“You old lady… have you been possessed or something?” Tao Zhixing looked her up and down.
She had never seen Fang Nianchen proactively head into a bar before, and she was all about wellness—this hour, she should’ve been asleep long ago. Running out of the house like this was way too out of character!
Even on a weekday, the bar was packed with customers coming and going. Drunkards who couldn’t stand steady inevitably bumped into people, and Tao Zhixing staggered from the collision.
“Watch where you’re going!” Miss Tao didn’t hold back her temper at all, not caring that it was a customer.
After scolding the drunk, she sidestepped and lifted her chin. “Let’s head to the second floor. Fewer people at the bar counter.”
After three weeks of trial operations, the bar had hired a resident band and set up a small stage on the first floor, making the atmosphere even livelier—and noisier.
The customers were fine with it; they were only there for a few hours of fun. But Tao Zhixing, who had been there since opening in the evening until now, day after day, felt like her head was about to explode.
The two sat down at the bar. The lighting was dim, making it hard to read the expression on Fang Nianchen’s face—or maybe she was just keeping a straight face, inscrutable as ever.
Tao Zhixing ordered two drinks and handed her one. “Bad mood? Heartbroken? Fought with someone?”
Her good friend usually put on such a mature front, only acting her age—two years younger—when seeking her advice.
This state was rare; the last time had been years ago.
Thinking about it carefully, nothing could stump this top student Fang except matters of the heart.
But she had plenty of free time right now, so she was happy to help with this sudden situation.
Fang Nianchen looked hesitant, sipping her drink in small mouthfuls, unwilling to speak.
“Not talking? Fine, then hold it in until you explode.” Tao Zhixing was wearing a white suit today, gleaming under the bar lights.
After waiting two seconds and seeing no sign of her opening up, Tao Zhixing made to leave.
“If the person you like doesn’t like you back, what would you do?”
Finally hearing her speak, Tao Zhixing held back, sat back down, and said bluntly, “Then find someone else to like you.”
Back in high school, she’d had a few crushes on boys, but weirdly, they all secretly liked Fang Nianchen without exception. Boys at fifteen or sixteen were immature headaches, and perhaps it was Fang Nianchen’s steadiness that drew them.
Before she and Fang Nianchen became friends, she’d complained to Qiao Yan about Fang Nianchen for ages over this. But later, she figured it out—life was long, and wasting it on immature boys would be insane.
Fang Nianchen shook her head lightly and added, “But I’ve liked her for too long. As for other people… I can’t bring myself to like anyone else right now.”
Not just right now—this had been her reality for the past five years.
Neither Yin Chi, whom she’d once lived with, nor the people who’d hit on her at the bar had ever sparked any desire to cross that line, let alone surpass the thrill Yu Wan gave her.
“What era is this? Still playing the pure romance card.” Tao Zhixing propped her head on her hand, elbow on the bar, turning to look at her. “And you know she doesn’t like you, so what are you still hung up on?”
“Let me give you an example. Say your feelings for her are only at five.” Tao Zhixing raised her hand, spreading her palm to show the number. “Because you never get a response, can’t win her over, it auto-amplifies to ten. You’ve brainwashed yourself into thinking it has to be her.”
“The other fifty percent is just you refusing to admit your crush is a failure, or that you two aren’t right for each other. Can’t you save that competitive streak for something normal?” Tao Zhixing jabbed a finger hard at her forehead twice. “Idiot.”
Fang Nianchen winced in pain, clutching her forehead and protesting softly, “It hurts…”
“Doesn’t hurt, will you learn? I’ve told you a million times about your senior—just be direct. You’ve heard me a million times, but you never say a word.” Tao Zhixing looked exasperated, cursing, “Are you a fly or something? So shameless and persistent.”
Tao Zhixing’s mouth was as sharp as ever, but Fang Nianchen always agreed with her assessments.
This crush had indeed been hidden for too long—too long to want to talk about, too long to have the energy to.
Of course, one reason was Xiao Ning’an’s existence.
Whether it succeeded or not, just voicing her feelings—she didn’t dare imagine the look Xiao Ning’an would give her.
Too many worries had diluted her affection to almost nothing, like she was fixated only on one outcome. And now, she knew it.
Admit her failure.
Fang Nianchen downed her drink quickly. Once the glass was empty, the bartender slid another over. She glanced at Tao Zhixing. “I have work tomorrow.”
“Just two drinks, won’t kill you. Better than lying awake overthinking. Finish and go home to sleep.”
Adults’ ways of relieving stress were always simple and effective.
Fang Nianchen didn’t argue about potential insomnia.
A cab from the bar to her place was only ten minutes. She’d come on impulse and didn’t want to go back home stewing in resentment. Like earlier on the balcony, feeling like Yu Wan not liking her back was some cardinal sin.
She was starting to understand why Yin Chi loved bar-hopping so much—the heat, the buzz, it could temporarily kick anxiety out of her mind.
The more she thought, the more she realized her behavior was abnormal. She really needed to snap out of this state quickly. Even the previous years hadn’t been great, but not this exhausting, body and soul.
Out of sight, out of mind, right?
If before, Yu Wan’s presence had made her want to drag out the department transfer for some buffer time, not wanting to leave too soon,
Then now, she just wanted to wrap it up as fast as possible. The quicker, the better.
After finishing the two drinks, Fang Nianchen felt a slight buzz, her words flowing freely as she volunteered, “Sometimes I feel like she might like me a little.”
“Other times, I think it’s just how good friends are.”
“That means she just sees you as a good friend, then.” Tao Zhixing laughed after hearing it. “How could it be such a coincidence that you two like each other but neither says it? What, waiting for a wedding car to crash into you both?”
“But if that’s the case, you two are a perfect match.” Tao Zhixing gave a thumbs-up sarcastically. “Two clamshells in love.”
Fang Nianchen was amused, swallowing her bitterness with the drink.
Right—no such possibility.
It was past twelve-thirty. After two drinks, Fang Nianchen was ready to go. Tao Zhixing walked her to the door and instructed the driver to get her home safely.
Before getting in the car, she asked one more thing. “So, who’s this person you like this time?”
Fang Nianchen closed the car door and tossed out from the window, “Senior.”
Tao Zhixing froze like she’d been struck by lightning, standing there dumbfounded.
Only after the car drove off did she snap out of it, yelling after her, “Hey! Fang Nianchen! Don’t you ever learn?!”
The next day at work, Fang Nianchen arrived right on the dot for once, faint fatigue under her eyes. She headed straight to Manager Zuo’s office.
Zuo Anfeng was properly primping in the mirror when he heard the knock. He cleared his throat and called, “Come in.”
Fang Nianchen entered. Today she wore a white short-sleeve with a navy vest over it—looking fairly sharp, at least.
“What’s up?” He’d never seen Fang Nianchen come to his office before, so Zuo Anfeng was full of questions. “Something you need?”
“I submitted a department transfer request to you last month. Do you remember?”
“Ah…” Zuo Anfeng couldn’t admit he hadn’t even looked at it or mentioned it to Director Liu—it’d bruise his ego as management. He could only play along. “Yeah, I saw it.”
“Planning has already approved it. They said I just need the person in charge here to sign off.” Fang Nianchen had only remembered last night: for the transfer, her direct contact was Zuo Anfeng—no need to face Yu Wan directly or feel guilty toward her.
She’d notified the HR leads here a month in advance; she’d done everything she could. Now it was just sign and stamp, hand off her tasks, and she was gone.
Fang Nianchen thought she’d been plenty responsible.
She placed the signed transfer form on the desk with both hands. Zuo Anfeng pulled it over, took a deep breath. “Nianchen. Why the sudden department switch? Not happy with something here?”
As a newbie, she’d never slipped up at work—that was impressive enough. More importantly, she never talked back; no matter the assignment, she had no complaints, like a wooden doll.
Employees like that were easy to manage. He wished she’d stick around longer.
“No, I’m very grateful for the leadership’s guidance. I’ve been happy working here.” Fang Nianchen pretty much realized he hadn’t read her request at all—the reasons were written clearly. All empty official talk.
Since Zuo Anfeng wasn’t looking, she could only repeat it with a few minor changes: “I want to change my work environment. My friends all say I’m still young and should try more to find the most suitable one for myself.”
“Oh, so you still feel that HR isn’t suitable for you.” Zuo Anfeng nodded. “But you can’t be impetuous either. You’ve only been here for half a year…”
He pretended to look troubled: “This isn’t something I can decide on my own. I have to show it to President Yu and let her make the decision.”
It sounded like a delaying tactic, and moreover, upon hearing Yu Wan’s name, Fang Nianchen did get a bit anxious: “Can’t you just sign off on it directly?”
To be honest, she wasn’t clear on the company’s procedures and processes yet, only knowing to first find the nearest superior.
She had originally thought that President Yu, being so busy with a million things, wouldn’t have time for these minor matters.
“Others don’t matter; they can leave if they want, we’re not short on people. But you’re a bit special. After all, your educational background and such are very strong. When you first joined the company, quite a few departments were vying for you, it’s just that…” Zuo Anfeng said, suddenly choking a bit.
It was just that Fang Nianchen was pretty, and Director Liu took a liking to her at first sight, using some means to keep her.
This matter couldn’t be known by anyone.
He paused: “Don’t be anxious yet. I’ll discuss it with President Yu. Leave this with me for now, and I’ll give you a reply as soon as possible, okay?”
With that, regardless of whether she agreed or not, Zuo Anfeng said: “Anything else? If not, you can go back to work. The department has been pretty busy lately.”
Being shown out, Fang Nianchen thanked him and left the office.
Today, she was assigned to deliver materials, running back and forth between logistics and finance, and without Xiang Xiaoyun catching her to ask this and that, she suddenly felt very grateful for this busy work atmosphere.
During lunch break, hearing Qiao Yan say that President Yu seemed not to be in the company today, Fang Nianchen immediately thought: Does that mean at least I won’t have to see Yu Wan today?
She felt slightly relieved.
Because she wasn’t sure if she could act normal today, or if she would deliberately avoid her, and be noticed by Yu Wan that something was off.
All the way until clocking out, Fang Nianchen quickly packed her things, ready to welcome the weekend.
After getting off the elevator, she didn’t expect Xiang Xiaoyun to be waiting for her.
Fang Nianchen closed her eyes with a headache, helplessly accepting reality, slowing her steps to avoid tripping.
Seeing her, Xiang Xiaoyun was more excited than a wolf spotting a rabbit, rushing up as soon as she saw her: “You went to watch a movie with President Yu yesterday?”
“Why would I watch a movie with her?” Fang Nianchen couldn’t help but feel her train of thought was jumping too far.
Would normal people think an employee would “amicably” watch a movie with their boss?
“Look, you were holding popcorn, President Yu was holding milk tea, this…” Xiang Xiaoyun almost blurted out “classic couple setup,” scaring herself into biting her tongue. “Hiss—”
Spreading rumors wasn’t okay, especially between same-sex people; the scale would be off the charts.
Not to mention how fierce President Yu was; she was even afraid Fang Nianchen would get upset first.
Though she’d never seen Fang Nianchen angry, she always felt that when she lost her temper, it would be particularly terrifying.
“The main thing is that you don’t seem afraid of President Yu at all.” Xiang Xiaoyun counted on her fingers, analyzing the “various” pieces of evidence she’d seen.
“That time I was chatting with you about the movie starring Quan Cige, and President Yu caught us, but you weren’t scared at all. And I keep seeing you eating with President Yu; she even smiles quite happily.”
Fang Nianchen’s heart skipped a beat: How much had she actually seen?
But on the surface, she remained perfectly calm as she asked: “Is that not normal?”
“I just feel like… did you two know each other before?” Xiang Xiaoyun finally voiced her burning question.
Yu Wan didn’t seem like the type to befriend employees; her aura of aloofness left no room for anything within a one-meter radius. She didn’t know if Yu Wan had always been like this, but if not for knowing her previously, anyone would be scared off, right?
She first admired Fang Nianchen’s composure, but later sensed a different vibe. She couldn’t explain why she was so interested in their relationship; the mysterious aura around Fang Nianchen kept drawing her in.
She couldn’t remember exactly when she started noticing Fang Nianchen—not when she first joined; she was like a transparent person until one team meeting when Fang Nianchen sat right across from her, and she suddenly realized there was such a person in the department.
Fang Nianchen appeared polite to everyone on the surface, often with a smile on her face, giving off a warm feeling at first glance.
People instinctively gravitate toward beautiful and great things; Xiang Xiaoyun was no exception.
She wanted to be friends, to understand her more. Somehow, Xiang Xiaoyun made getting close to Fang Nianchen her goal.
“We don’t know each other.” Fang Nianchen smoothly told the lie, not wanting to invite trouble before leaving.
“But…” Xiang Xiaoyun wanted to say more.
“You know all this—what good does it do you?” In the end, Fang Nianchen couldn’t hold back, her tone cooling a few degrees.
She tried so hard to minimize her presence, precisely not wanting anyone to pry into her privacy.
“No, no benefits, I’m just curious.” Xiang Xiaoyun awkwardly tugged at her lips. “We’re all colleagues, after all.”
“But you’re being very rude.” Fang Nianchen’s expression was utterly serious, laced with cold detachment—a side she rarely showed to outsiders.
With troubles piling up, Xiang Xiaoyun’s prying became the fuse.
Such questioning was annoying.
“You don’t need to know if we know each other or not to do your job here. Even if we do, that’s my private matter, and has nothing to do with you…”
Nothing to do with you.
Those four words sounded like a death sentence.
Fang Nianchen held back and didn’t say them.
She didn’t want to tear the last bit of face between ordinary colleagues; she wanted to maintain surface peace for a few more days.
She stopped there, skirted around the still-stunned Xiang Xiaoyun, left the building, and headed to the subway station with her head down.
After passing security, the subway station’s air conditioning cooled her head a bit. Opening WeChat, it was an apology message from Xiang Xiaoyun.
A long rambling paragraph, summing up to her realizing her mistake and that she shouldn’t meddle.
Fang Nianchen replied that it was fine, she wasn’t angry.
Xiang Xiaoyun still anxiously apologized over and over; Fang Nianchen had no patience to keep reading.
This was the first time she’d lost her temper in front of others, though restrained, it felt like she’d done something damaging to her image.
The dozen or so minutes from the company to home were the most relaxing time of the day. Thinking that tomorrow was the weekend holiday—two days away from these trifles, two days to briefly recharge—she felt fortunate to still be alive after escaping interpersonal and work matters.
But she didn’t expect that upon returning home, she’d run into Yu Wan waiting at the door once again.
This time, she was dressed in a suit, as if she’d rushed over; the car wasn’t even turned off. Seeing her, she got out, and the first thing she said was: “You’re leaving HR?”
So direct, it felt like she’d come specifically for this.
Fang Nianchen fidgeted with her hem without looking at her, not expecting to ultimately face Yu Wan head-on, and sooner than anticipated: “Yeah, to the planning department.”
“Why didn’t you tell me in advance?”
“I told Manager Zuo.”
Yu Wan sighed lightly: “No. You didn’t tell me. I knew nothing about it. Zuo Anfeng only messaged me today, and that’s when I heard about this.”
Her tone was full of helplessness: “You could have discussed it with me first.”
Not sure if it was from not sleeping well last night or the cold wind on the way back, Fang Nianchen’s head throbbed.
Forcing down the discomfort, her tone wasn’t great either: “Is President Yu going to stop me?”
