Wang Dahai, you really are a bastard

Zhang Xiu'e pushed open the glass door of Xingda Labor Services and walked into the lobby.

She glanced around without bothering to look closely, then headed to her workstation. Her bottom had barely touched the chair when she heard high heels striking the floor behind her.

Click! Click! Click!

The steps were unhurried, with a smugness she could hear in every click.

Zhang Xiu'e knew who it was without turning around.

"Oh, Xiu'e, you're back?"

Li Yan's voice drifted over from behind, high and shrill enough to set her teeth on edge.

"Manager Wang's been waiting for ages. He wants you in his office."

Zhang Xiu'e took a deep breath and stood up.

She turned around to find Li Yan standing two steps away.

She wore a tight red dress with a neckline so low that half her breasts were showing.

Zhang Xiu'e gave her a look but said nothing, then turned toward the manager's office. Li Yan hurried after her and sidled up beside her.

"Xiu'e, you don't look too good!"

Li Yan tilted her head at Zhang Xiu'e, a smile on her lips.

"Are you feeling unwell? Do you need to take some time off?"

Zhang Xiu'e remained expressionless. "I'm perfectly fine!"

"That's good, then."

Li Yan nodded and said with affected concern,

"I was worried you'd be upset after Manager Wang called you out for skipping work this morning. Now that I know you're fine, I can stop worrying."

Zhang Xiu'e stopped and looked at her.

"Li Yan, don't you have anything better to do?"

Li Yan stopped too, folding her arms. "What's wrong with showing some concern?"

Zhang Xiu'e laughed in anger. "Concern? Get your own sordid affairs in order first. Hanging around a married man every day—if you're not ashamed, I'm embarrassed for you."

Li Yan's expression changed.

"Who are you talking about?"

"You! What, got a problem with that?"

Li Yan gritted her teeth and glared fiercely at Zhang Xiu'e, lowering her voice to a venomous hiss.

"Zhang Xiu'e, don't push your luck!"

"I have some self-respect." Zhang Xiu'e looked her up and down. "Do you?"

Li Yan was so furious that her chest heaved, making the two mounds of flesh sway along with it. She had just opened her mouth to yell when Zhang Xiu'e turned and walked away without looking back.

Li Yan stamped her foot, then chased after her in her heels.

"Fine, keep mouthing off." Li Yan lowered her voice. "Let's see how tough you are when you face Manager Wang."

Zhang Xiu'e ignored her.

When they reached the manager's office, Li Yan stepped ahead and knocked.

"Wang, Xiu'e's here."

A man's voice came from inside. "Come in."

Li Yan opened the door and stepped aside to let Zhang Xiu'e enter first, then followed her in and closed the door behind them.

The office was small, with a desk, a bookcase, and a few chairs. A tea tray sat on the desk beside an ashtray crammed with cigarette butts.

Wang Dahai sat in the chair behind the desk.

He was in his early fifties, short and as fat as a winter melon.

A large patch on top of his head was bald, with only a sparse ring of hair around it, like a moat.

His face was so round that his neck was barely visible, and the flesh beneath his chin sagged. His eyes were small, and whenever he looked at someone, there was always something unsettling in his gaze.

"Manager Wang, you wanted to see me?"

Wang Dahai leaned against the back of his chair, both hands on the armrests, and looked at her.

"Zhang Xiu'e, where were you this morning?"

"Manager Wang, I let you know this morning. My younger brother came to visit, and I went out to buy him a few things."

"You let me know?" Wang Dahai sat up straight. "Who did you tell? How come I didn't know about it?"

Zhang Xiu'e frowned. "I asked Xiao Zhou at reception to tell you."

Wang Dahai waved a hand. "Xiao Zhou told me, but I didn't approve it. Did you hear me? I didn't approve it!"

His voice grew louder, and the flesh on his face shook.

"But you went anyway. You wouldn't answer your phone, and you were nowhere to be found. Does your family own this company? You think you can come and go whenever you please?"

Zhang Xiu'e bit her lip and said nothing.

Li Yan stood behind Wang Dahai, both hands on his shoulders, gently kneading them.

"Don't be angry, Wang," Li Yan said sweetly. "Xiu'e didn't do it on purpose. Maybe she really forgot."

She glanced at Zhang Xiu'e, the corners of her mouth lifting into a meaningful smile.

"But Xiu'e, you really shouldn't have done that. Manager Wang treats you so well. Is this how you repay him?"

Zhang Xiu'e glanced at Li Yan without responding.

Wang Dahai leaned back in his chair. Li Yan's hands slid from his shoulders to his neck, gently massaging it. He narrowed his eyes, and his tone softened.

Wang Dahai leaned back in his chair and narrowed his eyes, his tone becoming gentler.

"Xiu'e, you've been with the company for two or three years now, haven't you?"

"Two and a half."

"Two and a half." Wang Dahai nodded. "How have I treated you?"

Zhang Xiu'e said nothing.

Wang Dahai carried on by himself.

"You didn't know a thing when you first arrived. I walked you through everything myself. When your numbers were poor, I brought in clients for you. That few thousand yuan you earn each month—have I ever shortchanged you?"

"Manager Wang, I've done all the work I'm supposed to do. I've never slacked off."

"I know, I know. You're a capable woman." Wang Dahai curled his lips into a smile and leaned forward. "Xiu'e, I like women who know how to perform."

His tone changed when he said "perform."

Zhang Xiu'e felt a wave of disgust.

Li Yan stood behind Wang Dahai, her hands still kneading his neck, but the smile vanished from her lips.

She stared coldly at Zhang Xiu'e, her gaze like knives, as though she wanted to pierce straight through her.

Wang Dahai rubbed his hands together. "Xiu'e, let me speak from the heart. No matter how well you do here, you're still just an employee. What's a few thousand yuan a month good for?"

He stood, came around the desk, and walked over to Zhang Xiu'e.

"If you become my woman, I'll make you a supervisor and double your salary. You'll get a share of the year-end profits too. Wouldn't that be better than what you have now?"

He reached out to put his hand on Zhang Xiu'e's shoulder.

Zhang Xiu'e stepped back.

"Manager Wang, please behave yourself."

Wang Dahai's hand stopped in midair, embarrassment flickering across his face.

"Zhang Xiu'e, don't throw my generosity back in my face."

"Then that's exactly what I'll do!"

Zhang Xiu'e looked at him.

"Manager Wang, I do honest work and earn honest money. If you want a mistress, go find someone else."

Wang Dahai's face darkened.

Li Yan came around from behind him, walked to his side, and linked her arm through his.

"Xiu'e, that's no way to talk."

She smiled as she spoke.

"You should count yourself lucky that Wang's interested in you."

Zhang Xiu'e looked at her, her voice icy. "Keep that good fortune for yourself."

Li Yan's face instantly went pale.

Wang Dahai raised a hand, stopping Li Yan before she could say anything else.

"Fine. If you're not interested, forget it." He turned, went behind the desk, and sat down. "There's no point forcing it. I understand that."

Wang Dahai picked up a sheet of paper from the desk, glanced at it, and put it down again.

"Xiu'e, we have an important client today. He's in charge of HR at Dacheng Electronics. His surname's Sun—Mr. Sun. If we land this client, our numbers for the second half of the year will be secure."

He looked at Zhang Xiu'e. "You're coming with me."

Zhang Xiu'e froze for a moment.

"What would I be going for?"

"Dinner, drinks, a little conversation."

Wang Dahai explained,

"You've been here a long time. You've got experience. Li Yan's going too. Between the two of you, help me keep Mr. Sun entertained."

Zhang Xiu'e wanted to refuse.

Wang Dahai saw it and spoke before she could.

"Xiu'e, this client is very important to the company. Help me close this deal, and all the sales credit goes to you. You'll get the commission too, every last cent."

He paused, then added, "And I won't give you any more trouble after this. You have my word!"

Wang Dahai's gaze looked sincere enough, but Zhang Xiu'e didn't believe him for a second.

Li Yan chimed in from beside him.

"Xiu'e, just go. It's only dinner, nothing major. If you don't go and Wang loses this deal, everyone in the company will suffer."

Zhang Xiu'e hesitated.

She weighed it up. She had worked here for two and a half years, and the income was decent enough. If she fell out with Wang Dahai over this, it would probably be hard to keep her footing in the company.

Besides, he had said he would stop harassing her.

"What time?" Zhang Xiu'e asked.

"Seven tonight, at the Shangri-La. Go home, change, and dress yourself up."

Zhang Xiu'e nodded. "All right."

She turned and headed out.

As she reached the door, Wang Dahai said behind her, "Xiu'e, wear something pretty."

Zhang Xiu'e didn't look back. She opened the door and walked out.

Li Yan released Wang Dahai's arm, the smile disappearing from her face.

"Are you really interested in her?"

"Interested in her? It's just her face and figure I like."

Li Yan curled her lip.

"What, are you jealous?"

Li Yan snorted. "Who's jealous over you?"

Wang Dahai reached out and slapped her bottom.

"Don't worry. You know how to play along better than she does."

Li Yan twisted her body but didn't move away.

"Is that Mr. Sun tonight easy to deal with?"

"Easy to deal with? He's a dirty old lecher. He sees a pretty woman and can't even walk straight."

Li Yan paused. "Then why are you taking me and Zhang Xiu'e?"

Wang Dahai glanced at her and said nothing.

Li Yan stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly understood.

"Wang Dahai, you really are a bastard."

Wang Dahai chuckled twice and stubbed his cigarette out in the ashtray.

"What do you mean, a bastard? This is business."

"Doesn't Zhang Xiu'e think she's above it all? Let's see how long she can keep that up."