Closer Little Spy Chapter 4

Qiao Xuan has prepared several meals for him already, but why does she feel like she’s the only one eating?

She followed his instructions for preparing his meals, but there are always leftovers which he tells her to finish.  All that money spent on the ingredients and her salary, she thinks this is a waste of his money if he’s not going to eat it.

Although she is happy to enjoy delicious food every day, she feels like a freeloader.

That evening, Ji Yu Heng wanted abalone porridge for supper.

She vowed to get him to eat today, and wouldn’t help him.

At his door, Qiao Xuan found his door unlocked.

“Huh?  How did this happen?”  Qiao Xuan hesitantly pushed open the door, and saw a note on the wall.

“I am afraid I can’t help you because I’m taking a shower, so I left the door open for you.”

Really, even if this is his hotel, isn’t it still unsafe?

Qiao Xuan pushed the food cart into the room, and heard rushing water from the bathroom.

Every time she came in he was busy looking at doc.u.ments, but today he was showering.

It was a rare opportunity to be alone in his room.  Should she take a look around?  Yeah!

Qiao Xuan looked back in the direction of the bathroom determining he won’t come out for a while, so she immediately started her search.

Doc.u.ment…  Doc.u.ment…  Doc.u.ment!  d.a.m.n, why are there so many useless things?  Is this guy’s life so boring?  Does he do nothing but work all day?

She needed to find some dirt on his personal life, not steal company secrets.  After all, their goal was never to harm the goodwill of Fu Hua.  They just wanted to get their hands on something to negotiate terms with.

Almost giving up, she suddenly saw a toy next to his pen.  She looked at it puzzled, never thinking to find something like this on his desk.

“Isn’t this a children’s toy?  Why is this on his desk?”  Qiao Xuan didn’t understand.

This unexpected discovery temporarily waylaid her search.  She turned the toy around in her hands, and suddenly had a vague impression that she had such a toy a long time ago.

Yes, she remembers now!

When my parents took her to the children’s festival, they bought one for her.  It was her favorite childhood toy and no matter who asked to borrow it, she would refuse.  But one day, her Dad suddenly gave her toy away to a guest’s child.  That day when she came home from school and discovered her favorite toy gone, she was very angry at her Dad and didn’t speak to him for a long time.

“Oh…”  Thinking of her childhood memories, Qiao Xuan couldn’t help but laugh.

At that time, her Dad was really too much.  Not only did he made her heartbroken, but didn’t even apologize.  He told her it was the right thing to do.  If the small toy could make the little boy happy, why can’t they sacrifice themselves and help others?

But at that time, how was she supposed to understand?  When she grew older and finally understood, she let the incident go.

“What are you doing?”  Yu Heng suddenly asked.

“My G.o.d!”  Qiao Xuan was frightened.  She was too immersed in her memories and didn’t hear the shower stop.  “No, I just saw this little thing, and felt curious…”  Qiao Xuan turned quickly to see Ji Yu Heng in a bathrobe approaching her.

His strong chest appeared in front of her, so close that she could smell the body soap he used from his shower.  Qiao Xuan who has never had much experience with the opposite s.e.x quickly blushed red.

“Don’t touch my things.”  Yu Heng took the toy from her hands.

The last time she came to help him repair the shower, not only did she go through his briefcase, touched his pen, touched most of his precious belongings, but she also insulted him.

“Sorry…”  Qiao Xuan stammered, “But why are there so many things on your desk?  And isn’t this a children’s toy?”

“None of your business.”  Yu Heng looked at her coldly.

“Just curious is all.”  Why so fierce?

Ji Yu Heng is really strange.  He has a strong personality and is also a General Manager of a hotel.  Having this kind of toy is really out of the ordinary for his type.  Maybe he has a special hobby?

Well…  Well, why didn’t she think of that?  On the surface, he might be a handsome and highly esteemed man with striking appearance.  But privately, there could be some unknown habit or addiction.  If she could discover what it is, maybe it’ll be a powerful bargaining chip.

“General Manager, I also had this kind of toy when I was little.  My Dad would always buy me these kinds of toys when I was little.”

Qiao Xuan secretly glanced at him.  There was a lack of enthusiasm there, so she changed the subject.

“But after growing up my interest changed.  In high school, I liked watching anime and would often dress up in cosplay with my friends.  General Manager, do you know what cosplay is?  It’s where you dress up as anime characters.  It’s very interesting.  Have you ever done it?”

In all the strange hobbies, Qiao Xuan believes that dressing up is the most lethal.  Although it’s hard to imagine Ji Yu Heng doing such a thing, but she had to try.  If she is right, then she’s in luck!

Yu Heng looked at Qiao Xuan’s shining eyes.  What is this woman up to?

“Why are you so curious about me?”  Although he didn’t detect any malice, but she really provoked his playfulness.

Yu Heng slowly closed the distance between them, trapping her between the desk and himself.

“Well?”  What is he doing, suddenly leaning so close to her?

She unconsciously moved back, but only a few steps and she was against the desk.  Ji Yu Heng’s hands trapped her on both sides, blocking anyway of escape.

“Ah, why so curious about me?  Hmm?”  Yu Heng whispered in her ear, provocatively.

“I…  No, I…”  My G.o.d, why is he so near?

Qiao Xuan had nowhere to look but straight down into his chest.  She was too nervous.  How is he so good looking?  And how is his voice so magnetic?  It made her ear numb and her whole body quiver.

Qiao Xuan was in mental disarray, forgetting how to even speak.

“Do you…want me?”  Yu Heng slowly lowered himself, gradually closing in on her lips.  A little more and a little lower, more and lower…  “General Manager, please don’t do this!”

Qiao Xuan pushed him away.  “Although I’m not a great beauty, but I also have my principles! You are very handsome, but I’m not that kind of girl!”

Qiao Xuan declared her position fearlessly, but when she looked up at his reaction, she saw him holding his stomach trembling with laughter.

Is he…laughing?

“Ah ha ha ha…”  Yu Heng couldn’t hold it anymore and burst out laughing.

“You…  Were you making fun of me?”

“Of course, how could I resist when your reaction is so funny!  Ah, ha ha ha…”

After laughing, Ji Yu Heng became more impudent.

“d.a.m.n, you…”  Qiao Xuan was angry enough to want to knock him out, but due professional ethics she backed down.

“Where do you want the abalone porridge?”  Qiao Xuan set the porridge down and was ready to leave.

“Hey, don’t be mad.”  Almost out of breath from laughing Yu Heng finally noticed her displeasure.  He quickly cleared his throat and apologize to her.

“Boring.”  Yu Heng glanced at her, but Qiao Xuan don’t want to talk to him.

“Well, I am boring.  Where do you want the abalone porridge?”  Seeing her continue to sulk, Yu Heng put away is amus.e.m.e.nt.

Her reaction to his teasing suddenly relaxed his mood a lot.  He had been dealing with an acquisition, so his mood was quite tired.  Surprisingly, conversing with Qiao Xuan had him feeling energized again.

That is to say, it has really been a long time since he’d had a good laugh.

“Here.”  Qiao Xuan still eyed him cautiously, but helped him put the porridge on the table.

“Just a bowl?  Are there any left downstairs?”  Yu Heng opened the lid smelling the fragrance immediately.

“No, I prepared just enough for you to eat.”

“Oh, then you eat this bowl because I suddenly feel…”

“Not hungry again?”  As she had expected.

“How did you know?”  Yu Heng paused.

“Of course I know, because every time I prepare something for you, you would suddenly say you aren’t hungry…”  Qiao Xuan suddenly becomes sad.  “Are you feeling alright?  Is it my cooking?  If you’re not hungry now, then when you’re ready just call the kitchen and I’ll reheat it for you.”

To listen to others say her cooking was less than desirable, you need a lot of courage.  But in order for him to stop politely refusing, she needed to be clear with him.

“I didn’t mean it.” Ji Yu Heng sighed in frustration.

He didn’t expect his kindness to hurt her feelings.  It seems he needed to tell her the truth.

“Your cooking is really delicious, but I…  Well, the truth is, I asked you to cook for me because I wanted you to earn money to pay off your family debt.  I also wanted you to have something nutritious to supplement your energy.”  Yu Heng looked a little awkward after confessing.

“Ah?”  Qiao Xuan couldn’t believe this was the reason.

“I could only think of this way to help you, but I didn’t think it’d cause you to be troubled, sorry.”  Yu Heng shrugged, a little helpless.

“But…  Why are you doing this?”  They were just strangers to each other.  He was her boss and she was his subordinate.  Why would he help her?  Isn’t it too weird?

Yu Heng scratched his head.  He didn’t know how to answer her, because he wasn’t exactly clear why he was helping her either.

“I admire your determination.  To have to carry a debt of ten million TWD alone at such a young age and maintain a positive att.i.tude all the while is not easy.  It makes others want to help you.”

After Yu Heng reflected on his conclusion, he is dimly aware of other reasons, but what that is, he still has no answer.

His words left Qiao Xuan speechless.

She began to have doubts about Ji Yu Heng and herself.

What kind of person is he?  Why isn’t he what she thought he was?

Shouldn’t he be a ruthless profiteer?  But why would he secretly help an orphanage, and also go out of his way to lend her a helping hand?

“So just accept my kindness and continue to prepare my meals.  We can enjoy the meals together so you won’t go hungry.”  Yu Heng jokes, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

Qiao Xuan firmly shook her head.  “No, I can’t accept it.”  How can she continue accepting his generosity after knowing the truth?

“Sheesh.”  Yu Heng hadn’t expected her to be so stubborn.

“I’m very grateful to General Manager for everything that you’ve done, but I shouldn’t continue with duties outside my station.  Please forgive me but I can’t continue preparing your meals.  Please have the kitchen chef prepare it from now on. Today’s bowl of abalone porridge, you must eat yourself because I spent a lot of time specifically preparing it for you.  I’ll come back for the bowl later.”  Qiao Xuan made a bow and turned to leave.

“Yu Qiao Xuan!”  Yu Heng suddenly grabbed her arm, but realizing his gaffe, he quickly released her.  “Sorry, I…  Are you angry?”

“I am not.”  Qiao Xuan says softly, lowering her head.

She didn’t dare look up into his eyes.  Ji Yu Heng’s words had touched her deeply and she was shaken by them.

“You…”  Yu Heng suddenly didn’t know what to say.

“General Manager, don’t think too much.”  Qiao Xuan raised her face and gently smiled making her way to the door.

“Hey, you…”  Yu Heng looked defeated as the door shut.

He scratched his head in irritation as frustration began to grow slowly in a corner of his heart.

“Lack of forbearance in small matters upsets great plans.”  This sentence is really quite right.

Qiao Xuan began to feel a little regret.  Why was she so impulsive?

Ji Yu Heng is a rich man and money isn’t an issue for him.  For him, spending the money to help her was like a drop in a bucket for him.  She could’ve accepted his goodwill and paid him back later.  But why did she suddenly adamantly refused his help?

“Well…”  Qiao Xuan sat in the staff room, pondering this matter.

That night, after hearing his confession, she didn’t know why she was frustrated.  She did the job that she was paid to do, but she didn’t want to be the object of his pity.  So she rejected his help, also ruining her chances to be in close contact with him.

This lead to her decline in spirit and she was often depressed.  She seldom thought about spying anymore or even creating opportunities to run into Ji Yu Heng.

At the restaurant, she concentrated on her work instead and gave up on her Dad’s battle plan.  She earnestly worked to earn money to pay off the debt…

“Oh!  Why am I so useless?”  Qiao Xuan whacked the cushion.

Her dream was to open a coffee shop.  Is she going to have to give it up?  Even if she worked a lifetime, it seems she still won’t be able to pay off this debt.

“Qiao Xuan, your shift is about to begin.”  At this time, Xu Bai Ren suddenly walked into the staff lounge.

“Oh okay, I’ll go change my clothes right away.”  Qiao Xuan immediately replied.

Although preparing meals for Ji Yu Heng ended in failure, but she still got some inspiration from it.  If her salary wasn’t enough, then she’ll have to earn extra income elsewhere.

She decided to pick up extra shifts at the restaurant and hotel.  Whether it was waitressing, bartending, cleaning, or cooking, as long as people wanted time off, she was willing to take their shift on their behalf.  Although she had no weekends off, but the extra income was worth it.

Tonight after her shift in the kitchen, she will be working in the hotel mini-bar until two in the morning.

For fear of falling asleep, she had drank several cups of black coffee.

Fortunately, there weren’t many guests and only a few scattered groups of guests tonight.  Qiao Xuan was with another bar staff Lin Yi Fang, cleaning the equipment ready to close the bar.

“Miss, give me a shot of whiskey.”  A middle-aged man wearing a suit suddenly ordered.

“Okay, please wait a moment.”  Lin Yi Fang gave a warm smile, skillfully pouring him a shot.

Lin Yi Fang is one of the more popular bar staff at the hotel.  Her professionalism for her job, coupled with her beautiful body and face, is the main cause attracting customer’s attention.

After she served the drink, the middle-aged male guest while drinking, constantly eyed at her.

“Young lady, wait.  What time do you get off?”  The middle-aged man began to chat up Lin Yi Fang.

“Our bar closes at two in the morning.  After two, there is no personnel service.”  Having dealt with all kinds of guests, Lin Yi Fang has learned not to directly answer guest’s questions, but to give them the runaround.

“How about after work, you accompany me to another place for drinks, okay?”  The middle-aged man didn’t get the message and continued his pursuit.

“Er…  It’s not convenient.  We also have to work tomorrow.”  Lin Yi Fang usually didn’t want to offend guests directly, but encountering situations like this is a must.

Lin Yi Fang refused to let the middle-aged man get to her.

“Give me another whiskey.”  The middle-aged man continued to smile and eye her.

“Yes, sir.”  Lin Yi Fang once again poured him a shot of whiskey.  When she put it front of him, he took the opportunity to touch her hand.

“Hey, what are you doing?!”  Qiao Xuan couldn’t stand to watch anymore.

“It’s alright Qiao Xuan, he just accidentally touched my hand.”  Lin Yifang hurriedly calmed her.

Fu Hua hotel guests were important political and economic figures, to offend them was a like a death sentence upon oneself.  The middle-aged man didn’t look simple, so she could swallow a little hand touching.  Anyway, they will be closing soon, so she won’t have to put up with it soon.

“Oh, you have good sense.”  The middle-aged man smiled and became more arrogant.

“But he…”  Qiao Xuan had the urge to give him a good beating.

“It’s okay, it’s okay.  Go wash the gla.s.ses, we’re about to close up.”  Lin Yi Fang rushed her away.

They quickly put the bar up.  It was almost two in the morning when Lin Yi Fang took out the trash, but the garbage truck had come and gone.  She pa.s.sed the middle-aged man on the way back, but didn’t think he would stretch out his hand to grope her.  His hand scratched her knees, and his dirty fingers reach out touch her private area.

“Ah!”  Lin Yi Fang screamed loudly.

Although she’s had a lot of men hara.s.s her before, but this is the first time someone has physically put their hands on her.

Qiao Xuan can’t endure what she saw anymore, so she made her way to the middle-aged man.

“What do you want?”  She put herself in front of Lin Yi Fang protectively.

“Qiao Xuan, we have a lot of receipts to go over.  Please close up.”  Although Lin Yi Fang was humiliated to tears, but looking at the overall situation, she decided to swallow it down.

“Didn’t you hear what she just said?  Why are you so fierce?  And how do you know she didn’t like it?  Maybe she wanted it.  Didn’t you?”  The middle-aged man leered at Lin Yi Fang.

“You sc.u.mbag!”

This is the first time she’s ever encountered someone like this!

Qiao Xuan used her entire force to push the middle-aged man.  The whole person fell down from the high chair.

“How dare you?!  Do you know who I am?”  The middle-aged man angrily pointed at Qiao Xuan from the ground.  “I’m the Vice President of the bank helping this hotel with its’ turnover.  You dare to be so rude to me?!”

“Oh, that’s funny.  Even if people don’t know who you are, you will still do shameless things.” Qiao Xuan literally laughed, then turned to other pa.s.sers-by and shouted, “Hey everybody, here’s a pervert groping a woman’s a.s.s.  He says he’s the Vice President of a bank.  Do you know who he is?  He’s a Vice President of a bank!”

Qiao Xuan attracted many on-lookers.

“You…”  The middle-aged man didn’t expect Qiao Xuan to cause a scene.  He immediately demanded, “Where’s your manager?  Tell him to come out.”

“Oh sorry, the manager has gone home to sleep.  Why don’t you do the same?”

Qiao Xuan was convinced no one would help him, so she planned to give him a good beating.  The guard at the gate however, saw the situation and immediately went upstairs to inform Ji Yu Heng.  Yu Heng walked in to a.s.sess the situation.

“Vice President, is there a problem?  What happened?”  Yu Heng recognized the middle-aged man at a glance.

Hearing Ji Yu Heng’s voice, Qiao Xuan was surprised and turned to look.

This is bad!  Who told him?  Now she can’t enjoy beating the old goat!

“Mr. Ji, come and educate your employees.  When she walked past me, her b.u.t.tocks touch my hand, and now she’s accusing me of s.e.xual hara.s.sment.  This other one, not only scolded me, but pushed me off the chair.  Punish these two employees today or I will withdraw my support for Fu Hua!”  This Vice President is simply evil, making claims faster than anyone else.

Yu Heng listened with a detached expression.

In fact, he has heard about the Vice President’s past misconduct, but in order to save face, the hotel helped him cover up the past.  But this time it involved an employee of Fu Hua, so Yu Heng was hesitant.  Should he seek justice for the employee?

Maintain a woman’s reputation, but lose a partnership with a bank, is it worth it?

Well, he should examine the employee and then make a decision.

Yu Heng looked at Lin Yi Fang, “Are you Lin Yi Fang?  What happened just now?  Was what the Vice President said all true?”

“General Manager…”  Lin Yi Fang held in her tears.  Looked at the Vice President, and then at Ji Yu Heng.

If she insists on the truth, then things will get out of hand, right?  What if the Vice President takes this all the way to court, and she had to repeat everything about the incident again?  The whole encounter made her nauseous.  Even if she told the truth, wouldn’t she be ruined?

“I’m sorry General Manager, I accidentally ran into the Vice President…  Please let it go.”  Lin Yi Fang succ.u.mbed to pressure.

“Well, alright.”  Yu Heng understands the meaning behind Lin Yi Fang’s words.

Since the employee waivered, everything was fine.

“Vice President, I’m sorry.  Please forgive this misunderstanding, your drink today is on me…”  Yu Heng apologized, but then suddenly someone rushed out.

“That’s not true!”  Qiao Xuan yelled with righteous indignation.