Song Foxiang asked Zou Weijun to critique his poem, but she was bewildered.
“Sorry, I haven’t seen any poem.”
“Xiao Zou, don’t play coy. I had it put in your bag—how could you not see it?”
It was a holiday, and the office was nearly empty except for Zou Weijun and two female editors. Hearing Song Foxiang’s words and seeing his behaviour, they instantly understood—he was pursuing Zou Weijun. They wondered how she’d react. Zou Weijun had been at the job for months, friendly in the office but private outside it. No one knew her background.
She’d mentioned having a son but never a husband.
Song Foxiang, the magazine’s chief editor at the same publishing group, was refined and well-known to be long-divorced.
Appearance-wise, they seemed a decent match.
Zou Weijun had the edge in looks, but that was normal—talented man, beautiful woman!
Career-wise, Song Foxiang was far ahead, a mid-to-high-level figure in the group. Though Zou Weijun had planned the hit science book *Shh, Little Secret*, she was still a newcomer. Song Foxiang was more than a match for her.
Perhaps Zou Weijun’s advantage was her family background?
Despite her efforts to stay low-key, her clothing betrayed her. Female colleagues, sensitive to such details, noticed her consumption level through a trench coat, a bag, even a pair of shoes.
Her family clearly wasn’t short of money.
Would Zou Weijun accept Song Foxiang’s pursuit?
The two female editors pricked up their ears.
Zou Weijun’s shock turned to quiet anger.
“What did you say? You had someone put a poem in my bag? You touched my bag?!”
Uh-oh—
This wasn’t the reaction Song Foxiang expected.
He was a bit embarrassed, “Xiao Zou, I couldn’t help myself. I meant no disrespect.”
Couldn’t help himself!
What nonsense.
Zou Weijun felt no joy, only offence.
Her bag was usually left in a cabinet under her desk. The office was busy, and no one locked their cabinets—Zou Weijun followed suit. In a publishing group with low staff turnover, colleagues often worked together for decades; there was no need to treat them like thieves.
But everyone was an adult, valuing privacy. Whoever placed the poem—did they only slip it in, or did they rummage through her personal items?
Zou Weijun was furious, “Editor Song, apologise immediately and promise never to do this again, and I’ll pretend it didn’t happen!”
Zou Weijun seemed gentle, but her temper was fierce!
Song Foxiang wasn’t fazed.
Having dated many women, he knew their tempers varied. Zou Weijun’s fire only added a contrasting charm in his eyes.
“Xiao Zou, don’t get so worked up. Listen to me…”
“Are you apologising?”
Zou Weijun held firm.
Song Foxiang grinned, “A gentleman pursues a fair lady—where’s my fault? But if you think I’m wrong, Xiao Zou, I won’t argue.”
His cheeky attitude lacked sincerity.
Zou Weijun saw no charm in him. His behaviour reminded her of Zhao Dong, and Zhao Dong led her to Zhao Qian.
If this group shared such self-absorbed, presumptuous traits, Xie Qian had suffered greatly!
Not wanting to tangle with Song Foxiang, Zou Weijun grabbed her bag and stormed out of the office.
Song Foxiang meant to follow but stopped, turning to the two gawking female editors with a nod, “Please look after Xiao Zou. She’s new, so be patient with her. I’ll treat you both to dinner sometime.”
The editors nodded, dazed.
Song Foxiang’s casual attitude showed his confidence in pursuing Zou Weijun, already acting like her boyfriend, planning to treat her colleagues.
So, were they flirting?
The editors smiled.
Song Foxiang waited in the office for a while, but Zou Weijun didn’t return.
Where had she gone?
After an hour with no sign of her, he left, dejected.
At noon, after dropping his daughter Song Chan at a tutoring class, Song Foxiang got a call from the publishing department’s leader, summoning him urgently.
Zou Weijun had reported him!
“Comrade Song Foxiang, what were you thinking? Xiao Zou says you harassed her. She’s married. And she wants you to name your ‘accomplice’—who helped you put the poem in her bag? You violated her privacy, you know that?”
Married?
Married, yet never mentioned a husband.
Married, yet didn’t wear a wedding ring?
Wasn’t that misleading?
Song Foxiang argued these points, leaving the leader speechless.
Zou Weijun was intense, but Song Foxiang was in the wrong.
What did it matter if she wore a ring?
He pursued her publicly without confirming her marital status. If Zou Weijun’s resolve wavered, gossip would spread through the group, threatening her family harmony.
A divorced man and a married woman.
A man and a woman.
If they got entangled, Zou Weijun’s reputation would suffer most, no wonder her reaction was so strong.
When reporting, Zou Weijun said if the leader didn’t handle it, she’d escalate the issue, accusing the leader of tolerating workplace harassment!
The leader couldn’t gauge Zou Weijun’s background.
She wasn’t coasting at work—she was diligent.
Though the leader wanted to assign *Shh, Little Secret* to a trusted ally and had some issues with Zou Weijun, this was an internal work dispute. Song Foxiang wasn’t even from the publishing department. As her superior, the leader had to back her up!
Song Foxiang hadn’t expected this outcome.
Having dated so many women, he’d hit a wall for the first time.
Being accused of harassment by Zou Weijun was humiliating, tarnishing Editor Song’s image.
To prevent escalation, the leader demanded Song Foxiang apologise, promise not to pursue Zou Weijun further, and avoid troubling her.
The accomplice? None other than Song Foxiang’s friend, Editor Wan, who was also summoned, arriving shortly after.
Editor Wan was scolded by the leader and docked a bonus as punishment.
The leader was exasperated, “If you’re so free, do more work. Stop playing matchmaker, and stay away from female colleagues’ bags!”
Both agreed to apologise, and the leader brought Zou Weijun from the next office, where she’d been waiting.
Zou Weijun’s expression was cold, exuding an untouchable air.
She had a noble aura, hard to pinpoint, silent yet commanding respect.
Song Foxiang was momentarily entranced.
Editor Wan nudged his foot, snapping him back, “Xiao Zou, it was all a misunderstanding… I’m sorry. I’ll watch my behaviour and won’t trouble Comrade Xiao Zou again.”
