At the year-end inventory summary rush, Su Yao was so busy that she was overwhelmed. Overtime was common, and there were several occasions where she barely had time to take off her shoes before collapsing into bed.
When Su Yao received Liang Chuyuan’s text message, it was already three in the morning.
During this time, Su Yao and Liang Chuyuan’s communication hadn’t ceased like before. They lived in the same community, had similar tastes, and occasionally went out together to find late-night snacks. However, lately Su Yao had been too busy, and they hadn’t seen each other for a week.
Liang Chuyuan said he had gotten some winter crabs from his brother and asked Su Yao when she was free so they could have them together.
Su Yao felt touched; she had mentioned to him before that she liked seafood, but she didn’t expect him to remember.
It took her four hours to reply, thinking Liang Chuyuan had already gone to sleep, but to her surprise, after she finished showering, she received a new message from him.
“Sure, it’s perfect for New Year’s Eve together.”
Su Yao glanced at the calendar on the bedside table.
Tomorrow was New Year’s Day.
*
After a morning of meetings, Su Yao felt parched and had to drink almost half a bottle of water to cool down.
“Manager Su, you look exhausted,” someone remarked.
Su Yao touched her face and looked at the person. “Is it that obvious?”
Zong Ming pointed to his own eyes. “I can see dark circles.”
Su Yao shrugged. “Can’t help it, lack of sleep.”
“Manager Su, you still need to pay attention to rest,” Zong Ming continued, then changed the subject, “Last time we had dinner, I heard from other colleagues that you had some last-minute business that’s why you couldn’t make it?”
Zong Ming paused, and Su Yao had no choice but to pause as well. She nodded, “Yeah.”
“I thought maybe you didn’t want to interact with me too much,” Zong Ming added.
Su Yao was taken aback, and her first reaction was Tian Lijun. After all, from a work perspective, she didn’t want to get too close to the finance side, especially when it came to her direct superior’s rival, Zong Ming. If possible, she didn’t want to take sides between the two teams.
Zong Ming glanced at Su Yao’s lips and noticed that her lipstick had been eaten away quite a bit today, but they were still a vibrant shade of red.
“I’ve been wondering, does Manager Su really not remember me?” he asked before she could respond. “We were classmates at Lüdao High School.”
Su Yao froze in place.
Damn, this guy actually knows her.
…
Back in the office, it was time to leave, so Su Yao went downstairs to the cafeteria with a few colleagues from her department to have lunch.
She had lost her appetite recently, and even seeing her favorite stewed chicken failed to excite her. She could only nibble on her food slowly while listening to the idle chatter of others.
“There’s an event tonight, the same group as last time. Are you guys going?”
“Yeah, why not? Nothing else to do.”
“What about… Will Zong Ming go?”
“Hey, your intentions are too obvious!”
“Yeah, last time he left halfway through, such a buzzkill.”
Su Yao wasn’t very interested in these conversations, fearing that others might drag her into them. She just stayed quiet, eating her sweet and sour potatoes without saying a word.
But what was bound to happen always did.
“Su Yao, are you going this time?”
She had made plans early in the morning with Liang Chuyuan to visit his place, eat seafood, drink beer… and celebrate the New Year together.
“You’re not going again?” The people opposite her exchanged glances.
Su Yao pretended not to know and smiled, “You guys are still young, full of energy. I’ll pass on this one.”
“Nonsense, Su Yao is so pretty, people would believe she’s in her early twenties,” one of them said.
Su Yao brushed it off, thinking they were exaggerating, and just made a few agreeable remarks before ending the conversation.
…
Su Yao didn’t expect Zong Ming to make a special trip to the administrative department when work was over.
Fortunately, there was only her in the office at that time, so there wasn’t an opportunity for gossip.
“They’ve all gone to the parking lot,” Zong Ming said.
“I know,” he looked at her, “You’re not going today either?”
Su Yao nodded, “I have plans.”
As if afraid Zong Ming would say something strange, she quickly added, “Since Mr. Zong just joined the company, it’s better not to miss these gatherings.”
“How long have you been here?” Zong Ming asked.
“More than five years,” Su Yao replied.
Zong Ming nodded understandingly, “Let’s go then. I’ll drop you off at home before heading over there.”
Su Yao refused without hesitation, “No, that’s unnecessary.”
“Are you afraid of me?” Zong Ming asked.
“No,” Su Yao felt a bit embarrassed, “It’s just that my friend is already waiting for me downstairs.”
Zong Ming: “…”