After Being Bent by Reader

Murong Shi hung up as soon as she finished speaking, leaving Xu Chuanchuan in a daze. Based on Murong Shi's tone, Xu Chuanchuan guessed that the other party should be angry. Although Xu Chuanchuan knew that this anger wasn't directed toward herself, she still felt a little wronged.

Growing impatient, Jiang Shaohua tapped his finger on the desk and asked, "Are you done?"

Xu Chuanchuan returned the receiver to its place and replied, "I'm sorry, Mr. Jiang, but Miss Murong doesn't wish to see you."

Compared to Murong Shi's "get lost," Xu Chuanchuan was already mild-mannered.

"What is she trying to say?"

Literally what it means. Is it so difficult to understand? 

Xu Chuanchuan was a typical person who was verbally active while conversing through the two-dimensional world but silent in the three-dimensional world. She very rarely spoke to outsiders when working in the real world. She also preferred quiet and would rarely find trouble. Hence, she found her current situation very distressful.

Why hasn't Xiaomei come back yet?

After calming herself, Xu Chuanchuan said, "Miss Murong might be busy right now and isn't free to entertain guests."

"If it's inconvenient for her to come to me, I'll head in myself," Jiang Shaohua said. There was no way he would believe such a poor excuse.

Xu Chuanchuan panicked and stepped out from behind the desk to stop Jiang Shaohua. "Mr. Jiang, you cannot do this!"

Looking at Xu Chuanchuan's outstretched hand, Jiang Shaohua asked arrogantly, "Do you know who I am?"

Who cares? Why must you two direct your anger toward me?

Xu Chuanchuan began having a temper, her red flushing red. However, she still put on a firm stance and said, "Sorry, but I am only an employee following rules. Please don't make things difficult for me."

Jiang Shaohua ignored her words and strode forward.

"Mr. Jiang!" Xu Chuanchuan stopped him once more.

After a series of back and forth, Jiang Shaohua suddenly started noticing Xu Chuanchuan's appearance. He had met many pretty and coquettish women before, but this was the first time he found a woman without makeup to be attractive. Xu Chuanchuan had a refreshing face, and although her facial features were not outstanding, the way her eyes enlarged when glaring at someone made her look kind of cute.

After fearlessly inspecting the woman before him, Jiang Shaohua asked, "What's your name?"

This sudden development confused Xu Chuanchuan, and she couldn't help but grow cautious. Subconsciously covering up the nametag on her chest, she said, "My surname is Xu."

Jiang Shaohua noticed Xu Chuanchuan's actions but remained persistent. "I'm asking for your name. You don't look like you're over 25. Do you have a boyfriend?"

What was going on here? Didn't this person claim to be Murong Shi's boyfriend?

Xu Chuanchuan stiffened her expression and flatly said, "I'm sorry, but it is currently office hours. I'm not allowed to talk about matters unrelated to work."

However, Jiang Shaohua remained stubborn and said, "What are you afraid of? There's nobody else here."

"There is surveillance here," Xu Chuanchuan said as she pointed upward.

Looking up, Jiang Shaohua exchanged looks with the two surveillance cameras above for a moment before revealing an intriguing smile.

Ding dong, ding dong—

The entrance's doorbell rang abruptly as the delivery Xu Xiaomei previously spoke of finally arrived.

Afraid that Jiang Shaohua would slip by while she was preoccupied, Xu Chuanchuan chose to open the door remotely this time.

After the courier entered the lobby with a stack of deliveries in his arms, he looked at Xu Chuanchuan and asked, "Did the other receptionist get replaced?"

Handing the registry to the courier, Xu Chuanchuan said, "No, she went to the restroom. I'm just standing in for the moment."

"Oh." The courier grabbed the pen in his breast pocket and began filling out the registry.

A curious gaze appeared in Jiang Shaohua's eyes when he overheard the courier's words. Looking at Xu Chuanchuan, he asked, "You're not the receptionist? What do you work here as, then?"

Pretending to be calm, Xu Chuanchuan said, "Chitchats are not allowed during office hours."

Laughing, Jiang Shaohua said, "Fine, then. Since you're not the receptionist, you have no reason to stop me." He then began striding toward the elevator.

Xu Chuanchuan's complexion paled, and she immediately moved to stop Jiang Shaohua. "Mr. Jiang, I'm calling security if you continue this!"

"I must meet Murong Shi today no matter what."

The courier briefly glanced at the two. However, as this matter was unrelated to him, he lowered his head and resumed filling out the registry.

…

At the same time, inside the general manager's office…

Two computers sat on the spacious office desk. One was Murong Shi's personal computer, while the other slightly larger one was connected to the company building's surveillance system.

While organizing the newly-drafted documents, Linda inadvertently took notice of a scene captured by a surveillance camera. In a suspicious tone, she muttered, "Young Master Jiang still hasn't left. Strange, isn't this that person?"

Having her thoughts interrupted, Murong Shi asked, "What are you talking about?"

"Here, take a look." Linda moved the cursor to the surveillance video in question and enlarged it.

Murong Shi shifted her attention to the computer next to her and immediately recognized the two figures displayed on it to be Jiang Shaohua and Xu Chuanchuan. Narrowing her eyes, she thought to herself, No wonder why that voice sounded so familiar. So Xu Chuanchuan was the one who called just now.

Murong Shi didn't know why Xu Chuanchuan would be the one to call her, but she couldn't help but frown as she watched Jiang Shaohua and Xu Chuanchuan repeatedly going back and forth, left and right with each other. "What are those two doing? Are they playing tag?"

Linda failed to understand Murong Shi's humor. Looking at Murong Shi's stern expression, she asked cautiously, "Young Master Jiang might be here for something important. Why don't you meet him?"

Murong Shi's frown deepened.

Thinking that Murong Shi was unwilling to meet with Jiang Shaohua, Linda suggested, "How about I—"

"Have him come in."

Two minutes later…

Jiang Shaohua waltzed into the general manager's office under Linda's guidance. He then spoke loudly to the person seated in the executive chair, "Murong Shi, why did you blacklist my number? On what grounds do you have to stop me from entering?"

Not even bothering to spare Jiang Shaohua a glance, Murong Shi said, "If you're here to apologize, be done with it quickly and leave."

"Apologize? Who should apologize to who? You're the one who slapped me in public that day!"

Seeing that the situation was developing poorly, Linda hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Young Master Jiang, please have some tea. If you have anything to say, sit down and say it slowly."

However, Jiang Shaohua did not appreciate Linda's gesture as he stated, "I'm not drinking."

Murong Shi's complexion turned ugly. Looking at Linda, who was shuddering, she said, "Go outside first."

As if having received amnesty, Linda hurriedly left the room and shut the doors behind her.

Meanwhile, Jiang Shaohua sat on a nearby sofa, the anger on his face still lingering.

Slowly, Murong Shi said, "You know full well why I hit you. Jiang Shaohua, I don't care what you do with your time, but don't ever think of playing tricks with me."

Breathing out a deep sigh, Jiang Shaohua said, "I'm not trying to play tricks with you. That Shuangshuang is just too annoying. She keeps sticking to me wherever I go."

Tossing the document in her hands aside, Murong Shi raised her tone and said, "That doesn't mean I'm responsible for cleaning up your messes!"

Jiang Shaohua put on a shameless smile and said, "You can't say that. The two of us are in the same boat, after all. How can you not help me if I'm in trouble?"

Sneering, Murong Shi answered, "Sure. Every help I provide will cost you a slap. Feel free to ask for as much help as you need."

Touching the spot Murong Shi slapped him previously, Jiang Shaohua inadvertently shuddered. "Murong, aren't you…"

"I don't wish to continue wasting time on this topic. If you have nothing else to say, stop interfering with my work."

"Fine, fine, fine, I'll stop talking about this. Anyway, my birthday is coming up soon. I don't plan to hold a big celebration, but I will invite some friends out to play. Don't forget to show up."

"I'm not going."

Instead of getting angry, Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "No, you will go." Without waiting for Murong Shi to respond, he continued, "You need to play the part if you're going to put on an act. If you don't go, what should I do when Uncle Sun asks me about it?"

Murong Shi fell silent.

Jiang Shaohua knew that his words were on point. Standing up in delight, he fearlessly winked at Murong Shi and said, "I'll come to fetch you when the time comes."

Ignoring Jiang Shaohua's actions, Murong Shi said, "You can get lost now.'

However, instead of leaving, Jiang Shaohua walked closer to Murong Shi and asked, "I noticed there's a chick in this company who looks pretty good, though she's a little rash in the head. You have the company's employee files with you, right?"

Indifferent, Murong Shi asked, "What are you getting at?"

A mischievous glint appearing in his eyes, Jiang Shaohua said, "I want her number, of course! However, she won't tell me her name. I think her surname is Xu. I doubt there are many people with that surname in your company."

Xu Chuanchuan?

Murong Shi found it unbelievable that Jiang Shaohua would take a liking to Xu Chuanchuan. Though, on second thought, she found it to be quite reasonable as well. Jiang Shaohua had probably grown tired of eating savory dishes constantly, so he might be thinking of switching to a milder taste.

Failing to receive a reply, Jiang Shaohua began rummaging through the documents on Murong Shi's table. "Is it here?"

However, Murong Shi quickly held down the documents with a hand and said in a lukewarm tone, "You best not have any ideas over her."

Stunned, Jiang Shaohua asked, "Does she have a boyfriend?"

In a half-threatening tone, Murong Shi continued, "Whether she has one or not, I will not let you lay a hand on anyone in this company." She then grabbed the phone beside her and pressed down on a speed dial number. When the call connected, she said, "Linda, see our guest off."

Linda quickly appeared and respectfully said, "Young Master Jiang, this way, please."

Jiang Shaohua left the room in a huff and slammed the door shut on his way out. While walking to the elevator, he grumbled, "This woman must be sick in the head."

Linda did not dare to follow up with Jiang Shaohua's words. Instead, she smiled and said, "Young Master Jiang, women need to be coaxed."

Narrowing his eyes at Linda, Jiang Shaohua asked, "How do I coax her?"

"If you want to gain her favor, give her a gift!"

Unfortunately, Jiang Shaohua did not understand Murong Shi whatsoever. He never even gave her a gift before. After struggling for a moment, he asked, "What does she like?"

Surprised, Linda said, "Shouldn't you know this better than me? I've known Miss Murong for less than a month."

A hint of awkwardness appearing on his face, Jiang Shaohua cleared his throat and said, "Temperamental women like her constantly change their likes and dislikes. You've been by her side the most recently. Did you notice her showing interest in anything?"

"This…" After racking her mind for some time, Linda answered, "Miss Murong seems to have gotten hooked with reading novels recently."

"Local or foreign masterpieces?"

Shaking her head, Linda said, "No, web novels."

"What's that?"