Fight for her
On the first working day after the holiday, Zhuang Jinghao sent a WeChat message to Zuo Xiao on his way to work:
"Teacher Zuo, will tonight's class be as usual?"
She was nervous, fearing that the message would be rejected, but fortunately it wasn't.
She continued to be nervous, worried that Zuo Xiao would not reply.
After a while, she received a reply: "As usual." Her eyes lit up with joy, but she didn't notice her brother glanced at her phone screen.
Zhuang Jinghao was very happy that day, smiling sweetly at everyone she met. Unexpectedly, before leaving work, she was stopped by the PR Director, Li Min.
She now works in public relations for her brother's company. Her daily duties generally involve maintaining media relations, issuing press releases, and organizing events. While her status as the boss's younger sister hasn't been officially publicized, it's widely known to the older employees, who take good care of her and rarely ask her to work overtime more than twice a year.
Her mentality towards this is very subtle: on the one hand, she doesn't want to be treated specially, but on the other hand, she enjoys the many benefits brought by her special status, such as not having to work overtime; being able to ask for leave at any time; and being able to pass on some annoying media to other colleagues... She also knows that she can't "have it all", but in the face of human natural laziness, she chose to be an ostrich.
"Jinghao, there's a dinner party tonight, and I think you'll have to come with me." Li Min patted her shoulder and said affably, "It's that editor-in-chief Liu from Mengchong Online whom you support. She's in Beijing on a business trip, so let's go have dinner with her."
"Ah?" Zhuang Jinghao looked embarrassed, "But I have a date tonight..."
Li Min's expression was even more difficult than hers. "What should I do? She specifically asked to see you and said she had such a great time chatting with you last time... Can you see if tonight's private schedule can be postponed? I expect the dinner to be over around 8 o'clock."
Zhuang Jinghao couldn't resist and agreed. She sent a WeChat message to Zuo Xiao, asking him to change tonight's class from 7:00 to 8:30. Zuo Xiao agreed.
However, by 8 o'clock, the dinner party showed no sign of ending. She had no choice but to send another WeChat message to Zuo Xiao, saying that she might not be able to attend the class tonight, but hoped to see her. Zuo Xiao agreed again.
After dinner, Li Min suggested playing 橋蛋 (Fighting Eggs), a game Editor-in-Chief Liu loved, so he agreed immediately. Since there were exactly four people at the table, they couldn't afford to miss out on any one, so Zhuang Jinghao was retained.
She sent a message to Zuo Xiao with great apology, saying that she wanted to change the time.
"Teacher Zuo, I'm still working overtime and can't leave... I might not be able to see you today... Can we move it to tomorrow?" (crying kitten face emoji)
Zuo Xiao glanced at his phone screen, then stood up and walked out of the cafe.
For tonight's teaching session, she had booked a small rehearsal room between her residence and Zhuang Jinghao's company. When Zhuang Jinghao first mentioned the change, she was out. She waited and waited in a café near the rehearsal room until a pigeon finally arrived.
First he was humiliated in front of others by his brother, and then he was stood up by his sister... How could Zuo Xiao not be angry?
What's more, Zhuang Jinghao participated in the human flesh operation against her and tried to interfere in her life from the second dimension to the third dimension. She shouldn't have paid attention to her in the first place, and should even teach her a lesson!
But she gave in to her again and again, why? Zuo Xiao knew the reason very well.
Firstly, she hasn't found a job yet, and teaching rich people will bring in a considerable income.
Secondly, she was determined to go against that Zhuang Yu'an! He didn't want her to get close to his sister, but she insisted! She'd better lead his beloved astray, or he would be furious to death!
In addition, there is a third reason, which is also the most important reason. She feels a little embarrassed when she thinks about it: it comes from the vanity of a small author in a remote corner who desires to be recognized and loved.
She had been writing for over two years, but remained largely unknown, having failed to even secure a contract with a platform. Unexpectedly, a loyal reader named "Quietly Waiting for Updates" followed her articles daily, leaving comments and irrigating her with nutrient solution, boosting her meager confidence in writing to a slick level.
When she realized that the person "quietly waiting for updates" was Zhuang Jinghao, and that he was so obsessed with her work that he even traveled from the second dimension to the third dimension to urge her to update, her vanity overwhelmed the anger and fear of being "exposed" and "exposed." Moreover, the bad things were all done by that bastard brother, while the sister was innocent, enthusiastic, and innocent...
Of course, she had always been intentionally controlling and not always acceding to Zhuang Jinghao's requests. But tonight, she was truly being manipulated!
I was so angry that I replied on WeChat: "Let's talk about it later."
When Zhuang Jinghao got home, her brother had prepared a lily, tremella and lotus seed soup for her.
Seeing that she had no appetite, he asked, "Didn't I allow you to go to class? Why do you still look unhappy?"
Zhuang Jinghao curled his lips and said, "I didn't make it. I had to work overtime..."
"Huh?" Zhuang Yu'an looked surprised. "It's rare. Why are you working overtime?"
"A media editor-in-chief is visiting Beijing, and Sister Li Min asked me to entertain him."
"Next time you make such a request, just reject it directly." Zhuang Yu'an's expression was serious. "Taking up meaningless dinners during your subordinates' rest time is unacceptable. I'll talk to her about it tomorrow."
"No!" Zhuang Jinghao said hurriedly, "You don't understand since you've never worked in PR! This kind of dinner is inevitable, so don't embarrass Sister Li Min!"
"Okay, then make an appointment for the next lesson." Zhuang Yu'an said, "Also, you must practice diligently when learning a musical instrument. Have you practiced the piano these past two days?"
Zhuang Jinghao's expression was awkward, and she whispered, "How can I have time to practice these past two days..."
"That won't do. Didn't your teacher repeatedly tell you to practice for at least an hour every day? And you agreed. What are you going to do when they check your practice results?"
Zhuang Jinghao took a deep breath, stood up and walked away from the source of pressure: "It's too late today, I'll start practicing tomorrow..."
Zhuang Yu'an looked at his sister's back and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Over the next two days, Zhuang Jinghao made four appointments with Zuo Xiao, who each time said, "Let's see." She knew something was seriously wrong: she'd stood him up, and he was angry...
That night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She opened her iPad, pulled out the serialized novel "Zuo Xiao is Not Afraid of Curses," and clicked on the latest chapter. The update time displayed on it was a day in mid-March.
The reason why she became fascinated with the novel called "Jasmine Garden" was not only because she was impressed by the writing style of "Zuo Xiao is not afraid of curse", but also because the protagonist of the novel resonated deeply with her.
The heroine, Jasmine, has been pampered by her brother since childhood. She believes she is brave and strong, but in reality she is timid, cowardly, and greedy. She envies others' adventurous lives, but covets the magnificent castle her brother has built for her, repeatedly giving up the things she truly loves.
Until one day, she fell in love with a man...
She knew from the beginning that the man was not perfect, and as she got to know him better, she discovered that he had many, many problems, and she had a premonition that she would be deeply hurt by him.
Yet, she still chose to follow him recklessly, following him into the unknown, mired in poverty, squalor, conspiracy, and mutual harm... Through constant trials and tribulations, she gradually realized: she didn't actually love him. She simply needed an opportunity for change, a grand test to truly transform herself and break with her past. She would transform from a princess trapped in the castle gardens to a brave warrior who could bravely venture into the dense forest, cleave thorns with her sword, and drive away wild beasts!
However, the novel comes to an abrupt end at a crucial moment.
When Jasmine, having grown into a warrior as she had hoped, and commanded a troop sworn to her life, a perfect man appeared in her life. He was the king of a small kingdom. He respected her, loved her, invited her to stay, and promised her a role in governing the country, reforming the system to her liking. He proposed to her, promising her the right to leave at any time, even if they were married. Jasmine knew that if she only nodded, she would have a garden without fences. She would still be free, but her life would be filled with fragrance and splendor.
She liked this man, but was a little hesitant: Do I love him?
Meanwhile, her ex, who had hurt her countless times, wept bitterly as he knelt at her feet, begging for forgiveness. He said he had repented, and that he wanted to start over with her and remain steadfast in his pursuit of her. Jasmine looked at this man, now far less powerful than she, who even seemed weak and ridiculous, and a voice in her heart said, "I think I love him..."
Oh my god! Zhuang Jinghao was once again worried about Jasmine's situation.
She had a brief, naive romance in high school, and she wasn't sure if it was love—yes, she had to admit, she didn't understand love at all. But she felt that love should be glorious and admirable. Just like how she'd fallen in love with Xu Zixuan in high school because he was handsome and had good grades. How could a woman fall in love with a man without any qualities associated with beauty, strength, or nobility?
After going through so many trials and becoming a free and powerful woman, will Jasmine, the heroine, give up the perfect partner who has fallen from the sky and fall in love with the man who once hurt her and has no redeeming qualities? If Jasmine chooses the king, will her adventure end with her lover, or will she continue on her own path?
She wanted the answer, so she waited anxiously for updates. She also thought that maybe "Zuo Xiao is not afraid of the curse" would eventually stop updating, but could she tell her the answer in a few words?
After hesitating for a long time, she opened Zuo Xiao's WeChat and initiated a voice call.
Zuo Xiao was choosing an outfit for tomorrow's job interview when his phone rang. After a two-second hesitation, he answered the call.
"Teacher Zuo..." a cautious voice said, "I'm sorry to call you so late... Are you asleep?"
Zuo Xiao thought it was funny, but he suppressed his laughter and said, "I'm asleep. I was talking in my sleep."
The other person burst out laughing, and after a moment said, "I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to stand you up the day before yesterday..."
She had already apologized five, six, seven, or eight times in the past two days, so why was she still here? Zuo Xiao picked up a light purple long-sleeved shirt and tried it on himself: "Okay, I accept your apology."
"Thank you!" The other party paused, "Um... Teacher Zuo, are you free tomorrow? I'd like to treat you to dinner, or lunch, whatever's convenient for you."
Zuo Xiao thought for a moment and said, "Your company is in Liangmaqiao, right?"
"yes."
"I happen to have an interview there tomorrow morning, and I'll come see you at noon."
"Ah! Good! Good!"
After hanging up the phone, Zuo Xiao imagined the fiery red hair and the cute little face, and once again felt that this little reader and apprentice was very cute.
The next day was a hot day, with the forecast predicting a high of 34 degrees Celsius. Zuo Xiao had already entered the elevator when he felt the heat and ran back to change clothes.
She looked at the wardrobe for a few seconds and chose a lilac sleeveless dress. Although it was a gentle style and slim fit, it was above the knee and the neckline was not too open.
However, the moment she saw the interviewer, she realized that she was wearing the wrong clothes.
This was the second interview. The interviewer was the head of the hiring department, a man in his thirties. He looked at her as if he wanted to eat her alive. Zuo Xiao chatted with him briefly, then said, "I don't think I'm a good match for this job," and hurried away. Before she even exited the elevator, she saw a friend request on WeChat.
She sat in the cafe downstairs from Zhuang Jinghao's company for a while. After receiving the call, she walked out of the cafe and into the lobby.
It was lunchtime, and the hall was bustling with people. Suddenly, I heard a clear, resonant voice, "Teacher Zuo!" Turning around, I saw Zhuang Jinghao running towards me, her dazzling red hair like flames in the wind.
She was hugged tightly around the waist.
"You look so beautiful today!" Zhuang Jinghao held her for a long moment before reluctantly letting go. His puppy-like eyes scanned her up and down. "You look like a pure and flawless lotus flower, a soft and juicy peach... and a piece of pink and white mousse cake!"
"Stop!" Zuo Xiao said with a smile, "I can see you're hungry, go eat."
Zhuang Jinghao took her arm and was about to walk out when his name was suddenly called.
Turning around, she saw her immediate superior, the company's co-founder and CMO, Luffy. Of her brother's two partners, Luffy was the better looking and had a better temper. Zhuang Jing really enjoyed playing with him.
She called out "Mr. Lu" sweetly, and Luffy made a gesture of rubbing his goosebumps and walked over with his long legs.
Luffy had a pair of watery, affectionate peach blossom eyes, and his gaze fell on Zuo Xiao: "Who is this?"
Zhuang Jinghao raised her head proudly: "My friend!"
The admiration in the man's eyes was palpable. Zuo Xiao was used to it and didn't mind it. She didn't object to normal admiration, just not the same as that pervert from this morning.
"Hello, I'm Luffy." The other person extended his right hand and said politely with a smile, "What's your name?"
Zuo Xiao shook hands with him lightly: "Zuo Xiao."
Luffy turned his gaze back to Zhuang Jinghao's face: "Let's go eat?"
"Yeah!" Zhuang Jinghao felt that this small talk wasted time chatting and eating with Zuo Xiao, so he said in a somewhat urgent tone, "Then we'll be leaving first!"
"Go ahead." Luffy's gaze turned to Zuo Xiao's face again, "Nice to meet you, goodbye."
Zhuang Jinghao walked out arm in arm with Zuo Xiao, grinning, "That restaurant I'm talking about is super popular, there's always a line! But I've already reserved a table! Not only are their dishes delicious, but their desserts are amazing too. You have to try the peach-flavored mousse cake!"
Zuo Xiao laughed: "No wonder you compare me to peaches and mousse cakes. Then I think you look like a kind of food too."
"Really? Like what?"
“Spicy crayfish!”
Zhuang Jinghao immediately thought of the red crayfish holding its claws fiercely, and couldn't help laughing.
The two were talking and laughing, and just as they walked out of the door, they unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance.
He is also the person they least want to meet at this moment.
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