Gu Xixi lay on her desk, her gaze soft as she looked at the red rose among the green plants. Thinking of the person who sent the rose, a warm current spread like ripples in water, circle by circle. She swayed gently in the warmth, as if she wanted to be shielded in this blissful tremor and joy, never to come out.
When she couldn't see him, Gu Xixi's longing for him grew stronger each day, her heart fluttering with the hope that he would call. She wanted to pour out her heart, to express her uncontrollable longing and love. She had even made up her mind countless times to throw herself into his arms the moment she saw him, to kiss his eyes, his cheeks. But Gu Xixi, lost in her passionate love, forgot that deep down, she was a very traditional and conservative girl. Otherwise, that night, she wouldn't have ended up biting him hard after all her resistance and pushing were in vain.
After Cheng Jemin calmed down, he said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I got too excited. I won't offend you again."
Gu Xixi sobbed, feeling a bit regretful afterward. Cheng Jemin had it tough, and such a sure thing had been snatched away. Thinking of his messy hair and scattered eyes, Gu Xixi felt a pang of sympathy for him...
"Xixi, what are you thinking about?"
Gu Xixi was startled and turned to see Deputy Director Chen Xinhua standing quietly behind her. She quickly covered up, "Nothing, just thinking about the documents."
"Thinking about the documents? I bet you're thinking about some boy," Chen Xinhua said, pointing at the rose. "I was wondering why the flowers I bought wilted after a few days, but yours are still blooming. They must be made of plastic!"
Gu Xixi smiled happily, "A friend sent them."
"It's probably not just a friend!" Chen Xinhua raised an eyebrow. "Xixi, as someone who's been through it, I have to give you some advice. Marriage is a woman's second life. It's better to marry well than to work hard. You should seize this opportunity!"
"Take me, for example. My husband may not be handsome or as romantic as the poet I once liked, but he's already a deputy in his unit, and my life is quite comfortable."
"A few days ago, I ran into the poet I liked in school!"
Gu Xixi teased with a smile, "Sister Chen, how did it feel?"
"What feeling? Relief, of course. You should have seen him, riding an old bicycle with a rotten cabbage. I was shocked by his shabby appearance. If I had married him back then, I would have become a yellow-faced woman!"
"Xixi, Director Fu just called. He's planning to treat us to a new spicy shrimp restaurant. Let's go together."
Gu Xixi smiled, "Sister Chen, I can't go. I have a date with my boyfriend today."
Chen Xinhua, who had prepared many arguments, was speechless. This girl used to speak of friends, but now she directly called him her boyfriend.
"Alright then." Chen Xinhua was a bit disappointed and returned to her seat unhappily.
For those in love, time drags on. Gu Xixi kept checking her watch, waiting for Cheng Jemin to pick her up after work.
"Director Fu, what brings you here? Any instructions?" A slick voice sounded in Gu Xixi's ear. She knew it was the office veteran, He Zhimin.
Without looking, Gu Xixi knew that Fu Junjie frequently visited their office, still with her as the target. Why was he buzzing around like a fly?
"Director He, if there are any instructions, they should come from you," Fu Junjie said politely. "A friend of mine knows that all of you are famous writers in our office and wants to ask for your help. He's afraid of being too abrupt, so he booked a table at the spicy shrimp restaurant and asked me to invite you. Although you are all busy, you must have time to eat, right?"
He Zhimin, who had no political future, mainly spent his days chatting and eating. Hearing about a free meal, he was overjoyed, "Director Fu, I knew you were a good man. Rest assured, we will give you face."
Hearing this, Chen Xinhua also smiled and chimed in, "Yes, we will definitely go. Director Fu, make sure your friend brings enough money."
"No problem," Fu Junjie waved his hand. "My friend said it's not easy to treat all of you to a meal. He can't promise much, but the spicy shrimp will be plentiful!"
He Zhimin laughed, "Alright, we'll just bring our mouths. Don't think we're being abrupt, Director Fu!"
Hearing everyone's response, Gu Xixi's heart sank. She knew Fu Junjie was using this to make her yield. Gu Xixi didn't want to be special in the office. In the past, she would have gone with a frown, but this time, she had to find Cheng Jemin. She stood up and said, "Director He, I already have plans with a friend tonight. You all enjoy your meal!"
Although He Zhimin had no hope of promotion, as a veteran in the office, he had keen observational skills. Fu Junjie came here, eagerly inviting them to dinner, all for Gu Xixi.
If Gu Xixi didn't go, what was the point of the dinner? Before Gu Xixi could finish speaking, He Zhimin smiled, "Xixi, our office hasn't had a group outing in a while. What's the deal with you being absent? Just say you need to work overtime and cancel your plans."
Although He Zhimin held a nominal position, his words carried weight in the office. As a veteran, few people would refuse him. Gu Xixi had always respected him.
Gu Xixi, frowning, glanced at Fu Junjie, feeling annoyed. She bit her lip, "Director He, I have plans with my boyfriend. You all go ahead."
Although He Zhimin was eager to eat, hearing Gu Xixi mention her boyfriend, he knew he couldn't push further. But just as he was about to back off, Chen Xinhua said, "Xixi, I was just saying I wanted to meet your boyfriend. This is a perfect opportunity. We can all have dinner together, so we don't have to introduce ourselves later."
Before Gu Xixi could respond, Chen Xinhua turned to Fu Junjie, "Director Fu, your friend won't mind an extra person, right?"
"My friend is very hospitable. One more person is no problem, even a whole table," Fu Junjie said decisively. "It's settled. I'll pick you up after work."
Sitting in the office, Gu Xixi frowned. She really didn't want others to ruin her date with Cheng Jemin. But in the same office, if she refused, she would offend her colleagues.
Since joining the office, Gu Xixi had gotten along well with everyone, maintaining a harmonious relationship. If she ruined this over a small matter, she would be very reluctant.
Deciding to seek his opinion, if he didn't want to go, she would offend the others. She called Cheng Jemin's pager.
Cheng Jemin quickly called back. Hearing Gu Xixi's complaint, he comforted her, "It's fine, I'll go with you."
"Okay, thanks. I knew you could solve any problem!"
Cheng Jemin smiled, "Of course, don't you think you should reward me?"
Gu Xixi's face turned red like a flag.
Spicy shrimp had become a staple dish in Tianyuan City. If you didn't order it when treating guests, they would think you lacked sincerity.
"Everyone, my friend has arranged a car. Let's go together!" Fu Junjie said as the workday ended.
Chen Xinhua giggled, "Director Fu, you're too kind. We can go on our own, no need for a car!"
"Ah, Sister Chen, if I don't pick you up, it wouldn't show my sincerity!" Fu Junjie waved his hand, looking very generous.
Chen Xinhua laughed, "It's rare to have a young and capable Director Fu who thinks of everything. Whoever marries you will be very lucky!"
"Don't flatter me, Sister Chen. I'll rely on you to help me find a girlfriend!" Fu Junjie said with a hidden meaning.
"Little Fu, don't worry. If Sister Chen can't help you, I'll break up their marriage and make her go with you!" He Zhimin laughed.
Their banter made the office atmosphere even more harmonious, and Fu Junjie greedily glanced at Gu Xixi.
"Xixi, did you tell your friend to come? Don't let him get lost," Chen Xinhua said, seeing Gu Xixi's cold expression. She smiled, "He should be here soon."
Gu Xixi, packing her things, said, "He'll pick me up soon. You all go ahead."
"He's not here yet? How careless!" Chen Xinhua sounded like she was sticking up for Gu Xixi but smiled at Fu Junjie.
He Zhimin chuckled, "Maybe he's already here but didn't enter our building!"
His words were filled with the pride of a government office. Despite his bumpy career, this pride was even stronger in him.
Just as everyone was joking, a young man knocked and entered.
"Jemin, you're here!" Gu Xixi ran over quickly, smiling. "This is Director He, who has taken good care of me. You should toast him!"
Gu Xixi clung to Cheng Jemin's arm, looking like a gentle, dependent girl. Cheng Jemin understood and extended his hand, "Director He, thank you for taking care of Xixi."
Seeing the sunny and handsome Cheng Jemin, He Zhimin thought, "Young girls love handsome guys. Cheng Jemin is much better-looking than Fu Junjie. It looks like Little Fu has a strong rival. But this is none of my business. As long as I have a drink, I'm happy." He warmly shook Cheng Jemin's hand, "Young man, I've heard a lot about you!"
PS: It's almost the New Year. I wish all readers a happy and enjoyable holiday. Don't forget to vote!