Chapter 3

So, that afternoon, Shao Rubai met the girlfriend from his vague impression, who brought him homemade chicken soup with pork ribs and tearfully inquired about his injuries. Shao Rubai was a bit confused at first, but Chen Panqing rattled off all his preferences as if recounting treasured memories. She even showed him intimate photos on her phone of him cooking in the kitchen – private photos that only someone in a close relationship would possess.

In the days that followed, Chen Panqing came to the hospital every day to care for Shao Rubai. She prepared three meals a day, catering to his tastes without repetition, and even helped him wash his clothes and wipe his back, truly becoming a perfect caregiver. Even someone as unyielding as Shao Rubai couldn’t refuse a woman’s humble affections. He tacitly acknowledged their relationship, telling Shi Song, “No need to investigate further, my girlfriend is back.”

At that moment, I happened to be standing at the door of the hospital room, delivering office documents, and overheard Shao Rubai and Shi Song’s conversation inside.

“What’s your girlfriend’s name?” Shi Song’s loud voice came through the phone.

“Her name is… Chen Panqing,” Shao Rubai hesitated for a moment. “My girlfriend’s name is Chen Panqing.”

“Ohh-” Shi Song’s echo stretched out. “I see. Next time, introduce your sister-in-law to me.”

“Mm.” Shao Rubai hung up the phone. His peripheral vision caught me lurking suspiciously by the wall, and he angrily snapped at me, “What are you standing there for, like an idiot? Hurry up and give me the file.”

I handed Shao Rubai the company’s performance report. He took it, flipped through a few pages, then shot me a glare before throwing the report on the floor.

“What good are you? I asked you to prepare materials, and this is what you show me? You’re worse than a rookie!”

Perhaps his hospitalization and amnesia had disoriented Shao Rubai, making his temper worse than before, even discarding his usual pretense of kindness.

“If there’s a next time, you can submit your resignation.”

Then I just need to mess up one more thing, and I’ll be free. I hadn’t expected it to go so smoothly. I lowered my head and smiled as I backed out, only to be stopped by Shao Rubai’s voice, “Don’t forget to bring the replacement SIM card for my phone next time.”

Indeed, I couldn’t celebrate too early. Shao Rubai’s original SIM card held our call records. If I couldn’t get fired before he discovered any clues, who knew what kind of crazy retaliation I would face from him?