Rewarding You with a Kiss
Li Wan checked behind her and, seeing no one there, finally relaxed.
Lin Meng noticed her sudden distraction and asked, “Wanwan, what’s wrong?”
Hearing this, Li Wan quickly said, “Um... Miss Lin, there’s no need to be so formal. Just call me by my name.”
Lin Meng felt something twist in her heart. She lowered her head awkwardly. “Sorry, I overstepped. We barely know each other, yet you were willing to help me just because I asked, so I...”
“No, no, Miss Lin, that’s not what I meant. I just don’t think I deserve to be addressed so intimately by you.”
Seeing her rush to deny it with that excuse, Lin Meng frowned. “Why not? You work at a big company now, you can afford a place in the city center—better than me, even. Why wouldn’t you deserve it? You’re a good person. Actually, I’d like to be friends with you. Growing up, there haven’t been many people I could trust or be friends with. Lately I’ve been dealing with a lot of awful things, and then I met you. I thought we could be friends...”
Li Wan saw the loneliness on Lin Meng’s face and assumed she was troubled by her marriage to Yun Huaizhu.
Lin Meng was a kind and gentle person. At this point, Li Wan truly didn’t want to keep deceiving her. “Miss Lin, have you... not made up with your wife yet?”
Hearing that, Lin Meng felt a wave of embarrassment, as if she wanted to crawl into a hole.
The “wife” thing was something she’d made up.
She hadn’t expected Li Wan to still believe it.
Li Wan saw her expression suddenly turn awful and assumed she was still upset about Yun Huaizhu’s infidelity. But at the same time, Lin Meng had also cheated to get back at Yun Huaizhu for her unfaithfulness.
From both their reactions, it seemed they cared about each other deeply. And they’d both cheated on each other while still having feelings—that roughly canceled out...
Li Wan thought for a moment, then said, “No other woman is as good as your own wife. Finding someone outside is just for a fleeting thrill; the one who truly loves you is still your wife. If you still love her, Miss Lin, then make up with her. That way, you’ll feel a little lighter.”
Lin Meng’s eyes widened in shock. “??”
Wait, who gives advice like that?
Lin Meng felt this was getting more and more absurd, so she told the truth. “Li Wan, I’m sorry... Actually, I lied to you about that. I don’t have a wife at all. I said that last time as an excuse to buy the listening device. The truth is, I’m just a fan who took a risky shortcut to chase an idol.”
She couldn’t bring herself to say the word “sasaeng fan,” so she euphemistically explained why she’d originally bought the bug.
If Li Wan wanted to distance herself after hearing this, that was fine. She felt she couldn’t keep lying anymore.
Li Wan let out a disbelieving laugh. “Miss Lin, you must be joking. You’re clearly the secret wife of a big star. You clearly love her so much—how could you...”
Lin Meng shook her head again. “No, that was all a lie. Think about it—if I were really married to a big star, I wouldn’t be here, fixing a phone that’s about to break. The truth is, I’m just an ordinary office worker.”
She stood up and bowed apologetically to Li Wan. “I’m sorry.”
Li Wan sat there stunned, unable to recover for a long while.
If what Lin Meng said was true, then what did Yun Huaizhu’s behavior this whole time mean?
Li Wan had only helped install monitoring software on Lin Meng’s phone because Yun Huaizhu said Lin Meng was her wife. If that was a lie, hadn’t she been unwittingly aiding and abetting something terrible?
Lin Meng saw that Li Wan hadn’t responded for a long time and assumed she wouldn’t forgive her. She let out a bitter laugh. “Sorry, Miss Li, please give me back my phone. I’ll figure out how to fix it myself. Actually, I could have gone somewhere else to get it repaired, but there’s another reason I asked to meet you—to be honest, even though I did something despicable and installed a bug on someone, she didn’t hold it against me and we became best friends. Her birthday is coming up soon, and I’d like to ask you to make her a pair of earrings as a birthday gift.”
Li Wan snapped back to attention. She’d seen Yun Huaizhu’s birth date in entertainment magazines before. The friend Lin Meng mentioned whose birthday was coming up—that had to be Yun Huaizhu!
Li Wan had just been wondering whether to tell Lin Meng the truth.
But if Lin Meng knew, she’d surely be afraid of Yun Huaizhu. Not only that, if Yun Huaizhu found out Li Wan had told Lin Meng the truth, she’d never let her off.
Li Wan sucked in a breath. She was caught in a dilemma.
She quickly stood up and looked at Lin Meng. “It’s... it’s fine. I’ll still fix your phone, and I’ll make the earrings for you too. Since you consider me a friend, then those things you mentioned aren’t a big deal.”
At that, a spark lit in Lin Meng’s eyes. She looked at Li Wan excitedly. “Really?”
Li Wan nodded guiltily. “Mm.”
*
The meal passed in a daze. After returning home with Lin Meng’s phone, Li Wan sat blankly at her jewelry design workbench for over two hours.
She couldn’t keep helping Yun Huaizhu monitor Lin Meng. But for now, she couldn’t tell Lin Meng about Yun Huaizhu’s actions either.
Sigh... How had things turned out like this?
Forget it. Helping Lin Meng make a gift could also improve the relationship between Lin Meng and Yun Huaizhu. From what she could see, though the two called themselves good friends, it wasn’t as though there were no feelings between them. Maybe with a little effort, they could still end up married.
Li Wan comforted herself with this thought.
...
As usual, Yun Huaizhu tried to check Lin Meng’s phone today, but when she opened the monitoring app, nothing came up.
Looking frantic, she called Li Wan to ask what was going on.
Li Wan stammered a reply that the software might have some kind of problem.
She promised over the phone to fix it as soon as possible.
Yun Huaizhu had no choice but to hang up.
Lin Meng had gone traveling with Huo Yi, and it seemed another person was there too. Yun Huaizhu was too busy with company matters to spare the time. If she couldn’t monitor Lin Meng’s phone constantly, she couldn’t keep her emotions in check.
But now the software had suddenly malfunctioned, and she had no way of knowing Lin Meng’s every move.
Anxious panic spread through every pore.
In that moment, she suddenly felt that the company and everything else didn’t matter. She wanted to lock Lin Meng up.
That’s right—as long as she kept Lin Meng locked by her side, Lin Meng couldn’t be lured away by those shady people outside. Then she could handle company matters with peace of mind.
Yun Huaizhu’s expression turned somewhat unhinged at the thought. Possessiveness and jealousy tangled into something uneasy in her heart.
...
On Monday morning, the leaves of the plane trees along the city streets had gradually turned yellow.
More than a year had passed without her realizing it. Although autumn had arrived, it wasn’t that cold yet. When Lin Meng went out today, she wore only a thin beige coat. She had actually wanted to wait until after Yun Huaizhu’s birthday before resigning.
She’d handed the subletting matter to an agent too. A little cheaper was fine.
If she really couldn’t find anyone, she’d just have to forfeit the remaining six months’ rent.
It’s fine. Everything will get better.
In this world, as long as you live well, there’s nothing you can’t let go of.
Lin Meng sat down at her familiar workstation, but the seat next to hers—Tang Xiaoman’s—was empty. Right, Tang Xiaoman had told her before—her sister had bought her a house back in their hometown, and she’d gone back to lie flat.
Lin Meng shook her head with a helpless smile at the thought. Sometimes she really envied Tang Xiaoman.
Tang Xiaoman had a mother who loved her, a sister who loved her. Everything in her life had her closest family as a safety net. Even if one day she got tired of work and fed up, she could point at her boss’s nose and yell “I quit,” and her family would always be her warmest harbor.
Even now, when she thought about it... it seemed she’d never had a complete family.
That kind of happiness was all around her. Before she’d even grown up, she’d watched other children being led by their most beloved parents to the amusement park.
Afterward, that warm, happy scene kept appearing before her—she’d just never experienced that kind of perfect bliss herself.
Because of her own mother, she’d felt that the heart-wrenching suffering in that novel didn’t matter; only the happy ending did.
But the truth wasn’t what she’d imagined.
Lin Meng smiled bitterly and shook her head again.
Just as she was about to start the day’s work, the team leader Lu Ping suddenly walked over. “Mengmeng, don’t bother with other things for now. A leader from headquarters dropped in for an inspection today, and she specifically asked for you to accompany her. Come with me quickly.”
Lin Meng pointed at herself in confusion. “Me?”
Lu Ping nodded. “Yes, come with me first.”
Lin Meng quickly stood up from her workstation and followed Lu Ping at a brisk pace. “Team leader, why would the leader specifically ask for me? I’m not the head of any core project. If I go, and she asks me something, I won’t even understand.”
Lu Ping led the way. “It’s fine. Just answer whatever she asks. If the leader specifically asked to see you, it means your performance is good enough to warrant her attention. Who knows, if you make a good impression, she might even promote you to headquarters. The salary and benefits there are far better than at our little branch.”
At Lu Ping’s words, Lin Meng felt conflicted.
She’d resolved to resign and leave this place. Now she was being told she might go to headquarters, where the pay was double what she earned here.
Wasn’t that just too cruel?
As Lin Meng stood there wanting to cry but unable to, Lu Ping brought her to the largest office on the top floor.
Lin Meng knew this office. When the company boss and other executives had nothing to do, they’d play cards and drink tea here.
Lu Ping brought Lin Meng here and patted her shoulder. “Mengmeng, back when you were just a junior team member, I always had high hopes for you. You must do well this time!”
Lin Meng’s expression was somewhere between crying and laughing.
She remembered headquarters was in Jiang City. If she went there, it wasn’t impossible. But Jiang City was only about four hundred kilometers from Jing City. If she worked in Jiang City, people from Jing City could still visit.
Lin Meng took a deep breath at the thought.
Forget it. Nothing’s decided yet. She’d already made up her mind to go back home, so she absolutely couldn’t let these external factors sway her!
Lin Meng steadied herself, then walked into the office with a practiced professional smile. “Hello, I’m Lin Meng. May I ask what you...”
Before she finished speaking, she saw a somewhat familiar face. The person wore a cream-colored knit sweater and white pants that draped down to her ankles. She sat with legs crossed, and the sole of her black high heel revealed a striking flash of red.
Lin Meng thought she was seeing things, so she closed her eyes and gave her head a quick shake.
When she opened her eyes again, the person had already crossed the room on her high heels and stood before her, looking down at her. “Darling, what a coincidence—we meet here of all places.”
Hearing that voice, identical to Su Yutang’s, Lin Meng finally confirmed she wasn’t dreaming. She stumbled back a full step, startled.
Just then, Su Yutang grabbed her arm and pinned her against the office door.
She knew Lin Meng had been about to run. She reached around Lin Meng’s waist and, without hesitation, locked the door beside her.
Lin Meng panicked even more at the sound of the lock. In broad daylight, what was she planning to do here?
Su Yutang wrapped an arm around Lin Meng’s waist. “Darling, don’t be afraid. I won’t do anything to you. It’s just that every time you see me, you look like you’ve seen a ghost and try to run. This is the only way I can think of.”
Lin Meng fought the urge to roll her eyes. Every time you scare me like this, running away is the only sane response!
She quietly caught Su Yutang’s hand as it tried to slip under her clothes. “Um... I came here to present company projects to the headquarters leader. Can we talk after I finish work?”
Su Yutang found her words so adorable that she couldn’t resist leaning in and kissing her cheek.
Lin Meng covered the spot where Su Yutang’s lips had touched as if on reflex. “You—you said you wouldn’t do anything to me! This is my workplace. I suggest you show some respect, or... or I’ll scream!”
Her voice lacked conviction toward the end.
Su Yutang thought she looked like a cute puppy baring its teeth at its owner when angry. But Lin Meng was different from bad dogs—even when angry, she was endearing.
Even though Lin Meng had warned her, Su Yutang continued as if she hadn’t heard. Lin Meng’s back was against the door, and she could only look at Su Yutang helplessly. “Tangtang, why don’t you let me go first? After work, I’ll go out with you, okay?”
Su Yutang saw the sudden change in her attitude and a helpless smile appeared on her face.
Lin Meng was just like that—always “Tangtang” when she needed something, “Young Miss” when she didn’t.
But what could she do? She liked Lin Meng exactly like this.
Su Yutang chuckled and reached out to stroke her chin. “Do you know why I had you brought to this office to talk? Because it’s the quietest, with the best soundproofing. Even if you scream your lungs out, no one will come.”
Lin Meng’s eyes widened as if she’d truly seen a ghost. She could barely speak. “S-so... you’re the boss who dropped in from headquarters?”
No sooner had she spoken than Su Yutang pecked her other cheek. “So smart. Another kiss as a reward!”
Lin Meng: “?”
This was bad. Su Yutang had become her direct superior. Even with all the tricks in the world, there was no escaping today.
Su Yutang saw that she seemed dazed from the kisses. She took her arm and pressed her onto the sofa. “Darling, I really did come to your company for business today, so you don’t need to be nervous.”
Lin Meng really wanted to calm down, but Su Yutang’s hand had already slipped under her sweater and was slowly creeping upward.
Lin Meng grabbed the wandering hand, her patience at an end. “Young Miss, let’s be objective here. What you’re doing constitutes workplace harassment.”
Su Yutang withdrew her hand and cupped Lin Meng’s embarrassed, indignant face. “It’s been a while. Your temper’s grown.”
Lin Meng turned her head away, blushing, but Su Yutang insisted she face her. “But I like you like this.”
With that, Su Yutang left the sofa and sat properly in the executive chair. “Since I’m here for an inspection, you should at least pour me some water.”
Lin Meng saw she’d finally stopped getting handsy and let out a breath of relief. She quickly went to the water dispenser and poured water into a disposable paper cup for Su Yutang.
Su Yutang frowned at the crude paper cup. “Is this how your company treats guests?”
Lin Meng said helplessly, “President Su, even the boss has to drink from paper cups when he comes to our company. After all, who would keep cups here for people who rarely visit?”
Right—she remembered the sterilization cabinet had some cups and tea sets, but those had been used by others. She didn’t know if Su Yutang would use them.
Since she disliked the paper cup, giving her a nicer-looking cup should solve the problem. She’d just lie and say no one had used it—Su Yutang probably didn’t have Huo Yi’s level of germaphobia.
Just as Lin Meng was about to get a teacup for Su Yutang, Su Yutang cleared her throat solemnly. “No. I want to use your cup.”
Lin Meng: “??”
Now, looking at Su Yutang, she was one step away from writing “Are you insane?” on her forehead.
Lin Meng suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. “Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”
Su Yutang tapped the desk lightly. “What’s inappropriate about it? Aside from business, we’re lovers. Is there a problem with lovers sharing a cup?”
Lin Meng: “???”
Who’s lovers with you?
Lin Meng really wanted to shout a denial, but this was the office. If she angered Su Yutang, what if she did something terrible?
With no other choice, Lin Meng went downstairs, washed her cup, and poured water for Su Yutang.
When Lin Meng placed the pink stainless steel thermos with a starry-sky rabbit design, filled with water, in front of Su Yutang, Su Yutang’s face lit up with immense pleasure.
Seeing Lin Meng’s expression—as if she wanted to bite her—Su Yutang picked up the cup and took a sip.
But the next moment, she spat the water out with a “pfft—”
She’d gotten too carried away earlier, and Lin Meng hadn’t told her it was freshly boiled water.
Lin Meng couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of her sticking out her tongue from the burn. She’d never seen Su Yutang look foolish before; she swore she wasn’t laughing on purpose.
She was an adult—surely she knew to let boiling water cool before drinking it?
Su Yutang’s tongue stung fiercely. She pulled out a compact mirror and examined her tongue. It wasn’t broken or blistered, just red at the tip, as if she’d been drinking pomegranate juice.
She was already this unlucky, and Lin Meng was snickering beside her, not feeling sorry for her at all.
The thought sent a surge of irritation through Su Yutang. She crooked a finger at Lin Meng. “Come here. I have something to tell you.”
Lin Meng immediately fell silent. She could tell Su Yutang’s expression was off, as if she were brewing some wicked scheme.
But there was no choice. Su Yutang was her direct superior now; she couldn’t disobey.
Her heart uneasy, Lin Meng slowly shuffled over. When she was only a step away from Su Yutang, the woman suddenly reached out with a slender arm and pulled her close.
Su Yutang was far too strong. Caught off guard, Lin Meng was yanked into her lap. Before Lin Meng could react, Su Yutang pinned her with one hand and lifted her chin with the other. When that scorching tongue—tinged with a hint of iron and rose fragrance—probed in, Lin Meng’s eyes flew open in disbelief.
“Mmph, mmph... stop...” Lin Meng’s voice came in fragments. She thrashed in Su Yutang’s arms like a fish, but the powerful alpha held her down, rendering her immobile.
She’d originally intended to use a technique to slip out of Su Yutang’s hold, but Su Yutang was trained; she knew exactly where to pin a person to make escape impossible.
So Lin Meng was forced to endure that fierce, aggressive kiss.
Su Yutang’s tongue had just been burned, so the cool, slick sensation of Lin Meng’s mouth was a genuine relief. Her tongue scraped back and forth against lips and teeth tinged with mint.
Lin Meng didn’t know if it was because she’d kissed someone before, but at first she was breathless, unable to keep up with Su Yutang’s rhythm. Yet to breathe, she gradually matched the movement of Su Yutang’s tongue.
Dimly, she felt her head begin to heat up, as if her tongue were tasting the musk-rose pheromone fragrance from Su Yutang’s mouth.
No—she was a beta. She shouldn’t be able to smell alpha pheromones.
It had to be an illusion!
Lin Meng pushed against Su Yutang, but Su Yutang used her other hand to support Lin Meng’s rear and settle her on her lap. Now Su Yutang held her even tighter, and Lin Meng had no chance of escape.
Her breath intertwined with Su Yutang’s. This time, her clumsiness and inexperience had faded considerably; the collisions between teeth and lips were minimal. Without that mingled taste of blood, all of Lin Meng’s rational mind seemed to focus on this kiss.
Her mind went blank, and yet a faint, indescribable feeling began to surface—a feeling that made her heart pound. She didn’t even know what she was doing anymore.
About an hour later, Su Yutang finally released Lin Meng, whose cheeks were flushed red and whose lips looked as if they’d been gilded with rouge. Lin Meng’s eyes were half-lidded; because Su Yutang had stopped so abruptly, a small sliver of her crimson tongue still peeked out.
Seeing her pure yet lewd and erotic appearance, Su Yutang couldn’t resist and kissed her again.
By the end, Lin Meng was kissed dizzy. Even when she clocked out, she couldn’t remember which places she’d shown Su Yutang or how much she’d said about company projects.
And Su Yutang, naturally, used the excuse of unfinished business to take her home.