It was spring recruitment season again. Xinyue Company’s reputation was such that just setting up a booth on campus attracted a flood of applicants. Even if He Xiuqi wasn’t at Xinyue anymore, there would be others. A large company like this wouldn’t change because of someone who hadn’t even worked there for a full year. Things would continue, development would proceed as usual.
Chi Shuo and the others could be certain He Xiuqi wouldn’t want to lose his job. After all, Xinyue’s benefits were excellent. He had just graduated, his resume wasn’t impressive. Even if he went to another company, the salary and benefits definitely wouldn’t be as good.
After saying that, He Lindi immediately broke into a smile, completely different from her earlier self-reproachful demeanor. “Fighting fire with fire, who doesn’t know how to do that?”
Chi Shuo chuckled. “This simple and crude method is pretty good.”
“Of course, sometimes you have to get serious for people to learn their lesson.” He Lindi started packing her things.
A few seconds later, He Lindi said, “I copied today’s photos to my USB drive. I took a few close-ups of you; you can print them later and add them to the album.”
She had used Q Ge’s DSLR today, because she hadn’t gone home yesterday, coming straight to the company this morning, so she hadn’t brought her own. The DSLR was already back with Q Ge; she could only copy the photos to her USB drive.
Chi Shuo nodded. “Okay, then let’s also pick and print the photos we took in Lu Cheng.”
“Sure.”
A few minutes later, the two appeared in the underground parking lot. Uncle Jiu had already brought He Lindi’s car over.
Chi Shuo once again became He Lindi’s chauffeur. After getting into the car and buckling her seatbelt, she started talking about her designated driver days. “It was around the second half of my junior year. I was short on cash, and since I was graduating the next year, I needed to save up, so I started doing designated driving gigs.”
“One night, I encountered a girl. She had been drinking, looked dazed, and kept crying in the passenger seat, saying her family was ruined. I didn’t ask her why, then she started muttering that she didn’t want to live anymore.”
“Her dad was a serious gambler. He lost all their savings, then borrowed from loan sharks. The interest piled up, and they had to sell their house to almost pay it off.”
“Then her dad finally realized what he’d done, felt guilty towards his wife and child, and killed himself.”
He Lindi sighed, hearing this. “That’s…” She couldn’t find the right words, but still managed to say, “Life is too hard.”
The car had already reached the main road outside the parking lot. Chi Shuo hummed in agreement. “It is. Later, I felt bad for her, so I comforted her. She added me on WeChat. Now, she posts on Moments every day; she has a new life.”
“That’s good.”
“What are we eating?”
“Changing the subject that fast?” He Lindi was a bit stunned.
Half an hour later, the two appeared at Nice Western Restaurant, the one He Lindi had treated her to before. Since it was a Monday, business wasn’t as brisk, but He Lindi was a member, so they wouldn’t have to wait long.
While eating, Chi Shuo went to the restroom. When she came back, she saw someone standing next to He Lindi. It was a girl, chatting with He Lindi. Then she took out her notepad and pen and happily left.
Chi Shuo sat down. “A little fan?”
“No, just a girl I’ve talked with before about photography techniques.”
Chi Shuo remembered. “The one from the seminar in Liucheng?”
“Yes.”
“She came to ask for my autograph.”
Chi Shuo smiled. “He Lindi, I’ve discovered something. You’re definitely at the top in both the entertainment and photography circles, in terms of reputation and popularity. You have works and awards. If I had to compare you to someone, you’re the Qi Siqiao of the photography world.”
He Lindi gave her a look as if she were an idiot. “Just hurry up and eat your pasta.” After speaking, she took out her phone. “Shen Qu… contacted me today.”
Chi Shuo twirled her pasta around her fork and asked before eating, “Did she say anything?”
“She said she’s back in the country.”
“That soon?”
“Her mom missed home.”
“Ah…”
Chi Shuo lowered her gaze. “Family is always a tie, not something you can just cut off whenever you want.” She finished, then asked, “Did she say anything else? Like wanting to have hot pot together?”
He Lindi shook her head. “No.” She guessed, “Maybe after her depression is cured?”
The atmosphere shifted slightly because of Shen Qu, not to awkwardness, but to shared sentiment.
When would Shen Qu’s depression be cured? It was unknown. Five years… was it really possible? Chi Shuo didn’t know, but she still sincerely hoped Shen Qu could recover soon and not suffer any longer.
After the meal, He Lindi went to pay. Chi Shuo carried her bag. When He Lindi approached, Chi Shuo smiled. “I’ve been thinking… I shouldn’t aim to be a rich woman. Having you is enough.”
He Lindi waved her hand. “No way, you have to become a rich woman.”
“Why?”
“So I can cling to your wealth.”
“But…”
“Aren’t you already letting me cling to you?”
He Lindi tilted her head. “That’s true.”
Leaving the building, they didn’t immediately head back but strolled along the bustling street, buying a few things before going home.
Before showering, Chi Shuo saw a new message from Zeng Guai in their group chat. 【Ahhh! It’s April Fool’s Day today! I completely forgot to prank you guys!】
Xia Zhou: 【I slowly type out a question mark.】
Chi Shuo: 【……】
Chi Shuo: 【You try.】
She found the four words “you try” incredibly useful. She learned it from He Lindi.
Sure enough, Zeng Guai wilted. 【Okay, I don’t deserve to.】
Chi Shuo chuckled. He Lindi came out of the bedroom, saw her smiling, and asked, “What’s so funny?”
Chi Shuo turned, lying on the sofa. She looked at He Lindi, who was tying her hair up. “It’s April Fool’s Day today, April 1st, and I haven’t pranked you.”
He Lindi responded with a triple question: “How do you plan to prank me? What can you even do? And do you dare?”
Chi Shuo: “…”
Chi Shuo also wilted. “Just go shower.”
He Lindi put her hands down, walked up to Chi Shuo, and chuckled. “Clearly, you can do whatever you want.”
“No, I can’t.”
He Lindi’s grandfather seemed to think He Lindi was beyond saving or something. An entire week passed without any action from him.
Chi Shuo didn’t ask He Lindi about this; it didn’t seem necessary. If a storm was coming, there was nothing wrong with enjoying the calm before it hit.
They hadn’t announced their relationship at the company, but commuting together every day had been witnessed by many colleagues. Plus, the office gossip network was efficient; basically, everyone tacitly assumed they were a couple. However, while some found them aesthetically pleasing, others felt a pang of regret. After all, both He Lindi and Chi Shuo were exceptionally capable individuals in their respective companies. He Lindi was a popular photographer, and Chi Shuo had received an award at the annual party less than two years into her job. These people regretted… that they probably had no chance.
In the adult world, some people express their affection openly and passionately, while others treat it like a secret high school crush, hoping for the perfect moment to bring them closer and see if there’s a chance.
But did they have a chance? No.
Xiao Cheng learned the news relatively late. He had been on a business trip. It was only when he returned last week that he heard other colleagues talking about it.
Xiao Cheng was stunned for a moment, then murmured, “No wonder…”
No wonder He Lindi had been even more worried than Chi Shuo when Chi Shuo got sick during their business trip to Mishi.
Xiao Cheng started liking Chi Shuo about three or four months after she joined the company. It had been over a year now. Back then, he hadn’t been as experienced as he was now, but he still knew more than Chi Shuo, so he’d guided her.
Chi Shuo learned quickly. She never made the same mistake twice. At first, Xiao Cheng simply found her easy to get along with. Although she seemed a bit intimidating, after interacting with her, he realized she was a good person.
Just like that, Xiao Cheng witnessed her growth, watched her thrive at the company, and then realized his feelings for her. When Chi Shuo rejected him, he pretended to be nonchalant, but deep down, he still held onto a sliver of hope, however small.
Now, that small hope was extinguished. Chi Shuo wouldn’t like a man, wouldn’t like him. After realizing this, sitting alone at his desk, he finally felt the heartache.
That afternoon, Xiao Cheng called Chi Shuo to the break room. He got her a cup of coffee, then led her to the back.
There was a triangular corner, without a coffee table or chairs. Standing there, holding coffee, leaning against the railing, you could see the nearby high-rise buildings. It felt like a scene from a TV drama.
Xiao Cheng rubbed the rim of his cup and said, “I just found out today.”
Chi Shuo guessed what he wanted to say. Holding her coffee, she pressed her lips together and apologized, “I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong.” Xiao Cheng smiled, a trace of bitterness in his expression. He turned his head slightly, looking at Chi Shuo. “Good luck.”
Chi Shuo hummed. “Thanks.”
Xiao Cheng turned around, leaning against the railing, and said, “I was puzzled before. Back then, when you two seemed so awkward, when she said you weren’t close, I should have guessed.”
Chi Shuo had her share of pursuers, more during her school days, especially after starting university. But back then, she was with Shen Qu and too busy, so she barely paid attention to other romantic interests.
Xiao Cheng was the most gentlemanly pursuer she had encountered so far. Chi Shuo exhaled, then heard Xiao Cheng say, “I’ll definitely find a girl I like even more.” He said, “You cheer me on too.”
“Good luck.”
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