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Shang Zhitao received the notice to return to work from the company the day after Luan Nian’s call. Tracy personally called her.
When Shang Zhitao answered the phone, she was still a bit nervous because Luan Nian’s words had been vague, leaving her unable to sleep through the night. She wanted to send him a message to ask, but she knew he wouldn’t reply—he was the type who wouldn’t say more than necessary.
“Hi, Tracy.”
“Flora, you can come back to work next week!” Tracy’s voice was light and cheerful, evidently delighted.
“Huh? Have the internal audit results come out?”
“Yes, they came out this morning.”
But Luan Nian had already called her the previous evening. She didn’t understand what the discrepancy in timing meant.
“What were the results?”
“The supplier admitted to falsely accusing you.”
“Huh?”
Tracy could imagine Shang Zhitao’s dumbfounded expression and laughed aloud. “You’re wondering why the supplier retracted their statement, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t know either. Anyway, the supplier retracted the accusation, and the internal audit found no anomalies in your records—you’re innocent. Come back to work.”
“Thank you.”
After hanging up, Shang Zhitao was still confused. Why had the supplier withdrawn the complaint? What was going on? She couldn’t figure it out. Unable to make sense of it, she called Luan Nian, but he rejected the call: “In a meeting. Send a text.”
“Tracy said the supplier withdrew the report this morning, but you told me last night that the results were already out. I want to ask what’s going on.”
Luan Nian sent a smiley face emoji—one that felt fake, just like him. Then, turning to Grace, he said, “Don’t worry about manpower issues. We learned this morning that Flora will be returning to work next week. Go for your prenatal checkups and don’t worry about anything else.”
“Really?” Grace was genuinely happy. Without Shang Zhitao, she felt like she had lost both her hands. Many tasks required her personal attention, and she even noticed her baby moving more frequently than before.
“Mm.”
Luan Nian’s phone lit up again—it was Shang Zhitao, sending a question mark.
Luan Nian turned off his phone, not intending to clarify anything for her. The meeting dragged on, and at noon, the secretary ordered lunch. They ate while continuing the meeting, and later, the secretary brought in coffee.
“Flora treated everyone.” The secretary handed out the coffees while checking a list.
Shang Zhitao had thoughtfully remembered everyone’s preferences: Grace liked mocha, Luan Nian preferred iced Americano, two colleagues drank lattes, and one only drank black tea.
As Luan Nian watched the secretary distribute the coffee, he suddenly recalled Shang Zhitao when she first entered the workforce—always focused on charging ahead, oblivious to interpersonal nuances. Now, she remembered her colleagues’ preferences and took the initiative to treat everyone to coffee, handling workplace relationships with ease.
So time really could change a person.
Experiences could reshape someone.
Luan Nian took a sip of his iced Americano—it was slightly sweet. Frowning, he set the cup down. Shang Zhitao had taken it upon herself to have the barista add a spoonful of syrup to his drink. His phone buzzed again—it was her: “Added an extra spoonful of syrup. Thanks to Luke for helping.”
Shang Zhitao wasn’t foolish. Luan Nian had specifically called to warn her out of fear the situation might reverse again. His silence over those days likely meant he was working behind the scenes to resolve the issue. Shang Zhitao believed he was the kind of person who would help without saying much. His assistance was purely an act of charity, free from any need for gratitude or pleasantries.
Helping others seemed to bring him satisfaction.
He appeared to enjoy doing good deeds.
Although their relationship was no longer special, Shang Zhitao was deeply grateful for his help.
She dragged her luggage back to Beijing and bumped into Wan Jun at the boarding gate. Both were surprised by the coincidence. Wan Jun asked, “Didn’t you say you’d stay a few more days?”
“I have urgent work and need to return early.”
“That’s great. So, can I treat you to a cup of coffee?” Over the past few days in Dali, they had coincidentally run into each other several times and spent every evening at the same bar, gradually becoming acquainted. Wan Jun had tried to invite Shang Zhitao to dinner, but she politely declined. Meeting again today, both found it serendipitous.
“Yunnan small-batch coffee?” Shang Zhitao smiled. “I want to eat my last bowl of rice noodles for this Yunnan trip at the airport.”
“Let’s go.”
The Dali airport was small, but there was indeed a shop serving rice noodles—though they weren’t particularly tasty. The two wrinkled their brows as they ate. After finishing, Wan Jun asked, “If I ask for your contact info now, you won’t think I’m a bad person, right?”
Shang Zhitao squinted and smiled, “Go ahead.”
They exchanged contact information and boarded the same flight, officially ending their trip.
When Shang Zhitao pushed open her apartment door, her two roommates had hung a banner in the living room that read: “Warmly Celebrate Miss Shang’s Achievement in Completing Her First Solo Trip.” It was a bit overly grand.
Shang Zhitao’s face flushed with laughter as she took pictures of the banner with her phone. The three of them then posed for photos under the banner, with Sun Yu ordering a bouquet for her to hold as a keepsake.
After taking the photos, they all found it absurd and laughed heartily for a long time.
“Was it fun?” Sun Yu asked.
“It was!” Shang Zhitao nodded enthusiastically.
“Will you go again?”
“Yes!” Shang Zhitao replied earnestly. “I want to travel the whole world!”
“But first, let’s fill our stomachs,” Sun Yuanzhu finally interjected, urging the jubilant ladies to eat.
Going out alone to experience the world and returning to true friends who listened, shared drinks, and enjoyed hearty meals—it was incredibly satisfying. The genuine joy within her hadn’t faded even by the time she returned to work.
When Lumi saw Shang Zhitao, she was a bit shocked—the previously disheartened Shang Zhitao was gone. She quietly asked, “Did you have a romantic encounter?”
“What?”
“Did you meet someone in Dali or Lijiang?”
“Huh?” Shang Zhitao, slow to react, took a second to realize what Lumi meant and quickly shook her head. “No, nothing like that.”
“Did you at least make friends?”
“I did make some friends.”
“Well, that’s something!” Lumi threw her bag onto her desk and plopped down on Shang Zhitao’s table. “Let me tell you, Kitty got fired from Jiang Lan’s company—for failing to meet expectations during the probation period.”
“What happened?”
Lumi shrugged. “Probably offended someone important. Everyone in the company is talking about it. They say Kitty’s heading to Shenzhen. This circle is small—it’s impossible for her to survive in Beijing anymore.”
Shang Zhitao sensed that the matter wasn’t simple. Before she could process it, Lumi added, “And that guy surnamed Wang—his company’s accounts were frozen.”
“What? Why?”
“They say someone reported them for tax evasion and provided evidence.” Lumi shook her head. “So you see, no one should do bad things—you never know when karma will catch up.”
“My goodness.”
Shang Zhitao thought of Luan Nian’s silence regarding the matter and suddenly suspected that he might be involved in some way. She wanted to ask him but didn’t know how to broach the subject.
By the afternoon, the planning department meeting was in session. When everyone entered the conference room, Luan Nian was already there, on a phone call.
Everyone held their breath as they heard him say: “Alright, we’ll cooperate with the investigation.” Then he hung up. Spotting Shang Zhitao, he said: “Flora’s back from vacation?” His tone made it seem like they weren’t familiar at all.
Shang Zhitao nodded: “Yes, Luke. I’m back to work.”
“Then let’s get started.”
Grace slowly sat down and said to Shang Zhitao: “Everyone missed you while you were gone—especially during overtime.”
Everyone laughed. Of course—they all thought of Shang Zhitao during those late hours. She smiled too.
Luan Nian glanced at Shang Zhitao. She seemed cheerful, as if nothing had happened—like she hadn’t just been accused of bribery. Grace privately messaged her: “Kitty’s gone from Jiang Lan’s company. Luke and I discussed it, and from now on, you’ll handle the work for Jiang Lan’s company together with me. So, when we get to that part later, pay extra attention.”
Shang Zhitao recalled workplace boundaries and pondered how to reply.
Before she could finish thinking, Grace sent another message: “I suggested it myself. I want you to get up to speed quickly so I can take my maternity leave sooner.”
“Isn’t your due date in October?”
“Three months fly by.”
“Okay.”
“Next, there are a few S-level clients who need workshops. I can’t go, so Flora, you’ll have to take over for me.”
“By myself?”
“With Luke.”
“Oh.”
Grace, worried about the pressure Shang Zhitao might feel traveling with Luan Nian, reassured her: “Don’t worry. Luke is actually pretty easygoing in private. From the looks of it, he’ll be around for a while. The more familiar you get with him, the better it’ll be for your future work.”
“Alright, thank you, Grace.”
While exchanging private messages with Grace, Shang Zhitao diligently took meeting notes. Everyone was discussing, and she listened carefully. She positioned herself as a newcomer to the planning department, with much to learn. Her natural humility meant she didn’t speak much during meetings.
The projects in the planning department were all S-level company projects, each one complex—especially Grace’s. But she handled them effortlessly. Grace was a bit like Luan Nian: assertive during meetings, always seeking results. If no result was reached, the meeting was considered a waste.
Thus, the atmosphere in the planning department meetings was tense.
When Luan Nian spoke, Shang Zhitao, like everyone else, looked at him attentively. She didn’t know where others’ eyes landed, but hers stayed fixed on his shoulders—refusing to meet his gaze, trying to muddle through unnoticed.
But Luan Nian wouldn’t let her off so easily. Midway through a progress update, he suddenly asked her: “So, Flora, what do you think?”
“What?”
“The client changing strategies—what’s your take?”
It was like being caught daydreaming in class, with a piece of chalk hitting your head. Shang Zhitao thought for a moment before replying: “I discussed this with Grace. First, if the client changes their ad strategy due to a shift in corporate direction, that’s normal—we should cooperate. But if it’s just a sudden whim, we need to dig deeper into the client’s needs. I checked today—there’s no news of any strategic shifts. It seems to be a spur-of-the-moment decision. So, we should explore the client’s true needs and confirm why they want to make this change.”
Grace sent her a thumbs-up emoji.
“Then go dig,” Luan Nian said curtly.
“But I…”
“Grace will guide you. The sooner you get up to speed, the less overtime the team will have to pull.”
“Okay.”
With the Q&A session over, Shang Zhitao quietly exhaled in relief. When would Luan Nian ever change? Become gentler, stop being so pushy? She wondered, then dismissed the thought. He wasn’t going to change.
As she finished work, Wan Jun was already waiting outside her office building. What a coincidence—the place where he coached ice hockey was near her company.
From afar, Lumi spotted Wan Jun and whistled softly: “This is Mr. Wan from Dali?”
Shang Zhitao pinched her: “Don’t say nonsense. We’re just friends. Your comments will make things awkward.”
“Alright, alright.” Lumi glanced at Wan Jun again and whispered to Shang Zhitao: “He’s got a great build. If I weren’t afraid of feeling guilty, I’d totally hit on him today.”
Indeed, Wan Jun, an ice hockey coach with a lifelong habit of exercise, stood out as a bright, athletic young man. Lumi gave Shang Zhitao a nudge: “Go for it,” and walked away.
Luan Nian’s car slowed down as it approached the crowd. In the rearview mirror, he saw Lumi give Shang Zhitao a playful shove, Shang Zhitao turn around laughing, and then walk toward a man. The man, hands casually tucked into his sweatpants, smiled at her. Luan Nian couldn’t see the smile clearly, but somehow it felt familiar—as if they knew each other well.
Shang Zhitao and Wan Jun sat in a Hunan restaurant near her office. The spicy aroma made her hungry enough to crave two bowls of rice. When ordering, Wan Jun ordered generously, but Shang Zhitao stopped him: “Don’t order too much—it’ll be wasteful.”
Wan Jun smiled: “I burn a lot of calories—I eat a lot.”
“Alright, alright. Waste makes me feel bad.”
Wan Jun studied Shang Zhitao. She worked at a top-tier company, yet she seemed humble and pure, especially her eyes—untouched by greed, clean and clear.
She was a good girl.
As they waited for their food, Shang Zhitao received a message from Lumi: “The guy looks solid—more reliable than my flashy childhood friend.”
“…We’re really just friends.”
“Develop something, and they won’t stay ‘just friends.’ You should start dating again.”
“Okay.”
Putting her phone away, Shang Zhitao watched the server bring their dishes. Wan Jun had indeed ordered a lot—the restaurant’s signature dishes were all there. For two people, six dishes. Though she was starving and craving carbs, she still doubted they could finish it all.
Wan Jun was considerate, unlike many athletes who were rough around the edges. Only after Shang Zhitao took her first bite did he pick up his chopsticks. Contrary to her expectation of him wolfing down food, he ate steadily, though his appetite was undeniably large.
They chatted as they ate. Wan Jun introduced himself—he owned a 100+ square meter apartment in East Third Ring Road, had a car, and had been single for over two years.
Then he asked her: “What about you?”
“Me?...” Shang Zhitao savored a bite of chicken gizzards with rice. It was so delicious that beads of sweat formed on her nose. “I’ve been single for over twenty days.”
Wan Jun chuckled: “Still in touch?”
Shang Zhitao thought for a moment: “Yes, but not romantically. We just have some shared projects left to finish.”
“Thinking of getting back together?”
“No.”
Shang Zhitao had no plans to continue her relationship with Luan Nian. She wanted to move forward. As Sun Yu had said: Enjoy being single, but remain open to meeting new people.
Seeing her firm response, Wan Jun grinned, revealing two dimples—a rare feature for someone so radiant. He was nothing like Luan Nian or Sun Yuanzhu.
As they chatted, Shang Zhitao was surprised to see Wan Jun finish all the food, including the rice. She had never seen anyone with such an appetite. Even Xin Zhaozhou, who exercised a lot in school, ate plenty—but not this much.
“Surprised?” Wan Jun asked. Seeing her shake her head nervously, he added: “I was busy today—teaching basketball in the morning, three ice hockey classes in the afternoon, and giving a nutrition lecture to a company in the evening. I barely ate anything all day.”
“Are you knowledgeable about all these things?”
“I’ve been athletically inclined since I was young, so I’m interested in anything related to sports. My family sent me to learn various things—soccer, basketball, ice hockey, fencing—you name it.”
“My goodness. That must’ve cost a fortune?”
“Not really.” Wan Jun’s parents both worked in government positions, and his family was well-off. “What about you? Did you take any extracurricular classes?”
“Does calligraphy count?”
Wan Jun nodded: “Of course. I saw the postcard you wrote at the foot of Cang Mountain—not on purpose. I just thought the handwriting was beautiful, so I glanced at the name. Later, when I learned your name, I connected the dots. Your handwriting is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. Mine looks like cockroach trails.”
Shang Zhitao blushed slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed by his praise.
Wan Jun seemed to find her shyness endearing—he hadn’t met someone who blushed so easily in a long time. He found this girl increasingly admirable. When it came time to pay, Shang Zhitao took out her wallet: “Should we split the bill?”
Wan Jun pushed her wallet back gently: “Don’t do that. I know people who work in foreign companies have this habit, but it’s not my style.” His tone was firm.
Shang Zhitao reluctantly put her wallet away and said: “Then let me treat you next time?”
“Sure.”
After finishing their meal, Wan Jun offered to walk Shang Zhitao home, but she declined: “It’s really far.”
“Farther than from Dali to Beijing?”
“No, not that far.”
“Come on, let’s go.”
They took the subway. It was late, and the train was nearly empty. Sitting side by side, their reflections appeared in the window. Shang Zhitao wasn’t used to talking on the subway, so she pulled out a book from her bag—it was her French textbook.
Wan Jun didn’t disturb her. He put on his earphones and listened to music quietly.
The journey was long, but Shang Zhitao didn’t feel awkward. She began to agree with Sun Yu’s words: “You’ve just met too few men, so you got stuck on one person.” Sun Yu’s advice made sense when directed at her, though none of her principles seemed to apply to Sun Yuanzhu. She didn’t actively pursue Sun Yuanzhu, but she had quit drinking and stopped dating.
When they exited the subway, the two strolled leisurely along the road. Wan Jun slowed his pace to chat with Shang Zhitao. He talked about how he broke his wrist while training as a child and even showed her. In the dim light, she couldn’t see clearly, so she touched his wrist with her fingertips. Sure enough, there was a slight bump—a testament to his honesty.
“Did it hurt?”
“Yeah, I cried.”
“You’ll have to be more careful in the future.”
As they reached the entrance of Shang Zhitao’s apartment complex, Wan Jun checked the time: “It’s getting late. Go upstairs. And don’t wait too long before treating me to that meal.”
“Alright!”
Shang Zhitao nodded. Standing in front of Wan Jun, she tilted her head up to speak to him, looking delicate and birdlike. The scene was picturesque, reminiscent of campus days when two innocent people were falling in love.
Shang Zhitao waved goodbye to Wan Jun: “See you soon!”
She turned and ran off.
Luan Nian stood under the tree, finishing his cigarette. He got into his car and drove away.
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