Just when Wen Yan was feeling that things were getting tricky,
the few colleagues who hadn't left the office yet, upon hearing their conversation, couldn't help but mock Mu Jinyu:
"Why ask so many questions? Brother Wen is the purchasing department manager, and the company's deputy director is his cousin, so what if he leaves work early? Who are you, the newcomer, to meddle in his business?"
"Exactly, you've just joined the company yourself, and it's still a question whether you'll pass the probation period. Yet here you are, daring to meddle in the affairs of your seniors."
"Be careful, or Brother Wen might have a word with Director Wen, and you'll lose even the bowl of rice you've got. Shouldn't you hurry up and apologize to Brother Wen?"
"..."
Hearing them eagerly flattering and praising Wen Yan, Mu Jinyu couldn't help feeling speechless.
So what if he's the purchasing department manager? So what if his cousin is the deputy director? This company is mine anyway!
But now wasn't the time to lay all the cards on the table, let them continue their arrogance; let's see who has the last laugh.
Wen Yan, hearing the good things everyone was saying on his behalf, also lit up.
Indeed, he was the purchasing department manager, and also Wen Rou's cousin. Why would he be afraid of a freeloader like him?
Even if the freeloader dared to tattle to Wen Rou, would Wen Rou dare to do anything to him?
You must know, he was not like Mu Jinyu, who got into the company through Wen Rou's backdoor. He was employed by the company on his own merit.
Then Wen Yan sneered and said, "How I conduct myself is none of your business. Better mind yourself."
After speaking, he couldn't be bothered with Mu Jinyu, the clown, and turned to Lin Qiaoxia. He said with a smile, "What's it going to be, are you coming tonight or not? Don't be selfish and cause everyone else to get moody, huh!"
The few still in the office, knowing Wen Yan seemed to have a thing for Lin Qiaoxia, felt somewhat jealous. Yet they still verbally supported him:
"Yeah, Qiaoxia, we're all going out together. If you're the only one not going, how will the rest of us have fun?"
Mu Jinyu frowned and said, "If she doesn't want to go, then she doesn't go. Must she accompany you just because you want everyone in on it?"
Out of concern for Mu Jinyu, Lin Qiaoxia hurriedly gestured and said, "It's fine. I just didn't feel like going because I'm not used to that kind of environment. Manager Wen is right, as a member of the public relations department, it wouldn't look good if I didn't go along when everyone else is..."
Mu Jinyu furrowed his brow and said, "You shouldn't force yourself to get used to it."
"Oh come on, if someone already said she would go, why are you still rambling?"
Wen Yan glared at Mu Jinyu impatiently and said, "Society has always been about people adapting to it, not the other way around. If you want to wallow in mediocrity, don't drag down someone else's ambition."
"It's okay. Going out and seeing the world can be good," Lin Qiaoxia said to Mu Jinyu with a forced smile.
Lin Qiaoxia indeed did not want to go, but after listening to their conversation, she feared being ostracized by her colleagues if she appeared too unsociable, which could impact her work.
So she decided to go.
Seeing he couldn't persuade Lin Qiaoxia, Mu Jinyu said, "Fine then, let's go together."
He thought, as long as Lin Qiaoxia was going, it was no problem; after all, he could protect her.
When Wen Yan heard that Mu Jinyu was also coming along, he immediately frowned, thinking, why bother tagging along?
But remembering the reason he had given Lin Qiaoxia for going to the bar together — that everyone from the PR department was going and it was mandatory — if he didn't let Mu Jinyu come now, wouldn't that give away that he actually had the hots for Lin Qiaoxia?!
So, he could only suppress his impatience, not quite willing to bluntly tell Mu Jinyu to get lost.
Afterward, Wen Yan said to Lin Qiaoxia, "Let's go, take my car over, and I'll take you to dinner first. Otherwise, drinking on an empty stomach means you won't be able to last long."
"No need!"
Lin Qiaoxia immediately refused but seeing the grim expression on Wen Yan's face, she hastily explained, "It's not necessary to trouble Manager Wen, I've already agreed to go with Jinyu..."
Several women still in the office who overheard this quickly chimed in, "Oh, Brother Wen, since Qiaoxia and Jinyu have agreed to go together, let's just let them go and we'll take your car."
After speaking, they cast a coquettish glance at Wen Yan, with enticing eyes.
Wen Yan, feeling itchy in his heart, thought for a moment and decided that Lin Qiaoxia was indeed a bit tough to crack, and maybe it'd be better to get her drunk at the bar before making a move, thus he smiled at them and said, "Alright then."
He then turned to Lin Qiaoxia, reminding her, "Be careful, and don't be late!"
Finishing his words, Wen Yan, without even glancing at Mu Jinyu once, walked out of the office surrounded by the crowd of women.
Everyone left.
Lin Qiaoxia turned to Mu Jinyu with an apologetic look, "I'm sorry..."
Mu Jinyu waved his hand carelessly, "It's fine, I know you didn't really want to go, but were afraid of not fitting in and being ostracized, which is why you agreed. Even if you ignore them, they wouldn't dare to be rude to you in the future. But since you decided to go, I respect your choice."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qiaoxia's eyes showed gratitude, then she said, "Let's go, we should go to dinner first."
They then clocked out from work and went downstairs to find a small diner nearby for their meal.
The diner was small, similar in size to the one that Wen Rou used to run; naturally, the meal was much cheaper. This was chosen by Mu Jinyu who feared that Lin Qiaoxia might encounter the same situation as at lunch.
Lin Qiaoxia knew that Mu Jinyu was looking out for her. Warmed by the gesture, after they finished their meal, she insisted on paying the bill as a gesture to reciprocate for the lunch he had covered.
Of course, she knew that this meal was much cheaper than what Mu Jinyu had paid for at lunch. She openly admitted that she wasn't in a great financial position at the moment and would formally reciprocate after she received her salary.
Mu Jinyu didn't mind; having spent the whole day with Lin Qiaoxia, he found her very agreeable and had plans to ensure she wouldn't be at a loss.
After letting Lin Qiaoxia settle the bill, neither of them planned to go home to change clothes. Mu Jinyu was too lazy to change, and Lin Qiaoxia didn't know what to wear, nor did she have any provocative clothing suitable for a bar. Even if she did, she likely wouldn't feel comfortable in it, so they simply decided to go directly in their work outfits.
The two hailed a taxi, but as it was the peak of rush hour, they encountered some traffic. By the time they arrived at the Night Cat Bar, it was already after six o'clock.
"You guys really took your time!"
When Mu Jinyu and Lin Qiaoxia approached the entrance, a Snake Spirit Face came out to greet them upon notification. Seeing that they were still in their original attire, she frowned,
"Coming so slowly, and you didn't even change your clothes? I really don't know what you two have been up to!"
Having said that, she scrutinized Mu Jinyu and Lin Qiaoxia with a suspicious look.
Flushed, Lin Qiaoxia quickly explained, "Jinyu and I went for dinner first, then we got stuck in traffic, that's why we are late."
"Alright, enough with the explanations. Just come in with me!"
Snake Spirit Face was too lazy to listen to her explanations, and with a swing of her slender waist, headed into the bar.
She must have not bothered to go for dinner after work but went straight home to change before heading over.
At that moment, she was wearing a black camisole and light blue hot pants, showcasing her voluptuous figure to the full extent, drawing the gaze of many as she walked into the bar.