As the New Year approaches, it’s that classic time again when employees take to the internet to vent about their companies.
From winning a "grand prize" that turns out to be a photo op with the boss, to rigged raffles where the valuable rewards are pre-assigned—there’s no shortage of complaints.
Amid all this, Kunlun’s employees stand out like sore thumbs, because their boss actually delivers on promises, handing out real prizes and genuine bonuses.
[This year, our company gave every employee an extra box of candies compared to last year. Some colleagues joked it’s the boss’s way of sharing his wedding sweets.]
Netizens who stumbled upon this post couldn’t help but seethe with envy.
[You didn’t name your company, but I think I’ve already guessed which one it is.]
[Same here. Isn’t your boss that famously mysterious "love-struck" CEO?]
Ever since Kunlun employees revealed that their boss was tall, handsome, strictly compliant with labor laws, and generous with benefits, public admiration for this enigmatic "romantic" CEO skyrocketed.
These days, a reliable, good boss is rarer than a three-legged frog.
"Why is there such a gap between us fellow workers?" At a class reunion, Liu Mingjin’s peers stared at him with barely concealed envy. "Lao Liu, your boss doesn’t actually call you at midnight to run errands for him, does he?"
Liu Mingjin squirmed under their intense gazes. "No, he doesn’t."
Every year, the same questions.
"I thought all bosses turned irrational when they fell in love, but apparently it’s just mine who became a rabid dog," one classmate lamented, her face gloomy despite the feast before her. "Guess not all workplaces are the same."
"Congrats on becoming chief secretary, by the way," another chimed in, raising a glass. Liu Mingjin returned the toast.
At this stage in life, these reunions weren’t just about nostalgia—they were networking opportunities, after all.
After the gathering, Liu Mingjin stepped out of the hotel only to realize he’d left his keys at the office. Luckily, it was just a short ten-minute walk away.
As he passed a street-side barbecue stall, two familiar figures caught his eye.
"Xiao Chao? Boss?" The faint buzz of alcohol made him doubt his vision, so he wiped his glasses clean.
But no, there they were—Su Chenzhu and Chao Musheng, seated at a rickety table.
"Liu-ge!" Chao Musheng waved him over. "Perfect timing. Come try Boss Wan’s cooking!"
Wan You had been busy with school lately, so his stall rarely made an appearance. If not for winter break, tonight’s feast wouldn’t have happened.
"Just came from a dinner party," Liu Mingjin said.
The lively, noisy atmosphere of the stall should’ve clashed with Su Chenzhu’s usual aloof demeanor, but seated beside Chao Musheng, he seemed oddly human—warm, even.
"Barbecue doesn’t fill you up. Just try a couple skewers," Chao Musheng insisted, tugging him down onto a stool. "Half the office swears by Boss Wan’s skills."
Wan You slid a plate of sizzling skewers onto the table, suppressing a smirk at Chao Musheng’s praise. "New Year’s coming up, so I’ll give you 20% off tonight."
Not that he particularly liked this pretty-boy, but hey—festive spirit and all.
"Thanks, Boss Wan!" Chao Musheng grinned. "May your New Year be prosperous!"
Two minutes later, Wan You returned with a large jug of plum juice.
Liu Mingjin couldn’t shake the feeling that their portion looked noticeably heftier than the others’.
Every table outside the stall was packed. Though Liu Mingjin had sworn he was full earlier, the aroma of grilled meat proved irresistible.
"Boss Wan, where are the girls who used to help you out? Haven’t seen them in a while."
"Yeah, it’s been ages."
"They went home," Wan You replied with a smile. "They’d been away for too long. Reuniting with family is a good thing."
"What about you? Going back for the holidays?" A regular customer fretted. "Don’t leave, Boss Wan. Where else would we get barbecue this good?"
"Me?" Wan You’s grin widened, his eyes bright. "My home’s right here. Thanks for supporting my business."
"Fantastic!" The customers cheered, promptly ordering more.
Chao Musheng suddenly stood, phone in hand, and hurried over to Wan You. "Wan You, congrats! Your grades this term are all A’s—next semester, you’re officially a Jinghua University student!"
Wan You froze. "I… got in?"
Last term, after acing his exams, he’d been allowed to attend classes alongside full-time students, but his status had remained provisional.
"Yep, look!" Chao Musheng thrust his phone forward. "Straight A’s. Congrats!"
Wan You took the device with trembling hands, zooming in on the transcript.
It was real.
On exam day, his professor had warned that results wouldn’t be out until after the New Year. He’d tried to hide his anxiety, but—
"Now you can enjoy the holidays in peace, huh?"
Wan You turned to find Chao Musheng tending to the grill in his stead.
"Thank you," Wan You murmured, voice unsteady. "Chao Musheng… thank you."
Getting these results early? That had to be Chao Musheng pulling strings for him.
"Don’t mention it. Just keep my discount next time." Chao Musheng pointed at the skewers. "Quick, take over—I’m ruining your reputation here!"
Wan You handed back the phone. "Don’t worry. These are on the house for your table."
"Boss Wan, you’re too kind!" Chao Musheng grabbed a plate. "Then hurry up—I’m waiting!"
As Wan You loaded the skewers onto the plate, his gaze flicked to Chao Musheng’s table—where Su Chenzhu’s eyes were fixed on them.
"Thanks. And again, congratulations." Chao Musheng beamed. "If you ever need a job, Kunlun’s doors are open."
"Got it."
In the biting winter chill, Wan You felt the warmth of that kindness settle deep.
Fine. He’d admit it. Even if Chao Musheng was a pretty-boy, he couldn’t help but like—no, admire—him.
"Chao Musheng… Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year."
"Secretary Liu." Su Chenzhu’s voice cut in, his attention still on the grill. "I won’t be in the capital for Spring Festival. If anything urgent comes up, I’ll need you to handle it."
"Of course, sir." Liu Mingjin hesitated. "Where will you be this year?"
"Visiting Chao Chao’s grandparents with him." Su Chenzhu said it casually, as if discussing the weather, then transferred a hefty sum to Liu Mingjin’s account. "Bonus for your trouble."
"Sir, the company is my second home. I’ll take good care of everything." Liu Mingjin nearly laughed aloud at the amount. "Sir, if Chao Musheng’s taking you home to meet his family during the holidays… does that mean he’s officially introducing you as his partner to everyone?"
"You're right." Su Chenzhu's voice was calm, but Secretary Liu still noticed the slight upward curve of his boss's lips.
"However, Chao Musheng's family and friends have long known about my identity." Su Chenzhu raised a brow slightly. "Do you know about the chat group in Chao Chao's hometown?"
Secretary Liu shook his head—how could he possibly know about such things?
"I'm in that group."
Hearing this, Secretary Liu was genuinely surprised. Having grown up in a village himself, he understood the nature of such chat groups perfectly. After a moment of stunned silence, he said, "Boss, groups like that are usually only for the locals."
For Chao Musheng to add his boss into the group was tantamount to publicly declaring to everyone that Su Chenzhu was his partner—his other half.
"I know."
His Chao Chao had seen his unease and had gone out of his way to give him all the reassurance he needed.
Chao Musheng returned with a plate of barbecue, and Su Chenzhu’s gaze followed him until he sat back down at the table.
"This is free barbecue from Wan You." Chao Musheng picked up a skewer and held it to Su Chenzhu’s lips. "Some of these were grilled by me. Try it."
"Wait." Seeing Su Chenzhu lean in immediately, Chao Musheng pulled the skewer back and blew on it twice before offering it again. "It's a bit hot. Now it should be just right."
Su Chenzhu took a bite of the meat. "Delicious."
Secretary Liu tilted his head to gaze at the sky. The night was truly beautiful—though it looked like snow might be coming.
On the day Chao Musheng’s family of four returned to the village, light snowflakes drifted through the air.
Children played near the village entrance, and Chao Musheng handed out gifts and candies to them, making them jump with joy.
"Sheng-gege." Lulu, who had grown a little taller and now had tiny pigtails tied atop her head, looked up at him.
"What is it, Princess Lulu?" Chao Musheng crouched down, smiling at the little girl.
"Your bride is so tall." Lulu leaned on Chao Musheng’s shoulder. "Are these candies your wedding sweets?"
Chao Musheng laughed, glancing back at Su Chenzhu. "Well, you’re not wrong."
"Oh." Lulu pondered this seriously, her little pigtails swaying in the wind. Finally, with all the solemnity of a tiny adult, she declared, "Mama says if you eat someone’s wedding sweets, you have to give them a blessing."
"Alright." Chao Musheng ruffled her hair and pulled Su Chenzhu down to crouch beside him in front of Lulu. "We’re ready."
"May you both be healthy, happily united for a hundred years, blessed with good fortune, eat lots and never fall sick, earn lots of money, and never, ever die..."
A three- or four-year-old didn’t know much about wedding blessings, so she simply poured out every happy wish she could think of.
"Thank you for your blessings, Lulu." Chao Musheng adjusted her wind-tousled pigtails and fastened the new hair ties and clips he’d bought for her. "And I wish our little Lulu happiness every day, hearty meals, and strong growth. But for me and this gege here, it’s not just a hundred years of happiness."
"I know! It’s ten thousand years! A hundred million years!"
For a child that age, "a hundred million" was the biggest number she knew—synonymous with forever.
"Yes. Ten thousand years, a hundred million years. Forever."
The snow fell heavier now, and Chao Musheng urged the children to head home.
Holding Su Chenzhu’s hand, he watched their retreating figures. "Let’s go. We’re going home too."
Snow settled on Su Chenzhu’s shoulders, but this time, he was no longer alone.
