Of course, Zhou Zhuofei wouldn’t actually do something like that, especially since she was already eavesdropping in a rather undignified manner. Even if she were to act, she should have quickly left instead.
She had known Qiao Qi for several years, and the other woman mostly kept to herself, quietly working and rarely joining in on her colleagues’ casual conversations. For her to actively engage in such a lengthy conversation with Zhan Zilang today was truly unusual.
Lost in these thoughts, Zhou Zhuofei found her feet unconsciously carrying her in another direction.
What harm was there in staying outside a few more minutes?
She found a quiet corner, pulled out her phone, and continued her chat with Xiao Wang.
[Where are you going for your business trip? How long will it take?]
[To L City. A week at the earliest, but it might stretch to two weeks.]
[That long! Won’t you be back just in time for the holiday?]
There was a statutory holiday two weeks later, though it was only three days long, so Zhou Zhuofei hadn’t planned on going home.
She had never been one to go out during holidays, and with Du Yuyue getting busier around this time, there was no one to invite her anyway. So, as usual, she would just stay home.
She had initially thought Xiao Wang would be around to keep her company this year, but now even that opportunity was gone.
Naturally, Zhou Zhuofei directed all her frustration toward Ling Yu. What happened to the supposed workaholic persona?
[It’s hard to say for sure, but I’ll try to wrap things up early. Any plans on your end?]
[Not really. I just feel bad seeing how busy you’ve been lately.]
[I’ll take my annual leave after the trip. I’ll make it up to you then.]
[Sure~]
[Are you done there? Should I come pick you up?]
[Not yet. It’s just an intermission—everyone stepped out for a smoke. I’ll message you when we’re about to wrap up.]
Just as she sent the message, the sound of chatter and footsteps echoed through the hallway.
Looking up, she saw Luo Jing and the others returning.
The moment they spotted Zhou Zhuofei tucked away in a corner on her phone, they immediately understood and teased, “Chatting with Secretary Xiao?”
Zhou Zhuofei admitted openly, “Yeah, he asked when we’d be done.”
“That depends on when Xiao Zhan calls it a night.”
Putting her phone away, Zhou Zhuofei followed the group back to the private room. After just a few steps, the smell of cigarette smoke drifted toward her. She instinctively held her breath and slowed her pace.
Once she had put some distance between herself and the others, the smell faded.
Still, she couldn’t help but frown.
By the time they reentered the room, Qiao Qi and Zhan Zilang had long since finished their conversation. Qiao Qi kept her head down, her expression unreadable, while Zhan Zilang chatted casually with others as if nothing had happened.
Zhou Zhuofei returned to her seat, but Qiao Qi remained unresponsive. Unsure of the situation, she didn’t dare speak up unprompted.
Meanwhile, someone asked Zhan Zilang when they would be leaving.
“Want to go somewhere else after this?” Zhan Zilang asked, gauging the group’s interest.
Opinions were split, and with work the next day, Zhan Zilang reluctantly announced the end of the gathering.
“Alright, let’s call it a night. We’ll hang out again when everyone’s free.”
Noticing his disappointment, Zhou Zhuofei consoled him, “It’s just bad timing—Wednesday’s not ideal for staying out late. We’ve got work tomorrow, and unlike you young folks, we can’t handle all-nighters anymore.”
The others chimed in agreement.
“Back in college, I could pull an all-nighter gaming and still breeze through an 8 a.m. lecture without a yawn.”
“Wasn’t that like ten years ago for you?”
“Don’t mock my age—your time will come too.”
Seizing the moment, Zhou Zhuofei sent Xiao Wang another message. When she looked up again, the topic had shifted to how everyone was getting home.
She promptly mentioned she had someone picking her up, while the rest without cars arranged rides with those who did.
Zhan Zilang called for the bill, and soon, the group dispersed outside the restaurant.
Xiao Wang would take a while to arrive, so Zhou Zhuofei had to wait. Qiao Qi, meanwhile, left with Luo Jing.
Before parting, Zhou Zhuofei reminded her, “Be safe on the way back. Message me when you get home.”
Qiao Qi nodded, her gaze involuntarily flickering toward Zhan Zilang. Seeing that he hadn’t even noticed her, a pang of disappointment struck her.
She should have known this would happen.
The gap between them was too wide—why would someone like him ever be interested in her? She had always been slow to act, even when she recognized her vague feelings for Zhan Zilang. She would endlessly overthink, never knowing what to do next.
Staying as things were didn’t seem so bad.
But then, out of nowhere, Zhan Zilang was leaving. She could barely muster the courage to speak to him at work—how would they ever cross paths after he resigned?
The dilemma had tormented her for days. She wasn’t good with people, and past crushes had fizzled out due to her inaction.
A close friend, after much persuasion, had finally convinced her to take a chance.
“He’s leaving anyway—what’s there to lose?”
So tonight, she had seized the moment, mustering every ounce of courage to talk to him.
Yet his response had been ambiguous.
Qiao Qi had no idea how to interpret it. Her hard-won confidence crumbled in an instant.
Now, she just wanted to go home and dissect the encounter with her friend. Anything beyond that was beyond her capacity—she couldn’t imagine mustering the courage for a second attempt.
“Let’s go, Xiao Qiao,” Luo Jing called, and she followed without hesitation.
After a few steps, a snippet of conversation behind her caught her attention—something about Zhan Zilang.
“Aren’t you leaving, Xiao Zhan?”
“I’ll wait with Sister Zhou for Secretary Xiao. You all go ahead and rest.”
“Alright, see you tomorrow.”
Once again, Qiao Qi spiraled into self-doubt. What was the root of her feelings for Zhan Zilang? Was it his cheerful, outgoing nature, or his willingness to help anyone?
She wasn’t even sure anymore.
In no time, the crowd had thinned, leaving only Zhou Zhuofei and Zhan Zilang behind.
“How much longer for Secretary Xiao?” Zhan Zilang asked. “Want to wait in my car?”
“No need, it’s too much back-and-forth. I’ll just stay here. You can head home first—it’s not late, and I’ll be fine alone.”
“How could I do that?” Zhan Zilang exclaimed dramatically. “What kind of guy do you take me for? Do I lack all gentlemanly manners?”
Zhou Zhuofei chuckled. “I won’t argue with that.”
Zhan Zilang had always been considerate and respectful toward women, careful with boundaries.
Come to think of it, he might have picked up on Qiao Qi’s intentions—and deliberately given an evasive answer.
Zhou Zhuofei couldn’t shake the feeling that this possibility was more likely. Just because someone was a gaming nerd didn’t mean they were clueless about life. Besides, Zhan Zilang was such a sharp guy—there was no way he wouldn’t understand these things.
"Sorry, I underestimated you."
Zhan Zilang had only been joking, but Zhou Zhuofei’s earnest response caught him off guard. Something about it felt off.
"Zhou-jie, please don’t talk like that. It’s weirding me out."
Zhou Zhuofei rolled her eyes in exasperation. "You’re impossible—can’t even take a compliment?"
Hearing her familiar tone, Zhan Zilang finally relaxed with a sigh. "There we go. That’s more like you!"
"Sometimes I really don’t know how to describe you."
"Then don’t. Honestly, I was trying to talk to you earlier but couldn’t find the right moment. These past few days, I’ve been the most grateful for you, Zhou-jie."
Zhan Zilang was self-aware. He wasn’t the hardest worker, often slacked off, and had added to Zhou Zhuofei’s workload. She probably found him annoying, yet she still guided him patiently and even shared her insights.
Regardless of whether she’d been assigned this task by higher-ups, there was a clear difference between doing the bare minimum and putting in real effort—and he could tell she cared.
Sometimes, Zhou Zhuofei really did feel like an older sister, which was why he genuinely wanted to recruit her to join him.
But some things couldn’t be resolved with just sentiment. She had a point—the terms he could offer weren’t attractive enough, and he couldn’t provide better conditions right now.
"Sometimes I really wish you were my sister."
Zhan Zilang rarely got sentimental, but the abrupt shift from the lively dinner to the now-empty room had left him feeling reflective.
Zhou Zhuofei sighed in response. "If I were your sister, that’d mean I got dragged back to inherit the family business, and you’d be free, wouldn’t you?"
Zhan Zilang fell silent for a moment before replying, "That’s… an unexpected way to look at it."
"But I’m saying I’d be down for it. Go ask our parents if they’d adopt me—I’d pack my bags and move in right away."
"Already changing the titles, huh?"
"Wasn’t that your idea, dear brother?" Zhou Zhuofei batted her eyelashes at him. "Now, let me borrow that battle car of yours for a spin."
Zhan Zilang patted his pockets, then shoved the car keys into her hand. "Didn’t bring the keys. How about this one instead?"
Zhou Zhuofei held the keys for all of three seconds before handing them back—they practically burned her palm.
Yeah, she couldn’t keep up the act.
"This is why I don’t like hanging out with rich people. You guys just casually hand over keys like it’s nothing, but I’d seriously consider running off with them!"
Zhan Zilang sighed. "Well, my parents bought this car for me. Give me a few years, and I’ll get you one of your own."
"Deal. Work hard and become President Zhan soon. When that day comes, I’ll bow to you with genuine gratitude."
Like Zhan Zilang, Zhou Zhuofei wasn’t great with sentimental moments either, so she deflected with humor.
Luckily, he bounced back quickly, shaking off the melancholy soon enough.
"But it’s not that easy."
"Don’t lose heart. Weren’t you the one who told me not to be afraid of challenges? Just treat it like a management game—your goal is to crack the Fortune 500."
Zhan Zilang could only marvel. "Now that’s what I call ambition."
Zhou Zhuofei patted his shoulder. "Stay positive. I’ve gotta go."
"Secretary Xiao’s here? Since when?"
She pointed across the street, where a car had silently parked at some point. Zhan Zilang recognized the license plate immediately.
"He’s been watching us for a while. And here I was, keeping you company like a good friend."
