Ling stared at his outstretched palm, then turned and gave Meilei a questioning glance. Seeing her nodding subtly, she sighed. Simmering her bad mood and knowing this was not her decision to make. Despite the sneakiness of this offer, she knew they didn’t have a better one.
One obstacle at a time.
Ling had left her after taking her to HR to have her cards switched over. Tian was true to his word at having them informed and ready, and now she was holding back tears as she returned to where she belonged, a place she never thought she would venture to again. She was so excited nausea consumed her, and she wondered how they would react to seeing her.
She knew a lot had been said about her, and how things had been left was sudden and unexplained. She had purposely avoided them and their messages because she didn’t know how to lie or explain why she ended up with Kai. Or that after four months, her employment was meant to be over. Now, she could return with none of that hanging over her. Tian had reinstated her original contracts under the new management.
She slid the lanyard over her head, nestled her Team leader identification down under her bust, and walked in, bracing herself for more side eyes and whispers like she had been getting while walking through this building daily. Staff all heard the gossip. She was well aware of how her name was now trash in this building.
“You’re here.” Manager Lee greeted her by the door, having been informed of her return, and had been pacing anxiously. She had always held a soft spot for him in his heart, having mentored her for many years, and he knew the type of person she was. He beamed at her with genuine happiness. Obvious joy at having her back. He had never taken note of the malicious things he heard about her. He knew none of them could be true. He knew her character well.
“Your team doesn’t know that you are coming back yet. I only received word twenty minutes ago and figured you would want to surprise them. They have been working on Inhale and trudging through errors and data like champs, knowing they wanted to make you proud.”
That made Meilei emotional, knowing that, of all the people in this building, her team would be the last to judge her or reject her. Guilt choked her, and she had been blanking them and their concerns for her since the last day she walked out of these doors. She knew they were owed an apology.
“It requires no explanation. I’m not all that slow regarding the matters going on in here. You’re back now where you belong. That’s all that matters. I hope our CEO realizes this.” Manager Lee gave her a gentle shoulder squeeze and motioned for her to continue. He intended to let her settle back in and rebond with her team before they caught up. He sensed she must be nervous and anxious to see them. Moving out of the way, encouraging her with a smile.
Meilei nodded and pressed on. Footsteps were deliberate and slowed as her heart raced, and she passed by the cubicles and desks of other teams without looking their way. Trying to find the courage and calm the internal chaos of nerves.
“I don’t get your meaning.” Meilei deflected. She tried to step to the side to avoid him, but he stood up, counteracting her direction, and blocked her again.
Meilei was touched and relieved to see her former second-in-command swooping in to save her. Chou had always reminded her of Ling, only instead of vogue fashion, Chou was punk and edgy.
“Just because you would bend over and take it like a dog to further your career doesn’t mean we live by the same low standards. After getting promoted to team leader, I always wondered why you walked funny.” Chou raised a brow and smirked, amused by the instant shade change of Cho’s face to red as fury overtook him. He choked on his saliva, trying to find a biting retort.
Chou elbowed him. Side eyeing him a warning to go easy on Meilei. She knew it mustn’t have been an easy few weeks away from a job she loved.
Chou eye rolled and smiled at catching Meilei’s eye. Silent communication that Tao was a drama queen.
The remainder of her team appeared, tucking heads around the screen, and one popped up over its six-foot height like naughty children investigating while kneeling on a desk.
“Yeah, what Duan said.” Zhu stood back, appraising Meilei, and Tao snorted, hauling her out of the way by a handful of her clothes.
“Welcome home, Team Leader.” A shy Duan smiled, and there was a round of nods.
“It was about time your lazy ass showed face to get your project in order.” Tao winked, rubbing Meilei on top of her head.
Chou leaned in for a much less fierce assault of a cuddle, bringing tears to Meilei’s eyes. She had to blink them away. Feeling surreal and that this was not happening. It felt like a break in the storm, and Kai might actually leave her to breathe for a while.