Time flew by, and before anyone realized it, the New Year was just around the corner.

The smart moxibustion device that Shi Xing had been developing with that company had taken shape, at least as a prototype. Yu Jing decided to roll it out on a small scale first. If the results were good, they would then promote it widely across the teams.

Following Yu Jing’s plan, Shi Xing placed several sample devices with the badminton and table tennis teams, intending to see whether any adjustments were needed. To her surprise, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

Shi Xing reported the results to Yu Jing, who nodded in satisfaction and reminded her, “Once we’re back from the New Year holiday, we’ll promote it on a large scale within the teams.”

Then Yu Jing changed the subject slightly and smiled. “You’ll get a promotion too, while you’re at it.”

Shi Xing froze for a moment. She hadn’t expected Yu Jing to bring up a promotion so directly.

Seeing her surprise, Yu Jing smiled faintly and asked on purpose, “What? You don’t want the promotion?”

Shi Xing shook her head quickly, then couldn’t help asking, “Why the sudden promotion?”

At her question, the smile in Yu Jing’s eyes faded. She sighed softly and said, “Haven’t you noticed? No matter the position, there are far more men than women in management here.”

Shi Xing nodded. She had noticed that—not just here, but everywhere. In fields where men are rare, like nursing, men have an advantage when job-hunting. In fields where women are rare, like computer science or civil engineering, men still tend to have the upper hand.

It was as if simply being labeled “male” automatically came with an extra layer of social advantage.

Yu Jing looked at her seriously and said, “That’s why I hope to see more outstanding women in management.”

Encouraged by her words, Shi Xing nodded firmly.

After finishing all her work, Shi Xing headed to the badminton court, planning to play one last game with Ji Yu.

Earlier, when Ji Yu had dragged her at home to watch matches, seeing those high-energy moments from the athletes had sparked her enthusiasm. On a whim, she had insisted on playing a match against him.

Ji Yu wasn’t busy, and seeing how excited she was, he naturally agreed.

On the last day before the holiday, most people had already left—either on vacation or heading home. The training hall was left with just the two of them.

Shi Xing picked up the racket Ji Yu had prepared for her and gave him a preemptive warning. “Don’t go easy on me later.”

Ji Yu tugged at the corner of his lips and nodded.

The lights above the court fell on him, stretching his shadow long across the floor.

Very soon, Shi Xing realized just how ridiculous her warning had been.

Ji Yu really didn’t go easy on her at all. He gestured slightly and said, “You serve first.”

Shi Xing nodded and served—but the shuttle barely made it halfway before dropping to the ground.

She felt awkward and muttered, “Again.”

Ji Yu, who had been standing off to the side, calmly helped her save face. “Must be the wind in here.”

Hearing that, Shi Xing glanced around, thinking to herself, What wind?

Still, she served again. This time the shuttle went over—but Ji Yu smashed it straight down.

Shi Xing felt a bit unhinged. Life had been going too smoothly lately; she had clearly come here just to suffer. She even wanted to go back in time and ask her past self why she had chosen to play badminton with him.

Before long, she was drenched in sweat. She raised a hand to signal a break, grabbed the water from the bench, and gulped down a big mouthful.

Ji Yu took out a tissue and carefully wiped her sweat, reminding her, “Don’t drink so fast.”

She waved him off, dejectedly set the racket aside, and sighed. “I don’t want to play anymore. I didn’t catch a single ball.”

Ji Yu chuckled silently but didn’t agree, saying slowly, “One last game.”

Since she’d been the one to ask him in the first place, Shi Xing felt embarrassed to refuse. She followed him back onto the court.

In the second game, he clearly let up. Several shots were easy enough for her to return.

Just as she started to feel smug, Ji Yu saw right through her. The next few shots came in fast and fierce, as if he were deliberately teasing her.

Annoyed, Shi Xing gritted her teeth and snapped, “Can you play properly?”

Ji Yu raised his hand, stifling a laugh. “Okay.”

By the end of the match, Shi Xing actually won—but she wasn’t happy at all. It was obvious he had practically handed her the win.

She frowned unhappily and said pointedly, “I think you’ve drained the entire reservoir dry.”

Ji Yu had been drinking water. Hearing her, he lowered his chin and laughed softly. “I didn’t go easy.”

Shi Xing snorted, turned her head away, and said stubbornly, “Fine. I’ll reluctantly believe you.” Then her expression changed as she pulled out her badge and proudly showed it to him. “I’m getting promoted!”

Ji Yu paused, raised an eyebrow, then cooperatively started clapping.

Satisfied, Shi Xing straightened her back and patted her chest smugly. “Dinner’s on me tonight—somewhere fancy.”

He smiled quietly and replied warmly, “Alright.”

By the time night fell, inky darkness spread across the sky, dotted with faint starlight.

At the restaurant, the server handed them the menu. Shi Xing waved her hand grandly, mimicking Ji Yu’s usual manner, and passed it to him. “Order whatever you want.”

Ji Yu nodded indulgently and casually picked a few dishes.

Shi Xing glanced over, clicked her tongue, and pretended to be displeased. “That’s it? Are you looking down on me?”

Ji Yu pressed his lips together and added a few more dishes. After the server took the menu away, he looked at her with dark eyes and snorted. “Do I usually talk like that? You’re copying Xie He, aren’t you?”

Shi Xing lowered her gaze, barely holding back laughter, and nodded. “Not entirely. I was exaggerating a bit.”

Ji Yu smiled without saying anything.

They ate slowly. With the Spring Festival approaching, the festive atmosphere outside was strong. Many of the other diners were couples with children, out for their New Year’s meal.

Seeing this, Shi Xing sighed softly. A couple at the next table thought she was envious and teased, “In a few years, you might have kids too.”

“But once you have a child, you’ll probably have to stay home full-time. Raising kids is exhausting.”

Shi Xing reacted as if she’d heard something terrifying and shook her head quickly. Noticing her discomfort, Ji Yu smoothed things over. “We haven’t considered that yet.”

“And even if we did have kids, she could still pursue her own career.”

Shi Xing hadn’t paid much attention until he spoke. Then she slowly looked up and met his gaze.

Some soft place in her heart was suddenly touched.

When they got home, Shi Xing took off her coat and sighed in relief. “Finally home. It’s freezing outside.”

Ji Yu naturally took her coat and put it away. Shi Xing rolled up her sleeves and began packing her suitcase, muttering, “This one has to go, that one too.”

He crouched beside her to help, occasionally reminding her of things she might forget. They were close—so close that his refined features were right before her eyes. Outside the window, snow began to fall gently. Shi Xing sniffed, turned to look outside, and the snowy scene and his face filled her vision at once. Her eyes lit up.

At that moment, Ji Yu took out a gift from behind her, clearly something he had prepared long in advance.

Shi Xing froze, then happily took it and opened the package in front of him. Inside was a gemstone-studded necklace, glittering brilliantly in the night.

Ji Yu curved his lips and asked expectantly, “Do you like it?”

She stared for a long moment before slowly nodding.

Seeing her reaction, Ji Yu took the necklace from her hands and put it on her himself. Embarrassed, Shi Xing asked softly, “Why did you suddenly buy me such an expensive gift?”

His eyes curved with a hint of a smile. “It wasn’t sudden. I’ve been preparing it for a long time.”

Shi Xing imagined him standing at the counter, carefully choosing a gift, and couldn’t help laughing.

Noticing her reaction, he snorted softly. “What are you laughing at?”

“Nothing,” Shi Xing shook her head quickly, not daring to tell him what she’d imagined.

Ji Yu didn’t press further. After they finished tidying up, while he went to shower, Shi Xing pulled a pack of beer from the fridge—probably left there by Xie He from a previous visit. She flopped onto the sofa and turned on the TV.

Before she could take a sip, Ji Yu appeared out of nowhere, took the beer from her hand, frowned, and said sternly, “It’s freezing. You’re drinking this?”

Shi Xing waved it off and tried to grab it back, but he dodged to the side.

Seeing force wouldn’t work, she softened her tone and pleaded, “Just one bottle.”

“Not even one. This stuff isn’t good for you,” he said, about to throw the rest away.

Shi Xing grabbed his arm and coaxed, “The match is about to start. I’ll just drink this last one.”

In the end, Ji Yu sighed helplessly, rubbing his temple. “Looks like next time I’ll have to tell Xie He not to bring this anymore.”

Once she got the beer, Shi Xing stopped arguing and nodded along obediently.

Unfortunately, her tolerance was terrible. After just a few sips, her head grew heavy, her face flushed, and even the TV images began to blur.

Ji Yu had been sitting at the desk, messaging people and arranging things for the next day. He called her a few times with no response. When he turned and saw her sprawled on the sofa, he chuckled.

He walked over quickly. Shi Xing was already asleep, mumbling something under her breath. When he leaned down to listen, he caught a few words.

“Promotion…”

“Raise…”

Ji Yu laughed outright, then bent down and carried her toward the bedroom.

In her hazy state, Shi Xing felt herself being lifted, a warm body pressed close to hers. A subtle, intimate heat seeped into the air, quietly fermenting.

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