C18 Fox Girl

Her clothes had been so thoroughly torn by Ho Li that she couldn't possibly wear them again. Struggling, she made her way to his bathroom to shower. By the time she emerged, wrapped in a towel, Lee Qing had already left the fresh set of clothes he had prepared for her.

Blushing, Tang Xin quickly dressed. Exiting the cubicle, she noticed Ho Li already hard at work in the office, his attire impeccably wrinkle-free—a stark contrast to her disheveled appearance.

She couldn't help but label him as the epitome of a wolf in sheep's clothing, a thought she kept to herself, lacking the boldness to voice it. After witnessing Ho Li's dedication to his work, Tang Xin lost the nerve to approach him about her own tasks.

Soon enough, Lee Qing handed her a stack of documents so voluminous it would take her a week to get through. This effectively silenced any objections she might have had.

Immersed in her work, Tang Xin lost track of time, not even realizing when the workday had ended. It was the enticing aroma of food wafting through the office that reminded her of her hunger.

Dining with Ho Li was out of the question, and he showed no signs of inviting her. She opted for the employee elevator, heading straight to the staff cafeteria where Ho's provided complimentary lunches that boasted five-star quality.

Tang Xin had become quite the celebrity within the company, drawing eyes wherever she went. She took it in stride, having anticipated this level of attention since accepting Ho Li's contract and bracing herself for it mentally.

What she hadn't anticipated was the pervasive gossip culture at Ho's. Overhearing whispers, she caught snippets of conversation: "Is that her, sitting there? She's not even that pretty, certainly no match for the average employee in our PR department. What did the CEO see in her?"

"You don't get it, do you? It's probably her bedroom skills that have the CEO so enchanted. In plain terms, she's nothing but a sly fox."

These murmurs struck a chord with Tang Xin, echoing criticisms she had heard before. Yet, try as she might, she couldn't recall who had spoken those words about her.

Seeing no reaction from Tang Xin, the gossipers grew bolder. "Honestly, it's all about having a thick skin. Look at our CEO; she could have any woman she wants, so why her? It's obviously because she's throwing herself at the CEO."

Tang Xin's hands were balled into tight fists, yet she remained silent.

"What's all this commotion about?" At that moment, Lee Qing's voice suddenly rang out in the cafeteria.

Lee Qing was a favored figure in Ho Li's circle, earning the nickname 'Mr. Smiling Tiger.' He might appear gentle and unassuming, but those who crossed him would regret it, likely not even realizing how they met their end.

With Lee Qing's arrival, their boldness waned considerably, their faces now plastered with forced smiles. "We were just joking around."

"Even jokes have their limits," Lee Qing said sharply, his gaze stern as it swept over them. "You all know the consequences of speaking out of turn."

After issuing his warning, Lee Qing approached Tang Xin. "Assistant Tang, what brings you to the cafeteria? Director Ho invited you to dine with him."

Tang Xin realized that Lee Qing was intervening on her behalf. She was aware that her rise up the ranks hadn't been entirely above board, and while she understood her colleagues' resentment, she wasn't about to ignore the lifeline Lee Qing had thrown her.

She could hear the sharp intake of breath from the next table. It was well-known that Ho Li never dined with anyone, and Tang Xin's exception had clearly shifted their attitudes toward her by a full 180 degrees.

Once outside the cafeteria, Tang Xin expressed her gratitude to Lee Qing. "Thank you for stepping in earlier. Please, go ahead and eat. I'll grab something quick outside and then head back to the office."

"It was Director Ho who asked for you," Lee Qing replied. "I wouldn't dare fabricate an order from him. I suggest you head up there promptly."

Tang Xin looked puzzled. Why would Ho Li want to have a meal with her?