Reborn as an Aloof Boss, Flirting Everywhere - Chapter 6

“But… but…” Lin Qian squatted on the ground clutching the cat, stammering for a long while without finishing her sentence.

Just as Su Qingmo thought she wouldn’t hear the rest, Lin Qian finally managed to complete her thought: “But, she is very mean.”

Su Qingmo: “…”

What kind of nonsense logic is this?

“However,” Lin Qian’s voice rang out again, “She is still very mean.”

Su Qingmo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She tilted her head and glanced at her own reflection in the car window. Mean? Am I? Not really.

Su Qingmo walked closer to her, squatted down in front of her, and asked softly, “She’s so mean that she scared you?”

Lin Qian looked up at her blankly. “Who are you?”

Su Qingmo: “So, did she scare you?”

Lin Qian thought for a moment and shook her head. “No.”

The tension in Su Qingmo’s brow relaxed. “That’s good then.”

Lin Qian stopped paying attention to Su Qingmo. She lowered her head and continued muttering to the kitten in her arms. Most of it was drunken babble, incoherent and disjointed. It was unclear if the kitten understood, but Su Qingmo certainly couldn’t.

A drop of rain fell on the back of Su Qingmo’s hand. She looked up; it seemed like it was about to rain.

“It’s time to go home,” Su Qingmo said to her.

Lin Qian looked at the cat, then at Su Qingmo, and asked, “Who are you?”

Su Qingmo: “The person taking you home.”

“The person taking me home?” Lin Qian repeated the words thoughtfully.

“Do you want to come home with me?” Su Qingmo asked.

“I don’t have a home,” Lin Qian’s voice dropped. “No one likes me. No one wants me.”

Su Qingmo gazed at her, a flash of heartache in her eyes. “How could that be? You’re so wonderful; someone will always love you. For instance, I like you—very, very much.”

Lin Qian’s eyes lit up. “You like me? Well, if you like me, then I should like you, too.”

Hearing this didn’t make Su Qingmo happy; it only made her heart ache more. “You should like who you like, not just immediately like someone back because they said they like you.”

Lin Qian didn’t quite understand, but she gave a compliant “Oh.”

Su Qingmo reached out her hand. “Let’s go home.”

Lin Qian beamed and took her hand. “Can Big Fatty come home too?”

Su Qingmo: “As long as you like, of course he can.”

Lin Qian shook her head. “No, he can’t. The landlord doesn’t allow pets.”

Su Qingmo stroked her head. “We’ll stay in our own place. No landlord.”

Lin Qian let out a drunken hiccup. “Houses are so expensive. Can’t afford one.”

Su Qingmo: “I’ll buy it and give it to you.”

Lin Qian laughed. “You really love to brag.”

Su Qingmo: “…”

Lin Qian swayed unsteadily and suddenly tumbled backward.

“Careful.” Su Qingmo was quick to catch and support her.

The kitten leaped from Lin Qian’s arms to the ground but didn’t leave. It rubbed against their legs, leaving their trousers covered in fur.

“In a while, I’ll take you home too,” Su Qingmo said to the kitten.

The rain gradually picked up. Su Qingmo supported Lin Qian as they walked into the building. After a fair bit of effort, she finally got her back home.

Su Qingmo brought some fresh water to wash Lin Qian’s face, helped her with a quick cleanup, and finally carried her to bed.

By the time she finished, a layer of sweat had formed on Su Qingmo’s forehead. There was no air conditioning in the room. Outside, the rain was pouring, but inside, the heat felt even more oppressive. There was a fan, but only one.

Fearing that Lin Qian might get too hot, Su Qingmo pointed the fan mostly toward her.

She sat by the bed, watching the person lying there, her eyes as soft as water. She reached out to gently caress Lin Qian’s cheek, a faint smile on her lips.

Unable to help herself, she leaned down and kissed her forehead.

Lin Qian opened her eyes.

Su Qingmo froze. After a long, stiff moment, she pulled away and coughed awkwardly.

“Are you sober?” Su Qingmo asked uncertainly.

Lin Qian just stared at her without saying a word.

Su Qingmo coughed again. “It’s late. Go to sleep.”

Lin Qian asked, “Who are you?”

This was the fourth time Lin Qian had asked who she was today. This alone made it clear that Lin Qian was nowhere near sober; she was still completely dazed.

Su Qingmo looked into her eyes and said, one word at a time, “Your wife.”

Lin Qian’s eyes widened as she sat up in bed. “My wife?”

Su Qingmo’s expression was slightly uneasy, but she nodded firmly. “Yes, your wife.”

Lin Qian was incredulous. “Since when do I have a wife?”

Su Qingmo replied solemnly, “You have one now.”

Lin Qian looked thoughtful, then rolled out of bed and began rummaging around underneath it.

“What are you looking for?” Su Qingmo asked.

“Wait a second,” Lin Qian’s voice suddenly rose. “Found it!”

She pulled a grey box from under the bed, which was clearly covered in a thick layer of dust.

Su Qingmo: “What is this?”

Lin Qian made a shushing gesture and looked around like a thief. She whispered, “This is all the money I’ve saved since I graduated and started working.”

Lin Qian took out all the bankbooks and cards from the box and stuffed them into Su Qingmo’s hands.

Su Qingmo raised an eyebrow. “For me?”

Lin Qian nodded. “You’re my wife. My money is for my wife to spend.”

Su Qingmo couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.

Lin Qian tilted her head in confusion. “Is it too little? Do you look down on it?”

Su Qingmo quickly checked her laughter. “How could I? I love any allowance my wife gives me, no matter the amount.”

Hearing this, Lin Qian grinned and gave a grand, heroic wave of her hand. “As long as you like it! If you like it, spend it. It’s all for you. If it runs out, I’ll just earn more!”

Su Qingmo pinched her cheek. “You’re quite the generous little rabbit.”

Buzz buzz.

The phone on the table suddenly vibrated. Su Qingmo glanced at it and saw a voice message from someone labeled “Sister Xiaoyu.”

The smile on Su Qingmo’s lips froze.

After a long pause, she said in a low voice, “You are not allowed to get too close to Chu Xiaoyu from now on.”

Upon hearing the name “Chu Xiaoyu,” Lin Qian’s eyes lit up.

Seeing this reaction, Su Qingmo grew even more annoyed and glared at her.

Lin Qian pouted. “So mean.”

Su Qingmo took a deep breath, trying to keep her tone as gentle as possible. “Don’t talk to her. She isn’t a good person; she’s very bad. Do you understand?”

Lin Qian gave an “Oh,” then muttered under her breath, “That’s not true. Sister Xiaoyu is very nice. You’re the one talking behind people’s backs; you’re the bad one.”

Though she was muttering, Su Qingmo heard every word clearly.

Her face turned pale, then flushed with anger.

Even though Lin Qian was drunk, she seemed quite adept at reading the room. She immediately scrambled back to bed and covered her head with a pillow, as if hiding like an ostrich would save her from being scolded.

Watching this, Su Qingmo’s anger eventually turned back into a smile. She walked over and tugged at the pillow.

Lin Qian held on tighter.

Su Qingmo had no choice but to give in. “Aren’t you hot?”

Lin Qian poked her head out from behind the pillow, her eyes blinking at her.

Su Qingmo’s heart softened inexplicably.

“Go to sleep.”

“You won’t remember any of this when you wake up tomorrow anyway.”

In the early morning, a ray of sunlight filtered into the room.

Lin Qian covered her head with a pillow; the summer cicadas were making a noisy, irritating racket. She picked up her phone and looked at the time through bleary eyes.

8:50 AM.

She put the phone back.

Three seconds later.

Lin Qian bolted upright. I’m doomed! It’s almost nine o’clock! I’m going to be late!

She scrambled out of bed, not even stopping to put on shoes. She was in a total panic. Why didn’t the alarm go off? This is a disaster!

As she reached the door, she froze. It hit her—it was the weekend. No work today.

Feeling both foolish and relieved, she lazily slumped back onto the bed. Her eyes happened to land on a glass of water on the nightstand.

Lin Qian sat up and picked up the glass, discovering a note pressed underneath it.

The handwriting was bold and fluid—very beautiful. It read: Honey water. Remember to drink it when you wake up.

Lin Qian frowned, frantically searching her memory for any relevant information, but her mind was a total blank. She remembered nothing.

All she recalled was the company dinner where she had been seated at the leaders’ table. She had felt extremely out of place. Then, intending to drink water, she had accidentally reached for alcohol…

She had no memory of anything after that.

Oh no. Did I,  act like a crazy drunk?

Lin Qian looked at the honey water and the note, lost in thought. Who brought me back? Did I do something stupid? Can I even show my face at work tomorrow?

Unable to remember, Lin Qian collapsed back onto the bed in frustration and let out a desperate “Argh!”

As she rolled over, something hard poked her. She reached under the covers.

It was a small, square box a tube of ointment for mosquito bites.

She reached further under the covers and found an earring. It was light blue, sparkling brilliantly in the sunlight.

This earring is beautiful.

Where did this stuff come from? Did I steal from someone while I was drunk??

No, no… these must be things left behind by the person who brought me home.

So, who was it?

Lin Qian tried hard to think. She had a rough guess. Someone who wore earrings was most likely a woman. There were only four women at that table: Su Qingmo, Li Linlin, herself, and the Director of the Design Department.

Su Qingmo was the first one Lin Qian ruled out. As a big-shot CEO, there was no way she would take her home. She didn’t know the Design Director at all, so that was unlikely too. That only left Secretary Li.

It must be her. She was the one who took me to the private room; it makes sense that she’d be the one to bring me back.

Lin Qian looked at the earring in her hand, thinking she should find her on Monday to thank her in person and return the earring.

Then another problem arose. How should I say thank you? Would it sound weird? Maybe I should just text her on WeChat… but I don’t think I have her WeChat, and the earring needs to be returned in person anyway…

A very simple matter became incredibly complicated in her head.

She picked up the honey water, hesitated for a second, and took a sip.

Lin Qian nodded. The sweetness was just right; it was delicious. How did they make this? How much honey was used? Is there some special technique? Why isn’t it this good when I make it?

While her mind wandered, she finished the entire glass. She licked her lips, wanting more.

When she was home on a break, Lin Qian rarely went out. She usually spent her time playing games or binge-watching shows.

But gaming wasn’t always a happy experience. Sometimes it was infuriating, like right now.

A couple on her team had been chatting in the team channel the whole time—all lovey-dovey and mushy. They weren’t attacking or grouping up. Half an hour later, the team was wiped out.

The grey-and-white word “DEFEAT” jumped onto the screen.

Yet the team channel was still full of flirting.

StarryInsomnia: We lost, boohoo.

MoonWontSleep: Don’t cry, baby. We’ll just play again. The game isn’t important; you are!

StarryInsomnia: Hubby, you’re so good at sweet-talking me.

MoonWontSleep: I’m not sweet-talking you. I truly feel that you are the most important.

Lin Qian was fuming. Finally, suppressing her rage, she left a comment: I wish you two a first birth of 108 babies!

With that, she exited the team at lightning speed.

Ding-dong. She received a private message.

Lin Qian felt a bit guilty. Surely they didn’t? I was quite subtle with my insult; they wouldn’t message me just to curse me out, would they?

After some hesitation, she opened the message box. Fortunately, it wasn’t the couple from before.

Qing: Good morning.

It was the “big boss” player who had brought her good luck last time. Because of a two-player quest this person sent, she had won a set of premium skins.

Hidden: Good morning.

Qing: Have you done the weekly dungeon yet?

Hidden: No…

Not only had she not done it, she had just been enraged by that couple.

[Qing has sent a team invitation]

Lin Qian clicked to join.

Qing didn’t recruit any other teammates and entered the dungeon directly. Lin Qian was secretly stunned. Two people for a five-person dungeon?

Hidden: Aren’t we inviting other teammates? This one is pretty hard. We won’t make it, will we?

Qing: Just follow me.

Lin Qian followed obediently. She watched as Qing charged ahead, taking down enemies with a single strike. Even the big bosses were like cabbage before her—one hit, then another.

Lin Qian’s eyes went wide.

The big boss truly is a big boss. My experience was too shallow.

A dungeon that usually took five people forty minutes to complete was solo-cleared by Qing in just twenty.

Lin Qian typed quickly, wanting to shower the other person with compliments.

Just then, Qing suddenly dashed out. An attack icon appeared over her head, and she KO’d two players in front of her with a single strike.

Soon, two notifications appeared in the public channel.

[Qing has killed StarryInsomnia] [Qing has killed MoonWontSleep]

Abuse immediately flooded the public channel.

MoonWontSleep: ?

MoonWontSleep: Are you f-ing crazy? My wife and I were just hugging here. Why the hell did you kill us!

StarryInsomnia: I’m so mad! Hubby, kill them back!

The next second, the system sent another notification.

[Qing has killed MoonWontSleep] [Qing has killed StarryInsomnia]

The disparity in strength was too great; even together, they were no match for Qing.

What followed was a scene where Moon and Starry tried to retaliate again and again, but their combat power wasn’t even in the same league. It took only two hits for Qing to easily knock them down.

The system kept broadcasting the kill information.

StarryInsomnia and MoonWontSleep cursed and swore until finally, their icons went dark—they had logged off.

Lin Qian, who had been watching from the sidelines the whole time, finally sent a weak message once it was all over.

Hidden: Do you have a grudge against them?

Qing: I watched your dungeon run earlier. Those two were very annoying.

Lin Qian’s mouth hung open slightly. Looking at the person standing in front of her, wearing the same “Ink Rain Returning Raiment” outfit as herself, she felt for a moment that this person was so grand! So reliable!

Qing: Call me for the next dungeon. Don’t join random teams like that again.

Hidden: Would that be too much trouble for you?

On the other side of the computer, Su Qingmo typed away. The phrase “I like being troubled by you” was already written, but after hesitating, she deleted it and changed it to a safer reply.

Qing: No trouble.

Hidden: Then when do you usually go online?

Su Qingmo typed, “Let’s add each other’s contact info,” but wavered over the send button before finally shaking her head and deleting it.

Lin Qian tapped her fingers unconsciously on the desk. Why is the reply so slow? Are they busy?

Qing: I usually have time in the evenings.

Hidden: Me too. I only play during the day because it’s the weekend. Usually, it’s at night.

After another long pause, Qing replied: Shall we make it 10:00 PM then?

Hidden: Okay!

No more messages came from the other side. Lin Qian got up to go to the kitchen for a drink of water.

Just then, the private chat box flashed again.

Qing: If we’re going to schedule dungeons together, maybe we should add each other’s contact info privately? It might make communicating easier.

After sending the message, Su Qingmo stared intently at the screen.

When no reply came for a long while, Su Qingmo stood up and began pacing back and forth.

Li Linlin frowned. What’s wrong with President Su? Did something go wrong with the latest project?

But that didn’t seem right. This project wasn’t that big. Even when major blunders occurred in past massive projects, she would always handle them with calm and composure, never showing a hint of anxiety on her face.

Why is she so restless now? Has something huge happened? Is the Su Group in trouble? Are we going bankrupt?!

Hidden: I stepped away for a moment just now.

Hidden: You can add me. My number is 123***.*

Su Qingmo’s eyes lit up. She quickly grabbed her phone. She didn’t even need to look at the number sent; she entered the number she already knew by heart and clicked “Add.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t know the contact information; she just lacked a legitimate reason to add her as a friend.

But the other side didn’t accept for a long time. Su Qingmo gripped her phone and started pacing again.

Only when the notification of acceptance finally arrived did Su Qingmo stop pacing, a smile spreading across her face.

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