Unspoken Feelings

Before National Day, Liu NiYi and He ZiFei both resigned and moved to this city. The apartment I rented had only one bedroom, while Wen XiCheng's had three bedrooms and a living room. So, encouraged by He ZiFei, Liu NiYi moved into Wen XiCheng's apartment. I felt quite frustrated, scolding them for trying to be sneaky. He ZiFei scratched his head, looking foolishly at Liu NiYi with a smile, while Liu NiYi chose to ignore it. I felt again that He ZiFei was quite pitiable.

That night, despite my reluctance, I ended up making hot pot at the strong insistence of the other three.

At the dinner table, the most animated was Wen XiCheng, who was competing with He ZiFei for a fish ball amidst the rising steam. I felt as if I had returned to university.

The night sky was dotted with stars, and twilight filtered through, casting gentle light. A ring of ceiling lights illuminated the room, suffusing the air with the tantalizing aroma of hot pot. Liu NiYi and He ZiFei were drinking, their faces flushed. I busied myself adding vegetables to the pot while Wen XiCheng eagerly devoured his meal.

For the first time in this city, this atmosphere made me feel no longer lonely; I felt a sense of home.

As we neared the end of the meal, He ZiFei opened two bottles of beer, handing one to Wen XiCheng. He glanced at me, sighed heavily, and drank silently. After a moment of daze, Wen XiCheng lowered his head and began to drink as well.

I understood He ZiFei's glance—it indicated he still regarded Wen XiCheng as a brother. Watching the beer trickle down the corners of their mouths onto their shirts, I felt a lump in my throat and turned to see Liu NiYi's reddened eyes. Tears began to flow uncontrollably down my face.

Four years ago, we never imagined we would be apart for so long. Three years ago, we dared not hope for another reunion. And today, we are grateful to the heavens that we remain brothers.

He ZiFei and Wen XiCheng consumed three bottles before stopping. Wen XiCheng headed straight to the bathroom to throw up, while He ZiFei slumped into his chair, tilting his head with a smile at Liu NiYi. The deep affection and love in his gaze mirrored how Wen XiCheng used to look at me. Liu NiYi calmly continued to eat peanuts and placed her hand over his face, saying, "Put away your lewd gaze, or I'll kick you!"

He ZiFei pulled her hand down, holding it briefly before letting go as she struggled. After a bitter smile, he turned to me and said, "Xia Tian, would you like to invest in my company once it's established?"

I scratched my head and supported Wen XiCheng, who stumbled out of the bathroom. Once he sat beside me, I asked, "What do you mean by invest?"

"A total investment of one million; XiCheng contributes five hundred thousand, making him the largest shareholder..."

Before he could finish, Wen XiCheng looked at him with a pout, blinking his big eyes, and said, "I'm not a shareholder; that money is a loan I gave you with no interest!"

He ZiFei glared at him fiercely. "Shut up! If you bring this up again, I'll kick you out!"

Wen XiCheng turned his face against his arm, looking at me with a hint of grievance. "Summer, Zifei is bullying me!"

I reached out and patted his hair. "Be good. He drank too much; let's not stoop to his level!"

Wen XiCheng raised his eyes at me, his misty gaze full of smiles. After fluttering his fan-like eyelashes a couple of times, he gently nodded, his expression indescribably satisfied.

I withdrew my hand and turned to He Zifei. "Continue."

"I have three hundred thousand, Niyi has one hundred thousand, and I'll leave you with one hundred thousand. You don't need to participate in management; just wait for the year-end dividends. Of course, you'll also bear the risk if we lose money. What do you think?"

I thought about it seriously for a moment and replied, "Okay, count me in!"

He Zifei laughed heartily. "Now the four of us are all in the same boat; we'll share both troubles and fortunes. Once my company gets bigger, I'll give you all a share, and then we can list it!"

Liu Niyi tapped his head with her chopsticks. "Are you drunk? Listing? You'd be lucky to get out of bed!"

He Zifei stood up with a silly grin, swaying as he walked towards the bathroom, mumbling, "I need to pee first, then I'll take my wife to bed!"

Liu Niyi turned her head and shot him a fierce glare, but when she saw him staggering, she burst into laughter; from where I stood, it was clear that her eyes couldn't hide the love she felt.

After settling both He Zifei and Wen XiCheng down to sleep, I helped Liu Niyi clean up the mess.

"Niyi, are you really not planning to find a job and just start a company with Zifei?" 

"Uh-huh." 

"Does Huang Xiaoshuai know?" 

"He knows. He said as long as I'm happy, that's all that matters." 

I sighed, "That kid is pretty pitiful too; he loves you this much. Even though I'm still unconditionally supporting Zifei, when I think of him facing the possibility of being abandoned, I feel sorry for him as well."

Liu Niyi bowed her head in silence for a moment before looking at me and saying, "Summer, I won't break up with Xiaoshuai. When Zifei's company gets on track, I'll go back and marry Xiaoshuai." 

I scoffed, "Then just wait for Zifei to collect your corpse! You're being so good to him now, giving him such great hope, and then you'll just marry someone else. I can't promise I won't hate you then."

Liu Niyi's expression gradually turned sorrowful; after a long while, she leaned her head against my shoulder and softly said, "Summer, anyone can fail to understand me, anyone can refuse to forgive me, but you can't. I won't allow it. Did you hear me?" 

I felt a pang in my heart; although I always mercilessly criticized her for being caught between two men, how could I truly hate her? I hugged her and said, "I was just scaring you. No matter who you choose, you're still my best sister. I'll be your bridesmaid and send you my deepest blessings!" 

After a few minutes of choking back tears, Liu Niyi said, "You're so cheesy!"

After finishing the cleanup, it was already past midnight. I decided to snuggle up with Liu Niyi for the night. After washing up, we chatted for a bit in bed.

Just as I was getting ready to turn off the light, I heard a noise coming from the living room. Liu Niyi got out of bed, opened the door, and left. Before long, she returned, yawning, and slipped under the covers, nudging me and saying, "It's Xicheng; he seems to be throwing up. You should check on him."

I nodded, got off the bed, and closed the bedroom door.

Noticing the bathroom light on, I walked over and waited until Wen Xicheng emerged, holding his stomach and looking pale. He glanced at me, seemingly not surprised, and blinked as he said, "Did I wake you?"

I helped him sit on the couch and poured him a cup of warm water. "Your stomach is upset, huh? Can you take some medicine?"

After taking a couple of sips, he shook his head, hugging a cushion and burying his face in it, murmuring, "I'm fine; you go to sleep."

I sighed and squatted down by the side of the couch, resting my chin on my hand as I stared at the back of his head for a moment before gently placing my hand on his back. "Is it really bad? Should I get you some digestive tablets?"

Wen Xicheng turned his head to look at me; his eyes revealed a hint of pain yet held a glimmer of suppressed laughter. He parted his lips slightly and said, "I've thrown up; it's not that bad. You should go to sleep; your eyes look red."

I wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said, "Let me help you back to your room; be careful not to catch a cold."

He said nothing and didn't move. After a while, just as I felt my eyelids starting to grow heavy, he smiled and said, "I still feel a bit nauseous; let me lie here for a bit longer. You go to sleep; be good!"

I looked at him for a moment, got up, returned to his bedroom to fetch a pillow and blanket, and handed them to him while sitting on the couch. "I'll stay here with you. Every time we eat hotpot, it's usually uncomfortable all night. Don't end up throwing up to the point where your legs go weak and there's no one around to help you."

Wen Xicheng didn't say anything but slowly sat up, pushed the pillow aside, leaned against the couch next to me, and covered both of us with the blanket.

I could smell his faint, refreshing mint scent, but I didn't pull away. After a moment, I slumped against the couch, gazing blankly at the ceiling.

"Be careful on your way back," he said softly, concern etched on his face. I nodded and waved goodbye before heading towards my apartment.

As I stepped through the door, the memories of the previous night flooded back: the laughter, the warmth, and the unspoken connection that seemed to linger between us. I leaned against the door for a moment, closing my eyes in an attempt to hold onto that feeling just a little longer. 

The morning air was fresh and invigorating, and I made my way to the kitchen, still recalling Wen Xicheng's gentle touch and the serene moment we shared. I poured myself a glass of water, the coolness bringing me back to reality as I filled my mind with the tasks of the day. I had to call Liu Niyi and discuss our plans for the upcoming event. 

Just then, my phone buzzed, and I saw a message from Niyi. "Hey! How are you feeling? You disappeared last night!" A smile crept onto my face as I typed back a quick response, "I'm good! Just a little tired. Let's catch up later?"

After sending the message, I took a moment to appreciate the stillness of the morning. It was comforting, filled with promise and the potential for new beginnings. I couldn't help but feel a surge of optimism about what lay ahead. Today would be a fresh start—whatever had happened last night would not dictate how I moved forward. 

I took a deep breath and began to prepare for the day, a newfound energy coursing through me, ready to embrace whatever opportunities would come my way.

He hesitated for a moment and then said, "How about I pick you up for work on Monday morning? I won't buy breakfast; you can eat at home before coming down."

I knew I should say no, but instead, I nodded and waved goodbye, leaving him with a pleased smile. I couldn't bring myself to refuse, so I decided to just go with the flow. When it came to Wen Xicheng, I had always been someone without principles!

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Thoughtful Manager

After He Zifei and Liu Niyi arrived, they often invited me to Wen Xicheng's apartment for dinner instead of dining out in the evenings. This meant I sometimes went to the office with Wen Xicheng in the morning and left together at night, which inevitably led to some gossip. Thankfully, I had already revealed to Song Ying, the office gossip, that Wen Xicheng and I were college classmates, so soon everyone in the company was aware of the friendly connection between the new heartthrob and the sweet, lovable girl.

Within just a week, more than a dozen female colleagues subtly expressed their desire to have dinner with Wen Xicheng, and I readily agreed to each request, promptly forwarding their chat logs to him. Initially, he voiced his disapproval, refusing to entertain the idea. Eventually, he issued a stern warning: "If you send me anything like this again, I will block you!"

After careful consideration, I devised a foolproof plan. I circulated a rumor within the company that Wen Xicheng had a fiancée in the United States. I embellished the story, boasting about how stunning and wealthy she was, and soon enough, my ears were blissfully free from their previous chatter. That same day, Wen Xicheng became the focal point of gossip across departments, with far-fetched speculations escalating about his mysterious fiancée. Some even claimed that his fiancée was the daughter of the CEO from the U.S. headquarters, which explained how he landed the position of design department manager upon joining the company.

I truly witnessed the horror of gossip spiraling out of control. After everyone had left work, I entered Wen Xicheng's office, initially prepared to apologize and face the consequences. However, seeing his pale, bewildered expression caused my smile to falter.

"What's wrong? Not feeling well?" I asked, concern evident in my voice as I took a seat.

Wen Xicheng stared at me for a moment, emotions welling beneath the surface. Eventually, he lowered his gaze and donned the familiar smile I recognized.

He closed his laptop, stood up, and draped his suit jacket over his arm while looking at me. "Look at the trouble you've caused. What do you suggest we do?"

I gazed into his eyes for a moment, then stood up and cheerfully suggested, "I'll treat you to hot pot!"

He laughed, his eyes filled with affection. After playfully tousling my hair, he said, "Let's go to the supermarket!"

I nodded obediently, following him out of the office, yet a strange feeling lingered within me. I couldn't quite determine its nature; it wasn't entirely good or bad. I sensed that the emotions he had hastily concealed earlier weren't the familiar sadness or loneliness I recognized, but rather a perplexing haze of uncertainty and confusion about the future—something I couldn't quite grasp.

As November rolled in, the weather grew progressively colder. Knowing Wend Xicheng was sensitive to the cold, I decided to buy him an electric warmer from Taobao. When I brought it to him after heating it up, he was staring blankly at his computer screen while cradling a cup of water. I wondered if it was my imagination, but it seemed like he had been stuck in this daze since the rumor spread.

I knocked on the door and entered. "Aren't you busy today? You look like you have time to daydream."

He smiled faintly, rising to close the blinds. "Is there another case?"

I shook my head and handed him the warmer. "It's nice and warm, perfect for keeping your hands toasty."

After taking it, he hugged it tightly, gazing at me with a hint of a smile. His dark eyelashes fluttered gently, invoking a sense of warmth.

I chuckled and stood up. "You should get back to work. I'm leaving; I have to work late tonight, so don't wait for me."

He nodded, lowered his gaze momentarily, and softly called out, "Xiāntiān."

I turned back, "Hmm?"

He looked up at me, silent, just smiling softly. The tenderness in his gaze sent ripples through my heart, prompting me to lower my head briefly and ask, "What is it?"

He continued to laugh gently and shook his head. "It's nothing, thank you."

I fell silent, suppressing the tightness in my chest, quietly acknowledging him before opening the door to leave. Back in the office, I stared at the computer for what felt like an eternity, finally regaining clarity after a while. Perhaps it was the approaching winter that made emotions more fragile than usual.

This winter, all my dearest friends were in the city, and I hoped it would be a warm one!

At the end of November, the company was preparing to bid for a project involving the construction of factories by a Fortune 500 company in the Shanghai development zone. The project garnered significant attention from the Shanghai municipal government, and only well-established listed companies with solid performance and reputation were eligible to participate in the bidding. The preliminary estimate was around one billion. Feng Suchuan mentioned that this was the largest project the company had engaged in since its establishment. Moreover, since the enterprise held a prestigious international reputation, winning this project would significantly enhance our visibility in the European market, adding an exceptionally compelling chapter to our personal careers!

It was clear that Feng Suchuan placed great importance on this project, and under his influence, my enthusiasm for work soared to unprecedented heights.

Since the Shanghai branch had its own independent design department, Wen Xicheng was not involved in this project.

Ten days before the first round of bidding, Feng Suchuan informed me that I needed to travel to Shanghai to collaborate with the engineers from the project and design departments to begin preparing the business proposal.

With time running short, that afternoon, Feng Suchuan drove me back to my apartment to pack my belongings. I barely had time to say goodbye to Wen Xicheng, only able to send him a text while on my way.

When he called back, he seemed a bit surprised and provided me with extensive instructions before hanging up.

I turned to meet Feng Suchuan's teasing gaze, feeling slightly awkward.

"It seems you two get along quite well," he remarked, looking straight ahead with a calm and unreadable expression.

I tilted my head, thought for a moment, and replied simply, "Mm."

Feng Suchuan turned his head and snorted coldly, "Crossing the river and demolishing the bridge—you're too lazy to pay attention to me now, huh?"

I felt a bit embarrassed and scratched my head. "Boss, do you know how many brain cells I lose every time I try to guess what's on your mind? I'm not that smart to begin with, and if you keep teasing me like this and making a fool out of me, you'll end up losing a capable assistant!"

Feng Suchuan's expression softened slightly, and he didn't pursue the previous topic. "I won't elaborate on the importance of the Shanghai project. The workload is immense. You need to familiarize yourself with the materials and equipment and understand the entire system. There are many technical requirements I've never encountered before; ten days is really very tight. Be prepared to eat and sleep in the office."

I pouted and adjusted the back of my seat, finding a comfortable position before saying to him, "You don't have to worry about that. Over the past few years, I haven't done anything except stay up all night for you."

"Now I'll take a nap to recharge, and when I wake up, I'll work hard for you!"

After saying that, I closed my eyes, anticipating that he would scoff at me or playfully punch me, but instead, I only heard a faint sigh.

Taken aback, I quickly opened my eyes to look beside me, but the man driving did not turn his head.

After a while, just as I thought I might have imagined it and was about to close my eyes again, I heard his low, somewhat emotional voice: "These past few years, you really have helped me a lot."

"I feel like I've never thanked you, Xia Tian. Thank you!"

I responded awkwardly, turning my face away as my eyes stung. Really, what's wrong with everyone? Isn't winter just around the corner? Why is everyone being so sentimental? It made me feel like an overly emotional woman, getting moved repeatedly; it was truly annoying!

Upon arriving in Shanghai, we dropped our luggage at the hotel and went straight to the office. We held an all-night meeting, and by the time we finished, it was already early morning. Leaving the office, we walked back to the hotel. It was deep autumn now, and the night wind felt chilly against our skin. Feng Suchuan noticed me sniffing and smiled as he took off his coat.

I accepted it without hesitation and put it on, but the warmth and faint fragrance wrapped around me, making me feel a bit uncomfortable. Still, seeing his calm expression, I didn't dwell on it.

We hardly spoke on the way; Feng Suchuan's brows were slightly furrowed, and I figured he was lost in thought about the bidding project, so I didn't want to disturb him.

As we neared the hotel, Feng Suchuan suddenly stopped, looked around, and said, "Wait for me a moment."

I wrapped myself in his coat, feeling a bit puzzled, and nodded.

He smiled, turned, and walked across the street into a convenience store. A few minutes later, he came out holding a paper cup in one hand and a cup of milk tea in the other.

Walking up to me, he handed me the paper cup.

"You must be hungry, right? It's late, and there isn't much available. Just make do with this."

I lowered my head to take the paper cup and quietly said, "Thank you."

"Let's eat in the lobby; the wind is strong outside." His voice was soft, with a hint of indulgence.

I didn't speak, holding the paper cup with both hands as I followed him into the lobby.

I didn't dare to look up, fearing the expression I might find on his face, but the gratitude in my heart was genuine.

Feng Suchuan had always been a very considerate manager. Even before we became close, whenever there were overtime duties, he would personally go out to buy late-night snacks for me. I remember the first time I tried oden; he looked at it with disdain, dismissing it as unhealthy, non-fried junk food, but after two or three times, he stopped trying to persuade me.

I understood that there is a concept in the workplace known as emotional investment. Some senior managers are very kind to their subordinates; they seek admiration but also want to cultivate a sense of gratitude to ensure that you work wholeheartedly for them. However, every time Feng Suchuan expressed concern for me, I resisted interpreting it that way; I preferred to believe that he saw me as a friend and genuinely cared about my well-being. I had long regarded him as a confidant, placing my complete trust in him and vowing never to betray him in our work.

At the door, I tossed the empty paper cup into the trash can and removed my blazer to give it to Feng Suchuan.

He accepted it and draped it over his arm, handing me back my cup of milk tea. "Get some rest early. I'll call you in the morning to wake you up. Good night!"

I nodded, turned around, opened the door, and noticed him still standing there, pursing his lips as he thought, "Boss, you're so good to me; I will definitely repay you!"

Feng Suchuan smiled helplessly, revealing his fatigue. He waved goodbye and entered his room.

Once he closed the door, my smile slowly faded.

Is he being so kind to me because I'm his ex-girlfriend?

If so, how can I repay him?