Chapter 1 — I Have A Boss Who Works Overtime

Going to take them to my biological mother's new house, and my uncle is my cold boss? The next day the whole company exploded. My mother remarried three months ago, and I still don't know what my stepfather looks like. That day, she invited me to her new house for dinner. I rang the doorbell, and the person who opened the door petrified me on the spot. The one who makes me work overtime every day - my cold boss. I felt like I had a short circuit, and for some reason I blurted out one sentence:

“Dad?”

As soon as I finished speaking, my mother slapped me on the ear.

"What the hell are you calling! That's your younger brother!"

The next day, in broad daylight at the company, he called me:

“Sister, will you have lunch together this afternoon?”

The whole company immediately exploded.

01

The door opens. A face that I would still recognize even if it turned to ash appeared behind the door. Clear angular features, thin lips tightly closed, deep eyes without any expression stared at me intently. It's Co Canh Tham. It was the person who rejected my plan eight times, forced me to work overtime for half a month, and exhausted my last bit of strength - that cold boss. My mind immediately went blank, all the blood seemed to rush to my brain. Why is he here? This is my mother's new house, could he be... the remarried husband I've never met? Age is not reasonable at all. But clearly on the phone, my mother told me to come pick up my family and get used to the new house. A crazy thought flashed in my head. My throat was dry, my lips were not under the control of reason, moving out a word that made me panic:

“Dad?”

The space seemed dead. Co Canh Tham's eyes finally rippled, a mixture of surprise, scrutiny, and a bit of excitement like watching a good show. I wish I could bite my tongue off on the spot. Just as I was about to say "General Gu" to save this disaster scene, a figure hastily rushed out from the hallway. It's my mother - To Uyen.

“Tieu Tu is here!”

Her voice still carried laughter, but the next second, a slap landed on my back. The force was not strong, but it was extremely humiliating. I was completely stunned.

“What the hell is this girl called!”

My mother blushed with impatience, pointed at Co Canh Tham who had a strange expression, and explained to me:

“This is Uncle Co's son, his name is Co Canh Tham.”

“He's three years older than me, I have to call him brother!”

You? I felt like a bolt of lightning hit the top of my head. Boss becomes stepbrother? It's worse than having your boss become an uncle. I stood frozen in place, just wanting to find a hole to crawl into, preferably straight to the core of the Earth.

“Co... General Co.”

I gritted my teeth and forced out these three words, my face felt hot like it was about to burn. Co Canh Tham finally reacted a bit, he nodded slightly to my mother who was confused behind me.

“Mom, let her in.”

That call "mother", both natural and smooth, also completely confirms this mythical truth. My mother, Mrs. To Uyen, actually married my superior's father. She has truly earned her fortune. As for me, suddenly I have another boss brother.

"That's right, that's right, come in quickly, Tieu Tu, don't stand out there anymore."

My mother grabbed my hand and pulled me into this magnificent palace-like house. A middle-aged man with a gentle, elegant temperament entered the room The guest walked out, with a gentle smile on his face. He was definitely my mother's mysterious husband - my new stepfather.

"You are Tieu Tu, right? The journey has been hard."

His voice was very warm, immediately soothing my tense nerves.

“Hello, uncle.”

I timidly said hello.

“You're a family member, don't be so polite.”

He smiled and led us into the dining room. The long table can seat up to twenty people, and at this time there are only four sets of bowls and chopsticks. My mother and Uncle Co sat in the main seats, and Co Canh Tham and I sat on both sides. This meal, I ate like I was chewing wax, sitting like I was on a fire. My mother and Uncle Co were very enthusiastic, constantly bringing me food and asking about everything.

"Tieu Tu, eat more, you look so skinny."

“Don't work too hard, health is most important.”

I could only put my head in the bowl and respond with hums to get by. Sitting opposite me, Co Canh Tham obviously said nothing, but his existence was already a kind of terrible pressure. I clearly felt his searching eyes hovering over the top of my head without leaving. Just as I was about to bury my face in the bowl of rice, he suddenly opened his mouth:

“Sister.”

My hands shook, the ribs on the chopsticks almost flew out. He calmly used chopsticks to give me a piece of fish. His voice was not loud but it resonated clearly in everyone's ears:

“Eat a little more, you work overtime all the time so you're skinny, if Dad knew, he would definitely feel sorry for you.”

There are waves in my heart. What does he mean? Is it caring for subordinates, or is it caring as a "little brother"? No, I heard a third layer of meaning - he was mocking me, also reminding me that he was the boss, knowing full well that I had to work overtime every day. I raised my head and met his eyes with a seemingly empty smile. I could only force out a smile that was even more ugly than crying:

“Thank… you.”

These two words "you" are extremely difficult for me to say. On the way home, my mother was driving and finally couldn't help but apologize to me.

"Tieu Tu, I'm sorry, I didn't tell you in advance that Canh Tham was General Co, because I was afraid you would be pressured and not want to come."

I leaned against the back of the chair, watching the neon lights outside the window quickly pass by.

“Mom, I don't blame you.”

I just need some time to digest everything.

“Uncle Co and Canh Tham are both good people, I sincerely hope you can accept them and consider this place as your home.”