Are you finally willing to open your mouth?

Perhaps to confirm Ming Shuzhen’s suspicion, Ming Shuyan glanced at her in the rearview mirror and smiled faintly.

“Don’t worry, no one else can see it. They won’t mock you.”

“Oh,” Ming Shuzhen pouted, realizing the post was indeed visible only to her. She hadn’t expected her boss to have such a mischievous side.

After picking up Qian Duoduo, the four headed to the airport together.

Their luggage was light—small, easy-to-roll suitcases.

After checking in at the airport, they were ready to board.

Ming Shuyan rarely traveled with employees and usually flew first class, whether company-funded or personal. This time, though, she sat in economy with Ming Shuzhen and the others.

Settling into her seat, she glanced at Ming Shuzhen beside her, feeling content.

After the earlier teasing, Ming Shuzhen wasn’t thrilled to sit next to her but couldn’t swap seats realistically. She leaned outward, avoiding any contact.

Ming Shuyan found it amusing, keeping a straight face but secretly pleased.

The two quietly clashed until the plane landed.

After retrieving their luggage, a local contact met them at the exit.

Familiar with Team One from prior visits, he knew the drill.

He drove a van, but the trunk couldn’t fit all four suitcases, so one went under the back seat.

Ming Shuzhen, Qian Duoduo, and Chen Hao squeezed together.

The village was far, and after over two hours of bumpy driving, Ming Shuzhen’s backside felt flattened.

Slumped against Qian Duoduo’s shoulder, she stared blankly out the window.

Finally, they reached the hotel.

The village had no hotels, so this one was a distance away.

Ming Shuyan asked if they wanted to drop off luggage and visit the village or rest and go tomorrow.

Exhausted, the three just wanted to collapse on a bed.

But Qian Duoduo and Chen Hao hesitated to speak up, seeing Ming Shuyan’s energetic demeanor, likely eager to work.

Qian Duoduo nudged Ming Shuzhen with a look, signaling her to request rest.

Catching the hint, Ming Shuzhen glanced at Ming Shuyan, reluctant to engage.

Fatigue won out. “Boss…” she mumbled, voice mosquito-like, clearly drained.

Ming Shuyan glanced at her, a teasing glint in her eyes. “Finally opening that golden mouth?”

“…” Ming Shuzhen barely lifted her eyelids. “Just tired earlier, didn’t feel like talking.”

“Oh~” Ming Shuyan drew out, clearly unconvinced.

Ming Shuzhen sighed. Under someone’s roof, she had to bow.

To secure rest, she forced a smile at the person who posted her silly photo. “Boss, can we stay at the hotel and go to the village tomorrow?”

Qian Duoduo and Chen Hao looked at Ming Shuyan expectantly.

Checking the time—only 1:30 p.m.—Ming Shuyan thought staying in all day was wasteful.

But seeing Ming Shuzhen’s drooping eyes, she relented. “Stay at the hotel. We’ll head to the village early tomorrow. No delivery around here, but the hotel has dining—charge it to the company, order what you want.”

“Got it, thanks, Boss!” Qian Duoduo beamed, heading inside with Chen Hao and their luggage.

Ming Shuzhen lingered, looking at Ming Shuyan. “Boss, you’re not resting at the hotel?”

“I’m not tired. I’ll check out the village.”

“…Oh,” Ming Shuzhen nodded, her movements slow from exhaustion.

“Heh,” Ming Shuyan chuckled, her voice crisp like mint candy. “Think I’m some evil capitalist? I planned to let you rest anyway.”

“Oh,” Ming Shuzhen replied obediently, rolling her eyes inwardly.

*Big bad wolf, if you meant to let us rest, just say so. Why offer two options like I’m a multiple-choice question?*

“Tch,” Ming Shuyan noticed her daydreaming, knowing she was zoning out.

Frowning playfully, she leaned closer, whispering, “Cursing me in your head?”

“Hehe,” Ming Shuzhen snapped back, flashing a big smile, letting Ming Shuyan interpret it.

Before Ming Shuyan could react, she grabbed her suitcase and bolted into the hotel.

HR had booked two double rooms.

Clearly, no one wanted to share with Ming Shuyan, so they decided to squeeze together, leaving her alone.

Since they weren’t heading to the village yet, the luggage stayed in the van.

Ming Shuzhen and Qian Duoduo pushed their suitcases, hitting the elevator button.

“Is this okay? Won’t the boss think we’re isolating her?” Qian Duoduo worried, glancing at Ming Shuzhen.

“Then go share with her,” Ming Shuzhen teased, too tired to care. “It’s not like you’re out of strength.”

Thinking it over, she wondered what was so scary about rooming with the boss.

“Exactly,” Qian Duoduo patted her shoulder. “Don’t sympathize with capitalists—it’ll make you miserable.”

Chen Hao, silent until now, nodded firmly. “Agree.”

Swiping the keycard, they entered a standard double room.

The beds were small—tight for two.

Qian Duoduo eyed the bed width, grimacing. “I’m kinda chubby.”

Ming Shuzhen got it, turning to Chen Hao, who was already sprawled across one bed, arms wide, no room left.

Blinking, she sensed trouble.

Sure enough, Qian Duoduo said, “Pillow, how about…”

Predicting her suggestion, Ming Shuzhen cut her off, crossing her arms. “No way!”

“Fine, I’ll sacrifice half,” Qian Duoduo patted the bed beside her.

Ming Shuzhen smiled, thinking it wasn’t like the room was reserved for just Qian Duoduo and Chen Hao. Why did she feel like the odd one out?

Bed assignments settled, Chen Hao grabbed her toiletries and headed to the bathroom.

Ming Shuzhen and Qian Duoduo flopped on the bed, waiting.

Qian Duoduo, indeed larger, took up most of the bed. Ming Shuzhen curled up on the edge, feeling wronged.

She texted Zhong Shuo to vent.

“They think I’m the boss’s sister, so I should room with her. I’ve got no connection to her, but they won’t listen.”

“Fairest way would be all four of us rock-paper-scissors for rooms. Kicking me out like this is so unfair (crying).”

“You still sleeping? Ugh, reply when you’re up.”

“Still mad. Chen Hao, fine, we’re not close. But Qian Duoduo too? So hurtful!!!”

After venting, Ming Shuzhen reflected.

“Maybe I overreacted. I get it—who wants to room with the boss? They think I’m close to her, so they assumed I’d take it.”

“But it still feels disrespectful. What do I do?”

“So annoyed yi”

“Zhong Shuo, don’t sleep! Wake up! Your bestie’s being bullied!”

After her message spree, Zhong Shuo was still fast asleep.

Ming Shuzhen rolled over, opening Ming Shuyan’s chat.

“Boss~”

Ming Shuyan replied instantly. “What’s up?”

“Is the company budget tight? Can I request another room…”

*Puppy begging emoji.jpg*

“Four people, two double rooms—perfect fit,” Ming Shuyan texted back.

Ming Shuzhen scratched her head, unsure how to respond.

Truthfully, no one wanted to room with the boss—hurtful to say. But staying silent meant squeezing onto the bed’s edge.

“Want another room, book it,” Ming Shuyan messaged.

No clue about her expression—maybe at the Book House or strolling a village path, typing impassively.

Ming Shuzhen blinked, surprised at how easygoing her boss was.

No questions, no budget concerns.

But oddly, it left her feeling uneasy.

Zhong Shuo’s message finally came. “Your queen’s awake.”

“Hold up, checking your texts.”

Seconds later: “Yikes, your colleagues are too much. Ganging up to isolate your boss? Also too much.”

Reading Zhong Shuo’s words, Ming Shuzhen understood her unease.

She resented colleagues assuming she’d room with the boss. But if Ming Shuyan returned to find the three squeezed into one room, leaving her alone, she might feel slighted too.

Humans lean toward the group.

Ming Shuyan’s personality might not care, but Ming Shuzhen believed in not doing to others what you don’t want done to you. She didn’t want to isolate her boss.

Resolved, she got off the bed, grabbed her suitcase.

Seeing her move, Qian Duoduo sat up.

“I’ll take the other room. This is too cramped for good rest,” Ming Shuzhen said.

Qian Duoduo looked guilty. “If only there was another bed.”

“It’s fine,” Ming Shuzhen nodded.

She got a keycard for the other double room and entered.

The layout was similar. She picked the bed by the window, unpacked her toiletries, and headed to the bathroom.

By the time she settled, it was dark.

Qian Duoduo texted, asking her to come downstairs for dinner.

Too lazy to move, Ming Shuzhen asked if they could deliver. Qian Duoduo sent the menu, offering to bring it up.

Thanking her, Ming Shuzhen’s resentment toward her colleagues eased. Everyone has their selfish moments, after all.