Chapter Nineteen: Dead Drunk

And just like that, I became Hua Qingqing’s male secretary.

Even Hua Qingqing herself hadn’t expected me to agree to be her secretary. Both surprised and excited, she immediately sprang into action, making phone calls to arrange everything without delay. In no time, staff members arrived, carrying in office desks and chairs. Under her direction, a workstation for the secretary was swiftly set up just outside her office door.

While they bustled about, working in high spirits, I stood aside, watching coolly. I knew that my battle with this female boss was only just beginning.

Soon after, various office supplies were brought in and installed—computers, phones, fax machines, and so on. To my surprise, all the electronics were brand new, unpacked and set up on the spot. I had no idea where they’d gotten all this equipment. Although the team worked quickly and efficiently, by the time they finished, it was nearly the end of the workday.

Hua Qingqing kept darting out of her office to inspect the progress, each time making suggestions and ordering changes, as if she herself would be sitting at that desk instead of me. I remembered my promise to treat the whole marketing department to dinner that evening and wanted to leave early. But I worried that if Hua Qingqing caught me sneaking off, she’d dock me a hundred or two from my pay, which would hardly be worth it. So I called Zhao Yanjin, telling him to make sure no one left until I came down.

After hanging up, I thought to myself how unfair it was that I had to host this dinner. I’d come to the Planning Department to suffer, and now I had to put on a lucky face and treat everyone as if I were celebrating. It was truly frustrating! Still, a man’s word is his bond. Even if I had to put up a front, so be it.

I kept checking my watch, waiting for the end of the workday. The items in my cardboard box would have to wait until tomorrow. I shoved the box under my new desk. I glanced at my watch again: 4:59:58…59…5:00 exactly. Time to go.

I grabbed my coat and headed for the elevator. Inside the office, Hua Qingqing spotted me and called out, “Tang Qian! Come here a moment.” I knew she’d stop me. Smiling, I turned into her office and asked, “Anything else, Director Hua?”

Seeing how polite I was, she softened her tone, saying, “Let’s work overtime tonight. I’m just getting started, and there are lots of files and documents from the last manager that need organizing. That’s one of the basic duties of a secretary. Try sorting them first.”

I grinned, then pointed at my watch. “Sorry, Director Hua, but it’s after hours. I have plans. Why don’t you get started, and I’ll be off now?”

Her face darkened. “What do you mean? This is work—I’m not joking. Stay and work overtime. There’s nothing to discuss.”

I replied, “I’m not discussing it with you. It’s after hours—I have a right to my own time, and you have no authority to command or interfere. I’m telling you, I’m going home now! Goodbye.” With that, I turned to leave.

Hua Qingqing shouted angrily, “Stop! Tang Qian, I’m your supervisor. Do you know what happens if you refuse a direct order?”

Since it was after work, I had nothing to fear. Just before stepping out, I turned and baited her: “That’s how I am. If you can’t stand it, you can always fire me!” Without another glance, I walked out.

Hua Qingqing’s face flushed red and white by turns. She was gripping a report so tightly that she crumpled it without realizing. Through gritted teeth, she muttered, “Don’t get too cocky. One day, I’ll have you completely at my feet. Then I’ll finally get my revenge.”

When I reached the second floor’s marketing department, I saw that most of my colleagues were still there, except for a few who’d already left for urgent matters. I called out, and everyone followed me. Suddenly, I remembered that I hadn’t invited Manager Gu, my greatest benefactor. I told everyone to go ahead, while I knocked on Gu Ruoyan’s office door.

Inside, Manager Gu’s hoarse voice called, “Come in.”

I entered and saw her looking pale and exhausted, slumped in her chair. When she saw it was me, she forced herself upright and managed a weak smile. “It’s you. How was your first day in Planning?”

“Not bad,” I replied.

“That’s good. Did you need something?” she asked.

“I’m treating the whole marketing department to dinner tonight, and as our leader, you really must come. I’ve come to invite you personally.” Seeing how much pain she was in, I remembered overhearing her phone call at noon. I felt deeply sorry for her but was powerless to help.

She gave a faint “Oh,” and said, “You’re hosting? Normally, I’d go, but I’m not feeling well tonight. I’d better pass.”

I understood she wasn’t in the mood to go, so I nodded. “Then take care, Manager. Get some rest. I won’t keep you.”

She leaned back in her chair again and said, “Close the door on your way out.”

“Yes.” I quietly shut the door, sighed, and headed to the Drunken Immortal Restaurant.

That night, I booked two tables. The meal cost me 870 yuan. As expected, my colleagues toasted and congratulated me all evening. I barely ate, but I drank enough to nearly pass out under the table. Somehow, I staggered to the restroom and threw up miserably. I splashed cold water on my face, which, though icy, helped clear my head a little.

After everyone had had their fill and started leaving, Zhao Yanjin and a few other male colleagues were also drunk. With Li Xiaoling’s help, I hailed a taxi, packed them in one by one, and had the sober Li Xiaoling take them home.

Once everything was settled, I stumbled home myself.

Still reeling from the effects of the alcohol, my head ached terribly and my legs barely obeyed me. I walked slowly, a cigarette dangling from my lips, swaying as I went. Suddenly, I saw a familiar figure emerge from a nearby bar—a woman, lurching toward a familiar Toyota. Just as she reached for the door, she leaned over and vomited violently. Afterward, she sank to the ground, unable to stand.

I moved closer, the streetlights revealing her face. It was Gu Ruoyan, dead drunk.

She had obviously drunk herself senseless and slumped by her car. In that moment, it struck me how much pain must hide beneath her icy exterior.

My heart ached with sympathy. I stepped forward and tried to help her up. “Manager, Manager, pull yourself together, wake up!” I called.

Hearing my voice, she opened one eye and laughed softly, “Come on, pour me another. I want to drink more.”

Seeing that she was too drunk to recognize me, I sighed, heaved her up, and said, “That’s enough. No more drinking. I’ll take you home.” But she was so limp and heavy, and I was myself weakened by alcohol, that it was a struggle to lift her.

Both of us were well over the legal limit, so driving was out of the question. Luckily, I knew where she lived. With great effort, I dragged her to the roadside and, after a long wait, finally flagged down a taxi.

Gu Ruoyan was barely conscious. She slumped in the back seat like a dead weight. If I didn’t hold her upright, she’d collapse completely, so I wrapped an arm around her waist, cradling her against me, and gave the driver her address. The car started off.

Not long after, the taxi made a sharp turn. Both Gu Ruoyan and I were thrown to one side. She frowned in her stupor, dry heaved once, then suddenly vomited copiously, the stench filling the car and splattering my coat and sweater. I tried to block some of it with my hands, but most of it landed on me. Worse still, she slumped even more limply against me, soiling her own clothes as well.

The taxi driver quickly pulled over and cried out in distress, “Hey! If you’re going to throw up, do it outside! Look, you’ve ruined my whole car!”

Even as he spoke, Gu Ruoyan vomited again, this time all over her chest and legs, with me unable to escape. The car reeked unbearably. The driver pinched his nose, got out, opened the rear door, and shouted, “Get out! I’m not taking you any further. What luck—two drunkards ruining my car. Now I have to pay to get it cleaned!”

Shaking the filth from my hands, I pulled out my wallet and handed over my last two hundred yuan. “Sir, look at us. We’re in no state to get another cab. You’ve already gotten dirty; take this as compensation, please?”

Money does make things easier. The driver grumbled, snatched the cash, and said in resignation, “Fine, I’ll do a good deed for once. Guess I’m just too kind.” He slammed the door and drove on.

As I wiped filth from both of us, I cursed under my breath at the driver.

At last, we reached Gu Ruoyan’s building. With great effort, I dragged her out. No sooner had she touched the ground than she doubled over, retching again and again—though by now, there was nothing left to vomit but a little water. She clung to my leg, gasping for breath.

The taxi sped off, its driver eager to escape. I cursed after him, venting my frustration.

Suddenly, I noticed that Gu Ruoyan was shaking all over as she clung to my leg. Looking closer, I realized she was silently sobbing—tears and mucus dripping to the ground.

The depth of her pain was obvious. The image she showed the world—a strong, cold woman—was but a mask for a deeply wounded and gentle soul.

She was, in truth, a good woman. Anyone who cherished her would have found a treasure.

But now, some foolish man had hurt her terribly.

Seeing her in such anguish, an inexplicable compassion gripped my heart. I held her close, not caring about the mess, and murmured, “Don’t be sad. He’s not worth it.”