“Secretary Chi,” Zhou Yanxing said.
The sudden call made Chi Zhan look up instinctively, eyes full of unspoken questions.
“What do you think of this proposal?” Zhou Yanxing asked coolly.
Truth be told, Chi Zhan hadn’t really been paying attention. He’d been typing up the meeting notes on autopilot. Now put on the spot, his mind went completely blank. He glanced at his screen, then replied uncertainly, “I think… it’s very good.”
Zhou Yanxing didn’t comment on the evaluation. He simply lifted his coffee and took a sip before saying,
“Next.”
The executives exchanged startled glances, then abruptly realized—he’d approved the proposal.
A collective wave of relief swept the room. The executives all looked at Chi Zhan with gratitude.
Chi Zhan, completely in the dark, blinked in confusion.
The next item on the agenda was the Christmas event plan. It finally dawned on Chi Zhan—today was Christmas Eve. The office was decorated with lights and ornaments, and several fun mini-games had been prepared to liven up the day. Everyone was also getting off two hours early.
The meeting passed without incident for Chi Zhan, but everyone around him looked like they’d just survived a disaster.
He packed up his things and was about to leave with the rest of the employees when—
“Secretary Chi.”
Chi Zhan paused. What now?
After a few days apart, Zhou Yanxing seemed even more composed than before—as if his recent bouts of temper had been nothing but a figment of the imagination.
“Is there something I can help you with, President Zhou?” Chi Zhan asked politely.
Zhou Yanxing took his time sipping his coffee. Chi Zhan assumed there were further instructions and returned to his seat. He waited until most people had left the room before Zhou Yanxing finally spoke.
“What were you thinking about during the meeting just now?”
“…Pardon?”
“You kept sneaking glances at me.”
Chi Zhan was momentarily speechless. Zhou Yanxing hadn’t so much as looked his way, and he’d only taken a few side glances—how on earth had he noticed?
“It’s just… President Zhou, you looked different from usual today. Do you have an event to attend this afternoon?”
“No event. But I do have someone to meet over lunch. A blind date.”
Chi Zhan said nothing.
Before he could respond, Zhou added, “You’re coming with me.”
“…President Zhou, it’s your blind date. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate for me to tag along?”
“Why would it be inappropriate? Unless… you have feelings for me?”
“Of course not,” Chi Zhan said quickly.
“Then what—feelings for the person I’m meeting?”
“……”
“Well, if it’s neither, then what are you afraid of? Besides, I’ll be discussing some business matters with him too. Make sure you take proper notes.”
There was nothing left for Chi Zhan to say. Zhou Yanxing had already made all the decisions.
“…Understood.”
“Oh right. Your boyfriend—when will I get to meet him?” Zhou Yanxing asked with the air of a boss concerned about his employee’s personal well-being. “Don’t tell me he’s ‘busy’ again today? If you can’t even see each other on Christmas, I’ll have to start wondering if you’re actually a real couple.”
“He’s picking me up after work today,” Chi Zhan said with a small smile. “You might get to meet him.”
Zhou studied him carefully. Chi Zhan met his gaze with calm composure.
“Hmm.” Zhou handed him the empty coffee cup. “Make me another.”
Chi Zhan turned away and immediately messaged X. He’d completely forgotten about the holiday and could only hope X had time.
He hadn’t been able to check his phone during the meeting. Now, as soon as he unlocked it, a barrage of messages from Chu Xingxiao flooded in.
Chu Xingxiao:
Gege, are you at the office yet?
I overslept QAQ
Gege, want to have lunch together?…
Chi Zhan didn’t reply. He opened the chat with X instead.
Chi Zhan: Do you have time today?
No reply yet. Instead, more messages from Chu Xingxiao popped up.
Chu Xingxiao: I swear I’ll never drink again. Please forgive me, okay? You can punish me however you want—just don’t ignore me.
Chi Zhan didn’t want to deal with him.
Didn’t want to see him either.
A few moments later, his phone buzzed.
X: Anytime you need.
Chi Zhan felt mildly relieved.
Chi Zhan: Let’s meet at four this afternoon. Pretend you’re picking me up from work. Is that okay?
X: Sure.
They’d talked a bit before—X also lived in Province A. Though Chi Zhan didn’t know what he did exactly, X seemed young. Probably still in school. Picking up side gigs for some extra cash.
Chi Zhan: I’ll be wearing a light blue down jacket. What about you?
X: Denim jacket.
A denim jacket? In the middle of winter?
These kids… not a care in the world when it came to cold.
When he was nineteen…
…He definitely didn’t have this much energy.
Chi Zhan vaguely remembered the winter when he was nineteen. It had been bitterly cold.
He hesitated.
Chi Zhan: You’re absolutely sure? You cannot look like you’re faking it. The consequences would be severe!
To emphasize the seriousness, he even added an angry red devil emoji.
A spitting image of “Demon King Zhou” himself.
X: That serious, huh? Don’t worry—I’ll play the part of your boyfriend to perfection. But you’ll have to play along, too.
Chi Zhan: OK.
X: See you then, boyfriend~
X: kisses.jpg
That “kisses” sticker sent Chi Zhan’s mind straight back to the night before…
X and Chu Xingxiao had such similar personalities.
All these nineteen-year-olds… so bold. So uninhibited. The gap between them and him felt enormous.
Even though he was only three years older, it felt more like thirty.
Chi Zhan stared at that little puckered emoji face for a long time—unable to bring himself to send a reply.
…It was kind of embarrassing.
In the end, he scrolled through the sticker pack and finally sent one back.
Chi Zhan: fingerheart.jpg
A blushing cartoon figure held up a tiny pink heart that burst with a soft little pop in the air.
