Chapter 19: Protection

◎ Overprotectiveness to the extreme.

Cen Mo’s current mood was much like that of a student who had skipped class to get into a fight—expecting to be scolded upon returning honestly, only to be inexplicably praised instead.

All the pent-up apologies she had prepared suddenly felt useless, leaving her with a faint sense of disappointment. She pressed her fingers against her brow, sometimes baffled by her own thought processes.

Do most men possess a strange sense of possessiveness over everything around them? As if everything belongs to them, including close friends or subordinates—anything connected to them is automatically considered theirs.

This was the conclusion Cen Mo arrived at after pondering for three whole minutes following Su Xingzhi’s declaration: “You are mine.”

Yet, his words weren’t entirely wrong. From the perspective of a superior-subordinate relationship, she truly did fall under his jurisdiction.

If you mentioned her, everyone would probably prefix it with “Secretary to President Su,” right? In every sense, she was “attached” to Su Xingzhi, which enabled her to carry out various tasks.

With this in mind, Cen Mo felt relieved and chose not to dwell further.

As usual, it was the weekly meeting. After Cen Mo entered, she stood behind Su Xingzhi, lowering her head to hand him documents while quickly summarizing the attire characteristics of the senior executives present that day.

The man nodded slightly, signaling he had noted it.

Soon the meeting officially began. Each department reported on their weekly project progress, and Su Xingzhi offered individual comments. The atmosphere was fairly good—considerably more normal than the last time.

It seemed Su Xingzhi’s previous show of authority had its effect. Under his intimidation, most people restrained themselves, unwilling to reveal any ill intentions.

However, just as the meeting was about to conclude, someone suddenly launched an attack—this time directed at Cen Mo.

“President Su, just now there was a violent incident in the company. An employee assaulted a colleague in the break room. Are you aware of this?”

Su Xingzhi crossed his long legs leisurely and leaned back, his tone devoid of any emotion: “I am.”

“Are you also aware that the assailant is your secretary standing right behind you?” the executive pressed further.

This time, Su Xingzhi didn’t even bother to respond, merely casting a cold glance in his direction.

Another senior executive stood up: “According to company policy, such behavior warrants severe punishment! Given Secretary Cen’s serious misconduct, I recommend immediate dismissal!”

He spoke with fervor, veins pulsing on his forehead, his tone impassioned.

Cen Mo stood behind them, feeling all eyes suddenly turn to her. For a moment, she basked in unexpected attention, like a star on stage.

Though the man’s words were exaggerated and deliberately twisted, this was not the time to speak. Arguing would only deepen misunderstandings, and the setting was inappropriate.

In her current position, she lacked the authority to speak at such an important meeting.

Though a newcomer, Cen Mo understood these rules well and maintained a flawless demeanor, not even altering her expression.

But this situation couldn’t continue. The relentless gazes made her uneasy, so she forced a professional smile and returned polite looks one by one.

Several executives who had dealt with Cen Mo found the smile slightly grating and discreetly averted their eyes.

Su Xingzhi loosened his tie and rotated the ring on his finger before suddenly asking, “Does anyone remember the suicide case that occurred at Yachuang’s headquarters on its tenth anniversary?”

The executives exchanged glances, silent.

Yachuang had been established for over twenty years. Such a large company witnessed countless incidents yearly; who would recall a single suicide case?

“No one remembers? Secretary Cen, you tell us.”

Suddenly addressed, Cen Mo was unprepared but, fortunately, never lost focus. After a moment’s thought, she replied, “There was indeed such an incident. The deceased was a newly hired female employee surnamed Wu, who jumped from the rooftop. She left a suicide note stating that she took her life because colleagues suspected her of having an affair with a superior, leading to insults and exclusion. The case had significant repercussions, even making the news, causing Yachuang’s stock to fall for a while.”

She remembered because the materials Su Xingzhi had provided mentioned it, and she had an excellent memory, quickly retrieving the details.

The executives looked at each other in disbelief that such a new secretary was so well-informed about company affairs.

“Good,” Su Xingzhi nodded, then his gaze grew stern again. “Spreading rumors and verbal abuse have long been problems among Yachuang employees. To prevent a tragedy like the previous case, I believe resisting such behavior is justified and that incidents should be reported promptly to ensure offenders are punished.”

“So, President Su, you believe your secretary was verbally insulted, which led to her assaulting someone?” the same executive challenged.

Su Xingzhi’s impatience was palpable: “The HR department will investigate. Wait for the results.”

He then abruptly dismissed the meeting, rose, and strode out of the room.

The executives murmured among themselves, doubtful. Was the president really defending his secretary by citing that example? Judging by his demeanor, his protectiveness was indeed extreme.

Cen Mo thought her boss was incredibly kind. She was willing to make him exquisite boxed lunches every day, complete with cartoon-shaped rice balls.

His strides were long, and he looked displeased. She quickened her pace behind him, her high heels clicking sharply.

She couldn’t help but feel touched. Once in the elevator, after selecting a floor, she straightened up and spoke solemnly, “President Su, thank you. I will work twice as hard from now on.”

The young secretary’s tone was sincere.

Su Xingzhi glanced at her, then couldn’t resist raising two long fingers to gently press down the stubborn tuft of hair sticking up from her head.

Though the surrounding strands were soft, that small patch stood defiantly upright no matter how much he pressed, springing back resiliently.

Noticing his cold expression and persistent fingers at her head, Cen Mo feared he might eventually lose patience and pull the tuft out by the roots.

Her mouth opened slightly, and she murmured, “President Su, I’ll just wet it with water when I get back. No need to trouble you.”

She had intended to say more words of thanks, but the moment’s atmosphere had vanished.

…

On Saturday, Cen Mo went out with Huang Zhi for a gathering.

Since becoming friends, they often ate out together whenever free. Most of the time, Cen Mo sat quietly eating while Huang Zhi chattered endlessly.

The girl seemed perpetually cheerful, as if she never knew sorrow. Her topics were endless, mostly about celebrity gossip, which Cen Mo found uninteresting.

Yet she was a faithful listener, often finding Huang Zhi’s excited expressions amusing.

In life, it’s good to have an exuberant friend—to liven up a dull personality.

After spending more time with Huang Zhi, Cen Mo noticed her own tone becoming softer, even a little playful.

After finishing a hefty order at a barbecue restaurant last time, they were both stuffed. Huang Zhi suggested, “Want to see my new place? The renovation looks great, and the smell has mostly faded. I’m moving in soon.”

“Sure,” Cen Mo agreed, having nothing else to do.

They walked over half an hour, browsing street shops and chatting, feeling no fatigue.

Arriving, Cen Mo realized she had been to this neighborhood before—when she accompanied Su Xingzhi to see his sister Su Miao, the short-haired girl who also lived here.

The greenery was well maintained. No doubt the property prices were high. Cen Mo followed Huang Zhi inside, where they discussed furniture arrangements before stepping back out.

Huang Zhi had to tutor Xu Lang afterward, so it was on her way.

At the neighborhood entrance, they saw a commotion. Several people were arguing, including a tall, short-haired girl who looked very familiar—it was Su Miao.

Cen Mo had just thought of her and now unexpectedly encountered her. It felt like fate, so they stopped to watch.

Su Miao was dressed in tracksuits, likely just back from exercise. Her face was bare, the hairstyle lending her a bold aura.

She stood with one hand on her hip, pointing a finger at a long-haired woman in pajamas, scolding fiercely: “Walking your dog off-leash is like the dog walking you, you know? Such poor manners! This neighborhood has people of all ages—children and elderly. Aren’t you afraid your dog will get lost or that others will be scared of it? Show some decency!”

She seemed a righteous defender, earning applause from onlookers.

The pajama-clad woman retorted fiercely: “It’s my own dog. Why do you care? Mind your own business. Look at that androgynous look of yours—disgusting! Open your eyes, it’s a small dog. Small dogs don’t bite!”

Cen Mo glanced toward the woman’s feet and saw a brown poodle running around unleashed, baring its teeth and growling softly at the crowd.

Judging by its behavior, it wasn’t just capable of biting—if it were bigger, it might even be dangerous.

So the quarrel was over walking a dog without a leash? After hearing a few words, Cen Mo was sure Su Miao’s sharp tongue wouldn’t lose.

Just as she was about to leave, a burly middle-aged man approached, his face rugged and fierce.

He blocked the pajama woman, growling, “Who’s bullying my wife? I’ll finish her off!”

Clearly directed at Su Miao, the short-haired girl, despite her fierce look, stepped back two paces, intimidated.

The man pressed forward relentlessly: “I’m talking to you—was it you?”

Sensing trouble, Cen Mo exchanged a glance with Huang Zhi, raised her phone in one hand, and approached the man.

She said firmly, “I’m calling the police. Does your dog have a license? Without it, the dog will be taken away.”