HGG - 19

On her way to work, Song Yi stepped into the subway and stood gripping the handrail. Beside her, a group of female high school students were chatting animatedly about the recent “birdman incident” on the LED screen.

The First Tower was an iconic building in the city, and securing ad space there came at a hefty price. However, the promotional effect was unparalleled. Advertisers and individuals often used it to broadcast messages.

But just a few days ago, an inexplicable text appeared on the First Tower for quite some time. If reports were accurate, it may have cost millions.

The entire city was abuzz with speculation over what “Like hell I like you, birdbrain” meant and who this wealthy yet seemingly bored person could be. The topic gained so much traction that it eventually topped the trending lists on social media.

Someone dug up information revealing that this public retort was in response to a confession originally displayed on the same night. Thus, when Song Yi heard a fellow passenger on the subway mention, “Who exactly is this Song Yi?” she couldn’t help but subtly turn her face away.

She was grateful that her name wasn’t particularly eye-catching.

Still, “Song Yi” wasn’t a very common name either.

Moreover, many people in the company had witnessed Shan Jingyi’s relentless pursuit of her recently. While everyone knew who sent the initial confession message, not everyone was aware of who responded afterward.

But Zhan Heqing did.

During their routine meeting in the smoking room, Zhan Heqing said with palpable anxiety: “Can you understand my unease when I saw a strangely familiar phrase trending online? And how does Chi Zhao get involved in your affair with Shan Jingyi?”

Even if you ask me that, I don’t know.

Song Yi reluctantly replied: “Mr. Chi probably really dislikes Mr. Shan…”

This explanation seemed reasonable and logical enough. After pondering for a moment, Zhan Heqing thoughtfully said: “That makes sense.”

Seeing that the issue was nearly resolved, Song Yi took a step back, intending to escape. However, Zhan Heqing seized the opportunity.

“Since you’re already here,” he said, “help me decide which of these perfumes is better…”

Lately, Song Yi had grown weary of his constant questions, so she quickly changed the subject: “Speaking of which, how did you immediately recognize that the message was from Mr. Chi?”

Zhan Heqing paused mid-action while pulling up pictures of perfumes and answered in a matter-of-fact tone: “Because Chi Zhao and I were elementary school classmates?”

“Really?!”

Zhan Heqing and Chi Zhao were classmates in elementary school, seated only one aisle apart.

Zhan Heqing was the teacher’s favorite student and a role model for his peers, earning the title of “Outstanding Student” every year. On the other hand, Chi Zhao was labeled as a “hyperactive child” during parent-teacher conferences, completing tasks carelessly unless they interested him.

Despite this, their families were old friends.

When asked about it, Xia Fan casually explained: “It’s true. In fact, I heard that when Mr. Chi and Vice President Zhan were young, their fathers would exchange Christmas gifts for each other’s sons.”

Regarding Chi Zhao’s father, Song Yi had only seen photos online. He was a mature man with an extremely imposing presence, perfectly complementing the polite yet sharp-edged demeanor of Zhan Luo.

“Back when Mr. Chi was still at Chongming Networks, he mentioned it to me,” Xia Fan recounted. “Apparently, Mr. Zhan Luo bluntly told him there was no Santa Claus. From the age of seven, Mr. Chi developed a strong dislike for Mr. Zhan Luo.”

Confused by their complex relationships and dazed by the extravagant confession she’d received recently, Song Yi felt somewhat disoriented. By chance, she encountered Zhou Shuhua downstairs.

Today, Zhou Shuhua looked different. She still wore her ethereal, ruffled dress and her delicate, pitiable oval face, but her brows were furrowed more tightly than usual.

At the end of the corridor, she invited Song Yi over.

Closing her folder, Song Yi approached and asked: “Is there something you need?”

“Song Yi,” Zhou Shuhua began, “are you free during the upcoming holiday?”

With the server launch preparations underway, work hadn’t eased up, but there were a few days off scheduled soon. Song Yi asked: “What’s the matter?”

Zhou Shuhua sighed lightly and said: “Here’s the situation.”

Recently, she’d been pursued by a man who suggested they go hiking in the mountains during the holiday and stay overnight at a private villa.

After listening, Song Yi calmly nodded: “I wish you all the best.” With that, she turned to leave.

“Would you accompany me?” Zhou Shuhua pleaded, her gentle demeanor making it hard to refuse. “We haven’t established a relationship yet, and going alone feels a bit inappropriate.”

Song Yi hesitated slightly and asked: “Couldn’t you invite a colleague from your department to join?”

“They’ve been busy with a new project and often work overtime,” Zhou Shuhua replied tactfully. “Besides, I don’t have the best rapport…”

Song Yi served as Chi Zhao’s secretary. While her job ostensibly involved taking care of Chi Zhao, she also had to handle various matters big and small throughout the company.

Her memory was a bit hazy, but she recalled that the design department didn’t seem overly busy recently.

The women in other departments paid close attention to their appearance, especially those in the design team—each was a beauty guru.

In contrast, Song Yi usually wore light makeup and favored practical clothing. Together with Zhou Shuhua, they formed two extremes: green leaves and red flowers, respectively.

She was the green leaf.

Regardless of whether she suspected ulterior motives, Song Yi politely declined: “Sorry, I already have plans for the weekend…”

“Song Yi, I know asking you for help on short notice is abrupt,” Zhou Shuhua quickly followed up. “So, how about I cover your cafeteria card expenses for the next month?”

Song Yi’s sentence trailed off awkwardly. She replied: “Alright.”

Being a green leaf wouldn’t make her lose weight, but missing meals would.

Meanwhile, she happened to receive Chi Zhao’s instruction: “Buy sakura raspberry and vanilla doughnuts.”

That morning, Chi Zhao, holding his cat, was intercepted by Zhan Heqing at work.

He moved left, and Zhan Heqing followed left. He moved right, and Zhan Heqing mirrored him. Finally, Chi Zhao said with a look of disdain: “Are you playing ‘Eagle Catches Chickens’ with me? How childish.”

Zhan Heqing was immediately stunned. He said: “I never thought I’d hear you call me ‘childish’ one day.”

Chi Zhao ignored him, walked into the office, set the tree frog down, and called Song Yi to ask her to buy doughnuts before finally turning his attention to him: “What do you want?”

When it came to the main topic, Zhan Heqing wore an enigmatic smile. He leaned against Chi Zhao’s desk, accidentally knocking over a pile of Kamen Rider figurines, startling Chi Zhao like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

Zhan Heqing said: “I’ve been pursuing a girl recently.”

Without looking up, Chi Zhao replied: “Generally speaking, office romances don’t end well.”

“How did you know she works at our company?” Zhan Heqing was shocked.

Chi Zhao paused for a moment, ultimately deciding not to sell out Aunt Wang: “Tarot cards told me.”

“For this upcoming three-day holiday, I want to invite her to the mountains. Will you come with me?” Zhan Heqing asked. “I’ve custom-made a few Star Wars lightsabers for you.”

Chi Zhao looked extremely reluctant: “Why should I go? Don’t you know how busy we are right now? We were elementary school classmates after all; do you really dislike me that much? To the point where you’d even invite me to watch you flirt with a girl?”

“No!” Zhan Heqing exclaimed loudly. “It’s just that we haven’t reached the stage of confirming our relationship yet. If only the two of us go, I’m afraid she might overthink things. Plus, I’m a bit nervous.”

“Why are you nervous?”

Zhan Heqing immediately began to stammer: “I-I haven’t dated many girlfriends!”

“Cough,” Chi Zhao sneered, clicking his mouse effortlessly. “I’ve never been in a relationship.”

“I know! Didn’t those fangirls from the planning department once spread rumors that we’re gay?” As Zhan Heqing spoke, he couldn’t help but start worrying about Chi Zhao again. “By the way, you should be more cautious. While sexual orientation is everyone’s freedom, if it gets misreported, the board might use it against you, and profits could be affected.”

“Occasionally socialize with women,” Zhan Heqing advised.

The sound of mouse clicks abruptly stopped as Chi Zhao began to think.

He then pulled out his phone, randomly replying to three messages among countless strangers.

His replies were concise, specifying the time and place—2 PM, his office.

The three recipients were models and artists urgently seeking financial backing. When they saw the sender’s name, they could hardly believe their eyes.

You see, when discussing potential sugar daddies, Chi Zhao’s name often came up.

The first reason was that his conditions were too ideal. Wealthy family, successful career, young, and handsome—it was like winning a five-million-dollar lottery to be with him.

However, being completely unapproachable was the second reason he was frequently mentioned.

People who had been in the circle long enough knew that while Chi Zhao wasn’t aloof and rarely put on airs, he had no interest in such affairs.

The three glamorous women arrived heavily adorned, confirmed their appointments at the front desk on the first floor, and took the elevator upstairs.

Coincidentally, they met each other on the same elevator.

All three likely sensed the strange atmosphere. After arriving together upstairs, they encountered a calm and composed secretary.

Song Yi handled matters professionally, leading them into Chi Zhao’s office.

While the three ladies were still confused about what was happening, Chi Zhao turned around in the office holding a 3D chessboard.

“You’re here,” he cheerfully asked, “do you all know how to play Flying Chess?”

In this game of Flying Chess, the three ladies, whose hearts weren’t in it, were no match for Chi Zhao. A quarter-French model was the first to surrender, finding an opportunity to escape.

Chi Zhao grew sleepy from the monotony of the smooth matches. He glanced around and happened to see Song Yi reviewing documents in the office.

He picked up the phone and said into the receiver: “Song Yi.”

Not a word more needed to be said. Song Yi came out, first making him a cup of milk, then sitting down to take over the game.

A few days later, Xia Fan complained while looking at his computer: “Where did these recent rumors online about ‘Chongyou’s president being gay’ come from?”

Song Yi looked up and calmly replied: “Let me handle it. What’s the customer service number for the website?”

Xia Fan sent the information to Song Yi and got up to leave. As he approached Chi Zhao’s desk, he earnestly said: “Mr. Chi, there are some rumors online today. In the future, please try to socialize a bit with women.”

Chi Zhao was typing on the keyboard and suddenly stopped. He carelessly replied: “Isn’t Song Yi a woman?”

“...” Xia Fan fell silent, trying hard to explain the difference to Chi Zhao. “Song Yi... is different.”

“What’s different?”

“Secretary Song is your work companion,” Xia Fan said. “You need to connect with someone who can be a life companion...”

After pondering for a while, he added: “Someone of the opposite sex you can develop a romantic relationship with.”

The keyboard continued to emit crisp sounds as Chi Zhao worked without looking away. The silence stretched so long that Xia Fan felt he wouldn’t get a response. Just as he turned to leave, Chi Zhao finally spoke.

“Do I need that?” he countered, his voice tinged with a moist laugh.