Soon, Qiu Xi walked out again.
She was still holding a few sheets of paper, her head bowed as she read them intently.
She walked back to her seat quietly, completely unaware of the strange, scrutinizing gazes all around.
"Phew~"
After watching Qiu Xi sit down and remain motionless for several minutes, several people breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good... she seems to still be busy."
"Yeah." The person next to her nodded in agreement.
"All done!"
"She's still busy, we can't just keep staring like this, it's a waste of time..."
"Yeah! Let's get back to work!"
With that, a group of people diligently resumed their tasks.
About half an hour later, Qiu Xi moved again.
This time, no one paid much attention. As Xiao Qi had said, the task was too difficult today, which was why she kept going to Sister Tong's office.
So, while everyone was engrossed in their work, no one noticed that Qiu Xi went over without carrying anything.
"Sister Tong, please take a look. I've revised everything according to your instructions."
This was the first time Qiu Xi had handled such a long-term work assignment alone, and she still needed to bother Tong Mei with some parts. That's why she had visited her office several times before.
"Mm, sit down and wait for a moment. Let me see."
As Tong Mei spoke, she skillfully clicked open the email and began to read it carefully.
With nothing else to do, Qiu Xi idly watched Tong Mei.
Indeed, Sister Tong was quite peculiar.
A strong woman, yet she favored cute colors, while her demeanor was exceptionally commanding.
From what she had learned from Guo Qi these past few days, her current superior was usually stern and to-the-point, never showing any emotion.
And as Qiu Xi watched now, it was true; this was a very competent "boss."
"What are you looking at?"
Having just finished the email, Tong Mei looked up, about to praise Qiu Xi, but found Qiu Xi staring at her thoughtfully...
"Thinking so intently, you want to stay and work overtime together?"
"..." Qiu Xi shook her head. "Let's forget it. I'm just a bit curious. As for overtime, I'll leave that to you and the colleagues outside."
Not working overtime was her goal, set on her third day here, which was today!
"Sister Tong, is there anything wrong with what I submitted?"
Tong Mei glanced at it and chuckled, "Alright, there are no problems. You can go out."
As expected!
When someone capable gets angry, they are even more infuriating than others!
"Okay~"
"Sister Tong, I'll see you tomorrow then~"
Waving goodbye with a smile, Qiu Xi walked out of Tong Mei's office with light steps.
Returning to her seat, Qiu Xi tidied up briefly, then picked up her bag and stood up, ready to go home.
"Xiao... Xi, are you finished already?" Guo Qi, with just a little bit of ending left, was preparing to ask Qiu Xi to hurry up and then put in a bit more effort to finish early, when she saw Qiu Xi holding her bag, looking ready to leave.
Qiu Xi had just pushed her chair back when she heard Guo Qi's words.
She tilted her head curiously. "Yes, I just spoke with Sister Tong. I'm getting ready to leave."
"This... this way..."
Guo Qi was a little confused. Was it not what she had thought?
"Xiao Qi, what's wrong?"
"What are you stuck on? You look a bit strange."
Unaware of the private dealings in the office, Qiu Xi naturally didn't know what was going on.
"N-nothing. Aren't you leaving? Be careful on your way."
"Is that so? I understand!"
"Then you keep at it. I'm heading back now."
"Okay." Guo Qi nodded blankly at Qiu Xi's retreating back.
As soon as Qiu Xi left, the people who had been looking down all looked up.
"Xiao Qi, is Qiu Xi going home?"
"No way? Was she sent out to do something by Sister Tong?"
"That's impossible..."
Seeing everyone's curious gazes, and several people looking like they desperately wanted to know the answer, Guo Qi was taken aback again.
Finally, Guo Qi nodded and said, "Yes... Qiu Xi is indeed going home. She finished her task for today..."
"???"
"!!!"
Shock! Confusion!
Still lost in the thought that they wouldn't lose, everyone didn't react at first.
How did she finish?
How did she go home?
How did they lose?
And... why did they change it at noon?
For a brief two minutes, the entire office was silent.
"Hahahaha~"
"You guys... the way you look is really too funny!"
"Hahahaha~"
It was Xiao Xiao's exceptionally smug laughter.
She never expected that she would actually win!
And these ten-odd people were just too amusing!
Hahahaha~
This reward in hand, she had to share half of it with Qiu Xi, really!
So supportive!
As expected of the person she trusted!
Simply amazing~
In a short period, Xiao Xiao laughed as much as everyone else had been quiet, genuinely happy.
Those who were still immersed in their feeling of defeat were thus "awakened" by this smug laughter.
It was simply... too smug!
For a moment, despite their irritation, everyone looked at each other in silence.
Until...
"Xiao Xiao, I think you're asking for trouble!"
If they had acted, it would have been because this person was too arrogant!
Looking at these photos, and hearing that incredibly smug voice...
They couldn't hold back anymore!
No longer able to endure, they acted together!
Asking for trouble! Asking for mockery!
Before paying, they had to do something to vent their frustration!
And so, Xiao Xiao's laughter began to fade.
Being overly schadenfreude indeed wasn't a rational behavior.
Especially in such a situation where others outnumbered them, it was even more important to keep a low profile.
Someone personally experienced this and gave everyone a vivid lesson in "workplace survival."
...
"Alright... I won't laugh anymore!"
"Really not laughing!"
"Hmph~"
"I'll spare you for today!"
"Okay... thank you sisters for showing mercy..." Xiao Xiao, forced into submission and appeasing.
The wise know when to quit. She would never come here again...
"Alright, that's it for today."
With that, the ten-odd people stopped.
Xiao Xiao, looking wronged, looked at the group, then gently raised her head, "Um... my reward?"
No matter what!
This prize that was already in hand couldn't be lost!
Besides, she had suffered so much grievance now...
So Xiao Xiao looked at the ten-odd people with increasingly wronged eyes.
Everyone, "..."
Were they the kind of scoundrels who wouldn't honor their losses?
"Transfer it!"
"I'll transfer it to you immediately!"
Although they really were... but in broad daylight, they couldn't let others know...
So they each glanced at Xiao Xiao, then tapped their fingers, "settling the bill" for her!
...