Chapter 9

(translated by lidge and edited by peanuts)

Since becoming a full-time employee, Shan Shan is in a bit of a hurry. Everyday, she is counting down the days Big Boss would come back. For example: every morning before stepping into Feng Teng’s building, she looks up at the 22nd floor with eyes full of fighting spirit. Every evening after work, she stands outside and looks up again with eyes full of regrets before reluctantly go home.

Thus everyone in Feng Teng’s building knows in the days the President is away, Xue Shan Shan always looks up at his office in anguish. Apparently she is falling sick from loving too deeply.

Today at noon, Shan Shan eats lunch then lays down on her desk to take a nap. After sleeping for awhile, the phone rings. Shan Shan lazily picks up the phone and Ah May’s voice rings out.

“Shan Shan, if you’re free, come up here.”

Come up?!

historical

Shan Shan sits up, is Big Boss back?!

She solemnly says “all right” and hangs up the phone. Shan Shan takes a deep breath – calm down, calm down! Xue Shan Shan! Remember the Goddess of Victory is always on the side of justice! Do not crumble just because Big Boss is handsome and wealthy.

Shan Shan instantly changes from being sleepy to getting ready for battle, her spirit burns with an intensity all the way up to the 22nd floor.

Ah May sees her coming and waves at her. “Shan Shan, over here.”

Shan Shan waves her hands left and right to gesture “no,” they can only talk later. Her feet firmly march to the door of the President’s office. While knocking the door, she recites mentally what she wants to say over and over again.

She cannot gossip with Ah May now. Talking will break down her fighting spirit – – – that is what happens in wuxia novels.

Knock knock .... knock knock .... knock knock knock knock .... the knocking continues ....

Nobody answers.

Shan Shan feels silly and turns to look behind her.

Ah May and several secretaries cover their mouths to keep from bursting out in laughter. Ah May laughs and gasps: “Shan Shan, the President has not come back.”

“.... Then why you called me up ....”

“If we’re not the President, we can’t call you? I went home for a visit last week and I’ve brought back some specialty food for you.”

Ah May tries to contain her laughs while handing over a bag.

“Oh, thank you, thank you.”

Before a crowd of people with eyes filled with merriment, Shan Shan breaks into a sweat, accepts the bag and weakly walks downstairs.

Round 1, Xue Shan Shan completely loses — — — she does not get close enough to even touch Big Boss’s clothes.

Ah May’s mood remains good for the rest of the afternoon. She has to call Feng Teng about a business matter. When it is done, Ah May says without thinking: “President, Xue Shan Shan really misses you.”

Her heart thumps in suspense. She feels foolish and fears she has overstepped her boundary. Feng Teng is not an approachable boss. It is hard to get close to him. Everyone treats him with utmost respect. Non-business matters are said with caution but Shan Shan’s recent antics have made Ah May relaxed. She is not sure why she said what she just did out loud.

Feng Teng is caught by surprise. After a pause, he casually answers back: “Oh?”

Ah May tries to guess the President’s “Oh,”. She feels that he is interested so she continues, secretly relieved and quickly explain everything Xue Shan Shan had done.

Thus in the evening, as Xue Shan sits in front of her computer, playing games, she receives a strange phone call.

“The plane leaves in two hours, so it’ll arrive at noon tomorrow.”

Without waiting for Xue Shan Shan to answer, the other side calmly hangs up.

Holding the phone for a long time, Shan Shan finally figures out it is Big Boss’s voice.

The arrogance, the arrogance! Shan Shan angrily throws the phone on the bed – – – Big Boss is not back yet but declaring war already.

And to make an international, long distance call!!!

Money oh money .... Shan Shan is sad over the phone fee, looks back at the computer and almost vomits blood.

Just now, she has obviously beaten the Boss to the last drop of blood! How come she is lying in a pool of blood now! The Boss triumphantly circles her dead body .... (Note: In online games, each monster is known as “Boss.” After killing one, the player(s) get rewards.)

Certainly, all bosses are the same, always resorting to diversionary tactics.

Old debts plus new hatred!

Come back tomorrow!!! Shan Shan stares at the computer with burning eyes, her hand in a fist.

The next day, Shan Shan receives a private call from Ah May. The President’s plane will arrive in S City at noon so he will be in the company around one o’clock. Shan Shan does not wait for Feng Teng’s summon. After lunch, she runs upstairs straight away with a fighting spirit. She will wait for him on the 22nd floor.

Waiting, waiting, Shan Shan falls asleep near Ah May.

At twelve forty-five, Feng Teng appears with Linda and Senior Assistant Fang on the 22nd floor. All the secretaries stand up in greeting. Ah May pushes Shan Shan but there is no response. She pushes again and a half-asleep Shan Shan raises her head up.

Everything is out of focus and there are a few indistinct shadows. After a while, everything gradually clear up and Shan Shan looks into a pair of eyes.

Xue Shan Shan does not have the skills to decipher the thoughts behind those eyes. The owner of the eyes looks at her. His eyebrows indicate surprise and laughter twinkles in his eyes.

Ah May says: “President, Miss Xue came here as soon as she finishes lunch.”

Feng Teng grunts and proudly walks into his office: “Come in.”

Shan Shan still innocently sits by Ah May.

Linda says: “Miss Xue, the President called for you to go inside.”

Ah! The President! Big Boss!

Shan Shan is wide awake!