"Good morning, here to see President Ling?"
Zhou Zhuofei's question sounded almost redundant—what else would Jiang Shen be doing at Huanyu if not to see Ling Yu?
Surely he wasn't here for her?
Jiang Shen casually replied, "Just reporting work to your President Ling. And also to discuss something with you."
He really was here for her?
Zhou Zhuofei asked in confusion, "What is it?"
"You'll find out soon enough." With that, Jiang Shen glanced around. The office was crowded, clearly not an ideal place for a conversation, but stepping outside carried its own risks...
Zhou Zhuofei caught the implication in his gesture—he really did have something to discuss with her.
She took the initiative. "Let's talk in the meeting room next door."
Jiang Shen readily agreed. The two headed to the meeting room, and as soon as they sat down, Jiang Shen pulled out his phone and asked for her account details.
"Give me your bank account number. I’ll transfer some money to you later."
Now Zhou Zhuofei was truly stunned. She had imagined all sorts of ways this conversation might start, but leading with a money transfer? And why would he give her money out of the blue?
"Why are you giving me money?"
"Don’t worry about that." Jiang Shen smirked. "Isn’t it good to get money? I’m not asking for anything in return."
Zhou Zhuofei didn’t hesitate. "That’s exactly what’s scary. Why would I get money for no reason? Even if you dare to give it, I wouldn’t dare take it."
Especially considering Jiang Shen’s background, Zhou Zhuofei could practically hear the sound of handcuffs clicking shut.
"What’s there to be afraid of?" Jiang Shen couldn’t help but laugh. He hadn’t expected Zhou Zhuofei, who usually seemed so bold, to have moments of fear.
"This money is rightfully yours. I just can’t explain the details. Understand?"
What was there to understand? She didn’t want to understand anything!
But what did he mean by "rightfully hers" yet "can’t explain"? Zhou Zhuofei had a vague suspicion this had something to do with Xie Huai—after all, the only person connected to money in this context was him.
But hadn’t Jiang Shen been uninvolved in that matter? She had made sure of it.
"Seems like you’ve figured something out." Jiang Shen studied Zhou Zhuofei’s expression, curious if she’d pieced it together.
For him, secrecy was part of the job, but doing so much work with no one to share it with was downright lonely!
If Zhou Zhuofei guessed it herself, it wouldn’t count as him breaking the rules.
Zhou Zhuofei did have an inkling, but she didn’t dare dwell on it. Her curiosity wasn’t that strong—she was fine with the status quo.
As for the money Jiang Shen mentioned, she could do without it.
Changing the subject, she feigned nonchalance. "Let’s just drop it. I can’t figure it out, and the money isn’t necessary. I didn’t do anything to earn it, so it doesn’t matter whether I take it or not."
"Giving up just like that?" Jiang Shen was disappointed. Reluctantly, he added, "It’s not a small sum, you know. With this, you wouldn’t have to work for years."
"The way you put it, sure, I wouldn’t have to work now—but what about later?" Zhou Zhuofei exaggerated her tone. "Am I supposed to take the money, quit my job, and just laze around? As if!"
"Fair point." Jiang Shen chuckled. Her reasoning made sense—just not the answer he’d hoped for.
She was just another rule-following office worker, no different from anyone else in this building.
"So you really don’t want the money?"
Zhou Zhuofei shook her head decisively. "No need. Use it however you like—help someone else or keep it for yourself."
"In other words, it has nothing to do with you." Jiang Shen saw right through her.
Zhou Zhuofei didn’t even flinch. Instead, she smiled openly. "What can I say? I’m a fragile person. Can’t handle complications."
Jiang Shen exhaled in amusement. "Fine, then. Consider this conversation never happened."
He realized his expectations had been too high. How could he expect to find someone who fit his ideal so perfectly?
It wasn’t that he didn’t find Zhou Zhuofei interesting—he did. But his interest hadn’t deepened into anything more. At most, he wanted to get to know her better. The constant obstacles only prolonged his curiosity.
Especially after today’s conversation with Xiao Wang, whose words had been a clear warning for him to back off.
But he had a mischievous streak—the more someone told him not to do something, the more he resisted. He had to be the one to walk away on his own terms.
"Now that business is settled, let’s chat."
Zhou Zhuofei hesitated. "Now? During work hours? You want me to get paid for idle talk?"
Jiang Shen said matter-of-factly, "What’s wrong with slacking off a little?"
She might joke about that with coworkers, but Jiang Shen was Ling Yu’s friend. If she took him seriously, she’d be a fool.
"Let’s not." Zhou Zhuofei made a move to leave. "I should get back to work."
Jiang Shen quickly stopped her. "Wait, wait—one last question."
She paused. "Fine. One last question."
"Are you and Secretary Xiao together?"
"..."
How was she supposed to answer that?
Even though Jiang Shen wasn’t from Huanyu, any secret shared beyond the involved parties risked spreading.
But her silence was an answer in itself. His earlier conversation with Xiao Wang had only planted doubts—now, everything was clear.
"You do know his situation, right?"
"Wasn’t that supposed to be the last question?"
Jiang Shen faltered slightly. "If you’re busy, just go."
Zhou Zhuofei couldn’t help but laugh. "So I can really leave?"
"Go ahead." Jiang Shen waved dismissively. Now that they were together, he had no further interest in the matter.
"No more questions?"
"What’s left to ask?" Jiang Shen scoffed. "Should I listen to the details of your relationship? I’m not that bored."
"Then I’ll head out. We’ll talk another time."
Back at her desk, Zhou Zhuofei noticed a message from Xiao Wang warning her that Jiang Shen might come looking for her.
[Too late. I’ve already met him.]
[What did he want?]
[It was strange—he offered me money, but I refused. We’ll talk after work.]
Aside from Jiang Shen’s little interruption, the workday went smoothly.
At closing time, Zhou Zhuofei was packing up. She’d developed a habit of leaving five minutes late—partly to avoid the crowd, partly to give Xiao Wang more time to prepare.
When the moment came, she shut down her computer and grabbed her bag. Footsteps approached from outside the office, but she assumed it was just a colleague returning for something and paid no mind.
Only when the footsteps drew closer did she glance up.
To her surprise, it was Xiao Wang.
"What are you doing here?"
"Came down early. Figured you hadn’t left yet, so I came to check."
Instinctively, Zhou Zhuofei scanned the area. Fortunately, the office was nearly empty, and no one was within earshot.
"What are you looking for?"
"Of course I was looking at someone." Though she knew no one could overhear their conversation, Zhou Zhuofei instinctively lowered her voice. "Aren’t you afraid someone might see us?"
"Even if we’re just colleagues, it’s normal for us to interact, isn’t it?"
"Well, that’s true." Zhou Zhuofei thought it over—everyone in the admin department knew she and Xiao Wang got along well. Running into each other occasionally shouldn’t raise suspicions.
"Let’s go then."
As soon as she finished packing her handbag, Xiao Wang reached out and took it from her.
At first, Zhou Zhuofei didn’t even register the gesture. She’d always been forgetful, but with Xiao Wang around, she never had to worry about such things—he always kept track of everything for her.
But once they stepped out of the office, seeing her handbag dangling from Xiao Wang’s grip, it hit her: colleagues didn’t just carry each other’s bags.
She hurried forward and snatched it back. "Give it to me. At least act normal at the office."
Xiao Wang simply smiled without a word. When they reached the elevator lobby, even though five minutes had passed since clock-out time, the car was still packed.
The moment they stepped inside, the crowd forced them apart, shoving Zhou Zhuofei into a corner.
Normally, she hated crowded elevators—the way strangers pressed against each other, leaving no personal space. But there was nothing she could do except grumble inwardly.
Then, murmuring apologies, Xiao Wang squeezed through the crowd and positioned himself beside her.
The elevator was stifling, but he shielded her from the press of bodies, leaning slightly closer to carve out a sliver of breathing room.
The scent of him—something crisp and familiar—calmed her irritation almost instantly.
She glanced up, catching the sharp line of his jaw. His expression was neutral, but the moment their eyes met, the corner of his mouth lifted.
If Jiang Shen had pressed her earlier, she could’ve listed countless details about Xiao Wang. Every second with him was worth remembering.
When the elevator reached the first floor, most employees streamed out, leaving only a handful behind. The space suddenly felt less suffocating.
Zhou Zhuofei studied their remaining colleagues, a bold idea taking root.
She desperately wanted to hold Xiao Wang’s hand—but getting caught would spell trouble.
Yet no one seemed to be paying them any attention. Would a quick touch really matter?
But the elevator gave her no time to decide. The descent from the first floor to the basement passed in a blink, and before she could act, the doors slid open again.
Zhou Zhuofei sighed in frustration. Hesitation really is defeat.
As they walked alone through the parking garage, Xiao Wang asked, "Why the sigh? Bad day at work? Or was it Jiang Shen bothering you?"
"No, I’m just annoyed at myself for being so timid."
Xiao Wang smirked. "Timid? I wouldn’t say that."
"I am, though. Otherwise, I’d have held your hand just now."
Without another word, Xiao Wang reached out and laced his fingers through hers. "No problem. I’ll be brave enough for both of us."
"But what if someone sees—?" She protested halfheartedly, making no move to pull away.
"That is a concern."
"Ugh… so annoying."
They rounded a corner, still hand in hand—and nearly collided with Chu Qing.
Zhou Zhuofei instinctively tried to wrench free, but Xiao Wang held on tight, refusing to let go.
