Taking Advantage, Then Trying to Run - Chapter 5

“Ms. Nan!”

Anna’s eyes widened when she saw me at the office. “Weren’t you feeling unwell? The morning meeting just ended, and I’ve already made all the arrangements. There’s nothing for you to worry about. Please go home and rest.”

I waved her off. “I can’t stay in bed. Leave things as they are. For the workshop later, follow my instructions—send Engineers Liu and Hua, and take Saphire too.”

“Of course, Ms. Nan. But I’ve already canceled your lunch with the COO and postponed the afternoon client call.”

“That’s fine. There’s more than enough here to keep me busy without those.”

“Understood.”

I soon buried myself in work.

Once I got started, time flew.

In what felt like the blink of an eye, noon arrived.

The office was empty at lunchtime; everyone had already gone out to eat.

I picked up my bag and stepped out of my office—

“The water dispenser… yes, put it over here.”

Anna seemed to be directing someone who was moving a dispenser.

I strode over without looking. “Anna, go eat. This afternoon, we’re making a trip to… Hai Yan?”

My eyes went wide at the person holding the brand-new dispenser.

Who else could it be?

Anna looked from me to Hai Yan. “Ms. Nan, do you know each other?”

I blinked and came back to myself. “Ah, yes… Go to lunch. I’ll handle this.”

“Of course, Ms. Nan.”

Anna never contradicted me in public.

She left promptly.

Once she was gone, I looked at Hai Yan without speaking.

Hai Yan lowered her head and pressed her lips together awkwardly. “Ma’am… where should I put this?”

“Have you eaten?” I asked instead of answering.

She paused.

“Not yet.”

“Then have lunch with me, all right?” I glanced at my watch. “I was supposed to meet our COO today, but I got stood up at the last minute. Now I have no one to eat with.”

She shook her head. “N-no, that’s all right, ma’am. I’ll grab something when I get back. Can I leave the dispenser here?”

She moved it to the spot Anna had indicated, tugged her cap lower, and turned to go.

I caught her arm before she could escape.

“Hai Yan, last night was my fault. I was drunk, I did several offensive things to you, and I scratched your face. Please let me make it up to you, or my conscience won’t let me rest.”

“Ma’am, you don’t have to. Really. I’m fine…”

“If you refuse, I’ll go to the parcel station and lie in wait for you every day,” I threatened.

Her eyes grew even wider beneath the brim of her cap.

A trace of fear appeared on her face.

I quickly softened my tone. “I’m joking. Jiejie isn’t that unreasonable. I run an entire company every day—when would I find the time to stalk you?”

Only then did some of the tension leave her face.

I pressed my advantage. “But I *could* buy milk tea for everyone at your station every day and tell them it was from you.”

This time, her mouth fell open too.

Apparently, she’d never imagined an adult could be so shameless.

I smiled. “Have one meal with me and put my mind at ease, and I won’t do that. Deal?”

She had no answer.