The boss is a really good boss.

Back at the company, Ming Shuzhen’s feet were frozen stiff.

The sky was overcast, with little sunlight filtering through. Bare trees lined the streets, their branches clacking in the wind, casting a bleak, gray pallor over everything.

Dragging her weary body, Ming Shuzhen entered the company building.

She hadn’t worn glasses while riding her scooter, but now inside, she pulled them from her bag and put them on.

The world sharpened instantly, and she spotted Ming Shuyan standing in the lobby.

Hesitating whether to greet her—after all, she was the boss, but they weren’t familiar—she worried it might seem like brown-nosing.

Before she could decide, Ming Shuyan spoke.

“Went for an on-site inspection?”

Her tone was neutral, betraying no emotion.

Ming Shuzhen froze, wondering if the boss was addressing her. No one else was around.

“I’m talking to you,” Ming Shuyan said, her gaze steady, no trace of impatience.

“Oh, yeah, I did the inspection,” Ming Shuzhen replied, composed.

‘Did I just say my thoughts out loud?’ she wondered. No way—she often daydreamed but was careful not to mutter aloud.

Could the boss read minds or micro-expressions?

“How’d it go?” Ming Shuyan asked, showing no rush to leave.

Already chilled, Ming Shuzhen felt the lobby’s vastness and low temperature keenly. Sensing the boss was checking on work, she stood there, freezing.

“The client reported strange noises in the walls, suspecting electrical issues from old wiring,” Ming Shuzhen said, her thoughts clear when discussing work. “But I tested the voltage and checked the circuits—no leaks. The client mentioned patching the walls last year, so I suspect impurities in the cement.”

“Mm,” Ming Shuyan nodded, either in agreement or just a reflex.

“Did you check for wall tilting?” she asked.

“No,” Ming Shuzhen answered honestly. “I didn’t bring a total station this time. I’ll take it next visit.”

“And an infrared thermal imager,” she added, anticipating further questions.

“Oh, good.”

With nothing left to ask, Ming Shuyan ended the conversation and left the lobby.

Ming Shuzhen watched her go, puzzled. The boss seemed both idle and engaged.

She asked superficial questions, yet took the time to inquire about work.

‘Well, she’s a good boss, I guess,’ Ming Shuzhen concluded mentally.

As the boss left, the stagnant air seemed to flow again. Ke Mingpeng at the front desk looked over.

“Hey, Full Pockets! What’d the boss say?” Ke Mingpeng leaned out, brimming with gossip.

“Oh, she asked about the inspection,” Ming Shuzhen said, approaching the desk so Ke Mingpeng didn’t have to strain.

“Wow, the boss really cares about you,” Ke Mingpeng said, not jealous. In her mind, Ming Shuzhen was the boss’s sister—sibling bonds were normal.

“She’s probably just checking on employees,” Ming Shuzhen said, too cold to chat more.

“I’m heading up. Rode my scooter far—it’s freezing.”

“Go on, grab some hot tea in the break room to warm up,” Ke Mingpeng urged.

“Will do. I’ll come hang out another day,” Ming Shuzhen said, darting to the elevator.

The elevator dinged at the fourth floor. Stepping out, she glanced at the fish tank, catching a glimpse of red fish darting up and down.

Meilin was at a meeting, leaving only Qian Duoduo and a few others in the office.

Ming Shuzhen returned the tools to the tool room, then grabbed hot water from the break room to warm her hands.

“How’d it go? Smooth? Find the cause?” Qian Duoduo asked, scooting over as Ming Shuzhen settled at her desk.

“No cause yet. It’s not electrical,” Ming Shuzhen said, cradling the steaming cup. “The client mentioned patching walls last year. I suspect impurities in the cement. Next visit, I’ll bring a thermal imager.”

“Oh,” Qian Duoduo listened intently. “Did you check for wall tilting?”

Her question echoed the boss’s. Ming Shuzhen shook her head, thinking of the equipment she’d need next time. The total station alone weighed more than all today’s tools combined.

After warming up at her desk, Meilin returned from her meeting.

Standing under the overhead lights, she clapped to get everyone’s attention.

Once the chairs stopped swiveling, she spoke. “November’s work is mostly wrapped up. Double-check your data archives and write a summary report. Send it to my email by next week.”

Murmurs followed. Ming Shuzhen overheard Qian Duoduo lamenting her unwritten report, while Dou Youmi bragged about finishing early.

Meilin glanced at her meeting notes and continued. “In a few days, the Green Building Committee will visit for guidance. There’s one spot for a technical training session. Any volunteers?”

Everyone exchanged glances but stayed silent.

Technical visits could be insightful, though often superficial, leaving a vague impression. Still, with experts attending, it was a prime networking opportunity.

Some wanted to go but hesitated. Others were too busy with projects.

Meilin asked again, saying to email her if interested, then moved on to other tasks.

Ming Shuzhen felt this didn’t apply to her, especially the summary. Joining in late November, she had little to summarize.

When Meilin returned to her desk, Ming Shuzhen leaned over. “Sister Meilin, I started in late November. Do I need a summary?”

“Oh, I was about to tell you,” Meilin said, slotting her notebook into a file rack. “You don’t need a summary. Submit a December work plan instead.”

“I suggest you join the technical training. Year-end tasks are wrapping up, and I won’t have time to guide you. Observing experts will teach you something,” Meilin said earnestly.

Though no one expected Meilin to mentor her, and Ming Shuzhen knew work wasn’t school, Meilin’s sense of duty warmed her heart like a bowl of hot porridge.

“I’ll email you,” Ming Shuzhen said, grateful for Meilin’s guidance.

“Good,” Meilin said, busy as her phone pinged with notifications.

Ming Shuzhen opened her email, sent Meilin a sign-up for the training, and started drafting her December plan.

First, she’d complete Mr. Li’s project diligently, despite her inexperience.

Second, she’d take notes at the Green Building Committee’s training and include them in her plan.

Third, she’d master the tool room’s equipment quickly.

Her plan grew long, her wrists aching as she typed, the keyboard clacking loudly.

Meilin glanced at her screen and muttered, “So diligent.”

Her voice was soft, and Ming Shuzhen didn’t catch it. “Hm?”

But Meilin was soon too busy to chat.

Ming Shuzhen dove back into typing.

In the afternoon, HR called Meilin away.

It wasn’t hiring season, so the sudden summons surprised everyone.

A buzz-cut colleague at the outer desk started gossiping. “Guess why HR called Sister Meilin?”

Gossiping about colleagues was taboo, especially since Meilin was well-liked. No one took the bait.

But curiosity lingered. Some pessimists wondered if layoffs were coming amid the economic slump.

Buzz-cut, getting no response, dropped a bombshell. “The prosecutor’s office sent someone too.”

That stirred everyone. Red Brick was an industry leader but a small firm—why would the prosecutor’s office be involved?

Ming Shuzhen was confused, worried Meilin was in trouble.

She glanced at Qian Duoduo, who looked back, brows furrowed with concern.

As close colleagues, they hoped Meilin was okay.

But they only exchanged brief words, avoiding further discussion.

Meilin didn’t return by quitting time.

Ming Shuzhen packed up, shut down her computer, and left with Qian Duoduo.

“Why not ask the boss? Maybe we can help,” Qian Duoduo said, worried about Meilin and grasping at straws.

“Nah, we’d probably just make things worse,” she countered, dismissing her own idea.

Outside, the cold hit instantly. Ming Shuzhen pulled her scarf over half her face.

She didn’t get why Qian Duoduo suggested asking the boss but didn’t dwell on it.

“Sister Meilin’s probably fine. Maybe the prosecutor just needs her for a case. Let’s not assume the worst.”

“You’re right, you’re so clear-headed,” Qian Duoduo nodded, realizing she might be overthinking.

Qian Duoduo headed to the subway. Ming Shuzhen hopped on her scooter.

“It’s so cold. Your family doesn’t send a car?” Qian Duoduo asked, still picturing Ming Shuzhen as the boss’s sister, too privileged for a scooter.

“My parents don’t have time to pick me up,” Ming Shuzhen said, missing the subtext. “They don’t live with me. It’d be too much hassle.”

“You live alone?” Qian Duoduo asked, eager to learn more about this “connected hire.” With Meilin gone, chatting eased her anxiety.

“Yup,” Ming Shuzhen said, bundled up, her big eyes blinking over her scarf.

“Oh,” Qian Duoduo thought, imagining a luxury villa with three or four maids polishing banisters and gleaming floors.

Every day, Ming Shuzhen would return to maids greeting her: “Welcome home, slumming it was tough, huh?”

…

Qian Duoduo watched Ming Shuzhen ride off in the same direction as the boss’s commute.

It confirmed her theory—they must live in the same upscale neighborhood.