C18 It Was Actually You!!

"Hey, Miaojie, which floor is the Director of Administration's office on? Could you check for me?" Tong Miaojie asked, her head buried in the documents she was organizing, ready for a meeting with the Director of Administration.

"The Director is on the 26th floor," Momo quickly found the information for Tong Miaojie.

"That high up? Oh my gosh," Tong Miaojie groaned, reluctantly dragging her still-exhausted body into the elevator. As much as she loved traveling, the process was incredibly tiring, something she knew all too well.

"Hello, I'm Tong Miaojie from the Arts Department. I'm here to see the Director of Administration," she announced to the secretary at the door.

"Director Kong has been expecting you. You can go right in. By the way, would you like tea or coffee?"

"Coffee, please, no sugar." Tong Miaojie headed straight into the director's office.

"Hello, I'm Tong Miaojie from the Arts Department." She knocked on the door, waiting for a response from inside.

Kong Shuoyi was engrossed in the administrative documents his secretary had brought him. Hearing the knock, he looked up, and Tong Miaojie glanced in his direction.

Both pointed at each other in surprise, exclaiming, "It's you!" The atmosphere in the director's office instantly became awkward.

Suddenly, the secretary entered with the coffee, only to find Kong Shuoyi and Tong Miaojie glaring at each other, the tension palpable.

"Miss Tong, here's your coffee." The secretary quickly left after delivering the coffee.

"Never thought I'd run into you here, Miss Tong," Shuoyi said through gritted teeth.

"Mr. Kong, haven't you heard the saying 'it's a small world'? These days, it seems anyone can become a director," Tong Miaojie retorted, shocked to discover that the man she had argued with in the parking lot was actually the Director of Administration at GM Cartoon Empire.

"Tong Miaojie, the genius young female cartoonist, is the creator of the 'Starlight' comic series? These days, anyone can become a cartoonist, huh?" Kong Shuoyi, a fan of the 'Starlight' series, was thrilled to oversee the comic's tour. But his excitement plummeted when he found out the author was the same inconsiderate woman who had taken his parking spot.

"Yes, it's me. So what? 'Starlight' was my college project, and it's been quite a hit," Miaojie replied, raising her voice deliberately.

"Let's put personal grudges aside and get down to business. I'm busy and don't have time for chit-chat."

"Funny, I'm busy too. So, Director Kong, if you have something to say, make it quick. I need to get back to revising my drafts."

"Our department is in charge of your 'Starlight' tour, which means I'm in charge," Kong Shuoyi said, making sure Miaojie noticed his authority.

"So what?" Miaojie rolled her eyes, feeling more annoyed than if she'd swallowed a fly.

"This means we'll be working together frequently. I'll overlook past issues for the sake of our work. Let's shake hands and move forward smoothly," Kong Shuoyi extended his hand in a gesture of reconciliation.

Who knows what he's really thinking? Just a few days ago, he was threatening me, and now he wants to make peace? How fake. Miaojie thought to herself for a while. But since Kong Shuoyi had already offered, refusing would make her seem petty.

Miaojie reluctantly touched Kong Shuoyi's hand, signaling a truce. Yet, both their expressions remained stiff.

"Our event is planned for three days at the Galaxy Times Square. We're still negotiating the venue, but we should have the contract finalized in a few days. Miss Tong, do you have any thoughts or suggestions about the event that you'd like to discuss?" Kong Shuoyi asked, glancing up from his documents at Tong Miaojie.

"I reviewed the materials you sent me before coming here. It's clear, Mr. Kong, that you're very invested in this event. However, there's one issue I'm not sure you've considered," Miaojie replied, her tone assertive.

"What issue?" Kong Shuoyi was confident in his plan and curious to see what Miaojie might point out.

"The venue your team chose is outdoors, and the weather forecast predicts rain for those three days. How can you ensure the exhibition will proceed smoothly?" Miaojie asked, showing him the weather forecast on her phone. He hadn't noticed this problem.

"Miss Tong, you have an impressive attention to detail, even considering the weather. I admit, this was an oversight on my part. We'll look into improving the venue situation. Your input has certainly made me see you in a new light," Kong Shuoyi acknowledged, his impression of her shifting from that of a troublesome girl to someone insightful.

"Well, if there's nothing else, I'll be heading back, Director Kong," Miaojie said, leaving with a determined yet graceful stride. For the first time, Kong Shuoyi found her intriguing.

Back in her office, Miaojie was visibly upset. Momo and Lina quickly gathered around to find out what had happened. When Miaojie left, it was sunny, but now the sky had turned gray.

"Who upset our talented cartoonist Miaojie? Let me guess, the administrative director? But that can't be, you two just met," Lina speculated.

"Do you remember when I parked in the executive section because I was late?" Miaojie asked, recalling a previous incident.

"Remember, remember." Momo raised her hand, vividly recalling the day she caught a ride home with Miaojie.

"We even had a spat in the parking garage, and this guy threatened me. Can you guess who he is?" Miaojie left a suspenseful pause.

"Who is it?" Momo couldn't think of anyone in the company who would have a problem with Miaojie.

"Come on, you can't guess? It's obviously the Director of Administration Miaojie just met with. Didn't you see her face when she came back?" Lina said, looking like she had it all figured out.

"Bingo."

"Miaojie, you and he really are like oil and water. Plus, I heard the Director of Administration is the CEO's eldest son and might inherit the whole company."

"No way, just my luck to cross paths with someone like that," Miaojie said, feeling utterly helpless.

"Miaojie, you better watch out. I don't think Shuoyi is someone to mess with."

"Sigh."