Chapter 29: Pretending to Be an Aunt to Flirt with Others?

This time, Tang Yan dressed up as a cleaning lady from the Li family company. A fluffy middle-aged wig, standard janitorial uniform, and a constant grip on her cleaning tools—she was the very picture of authenticity. To top it off, she wore outdated, thick-rimmed glasses that looked like they’d been pulled straight out of a 90s thrift store, and smeared clay makeup on her fingers to give them a rough, weathered look.

She successfully slipped into the executive floor where Li Chuzhe worked. From this height, the entire bustling heart of Qingguo unfolded before her like a living cityscape. Tang Yan hunched over, shoulders slumped, making herself look every bit the stereotypical elderly woman. Her gnarled fingers even gave that classic gesture—pushing up her glasses with a half-lidded squint, scanning people like she was trying to make sense of the world through foggy lenses.

According to Li Corp’s rules, janitors were only allowed to clean the outer lounge area outside the CEO’s office—not near it. But for Tang Yan, that distance was nothing.

She bent low, dragging the mop across the polished marble floor, inching closer to the office door with every step. Glancing around, she noticed something odd: there were almost no women in the outer lounge. Even Li Chuzhe’s personal secretary? A man.

“Whoa,” Tang Yan muttered under her breath. “A guy’s got the job of managing the boss’s schedule, and he’s not even a pretty one? No wonder everyone says Li Chuzhe’s the ultimate ‘cold-hearted CEO’ type.”

She’d been so focused on studying the layout earlier that she hadn’t noticed her mop had accidentally brushed against someone’s shoe.

“Hey! What the hell is wrong with you, old lady?” A sharp, icy voice cut through the air—high heels clicking, a power suit snapping into place. The kind of woman who ruled boardrooms with her glare alone.

Tang Yan flinched, instantly apologizing. “Sorry, sorry! I didn’t see—no worries though, the mop’s super clean, no dirty water!”

“‘Super clean’? You really think that’s enough? How can a mop *not* be filthy after dragging it all over the floor?” The woman’s tone climbed another notch.

“It *is* clean!” Tang Yan insisted, dragging the mop again to prove it. No streaks, no residue. She just wanted to disappear.

But the woman wasn’t done. “Oh, really? Then why don’t you wipe your face with it? You’re already old and ugly enough—might as well save some time.” She didn’t stop at words—she shoved Tang Yan hard, sending her stumbling backward.

Luckily, Tang Yan had stuffed padding into her clothes to bulk up her silhouette. She caught herself, then stood tall, brushing off her fake rear with exaggerated dignity. “Lady, your shoes aren’t exactly spotless either. How can someone who’s supposed to be in high society lack basic manners?”

The moment she spoke, the air shifted.

Li Chuzhe, who had been watching silently from his office, finally stepped out. “Xiao Li,” he said, voice calm but edged with danger, “what’s going on?”

Xiao Li, standing beside him, quickly explained, “Boss, the cleaning lady accidentally bumped her mop into one of our employees’ shoes—”

Li Chuzhe didn’t react. He simply walked toward the lounge. And when he saw Tang Yan—over-the-top wig, crooked glasses, hands trembling slightly from the weight of her disguise—he paused.

“I’ve never seen you before,” he said flatly.

“This is our new cleaner, Boss,” Xiao Li offered, stepping in smoothly.

“I told you to stick with the same cleaning staff,” Li Chuzhe frowned, barely glancing at her. “And frankly… you’re not exactly… pleasing to the eye.”

Xiao Li hesitated. “Well… the previous cleaner quit last week…”

The silence that followed was thick enough to choke on. Li Chuzhe stood there, radiating an aura so cold it made the air feel brittle. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away. “Xiao Li, send her to HR to settle her paycheck. We don’t tolerate such petty attitudes here.”

The woman froze. Her face drained of color. She’d just snapped at a janitor—two little remarks—and now she’d lost the job she’d clawed her way into over years of hustle and networking.

“Boss, I’m sorry! I won’t do it again! Please don’t fire me!” she begged, voice cracking.

But Li Chuzhe didn’t even glance back. Xiao Li, ever the gentleman, gestured politely toward the exit. They both knew—this young master might seem mild-mannered, but once he made a decision, there was no turning back.

The woman slunk away, defeated.

Meanwhile, Li Chuzhe sat back at his desk, eyes fixed on the security feed. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

“Xiao Li,” he said quietly, “bring that cleaning lady in.”

“Huh?” Xiao Li blinked, stunned. His gaze darted to Tang Yan, who was still stubbornly blocking the doorway.

After a long pause, Xiao Li collected himself and approached. “Ma’am… the boss wants to talk to you.”

Tang Yan shook her head. “Nope. Not happening. What’s your number?”

Xiao Li’s blood ran cold. *Did she seriously just ask for my contact info?* He didn’t swing that way—never had, never would.

“Ha-ha, you’re kidding, right? Come on, go in already.”

“I said no,” Tang Yan shot back, arms crossed. “I’ll stay right here until you give me your number. Otherwise, I’m not moving.”

Li Chuzhe waited. And waited. When he finally stood up and stepped out, he found Tang Yan still arguing with Xiao Li.

“Wait—why do you need my number, ma’am?”

“I have things to discuss,” she said, leaning forward, hand reaching for the business card in his chest pocket. “I promise I won’t bother you.”

Li Chuzhe’s expression darkened instantly. He stepped behind Xiao Li, voice ice-cold. “Xiao Li. Give it to her.”

That single sentence carried more weight than a thunderclap. Xiao Li flinched, heart pounding. He handed over the card in a flash.

Then Li Chuzhe turned, walking back into the office. “Xiao Li, you’re dismissed.”

Outside, Xiao Li stared at the janitor. Something felt… different. Was she taller now?

Tang Yan clutched the business card like a trophy, smiling as she walked out of the building. Back at his desk, Li Chuzhe watched her every move on the monitor—her walk, her grin, the way she tucked the card into her pocket.

His jaw tightened. “Tang Yan… what are you playing at? Am I not good enough? Not handsome enough?”

He clenched his fists, voice barely a whisper.

Just as Tang Yan turned onto the sidewalk, she spotted Mo Yao—pale-faced, scanning the crowd like she was searching for someone.

“Yao Yao? What are you doing here?”

Mo Yao jumped at the sound of her voice, then exhaled shakily. “Tang sister… nothing. I’m just waiting for a friend to go shopping.”

“Oh. Well, I’ve got stuff to take care of. Gotta head home.” Tang Yan waved briefly, then hurried off.

She knew Mo Yao was hiding something. But she also knew—she didn’t have the right to pry.

Mo Yao stayed put for a few seconds, then suddenly froze. Her eyes locked onto something in the distance. Without hesitation, she turned and vanished down the opposite street.