After breakfast, Shang Chenzhou went out and didn’t return until midnight.
Half-asleep, Shuai Xihe heard the noise and opened her eyes slightly.
Shang Chenzhou came in holding his clothes and went straight into the bathroom.
She glanced at her phone—3 a.m.
He was working that late.
She put her phone down and closed her eyes again.
The next morning, Shuai Xihe opened her eyes and realized she was clinging onto Shang Chenzhou like an octopus. Because of the way she was lying, she had even left a small mark on his chest from pressing her lips against his shirt.
She lifted her head slightly.
Shang Chenzhou’s eyes were closed. He was sleeping deeply.
Good… at least she wasn’t that embarrassed.
She carefully climbed off him and quietly went to the bathroom to wash up.
Standing by the sink, she slapped her own face lightly.
You really can’t sleep properly! So embarrassing!
On the bed, Shang Chenzhou opened his eyes slightly toward the bathroom, then closed them again.
After washing up, Shuai Xihe went to the kitchen and made breakfast. She made two portions—kept one warm for him in the rice cooker, and ate hers by the stove.
When she came out, he was still asleep.
She left a note on the table telling him breakfast was in the rice cooker.
She changed clothes, grabbed her bag, and went to work.
…
When Shang Chenzhou woke up, he saw the note on the table. The handwriting was neat and pretty.
A complicated feeling rose in his chest.
He took out the breakfast, sat down, and quietly finished it.
After exiting the subway, Shuai Xihe took a shared bike and rode to the industrial park entrance.
She clocked in and went to her desk.
Not long after, Sun Shasha arrived and leaned over.
“I sent you messages, why didn’t you reply? I told you, I’m not lying—you really should try things before marriage.”
Shuai Xihe ignored her completely, turned on her computer, tidied her desk, and went to pour herself a cup of hot water.
Sun Shasha kept talking until Zhao Jing arrived and the noise stopped.
A few minutes later, Zhao Jing called a meeting.
Everyone went into the conference room.
Shuai Xihe was unexpectedly praised by Zhao Jing.
She just smiled modestly.
Sun Shasha gave her a thumbs-up.
Not everyone was so lucky.
Colleague Zhou Lin was publicly criticized.
Her face turned red and pale as she bit her lip.
After the meeting, Zhou Lin stormed out. As she passed Shuai Xihe, she bumped into her shoulder.
Shuai Xihe staggered and her documents fell everywhere. A dull pain came from her shoulder.
Sun Shasha immediately stood up for her.
“Zhou Lin, stop right there!”
Zhou Lin turned back arrogantly. “What?”
“You bumped into someone. Apologize.”
“I didn’t do it on purpose.”
“Even if it wasn’t on purpose, you still need to apologize.”
“You’re insane. I didn’t even hit you.”
Shuai Xihe had already picked up her documents. She looked up at Zhou Lin with a cold, oppressive gaze.
Zhou Lin froze for a moment.
How could a fresh graduate have such a sharp, intimidating look?
It was almost unsettling.
Shuai Xihe walked over and, with her high heel, stepped hard on Zhou Lin’s foot.
“Ah!”
Zhou Lin screamed in pain.
Shuai Xihe pulled back her foot innocently.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
Zhou Lin yelled angrily, “What’s the use of apologizing!”
“At least I apologized. That makes me a polite person. Some people don’t even have that basic manners.”
Sun Shasha burst out laughing.
She suddenly found Shuai Xihe very much to her liking.
Back at the desk, she asked, “Did you practice typing in private?”
Shuai Xihe nodded. “Yeah.”
…
At noon, they ate in the outsourced company cafeteria.
After lunch, work piled up heavily after the New Year, and everyone had to stay late.
Shuai Xihe texted Shang Chenzhou: I’m working overtime, I’ll be back late.
Shang Chenzhou: Mm.
She stared at the single character for a long time.
So stingy with words… typical male lead.
She worked until ten at night.
When she finally came out of the industrial park, she saw Shang Chenzhou standing under the streetlight.
Sun Shasha noticed him too, eyes lighting up.
“Is that your boyfriend?”
Shuai Xihe nodded.
“Wow, your boyfriend is so handsome!”
She smiled faintly.
Yes. That face was really striking.
Sun Shasha said goodbye and ran off to a white car where her boyfriend was waiting.
Shuai Xihe walked to Shang Chenzhou.
“You don’t have to pick me up. I can go back myself.”
“Too late. It’s unsafe.”
“How long have you been waiting?”
“Ten minutes.”
“Next time tell me in advance. What if you miss me?”
“Okay.”
They took shared bikes to the subway station.
The cold wind made her nose red and her hands frozen.
When they reached the station and returned the bikes, Shang Chenzhou suddenly took her hand.
She looked up at him.
Expression unchanged, he pulled both her hands into his palm and gently warmed them.
Warmth spread from his hands.
Shuai Xihe stared at him, slightly dazed.