With a smile, Xiao Li sat down at his workstation, placed a cup of coffee on the desk, took out his phone, and joyfully opened a chat with Bei Bei, typing:
“Today, I am drinking an Americano, and there are good news.”
Bei Bei replied: “What good news?”
Smiling broadly, Xiao Li continued to type: “This morning, I didn’t see the boss in the office. I called and asked where he was, the answer was: ‘Got something to do’. When I asked when he would be back, the answer was: ‘Not sure.’
“Ah!” Xiao Li sighed contentedly, taking a delightful sip of his Americano, and sincerely remarked, “Working under the boss, and there’s actually a day with such good news.”
The boss was not there, which made it easy to slack off.
Slacking off was basically like having a holiday on a workday.
Paid vacation!
After all these years, Xiao Li finally lived to see this day.
“Your boss pretends to be indifferent, but today he’s definitely gone to win back his wife! I bet he can’t let her go!” Bei Bei gossiped with Xiao Li, and even sent him a “Men…”1I will insert a photo at the end of the chapter meme.
Xiao Li, holding his phone in one hand, leisurely replied: “It”s almost eleven. I guess the boss will be delayed until the afternoon…”
Knock knock. The clear sound of knuckles tapping on the table shattered his daydream.
The ‘good news’ were still in his mouth when he looked up, stunned, at the already returned Jiang Yuanmu, feeling a moment of bewilderment.
“The first meeting is with the finance department?”
Jiang Yuanmu’s face was expressionless, but Xiao Li felt that his complexion was slightly gloomy.
“Um… yes.” Xiao Li quickly pressed his phone, abandoned the Americano, stood up, and grabbed his computer, “I”ll notify them right away.”
That afternoon, Jiang Yuanmu wore a sullen face, skipped lunch and didn’t drink water, catching up on the morning’s delayed work. Xiao Li felt that slacking off in the morning was not worth it.
He noticed that something was off with Jiang Yuanmu, but he didn’t dare to look more, let alone ask. He just focused on his work more carefully, afraid of bringing bad luck.
Xiao Li’s feeling was right.
Jiang Yuanmu also felt that something was off with him that day.
He had always kept business and personal matters very separate. But today… it all started when Mo Lin said she wanted a child—Jiang Yuanmu seemed to become chaotic, as if he had fallen ill, utterly confused.
No matter what he did, what documents he reviewed, or what reports he listened to, Mo Lin’s calm statement echoed in his mind.
“I want a child.”
This ‘want a child’ gave him a splitting headache!
Jiang Yuanmu endured until the afternoon, finished handling the more urgent matters, and finally poured himself a glass of cold water to calm down.
And then…
He took out the divorce agreement once more.
Black and white, Mo Lin’s signature was clearly written on it, just like it was yesterday, and just like the composed and indifferent look she had when sitting opposite him this morning.
Jiang Yuanmu silently stared at that name again. After a long while, he finally picked up the pen on the table.
In his mind, apart from Mo Lin’s ‘I want a child’, there was only his rational instruction—
“Her request is something you cannot fulfill. The two of you have reached an irreconcilable difference in this relationship. Therefore, this relationship should end.”
Just like they had initially agreed, they should just part amicably…
The pen tip hovered over Jiang Yuanmu’s name on the paper, forming an ink dot, but the tip stayed in the air.
Thud, the sound of the office door being pushed open.
Jiang Yuanmu looked up at the intruder—Ji Ming.
He was his partner, and also his classmate. His classmate, who after all these years, still liked wearing sportswear and a baseball caps, yawning all day as if he never fully woke up.
Seeing Jiang Yuanmu’s gaze, Ji Ming hesitated, then stepped back, knocked twice on the door, and came in:
“I forgot to knock, I forgot again. Don’t be so fierce, I’m scared.”
Jiang Yuanmu withdrew his gaze and didn’t reprimand him.
It was a rule to knock before entering Jiang Yuanmu’s office. Usually, Jiang Yuanmu disliked Ji Ming’s overly casual behavior, but today was different.
For some reason, Ji Ming’s intrusion inexplicably made Jiang Yuanmu feel relieved.
So, the pen tip left the paper. The black dot stood out, but it didn’t form his name.
Jiang Yuanmu silently closed the agreement.
Yawning, Ji Ming sat on the sofa in Jiang Yuanmu’s office, slumping into it. He took out his phone and quickly typed replies to messages while casually chatting with Jiang Yuanmu:
“What happened? I go on a business trip, and you get divorced? So fast…” He lazily multitasked, speaking without slowing his typing speed. “Did you cheat? Got caught?”
This perspective didn’t even make Jiang Yuanmu want to refute.
He just took a sip of cold water, letting Mo Lin’s voice fade from his mind temporarily, and then asked about work: “What about your results? Did the person sign?”
“Three influencers, signed two, one game streamer left, haven’t met him yet, but…” Ji Ming shook his phone, “Just arranged a meeting.”
The WeChat chatbox showed an “OK” gesture from the other party.
“He just moved back from City C.” Ji Ming glanced at Jiang Yuanmu, “This streamer knows you.”
That surprised Jiang Yuanmu.
“A game streamer?”
“Yes.”
Ji Ming pulled up the information on his phone and sent it to Jiang Yuanmu.
Jiang Yuanmu glanced at it:
“He Ye? I saw him in the proposal. Among the potential signees, he had the best data.” Jiang Yuanmu put down his phone. “Other than that, I have no other impression of him.”
Ji Ming pouted, “He said he had seen you in his friend circle. Come with me tonight to talk to him. He mentioned you, there must be a reason. If you go, the terms should be easier to discuss.”
“Not going.” Jiang Yuanmu answered briskly. “Signing people on is your job.”
Ji Ming was secretly amazed. “It’s hard to negotiate with someone who has good data… The meeting is at a newly opened restaurant and bar near the company. Come on.”
Jiang Yuanmu remained indifferent and even started tidying up his desk, looking like he was about to leave.
Ji Ming stayed on the sofa, watching him: “Going home? Didn’t you get divorced? Do you still have a home?”
The hand holding the pen froze slightly.
Jiang Yuanmu’s lips tightened as memories flashed through his mind like a PowerPoint presentation—neatly packed boxes in the hallway, a door with a ‘Good fortune’ character on it but tightly closed, Mo Lin’s calm face, and that phrase, like a haunting echo…
Want! A! Child!
In the office, Jiang Yuanmu’s breath seemed to momentarily halt.
Ji Ming also held his breath, quietly observing Jiang Yuanmu’s expression.
After a long while, Jiang Yuanmu continued: “Not going.”
“Then where are you going? That house you bought? The dust must be an inch thick by now. How long has it been empty? Is there any life in it? Come with me.”
“Not going.”
“Who stays alone right after a divorce? Isn’t the room too big? Isn’t the house too cold?…”
Thud. The sound of Jiang Yuanmu’s cup, which he heavily placed on the table, startled Ji Ming, causing him to sit up straight on the sofa.
Ji Ming touched his nose, “You won’t hit me, will you…”
Jiang Yuanmu just looked at him gloomily and said each word clearly: “Not. Going.”
The lighting in the restaurant-bar was dim, with red and blue neon lights crossing over Jiang Yuanmu’s chiseled face, causing the waitress handing over the menu to be momentarily stunned.
“I’ll take that”, Ji Ming, sitting next to him, skillfully took the menu. He was evidently more spirited in the evening, “He’s in a bad mood, let me order.”
By 10 PM, the restaurant-bar had shifted its style. Most diners had left, leaving only patrons there to drink and have fun. The front area had cleared out, turning into a bar for drinks only.
Amidst all the laughter, arguments, and revelry, Jiang Yuanmu, sitting like a rock on the sofa, was the most out of place.
After arriving there, Jiang Yuanmu had repeatedly closed his eyes, examining his inner self. He didn’t know why, but he ended up here.
Since yesterday… no, since the morning, he had felt like a program infected by a virus.
His thoughts and actions were in utter chaos.
What exactly did Ji Ming say that convinced him?
Was it the spacious room? The cold house!?
What exactly made him show up here at 10 PM!?
Jiang Yuanmu rubbed his throbbing temple, feeling a twitching pain at his forehead.
“Hey, he’s here.” Ji Ming waved towards the door.
Jiang Yuanmu looked up and saw the “target”—He Ye, wearing a black jacket. He was a well-known game streamer. Although his skills might not be the best among all streamers, he had attracted a large number of loyal fans with his good voice and calm temperament.
He was the most important influencer the company wanted to sign on this time.
He Ye had just arrived, bringing some of the outside chill with him. His breathing was slightly heavy. Before he could sit down, Ji Ming started the conversation with a smile: “Hearing is not as good as seeing. Finally, I get to meet the legendary Ye ge.”
Ji Ming called him “Ge“2means older brother not because He Ye was older, but because that’s what his fans called him.
“Hello.” He Ye greeted Ji Ming first and then glanced at Jiang Yuanmu, seeming momentarily stunned.
“Oh, let me introduce you. This is our company’s boss, Mr. Jiang. He heard about the meeting and decided to join me.”
Jiang Yuanmu nodded politely: “Jiang Yuanmu.”
“Hello”, He Ye responded courteously.
“Didn’t Ye Ge say he saw our Mr. Jiang in his friend circle before?”
Ji Ming, at ease in such settings, energetically kept the conversation going without allowing any awkward pauses, “What kind of friend circle is that? Maybe your connection with our company was destined.”
“Oh… a friend.” He Ye’s voice was slightly hoarse, with a unique magnetism. Even in the noisy environment, his gentle voice was clearly audible, like a spring breeze. “I attended Mr. Jiang’s wedding.”
The spring breeze blew.
The usually talkative Ji Ming suddenly fell silent.
Ji Ming pursed his lips and couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Yuanmu’s expression.
Jiang Yuanmu remained composed, with no change in his expression, and simply nodded: “A few years ago, fortunate that you remember.”
“Hmm…” This remark seemed to trigger some memory for He Ye. He also fell silent for a moment, then nodded as well. “I remember, it was quite a coincidence.”
As the night deepened, the atmosphere in the restaurant-bar grew more lively, except at their sofa table.
Ji Ming quickly laughed twice to break the ice: “Hey, don’t be so reserved. We’re all here, come on, let’s all have a drink!” Ji Ming skillfully poured drinks for the two of them. “Let’s liven up like the young folks over there! Open up!”
Ji Ming’s eyes swept the room and quickly spotted the liveliest table.
That table, nestled in the corner yet closest to the small bar tables, had a long-haired girl with big waves standing up and laughing as she took the “money gun” handed by the waiter:
“Today’s theme is to open our hearts! Play openly!”
She kept shooting “money” into the air.
The printed bills filled the sky, creating a decadent beauty of drunken revelry
Ji Ming was still laughing, but slowly, his smile froze on his face and then gradually turned into fear.
At this moment, the two people sitting with Ji Ming also followed his finger’s direction to the liveliest table.
Then, their gazes also fixed on that table.
However, He Ye’s gaze was fixed on the girl with big wavy hair—Cheng Lulu.
And Jiang Yuanmu’s gaze was fixed on the back of Mo Lin’s head, who was sitting next to Cheng Lulu.
Why the back of her head?
Because Mo Lin was not facing Jiang Yuanmu, her back was towards him, a young man sitting beside her.
The young man was half a head taller than Mo Lin. Amidst the noise, he was leaning close to Mo Lin’s ear, saying something…
The young man’s lips curved slightly, his eyes shimmering, as if…
He was plotting something.
With a buzz, Jiang Yuanmu felt the surrounding noise and dazzling lights come to a halt at that moment…
His head, at last, split from pain…
