“I’m heading out.” The next morning, Yu Wan finished packing up and prepared to go to work.
This wasn’t the first time Quan Cige had stayed over at her place. After growing up, she loved “borrowing” her place to crash. There had been a few times when she was filming nearby and chose to squeeze into Yu Wan’s tiny, rundown apartment instead of staying in a five-star hotel, without a single complaint.
Quan Cige lazily rolled over, eyes still closed, mumbling drowsily, “So early—”
“I left breakfast on the table and a key for you. Remember to lock up when you leave.” Seeing she had no intention of getting up, Yu Wan smiled. “Go ahead and sleep in.”
Quan Cige gave a vague “Mm” and stopped moving.
Knowing Quan Cige had no work today and would probably sleep until the sun was high, Yu Wan double-checked the utilities, opened the door to leave, and spotted a large box at the entrance with a bouquet of flowers on top.
She stared warily for a few seconds, picked up the card tied to the flowers, and read the bold words: “Happy Birthday,” signed by Chen Yuyang.
The instant she saw the name, Yu Wan’s heart thudded heavily, a chill rising from her feet. She froze in place for a long while.
In the empty hallway, her phone rang abruptly, making her jolt.
“Ah Wan, did you get the birthday gift?” Chen Yuyang’s voice came from the other end. “Last night was such bad timing. I went to your place to celebrate your birthday, but Xiao Ge was there too, so no choice—I had to leave it at the door.”
He even sounded smug, as if not disturbing her was some great courtesy.
“Last night,” “Xiao Ge was there too”—those words kept stabbing at Yu Wan’s nerves.
What chilled her even more was that she hadn’t noticed anyone nearby last night. Now she realized if Xiao Ge hadn’t suggested staying over, it would’ve been all too easy for Chen Yuyang to intercept her at the door.
“You…” Yu Wan frowned, wanting to call him a pervert but afraid it would only make him escalate his harassment.
She held back. “I told you, I don’t like you. Stop bothering me—it’s pointless.”
“Look at you. Even if you don’t like me, I’m still like half a brother to you. Isn’t it only right for me to treat you well?” Chen Yuyang was impervious, spouting nauseating nonsense while leaning on their sham family ties. “If you don’t accept the gift, I’ll be really disappointed, Ah Wan.”
That “Ah Wan” slithered like a demon’s whisper, carrying a sense of impending danger.
Yu Wan hung up and tossed the bouquet and box straight into the hallway trash.
At the company building, right around property management hours, she called them about someone being able to freely enter her building during this time.
The complex had boasted state-of-the-art security, yet Chen Yuyang had easily reached her door—who knew what tricks he’d pulled.
The property manager took it seriously and assured her their security was professionally trained; Chen Yuyang had probably tailed a resident in. They’d check the cameras and resolve it quickly.
Their attitude was decent, and Yu Wan felt a bit relieved after the call.
But no matter the precautions, knowing Chen Yuyang wouldn’t back off easily, she couldn’t fully relax.
She ordered some “anti-wolf gadgets” online, shipped from North City. After coordinating with the seller, they promised delivery to her door that evening.
The next few days, whether due to upgraded security or Chen Yuyang laying low, Yu Wan received no more gifts and didn’t spot his car downstairs. She still got the occasional harassing call.
Chen Yuyang called diligently, way more after hours than during work.
The most infuriating part of life was how annoyances piled up at certain points, like payback for the recent peace.
After Fang Nianchen transferred to the planning department, she was swamped and barely visible. Their occasional WeChat chats revealed she was working overtime daily, and Yu Wan started worrying about her stress levels.
But Fang Nianchen never complained; she seemed to thrive in the busyness, having rediscovered her joy in work compared to the doldrums in HR.
Yu Wan 0720: [Wanna head out after work?]
Receiving another invite from Yu Wan, Fang Nianchen leaned back in frustration, staring at the ceiling: If only she could finish faster…
It wasn’t procrastination—Su Xiazhi had sent her several gigs of planning docs to study, promising her a small influencer’s campaign after the first two weeks.
The performance bonus was substantial, a nice chunk for her.
[Probably not, gotta work late tonight]
Yu Wan 0720: [No worries, focus on work]
Fang Nianchen replied [Okay], then stared at the chat, a strange feeling bubbling up: Was this the relationship they’d aimed for?
No. She’d decided that night after the bar to pursue Yu Wan, but now… was she really ready?
With her brand-new job barely started, her dead-end office worker status, and random trivial dramas popping up, her energy was scattered. She couldn’t even squeeze in lunch with Yu Wan.
She reassured herself: Just get through this, she’ll improve, stand proudly by Yu Wan’s side on her own merits one day.
Compared to five years, any wait was short.
Still… she hoped that day came sooner.
At quitting time, Fang Nianchen watched colleagues glued to their seats and sighed inwardly: Yu Wan had been right—the planning department was insane, everyone grinding hard, nothing like HR’s slacker vibe.
“It’s time—why aren’t you leaving?” Su Xiazhi leaned on her desk with coffee, asking.
“Still got a bit left to finish.”
Su Xiazhi smiled. “You’ve gone days without leaving on time. C’mon, call it here and pack up—go home.”
“But…”
“No buts. I know you’re diligent, but balance work and rest, right?” Su Xiazhi coaxed like a seasoned pro. “Leave it—it’s just wrapping up. I’ll handle it. Enjoy your weekend.”
“Isn’t that bad, Xiazhi-jie?” Fang Nianchen had never heard anyone volunteer to take her work.
Though she trusted Su Xiazhi’s character.
“Fang classmate, why are you so stubborn?” Su Xiazhi sighed helplessly. “Someone doing your work for you isn’t good? Plus, you’ve checked your phone how many times this afternoon? Mind not on work—got a crush?”
First time someone teased her about romance, and Fang Nianchen wasn’t mad—felt shy even: “N-No…”
Su Xiazhi gave a knowing “Caught you” look, utterly defeating her. Fang Nianchen grabbed her bag to escape the prying eyes and gossip.
By now, who knew if Yu Wan had left.
Her old badge expired yesterday, so no sneaking into HR to check.
Head downstairs and try her luck.
Shen Yi slipped into the elevator just before it closed, glancing at Fang Nianchen. “You’re off early today.”
It hadn’t even been a week, but it felt ages since she’d seen her. Fang Nianchen nodded.
They weren’t close; with the packed elevator, Shen Yi’s social anxiety kicked in, and she stood silent—saving Fang Nianchen from small talk.
At the company entrance, spotting a hazy blue figure, Fang Nianchen’s sharp eyes ID’d it as Yu Wan.
Perfect, she hadn’t left.
Fang Nianchen’s eyes lit up, foot lifting to approach.
But then a car pulled up to Yu Wan, and out stepped Chen Yuyang.
Chen Yuyang fussed with his suit collar pretentiously, smiling at Yu Wan as he blocked her path, holding something out to her.
“That guy’s always lurking around the company… doesn’t seem like a good guy,” Shen Yi muttered beside her.
Fang Nianchen glared at Chen Yuyang, nodding vigorously at Shen Yi’s spot-on roast.
From their first meeting, he’d creeped her out—not just the past rumors with Yu Wan, but his vibe was hard to fake no matter the act.
“Is he pursuing Director Yu?”
“Hm?” Fang Nianchen turned. “Who said?”
“Everyone’s saying it. Actually, people were talking before you left HR—you didn’t hear?” Shen Yi’s soft voice hit like thunder in Fang Nianchen’s ears.
Fang Nianchen pursed her lips, expression grave.
Moments later, Yu Wan seemed to reject Chen Yuyang’s offering and got into her car.
Fang Nianchen saw Chen Yuyang’s face darken for a few seconds as he stared dead at the direction Yu Wan’s car had sped off in. After two seconds, he smashed the box onto the ground viciously, completely disregarding his image. Under the stunned gazes of passersby, he got into his car and floored the accelerator to leave, nearly crashing into a cyclist on the roadside.
“I don’t like him,” Shen Yi murmured. “President Yu doesn’t like him either.”
“How do you know?”
“Liking someone means wanting to stare at her every moment…” Shen Yi thought back to that day at lunch, when Fang Nianchen had been looking at her phone for a while, and Yu Wan had quietly watched her for a long time.
Unconsciously, she began to size up Fang Nianchen.
The way President Yu looked at her was very different from how she looked at others. Even if her face remained icy, her eyes wouldn’t lie—the gaze of concern and affection was fervent and sincere.
“Maybe compared to him, President Yu likes…” Shen Yi’s voice suddenly dropped low. “You…”
“Huh? Sorry, I didn’t hear that.” Her voice had been too soft, so Fang Nianchen asked with a bitter face, “What did you say?”
“President Yu doesn’t like him.”
Fang Nianchen couldn’t help but laugh. Did she really have to repeat it twice?
Shen Yi said she had to catch the subway and they weren’t going the same way, so she said goodbye and hurried off.
Fang Nianchen suddenly felt that this soft-spoken girl, who seemed so cautious, said things that were quite endearing.
But having run into someone she disliked today, this joyful discovery didn’t last long.
On the way back, she called Yin Chi. She vaguely remembered that Yin Chi’s family had business dealings with Chen Yuyang’s family, so she should know him too.
After hearing her description, Yin Chi pondered for two seconds. “He really thinks he’s somebody, huh? Jeez, what does he think his family even is? In the business circle, they’re not even a minnow. Wait for big sis to swat him dead for you.”
“No…” Swatting him dead sounded too scary, and Yin Chi really had the means to do it. Fang Nianchen stopped her. “Just make sure he stops pestering my senior.”
Yu Wan had looked extremely troubled, but perhaps due to past favors, she couldn’t shake him off on her own.
“You softie, he’s that sleazy and you still wanna keep him around?” Yin Chi said helplessly. “Fine, whatever. I know you won’t change. There’s a dinner tomorrow night and Chen Yuyang’s going too. I’ll talk to him and tell him to stay away from your baby girlfriend.”
Fang Nianchen had a headache. “What are you talking about…”
What girlfriend? What baby?
“She’s not here to hear it anyway, so what’s wrong with a little fun?” Yin Chi had agreed to help her but wouldn’t do it for free, so she wanted some compensation. “But I have a condition.”
“Go ahead.”
“Come pick me up tomorrow night. I’ll send you the hotel location. Drive me.”
“What about your driver?”
“Dad requisitioned him.” Yin Chi had no patience and asked irritably, “So, you gonna do it or not? All hemming and hawing—where’s your sincerity when asking for a favor?”
“Fine, fine, I’ll pick you up, okay?” Thinking that tomorrow was Saturday with no plans, Fang Nianchen agreed. “See you tomorrow night.”
—
The next evening, the dinner ended.
Yin Chi had drunk quite a bit and staggered out, diving straight into the car. Seeing Fang Nianchen, she grinned from ear to ear. “Helped you cuss out that sleazy guy. You should’ve seen him—face turned green with anger.”
“Thanks.”
“Verbal thanks?” Yin Chi reached over. “Let sis pat your head as a thank-you gift.”
Fang Nianchen dodged lightly, her head almost pressed to the car window as she turned away and blocked her hand. “I’ll treat you to dinner another day.”
“Boring…” Yin Chi muttered, buckling her seatbelt.
Soon they arrived downstairs at the hotel where Yin Chi was staying. She’d be in North City for a while this time, so she’d booked this apartment-style hotel.
Fang Nianchen hadn’t expected it to be so close to Yu Wan’s place—just two minutes by car.
She blanked out for a moment upon seeing the familiar intersection.
She drove steadily to the spot, but Yin Chi had already fallen asleep from exhaustion. Fang Nianchen called her a few times to go upstairs and sleep, but she just mumbled and twitched a bit, whining about how awful she felt before passing out again.
Her phone rang from her pocket. Ignoring Yin Chi, she reached for it.
Unexpectedly, it was a WeChat call from Yu Wan.
“Hello?” Fang Nianchen picked up, suppressing the excitement in her voice.
“What’re you up to?” Yu Wan’s voice was soft, a bit distorted by the wind since she was outside.
“Driving Yin Chi-jie home.” After a pause, Fang Nianchen hurriedly explained, “Her driver’s not around, and I asked her for a little help, so as an exchange, I’m just dropping her off. We don’t usually keep in touch.”
She couldn’t lie to Yu Wan, and since she had a clear conscience, explaining thoroughly would save a lot of trouble.
Though… she wasn’t sure if her explanation was a bit unnecessary.
“I see…” Yu Wan chuckled lightly, satisfied with her thoughtful clarification.
“What about you? What’re you doing?”
“Just got back from the company, handling some stuff.” Yu Wan said, “Everything gets dumped on me. So tiring. If it weren’t for that salary, I wouldn’t bother.”
She said these complaining words in the most even tone, revealing a bit of a little girl’s innocence.
Fang Nianchen’s lips curved up as she listened quietly.
The temperature was pleasant tonight, and the night breeze felt nice.
Someone knocked on the rear car window. Fang Nianchen turned to see Yin Chi leaning over, having rolled it down.
Afraid she’d say something outrageous, she covered the microphone. “What?”
“Ahh—my head’s spinning—” Yin Chi wailed. “I feel like puking—”
Hearing “puke,” Fang Nianchen’s face fell, but she had no choice. She clamped the phone between her shoulder and shoulder, opened the car door, and helped Yin Chi to the roadside by the arm.
She lightly patted Yin Chi’s back to help her breathe. Yin Chi clutched a tree trunk, her stomach churning miserably as she puked for a good while.
Prideful as ever, Yin Chi waved Fang Nianchen away to not look.
Though it wasn’t the first time seeing her in such a sorry state, Fang Nianchen obliged and walked to the other side of the car.
“It’s been a week without seeing you, so I wanted to vent to you.” Yu Wan couldn’t say she missed her directly and had to beat around the bush. “You find it annoying?”
“No way.” Fang Nianchen thought she could never get enough of Yu Wan talking.
These everyday chats let her see the most real Yu schoolmate.
A gust of wind blew through, making the shadows of grass and trees sway under the lights, with rustling sounds from behind.
Yu Wan’s voice cut off abruptly. She turned, alertly scanning her surroundings.
“What happened?” Fang Nianchen leaned against the car. Yin Chi had finished puking and was slumped on the nearby bench, needing to blow off some air before heading up.
Drunks were such a hassle.
“Nothing, just feeling creepy walking at night.” Yu Wan looked around—the area was empty—and quickened her pace.
“Be safe. Um… stay on the call with me. I’ll wait till you’re home safe.” Fang Nianchen figured since she was nearby tonight, she could rush over if anything happened.
Though that’s what she thought, she still hoped Yu Wan would get home safe and sound.
Yu Wan said “mm,” but after a few steps, she spotted Chen Yuyang’s figure in the distance, and her heart tightened.
She hastily exited the call screen, her grip on the phone tightening as she forced her breathing steady.
“Off work? Ah Wan.”
As he approached, Yu Wan had no patience for him and gave a cold nod. “Mm.”
Chen Yuyang scoffed and shook his head. “Still the same attitude. Really gets my teeth itching. I’m not some criminal fresh out of prison—do you have to avoid me like this?”
Yu Wan looked at him impassively.
“Yu Wan, after all I’ve done for you, you’re just gonna pretend you didn’t see? Right?” Chen Yuyang nodded, a gloomy smile on his lips that looked sinister under the dim yellow streetlight.
“I saw, but I don’t like it.”
Chen Yuyang looked at her like she’d said something unbelievable, eyes wide. “Don’t like it? I thought you’d love it. After all, I know you so well. In ancient times, we would’ve been betrothed as kids, right? You won’t admit it, but your mom approves.”
Yu Wan’s patience was utterly spent. “What exactly are you trying to say?”
“What am I trying to say…” Chen Yuyang sneered. “Oh right, I have a lot to say. Nice one, you. I had no idea you and Yin Chi were that close. What did you give her to get her helping you like that?”
His words grew stranger, and Yu Wan looked at him in bewilderment. “I didn’t give her anything.”
What did this have to do with Yin Chi?
“Fuck, still playing dumb?” Chen Yuyang got agitated and grabbed Yu Wan’s arm, yanking her off balance.
He leaned in closer, and Yu Wan could smell the heavy booze on him—he’d clearly drunk a lot.
Sensing danger, she tried to yank her hand free.
But the more she struggled, the tighter he gripped.
“Yu Wan, Ah Wan, I like you—why won’t you believe me!” Chen Yuyang shouted loudly, his usual pretense completely gone. “Who the hell do you like, huh? Who the hell else do you want to like!”
“You can only like me! You can only like me, Chen Yuyang!” He was like a madman. “Where am I not good enough? Tell me where I’m not good enough? That bitch Yin Chi pointed right at my nose and called me a pervert—do you think the same? Do you dare say you think the same? Do you dare!”
“Chen Yuyang!” Yu Wan raised her voice to drown him out. “Aren’t you exactly that?”
“When we were in university, you told everyone we were together. You think I don’t know? You lent money to my mom just to tie her down, to have her feed you my whereabouts. That’s not liking someone at all.” Yu Wan gazed at the “madman” before her, shaking her head in despair. “You’re a pervert. A complete and utter pervert.”
Hearing her say that, Chen Yuyang froze for a moment, then burst into “giggling” laughter. The sound echoed eerily and sinisterly through the empty neighborhood.
“Yu Wan… Yu Wan…” Chen Yuyang’s voice trembled. “You forced me into this. It’s all your fault!”
With that, he dragged Yu Wan forcefully toward the car.
Yu Wan panicked completely and struggled backward desperately, resisting him.
But Chen Yuyang’s strength was freakishly overwhelming, nearly yanking her off her feet. When they reached the car, he reached out with one hand to open the door. Yu Wan seized the chance, shook him off, and ran a few steps before her hair was yanked back.
She yelped in pain and stumbled.
Utter despair flooded her heart. Chen Yuyang had gone completely insane, and as for her… what was she supposed to do?
Just as Chen Yuyang was about to shove her into the car, a beam of light flashed from the distance.
In an instant, a silver-white sedan tore through the darkness, charging straight toward them.
The headlights flashed. Chen Yuyang threw up a hand to shield his eyes from the blinding glare, letting out a “tsk.”
The car screeched to a halt, its piercing brakes slicing through the night sky.
The engine stayed running as a figure leaped out, slammed the door shut with force, and reached Chen Yuyang in just a few strides.
Right then, a fist smashed straight into his face!
