It turned out, I was overthinking it.

When the boss said it was just a simple meal, it really was just that.

We were at a charming noodle house with a few clients, and they all had their female companions with them. It seemed like the boss just wanted me to fill the numbers.

Rumor had it that the boss was always single, and many female colleagues wanted to be the boss's wife.

One of the clients glanced at me and teased, "Mr. Xander, is this your girlfriend? You have good taste."

Maxwell Xander replied earnestly, "Mr. King, you've misunderstood. She's a colleague from our administrative department."

"Oh! What a pity, she looks like a good match for you!"

Maxwell raised his glass, "Mr. King, you're joking."

I played the part of a decoration throughout, smiling occasionally, while mostly focusing on my meal.

I had to admit, the noodles were excellent. I'd never tasted anything so delicious before, and I couldn't stop using my fork and knife to scoop more into my bowl.

Maxwell whispered with a stern face, "Eat less. If it's not enough, there's more in the pot. Don't take from my bowl."

Blushing, I put down my fork.

I realized I had been taking from a bowl that Maxwell had set aside to cool because the noodles were too hot for him.

Just as I was worried about what had happened, Maxwell spoke again, "Pass the vinegar."

I looked at him to confirm his request, then silently pushed the noodle bowl toward him.

Maxwell looked at me, surprised, for three seconds before saying nothing. He took the vinegar bottle from beside me and poured some into my bowl, then into his own.

The female companion beside us couldn't help but laugh.

"This lady is really quite cute."

Maxwell looked a bit embarrassed.

It dawned on me that he probably wanted me to pour him some vinegar.

Did I embarrass the boss again?

Maxwell and Mr. King got a bit tipsy and ordered more bottles.

To make up for the earlier embarrassment, I decided to show initiative and opened a bottle myself.

But, using too much force, the cap flew off and hit Maxwell right in the face.

He let out a soft grunt.

Soon, a red and round mark appeared on his fair skin.

Given his pale complexion, the mark was particularly noticeable.

The air was awkward for a few seconds.

The woman who had laughed at me earlier burst out laughing.

"I'm sorry, boss. Does it hurt?" I quickly apologized.

Maxwell waved it off graciously, "It's fine."

But I sensed he had more to say. With clients around, he held back.

After several rounds of drinks, Maxwell couldn't hold his liquor. He discreetly nudged me while I was engrossed in my food.

I looked at him, puzzled.

Seizing a moment when the clients were chatting, he quietly signaled me to switch the wine in his glass with water.

I'm not new to the workplace, so I understood immediately.

I gave him an OK gesture.

When it was time to clink glasses, everyone noticed the steam rising from Maxwell's glass and fell silent.

Mr. King was displeased, "What, Mr. Xander, you're cheating now?"

It was the first time I saw Maxwell's face turn red with embarrassment.

I quietly ducked my head, pretending he couldn't see me.

I had indeed switched his drink to water, but who would have thought the pitcher contained hot water!

This was a complete disaster. How would I survive in the company after this?

I waited for the company to fire me. Days passed, and instead of a dismissal, I received an unwritten rule:

"Company dinners with clients are not to include Mia Zane anymore."

Jessica Lawson looked at me with amusement, clicking her tongue, "I'm really curious what you did at the dinner table that led Mr. Xander to issue such a notice."

My colleagues in the office laughed at me behind my back, and my reputation only grew.

I kept wondering: Why hasn't the boss fired me yet?