The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, and Lin Yuxi stepped out—only to come face to face with Mei Loufei.
Mei Loufei, the twenty-four-year-old heiress of the luxury mall, stood directly in her path as though she had every right to block it. She wasn't in uniform. Her casual designer outfit and lazy posture made it clear she hadn't come to work.
One hand rested on her hip. The other held her phone loosely, manicured nails tapping against the case in faint impatience.
She had shoulder-length blonde hair, warm brown eyes, and full lips that completed her pretty face. Her beauty was undeniable.
But her reputation overshadowed it.
Spoiled since birth, Mei Loufei had never learned to conceal her temper or her contempt. The mall—her father's pride—was nothing more than her personal playground.
A year ago, her father had forced her to work there in hopes of teaching her responsibility. She had agreed only after being promised a brand-new sports car.
Responsibility, however, never arrived.
She came late, often with oversized sunglasses still perched on her nose. She slept during shifts with her head resting on folded arms. She tried on clothes meant for customers, turning slowly in front of mirrors while employees stood waiting.
Occasionally, she brought her friends to shop—laughing loudly, selecting armfuls of items.
The register rarely rang.
And whenever her friends came?
"Yuxi," she would call across the store without even looking at her. "Come here. Carry these."
Always Lin Yuxi.
Always said with a sweetness that didn't reach her eyes.
Because Mei Loufei hated her.
Not quietly. Not secretly.
Openly.
Ever since Lin Yuxi joined the mall, something about her presence had grated on Mei Loufei's nerves.
Customers trusted her.
Employees respected her.
Even the manager listened when she spoke.
And Lin Yuxi did it all without trying.
No flashy brands. No raised voice. No desperate need for attention.
It infuriated Mei Loufei.
Especially after Lin Yuxi's promotion.
She had complained more than once. Filed reports. Twisted minor incidents into dramatic accusations. "Accidentally" misplaced inventory during Yuxi's shift.
None worked.
The reason was simple.
Lin Yuxi was one of the mall's best employees—punctual, efficient, professional. Her record was spotless.
Every attempt to sabotage her only ended with Mei Loufei being lectured by her father.
"Good morning," Lin Yuxi greeted calmly, offering a polite smile as she walked past.
Mei Loufei let out a soft, exaggerated scoff.
She didn't reply.
Instead, her eyes dragged slowly from Lin Yuxi's shoes up to her face, lingering with open disdain before she deliberately looked away.
The message was clear.
You are beneath me.
"Move," she said flatly, though there was more hallway than she needed.
Lin Yuxi stepped aside without protest.
As she passed, Mei Loufei's shoulder nearly clipped hers. It wasn't an accident.
She paused for half a second, tilting her head slightly.
"Some people really don't know their place," she muttered, not bothering to lower her voice.
Then she walked toward the elevator again, heels striking the marble in sharp, impatient beats.
The doors slid open.
She stepped inside and pressed the button with unnecessary force.
Just before the doors closed, her gaze flicked toward Lin Yuxi once more—resentful, irritated, unwilling to let it go.
Then the doors shut.
---
The soft click of heels echoed against the marble floor as Lin Yuxi approached the floor manager's office.
"Good morning," she greeted again.
"Good morning, Lin," the manager replied with a slight smile.
He was in his early forties, neatly dressed in a dark brown suit, his hair combed back carefully. Even the files on his desk were stacked in perfect alignment. Disorder unsettled him. Public scenes unsettled him even more.
"Zhang Xiaoyu is on sick leave today. You'll replace her."
Lin Yuxi paused.
Zhang Xiaoyu was the assistant manager.
"But…" she hesitated gently.
She had only recently been transferred here. Acting assistant manager—even for one day—would only make the resentment worse. Most employees already treated her coldly after her promotion. And much of that hostility stemmed from Mei Loufei's very obvious dislike.
"You're the most suitable," the manager said firmly.
His tone left no room for negotiation.
Lin Yuxi lowered her gaze respectfully. "Understood."
She turned and left the office, her steps steady despite the weight settling in her chest.
The hateful glares today would be unbearable.
Then realization struck her.
Zhang Xiaoyu was close friends with Mei Loufei.
Which meant...
Mei Loufei must have heard about the sick leave.
And she had likely come early to claim the acting position.
Lin Yuxi exhaled softly.
Unlucky timing.
Today would not be peaceful.
---
By noon, Mei Loufei returned—this time in uniform.
Her version of the uniform was noticeably shorter, the hem altered without approval. The fabric hugged her curves tightly, the neckline adjusted just enough to draw attention.
She walked across the floor with deliberate confidence, chin lifted high.
Employees immediately straightened.
"Good afternoon, Miss Mei."
"Miss Mei."
Their voices carried forced cheerfulness.
Lin Yuxi was assisting a customer, her back turned. She didn't need to look to know Mei Loufei had arrived.
The laughter had stopped.
The air had shifted.
She continued speaking gently to her customer, explaining fabric choices with patient detail.
Mei Loufei watched from a distance.
Her lips pressed thin.
Then she spun on her heel and marched straight into the manager's office without knocking.
The door shut loudly.
A few minutes later, it burst open.
Mei Loufei stormed out, her face flushed and eyes blazing—not composed, not controlled. Angry.
Truly angry.
The manager followed closely behind her, one hand slightly raised as if trying to calm a raging storm.
They headed straight toward Lin Yuxi.
"Lin Yuxi!"
Her sharp voice cut through the floor. Customers startled. A sales assistant nearly dropped a handbag.
Lin Yuxi turned, concern flickering briefly across her features before she composed herself.
"Yes, Miss Mei?"
"How dare you snatch my position?" Mei Loufei demanded, stepping forward and pointing a manicured finger dangerously close to her face. "Who do you think you are? Waiting for this opportunity like some shameless thief!"
A murmur spread among the employees.
Lin Yuxi's polite smile faded—not into indifference, but into seriousness.
"Miss Mei," she said quietly, "I'm not sure what you mean. What position did I snatch?"
"Don't pretend!" Mei Loufei snapped, her voice rising. "Zhang Xiaoyu is sick. I was supposed to fill in. But you stole it!"
"I was informed only this morning," Lin Yuxi replied evenly. "I didn't request it. The manager appointed me."
Her tone wasn't mocking.
It was honest.
And that honesty only made Mei Loufei angrier.
Mei Loufei turned sharply toward the manager.
"You."
Her eyes burned. "Why did you choose her?"
The manager swallowed. "I—I needed someone competent for the—"
"What?!" Mei Loufei exploded. "Are you saying I'm not competent?"
"N-no, that's not what I—"
She cut him off again, her voice rising higher, drawing more attention. Accusations poured out without restraint.
"You always side with her! Ever since she came here, you act like she's indispensable! What about me? This is my father's mall!"
The mall floor felt suffocating.
Lin Yuxi remained still.
If she walked away now, Mei Loufei would only chase her words back at her.
Finally, after much coaxing, the manager managed to calm Mei Loufei down.
"The workload is too heavy," he said carefully. "It might affect your health."
The excuse was obvious.
It was an attempt to soothe her pride.
Mei Loufei's anger slowly dimmed into a sulk. Her shoulders relaxed, but her glare remained fierce.
Before walking away toward the lounge area, she looked at Lin Yuxi with naked resentment.
This isn't over.
The manager followed quickly.
His job depended on it.
The mall gradually returned to normal. Employees whispered behind hands. Customers pretended nothing had happened.
Lin Yuxi turned back to her customer, her smile returning gently.
"I apologize for the disturbance, ma'am."
There was a faint apology in her eyes—not for herself, but for the unpleasant scene.
"Please follow me. I have a few dresses that might suit your taste."
And just like that — the storm passed.
For now.