“Is that him? The handsome guy on the splash screen?”
“Really? Does our school really have such a good-looking guy?”
Before this, the calf had no idea how much of an impact a single part-time job gig would have on his campus life. He knew what the people around him were discussing. The advertisement shot previously had been featured on the splash screens of popular apps among young people as a preview for the Golden Week holiday, yet he felt that his usual campus attire was so ordinary that no one would ever pay attention to it.
However, how could anyone be naive enough to think that a 185-centimeter tall frame and a signature bronze skin tone could hide in a crowd?
After finishing his morning specialized classes, the calf did not even dare to return to his dormitory. He hurried away from his classmates’ probing gazes and took a ride straight to the milk tea shop where he usually worked. To his surprise, even the owner knew about the incident, smiling and nodding when customers asked if they could take a picture with him.
At nineteen years old, the calf had always been honest and down-to-earth, spending his time either burying his head in farming, studying, or working part-time. When had he ever been subjected to so much attention? He felt extremely panicked, terrified that any misstep on his part would cause trouble for the brand and for Gong Nanxing.
When the milk tea shop closed for the night, after finishing the final cleanup, the calf bid farewell to his coworkers, changed out of his uniform, and squatted alone by the locker in a daze. What should he do now? Even opening his phone right now, the class and dormitory group chats were completely filled with discussions about this matter. Because he was always out working part-time, his relationships with his surrounding classmates were not particularly close. Isolated in this city, who could he pour these worries out to?
At nine-thirty in the evening, Gong Nanxing was just closing his laptop and leaning against the headboard to get ready for sleep when his phone suddenly vibrated. Expecting a new work notification, he frowned and swiped open the screen, only to find a message from the calf.
“Older brother, are you resting already?”
“I am getting ready. What is it? If it is about our study session, I was too busy today, so let us take a day off.”
After finishing typing, Gong Nanxing could not help chuckling. Knowing that the calf had a late shift at the milk tea shop today, he had given them both a day off. Could the calf possibly be this diligent about studying late at night? He had recited those two pages of copy quite well after all.
“…Never mind, go rest, older brother. (Dairy cow sending heart.jpg)”
Watching the typing indicator flicker a few times before finally receiving such a reply, Gong Nanxing almost put his phone down and forced himself to sleep. Yet, an inexplicable image kept lingering in his mind: a little black calf curling his massive frame into a corner, staring at him with teary eyes.
This visual assault continuously chipped away at Gong Nanxing’s psychological defenses. Cursing reluctantly under his breath, he resignedly dialed a voice call.
“Older brother…?”
“What is it? Speak directly, do not play guessing games with me.”
The sound of bustling traffic drifted from the calf’s end, suggesting he was currently on the bus ride back to campus. The mechanical automated station-announcement voice played periodically, failing to interrupt the calf’s cautious outpouring of worries.
“So you feel like you do not care about other people’s gazes, and you want me to teach you?”
Gong Nanxing scratched his head. The calf’s Mandarin had indeed improved significantly by now, at least eliminating the need for guesswork. Yet, aside from reciting those two pages of interview script with clear and round articulation, he still had an accent in everyday speech. Oh well, getting off track here, the original intent was just to have him do a crash course on those two pages of paper anyway.
“How am I supposed to teach that… Fine, stop sniffling and whining, I will figure something out for you. Being handsome is nothing to be ashamed of; what on earth are you afraid of?”
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Gong Nanxing once again felt a splitting headache. Why did he keep signing himself up for psychological counseling gigs? Judging by the calf’s description, however, it sounded like he did not even want to stay on campus anymore, which made it sound genuinely severe.
“Here is what we will do. If you are really that annoyed, just come stay at the company.”
Early the next morning, as Gong Nanxing stepped out of the elevator as usual, he spotted that familiar dark silhouette sitting by the corridor potted plants. Honestly, it was easy to invite a deity, but hard to send one away. Unwilling to speak, he gave a sidelong glance and signaled Qiao Xi with his eyes to invite the calf inside.
Yet, if the calf could truly be ignored, he would not be feeling this distressed. The bright-eyed calf sprang up from the floor, full of vitality, and cheerfully greeted Gong Nanxing and Qiao Xi. Only then did the two notice several burlap sacks stashed behind him where he had been squatting.
“Little Calf, what is this?”
“Sister Qiao Xi, these are homegrown fruits my family mailed over! With the Mid-Autumn Festival coming up, I asked my family to send a few extra for everyone to try! My family’s fruit is really good!”
The calf unzipped a burlap sack, revealing a batch of brightly colored, plump assorted fruits. Before Gong Nanxing’s expression could turn pitch black, Qiao Xi thanked the calf with lightning speed and notified other staff members to come up and claim a share.
At least someone on this floor had common sense. Gong Nanxing waved dismissively at the calf, who eagerly trotted right behind him all the way into the office.
“Wait a minute, why do you still have more?” Once Gong Nanxing took off his jacket and turned around, he discovered the calf was holding two gift boxes in his hands. He did not even need to guess; they were undoubtedly filled with fruit as well.
“Older brother, place your desk, I am going to cut a fruit platter for you! I carefully picked the biggest and prettiest ones!” Tossing his bag aside, the calf happily hurried off to busy himself in the breakroom.
Whatever. Numbly operating the coffee machine, Gong Nanxing felt an aura of quiet despair radiating from his entire body.
“Older brother, I want two milks and two sugars. Hehe!”
Watching Gong Nanxing dispense two cups of coffee simultaneously, the calf flashed a smile as bright as a blooming sunflower. Should he check if he needed to install some anti-fraud app? Wasn’t this the exact same black calf who was crying his eyes out yesterday over refusing to face people? Maintaining a benevolent expression, Gong Nanxing tore open two syrup packets and two creamer pods, dumping them all unceremoniously into the calf’s mug. Oh right, this kid even had his own designated coffee mug in this office.
Damn it, if this kid dared to trick him, he would not let him live…
“Older brother, the sweetest dragon fruit core, you eat!”
Holding a fruit fork speared with a heart-shaped piece of red dragon fruit right up to his lips, Gong Nanxing gritted his teeth and swallowed it down. Instantly, a refreshing sweetness filled his entire mouth. Forget it, aside from that muscular physique, this kid only had a stomach, possessing neither brains nor cunning. Thinking of this, Gong Nanxing unilaterally revoked the death warrant on the little calf, swallowed the fruit, and took a sip of his own coffee.
“Wow, older brother, isn’t it bitter drinking this right after eating fruit?”
Even with two milks and two sugars added to his own cup, the bitterness still made him stick his tongue out, so how could Mr. Gong remain completely unfazed? Ah! Could it be that Mr. Gong actually suffered from taste bud failure? That made sense; he always liked eating those white-person meals mentioned online, just a piece of dry bread paired with some sauce, which he actually called lunch.
Goodness, he had been far too careless lately! He had paid so little attention to older brother! How could he not even notice how much suffering he was enduring!
Clueless about what was running through the calf’s mind while enduring that massive, glaring gaze, Gong Nanxing could not help voicing his doubt: “Why are you looking at me with such a sympathetic expression?”