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Seeing her frustrated expression, He Jingxiu’s lips curled slightly upward.
Not knowing what it meant, he repeated, “As long as I didn’t remember wrong.”
“...”
Bo Ying was speechless, suddenly not knowing what to say.
She felt that her current situation with He Jingxiu somehow went beyond the boundaries of friends who hadn’t seen each other for a long time.
Fortunately, they arrived at the Japanese restaurant.
Bo Ying raised her eyes and glanced, feeling slightly surprised.
She didn’t expect such an alleyway covered in moss and green plants climbing over brick walls to be hidden in the bustling downtown. In spring, flowers had already begun to peek out, welcoming their arrival.
The alley was very narrow, allowing only two or three people to pass through.
Bo Ying looked around, full of interest.
“He Jingxiu, this place is so beautiful.”
He Jingxiu nodded, “It’s quite nice.”
Bo Ying raised an eyebrow, correcting him, “Isn’t this considered a very distinctive and good place in the city center?”
She had just glanced and found that the decoration and design of this restaurant were particularly unique.
Bo Ying had a lot of knowledge about food. She had visited famous restaurants both domestically and internationally, so she could immediately discern the taste and approximate positioning of the restaurant owner.
This place was clearly not something ordinary office workers could afford.
He Jingxiu glanced at her and said nothing.
Just then, the waiter arrived at the private room to take their order and pour tea.
Bo Ying flipped through the menu and handed the ordering rights to He Jingxiu.
“It’s my first time here, you order.”
He Jingxiu didn’t refuse and ordered several dishes she liked.
Bo Ying listened, her eyelashes trembling slightly.
After placing the order, the waiter left.
He Jingxiu glanced at the quiet person across from him and suggested, “Would you like to try their tea?”
Bo Ying paused, immediately dismissing the emotions that had just surfaced, her eyes sparkling as she asked, “Is it good?”
He Jingxiu noticed her shifting emotions and softly said, “I think it’s pretty good, but you might not like it.”
Hearing this, the competitive Bo Ying raised her eyebrows, “How could that be? What if I like it too?”
He Jingxiu looked at her and didn’t say anything more.
Bo Ying pouted slightly and picked up the warm tea.
She blew on it with her long lashes lowered and took a small sip. The tea was bitter, indeed not a taste she would have liked before.
Seeing her furrowed brows, He Jingxiu chuckled lightly, “Don’t force yourself. If you don’t like it, just leave it.”
Upon hearing this, Bo Ying’s rebellious streak kicked in.
She glanced at him and stubbornly said, “I’m not forcing myself. I think it tastes pretty good.”
Saying this, she actually drank most of the tea.
He Jingxiu was speechless.
Bo Ying proudly humphed, “I can have another cup.”
“...” He Jingxiu laughed and asked her, “Do you want to try something else?”
Bo Ying was about to say no when she suddenly noticed the smile appearing on his face.
She paused, looking reluctant, “Alright.”
He Jingxiu curved his lips slightly and called the waiter to bring two cups of special fruit wine with almost zero alcohol content.
When he spoke to the waiter, he never gave off an air of superiority.
Bo Ying stared at his handsome profile, somewhat lost in thought.
She felt that He Jingxiu was a very contradictory person—seemingly cold and indifferent, but in reality, a gentle and gentlemanly man.
Many people thought that Bo Ying’s pursuit of He Jingxiu back then was because of his looks.
After all, she fell for him during a basketball game.
But only she knew that her feelings for He Jingxiu were somewhat love at first sight, but not entirely because of his face.
Bo Ying still remembered the evening she truly met He Jingxiu. The sunset had been painted by romantic hands, turning into the pink color beloved by young girls.
At the sight of the sunset colors, male and female classmates alike were excited, taking out their secretly brought phones and cameras to take pictures.
Bo Ying was no exception.
She had already arrived at He Jingxiu’s school under the pretense of supporting her school basketball team classmates in their match against He Jingxiu’s team.
The playground was crowded. Bo Ying wasn’t tall back then and couldn’t see anything amidst the crowd, let alone capture the sunset.
After struggling for a bit, seeing that the game hadn’t started yet, she told her classmates and slipped out.
No. 1 Middle School had a large grove of ginkgo trees, golden every autumn, where many people came to take photos.
As a student from the opposite school, Bo Ying naturally had been there too.
Therefore, she was familiar with many places at No. 1 Middle School.
After leaving the crowded basketball court, she confidently made her way towards the teaching building.
She knew that No. 1 Middle School had a beautiful teaching building with an unlocked rooftop, perfect for taking photos.
When Bo Ying went up, she didn’t expect anyone to be at the stairwell.
On the stairs at the corner, just as she was about to take the last few steps, she first heard the voice coming from above.
It was a very pleasant and clear male voice.
“Thank you, sorry.”
Though it was a refusal, it didn’t make one feel uncomfortable.
Bo Ying paused, immediately understanding what was happening. After hesitating for three seconds, she decided to leave.
Before she could turn around, she heard the girl’s voice.
The girl’s voice choked up, persistently asking, “Why? Is there something about me you don’t like? I can change.”
The boy was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Do you think today’s sunset is beautiful?”
The girl seemed to pause, answering, “Beautiful.”
The boy’s tone was very calm, slowly saying, “I also find it beautiful, but I prefer its everyday look even more.”
With this statement, the girl seemed to understand, yet also seemed not to.
While she was hesitating, the boy added, “You don’t need to change anything. You’re also beautiful.”
For He Jingxiu, he didn’t need anyone to change for him. His liking wasn’t fixed.
Whether beautiful or not, if he liked someone, he liked them; if he didn’t, he didn’t. Similarly, he didn’t want that girl to change herself for someone.
At that moment, Bo Ying had never heard such a refusal.
Cruel, yet gentle.
There was no more sound from above. Just as Bo Ying snapped out of her thoughts and wanted to leave, the boy came down first.
They met unexpectedly at the stairwell.
Bo Ying finally saw his appearance. The boy had a tall and upright figure, wearing the iconic blue-and-white uniform of No. 1 Middle School, with handsome features and fair skin.
He stood in front of her, casting a shadow.
Their eyes met.
Having overheard someone else’s conversation, Bo Ying felt a little embarrassed. She pursed her lips, about to apologize, when the boy suddenly pointed behind her.
Bo Ying was startled. He tilted his head slightly, his breath brushing past her ear, his voice lightly falling.
He asked, “Could you come up a bit later?”
On the rooftop, the girl he had rejected was still crying.
That day, Bo Ying didn’t capture a beautiful sunset, but she caught sight of what she considered the most handsome youth with her eyes.
Back at the playground, she learned that the handsome youth was He Jingxiu.
“What are you thinking about?”
Just after finishing speaking with the waiter, He Jingxiu turned his head and caught Bo Ying’s intense gaze.
He raised an eyebrow and waited for a moment before asking.
Bo Ying quickly pulled herself together, blinking lightly and saying, “Nothing.”
She certainly couldn’t tell He Jingxiu, “I was just thinking about the first time I saw you.” That would make her seem uncool.
Seeing her unwillingness to talk, He Jingxiu didn’t press further.
He glanced at the food served on the table, introducing it to Bo Ying, telling her which dish to eat first and how to pair them for better taste.
After the meal, it was getting late.
Bo Ying crossed the road with He Jingxiu, finding an excuse to go to a café and part ways with him.
For now, she didn’t want others to know that she had once been a suitor of He Corporation’s president.
He Jingxiu knew her little thoughts, didn’t force her to go back with him, and only reminded her not to bump into anyone again if she bought coffee this time.
Reminded by his words, Bo Ying instantly dismissed the idea of buying him a cup and having a deliveryman send it up.
Five minutes before the end of the lunch break, Bo Ying appeared in the office carrying several bags.
Pei Yunmeng looked at her, “Where did you go at noon?”
Bo Ying smiled, softly saying, “I went out for a meal and bought some coffee on the way.”
Pei Yunmeng then noticed the bags in her hand and hurriedly took them, “Why so much?”
Hearing this, Bo Ying cheerfully said, “Drinking coffee alone is boring. It’s more fun when everyone drinks together.”
She looked at Sun Hongbo, who had been teaching her, and asked with a smile, “Brother Sun, is it red tea latte?”
Sun Hongbo laughed heartily, “Little Ying knows me well. She knows I want to drink this.”
Fang Boyu suddenly popped out from somewhere, eagerly asking, “What about me? Do you remember what I like to drink?”
Bo Ying was speechless and handed him a caramel macchiato that he loved.
Fang Boyu looked at it, flatteringly praising her, “You really remember what I like to drink, great. It seems you didn’t cheat when memorizing legal articles.”
“...”
Instantly, the colleagues who heard this subconsciously glanced at Zhu Xiaoxia.
Fang Boyu’s words immediately reminded everyone of what happened in the morning.
Bo Ying noticed this and didn’t know whether to thank Fang Boyu for confirming her memory or to complain about making Zhu Xiaoxia embarrassed.
After distributing the coffee, everyone had a cup.
Although Bo Ying had a conflict with Zhu Xiaoxia in the morning, she wouldn’t hold a grudge over such trivial matters.
Similarly, Zhu Xiaoxia accepted the coffee Bo Ying handed her. Whether she drank it or not was another matter.
The afternoon work hours passed fulfilling and peacefully.
There were naturally still rumors in the company, but if Bo Ying didn’t care, there was no problem.
She busied herself all afternoon and collapsed on the desk to rest at quitting time.
Pei Yunmeng couldn’t help but laugh at her state, “It’s just the beginning, and you’re already tired?”
Bo Ying sighed, “I shouldn’t have studied this major.”
Pei Yunmeng smiled, resting her cheek on her hand, “Working in the company is still better. If you were in a law firm, you’d be even more exhausted and frequently traveling to deal with all sorts of different people.”
“Mm.” Bo Ying nodded, thinking for a moment and said, “But if you do well in a law firm, it should be very rewarding.”
Hearing this, Pei Yunmeng looked at her, “Do you want to go to a law firm?”
Bo Ying was taken aback and counter-questioned, “Don’t you want to?”
Pei Yunmeng shook her head, “I don’t. I’m just a lazy fish. Having a stable job is enough. I can’t handle too challenging tasks.”
Bo Ying nodded, showing understanding.
Pei Yunmeng chatted idly with her, “If you want to go to a law firm, why did you come to our company for an interview before?”
“Mm...” Bo Ying hesitated for a few seconds and didn’t hide from her, “Because I haven’t found a law firm I like yet.”
Pei Yunmeng burst out laughing, never expecting such an answer from her.
She sighed, remarking, “True, good law firms are hard to find.”
Bo Ying “Mm”-ed, agreeing wholeheartedly.
Both worked a bit of overtime before leaving.
Pei Yunmeng drove herself to work, while Bo Ying temporarily hadn’t bought a car and either hitched rides or took taxis every day.
Walking out of the company, Bo Ying only then noticed that today’s sky was unbelievably beautiful and somehow familiar.
Bo Ying stood there and watched for half a minute, unconsciously taking out her phone.
The sky she failed to capture a few years ago, she should be able to photograph today, right?
Before opening the camera app, Bo Ying first smelled a familiar scent.
Just as she was about to turn her head, the man’s consistently pleasant voice came, “Why aren’t you taking the picture?”
“...”
Bo Ying paused slightly, raising her eyes to look at him, “Why aren’t you off work yet?”
“Hmm?” He Jingxiu detected the complaint in her tone, raising his eyebrows slightly, “Overtime.”
“Alright.” Bo Ying glanced at him, “Bosses aren’t easy either.”
She opened the app and, under He Jingxiu’s watchful eyes, captured the beautiful sunset into her album.
After taking the photo, He Jingxiu asked, “How are you planning to go home?”
His car was parked not far away.
Bo Ying was about to say she’d take a taxi, but changed her words at the last moment, “I plan to take the subway today.”
He Jingxiu wasn’t surprised at all, staring at her for a moment and said, “Be careful.”
“Okay.”
The subway entrance was very close to the company, no more than a five-minute walk.
Bo Ying walked forward with her head down, vaguely feeling the gaze behind her. Several times she wanted to stop, but hadn’t found a reason to convince herself.
Without the familiar footsteps behind her, Bo Ying sighed in relief but felt a tinge of complicated emotion.
She couldn’t explain what it was, but her chest felt heavy and uncomfortable.
She didn’t have a subway card or any loose change.
Bo Ying asked Yuan Yuan and stood in the subway passage, fiddling with downloading an app that worked for both the subway and buses, then topped it up with money.
After finishing, she prepared to leave when a black phone appeared in her vision.
Bo Ying was startled, looking up in astonishment.
He Jingxiu had appeared in front of her without her noticing, his suit jacket removed and draped over his arm, leaving only the white shirt.
His cuffs were rolled up to his forearms, revealing a bit of muscle, looking very strong.
In the subway passage, people came and went—some dressed fashionably, some casually, some elegantly. Similarly, some were dressed like him in shirts and trousers, but the feeling was different.
Even in the simplest clothes, he always stood out in the crowd.
Bo Ying stared at him blankly, her lips moving slightly, finally squeezing out a sentence after a long while, “Why are you here? Where’s your driver?”
Didn’t he not follow?
He Jingxiu looked down at her, suddenly smiling, “Why do you always ask about my driver whenever you see me?”
Bo Ying was momentarily speechless, “That’s not what I meant. Mainly, I just saw your car not far away, so I thought the driver must be waiting for you, right?”
It was also because of this that she said she’d take the subway.
Bo Ying knew that if she mentioned taking a taxi, He Jingxiu would naturally offer to drive her.
Call her pretentious or whatever.
Given the current situation, Bo Ying felt she wasn’t ready to ride home with He Jingxiu every day.
She didn’t know what He Jingxiu was thinking, and similarly, she hadn’t figured out her future path yet.
They couldn’t muddle through and make the same mistakes again.
Hearing her honest words, He Jingxiu looked at her with deep eyes, his smile gradually fading.
He was silent for a while before speaking, “I let him go home first.”
This was also why Bo Ying hadn’t heard his footsteps—he had come over after giving instructions.
Before Bo Ying could speak, He Jingxiu waved his phone in front of her, “Won’t you help me set it up?”
“...” Bo Ying looked at his straightforward gaze, wanting to avoid it but finding no escape.
After a while, she gave in.
“No.” She took his phone and fiddled with downloading the app, muttering softly, “What a big boss riding the subway, simply wasting resources.”
He Jingxiu was amused by her twisted logic, “How is me taking the subway wasting resources?”
“Not using the car isn’t a waste?” Bo Ying argued confidently, “The subway should be left for us ‘commoners.’”
Hearing this, He Jingxiu raised his eyebrows, “Are you a ‘commoner’?”
Bo Ying: “Yes.”
He Jingxiu nodded, saying, “Understood.”
Bo Ying eyed him suspiciously, feeling there was a hidden meaning in his words.
He Jingxiu received her gaze, openly returning it without hiding.
After a while, Bo Ying shifted her gaze, “Done.”
She handed the phone back to He Jingxiu and asked again, “Are you sure you want to take the subway? Do you know where you’ll get off?”
He Jingxiu: “No.”
Bo Ying widened her eyes in disbelief, “Then shouldn’t you check?”
“You check.” He Jingxiu glanced at her, jokingly asking, “Would you mind familiarizing yourself with the route in advance?”
“…?”
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