54: Awkward conversation in the elevator

She had also changed out of her sharp suit and into a beige trench coat, carrying her bag, looking as if she was about to leave the company.

Great.

Slipping out of work, only to be caught red-handed by the big boss.

Talk about having no luck at all.

However, Lin Chao's mental fortitude was strong enough that not a hint of panic showed on his face.

He immediately broke into a grin, showing a bright and innocent smile.

"Director Shen, you're heading out too!"

Shen Zhixia's cold phoenix eyes swept over him indifferently, her gaze devoid of emotion.

"Mhm."

She was a woman of few words.

"Just transferred here, I still have some personal matters to attend to."

Lin Chao immediately put on an expression of sudden realization, nodding repeatedly with a serious face.

"Yes, yes, Director Shen just arrived in City Name, there must be many things to handle. You've really been working hard."

He shifted the conversation, pointing toward the exit, and began to talk nonsense without blushing or his heart skipping a beat.

"I was just planning to go see a client as well!"

Shen Zhixia nodded slightly, her gaze lingering on his face, which was plastered with "sincerity," for two seconds.

That look seemed as if it could see through all the little schemes in his heart.

Then, she finally spoke slowly in a tone that gave no hint of her feelings.

"Supervisor Lin has also worked hard for the company's performance."

Supervisor Lin... these words coming from her mouth sounded a bit different for some reason.

Lin Chao could only give a sheepish smile and rub his nose, not daring to say anything else.

The two of them walked one after the other, neither saying another word.

The atmosphere was so awkward that one could have dug out a three-bedroom apartment with their toes.

Finally, they reached the elevator lobby.

The two stood side by side, waiting for the elevator together.

"Ding—"

The elevator doors slowly opened.

It was empty.

Lin Chao stood before the elevator, composed and upright, looking like a true gentleman.

In reality, out of the corner of his eye, he was constantly stealing glances at the reflection in the mirror-like elevator doors.

He had to admit.

This woman was a real stunner.

A graceful figure, a cool temperament, and a face so exquisite it was flawless.

Lin Chao marveled inwardly.

Why would such a beautiful and capable woman choose to be an old man's mistress?

It was truly a waste.

But on second thought, he felt this was perfectly normal.

Who was the big boss of their Kangyang Group?

Money was certainly not an issue; it was likely just a number to him.

And power? That was even more overwhelming.

It wasn't strange that an old man like that could completely conquer a queen-like woman like her.

After all... a self-deprecating smirk touched the corner of Lin Chao's mouth.

Making money wasn't shameful.

These days, it had long been an era where people laughed at the poor but not at the prostitute.

With a "ding," the elevator arrived.

The doors slowly slid open to both sides.

Shen Zhixia stepped in first with her long legs.

Lin Chao's feet seemed rooted to the ground, and he hesitated for a moment.

It wasn't peak hours, so the elevator was very empty.

Being in the same room as this iceberg, even for just a few dozen seconds, was far too torturous.

Should he wait for the next one?

Just as he was thinking, he found Shen Zhixia standing in the elevator, one hand pressing the door-open button, her cold phoenix eyes quietly watching him through the slowly closing gap.

There was a hint of imperceptible confusion in her eyes.

As if asking: Why aren't you coming in?

Lin Chao had no choice but to brace himself and dash in before the elevator doors closed completely.

To avoid suspicion and reduce the sense of pressure, he deliberately stood half a step back, diagonally behind Shen Zhixia.

The elevator doors closed silently.

In the small space, only the two of them remained.

The air seemed to have solidified.

A faint, cool fragrance wafted from the woman in front of him, entering Lin Chao's nose.

It wasn't a cheap perfume, but a very crisp, high-end woody scent.

Lin Chao focused on his breathing, not daring to make a sound.

In this suffocating silence, Shen Zhixia's cold voice rang out without any warning.

"Supervisor Lin's performance is so good, you must be very busy normally, right?"

Lin Chao shuddered.

Here it comes!

The settling of accounts is here!

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

What does she mean? Checking my background? Suspecting me of skipping work?

Or does she see my good performance and want to poach my client resources?

He then dismissed this idea.

A massager isn't a fast-moving consumer good; client relationships are maintained long-term. How could they be so easily poached?

So she's unhappy that I'm heading out during work hours?

But I'm going to see a client; this is to expand the market for the company!

Thinking of this, Lin Chao felt more confident.

He cleared his throat and replied in a tone that was neither humble nor arrogant, "I'm definitely busy."

"Director Shen also knows that in our line of work, clients are won by being out in the field."

"Market competition is so fierce; how can we sign contracts without going out more?"

His words were airtight.

He both explained his presence and took the opportunity to show off his hard work.

After hearing this, Shen Zhixia only gave a soft "Mhm."

The elevator descended steadily.

On the polished metal walls, the figures of the two were reflected, one in front of the other.

Just when Lin Chao thought the topic had ended, Shen Zhixia's voice rang out again.

"Work harder, Supervisor Lin."

"At the end of the year, I will give you a larger bonus based on your performance."

Lin Chao was stunned.

What on earth? A bonus?

He had prepared himself for a reprimand or being sabotaged, but in the end, what he got was a carrot falling from the sky?

For a moment, he didn't quite react.

What exactly does this woman want to do?

A slap followed by a sweet treat?

"Ding—"

While he was lost in thought, the elevator had already reached the first floor.

The doors slowly opened.

The bright light from the lobby outside flooded in instantly.

Shen Zhixia stepped out, her high heels clicking sharply on the marble floor.

Lin Chao breathed a sigh of relief and was about to follow her out.

But then he saw Shen Zhixia, who had reached the door, suddenly stop in her tracks.

She didn't turn around completely, only tilting her head slightly, her sharp phoenix eyes looking at him once more from a few steps away.

"Do a good job."

Her voice was still the same cool and indifferent tone, revealing no emotion.

Having said that, she didn't stay any longer.

The hem of her beige trench coat swept a sharp arc in the air as she walked straight toward the revolving doors.

Her tall, aloof back soon disappeared from Lin Chao's sight.

Lin Chao stood where he was, watching that proud and lonely figure disappear beyond the revolving doors.

Those three words kept spinning in his head.

They didn't sound like a warning, much less a threat; instead, they carried a bit of... expectation?

He frowned.

This woman's style of doing things was completely unlike a trophy mistress who relied on a man to get ahead.