The pointed remark left Li Wenwen pale, and she lowered her head, silent.
After the meeting, Shu Hua was called aside by Qiao Na, who offered her personal praise and encouragement.
As Shu Hua walked out of the meeting room, Yao Zhiyao immediately rushed over, linking arms with her and whispering excitedly: “Shu Hua! You were amazing just now! Did you see Li Wenwen’s face? Haha, that felt so satisfying!”
Shu Hua smiled: “I just did what needed to be done.”
“You’re way too modest!” Yao Zhiyao chirped, and the two walked together back to their desks.
Passing the restroom, Shu Hua caught a familiar sharp voice inside—Zhang Li.
“…acting all high and mighty, it’s just a few sketches, who knows if they’re copied.”
Another voice chimed in: “Exactly. Look at her outfit—pure luxury brands, and that bag, Hermes Kelly, worth hundreds of thousands! Two days in a row with different bags, where would a newcomer get so much money?”
Zhang Li sneered: “Need I even say? I saw her get out of a Rolls-Royce this morning. Claims she’s married, but who knows what her husband does? Maybe some big shot old enough to be her father!”
Shu Hua stopped in her tracks.
Yao Zhiyao, furious, blushed and wanted to confront them, but Shu Hua gently pulled her back.
Shu Hua shook her head, then pushed open the restroom door.
Zhang Li and the other colleague were touching up their makeup at the sinks. Seeing Shu Hua in the mirror, their expressions immediately changed.
Zhang Li’s panic flickered briefly, but she quickly replaced it with forced disdain.
Shu Hua calmly walked to the empty sink, turned on the faucet, and washed her hands slowly, deliberately, letting the water run. Once her hands were dry, she leaned lightly against the counter, her gaze serene as she looked at Zhang Li.
“What were you two chatting about so excitedly?” she asked softly, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Zhang Li felt uncomfortable under her gaze, forcing out: “Nothing, just… chatting.”
“Oh?” Shu Hua tilted her head slightly. “I think I overheard you talking about my bag, my clothes, even my personal life?”
The other colleague lowered her head awkwardly.
Zhang Li flushed and, seeing no escape, snapped: “What’s wrong with that? Young, wearing all designer brands—must be her family or her man! And with the way she dresses, who knows who she’s trying to seduce?”
Shu Hua laughed—not a cold laugh, but one that found the situation absurd and amusing.
“Why would I explain my spending habits to you?” she said gently. “Lily, rich families have daughters too. Just because someone has money, does that mean they can’t work, can’t earn through their own ability, can’t wear what they like?”
She stepped forward, her 168 cm frame giving her a subtle advantage. The natural poise and quiet nobility in her demeanor made Zhang Li instinctively step back half a step.
“As for my marriage,” Shu Hua paused, her eyes sweeping over Zhang Li’s envy-twisted face, “my husband is young, strong, and handsome! We are legally married and deeply in love. Is that disappointing to you?”
Zhang Li was completely speechless.
Shu Hua took another step forward, her voice softer but each word distinct: “And Lily, earlier you asked who I ‘usually seduce’? Well, I’d like to ask you—who do you usually seduce? With all your experience, maybe I can learn a thing or two?”
Zhang Li trembled with anger, her face alternating red and white, yet not a single word came out.
At that moment, a senior female colleague from the design department emerged from another stall. She washed her hands and cast a cool glance at Zhang Li: “If you have time to gossip behind someone’s back, why not put that energy into the project? Director Qiao hates this kind of toxic behavior in the department.”
Zhang Li’s remaining arrogance completely drained. She glared at Shu Hua one last time, grabbed her companion, and stormed out.
The senior colleague gave Shu Hua a friendly nod before leaving.
Yao Zhiyao’s eyes sparkled: “Shu Hua! You totally shut her down! I almost wanted to storm in and scold her myself!”
Shu Hua shook her head gently: “No need to get upset over such things. Just take it easy.”
Even so, all afternoon, Shu Hua could feel the unfriendly gazes from Zhang Li and Li Wenwen. She ignored them, fully focused on her work.
She wasn’t very hungry at lunch, only eating a few bites of salad. By late afternoon, her stomach felt empty and her head a little light. She got up, planning to make a cup of coffee in the pantry to refresh herself.
The pantry was empty.
She had just started her coffee when she heard footsteps behind her. Thinking it was another colleague, she didn’t turn and pressed the button.
“Only a little for lunch, now coffee? Don’t you want your stomach to complain?”
The low, familiar voice made her startle, her hand shaking and nearly spilling the hot coffee. She whirled around to see Pei Yanzhou standing in the pantry doorway, tall and imposing, one hand in his trousers pocket, silently observing her.
How did he get here? The CEO’s office was on the top floor…
“G-Good afternoon, Mr. Pei,” Shu Hua instinctively straightened, greeting him respectfully, though her heart raced uncontrollably.
Pei Yanzhou stepped inside, casually closing the pantry door behind him—a simple motion that made Shu Hua’s chest tighten.
In the small space, his crisp, pleasant scent filled the air, bringing with it a palpable sense of pressure.
“How’s your day?” he asked, stepping closer, his gaze on her face.
“F-Fine…” Shu Hua felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny.
“Is your tongue still sore?” he asked again, his voice lowered slightly.
She nodded.
Earlier at lunch, she had intended to drink some soup to replenish her energy, but she’d burned herself again.
“Let me see,” he said, reaching out, his fingers lightly lifting her chin.
The cool touch made her shiver. She tried to pull away, but his other hand rested on the back of her neck, gentle yet preventing her movement.
“Open your mouth,” he instructed, eyes focused.
The position was far too intimate. Shu Hua’s cheeks flamed red as she glanced toward the door: “N-No… someone might come in…”
“No one’s here,” Pei Yanzhou said confidently, his thumb lightly stroking her jaw. “Let me check.”
His voice seemed to have a magic power; Shu Hua unconsciously parted her lips slightly.
He examined her carefully, frowning a little: “Still a bit swollen. When we get home tonight, spray some medicine on it.”
“Spray again?” Shu Hua pouted instinctively. She hated the bitter taste of medicine.
“It’ll heal faster,” Pei Yanzhou said. He didn’t let go immediately; instead, his thumb brushed her lower lip. Shu Hua’s eyelashes fluttered nervously; she tried to turn her head, but he held her in place.
At that moment, faint footsteps and chatter approached outside the door.
Shu Hua panicked, using all her strength to push him away, almost crouching instinctively.
Pei Yanzhou stumbled back half a step, watching her curl up into a tiny, anxious figure, a faint smile flickering in his eyes.
The footsteps paused at the door, hesitated, then gradually receded.
Shu Hua finally breathed a huge sigh of relief, stood up, and glared at Pei Yanzhou, silently mouthing: “You did that on purpose!”