Chapter 2: Section 02

Good-looking? Yes.

Straight girl? Yes.

Fang Nianchen wanted to add one more: Senior? Yes.

She carefully calculated—this year wasn’t a nine-year cycle, so not wearing red socks wouldn’t bring bad karma.

And regarding the director change, the one acting most smug was Qiao Yan. She was the one who deserved bad karma.

“You know she’s good-looking, but you don’t have to make that face.” It wasn’t like seeing a beauty; it was more like seeing a ghost.

Qiao Yan put away her phone and shot a coquettish glare at the person beside her. “Tao Zhixing, did you put a fool replicator in this booze? Why’s she suddenly acting all dumb and dazed, just like you?”

“Cut the crap.” Tao Zhixing rolled her eyes at her and waved a hand in front of Fang Nianchen. “What’s up? You know her?”

“Nope.” Fang Nianchen blinked, putting on an innocent expression.

She didn’t often act like this, but it never failed when she used it to fool people.

She wasn’t deliberately hiding it, but “crush” or “senior”—neither term was suitable for introducing Yu Wan, let alone as the future Director Yu.

Was she supposed to point at the photo and confess to them that Yu Wan was the senior she’d crushed on?

Tao Zhixing nodded and let her off the hook, but then hesitated. “Hmm… I feel like she looks kinda familiar, like I’ve seen her somewhere.”

Fang Nianchen’s heart, which had just settled, shot back up at those words from Tao Zhixing.

She stared intently at Tao Zhixing, terrified she’d spit out something.

Like her last shred of dignity.

“Yeah, she kinda looks like Quan Cige, that actress who’s been blowing up at our company lately.” Qiao Yan chimed in. “Not exactly the same, but maybe fifty percent similar.”

Fang Nianchen had glanced at Quan Cige’s photo once and didn’t think she looked much like Yu Wan.

The only similarity was their unapproachable aura.

So back then, thinking Yu Wan had an easy, approachable vibe was purely because she was lovesick, her basic judgment completely clouded.

There’d never been any ambiguity—it had all been her wishful thinking from start to finish.

Qiao Yan and Tao Zhixing had wandered off somewhere. Fang Nianchen rested her arms on the bar counter, propping her head up as she pondered why Yu Wan had come to Yunqi.

The world was so big; the odds of them reuniting were tiny, especially with zero prior contact.

That year, after learning Yu Wan had gotten a boyfriend, Fang Nianchen spent a while unsure how to handle her feelings. In the end, she started distancing herself from Yu Wan.

At first, Yu Wan would check if something was wrong or invite her out to clear her mind, but she couldn’t face Yu Wan anymore—partly from embarrassment, partly from the bitterness of unrequited love.

That’s why she didn’t know how to face her.

Fang Nianchen drank listlessly, one glass after another. When the drunken haze hit, she stumbled home and crashed.

The next morning, her ringtone exploded by her ear.

Fang Nianchen reached out from under the covers, eyes still shut, and smacked her phone based on muscle memory. Then she heard: “Drinking that much last night—did you break up?”

In her groggy daze, Fang Nianchen’s mind blanked for a few seconds before recognizing the voice.

She burrowed back under the blanket, not wanting to hold the phone up. She tossed it onto the pillow and lay flat to reply: “No.”

“Then why?”

Fang Nianchen’s head throbbed; she didn’t want to talk much. “Happy.”

But she hadn’t been happy last night—not since seeing Yu Wan’s photo.

Xiao Ning’an didn’t press, as if it were routine concern, then cut to the chase. “I called you last night too. My sister’s been sent to North City lately, and you’ve been there a while. She’s new, doesn’t know anyone—can you look after her for me?”

Xiao Ning’an was Yu Wan’s cousin; different surnames, but they’d grown up together like real sisters.

That’s how she and Yu Wan had met, through Xiao Ning’an.

But have her look after Yu Wan?

Half her hangover vanished instantly.

Xiao Ning’an never asked favors. Her dad was a successful businessman, she was the only child—and a girl—pampered like a princess from childhood, wanting for nothing.

From the day they’d met, Fang Nianchen had never seen Xiao Ning’an beg anyone for help, let alone ask her specifically.

Normally, if Xiao Ning’an asked, Fang Nianchen would’ve agreed without thinking—but not this.

Fang Nianchen hemmed and hawed. “I…”

“You agreed on the phone last night. I just thought you drank a lot and might forget, so I’m confirming.” Xiao Ning’an gave her no chance to refuse. “I wouldn’t trust anyone else. Weren’t you pretty close with my sister back in college?”

Close…? So to outsiders, all her fawning and care had just seemed like normal friendship.

Fang Nianchen couldn’t spit out a “no”—no good reason to refuse, and she couldn’t spill the whole story from back then.

Xiao Ning’an was homophobic. From the day she’d found out, Fang Nianchen knew there’d always be an unspeakable secret between them.

That’s also why she was tight with Qiao Yan and Tao Zhixing but kept a distance with Xiao Ning’an.

And if Xiao Ning’an knew she’d crushed on her sister back then, she’d probably call her a pervert to her face.

Fang Nianchen tried to weasel out. “But we haven’t seen each other in years. It might be awkward.”

“That’s why you two should hang out more and rekindle the friendship.” Xiao Ning’an had a knack for twisting logic. “Alright, it’s settled then. I’m counting on you for my sister. If you need anything, just tell me.”

“Wait—” Fang Nianchen started to refuse, but the call cut off hastily.

Xiao Ning’an didn’t know there was no pure friendship between her and Yu Wan.

Maybe there had been, before she’d realized she liked Yu Wan—but now everything was different.

The more she thought, the worse it felt. Fang Nianchen rolled herself in the blanket, flipped over, and buried her face.

Drinking screws everything up! Drinking screws everything up aaaaaah!

On Monday, Fang Nianchen dawdled until the last minute before dragging herself to work.

Her butt had barely hit the seat when Qiao Yan popped her head over the cubicle partition. She jumped at the sight. “What happened to you? Face that bad—you could scrape it off and use it to whitewash my grandma’s walls.”

Fang Nianchen rubbed her temples and mumbled, “Didn’t sleep well.”

Ever since Xiao Ning’an’s call, she’d been sleepless all weekend, her mind a mess.

She knew she couldn’t avoid Yu Wan, but she didn’t want to force herself to see her either.

It felt like a dead end, and she still hadn’t found a way out.

“Must be work wearing you down. Wanna go out this weekend? Unwind. Tao Zhixing’s free too.”

“Big sis, it’s only Monday.” Fang Nianchen’s head hurt.

Mondays always dragged her down; everything felt off.

Qiao Yan wouldn’t back down. “Big sis, so what if it’s Monday? Gotta have something to look forward to in life, right?”

Fang Nianchen couldn’t win against her and turned to make coffee.

“No objection means you’re in. I’ll call Tao Zhixing to pick a spot.”

“Whatever.” Fang Nianchen yawned, exhausted.

Monday…

It suddenly hit her—this was the day Yu Wan started. Her heart sank like it’d been punched, heavy and stuffy.

Quiet for just seconds, then Qiao Yan patted her arm. “See? What’d I tell you—that dog Zuo Anfeng, trailing behind her, tail wagging like crazy.”

Zuo Anfeng was the HR department head—not a huge deal, but as annoying as the previous Director Liu.

In Qiao Yan’s words, he was a sycophantic villain who loved colluding with trash bosses.

She’d bet with people that on the new director’s first day, Zuo Anfeng would pull off an epic welcome service, probably glued to Yu Wan from the moment she stepped out of the car.

The partitions between desks were pretty tall. Fang Nianchen scooted her chair back a bit.

Through the clean, bright glass windows outside, two figures flashed by.

“Everyone, pause what you’re doing—pay attention!” Zuo Anfeng clapped his hands together.

The rumors had circulated for half a month; everyone knew. Now they all craned their necks toward the door like ostriches on pilgrimage.

Only Fang Nianchen quietly shifted her chair back into her cubicle without a sound, then adjusted her monitor to block her face.

“Starting today, Director Yu is officially joining us. Get familiar with her style quick and cooperate well.” Zuo Anfeng, unused to this spotlight, got a bit cocky. “Give her a warm welcome!”

“Director Yu.” A few veteran employees greeted her, clapping politely a few times.

Zuo Anfeng smirked inwardly and turned to Yu Wan. “Director Yu, anything you’d like to say to everyone?”

What answered was a silence so long it turned awkward.

With no sound for so long, Fang Nianchen got curious and peeked out half her head like a thief.

Yu Wan was looking at her.

Her eyes were long and narrow; a slight twitch at the corner betrayed her mood. When looking at her, the corner of her eye curved faintly.

Fang Nianchen instinctively wanted to avoid her gaze, but when she saw Zuo Anfeng beside her, who was staring at Yu Wan with a face full of anticipation, grinning until his face was full of wrinkles, she actually felt a twinge of jealousy toward Zuo Anfeng, jealous that he could stand next to Yu Wan and stare at her so brazenly.

So she simply stopped dodging, straightened up, and met Yu Wan’s eyes.

The morning sunlight was bright yet not blinding. By chance, a beam of light fell on her, making her seem much more radiant. The icy aura was also subdued, like melting ice.

Even with that serious expression, she looked far more approachable than in the photo.

Out of politeness for the new leader, everyone had to smile a little.

Fang Nianchen felt her mouth stiffen. She put in a huge effort to squeeze out a smile, nearly grinding her back teeth to pieces.

But the fake smile on her face didn’t suit her at all.

She hadn’t learned to put on a facade yet.

Yu Wan’s eyelashes trembled slightly. Her gaze shifted away, seemingly casually sweeping over to the side.

She took in everyone, finally settling on Zuo Anfeng’s face with a glare.

“No.”

The two icy words were flung at Zuo Anfeng’s face, completely freezing the lively atmosphere that had been painstakingly built up.

“Uh…” Zuo Anfeng felt a bit awkward but couldn’t show it. “Then let me take you to the office.”

“I know the way,” Yu Wan said without a trace of emotion. “Go back to work.”

“Alright…” Zuo Anfeng rubbed his hands, nodding and bowing obsequiously until his back was slightly hunched as he slunk back to the office.

Yu Wan went into her office afterward, leaving behind an unapproachable silhouette.

Everyone gathered again, chattering for a bit. Qiao Yan joined in to listen, discovering that opinions on Yu Wan were mixed.

When she heard voices that didn’t align with her own views, she immediately went back to vent to Fang Nianchen. Instead, she saw her sitting there with her head lowered.

“Xiao Chen?” No response, so she raised her voice. “Fang Nianchen!”

Fang Nianchen vaguely heard someone calling her, but the sound was drowned out by her heart pounding like a drum.

She took a deep breath and touched her neck—it was a bit hot.

“What is it?”

Qiao Yan didn’t care why she was acting so awkwardly. “I think Director Yu has sharp eyes. She saw right through that Zuo Anfeng isn’t a good guy at a glance.”

Fang Nianchen gave a perfunctory “Mm” and asked, “Did you feel like Director Yu was looking at you just now?”

“Looking at me?” Qiao Yan’s train of thought derailed for a moment. “Why would she look at me?”

“Just… observing,” Fang Nianchen pondered.

She wasn’t sure if that eye contact with Yu Wan had been an illusion.

Qiao Yan laughed it off. “Of course. New leaders always check out the staff to know who to pick on.”

A strange sense of loss flashed through her, gone in an instant. Fang Nianchen nodded glumly. “Mm…”

The whole day passed peacefully. Plenty of people went in and out of the director’s office—it seemed their new director was swamped on her first day.

No time to bother with her? Perfect.

As quitting time approached, unusually, Fang Nianchen packed up early and sat at her desk with her eyes closed, resting.

Qiao Yan asked in surprise, “Can’t finish the training plan? No overtime?”

“No overtime. Going home to walk the dog,” Fang Nianchen said lazily, staying seated and silently counting down.

Just as she spoke, someone suddenly called her name. “Xiao Chen, the director wants you in her office.”

Fang Nianchen’s heart sank.

She glanced at her watch—great, summoned five minutes before clock-out. Perfect timing.

“Xiao Yan, can you go for me?” Fang Nianchen pleaded. “My stomach hurts.”

“Stomachache? Bad?”

“It’s okay, just no energy.”

Fang Nianchen rarely felt unwell, and her face really did look off today—pale and worried.

At her words, Qiao Yan got anxious and agreed immediately. “Alright, I’ll go see what’s up.”

Qiao Yan knocked on the office door.

“Come in.”

A very pleasant female voice, slightly different from what she’d heard that morning.

Director Yu in person was more charming than in the photo—mature and intellectual. Qiao Yan couldn’t help but steal a couple extra glances, thinking how great it would be if she weren’t the boss.

“You’re Fang Nianchen?” The icy question finally matched the impression Yu Wan had always given.

Qiao Yan straightened up instinctively. “No.”

Seeing that she knew who she was without even looking up, Qiao Yan was surprised but didn’t dwell on it.

“Then why are you here if I’m looking for her?” Yu Wan repeated bluntly. “Whatever she’s doing, drop it and come to the office.”

Qiao Yan thought she was being too strict. The previous Director Liu was a sleazy old creep too, but he’d turn a blind eye to stuff like this.

And it was only the first day—already this rigid.

“She has a stomachache and can’t come.”

“It started right at quitting time?” Yu Wan finally looked up, her sharp gaze scanning her up and down. “I’ll deal with your stuff later. No need to rush into the office. Can you decide for her, or do her work?”

Qiao Yan was at a loss for words.

“Since you can’t, tell her to come herself.” Yu Wan’s tone brooked no argument. “Don’t do unnecessary things in the future.”

“Got it…”

Qiao Yan slunk out dejectedly and saw Fang Nianchen hadn’t left. She grumbled, “Did you piss her off?”

Fang Nianchen’s heart tightened. “No, what happened?”

“She insists on you going in and chewed me out. This person…” Qiao Yan lowered her voice. “Doesn’t respond to soft or hard approaches.”

“I told her your stomach hurts.”

Her fondness for Yu Wan was nearly gone.

“Alright, it’s fine. I’ll go myself.” Fang Nianchen comforted her friend. She knew from the moment she said the excuse that it wouldn’t work.

But her inner resistance had briefly overridden reason, giving her a fleeting delusion.

Entering the office, the atmosphere instantly felt familiar. Even the faint scent of baby’s breath in the air told her that the person sitting there was Yu Wan.

Outside, the sky was tinged with warm orange from the setting sun, casting a slant on the desk corner and quietly climbing up Yu Wan’s hem.

She sat still, as if time had frozen around her.

Fang Nianchen steadied her emotions before speaking up a bit late. “Director Yu.”

“You’re here?” Yu Wan set down her pen, pulled a file from the desk, and handed it to her straightforwardly. “Your attendance sheet is too complicated. It’s a complete waste of time.”

Her hand pressed on the paper. “Especially this part—I can’t understand it.”

She spoke bluntly, without any hint of abusing her position.

Fang Nianchen’s gaze fixed on her slender fingers before she slowly replied, “It wasn’t like this at first. Later, Director Liu kept asking me to make it more detailed…”

“I don’t care what Director Liu required before. Now, everything follows my standards.” Yu Wan’s tone didn’t fluctuate much; her businesslike attitude was clear. “My requirements are simple: streamlined, efficient, and…”

Yu Wan suddenly met her eyes, emphasizing, “Responsible.”

Fang Nianchen suddenly shivered. Why look at her while talking?

It was like “responsible” wasn’t about work, but her.

Fang Nianchen quickly agreed. “Understood.”

“Mm.” Yu Wan nodded, then suddenly asked with concern, “Stomachache?”

The topic switch was too abrupt to handle.

“Huh?” Fang Nianchen forgot her own lie the moment she told it. Reminded, she stammered, “Much better…”

Yu Wan gave her an appraising look. “Quitting time anyway. Let’s head out together. I have stomach meds in the car.”

Her tone was so natural, as if they should have that kind of relationship.

Fang Nianchen hurriedly refused. “No need to trouble yourself, Director Yu.”

“It’s after hours now. No need to be so formal.” Yu Wan quickly packed up, grabbed her bag, swept her gaze over Fang Nianchen’s face, and softened her tone. “I have something to discuss with you anyway.”

Then, as if it were official business, she added, “Personal matter.”