Part 1: The Heavy Atmosphere Inside the Cabin
The atmosphere inside the cabin was thick and tense. Outside, Mei Wei and the rest of the staff assumed that Anya was about to face Zain's wrath. Without uttering a single word, Zain grasped Anya's wrist and gestured for her to sit atop the tall mahogany table at the center of the cabin.
Anya panicked.
Anya: "Mr. Zain, what are you…?"
Before she could finish her sentence, Zain lifted her and seated her on the table. He then bent down in front of her knees.
Part 2: Zain's Healing Touch and Anya's Fear
Without a word, Zain gently lifted the hem of Anya's long skirt to expose her injured knee. Anya's face flushed red with both embarrassment and anger.
Anya (pulling her legs back angrily): "Mr. Zain! What are you doing? Don't cross the line!"
Zain (sternly, yet with a soft undertone): "Sit still, or the punishment will be real."
He opened the nearby first-aid box. Zain Yan—feared across the entire city—was now on his knees, carefully applying antiseptic to Anya's wound. His hands were steady, yet his eyes reflected her pain.
Anya (staring at him in astonishment): "You… you're doing all this yourself?"
Part 3: The 'Performance' Strategy
As he applied the antiseptic and bandaged her knee, Zain looked up. There was a strategist's glint in his eyes.
Zain: "Listen. When you step out of this cabin, your eyes must hold tears. Everyone should believe that I have scolded you harshly and given you a mountain of work as punishment. Mei Wei must see you fall—that is the only way you'll be safe."
Anya understood his words but couldn't suppress a nagging question in her mind.
Part 4: ' Other woman Fear and Zain's Response
Anya clutched the pendant in her hand and looked into Zain's eyes.
Anya: "Alright, I'll act the part. But Mr. Zain… you must bow to my shoulder in front of everyone. What you did downstairs today will raise suspicions. People will start thinking I am your 'mistress' not your wife. I don't want to appear as a possession of yours."
The word 'mistress' caused Zain's hands to freeze. A strange fire ignited in his eyes. Slowly, he stood and leaned so close to Anya that their noses almost touched.
Zain (deep, heavy voice): "Mistress? You are my married wife. If anyone dares to look down on you, I will change their reality. I am not hiding you from the world, Anya—I am protecting you from it."
He handed her a heavy stack of files.
Zain: "Now go. Step out and show them your finest 'sorrowful' face."
Part 5: The Spectacle Outside
As the cabin door opened, Anya emerged, rubbing her eyes and carrying the load of files. Her face appeared downcast. Mei Wei watched her and a victorious smile spread across her lips.
"Poor thing! Escaping Zain's anger is impossible," Mei Wei thought. But she had no idea that hidden among the files were Anya's favorite chocolates and a small note from Zain: "Go home and drink some soup. Your knee will heal."
Part 6: The Desk Burden and False Mourning
Silence reigned across the office floor, broken only by the rustling of files. Anya sat at her desk, her eyes moist (a self-induced effect). The towering stack of files in front of her almost concealed her face.
Huan Jing (whispering angrily, approaching Anya):
"Anya! This is outrageous! That Parisian lizard (Mei Wei) knocked you down and now you're being punished? I think the real wife of the boss should be writhing in pain so she can understand your suffering!"
Anya's heart skipped a beat. "Oh, Jing, don't say that. It's not her fault… the real fault is mine. If only I could tell the truth—I am that cruel boss's wife!" she thought.
Anya (pretending a trembling voice):
"No, Jing, don't say that. The boss… the boss is just enforcing rules. I'm fine; I can handle all this work."
Seeing her friend's apparent helplessness, Huan Jing felt a pang of sorrow. She placed a hand on Anya's shoulder.
Huan Jing: "You're not alone. I'm here. Come, I'll help with half the work."
Jing pulled part of the files toward her, cursing the boss under her breath, while Anya inwardly smiled at her friend's selfless support.
Part 7: CCTV and Zain's Smile
Up in the cabin, Zain Yan watched everything on the large screen. He observed how Anya had spun such an innocent web in front of Jing that Jing began to see her as a helpless girl.
Zain (smiling faintly):
"This girl doesn't belong in an office; she should be in the film industry. The way she acts is flawless."
Kian, standing nearby, also glanced at the screen.
Kian: "Boss, Mrs. Yan appears innocent, but she isn't. Her mind operates like a cunning strategist's."
Suddenly, Zain recalled that night when Anya, watching a K-drama, had loudly shouted, "Kiss him!" A deep smile curved his lips.
Zain: "Yes, Kian. She only wears the mask of innocence. By the way, since when have Miss Jing and Anya been together?"
Kian: "Sir, they've been friends since primary school—high school, college, and now at the office. Their friendship is very deep. Jing may appear sharp and assertive on the outside, but she is truly innocent at heart."
Zain's gaze turned cold.
Zain: "Kian, I had sent you close to Jing and instructed you to pursue her so you could locate Lu Kang's briefcase. What happened to it?"
Kian (seriously): "Sir, the briefcase is not with Anya. According to Jing, it is still directly with Lu Kang."
Zain turned his eyes to the screen where Mei Wei was now approaching Anya.
Zain: "When friendship is deep, it makes it harder for enemies to succeed. Let's see what move Mei Wei makes now."
Part 8: Sun Tzu Tactics—Friendship with the Enemy
Mei Wei reached Anya's desk, full of arrogance. She assumed that after Zain's reprimand, Anya would be completely broken.
Mei Wei: "Why, Anya? Tasted the punishment? Next time, think ten times before crossing me."
Huan Jing was about to respond when Anya held her hand to stop her. Rising from her chair, Anya's expression was perfectly calm. She lowered her eyes and took a deep breath.
Anya: "Miss Mei Wei… I realize it was my mistake. You are the boss's friend, and I am just an employee. I don't want any bitterness between us. Can we end this fight and become friends?"
Anya extended her hand. Silence fell over the entire office. Jing and Kian, watching from above, were left speechless.
Huan Jing (astonished): "Anya! Have you lost your mind? What are you doing?"
Mei Wei thought Anya was scared. She gave a victorious smile and clasped Anya's hand.
Mei Wei: "At least your mind is in the right place. Come, let's show the world some civility." She hugged Anya for appearances.
Part 9: Anya's Secret Game
As Anya hugged Mei Wei, the innocence in her eyes vanished, replaced by a sharp gleam. This was Sun Tzu's Art of War: "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."
Anya knew that by pretending to befriend Mei Wei, she could monitor every move, preventing any unexpected attacks.
Zain watched this unfold on the screen and understood instantly.
Zain (mentally): "Well done, Anya. You've trapped the predator in her own web."
Huan Jing, bewildered, could not comprehend this transformed side of her friend. But Anya winked at Jing, signaling: "Just watch, the game has only just begun."