Chapter 12: A Battle of Wills

On my way to the bathroom, Supervisor Cai stopped me and inspected my burns with concern.
“They’re healing quickly.”
That was largely thanks to Ji Feiyang. He applied the ointment on schedule, warned me to be careful of this and not to bump into that, and threatened me with horrible scars if I didn’t listen.
Naturally, I behaved. They were my hands. Nobody feared scars more than I did.
Supervisor Cai drew me aside and lowered her voice.
“Yijun, the thing is…”
An awkward little smile.
“That two hundred yuan I lent you…”
Another smile.
“It isn’t much, I know, but I do have a family to support…”
Was that all?
Since I already owed Ji Feiyang money, a little more wouldn’t make much difference.
“You’ll get it back. What’s the rush?”
Not long after I settled into a bathroom stall, voices and laughter drifted in.
“Oh, have you heard? There’s been a girl in the general manager’s office lately.”
“Heard? The whole hotel knows.”
“Who would have thought he’d finally get himself a girlfriend?”
“I don’t think she’s his girlfriend.”
“Of course she is. Why else would he bring some girl into his office?”
“She works here. Didn’t you know?”
“Really? Well, she’s certainly moved up in the world.”
“It’s odd, though. Why would he like that sort of girl? I hear she’s quite a little brute.”
“She’s pretty.”
“She looks like a child. I’d have thought he’d prefer someone mature and composed. A proper lady.”
“Would the chairwoman approve? She has such high standards.”
“If she hasn’t said anything, she must be accepting it.”
“There goes another rich prince.”
“It would be different if she came from a wealthy family. I’ve seen her. She’s nowhere near good enough for him.”
“You lot out there! Keep wagging those tongues and they’ll rot!”
My shout came straight from the stall.
They scattered as though they’d heard a ghost.
The nerve of them.
What was so special about Ji Feiyang? Not good enough for him? What a joke. I wouldn’t have him anyway.
On leaving the bathroom, I glared at every member of staff I passed. Any one of them might have been among those gossiping women.
A kick sent his office door open.
Unfortunately, his mother was inside.
Her brows drew together. She looked ready to lose her temper.
“Yijun, this is my mother.”
I’d guessed that long ago, but this was our first formal introduction.
My expression shifted a fraction. Even in a good mood, I wasn’t particularly generous with smiles. In this mood, she had no chance.
“Oh. Hello, Auntie.”
The greeting was chilly.
Her displeasure had already given way to a smile, but I didn’t much like her. She looked like the sort of woman who expected to be obeyed.
“Your hands look much better.”
My cool response discouraged further questions. After a few more words with Ji Feiyang, she left.
“Is that how you treat your elders, Tang Yijun?”
What a joke. The elders in my family all doted on me.
“What did I do wrong?”
“Forget it.”
Apparently, he couldn’t be bothered to argue.
My eyes stayed on him.
What was so wonderful about him? So handsome? Those gossiping women actually thought I wasn’t good enough for him.
“Have I done something to offend you?”
“Nothing.”
I looked away. A little later, a laugh escaped me.
“Hey, Ji Feiyang. Some people think I’m your girlfriend.”
A faint smile.
“Do they?”
“They say you’re not good enough for me.”
“Don’t you mean you’re not good enough for me?”
My foot stamped the floor.
“What makes you think that?”
“My, what a temper. Who would want you?”
“Plenty of people!”
After a pause, I added, “I’ve been here all this time and haven’t seen a single woman come looking for you. Still single at your age. No wonder, really. Who could like someone so annoying?”
He gave a slight smile and went back to work, letting my words pass him by.
“Once my hands are better, I’m keeping well away from you. Wouldn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea.”
He gathered up some papers.
“I think I have more to lose here.”
“Oh, please.”
After a spell of careful treatment, my hands were finally almost healed.
“Back to work tomorrow, Tang Yijun.”
Honestly. That face again.
If he thought he could make me miserable enough to go meekly home, he had another thing coming.
“Yes, yes, you heartless capitalist. How about a few more days’ rest?”
“That isn’t up to you. You start tomorrow.”
“My hands can’t get wet. Give me an office job. I did study abroad, you know. Making me do manual labor is a waste of my talents.”
“What experience do you have?”
“I’ve just graduated.”
“What did you study?”
“Fashion design.”
“We don’t have a suitable position.”
“I could do clerical work, be an assistant—anything. Even a supervisor.”
“We’re fully staffed.”
“If you don’t want to give me a job, just say so. Why all the excuses?”
Even then, I hadn’t expected him to be cruel enough to put me on bathroom duty.
My foot came down hard. If looks could kill, he’d have been my first victim.
The smell inside the bathroom was unbearable. One hand clamped over my nose as I retreated to the doorway and sprayed the hose indiscriminately.
“Ah!”
Mrs. Huang, who was supervising me, suddenly shrieked.
I’d sprayed her.
She glared.
The hose landed on the floor.
“I don’t know how to clean this. Do it yourself.”
“Faster that way,” she said readily enough. “But I’ll report exactly what happened.”
Let her.
What could Ji Feiyang dare do to me? I hadn’t even settled the score over making me clean toilets.
“Tang Yijun.”
His voice came from behind me like the devil himself.
“Weren’t you told to clean the bathroom? What are you doing out here?”
First he put me on toilet duty, then he had the nerve to raise his voice?
“What I want to know,” I demanded through gritted teeth, “is why you made me clean toilets.”
One eyebrow rose.
“Are you the boss, or am I?”
“So what if you’re the boss? If you told me to jump off the building, would I have to? Besides, all I did was borrow some money.”
Money. That reminded me—I still hadn’t paid Supervisor Cai.
“Owing you money doesn’t mean I have to work for you. And even if I do, it doesn’t mean I have to do whatever you say.”
Stepping right up to him, I made every word clear.
“I have every right to decide what I will and won’t do.”
“Then forget it. I have no obligation to provide your food and accommodation either.”
Starve me again? Throw me out?
If I disappeared or something happened to me, how would he explain that to my family?
With newfound boldness, I stepped closer.
“You want me out? Go ahead.”
A rueful smile crossed his face.
“Then please see yourself out, Miss Tang. Let’s spare ourselves an unpleasant scene.”
Fine.
Head high, I marched grandly out of the hotel under his gaze.
A little way down the street, I stole a glance behind me.
Nobody.
He’d come and bring me back eventually. Surely pride was the only reason he hadn’t followed yet.
What excuse would he use to ask me back?
Sooner or later, he’d come.
I found somewhere to sit. Best not to go too far, or he might not find me.
The sun went down. Passersby grew scarce. City lights brightened the night, and the air grew colder.
Still no Ji Feiyang.
Was he waiting for me to go back on my own?
Absolutely not. I wasn’t surrendering first.
All I had to do was hold out. He would come looking for me. I was certain of it.
Then the phone rang.
Ji Feiyang.
A victorious smile spread across my face. After clearing my throat, I answered as casually as possible.
“Hello?”
“Where are you, Tang Yijun?”
He sounded perfectly unconcerned.
“None of your business!”
“You think I want it to be my business? Come back. I need to talk to you.”
“What about? Can’t you say it over the phone?”
That complaint was purely for show. It was dark and cold, and I wanted nothing more than to hurry back.
“Just come back. You’ll find out when you get here. Dinner’s on me tonight.”
What was he up to? Suddenly being nice again.
“All right.”
With a show of reluctance, I hung up and headed briskly back.
Good thing I hadn’t gone far.