In My Desperate Time

I check the money. There is about twenty thousand dollars, but I don’t dare to take it. Instead, I look at him blankly.
“Half of it is your salary, and the other half is the money for the vegetables. I am afraid you’d quit suddenly, so I give you the
money just in case.”
Yeah, I'm really short of money right now, so I don’t pretend to be awkward and just take it.
When I am about to go out, my mother calls.
“What's the matter with you? I don't care whether you went out last night. Why don't I come back today? Your brother's cell
phone is broken because of you. He wants to buy a 7Plus, you quickly get the money back for him to buy a new one.”
I laugh bitterly, Do they really think I am stupid! I just threw it on the tea table last night and it was broken? They just want to find
an excuse to ask for money.
I hang up the phone directly. They call me afterwards but I don’t answer them.
When I arrive at the company, everyone sees me and Steven Song showing up together, and they all cast envious and resentful
eyes. In an instant, I become the public enemy of all the women in the company.
“How could she hook up with the President when she just come the company? I've been here for three years, and she gains an
advantage!”
“You just come here for three years, I have been here for five years! It can’t be your turn speaking of seniority.”
“You mean you are old.”
“Who is old? You coquette!”
The two women beside me, they sim at me at last second, and for the next second they have quarreled with each other.
Steven Song seems to have seen this scene a lot of times. He pulls my hand and strides into the elevator.
As soon as I get into the elevator, I ask Steven Song, "Are you trying to kill me?"
Steven Song lets go of my hand and says, “Sorry, I have no other ideas. These women are so annoying. I need a shield. And I
don't think there's anyone better than you.”

“Why me?”
“Because you are not attracted by me.”
He is right. All the women in the company are eager to climb into his bed, but I am different.
And that call he made last night actually saves my life. Otherwise, I would have climbed into Frances Louis' bed by now.
But at this time, I do not know, between me and Frances Louis, doomed to be entangled together.
In the afternoon, Steven Song leaves in advance. I pack my things and get ready to buy some vegetables.
Coming out of the office, I always feel as if there are eyes staring at me in the dark .But I turn back and see nothing. Perhaps, it
is just illusion.
I buy vegetables and go out of the door. Suddenly, there are two people coming down form a van and they drag me in.
The vegetables roll down on the ground. The car has started before I realize.
Including the driver, there are four men in the car. They are all wearing hoods, so I couldn't see their faces.
I am held up by two men and gagged with a towel, unable to speak.
I begin to feel flustered.