Pampered by Short-Lived Bigshot

"Miss Shen, Mr. Huo, for this matter, will it be a settlement or..." The police officer still asked a question.

Before Shen Shuci could speak, someone spoke on her behalf, "Handle it according to the law."

"Alright, we will probably contact you again soon, remember to keep in touch with us."

Manager Fan's body went limp. Even ignoring the pain in his body, he opened his mouth, wanting to seek peacemaking with Shen Shuci, but his pride got in the way, preventing him from stepping down.

As he hesitated, Shen Shuci and her group had already walked out.

It was past midnight, and it was extremely quiet outside.

"Get in the car, I'll take you home." The man's voice was as indifferent as usual.

After getting in the car, Shen Shuci turned to look at him. Sitting upright, without a word or a forced smile, she wondered if he had shown any expression at all since the incident. In fact, Shen Shuci even suspected that he might have facial paralysis?

"Mr. Huo, I have a request."

"I won't tell your brother and sister-in-law."

"Thank you." If Tang Wan knew, she would definitely be extremely worried, and she might just have her move directly into the Jiang Family home.

The two members of the Huo Family up front were almost dying of anxiety. Would you two please exchange a few more words? Just sitting there so dryly.

"I've been troubling you with rides all this time, and you helped me again tonight, thank you," said Shen Shuci.

"You're welcome."

"The incident tonight, it didn't affect you, did it?"

After all, given his unique profession, she was still somewhat worried.

"It's fine."

"Did you see Wanwan tonight?" The connection between the two of them was Tang Wan. Apart from her, she didn't know what else to talk about.

"I did."

"How was she today? Still very busy with work?"

"I'm not sure."

Shen Shuci paused, lips tightly pressed together, wondering how to continue the conversation.

And then he added, "I don't pay attention to her."

As the wife of Jiang Jinsang, he certainly wouldn't pay much attention to her. What he said was completely correct, but after hearing it, Shen Shuci fell silent again, unable to follow up on that topic.

Until the car entered the residential area and stopped beneath her apartment building, Shen Shuci thanked him again, "My hand is really fully healed, you really don't need to bother picking me up anymore."

"Hmm." She had acted so adeptly today, it was clear that she was no longer seriously troubled.

The people of the Huo Family heard this and were utterly speechless.

It's over, no more drama to watch...

They had initially thought that after such an incident, the relationship between the two would get a bit closer. But it turned out to be the same as ever, and now was the only remaining connection about to be severed?

But then, Shen Shuci added, "Mr. Huo, are you free tomorrow night? I'd like to invite you to dinner."

Inviting him for so many days of rides, and especially for helping her tonight, inviting him to dinner was a must.

"It's too late today to invite you up, let's meet after work tomorrow."

"Okay."

...

On the way back, the Huo Family was quite happy. Eating a meal together, where there's one, there could be a second. Slowly, surely, the relationship must get closer.

"...I really didn't expect Miss Shen to be so skilled."

"Seeing her ride a horse with such agility, and even the way she walks and conducts herself usually, you could sense it."

Shen Shuci always held herself very upright; there was never a hint of slouching or stooping.

"To be honest, I was really taken aback when she took action. It was quite frightening."

The man, who had been silent up to this point, suddenly spoke, "How terrifying was it?"

The two coughed, "Lord, what we meant is..."

"You're happy she encountered ruffians?"

The two were confused. Our happiness was about her inviting you to dinner, not because she encountered ruffians.

"Lord, what we meant was..."

"You two are too noisy."

The two immediately shut their mouths. You're the boss, whatever you say goes!

"Um... boss, can I say one more thing?" The man in the passenger seat cleared his throat, "After picking up Miss Shen, did you call Mrs. Jiang, or did you send her a message?"

The man glanced out the car window and only said two words:

"Forgot."

The two: "..."

**

Tang Wan was already in bed resting, but she still hadn't received a message from Shen Shuci. Could it be that the company's dinner hadn't ended yet? These kinds of gatherings often run late into the night, and while that's normal, tomorrow is a workday, and it's already past midnight. Are they still at the KTV?

However, her phone vibrated soon after she picked up: "Big Brother Huo."

"The lady has been safely sent home."

"Thank you, I really appreciate it." Tang Wan finally felt at ease.

The man just grunted acknowledgment, signaling that he received her thanks, and hung up the phone.

Tang Wan pursed her lips:

Indeed, Fifth Brother described him accurately... Difficult to handle!

The next morning

It was the first time Shen Shuci drove to work and felt a bit strange. She had taken a ride from the Huo Family, and even though no one had talked to her along the way, which was no different from being alone, actually being by herself now made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

After arriving at the company, before everyone started working, they saw a notice on the bulletin board stating that Manager Fan had been dismissed for disciplinary violations.

Just the previous night they were drinking together, but now, upon arriving at the company, the manager had been fired? The notice didn't specify the reason, but several people were well aware that the last person to see Manager Fan was likely Shen Shuci, and something must have happened between them...

Actually, workplace sexual harassment isn't uncommon. Manager Fan was a longtime employee, having worked almost twenty years, and his abrupt dismissal naturally led to much speculation.

What kind of incident could prompt such a forceful decision from company executives?

Everyone's gaze towards Shen Shuci carried a hint of strangeness, but deep down they also understood something.

This girl is not to be trifed with! Even those who might have wanted to flaunt their seniority were now polite in their dealings with her.

Shen Shuci quietly went about her job, and even when people indirectly tried to pry for information, the longtime employees knew what Manager Fan was like. When the wall falls, everyone pushes. However, Shen Shuci had never badmouthed him, which earned her respect from others who appreciated that she didn't gossip behind people's backs and had good upbringing.

Nevertheless, she did ask a few colleagues for nearby restaurant recommendations.

Being new to Beijing, she wanted to treat someone and certainly couldn't choose just any restaurant; she had to ensure the guest would enjoy the meal.

"Restaurant? Are you planning to treat someone to a meal?" her colleague asked with a smile.

"Mhm, the food needs to be quite good."

"Are you going out on a date with a man?"

"No! It's just a friend."

"But it must be a friend of the opposite sex, and you seem to care a lot about him."

Shen Shuci paused, "Do I?"

"If it were just any girlfriend, you wouldn't need to fuss over it so much. With friends, you're all so familiar with each other's tastes that even hot pot would do. But with the way you're being selective, it must be for someone special." The colleague teased but didn't pry further, "Tell me your budget, and I'll recommend something."

"It's not for anyone special, it's just that he has helped me recently, and I want to thank him. We're not too familiar, and I feel uncomfortable owing him."

The colleague laughed, "Eat a few more meals together, and you'll get to know each other."

Shen Shuci coughed dryly. She could already imagine how awkward dining with him would be. Maybe she should...

Invite Tang Wan along?

Hesitant, Shen Shuci actually did take advantage of lunchtime to give Tang Wan a call. She didn't mention what it was about, only asked if she was free that evening.

"Tonight? Aunt Flo is visiting, sorry, I'm meeting with a client this evening. If you want to get together with me, let's do it tomorrow night. I'll come over to Hexi to see you, or do you have something special going on?"

"No, it's nothing. I just wanted to have a meal with you. Since you're busy, let's plan for another time."

"Next time I'll treat you."

Shen Shuci hung up the phone and took a deep breath. Thinking about tonight's dinner gave her a headache. The situation would be so awkward, but even more awkwardness was yet to come...