Chapter 35: Director Song, Please Try the Fish

Tao Yu’s voice in the early morning was unusually soft and delicate, quite the contrast to Song Hecheng’s tone.

“Director Song, this is the blueprint Director Li asked me to deliver. The seal hasn’t been tampered with. Please take a look.”

Then, she withdrew her fingers, gently swept the hem of her skirt, and gracefully sat back down on the sofa.

However,

As she sat down, the slit in her dark blue skirt slid up slightly, exposing her legs just above her knees, highlighting her slender and graceful figure.

Her fair legs were now fully visible to anyone in front of her.

And the one causing this — Tao Yu — simply looked at Song Hecheng with her dark, glistening eyes.

In those eyes, there seemed to be hidden hooks…

Song Hecheng, close enough to notice her eyes, must have realized her intentions.

Or perhaps, he had caught sight of those fair legs.

But despite the situation, Song Hecheng didn’t appear flustered. He took the blueprint from her hands, barely glancing at the seal, and casually placed it aside.

His elegant brow remained perfectly poised as he smiled lightly.

“Thank you. You’ve worked hard.”

Then Song Hecheng’s gaze shifted to the lunch box on the table, reminding him of the items Xiao Zhang had received in the car earlier.

He moved his fingers, which were crossed in front of him, slightly, before returning to a natural position.

Tao Yu, who had been sitting upright, now rested her arm on the armrest of the sofa, her waist tilting slightly forward. She spoke gently, her voice inviting,

“I brought you some breakfast, ‘bala fish’—would you like to try some, Director Song?”

Her words, especially the way she said “bala fish” and “Director Song,” were lighter, almost flirtatious.

That last “Director Song” sounded especially heartfelt.

It was as if the words scratched at the heart, with a subtle itch in the tone, impossible to ignore.

After speaking, she looked at him with those expectant eyes, her gaze holding a playful intent.

She really was…

Quite mischievous.

In the quiet office,

Song Hecheng’s keen hearing picked up on the subtleties of her voice. His fingers, which had been resting on his knees, tightened imperceptibly.

He smiled with clarity in his features.

“Alright, thank you.”

He then picked up the prepared spoon and scooped a piece of the soft, tender “bala fish.”

Little did he know, the person across from him, elegantly reclining on the sofa, was hiding a mischievous grin.

Ah, how could someone as upright as Director Song predict that this “fish” was deceitful?

Listen…

Song Hecheng took a bite of the “bala fish,” and immediately, his brow furrowed. He held his fist to his mouth and coughed lightly.

The true “bad fish” finally feigned concern.

“Sorry, Director Song, I put a little wasabi sauce in the fish.”

Though not much, it was wasabi—essentially mustard.

That was the “trap” in the fish.

Afterward, Tao Yu stood up with grace.

She walked over to Song Hecheng, pouring a glass of water from a small side table beside him.

She bent over slightly, her long hair brushing gently against his shoulder, leaving a faint fragrance in the air.

Tao Yu seemed oblivious to the moment.

She crouched in front of him, holding the glass of water with both hands, and offered it to the man who had stopped coughing.

Her tone was concerned, but there was a faint smile of mischief hidden in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, I like to have wasabi with my ‘bala fish.’ Is it too much for you, Director Song?”

Song Hecheng, steady as ever, took the glass of water without showing any sign of being upset. He responded in his usual deep tone,

“The wasabi is fine. It’s not that I’m not used to it.”

Tao Yu’s white hands rested gently on her knee.

Just like that night when she bought the sticky sugar by the roadside, she gazed up at Song Hecheng with an almost innocent expression.

Her eyes glistened as she measured his gaze, and her words took on a teasing edge again.

“Is the fish good?”

Notice, she said “fish” instead of “bala fish.”

It seemed that this “bad fish” was about to openly tease Director Song once again.

Blatant flirtation…

Song Hecheng lowered his eyes and looked at the woman crouching in front of him. His deep gaze made it impossible for anyone to tell what he was thinking.

No one could tell whether that teasing little “claw” had truly reached his heart.

Song Hecheng closed his eyelids for a moment, then nodded and gave an indifferent response.

“It’s very good.”

She was becoming bolder…

Tao Yu got her answer and smiled faintly, satisfied. She stood up and returned to the sofa across from him.

As she turned, the hem of her dark blue skirt slid gently over Song Hecheng’s knees, the subtle fragrance following her.

Now, Song Hecheng had eaten the fish she’d brought with the wasabi, and from yesterday until now, her mood had lightened considerably. It was time to get down to business.

Tao Yu sat down again, resuming her professional and gentle demeanor, as if the bold teasing moments earlier hadn’t occurred at all.

“Director Song, there’s one thing I’d like to discuss. Comrade Chen Jiefang is on leave, and we’re short on translators in the factory. May I apply to help out in the workshop?”

Tao Yu had previously mentioned wanting to help in the workshop to Director Li, but after being rejected twice, he subtly hinted that without Song Hecheng’s approval, she wouldn’t have the chance.

That’s why she had come to see Song Hecheng in person.

So… what about that “breakfast” she had brought him—those “bala fish”?

Tao Yu brushed it off in her mind.

It was… just a bonus.

However, after a brief moment of silence, Song Hecheng directly rejected her request.

Song Hecheng looked at Tao Yu, his tone gentle but firm, leaving no room for argument.

“No, not for now. The workshop hasn’t been fully renovated yet, and the conditions are tough.”

“Especially since it’s summer now—hot and noisy, which isn’t suitable for female colleagues.”

Tao Yu, however, didn’t get discouraged. She didn’t back down and continued to argue her case.

“Other colleagues often go down to the workshop. I’ve been here since the start, and I’ve never once been to the workshop.”

“My qualifications don’t meet the factory’s requirements. If I make an exception too many times, it wouldn’t be fair to the others.”

Tao Yu made a clear and persuasive case to Song Hecheng.

“Besides, going to the workshop and working directly on the production line will help me improve my skills. The more experience, the better.”

Despite Tao Yu’s reasonable and compelling argument, Song Hecheng reverted to his usual calm, sharp, and professional demeanor as the factory director.

He firmly rejected her request once again.

“Only strength matters. Your qualifications aren’t the issue.”

“Your abilities already far exceed theirs by dozens of times, so you’re not the same.”

Tao Yu was rejected, but her mood seemed to improve.

She wasn’t ready to give up. She really needed to get to the workshop; it was crucial for her future plans.

Since Song Hecheng wasn’t agreeing, she decided to try a different approach.

And here it came again! Her usual tactic!

She softened her tone.

Her words were filled with pleading, yet they carried an unmistakable hook.

“Director Song, can’t you make an exception for me just because I brought you breakfast? I really want to go to the workshop.”

As expected, the firm and professional Song Hecheng raised his hand to cover his mouth and let out a soft cough after hearing her.

He silently took a sip of water, no longer showing the sharpness he had earlier when rejecting her.

As for Tao Yu…

She just smiled lightly, her bright eyes gleaming as she looked at Song Hecheng.

It seemed that if he didn’t agree, she was prepared to patiently wear him down, neither too soft nor too hard.

Perhaps it was that little “hook” in her eyes, like an annoying little paw scratching at someone’s heart.

Eventually, Song Hecheng shook his head and smiled helplessly.

“Alright, fine. You can go.”

It was because of her last plea that he finally surrendered, agreeing to her request and giving in to her wishes.

Little did he know, this was the beginning of someone’s eventual downfall.