Xiao Wang leaned back in his office chair and let out an involuntary sigh. Something in his pocket was digging into his side, and when he reached in, he found the birthday gift he’d just received—a cute little keychain.
It had been handed to him personally by Zhou Zhuofei, who had even offered a unique blessing unlike the generic well-wishes from others.
"Wishing Secretary Xiao smooth workdays and happiness every day!"
At first glance, the words seemed perfectly fine, even aligned with his current mindset—if work went well, everything else would fall into place.
But he wasn’t the same Xiao Wang who cared only about work anymore. If his future didn’t include Zhou Zhuofei, how could he possibly be happy every day?
The very concept of "happiness" existed because of her. She was the reason he lived.
Absentmindedly, he fiddled with the keychain, the metal charm flipping between his fingers as his thoughts raced. His movements grew faster, more restless—until he fumbled, and the keychain fell onto the carpet with a dull thud.
Xiao Wang sighed again, picked it up, and tucked it into his desk drawer. No matter what, he had to keep anything she gave him safe.
After collecting himself, he turned to work.
Two years’ worth of tasks lay before him, essentially just redoing old exercises, so he breezed through them. Work that would’ve required overtime in the past was now finished well ahead of schedule.
But the real reason was simple—he had no desire to stay late.
The moment the clock struck quitting time, he hurried out of the office, drove his car out of the underground garage, and headed straight for the bus stop.
He knew Zhou Zhuofei took the bus home from there every evening.
As the stop came into view, he slowed down, careful not to miss her. The crowd of commuters waiting didn’t make it any harder for him to spot her.
Between him and Zhou Zhuofei, there was no need to rely on facial recognition. Like electrons drawn to a magnetic field, his gaze instinctively found her.
One glance was all it took. There she was, standing at the far end of the platform, idly studying the route map to pass the time.
It was a habit of hers—when bored, she’d look around, absorbing random bits of trivia to occupy herself. That was how she’d picked up so many odd, obscure facts.
Xiao Wang pulled up beside her and rolled down the window.
"Zhuofei!"
She looked up reflexively, quickly spotting him by the roadside.
"Going home? I can give you a ride—it’s on my way."
"Huh?" She seemed surprised. Xiao Wang was still scrambling for a more convincing explanation when she suddenly beamed and agreed. "Sure! Thanks, Secretary Xiao."
She jogged over and slid into the passenger seat, showering him with gratitude.
"Today’s my lucky day—I actually get to ride with you!"
"It’s nothing. We’re heading the same way anyway."
Zhou Zhuofei shook her head. "No, I mean—it’s just rare to see you leave work on time. This early is practically unheard of."
Xiao Wang couldn’t help but smile. Did that mean she’d been paying attention to his habits all along?
"Work wasn’t too heavy today."
"Ah, so today’s your lucky day too, then."
The moment those words left her mouth, Xiao Wang’s smile froze. The shift was fleeting, but Zhou Zhuofei caught it instantly.
Outwardly, she remained composed, but internally, she was screaming.
—Crap. Foot, meet mouth.
Secretary Xiao must be in a bad mood, leaving early because work wasn’t going well. And here she was, chirping about "lucky days"?
As if everyone was like her, clocking out the second the workday ended, with zero ambition!
Even though Xiao Wang said nothing, Zhou Zhuofei clamped her mouth shut. If talking risked more blunders, silence was safer.
But sitting in someone else’s car and burying herself in her phone would be rude. So she resisted the urge to pull it out, opting instead to stare quietly out the window.
Her silence made it even harder for Xiao Wang to speak.
In their interactions, Zhou Zhuofei had always taken the lead. He never had to worry about awkward pauses or dead air—she handled all of that.
All he had to do was talk freely, and she’d respond with enthusiasm.
Nostalgia for that dynamic washed over him, and before he knew it, he’d taken a wrong turn.
Zhou Zhuofei noticed the detour early but assumed he knew a shortcut. Still, after her earlier misstep, she didn’t dare point it out.
It wasn’t until Xiao Wang parked in front of an apartment building that she tentatively spoke up. "Um… this doesn’t seem right?"
"What’s wrong?"
Only then did Xiao Wang realize—he’d instinctively driven them to his place, as if they were going home together.
"Sorry," he quickly corrected. "Forgot to mention—I need to grab something from home. I’ll be right back."
Zhou Zhuofei nodded. "No problem, take your time. I’m in no hurry."
Xiao Wang forced himself out of the car, lingered briefly inside, then returned. He considered bringing her something, but all he had was fruit—and he knew she wouldn’t eat it. In her current cautious state, she’d never risk snacking in his car.
"Sorry for the wait."
"It’s fine!" She waved it off. She was just a hitchhiker—who was she to complain?
But Secretary Xiao’s behavior was genuinely concerning.
In the two years she’d known him, she’d never seen him so off—leaving on time, distracted, absentminded.
Now she was torn. Should she ask?
Whatever was troubling him, she was sure it was beyond her ability to fix.
Two conflicting thoughts warred in her mind.
On one hand, even if she couldn’t help, maybe a few comforting words would mean something?
On the other, did he even want her comfort?
Would hollow reassurances from someone insignificant actually do anything for him?
Zhou Zhuofei tugged at her hair in frustration. Why were human relationships so complicated?
But this was Secretary Xiao. With anyone else, she wouldn’t be overanalyzing like this.
At the core of it, she just wanted to do something for him.
That realization clarified things slightly.
As she hesitated, Xiao Wang returned to the car.
"Secretary Xiao, you—"
"I—"
They spoke at the same time.
Xiao Wang stopped himself. "You first."
"I… I just wanted to say…"
Thinking is one thing, but putting those thoughts into words is entirely another. Despite Zhou Zhuofei's earlier clarity of mind, the moment she faced Xiao Wang, she began to stumble over her words.
As she hesitated, she caught his gaze and sensed something unusual in it—an expectation that sparked an odd intuition in her.
Was it just her imagination, or did Secretary Xiao seem eager for her to continue?
The thought flashed through her mind, and before she could second-guess herself, Zhou Zhuofei gritted her teeth and blurted out, "If you're feeling down and need someone to talk to, I’d be happy to keep you company."
"Of course, I know I might not be much help, but I’m a great listener. And..." She mimed zipping her lips. "I’m very tight-lipped, so you don’t have to worry about me spreading anything."
After saying this, Zhou Zhuofei let out a long exhale, as if she’d just accomplished something monumental.
She felt her words were considerate enough—whether Xiao Wang chose to confide in her or not, at least she’d made her intentions clear.
Now, she felt like a student who’d just handed in an exam, anxiously awaiting the teacher’s verdict.
Too nervous to look directly at him, she stole occasional glances, waiting for his response.
But Xiao Wang remained silent for a long time.
His mind drifted back to the early days of their relationship when they’d discussed what might have happened if they’d gotten together sooner.
Zhou Zhuofei had said there was no need for regret—their current dynamic was perfect. She’d learned to handle relationships maturely, and he’d stopped prioritizing work above all else.
At the time, Xiao Wang had agreed. But now, he realized he’d been wrong. No matter the circumstances, he would’ve fallen for Zhou Zhuofei anyway.
Mature or not, she was always herself—kind, warm, and optimistic. Those were the qualities that had drawn him to her, and they hadn’t changed.
"If you’re willing..." Xiao Wang’s voice grew steadier, his reply clear and deliberate.
"...I really need you."
Hearing this, Zhou Zhuofei finally relaxed. Thank goodness—she hadn’t been misreading the situation.
But because she was so flustered, it didn’t occur to her that his words might carry a double meaning.
A bright smile spread across her face, lighting up her features and slipping effortlessly into Xiao Wang’s heart.
"That’s great! Do you want to talk about it now? I’ve got plenty of time."
"How about I treat you to dinner instead?"
"Oh, I couldn’t possibly impose."
"Don’t worry. It’s easier to talk over a meal, isn’t it?"
After a moment’s thought, Zhou Zhuofei agreed—it did make sense.
"What would you like to eat? Any particular cuisine you’re craving?"
Xiao Wang already knew her preferences well, so as long as she gave him a general direction, he could pick the perfect restaurant.
Once they’d settled on a place, Xiao Wang drove them there. Passing by Zhou Zhuofei’s apartment, he asked if she wanted to stop by.
"I remember you have a cat at home. Should we check on it? It might be late by the time we’re back."
Once again, Zhou Zhuofei was struck by his thoughtfulness. On weekdays, she rarely went out, so she always portioned her cat Director’s meals in advance.
She hadn’t even brought it up, yet he’d already considered it.
"Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?" she asked sheepishly.
"It’s fine. The cat comes first—let’s go take a look."
At that moment, Xiao Wang’s tone was so gentle it felt unreal. How could anyone resist a handsome, considerate man speaking to them like that?
Certainly not her.
Zhou Zhuofei stepped out of the car in a daze, feeling like everything around her was a dream.
Was she actually dreaming?
Wasn’t today supposed to be an ordinary day—just clocking out, heading home for dinner and video games? How had things taken such an unexpected turn?
She hurried inside to refill Director’s food and water before returning to the car.
A little out of breath from rushing, she accepted the tissue Xiao Wang handed her. As she rummaged for a compact mirror, he flipped down the sun visor, offering her the mirror there.
Everything flowed so naturally, with just the right amount of consideration.
Zhou Zhuofei had never experienced anything like this. Outwardly calm, she was already mentally cataloging every detail to share with Du Yu later.
This was straight out of a romance drama!
But she had no idea the plot was about to get even more unbelievable.
Xiao Wang took her to an exquisite restaurant. Initially, she’d assumed the meal would center around his troubles, with the food as an afterthought. Yet every dish was so delicious she couldn’t stop eating.
And Xiao Wang didn’t bring up his worries at all, only remarking that good food deserved full attention.
How could she disagree?
Zhou Zhuofei never imagined she and Secretary Xiao would vibe so perfectly!
So she set aside all distractions and savored the meal.
Only after they’d eaten their fill did Xiao Wang finally broach the subject.
"I’ve fallen for someone, but she doesn’t know."
Zhou Zhuofei’s eyes widened, and she pressed her lips together to stifle any reaction.
This was huge—Secretary Xiao had a crush!
But the fact that he trusted her enough to share this meant she couldn’t let him down.
She switched from gossip mode to supportive-friend mode, ready to analyze the situation seriously.
The key question was why he hadn’t confessed. Beyond personality-related hesitations, there had to be external factors—maybe their circumstances made a relationship impossible, or there were obstacles in the way.
Zhou Zhuofei tried to avoid wild guesses, but one possibility stood out.
She asked, "Is it because you’re a commitment-phobe?"
Xiao Wang froze, not expecting her to land on that.
But thinking about it, her logic wasn’t off.
In their daily interactions, Zhou Zhuofei rarely brought up marriage or family, so over time, he’d stopped paying it much mind—even casually mentioning it himself.
But this version of Zhou Zhuofei didn’t overthink his feelings. She spoke her mind.
So he asked, "What do you think about that?"
"Well... I can’t speak for most women, but personally, if I’m dating someone, I’d want it to be for the long haul. If I knew the guy wasn’t interested in marriage, I’d probably feel it was too unstable. After all, legal commitment offers more security than promises alone."
Zhou Zhuofei spoke on, but the more she talked, the more she sensed something off about Xiao Wang’s reaction. She quickly backtracked, saying, "But everyone has different views. Choosing not to marry or to be child-free—these are personal decisions. Someone like you, Xiao Wang, being open about it is great too. Everyone makes their own choices, and if the other person can’t accept it, I think that’s understandable."
"What if she doesn’t accept it?"
"Principles like these are hard to compromise on. Even if someone does, one side might end up feeling resentful. Even if they don’t say it now, it’ll come out eventually. So I really think you should consider carefully whether you’re willing to give up everything for that girl."
As she spoke, Zhou Zhuofei was reminded of some past experiences, and her tone grew more serious.
"You can love her, but don’t sacrifice your own happiness. I don’t think love should be about one-sided suffering—though, honestly, I don’t have much experience in this."
Listening to her words, Xiao Wang felt a surge of complicated emotions, knowing what Zhou Zhuofei would do later.
"I understand. Thank you."
"No need to thank me. I’m just sharing my thoughts. Ultimately, it’s up to you—though when it comes to love, outsiders often see things more clearly."
Zhou Zhuofei was pleased. She rarely discussed her views on relationships, so getting Xiao Wang’s approval felt nice.
After dinner, Xiao Wang walked Zhou Zhuofei home. They lingered by the roadside, chatting until her tone grew much lighter, and she became noticeably warmer toward him.
She fussed over him the same way she would with Du Yu, saying, "Don’t overthink things tonight. Take a hot shower and get some sleep. Tomorrow will be better."
"Tomorrow…" Xiao Wang’s heart ached at the thought of what was coming.
"See, there you go again." The moment she noticed his expression shift, Zhou Zhuofei nudged him. "Don’t dwell on it. Rest is what matters most!"
At the same time, she mused to herself—smart or not, once someone falls in love, they always end up overcomplicating things.
"I understand. Goodnight." Xiao Wang gazed at her softly. "See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
She waved and turned into her neighborhood. Xiao Wang stood there for a while, lost in thought, before finally driving off.
Once home, the ease he’d felt with Zhou Zhuofei was gone. He trudged into the bathroom, looking drained.
He reminded himself of her advice—take a hot shower, rest early, sleep well. Tomorrow, he’d see her at work again.
Sometime later, in the depths of sleep, he faintly sensed light falling across his face.
Bleary-eyed, he opened his eyes to find the bedside lamp on—and a figure sitting beside him.
Xiao Wang jolted awake, sitting up abruptly. What was he seeing?
"What’s wrong?"
Zhou Zhuofei startled at his reaction. "Did you leave work unfinished?"
Instead of answering, Xiao Wang pulled her into a tight embrace.
Confused, she kept asking him questions, but he stayed silent, his body even trembling slightly.
This only worried her more. "Are you feeling sick? Say something!"
Xiao Wang tightened his arms, as if trying to merge himself into her.
"It’s nothing… just a bad dream."
Zhou Zhuofei patted his head. "Poor thing. But dreams are the opposite of reality…"
Before she could finish explaining the documentary she’d seen about dreams, Xiao Wang suddenly spoke.
"I love you."
"...That was sudden." Zhou Zhuofei smiled, hugging him back.
"Me too."
