*– Bento and Big Dreams
| September 26, 2023 - 12:35 AM
The smell of grilled fish, steaming rice, and miso soup filled the small bento shop as Lin and Lily slid into their usual booth by the window.
It was a cozy little place, tucked away from the busy office streets. Lin liked it because the food was simple, good, and fast—no unnecessary frills, just comfort on a plate.
Lily stretched, sighing as she unwrapped her chopsticks. "I swear, if I have to sit through another finance meeting, I'm quitting and running away to the mountains."
Lin smirked. "You'd last two days before missing air conditioning."
Lily pouted. "Hey, I could be outdoorsy if I tried."
There was a paused.
Lin raised an eyebrow, poking at her grilled fish with rice. "Sure. As long as the 'outdoors' includes five-star hotels and daily spa treatments."
Lily laughed, taking a bite of her meal. "Okay, fine. No mountains. But I've been thinking—if I won the lottery? I'd quit immediately and travel with my husband first, before settling down and opening a restaurant."
Lin tilted her head. "Your husband?"
There was another paused before Lily waved her chopsticks dramatically. "My future husband. Manifesting it."
Lin chuckled. "And what kind of restaurant?"
Lily's eyes sparkled. "Something small but elegant. Almost Fancy. Seasonal tasting menus, personal service, kind of place where people make reservations months in advance."
Lin smirked. "So, expensive?"
Lily took a sip of tea, then glanced at Lin. ""Of course. What about you? If you won the lottery?"
Lin took a slow bite, then shrugged. "I'd retire to a farm."
Lily paused, chopsticks hovering mid-air. "Wait. You're serious?"
Lin smirked. "Completely."
Lily leaned in, curious. "What would you do there?"
Lin tilted her head thoughtfully. "Grow food. Raise animals. Maybe start a business."
Lily shook her head, smiling. "I can't believe you want to live in the countryside."
Lin just grinned, taking another bite of fish.
Because the truth was—she had already won.
| September 26, 2023 - 1:00 PM
After lunch, Lin and Lily strolled down the street toward a small gift shop, the kind of place filled with handmade trinkets, fancy candles, and overpriced stationery.
"This is why I don't do office birthdays," Lin muttered, glancing at the colorful display of mugs and greeting cards.
Lily laughed, nudging her. "Come on, Lin. It's just a small gift. Be a little festive."
Lin arched an eyebrow. "If I ever throw a birthday party, you can get me a bag of rice and call it a day."
Lily gasped dramatically. "A bag of rice? You have such expensive taste."
Lin smirked. "Only the best."
They wandered through the shop, scanning the shelves.
"Okay," Lily said, tapping her chin. "What do we get Mark? He likes… what? Coffee? Expensive watches? Bragging?"
Lin hummed thoughtfully. "He likes himself."
Lily snorted. "So a mirror?"
Lin smirked, then spotted something on a nearby shelf.
She picked up a sleek, minimalist leather notebook. "This. Fancy but practical."
Lily nodded approvingly. "Perfect. And I'll grab this." She held up a gourmet coffee blend. "That way, he can write about how amazing he is while drinking overpriced coffee."
Lin chuckled. "Efficient."
| September 26, 2023 - 1:15 PM
After paying, they stepped out onto the street, bags in hand.
Lily stretched. "Okay, back to work?"
Lin sighed. "Unfortunately."
Lily nudged her. "At least we have cake later."
Lin smirked. "True. Might make the day tolerable."
With that, they headed back toward the office—one step closer to a future Lin was already planning to leave behind.
| September 26, 2023 - 1:25 PM
Lin strolled back into the office, adjusting her bag as she passed the reception area.
Just another boring afternoon in corporate hell.
Until she heard the low murmur of voices coming from the main hallway.
She glanced up.
William Zhao. Standing by his office door. And Vivian Zhao.
Lin paused mid-step, tilting her head slightly. Interesting.
Vivian wasn't supposed to be here.
She usually preferred luxury boutiques and private spas, not hanging around her husband's workplace.
But the tension in the air? It was thick.
Lin took a slow sip of her coffee and moved toward her desk—but not before catching a few words.
| September 26, 2023 - 2:06 PM
"…You need to trust me," Vivian was saying, her voice low but urgent.
William's response was calm, too calm. "Trust you? That's hard to do these days."
Lin's brows lifted slightly.
Vivian let out a tight laugh, stepping closer to him. "William, don't be ridiculous. You're stressed, and you're seeing problems where there aren't any."
William didn't respond right away.
Lin slowed her pace just enough to hear more.
| September 26, 2023 - 2:07 PM
Vivian touched his arm, her perfectly manicured fingers curling against his sleeve. "You know I only have your best interests at heart."
Lin hid a smirk behind her coffee cup.
Oh, this was good.
Vivian was trying to smooth things over, but Lin could see it—William didn't fully believe her.
And why would he?
She had spent years playing the perfect wife while sneaking around with male models and ruining innocent men's careers.
William finally sighed. "Vivian, I don't have time for this right now."
Vivian's smile faltered for half a second before she quickly recovered. "Of course. We'll talk later."
Lin reached her desk, casually setting her bag down as Vivian turned, her heels clicking against the polished floors.
As Vivian walked past, Lin caught the briefest flicker of something sharp in her expression—a flash of irritation, of calculation.
And Lin?
She just smiled.
Vivian Zhao was running out of time.