Chapter 25: Summoning Me to Appear

Chapter 25: Call Me to Appear

Since that night, when Fan Xiaoyou received flowers sent by Wang Guocheng through a national floral delivery service, her life took an unexpected turn. From then on, she and the people at the floral service became inseparable.

One day, someone from the floral service approached her with a rose in hand. With a smile, they said, "Miss Fan Xiaoyou, is she here? Here’s a message card; please sign for it!"

Fan Xiaoyou took the card and, upon reading its contents, a smile crept onto her lips. "Xiaoyou, this is your first rose. When you collect thirty-three roses, I will appear."

Every day thereafter, she received one rose at the start of her workday, always perfectly dried and preserved.

As time passed, Fan Xiaoyou found herself with twenty-seven roses neatly arranged in a corner of her office. Sitting at her desk, she stared at the collection, lost in thought.

When Feng Youru entered and noticed Fan Xiaoyou's daze, she shook her head in disbelief.

This scene had become all too familiar for Feng Youru. Holding a document in hand, she approached Fan Xiaoyou and pointed to a blank space on the page. "This document needs to be sent out immediately. Please stamp it here."

Distracted, Fan Xiaoyou stamped the document incorrectly, placing the department seal where the company seal should have been. Feeling apologetic, she looked at Feng Youru. "Youru, I'm sorry! I'll print a new one!"

Feng Youru observed her with a knowing look. "Are you thinking about Wang Guocheng again? You've been either daydreaming or completely unfocused these days."

Fan Xiaoyou stuck out her tongue, took the USB drive from Feng Youru, quickly located the required document, and hit print. The printer whirred to life, producing the necessary paperwork.

Feng Youru glanced at her watch, anxiety creeping in as the meeting with the tax department approached. "Xiaoyou, could you please deliver this document to the government center for me? I really can't step away right now; the tax department will be here soon."

Fan Xiaoyou gave her an "OK" gesture, got the address from Feng Youru, and headed downstairs to ask the driver, Xiao Wang, for a vehicle to the government center.

"Fan Xiaoyou, you... wow, it's been years! You've become even more stunning!" A girl approached her, breaking into a familiar greeting. "You... who are you?"

Tang Ling nudged Fan Xiaoyou. "Come on, we were childhood friends in kindergarten! I'm Tang Ling, don't you remember? I saw you getting into that Cadillac Escalade. Wow, you're doing well for yourself!"

Fan Xiaoyou felt slightly embarrassed and replied, "Oh, that's just a company car. I'm still a broke clerk!"

Tang Ling continued unabated, "Did you hear? Liu Lihong jumped off a building just a few days ago."

Noticing that Tang Ling hadn't changed her gossipy ways, Fan Xiaoyou discreetly quickened her pace, gradually distancing herself from her.

It wasn't that Fan Xiaoyou looked down on her; rather, she subconsciously wished to avoid further contact with Tang Ling.

As the saying goes, once bitten by a snake, one is afraid of a rope for ten years.

Yet, the world has a way of bringing trouble back. After delivering the document to the government center, Fan Xiaoyou ran into Tang Ling once again. Rubbing her temples, she wished she could disappear.

"Xiaoyou, what a coincidence! I just finished my business too. I took the bus over here. Can I hitch a ride with you?" Tang Ling eagerly latched onto Fan Xiaoyou’s arm, making her request.

Fan Xiaoyou hesitated, "Um, Tang Ling, this is a company car, and I can't make that decision!"

Tang Ling seemed oblivious to Fan Xiaoyou's refusal and pulled her toward the parking spot of the Cadillac Escalade. As they reached the vehicle, the driver, Xiao Wang, instinctively got out to open the door for Fan Xiaoyou.

Tang Ling gazed on enviously, then asked suspiciously, "Hey, where do you work now? A little clerk driving a Cadillac Escalade? You aren’t being kept, are you?"

Seeing how Tang Ling insulted Fan Xiaoyou without restraint, Xiao Wang spoke up, unable to hold his tongue. "Miss, I don’t know what your relationship is with Manager Fan, but I must speak on her behalf. Manager Fan is a diligent and honest worker, while you, on the other hand, seem to have the makings of a gold digger."

Tang Ling’s face flushed with embarrassment after Xiao Wang’s words. Noticing that Fan Xiaoyou remained silent, she felt anger bubbling inside. "Fan Xiaoyou, what's with the attitude? You wouldn’t have this if it weren’t for your wealthy relatives!"

Fan Xiaoyou could no longer contain herself and shouted, "Get out!"

Tang Ling hadn’t considered the consequences of her words until it was too late. She stayed in the car stubbornly, tears welling in her eyes as she whispered, "Xiaoyou, I’m sorry for what I said. Can’t you just accept my apology?"

Ignoring Tang Ling’s pleas, Fan Xiaoyou coldly replied, "Miss Tang, you’re no longer a child. Nobody will pay for your lack of filter. This is the last time I’ll say it: please get out!"

Realizing that Fan Xiaoyou was genuinely upset, Tang Ling regretted her words. She had finally gotten a chance to sit in the long-envied Cadillac Escalade, only to ruin it with her mouth... "Xiaoyou, I... I really made a mistake..."

Xiao Wang couldn’t stand by any longer. He angrily exited the car, walked directly to Tang Ling’s side, opened the door, and unceremoniously tossed her out onto the ground.

When Tang Ling picked herself up, Fan Xiaoyou's car was already kicking up dust as it drove away. She stood there, seething. "Fan Xiaoyou, what’s with the attitude! Hmph... if I can’t ride in your Cadillac Escalade, I’ll find another way..."

Inside the car, Xiao Wang glanced at the tearful Fan Xiaoyou with concern. "Manager Fan, are you alright?"

Fan Xiaoyou sniffed, then said to Xiao Wang, "Let’s take a less flashy car next time. It’s better to keep things low-key when we’re out on business."

Xiao Wang scratched his head. "Manager Fan, previously, Mr. Feng mentioned that the Cadillac Escalade was your designated vehicle when you and Manager Xiao Feng went out for work!"

Fan Xiaoyou rubbed her nose. "Then I’ll speak with Uncle Feng myself!"