Chapter 438 - 436: Not Everyone Can Gain His Favor
Just as Li You was about to speak, Xue Yang interrupted her. "No matter what it is, since it’s in the past, let’s not bring it up. I appreciate your kindness, thank you."
"Boss, about the pickles..." Li You pursed her lips, looking hurt.
If anyone else had been there, they would have surely thought that Xue Yang was bullying the young woman.
"Take the pickles back. I don’t really eat them, so you don’t need to bring any in the future," Xue Yang refused as bluntly as a heartbreaker.
"President Xue, I didn’t mean anything else. I just wanted to express my gratitude. Please don’t be angry. If you’re worried that your wife will be upset, I’ll explain it to her."
Just then, a sweet voice sounded from the doorway.
"Xue Yang... Oh, you’re busy? I’ll come back later, then."
Lin Xi, carrying a bag of snacks, had rushed in full of enthusiasm. She paused when she saw someone else in Xue Yang’s office and instinctively started to back out.
However, before she could retreat, she heard Xue Yang’s sharp command.
"Come back."
Lin Xi froze, her foot hovering in the air. "What’s wrong? I didn’t mean to barge in."
If I had known someone was here, I wouldn’t have just come in like that. This is strange. Isn’t it lunch break? Why is there someone in Xue Yang’s office? And a woman, at that. She looks a little shabby, but she’d definitely be a beauty if she dressed up. Huh? What am I even thinking? I must have been talking to Si Wen too much; I’m getting paranoid. How could Xue Yang be that kind of person? But if he really were... what would I do?
Lin Xi herself wasn’t sure anymore.
"Come here," Xue Yang said, looking at her.
"Oh."
Lin Xi took small, shuffling steps toward him.
"A little closer."
"Okay." Lin Xi continued to inch closer to Xue Yang.
Although she didn’t understand what he was planning, Lin Xi was used to obeying him. She had never once refused him.
Xue Yang reached out, tugged her hand, and in the next moment, she tumbled onto his lap.
Lin Xi let out a small "Ah!", her face instantly blushing red. She struggled a few times, but when she couldn’t break free, she gave up.
What is wrong with Xue Yang today, doing this in front of someone else? I usually only dare to be so intimate with him in private. This is the first time in front of another person. The feeling is strange, yet somewhat thrilling. It’s as if he’s declaring my existence, telling everyone that I’m his woman. At this thought, Lin Xi’s face flushed an even deeper shade of red.
Li You looked completely out of place, standing there, unsure whether to stay or go.
At that moment, Xue Yang spoke. "Didn’t you just say you wanted to explain things to the boss’s wife? She’s here now. You can explain."
Explain while I’m sitting on his lap? What exactly is he trying to do? Lin Xi was baffled.
"Xue Yang, what does she need to explain to me?" Lin Xi asked, puzzled.
"I have no idea."
I was already nervous enough facing Xue Yang, and now I have to face Lin Xi, too. I don’t know what to do. I want to leave, but if I do, it’ll look like I’m admitting I had improper intentions toward him.
Li You finally understood. Xue Yang knew everything. He was doing this to make her give up completely.
"It’s like this, Madam," Li You began. "A customer in the showroom was making things difficult for me, and the boss stepped in to help. To express my gratitude, I made some pickles for him. It’s not anything valuable, just a small token of my appreciation. I hope you won’t misunderstand."
After speaking, Li You lowered her head, looking as pitiful as a wronged bride.
So that’s all this was about.
Xue Yang said, "Miss Li, you are my employee, not a hostess at a bar. When someone makes things difficult for one of my employees in front of me, I will naturally intervene. You don’t need to give such a small matter a second thought. Also, in the future, don’t bring me pickles or anything else. I’m not lacking for food."
"I’m sorry, Boss. I’m sorry, Madam. I just... I just..."
Li You was so agitated that tears began to fall, making her already frail figure look even more pitiable. Unfortunately for her, the person she was facing was Xue Yang. Never mind her tears; he wouldn’t spare her a second glance even if she were rolling on the ground.
Lin Xi, who now understood the gist of the situation, tried to smooth things over. "Hey, Xue Yang, don’t be so hard on her." She then turned to the other woman, reading the name on her work badge. "Li You, right? Did you make these pickles?"
Li You nodded slightly, like a frightened rabbit. "I did, Madam. My family is poor, so this is all I can offer."
"I’ve never had pickles before. Could you give them to me?"
Li You nodded immediately. "As long as you like them, Madam."
Lin Xi turned back to Xue Yang. "Let’s take these home. We can ask Auntie to serve them with dinner tonight, okay?"
"Okay," he agreed.
The way he treats his wife is a world apart from how he treats me. As I thought, not just anyone can win the boss’s favor. He did all this to tell me not to struggle in vain. No matter what anyone else does, he won’t give it a second thought.
When Li You left the boss’s office, her eyes were still red.
Wu Xiaoya, just returning from lunch, bumped into her and asked with concern, "Li You, what happened? Have you been crying?"
"Manager Wu, I’m fine."
Wu Xiaoya glanced from Li You to the boss’s office.
Did the boss make her cry? That’s to be expected. Going to the boss’s office during the lunch break... it’d be stranger if she *wasn’t* crying.
Feeling guilty, Li You couldn’t meet Wu Xiaoya’s eyes. "Manager Wu, I didn’t..."
Wu Xiaoya patted her on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Li You, you need to understand your place and not do things you shouldn’t. Otherwise, even I can’t help you."
"I understand. Thank you, Manager Wu."
With that, Li You lowered her head and returned to her workstation.
I know I’m not worthy. I just wanted to get a little closer to him. Is that so wrong? I never expected to gain his favor... I just wanted him to notice me for the little things I could do. But that thought shattered the moment that stunning woman appeared in my mind. It broke into a million pieces. Compared to her, I’m like a bug from the sewer, completely unfit to be seen. Why is the gap between people so huge?
Li You couldn’t understand it. But even so, after having seen the sun, she knew nothing else could ever catch her eye again.