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Chapter 12 No idea about boundaries!
Thanks to Xu Liemian going abroad for an exhibition with his mentor, Chi Ke enjoyed a period of calm and stability after returning to work.
During this time, he scouted the residential areas near Xingmian Entertainment [mfn]original male protagonist’s company[/mfn], planning to move out of the original owner’s house once he received his year-end bonus.
At the same time…
[The Great Ji Gatsby: /file/]
[The Great Ji Gatsby: Can we sign this?]
Chi Ke glanced at his phone during a meeting break.
[K: Yeah.]
He also finalized a collaboration with Ji Qian, negotiated the pricing, and promised that this hospital would pay back all the money within three years.
[The Great Ji Gatsby: What about this one?]
[K: Sign it.]
[The Great Ji Gatsby: But the cut he’s asking for is huge, way more than the other two. Plus, one of them has a higher chance of meeting revenue expectations.]
[K: Think about their current situation. Consider whether they can actually deliver on the supply and R&D they promised. I looked into the other hospitals you mentioned—one is asking for less, sure, but they don’t even have finished equipment yet. It’s still in development, and I did some digging. They’re already running out of funding, and progress is stuck halfway. If we throw our money in, it’ll be a lost cause. The other hospital looks promising for now, but I’d bet they’ve already hit their peak on this path. Their quality and positioning don’t match ours. You’re running a private hospital. When patient numbers are low, high salaries can only bring in ordinary doctors. But to attract top-tier, ambitious medical talent, you need high-end, high-quality infrastructure and software.]
[The Great Ji Gatsby: /Sudden Enlightenment.jpg/]
[The Great Ji Gatsby: Signed!]
Ji Qian was obedient and smart—a great business partner.
But there was one thing Chi Ke wasn’t satisfied with.
[The Great Ji Gatsby: All done, all done~ Teacher Chi, wanna grab a meal?]
Ji Qian kept sending him pointless messages and inviting him to eat. After Chi Ke politely accepted a few times, Ji Qian started pushing his luck, asking him out more and more often.
Ji Qian claimed that, as a doctor, he needed to monitor his patient’s diet and routine. And Chi Ke can also call it as working more efficiently together.
The logic made sense, but Chi Ke wasn’t comfortable.
Ji Qian’s constant interruptions had already ruined countless of his plans.
His reason for collaborating with Ji Qian wasn’t just about health or identity security. There was another major goal.
He wasn’t planning to stay at Leng Yunting’s company for long. Once he wrapped up the original owner’s affairs, he’d resign. After that, he needed a backup plan—a job to fall back on.
And Ji Qian was currently his best available resource.
Chi Ke admitted he had been the one to propose the collaboration—but that was strictly work-related. It didn’t mean he wanted any personal involvement with Ji Qian.
He had tried to set boundaries, but every time, something got in the way.
Like tonight’s dinner.
Chi Ke, about 80% full, put down his chopsticks. “Dr. Ji.”
“Hm?” Ji Qian responded while putting on gloves and rolling a thin pancake. “Try this, it’s amazing.”
A vein popped on Chi Ke’s forehead. “Listen to me first.”
“I’m listening, go on.” Ji Qian handed him a knife and fork. “Dip it in this sauce—it’s super flavorful.”
Chi Ke was at his limit. “I—”
Just then, Ji Qian suddenly reached out, placing a hand on Chi Ke’s shoulder, blocking a kid from crashing into him. His expression was still smiling, but the laughter in his eyes had faded.
“Parents, please keep an eye on your kids when you’re out. Crashing into people can be dangerous,” he said lightly.
Chi Ke stiffened, frowning as he felt the weight on his shoulder.
Ji Qian’s grip was light—a friendly, comforting gesture.
Only when the father and son apologized did Ji Qian leisurely withdraw his hand, flashing a sweet smile. “This place is really good. We should come again tomorrow. Oh right, Assistant Chi, what were you about to say?”
Chi Ke: “…”
What the hell?
Why did it suddenly feel so weird?
Why couldn’t he speak anymore?
His phone vibrated on the table, breaking the silence. He swiftly hit mute before ‘The Moon Above’ by Phoenix Legend could blast through the restaurant.
“You eat first, I need to take this call.”
For the first time, Chi Ke was grateful for Leng Yunting’s call.
“I want you in my office by 6:30 AM,” Leng Yunting’s voice cut through the background noise. “Mianmian has a rehearsal at 8 AM, and I can’t make it. You’ll go in my place and bring a bouquet. Before that, come to my office—I have documents for you.”
So, I have to watch the rehearsal and deliver the flowers?
Who’s the one actually doing the pursuing?
Chi Ke felt a rising sense of existential exhaustion, “Boss Leng, tomorrow’s Sunday. I have a day off.”
“Cut the crap. You’ll be at Mianmian’s school all day tomorrow. I have to go to the Meng family’s banquet with Young Master Meng—old man Meng called for me, and I can’t refuse it. Keep an eye there, and make sure no one suspicious gets around. Screw this up, and you can forget about this year’s bonus.” Leng Yunting, on the other end was probably rolling his eyes. “I’ll give you a raise.”
“Alright.” Chi Ke expected this outcome.
Overtime aside, at least he now had a solid excuse to reject Ji Qian’s invitation.
Back in the restaurant, Ji Qian was reading medical papers on his laptop. On the table sat a beautifully plated waffle—the very dessert he had pestered the waiter to bring over earlier.
Chi Ke walked over. “Why aren’t you eating?”
It was getting cold.
“You’re back? I was waiting for you.” Ji Qian cut a piece and handed the biggest one to him. “Leng Yunting is making you work overtime again?”
“Yeah.” Chi Ke suddenly felt a little guilty. “I won’t be able to…”
“You have to work tomorrow, right?” Ji Qian was unbelievably understanding. “No worries. You’re busy, we’ll do it another time. Just make sure to pace yourself—money can’t buy health. Take care of yourself.”
Chi Ke bit into the soft, lightly sweet waffle, but it simply tasted bland to him.
Ji Qian’s words were normal and natural—he’d say the same if the roles were reversed.
It wasn’t like it was a long-awaited, pre-planned event. The invitation hadn’t even been confirmed, so it wasn’t like Ji Qian was disappointed.
But somehow, Chi Ke felt oddly guilty.
After dinner, he refused Ji Qian’s offer to drive him home and quietly paid for the meal. “My treat.”
Ji Qian, halfway through pulling out his phone to split the bill, paused, then tucked it back into his pocket, watching him get into the car. “Next time, it’s on me.”
Chi Ke’s grip on the car door tightened, veins popping. The words ‘There won’t be a next time’ were on the tip of his tongue.
“Driver, please go slow. He gets carsick.” Ji Qian leaned down to tell the driver before turning to Chi Ke. “Will you be alright? You looked pretty bad the last time you took my car.”
Chi Ke: “…”
He swallowed his words, got in, and shut the door with barely perceptible irritation.
Annoying as hell.
This guy seriously had zero sense of boundaries.
***
At 7 AM, Chi Ke arrived at the company entrance.
“Morning, Assistant Chi.” Secretary Sun appeared, sporting two massive dark circles under his eyes. “Meeting’s over already? Heading out?”
“Yeah.” Chi Ke scrolled through his phone without looking up. “Secretary Sun, are you using the company car right now?”
Years ago, under Chi Ke’s suggestion, Leng Yunting had purchased a company car for employees without personal vehicles who needed to handle urgent matters.
Since Secretary Sun frequently had to go out, he was the one who usually managed the car.
Nanyang University, where Xu Lemian studied, was in the suburbs of S City—an hour’s drive away. Chi Ke was fine driving but gets carsick as a passenger. If he had to sit in a car for an hour, he’d probably spend half an hour out of it throwing up.
“Oh, I need to head out too, and I forgot my driving license. Give me a lift to the courthouse?” Secretary Sun tossed him the car keys. “First time driving? It’s a bit unstable—think you can handle it?”
“Don’t worry.”
Secretary Sun had full confidence in Assistant Chi’s steady nature. “Then do me a favor and drive fast. I’m in a hurry—I need to get there within twenty minutes.”
Chi Ke confirmed again. “You’re really in a hurry?”
“Super rushed.” Secretary Sun nodded repeatedly. “As long as you don’t break any traffic rules, just go for it.”
Eight minutes later.
Without a word spoken the entire ride, Secretary Sun stumbled out of the car, clinging to a trash can as he threw his guts out.
Chi Ke rolled down the window, looking concerned. “You get carsick too?”
Pale-lipped, Secretary Sun gasped, “Assistant Chi, you—hngh! You’re insane!”
The route from the company to the courthouse was relatively empty, with lots of intersections.
Chi Ke had obeyed every traffic rule—starting, stopping, maintaining proper speed and distance, using his turn signals correctly. Everything was by the book. But he drove with an almost extreme level of precision.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Secretary Sun felt like a co-driver in a high-speed car race, experiencing every turn at a breakneck pace.
Chi Ke kept the speed right at the limit, braking exactly at the threshold, taking turns at the smallest radius possible—effortless, clean, and sharp. That cheap little company car moved like a goddamn supercar.
After a mere eight-minute drive, Secretary Sun’s lungs were nearly shaken loose.
What the hell? This guy always looked so calm and composed—why was his driving style so wild?!
But… he had asked Chi Ke to drive faster, so he really couldn’t complain.
With tears in his eyes, Secretary Sun could only conclude: Damn. Respect.
Before leaving, he gave Chi Ke a profound look. “Assistant Chi, if you ever find someone willing to sit in your passenger seat again, just marry them.”
Chi Ke: “?”
He left, baffled.
***
Nanyang University was a semi-open campus, meaning no student ID was required for entry. Even so, wearing a formal suit would still be too conspicuous. Before heading in, Chi Ke swapped into a windbreaker and jeans, blending in perfectly with the student crowd.
He thought his disguise was flawless. But—
“Hey, classmate! Could you tell me how to get to the Dance Academy?”
“Go straight, turn right, then right again, and keep going straight.” The student eyed the roses in his arms and grinned slyly. “Damn, which lucky girl has such a handsome guy chasing her all the way to school?”
Chi Ke: “?”
How the hell did they know that he wasn’t a student here?
Just then, Secretary Sun messaged him.
[Secretary Sun: So, Assistant Chi, did you make it to the school? Was there any accident?]
[K: No.]
[K: I changed my clothes. But why could the students here immediately tell that I’m not from this school?]
Chi Ke’s internal alarms were on high alert.
Had the original host shown his face here before? Did he have some acquaintance in this university? No way his family had…
[Secretary Sun: What’s so weird about that?]
[Secretary Sun: Have you ever seen a university student look as dead inside as we do?]
[Secretary Sun: Especially you, Assistant Chi. You radiate corporate slave energy.]
Chi Ke stared at the message for a long time. He had no rebuttal.
Who wasn’t once a bright, ambitious young student?
Brushing off the thought, he made his way to the Dance Academy, arriving five minutes before the major rehearsal was set to begin.
Checking the time, Chi Ke followed the staff arranged by Leng Yunting and pushed open the backstage door—
“Assistant Chi?”
The bouquet of roses in his hands bumped into another bouquet of white jasmine.
Chi Ke’s eyelid twitched. He lifted his gaze to see a man with a refined, elegant face standing before him. His mind raced as he hesitantly guessed, “Young Master Sima?”
The man smiled, “No need for ‘Young Master.’ My family background isn’t worth bragging about. I run a theater now. Just call me Sima… Actually, never mind. That surname’s too flashy. Call me Director Si instead.”
Chi Ke: “………”
The hell is wrong with this guy?
Chi Ke kept a blank expression, “Alright, Director Sima.”
Sima Yichen, still in a good mood, corrected him again, “It’s Si—”
“Director Sima, please move.” Chi Ke had no interest in being polite to anyone outside of his boss, let alone his boss’s love rival. “You’re blocking the way.”
The backstage area wasn’t empty, just relatively quiet. A small crowd had already gathered behind them, watching.
Sima Yichen let out a thoughtful “hmm” before stepping aside—barely enough for half a person to squeeze through. His eyes curved as he smiled. “Alright, but I’d suggest you head back. I already went to the front stage earlier. Everyone knows this bouquet is for Xu Lemian. If you go out there now, it might put him in a tough spot.”
Chi Ke: “Oh. Move a little more.”
Sima Yichen: “?”
Sima Yichen remained in place, still maintaining his gentlemanly demeanor. “I said, it’ll make things difficult for him.”
Chi Ke exhaled, rubbing his brow in irritation. He didn’t bother arguing—he simply shouldered his way past.
Why was he telling him about making things difficult?
It wasn’t like Chi Ke had any feelings for Xu Lemian. He was just a corporate slave here to complete his boss’s errand and avoid a salary deduction.
Chi Ke pressed forward without a care. If anyone really wanted to make things easier for Xu Lemian, the one who should leave was—
Seated in the front row of the audience, Chi Ke quickly became the center of attention.
His outfit was simple. The bouquet was placed discreetly to the side. Yet, without a need for reputation or any showy displays, just sitting there was enough to make him stand out.
Chi Ke propped his chin on his hand lazily, lifting his gaze ever so slightly to glance at the unnoticed Sima Yichen.
His message was clear: If you don’t want to make things difficult for him, you still have time to leave.
Sima Yichen clenched his jasmine bouquet with a smile.
Damn. That bastard Leng Yunting trained a good assistant.
T/N:- If you like my work, please do consider getting me a cup of coffee ☕ . It works like a magical fuel for a drained soul like me😵💫
Chapter 13 link:- https://ko-fi.com/s/51ac860a3d
