Xinyue’s hiring requirements weren’t strict compared to similar companies of the same scale; they didn’t demand prior industry experience.
When Chi Shuo and the others joined Xinyue, they were fresh university graduates. They later discovered that most employees here had joined right after graduation and stayed, working there ever since, proving the company’s appeal.
He Xiuqi was the same. If Chi Shuo remembered correctly, he had joined during the spring recruitment this year and just received his graduation certificate recently—a true young man fresh out of school.
Although the age gap was only about two years, ever since He Xiuqi confessed his “secret” crush on He Lindi to Chi Shuo that day, Chi Shuo felt increasingly old, her skin rougher.
When she shared this sentiment with Han Yu, it drew a roar from her friend: “Wake up! You’re young, beautiful, and your skin is like a peeled egg! You…”
Chi Shuo made a “stop” gesture. “Stop, stop, I can’t listen anymore.”
Han Yu truly stopped her barrage of compliments. Playing on her phone, she chuckled several times.
It was the weekend again. This time, Han Yu had proactively asked Chi Shuo out, claiming she had important news to announce.
But after arriving, the conversation drifted to the topics Chi Shuo had been thinking about, and Han Yu still hadn’t revealed her supposed news.
They were currently sitting in a jewelry store. Chi Shuo looked left and right, unsure what there was to buy, and even more unsure why Han Yu, who rarely wore such things, had dragged her here.
The jewelry store was quite large, selling a wide and varied range of items, but everything was organized into sections, preventing any sense of clutter. Customers with specific goals could follow the signs directly to their desired areas, choose their items, and queue up to pay.
The store was located near Yun Cheng’s city center. Coupled with it being the weekend, business was even better. The surroundings were bustling, mostly filled with women, either with friends or boyfriends, all smiling, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Chi Shuo and Han Yu were in a designated rest area, which was now completely full.
Chi Shuo checked the time on her phone and tapped Han Yu’s wrist. “Stop looking at your phone. What important news did you have to announce?”
Han Yu looked as if she just remembered, slapping her forehead, her mouth splitting into a grin. “I forgot if you hadn’t reminded me!”
Chi Shuo was speechless. She rubbed her temples and pressed, “So, are you going to say it now?”
Han Yu’s expression immediately changed, becoming much more serious. Even her slightly slumped back straightened up considerably.
Chi Shuo’s eyelid twitched. “Did you go bankrupt?”
“Fuck, would I be smiling if I went bankrupt?” Han Yu couldn’t resist reaching out and flicking Chi Shuo’s forehead.
Chi Shuo winced, covering her forehead. “Han Yu, why did you flick me again?”
Han Yu slammed her phone down on the table. “Trying to flick you awake.” She lifted her chin slightly. “I’ve already found a new girlfriend, and you’re still stuck in the past.”
Chi Shuo felt her heartbeat slow for half a beat. “The past?”
Han Yu was furious. “What’s your focus! Didn’t you hear what I said? I’m in a relationship.” She snorted coldly. “You really haven’t moved on from your failed relationship.”
Chi Shuo sighed, composed her expression, and congratulated Han Yu, “Wishing you and your girlfriend a long and happy life together this time.” She asked, “Why pick this noisy jewelry store instead of somewhere else?”
Han Yu stated matter-of-factly, “My girlfriend owns this place.” She added belatedly, “I shouldn’t have used my middle finger to flick you; I have other uses for it.”
“…” Chi Shuo ignored her sudden crude joke, lowering her eyelashes. “Sigh, when will I find a rich woman?”
“Aren’t there plenty of pretty girls at your company?”
“Didn’t fancy any of them?”
Chi Shuo was taken aback. She shook her head. “No.”
Han Yu touched her chin, speaking unhurriedly, “True enough. You have that woman upstairs. She’s certainly gorgeous, but you could never be with her.”
“That woman” equaled He Lindi.
After two seconds, Chi Shuo licked her lips, a slight curve forming at the corners. “Yeah,” she said. “But I’m really not stuck in a failed relationship. I’m doing fine now, just haven’t met anyone I like.”
Han Yu was skeptical. “Really?”
Chi Shuo nodded firmly. “Of course!” She suddenly lowered her voice. “Last time, that ex-girlfriend who cheated on me asked if I wanted to meet up. I didn’t agree.”
Han Yu didn’t know who her ex-girlfriend was, only that this ex had dated both Chi Shuo and another man simultaneously. She was now in Beijing, but Han Yu didn’t know what she did.
Han Yu frowned, her tone indignant. “That slag. If you had agreed, you wouldn’t have me as a friend anymore.”
Chi Shuo nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely be more careful next time.”
Shen Qu’s call last time must have been because of the WeChat Moments post she made about her first trip to Beijing. There was no other reason.
Better be careful in the future. I don’t want any contact with Shen Qu.
After sitting in the jewelry store for a while, Chi Shuo finally met Han Yu’s current girlfriend. The woman looked a few years older than Han Yu, appearing composed and steady.
They had lunch together, then the couple dropped Chi Shuo off at her apartment complex entrance.
After saying goodbye and watching the car disappear from sight, Chi Shuo finally let her smile fade. She let out a soft breath.
For some reason, her shoulders felt heavy, her head weighed down.
She held her umbrella, but the heat still enveloped her, leaving her nowhere to hide and making her uncomfortable.
Focusing on work was much better; it could numb her, as she had spent the past year doing just that.
Lately, she seemed to have slacked off. Chi Shuo didn’t want to dwell on the specific reasons, nor was she willing to.
It was already early July. Ever since the days of heavy rain, Yun Cheng had been consistently sunny, as if announcing the arrival of peak summer.
Chi Shuo wasn’t a summer lover, but she didn’t wish for another bout of that kind of rain either, otherwise He Lindi might just come downstairs and ask her for a ride home.
But the weather was excessively hot. Just going out for a meal left Chi Shuo feeling parched. Returning to the company, she needed a long time to cool down before her body temperature felt normal again. Otherwise, she constantly felt like she had a high fever, even though her mind was perfectly clear.
Besides that, Chi Shuo had indeed been very busy these past few days. Students across the country were mostly on vacation. Once free, they had time for celebrity chasing.
Xinyue Company had expanded its business, starting to act as an event organizer. This was part of the content handover with Qiyu Company previously.
Normally, this wouldn’t concern Chi Shuo, but since she understood the specific details, many people came to her with related questions during the initial phase of the business launch.
Work started at 9 AM every day, but her leaving time began to get delayed, meaning she finally started experiencing the life of working overtime.
But the latest she stayed was only 6:30 PM, which was still within an acceptable range. Xia Zhou and the others were also working overtime. The surge in workload made everyone complain endlessly.
Another Wednesday, 6:30 PM, after work. Chi Shuo stretched lazily. Sitting for too long truly made her body uncomfortable, stiff everywhere.
“Shuo Shuo, let’s go,” Xia Zhou rubbed her neck and walked over.
Zeng Guai had plans for the evening, said “goodbye” to them, and hurried downstairs herself.
Chi Shuo rubbed her face, grabbed her bag, and stood up. “Let’s go.”
Before she even left her office chair, Chi Shuo heard He Xiuqi’s voice: “Xiao Chi Jie, Xiao Xia Jie.”
Every time she heard He Xiuqi call her name, Chi Shuo couldn’t help but mishear it as “Snack Street.” (Xiao Chi Jie)
He Xiuqi carried a shoulder bag, dressed sportily, looking youthful. His approach radiated the energetic vibe of a young person.
He smiled and said, “Let’s go together.”
Refusing was impossible, and Chi Shuo had no reason to refuse.
The three of them went downstairs together. Chi Shuo was tired from work, lacking the extra energy or inclination for chatting.
Especially since learning He Xiuqi liked He Lindi, she wanted even less interaction with him.
Perhaps because the person he liked happened to be someone she disliked.
As she thought this, she didn’t expect to run into the very person she disliked right after entering the elevator.
Chi Shuo didn’t greet her, nor did she spare her an extra glance, standing herself in the corner.
Xia Zhou was already standing shoulder-to-shoulder with He Lindi, whispering about something. He Xiuqi had been nervous since seeing He Lindi, clutching his bag beside Chi Shuo.
Chi Shuo glanced sideways at him and shifted slightly away.
As the elevator descended, it filled with more people. By the time they reached the first floor, a tall man stood in front of Chi Shuo, blocking her entire view.
He Xiuqi chuckled and called out to her, “Xiao Chi Jie, we’re on the first floor.”
The tall man in front likely intended to go to the parking lot and didn’t move. Chi Shuo sighed and maneuvered around him.
Her eyes landed on He Lindi, who also hadn’t moved, apparently planning to drive home.
Chi Shuo pressed her lips together, wanting to pass by her.
Xia Zhou was already waiting outside, smiling brightly as she waited for her to emerge.
“Chi Shuo.”
Chi Shuo couldn’t successfully exit because He Lindi reached out, restrained her wrist, and called her name.
Chi Shuo froze, turning her head to look at her.
He Lindi released her hand, her lips moved, looking at her, she said, “You still haven’t driven me home.”
T/N: If you’re enjoying the story so far, drop a review or rate this novel on NovelUpdates. Also, check out the new novel I’ll be translating, The Short-Lived White Moonlight Just Wants to Slack Off, it’ll have the same schedule as this one. It’s a cut above the rest of the ABO Yuri novels I’ve read and has a nice twist to the plot midway through which was quite unique and don’t often see done.
