Departmental Drama

The next morning, I woke up on time. While brushing my teeth, I realized there was no special transportation that day, and a wave of slight disappointment washed over me as I anticipated having to squeeze onto the bus. I grabbed a bag of milk and was about to head out when my phone rang. My heart skipped a beat, but when I saw the name on the screen, a flicker of disappointment crossed my mind.

"Hello?" 

"Are you on your way out?" Wen Xicheng's voice was like the morning sunshine—warm and soothing. 

I closed the door and walked toward the elevator. "I just stepped out. Did Zifei and Niyi catch their flight?" 

"Yes, I sent them to the airport early this morning. I'm almost at your neighborhood; wait for me for a moment." 

I was taken aback, instinctively wanting to refuse, but I still said, "You don't need to come in; I can walk out." 

He paused for a moment and replied, "Okay."

I waited at the entrance of the neighborhood for a few minutes before Wen Xicheng arrived. After getting into the car, I smiled and said, "You took a longer route coming from the airport; it's much closer to go directly to the office." 

He didn't respond; his expression dimmed slightly. He smiled and handed me a paper bag from the back seat. 

I opened it to find soy milk and steamed dumplings. Adjusting my mood, I said, "How did you know I didn't get a chance to eat breakfast? Thank you!" 

Wen Xicheng's eyes sparkled with a hint of a smile as he turned to look at me. "I'll drive slowly so you can eat it while it's warm." 

I agreed and began to have breakfast, feeling genuinely moved by his thoughtfulness.

When Feng Shuchuan picked me up for the first time, I had asked him to help me bring along some breakfast.

He had seriously said to me, "If you get up half an hour earlier, you can make a nice breakfast. I don't recommend eating out, but if you insist, I can help buy it for you." 

At that moment, I felt mortified, embarrassed at the thought of asking him to buy breakfast again—I couldn't let him think I was so lazy that I wouldn't even wake up half an hour early, even though, in reality, I really didn't want to. However, considering that waking up early is good for one's health, I reluctantly accepted. 

A month into our relationship, there was a day when I overslept and didn't have time to make breakfast.

Just like today, I grabbed a bag of milk and got into his car. He looked at my somewhat messy hair for a moment and then calmly said, "If we lived together, I could help you make breakfast, saving a lot of time on the road." 

I nearly spat out the milk, rolling my eyes at the sky, feeling that the saddest thing about dating my boss was that he could deliver sweet nothings in such a work-related tone! 

At the office, instead of getting out a block early, I stayed in Wen Xicheng's car and drove into the underground parking lot. After parking, as I tossed the paper bag into the trash, a familiar low voice came from behind me. 

"Manager Wen, good morning!" 

My body jolted like a live wire, and I turned to see Feng Shuchuan, wearing a light smile and standing not far away with keys in hand, his imposing figure radiating a sense of detachment and coldness. 

I glanced at Wen Xicheng beside me and slowly lowered my head—what a coincidence it was; he just had to witness this, and now no amount of explanation would suffice. 

Wen Xicheng smiled slightly and said, "Morning." Then he looked at me and added, "I'll go ahead." 

Only after Wen Xicheng left did Feng Shuchuan approach me with a smile that made me uncomfortable, stopping in front of me and saying, "It seems you haven't told him about our agreement yet." After a pause, he added, "Or have you already made a decision?" 

I stared at my own toes, feeling somewhat suffocated by his commanding presence. Feng Shuchuan didn't say anything more, loosened his tie, and brushed against my arm as he walked past. A few seconds later, I turned and headed toward the elevator. Feng Shuchuan kindly pressed the button for me. Once inside, I said, "Thank you." He replied, "You're welcome!" 

The low pressure in the elevator prompted a strange urge to scratch the walls. Observing his tense and somewhat gloomy expression, I chose not to explain anything.

From what I knew of him, no matter how hard I tried to clarify things, he would simply dismiss it with a casual remark: "Explanation..." was just another way of saying cover-up. "In summer, I taught you this a long time ago."

I could almost imagine his indifferent, disinterested demeanor while I would undoubtedly appear like a panicked little wife, eager for understanding, overwhelmed with anxiety! How could this happen? It was too pathetic; why should I allow myself to feel so downtrodden?

So, when the elevator doors opened, I straightened my posture, smiling as I walked out. I distinctly felt his footsteps pause for a moment behind me before he stepped forward in his high heels with determination, like an athlete racing to the office.

Once seated, I let out a deep breath, grabbed a tissue to wipe the sweat from my palms, and sighed. Life truly isn't easy!

Monday's meeting was particularly lengthy, and by the time it ended, it was nearly noon. Upon returning to the office, just as I was about to ask Song Ying to go for lunch, Feng Shuchuan walked in, his expression unreadable, and glanced at us, saying, "We'll hold a departmental meeting in the B3 office in ten minutes." I stole a glance at him and then looked down, only beginning to sort through materials once he stepped into his office.

During the meeting, as per usual practice, others reported on their work first. I was last on the agenda, and feeling somewhat guilty, I didn't dare to meet his gaze. Feng Shuchuan maintained a blank expression, his demeanor slightly tense, frowning occasionally. I thought of a term: commanding without anger!

When it was my turn, I collected myself before speaking. "Last week, we bid on six projects. Of those, four advanced to the second round while two were eliminated due to excessive pricing. The projects we are more confident about moving forward with are the Bosch new factory and the second phase of the BMW building."

Feng Shuchuan was silent for a few seconds before looking at me seriously and asking, "The budget and cost calculations for the Shanghai Zhongxin International project diverged by 3%. What's the reason for this?"

I paused momentarily. The bidding process for this project had dragged on for too long, resulting in significant changes in material prices since our initial quote. I had done my utmost in negotiations, yet the costs still exceeded our original estimates; he knew this. Just last week, he remarked on how challenging it had been to arrive at the current price. His deliberate mention of it in the meeting left me suspicious of his intentions.

Clearing my throat, I explained, "I reported on this last week. The primary increase is due to the rise in steel prices, and part of it is attributable to our tight schedule, which required the manufacturers to expedite the process, thereby increasing costs."

Feng Shuchuan looked at me with an impassive expression and said, "When you joined the company four years ago, I stated that all reports must come with written documentation. I handle a lot of matters each day; if everyone were to just verbally inform me, as you have, I would never be able to manage my work."

Heat rose to my face, and biting my lip, I retorted, "The prices were only finalized last Friday. I will provide you with a detailed report as soon as possible." 

Feng Shuchuan glanced at me before turning to the others and said, "Remember, every time we meet, I emphasize the importance of timelines. What I need are precise timeframes, not vague terms like 'soon' or 'as soon as possible' that hold no meaning." He then turned to me, "Director Xia, can you provide me with a definite time?"

Noticing the incredulous expressions on the faces of others, I felt tears welling in my eyes, a weakness I desperately tried to suppress. I looked up at him, straining to keep my voice steady, and said, "Before three this afternoon."

Feng Shuchuan lowered his gaze to avoid eye contact, stood up, and announced, "Alright, meeting adjourned!"

After he left, I also stood up, ignoring the sympathetic gazes from others as I exited the room.

Back in the office, Feng Shuchuan was already seated behind his desk. Upon hearing the noise, he glanced over through the glass partition. There was only a sheet of glass separating us, allowing me to clearly see his expression—still as indifferent as ever, betraying no sign of emotion.

With a stoic face, I set my folder down and took my meal card before leaving, our gazes never crossing.

The cafeteria was nearly empty. I got two servings of vegetables and a half-portion of rice, finding a corner to sit down.

The first time I realized how immature Feng Shuchuan could be, I was shocked that he would choose such a method to embarrass me. Setting aside my position as a supervisor, after four years of working with him, he shouldn't have treated me this way. Even if he had issues with me, he shouldn't have made me look foolish in front of my colleagues. In this big company, every step must be taken with care. Over the past four years, I have diligently followed his lead and treated my colleagues sincerely, never giving anyone a chance to gossip about me. Yet now, thanks to his ridiculous jealousy, I find myself the subject of everyone's chatter during their breaks.

Feeling completely devoid of appetite, I picked at my food, and as I stood up with my plate, I sensed someone approaching. Looking up to meet Wen Xicheng's smiling gaze tightened my heart, and I felt tears welling up again. He seemed momentarily taken aback, then sat across from me, concern etched on his face. "What's wrong?" he asked.

I shook my head, tears leaking down my cheeks. Quickly wiping them with the back of my hand, I replied, "It's nothing. Why are you eating so late again?"

Wen Xicheng didn't answer my question. Instead, he handed me a tissue and softly asked, "What happened?"

I wiped my tears and shook my head again, feeling frustrated—both at Feng Suchuan's actions and my own weakness.

"Did you two argue?" he asked, looking down.

I sighed, "Not really; with his strong personality, how could we argue? It's more like a cold war."

"Why? Things were fine on Saturday."

"It's all because of the gathering on Saturday. I hadn't mentioned my situation with you to him. It's just complicated."

Wen Xicheng looked up at me, his long eyelashes fluttering slightly before he quietly asked, "Do you want me to talk to him?"

I shook my head, a pang of pain hitting me. Though the hurt in his eyes disappeared almost instantly, I still caught it. That was when I realized what we had been discussing. Watching the increasingly complex expression he was trying to maintain, a sudden wave of guilt washed over me.

As his smile grew increasingly pale, I felt an impulse to slap myself. How could I so calmly complain to him about my issues with Feng Suchuan? I swore this time it was definitely not some subconscious desire to punish him but rather a completely natural instinct to regard him as a friend I could confide in.

Then I felt a wave of sorrow; I could genuinely treat him like a brother again. Does that mean my feelings for him have completely transformed? That we truly can't go back to how things were?

When I returned to the office, Feng Suchuan happened to come in from outside. Seeing me, his expression was darker than before. He squinted at me for a moment and then said, "I need to go out at two-thirty; I hope you can give me the report before then."

I glanced at the time; it was already one o'clock. After locking eyes with him for a few seconds, I calmly replied, "Okay."

The work skills I developed over four years weren't just for show; I placed the organized report on his desk just before two o'clock.

He still wore a poker face and coolly remarked, "If there are no problems, I'll be heading out."

He looked up at me, his eyes dark and deep. After a moment, he said, "I just sent you an email about the tender for tomorrow morning."

The quantity list hasn't been released yet; you can contact the design team to get the quantities as soon as possible."

He deliberately emphasized 'design team.'

I smiled slightly and replied, "I'll discuss it with Manager Wen!"

I pronounced Manager Wen's name with emphasis and immediately saw his expression tense up, anger flickering in his eyes. I tilted my head and walked out!

Come on, after working under the shrewdest boss in the company for four years, did he really think I was an easy target?!

At two-thirty, when Feng Suchuan exited his office, he still wore a dark expression. As he passed by my desk, he paused as if he had something to say. I looked up, staring at him with my innocent big eyes. After a moment, he turned his head away and left with a scowl.

Watching him walk away, I cheerfully changed my MSN signature to: Round One, Victory for Xia Tian!

Not long after, I was bombarded with a flurry of "concerned" messages.

[So, how's your boss? Is he particularly gloomy?] 

[Can you tell me more about it?] 

[I just saw Feng Handsome in the elevator; his tie was all askew. Xia Tian, good job!] 

...

Indeed, my battle with Feng Suchuan had already caught the attention of the entire company. Everyone was eagerly awaiting our fierce clashes. I could only be grateful that no one knew of our relationship; otherwise, this sensation would undoubtedly be more shocking than the revelation that the assistant in the marketing department was actually the boss's secret mistress!

Among the many messages, I found Liu Ni Yi's, which simply said, [Immature!] 

While Wen Xi Cheng asked, [Feeling better?]

This illustrates the difference between a colleague and a friend.

After staring at those two sentences for a moment, I changed my signature back. I replied to Liu Ni Yi, [I think so too!]

And to Wen Xi Cheng, I said, "Much better, thank you."

Both of them ignored me.

I turned off other people's message notifications, set my MSN to busy, and once again sighed; Feng Suchuan truly was a formidable opponent. Thanks to him, my intelligence had somehow plummeted to a negative number!

Before finishing work, I received an email from Wen Xi Cheng. The quantity list arrived earlier than I expected. After a quick review, which revealed no particular brands, I sent out the inquiry sheet and began filling in the prices.

By six-thirty, everyone else had left, yet Feng Suchuan still hadn't returned. I played some music, turned off two lights, and when I turned around, I saw a figure standing at the office door.

A warm feeling washed over me, and I smiled, asking, "Off work?"

Wen Xi Cheng walked in, carrying a bag filled with several take-out boxes. He placed the bag on my desk, frowned, and said, "You're working late and not eating dinner?"

The large, empty office reverberated with his gentle voice mingling with the soothing music, creating a warm atmosphere in the air. I suppressed the moisture in my eyes, rubbed my hands together, and took out chopsticks, saying, "I have instant noodles and snacks; have you eaten?"

He shook his head and handed me a box of rice, his gaze filled with affection.

I avoided his eyes and replied, "Then eat quickly."

Wen Xi Cheng spoke softly as he added some dishes to my rice box. I obediently began to eat without looking up.

After the meal, I tidied up the boxes and returned to work, while Wen Xi Cheng stayed. He took out some blueprints from the Mercedes-Benz dealership and sat across from me, flipping through them.

Feeling a bit tired, I wanted to make a cup of coffee. When I looked up, I met his gentle black eyes, which held a familiar love clearly displayed. Before I could look away, he lowered his head first. When he looked back up, his gaze was steady.

A slight pang of pain struck my heart.

I had never imagined that my efforts to encourage him to stop hiding his true feelings would become the only way for us to coexist peacefully.

"I'm going to make a cup of coffee; would you like some?" I coughed lightly and asked him.

He nodded and replied, "Okay."

I picked up his cup and thought for a moment before suggesting, "Why don't you have milk tea instead? Coffee can be hard on the stomach."

He responded again, "Okay," this time with a hint of humor in his voice.

As I stood up with the cup, I reflected on how Wen Xi Cheng had always been a person easily satisfied, both in the past and in the present.

At ten-thirty, all the quotes had been organized. While waiting for them to print, I found myself yawning repeatedly. Wen Xi Cheng approached and poured me a cup of hot water, standing by my side as he said, "From now on, I'll try to give you the list earlier. Staying up late isn't good for your health."

I held the cup and tilted my head back. His jawline remained as perfect as ever, sharpened and thinner, looking particularly heart-wrenching. Feeling a shift in my emotions, I slowly lowered my eyelashes and took a sip of the hot water.

The office door swung open just as I reached for the bag from a restaurant known for its delicious pan-fried buns. I opened it and took out a bun, feeling the warmth radiate from it. As I took a bite, the savory filling burst in my mouth, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Delicious, right?" Wen Xi Cheng asked, glancing at me with a smile that resembled sunlight breaking through the clouds after a storm.

I nodded, "Really good. Where did you find this?"

"I happened to pass by a branch on the way. I remember you mentioned loving them," he replied, his tone casual yet tinged with thoughtfulness.

I swallowed the last bite and set the bag down. "Thanks, I really appreciate it."

He turned his gaze to the road, and I noticed a slight tension in his shoulders.

"Hey, about last night," he began, hesitating as if weighing his words. "I didn't mean to put you in an awkward position."

"I know. You just care too much about your friends," I said gently.

"Maybe," he admitted, "but it's hard not to be concerned when I see you with him."

I frowned and looked out the window, the scenery passing by in a blur. "It was just a misunderstanding."

"Was it?" he asked, his voice low. "I saw the way he looked at you."

I bit my lip, feeling conflicted. "Feng Suchuan and I have a history. But I promise, it's complicated and not what it seems."

Wen Xicheng remained silent, the atmosphere in the car suddenly feeling heavier. I could sense his apprehension, the worry in his eyes.

After a moment, he turned to me again. "I just don't want to lose you."

My heart raced at his admission. "You won't lose me. No matter what happens."

He offered a small nod, but the tension still lingered.

As we arrived at the office, I took a deep breath. This situation was far from resolved, but I was determined to navigate it carefully. With one last look at him, I stepped out of the car, ready to face whatever came next.

I smiled and didn't say anything.

After getting into the car, he took a bag from the back seat and handed it to me, saying, "I happened to see some sheng jian bao (pan-fried buns) on the way. They looked pretty clean; why don't you try them and see if they taste good?"

I looked at the logo printed on the bag: "Fat Aunt's Sheng Jian." This was a popular takeout chain, and there were only three locations in the city. He couldn't have possibly picked this up on the way here, and as far as I knew, you had to queue for at least fifteen minutes every day. 

The words I had thought of saying last night stuck in my throat, and my heart was enveloped in a strong bitterness. 

I took a deep breath, looked into his gentle eyes that held implicit expectations, slowly opened the bag, and said, "Thank you."

When Wen Xicheng heard those two words, he pressed his lips together slightly, smiled, turned his gaze away, and started the car.

I turned to look outside the window, slowly eating the sheng jian, even though I really couldn't eat at all. But could I say I had already had breakfast? Seeing such greasy sheng jian completely sapped my appetite. Certainly not. I couldn't bear to think of the hurt look he would have in that case. After finishing half of it, I closed the bag, swearing that if I looked at it again, I would throw up.

"Drink some water; isn't it bad?" Wen Xicheng handed me a bottle of mineral water.

I took it but didn't drink; my stomach was already full. I said, "No, it's quite good, just too greasy."

He thought for a moment and nodded, "Then we won't buy it tomorrow; eating such greasy food in the morning really isn't good."

I took a deep breath and turned to him, "I can take the bus to work by myself; you really don't need to go out of your way to pick me up. Even if we're good friends, you don't have to do this."

Wen Xicheng kept his eyes on the road, his Adam's apple moving slightly before he said, "I'm sorry."

A wave of sadness washed over me, and I turned to him, "Actually, I'm very grateful that you came to pick me up. Besides getting to sleep for another half hour, I also enjoy a free breakfast; I'm really happy. But you have no obligation to do these things, even if you think it's nothing. I can't just accept it comfortably. Do you understand what I mean?"

Wen Xicheng didn't reply; his hand gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned slightly white.

After a few minutes of silence, I felt very frustrated and was about to relent when I saw him turn to look at me, his eyes filled with a gentle smile, devoid of sadness or sorrow, his gaze pure and untainted.

He smiled slightly and said, "Hmm, I understand."

I sighed and turned away, no longer looking at him. What does he understand?

Does he know how conflicted and troubled I am inside? Does he know that my cold war with Feng Suchuan is for him? Does he realize that even when I felt abandoned and saw him sad back then, I still felt heartbroken? He knows nothing at all!

We didn't speak again along the way.

When I encountered Feng Suchuan in the office, aside from looking a little tired, his face had returned to the familiar indifference I recognized. Upon seeing me, he nodded as a greeting. I smiled at him, and as I returned to my seat, I thought that I probably didn't need to struggle with my choices anymore. From his distant and indifferent gaze, I knew he had given up on me. I wasn't without sadness, but I felt that this was actually quite good; at least, looking back on this relationship that lasted only three months, I felt a sense of gratitude. I just hoped that in the future, we could interact without any awkwardness at work.

I got up with my cup and glanced at the man working seriously across the glass partition, contemplating how I would work under him every day in the future. The thought filled me with guilt and apprehension; it made me feel like my life was truly bleak!

On Friday morning, the HR department sent an email stating that there would be an internal sports meeting on Saturday and Sunday, featuring events like badminton, table tennis, and basketball. They required each branch to have personnel participate and to submit the list before the end of work. I couldn't play anything and would need to work overtime, so I chose not to participate. Naturally, Feng Suchuan wouldn't join either, while a few young women from internal auditing and customs signed up for badminton.

During lunch, Song Ying told me, "Our manager actually signed up for basketball. I think he's the only one at the manager level in the entire group; he's so cute! This summer, let's wear short skirts and be cheerleaders tomorrow afternoon?"

I was in the middle of a bite and almost choked, coughing a couple of times before I said, "You can wear them yourself; I don't have a good figure." 

Song Ying pinched my arm hard and glared at me with wide eyes. "If you don't show off for a day, I'll die!" 

I winced in pain, tears welling up. Holding my tray, I stood up and said, "I won't die, but I will feel uncomfortable all over!" 

I quickly turned to leave before her chubby legs could reach me. 

After leaving the cafeteria and going upstairs, I hesitated and walked into the design department's office. 

Wen Xicheng, as usual, hadn't gone to eat; he looked a bit surprised to see me. 

He looked up and smiled, "You're not asking me to lunch together, are you?" 

I shook my head and settled into a chair as I said, "I just ate, and if I wait for you, I can only have soup. By the way, I heard from Song Ying that you signed up for basketball." 

Wen Xicheng nodded with a smile. "I haven't played in several years; not sure if I've regressed." 

I thought for a moment and replied, "In my past companies, sports meetings rarely had anyone above the manager level participating." 

"Why?" 

"Um, I don't know. Maybe they feel it's beneath their status." 

Wen Xicheng smiled, got up, stretched his neck, and after picking up his coat, walked in front of me and said, "I'm not afraid. You'll be coming tomorrow, right?" 

I looked up, winked at him, and said, "I have to work overtime tomorrow. The Shanghai project team is coming over to discuss the subcontract for Zhongxiang International." 

His dark eyes, which had been focused on me, momentarily dimmed. Wen Xicheng put on his suit, shrugged, and said, "What a pity." 

I stood up, tilted my head, and thought for a moment before saying, "The finals will be around five o'clock. If I can make it in time, I'll rush over. Of course, you have to ensure that the headquarters can make it to the finals!"

Wen Xicheng turned his head, raised his beautifully shaped brow, and declared, "Of course! I'm that amazing!"

I looked at the lively and bright expression on his face, smiled slightly, and felt a sense of pleasure. Despite our complicated past, we could still interact comfortably like friends. However, before I could finish my thought, I exited the design department and bumped into Feng Suchuan, who was walking toward me. Encountering his indifferent gaze and the barely visible cold smile at the corner of his mouth, all the gratitude I had felt vanished completely.

When Wen Xicheng saw Feng Suchuan, he said to me, "I'm going to eat," and walked toward the elevator hall, while Feng Suchuan chose to completely ignore me, striding past with a steady gait and showing no signs of disturbance. I watched the figures disappearing on my left and right, feeling that fate must be overly playful, giving me a sweet date to cheer me up, only to later reveal its toxicity! My life, after a brief moment of brilliance, slipped back into its gloomy state.

I spent the entire day in the conference room on Saturday but still kept up with the developments at the sports meet through real-time text messages from Song Ying. On the basketball side, the headquarters team overcame all obstacles and made it to the finals. Each of her messages was filled with admiration and praise for Wen Xicheng. The last one read: "Wen Shao's performance on the court is absolutely comparable to Lakers' Jordan; all the women in the company are crazy about him!"

"Pfft!" I instantly sprayed all the water I had in my mouth onto the large conference table. Seeing the astonished gazes of my colleagues and Feng Suchuan's face darkening instantly, I slowly lowered my head, tucked my phone into my pocket while casually pressing the power button, my face flushed with embarrassment, internally scolding Song Ying for being a phony basketball fan!

You think this is just a small matter?

I realized I may have said too much, and the tension in the car became palpable. Swallowing hard, I tried to clarify, "What I meant is… we shouldn't let misunderstandings disrupt the foundation we've built. I value our relationship." 

Feng Suchuan pinched the bridge of his nose as the traffic ahead crawled forward. "You really don't get it, do you? What's between us is not just about work or friendship. There are boundaries. You need to understand and respect that." 

I frowned, stung by his words. "But we've always been able to talk about things. I thought… I thought that was what made our dynamic work." 

He turned to face me fully, his gaze unwavering. "Dynamic? You mean the way you often try to tread the line between assistant and confidant? That's not appropriate. You're risking everything." 

I leaned back in my seat, feeling frustrated and vulnerable. "I'm not trying to cross any lines. I just want to communicate. I thought we could be honest with each other." 

"Honesty is one thing, but what you're asking for is something else entirely." His voice was steady, yet I could hear the tension threaded through it. "You want me to act as if everything is the same when it clearly isn't." 

I sighed, staring out the window as the city blurred by. "Maybe I'm naive, but I hoped we could navigate this together rather than let it linger and fester." 

Feng Suchuan's expression softened just a fraction, but his seriousness remained. "This isn't something we can just brush aside. I need you to understand my position." 

I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "I understand… but I don't want to lose what we have. I just want us to be on the same page." 

He was silent for a moment, and the traffic finally began to move again. "We'll see how things unfold. Just know that clarity is crucial moving forward." 

I could only respond with a meek, "Understood." The air between us hung heavy with unspoken implications as we continued on to the gym in silence.

"Which one do you think is a minor issue? Is it dating me or leaving me to return to your first love, hmm?"

I slumped my shoulders, looked at him with a pitiful expression, and said, "That's not the main point I wanted to raise. Boss, you told me when I joined the company that we need to focus on the main issue and not take things out of context." The cars in front began to move, and Feng Suchuan started driving again, snorting coldly, "I also taught you to read the room. Can't you tell I don't want to talk to you right now?"

Feeling somewhat deflated, I took a deep breath, and as I exhaled, I turned to look out the window, saying with some emotion, "I really cherish our relationship."

Feng Suchuan didn't respond. Until we got out of the car, we said nothing. Upon arriving at the gym, as I opened the door, I looked at him and said, "Manager Feng, I'll go in first."

Feng Suchuan's previously softened expression instantly turned cold again. I pretended not to notice and got out of the car with a straight face. Entering the gym, the competition was already in the third quarter, tense and thrilling. I stood at the back and watched Wen Xicheng running and sweating on the court, and my irritated mood gradually calmed down.

A few minutes later, someone stood next to me. The faint scent of cologne told me who it was without needing to turn my head.

"Sorry for my tone just now; I apologize!" Feng Suchuan had his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed on the basketball court, speaking softly.

I turned my head slightly to glance at him, "Is that how you apologize? Do I look like I'm playing basketball on the court? A sincere apology should involve looking the other person in the eyes."

Feng Suchuan curled the corner of his mouth, turned to look at me, his gaze burning with unmasked intensity. He leaned closer and asked, "Is this what you mean?"

I was taken aback, raised my hand to shield my face, and stepped back, wiping the sweat from my forehead as I said, "No, no, it's just... just now... [To be continued...] It was quite good like that."

Feng Suchuan lowered his eyes and curved the corners of his mouth, squeezing out a smile that I couldn't understand. Just as he was about to speak, a whistle suddenly blew in the venue, followed by a flurry of activity.

I looked over and was startled; Wen Xicheng had fallen to the ground in the center of the court, propping himself up with his hands, his legs bent, and his head buried low, hiding his expression. My heart raced as I heard Feng Suchuan calling for me; without caring what he was saying, I lifted my foot and ran toward the stands, saying to him, "I'll go check it out, we'll talk later!"

By the time I reached Wen Xicheng, he had already gotten up with the help of others and was slowly walking toward the break area. I followed him to the front row of the stands.

Cold sweat streamed down his forehead in large drops, and after sitting down, he leaned back in the chair with his eyes closed; his face had turned so pale that it seemed drained of color. Several colleagues kept asking, but he didn't say a word.

I squeezed in and grabbed Song Ying's arm, anxiously asking, "What happened?"

Hearing my voice, Wen Xicheng suddenly opened his eyes wide. The moment he saw me, a flicker of surprise crossed his expression, followed by deep pain. Lowering his eyelids, he softly said, "It's nothing, I just need to rest a bit. You all can continue."

Seeing that he could speak again, others stood for a moment before resuming their game. I sat beside him and looked at Song Ying, saying, "What exactly is going on?"

"Just now, during the steal, there was a malicious foul from the Shanghai side, intentionally colliding with our manager. They've been too brutal; they've bumped into us several times in the third quarter alone!"

Song Ying's voice was filled with anger.

Looking at Wen Xicheng's pale face, a wave of sadness washed over me. I turned to Song Ying and said, "Go get a cup of hot water and bring a clean towel while you're at it." 

Song Ying reluctantly stood up, muttering, "Why me?" 

Once she walked away, I placed my hand on Wen Xicheng's leg and softly asked, "Where did you get hurt?" 

Wen Xicheng shook his head and remained silent, cold sweat trickling down his forehead. 

I grew anxious and pressed, "What exactly hurts?"

Wen Xicheng opened his eyes and looked at me. After a moment, he smiled slightly, his eyes filled with vulnerability. He slowly hunched over and rested his forehead on the back of my hand, gently rubbing against it before saying, "My back feels like it's about to break!" 

His voice was soft and laced with complaint, instantly softening my heart. As I noticed Song Ying approaching, I gently withdrew my hand and whispered, "Someone's coming. Can you walk? Let's head to the hospital." 

Wen Xicheng looked up at me, his eyes shining with a smile. After blinking his beautiful eyelashes, he said, "Okay!"

Taking the towel and cup from Song Ying, I helped Wen Xicheng to his feet. Under Song Ying's surprised gaze, I mouthed to her, "I'll explain to you tomorrow!" 

As we made our way to the exit, I glanced toward the back row and noticed that Feng Suchuan had already left. I took out my phone to message him: "I'll go to the office later." 

He quickly replied, "No need." 

I sighed and put my phone back in my bag, meeting Wen Xicheng's questioning gaze and smiling as I supported him out of the gym.

Wen Xicheng insisted on not going to the hospital, so I had to buy some ointment to take him home. While he was in the shower, I sent a message to an engineer at the Shanghai branch, asking if they had returned to the office. He replied that they were out eating and estimated they would return in about half an hour.

I figured I could just about make it in time.

When Wen Xicheng emerged in loose pajamas, holding his waist with his right hand, his damp hair fell across his forehead, and his face had turned increasingly pale. Although my deep attraction to him had somewhat faded, my heart still trembled slightly at the sight of such a handsome man fresh from the shower.

I cast my eyes downward to hide my emotions and moved closer to support his arm, saying, "Lie down and let me apply some ointment for you."

Wen Xicheng obediently nodded and settled onto the sofa. After a moment, he lifted his pajama top slightly to reveal the bruised area.

As I picked up the ointment, I could distinctly feel my hands shaking. I took a deep breath to steady myself and began to massage him with practiced skill. He had played basketball hard; injuries were common during college, so I often helped him with massages, and my technique had become quite proficient. I didn't dare to gaze at the solid, attractive curve of his back, instead directing my focus to his profile resting on his arm.

His eyelashes hung softly, clearly defined, long and dark, with a slight upward curve that occasionally trembled under the pressure of my massage. His chiseled nose was undeniably handsome, and his thin lips had turned a little pale, forming a small arc while his expression remained satisfied and content.

A pang shot through my heart, and I quickly averted my gaze. After adjusting his pajama top and putting the ointment away, I asked, "What do you want to eat for dinner? I can call for takeout."

Wen Xicheng turned to face me while still resting on his arm, his eyes somewhat glazed as he asked, "Are you still going to work overtime?"

I nodded. "The contract needs to be revised, but it's not urgent. They're still eating. How about I make you a bowl of noodles?"

Wen Xicheng shook his head and pushed himself up from the sofa. "Wait a moment, I'll change, and then we can go out to eat. After that, I'll drop you off."

I grabbed his arm and said, "There's no need; you just received a massage. You should rest and avoid moving around." He looked at my fingers for a few seconds, then smiled and pulled his arm away, saying, "It's nothing; this little injury is trivial. Back in college, I sprained my ankle and could still play two more quarters." With that, he headed straight into the bedroom. I sighed, conceding to his wishes.

After a simple dinner, Wen Xicheng dropped me off at the company. As I got out of the car, he asked, "What time do you think you'll be back tonight?" I thought for a moment and replied, "It shouldn't be too late—around nine." He nodded with a smile and said, "Go on up." Just as I closed the car door, I added, "Our manager should be taking me home tonight; you don't need to come pick me up." "Hmm," he responded softly, then drove away.

I went to the office to grab my laptop and entered the conference room. They had just returned and were discussing the basketball game, in which headquarters secured a win. A celebratory event was planned for the evening. I took a seat as far away from Feng Suchuan as possible, opened my laptop, and quietly began modifying the contract based on the meeting notes from earlier in the day.

A few minutes later, I sensed someone approaching, followed by a low, emotionless voice asking, "How long will it take to modify the contract?" I looked up at him with a respectful expression and replied, "Half an hour." The man nodded to the manager of the Shanghai branch and instructed, "Then you all wait until the contract is modified and confirmed before you leave." The Shanghai branch manager agreed.

For the remaining half hour, Feng Suchuan stood in front of me like a statue, watching as I worked on the contract. I felt that it wasn't just my fingers shaking anymore; my whole body was beginning to tremble.

However, this was merely my mental activity; in reality, my fingers were flying over the keyboard, and I finished modifying the contract in just twenty-five minutes. When I clicked to print, I felt heat radiating from my body; it turned out that even a cold gaze could make a person feel warm.

As I started printing, Feng Suchuan returned to his seat. I distributed the printed materials to everyone and led a final discussion, modifying a few details. By the time we finished, it was already past nine.

The manager of the Shanghai branch said, "They're celebrating over there, having a great time at the bar. Are you two, Su Chuan and Xia Tian, coming along?"

I didn't dare to speak and turned to look at Feng Suchuan. He lowered his head, thought for a moment, and said, "I'm not going." Then he turned to me, "If you want to go, you can take Manager Su's car."

I carefully observed his expression and, after some hesitation, said, "I won't go either. You all enjoy yourselves."

Seeing the corners of Feng Suchuan's lips curl up, I patted my chest and sighed in relief!

After the colleagues from the Shanghai branch left, I followed Feng Suchuan into the office. He glanced at me and asked, "Is someone coming to pick you up later?"

I shook my head.

"Then I'll take you back."

I obediently nodded, feeling like a lamb ready for slaughter!

In the car, Feng Suchuan checked the time and said, "I'm hungry. Do you want to have a late-night snack together?"

I was wailing inwardly. 

Is this even a question? 

Clearly, it was not. I put on a smiling face and said, "Sure, I'm hungry too."

Feng Suchuan nodded in satisfaction and said, "I figured you would be hungry as well."

About ten minutes later, I stared at a large bowl of rice noodles in front of me, wanting to cry but having no tears. At this rate, my waistline would soon rival Song Ying's.

Before eating, Feng Suchuan simply said, "Eat," and then he didn't speak again.

I occasionally glanced at his expression, thinking he probably wanted to gather his thoughts before mustering the energy for a profound ideological discussion with me.

After leaving the noodle shop, he turned to me and asked, "Shall I take you back?" 

I looked at my phone; it was ten ten. I felt an urge to scratch the walls in despair but managed to smile and replied, "Or do you have any better suggestions?" 

He tilted his head, contemplated for a moment, then said, "It's getting late; I'll take you back." With that, he walked toward the roadside.

I watched his tall, upright figure as I quietly wiped away my tears. How had I ended up as the subordinate and ex-girlfriend of such a scheming and shameless manager?

It was another silent ride. When the car came to a stop at the apartment building, I felt a wave of relief wash over me, as though I had narrowly escaped a disaster. Just as I was about to say goodbye, Feng Suchuan unbuckled his seatbelt, loosened his tie, turned to me, and said, "Let's chat." 

The poor little lamb could still not escape the fate of being slaughtered, so I could only rise up and resist. I sat up straight and met his gaze, responding, "Sure." 

He smiled and said, "You don't have to be so tense. I know I've been a bit unstable lately, and I want to apologize to you. The developments have been too sudden; everyone needs time to adjust. Don't you agree?" 

I nodded, feeling as though my thoughts were already under his control.

He raised his hand and rubbed my head. Before I could react, he rolled down the car window. The night breeze swept away the indifference from his face, revealing a hint of sadness. 

He lit a cigarette, sticking the arm with the cigarette out of the window without even smoking it. After watching the swirling smoke for a while, he flicked the ashes and turned to me again, "The week's deadline has passed; give me an answer."

My attention was still on the smoke rings drifting away in the wind, and it took me a moment to respond, "What answer?"

Feng Suchuan crushed his cigarette and glared at me. "What do you think?"

I lowered my head, pondered for a moment, and replied, "Haven't you already given up?"

"Did I ever say I gave up?"

"You didn't say it, but the way you look at me and your attitude while speaking clearly tells me that you've already given up."

"I haven't!" Feng Suchuan's intense gaze ignited a fire of anger within him. "Don't use your immature judgment to speculate on my thoughts!"

I stared at the starry sky for a while, then calmly said, "I know I'm immature. Compared to you, I'm like a primary school student—unable to read the room, lacking the meticulous thoughts you possess, unable to foresee the future, with no plans. Every day, I anxiously work under you, trying my best to make myself a bit happier. It's you who taught me that no matter what problems arise, life must go on, and I must breathe happily. I've been striving to learn how to breathe happily, but now that Wen Xi has returned, my life has been thrown into chaos. In fact, when you made me choose, it was clear we could no longer be together. You mentioned allowing a little treasure box in my heart, but that was under closed conditions. Now it's opened, and the memories I can't let go of have resurfaced. You've seen how much I used to love him, how deeply I was hurt, and how long it took me to recover. You can see it clearly. The pain from him has seeped into my blood, making it impossible to remove. I'm sorry, but I think I can't meet your additional conditions."

After saying this, my eyes grew red.

Over the years, I have become accustomed to hiding my emotions. Analyzing my feelings so openly makes me very uncomfortable. Feng Suchuan remained silent.

I wiped my eyes and said, "I can't bear to leave this job, but I also want to have an easier life."

Tomorrow, I will submit my resignation letter. Thank you for your guidance over the years; I will be grateful for a lifetime!

As I opened the car door, Feng Suchuan grabbed my arm, compelled me to look at him, and sighed gently, "Why are you so irritable? At least consider my feelings. You're becoming more capable; you're even threatening to resign, hmm?"

I settled back down and replied, lowering my head, "No, I'm just speaking my mind." He released my hand, adjusted the seat back, leaned against it, and gazed into the distance. With a hint of helplessness in his voice, he said, "I know you've been unhappy these days, and I know it's my fault. I haven't managed my emotions well. I thought that by putting pressure on you, you would understand how I feel about you. Instead, it backfired. Seeing you get closer to him and drift away from me has made me anxious every day. But you seem so carefree. When I look into your innocent eyes, it drives me crazy. How can you laugh so easily while I'm suffering?"

Feng Suchuan paused, turned to me, smiled, and continued, "You've truly confused me. I even forgot that you're an expert at hiding your emotions. Actually, it's not you who's childish; it's me. I used such a ridiculous and clumsy method to push you away from me, so I guess I've brought this upon myself. You don't need to resign; I promise I won't make things difficult for you anymore. We can get along as comfortably as before. Just like you said, we have great chemistry both at work and in private. I cherish this relationship too!"

I felt deeply moved; tears streamed down my face, but I couldn't say a word, only nodding vigorously. Feng Suchuan chuckled softly, handed me a tissue, and said, "Don't cry; you look like you've suffered a great injustice. Come on, let's talk about you and him. Have you really decided to start over with him?"

I wiped my tears and shook my head.

"No, I haven't considered starting over with him."

I've come to realize that you and I just aren't compatible. He never mentioned those four years or provided any explanation. I don't believe I can truly forgive him from the bottom of my heart. I'm unsure what the future holds; I just think our current relationship is quite good."

Feng Suchuan scoffed and replied, "You really are someone who develops feelings over time. Are you planning to be friends for another three years and then slowly evolve into lovers? It doesn't matter for men, but you're already twenty-seven. By then, who would want you?"

I glared at him and shot back, "What does it have to do with you? If others don't want me, my mom will, and so will my dad and Xia Lei. There are plenty of people who want me!"

Feng Suchuan chuckled and said, "Alright, I know you're popular. Get going! Splash some cold water on your face and get some rest!"

I looked at him and sincerely said, "Thank you for still letting me be your subordinate and friend!"

Feng Suchuan started the car and raised his eyebrows, "Then work hard to repay me!"

I climbed out of the car with a displeased expression, only turning back after watching him drive away, feeling unexpectedly relieved. I could finally embrace the bright tomorrow!