Chapter 6

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Revenge.

She just wants to see me make a fool of myself. How petty can she be? Qiao Ziman was getting angrier and decided she wasn’t going to take it anymore. She shut down her computer, grabbed her bag, and prepared to go home. Before leaving, she glanced at the car keys on the desk and, after a moment of hesitation, she slipped them into her pocket.

Might as well use it since it’s here.

She went down to the parking lot and found the familiar white Maybach, unlocked it, and threw herself into the soft leather seat of the driver’s side and instinctively gave it a bounce. She thought to herself, it’s really quite nice.

Start the car, press the clutch… Her foot suddenly touched a bag.

Qiao Ziman looked down and saw a black plastic bag, bulging and of such simple packaging that it seemed out of place for this car’s standard. Curious, she bent down, picked up the bag, and gave it a shake. It was quite heavy.

She had no intention of continuing to pry into someone’s privacy. However, the flimsy plastic bag couldn’t handle the weight, and with a loud rustle, the boxes inside scattered everywhere. Qiao Ziman picked up a powder box from her lap and saw the two large characters on the box: “Finger Sleeves.”

What’s a finger sleeve? She squinted and carefully read the instructions and usage illustrations on the back of the box. Then, a suspicious blush slowly crept up her cheeks. The box itself also felt hot to the touch. Instinctively, Qiao Ziman shoved the box back into the bag and nervously looked around.

Seeing that no one was paying attention to the car, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief. She turned on the air conditioning. The cool breeze slowly eased the heat from her face. Only then did she start picking up the scattered boxes of various sizes.

A fluffy pink cat tail, translucent lingerie, bondage ropes, a whip, and various other tools with names likely to be censored.

Qiao Ziman’s eyes widened as if she had discovered a new world.

These aren’t tools; they’re clearly implements of torture. Who would put these things in their car! This woman was truly terrifying, a sadist. It’s a good thing she didn’t go to her house that day; otherwise, she’d be doomed.

Qiao Ziman lowered the air conditioning a few degrees, clearing the air and her mind. What nonsense was she thinking? She scolded herself quietly, “What does it have to do with me?” and then tossed the items into the back seat before driving away from the company.

The car crawled slowly along the wide road. It took an extra hour to reach the entrance of her neighborhood. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, turned off the car, and took a look at the condition of the area.

The old neighborhood had almost non-existent property management, with complicated road conditions and passages either blocked by debris or filled with street vendor carts. Qiao Ziman really wasn’t confident in her parking skills, fearing she might end up paying a huge repair bill before even getting her ten thousand yuan.

After thinking it over, she greeted the aunt at the nearby supermarket and parked by the roadside in front of the store. After a thorough check to ensure everything was secure, Qiao Ziman finally breathed a sigh of relief and went home.

Once home and having sorted everything out, Qiao Ziman took out her drawing tablet and computer to work through the night on the revisions. Although she said she wouldn’t be accommodating, she would never joke about her work. By 2 AM, Qiao Ziman had finally finished the last part of the revisions.

She set an alarm, took a melatonin tablet, turned off the lights, and went to bed.

Half an hour later, she slowly opened her eyes in the darkness. Not surprisingly, she was once again unable to sleep. Tossing and turning with her mind racing, it wasn’t until the faint light began to creep through the curtain that Qiao Ziman finally drifted off into a daze. But her sleep was far from restful.

In her hazy dream, she actually dreamt of that woman, Chi Yin.

She was wearing that sheer, gossamer lingerie, her fluffy tail swaying rhythmically behind her, exuding a vibrant, sensual charm, like an enchanting demon. She looked at Qiao Ziman with a fixed gaze, as if eyeing a lamb to slaughter. Suddenly, she beckoned with her finger, her lips curling into a playful smile, and her crimson lips slowly uttered two clear words.

“Want to make a deal?”

Qiao Ziman abruptly opened her eyes, her chest heaving rapidly. Damn it, why am I dreaming about this woman? She shook her head vigorously, trying to clear the vivid image from her mind.

She fumbled in the dark to turn on her phone. After only an hour of sleep, her sleep quality worsened, and even medication didn’t help this time. Qiao Ziman sighed silently and blamed everything on the woman from her dream.

That vengeful sadist. Couldn’t she drive herself? Why did she need someone else to pick her up? Grumbling, she got out of bed and headed to the kitchen. Used to bringing her own lunch to work, cooking was second nature to her. In just twenty minutes, she prepared two exquisite lunchboxes. As for why there were two, she decided to give Chi Yin another chance after thinking it over last night. After all, it’s better to resolve enmities than to harbor them.

Qiao Ziman packed up the lunchboxes and went out to get her car. As soon as she left the community, she spotted the expensive Maybach and the glaring parking ticket on the windshield. Even in such a secluded spot? Impressive, she sighed at the unlucky start.

She drove to the agreed Starbucks, got out to buy a coffee, and waited silently in the car. At exactly eight o’clock, pedestrians and vehicles began to increase at the intersection. Chi Yin also appeared at the community entrance right on time.

She wore a white knee-length dress today, with a sheer ribbon around her swan-like neck, gently swaying in the wind. The simple yet sexy dress highlighted her slender waist and long legs, making her stand out brightly in the sunlight. So much so that Qiao Ziman noticed her immediately from the crowd. And the striking red lips beneath the sunglasses that covered half her face…

Qiao Ziman suddenly remembered the exaggerated dream from last night and uncomfortably looked away.

The car window was gently tapped. That bright, glamorous face loomed closer in Qiao Ziman’s view.

Qiao Ziman snapped back to reality, hurriedly got out of the car, took Chi Yin’s bag with care, opened the front passenger door with an inviting gesture, and handed over the prepared coffee with eagerness once she was inside. Her attitude was as low as it could be, and her service as attentive as possible.

“Good morning, Ms. Chi,” Qiao Ziman said with a completely genuine smile.

“Is something wrong?” Chi Yin adjusted her sunglasses down, revealing a pair of beautiful peach blossom eyes, with light brown irises that seemed almost tangible, like glass, giving a strong sense of penetration.

In the moment of eye contact, Qiao Ziman felt a bit guilty, extending two fingers to show a slightly larger than a nail-sized spot. “There was a minor accident, and the car got a parking ticket.”

Chi Yin gave a soft laugh. “Are you dissatisfied with me?”

“Not at all, it was just an accident,” Qiao Ziman said with a blink.

Chi Yin glanced her up and down. “As long as you’re okay.”

With her being so easygoing, Qiao Ziman felt a bit embarrassed. She smiled. “It’s not that serious, just—”

“The fine will be deducted from your allowance.”

Qiao Ziman: “.” Knew it.

“And,” Chi Yin lifted the coffee in her hand, “Qiao Ziman, did you forget what I told you yesterday?”

Qiao Ziman: “??? Half ice, double milk with no sugar, is there a problem?”

“How early did you arrive?” Chi Yin stared at the tiny beads of sweat on her forehead, then subtly shifted her gaze away in that instant.

“Less than half an hour, is that a problem?” Qiao Ziman asked in confusion.

In the scorching heat, even the morning breeze carried the season’s sultriness. Chi Yin tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and adjusted the air conditioning a few degrees lower. “It’ll taste bad if the ice melts. Buy a new one.”

“Is it really that important?” Qiao Ziman glanced at the time and then at the line forming outside the coffee shop. “How about we just make do for now? We can—”

“Qiao Ziman,” Chi Yin suddenly interrupted, turning her head to look at Qiao Ziman with a deep gaze, “The word ‘make do’ doesn’t exist in my dictionary. Things that I want must be flawless.”

…Is this really necessary for just a cup of coffee?

Chi Yin’s words seemed strange, and her gaze even stranger, reminiscent of the absurd dream from last night. Qiao Ziman frowned.

“And,” Chi Yin turned her head back, looking at the bustling street, “didn’t HR give you a heads-up beforehand? I’m very particular, otherwise, why would I pay such a high price?”

Qiao Ziman pressed her lips together, speechless.

“While you were daydreaming, the coffee has already been bought.”

“Fine, fine, fine, who can outdrink you! Just buy it.” Qiao Ziman unfastened her seatbelt, pushed the door open, and dashed into the crowd.

Muttering, as if not quite satisfied, Chi Yin couldn’t help but smile as she watched Qiao Ziman’s retreating figure.

Qiao Ziman returned from the queue twenty minutes later, handing the coffee to Chi Yin. “Here,” she said, quickly fastening her seatbelt. “Ready to go.”

Sitting up straight, her whole body tense as she leaned close to the steering wheel, her expression extremely serious.

“Is this your first time driving after getting your license?”

Qiao Ziman’s shoulders twitched. “Second time. Yesterday was the first.”

…Alright.

Qiao Ziman started the car and slowly merged into the traffic.

“Can you drive a bit faster?”

Qiao Ziman focused on driving. The sudden voice from beside her startled her, almost making her lose grip on the steering wheel. She frowned and said irritably, “Chi Yin, be quiet.”

Chi Yin’s fingers paused as she caressed the coffee cup. She’s quite fierce.

The car moved slowly along the road. Chi Yin checked the time occasionally and finally couldn’t hold it in as they approached the second intersection. “Qiao Ziman, we’re going to be late. Can you step on the gas? …Signal before turning.”

Qiao Ziman’s hand shook, and she yelled, “Shut up!” Then she turned on the windshield wipers.

Chi Yin: “…”

The wipers swished back and forth, and Qiao Ziman felt a bit embarrassed.

In the silence, Chi Yin tentatively said, “How about… we pull over and let me drive?”

Qiao Ziman cleared her throat, murmured “Mm,” and said, “Alright, but this is what you asked for, so it’s not my problem.”

The two switched seats. This allowed them to drive to the company at a normal speed. As expected, even with their hurried pace, they were still late. Qiao Ziman looked at the time clock with despair, frustrated to the point of almost vomiting blood, while Chi Yin only added to the fire.

“Qiao Ziman, are you doing this on purpose?”

“What do you mean?” Qiao Ziman placed her bag on her workstation, put her hands on her hips, and glared at her. “Chi Yin, so according to what you’re implying, I’m to blame for this?”

“Alright, I know you don’t like being late. Do you think I like it?”

“And, if my driving speed is really intolerable, you can always get a new assistant.”

Chi Yin’s expression suddenly darkened. “Change just like that? Drive as slowly as you want, but the fines are coming out of your own pocket.”

“Fine, fine,” Qiao Ziman said, fuming as she threw herself into her workstation.

“Why were you arguing just now?”

“Is Chi Yin making trouble for Qiao Ziman?”

“This Chi Yin is really double-standard, demanding employees follow rules while being late herself.”

Hearing the surrounding gossip, Qiao Ziman felt inexplicably annoyed. She stood up and yelled, “Enough, aren’t we going to work?” She pulled out the car keys and headed straight to the office without looking back.

Knock, knock, knock.

Chi Yin: “Come in.”

Qiao Ziman pushed the door open and said straightforwardly, “Chi Yin, I’m here to return the car keys.”

Chi Yin gestured with her eyes to place them on the desk.

So quickly letting it go? Just a moment ago, wasn’t she acting all confrontational? Qiao Ziman wondered to herself. But it’s for the best, saving her breath. This woman is better kept at a distance; otherwise, who knows how she’d torture her. What’s the point of earning money if she doesn’t live to spend it?

Chi Yin casually flipped through the work reports, paused in silence for a moment, then opened a drawer and rummaged. “Qiao Ziman, that car is really not suitable for a beginner like you.”

Chi Yin found a set of car keys. “There’s a BMW Mini. Use this for now; it’s smaller and easier to handle. Practice with it.”

Qiao Ziman: “???”

Chi Yin smiled. “What, do you want me to be your driver forever?”

No, this plot is so strange. It feels like something is off, but she can’t quite put her finger on it.

“With this morning’s violation, I’ve almost used up all my driving points.”

Qiao Ziman, feeling guilty, looked away. “Alright,” she said, taking the keys.

“By the way, Qiao Ziman, did you see a black bag on the driver’s seat?”

“What black bag?”

Chi Yin: “I remember putting it under the seat.”

Qiao Ziman suddenly remembered the boxes of small toys and the cat tail, and her ears turned slightly red.

“Please bring it to the office for me.”

“!!! This is a company!”

“Hmm?” Chi Yin slowly stood up and leaned closer to Qiao Ziman’s ear. “What do you mean? Did you peek at what’s inside?”