President Luo Gets Smart
Work is Hard—Zhao Min & Li Jing
“Aren’t you gross?” Lin Sifei frantically pulled out several wet wipes and stuffed them into Luo Ke’s hand.
“If I’m the gross one, why are you blushing?” Luo Ke said with a smile, staring at her as she wiped her thumb.
The phone on the table buzzed. It was Luo Ke’s.
Lin Sifei picked it up and handed it to her. “A WeChat1 message.”
It wouldn’t be about work on WeChat. Luo Ke’s hands were still greasy, so she gestured with her chin. “You read it for me.”
“Then I’ll read it to you.”
Lin Sifei knew her passcode and unlocked the phone, opening WeChat. “It’s from Bai Xingrui. She says—’WHEN ARE YOU GETTING MARRIED!'”
Lin Sifei’s voice shot up. She froze for a second, then it hit her. Yesterday, she had deliberately provoked Luo Ke’s relatives. No, wait, it was Luo Ke who first said they were getting married.
Her brain finally shifted from battling relatives to her and Luo Ke’s romantic career. “Did you or did you not say you wanted to marry me yesterday?!”
Luo Ke was taken aback and stammered a little. “I—I do have that as a long-term plan. If our relationship is stable, we’ll definitely get to that point eventually.”
Lin Sifei pressed her lips together, frowning at her. “You’re backing out!”
Luo Ke put down her chopsticks helplessly. “Do you want to get married right now?”
“Well, the words are out there, and it’s probably already spread.” Lin Sifei puffed out her cheeks, a little hesitant herself.
She really liked Luo Ke, but marriage wasn’t as simple as just being in love; it came with responsibility. She didn’t know if she could handle it. Besides, she didn’t think her feelings for Luo Ke had reached the ‘if it’s not her, I won’t marry’ kind of degree yet.
Luo Ke’s brow furrowed. She said, “In that case, let’s just get married first.”
“How can you be so casual about it?” Lin Sifei glared at her, dissatisfied.
Luo Ke gave a helpless laugh. So getting married was wrong, and not getting married was also wrong.
“Then what do you want?”
Lin Sifei waved her hand. “Let’s eat first. I’ll tell you tonight after I’ve thought it over.”
“I just feel like how we are now isn’t any different from being married. And if we really were to separate in the future, getting a divorce isn’t any different from breaking up.”
“You have a point there.” Lin Sifei blinked teasingly. “After all, I’m eating your food, drinking your drinks.”
She paused. “Is this any different from being kept2?”
Luo Ke became guarded, not falling into her trap. “I’ve never kept anyone, so how would I know?”
Lin Sifei laughed. “Pretty clever. If you’re hiding anything, you’d better tell me early. Otherwise, if I find out, you’re dead.”
“I conduct myself with the utmost integrity. If you hadn’t turned into a cat and seized the opportunity, do you think you’d be sitting here right now?”
Lin Sifei stuck her tongue out at her and picked up some food to continue eating.
Outwardly, she acted like she didn’t believe her, but Lin Sifei knew Luo Ke wasn’t lying. Luo Ke craved love and knew it was her weakness, so she closed herself off to any possibility of being loved.
“Maybe it really was heaven’s arrangement,” Lin Sifei said with a grin, her eyes crinkling.
It was a random statement. Luo Ke looked up in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“Nothing.”
After the meal, Lin Sifei saw Luo Ke off and returned to the film set.
Her afternoon scene was with Feng Xiao. Feng Xiao’s acting wasn’t bad, but the two had different interpretations of their characters, so they had to go to Director Chen to run their lines first.
“My whole life has been for you! Whether I’m dating, getting married, or having children, I always have to consider you first!”
Feng Xiao roared at her hysterically.
But Lin Sifei’s mind was wandering. If Luo Ke and I get married, we won’t have children. Luo Ke’s relatives can’t be trusted, so who would inherit our assets? Should we start looking for a nursing home now?
“LIN SIFEI!” A furious shout shattered her train of thought.
“HERE!” Lin Sifei shot to her feet, looking timidly at Director Chen.
Director Chen was so angry his hand holding the script was trembling. “We’re running lines right now! Where is your head?! If you can’t act…” He paused, realizing he couldn’t just kick this one off the set. “If you can’t act, go reflect on the side until you’re ready to shoot again!”
Lin Sifei bowed apologetically. “I’m so sorry, my mind wandered.”
“It’s not Feifei-jie’s3 fault. My acting was so bad that she must have felt it was a waste of time,” Feng Xiao said, looking aggrieved.
Lin Sifei’s mind was completely occupied with marrying Luo Ke; she was in no mood to play along with her white lotus green tea4 drama. She closed her script and looked directly at Director Chen.
“Director Chen, I really don’t think Feng Xiao’s performance is working. Her understanding of the character is completely off track. Xiao Xing’s feelings for her older sister aren’t just hatred, but more of love and responsibility. That’s why she knows she can’t abandon Xiao Yue, and that’s precisely what makes her despair—the despair of being trapped by Xiao Yue for her entire life. She’s resentful yet can’t bear to leave.”
Lin Sifei took a deep breath. “As the older sister, Xiao Yue realizes this, which is why she tries so hard to become independent. After being the treasured baby at home for over a decade, she finally understands that she’s a burden.”
Director Chen didn’t comment on her interpretation. Instead, he looked at Feng Xiao. “What do you think?”
“I don’t think Xiao Xing loves her sister.” Feng Xiao stared at Lin Sifei, deliberately contradicting her. “Xiao Xing was indoctrinated with a sense of responsibility for her sister from a young age. It’s a psychological shackle she can’t break free from, and that’s the source of her despair. This despair makes her hate Xiao Yue even more.”
That one word—love—made the film’s inner meaning differ by a hundred and eight thousand li5. In the end, Director Chen looked at Feng Xiao. “You should probably study the overall script more carefully.”
Feng Xiao’s eyes widened slightly before she immediately lowered her head and nodded humbly. “Okay, Director Chen. I’ll work harder.”
Director Chen waved his hand. “This isn’t a matter of effort; it’s about getting your perspective right. I know you’ve always been the lead in TV dramas, and it’s a big adjustment to play a supporting role. In this film, every character has their own hardships; they’re all struggling and persevering. If we go with your interpretation, the character of Xiao Yue completely loses her meaning, and even Song Qi will lose his brilliance. You need to consider the script and character development as a whole and explore the screenwriter’s original intent.”
“Thank you for your guidance, Director Chen,” Feng Xiao said with another bow.
“It’s fine, it’s fine.” Director Chen turned to Lin Sifei, tapping her with the script. “And you, get your head in the game. My films aren’t made casually. If you don’t focus, you’ll be acting until dawn for me.”
Lin Sifei couldn’t help but smile at him. If we really acted until dawn, I’d turn into a cat midway through. I wonder who would be the one screaming first.
With that thought, she still nodded obediently. “Okay, Director Chen.”
The afternoon shoot did not go smoothly at all. Feng Xiao probably despised Lin Sifei so much that she just couldn’t act out the love hidden beneath the breakdown, leading to constant NGs6.
Lin Sifei was exhausted. “Director Chen, let’s shoot someone else’s scene first. Let Feng Xiao think it over some more.”
She was completely drained. Director Chen could only wave his hand and dismiss them.
Getting stuck on the very first day. Lin Sifei lay in her van and took out her phone to vent to Luo Ke.
When complaining about Feng Xiao, she cunningly used the character name “Xiao Xing” instead, never mentioning Feng Xiao’s real name. She huffed. What if complaining too much makes Luo Ke remember the person’s name? I’m not that stupid.
【Luo Ke: Acting is so hard. Why don’t you just quit? Come to my company, I’ll arrange a job for you.】
【Lin Sifei: Then your fifty-million-dollar investment would be gone.】
【Luo Ke: I can always earn more. Your health is the most important thing.】
【Lin Sifei: It’s not that serious. Besides, I don’t know how to do anything. How could I work at your company?】
That gave Luo Ke pause. The company had always been very strict about hiring. Someone like Yan Yafei had only gotten in because Luo Shengping pulled some strings, and even she was a proper university graduate who had won scholarships.
It seemed there really wasn’t a department for Lin Sifei.
“President Luo, there’s a banquet to attend tonight at eight. Do you need me to order an evening gown for you now?” Zhao Min asked with a smile, standing by the door with a folder.
Luo Ke’s eyes lit up when she saw her. She lowered her head to type a message.
【You could be my special assistant. The main job would be to check my schedule. We’re always together, so you know my availability better than anyone.】
Lin Sifei couldn’t help but smile. This woman really thought of a place to slot me in.
【I think you’re harboring ill intentions. Want to play at an office romance? Little secretary, is it fun?】
“Cough, cough!” Luo Ke, who was just taking a sip of tea, choked when she saw the message.
【Where do you get these strange things?】
【Lin Sifei: Oh? But President Luo still gets it in a flash. Where did you learn about it, hmm?】
Luo Ke thought back seriously but honestly couldn’t remember where she’d heard of it. She covered her mouth and coughed twice, thinking about how to reply.
“President Luo, should I order the evening gown?” Zhao Min couldn’t help but interrupt, asking again.
Luo Ke looked up, this time realizing she was still there. “Order two. One for Feifei. I’ll write down her measurements for you in a bit.”
“Understood, President Luo.” Zhao Min bowed and left, rolling her eyes the moment she turned around. My God, my dog eyes are going blind7. And I get ignored on top of it all. A single dog8 has no human rights.
Luo Ke sent a message telling her about the banquet, conveniently ignoring the previous question.
Lin Sifei glanced at the schedule next to her. She didn’t have any scenes at 8 p.m.
【Should be fine, but the scene with Xiao Xing is indoors. If she keeps getting stuck, we might have to film into the night.】
【Luo Ke: Then will you have enough time as a human?】
Lin Sifei did the math. It really wasn’t enough time, at least not for the banquet.
【Luo Ke: In that case, let’s not go to the banquet. I’ll cancel and come home.】
A smile crept onto Lin Sifei’s lips, but she knew the banquet couldn’t be missed.
【It’s fine, you go. I’ll see how things are on my end. You can’t give up your normal social life. President Luo is a woman with her hand on the economic lifeline9!】
She sent a sticker over.
【Luo Ke: Making fun of me】
【Lin Sifei: Not at all.】
“Hello, are you Ms. Lin Sifei?”
Lin Sifei heard a voice and turned to see a tall woman with a high ponytail. Lin Sifei looked at her arms—they were so thick and strong, one punch and she’d be a goner.
She shrank back into the van warily. “Who are you?”
“I’m the bodyguard and assistant hired by President Luo. My name is Li Jing,” she said, taking out a business card.
Lin Sifei breathed a sigh of relief and took the card. “Hello. I was just messaging with Luo Ke.”
Li Jing nodded silently, took out her phone, and made a call. “President Luo, I have arrived.”
After saying this, she handed the phone to Lin Sifei with a smile. “Standard procedure. Confirming the target and the operative.”
“Oh.” Lin Sifei studied her carefully. This is pretty strict.
“Hello, Luo Ke,” she said, taking the phone.
Luo Ke: “Li Jing has arrived, right? She should be wearing all black, has a large build, a scar near the corner of her eye, and her left arm is a bit thicker than her right.”
Lin Sifei looked Li Jing over according to the description. It all matched. “Yep, that’s her.”
“Um,” Lin Sifei fiddled with the seat. “Did you tell her about my… situation?”
“I did. With her around, you can turn into a cat during your breaks.”
Lin Sifei pressed her lips together happily. “Then I’ll change now. With these bits and pieces of time, I might be able to go to the banquet with you tonight.”
Luo Ke’s soft laugh came from the other end of the phone. “Okay. Give the phone back to Li Jing. I have a few more things to tell her.”
Lin Sifei handed the phone back and watched Li Jing nod several times before hanging up.
“What did Luo Ke tell you?” Lin Sifei asked, leaning in curiously.
Li Jing glanced at her, her face impassive. “Confidentiality agreement. I can’t disclose it.”
“Oh.” Lin Sifei pouted. I’ll just ask Luo Ke later.
She looked at Li Jing and waved her hand. “You can close the door. I’m going to rest for a bit.”
Li Jing closed the van door and turned on the interior light. A poof sound came from behind her. Her body tensed instinctively, but when she turned, she only saw a cat struggling to climb out of a pile of clothes.
It pawed around for a while without finding a way out and started meowing anxiously, but Li Jing completely ignored it.
Lin Sifei’s glass heart10 was a little hurt. But thinking about Li Jing, her main job is probably a bodyguard, and she’s just temporarily acting as an assistant. It’s understandable that she isn’t skilled in this area.
She quickly forgave Li Jing and finally found her way out.
Lin Sifei lay on the clothes, pulled out her phone, and typed a message for Li Jing to see.
【If someone comes looking for me, tell them I was sleeping and will be right out.】
“Understood.” Li Jing handed the phone back and sat ramrod straight in her seat.
【You can play on your phone or something. It’s not dangerous here.】
Lin Sifei nudged the phone toward her, but Li Jing just shook her head. “Working hours.”
Lin Sifei could only flick her tail, lie back down, and chat with Luo Ke.
【This Li Jing is so hard to get along with. Her sentences are so short.】
【Luo Ke: It’s the nature of their work.】
Lin Sifei glanced at Li Jing, cupped her face with her paws, and couldn’t help but sigh. It really is a tough job.
Thinking that, everything else seemed like a minor issue.
Lin Sifei went back to chatting with Luo Ke. When the topic turned to the evening gowns for the banquet, she got excited again. She realized she had never seen Luo Ke in an evening gown; it was always strictly professional business attire that covered her up completely.
Though that had its own special appeal.
Lin Sifei couldn’t help but smack her lips and cover her mouth to giggle.
Hearing the strange cat-giggle next to her, Li Jing’s mouth twitched.
She shot a quick glance over before looking away again, sighing internally.
This new boss is so difficult. I have to look after a cat demon, but I’m not allowed to look too much, and no unnecessary contact. It’s so difficult, and so boring.
She stared at the light on the ceiling. I want to get off work.
The author has something to say:
President Luo: Her situation is special. When she turns back into a human, you are not allowed to look. Actually, just don’t look at her if you can help it. Avoid physical contact as much as possible. Unless there’s danger, it’s best not to touch her at all.
Li Jing: Fuck (a type of plant)11, how am I supposed to do my job like this? The difficulty just went up eightfold.
President Luo: I’ll pay you eight times the salary!
Li Jing: No problem, boss!
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