to renege.

“I’m not asking you to take over my work. I’m simply asking you to fulfill your basic responsibilities.”

The company’s going public, and the CEO hasn’t been in the office for ten days? Is that normal?

Chu Qiao considered this. But haven’t I already fulfilled my duties? She had devised strategies, made critical decisions, and shaped the company’s future.

Would this company even exist without me?

No.

As a young adult barely out of college, I’ve accomplished so much.

“I visit the office two or three times a week; isn’t that enough? Don’t be so demanding.”

“Two or three trips?” Chu Ji scoffed. “As the company’s absolute decision-maker, do you really think that’s appropriate?”

“Of course it’s appropriate! What’s wrong with it? You’re still here as Vice President, aren’t you? With you in charge, the company won’t fall into disarray.”

Chu Ji let out a bitter laugh, rubbing his temples in frustration.

“You lured me back from abroad just to use me as your workhorse?”

“That’s only part of it. Without you, we wouldn’t have even had the startup capital to begin with. How could we have grown the company to its current scale? Cousin, those who can, must work harder. Just endure a little longer. Once I secure Sister, I’ll definitely give you a long vacation.”

The exhaust fan stopped. Chu Qiao knew Le Yi had finished cooking lunch. Without waiting for Chu Ji’s response, she hung up the phone efficiently.

Chu Ji let out a long sigh, leaning back in his chair to steady his emotions.

How did I ever fall for that girl’s tricks? he thought. Wasn’t it better to stay abroad as a carefree rich second-gen? Why did I have to come back and suffer this?

The intercom rang. He pressed the answer button. The secretary’s voice came through: “CEO Chu, the shareholders’ meeting will begin in twenty minutes.”

Chu Ji composed himself. “Understood.”

Though he desperately wanted to quit, he had promised to help Chu Qiao manage the company until she graduated from university. He couldn’t go back on his word now.

Chu Ji was once again convinced that he must have been out of his mind to fall for Chu Qiao’s tricks back then. Moreover, the promises she had dangled before him no longer held any allure. Without the carrot of hope dangling in front of him, he felt like giving up entirely.

Chu Qiao went to the kitchen to fetch the dishes. Seeing the love bite on Le Yi’s neck, her heart fluttered slightly, and she couldn’t help but smile.

This was her mark on Le Yi, a clear sign to anyone with eyes that Le Yi already belonged to someone.

Though Le Yi remained oblivious to her thoughts, Chu Qiao stubbornly believed that Le Yi was hers.

Even if Le Yi’s current attachment to her was purely physical, Chu Qiao was certain that one day, Le Yi would fall for her.

Chu Qiao looked forward to that day with eager anticipation.

Noticing her silly grin, Le Yi asked, “What’s got you so happy? Did you remember something funny?”

Chu Qiao turned and playfully smacked a kiss on her cheek before carrying the dishes out. “It’s a secret. You can’t tell Sister.”

Watching her joyful retreating figure, Le Yi couldn’t help but smile herself.

What a child, she thought. Her moods swing from anger to joy in an instant, and she’s so easy to appease. Just give her a little sweetness, and she’ll sheath her claws and let you pet her.

After dinner, as Le Yi prepared to meet the director, Chu Qiao started clinging to her again, her usual clinginess resurfacing.

“Today is business,” Le Yi reminded her. “No acting spoiled.”

Chu Qiao, caught off guard, felt a little embarrassed.

“I just want to go out for a walk,” she said.

Le Yi looked at her with an all-seeing expression. “Really?”

“Really. Let’s go.” Chu Qiao linked arms with her and pulled her out of the room.

As the elevator doors were about to close, a small figure darted over.

“Wait!”

Le Yi pressed the “door open” button, waiting for Lu Ning to enter before pressing the button for the first floor.

Lu Ning, excited to see Le Yi, wanted to strike up a conversation but hesitated when she saw Chu Qiao beside her. The latter’s gaze was icy, like a wolf guarding its prey.

Unaware of this, Le Yi asked, “Why are you alone today?”

Lu Ning’s eyes lit up. “Du Yuan… umm, my roommate has something to take care of.”

Le Yi had long suspected their relationship went beyond mere roommates, but she didn’t press the matter.

Chu Qiao, unable to stand Le Yi smiling so brightly at someone else, subtly stepped forward, blocking half of Lu Ning’s view.

Lu Ning felt utterly bewildered. Didn’t I just exchange a few words with my idol? she wondered. Is this reaction really necessary?

Could she be Le Yi’s new manager, preventing her from getting too close to her fans? Lu Ning speculated inwardly.

Le Yi was just about to tell Chu Qiao to restrain herself when she felt arms wrap around her waist. The little brat was actually hugging her openly in the elevator.

Le Yi turned, shooting her a warning look. Chu Qiao pretended not to understand, diverting her gaze.

Le Yi tried to pry her hands away, but Chu Qiao tightened her grip. Afraid to make a scene, Le Yi could only shield herself.

Fortunately, Lu Ning was busy replying to a message and didn’t notice them.

When they reached the first floor, Lu Ning dashed out, saying she had an urgent matter to attend to. As the elevator continued down, Le Yi was about to scold Chu Qiao when the girl bit her lip.

The elevator stopped at the first basement level. Chu Qiao released Le Yi, resting her chin on her shoulder in a clingy manner.

“I just wanted to hug my sister. You won’t be mad, will you?”

Le Yi: …

You’ve already anticipated my every move. How can I be mad?

“I’m not mad. Let’s go. I’ll be late.”

Chu Qiao wrapped her arm around Le Yi’s waist, preventing her from moving, and leaned in close. “Sister, give me a kiss~”

Le Yi leaned in to kiss her cheek, but Chu Qiao turned her head, causing their lips to meet instead. This led to a passionate, lingering kiss.

Le Yi nearly arrived late, rushing to the destination like a storm. Chu Qiao stepped out of the passenger seat, a satisfied smile on her face.

“You find something to do. I’m heading out.”

Chu Qiao nodded, like a husband seeing his wife off to work.

Li Xianyun’s scandal had dragged a whole bunch of people into it, nearly ruining Director Xu Jianchuan’s film. Fortunately, after多方打点 (much behind-the-scenes maneuvering), the project was saved.

This time, Director Xu had called a meeting with the main cast to adjust their roles and introduce new actors.

With Li Xianyun in prison and Xin Qingci having quit, even though their characters’ screen time was limited, their roles were indispensable to the story.

After throwing a fit, Director Xu spent the night searching for replacements.

Le Yi barely made it to the restaurant on time, rushing in just as she was about to be late. As she entered, a finely dressed woman blocked her path.

Le Yi glanced at her, finding the woman vaguely familiar but unable to recall her name.

“You’re the one who sabotaged Director Xu’s decision to replace Xiao Qing, aren’t you?”

Le Yi looked utterly bewildered. Who are you? What are you talking about?

“You, a shopkeeper trying to act in a movie? It’s one thing to walk around with your tail held high, but to resort to these underhanded schemes?”

The woman sneered, leaning in close to Le Yi. “Don’t think I don’t know you were one of the ‘rape victims’ in Li Xianyun’s ‘Mistress Scandal’ too.”

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