Chapter 35 Part 2

Qiao Yan gazed at her pleadingly, looking genuinely pitiful. But she wasn’t fat to begin with, and in such a short time, there was no visible effect from the dieting.

“Why the sudden diet? You’re not fat,” Fang Nianchen said truthfully.

Besides, she found everyone’s excuses for dieting utterly ridiculous. Weight loss had absolutely nothing to do with her, whether in cause or effect.

“Hmph…” Qiao Yan suddenly huffed in anger. “It’s all Tao Zhixing’s fault! Last week, we were out playing, and there was a seesaw in the park. She got on, and it wouldn’t budge with me on the other side. She said I was fat and needed to lose weight.”

“If I weren’t so kindhearted, I’d have kicked her to death!” Qiao Yan gnashed her teeth. But Tao Zhixing’s words had really hurt her feelings, so she’d actually gone on a diet. These two weeks, she’d stuck to healthy eating and was starving every day.

At least there were some results. The number on the scale had dropped noticeably. She figured she’d have a cheat meal and then keep going.

“Fine.” Fang Nianchen smiled helplessly. Better not refuse. In her current state, if she didn’t go, Qiao Yan would probably tear Tao Zhixing limb from limb.

“Have you decided how we’re getting there?”

Qiao Yan said, “Definitely a cab. The subway’s a nightmare this time of day—packed, and we’d have to transfer. Such a hassle.”

“Alright, I’ll call one.” Fang Nianchen pulled out the app as she spoke.

“Hey, hey, no need.” Qiao Yan slapped her hand over the phone screen. “I’ve already booked it. Five minutes till it arrives downstairs. Hurry!”

Fang Nianchen chuckled. So she’d been certain I wouldn’t refuse.

The two headed downstairs together. Qiao Yan hurried toward the pickup spot, with Fang Nianchen following close behind.

Passing the parking lot, Fang Nianchen slowed her steps and glanced over.

The familiar spot was empty. Suddenly, it hit her—not every time she got off work would she see Yu Wan waiting for her. She’d just gotten into the habit of checking, like she was expecting something.

There was no reason for Yu Wan to wait for her.

Only now did it sink in for Fang Nianchen. At the beginning, she’d only connected with Yu Wan because Xiao Ning’an had asked her to. Now Yu Wan had been living in North City for almost a month; there shouldn’t be any more issues with daily life.

She herself would be switching departments next week, so their work overlap would vanish too.

And that meant Yu Wan probably wouldn’t come looking for her anymore.

This connection between them, if it didn’t start with her confession, was destined to fade out quietly—just like five years ago.

She’d thought of that from the very first time she saw Yu Wan.

“Fang Nianchen!” Qiao Yan shouted from way ahead. “What are you spacing out for? Hurry up!”

The ride-share had arrived, and staying past a certain time meant extra waiting fees. They’d already dawdled quite a bit getting downstairs; it was about to time out.

She yelled urgently at Fang Nianchen, heedless of the passersby giving her side-eye.

Fang Nianchen pulled her gaze away and jogged over, finally slamming the car door shut with just dozens of seconds to spare.

Qiao Yan watched the phone screen anxiously and urged the driver, “Sir, everyone’s here. Let’s go!”

“License plate ending in 1088, right?” The driver did his final check.

“Yes, yes.” Qiao Yan nodded rapidly. “Go, go!”

“Alrighty. Please buckle up. We’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

As he spoke, the car pulled out. Seeing the countdown stop at just seconds remaining before switching to the trip details, Qiao Yan let out a breath and slumped back in her seat. “Phew…”

“What were you looking at just now?” Qiao Yan asked curiously.

“Nothing.” Fang Nianchen denied it reflexively, but then couldn’t hold back her curiosity. “Did President Yu leave early today?”

“Didn’t notice today, but she always leaves early. Never seen her stay late.” Qiao Yan turned to look at her. “You think everyone’s like you? So dedicated, lingering after hours like a ghost. I did the math—you leave on time less often than I arrive on time.”

With just Fang Nianchen there, Qiao Yan didn’t hold back criticizing her own flaws.

After so many years as friends, who didn’t know whom?

“But every time Bodhisattva Yu goes downstairs, she doesn’t drive off right away. She always sits in the car, like she’s waiting for someone.” Qiao Yan added the detail, then speculated, “Usually, that means waiting for a date. Think she has a boyfriend?”

“Not sure.”

“Then she absolutely needs a super, super, SUPER handsome guy.” Qiao Yan sighed. “If she picked some ugly, dumb pretty-boy leech, I’d punch the Earth to pieces!”

Does it have to be a guy?

“What if she picked… a girl?” Fang Nianchen blurted out.

She realized it was off as soon as she said it, but couldn’t take it back. She never gossiped about Yu Wan with anyone; it felt wrong.

Gossip was always unreliable anyway, mixed with personal biases, spinning all sorts of wild rumors laced with offense. It was worse than badmouthing someone behind their back.

“A girl? Get real. Look at her—she screams ‘I’m a straight woman.'” Qiao Yan sensed something off. Fang Nianchen had never gossiped about the boss with her. She winked at Fang Nianchen. “What’s up, you like her?”

She deliberately lowered her voice, leaning in close. Not for any other reason—just didn’t want the driver overhearing.

Objectively, she thought Fang Nianchen was pure-hearted and loyal in love. She wouldn’t go head-over-heels for someone she’d known less than a month—especially her boss.

Whenever Director Yu came up, she always acted like she wanted no part of it, like she had some beef with her.

Maybe today, with leaving looming, separation emotions were kicking in, slapping a filter on Director Yu.

That didn’t stop Qiao Yan from teasing. She fanned the flames: “If you like her, just say it. Even if she’s the boss, unleash your usual charm and it’ll be fine. Besides your senior, who have you ever failed to win over?”

As if that’d work…

Fang Nianchen recoiled from the topic, shaking her head without arguing, and shot back, “You so sure she’s straight? What if you’re wrong?”

Truth be told, she didn’t really mean it.

In her heart, Qiao Yan’s gaydar was sharper than Xiang Xiaoyun’s. Xiang Xiaoyun could spot that she liked girls, so Qiao Yan probably wouldn’t miss.

But with Yu Wan, she always wanted to probe the “why,” like she’d overlooked something crucial, missing it entirely, leading to her own wishful thinking.

“You wouldn’t get it—some talents are innate.” Qiao Yan boasted. “This Sovereign has been in the game twenty-five years without a single miss. Don’t dwell on it; the heavens’ secrets can’t be divulged. Anyway, she’s straight. Trust me.”

After all that, she didn’t know if Fang Nianchen bought it, but she was tired. She stretched out languidly. “Worked my butt off all day, and now I’m educating you. You’re buying me drinks later.”

Fang Nianchen wasn’t surprised at all—she’d figured dinner wouldn’t be the only thing tonight—and agreed. “Sure, drink as much as you want.”

—

Downstairs at Yunqi Building, not far away, Yu Wan’s car was parked by the roadside. She sat in the driver’s seat with the window half-open.

Hearing someone call Fang Nianchen’s name, she looked out—just in time to see her jogging to get into a car.

She had actually guessed it early on—this was Fang Nianchen’s last day in HR, and Qiao Yan, as her best friend, would definitely find some excuse to take her out to eat.

They each had such enviably straightforward ways of getting along with Fang Nianchen. She wanted to naturally ask her out for dinner and a chat after work too, without racking her brains for excuses every single time.

What she yearned for was exactly what she found hardest to achieve.

The reason wasn’t just herself; it was also Fang Nianchen’s polite yet distant demeanor.

“Senior.” “Director.” These lofty titles made her feel like her relationship with Fang Nianchen stopped at just that.

So she wanted to be nothing more than herself—to Fang Nianchen, just Yu Wan. Not a senior sister, not a director, not anyone else.

The passenger door opened and closed. The woman’s sunglasses were perched atop her head as she chewed gum absentmindedly. With the car door shutting came the bubble popping—”pop.”

Yu Wan turned at the sound, greeting her politely. “Thank you for making the special trip, Miss Yin. I hope it doesn’t delay your work.”

“No worries. I was handling business nearby anyway, and you set this up with me bright and early—it won’t mess up my schedule.” Seeing how courteous she was, Yin Chi played along, a faint smile curving her lips. “That’s why I only like dealing with people who know the rules.”

“I didn’t expect to see you again so soon over your personal business.” Yin Chi brushed loose powder from her collar. “Turns out Miss Yu has interests beyond work, and now you’re even coming to me for help. So I’m dying to know—what’s so important?”

She had figured they’d cross paths again someday. From the moment she handed over that business card, the possibility was already there by default.

Just hadn’t thought it’d happen this fast, or that Yu Wan would reach out first.

From her standpoint, until she fully gave up on claiming Fang Nianchen for herself, Yu Wan was enemy number one—no one else threatened her position, just like how she was irreplaceable in Fang Nianchen’s heart.

Her impression of Yu Wan wasn’t black-and-white. Work-wise, Yu Wan totally deserved that business card.

But emotionally, Yin Chi had always nursed a dark suspicion.

She firmly believed no one in this world was oblivious to others’ affection. Even the subtlest overtures couldn’t hide that special privilege reserved for the one who stirred the heart.

Act with any ulterior motive, and it’d be seen right through.

Fang Nianchen missed her that badly, yet she noticed nothing.

Either Yu Wan never had romance on the brain, too dense for feelings—or she knew damn well but wouldn’t face it, deliberately stringing people along bit by bit.

Yin Chi couldn’t pin it down for sure. Most folks wavered like that; she got it, but acceptance was another story.

If Yu Wan had even a sliver of that second type? No question—she’d make her see Fang Nianchen deserved way better.

Yu Wan didn’t spell it out, just suggested, “You’ve had a long day. How about we grab something to eat first, then talk it over slowly? Sound good?”

This Tai Chi masterclass was seriously grating.

But given her line of work, Yin Chi held her tongue.

“Sure thing.” Yin Chi narrowed her eyes. “Still, I’d like clarity: is this personal issue about romance, or something else? If it’s not romance, I might not be interested.”

She wasn’t about to run errands for just anyone—she never did losing deals.

“It’s romance.” Yu Wan stayed even-keeled, nodding lightly.

“Oh~” Yin Chi’s tone turned teasing. “Now that sounds fun.”

“Mm.” Yu Wan’s face gave nothing away as she slowly raised the window and glanced sideways at her. “Maybe the future will be even more interesting.”