"We're all friends here. I've eaten alone before, so go ahead and keep Su Mi company."
As Zhang Shanshan spoke, she waved her hand, signaling her to hurry off.
Fang Shiqing nodded and turned to walk toward Su Banxia's room.
Watching her retreating figure, a flicker of malice passed through Zhang Shanshan's eyes. She wasn't in a rush—some things needed to unfold slowly.
Inside the office, Su Banxia was buried in her work, inputting data, completely oblivious to the knock on the door.
Fang Shiqing pushed the door open and stepped in slowly, her heart aching at the sight of Su Banxia's focused expression.
"You and President Pei had another falling out."
Fang Shiqing stood before her, her voice gentle.
"Shiqing?"
Su Banxia looked up, surprised.
Fang Shiqing cleared her throat, half-joking and half-serious: "If I hadn't come, I bet you'd have forgotten all about your best friend."
"How could I? I've just been busy with work and haven't had time to see you. Why aren't you going to lunch?"
Su Banxia glanced at her watch.
At this hour, Fang Shiqing would usually be dining with Zhang Shanshan.
"I was worried about you. During today's meeting, President Pei's face was as sour as a rotten egg."
Fang Shiqing said with a faint smile.
"Really?"
Su Banxia lowered her eyes, a bitter feeling stirring inside her.
Seeing her downcast, Fang Shiqing moved closer: "What's the issue between you two this time?"
"There's no issue. You know Pei Shaoze's temper—he's notoriously difficult. Working under him is the real nightmare."
Su Banxia couldn't help complaining.
She finally understood the old saying, "Being with a ruler is like being with a tiger." That's exactly how she felt about Pei Shaoze now.
"But I get the feeling someone's actually enjoying it."
Fang Shiqing raised an eyebrow, clearly implying something.
"Shiqing, don't joke. That's impossible. I only see Pei Shaoze as my boss, and besides, you know my situation."
Su Banxia's face flushed deeply.
Seeing this, Fang Shiqing stopped teasing her. She glanced at the documents on the desk and frowned: "So many files—when will you ever finish them?"
"If I focus, I'll get through them eventually. If not, I'll just work extra hours. It's no big deal."
Su Banxia was optimistic.
"Why put yourself through this?"
Fang Shiqing sighed inwardly. They say the onlooker sees the game best, and she had a clear view of what was going on between these two.
Facing Fang Shiqing's question, Su Banxia just smiled faintly and said nothing.
"Oh, by the way."
After a moment of silence, Fang Shiqing suddenly remembered something and asked calmly: "How are things with the Su family?"
At this, Su Banxia's movements froze: "I went back to the Su house last Saturday."
"You went back?"
Fang Shiqing's voice rose involuntarily: "Are you crazy, Su Banxia? Going back to that place is just asking for humiliation!"
"I don't care about anything else in the Su family, but I can't let him go."
Su Banxia looked at her steadily, her eyes full of seriousness.
"So you went back for him?"
Fang Shiqing truly didn't understand what made Su Jin worth such gratitude. By all logic, the debt of kindness should have been repaid long ago.
Sensing her confusion, Su Banxia smiled faintly: "He was the one who took me into the Su family and raised me. I have to repay that debt."
"What debt?"
Fang Shiqing disagreed: "He raised you as a daughter with ulterior motives, and you're foolish enough to keep throwing yourself into it."
"Shiqing..."
"Am I wrong? Did Su Jin ever give you any warmth? He fed you, put you through school, but what else? Once you grew up, he couldn't wait to use you to connect with others. Tell me, how can you be so naive!"
Fang Shiqing was frustrated, wishing she could open Su Banxia's head and see what was inside.
"That's enough. The kindness of raising someone is greater than heaven."
Su Banxia's lips curled into a bitter smile.
She absolutely loathed the Su family, but she could never bring herself to hate that one person.
Fang Shiqing knew her temperament well. Seeing her like this, she sighed: "You haven't eaten, have you? But judging by your state, you can't make it to the cafeteria. I'll pack something for you."
"Thank you for the trouble."
Su Banxia smiled faintly.
Fang Shiqing shook her head helplessly. Just as she was about to leave, she bumped into Pei Shaoze at the door.
From his demeanor, he didn't seem to have just arrived.
Thinking back to their conversation, Fang Shiqing's heart raced with unease.
"President Pei, did you bring lunch for Banxia?"
Her eyes caught the lunchbox in his hand.
"There are some stray dogs downstairs at the company. I bought this to feed them."
Pei Shaoze said expressionlessly, carrying the lunchbox as he headed downstairs.
Fang Shiqing stood frozen, her heart nearly in her throat. Now she truly sympathized with Su Banxia—high income indeed came with high risk.
The office atmosphere grew tense. Pei Shaoze buried himself in documents, occasionally glancing at Su Banxia. Seeing her head down, inputting data, only fueled his irritation.
"Secretary Su, are your eyes glued to the computer? My cup is empty—don't you know to refill it?"
Pei Shaoze shot her a cold look, deliberately picking a fight.
Su Banxia paused, then quickly stood up: "I'll get it right away."
"And while you're at it, clean the office. I don't want to work in such a messy place every day."
Pei Shaoze said coldly.
"Yes."
Su Banxia nodded without a hint of complaint, dutifully completing every task he assigned.
Staring at the spotless floor, Pei Shaoze slammed his pen onto the desk with a sharp crack and stormed out of the office.
Su Banxia was baffled. She had no idea what that tyrant was so worked up about.
Life at the company was dull and draining, but returning to the Pei residence was even more of a torment.
Pei Shaoze had given all the household staff time off, leaving Su Banxia to handle everything in the Pei home.
She'd rush through work at the office, hurry to pick up her child, come home to manage chores, and then squeeze in time at night to finish her tasks as quickly as possible.
After all this, Su Banxia had visibly lost weight.
At home, Su Sinian waited impatiently, seeing no action from Su Jin toward Su Banxia. Her frustration grew.