The next day, the atmosphere in the office cafeteria felt different. Mei Wei—who had been humiliating Anya just yesterday—walked over to Anya and Huan Jing's table today carrying an expensive designer coffee.
Mei Wei (with a fake smile):
"Jing, Anya! I felt really bad last night. I thought we should end this bitterness. After all, we work in the same office, don't we?"
She targeted Jing first. She knew that if she won Jing's heart, reaching Anya would be much easier.
Mei Wei:
"Jing, I heard you've been working very hard on this project. If you ever need help, don't hesitate to ask me. I can even recommend you for a promotion by speaking to the boss."
Huan Jing, who was pure-hearted and simple, slowly began to fall for Mei Wei's sweet words. She smiled and said,
"Oh, thank you, Mei Wei! I thought you were very arrogant, but you're actually quite nice."
Anya glanced at Jing and thought silently, Oh Jing… this isn't honey, it's slow poison.
Part 2: The Mention of Marriage and Childhood Stories
Now Mei Wei played her real card. She brought a fake sparkle into her eyes and turned toward Anya.
Mei Wei:
"Anya, did you know? Zain and I are childhood friends. Our families wanted us to get married. When we were kids, Zain used to follow me everywhere. He would say, 'Mei, you'll be my queen.'"
Mei Wei began weaving her web. She narrated false stories about Zain's likes and dislikes and fabricated 'romantic' moments they had supposedly shared—just to make Anya feel insecure.
Mei Wei:
"By the way, there are talks about Zain getting married. I think he'll marry a girl from a wealthy family. What do you think, Anya? Shouldn't he choose someone like me?"
Part 3: Anya's "Innocent" Counterattack
Anya listened carefully to Mei Wei's words. She was angry, but she kept wearing her mask of innocence.
Anya (pretending to be shocked):
"Really? The boss was that romantic? Jing, can you believe it? Because in the office, he looks more like an 'angry bear.'"
Anya and Jing burst out laughing together. Mei Wei's expression fell. She had expected Anya to feel jealous—but instead, Anya was mocking her.
Jing (laughing):
"Mei Wei, you're right! Childhood stories are only good in childhood. Now the boss is so strict that if you talk about being his 'queen' in front of him, he'll punish you with overtime!"
Part 4: Mei Wei's Hidden Anger
Mei Wei slammed her coffee cup onto the table. Her plan had backfired.
Mei Wei:
"Fine. You wouldn't understand anyway. What Zain means to me—only he knows that. I'll leave now. Zain must be waiting for me in his cabin."
As soon as Mei Wei left, Jing looked at Anya.
"Anya, don't you think she was exaggerating too much?"
Anya smiled and picked up her file.
"Jing, those who try to fly too high make the loudest noise when they fall. Let her fly—we'll just wait to cut the string."
Part 1: Silence in the Cabin and Piercing Questions
After suffering humiliation in the cafeteria, Mei Wei went straight to Zain's cabin. Zain was immersed in his files, his face calm and serious as always. Mei Wei could wait no longer—she needed to know about the mysterious wife who had blocked her path.
Mei Wei (sweetly, with a sense of entitlement):
"Zain, we're childhood friends. The whole city is talking about how you secretly got married. Am I really such an outsider that you won't even tell me your wife's name?"
Zain paused his pen, though his eyes remained on the file. The room seemed to drop a few degrees in temperature.
Part 2: Zain's Mysterious Answer
Zain slowly lifted his head. His eyes held that cold gleam that made even powerful businessmen tremble.
Zain (in a low, deep voice):
"Mei Wei, my personal life and my work are two separate paths. As for my wife's name…"
He leaned back in his chair and spoke with a faint smile—one that was enough to intimidate Mei Wei.
Zain:
"It's not possible to reveal her name right now. She is very special, and I want to protect her from this world's poisonous gazes. But rest assured—when the time comes, I will introduce her to you. And that meeting will be unforgettable for you."
Part 3: Mei Wei's Defeat and the Seed of Suspicion
Mei Wei's face turned pale. Words like poisonous gazes and special slithered through her heart like snakes. She felt that Zain was warning her directly.
Mei Wei (to herself):
"When the time comes? Is she so beautiful or powerful that Zain is hiding her? Or… is she someone I already know?"
Mei Wei walked out of Zain's cabin into the corridor, where Anya stood holding some files. Their eyes met. Mei Wei didn't know why, but something about Anya's innocent smile suddenly filled her with fear.
Part 4: Anya's Clever Move
Anya decided to tease Mei Wei with a small gamble.
Anya:
"What happened, Miss Mei Wei? Did the boss approve your 'queen' title—or did he send you out like one of his 'subjects'?"
Mei Wei stomped away without saying a word.
For the first time, Mei Wei thought to herself, someone ignored me like this… and that too, Zain.
Anya stood there with a faint smile. She took a deep breath. She knew Zain had protected her so far—but now, she would have to prove herself on her own.