Xiao-ou decided not to take Chi Wei’s words too seriously. While she genuinely liked Gu Ming, the reality that Gu Ming was getting married in two months loomed large. A confession would only be an intrusion. She shook her head and went back to organizing her room.
On Monday, Gu Ming showed up to work looking cool as hell, wearing sunglasses and high heels. Xiao-ou was lucky enough to end up in the same elevator. Everyone from various floors stole glances at her. Xiao-ou grumbled internally: It’s just work, not a runway—why look so good? She offered a small smile, but Gu Ming remained cold, a statue in the corner of the elevator, giving no response at all.
Xiao-ou’s heart sank. They had just shared a meal a few days ago! But before she could dwell on it, the elevator hit the 8th floor.
“Your goddess seems to be in a bad mood today, but she really is stunning,” Chi Wei whispered as they stepped out. Xiao-ou pushed her head away, her heart heavy. This VP was a puzzle—a different mood every day.
…
The Stairwell Secrets
Monday was relentless. Between writing scripts, fighting with ad agencies, and prepping PPTs, Xiao-ou barely had time to breathe. Around noon, she stepped out to the restroom. Next to it was the stairwell, the unofficial smoking lounge for the 8th floor. Hearing voices, she peeked inside and saw Chi Wei, Qian Lili, the designer Wei Hang, and an accountant from Finance.
The conversation died the second she entered. “You don’t even smoke, what are you doing here?” Chi Wei asked. “I heard you guys. I’m exhausted—is work always this crazy?” Xiao-ou pouted at Wei Hang and Lili. “We’re just gossiping,” Lili said, pulling Xiao-ou in. “Talking about men and women.”
Sensing the awkwardness, Xiao-ou was about to leave when Lili grabbed her. “Zhong Xiao-ou, are you into women too?”
Xiao-ou stared in shock, then glared at Chi Wei. Chi Wei, leaning against the wall, waved her hands. “Lili, your ‘gaydar’ is sharp. I swear, I didn’t tell her anything.” “I knew it!” Lili clapped her hands. “The way you look at President Gu—it’s the look of ‘one of us.'”
Xiao-ou’s eyes were practically daggers directed at Chi Wei. “Honestly, I didn’t say a word,” Chi Wei insisted. “You’re just too obvious. You hide it well, but Lili caught you.”
Xiao-ou leaned against Chi Wei, embarrassed. How did they know? “Relax,” Lili said, “Wei Hang here likes Manager Wen.” “What?!” Xiao-ou nearly bit her tongue. “But… doesn’t Fatty Wen have a kid?”
“Shhh!” Chi Wei covered Xiao-ou’s mouth. Xiao-ou was reeling. Wei Hang looked like a perfectly clean-cut “straight” guy. Why on earth would he like Fatty Wen? “Seriously? Why him?” “Don’t you think he’s cute?” Wei Hang’s eyes actually softened. “He’s chubby and cute even when he’s angry.”
Xiao-ou took a deep breath. To each their own, she figured—though it felt like a waste of a good-looking guy. “So, these are the ‘family members’ I’ve found in the company,” Chi Wei said, arm around Xiao-ou. “And now, we add you.”
Xiao-ou’s mouth hung open. Between the “t-style” accountant, Wei Hang, and Lili, the Planning department was practically a rainbow hub. The world is big, she mused, and we are all so small.
…
The Office of Flowers and Thorns
Still stung by Gu Ming’s elevator snub, Xiao-ou was given a pile of documents by Wei Hang to take to the 10th floor for signing. She knew he was trying to help her out.
In the office, Gu Ming was still wearing sunglasses. Inside? Xiao-ou wondered. Is the light too bright for her? Gu Ming took the papers in silence. The room smelled like a florist’s—lilies and roses everywhere. Champagne gold, Blue Enchantress… Xiao-ou, who had minor pollen allergies, couldn’t help but let out a few sneezes.
Gu Ming finally looked up. “Do you have a cold?” “No… just a bit of a pollen allergy.” Gu Ming signed the papers and handed them back. “Sorry about the other night. I had an emergency and had to leave. I owe you that dinner.” “It’s fine, really!” Xiao-ou hesitated, then asked, “Are you okay? Did everything get resolved?”
Gu Ming froze. Behind the sunglasses, her gaze met Xiao-ou’s, but her mind drifted back to that night.
…
The Confrontation
While eating with Xiao-ou, she had received a call from her friend Mu Yao. “I’m at the Ritz-Carlton, and I just saw Shi Lei with a girl.” Gu Ming had found it impossible—Shi Lei told her he was on a business trip to Beijing. Then, Mu Yao sent a photo. It was just their backs, but that Armani shirt was the 30th birthday gift Gu Ming had bought him.
Gu Ming never thought she’d be the protagonist in a cliché “cheating” story. Mu Yao had followed them. When Gu Ming arrived, Mu Yao was sitting in a booth with a young man, eating. “Where is he?” “In a private room. You think he’d eat in the lobby?” Mu Yao gestured to her food. “I had to eat while waiting for you. I need my strength if I’m going to help you hit someone.”
“Which room?” “The ‘Heaven on Earth’ suite.”
Gu Ming’s legs felt weak. The room was right across the lobby. She sat there, paralyzed. Mu Yao squeezed her hand. “If you go in there, the wedding in October is over. But Gu Ming… do you really want a life with one eye closed?”
Gu Ming’s eyes burned. She stood up, crossed the lobby, and headed for the suite. Mu Yao and the boy followed. Her hand trembled on the handle. She twisted it. The people inside thought it was the waiter. A girl was draped across Shi Lei’s lap. Without looking back, the girl said, “Waiter, more water here.”
When the girl realized it wasn’t a waiter, she poked Shi Lei. Gu Ming saw his face—frozen, pale, caught. He stood up, wiping his chin. No one spoke. Gu Ming felt a bitterness so deep she couldn’t find words. Mu Yao broke the silence: “You really know how to pick a spot. Did you think this was Beijing?”