Which 'Me' Is the One You Love? [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

After spending more than half a month together, Jiang Zhou had more or less figured out Xia Shang’s personality.

Rather than calling her a cold person, it was more accurate to say she was a person of absolute rationality. Whenever emotion and logic clashed, she would invariably choose the logical side rather than using her feelings to make a judgment.

This situation wasn’t a bad thing for Jiang Zhou; as long as she could persuade Xia Shang logically, Xia Shang would generally go along with her wishes.

As for why Xia Shang went along with her? Don’t ask—the answer was: they’d slept together! Things are different now!

After the morning routine meeting, Jiang Zhou took her teacup and strolled leisurely into the breakroom, only to hear some gossip the moment she stepped in.

“Have you guys heard? The Vice President stuffed someone into the company. No interview or anything, they went straight to work in the Marketing Department,” Employee A whispered while holding a cup, sharing the news with passion.

“Isn’t Marketing the VP’s territory? Isn’t it normal for him to plug someone in?” Employee B found it strange. “Maybe it’s some talent the VP found? President Xia did set a monthly target for Marketing, after all.”

“What ‘talent’ are you talking about? That person just graduated from university—and from some third-rate school at that. Normally, they wouldn’t even qualify for an interview.” Employee A seemed to know quite a bit. “My friend at the front desk told me that the new hire got out of the VP’s car this morning.”

“Holy crap, for real? Could it be…”

“Shh, she’s here.” Employee A immediately acted as if nothing was happening and started brewing tea.

Jiang Zhou, listening from the side, felt her curiosity piqued. If she remembered correctly, the VP had been scolded ruthlessly by Xia Shang during last month’s meeting. Did he really have the energy to pull a stunt like this right now?

Jiang Zhou turned her head. A woman in a white dress walked in holding a cup. Looking closely, her individual features weren’t particularly striking, but combined, they gave off the vibe of a “delicate little flower”—gentle, harmless, and easily bullied, the kind that naturally triggers a protective instinct in others.

That’s it? You could find a dozen girls like this in any university. A Vice President of a listed company actually took an interest in someone like her?

As it turned out, the VP really did.

Before the workday was even over, Jiang Zhou saw this “Little Flower” again on the company’s anonymous forum.

001: Counting the mistakes Little Flower made today: spilled coffee on the manager’s files, photocopied the wrong documents, remembered the meeting time wrong… 002: Does the Marketing Department need this kind of “talent”? No way, right? 003: Could it really be that kind of relationship? 002: I heard they were schoolmates back in college. 001: If I had a junior like that, I’d beat her to death first!

Reading 001’s comment, Jiang Zhou couldn’t help but laugh out loud. If she had a junior like that, she’d definitely “beat them to death” out of respect, too—this girl was just too good at causing trouble.

“What are you looking at?” Hearing Jiang Zhou’s laughter, Xia Shang looked up with a curious gaze.

“Nothing, just saw something interesting.” Jiang Zhou was much more relaxed in the office now. Not only did she dare to slack off, but she also did it openly.

Xia Shang was curious, but since Jiang Zhou didn’t elaborate, she suppressed her curiosity and returned to work.

The discussion on the forum didn’t stop. By the time Jiang Zhou finished reading the thread, ten minutes had passed.

The “White Lotus” was named Bai Xiaorou—a name that perfectly matched her persona (Xiaorou means Little Gentle). She had joined the company a week ago and was immediately placed in the marketing team with the best resources. The VP had brought her in personally and instructed the team leader to take good care of her.

Unfortunately, this White Lotus knew nothing. Whatever the team leader taught her, she messed up. Eventually, they had no choice but to use her as a general clerk for simple tasks. But even with low-difficulty work, she still managed to screw up, leaving the Marketing Department in misery.

If this keeps up, Marketing’s performance is going to look even worse, right?

Jiang Zhou considered whether she should report this to Xia Shang. If Xia Shang knew, she’d probably fire the White Lotus without a second thought.

“Xia Shang, what happens if Vice President Lu fails to meet next month’s targets?” Jiang Zhou asked.

Xia Shang’s hand paused. “The Marketing Manager will be replaced. Why the sudden question?”

“Just a random thought.” Jiang Zhou stroked her chin. “Xia Shang, I think you should start looking for a new manager. Marketing’s performance is likely doomed.”

Xia Shang arched an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Here, look at the internal company forum.” Jiang Zhou handed her phone to Xia Shang, specifically scrolling to the top so Xia Shang could see the whole story.

As Xia Shang read the post, her brows pressed down bit by bit before slowly leveling out.

“If the performance isn’t met, Bai Xiaorou and the Marketing Manager can both be fired,” Xia Shang said, turning to Jiang Zhou. “If I remember correctly, it’s currently working hours?”

“It is. That’s why I’m looking at the internal forum and not anything else,” Jiang Zhou replied righteously.

“…” Xia Shang couldn’t think of a rebuttal and could only return the phone. “Don’t neglect your primary duties.”

“Isn’t my primary duty to assist you?” Jiang Zhou said with a grin, leaning sideways against Xia Shang’s desk. “Does President Xia have anything she needs me to assist with?”

Xia Shang instinctively leaned back, her spine hitting the back of her chair. “Are the morning meeting minutes organized?”

“Didn’t President Xia check her email? I sent them an hour ago.” Seeing Xia Shang’s instinctive retreat, Jiang Zhou’s mischievous side was triggered.

“President Xia… you aren’t afraid of me, are you?” Jiang Zhou leaned down, closing in on Xia Shang.

Xia Shang narrowed her eyes, meeting Jiang Zhou’s gaze. “It is working hours. You should be in your seat.”

“Given our relationship, I think President Xia’s seat is quite suitable for me to sit in as well.” Jiang Zhou pushed her luck, leaning her head directly onto Xia Shang’s shoulder.

She exaggeratedly leaned in to sniff Xia Shang’s neck, then put on an intoxicated expression. “President Xia, you smell so good. What perfume are you wearing?”

Xia Shang steadied her expression, a hint of amusement entering her eyes. “You want to know?”

“I do,” Jiang Zhou replied quickly.

“Sleep with me tonight and you’ll find out,” Xia Shang said flatly.

“Huh?” Jiang Zhou’s head snapped up instantly. “Did you say the meeting minutes need a re-check? Right away, President Xia! I heard you loud and clear! I’ll get right on it, President Xia!”

Jiang Zhou played dumb and scurried back to her desk, acting as if nothing had happened.

If Xia Shang was avoiding her, Jiang Zhou dared to be playful. But if Xia Shang got serious, Jiang Zhou chickened out immediately.

Looking at Jiang Zhou trying her best to shrink her presence, a slight curve appeared at the corner of Xia Shang’s mouth. She reached up to touch her neck; Jiang Zhou’s breath had just fanned across it, and it still felt like a lingering warmth remained.

…

Jiang Zhou treated the Bai Xiaorou situation like a mere drama to watch. After all, the girl was in Marketing; her location and work content had zero overlap with Jiang Zhou’s.

She never imagined she would meet Bai Xiaorou in such a bizarre fashion.

Just as Jiang Zhou was about to head home after work, a car suddenly lunged forward. If Xia Shang hadn’t pulled her back in time, Jiang Zhou would have likely had a “close encounter” with the vehicle.

“I’m so sorry! I accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake!” After finally managing to stop the car, Bai Xiaorou stepped out with red eyes. Tears welled in her sockets; someone who didn’t know better would think she was the one who had almost been hit.

“If you can’t drive, don’t,” Xia Shang said, her expression colder than usual, one arm wrapped around Jiang Zhou’s waist.

“I’m sorry…” Bai Xiaorou lowered her head, and tears began to fall.

Really? Crying just like that? Jiang Zhou was speechless.

Before she could say anything, Vice President Lu 深 (Lu Shen) appeared out of nowhere and nervously embraced Bai Xiaorou.

“Xiaorou, what’s wrong? Were you bullied?” Without even checking the facts, he immediately directed his anger at Jiang Zhou.

“Assistant Jiang, I don’t know what Xiaorou did wrong, but do you have to bully her like this?” Lu Shen looked like he was enduring great humiliation. “If you have a problem, take it out on me! Xiaorou is innocent!”

“???” A massive pile of question marks popped up over Jiang Zhou’s head. “She almost hit me with a car! How did that turn into me bullying her?”

“Xiaorou didn’t mean it. You aren’t even hurt, so why be so mean to her?” Lu Shen spoke with total confidence. “If you’re dissatisfied with me, just come at me.”

??? The question marks over Jiang Zhou’s head multiplied. Is this VP a pig-head? Why can’t he understand human speech?

“Lu Xuan, for groundlessly making things difficult for an employee, your bonus for this month is deducted.” Xia Shang let go of Jiang Zhou, pulled her behind her back, and looked at Bai Xiaorou. “As for you, the internal company road has a speed limit of 15. Go pay your fine tomorrow.”

“Xia Shang, you…” Lu Shen felt his dignity was being trampled into the dirt by Jiang Zhou (and Xia Shang).

“For talking back to a superior, your quarterly bonus is deducted,” Xia Shang said with an icy face. “If you don’t want to pay the fine, fine. Go process your resignation tomorrow.”

Standing behind Xia Shang, Jiang Zhou glanced at Lu Shen’s clenched fists; she could almost smell the gunpowder in the air.

“Fine. Since President Xia has spoken, I, as a subordinate, naturally have to listen.” Lu Shen suppressed the rage in his heart and led Bai Xiaorou away with a dark face.

“Tsk. That Lu Shen… is there really nothing wrong with his head? How can he be a VP?” Jiang Zhou couldn’t help but complain.

After they left, the expression on Xia Shang’s face slowly softened again. She explained, “Lu Shen’s father is a company veteran. He gave his shares to Lu Shen. The Marketing Department used to be under the management of Lu Shen’s father.”

If Lu Shen didn’t have a good father, Xia Shang would have kicked him out long ago. She wouldn’t keep someone like that in the company.