seventh rate

Su Tang hadn't expected that the day would end like this. After the chaos with the files and her co-worker's clumsy fall, she was left with a sticky forehead and a mountain of papers spread out under the hot afternoon sun. The irony wasn't lost on her— she was supposed to be learning and helping out, not doing cleanup duty like some janitor.

Just as she was about to finally gather up the last of the papers, she heard a calm voice from behind. "You're still here?"

Su Tang jumped, startled. She turned to see Ye Chen, his expression unreadable as always, but his eyes flickered with a hint of amusement as they took in her disheveled state. She felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment, trying to regain her composure.

"Y-yes, Mr. Ye," she stammered, trying to hand him the last stack of papers.

Ye Chen took them with a practiced grace, his fingers brushing hers. The brief contact sent an unexpected jolt through her. He looked down at the papers, then back at her, his lips curling into a rare smile. "You seem to have quite the mess here."