After returning home, Su Ningyue’s heart couldn’t settle for a long time. Even now, thinking back to that scene just now, she still felt extremely embarrassed.
But at the same time, she was grateful they were strangers—there would be no further interaction between them in the future.
Over the next two days, Su Ningyue continued to leave early and return late. Every day, the moment she got back to her rented apartment, she was so exhausted that all she wanted to do was lie down and rest.
The Finance Bureau personnel were originally scheduled to come at ten o’clock this morning, and the entire unit was on high alert—Su Ningyue was no exception, afraid she might make a mistake—only to be told at the last minute that the time had been changed.
Su Ningyue breathed a sigh of relief while silently lamenting. It seemed she would have to continue working overtime.
Director Liu walked over, cleared his throat with a feigned cough to draw everyone’s attention, then said with conviction, “You’ve all worked hard these past two days. Today is Friday, so I won’t force you to work overtime tonight. You can leave on time at five o’clock.”
Everyone immediately cheered with excitement, but the next second they heard Director Liu’s follow-up: “However, you’ll still need to continue working overtime when you come in next week.”
Everyone’s mouths twitched, but with the leader present, they didn’t dare show their dissatisfaction.
After Director Liu left, Hong Lingling sidled over and whispered, “Ningyue, I have insider information—I heard Director Gu is only thirty years old, and he’s super handsome.”
“Thirty? That young?”
Su Ningyue asked in surprise.
Generally speaking, senior public officials were typically around forty—like Director Liu, who was not yet fifty but was already nearly bald.
Hong Lingling nodded vigorously, stars shining in her eyes. “Apparently Director Gu is from the capital, and his family background is very influential.”
Su Ningyue’s eyes flickered. These were heights that ordinary people like them could never reach.
Finally, the weekend arrived. As soon as she got off work, Su Ningyue had dinner with Hong Lingling outside, then returned to her rented apartment.
Just as she pulled out her keys and opened the door, her mother’s call came through—still about urging her to get married. Su Ningyue had no choice but to make up an excuse to brush it off.
After hanging up, Su Ningyue took a deep breath and collapsed onto the bed in exhaustion, letting her mind go blank. Her eyelids were beginning to droop when a pleasant ringtone sounded. She casually picked up the phone and put it to her ear. “Hello…”
Lin Xiyan’s teasing voice came through the line. “Girl, what’s going on? You sound completely listless.”
The next second, Su Ningyue opened her eyes, moved the phone away, stared at it for a few seconds, and instantly felt much more alert.
Su Ningyue explained, “I was just about to fall asleep, so I’m still a bit groggy.”
Lin Xiyan glanced at the clock on the wall and said, “It’s only eight o’clock and you’re already going to sleep?”
Su Ningyue sighed quietly. “Yanyan, you have no idea what kind of days I’ve been having these past two days. I’ve been working overtime until nine every night—I’m about to collapse from exhaustion.”
“Ah?!”
Lin Xiyan exclaimed in surprise. “I thought I was already busy enough, but you’re even busier than me.”
She spent every day preparing lessons, teaching, grading assignments… and dealing with student matters. She had originally thought Ningning would have it a bit easier than her.
“Tomorrow’s the weekend—let’s put work aside and properly enjoy our time off. Are you going to go on a date with your Mingrui?”
Su Ningyue corrected her, “Yanyan, he’s not mine yet.”
“Pfft…”
Lin Xiyan couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Ningning was too innocent. “Alright, alright, neither of you belongs to the other.”
“He’s on a business trip this week and doesn’t have time to meet me.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Xiyan frowned. “Ningning, you two haven’t seen each other for at least a month now. Is this really a relationship?”
“Back when Duan Mingrui was pursuing you, he showed up in front of you every single day without fail. Now you can’t even catch a glimpse of him. Don’t you find that strange?”
Lin Xiyan didn’t want to think too deeply about it, since she had witnessed every move Duan Mingrui made while pursuing Ningning.
Su Ningyue was unconcerned. “We’re all working now, so everyone’s busy. Naturally, things can’t be the same as before.”
Knowing that Ningning was naive, Lin Xiyan decided to change the subject. “Since he doesn’t have time, let’s go shopping tomorrow.”
“Sure, see you tomorrow.”
The next day, Su Ningyue wore a light green dress with her hair tied up in a high ponytail and light makeup on her face. She looked youthful and radiant.
Taking a cab to Zhengjia Plaza, she spotted Yanyan sitting by the window at a milk tea shop at first glance. She quickly walked over and called out softly, “Yanyan, have you been waiting long?”
Lin Xiyan chuckled lightly. “I just got here too. I ordered you a brulee crispy cream milk tea.”
She handed the drink over.
Su Ningyue smiled sweetly. “Thanks, Yanyan.”
Milk tea in hand, the two linked arms and went shopping—first to the women’s clothing stores, then to check out bags.
After strolling around, both of them were carrying several shopping bags until their stomachs protested, prompting them to turn a corner and head for a meal.
They picked a highly-rated hotpot restaurant nearby and dove right in.
“Haven’t had hotpot in ages—this is so satisfying!”
Even though she was sweating profusely from the spice, Lin Xiyan kept stuffing food into her mouth.
“Yanyan, slow down.”
Su Ningyue pulled out a couple of tissues and wiped the fine sweat from her forehead.
“Mmm… Ningning, you’re truly the best bestie in the world.”
Lin Xiyan sniffled, looking deeply touched, then suddenly changed the subject. “Oh, by the way, you said yesterday that you’ve been working overtime these past few days. Why?”
“Ugh!” Su Ningyue suddenly felt the beef in her mouth lose its flavor and pouted. “It seems there’s a new director at the Finance Bureau. Our Director Shen wants to curry favor with him, so everyone’s been working hard to do their jobs well, afraid of upsetting the higher-ups.”
“We were supposed to have him come on Friday, but he had something come up at the last minute, so I’ll have to keep working overtime next week.”
Lin Xiyan looked at Su Ningyue with concern and complained, “What kind of leader is that? Making my Ningning work overtime.”
With that, she peeled a shrimp and handed it over. “Ningning, have some shrimp. Let’s just have fun today and forget about work troubles.”
“You eat too.” Su Ningyue picked up several pieces of beef for her. “Did the students give you a hard time this week?”
“Those little brats—I’ve got them completely under control.” Lin Xiyan said with a proud air.
The two then exchanged smiles.
Meanwhile, at the table next to them, Gu Jingchuan’s handsome face curved into a faint smile at the corners of his lips, as if concealing endless meaning, further accentuating his extraordinary bearing and enigmatic air.
His long, slender fingers with well-defined knuckles idly played with the rim of his cup. As he gently turned it, the liquid inside rippled in subtle circles.
Gu Jingchuan gazed with lingering affection at the back of the head facing away from him. He truly hadn’t expected such an unexpected bonus today—it seemed this trip had been worth it.
Actually, the moment the little girl spoke, he had already recognized her voice—just as sweet and soft as it had been that night. He couldn’t help but look forward to her calling his name, wondering if he would be able to hold back when that time came.