Being Targeted

Weren't they making up stories about me knowing the CEO?

Fine, then. I'd put that to use.

The break room was small, and I reached the two of them in just a couple of steps.

I looked straight at them and slowly raised my hand.

One of them thought I was going to hit her and took a step back.

I picked up the ID badges hanging in front of their chests and glanced at them, pretending to memorize their names.

"After all, I only just started here. No one knows that I know the CEO, and I don't want anyone else to find out."

I gave them a lingering look. "But since you already know, please don't go spreading it around."

I turned, picked up the coffee I had made, and headed out. Before leaving, I glanced back at them. "If there's nothing else, I'm going to take the CEO his coffee now."

With that, I headed for the CEO's office.

The moment I stepped outside, my face fell. In a moment of impulse, I hadn't been able to stop myself from snapping back at them.

It was my first day at work, and I had already offended people.

I regretted it as I walked.

Now I had said something that would mislead them, too. There would probably be even more stories afterward.

I thought it over and decided I hadn't really done anything wrong. Surely I couldn't just let them mock and sneer at me?

I could put up with Gu Hansheng because he was my sugar daddy now, but they weren't. They were just coworkers I had met for the first time. What right did they have to talk about me like that?

Right. I hadn't done anything wrong.

When I reached the CEO's office, I knocked and went inside.

The female coworker seemed to have finished her report and was about to leave.

I had been walking normally, but as she approached me, she suddenly stuck out her foot and tripped me.

I stumbled, spilling all the coffee I was carrying.

Once I steadied myself, I turned to look at her. "Why did you trip me?"

She looked perfectly innocent. "What are you talking about? You tripped over your own feet, and now you're trying to blame me."

"You!"

She turned to the CEO. "I didn't!"

The man said nothing, merely watching us.

I hurriedly said, "I'll get a cleaner and pour you another coffee while I'm at it."

As I spoke, I made to leave.

But the man stood up, his voice dropping. "Stop."

A little panicked, I glanced around. There were no security cameras.

Now I really had no way to explain myself.

With her back to the man and her face toward me, the female coworker gave me a provocative smile.

Was I going to lose my job on my very first day?

The thought of having to look for another job if I got fired filled me with frustration.

The man walked over, but instead of looking at me, he turned to the female coworker.

"Whoever spilled it cleans it up. Don't make extra work for the cleaning lady for no reason."

The corners of her mouth lifted as she looked at me. "He told you to clean it up. Didn't you hear him?"

I wanted to argue, but at the thought of losing my job, I turned to get the cleaning supplies.

The man caught hold of me and looked at the female coworker again, his voice turning several degrees colder. "I'll say it one more time. Whoever spilled it cleans it up."

Her expression darkened. "Sir, you make it sound as though I spilled it."

"Didn't you?" With one hand in his trouser pocket, he pulled the documents from her hands with the other. "Hurry up and clean it."

"Sir..."

"Heh..." The man suddenly gave a derisive chuckle. "You don't think I'm blind, do you? If you don't know how to walk, tell me. You can go straight to HR and process your resignation.

"I don't need someone here who suddenly sticks her leg out while walking."

He seemed rather pleased as he returned to his desk with the documents. As the female coworker headed out to get cleaning supplies, he called after her, "Oh! Right. You won't be taking part in this project.

"After all, your legs aren't working very well."

Listening from the side, I couldn't hold back a laugh. "Pfft!"

The female coworker said nothing and went out.

"You're laughing? You're being targeted on your very first day, and you can still laugh!" The man looked at me. "Come here."

"How about I make you another cup of coffee?"

He shook his head. "Wait on that. Come sit down first."

I went over and sat opposite him. He pushed the documents he had taken from the female coworker toward me.

"Familiarize yourself with this project. Later, I may need you to organize the project materials, or even take part in the project."

Both I and the female coworker cleaning behind me froze for a moment, because I heard the sounds of her cleaning stop when he finished speaking.

She seemed to want to say something, but he shot her a cold look, and she said nothing more.

"I only started today, and I'm still not familiar with the company's procedures. Having me take part in a project already, wouldn't that be..."

"What? Do you want to keep doing odd jobs around the company? You don't want to learn?"

"No, no." Though I wasn't confident, I was still very happy. "I'll do my best to learn."

He opened the documents on his desk. "It's almost lunch break. You can go now. Spend the afternoon going through these materials carefully."

When I came out of the office, I was still very happy. After all, I had been able to join a project on my very first day.

I headed out, planning to have lunch in the company cafeteria. Just as I was feeling happy, my phone rang. The screen showed that it was Gu Hansheng calling.

Remembering that I hadn't answered his earlier calls, I knew I had to answer this time.

I pressed the answer button as I walked into the elevator.

A voice like something from hell came through the earpiece!