Chapter 197 – The drunk Tangtang

Translator: ChuRen/ YuQiChen

The pen had somehow rolled under the desk, near the man’s leather shoes.

Tang Qing mouthed a silent signal to Ji Shinan. Before Ji Shinan could move his leg, Tang Qing clumsily squatted down, half-lying forward, stretching out his hand to pick up the pen.

The boy’s soft arm brushed against the man’s calf through the fabric of his expensive suit pants.

Although Tang Qing’s waist was slender, the area below was plump and full, like a ripe, tempting peach.

As Tang Qing moved, the skin on the back of his neck, near his upper back, was revealed.

On the originally fair and delicate skin, there was a conspicuous pink hickey, surrounded by a circle of deep teeth marks.

It was easy to imagine that someone had kissed this elegant, delicate neck again and again, finally choosing a discreet spot to leave that secret mark.

Perhaps the boy didn’t even realise it himself.

The man swallowed hard, his black eyes deep and clouded.

Tang Qing placed the pen back on the desk and continued sorting the documents.

He organised them by project name and contract date. Before he knew it, the entire afternoon had passed.

Around mid to late afternoon, the shadows of pedestrians stretched long under the sunlight.

Ji Corporation’s building was located in the best area of City A, and the president’s office—on the top floor in the finest spot—had a full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows that let sunlight pour in without obstruction, bringing a touch of warmth to the room.

Tang Qing repeated the dull task, his eyelids growing heavier and heavier.

He squinted slightly, his hand movements gradually slowing.

After an unknown amount of time, his head leaned slowly against the chair back, and his breathing became steady and soft.

The file box remained open, and his hand pretended to keep working on the documents, but he had already fallen asleep.

After a while, Tang Qing suddenly jolted awake, realising he had actually dozed off!

He hurriedly checked the documents, afraid of making a mistake. After confirming everything was perfectly in order, he sighed with relief, refreshed himself, and returned to work.

Feeling guilty, he turned his head shyly and sneakily peeked at Ji Shinan.

Fortunately, Ji Shinan was still fully focused on the computer data, his gaze concentrated, seemingly unaware that Tang Qing was slacking off on his first day.

After finishing organising the files, Tang Qing returned the materials to their places and left the office.

Outside, the sunlight was just right.

Ji Shinan watched silently as the boy’s retreating figure disappeared and let out a quiet smile.

…

“Assistant Tang, want to go downstairs for a walk? I heard the pantry offers free afternoon tea every day,” Tang Qing opened WeChat to see a message from a newcomer who started on the same day, named Qi Lele.

Of course, Qi Lele had gotten a regular assistant intern position, while Tang Qing had become the president’s assistant.

Qi Lele was a straightforward kid. After learning Tang Qing was the president’s assistant, every time he looked at Tang Qing, there was this mysterious aura of admiration.

Tang Qing felt quite embarrassed—he honestly didn’t think there was anything worthy of such high regard.

“Sure,” Tang Qing replied.

The two met at the pantry on the 19th floor.

“You know what? I’m in the same office as Zhong Xiaoling. Talk about bad luck…” Qi Lele whispered with a bit of complaint. “No idea what connections he used to get in. Every day he acts like some spoiled rich kid, so arrogant.”

Since Tang Qing only had a brief encounter with Zhong Xiaoling, he didn’t feel it was appropriate to criticise him, so he just quietly listened as Qi Lele vented.

From Qi Lele, he learned a new term: “green tea boy”.

Qi Lele explained that guys like Zhong Xiaoling—those who appear to smile sweetly but actually have a sarcastic attitude—were called green tea boys.

“Wow, a kitten.” Tang Qing noticed that on the terrace outside the pantry, a tabby cat was licking its paws.

Noticing someone walking by, it lazily lifted its head and stared with big, round eyes, curious in that uniquely feline way.

Then it flicked its fluffy tail disdainfully, withdrew its gaze, and resumed focusing on cleaning its fur.

Tang Qing crouched down and reached out to pet the tabby.

He’d always attracted small animals since childhood and was great at cat-petting; no kitten could escape the palms of his hands.

This tabby, who had just looked disdainful, soon rolled on the ground, exposing its white belly and acting coquettishly.

Tang Qing couldn’t help but want to give the cat some snacks he held in his hand.

“Assistant Tang, feeding stray cats isn’t a good habit,” Zhong Xiaoling appeared out of nowhere, speaking softly. “You’re probably unaware because you work on the top floor, but there are quite a few strays wandering nearby. If they sneak inside and disturb everyone’s work, that wouldn’t be good.”

Zhong Xiaoling spoke as he looked Tang Qing up and down with a smirk.

He never imagined that the position his uncle personally tried to arrange for him—and failed—was actually given to this art student.

Seeing the tabby cat’s round belly, which didn’t look hungry, Tang Qing didn’t bother arguing with Zhong Xiaoling.

He petted the cat’s belly a few times before leaving the terrace.

After they walked away, Qi Lele couldn’t help but complain, “That guy’s way too pretentious. You’d think he was the boss’s wife, worrying about disturbing everyone’s work. But when he’s supposed to be working, he’s never this enthusiastic.”

Tang Qing also felt something off about his tone, but playing with cats during work hours was indeed inappropriate. Since Zhong Xiaoling liked to make a big deal out of small things, they just let it be without arguing.

After saying goodbye to Qi Lele, Tang Qing returned to the top floor.

At that moment, Cha Nan called him, asking if he was free that evening. Cha Nan wanted to treat him to celebrate Tang Qing’s first day on the job.

Miss Chen had told Tang Qing that the first day usually didn’t involve much work—just getting familiar with the environment and leaving on time.

Tang Qing replied, “Sure, I finish at six today. I’ll contact you then.”

After hanging up, Tang Qing returned to his seat.

Just then, a group of people passed by him.

It turned out Ji Shinan and others had just finished a meeting, surrounded by a crowd as they left the conference room.

The tall man strode purposefully with long legs straight toward the president’s office.

Tang Qing wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but as the man passed, the atmosphere seemed heavy and oppressive; those reporting work nearby appeared tense and cautious.

Could the meeting outcome have been unsatisfactory?

But such high-level matters weren’t Tang Qing’s concern. He packed up his things, ready to leave.

“Assistant Tang, the president has an official engagement tonight and requires your accompaniment,” Secretary Li suddenly approached and informed him.

“Me?” Tang Qing was puzzled.

It wasn’t that he underestimated himself, but honestly, given how little he knew of the work so far, he felt he couldn’t contribute much at such an event.

“Yes. The president personally chose you,” Secretary Li said, his tone tinged with some frustration.

He really couldn’t understand how, as Ji Shinan’s closest confidant, he suddenly lost his position to someone else.

He looked at Tang Qing with a complicated, hard-to-describe gaze, like a consort who had just been outmaneuvered in the palace struggle for favor.

Tang Qing blinked in confusion.

Secretary Li had no choice but to give Tang Qing some instructions on accompanying Ji Shinan to social engagements.

Among many points, the most important was to drink on Ji Shinan’s behalf.

“But I can’t drink alcohol,” Tang Qing said bashfully. “If I take a sip, I’ll get drunk…”

Secretary Li looked at Tang Qing with a mixture of frustration and disbelief. He himself had trained a steel stomach for Ji Shinan, yet here came this hopeless rookie.

In the end, he gave up and said, “Anyway, that’s the process. You figure it out yourself.”

So Tang Qing had to tell Cha Nan about the last-minute social engagement and cancel their evening plans.

Over the phone, Cha Nan seemed a little upset, but Tang Qing didn’t dwell on it and hung up.

He followed Ji Shinan’s car to attend the reception.

It was Tang Qing’s first time at such an event; he was somewhat nervous.

The venue was crowded, and as soon as Ji Shinan arrived, people approached him actively for conversation.

Sharp-eyed attendees noticed Ji Shinan had brought along a newcomer this time and teased, “President Ji, why didn’t you bring that guy, your ‘never drunk’ Secretary Li?”

“Looks like this handsome new guy must have some outstanding qualities,” someone said with a smile, lifting a glass to toast Tang Qing.

Tang Qing was stunned for a moment but then raised his glass and took a sip.

The person laughed, “Assistant, the proper way to toast is to drink the whole glass. Taking just a sip doesn’t count.”

Tang Qing held the glass, feeling awkward.

He couldn’t drink a full glass. But Secretary Li had repeatedly emphasised that the key to accompanying the president was to help shield him from drinking. He couldn’t embarrass the other party.

Just as he hesitated whether to force himself to finish the glass,

A slender hand reached out.

That hand steadily took the glass from Tang Qing’s hand. Its knuckles were defined and strong, the veins on the forearm subtly bulging, and the long fingers flawless without a single blemish.

“My driver took the day off today, so I have to rely on the assistant to drive me back,” Ji Shinan said calmly as he took the glass.

Ji Shinan was the most feared figure at the event. Since taking over Ji Corporation, he had acted decisively and flawlessly, making Ji Corporation the largest group in City A.

Although Ji Shinan’s words sounded almost casual, no one dared to take him lightly.

The man quickly adapted his tone and laughed, “I see. It’s my oversight. I’ll punish myself with another drink then, haha.”

Tang Qing looked at the impassive man and quietly said thank you.

Ji Shinan’s expression remained unchanged as he continued mingling with the crowd.

After the drinking session ended, Ji Shinan led Tang Qing out of the venue.

Although Tang Qing had only sipped a little wine, he already felt intoxicated. His head was dizzy, and in his confusion, he forgot the workplace etiquette that the subordinate should leave the back seat to the president and sit in the front passenger seat.

Instead, he foolishly sat in the back seat first.

The driver glanced at the rookie and was about to remind him.

“Drive,” the man said with a calm expression as he closed the door and sat next to Tang Qing.

Tang Qing blinked with moist eyes, his face faintly flushed. As the car started moving, he leaned unsteadily against the seat.

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