The Lady I Flirted With Is Here - Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Business Trip

When Fang Daiyu arrived in Shanghai, it was already 11:30 AM. The person sent by the branch office to pick her up was actually holding a giant sign at the arrivals gate: A Warm Welcome to Director Fang to Shanghai!

Seeing this, Fang Daiyu felt a headache coming on and rubbed her temples for a moment before walking toward the man. “Let’s go.”

The man didn’t react. Instead, he stared at her blankly for a while before finally asking, “Little girl, do you need something?”

Little girl? The man picking her up looked like a middle-aged man in his forties. Fang Daiyu pulled out her ID and held it directly in front of his eyes.

“Di… Director Fang?” The middle-aged man immediately bowed and scraped. “I am so incredibly sorry! You look so young, I thought you were just a student running out from campus!” He extended his hand. “Hello, Director. I am Li, the person in charge here. Please add me on WeChat; you can find me for anything while you’re here.”

Fang Daiyu shook his hand briefly and let go. He had a car waiting, and the moment she sat in the back seat, she fell asleep again.

Xiao Li sighed to himself as he watched her sleeping in the rearview mirror: The younger generation is truly formidable. To have such achievements at such a young age—no wonder she’s so impressive. Just look at that relaxed, generous aura and the way she carries herself. He wouldn’t catch up to her even if he worked another ten years.

…

Upon arriving at the branch office, Fang Daiyu and a group of technicians immediately began system maintenance and testing. She became so busy that she didn’t eat lunch or dinner properly. Xiao Li, who was responsible for ordering takeout, watched her from the side with utter admiration. If it were him, he would have been throwing a tantrum by now, yet Fang Daiyu maintained a calm expression and continued to fight.

It was nearly 11:00 PM when all test data finally returned to normal. The day’s workload had been massive. Rather than simple maintenance, Fang Daiyu had essentially replaced the system’s “core” to ensure this burden wouldn’t fall on her again next time. There were very few women in the IT department at the branch, and even fewer who specialized in technical engineering. After a day of collaboration, Fang Daiyu didn’t realize she had gained a small army of IT “fanboys.” They surrounded her like stars around the moon—some showering her with praise, others begging for her WeChat.

She rubbed her brow. Dou Ke, the only female technician at the branch, stepped forward to pour her a cup of tea. “Director, take a rest.” As she spoke, she chased away the crowd of men behind her, leaving just the two of them.

Fang Daiyu whispered a “thank you,” took a sip of tea, and closed her eyes in her chair to recover her strength.

About ten minutes later, Fang Daiyu opened her eyes. Just as she was about to find Xiao Li to get her hotel key card, she realized Dou Ke hadn’t left. Dou Ke was sitting directly across from her, her eyes overflowing with desire, staring at Fang Daiyu like a predator watching its prey. Fang Daiyu’s sudden awakening startled her before she could hide her gaze.

Dou Ke was momentarily embarrassed, and looking at her expression, Fang Daiyu suddenly understood something.

“Director, you must be tired after working all day,” Dou Ke stood up and smiled. “I know a restaurant near the company that’s pretty good. Want to go grab a bite together?”

Fang Daiyu stood up, slung her backpack over her right shoulder, and gave a faint smile. “It’s late. No need.” She didn’t say anything about “next time” either.

“Alright.” Dou Ke’s expression turned playful. She suddenly leaned closer to Fang Daiyu and asked, “Do you believe in love at first sight?”

Fang Daiyu politely leaned away and smiled. “I’m straight.”

Dou Ke’s eyes dimmed as if she couldn’t believe it. “You aren’t lying to me?”

Fang Daiyu returned a meaningful smile. “What do you think?” Then, she walked away gracefully and called Xiao Li to leave.

Ignored by Fang Daiyu, Dou Ke stood frozen. She was tall, about 1.75 meters, dressed in a masculine style, and considered herself more handsome than most men. She had fallen for Fang Daiyu at first sight—not just because of her beauty, but because of her personality and charm.

What a pity. What a pity her “gaydar” had malfunctioned. Looking at Fang Daiyu, she assumed she must get hit on by lesbians constantly. How could such a wonderful woman be straight?

What a total waste!

…

“What a total waste!” Yin Tao (Little Cherry) had rushed to the hotel after getting the call. She was currently standing in the living room, staring at Fang Daiyu—who had just come out of the shower—with a face full of disbelief. “Lin Xian is a lesbian? You’re dreaming! She’s so cute, she must be protected by a prince. Anyone but you.”

Fang Daiyu ignored the nether-friend who was judging her and sat on the sofa drying her hair. “I asked you here to give me advice, not to look down on me.”

Yin Tao huffed and plopped herself into the soft sofa. “I’ll give you advice, but I’m sleeping in the master bedroom tonight!”

Thinking of the massage tub and the floor-to-ceiling night view in the master bedroom, Fang Daiyu grit her teeth. “Fine!” She wasn’t particularly materialistic, but it was mildly annoying to have a room-leech during a business trip.

Seeing her nod, Yin Tao couldn’t help but jump up. “My first time in a six-star presidential suite! I’m going to cry.”

Fang Daiyu rolled her eyes. “Doesn’t your mother have money?” Yin Tao’s mother owned a restaurant chain that was quite famous in the Jiang-Zhe-Hu region.

Yin Tao pouted. “Small change, just small change! Besides, so what if she has money? I still have to spend carefully. Not like you, staying in a luxury hotel with a company expense account.”

“Heh, I’d rather not have the allowance.” Thinking about becoming free labor again, Fang Daiyu sighed. “Evil… exploited workers are so pitiful.”

Yin Tao didn’t want to hear that. She swayed her hips as she moved closer to Fang Daiyu to gossip. “Tell me something else. Since I’m taking advantage of your room, I should help solve your emotional problems.”

Fang Daiyu explained the whole story. She emphasized that she was only “interested” in Lin Xian, stressed that she was one of the few lesbians she found pleasant to look at, and finally insisted that things like “jealousy” or “anxiety” were impossible for her.

While Fang Daiyu talked, Yin Tao hugged a pillow and started snacking on drinks and food from the minibar. By the time Fang Daiyu finished, the coffee table was covered in nutshells and snack bags. Fang Daiyu tidied up the trash with a look of disgust. “If you keep being this messy, will you ever find a husband?”

“Don’t worry about my business!” Yin Tao snapped back. “Hmph, what if Lin Xian is just like me? Every young girl likes to snack!”

“At least she would clean up after herself!”

“Oho, have you seen her do it? You haven’t even caught her yet, and you’re already protecting her,” Yin Tao teased. “You don’t need to ask for my advice. From what I see, you can’t go three sentences without mentioning her, and you’re even imagining what she does at home. You definitely like her.”

Fang Daiyu’s hand, reaching for a paper cup of water, froze. Definitely like her?

“Don’t just stand there!” Yin Tao advised. “If you like her, pursue her! But to be honest, whether you like her or not is secondary. How are you so sure after all these days of chatting that she isn’t straight? Did you ask? Or did she say? If you really like her, confirm her orientation first so you don’t end up in an awkward mess.”

Yin Tao’s repeated warnings finally made Fang Daiyu take note. She thought of the boy’s voice from the other day, and her own excuse to Dou Ke today. She really needed to ask indirectly. However, Fang Daiyu still had a lingering thought: “Little Cherry, I mean if… just if… what if I’m with her and find out I don’t like her that much?”

“Then you break up,” Yin Tao added. “If you stay this hesitant, you’ll stay single. If you don’t date, you’ll only ever be imagining things. How can you be sure of your feelings otherwise?”

“Does that make me a ‘scumbag’?” Fang Daiyu, a novice in love despite countless confessions, was nervous.

“A scumbag? Not really. You have feelings for her. If she feels the same, as long as you don’t cheat, what’s scummy about that?”

…

The night was deep. Still no WeChat message. Lin Xian felt a bit dejected. Coincidentally, her family called. Her mother said, “Xiao Xian, Mid-Autumn is coming up. What do you want for your birthday gift this year?”

Lin Xian’s voice was weak, fearing her mother might come to Beijing on a whim. “I’m having hotpot at home with friends for Mid-Autumn, Mom! Don’t worry, I have plenty of friends here. I don’t need a gift.”

Mother Lin was relieved but still worried. “There are no… homosexuals among your friends, right?”

“Mom, what are you thinking? They’re all normal friends.”

“Sigh! Lin Xian, you’re almost a senior. I’ve been thinking lately… if you really like a girl, go ahead and try dating. You shouldn’t ruin your own happiness just because we argued before. I was just scared back then and said those foolish things.” Mother Lin’s voice choked up. Lin Xian knew her mother was likely thinking of the incident three years ago.

After comforting her, Lin Xian hung up. Birthday and Mid-Autumn were coming soon. Could she successfully escape being single this year?

…

Fang Daiyu spent three days on her business trip. This was the time the company had allotted, though she finished the work in one day. She spent the remaining two days shopping with Yin Tao.

On the last day, while Yin Tao was buying loose powder and lipstick, Fang Daiyu suddenly asked, “What color was that one you just picked up?”

“Huh?” Yin Tao looked at her strangely. Weren’t you always uninterested in makeup? She replied, “Shade 15. Ask the sales assistant to get you one.”

She watched Fang Daiyu and realized the woman was patiently asking the assistant about various cosmetics and their uses. Wait… has she finally awakened?

Until they walked out of the mall, Yin Tao couldn’t figure it out. Wait, wasn’t I the one shopping? Why are you the one with the big bags, looking like you cleared out a sale?

“Buying for a female colleague?” Yin Tao guessed the most logical reason.

Fang Daiyu shook her head as she put the items in Yin Tao’s trunk. Once she was in the driver’s seat and Yin Tao was in the passenger seat, Yin Tao marveled, “Goodness, the sun must be rising in the west! Fang Daiyu learned how to buy makeup!”

Fang Daiyu’s face turned slightly red as she stared at the road ahead. “It’s for Lin Xian.”

“Holy crap!” Yin Tao looked her up and down. “Finally, your head isn’t like a ‘dead straight man’ anymore. Nice work, Little Daiyu!”

Fang Daiyu was too embarrassed to say she also bought foundation and an eyebrow pencil for herself. Well… she heard girls like refined girls. She didn’t know how to do makeup, but drawing eyebrows shouldn’t be that hard, right?

…

Three days had passed, and Fang Daiyu was completely silent. Lin Xian lay on her bed like a withered bean sprout, feeling miserable. She had wanted to play hard to get, but now neither was contacting the other. Was she truly fated to be a “Lone Star”?

Just then, her long-awaited WeChat notification finally rang. Lin Xian covered her eyes and picked up her phone. “To look? Or not to look?”

She had grown numb to notifications, but in that numbness was a spark of hope. Maybe… maybe it was a message from Little Daiyu. If she reached out, what would that mean? It meant she missed her! It meant she couldn’t let go! It meant there was interest to take things further!

Lin Xian opened her phone. Fang Daiyu was saved as “Sister.” There were three messages at the top. Lin Xian was moved to tears. With a heart full of disbelief, she opened them:

“Happy Mid-Autumn, Lin Xian.” “The Little Jade Rabbit says you should eat mooncakes on Mid-Autumn!” “[Cute emoji sticker]”

Lin Xian’s grin almost reached her ears. She suddenly became smug, muttering, “Hmph, I won’t forgive you just because you’re acting cute! You didn’t reply for so many days.”

Yet, her fingers carefully typed into the input box: “Sister Daiyu, have you lost your memory? Tomorrow is Mid-Autumn!”

“Is it?” A sticker of a confused monk scratching his head was sent back.

Lin Xian felt that the “Sister Daiyu” she was seeing again was deliberately acting cute. But the moment she thought of that face, her heart softened. She replied cutely, “Yes, it is~”

She added another message: “Sigh, my Sister Daiyu… were you traveling to outer space these past few days?”

On the other end, Fang Daiyu smiled to herself: Her little girl is coming to settle the score.