Chapter 46: Such Is the Manner of a True Man

The next morning, it was time to head to work.

Brother Ma opened his eyes to find that Chenchen Feng had repeated her old trick: she sprawled across his bed in a haphazard manner, but this time she was decently clad in a dress, so nothing was exposed. However, her underwear hung from the wall like a picture frame.

Brother Ma, still somewhat inexperienced, scratched his head furiously at this sight.

He was too embarrassed to ask, "Did I sleep with you?" That would only make him seem even more naïve and lose face.

Chenchen Feng, following her usual routine, got up naturally and said nothing about it. She simply dragged him over to groom and dress him, then said, "Let's go. After breakfast, I'll take you to work."

They went out and enjoyed a light, delicious breakfast. Accompanied by her, he rode in a luxury car to the office.

"Geez, you’re such a big shot, accompanying me in a luxury car to a job that pays less than five grand—aren’t we overdoing it a bit?" Ma suddenly asked nervously.

But it wasn’t the case at all.

Chenchen Feng raised her thumb in praise, "This is the way a real man should be."

Her words made Ma feel both elated and suspicious—she seemed like a fraud.

But as a hopeless homebody, he couldn’t help but love hearing words from a female trickster, especially in the early morning, sitting in a car, which inevitably led his thoughts astray.

Unfortunately, the queen of the night had started playing it cool again, taking over his body with a tranquil composure, sitting quietly, gazing indifferently at the scenery flashing past the window.

At that moment, Chenchen Feng truly adored him. She felt that he was not only smart and principled, but also didn’t mess around, and was handsome; especially when he slipped into this serene state, he became incredibly attractive.

So Chenchen Feng grew solemn, deciding not to tease him further.

When they arrived, she gently adjusted his collar, "Should I wait for you?"

Once she became solemn, Ma’s playful side took over, "Do I look like someone so lonely that I need a woman waiting for me?"

Chenchen Feng laughed lightly, glanced at her watch, and said, "Even better. Today I need to make the final revisions to the script and meet with two groups to discuss it. Later, I’ll come pick you up for dinner."

"Good luck, I believe in you," Ma replied.

Seeing the elevator doors about to close, Ma rushed forward, stuck his hand in to stop them, and the doors reopened.

Once inside, he felt a bit awkward—he’d run into Si Nan, the young male model, and Chengmin Yu.

Chengmin Yu bore no particular grudge against this eccentric man, and had even forgotten about him. But since it hadn’t been long, seeing him reminded her that he hadn’t helped out yesterday, so she casually asked in the elevator, "You ditched me yesterday. What about today? You’re not too busy, are you? My office is still a mess, waiting for you to clean up."

"Oh, got it—but I’m not going," Ma replied, twitchy as ever.

What!

Chengmin Yu thought she’d misheard, replayed his words in her mind for two seconds, then said, "I never meant to make trouble for you, but are you sure about that answer?"

"I’m sure. Not going," Ma mused to himself. Today he was here specifically to resign and annoy Ni Feihong; why would he help the boss polish her shoes before quitting?

As a result, the temperature inside the elevator dropped precipitously.

Si Nan, standing nearby, wanted to explode, but Chengmin Yu glanced at him, so he held back.

Chengmin Yu thought for a moment, "I see. You’re actually here to quit today, aren’t you?"

Ah, she actually guessed it?

Ma couldn’t help but cast her a curious glance.

Chengmin Yu continued, her tone somewhat chilly: "It’s your freedom to work or not. But as someone who’s been through it, let me remind you: with your attitude, I doubt there’s a boss in the world who can get along with you. You’re bound to accomplish nothing."

"Oh, is that so," Ma replied. He knew she had a point; her perspective was actually the same as Ni Feihong’s.

Chengmin Yu went on, "So do you really feel wronged? Your boss asks you to tidy up something, and the sky falls as you collect your paycheck? Maybe you’re overthinking it. You could see it as me picking on you, treating you like a dog. But tell me: who isn’t a dog in this world? You think I haven’t chewed on bones thrown by others? When I ask you to move things, it’s not necessarily to belittle you. My explanation is that you’re an office clerk handling miscellaneous tasks. I noticed you’re attentive and diligent, like how you’ve handled Ni Feihong’s affairs—I’m aware of that. That proves you’re careful and capable. The renovation and moving companies didn’t fix my office properly, and I think your duties and traits can solve my problem, which is also the company’s problem. That’s the truth of it. Is that so profound or unreasonable?"

Her words made Ma blush a little.

But he still shook his head, "No matter what you say, I’m not going."

"Are you crazy? Not giving President Yu any face! You’re being asked to handle odd jobs because you’re valued," Si Nan said, clenching his fists, almost ready to throw a punch.

Raised in a privileged family, used to being fawned over, Si Nan had long been annoyed by this eccentric. Even without the need to show off in front of Chengmin Yu, in private he couldn’t stand such an unknown upstart acting so cocky.

If it weren’t for Ni Feihong’s unwavering support, Si Nan would have stomped this guy on day one.

"Who says I need your permission to give face to anyone?" Ma rolled his eyes.

Si Nan, relying on his physical advantage and the superiority bestowed by his circle and family, grabbed Ma Weimin’s neck and shoved him against the elevator wall, raising his hand to strike.

But Chengmin Yu frowned and quickly tugged at Si Nan’s sleeve.

At this moment, Ma seemed transformed, staring coldly at Si Nan with no intention of dodging or speaking, almost as if he had a masochistic streak and didn’t care if he got punched.

The elevator reached the floor and opened.

Wow, the area was already crowded. The moment the doors parted, the voices fell silent, and everyone stared strangely at the three inside: Ma Weimin, cold and unyielding; Si Nan, poised to strike; and Chengmin Yu, holding Si Nan’s sleeve.

What’s going on here?

The gossip crowd all had their own theories, but no one spoke.

"You’re so gutsy, so arrogant—I hope you’ve got the background and resources to match. Otherwise, it’s not that you’ll be out of work, but sooner or later someone will break your legs and leave you in the gutter," Si Nan finally released his grip. Even with his privileged background, he wasn’t bold enough to deliberately injure someone in public without consequence.

"Oh, I’ll wait and see what you use to put me in the gutter," Ma Weimin continued to stare at him coldly.

Si Nan’s face flashed with anger, but seeing the crowd, he forced a gentle smile, pretending to be gracious and said nothing more.

Others began whispering privately:

"Impressive. Ma always seemed harmless but a bit eccentric. What’s going on now? He’s actually confronting Si Nan head-on?"

"Overestimating himself. This shows Ma is just a lunatic. Even someone as big as Chenchen Feng, with her temper, still gave Si Nan face at the time."

"Let’s wait for the drama, see how Si Nan crushes him."

"I support Ma. He’s not without ability; I’ve heard he has a unique style that even wild Ni Feihong protects him."

"Ni Feihong’s thinking is strange, sure, but she’s facing the prospect of being ousted herself."

Si Nan’s popularity meant most onlookers were enjoying Ma’s misfortune.

Curiously, Chengmin Yu slipped away quietly to her office, not giving Si Nan the public support people expected.

She didn’t even fire Ma.

At this point, Ma was furious.

He’d originally come to make a final show and resign, to annoy Ni Feihong. But now he had a new idea: he’d stay just to irritate them. Even if they tried to drive him out, he wouldn’t leave.

Geez, Ma was that eccentric. Once his mindset shifted, he texted Longze Meishu: Today you handle Ni Feihong; I’ll go complete the witch Yu’s task to keep my job.

Longze Meishu replied quickly, speechless: Ugh ugh ugh, ah ah ah, you’re so bad! I thought I wouldn’t have to take the bullet today. Why are you suddenly dealing with the witch Yu?

In their little circle, Ma and Meishu referred to Chengmin Yu as the witch, and Ni Feihong as the Devil Wears Prada.

Ma replied quickly: Originally I planned to fire back at the witch and the devil, but just now, I realized she might have a point. So no matter what, I’ll go finish her task first. If President Hong asks, just tell her the truth.

Longze replied: Ah ah ah, mm mm mm, I’m miserable! I’m always the one who gets screwed in the end.

Ma put away his phone and headed toward Chengmin Yu’s office…