Saturday was busy all day. Su Hao fell asleep as soon as she touched the bed. She had originally planned to sleep in on Sunday, but early in the morning she received a call from Zhang Xian, telling her to go to the company.
Su Hao sat up groggily and asked, “Sister Zhang Xian, what happened?”
“You’ll know when you come over.” Zhang Xian’s tone was still as serious as before, without any detectable emotion. Su Hao could only agree. To be honest, she had been busy alone until late yesterday. She was a little tired and slightly resentful, but the data was ultimately calculated by her, organized by her, and nothing seemed wrong.
Today they were even taking up her rest time, asking her to go to the company. Su Hao sat at the bedside for a while to calm herself, then got up. She had originally planned to make xiao long bao, but now there was no time.
Su Hao finished washing up, hurriedly ate some bread, grabbed her small bag, and rushed to the company.
Yesterday was Saturday and still had some people, but today, Sunday, it was even quieter. In the lobby, only the cleaning staff were tidying up; the floor was shiny, and the guest area was all arranged. Su Hao entered the elevator, going straight to the sixteenth floor.
The sixteenth floor was also very quiet, with only the finance office door open, the blinds also open, and she could immediately see someone inside the finance office.
Chen Yu stood in front of the safe, head lowered, saying nothing. Zhang Xian crossed her arms and stood to the side. Lu Mimi spun her chair, looking like it was none of her business.
As soon as Su Hao entered, Zhang Xian called her over: “Come here.”
Su Hao walked forward.
Cash from a money box had been taken out partially on Friday, leaving less than sixty thousand. Zhang Xian pointed at the cash inside: “Six bills are missing.”
Then she looked at Chen Yu. Chen Yu lowered her head and muttered, “I didn’t touch it yesterday. The last time I touched it was before leaving work on Friday. I planned to deposit it on Monday.”
Su Hao frowned.
A bad premonition arose in her heart.
Lu Mimi put down her nail clippers, stood up, and directly asked, “Su Hao, you didn’t touch it yesterday?”
As expected, this was aimed at her.
Besides Chen Yu, both Zhang Xian and Lu Mimi stared straight at Su Hao. They knew that yesterday, before leaving work, Su Hao definitely put the check into the safe.
Su Hao was the last person to touch this safe, and it was in the absence of outsiders. Su Hao glanced at the money and said, “I didn’t touch it.”
“You say you didn’t touch it? Just didn’t touch it?” Lu Mimi immediately retorted.
Su Hao was silent.
Zhang Xian tapped the table: “If that’s the case, you two will bear the loss.”
Su Hao frowned. “I don’t agree.”
“If you take this job, you have to bear responsibility.” Zhang Xian stared at Su Hao, her tone uncompromising. Chen Yu admitted her mistake and was willing to take responsibility. These past two days, the purchasing department had spent a lot, plus some reimbursements used cash; in-and-out movements could easily cause errors. But Su Hao still didn’t agree.
Lu Mimi raised her eyebrows: “If you don’t agree, what can you do? Can you get back those six hundred?”
The ledger was carefully checked yesterday, the money reconciled. How could she find it? Su Hao blocked it all in one breath. She looked up, glanced at the nearby surveillance, and said, “Surveillance. Check the surveillance.”
“Check the surveillance? You didn’t touch the safe yesterday? Check the surveillance, weren’t you with Chen Yu reconciling accounts on Friday?” Lu Mimi pressed. Zhang Xian didn’t stop Lu Mimi because she was somewhat correct; it was only six hundred, the two could split it, and checking the surveillance would just alert the higher-ups.
Su Hao shook her head: “Check the surveillance. I didn’t do anything wrong, I won’t take responsibility.”
They were obviously trying to mislead. Chen Yu was the main person responsible for this matter; she had to bear responsibility. Su Hao was an assistant and should also be responsible, but she was the last to leave yesterday and the last to touch the safe. If the money went missing, Su Hao would be the main responsible person.
If something happened later, Chen Yu would certainly bring this up against her, or if the same problem appeared, she would be the first to be blamed. Su Hao has a precedent now.
“Su Hao!” Zhang Xian felt she was being stubborn.
Lu Mimi snorted: “If you can’t pay, just say it. I can pay for you.”
“I’m not unable to pay.” Su Hao picked up her phone, searched for Director Zeng’s number, then looked at Zhang Xian: “Sister Zhang Xian, do you want me to call, or you?”
Zhang Xian silently looked at her. After a few seconds, she turned to get her phone.
The last look at Su Hao was not friendly.
Five minutes later, Zhang Xian hung up and returned, saying, “Director Zeng will come later to open permissions.”
Company surveillance could only be accessed by Director Zeng or above.
Su Hao breathed a sigh of relief, leaning on the table, looking down at the cash ledger. If nothing was found on surveillance, could this money really have been extra during transactions?
Either the accounts were wrong, but neither noticed.
Twenty minutes later, footsteps were heard in the oppressive office. The four looked up and saw a tall, handsome man with a cigarette in his mouth walk in. His narrow eyes casually scanned them, lingering on Su Hao’s face for a few extra seconds.
He took out the cigarette, flicked ash into a disposable cup, and asked, “Which time do you want to check? Give me time.”
The man was imposing, his tone direct.
The four suddenly regained consciousness. No one expected the visitor to be Zhou Yang. Zhang Xian couldn’t help looking at Su Hao, her anger rising.
But she had to endure: “Director Zhou, sorry to trouble you.”
“No trouble, just on my way.” Zhou Yang moved a nearby tablet and opened a system.
Zhang Xian had no choice, glanced at Su Hao, then selected Chen Yu. Chen Yu stiffened upon seeing Zhou Yang. She had never been so close to him, too nervous, in a bad mood, looking pitiful, like she had been bullied, easily evoking sympathy.
Lu Mimi nearby snorted.
Zhou Yang waited a long time. Not getting a response, his tone cold and light: “Speak.”
Chen Yu shivered a few times.
Su Hao spoke: “From Thursday to today.”
Zhou Yang raised his eyes to glance at her.
Then he glanced at the others, said nothing, and set the time. Unlocking also required his fingerprint. After unlocking, Zhou Yang zoomed the image to the clearest view, threw it on the table: “After watching, just exit. Zhang Xian will report the results to me later.”
Then he turned and left.
At the door, he suddenly turned, raised his brows, and tapped the door panel: “Su Hao didn’t touch the cash after work yesterday. I was present at the scene.”
The three in the finance office froze, then all looked at Su Hao, Lu Mimi’s gaze sharp as needles.
Su Hao remained calm, explaining: “Director Zhou returned to handle business yesterday, saw I left late, and came to greet me.”
Lu Mimi: “Oh?”
Seeing Su Hao with no makeup, they no longer doubted.
Chen Yu felt a little jealous. She often worked overtime but was never greeted like this.
Zhang Xian was surprised that Zhou Yang would speak for Su Hao. She felt the tablet in her hand grow heavy.
Then they checked yesterday’s surveillance. Although all four had come to the company, only Su Hao touched the safe. With Zhou Yang’s words, and surveillance showing Su Hao only putting things in, not taking out, Su Hao was cleared of suspicion.
Su Hao breathed a sigh of relief.
Insisting on checking the surveillance was right.
Chen Yu and the others were silent, faces unhappy. Zhang Xian scrolled to Friday’s surveillance; the safe had been opened three times that day.
Twice by Chen Yu, once by Chen Yu with Su Hao.
The last time, Su Hao only closed the box; Chen Yu placed the box. One opening took the longest.
The box was messy, many people in and out. Purchasing and marketing departments both came twice. The footage was clear, but nothing stood out.
Because the box hadn’t been opened much.
No other hands were seen.
Zhang Xian swiped this video, preparing to go back to Thursday. Su Hao suddenly said: “Wait.”
Zhang Xian paused, looking at Su Hao.
Su Hao pointed at 4:30:20 PM: “Here, Chen Yu took money twice.”
Chen Yu froze: “What are you talking about?”
Zhang Xian looked at Chen Yu and rewound the surveillance. The purchasing department’s Qiao Qing came to take money, standing in front, fiddling with little figures on the desk.
After taking money, Chen Yu answered a call, then took money again. At first glance, it seemed like the money wasn’t enough, adding more. But looking carefully, Chen Yu had enough the first time…
For a moment, everyone was silent.
Chen Yu was stunned. She had forgotten about this.
Lu Mimi scolded harshly: “I told you to watch when taking money. You take a call? Your mind keeps wandering; how can you do things properly?”
Chen Yu’s eyes blurred with tears.
“I… I…”
Zhang Xian put down the tablet: “Go get that money yourself. If you can’t, you bear it.”
Su Hao, seeing nothing more to do, grabbed her small bag: “Then I’ll go first.”
Without further words, she left, entered the elevator. Her phone beeped. She checked:
Su Xi: Hao Hao, today is a day off, right? Come home, take the car with Zhou Yang.
Su Xi: Must come. I recently learned a new dish; try it.
As Su Hao was about to reply, WeChat beeped again. It was Zhou Yang. She opened it:
Zhou Yang: Leaving already?
Zhou Yang: Wait for me downstairs. I help you, and you say nothing—impressive.
Su Hao: Thank you.
Zhou Yang: You are too much.
Su Hao: …
Not knowing who was too much, Su Hao reached the first floor, exited the elevator. Sunshine was bright. She walked a few steps, paused, and decided to wait for him.
Outside, Zhou Yang’s car was parked.
Her phone rang again; it was Zhang Xian:
Zhang Xian: Su Hao, sorry, today’s matter was my oversight.
Seeing this message, Su Hao didn’t know how to reply and didn’t respond.
Five minutes later, the elevator opened again. Zhou Yang came out, saw her, lips curled, pressed the car key: “Get in first.”
Su Hao got up, walked over. Zhou Yang opened the passenger door. Su Hao could only sit there. Zhou Yang went around to drive.
Su Hao fastened her seatbelt.
The man got in, seemingly eating a mint candy with his tongue, fastened his seatbelt, and started the car.
Driving on the main road, trees on both sides. Zhou Yang tapped the steering wheel, thinking about last night: “Did you sleep last night?”
Su Hao glanced at him, nodded.
Zhou Yang: “…Lying without prep, who likes Li Xiu?”
Su Hao glanced again. The man’s tongue seemed against something, cheek slightly raised, giving a careless, bad boy vibe. Su Hao leaned on the window calmly: “Why make it hard on yourself?”
“Knowing I purposely didn’t reply.” Su Hao said bluntly.
Click.
The mint candy shattered.
Zhou Yang glanced coldly at Su Hao, never so embarrassed. Seconds later, angrily laughed: “You’re quite righteous.”
“My pursuit bothers you that much?” he didn’t believe it.
Su Hao glanced again.
Nodded.
“Yes.”
He accelerated. The car shot forward. Su Hao instinctively held her seatbelt. Zhou Yang squinted. Honestly, he hated women passive-aggressively; Su Hao did that. He rubbed his lips, stopped at a red light, then picked up a cigarette, lit it.
Su Hao felt he was angry.
Thinking: pride hurts too much?
She quietly said: “Then give up early?”
“Actually, we’re better as friends.” Su Hao advised.
Zhou Yang chewed the cigarette, then squinted and smiled: “Oh? You decide everything?”
“Why not face whether I like you?” Zhou Yang blew smoke, and was cold. The colder he got, the calmer he seemed.
Su Hao nodded perfunctorily: “You’ve shown clearly.”
Zhou Yang suddenly leaned over, bringing smoke and a trace of casualness, half-smiling. Su Hao immediately dodged back, furrowing brows, natural expression but cold at the brow. Her face showed distant, almost judgmental rejection.
A bit aloof, which Zhou Yang disliked. He liked proactive, playful, carefree, clear-sighted women—not aloof.
But… her expression now.
Zhou Yang couldn’t resist reaching for her ear.
Next second, she slapped his hand away. Su Hao: “Do that again, I’ll get out.”
“Where’s your gentleness?” He asked softly, hand tingling.
That night at the hotel, feverish, she wasn’t herself.
Su Hao sneered: “Do you deserve it?”
Zhou Yang froze, expression dark. He was about to speak. Green light. He withdrew his hand, straightened, long fingers rotating the steering wheel, then took a drag. Driving home, Su Hao softly said: “Thanks for speaking for me this morning.”
Her voice returned to the soft, enchanting tone.
After speaking, she opened the car door, got out, grabbed her small bag, and walked to the wide iron gate, avoiding a disaster.
Zhou Yang watched the passenger door close, leaned in the driver’s seat, touched a cigarette but didn’t light it. One hand pushed the door, long legs down, expression obscure.
He wasn’t stupid.
Su Hao’s thoughts were clearly not on him these days. He realized it.
If she had even a bit of thought for him, he wouldn’t be so awkward now.
Phone rang. This time, it was Aunt Li. Zhou Yang raised brows, answered with a teasing laugh: “Blowing which wind today? Aunt Li is calling me.”
“Coming to get strawberry money. Your mom stole a whole truckload, right?” Her cheerful voice came.
“One truckload? Aunt Li, are you sure? Not just a small basket?”
“Zhou Yang, don’t joke. Using this strawberry, I’m asking you a favor.” Aunt Li never called for nothing. Zhou Yang chuckled, “Go ahead.”
“In a few days is Li Xiu’s birthday. You must come. I don’t care about young people, just satisfy her once.”
Zhou Yang silently laughed.
A few seconds later: “Definitely important.”
“Come or not? Men, don’t be shy.” Aunt Li was ruthless.
“No…” Before finishing, a slender figure appeared in the floor-to-ceiling window, tiptoeing to take the curtain hook from Su Xi. Hair tied, face gentle.
Just now in front of him, cold. Zhou Yang squinted, changed tone: “Fine, I’ll listen to Aunt Li.”
“Exactly, I should have done this long ago.” Call ended.
Zhou Yang held the phone, left the driver’s seat, slammed the door, walked to the main house, entered, changed shoes at the entrance.
Voices came from the living room.
Su Xi asked Su Hao: “Hao Hao, I remember in second year, a boy chased you… Lin Tang, right?”
“Not really chasing. We were originally deskmates.”
“What deskmates? Your mom told me you got anonymous love letters stuffed in your bag. Later you knew he liked you, you weren’t interested, so you stayed away, right?”
Su Hao: “Yes.”
“You’re so willful. If someone chases you at work, you could consider it. Don’t push them away. Also, Shen He is good, think about him. Still in touch?”
“Yes.”
“That’s good. If there’s a chance, those who chased you stay far away. If not, bring out Shen He, block them.” Su Xi cared deeply for Su Hao.
Su Hao smiled: “Yes, I kept others far away.”
In the entrance, a man hid in shadow, silent. Seconds later, he changed shoes, set down car keys, entered, unbuttoned collar, went to the wine cabinet, poured a glass, put ice, leaned, and lazed.
Su Xi saw him.
“Outside so long on the phone? Who called?”
Zhou Yang looked, tongue against ice: “Guess?”
“No, don’t tell me. No son is so flirtatious.” Su Xi waved, then pulled Su Hao: “Let’s cook, almost lunch.”
“Okay.” Su Hao followed. They passed Zhou Yang; she didn’t look at him. Zhou Yang sipped wine, eyes on her side face.
After a while, a wine glass clanked on the table. Zhou Yang went upstairs.
Su Xi asked Su Hao to make pineapple fried pork. Pineapple sliced, meat sliced and marinated, then stir-fried. Use high heat; pineapple crisp, meat tender.
Su Hao praised alongside.
Su Xi, proud, took vegetables: “Su Hao, you stir-fry today.”
Su Hao agreed.
After a while, finished, nanny called Zhou Yang down. Su Hao carried dishes; a man came to the dining room, pulled a chair, and stared at her. Su Hao calmly set down dishes, helped in the kitchen.
Su Xi followed, and saw this.
She frowned, thinking maybe her illusion.
Three ate. Su Xi packed leftovers for Zhou’s father. He stayed at the company often.
After lunch, Su Xi suggested chess. Su Hao was skilled, hadn’t played in years.
Zhou Yang on the sofa, smoking, legs stretched, arrogant.
“Don’t dare play?”
Su Hao looked up, no response.
Su Xi challenged instead: “Su Hao plays well. Come, play him. Win, I’ll make lemon chicken feet tonight.”
Dragged Su Hao to board, like a duck to water.
Check.
Rook.
Pawn.
Su Hao started moving.
Zhou Yang smoked, leaned on a coffee table. She was skilled; fingers slender, white, holding pieces. Too obvious, distracting.
Su Xi, impressed, went to cut fruit.
Su Hao’s pawn captured by Zhou Yang. She froze. Reached to move. His hand grabbed her finger, palm teasingly rubbed. He wanted to put it in mouth. Su Hao looked up, and met his narrow eyes. Zhou Yang raised eyebrows: “Sorry, wrong hand.”
Su Hao pulled back hard, splashed water on his trousers: “Sorry, wrong hand.”
Zhou Yang looked down, angrily laughed.
Phone rang; Shen He called. Zhou Yang glanced, silent. Su Hao picked up, voice softened, went to the living room to answer. Zhou Yang sat, held a cigarette, threw it on board, leaned back, smoked and slanted.
Su Xi cut fruit, fed Su Hao a piece.
Phone rang. Su Xi recognized When His voice didn’t disturb. Returned, sunlight on Zhou Yang’s sharp face.
No expression.
But as a mother, she knew the mood. She bent down, whispered: “You don’t like Su Hao, do you?”
“Don’t like it, no chance.”
*Author’s Note:* This chapter has 100 red packets. Don’t rush, Zhou Yang really brings trouble on himself. Haha.
Finished early morning updates for three days, May 27 onward updates moved to 18:00. Mwah.
Lastly, recommend a light fantasy sweet novel to friends: *“Heart with Fierce Tiger, Hugging Roses”* Pen name: Mo Xike
Mo Sheng buried her wish under the tree:
Hoped to meet a shining boy, be the one who understands him best, and be the most special in his eyes.
After school started, Mo Sheng saw a glowing boy like a light bulb, cold in dealings, yet his thoughts rapidly flew above.
He was reportedly face-blind; she suddenly became the only one who could see him clearly.
Wish realized, a bit extreme…
Music department’s Yu Lichuan, campus heartthrob, perfect looks, seemingly gentle but actually aloof.
Many girls rejected by Yu Lichuan said: forget it, he will never date; he couldn’t find his girlfriend even in a crowd.
One day, the Sports Department’s Mo Sheng got drunk at a party: “Don’t know why they like You Lichuan. He sleeps like an octopus, hugging until you can’t breathe.”
These words went public, everyone commented:
Netizens: Even if they are from the same art institute, would you care?!
Netizens: Their styles clash! Mo Sheng is pretty, but too fierce. How could Lichuan like someone who can uproot willows?
Later discovered, Yu Lichuan bought a house; only their fingerprints could be unlocked.