TICFL Chapter 9

After Fu Yiting left the basement that day, Zhang Zhang began to eat. Soon after, her body gradually returned to its previous strong state.

 

Fu Yiting came to the basement once again.

 

He placed today’s food in front of Zhang Zhang. Although she still didn’t look him in the eye, she obediently and submissively finished the food.

 

Seeing that she had no intention of escaping, a hint of tenderness slowly appeared on Fu Yiting’s face. He quietly watched Zhang Zhang as she ate.

 

During this period, he also stroked Zhang Zhang’s black head.

 

Zhang Zhang paused, and then continued to eat.

 

Seeing that Zhang Zhang had finished today’s food, Fu Yiting left the basement with satisfaction.

 

Since then, Fu Yiting would personally deliver food to Zhang Zhang for three meals a day, and watched her finish eating without saying a word.

 

Three peaceful days passed like this.

 

On the fourth day, Fu Yiting came again. He tried to repair his relationship with Zhang Zhang today.

 

The food Fu Yiting brought today was a small piece of cake. He scooped a little cream on his fingers and then handed it to Zhang Zhang’s mouth.

 

Zhang Zhang felt that her opportunity to act had arrived!

 

She suppressed the urge to bite Fu Yiting hard and pretended to be pleased, carefully savouring the delicious cream.

 

Fu Yiting saw Zhang Zhang’s compromise and let down his guard a little.

 

With the first time, there would be a second, and a third.

 

Today, Fu Yiting brought luosifen (snail noodles). [1]

 

[1] here is a photo of snail noodles….mhm it looks so good 🤤

 

Zhang Zhang was still lying on his hand and eating big mouthfuls.

 

She began to suspect that Fu Yiting brought her high-fat, high-sugar, and high-calorie food every day to make her fat and difficult to escape.

 

But there was no way. At this time, Zhang Zhang could only pretend to be good to make Fu Yiting completely relax his vigilance, thus revealing his flaws, and she could leave the Fu family.

 

In the following days, Zhang Zhang stayed in Fu Yiting’s hand and finished eating every meal.

 

Fu Yiting’s mood has improved in the past few days, and he always has a smile on his face.

 

The servant next to him saw it and couldn’t help but sigh: “I haven’t seen the young master smile like this for a long time.”

 

In this way, Zhang Zhang lied down on straw [2] and endured hardships for another week, and  finally left the small dark room and returned to Fu Yiting’s room.

 

[2] The phrase “卧薪尝胆” (wò xīn cháng dǎn) translates to “lying on straw and tasting gall,” and is a Chinese idiom.

This idiom originates from a historical story about King Goujian of Yue during the Spring and Autumn period in China. After being defeated by the State of Wu, King Goujian was captured and humiliated. To remind himself of his defeat and to stay motivated for revenge, he slept on straw and tasted bile (gallbladder fluid) every day. This helped him endure hardship and remain determined. Eventually, he regained his strength, defeated the State of Wu, and reclaimed his kingdom.

In modern usage, “卧薪尝胆” symbolises enduring hardships and persevering with determination to achieve a goal, especially when planning for revenge or to overcome a significant challenge.

 

However, having learned from his previous experience with Fu Yirou, Fu Yiting didn’t trust leaving Zhang Zhang—a mere cockroach—alone at home.

 

“Starting tomorrow, you will go to work with me.”

 

True to his word, Fu Yiting acted immediately. The next day, he used a fine golden thread, tying one end to Zhang Zhang and the other to the pocket on his chest.

 

He tapped Zhang Zhang’s head and said, “You stay in your pocket obediently. You are not allowed to go anywhere without my order.”

 

Fu Yiting walked into the office building with his long legs and steady steps.

 

The employees were respectful along the way.

 

“President Fu.”

 

“Good day, President Fu!”

 

“Good morning, President Fu.”

 

Fu Yiting nodded at each of them but didn’t stop for long.

 

After Fu Yiting left, the employees began to discuss among themselves.

 

Employee A: “Did you notice the pocket on President Fu’s chest?”

 

Employee B: “Yes, I noticed! Isn’t that…”

 

“Shh—!”

 

Assistant Lin suddenly appeared, raised a finger in front of his thin lips, as a  gesture of silence.

 

“Don’t discuss the president’s affairs.”

 

…..

 

Fu Yiting took the exclusive elevator and soon arrived at the top floor of the office building—the CEO’s office.

 

The office was simply and elegantly decorated, with large, bright floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the bustling city.

 

As expected, it was the office of a domineering CEO.

 

“Knock knock” At this time, the door of the office was knocked.

 

“Come in.” Fu Yiting said.

 

“President Fu.” The person who came was Assistant Lin.

 

Assistant Lin began to report the day’s schedule to President Fu, “President Fu, in fifteen minutes, the head of the Wang Corporation will arrive to discuss the cooperation matters…”

 

Fu Yiting furrowed his brows slightly. Despite his affection for Zhang Zhang, bringing her into the business environment wasn’t appropriate.

 

Moreover, what if the other party’s CEO wasn’t exactly a good person and took a fancy to the little cockroach?

 

“Assistant Lin.”

 

Fu Yiting suddenly interrupted Assistant Lin’s report, “Put out your hands.”

 

Assistant Lin did not hesitate too much and stretched out his hands as Fu Yiting said.

 

Fu Yiting put Zhang Zhang in Assistant Lin’s hands and asked him to hold the silk thread tied to Zhang Zhang.

 

“Assistant Lin, take it to my lounge and take good care of it.” Fu Yiting said, “You will get a raise this month if you do a good job.”

 

In order to get a raise, Assistant Lin endured the nausea and felt like he was facing a great enemy [2], but his face remained calm. He said, “Okay, President.”

 

[2] The Chinese idiom “如临大敌” (rú lín dà dí) means to approach something with great seriousness and caution, as if facing a powerful enemy. It describes treating a task or challenge with intense focus and effort.

 

Once Fu Yiting had finished giving instructions, he left the office to prepare for the arrival of the future business partner.

 

Assistant Lin first closed the doors and windows of the CEO’s lounge.

 

He then placed Zhang Zhang inside and loosely tied the silk thread to a desk lamp.

 

Looking at Zhang Zhang with her antennae drooping and a sullen expression, Assistant Lin said, “You’re the first cockroach the president has brought along; other cockroaches haven’t had this blessing.”

 

Zhang Zhang couldn’t help but complain in her heart: Do you want this blessing?

 

Assistant Lin saw that he couldn’t encourage Zhang Zhang,  he didn’t want to cause trouble. He planned to go out and buy some cakes, biscuits and chocolates to coax this cockroach.

 

After all, Zhang Zhang was now the “big red cockroach” [4]beside Fu Yiting. He needed to hold onto this opportunity tightly.

 

[4]The phrase “大红螂” (dà hóng lǎng) literally translates to “big red cockroach,” with “大” meaning “big” or “great,” “红” meaning “red,” and “螂” meaning “cockroach.” In this context, it humorously highlights Zhang Zhang  as a “big deal” or “celebrity” due to the special attention and unusual treatment it receives from the boss. The term “大红” does not actually mean celebrity status but emphasises the cockroach’s standout position in a playful way.

 

A promotion and salary increase would be easy to secure. Heh.

 

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We are half way in the short story 😄

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