Zhou Qinyang noticed that an email from the Lee Corporation had appeared in her inbox. Hesitantly, she opened the message and read its contents which informed her that her resume and portfolio had passed their initial screening. As a result, she would be moved on to the next round where she would need to come in for an interview next week. She bit her lip nervously.
‘
How do interviews even work?
’
She had never been to one in an official capacity, especially at such a prestigious place as the Lee Corporation, so her thoughts were a mess.
At the very least, she could heave a sigh of relief that the interview would be held on the day of the auction and party, so she would have something to look forward to after. She called Yong Zixuan to tell her the good news.
Zixuan squealed, “That is great! I will help you prepare for your interview!”
Qinyang nodded and exchanged a few short words with her before hanging up to go back to her chores. After replying affirmatively to the email, she went to take out the trash.
On her way back from taking out the trash, she spotted an old lady carrying heavy-looking bags with her fragile arms. She shambled towards the apartment building and stumbled a little, almost dropping her bags.
Qinyang quickly ran to her and took the burdensome satchels from her.
"Grandma Huo,” she fretted over the elderly woman’s condition, “why are you carrying this alone? Where is your grandson?"
The old lady smiled at the sight of Qinyang, "This is nothing. You are too kind, Qinyang. My grandson is working late again."
"You don't have to lie, Grandma Huo,” Qinyang frowned, “I saw him walking out of the club a few days ago. He was drunk and fooling around with some girls. He also yelled at you when he came home that day, right?"
"He’s just having a hard time, dear. It's not like that," Grandma Huo replied but still held her smile, albeit tinged with a bit of sadness.
Only a few knew how much she suffered in spite of her smile and pleasant demeanor. Oftentimes she would have to carry her passed out grandson on her bent and ailing back, slowly making her way up the ramp back to their apartment.
Qinyang sighed and continued, "You spoil him too much, Grandma Huo. You should tell him off next time."
"I'm too old already, dear. Thank you for being concerned about me."
Once they finally arrived in front of the older woman’s door, Qinyang went inside and placed her bags on the dining area table for her.
"Thank you, Qinyang,” Grandma Huo bowed gratefully. “Next time, I will cook stew for you again."
“It's nothing,” Qinyang declared as she waved her hands. “You don't have to do something like that for me. Next time, I will teach that useless grandson of yours a lesson for leaving you home alone!”
Grandma Huo laughed at her words. Qinyang smiled and reached out to hold the old woman’s knobbly hands, her expression changing to one of concern.
"Also, Grandma Huo, don't go out so late again. I might start working in a corporation soon. I won't be around a lot, so I might not be able to help you like this again. What if you get hurt?"
"I will keep it in mind. If you keep nagging at me like that, I’ll feel embarrassed," she laughed. "Go home, my dear. It's already late at night."
"I'll be off then. I will visit again soon," Qinyang bowed and left to go back to her own apartment.
In addition to being a friendly presence, Grandma Huo was also the landlady of the apartment building. Her husband had originally owned the building, but after he passed away, his will left the property under her name. When Qinyang first met Grandma Huo, she was a lost girl with nothing. She didn't have any money to put towards a place to stay, but Grandma Huo took her in and cared for her regardless.
But Qinyang made sure to repay the grandmother’s kindness in full. After a few months of successful earnings from her freelancing, Qinyang returned every cent Grandma Huo had spent to care for her and even leased a unit from her. Her honesty and integrity made her an endearing tenant, and Grandma Huo treated her as if she were her own granddaughter. Likewise, Qinyang treated her like she was her own grandmother.
Grandma Hua watched as Qinyang departed and closed the door behind her, leaving the apartment silent once again. The elderly woman slowly made her way over to the photo hanging up on the nearby wall, where the sight of the framed portrait of her late husband greeted her. Her eyes filled with warm tears.
________________
Upon arriving at the elevator, Qinyang’s nostrils were assaulted by the very strong stench of alcohol as a man clumsily stumbled out from the lift. Clearly wasted, the drunk man couldn’t even walk straight.
He was singing, "I miss you~! I love you~! I want to see you~!"
Qinyang eyed the man tersely. The drunkard happened to be Grandma Huo's useless grandson, Huo Jiacheng.
Jiacheng walked sideways and bumped into Qinyang. She covered her nose against the smell of alcohol emanating from his body. While glaring at him, she tried to control her temper and restrain herself from kicking his ass.
After belatedly noticing he had stumbled into someone, he turned around and saw Qinyang, though he could not recognize her in his heavily intoxicated state. He had met her a few times before and disliked her because she was such a busybody, so he would have never attempted his next stunt had he been sober.
Qinyang ignored the man and tried to walk away, but then he caught her by the shoulders and grinned lewdly at her.
"Hey there, pretty lady,” he slurred. “You bumped into me just now."
She looked at him in disgust, which was especially amplified by the fact that he reeked.
"Handsome guy here will forgive you if you eat him today," he hiccupped as his hand slid down her waist.
She slapped his hand away angrily. Just then, she also thought of an idea to teach him a lesson.
‘Oh... I will show you how I will eat you. ‘
The tigress in her awakened. An evil smile crept upon her lips as she sauntered towards him.
"Boss Huo, let this beautiful lady kiss your d*ck today," she raised her leg and then gathered all her strength. "I will let you taste a unique, bittersweet pain!"
Jiacheng fell to the ground and screamed in distress. He crumpled into a ball and cradled his manhood which was searing with white-hot pain. Somehow, the shock of her kick made him recover a bit of consciousness and he glared in recognition at the deviously smiling Qinyang.
"Hmph! I saved your children from having a useless father!” she paid him no mind and walked away toward the stairwell. Serves him right.
"You bitch! I will get you!" he hollered after her retreating backside.
His screams woke up all the neighbours who came out to ogle his miserable state. Huo Jiacheng continued swearing as he groaned in pain and promised himself that he would get back at that damn bitch.