Chapter 321

Chapter 321

"Do you have any shame at all? I’m telling you, you can finish the rest of the work on your own! Don’t even think about using ‘I don’t know how’ as an excuse to get us to do your work." Lu Fang was so angry she was trembling.

"Sure, I’ll head to the Director’s office later. I’ll tell her that you refused to help me get familiar with the work. Should I ask the Director to help me instead?" Bai Xiuxiu replied calmly, gathering her things and preparing to leave.

"Wait!" Lin Yan grabbed Bai Xiuxiu, startled.

Lin Yan realized that Bai Xiuxiu had them backed into a corner.

"Bai Xiuxiu, what are you trying to do here? Just spit it out," Lin Yan asked softly.

"Lin Yan?" Lu Fang was shocked. What’s going on?

"Fangfang, it’s obvious that Bai Xiuxiu isn’t going to help finish Sister Zhang’s work. We should just accept it and consider ourselves out of luck.

Bai Xiuxiu, you give the work back to us, and we’ll do it. You don’t need to keep using ‘asking for help’ as an excuse," Lin Yan said, looking both wronged and helpless.

Once the work was back in their hands, she and Lu Fang could finish it quickly.

After that, they could just say they helped Bai Xiuxiu with her work.

Eventually, Bai Xiuxiu’s reputation will take a hit.

By the time it reached the Director, Bai Xiuxiu wouldn’t have any evidence to prove that they didn’t assist her.

The two of them talking together are much more believable than Bai Xiuxiu on her own.

Does Bai Xiuxiu really think she's doing a good job?

She barely knows the ropes when it comes to this work.

Bai Xiuxiu looked at them and spoke softly, "I don’t get what you’re saying, Lin Yan and Lu Fang. These tasks are my responsibility, but I need to ask you for guidance. I’ll still need your help moving forward."

After she finished speaking, Bai Xiuxiu sat down again.

It’s not like they’re going to help her finish these tasks; she’s the one who has to do them.

Since they tried to screw her over first, don’t blame her for paying them back in kind.

Lin Yan’s smile froze. How could Bai Xiuxiu be so stubborn?

“Don’t get too cocky! Lin Yan is just trying to keep things smooth for everyone. Bai Xiuxiu, don’t bite the hand that feeds you!”

When Bai Xiuxiu didn’t budge, Lu Fang pointed at her and started threatening her.

Bai Xiuxiu didn’t lose her cool. Instead, she calmly grabbed Lu Fang’s finger and pushed it away.

Lu Fang yanked her hand back, wincing in pain. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Thanks for looking out for me." Bai Xiuxiu replied, her emotions still very restrained.

Leaving Lu Fang and Lin Yan completely baffled.

"Xiuxiu, Lu Fang can be hot-headed, but she did make a valid point. I really hope we can all work together without drama." Lin Yan gently advised Bai Xiuxiu, though she was already quite anxious inside.

I always feel that Bai Xiuxiu is up to no good.

If her only goal was to pass these tasks back to you, then she’s already succeeded. After you and Lu Fang have shown such compliance, what else could she possibly want?

Surely she’s not planning to report us?

She’s just a new arrival...

The more Lin Yan thought about it, the more uneasy she became.

Bai Xiuxiu smiled, “Sister Lin, Sister Lu, I share your concerns. But I don’t trust you. If you take the work back, what’s to stop you from telling everyone later that I’m lazy and pushed it onto you?

So, it would be better if the two of you continue to teach me.”

“You won’t tell Director Gao about this, will you, Little Bai? Director Gao hates when people cause her trouble. Let me be frank with you; in this office, it’s not just us who ask Sister Zhang for help.

If you want to stand up for Sister Zhang, no one will support you.

When that happens...”

Lin Yan’s warning fell on deaf ears with Bai Xiuxiu.

She came here to work, not to play politics.

As for standing up for Sister Zhang? She had no intention of doing so.

What she wanted was to see those who plotted against her suffer a bit. If she let this slide, she’d end up like the next Sister Zhang.

Bai Xiuxiu’s silence only made Lin Yan feel worse.

Bai Xiuxiu is definitely trying to set her up.

No way...

She needs to act first.

But how can she do that?

Why can't Bai Xiuxiu just stay away?

Lin Yan secretly hoped something would delay Bai Xiuxiu, giving her more time to cover her tracks.

Lu Fang wasn’t the brightest, but she followed Lin Yan’s lead.

Since Lin Yan wasn’t saying anything, Lu Fang just kept her head down and worked.

That afternoon, Bai Xiuxiu was still eager to ask for their help. The two of them couldn’t refuse with Director Gao watching. They had no choice but to grit their teeth and keep helping.

Lin Yan’s mood was already souring. She had planned to mess up the work a bit, but Bai Xiuxiu caught on right away.

She couldn’t make any mistakes, and she had to keep doing these tasks, which even caused her to fall behind on her own work.

Bai Xiuxiu handed over all the paperwork that needed to be done to them, while she started to familiarize herself with her own work scope and the various disputes that needed to be resolved.

Office policy stated that disputes had to be handled by at least two people.

Bai Xiuxiu organized the documents and went to see Director Gao.

Seeing her approach, Director Gao was somewhat puzzled. "What's wrong?"

"Director, I've gotten a handle on what I need to do and I was wondering if I could start resolving those dispute issues now. I'm worried that if we wait too long, it could delay the people who need help."

Director Gao gave Bai Xiuxiu an approving look.

While the work here was usually pretty stable, there were occasional changes in assignments. Someone as driven and hardworking as Bai Xiuxiu was rare.

"Good, the fact that you have this thought proves that you are diligent and serious, someone who gets things done. How have things been with Xiao Lin and Xiao Lu these past two days? Do you want to go with one of them, or would you prefer someone else?"

Normally, this kind of decision would just follow her arrangement.

However, as Director Gao looked at the earnest Bai Xiuxiu, she thought of what Sister Zhang had mentioned, so she gave her an additional choice.

"Director, I've just arrived here and I'd like to get to know everyone. I can't always rely on Sister Lin and the others." Bai Xiuxiu smiled, a bit shy.

It made her seem like someone you could count on.

Director Gao thought for a moment and asked the young woman sitting near her, "Wang Qiong, do you have any mediation visits this afternoon? Your areas are pretty close, so you two can help each other out."

"Yes, Director. Shall we get going?"

The person called Wang Qiong was about the same age as Bai Xiuxiu, wearing black-rimmed glasses.

Her smile was warm and inviting.

She was already gathering her things as she spoke.

Director Gao looked over at Bai Xiuxiu.

"Director, I’m ready to go whenever you are." Bai Xiuxiu's response was no-nonsense.