Since When Was That Normal

[I SEE YOU~]

Her phone dropped as her head whipped to the city skyline behind her, the hairs on the length of her arm rising on alert as her eyes frantically scanned the surrounding buildings. 

It wasn't being watched that had elicited this response from her.

It was the fact that she hadn't noticed it. 

At that moment, the doors opened, calling on Liling's attention and revealing a smiley Zhao Mei skipping into her office.

"Hi Xu Liling", she said giving a small wave, her usual smiley personality plastered onto her small face. 

Lilling's brows knitted in annoyance, her mood souring in an instant. What did she want this time? And why couldn't she have a normal day at work?

"You look so confused? I'm just here to say hi" She said as she let out a little giggle at the end.

Liling remained silent, not interested in the slightest about what was happening. She knew that wasn't her true intention, there was a bigger motive. But to be honest, she couldn't be bothered to start analysing that, all she wanted right then was to leave, get home and indulge in a long hot bath. 

"Sorry. I get so excited sometimes"

Liling's face remained stoic, but her brows lifted at her words. Not in intrigue, but rather in a way that said— "and so".

"I can see why everyone likes you so much now. You're so pretty"

Immediately, Liling understood what was happening. She rolled her eyes not bothering to hide her irritation. So this was what she was here for. 

"It's just a pity looks alone can't keep people afloat in our part of society. So if you ever need..."

Liling silenced Zhao Mei's next words by placing her index finger to her lips—a clear signal for her to stop talking. Zhao Mei frowned immediately, having been cut short and all her previous 'excitement' dissipated into thin air.

"Are you almost done? You're taking up my time with the unoriginal rubbish you're spouting" Liling's expression was still placid but her tone carried venom. She was fed up with these types of situations.

Where did Zhao Mei think this was? Some movie where she could intimidate her with some words? 'Please', she scoffed inwardly, the least she could do was be more original and not replicate a K-drama movie scene to her.

Zhao Mei's nose wrinkled in disgust and Liling watched the hatred gradually seep into her eyes. Her voice lost all its former joy and was much lower as she spoke "Has anyone ever told you how annoying you are"

A smile spread over Liling's face. Finally, the stupid facade was off.

With a light chuckle and smirk, Liling leaned over a little, taking advantage of her height and towered above Zhao Mei as she responded, "No, but I'm pretty sure you'll be more than happy to tell me"

She got a glare in response.

Well then, this conversation is over and the door is that way", she said straightening out and pointing cooly, "you can try your luck intimidating me another time. See you~" She replicated Shen Ru's little wave from earlier and smiled sweetly. 

Zhao Mei turned around after another long glare then wordlessly stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her, her plan having not gone the way she had wanted it to. 

"You know I can tell you're there right?", Lilng called out as she returned to finishing her packing up for the day.

 Li Hao comically opened the door and peeked through before he nosily walked inside.

"How much of that did you hear", she asked not bothering to look up.

"Just enough to learn how intimidating the great Xu Liling is", he said jokingly leaning on her desk and handing the rest of her things to her. 

Now it was Liling's turn to glare.

She put on her coat and hoisted her bag on her shoulder, manoeuvring away from his grabby hands as he tried to take her bag.

With that, they both made their way out of the office and to the car park—amidst curious looks here and there— and went back home for the day. 

*********************************

The week passed by faster than it had come. Leaving Liling to deal with lots of paperwork for different events including the fashion display, and the company's annual Christmas banquet. All this paired with the fact that she and Shen Ru were still not on talking terms had made her feel overwhelmed, but she had pushed on and worked hard nevertheless. 

It was now Friday evening, and she and Li Hao were sitting in his study, him at his desk, and she on the grey upholstered chaise lounge in the corner. The frequent sound of the keyboard tapping was the only thing filling the usual silence between them as they concentrated on their respective work.

They had fallen into a routine that week. They would arrive and leave work together, have dinner with little Bun, put him to sleep and then finish anything that needed to be finished in his study. Despite the fact she would never admit it, she enjoyed the sense of normalcy the simple routine had brought into her life. She could feel a small sense of camaraderie for Li Hao, which once again she would never admit, but it was true and somewhat fulfilling.

She had finished typing out her report and placed her laptop on the coffee table as she massaged her sore neck with one hand. Her movements stopped as her eyes caught onto the brown envelope Li Hao had placed on the table for her earlier.

She opened it and scanned through the words, her expressions changing with every line. 

"Wait a minute. The police?" She stopped reading as she turned to look at him.

The alarm in her eyes couldn't be missed. "Why are the police involved? You run a crime syndicate, right?" She placed more emphasis on the word crime, making sure he understood her message.

Her reaction elicited a small chuckle from him.

She reduced her eyes to slits as she stared suspiciously at him. "A criminal organisation working for the police. Since when was that normal?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Hello, author here

I'm finally back. I apologise for not being able to post for 2 weeks. Thanks for your patience. I will try my best to continue with my previous schedule. 

Thanks and keep enjoying,

Bye~