Chapter Twenty-Two: A Conspiracy

Spurred by Hua Jingjing’s taunting, I was uncharacteristically earnest for once; I began to learn the essentials of secretarial work and practiced the basic skills required. For instance, typing—a secretary’s most fundamental ability. Yet, I’d had little exposure to computers before, and my typing was hardly faster than a snail’s crawl. So I resolved to start by practicing typing, gradually working up to the basic requirements of the job.

I'm the kind of person who’s either indifferent or utterly devoted. Once I set my mind to something, there’s no holding back; I throw myself into it wholeheartedly. I turned on the new computer, created a Word document on the desktop, picked up a newspaper, and randomly selected an article to practice entering with Wubi input.

Around this time, Hua Jingjing crept to the doorway. Seeing me so serious, pecking away at the keyboard, she could barely suppress her laughter. “Men,” she thought with a snort. “They think they’re so formidable, but once you find their weakness, they’re putty in your hands. Hmph, this is just the beginning; I’ll make sure he suffers until I’ve vented every last ounce of my resentment. Compete with me? We’ll see.”

That day, Hua Jingjing didn’t assign me any specific tasks. She simply let me practice on my own. Near the end of the workday, she stepped out for a while and returned to say, “Tang Qian, come in for a moment.”

I followed her into the office, awaiting her instructions.

She picked up a proposal from her desk and handed it to me. “I’m hosting a dinner for the general manager of Fuhua Supermarket tonight. This is a draft proposal for our cooperation next year. Please print a copy, and be meticulous—no omissions or typos. This is my first official project since taking office; I can’t allow any mistakes. You’ll come with me after work. Once you’ve printed it, show it to me, then keep it safe yourself. During dinner, I’ll broach the subject of cooperation, and you’ll present the proposal at the right moment. Understood?”

I hadn’t wanted to go, but since it was for work, I nodded. “All right, I’ll print it now.” Taking the proposal, I went back to my desk and began transcribing it into a document.

There weren’t many words in the proposal; within half an hour, I was nearly done. At that moment, Cheng Jia came by, pausing at my desk. She hesitated, then asked, “Tang Qian, what’s your cell number?”

I smiled. “Why do you ask?”

“So I can reach you if I need to,” she replied.

I quite liked this sweet and endearing girl, so I gave her my number. Smiling, I added, “Now you know my number, but I don’t know yours—hardly fair, is it? For the sake of fairness, you should give me yours as well.”

She took out her phone, entered my number, then grinned mischievously. “Once I call you, you’ll know it, won’t you?” With a wave, she skipped away.

Watching her go, I felt a pleasant warmth inside. Though things in the planning department weren’t going well for me, meeting someone as kind and lovely as Cheng Jia was at least some consolation. I returned to my work, finished typing, saved and proofread the document, and printed it out.

I brought the printed proposal to Hua Jingjing. After carefully reviewing it, she nodded with satisfaction. “Very good. Keep it safe—preferably in a file folder. We’re almost done for the day; wait for me, and we’ll leave together.”

I agreed and went to another department to borrow an empty file folder, slipped the proposal inside, and returned. By then, the workday had ended, and except for those working overtime, my colleagues had begun to leave. I stood outside Hua Jingjing’s office, waiting. She dawdled for quite a while before finally emerging with her handbag, smiling. “Let’s go.”

For some reason, I detected a peculiar undertone in her smile, though I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Was I just being paranoid?

Outside the building, Hua Jingjing said, “Wait here a moment while I bring the car around.” I had no choice but to wait by the entrance as she headed to the parking lot.

No sooner had she left than my phone rang. The number was unfamiliar. I answered, “Hello, who’s this?”

“Keep your voice down! It’s Cheng Jia!”

Surprised, I said, “Cheng Jia? You just got my number and you’re calling already?”

She sounded urgent. “Shh—didn’t I tell you to be quiet? Why are you shouting?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s going on? Why so mysterious?”

“I’m across the street. Hey! Don’t look at me.”

Of course, I glanced over and saw her standing by the ATM outside the Bank of China. As soon as she noticed, she darted into the ATM booth, hiding.

Her secretiveness, being just a few dozen meters away yet unwilling to come over, left me baffled. Into the phone, I asked, “Is something wrong? You seem nervous.”

“Tell me, are you going to a banquet with Hua Jingjing?”

“I am. How did you know?”

“Don’t go. They’re plotting against you—Hua Jingjing wants to set you up!”

A chill ran through me, a wave of foreboding. Yet I still didn’t quite understand. “Set me up? Why? How do you know this?”

“How would I know why? I was hungry this afternoon and snuck up to the rooftop to eat some biscuits. Before long, Hua Jingjing came up. I was afraid she’d dock my pay if she caught me, so I hid. By accident, I overheard her making a call. She said that at dinner, she wanted the other party to drug her secretary’s wine glass, then went on at length about how arrogant and annoying her secretary was, saying she wouldn’t let up until he was half-dead. I realized her secretary was you. I was so frightened. I wanted to wa