TES - 10

At the end of a long, uneventful night, beneath the building where Jiang Lan lived:

“Would you like to come up for tea?” Jiang Lan invited him. A woman who had seen her share of life’s storms understood people well—she wanted what she desired, regardless of who stood in her way.

“We’re both adults—I understand your meaning,” Luan Nian said, lighting a cigarette. “But there’s no need. L&M isn’t mine, and even if this contract is signed, it just means my team will have to work overtime.”

Jiang Lan studied Luan Nian. His face was sharp-edged and cold, exuding an air of untouchability—but she liked that.

“The contract will be signed, and the advance payment will be made as usual.” Jiang Lan suddenly smiled. “If you really came upstairs with me, I might actually get scared.” She knew how to play the game. After observing him carefully, she realized Luan Nian was impervious to persuasion, soft or hard. Time would tell; there was no rush.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Jiang Lan turned and walked toward the stairs but glanced back at Luan Nian with a mischievous grin. “You sure you’re not coming up?”

Luan Nian shrugged and got into his car.

It was nearly midnight by then, and half his weekend had been wasted. When he got home, he took a shower, opened a chilled soda, and prepared to finish the approval email before bed. But Shang Zhitao, persistent as ever, sent another message: “Luke, are you asleep yet?...”

Why was she so anxious about this payment? Did she think approving it in the middle of the night would magically make the funds transfer immediately? Was her brain broken? Irritated, Luan Nian called Zhang Ling. He was clearly at a social event—the background noise on the other end was loud. “Alex.”

“Hey, Luke! Mission accomplished?”

“Change personnel.”

“What?”

“I want a new point of contact from the marketing department.”

“Why?” Zhang Ling sounded slightly drunk. “Why change someone? There’s no one else available—they’ve all been sent out for fieldwork. Just bear with it for a few more days. Once reinforcements return, I’ll arrange a replacement.” Zhang Ling brushed off Luan Nian’s request. He knew Luan Nian’s personality—if he disliked someone, he’d find ways to replace them no matter what. But Shang Zhitao was such a diligent and reliable girl. If she were replaced now, how could she continue working effectively?

Luan Nian didn’t bother arguing further. He opened his laptop and approved the email. Before he could close the computer, Shang Zhitao’s message arrived: “Received it, thank you for your hard work.” Clearly, she had been waiting patiently. Luan Nian realized that while Shang Zhitao lacked many qualities, her patience and good temper were undeniable. Dealing with someone so oblivious to social cues was infuriating.

“Is there anything else requiring my involvement?” Luan Nian asked her directly.

“There’s more, but it’s not urgent. It’s late—I won’t disturb your rest anymore...”

“Save it for tomorrow, then?” Luan Nian wasn’t deliberately making things difficult. If not handled tonight, it would simply spill over to tomorrow. He didn’t want Shang Zhitao ruining his Sunday. He called her directly, hearing her slightly flustered greeting.

“Anything else I need to handle?” Luan Nian skipped pleasantries and got straight to the point.

“There’s the annual company meeting venue confirmation...”

“I’ll discuss that with Alex on Monday.”

“And the Q3 material and budget progress report for the planning department needs confirmation.”

“Consult Kitty.”

“Then there’s nothing left... Sorry for disturbing you...”

Luan Nian paused for two seconds, suppressing his irritation. “It’s fine.”

“Goodnight.” Shang Zhitao’s farewell carried a hint of guilt. She knew sending multiple messages throughout the evening had been impolite, but she had no choice—both her superior and finance were pressing her. After saying goodnight, she waited for Luan Nian to hang up first, adhering to proper etiquette.

Luan Nian tossed his phone aside and took a sip of the fizzy soda. The bubbles exploded in his mouth, clearing his mind. Glancing back, he noticed the phone screen was still lit—Shang Zhitao hadn’t hung up?

“Aren’t you hanging up? Are you eavesdropping?” Luan Nian quipped suddenly. Shang Zhitao hastily explained, “Workplace etiquette...”

Workplace etiquette? Damn it! Luan Nian cursed inwardly. Was this employee’s brain eaten by dogs? Still, what she said wasn’t wrong—but did she lack adaptability? Suppressing his frustration, he replied, “Alright, I should’ve hung up earlier,” and ended the call. Turning away, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

What a ridiculous brain.

________________________________________

Shang Zhitao finally went to bed and woke up the next morning to quiet chatter outside. She suddenly felt a surge of affection for this little apartment. Her roommates were kind, cheerful, and full of ideals. Coming home to this safe haven after work made her feel incredibly lucky. Unlike the horror stories of renting online, she hadn’t encountered any major issues—except that the room wasn’t exactly the one the agent had described.

Getting dressed, she grabbed her washbasin and stepped out, seeing Sun Yu and Sun Yuanzhu tinkering with a laptop. Both surnamed Sun, they seemed almost like relatives.

“You’re awake?” Sun Yu greeted her. Shang Zhitao nodded, adjusting her slipping glasses frame.

“Loose frame? Let me tighten it for you later,” Sun Yuanzhu offered.

“Thanks!” Shang Zhitao went to brush her teeth and wash her face. Her skin was flawless, glowing with minimal skincare. Returning with a slice of bread and a glass of milk, she sat across from them. Bread and milk—a combination she never tired of.

“Done.” Sun Yuanzhu hit restart and handed the laptop to Sun Yu. “Check it out.”

“Wow, it’s fixed! Thank you!” Sun Yu beamed.

“You’re welcome.” Sun Yuanzhu returned to his room and brought out a toolbox. “Let me see your glasses.” Shang Zhitao handed them over, watching as he pulled out a tiny screwdriver and quickly tightened the frames.

“Try them?”

Shang Zhitao put them on, and indeed, they no longer slipped. Smiling at Sun Yuanzhu, she teased, “Do most guys have a toolbox like this?”

“Maybe.”

Sun Yuanzhu’s gaze softened slightly as he looked at her. He remembered the first night they met when she had fled in terror from his rolling suitcase. Her panicked escape still made him feel guilty.

“Later, I’m meeting some college friends for board games. Want to join?” Sun Yuanzhu extended an invitation.

“Three Kingdoms Kill?” Shang Zhitao’s eyes lit up. She often played it with classmates in school.

“Yes, want to come?”

“Should we go?” Shang Zhitao asked Sun Yu.

“Let’s go!”

They were all single young adults with nothing better to do on weekends. Spending time together occasionally brought joy. They took the subway to the meeting spot, where they found a diverse group of men and women.

Shang Zhitao suspected Sun Yuanzhu attended a prestigious university but didn’t realize just how elite—it ranked number one domestically. His classmates were friendly too. One female classmate ordered coffee for Shang Zhitao and Sun Yu, and the lively group dove into the game.

Turns out top students also enjoyed board games—and played quite skillfully.

Shang Zhitao drew the role of a loyalist and chose Sun Shangxiang. Sun Yuanzhu, playing Liu Bei, immediately passed all his weapons to her. Everyone teased, “Our lord is blinded by love!”

Shang Zhitao blushed, clutching her cards tightly. In the first round, someone targeted her, leaving her with only one health point. When South Barbarians invaded, she ran out of health, but Sun Yuanzhu gave her a Peach card. The group erupted again: “Lord!”

Finally, it was her turn. Luck was on her side—all weapon cards. Sun Yuanzhu handed her two more. Equipped with Zhuge Liang’s repeating crossbow and Red Hare, she unleashed four consecutive attacks on a distant player, swiftly eliminating a rebel. Then, she discarded two cards to heal alongside Liu Bei.

Despite their gentle appearances, these young people could be decisive when needed. Their excitement couldn’t be hidden. Others at the table glanced between Sun Yuanzhu and Shang Zhitao, sensing something special between them.

Unaware of social cues, Shang Zhitao focused solely on winning. Players often voiced their actions during Three Kingdoms Kill. Each time she healed Sun Yuanzhu, she sweetly chirped, “My lord, here~” Her innocent charm was irresistible. Sun Yu, on the other hand, was fiery. Playing Lu Meng as the spy, she hoarded cards silently but still joined in teasing: “Hey, hey, Sun Shangxiang, sleep with me too!”

Everyone burst into laughter.

If luck were divided into tiers, Shang Zhitao felt hers must be top-tier. In a short time, she had met so many interesting people, easing much of her loneliness. No matter how challenging work became, this weekend had rejuvenated her spirit.