25. His ears were already burning hot.
The five-day island trip came to an end. Ling Xi had played a little too freely, so she spent the entire weekend lying at home for two days.
As soon as Monday arrived and she returned to work, she was swamped.
Some employees were still traveling, and a portion of the logistics work needed coordination by the President’s Office.
Zhou Mingye’s meetings ran until six in the afternoon. When Ling Xi saw him come out of the conference room, she went to his office to ask whether he needed to order dinner.
“Go ahead and order.”
Zhou Mingye took out a set of documents and handed them to Ling Xi. “Help organize this and send it to President Wu at Jiantong Manufacturing.”
Ling Xi took them. “Is it urgent?”
It was already past quitting time. If it was not urgent, she could handle it the next day.
Zhou Mingye rubbed his brow, then lifted his eyes to look at her. “You have plans?”
Ling Xi really did have plans.
On the return trip, her seat had happened to be next to Dong Yihui’s. While chatting about hobbies, Ling Xi mentioned that she had recently gotten into cycling and had her eye on a limited-edition model from a certain high-end brand. Unfortunately, it was extremely hard to buy, and she had failed to get one several times.
Dong Yihui said he had a friend who was the store manager for that brand and could take her to the shop to see whether any stock had arrived.
The two of them agreed to go check out bicycles after work today.
Dong Yihui worked in the Legal Department and generally did not work overtime. He sent Ling Xi a message: “Tell me when you’re done. I’ll wait for you downstairs.”
Ling Xi smiled lightly. “It’s not urgent. If you need this handled, I’ll take care of the work first.”
Just as she finished speaking, her phone buzzed again. Dong Yihui asked whether she wanted to eat something.
Zhou Mingye was not the kind of boss who liked prying into employees’ private lives. Seeing Ling Xi lower her head to look at her phone, he paused, then still asked, “What is it?”
“I want to buy a bicycle. A colleague said he knows the store owner and can help order one, so I’m planning to go take a look later.”
“Dong Yihui?”
Ling Xi nodded. How did he guess that so quickly?
Zhou Mingye said in a flat tone, “You’re pretty close with him.”
Ling Xi smiled. “It’s alright. He also happens to like cycling.”
Seeing her smile, Zhou Mingye’s expression darkened.
What did she mean by that? When she needed help, why did she not ask him first?
He thought for a moment. Was it because Ling Xi still felt uncertain about her relationship with him, so she did not dare make requests lightly?
Then he should take the initiative.
Zhou Mingye looked at his computer. “I have a friend who works at the domestic branch of that brand. I’ll ask for you.”
“Really?” Ling Xi’s eyes lit up immediately, and she hurriedly told him the bicycle model.
Zhou Mingye took out his phone and made a call. “Go help me send that email first.”
“Okay.”
Ling Xi went out and replied to Dong Yihui: Sorry, I have to work overtime today. No need to wait for me. Let’s go another day when we have time.
In the office, Zhou Mingye called his high school classmate, Yao Zhe.
Not long ago, at Xue Yang’s birthday party, Zhou Mingye had heard that Yao Zhe worked at the domestic company of a high-end bicycle brand and was responsible for marketing operations.
At the time, he had not paid attention to which brand it was. Based on what Ling Xi said today, it should be the same one.
Yao Zhe answered the call and first said in a sarcastic tone, “President Zhou actually has time to call me?”
Normally, this person could not even be bothered to send messages.
Zhou Mingye did not engage with him and stated his purpose directly.
Yao Zhe was rather surprised. “Since when are you interested in bicycles?”
“I’m asking for a friend.”
“Girlfriend?”
Zhou Mingye clicked his tongue. Why was everyone like Xue Yang?
“Just tell me whether it can be ordered.”
Yao Zhe laughed. “Limited editions are hard to get. I’ll ask the sales director and see if we can transfer one.”
“Alright, thanks.”
Ten minutes later, Yao Zhe called back. “It’s settled. It’s been transferred to your local store. I really had the sales director do me a personal favor for this.”
Zhou Mingye said, “I’ll remember this favor.”
“How will you repay it?”
“When you have your wedding, I’ll personally come and give a big gift.”
“That’s more like it.”
After Ling Xi finished her work, she went to report back to Zhou Mingye.
Zhou Mingye sent her an address. “The bicycle has been ordered for you. Go to this shop on Saturday and you can pick it up.”
Ling Xi did not expect Zhou Mingye to be so efficient. She was so happy she almost jumped. “Really, President Zhou?”
She had had her eye on this limited edition for a long time. It had a macaron color scheme and was released in limited quantities.
If she had known Zhou Mingye knew someone, she would have asked him directly.
Seeing her eyes sparkle, Zhou Mingye raised his brows at her. “It wasn’t that difficult.”
*
On Saturday morning, Ling Xi got up, ate breakfast, and went to the bicycle shop.
When she arrived, the shop had just opened for business. After she explained her purpose to the owner, the owner immediately and enthusiastically rolled the limited edition out from the storage room.
“Miss Ling, it arrived at the shop yesterday. Take a look and see what needs adjusting.”
Seeing the bicycle she had been longing for, Ling Xi was so happy she almost laughed out loud.
She got on to test the seat. It was slightly high, so she asked the owner to lower it a bit.
When she pushed it outside to test ride, Ling Xi saw a tall young man walk to the entrance and smile at her.
It took her one second to remember who it was. Xue Yang, the one she had once mistakenly thought was Zhou Mingye’s lover.
She smiled back at him as a greeting.
Xue Yang walked over. “Nice bike.”
“Are you here to buy a bicycle too?”
“Just browsing around. Do you have any recommendations?”
Ling Xi was only an enthusiast, not one of those hardcore aficionados. “I mostly judge by looks. You should ask the owner instead.”
Xue Yang wandered around the shop, took photos of a few bicycles, and sent them to Zhou Mingye. “Help me pick one. Which one looks good?”
He deliberately included Ling Xi in the frame outside the window.
A few minutes later, the other side replied with a question mark.
Then the phone call came through. “Why did you go there?”
Xue Yang replied lazily, “I’m at a bicycle shop, of course I’m buying a bicycle. What do you think I’m doing?”
Zhou Mingye did not need to think to know that Yao Zhe must have told Xue Yang. Those two had always liked sticking together back in school.
Outside the glass window, Ling Xi was taking photos of her new bicycle. She happened to look up and saw Xue Yang watching her with a half-smile.
She had no idea what he was laughing about.
She went inside to swipe her card and pay. The owner asked what complimentary gift she wanted and told her to take a look herself, then went to help Xue Yang pick out a bicycle.
She chose a green insulated bottle. It matched her bicycle’s color scheme very well and looked full of energy.
Ling Xi had taken a taxi today and planned to ride the bicycle for a while after buying it.
Just as she was about to leave, she saw someone push the door open. She looked up. It was Zhou Mingye.
“President Zhou.” Seeing Zhou Mingye here surprised Ling Xi a little.
He was dressed in black sportswear, looking as if he had just come from a morning run.
Zhou Mingye’s gaze fell on the bicycle beside her. “Bought it?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, there was stock as soon as I came today.”
Not far away, Xue Yang saw Zhou Mingye and raised his brows at him. “Oh? What brings you here?”
Zhou Mingye snorted lightly. “If you can come, why can’t I?”
Xue Yang genuinely seemed to want to buy a bicycle. He recommended one to Zhou Mingye. “I looked this brand up online. It’s really good. It folds up and is very lightweight.”
Zhou Mingye glanced at the model in his hand, then sized up Xue Yang’s stomach. “You really do need to exercise.”
“Hey, what do you mean by that? I just haven’t worked out for a month.”
He took out his card and went to the owner to pay, then called out to Ling Xi. “Secretary Ling, where do you usually ride your bike?”
“Near Yuanjiang Park.”
Ling Xi pointed in a direction. “There’s a lake there. The air is good, and there aren’t many people.”
Xue Yang asked, “Are you going there later?”
Ling Xi nodded.
“Then could you wait for me for a bit? I’ll go work out too.”
Xue Yang had a naturally familiar personality, and he was also the boss’s friend. Ling Xi naturally did not refuse and agreed, “Sure.”
“Let’s add each other on WeChat.”
Xue Yang took out his phone and deliberately looked at Zhou Mingye. With his back to Ling Xi, Zhou Mingye glared at him and said in a low voice, “Are you out of your mind?”
“What’s wrong with me?”
While the two of them were bickering, Ling Xi had already gone out to the open area outside. She was extremely fond of her new bicycle. Even though it had cost tens of thousands, she did not feel any heartache at all.
She waited for quite a while and still did not see Xue Yang come out. Just as Ling Xi was about to go back inside to ask, she saw Zhou Mingye push a bicycle out as well.
Before Ling Xi could speak, Zhou Mingye took the initiative and said, “I have nothing going on today. I’ll work out with you as well.”
Ling Xi did not know whether to laugh or cry.
She had come to buy a bicycle, and somehow it had turned into forming a cycling group.
*
The three of them rode along the roadside toward the park, with Ling Xi in front.
Xue Yang leaned closer to Zhou Mingye. “Caught feelings?”
“Get lost.”
Xue Yang snorted with laughter. “The moment I said I ran into her, you came right over. If that’s not catching feelings, what is?”
Zhou Mingye did not want to deal with him. “Is business slow for you? Are you so idle that you’re worrying about other people’s love lives?”
“I’m creating opportunities for you, and you’re not even grateful?”
Xue Yang cast a meaningful glance at Ling Xi’s back and gave his conclusion. “Unrequited love.”
Zhou Mingye nearly wanted to kick him off his bike. Even if it was unrequited love, he was the one being loved. There was no way to reason with this idiot.
By the lake in early autumn, ginkgo leaves carpeted the pedestrian path. Ling Xi slowed down and stopped.
The two behind her stopped as well.
Xue Yang had not exercised in a long time. After a twenty-minute ride, he was already panting.
He took out his phone to call a car. “I still have something to do at noon. You two carry on.”
Ling Xi looked at him in confusion. Had he not been the one who suggested working out together just now?
She thought he really could not keep riding anymore and kindly suggested, “You can adjust the gears. It won’t be so tiring.”
Xue Yang shook his head. “Forget it. Next time.”
After saying that, he winked at Zhou Mingye with an expression that clearly said, “I’ll help you only this far.”
Zhou Mingye could not be bothered with him.
After Xue Yang left, Ling Xi and Zhou Mingye set off again along the lakeside.
The autumn scenery was simply too beautiful. Ling Xi slowed her pace and heard Zhou Mingye ask from behind, “Can’t keep going?”
“How is that possible!”
Ling Xi lifted her chin proudly. “Last time I even rode all the way around the lake.”
Zhou Mingye expressed his doubt.
Who knew Ling Xi would issue a challenge instead? “Race!”
As soon as the words fell, Ling Xi pedaled hard and sprinted forward. Her speed was too fast, and in an instant, she pulled several meters ahead.
Zhou Mingye’s competitive spirit was ignited. He got on his bike as well and chased after her with full effort.
Ling Xi was like a kindergarten kid in a race, pedaling while verbally attacking her opponent. “I passed you!”
The sound of rushing wind filled his ears, golden scenery stretching all around. When Zhou Mingye caught up to Ling Xi, he slowed down, overtaking her by just a little.
Ling Xi ran out of stamina and finally raised her hand to concede defeat, stopping by the lake.
After nearly forty minutes of continuous riding, Zhou Mingye’s hair was tousled by the wind, his black T-shirt billowing. He turned his face toward the lake, the breeze making the tip of his nose faintly red.
Ling Xi turned her head. It was the first time she had seen Zhou Mingye like this, full of vitality, nothing like his usual aloof demeanor.
She looked for a few seconds and withdrew her gaze when Zhou Mingye turned around.
The two rested quietly like this for several minutes and reached the same conclusion that it was time to head back.
As they were about to set off, Zhou Mingye received a call. It was from Luo Yongxia.
Ling Xi did not know what was said on the other end. She only saw Zhou Mingye curve his lips into a smile. After hanging up, he looked at Ling Xi. Only after a long pause did he speak. “Give the kitten a name.”
It took Ling Xi a few seconds to react and understand what he meant. She exclaimed in surprise, “You adopted it?”
Zhou Mingye gave a casual hum. “Auntie said she brought the kitten home. She doesn’t really know how to deal with it.”
“Why did you change your mind?” Ling Xi jumped off her bicycle excitedly. After returning from her trip, she had not even had time to discuss keeping a cat with her grandmother.
Zhou Mingye glanced at her. Was she really asking when she already knew the answer?
“Since it likes my yard so much, I’ll just let it stay.”
Ling Xi could hardly stop herself from praising Zhou Mingye. She rushed in front of his bike, her bright eyes fixed on him. “You’re such a good person! Boss, how can you be this kind? You’re really, really a great person.”
Zhou Mingye froze in place at the sudden barrage of compliments.
How could she so casually say these things out loud?
Looking at her delighted and burning gaze, Zhou Mingye felt his mind go blank. By the time he came back to his senses, his ears were already burning hot.