Chapter 11 – CEO’s Heartthrob Meter: 4.5% – A Season of Troubles

Su Shangfei had a vague feeling something was wrong. When she saw the project group chat being swiftly disbanded by Mu Ruye, she immediately knew something must’ve happened at the company.

But she hadn’t been involved in that particular project, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to rush back to the office just to check in. If Shurui and Qiu Tian saw that the person who had just secured early confirmation of her position came back again, it would seem like she was meddling—or worse, coming to watch the drama unfold.

“What’s wrong? Don’t like the outfit?”

Not wanting to let company drama spoil Meng Lu’s good mood while shopping, Su Shangfei smiled and shook her head. “No, it’s just that I’m not used to dressing so formally.”

Meng Lu didn’t agree. Dressed in a deep navy-blue suit and heels, Su Shangfei now exuded brilliance and elegance. Her skin was fair as snow, and she’d gone from a student-like intern to a full-on professional powerhouse.

Meng Lu, good at offering emotional support, quipped, “Clothes make the woman. In that outfit, you could command a whole boardroom! With this wardrobe, you’ll be closing huge deals in no time.”

Though the clothes exceeded what Su Shangfei had mentally budgeted, thanks to the 20,000-yuan wardrobe stipend Mu Ruye had secured for her, the six suits and three pairs of heels were easily affordable.

While passing a fragrance shop, Su Shangfei used her salary to buy Meng Lu a bottle of perfume. The clerk, noticing her polished look and striking beauty, assumed she must have many suitors and started pitching men’s cologne.

“Miss, please check out this new men’s fragrance. It opens with woody notes, followed by jasmine and a hint of mint—fresh but not overpowering, and long-lasting. Perfect for the summer. Would you like to pick one up for your boyfriend?”

Meng Lu was about to clarify that Su Shangfei didn’t have a boyfriend, but before she could speak, Su took the tester, gave it a light wave under her nose, and appeared to genuinely savor the scent.

That halted Meng Lu’s explanation. She studied Su Shangfei, suspicion forming.

The scent wafted into Su’s nose—a clean, fresh fragrance that perfectly matched her impression of Mu Ruye. Without hesitation, she said, “Wrap it up for me.”

The clerk, delighted at the sale, beamed. “I’ll package it in a gift box. I’m sure your boyfriend will love it.”

Still curious, Meng Lu leaned in. “Come on, who’s it for?”

Su Shangfei answered evenly, without a hint of emotion. “For our team leader. He helped me get confirmed early and secured the wardrobe stipend. It’s a small token of appreciation.”

“What?! I thought you were secretly dating someone. You got me all excited for nothing.” Meng Lu’s gossipy excitement faded instantly. “You’re totally wasting that pretty face. Isn’t there anyone suitable in your company? Didn’t you say that intern Shurui went to a top university and used to cling to you? Didn’t anything spark between you two?”

Su shook her head. “He’s too calculating. I’m not interested.”

Meng Lu poked her head. “I really wonder what kind of guy will ever catch your eye. Honestly, the day you fall head-over-heels in love will be a miracle.”

Su wasn’t annoyed. She pointed at a hotpot restaurant’s ad banner and grinned, “Making my heart race and face flush? Easy. Look—spicy Chongqing hotpot. Eat that and we’ll both be red-faced and pounding.”

“You—! You’re impossible!”

“Are we eating or not?”

“Of course! Let’s go!”

—

Shurui, frustrated by Mu Ruyu’s earlier scolding, had posted the confidential cost breakdown file in the group chat out of spite.

Mu Ruye had said:

“If your strength matches your ambition, it’s drive. If you only have ambition but no brains, it’s stupidity. I gave you autonomy, but that doesn’t mean I don’t see or hear what’s going on. Secretly contacting clients? Undermining teammates? What are you trying to pull?”

“I just wanted to apologize to Manager Yuan for our argument. I didn’t mean to violate company policy. I swear I had no other intentions!”

Mu Ruye looked at him with disdain, making Shurui incredibly uneasy.

“I know I was wrong. I’ll do better. Can I keep working on this project? I’m supposed to travel next week to meet the client. We can’t send Qiu Tian—a girl—by herself.”

“You think women aren’t capable of doing business?” Mu Ruye stared at him like he was hopeless.

“It’s not like that. But business trips and client dinners are tougher for women. Like, Su Shangfei or Qiu Tian would need to travel in pairs or with male colleagues for safety. That’s just our advantage as men, right?”

Seeing Mu Ruye remain silent, Shurui thought he was making a strong case.

“If women were really suited for this, wouldn’t our team have more female reps? The women before couldn’t last. Doesn’t that prove it?”

Mu Ruye snapped back, “Just because there weren’t women doesn’t mean there won’t be. You joined with Su Shangfei. She learns faster, closes more deals, and manages clients better. If men are so superior, why do you fall short of both the women? Even Qiu Tian outperforms you. What exactly are you proud of?”

He continued, sharp as a blade:

“Sales is about performance. You’re at the bottom of the rankings and still have the nerve to belittle your colleagues? Pathetic. Only the incompetent make excuses and drag others down—especially using gender. You don’t have a male advantage; all you have are pathetic excuses to comfort your own mediocrity.”

Shurui, exposed and humiliated, was overwhelmed to the point of tears. He tried to defend himself, repeating the same weak excuses, but Mu Ruye didn’t even offer him a tissue before asking him to leave.

Shurui left furious and embarrassed, especially when others in the office began whispering and snickering. Realizing he’d never pass the internship with Mu Ruye overseeing him, he decided to quit.

Before handing in his resignation and company phone, he snapped photos of the cost files and dumped them into the project group as a final act of revenge.

He had expected chaos—but Manager Yuan, upon seeing the files, simply laughed it off and resumed drinking and bonding with Mu Ruyu at dinner.

Instead, Shurui was sued by the company for breaching the confidentiality agreement. Barely a month into his career, he had ruined his reputation and racked up debt, ultimately being forced to leave Shanghai to start over.

—

When Su Shangfei returned to the office on Monday, the usually late Qiu Tian was already at her desk, pale-lipped and exhausted. Still, she was busy typing away.

Su kindly brought her a cup of hot tea. “Need a hand with anything?”

Qiu Tian had been disheartened all weekend after Mu Ruyu called out her mistakes on Friday. She was on the verge of quitting but couldn’t bear to let her hard work go to waste.

Though she hadn’t slept well the night before, she forced herself out of bed to deal with the mess Shurui left behind.

Su’s gesture surprised her. After all, she and Shurui had once ostracized Su. And yet here Su was, helping her. Qiu Tian felt deeply ashamed.

“I…”

Su cut her off and picked up a file with a warm smile. “I’ll take care of this part. I’ll give it to you before lunch.”

Tears welled in Qiu Tian’s eyes. Seeing Su already organizing documents, she was instantly re-energized and got to work.

With Su’s help, things became much clearer. Su also helped smooth communication with the production department, and by Friday evening, the final shipment was successfully loaded and sent off.

“Thank you, I…”

Su handed her another cup of tea and smiled. “It’s all in the past. Let’s look forward.”

Overwhelmed, Qiu Tian hugged Su and whispered, “I make amazing desserts. I’ll bring you egg tarts next Monday.”

Su gently patted her back, smiling with a mature calmness that made her seem older than she was. “I’m looking forward to it.”

After Qiu Tian left, Su returned to the office. It was a rare quiet weekend—even the normally hectic business department was empty.

But the light in Mu Ruye’s office was still on.

Su microwaved some milk and carried the bottle of cologne she had bought the previous Friday to his door, knocking softly.

“Come in,” he said, checking his watch. “Still here? What’s up?”

Su handed him the milk and shook her head. “Nothing much. Just wanted to let you know the Senyang shipment went out before closing.”

Mu Ruye had trusted her to take on the project with Qiu Tian and even gave her more authority. He wasn’t surprised.

“Good work. You’ll get a share of the bonus.”

Su quickly waved her hands. “That’s not why I’m here. I barely helped. Qiu Tian handled most of it. It’s not my project—I don’t want credit I didn’t earn.”

Mu Ruye was surprised—and impressed. He’d assumed she’d come to boast, but instead, she humbly stepped back and even defended her colleague.

He nodded. “Fair enough. I’ll assign you some tougher projects next. Good practice.”

Grateful, Su placed the shopping bag on his desk.

“What’s this?”

“Just a little thank-you gift. For helping me, guiding me, and getting my position confirmed early. I thought the scent suited you.”

Mu Ruye didn’t like becoming too close to subordinates. His warm expression turned serious.

“Doing your job well is the best way to thank me,” he said coldly, pushing the bag back toward her.

The warmth in the room instantly vanished.