The Porsche arrived at Huahui Residential Complex half an hour later. The area was close to the market and packed with restaurants; it was peak late-night snack time.

 

Outside the complex, everything was bustling and lively.

 

At this hour, parking wasn’t allowed here. As soon as the car stopped, Su Hao pushed open the door and said, “Thank you.”

 

Before Zhou Yang could say anything, she got out.

 

After walking around the car, she saw Zhou Yang roll down the window. His sharply defined face was half-hidden in the darkness. Su Hao didn’t rush upstairs. Instead, she walked over and said softly, “Try to be happier.”

 

“Don’t think too much,” she added, speaking the way one would when comforting a friend.

 

Zhou Yang rested his arm casually on the car window, raised an eyebrow, and looked at her.
“You care that much about me, yet you’re not even curious why I’m in a bad mood?”

 

Su Hao was slim, about 165 centimeters tall, holding a small handbag. She pressed her lips together, thought for a moment, then said, “You can tell me on WeChat later.”

 

“But I might not reply.”

 

Zhou Yang let out a short laugh.

 

The wind was strong, lifting the hem of her dress so that it fluttered and swayed. He leaned there watching her. The wind also loosened his shirt collar, faintly revealing his collarbone.

 

She noticed the frivolous glint in his eyes again—it felt all too familiar.

 

---

 

Back at home, only one window was open, facing the building behind, so the room was pleasantly cool. Su Hao closed the door, changed her shoes, sat down on the sofa, and rubbed her feet. Suddenly, she remembered Li Xiu’s shoes. She picked up her phone, saw a new contact request, and clicked into it.

 

Li Xiu’s profile picture was a selfie.

 

Orange eyeshadow, fiery red lipstick, and boldly styled curls, her bangs twisted into defined strands. She was holding her face as she posed for the camera.

 

No wonder Zhou Yang liked her so much.

 

Su Hao hesitated for a moment, then typed:

 

Su Hao: Li Xiu, how much were the shoes?

 

Li Xiu: Sister Su Hao, you’re still awake? I’m about to sleep.

 

Su Hao: Sorry, I just got home.

 

Li Xiu: Oh.

 

Li Xiu: I forgot how much they cost. I’ll check later.

 

Su Hao: Okay.

 

There was no reply after that. Su Hao exited the chat and noticed that she still had unread messages from Liao Yun. She tapped into the conversation—he had sent several more messages.

 

Liao Yun: It’s so hot here.

 

Liao Yun: I even went grocery shopping with your mom. She looks much better now.

 

Liao Yun: I really miss you. I keep flipping through old photos.

 

At the mention of old photos, Su Hao scrolled upward and found pictures she hadn’t finished looking at.

 

Back in Zhou Yang’s second year of high school, Su Qian had brought him to Huijiang City for a vacation. That entire summer had been the happiest time of Su Hao’s life. In every photo, there was shyness hidden in her eyes, excitement too—and someone she was quietly hiding.

 

As a student, he looked bad to the bone: smoking, drinking, excellent at video games. The whole summer, she never once saw him touch his homework.

 

Yet every test paper came back with perfect scores. Among their group, he was utterly different.

 

Whenever he looked at her, his half-smiling expression made it feel as though he had already seen through her thoughts.

 

That was why, years later, after he got into university and came back to Huijiang again, she had gone to great lengths to pursue him.

 

Su Hao saved the old photos. When she finished, she glanced at the time and realized it was already late. She was about to exit WeChat.

 

Maybe it was the memories stirred by the photos, or maybe it was simply the late hour—emotions crept in quietly and spread. She sat there blankly for a while, poured herself a glass of water, drank deeply, then stood up to grab her pajamas and take a shower.

 

---

 

Early the next morning, Su Hao cooked Chinese yam and lean pork congee and made egg pancakes as well. She made too much to finish, so she packed the leftovers into a container and brought them to the office.

 

Chen Yu, Lu Mimi, and Zhang Xian were all there. Without Chen Yu greeting her first, neither Lu Mimi nor Zhang Xian would make time for small talk. Su Hao set down the container, sat at her desk, and began sorting receipts.

 

Around ten o’clock, President Zeng’s assistant suddenly called and said the finance department would be holding a meeting.

 

It was Su Hao’s first time attending a departmental meeting since joining the company.

 

She didn’t know what to prepare and looked at Lu Mimi. Lu Mimi stuck a pen into her hair, picked up the desk calendar she had scribbled all over, and frowned.
“It’s not even the end of the quarter—why a meeting all of a sudden?”

 

She looked at Su Hao and shook her head.
“No idea. It’s a last-minute meeting. Just bring a notebook and a pen, I guess?”

 

“Just a notebook and pen?” Su Hao lowered her head and searched for a blank notebook. She’d never taken meeting notes before.

 

“Probably. So annoying—at a time like this, too.” Lu Mimi glanced at the pile of receipts in front of her, her irritation growing.

 

Chen Yu was also swamped. She asked Zhang Xian, “Sis, can we skip it? We’ve got so much to do.”

 

Zhang Xian probably didn’t know the reason either. She glanced over and said flatly, “Why don’t you tell President Zeng that?”

 

Chen Yu pouted and lowered her head.

 

Su Hao found her notebook and pen and went back to taping vouchers together. There were still two checks to issue. Around ten-thirty, everyone stopped what they were doing and headed to the small meeting room.

 

The room was next to Zhou Yang’s office. When Zhang Xian pushed the door open, President Zeng and his assistant were already inside.

 

President Zeng sat on a single sofa, long legs crossed. When he saw them enter, he nodded.
“Sit.”

 

“Good morning, President Zeng,” Lu Mimi and Chen Yu greeted him in unison.

 

Zhang Xian handed over the documents she’d organized. Su Hao followed quietly, saying, “Good morning, President Zeng.”

 

They took their seats—Su Hao alone on a single sofa, Zhang Xian on another, while Lu Mimi and Chen Yu shared a double sofa.

 

President Zeng swept his gaze over them but didn’t touch the documents on the table.

 

Leaning back, he asked Zhang Xian, “Do we have many people in our office?”

 

Zhang Xian paused, glanced at the others, then at herself, and shook her head. “Not many.”

 

“Which department has the most people in the company?”

 

“The advertising department.”

 

“And what do you think their work atmosphere is like?”

 

Work atmosphere?

 

A total circus—drama every single day, with company forums constantly updating gossip from that department.

 

That was what she thought, but she couldn’t say it out loud.

 

After considering her words, Zhang Xian said, “It’s… lively.”

 

“Of course it’s lively when people love stirring trouble,” President Zeng replied.
“You all gossip about the advertising department plenty in private. Since that’s the case—”

 

He bent forward and slammed his hand down on the table.

 

Bang.

 

Everyone on the sofas jumped.

 

Chen Yu’s face turned pale instantly. Lu Mimi looked awkwardly at Zhang Xian again and again. Zhang Xian pressed her lips together and stayed silent.

 

“I’m not blind,” President Zeng said coldly. “Do you think I can’t see what’s going on in this office?”

 

His finger pointed at each of them one by one—but when it reached Su Hao, he stopped.

 

In that instant, all of them understood.

 

The room fell completely silent.

 

President Zeng didn’t spell it out—he’d said enough. As the team lead, Zhang Xian spoke quietly, “We’ll be more careful.”

 

“Yes… yes, we’ll pay attention,” Chen Yu echoed in a small voice.

 

Lu Mimi glanced at Su Hao, then quickly looked away and said the same.

 

Su Hao lowered her head and responded softly.

 

“That’s enough. There are only a few of you, yet you still form little cliques,” President Zeng said, leaning back and rubbing his brow.
“Go. I don’t want to see this happen again.”

 

Zhang Xian hurriedly led the others out.

 

---

 

After the door closed, President Zeng finally picked up his phone and typed a message.

 

President Zeng: President Zhou, sorry to make a fool of myself in front of you.

 

Zhou Yang: You’re a CFO who can’t even manage your own team—how could I not laugh?

 

President Zeng went silent for two seconds.

 

If this man weren’t his superior, he wouldn’t have wanted to reply at all.

 

Which department didn’t have internal scheming? If upper management intervened in everything, could they really keep up?

 

The advertising department, the livestream department—every day was like palace intrigue. Yet President Zhou never stepped in.

 

At the end of the day, the finance department had gained one more person.

 

Su Hao.

 

Like planting the boss’s confidante right in the office.

 

Whether she was a confidante—or something closer—remained to be seen.

 

---

 

Back in the finance office, Zhang Xian pulled down the blinds, closed the door, and unleashed a furious scolding—aimed squarely at Chen Yu. Under the pressure, Chen Yu finally admitted her mistake and even turned to apologize to Su Hao.

 

Lu Mimi played peacemaker. In that situation, Su Hao accepted Chen Yu’s apology.

 

Gradually, the office atmosphere returned to normal.

 

At noon, Su Hao received a WeChat message from Shen He.

 

Shen He: Haohao, I just woke up!

 

Su Hao: Do you have a headache?

 

Shen He: No. But I’m flying back to Kyoto this afternoon. Will you come see me off?

 

Su Hao: What time?

 

Shen He: 7:30.

 

Su Hao: Okay.

 

After that, Su Hao took a short nap at her desk. Later, she helped Chen Yu with posting entries. During afternoon tea, Chen Yu wandered over and eyed Su Hao’s pancakes.

 

Su Hao glanced at her and silently pushed the container over. Chen Yu reached out, took one, and smiled.
“Sister Su Hao, your pancakes are super delicious.”

 

“Really? Thank you.” Su Hao smiled back.

 

Just like that, the past conflict was brushed aside.

 

The afternoon went smoothly. Near the end of the workday, Su Hao went to submit the account books. As she came out of President Zeng’s office, she ran into Assistant Lu.

 

He cleared his throat.
“Su Hao, wait for President Zhou after work.”

 

She paused and looked toward the CEO’s office.

 

The blinds were open. The man stood by the window, smoking and talking to someone. His brows were sharp, his expression serious—it reminded her of the photos she’d seen the night before.

 

She turned back to Assistant Lu.
“What is it?”

 

“Aunt Su asked you to come over for dinner. Check your phone.”

 

Only then did Su Hao remember she hadn’t touched her phone all afternoon. She quickly pulled it out.

 

Su Qian had sent several messages.

 

Su Qian: Haohao, I miss you so much. Come eat dinner here tonight.

 

Su Qian: I know you like fish—I bought red fish today.

 

Su Qian: That brat Zhou Yang is going to the office. Come back with him.

 

Su Qian: After dinner, I’ll send you home.

 

The messages had come half an hour earlier, along with a missed call. Su Hao replied:

 

Su Hao: Okay. I’ll take Shen He to the airport first, then come over.

 

After sending it, she exited WeChat—and saw a message from Zhou Yang.

 

She opened it.

 

Zhou Yang: I’ll take you to the airport to see Shen He off, then we’ll go back to my parents’ place. My mom keeps talking about you.

 

Su Hao: When will you be done?

 

As soon as she sent it, the man inside the office stubbed out his cigarette, glanced at his phone, picked up his jacket from the rack, draped it over his arm, and walked out.

 

Passing by her, Zhou Yang said lightly, “Let’s go.”

 

Then he headed straight for the elevator.

 

Su Hao froze for a moment, said goodbye to Assistant Lu, and followed him. She lagged behind a bit. Zhou Yang stepped into the elevator and held the doors open for a long moment, raising an eyebrow at her.

 

Only then did Su Hao smile and walk in.

 

Fortunately, the elevator was empty. She lowered her head and messaged Shen He.

 

Su Hao: Are you at the airport yet?

 

Shen He: Yeah, just checked in. You?

 

Su Hao: Almost there.

 

Shen He: Zhou Yang’s taking you?

 

Su Hao: How did you know?

 

Shen He: Tsk. Aunt Su missed you and asked if you were with me…

 

Su Hao: ……

 

After sending that, Shen He felt the message was too ambiguous and blushed, so he didn’t reply again. Su Hao quietly put her phone away.

 

Zhou Yang lowered his gaze and glanced at her phone. He’d seen the conversation.

 

---

 

They arrived at the underground parking garage.

 

Zhou Yang had a private parking spot. The garage was empty. He opened the passenger door for her. Su Hao paused but said nothing, got in, and buckled her seatbelt.

 

Zhou Yang bent down into the car, grabbed a bottle of mint candies, unwrapped one, and placed it under his tongue.

 

Cool.

 

His mood settled a little.

 

He started the car and asked, “Which security checkpoint is he at?”

 

“Let me check—B section,” Su Hao replied after looking at her phone.

 

As they drove above ground, the sun was setting. The afterglow bathed Su Hao’s face, accentuating her long, thick eyelashes. As Zhou Yang turned the steering wheel, his narrow eyes swept over her face.

 

Su Hao.

 

The type of woman who was never proactive.

 

---

 

At the airport, Su Hao got out immediately and walked toward the B security checkpoint. Shen He was standing there, wearing a baseball cap, looking bored. When he saw her, his eyes lit up.

 

“Haohao.”

 

She smiled and walked over, glanced at the time.
“You should go through security. I’m late.”

 

“It’s fine. I’m happy you came.”

 

They chatted for a bit. As the conversation went on, Shen He’s tone grew hesitant, as if he were gathering courage—but in the end, he gave up.

 

Soon, it was time.

 

He went through security, and Su Hao stood there watching him leave.

 

The moment Shen He passed the checkpoint, he took out his phone and typed.

 

Su Hao turned and walked back toward the exit. Zhou Yang was leaning lazily against the car window, looking down at his phone. She walked over, opened the passenger door, and got in.

 

Zhou Yang glanced at her.

 

He was about to start the car when his phone vibrated.

 

Shen He: I confessed to Su Hao. Anxious.

 

Zhou Yang’s thin lips pressed tightly together. His narrow eyes flicked toward Su Hao again—she was looking down, her brows soft, focused on her phone.

 

Suddenly—

 

Beep!

 

Su Hao was startled and looked up. Zhou Yang turned the steering wheel with one hand and honked lightly. Traffic ahead was congested.

 

She withdrew her gaze and noticed a new message.

 

Shen He: Haohao… can we be together?

 

Su Hao froze.

 

After a moment, she typed:

 

Su Hao: Can we be friends first? I really like your personality—carefree and open. But we don’t know each other deeply enough yet.

 

Shen He tried to hide it, but his background was impossible to conceal. Su Hao had sensed it faintly. Besides, Shen He didn’t seem like someone who could fully decide his own life.

 

At this stage, no matter who it was, she needed to think carefully.

 

He probably turned off his phone and boarded the plane.

 

There was no reply.

 

Su Hao let out a quiet breath of relief.

 

---

 

The car arrived at the Zhou family residence.

 

Su Qian stood at the entrance in a beautiful qipao, holding an embroidered golden fan.

 

“Miss! Young Master! You’re home!” she called, hands on her hips, waving the fan dramatically.

 

Su Hao stifled a laugh and walked up the steps.
“Yes, we’re back.”

 

Zhou Yang scoffed, took off his jacket, handed it to the housekeeper, and walked away.

 

Su Qian glared at him, then turned and linked arms with Su Hao, speaking gently,
“Miss, come see what I made tonight—tell me if it suits your taste.”

 

“It definitely will,” Su Hao replied. “I could smell it from far away.”

 

“You’ve got good taste!” Su Qian said proudly. “That red fish—I pan-fried it myself, lots of seasoning.”

 

She pulled Su Hao toward the dining room, then suddenly turned back.
“Zhou Yang, are you eating at home tonight?”

 

Zhou Yang loosened his tie and glanced over. After a few seconds, he smiled lazily.
“If I weren’t eating here, why would I come back?”

 

“To be a driver?”

 

Su Qian almost snapped back.

 

You don’t want to be one?

 

Then she thought about it—Zhou Yang didn’t like Su Hao anyway, so of course he didn’t want to be a driver.

 

“Having you drive her should be an honor,” Su Qian said. “Don’t worry, after dinner, you won’t have to take Su Hao home. I’ll send her.”

 

Zhou Yang handed his tie to the housekeeper and tugged open his collar. He walked over, sat down, glanced at Su Hao, then said,
“Fine. You send her.”

 

As he spoke, he picked up his phone and opened WeChat.

 

Zhou Yang: Oh? Did she say yes?

 

---

 

After dinner, Su Qian took Su Hao for a stroll in the garden. Zhou Yang went upstairs and made a phone call by the window, his gaze fixed on Su Hao below.

 

His long fingers tapped rhythmically against the windowsill.

 

Su Qian patted Su Hao’s stomach and said,
“You need to exercise more, or your belly will get bigger over time.”

 

Su Hao touched it herself and thought for a moment.
“I think it’s fine.”

 

She really didn’t have a belly—flat and soft to the touch. After chatting for a while, worried about Su Hao’s work the next day, Su Qian went inside to call the driver.

 

As soon as she hung up, Zhou Yang came downstairs.

 

Holding a cigarette between his fingers, he said leisurely,
“I’ll take Su Hao home. I need to go—”

 

“No need. I already called Old Chen. You can leave.”

 

Zhou Yang: “……”

 

His phone rang. Standing on the staircase, he took it out.

 

Shen He: Guess.

 

Shen He: [crying emoji]

 

Under the dim stairway light, Zhou Yang let out a low chuckle.

 

A car pulled up outside.

 

,,,,,,,

 

When Su Hao got home, it was already late. She washed up and lay down. Just before falling asleep, her phone buzzed.

 

It was Shen He.

 

Shen He: Haohao… I actually guessed it long ago. You haven’t fallen for me yet.

 

………..,,,,,,,,,,,,………

 

Friday was hectic. Su Hao barely touched the ground running. Thankfully, she didn’t have to work overtime. She planned to buy groceries and cook dinner at home when she received a message.

 

Yun Lü: Su Hao, are you busy?

 

Yun Lü: Sorry to bother you—it’s my birthday today. I’d like to invite you over. Would you do me the honor?

 

Yun Lü was the wife of the man named Jiang Yu. Su Hao had exchanged WeChat contacts with her and Meng Ying at the winery. She hesitated briefly—since Yun Lü personally invited her, it would be impolite not to go.

 

Su Hao: Sure. Send me the address.

 

Yun Lü: Great! The more women, the more presence.

 

Su Hao smiled.

 

Soon, the address arrived.

 

She went home to change clothes. Just as she went downstairs, Assistant Lu called.

 

“Miss Su, I’ll come pick you up.”

 

Su Hao was startled.

 

“This area doesn’t allow parking,” Assistant Lu continued. “President Zhou was worried you might not find the place, so he asked me to come.”

 

Su Hao had no choice but to quicken her pace. She immediately spotted a silver sedan parked at the entrance of the complex and walked over, holding a brocade box in her hand.

 

Inside was embroidered work she’d brought from Huijiang.

 

Assistant Lu opened the car door for her. She got in and said softly, “Thank you.”

 

“You’re welcome.”

 

The car soon arrived at Yun Lü’s riverside duplex apartment. Assistant Lu led Su Hao into the lobby and swiped the card to go upstairs.

 

At that moment—

 

Su Hao’s phone buzzed inside her bag.

 

Two WeChat messages came in.

 

Li Xiu: Sister Su Hao, take a look at this video. Zhou Yang has always spoiled his girlfriends like this.

 

Li Xiu: [Video]