Wen Xin agreed to Shi Qianyu’s suggestion. The two of them embraced as they slept, lost in sweet dreams throughout the night.
Several days later, the day of the company team-building outing arrived. Wen Xin boarded the large bus heading to the resort hotel, but she wasn’t traveling alone.
Gao Qiu and her boyfriend, Tao Qing, sat right beside her. Someone of Shi Qianyu’s rank had her own dedicated car service, so she didn’t need to squeeze onto the bus with the rest of them.
Like Gao Qiu, Tao Qing had an outgoing and straightforward personality. The moment he laid eyes on Wen Xin, he greeted her enthusiastically and launched into a very familiar self-introduction.
Gao Qiu chimed in with a couple of details from the side. The pair bantered like a comedy duo, riffing off each other with perfect timing and unexpected humor. Wen Xin enjoyed listening to them, and the journey passed without a hint of boredom.
The bus proceeded slowly and steadily, arriving at the hotel before noon. The company had spared no expense. Even though Wen Xin hadn’t brought a spouse or family member, they still assigned her a double room.
The space was generous, the king-sized bed comfortable and plush. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view, stretching far into the distance.
In recent years, Wen Xin had rarely had the chance to get out and enjoy herself. The few times she did were mostly work trips with her superiors, where the food, accommodations, and travel were all dismal, leaving her drained not just in body but in spirit as well.
But this time was different.
With plenty of time still ahead, Wen Xin set down her luggage and strolled to the window, gazing out at the distant beach and sea. A cool sea breeze brushed her cheeks, refreshingly crisp.
Her mood gradually brightened. When Gao Qiu came to fetch her for lunch, she even joked, “I’m definitely going to have to eat an extra bowl of rice later.”
“That goes without saying! A hotel this nice has got to have killer food!” Gao Qiu came across as bold and unfettered, but she was actually quite perceptive and considerate.
Worried that Wen Xin might feel too lonely on her own, she had already talked it over with Tao Qing ahead of time. They planned to include her in whatever they did, making sure she never felt left out.
Just like when Wen Xin had first joined Qi Qing, welcoming her with boundless warmth and care.
Wen Xin picked up on it and felt deeply touched. “Thank you both for keeping me company.”
Gao Qiu waved it off, a little embarrassed. “What do you mean, thank you?”
“I should be the one thanking you for putting up with me.” With that, she gave Tao Qing’s shoulder a firm pat. “This knucklehead doesn’t get a thing—he just knows how to get on my nerves. Sisters are way more reliable.”
Tao Qing, caught in the crossfire: “Hey!”
The three of them chatted and laughed as they headed downstairs to the restaurant. Wen Xin scanned the crowd on purpose, quietly searching until she finally spotted Shi Qianyu amid the throng.
She looked stunning today. Her curly, lustrous long hair cascaded over her shoulders. The rose-colored chiffon gown was eye-catching, with an asymmetrical hem—shorter in the front, longer in the back—radiating elegant allure, vibrant yet soft.
Her lips bore a subtle bean paste lipstick, gentler than her usual bold shades, lending her an air of tenderness. The silver earrings framing her face suited her complexion perfectly, swaying and gleaming under the lights.
She merely stood there, and even motionless, she was breathtaking. With her smiling and chatting effortlessly with those around her, she was even more captivating.
Perhaps sensing Wen Xin’s gaze, Shi Qianyu turned her head slightly and directed her eyes toward her.
Their gazes locked. No words were exchanged, yet in that overlapping stare, it felt like everything had been said.
After a moment, Shi Qianyu curved her lips in a smile at Wen Xin before looking away.
Wen Xin snapped back to reality just as Gao Qiu gasped beside her. “Oh my god, Director Shi is unreal.”
“She’s drop-dead gorgeous—like a goddess come to life!”
Everyone loved a compliment, even a beauty like Shi Qianyu. But she stood too far away to hear, so Gao Qiu’s awe reached only Wen Xin’s ears.
Still, Wen Xin inexplicably felt a swell of delight and pride, as if sharing in Shi Qianyu’s joy.
She nodded along. “Yeah.”
“She’s gorgeous.”
The group finished lunch together.
As Gao Qiu had predicted, the hotel’s cuisine was exceptional. Perched by the sea in a prime spot, it boasted an abundance of seafood—shrimp, crab, shellfish, all fresh and plentiful.
Wen Xin adored shrimp and lit up at the sight of them initially. But only after the meal did she realize she hadn’t touched a single one the whole time.
Why?
At first, she thought she simply hadn’t wanted to get her hands messy. But deeper reflection revealed the truth.
Laziness. Without someone like Shi Qianyu there to peel them for her, she hadn’t bothered.
How spoiled could she be?
Wen Xin was stunned by her own realization. Unbeknownst to her, Shi Qianyu had already indulged her to the point of ruin.
“…”
The afternoon was free time. The beach views shone brightest at sunset, and the outdoor barbecue wouldn’t kick off until later. Manager Liu gathered a handful of burly male colleagues to assemble the gear at the rented site.
The rest of the staff could wander as they pleased and regroup that evening. Gao Qiu and Tao Qing intended to check out other floors and made a point to invite Wen Xin along.
But Wen Xin didn’t want to keep imposing and politely turned them down, saying she needed to rest in her room.
“Alright then.” Gao Qiu still seemed concerned. “Text me if anything comes up.”
“Mm.” Wen Xin smiled at her. “Got it.”
They went their separate ways.
Wen Xin rode the elevator up to her floor. Her suitcase in the room remained unpacked. She meant to sort it out, then shower and change.
But the moment she unzipped it, before she could take the next step, a message from Shi Qianyu arrived.
Shi Qianyu: 【Didn’t see you in the private room. Did you finish and leave?】
They weren’t in the same dining area. When lunch wrapped up, Wen Xin had glanced toward Shi Qianyu’s room, unaware that Shi Qianyu had done the same.
Wen Xin replied promptly: 【Yeah, stuffed. Resting in my room now.】
Shi Qianyu: 【Was the food good?】
Wen Xin: 【Delicious.】
Shi Qianyu relaxed: 【Good to hear. I’ve got some things here. Rest well, Sister.】
She had even called her Sister.
Heat rose to Wen Xin’s cheeks. She typed back “Okay,” then her eyes drifted to the contact name she’d given Shi Qianyu. Fearing someone might glimpse their private link during the outing, she quickly changed it to a cute cat emoji.
Shi Qianyu always reminded her of a big cat. No one would suspect that, and only she would grasp the hidden meaning.
Unique. Intimate.
~~~
As evening fell, the group reconvened.
A few eager colleagues took over the barbecue duties, leaving everyone else free to eat, drink, and relax.
Tonight’s movie had been decided by group vote long ago. Most staff had come with partners and favored horror thrillers, but to accommodate the faint of heart, the pick was tame, with minimal jump scares.
Even so, it still rattled a few people—including Wen Xin. But surrounded by the crowd, her fear flickered only briefly before the boisterous vibe swept it away.
She hadn’t dwelled on it then, figuring the scare would fade from memory. Yet in the dead of night, those horrifying images resurfaced unbidden in her mind.
Tension gripped her. The room’s vastness now worked against her. Early wake-up tomorrow or not, sleep eluded her completely.
Until her phone vibrated beneath the pillow.
Wen Xin jumped. Moments later, she fished it out and checked the screen. A cute cat emoji blinked—Shi Qianyu’s WeChat: 【Asleep?】
Wen Xin typed back swiftly: 【Not yet.】
Shi Qianyu: 【It’s late. Why aren’t you sleeping?】
Wen Xin began to reply, tempted to admit her fear. But Shi Qianyu had been swamped all day; no sense dragging her into late-night chat.
After a short pause, Wen Xin wrote: 【About to. Just showered.】
She checked on her: 【What about A-Yu? Still up?】
Shi Qianyu’s response surprised her: 【Spooked by the movie. Kinda scared.】
Even across the screen, the coquettish plea shone through. Shi Qianyu was wheedling: 【Sister, mind if I come sleep with you?】
【I’ll sneak over—no one will see. I’ll slip out at dawn.】
She added an expectant emoji: 【You’ll let me in, right? You said yes that night too.】
She had a point.
Deep night cloaked the resort; everyone was spent from the day’s fun and fast asleep. No one would notice their movements. Wen Xin was petrified, and sharing that vulnerability with Shi Qianyu melted her resolve: 【Okay. Waiting for you, A-Yu.】
She flicked on the bedside lamp and padded silently to the door, cracking it open to welcome her guest.
Like a clandestine tryst.
Not long after, Shi Qianyu appeared in her line of sight. Her room was quite a distance away; to reach it, one had to traverse a long corridor, take the elevator down to the lower floor, and then walk alone for some stretch afterward.
Wen Xin had no idea how she had made her way over. Lights from the distance streamed in through the corridor windows, the night shadows and orange glows draping together over her pale shoulders.
Wen Xin took hold of Shi Qianyu’s hand and led her inside, helping her slip beneath the covers. Shi Qianyu’s skin was chilled from the sea breeze, so Wen Xin deliberately pressed her palm to her cheek, sharing her own warmth.
“A-Yu, are you afraid?” She cradled her face, speaking to her in a soft voice. They did nothing more, but even this simple embrace was sweet and warm enough.
Shi Qianyu was lying. In truth, she wasn’t afraid at all.
Yet in this moment, she had to lie once more. She gazed earnestly at Wen Xin and confessed, “I was afraid.”
“But the moment I saw you, I wasn’t anymore.”
