Chapter 35 Part 1

After locking eyes for a few seconds, Fang Nianchen hurriedly stepped aside. No wonder the sensation under her foot had felt so strange just now.

Seeing the shoe print from her own shoe on Yu Wan’s pristine shoe surface, which stood out glaringly, Fang Nianchen felt both guilty and embarrassed.

It wasn’t that she thought stepping on her boss’s foot in public was some grave sin. Instead, she was more concerned about whether Yu Wan had overheard what she’d said earlier.

But she couldn’t even explain it herself—why she was so afraid of Yu Wan knowing she liked girls, yet also afraid of Yu Wan being absolutely certain that she liked girls.

The awfulness of the two wasn’t necessarily something to rank; both were equally vexing.

“Sorry,” Fang Nianchen said, averting her gaze with a steady voice as she apologized.

“It’s nothing,” Yu Wan replied evenly, the response seeming tolerant on her icy expression.

Xiang Xiaoyun was scared stiff, frozen in place and holding her breath hard, as if that would keep Director Yu from noticing her.

Yu Wan was just passing by and truly didn’t care much about the two of them slacking off at work.

Moreover, this was Fang Nianchen’s last day in HR, and Yu Wan wanted her to have a complete and pleasant experience, so that when she looked back on it later, it wouldn’t be filled with grievances.

It was just that their conversation had involved Quan Cige. Hearing the name, she subconsciously paused and ended up catching what Fang Nianchen said afterward.

Emphasizing twice in a row that she was straight, as if being suspected of being gay was some huge slander that she desperately needed to clear up.

If that were really the case, then what about that Monday night with Yin Chi… how was she supposed to explain that?

Yu Wan didn’t even realize that whenever she recalled the intimate actions between those two that night, her expression would turn melancholic. She lightly bit her lip, tasting a sourness on the tip of her tongue.

That night, Xiao Ge had only mentioned a bit about Yin Chi, and she’d already overthought it so sensitively.

Did Fang Nianchen like girls? Or more precisely, did she like Yin Chi?

Of course, she didn’t dare to be too intimate with Fang Nianchen—holding hands was already the limit, and even that had been brushed off with an excuse about cold hands, which Fang Nianchen had naively believed. Patting her head, an action with a hint of presumption, might provoke disgust.

In contrast, Yin Chi’s touches were effortlessly natural, and Fang Nianchen’s reactions were perfectly calm. It seemed like everyday familiarity, no matter who it was with.

Yin Chi’s status was prominent enough that coming out would make social news. If Fang Nianchen’s relationship with her was really as good as it appeared, she wouldn’t be unaware.

In a way, Yu Wan found it incredulous that they even knew each other.

Yu Wan’s silence that night turned into a heavy quietude as she pondered the bizarre yet logical points in their relationship.

A week had flashed by, and she’d fallen into a vicious cycle—every time she saw Fang Nianchen, she couldn’t help but recall Yin Chi’s touches on her that night.

The more she thought about it, the more resistant she became to getting close to Fang Nianchen. Lately, she’d been a bit distant, no longer seeking her out specifically.

Fang Nianchen said she didn’t have anyone she liked right now—those words couldn’t be fully trusted. And the part she did believe was precisely the sense that Fang Nianchen was lying.

Over the past week, the transfer procedures to her new department had been numerous, requiring her signature multiple times. Yu Wan’s interactions with her had been limited to the office, without even a single off-topic remark.

Fair and strict to the point where even she admired herself.

Realizing she couldn’t keep going like this, today’s little mishap gave her the perfect opening.

Yu Wan smoothly followed up with concern: “Have you packed everything?”

When speaking to Fang Nianchen, a smile appeared on her lips almost instinctively—perfectly measured, with striking contrast.

“Mm. Just a bit left to pack up completely,” Fang Nianchen nodded lightly. “Group Leader Su said my new workstation is cleared out, so I can move half the stuff over first, and bring the rest on Monday.”

“Then hurry up and sort it out.” Yu Wan only offered a token bit of concern.

She wanted to ask more, but with Xiang Xiaoyun right there and plenty of other employees around.

Catching Fang Nianchen speaking would draw too much attention anyway and invite misunderstandings.

With that, she continued walking forward, brushing off the brief interlude like a passing breeze.

Fang Nianchen’s gaze followed her for a few seconds before snapping back at Xiang Xiaoyun’s “Hey.”

Xiang Xiaoyun looked like she was still shaken, thinking President Yu must be in a good mood today— she’d even seemed to smile at her just now, which was truly rare.

“This might be a bit rude of me to say,” Xiang Xiaoyun said, forgetting her fear now that the danger had passed. “But I think your vibe is more like…”

Fang Nianchen didn’t feel offended at all. On the contrary, she thought Xiang Xiaoyun’s instincts were spot on.

She’d never quite figured out how to tell someone’s sexual orientation, so for Qiao Yan and Xiang Xiaoyun to pick up on it felt like they had some superpower.

She quirked her lips slightly: “Probably just an illusion.”

“Hmm…” Xiang Xiaoyun pouted in reflection. “That could be normal too.”

Then Xiang Xiaoyun grinned again: “Still, thanks for the signed photo. If there’s nothing you want, how about I treat you to dinner tonight?”

Fang Nianchen had been in HR for a full year, all told, and while the department had held plenty of group activities in that time, she’d never once shown up—like a block of wood, completely uninterested in that sort of thing.

From the moment she’d noticed Fang Nianchen, Xiang Xiaoyun had made befriending her a goal. Not romantic interest, just simple fondness. Seizing the chance to leave a good impression before she left.

“Another time—I’ve got something tonight.” This was Fang Nianchen’s standard brush-off, meaning refusal.

“Another time” might never actually come.

“Alright…” Xiang Xiaoyun took a deep breath, feeling regretful. “Then whenever you have time later.”

“I’m heading out first.”

“OK, OK.” Xiang Xiaoyun nodded, watching her go.

Fang Nianchen felt like she’d pretty much convinced Xiang Xiaoyun, unsure if it was because her disguise was seamless or if Xiang Xiaoyun just didn’t want to pursue it anymore.

Xiang Xiaoyun was sorted, but what about Yu Wan? The anxiety lingered as she packed up her box and carried it toward the planning department.

Still lost in thought over what she’d said earlier, she stood mechanically at the planning department entrance amid the flow of people. Someone even bumped her shoulder before she frowned slightly.

Snapping to a bit, Fang Nianchen thought Yu Wan’s expression and words just now had been perfectly normal—her usual detached concern.

From a director’s perspective, she probably didn’t care at all, right?

Yunqi had no hard rules mandating straight employees, and as an entertainment company, everyone was long desensitized to such things. Plenty were like Xiang Xiaoyun, out and proud.

Pragmatically speaking, that was true.

On equal terms, though, she really wanted to know how Yu Wan would view it from a selfish angle.

But would she really?

Within seconds, she deflated. Fang Nianchen walked into the planning department on her own, looking for her workstation to set her things down.

Her personal belongings were pathetically few. Su Xiazhi had told her to bring “half,” but one box was enough for everything. That signed photo with its frame had taken up some space, but now it was gifted away.

Seeing her arrive, Su Xiazhi happily came over: “I arranged the best spot with a view for you.”

She pointed diagonally across: “How’s that? Pretty good position, right?”

The new workstation was also by the window, with a turn of the head revealing the outdoor scenery—a park underfoot lush with verdant life, brimming with vitality. At sunset, the evening glow would spill in, the sunlight’s warmth soothing the soul.

“Mm, working here must put you in a great mood. Thanks,” Fang Nianchen echoed pleasantly.

“What thanks? I personally poached you—don’t be so polite with me.” Su Xiazhi eyed the heavy-looking box and moved to help.

Fang Nianchen caught on and dodged: “No need, Group Leader Su. It’s not heavy; I can manage.”

“Alright, you handle it then.” Su Xiazhi was still smug about snagging this treasure—one part faith in her own eye for talent, another part Fang Nianchen’s speech and demeanor being so comfortably appealing.

Though overly modest to a fault—a minor flaw that didn’t detract—it was still better than those arrogant fresh grads.

“You’re younger than me, so just call me Xiazhi-jie.” Su Xiazhi didn’t stand on superior-subordinate formality; their vibe had always been relaxed. “No rush on work stuff—I’ll teach you step by step. You’re so smart; you’ll pick it up fast.”

Su Xiazhi kept praising her, leaving Fang Nianchen bashful. She smiled shyly, too embarrassed to meet her eyes.

She nodded: “Got it.”

“Oh, right. I’ve got something Monday morning, so I’ll be in late. Just come straight to work. Your new badge isn’t ready yet, but use this temp card—it’ll open the door just fine.” Su Xiazhi handed her a card, carefully instructing her.

Fang Nianchen once again doubted the claim Qiao Yan had made about the “planning department being full of unapproachable middle-aged people.” Clearly, Group Leader Su looked very young and was a really nice person too.

As soon as Fang Nianchen took it, Su Xiazhi lost all desire to chat, because going any further would exceed the bounds of casual talk.

The work in the planning department was maddening. She didn’t want Fang Nianchen entering work mode so soon.

After leaving the planning department, Fang Nianchen suddenly had nothing to do. She’d finished up all the wrap-up work three days earlier.

And for some reason—whose instructions, she had no idea—Zuo Anfeng unusually refrained from squeezing out her last bit of value. He hadn’t assigned her any new tasks these past few days.

She remembered how, when colleagues had left before, Zuo Anfeng had acted like a total monster, chasing them for training plans even on their very last day at work, not letting them go home until it was done.

For the first time, Fang Nianchen felt like her luck wasn’t half bad.

Sitting around idle made time crawl by unbearably slowly. She spent the rest of it helping Qiao Yan proofread data.

So it was only natural that, after work, Qiao Yan grabbed her and insisted on treating her to dinner. She even called Tao Zhixing to join, to celebrate her escape from the sea of suffering.

Unlike Xiang Xiaoyun, once Qiao Yan turned the page on something, she moved on at lightning speed. Plus, she saw herself as Fang Nianchen’s ride-or-die friend. She’d never heard of friends needing to book dinner dates in advance.

“Let’s go, hotpot!” Qiao Yan tugged at her sleeve, afraid Fang Nianchen might bolt, looking for all the world like she might just hug her bodily in the next second. “Top Student Fang, have some pity on me. For weight loss, I haven’t touched meat in two weeks.”