The Chronicle Of Seducing A Mature Woman (GL) - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Do you know that feeling? It’s like being back in school, secretly eating snacks under your desk, when you suddenly hear the teacher call your name.

That was exactly how Zhong Xiao-ou felt. The moment she realized Gu Ming was sitting right behind her, she froze. she didn’t dare move an inch, let alone look back.

Wang Ling noticed her strange behavior. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Xiao-ou whispered, her voice low. “Let’s get ready to leave.”

“We’ve been sitting here for less than ten minutes. What happened? Was it wrong of me to add you on WeChat?” Wang Ling wondered if she had said something to offend her.

“No, it’s not that.” Xiao-ou hesitated. She knew she was overreacting, but the idea of her company’s top executive catching her on a date with another woman was terrifying.

Fortunately, Wang Ling was considerate. She didn’t push for answers and simply followed Xiao-ou’s lead. “Alright, I’ll drive you home then.”

As luck—or lack thereof—would have it, just as Xiao-ou stood up from the sofa and turned around, she bumped straight into Gu Ming, who was also standing up. Their shoulders brushed. Xiao-ou’s heart skipped a beat; there was no avoiding it now.

“Hello, President Gu,” she stammered.

Gu Ming blinked, recognizing the girl as the new hire from the Planning Department. She offered a polite, professional smile. “Hello.”

Xiao-ou didn’t linger. She grabbed Wang Ling’s arm and hurried out of the water bar.

…

The Aftermath

“A colleague from your company?” Wang Ling asked once they were outside. “Yeah, our Vice President.” “Ah, no wonder we had to leave early.” “I’m really sorry about that.”

Wang Ling opened the car door for her and drove her home. What had started as a perfectly good date had turned into a rollercoaster thanks to that encounter.

When they reached her place, Wang Ling seemed reluctant to say goodbye. “Do you have time this weekend?” she asked sincerely. “Huh?” Xiao-ou was still a bit dazed. “Never mind, we’ll talk on WeChat. If you’re free this weekend, I’ll ask you out again.”

Back in her apartment, Xiao-ou still hadn’t processed everything. She replayed the moment she bumped into Gu Ming and shook her head. She should have stayed longer—why had she run away like a fugitive? She flopped onto her sofa, one hand dangling off the side. She hadn’t even had time to see what the VP was wearing. Chengdu was a massive city; what were the odds of running into her there? Was it a sign of fate?

Her phone rang. It was Chi Wei, checking in on the date. “How was it? I didn’t let you down this time, did I? Did you like her?”

“She’s actually great. She’s a nice person,” Xiao-ou said, sitting up and crossing her legs. “But guess who I ran into today?” “Who?” “The VP! We were sitting back-to-back. I only realized it when I heard her voice. It’s so weird to run into her at Jinli of all places.” “Eh, Chengdu isn’t that big. It happens. Anyway, Wang Ling just messaged me saying she likes you and wants to see you this weekend. You have to go.” “Do you think the VP and I have a special connection?” “ZHONG XIAO-OU!” “What?” “Did you hear a word I said? All you talk about is ‘VP, VP.’ If you’re that obsessed, go chase her and stop asking me for intros!” “No, no! Come back! I was just saying… I know what you said, she’s ‘to be admired from afar, not to be touched.’ I wouldn’t dare. I was just sharing the gossip. What were you saying?” “Honestly, it’s a miracle I’ve survived twenty-odd years with you. You’re going to be the death of me. I said Wang Ling likes you. She wants to take you to Mount Qingcheng this weekend to escape the heat. Are you going or not? If you keep stalling, I’m done helping you.”

Xiao-ou hung up. The air conditioner hummed a monotonous, heavy drone—it was clearly an old unit left by the landlord. Xiao-ou imagined how wonderful it would be to spend a sweltering summer like this with a woman she loved, hiding indoors with the AC on, sharing a watermelon and watching dramas. Instead, she felt like she was wasting her youth.

…

The Midnight Call

Friday night arrived. Wang Ling messaged her about the Mount Qingcheng trip. Xiao-ou was definitely free, and they chatted for a while. WeChat was great for that; without the pressure of face-to-face contact, there was no awkwardness in searching for topics. But just as she was enjoying the conversation, she was abruptly added to a group chat.

Capricious Fatty: “Everyone. Everyone in the department back to the office immediately for overtime.”

Xiao-ou stared at the screen. Who was “Capricious Fatty”?

Capricious Fatty: “Reply immediately if you see this.” Member A: “Seen.” Member B: “Received, on my way.”

Xiao-ou checked the group name: “The Badass Planning Team.” It finally clicked. She had added Manager Wen on WeChat when she started, but they had never spoken. These ridiculous IDs must be her colleagues.

Capricious Fatty: “Zhong Xiao-ou, you there?” “Seen. On my way,” she replied quickly.

It was 9:00 PM on a Friday. She had already showered and was ready to rot on her sofa for a glorious weekend. Now, she was in a taxi that felt like it was driving over a frozen lake—a lake made of the shattered remains of her heart. This must be a real emergency, she tried to tell herself.

…

Office Warfare

When she arrived, the office was already buzzing. And in Manager Wen’s office, sitting right there, was none other than the Vice President!

Her colleagues were fuming. One had been pulled out of a movie, another from a restaurant, and another from a KTV lounge. Qian Lili looked like she had been snatched straight from a nightclub; her heavy makeup and tight, revealing outfit seemed ready to burst with resentment.

“This job is f***ing impossible. Is this even a life?” Qian Lili, a blunt “iron lady” from Northeast China, grumbled to Wei Hang. As a newcomer on probation, Xiao-ou didn’t dare complain. It’s for the money, for the money, she chanted internally. I need to save for an apartment!

She watched Gu Ming through the glass. Is the VP staying late too? That would be a small comfort.

Inside, the meeting ended. Gu Ming stood up and walked into the main office area. “Everyone in Planning, thank you for your hard work. Once this is over, I’ll treat you all to a big dinner.” Then, she drifted away. She left.

Xiao-ou’s heart shattered again. So much for working together.

Manager Wen stepped out to explain. “A project that wasn’t due for two weeks has been moved up. Xiao-ou might not know, but the rest of you do—we’re developing a new project in Chongqing. The Development Department has been talking to the government there. Their city leaders are meeting our boss tomorrow, so we need a new brand video. Get your heads in the game. It has to be done tonight.”

“Can’t Xiao-ou, Wei Hang, and Tang Tang handle this? Why call everyone back?” Qian Lili muttered defiantly.

“I know this is sudden and it sucks,” Wen said, “but finish your complaining and get to work. Everyone else, assist them with research and assets.”

Xiao-ou felt like she might faint. A corporate promo video in one night? Without a shoot? They could use old footage, but the resolution was terrible. Usually, an outside agency would take a month for this. What a load of… she cursed silently.

…

Coffee and Consequences

By 10:00 PM, the office was a sea of glowing monitors. Xiao-ou’s neck was stiff from writing scripts. Suddenly, the aroma of coffee filled the air.

“Oh? Secretary Su? Not going home? Coming to visit the migrant workers?” Qian Lili joked.

“I could hear your voice from the elevator, Lili. It’s spooky late at night,” Secretary Su laughed. “Take a break, everyone. President Gu bought coffee for the whole team.”

“Yes! President Gu has a conscience after all,” Qian Lili said, her anger partially bought off by caffeine.

“Keep it up, guys. I’m taking President Gu’s coffee up to her, then I’m heading home,” Su added.

“President Gu hasn’t left yet?” Xiao-ou blurted out.

“Left? Who knows how late she’ll be here tonight. Back to work, everyone!” Su left with a cup in hand.

With the coffee, the office atmosphere lightened a bit. “That Fatty Wen falls into a pit every time we have to work late,” someone whispered. “I’m drinking here, don’t say anything disgusting,” Wei Hang replied. “I’ve been here two years,” Qian Lili said, her legs crossed. “And I’ve never seen him treat us to a single meal. We only get perks when President Gu is around.” “Usually the department head pays, right?” Xiao-ou joined in. “You said it—’usually.’ Fatty Wen is an anomaly. A world-class cheapskate.”

Xiao-ou went silent. She had just spotted Manager Wen standing right behind them.