Not a Scummy Alpha, But a Sweet Puppy (Transmigration Into A Novel) - Chapter 10

The golden eyes flickered like shooting stars as the ancient divine beast half-closed its lids, the light seeping through the narrow slits like the dawn sun breaking through a mountain crevice, casting only a sliver of brilliant radiance.

Layers of downy feathers, like a fiery marsh, spread out in gradients from pale to deep hues. Dark brown shadows crept downward from the chest, while golden streaks snaked along the feather edges, winding their way to the center of the fan-like tail feathers, leaving behind patterns resembling vertical eyes.

Manager Zhang gazed at the submitted artwork, her expression a mix of surprise and admiration. She had only requested a simple colored piece, but the artist had submitted what appeared to be a half-finished work.

It was considered half-finished because the background was clearly only sketched in outline, lacking any color.

Yet even in its incomplete state, the piece was more than satisfactory.

“This is excellent,” Manager Zhang said.

In her thirties, Manager Zhang wore her hair in a neat bun secured with a wooden hairpin. Dressed in a crisp blouse and tailored trousers, she exuded competence and confidence. Her entire demeanor radiated composure and self-assurance.

She smiled gently at the slightly green young woman before her. “Normally, someone without experience or qualifications wouldn’t be considered for a management position. It’s too easy for things to go wrong. But I like your spirit.”

“Su Qiwen has been giving you trouble, hasn’t he?”

Jiang Zhenmian smiled brightly. “It’s nothing, really.”

“For someone so young, you seem quite suited for the workplace,” Manager Zhang said, tapping the table. “Go get Xun Yu, the one in the yellow shirt. I need to speak with both of you.”

Yes! Jiang Zhenmian thought. My deputy team leader position is secure!

As she left the office, everyone watched her openly or covertly until she reached Xun Yu, called her back, and closed the door behind them. The glances they exchanged were so rapid, it was practically Morse code.

Immediately, the clatter of keyboards filled the air, and the WeChat icon in the lower right corner of computer screens began flashing like a strobe light.

Su Qiwen’s face darkened to the color of a scorched pot.

Xun Yu looked to be in her early twenties, her expression impassive, clearly a seasoned corporate slave.

“Xiao Jiang is new and doesn’t know much yet, so I need you to help her out and show her the ropes,” Manager Zhang said. “For your team, we’ll also be transferring Xiao Zhao and Xiao Lin over. This project needs to be done well. If it’s successful, there will be bonuses.”

“As for you, Xiao Jiang, I’m giving you the title of deputy team leader. There will undoubtedly be some who are unhappy and resentful. If that happens, the title will be revoked, but your compensation will remain the same. Just observe and learn from the team, ask questions when you’re unsure, and I have high hopes for you.”

“Thank you so much for your guidance, Manager!” Jiang Zhenmian beamed, her eyes crinkling with delight. As for the title, she would have politely declined it anyway. If she actually became the deputy team leader, she wouldn’t have to interact with her colleagues anymore.

Compared to a title, wasn’t a real raise in salary far more appealing?

As soon as lunch break arrived, a group of girls surrounded her, eagerly pressing her for details about what Manager Zhang had said in the office.

Jiang Zhenmian didn’t hold back, recounting the conversation. She emphasized that the new Classic of Mountains and Seas team wouldn’t have a deputy leader and that Manager Zhang had instructed Sister Xun to mentor her further.

The group’s faces lit up with excitement. They immediately suggested celebrating with a dinner party that evening.

Sister Lin patted her shoulder, smiling. “I can see you have a bright future ahead of you. Keep up the good work, and don’t forget to help me out when you can.”
Their laughter and chatter filled the air, infuriating Su Qiwen, who was sitting nearby. The office wasn’t large, and every word carried clearly. Hearing their pointed laughter, Su Qiwen slammed the door and stormed out.

A round-faced girl rolled her eyes. “Look at him.”

“He’s always throwing his weight around just because he’s older and came earlier. If he loves acting like an old man so much, why doesn’t he go live in a retirement home?”

Jiang Zhenmian chuckled. “Wow, that’s some serious aggression.”

The group erupted into a cacophony of voices, frantically roasting Su Qiwen’s various misdeeds. They recounted how he’d been repeatedly rejected for team leader positions, how he’d deliberately bullied newcomers by stealing their takeout and eating it himself, and how he’d slipped on a puddle outside the restroom and fallen flat on his face.

Jiang Zhenmian doubled over with laughter, her precise and witty retorts instantly winning over the crowd.

It seemed Su Qiwen’s popularity was truly abysmal. Letting him stew in his own frustration was clearly what everyone wanted.

After chatting for a while, the group invited her to join them, promising to introduce her to the best restaurants around the office.

Jiang Zhenmian harbored no resentment toward these colleagues for not helping her evade Su Qiwen’s harassment. The first rule of workplace survival was never to offer your kindness indiscriminately.

Besides, she was just a new intern, with no guarantee of being hired full-time. Offending senior employees for her sake would be sheer folly. Helping others required careful consideration of the circumstances. Only if Jiang Zhenmian could prove her worth through her own efforts would they reveal their goodwill.

If Jiang Zhenmian were a weak, hopeless case, helping her would only bring trouble.

While Jiang Zhenmian chatted and laughed, Gu Zhibai’s mood soured.
Initially, Gu Zhibai had been monitoring Jiang Zhenmian through the security cameras simply to observe her for any anomalies. But as she watched Jiang Zhenmian day after day, curiosity grew, and she found herself habitually paying attention to her.

The desire to understand is the seed of every story, a truth Gu Zhibai clearly hadn’t grasped.

She watched Jiang Zhenmian paint. When faced with a difficult choice, Jiang Zhenmian would press her index finger to her lips, her brow furrowing in concentration. When she finally figured it out, joy lit up her eyes and the corners of her mouth curved upward, revealing how much she enjoyed the process.

Her mannerisms, habits, and personality were so different from that other person.

Jiang Zhenmian made no special effort to ingratiate herself with her colleagues. Gu Zhibai observed that Jiang Zhenmian spent most of her days working alone, only occasionally exchanging a few words with others before returning to her painting. She never seemed to slack off or take breaks.

The man who had been harassing her was back. Gu Zhibai summoned her assistant, pointed at the screen, and said, “What’s his name? Find out.”

It turned out to be Su Qiwen, a well-connected hire.

In a company this size, nepotism was unavoidable. It was even worse among the senior management. Gu Zhibai had tried various methods to remove those deadweight veterans clinging to their positions, but the revolution was far from complete. She still had a long way to go.

What are they talking about…? Gu Zhibai pursed her lips, suddenly wishing she had a camera with audio recording capabilities.

This feeling intensified when Jiang Zhenmian was surrounded by a group of women.

Jiang Zhenmian would say something, and they would burst into laughter. What’s so funny?

And aren’t you supposed to be seducing me? Why are you flirting with other women instead? Honestly, this is such a waste of time…

When you talk to me, it’s so dry and awkward. You can’t even say anything remotely suggestive. You’re so clueless! What’s with that sesame paste nonsense? It’s ridiculous.

Gu Zhiyao sent such a fool? How long will it take him to achieve his goal?

Gu Zhibai grew increasingly irritated as she read. She stood up abruptly, pushed open the office door, and found her assistant holding a lunchbox. “Boss, your lunch is here,” the assistant said, surprised.

“Just put it on the desk. I’m going out for some fresh air. Oh, and,” Gu Zhibai pursed her lips and said softly, “replace the surveillance camera in the Art Department with one that records audio.”

“Right away,” the assistant replied, her expression blank.

She watched her boss’s figure disappear like the wind, utterly confused.

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