Amnesia Trap (GL) - Chapter 18
Sheng Zhi nodded profusely. Although she already had an idea in mind, she maintained an annoyed tone to prevent Ji Qingfan from noticing anything: “I know, I know. How much more do you have to say?”
It was only meant to be a simple expression of impatience, yet Ji Qingfan looked thoughtful when she heard it. “I don’t know, but looking at Zhi Zhi, it seems there’s still a lot to talk about. For example…”
As she spoke, she moved closer to Sheng Zhi.
Her fingertips slowly ran over Sheng Zhi’s collar, grazing her neck, creating a delicate, subtle, feather-like sensation. Ji Qingfan lowered her gaze and finished her thought: “For example, Zhi Zhi’s attire is completely unsuitable.”
Sheng Zhi tilted her head, as if trying to avoid her. Although her expression was resistant, this time, she didn’t raise her hand to swat away Ji Qingfan’s small movement, which was nearly identical to previous times. She only complained verbally: “Your demands are so troublesome. Even if she told you to guide me, aren’t you being a bit too demanding?”
Ji Qingfan blinked at her when she heard this, enunciating every word with perfect innocence: “This isn’t my demand. It’s the company’s requirement. And Zhi Zhi is starting as my assistant, so of course, I’ll guide Zhi Zhi step-by-step.”
Sheng Zhi never intended to work properly at the company. Hearing Ji Qingfan say it was a company requirement and that she would teach her “step-by-step” made her even more exasperated: “That’s enough. My mother told you a few things, but you don’t actually plan to control my every move, do you? I bet you’re the one who told her about what happened last time. Forget it, I’m leaving now.”
Sheng Zhi then took a few symbolic steps forward. She felt that after saying all that, Ji Qingfan would definitely stop her and forbid her from leaving, as her mission was to tutor her. However, she didn’t expect Ji Qingfan to not only refrain from saying the words of obstruction she had imagined but also not move an inch, only sighing: “Then you may go.”
…She’s being this agreeable? She’s just letting her leave? Is this for real?
Sheng Zhi couldn’t quite believe it; it felt almost fantastical.
She glanced at Ji Qingfan and tentatively took a few more steps forward. As she walked, she said aloud: “Then I’m really leaving.”
Ji Qingfan still didn’t move. She nodded, and even her sigh and words were nearly identical to the last sentence: “It’s alright. You can go.”
Sheng Zhi still felt an unidentifiable sense of strangeness. Leaving was too easy. She had expected it to be much more difficult. However, Ji Qingfan genuinely wasn’t stopping her. So, even though she hadn’t quite figured out the reason, Sheng Zhi was definitely not going to stay at the company if she could leave right now.
She didn’t ask again. She silently rolled her eyes at Ji Qingfan, picked up her bag, and walked out of the office, thinking that if this was the case, she probably wouldn’t have to come to work every day in the future. She’d just show up occasionally. Ji Qingfan’s control over her didn’t seem to be that strict.
Sheng Zhi left with her bag. Ji Qingfan remained in the same position, watching her back until the door closed again and she was completely out of sight. Only then did Ji Qingfan’s gaze move to the clock on the wall.
One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.
One minute. Two minutes. …
Before the count reached the third minute, she heard the office door, which had only just closed, fly open with a slam.
Ji Qingfan withdrew her gaze from the clock.
The angry young woman strode towards her, back in her line of sight.
She seemed very angry, which was evident from her tone: “Ji Qingfan, you knew all along that even if you didn’t stop me, there would be others stopping me from leaving this company, didn’t you?”
Sheng Zhi felt her temper flare as she recalled everything that happened on her way out.
She now understood why Ji Qingfan had sat so composedly. She had planned everything in advance. No wonder she didn’t stop her.
“Yes,” Ji Qingfan met her gaze, paused for a second, then responded with a bright smile: “I did it on purpose. I knew Zhi Zhi would come back.”
Hearing Ji Qingfan dare to admit it, Sheng Zhi was furious. She flung her bag at Ji Qingfan, spitting out various adjectives regardless of their appropriateness: “…Vicious, malicious. Ji Qingfan, you are hopelessly wicked, do you know that?”
Ji Qingfan, being thus “criticized,” raised her hand to catch the bag. Her fingertips slowly and subtly brushed over the spot where Sheng Zhi’s hand had been, grasping the bag as if she were holding Sheng Zhi’s hand: “Zhi Zhi, you really can’t leave by yourself, but I can take you out.”
“It’s nearly lunchtime. I’ll take you to buy some clothes for work, and we can have lunch afterward…” She looked at Sheng Zhi, her tone carrying a natural intimacy: “How about that?”
Sheng Zhi almost lost control of her expression when she heard this.
What the hell? Asking her “how about that” when she was clearly having a tantrum with her!
She truly preferred Ji Qingfan to give her the cold shoulder than to see her acting so indulgently and casually.
…It made her feel as if she were flirting with her.
Sheng Zhi held back her frustration, not wanting to reply to Ji Qingfan. Seeing Ji Qingfan catch the bag she threw and refuse to let go, she scoffed. Half to change the subject and half to mock her, she deliberately dragged out her words: “Why are you holding onto it and not letting go? Do you like my—my bag that much?”
Her careless tone was like she was dismissing a dog. Intentionally trying to annoy Ji Qingfan, she continued: “Forget it. Since you like it so much, I’ll give it to you. There’s a lipstick inside, but I used it once today. You wouldn’t mind, would you?”
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