The photographer took many photos that day, and An Mengyue specially picked two to post on her social media.
One was a top-down shot of her sitting beside the flower bouquet, head tilted to the side with a sweet smile.
The other was a close-up of the bouquet, clearly showing the card that read “My little cat, happy every day,” with a faint heart shape she made with her hands in the background.
【Happiness is nurtured with care, every frame with you all is unforgettable】
Ending her livestream early left her feeling light and free, her mood growing even brighter.
Checking the time and seeing it was close to seven, she went straight to the membership store for a big shopping haul—buying some favorite snacks, picking out the latest trendy blind box set, and heading home with a large bag full of spoils.
【A Yue: [Photo] My spoils】
【mz: Off work?】
【A Yue: Yeah, almost home】
【mz: Okay, contact me when you get home】
Walking along the tree-lined path in the neighborhood, listening to music and humming a tune, her steps unconsciously grew lighter. She didn’t know why she was so happy—she spun around once with the bag in hand before continuing forward.
Listening to “Girl” through her earphones, she took two more steps forward, switching the shopping bag from her left hand to her right, singing softly, “Girl, my story unfolds because of you, you learned to be patient, for you, I’ve changed all my bad habits.”
She was completely lost in her own world, not noticing anything around her—until someone lightly tapped her shoulder, snapping her out of it.
An Mengyue turned around with confusion. A man in a sports visor cap and black athletic wear—it was that man. Veins stood out on the back of his hand, his wrist bones clearly defined, the muscles of his arm flowing smoothly.
She took off her earphones and let out a soft “hmm,” not daring to meet his gaze. She noticed his other hand holding a box of See’s lollipops.
If she guessed right, she had actually bought the same box of lollipops today.
She lifted her bag to look and drew in a sharp breath—the shopping bag had been torn with a big hole by the sharp edge of the blind box packaging.
“Um… thank you… neighbor…”
With that, she lowered her head and took the candy, then, on a whim, opened the box and asked, “Would you like some candy?”
The man paused in his steps but still said nothing.
Realizing that he was out running for exercise, she felt silly for offering him candy, but the box was already open, so she steeled herself and took out one of each flavor.
“These are really good. Would you like to… try one?”
The man took the lollipop, his voice soft, deep yet magnetic, “Which flavor tastes the best?”
She hadn’t expected him to ask about the flavors. She pointed at one of them. “I like the coffee flavor.”
An Mengyue gathered her courage to look directly at the man, but he happened to turn away at that moment. Beneath the visor cap, she could only see his strong jawline. Even with such a close opportunity, she still couldn’t get a clear look at his face.
But somehow, it felt like he was even more handsome than before.
Not knowing if he could hear her, she called out again, “Thanks, neighbor!”
After getting home, she was organizing her things when her phone vibrated, interrupting her.
【mz: Home yet?】
【A Yue: Yeah, just organizing】
A voice call rang right after. She glanced at it and naturally pressed answer, putting it on speaker.
“Boss, are you off work? What are you doing?” She was still tearing at the wrapper of her lollipop.
“Eating candy.”
She popped the lollipop into her mouth and said with surprise, “What a coincidence? I’m eating candy too!”
She could feel him smiling on the other end. “My candy tastes better than yours.”
“Impossible. I’ve eaten countless candies, and this is my favorite one.”
“Are you done packing?”
She glanced around, then curled back into the corner of the sofa. “Not yet. I bought some blind boxes and I’m opening them! Pray I get the hidden one.”
“Go ahead and open it. You’ll get it.”
She tore open the packaging, closed her eyes, and pulled out the card. Peeking with one eye, she cried, “Ah! No! I didn’t get it. That was the last box.”
“Make a wish to me, and it’s bound to come true. Tell me which blind box series it is.”
She couldn’t help but marvel at how much President Ku had changed lately. Compared to his former coldness, he now had a touch of humor—after all, he’d bought an entire case of the same series just to help her pull the hidden figure.
An Mengyue found herself increasingly drawn to chatting with him, and her work was thriving too.
That day, Zhu Wenwen deliberately waited until she got off work and invited her out for a proper catch-up.
【A Yue: Boss, my senior invited me out for a little get-together~】
【mz: Okay, contact me when you get home.】
The two took a cab to a quiet bar near the company and settled into a window seat.
The dim lighting, the folk songs drifting from the stage, the men and women in the front row laughing uproariously over dice games, and outside the window, couples leaning into each other under the gentle moonlight—it was all so serene.
An Mengyue loved this relaxed atmosphere. It felt like being back in her college days, when they used to do this…
“Wenwen, I’m treating today. Order whatever you like.”
To her surprise, Zhu Wenwen doused her enthusiasm with cold water. “Yueyue, I think you’re getting a little carried away. I asked you out today specifically to talk about this.”
An Mengyue’s expression gradually darkened, and she said nothing.
“These words might not be pleasant to hear, but as the person who brought you into this company and as your good friend, I have to say them.”
“Don’t easily trust these internet big shots. And President Ku is clearly playing the love card. On the surface, he dotes on you, but behind the scenes, he has his own motives. He feeds you sweet talk, and a young girl like you is bound to get swept up. I asked Shark—this guy joined at level zero, so it’s definitely a burner account!”
Zhu Wenwen carefully weighed her words, shifting her tone repeatedly, afraid her words might hurt her.
An Mengyue’s expression grew uglier, her breathing heavier.
She wasn’t unaware of all this. Everyone had been reminding her: work is work, don’t invest too much personal emotion.
But she simply didn’t want to overcomplicate things.
At least President Ku’s kindness was real, and his favoritism was real too.
Seeing her stay silent, Zhu Wenwen spoke earnestly, “So what I’m trying to tell you is, just focus on your work. Don’t get carried away by his sweet talk! Stay rational. There’s no need to feel sorry for him—if he doesn’t gift you, he’ll gift someone else.”
“He’s openly doting on one person like this now, and plenty of scheming people will have their eyes on you. People love to build idols, but they love tearing them down even more. I’m afraid that when he eventually walks away without a backward glance, you won’t be able to handle it. After all, I’m the one who brought you down this path, and you’re my good friend—I have to say this!”
An Mengyue nodded, forcing a smile, fiddling with her glass before downing her Long Island Iced Tea in one go.
“I understand. Thank you, senior.”
“Mm. Yueyue, I hope you’re well—better and better.”
“You can still face him normally. Just take his sweet talk with a grain of salt. If he wants to gift, let him gift.”
“And above all, never meet him in private. If he asks to see you alone, you must refuse. If you don’t know how to handle it, tell me or tell the company—do you hear me?”
“Someone like him—you can’t outplay him.”