The pushover offended a top-tier boss

Ye Zhenzhen didn't wake up until 11 a.m. the next day.

The curtains weren't fully drawn, and a ray of sunlight squeezed in through the gap, falling warmly on the white sheets.

She opened her eyes, stared at the ceiling, and remained stunned for several seconds.

My whole body aches and feels weak, as if I've been disassembled and reassembled; every muscle is screaming that I'm exhausted.

My throat is dry and sore.

She slowly turned her head.

Zhou Huaijin was sitting on a chair by the bed, answering a phone call.

After hanging up the phone, I saw her on the bed.

"Awake?" His voice was a little hoarse.

Ye Zhenzhen opened her mouth, her voice hoarse and unlike her own: "Mmm..."

He stood up, poured a glass of warm water, and handed it to her.

"Thank you, boss..." She propped herself up to sit up, took the water glass, and sipped it slowly. The water was lukewarm, neither too hot nor too cold, just right for her taste.

She drank while secretly glancing at him.

His shirt was a little wrinkled, and there were faint dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept well. But his face was still handsome, even appearing gentler and less distant in the morning light.

"The parents of the child you saved have arrived," he said. "They've been waiting outside while you slept the whole time."

Ye Zhenzhen was taken aback for a moment: "Ah? Then let them in quickly."

Zhou Huaijin's gaze lingered on her neckline for a moment.

"Button it up."

Ye Zhenzhen looked down and saw that three buttons on her hospital gown were undone, the collar was wide open, and there was nothing underneath.

Her face flushed red instantly, and she hurriedly buttoned up the buttons.

"Okay, okay," she whispered.

He turned around, glanced at her, then walked to the door and opened it.

A couple stood outside the door, simply dressed, their faces showing signs of weariness. The woman held a bouquet of flowers, and the man carried a fruit basket. As soon as they saw the door open, their expressions shifted from anxiety to gratitude, and their eyes simultaneously welled up with tears.

"Girl—" The woman knelt down as soon as she entered the room.

The man also knelt down.

Ye Zhenzhen was startled and quickly got off the bed, bending over to help them up: "Oh no, no no, get up, get up, this won't do—"

"Girl, thank you, thank you for saving my little boy..." The woman cried, holding Ye Zhenzhen's hand. "If it weren't for you, our family would be finished... He's only six years old..."

Ye Zhenzhen quickly said, "Auntie, please don't be like this, get up quickly, it's good that the child is alright, it's good that he's alright..."

Behind them were television reporters and cameramen, their lenses focused on this touching scene.

"Why did you jump down to save people?" the reporter asked, handing over the microphone.

Ye Zhenzhen stood somewhat awkwardly by the hospital bed, her hand unconsciously clutching the hem of her hospital gown: "I didn't think too much... seeing the child's life in danger, my instinct was..."

"Aren't you afraid in such cold weather?" the reporter pressed.

Ye Zhenzhen thought for a moment and answered honestly, "I was quite scared after I jumped in... The water was so cold, I felt like I was going to die... But it was too late, and I couldn't get back up..."

After she finished speaking, she laughed first, with a slightly embarrassed and awkward expression.

The reporter was amused by her.

The child's mother next to her started crying again, holding Ye Zhenzhen's hand and saying, "Girl, you're so thin, you can barely stand, how could you dare to jump... You're a benefactor to our whole family..."

"She's beautiful inside and out; she's sure to have a very good life!"

The child's father nodded repeatedly, then suddenly turned to Zhou Huaijin:

"Boss, this is such a great employee, you absolutely have to promote her and give her a raise!"

Ye Zhenzhen was stunned for a moment.

This parent is an amazing mouth substitute!

Zhou Huaijin glanced at Ye Zhenzhen: "The company will give her a proper commendation."

After the child's parents and reporters left, the ward finally quieted down.

Lin Rui and Chen Zheng pushed the door open and came in.

"Sister Ye, your act of bravery made the news! Amazing!"

Chen Zheng held up his phone, on which was a newly pushed local news article with the headline "Woman jumps into icy hole to save child from drowning".

Ye Zhenzhen leaned over for a look, a little embarrassed: "This is way too fast..."

"Of course," Chen Zheng said with a grin, "the media are camped out in the village, you've become a hero now."

Just as Ye Zhenzhen was about to say something, Zhou Huaijin spoke up.

"Ye Zhenzhen." He called her name, his voice not loud, but the temperature in the ward seemed to drop two degrees.

She stood up straight reflexively: "Yes..."

"It's good to do something brave and righteous," he said, his gaze falling on her face, neither too harsh nor too gentle, "but to put your own life aside and jump without considering the consequences is foolish."

Ye Zhenzhen lowered her head, her voice muffled: "I'm sorry, boss, I was wrong..."

"Some people say that the river isn't deep, and I can swim, so that's why—" she tried to explain, her voice growing softer and softer.

"The river isn't deep?" Zhou Huaijin's voice rose slightly, a thin layer of anger in his eyes. "Did you know how deep it was before you went in? Did you know if there were undercurrents or silt at the bottom? You can swim, show me how you swim in icy water!"

Ye Zhenzhen was speechless, choked by his barrage of questions. She lowered her head and twisted the hem of her hospital gown with her fingers.

Chen Zheng, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it anymore: "Hey bro, speak properly, you're scaring people."

Didn't Secretary Lin say that my brother likes her? Why isn't she concerned and instead scolding her?

Zhou Huaijin turned to him, her tone even colder: "What are you good for? Don't you have any faith in her?"

Chen Zheng was stunned and subconsciously retorted, "Why are you showing me your people?"

The ward suddenly fell silent.

Ye Zhenzhen paused for a moment, looked up at Chen Zheng, then at Zhou Huaijin, her eyes filled with confusion.

Your people?

Whose side is she on?

Oh right, Zhou Huaijin is her boss, so she is indeed one of his people.

No problem.

Fortunately, Secretary Lin, with her high emotional intelligence, broke the silence.

"Teacher Ye, the test results are fine, you can be discharged today."

He then handed her several more handbags.

"I can't wear yesterday's clothes anymore, these are new clothes."

After saying that, he added:

"Your boss bought it for you at the mall."

Ye Zhenzhen was taken aback for a moment: "Ah? Thank you, boss..."

"How much? I'll transfer it to you."

Zhou Huaijin ignored him.

Lin Rui smiled apologetically, "Teacher Ye, please change your clothes first. We'll wait for you outside."

The three of them went out.

She opened the bag, inside which were several neatly folded garments. On top was a short, light purple, traditional Chinese-style jacket, its fabric as smooth as brocade, embroidered with subtle plum blossom patterns, and trimmed with soft rabbit fur around the collar and cuffs. Even the lining was fluffy.

She flipped over the label and glanced at it—1999 yuan.

Her eyes widened.

I pulled out another white knee-length dress, the fabric was crisp and the cut was neat, priced at 899 yuan.

There's also a light pink fitted sweater, it feels so soft to the touch. 799 yuan.

There was also a set of underwear, white, with very delicate lace trim, and the tag said 599 yuan.

There was also a pair of leggings to wear with the skirt, and a pair of burr-lined Birkenstocks.

Ye Zhenzhen took out those items one by one and counted them.

This whole thing cost almost as much as her monthly salary.

Heart is bleeding.

When my boss is picking out clothes, could you please consider my financial situation?

She picked up the lingerie and checked the size.

The size... is quite suitable.

Her face flushed red instantly.

Secretary Lin said, "This was chosen by the leader..."

She suddenly remembered those hazy dreams from last night. In the dream, she was kissing Meng Chen, and as they kissed, Meng Chen's face transformed into Zhou Huaijin's. That kiss felt so real; she could feel the cool touch of his lips pressing against hers.

Just like it actually happened.

My lips even feel a little swollen now.

She shook her head vigorously, trying to banish those chaotic images.

It must be because I've been vegan for too long that I look like this.

When Ye Zhenzhen came out after changing her clothes, the people waiting in the corridor all looked at her at the same time.

Chen Zheng spoke first: "Wow, Sister Ye, this outfit really elevates your style."

Ye Zhenzhen stood in the corridor, wearing a light purple jacket over a white long skirt. The rabbit fur collar accentuated her slender neck and fair skin. She looked several levels more refined than usual.

She stood there, somewhat awkwardly tugging at her skirt, her ears still red.

"Why are you blushing?" Chen Zheng leaned closer, looking gossipy.

Ye Zhenzhen didn't look at him and whispered, "It's too hot in the hospital."