089 Dong Wan (Second Update, Request for Votes)

Century Star and the Super Empire

Zhong Family Machinery Company was an obscure medium-sized firm that had been open for just over two months, renting half a floor in a building near the famous office district off Central Avenue as its headquarters.

Dong Wan had only just left university. A graduate of the journalism department at Mingzhou Municipal University, she had become the front desk receptionist of this newly opened company because she could not stomach the hidden filth and unspoken rules of the media industry.

She had come from an ordinary family, and when she was first assigned to intern at a television station, a deputy producer had given her a veiled sexual hint. She had been so enraged then that she had nearly slapped that disgusting face.

After she refused him, the deputy producer only gave a cold smile. As a result, throughout the entire internship, she never got a single chance to appear on camera, while another female classmate who was neither as attractive nor as capable as she was became a darling of the lens simply because she had latched onto that deputy producer.

Only later did Dong Wan hear that this deputy producer was far from ordinary. He was called a deputy producer, but in truth even the producer had to listen to him.

After that, several people came to pass along messages, implying that they could help her settle things with that deputy producer. Of course, such help did not come for free. As for how she was supposed to repay it, did it even need to be said?

After that, Dong Wan was thoroughly chilled to the bone, because the one who finally sent someone to speak to her was none other than the station director himself. What shocked her even more was that before the director, his son had already come to her first.

She saw through everything then. In her utter disappointment, after receiving her diploma, she tore it to shreds on the spot and swore she would never again set foot in the media industry.

Afterward she found several other jobs in succession. Perhaps beauty really did bring misfortune, for every time she found work, she would run into a lecherous superior who harassed her incessantly until she was utterly worn out in body and spirit.

Fortunately, she had finally found this company with a pleasant environment. Although the chairman was still young, he never looked at her in a lewd way, and her direct superior was also a woman. More importantly, her immediate superior was the chairman's wife.

Working here, she had many admirers, but there was no harassment from superiors and no one used their position to force her into anything. That alone left her content, even if the salary was far too meager for someone with her education.

It was almost time to get off work. Dong Wan lowered her head and glanced at the five bouquets of flowers blooming in brilliant colors beneath the reception counter, and her delicate brows knitted slightly. Since she had come here to work, she had received lavish bouquets and invitations every day. Among them were no shortage of outstanding men with bright futures, yet not one of them had ever stirred her heart.

"Excuse me, is this Zhong Family Machinery?" A voice with a faint, magnetic quality reached her ears, pulling Dong Wan from her wandering thoughts. She quickly looked up and put on a polite smile. "Hello. Welcome."

It was an unremarkable male student, staring at her with bright, intent eyes. Dong Wan was long accustomed to men's gazes and paid it no mind. What caught her attention was his school uniform. First Middle School. That was her alma mater.

The boy stared at her blankly for a while, then suddenly shook his head, clicking his tongue under his breath as though muttering to himself.

Dong Wan's brows drew together slightly. She thought to herself that this boy was really quite rude, but her smile did not fade. "How may I help you?"

The boy evidently noticed her displeasure and smiled as he explained, "Sorry. I was just wondering what kind of salary the boss here must be paying to afford a receptionist like you."

Dong Wan gave a light laugh. It was unlike the polished smile from before and clearly genuine. This boy was rather interesting.

He did not pester her further, and instead asked, "May I ask where the chairman's office is?"

"You want to see the chairman? May I ask what it's about?" As part of her duty, Dong Wan had to ask clearly.

"I'm here to discuss business." The boy smiled faintly.

Dong Wan had thought he was joking and was about to speak when she saw the chairman's secretary come out and call, "Secretary Park..."

"I understand." Secretary Park nodded, then smiled at the boy. "Come with me."

The boy greeted Dong Wan and walked inside.

Dong Wan felt a little curious. Just who was this boy, exactly?

But it was only a tiny ripple in her life, and it was quickly forgotten.

Two days later, Dong Wan was standing at the front desk when a well-dressed man in his thirties, carrying a huge bouquet of vivid red flowers, walked toward her with a glowing, rosy face.

The moment Dong Wan saw him, she felt a headache coming on. This man was a department manager at a large trading company, and his office happened to be upstairs. Since the first time he saw her, he had launched a vigorous campaign of pursuit, showing a rather tenacious spirit.

"Good morning." The man greeted her with a bright smile. "Xiao Dong, you're as radiant as ever."

"Mr. Zhao. It's working hours now, so please don't come here and disturb me." Dong Wan's face was expressionless, a world apart from the gentle, courteous smile she wore toward customers.

Unbothered by her cold attitude, Mr. Zhao continued smiling. "There's no one around right now. I figured you'd be bored here by yourself, so I came to see you. Don't worry, I won't affect your work."

Dong Wan was powerless against his shameless persistence. The cool rejection method that had worked so well in her university days was completely useless on him. She had underestimated the thick skin of men in the workplace.

And since he had not laid a hand on her or spoken any filthy words, and there was no way to drive him off, Dong Wan simply fell silent and treated him as if he did not exist.

A trace of triumph flashed at the corner of Mr. Zhao's mouth. He had precisely counted on her thin skin, which was why he dared to cling so relentlessly. As for shame? If he could win such a beautiful woman, what did shame amount to?

He set the flowers on Dong Wan's counter and said, "I passed by a florist just now and saw these flowers in full bloom. It made me think of how much you like flowers, so I bought some for you."

Dong Wan shook her head and did not take them. "I don't want them."

"Accepting a friend's small gift is basic social courtesy," Mr. Zhao said with a smile.

Dong Wan was about to speak when a slightly mocking voice came from the entrance. "I wonder whether harassing a woman who works for someone else's company counts as basic social courtesy."

Dong Wan looked over and, to her surprise, saw the junior from her alma mater who had come two days earlier leaning against the wall, watching the man surnamed Zhao with obvious ill intent.

"Uncle, what age do you think this is? Do you really believe you can chase a woman just by clinging to her and refusing to let go? Did you travel here from the last century?"

Insulted so openly, Mr. Zhao did not get angry. Instead, he frowned and asked Dong Wan, "You know him?"

Before Dong Wan could answer, the boy walked up to the counter and pressed the alarm. "Security, there is an unidentified man on the thirty-sixth floor harassing my employee. Please come up and deal with him."

Mr. Zhao's expression changed drastically. If security really came up, he would likely become the laughingstock of the entire building at once. He shot a venomous glare at the boy and, not daring to linger another second, fled in disgrace.

"And your flowers." The boy scooped up the vivid red bouquet and hurled it toward the man's back, striking him squarely on the head.

Watching the man stagger off in utter embarrassment, too humiliated even to pick up the flowers, the boy could not help bursting into laughter.

Dong Wan could not help laughing either. After a moment, she said to the boy, "Thank you."

The boy brushed his bangs back from his forehead, a brilliant smile spreading across his face. "So long as you don't blame me for ruining your good fortune, I'll thank the heavens."

Dong Wan covered her mouth with a smile, then extended her hand. "My name is Dong Wan."

"My name is Zhong Yun." The boy took her long, fair hand in his.

Last night's votes are deeply appreciated. The competition on the weekly recommendation rankings is fierce, and I still need more votes. After reading, please cast your precious vote.