Monday. Thanks to Tuo Xiarui, once the project was submitted, it didn’t come back with any requests for revisions.
Liang Rou simply assumed it was all thanks to Xia Rui’s relatives, never suspecting that the relative who helped revise the project was actually the Big Boss.
“Phew~”
Having finished work, she felt completely at ease.
Now, all Liang Rou hoped for was her own promotion. After completing such a major project, a raise should be just around the corner, right?
Where there’s good, there’s also bad. These days, Wen Xiaoliang kept messaging her about An Luxi, saying things like:
［Wen Xiaoliang: You know how I found out An Luxi confessed to my boyfriend? I like to plant a recorder on my boyfriend, and he actually knows it because he understands me. But that time, I guess he didn’t expect An Luxi to confess to him, so I just happened to overhear it.］
［Wen Xiaoliang: How can there be such shameless people in the world? She knows perfectly well he has a girlfriend, but she still goes ahead to be the other woman. They love each other so much, yet she had to come and interfere.］
［Wen Xiaoliang: Do you know what An Luxi said to my boyfriend at the time? She said, ‘Let me save you. I know you’re unhappy being with your girlfriend! I will rescue you… I won’t let your life feel like you’re choking.’］
［Wen Xiaoliang: Is it suffocating to be with me, Liang Wensheng?］
The last sentence left Liang Rou a little dazed. She wasn’t sure if Wen Xiaoliang was asking about the former Liang Wensheng or the current Liang Rou. But no matter who the question was directed at, she couldn’t answer.
［Wen Xiaoliang: You really don’t believe me, do you, Liang Rou.］
［Wen Xiaoliang: I believe one day you’ll come looking for me, and when that day comes, some things won’t be in your control anymore.］
That last message felt like a blatant threat.
Liang Rou wearily slammed her phone down on the table.
“Wen Xiaoliang… when will you realize that the love you give me is truly a burden?” she muttered.
These days, Liang Rou was mentally drained, while Xia Rui grew more and more excited by the day. Saturday was drawing near, and she was about to invite her senior over to her house~
Finally, Friday arrived.
“Senior~ Let’s not miss each other tomorrow~ I’m treating you to a feast to properly thank you for helping me complete this project. Without you, I don’t know how long it would have taken me!”
Liang Rou was flattered by the praise and felt honored. She even wanted to thank Xia Rui herself. If it weren’t for Xia Rui, her project would probably have been sent back for revisions multiple times before the first version was finally accepted… the usual routine.
“Of course~ You treat me to a meal, I’ll treat you to some fun~”
Liang Rou never liked owing favors.
The next day.
Liang Rou still dressed casually—no makeup, a half-sleeved top, and shorts—carelessly riding her small electric scooter to the restaurant Xia Rui had sent her.
As soon as she arrived, she was stunned by the restaurant’s appearance.
“No wonder she’s a Rich Second Generation…” she muttered, not sure where to park the scooter.
Fortunately, Xia Rui had arrived early and was waiting right at the entrance.
“Senior!”
Xia Rui ran over excitedly and naturally took the scooter from Liang Rou’s hands.
“I’ll park your scooter in the underground garage~”
Liang Rou felt a bit embarrassed. “Is it really okay to park a scooter in the underground garage…?”
“Oh, it’s fine. I come here to eat all the time. They know me, so I just park anywhere, and they don’t care.”
Without waiting for a response, Xia Rui pushed the scooter toward a waiter.
“Please help me park this in the underground garage, thank you.”
Liang Rou was dumbfounded by the whole scene, her fingers nervously clutching the hem of her clothes, feeling embarrassed.
Sure enough, Xia Rui was truly the Top Boss’s Daughter.
“All set, senior, let’s go in~”
Xia Rui eagerly linked arms with Liang Rou and playfully pushed her into the restaurant. Xia Rui had no intention of drugging Liang Rou right now—it was still broad daylight, and some things were easier to do at night. So this meal was just a meal.
Liang Rou marveled at the luxurious decor but found the food disappointing. Honestly, it was average and the portions were small… but expensive.
After the meal, Xia Rui obediently followed Liang Rou shopping and accepted the small trinkets, snacks, and jewelry Liang Rou bought for her.
As dusk fell, Xia Rui knew the plan was only just beginning.
“Senior, I know a folk music bar that has amazing singing, delicious snacks, and great drinks. Would you like to check it out with me? We can listen to some music, have a drink, then head back?”
As if afraid Liang Rou might refuse, Xia Rui quickly added, “We just finished the project after all; let’s celebrate with a drink~”
Already tempted and craving alcohol, Liang Rou glanced at her phone, then bit her lip and decided to have a drink.
It had been a long time since she’d drunk. Just one drink, only one, and she definitely wouldn’t get drunk.
After reassuring herself, Liang Rou smiled widely, revealing her eight gleaming white teeth.
“Alright, let’s have a drink~”
She’d taken the bait!
Xia Rui, who still had a toothache and had thought her senior would have learned from past mistakes, now beamed with joy.
Well, her senior was as foolish as ever, with no sense of caution.
It seemed she completely considered Xia Rui one of her own. When she got betrayed by others, she’d still help count their money~
But the more naive Liang Rou was, the happier Xia Rui became. That meant she had a chance to make her move.
So, Xia Rui took Liang Rou’s hand and led her to the folk music bar’s entrance.
Xia Rui wasn’t lying—the main vocalist there really did sing beautifully, the snacks were delicious, and the drinks tasted great.
Liang Rou and Xia Rui settled onto a large sofa. Others were around, and the dim lighting and noisy environment made it easier for Xia Rui to slip something into Liang Rou’s drink.
“It’s really good~”
After one drink, Liang Rou felt a warmth spread through her body.
Xia Rui wasn’t in a hurry to act. She planned to wait until the second drink, then the third to drug her. That way, Liang Rou would think she passed out from drinking too much standing for too long. It wouldn’t be Xia Rui’s fault—she was a good person after all, even taking her senior home (although it would be to her own house).
With that thought, Xia Rui smiled and clinked glasses for another round.
“Glug glug~”
The second drink was gone.