Employees from the two companies often visited each other, and He Lindi frequently collaborated with Xinyue. Her presence there wasn’t unusual, but it had been a while since her last visit, so everyone was a bit surprised.
After entering, He Lindi walked towards Xia Zhou and Zeng Guai. As if it were the most natural thing, she pulled up a chair, sat down, and picked up the deck of cards on the table. “I’m bored. Let’s play cards.”
Xia Zhou smiled. “It’s been ages since we played Landlord.”
Zeng Guai agreed. “Yeah, Didi, it feels like a lifetime ago.”
Chi Shuo remained silent, her head lowered as she looked at her phone. She didn’t spare a glance, but anyone who got closer could see what she was doing—messaging He Lindi’s secret Weibo account. Just three question marks.
Yet they conveyed her confusion and bewilderment. She genuinely didn’t know why He Lindi was there.
He Lindi didn’t check her phone. She began shuffling the cards. “Let’s play Landlord. My skills have improved a lot lately.”
“Alright.” Xia Zhou and Zeng Guai readily agreed. Zeng Guai even stood up and went to get He Lindi a can of Sprite.
The four sat around the small coffee table, yet a huge barrier seemed to separate them. Chi Shuo was in her own world, and the other three’s happiness had nothing to do with her.
He Xiuqi, after finishing a game, watched the scene and chuckled, finding it amusing yet also pitying Chi Shuo. He took a sip of coffee, then stood up and walked over to Chi Shuo.
The company had previously issued a notice stating that conflicts in public areas would be penalized based on severity. Thus, He Xiuqi didn’t dare say anything too harsh. Besides, Chi Shuo had already broken up with He Lindi. Now, with them acting like strangers, a few casual taunts were enough.
Actually, if He Xiuqi had wanted to mess with Chi Shuo before, he could have openly or privately revealed that she and He Lindi had dated. But he didn’t, not out of kindness, but because he still held a glimmer of hope.
What if He Lindi and Chi Shuo really did break up, and she ended up with him? He didn’t think he was dreaming or fantasizing; on the contrary, it felt quite real, especially after witnessing their breakup. This sense of reality intensified.
He was grateful he hadn’t lost his head and ruined his chances. Otherwise, if everyone at the company knew He Lindi liked girls, how could he continue pursuing her?
“Xiao Chi Jie.” He Xiuqi was in a good mood. Since Chi Shuo and He Lindi had broken up, saying something about Chi Shuo in front of He Lindi, her ex, might earn him some brownie points.
“Playing games?” He Xiuqi asked again.
Chi Shuo didn’t look up. “No.”
Xia Zhou frowned and played a card. “Shuoshuo is on her lunch break.”
The implication: Don’t disturb her.
He Xiuqi’s smile remained bright. He pulled his chair closer, acting like he was familiar with them. “Xiao Xia Jie, can I join your Landlord game?”
Zeng Guai immediately refused. “Three people is perfect for Landlord. We’re good here.”
He Lindi’s tone was indifferent. “This deck of cards says ‘No Trespassing’.”
He Xiuqi pressed his lips together. “I’m not trespassing.”
“…” He Lindi gave him a look and frowned, as if wanting to say something, but held back. After playing a consecutive pair, she said, “I win.”
Zeng Guai cursed. “You’ve changed! You’re no longer the He Lindi who only loses.”
He Lindi curved her lips, looking towards Chi Shuo. “Teacher Chi taught me well.”
Hearing what He Lindi said to He Xiuqi, Chi Shuo understood—He Lindi was here to “help” her.
And that line seemed effective. He Xiuqi’s expression shifted slightly. Then He Lindi added, “It’s just her photography skills still haven’t improved much. I’m starting to wonder if it’s my fault as her teacher.”
Chi Shuo cooperated, looking up to meet He Lindi’s gaze. “Otherwise?”
“But they say, ‘The master leads the apprentice to the door, but cultivation depends on the individual’.”
“That’s in ordinary situations. Photography is anything but ordinary.”
The two resumed their usual bickering mode. Xia Zhou and Zeng Guai watched, their eyelids twitching. They didn’t know what was going on.
Could they have gotten back together? But it didn’t seem like it.
He Xiuqi shared their confusion. He was genuinely bewildered. After a moment, he stood up, pretending to get a drink, and returned to his original seat.
And he forgot his coffee was already there. This action was clearly unnecessary.
Chi Shuo couldn’t quite figure out He Xiuqi’s thoughts. She didn’t understand why he hadn’t revealed their past relationship right then and there. Doing so would have maximized the gossip surrounding her.
She stared at her phone, pondering, and arrived at a conclusion: He Xiuqi didn’t dare.
As long as he still liked He Lindi, he wouldn’t dare.
Soon, He Lindi left, and the tension in the room dissipated.
It was as if nothing had happened.
Chi Shuo and He Lindi only interacted this once in the past month.
After work, Chi Shuo wasn’t in a hurry to go home, even though she usually took her time, avoiding the elevator rush.
But this time it was because Xia Zhou had messaged her earlier, asking her to wait.
Chi Shuo guessed what Xia Zhou wanted to say, and she was also contemplating whether to tell Xia Zhou and Zeng Guai the truth.
Putting herself in their shoes, if her friend had faked a breakup without telling her, causing her unnecessary worry, she’d be a little upset.
Perhaps just a little.
Zeng Guai already left to handle her own affairs. Chi Shuo was still unsure what to do, so she walked to Xia Zhou’s workstation and waited.
Xia Zhou deliberately slowed her movements, making Chi Shuo even more nervous. What if Xia Zhou was really mad at her? She…
She didn’t know what to do.
Chi Shuo pursed her lips. When Xia Zhou finally stood up, she asked, “Packed everything?”
“What could I possibly have left behind?”
“True.”
They walked out. For the first time, a silent atmosphere hung between them. Even when they reached the office building entrance, neither spoke.
Finally, Chi Shuo looked towards the setting sun and apologized, “I’m sorry.”
Xia Zhou didn’t reply. Chi Shuo stopped walking and said again, “I shouldn’t have kept it from you.”
“What’s the reason?” Xia Zhou also stopped and turned, looking at her seriously.
Chi Shuo met her gaze. “It’s complicated.”
It really was complicated. Looking back on the past month, Chi Shuo felt like she was living in a dream.
She had never imagined dating would be like this, like fighting a war. She and He Lindi were spies, exchanging intel through daily Weibo messages. Their only meeting felt like a mission—I’m safe here, comrade, please continue the performance.
Chi Shuo finished and looked down at the ground. She said, “We’re too passive.”
“A little.” Xia Zhou patted her shoulder. “Let’s find a place to sit and talk.”
On the way, Chi Shuo couldn’t help asking, “Were we that obvious today?”
Xia Zhou gave her a look. “You’re not an actress; do you really think your acting was so good no one could tell?” She chuckled. “The way you and Didi looked at each other, anyone paying attention would have noticed.”
Xia Zhou paused here. “It’s just I wasn’t sure what was going on between you two, until I remembered a month ago, you asked me to tell Yue Ke to stop calling you ‘Biao Sao’. That’s when I realized your breakup was fake.”
Chi Shuo felt like she was looking at a monster. “Xia Zhou, your observation skills are truly top-notch.”
Xia Zhou raised an eyebrow. “It’s mostly because I know you well.” She sighed. “I don’t think you would have lost control and cried like that in the cafeteria. Shuoshuo, even if you were heartbroken after a breakup, you’d tell us you were fine. You only show your vulnerable side in private.”
“That’s true.” Chi Shuo didn’t deny it. Xia Zhou was stating facts.
If she had really broken up with He Lindi, she would have tried her best to appear strong, not crying in public like that, losing all composure.
“You and Didi did that to show the He family, right?”
“Yes.” Chi Shuo nodded slowly. She continued, “She signed an agreement with her family, saying we had to be apart for three months, no contact. It was a test, but it felt so ridiculous. More than anything, it was frustrating.”
“So, it’s finally time to face family issues.”
“Yes.” Chi Shuo sighed deeply. “I liked He Lindi for two years in high school, then finally let her go. Years later, we got together, but this relationship feels a bit…”
Chi Shuo didn’t finish. Xia Zhou supplied the word, “Tiring?”
“Not exactly tiring, more like powerless. I’m happy when I’m with her, but thinking about it, it’s not fair to me.”
“I’ve been thinking about this these past two days. Being kept in the dark doesn’t feel good.”
Xia Zhou hummed. “You finally understand.” She comforted Chi Shuo, “Shuoshuo, have you heard of the saying ‘What goes down must come up’? Are you tired of this situation? If not, then continue. If you are, it’s time to fight back.”
Fight back?
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