Chapter 60: Entry Denied

Su Nuo paused for a moment, weighing whether to anger Mo Xiaoxue or Duan Yubai.

In the end, she gritted her teeth and followed.

Duan Yubai's anger was much more terrifying.

Nearby, other colleagues watched the group with gossip in their eyes. Su Nuo did not even dare to raise her head as she rushed straight into the elevator.

Once inside, only the breathing of the three people could be heard.

Su Nuo stared intently at the tips of her shoes, trying her best to breathe lightly, terrified of annoying anyone.

Yet, Duan Yubai was still annoyed.

Through the reflection in the elevator mirror, he caught a glimpse of Su Nuo out of the corner of his eye.

Timid, humble, cowardly, even holding back her breath.

He acutely noticed that Su Nuo had stopped wearing perfume.

In the past, she was most fond of a light perfume with an unknown floral scent.

Every time Duan Yubai smelled that fragrance, he would feel exceptionally comforted.

Yet now, Su Nuo no longer wore perfume, and that scent could only be caught when standing extremely close.

And yet she would not let him get close...

Duan Yubai clicked his tongue, causing Su Nuo to instantly stiffen, her muscles visibly taut.

"What are you afraid of?"

Duan Yubai's voice rang out from above her. Subconsciously, Su Nuo wanted to back away, only to bump straight into the elevator wall.

With nowhere left to retreat, she had no idea how to respond.

"President Duan, President Wen just texted to ask if you're free tonight."

Mo Xiaoxue's voice diverted Duan Yubai's attention.

The two of them resumed talking about work matters.

Not long after, the elevator reached its destination, and only then did Su Nuo let out a breath of relief.

However, just as she was about to step out of the elevator, Mo Xiaoxue blocked her path again.

"Su Nuo, go down to the cafeteria and get some food for President Duan. He didn't eat much this morning, and I'm afraid his stomach will hurt later."

Su Nuo nodded dumbly, reaching out to press the elevator button to go back down.

Mo Xiaoxue, however, let out a cold sneer.

Su Nuo raised her head and saw Mo Xiaoxue glance sideways.

Leaning in close to Su Nuo, Mo Xiaoxue lowered her voice and said, "Is an elevator like this even meant for the likes of you?"

Hearing this, Su Nuo scrambled out in a hurry and sprinted toward the employee elevator on the other side.

She knew for a fact that Mo Xiaoxue would definitely be angry.

Yet the employee elevator was agonizingly slow; a full five minutes passed before Su Nuo finally rode it down to the employee cafeteria on the basement level.

Upon arriving at the cafeteria, however, her feet felt rooted to the spot.

This was not her first time in the company cafeteria, but it was her first time buying food on her own.

Although the food in the cafeteria was free, swiping an employee ID card was mandatory.

The staff member stopped her at the entrance and looked at her apologetically.

"Ms. Su, swiping a card is still required here. Where is your ID badge?"

"I'm sorry, I don't have an employee badge yet," Su Nuo said nervously. "President Duan wants some breakfast, and I came down to pick it up for him. Do you think..."

Seeing her so humble and submissive, the staff member was taken aback.

He had merely stopped her according to the rules. In truth, if Su Nuo insisted on going in, no one would have said anything.

With a smile, he cleared the path. "If President Duan wants breakfast, then please..."

"Master Wang, since when have we abandoned the rules like this?"

Sun Xiaoxiao swiped her card and walked in, casting a look of utter disdain at Su Nuo.

"She's just an intern. Is she even allowed to enter the company cafeteria? If outsiders can just eat here like this, won't the company suffer losses?"

"I'm here to pick up breakfast for President Duan," Su Nuo explained softly.

Sun Xiaoxiao scoffed. "You're not even from the President's Office, what makes you think you're the one? In my opinion, you just want to take more than your share."

Beside her, Huang Huan tugged at her sleeve.

"What couldn't Ms. Su possibly afford to eat? Would she need to take advantage of our perks?"

"I suppose she might just want to experience how the common folk live? But why didn't President Duan give you a card? That goes against the rules, doesn't it?"

Standing clustered at the entrance, the group had already drawn the gazes of quite a few people.

The others looked at Su Nuo in confusion as well.

Given her status, did she really need to swipe a card to eat?

"President Duan hates you so much, he hasn't eaten a single meal you've delivered. How could he possibly eat anything brought up by your hands?"

Sun Xiaoxiao sneered disdainfully. "I bet this is just another one of someone's cheap little acts."

She had previously harbored some fear toward Su Nuo, but Mo Xiaoxue had already told her that this adopted daughter might soon be kicked to the curb. What was there left to fear?

Once cast out, the adopted daughter of a wealthy household wouldn't even compare to ordinary girls like them.

The mere thought that Su Nuo would no longer be a member of the Duan family filled Sun Xiaoxiao with a sense of lofty superiority.

"Alright, Su Nuo, there's no need to put on a pitiful act. Don't make things difficult for Master Wang; go back up and get a card yourself."

Checking the time, she added, "Breakfast service ends in ten minutes. You'd better hurry."

With that, she and Huang Huan walked straight inside.

Su Nuo grew anxious, but Master Wang at the entrance merely shook his head.

"Ms. Su, it's not that I won't let you in, but with so many people watching, it really isn't appropriate."

He, too, knew that Duan Yubai didn't care much for Su Nuo; perhaps he was deliberately trying to torment her by sending her down here on purpose.

Seeing this, the corners of Sun Xiaoxiao's mouth twitched upward, barely able to suppress her glee.

She even raised her voice to shout, "Master Wang, if you let just anyone in, I will report you!"

"Ms. Su, please don't make things difficult for me." Master Wang wore a troubled expression.

Su Nuo licked her lips. "Then... then can I just pay for it with cash?"

"Our cafeteria doesn't sell to outsiders, as you well know."

"Then, then..."

Su Nuo could not think of a solution.

Huang Huan had already walked out carrying a cup of coffee and a sandwich.

Reminding her, Huang Huan said, "Why don't you call President Duan? He probably hasn't started his meeting yet. Wouldn't it work if you just had him tell Master Wang?"

The others nearby also slowed their pace, seemingly waiting for Su Nuo to make the call.

In truth, everyone was somewhat curious about Su Nuo's arrival at the company.

Especially yesterday, when many people speculated whether Su Nuo had attached herself to President Wang or President Duan.

Or perhaps her status as an adopted daughter could no longer sustain her survival in the Duan family, forcing her to look for an escape route?

Su Nuo pressed her lips tightly together, not daring to make the call at all.

Duan Yubai would not answer her call right now.

And Mo Xiaoxue?

Mo Xiaoxue would likely only mock and ridicule her.

"Master Wang, President Duan is the one who sent her."

At the sound of Chi Ling's voice, Su Nuo felt the muscles throughout her entire body instantly relax.

She nodded repeatedly. "Yes, that's right."

Chi Ling swiped his card and led Su Nuo straight inside.

"Master Wang, President Duan is indeed the one who sent her here. If anyone reports this, President Duan will handle it."

His voice was cold, his face completely devoid of expression.

Sun Xiaoxiao stamped her foot in frustration and strode angrily out of the cafeteria.

She dared not question it further; everyone knew that Chi Ling was Duan Yubai's right-hand man.

He never grew close to anyone in the company. Since he said so, it must have been President Duan who sent Su Nuo down.

Su Nuo stood frozen in place, staring blankly at him.

It seemed that every time she fell into difficulty, Chi Ling was the one who bailed her out.

Looking at her savior, her eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

Chi Ling, meanwhile, had already swiftly picked up a tray and began packing the food.

"What are you daydreaming for? They're closing soon."