Reborn: The Return of the Villainous Mr. Liu

With the first day that came to an end, the aura around Guiying took a one eighty turn as compared to the morning when she was just ready to face the day.

It wasn't so bad. But well, it's my first day, after all. Assistant Ling was so helpful!

She stepped outside for a last coffee break, thinking to herself.

I should start thinking of a gift for Assistant Ling. It's only right that I properly show my gratitude to him, she nodded to herself.

"What do 'you' think?"

She asked 'her' if 'she' had any different suggestions to give. But 'she' just remained silent.

"Come on, please say something. 'You' shouldn't be so moody. I really need 'your' help."

Guiying sighed with no response.

Maybe 'she' isn't interested in this corporate life stuff, she thought.

She grabbed a coffee cup and pressed the button on the coffee maker machine. She hummed a tune as she saw the coffee pouring from the machine.

"You seem to be in a good mood," a voice whispered in her ear.

She jolted, immediately cupping her ear and turned back stiffly. Her eyes widened seeing Zheng Jiao behind her with her brow raised as she stared at her.

Sh-She scared me…

The coffee machine dinged at the back.

"H-Hello," Guiying greeted her with a nervous smile. She was the same person to insinuate that Guiying used connections to become Zixin's assistant. She was the only one to be unwelcoming of her.

"Who were you talking to?"

Guiying blinked at her. "Sorry?"

"You were talking to somebody just now."

She froze.

Ah no! I was talking to 'her.' She heard me!

"Nobody," she said with an anxious smile that she was trying for it to not falter. "I wasn't talking to-"

"Are you gaslighting me?"

Guiying stiffened harder. "No! I wasn't really talking to anybody."

"But I heard you. It felt like you were asking somebody's opinion," she narrowed her eyes. She stepped closer, leaning towards her. "But I didn't see anybody around you."

Her heart pounded till she could feel it in her throat. "O-oh perhaps you heard me talking to myself?"

A layer of sweat formed on her forehead.

"So why would you mention 'you?' You clearly weren't talking to yourself," Zheng Jiao refused to let this matter slide.

"Th-That's…"

Guiying was extremely bad at lying and now faced with such a stressful situation, her mind further blanked out.

"Hmm, a suspicious newbie working as a CEO's assistant. Interesting. In that case, why don't you work as my assistant?"

"Huh?"

The question was simply so odd that Guiying couldn't wrap her head around it.

"Yes," she smiled. "CEO Chen really doesn't need an extra assistant. Trust me, Assistant Ling is more than enough. He can do ten people's jobs at once. But I lack resources. So why not work with me? IT department is fun too."

Why is she suddenly offering me a position in her department? Doesn't she hate me?

"I…don't really-"

"Why?"

Zheng Jiao squinted her eyes, bridging the gap threateningly closer as if she would eat her up. "If it's an assistant's job, then it doesn't have to be the CEO's right? The responsibilities are fairly similar so you can go into any department. I am just being the frontrunner in poaching you," she chuckled. "Well, no matter what I insinuated before, I believe in Assistant Ling's choice. He would hire a capable person that he could trust."

Guiying's elbow slightly bumped with the coffee mug at the back. The pressure built up in the air that made her feel like a bulldozer pressing her down.

"Sorry…" she felt her breath stuck in her throat, "I don't th-think I would be able j-join your department."

"Why not? Don't tell me…the reason you are working as his assistant is because you have feelings for him? Are you hoping you would score a chance if you continue working here?"

The sharper edge to her voice was unmistakable. Guiying's countenance paled, and her body trembled.

"It's one thing to dream, but it's another thing to live in it. Please understand the difference. CEO Chen will never be interested in you so throw away your expectations while your heart is still intact. Trust me, I just want to help you," she smiled.

"I don't need it."

Zheng Jiao blinked twice with the sudden change in her tone.

Guiying looked up, her gaze sharper and fiercer than the meek look she held before. To Zheng Jiao, the person standing before her was still Guiying, but only Guiying knew that it was 'her' that had surfaced out.

"Thank you for offering help which I didn't even ask for, but no thanks. I am not interested in joining your department, nor do I work here with the intention to seduce the CEO. I don't care if you believe me or not. I only care about my coffee which is turning cold."

'Guiying' partially turned and took the coffee cup. 'She' clicked her tongue. "And now it has become all tepid."

'She' threw the coffee and discarded the cup in the trash bin. "Now if you will excuse me. I had enough of 'talking to you quota' today. I have reached my limit."

Zheng Jiao stared at her with a deep puzzlement.

How did her attitude suddenly take a one-eighty turn?

Zheng Jiao pushed her foot forward to stop Guiying from walking away, which only irked 'her' further.

"I am telling you. You should join my department. There is nothing kept in the job of a CEO's assistant. It's just too much stress and pressure. You will simply crumble."

'She' sneered. "How about you let me decide if I will crumble or not. It's rude to underestimate people, you know? Or maybe…you are personally interested in the CEO yourself so you cannot see another woman working so closely with him?"

Zheng Jiao narrowed her eyes. "I am only thinking of your well-being. I wouldn't want you to regret it if something happens."

"And what will happen?"

"Who knows? That's why I want to save you from any untoward embarrassment."

'Guiying' smiled. "Oh my, I really have such caring colleagues. I am so touched. I will deal with any embarrassment even if I happen to face any. I am not so weak for others to invest so much of their concern for me. I have weathered far worse storms. A little embarrassment will never break me. Now if you will excuse me and this time if you stop me, you might feel the pain of my heel sandal stomping on your foot, so don't cry that I didn't give you a fair warning."

Zheng Jiao stared at her hard but eventually backed off.

"Smart. Thank you for ruining my coffee and my coffee mood. Goodbye," 'Guiying' smiled. "Hope we never cross paths again."