Chapter 20: Happiness

The car stopped at the pedestrian crossing, the countdown of the red light flashing. The window was half-open, and outside was a cacophony of voices and the low hum of cars.

His voice was low, but Xiang Ge heard him clearly.

She paused, her eyelashes lowering slightly, and cautiously apologized: “I’m sorry.”

Zhou Hangyan looked down at her. The woman slowly turned away, obediently tilting her head to glance at him before lowering her gaze again, looking somewhat aggrieved.

An inexplicable wave of frustration washed over Zhou Hangyan. As the red light ended and the traffic began to move, he didn’t say anything more, turning his head back to focus on driving.

Xiang Ge also fell silent, leaning her head against the car window and staring outside, quiet for a long while.

Her mind kept replaying the events of that morning.

Song Zhi probably hadn’t said anything inappropriate—just hadn’t explained anything either.

Should she explain?

Doctor Zhou, the man who came this morning is actually my boss. There’s nothing between us—it’s just a pure employer-employee relationship where he pays me my salary.

What boss? Oh, I’m actually a model. Saying I was an author earlier was completely made up, just so I could have an excuse to get your number and ask you out for a meal.

Xiang Ge imagined all this in her head for a long time before letting out a deep sigh.

What was this? Self-delusion?

Maybe he didn’t even care about their relationship.

She rested her chin on her hand, imagining Zhou Hangyan looking at her indifferently and saying, “What does it matter to me?”

She sighed again.

She remained silent, the oppressive stillness lingering in the air. The woman beside her alternated between sighing and pouting in frustration, like a silent movie playing out for a while before finally calming down. After driving for a stretch, she suddenly exclaimed, “Hey,” and turned to look at him: “Doctor Zhou, can we stop by the mall entrance ahead?”

Zhou Hangyan glanced at her without asking why. He slowed the car and pulled over to the side.

The car came to a halt at the corner of the road. Xiang Ge unbuckled her seatbelt and gave him a smile: “Can you wait for me for a moment? I’ll be right back.”

She was so afraid he might leave first that she had already prepared to leave her bag in his car.

Unexpectedly, the man only looked at her and suddenly said: “You don’t need to buy him anything.”

Xiang Ge blinked.

She had indeed planned to buy a gift for Liang Shengxi since it was his birthday, and she couldn’t possibly show up empty-handed for a free meal.

“But it feels… not quite right. I’m not that close with Doctor Liang.”

You know you’re not close with him?

Zhou Hangyan gave her a brief glance, nodded, and said nothing more. He unbuckled his own seatbelt and unlocked the car door: “Let’s go together.”

He opened the door and got out. Xiang Ge sat in the passenger seat, watching his silhouette through the tinted car window for a few seconds before smiling faintly and opening her door to step out.

It was 6 PM, and the mall was crowded. Xiang Ge didn’t have much experience buying gifts for men, and she was worried Zhou Hangyan might grow impatient. After aimlessly wandering around the first floor for a bit, her eyes landed on a pen counter.

It was a niche Swiss pen brand—understated yet exquisite in design, with prices that were neither too expensive nor too cheap. Xiang Ge tilted her head and asked the person beside her: “Do you think giving a pen would be okay?”

Zhou Hangyan frowned, thinking of suggesting she go to the underground supermarket to buy a pack of gum instead.

He had known her for eight years, and this woman hadn’t even given him a plastic bag as a gift.

He grunted affirmatively and strode over with his long legs: “Let’s take a look.”

The two stood in front of the counter. Xiang Ge bent her head to look at the display case, her slender index finger pointing to one of the pens. She tilted her head and asked him: “Do you think this one looks nice?”

Zhou Hangyan followed her finger with his gaze, landing on her hand.

Her hands were delicate and pale, almost translucent, with neatly trimmed nails showing a faint pink hue.

He nodded and made a small sound of agreement.

She spotted another pen and moved her finger toward it: “This one looks nice too.”

Zhou Hangyan leaned casually against the counter, saying nothing.

Xiang Ge hesitated for a while. Seeing this, the salesperson took both pens out for her. Holding one in each hand, she turned sideways and held them up to the person beside her: “Which one do you think looks better?”

She leaned forward slightly, her body inching closer as she looked up at him earnestly, her eyes unblinking, lashes distinct and clear.

Zhou Hangyan averted his gaze, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly: “Both are fine.”

Xiang Ge was clearly dissatisfied with this answer and pursed her lips in slight discontent.

The salesperson observed their interaction and couldn’t help but notice how outstanding this pair looked together. Just standing there, they naturally drew attention, exuding a harmonious charm.

She glanced at Zhou Hangyan and smiled at Xiang Ge: “As long as it’s something you pick, he’ll definitely think it looks good.”

Xiang Ge paused, wanting to explain but then realizing there wasn’t really anything to clarify.

The salesperson hadn’t used any potentially misleading terms like “your boyfriend.”

But somehow, the words still felt off.

Instinctively, she raised her head to look at Zhou Hangyan, only to meet his gaze as he happened to look down at her. For a fleeting moment, his lips curved into a smile.

The corners of his eyes softened, bending slightly, warming the dark depths of his eyes.

Xiang Ge was momentarily stunned.

He reached out, taking both pens from her hands and placing them on the counter. Addressing the salesperson, he said: “Hmm, both look good. Let’s package both.”

The salesperson’s face lit up with a delighted smile.

As he spoke, he pulled out his wallet to pay.

Xiang Ge exclaimed softly, reaching out to grab his arm: “Let me pay.”

Zhou Hangyan didn’t look at her, directly pulling out a card from his wallet: “These two pens have different prices. Later, let him choose one, and I’ll keep the other for myself.” He raised his eyes: “You can give me the money later.”

Xiang Ge tilted her head and looked at him, about to say, “Then consider the other one a gift from me,” but her mouth opened slightly before she abruptly stopped.

What did repaying him mean?

WeChat.

Though texting was also an option, and she didn’t know if he used WeChat often.

But that wasn’t the point.

Xiang Ge licked her lips and looked up at him with a soft smile: “Alright.”

The Japanese restaurant wasn’t far from here—less than a ten-minute walk. Zhou Hangyan didn’t bother driving, and the two walked over directly.

The shop wasn’t large, but its decoration was refined and tasteful. A large white kanji character adorned the navy-blue curtains, and rows of sake bottles and wooden plaques lined the walls.

Liang Shengxi and the others had already arrived, seated in a private room on the second floor behind a wooden door, filled with laughter.

The two went upstairs. When Zhou Hangyan slid open the wooden door, everyone inside immediately looked up. Seeing him alone, their faces fell in disappointment.

Xiang Ge peeked out from behind the man, her long hair swaying with the movement: “Were we late?”

Like a paused picture suddenly set in motion, everyone erupted into enthusiastic smiles again. The oldest-looking man sitting at the edge grinned warmly at her: “Not at all! Everyone just sat down.”

The slightly plump man beside him chimed in: “Yes, yes! Doctor Zhou’s driving was a bit fast today.”

Zhou Hangyan: “….”

They took their seats. Liang Shengxi had already ordered dishes, but before the food arrived, the drinks were served.

Perhaps because the sight of Zhou Hangyan—the perennially aloof bachelor—bringing a girl to dinner was so exhilarating, everyone’s mood was exceptionally high. Except for those who had to drive, small cups of alcohol were placed in front of everyone.

While Zhou Hangyan was in the restroom, Xiang Ge ordered a glass of plum wine soda. Large, transparent ice cubes floated in the glass, condensation dripping down the sides, cool, sweet, and slightly alcoholic.

When Zhou Hangyan returned, she was just inserting the straw into the glass, about to take a sip, when he suddenly lifted the glass away.

Xiang Ge bit into thin air, instinctively turning her head with a “What are you doing?” expression.

Zhou Hangyan’s expression didn’t change. His palm and fingers pressed against the cold surface of the glass as he handed it directly to Liang Shengxi beside him.

Xiang Ge was a bit taken aback, blinking. “I’m not driving.”

Zhou Hangyan grunted affirmatively, picking up his chopsticks and grabbing a piece of foie gras sushi: “Did you take the Chinese medicine I prescribed for you?”

Xiang Ge’s expression froze, recalling the humiliating experience of traveling far to see a traditional Chinese doctor not long ago.

She looked as if she’d been choked, unable to speak. Zhou Hangyan continued: “And you’re not going anymore?”

“Still drinking cold stuff?”

“Looks like you don’t want your—”

He stopped mid-sentence. Xiang Ge jolted, her eyes widening slightly, terrified that he might blurt out some embarrassing term like “period” before her brain could react. Her hand shot up instinctively, and her fingers smacked his lips.

His lips were soft, slightly cool, with a moist touch.

Both of them froze simultaneously.

Realizing what she had done, Xiang Ge curled her fingers, brushing her fingertips across his lower lip without fully registering it. Awkwardly, she retracted her hand, bowing her head to apologize quietly.

Zhou Hangyan didn’t move, didn’t speak, and showed no expression, only looking at her.

After a moment, his tongue flicked out subtly, licking his lower lip: “—body to get better.”

Xiang Ge lowered her head, avoiding his gaze and remaining silent.

Their movements drew the attention of those around them. Since Liang Shengxi didn’t have to drive, he enthusiastically clinked glasses with his “little sister” Xiang Ge. The warm sake flowed smoothly, and Xiang Ge glanced at Zhou Hangyan out of the corner of her eye. He showed no reaction.

Xiang Ge had a good tolerance for alcohol, and the sake was mild when first consumed. After a brief awkward silence, she showed no signs of being affected, though after a while, the aftereffects kicked in, and Liang Shengxi’s face began to flush slightly.

Leaning forward, he bypassed Zhou Hangyan and leaned toward Xiang Ge, whispering loudly enough for the entire room to hear: “Little Sister Xiang Ge!”

Xiang Ge responded with a cheerful smile.

“I’ll tell you a secret! Back in university, Ah Yan actually—”

Zhou Hangyan casually grabbed a clean napkin and slapped it onto his forehead: “You should go home and sleep.”

Liang Shengxi mumbled groggily.

Doctors didn’t have fixed rest days, and everyone had to work the next day. Seeing that the birthday boy was already testing the patience of the orthopedic department’s esteemed flower, the group dispersed.

Xiang Ge and Zhou Hangyan were the last to descend the stairs.

By the time they came down, the others had already divided into groups. Liang Shengxi slung an arm over someone’s shoulder and waved at them: “Bye-bye! Little Sister Xiang Ge! It was nice meeting you!”

Xiang Ge: “….”

Zhou Hangyan watched with disdain as two colleagues dragged him into a car.

Once everyone had left, Zhou Hangyan pulled out his car keys and lowered his gaze: “Let’s go.”

He took a couple of steps forward, but the person behind him didn’t follow.

Zhou Hangyan slightly raised his eyes and turned his head.

Xiang Ge stood unmoving at the entrance, leaning lazily against the wooden doorframe, gazing at him. Above her head hung a shallow red lantern from the Japanese restaurant, casting a warm glow that seemed to outline her with a soft, fuzzy light.

Perhaps the aftereffects of the sake were finally kicking in. Her eyes were slightly red at the corners, but her dark eyes were clear and bright, locking onto him.

After a moment, Xiang Ge tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a lazy smile.

Her voice was soft, tinged with a slight drunken haze: “Senior Zhou, let’s be honest with each other, okay?”