Chapter 52: Still So Childish at Your Age

When Pony returned to Yu Chengmin’s office, Si Nan was nowhere to be seen. Both Yu Chengmin’s and Zhou Dongyun’s computers were soaking in the fish tank, while she herself was working on an employee’s computer.

Pony was at a loss for words at her wild and ruthless behavior. Zhou Dongyun was actually quite adorable—why would Yu Chengmin bully her like this? Throwing the computer of someone who came to help into the fish tank for a bath?

He was certain of Zhou Dongyun’s principles and character—she would never have tried to steal or spy on Yu Chengmin’s data.

Yu Chengmin glanced up at Pony, her expression odd, but she said nothing and bent her head back to her documents.

From then on, every few minutes while working, this imposing woman would look up to check on how the brick-moving janitor was doing. Not bad—he had his own way of working. Though not particularly strong or quick, he was nonetheless efficient, and his attitude was decent. With every pass through the office, he became more and more pleasing to the eye.

Yet Yu Chengmin never said a word.

Soon, Zhou Dongyun came in. She was dumbfounded to see her computer lying in the fish tank, her adorable face marred with black lines as she pointed at the tank, “Who did this?”

Yu Chengmin and Pony exchanged glances.

“Who did this?” Zhou Dongyun asked again, a little aggrieved, on the verge of tears.

Yu Chengmin pointed at Pony. “My assistant was so considerate of me that he took it upon himself to ensure the company’s trade secrets were safe. Going a bit overboard, he tossed your computer into the fish tank.”

Pony’s vision went dark as he pointed at himself. “Me?”

“You see, he admits it and knows he was wrong,” Yu Chengmin replied with the poise of a businesswoman, rising and looking apologetically at Zhou Dongyun.

Damn!

This expletive flashed through both Pony’s and Zhou Dongyun’s minds as the two hackers glared at each other like fighting cocks.

Yu Chengmin took Zhou Dongyun’s hand and said softly, “I’m sorry you had to endure this, Ms. Zhou. You came all the way here to help, only to be misunderstood by my staff. I must take some responsibility. I sensed something was amiss but didn’t stop him in time. In a way, my assistant’s actions reflect my own subconscious, so I can’t escape responsibility. Your work computer can’t have been cheap; I’ll cover the cost. And on behalf of my assistant, please accept my sincere apology.”

Pony was appalled—this woman could lie through her teeth without the slightest blush.

The slightly adorable Zhou Dongyun believed her and said nothing more. This wasn’t the first time she’d seen this devil’s worst side, and for a small matter like this, there was no need to dwell. Besides, Yu Chengmin’s attitude really swayed her—she seemed rational and graceful—so Zhou Dongyun nodded slightly, “You’re too kind, President Yu. It’s just a small thing, no need to make much of it.”

“Once again, my sincere apologies, and thank you for your help,” Yu Chengmin said.

Zhou Dongyun looked at Pony but spoke to Yu Chengmin. “I wouldn’t say I was helping. First, I didn’t do anything useful. Second, I came here out of curiosity, not to assist. No need to thank me. Just send me a replacement computer and we’ll call it even. But President Yu, there’s something odd about your computers. You seem to be surrounded by all manner of strange and dangerous people—not exactly a good thing.”

With this veiled remark, Zhou Dongyun turned and left quickly.

Yu Chengmin, shrewd as ever, considered Pony’s earlier actions together with Zhou Dongyun’s words, then said nothing more and returned to her work.

Pony, carefree as ever, resumed his brick-moving.

At some point, Yu Chengmin seemed to finish her work. She glanced at her watch—it was nearly time to leave. After copying documents to an encrypted drive, she got up and tossed the employee’s computer into the fish tank as well.

Pony had no idea what she was up to.

But Yu Chengmin didn’t leave right away. She picked up her teacup, circled the desk, and sat in a guest chair, beckoning, “Put down your work—it’s time to clock out. Come, let’s talk.”

Pony eyed her warily. “You’re not going to ask me to massage your shoulders, are you?”

Yu Chengmin arched a brow. “With your skills? I can afford a professional masseuse. You’re overthinking it. Come here, what are you waiting for?”

“Oh.” Pony sat down beside her.

Yu Chengmin gazed out at the scene beyond the glass wall for a moment, then said coolly, “Ni Feihong told me long ago that you were just here to show off. And I have to agree—it’s pretty much true.”

Pony chose not to argue.

Yu Chengmin seemed pressed for time, checking her watch again, but she remained unhurried as she spoke. “Fine. I think what you did in my office today was quite a success.”

Pony continued to be speechless at himself.

Yu Chengmin suddenly said, “I can’t deny you played your part well—at least enough to convince me you’re someone I can put to good use.”

She grew more forceful. “But this raises two questions. One: it’s clear you may have an issue with me, and wanted to show off in front of a beautiful boss. So you hacked my computer, created a problem, and then fixed it—just to prove your worth. That kind of techie bravado, I get it. If that’s the case, you did it perfectly—showed off and proved your value to me.”

Pony rolled his eyes and kept listening.

Yu Chengmin went on, “The second possibility is that you didn’t hack my computer, but when you saw the opportunity, you quietly fixed it for me. That’s fine too. The only problem is it means someone shady and very skilled has their eyes on me—which is troublesome, and makes your value even greater. Because logically, I’d be more inclined to keep you close and rely on you.”

She paused, then said, “So, simply put: which type are you?”

Pony deliberately tested her. “Why didn’t you consider a third option—that I was sent here on purpose to mess with you?”

Yu Chengmin shook her head. “That’s almost impossible. If that were the case, you’d have to be crazy to show up right under my nose. You’d be hiding in the shadows where no one could find you. That kind of behavior would get you killed in no time, wouldn’t it?”

“Well, you make a good point,” Pony muttered.

“Answer simply, or you’ll be in trouble. You have no idea what kind of power you’re getting involved with,” Yu Chengmin said, her tone carrying a faint threat.

Pony thought it over. Zhou Dongyun already assumed he’d hacked Yu Chengmin’s computer first. And as Yu Chengmin said, if a third party had hacked her, she might overreact and cause all kinds of chaos. When someone powerful becomes a frightened bird, things get complicated.

He was sure the mysterious hacker’s targeting of Yu Chengmin was just to test Pony, not to go after her data. With skills of that level, there were far more explosive secrets in the world than Yu Chengmin’s to pursue.

So Pony admitted, “Fine, I took it a bit far. I’m the first type—I wanted to show off, so I hacked your computer, then fixed it, just to demonstrate my usefulness to you. Of course, dragging Zhou Dongyun into it wasn’t my intention.”

Yu Chengmin stared at him for a long moment. “Are you sure? Think carefully before you answer. If I find out later that wasn’t the case, you’ll be in serious trouble.”

Pony nodded decisively.

Only then did Yu Chengmin point at his nose. “This sort of thing? I’ve seen it plenty of times since elementary school. Back then, a bunch of boys would circle around me, find some scapegoat to bump into me and start a fight, then another would play the hero. But those were kids—you, a grown nerd, are still this childish?”

Pony, ever unfazed, waited for her to continue.