A Business Trip Command

Lin Wanzhao’s words instantly struck Yu Qingkong’s nerves, making her feel as though she were sinking into a swamp, unable to extricate herself.

“Qingkong…” Lin Wanzhao parted her lips slightly, but no more words came out. She simply wanted to be close to her—as close as possible, without a single millimeter of distance or a breath of space between them.

However, at that exact moment, the doorbell rang sharply, shattering the hallucinatory and lingering atmosphere between them.

When Lin Wanzhao heard the bell, her mood was instantly torn to shreds. She couldn’t help but furrow her brows, glancing toward the door with clear irritation.

Yu Qingkong’s mind, meanwhile, felt like an insect suddenly breaking free from a spider’s web, snapping back to clarity. What is happening… why do I feel like the more I try to resist this, the deeper I sink?

It felt like a strange force was dragging her toward an abyss. What was even more terrifying was that the abyss contained a magnetic attraction she found nearly impossible to counter. It was pervasive, gradually seeping into her every pore.

“CEO Lin, someone is looking for you. Since you have guests, I’ll head back first.” As Yu Qingkong spoke, she gently pulled her hand out of Lin Wanzhao’s grasp and turned toward the door.

“Hey.”

Yu Qingkong had only reached the foyer when Lin Wanzhao’s voice called out from behind. She paused. “What is it?”

“Next time you’re free, can I look for you?” Lin Wanzhao paced toward her with a lazy, rhythmic stride.

Yu Qingkong turned her head slightly. “I’ve been quite busy lately.”

“Then I’ll wait for you,” Lin Wanzhao said, crossing her arms. “Besides, maybe you should consider what I said in the note I left you… After all, we both have needs. Why not form a stable relationship where we both get what we want? Wouldn’t that be beneficial for everyone?”

“CEO Lin, I’m leaving now. I’ll have the store performance data organized and ready for you tomorrow.” Yu Qingkong didn’t answer her proposal directly. Instead, she headed straight for the exit.

After changing her shoes, Yu Qingkong pulled the door open, only to see a woman in a pink dress standing there playing with her phone, her hand poised to press the bell again.

Upon seeing Yu Qingkong, the woman put her phone down and blinked in surprise. “Hello.”

“Hello,” Yu Qingkong nodded, brushing past her and walking down the long corridor.

The woman caught the scent of Lin Wanzhao’s perfume lingering on Yu Qingkong and instantly developed a look of intense gossip. she hurried inside, closed the door, and turned to find Lin Wanzhao.

She nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw Lin Wanzhao standing right there, staring at her.

“Wanzhao, that person who just left…”

“Wang Yuxin, what are you doing here suddenly? Why didn’t you call?” Lin Wanzhao brushed her hair behind her shoulder and walked over to pour a glass of water.

“I—I did call! I sent so many messages, but you ignored me. I just came to return the car and check on you. When you didn’t pick up, I was afraid something happened, so I came up…”

“Fine.” Lin Wanzhao frowned and checked her phone. Sure enough, there were several missed calls. Because she hadn’t wanted to be disturbed earlier, she had set it to silent.

“So, who was that woman who just walked out?” Wang Yuxin set her bag aside. “Are you in a relationship?!”

Lin Wanzhao took a deep breath and knelt by a cabinet, peering into the crevices for the kitten. “A relationship? We haven’t even reached the first stage yet.”

“Huh? So she’s your target?” Wang Yuxin knelt beside her.

“Yes.” Lin Wanzhao stood back up and picked up the bag of cat food.

“Brilliant!” Wang Yuxin slapped her palm, looking impressed.

“What’s brilliant?” Lin Wanzhao shot her a sidelong glance.

“She’s gorgeous, but she has ‘frigid’ written all over her face.” Wang Yuxin stroked her chin thoughtfully.

“Frigid?” Lin Wanzhao tore open the cat food, turning her head to lock eyes with her friend. “If she were truly frigid, I’d have nowhere to start. However…”

Recalling the way Yu Qingkong’s eyes were dominated by desire when they were close, Lin Wanzhao couldn’t help but curl her lips. Yu Qingkong was anything but frigid. In fact, she was quite a case of “outwardly cold, inwardly hot.”

**************************************

On the other side.

The moment Yu Qingkong sat in her car, a strong wave of self-loathing washed over her. She slammed a hand against the steering wheel, forced her chaotic thoughts into submission, and drove out of the garage.

Back at her apartment, she took her clothes to the bathroom. Lifting her hair, she saw the “strawberry” mark on her neck in the mirror—a bruise that hadn’t yet faded. Her body seemed to possess its own memory, slowly replaying the sensation of Lin Wanzhao’s kiss. Damn it.

A while later, after showering, she lay on her bed and turned off the lights.

In her drowsy state, however, she fell into a dream.

In the dream, Lin Wanzhao knocked on her door wearing a champagne silk slip dress. The fabric was smooth and soft, tracing her curves perfectly. They threw themselves at each other, kissing wildly, eventually rolling onto the sofa. Listening to the other woman’s low sighs and gasps, Yu Qingkong stayed with her over and over, in different places, in different ways… The rich, sweet, almost decadent scent filled every corner of the dream and every nerve in her body.

Yu Qingkong snapped her eyes open and sat up, drenched in sweat. Her heart felt like it was going to leap out of her chest.

She closed her eyes and eventually lay back down, staring at the ceiling in the dark, breathing heavily. What kind of person am I, really?

After a while, she grabbed her phone, wanting to talk to someone. But as she scrolled through her contacts, she realized she couldn’t find a single person to talk to about this.

How could she even start that conversation? What would she say?

—I got drunk and slept with a woman; not only that, but I kissed her while sober and wanted to do more, and I just had a dream about her where we were entangled until the end of time?

There was no one to tell.

Ultimately, she tossed the phone aside and placed her arm over her forehead, her brow tightly furrowed. Stay away. Yes, I must stay away from Lin Wanzhao. But she couldn’t resign right now. Her younger sister, Yu Qingyu, had just started university; Yu Qingkong had just bought an apartment; and her mother was ill and constantly on medication. The burden on her shoulders was immense, and she desperately needed the money. Perhaps she could look for a new job while staying at this one?

Dammit. She punched the mattress.

************************************

The next day.

By noon, Yu Qingkong followed Zhang Xue to the cafeteria.

She ordered her usual sautéed greens and sweet and sour pork, took a bowl of soup, and sat down at an empty table with Zhang Xue.

“Gosh, I’m exhausted.” Zhang Xue sighed the moment she picked up her chopsticks.

“What’s wrong?” Yu Qingkong took a sip of soup and looked at her.

“It’s Big Boss Lin. She’s a total devil.” Zhang Xue sullenly stuffed scrambled eggs into her mouth.

Yu Qingkong glanced at her but didn’t take the bait.

“Oh, right, Qingkong, do you know Guan Lingyou?” Zhang Xue asked suddenly.

“Not really.” Yu Qingkong shook her head.

“She’s that rising starlet. Some huge dirt was leaked about her this morning!”

“Hmm?” Yu Qingkong had never cared much for entertainment news. In recent years, she barely even watched TV.

“Apparently, she had some hookups in her early years, and the person she slept with leaked it. So scandalous. I always thought she didn’t look like a ‘decent’ person…”

“Decent?” Yu Qingkong suddenly looked up at her.

“What… what’s with you? Why so serious all of a sudden?” Zhang Xue was startled.

“Nothing. I’m full.” Yu Qingkong stood up with her tray.

“Hey! Wait… why have you only been eating a few bites lately? Are you sick?” Zhang Xue shouted after her.

“No.” Yu Qingkong paused, looked back at her, said those two words coldly, and placed her tray on the conveyor belt before walking out.

Decent… back in her office, Yu Qingkong woke up her computer and stared at the desktop with a cold smirk. Indecent…

What was the definition of “decent” or “indecent,” anyway?

She put on her glasses, placed her hands on the keyboard, and began typing away at the screen.

Around 3:00 PM, Yu Qingkong took off her glasses, stood up to retrieve a stack of forms from the printer, and took a sip of coffee. Setting the cup down, she walked out with the forms.

When she reached the CEO’s office, she stared at the door for a long time. Finally, she took a deep breath and knocked. “CEO Lin, it’s me, Yu Qingkong.”

“Come in.” Lin Wanzhao’s familiar voice drifted from inside.

Yu Qingkong turned the handle and walked in with a rigid posture, placing the data on the desk. “The store performance data is organized.”

“Hmm…” Lin Wanzhao stopped using her mouse and picked up the forms to flip through them.

Today, she was wearing a beige V-neck shirt, her smooth long hair draped over her shoulders. The silver chain at her collarbone swayed slightly. She looked sharp, capable, and elegant.

It was a complete contrast to the seductive woman from the night before. Thinking of last night, Yu Qingkong’s mind wandered again.

She rubbed her temples and spoke. “CEO Lin, if there’s nothing else…”

“Tonight…” Lin Wanzhao slowly looked up from the forms.

“CEO Lin, I’m sorry, tonight I already have a—”

“Tonight, go back and pack your suitcase.” Lin Wanzhao interrupted her.

Yu Qingkong froze. “What do you mean?”

“Tomorrow after work, you’re going on a business trip with me.” Lin Wanzhao looked at her with a smile. “Better bring three outfits. Nothing too thick; it’s hot there.”

“Will it be for long?” Yu Qingkong watched her.

“Hmm…” Lin Wanzhao stood up, braced her hands on the desk, and leaned toward her, whispering, “A few days. We can get a lot of things done.”

The phrase “get a lot of things done” seemed to carry a heavy secondary meaning.

Yu Qingkong looked at her. “I…”

“Shh—” Lin Wanzhao placed her index finger gently against Yu Qingkong’s warm lips. A shimmer of light danced in her eyes. “This is an order. You cannot refuse.”

Yu Qingkong looked down at the finger, then back at her eyes. Her throat bobbed.