Sasha was shocked, “How can you think like that? Chen Xiao really isn’t that kind of person.” 

“Yeah, I didn’t say he definitely is like that, so I used ‘maybe’.” 

Sasha hesitated for a moment, then asked, “You just graduated, right? How old are you this year?” 

“Twenty-three.” 

“Is that your real age?” 

Lu Nan nodded. 

“You’re two years younger than me.” Sasha sat up straight, slightly curious, “Have you been in a few relationships?” 

Lu Nan calculated based on her physical age, “One.” 

“That shouldn’t be, right? Did your first love hurt you too deeply?” 

Lu Nan felt that her current relationship with Sasha wasn’t deep enough to discuss personal matters, but she also didn’t want to inexplicably carry the label of a ‘hurt woman’. So, she explained, “At that time, it was a long-distance relationship. We could only rely on phones and computers to stay in touch. Over time, it naturally faded away. I initiated the breakup, so it wasn’t really painful.” 

Sasha didn’t ask any more questions like ‘why didn’t you meet often in a long-distance relationship’. She understood that not all college students had sufficient funds. For those who crossed provinces or even further, even frugal living might not cover the round-trip travel and accommodation costs. Instead, she said, “But your view on the opposite sex does seem a bit biased. If you approach people with the idea that ‘they must not be good’, won’t you ever find someone you like?” 

“Maybe, not definitely. Besides, weren’t we talking about you and Chen Xiao?” How did this turn into an analysis of my views on love? 

Sasha threw her phone aside. “There’s nothing more to say. When someone’s rejection is so clear, if I keep pushing, won’t I just embarrass myself? That idea of ‘women pursuing men with a barrier in between,’ what nonsense! I’ve been trying for months, but that barrier feels like solid rock. I’m done poking at it. Let whoever wants to poke at it, or if Chen Xiao wants to chase someone with mountains in between in the future, it’s none of my business. By then, I hope he tires himself out climbing—no, I want him nearly dead.” 

Lu Nan was a bit surprised, but then felt this was the real Sasha—she’s fearless when pursuing someone, and clean-cut when giving up. “Since you’ve figured it out yourself, you should sleep now. It’s quite late.” 

“I’m going to sleep. Oh, I still want to ask you one last question,” Sasha said mysteriously. 

Lu Nan had a hunch it wouldn’t be a good question. 

“When Chen Xiao touched the back of your hand, did your heart beat a little faster?” 

“Yes, from being scared,” Lu Nan said firmly. “I was worried you’d rush over and tear me apart.” 

“Ah! I would never do that! I’m a big-hearted beauty!” Sasha shrieked and threw a pillow. 

… 

Women’s friendships sometimes start in such strange ways. 

But Lu Nan thought, according to her previous life, she and Sasha would become good friends three years later, which meant they were indeed compatible in many ways. 

In the morning, everyone was busy with meetings. By lunchtime, sitting at the same long table, Xu Yao smiled at Lu Nan again and said to the person next to her with a tray, “Brother Xiao, sit here and eat!” 

Sasha fiercely typed “busybody” on her phone and showed it to Lu Nan under the table. 

Lu Nan smiled faintly, pretending not to see Xu Yao’s performance, and said to Sasha, “Didn’t you say you don’t like eating chicken skin? I’ll peel this chicken leg for you.” 

“Thank you, Nan Nan,” Sasha put down her phone, hugged Lu Nan’s arm and rubbed against it. Lu Nan sensed the sincerity that had been emphasized by Sasha the previous night. 

“Is Sasha out of her mind?” Xu Yao’s face almost had these words written on it. 

Sasha ignored her, and said to Chen Xiao who was holding a tray, “Brother Xiao, help me and Nan Nan get a bottle of coconut juice, thank you.” 

Chen Xiao hesitated whether to go over, but seeing Lu Nan and Sasha acting normally and relaxed, he smiled and asked, “Is one bottle enough?” 

“Enough, one for each of us,” Lu Nan understood what Sasha meant and continued with her lead. 

The two who had been intimate last night were so calm today. Even Sasha, who usually chased after Chen Xiao, had changed her demeanor. Xu Yao, who wanted gossip, felt it was boring and left after eating casually. 

Just because the provincial accountant dared to tease the municipal brand specialist doesn’t mean the newbie would dare to do the same. When the others at the long table saw Chen Xiao sit down, they didn’t dare mention what happened during their game last night. 

Anyway, that’s how it went. 

During the afternoon meeting, Yan Kai sat next to Lu Nan and said, “I heard you played Werewolf last night?” 

Lu Nan didn’t take her eyes off the presentation slides, just nodded, “Hmm.” 

“And you and Chen Xiao…” 

“What?” Her voice was too soft for Lu Nan to hear clearly. 

Yan Kai asked, “I said, are you playing again tonight?” 

“I don’t know, it depends if someone organizes it.” 

“Well then…” Yan Kai didn’t finish his sentence when someone interrupted him. 

Sasha leaned over from the other side, “Anything fun? I’m so bored. How about we go for barbecue tonight, Nan Nan? Shall we go for a seafood barbecue!” 

Lu Nan nodded, “Sure.” 

“I think you two can’t miss having a local guide,” Yan Kai, who was listening nearby, chuckled. 

“Yeah, you’re a local,” Sasha nudged Lu Nan’s arm, “Nan Nan?” 

“It would be great to have a local guide,” Lu Nan agreed. 

Yan Kai indeed knew the place well. The barbecue restaurant he took Lu Nan and Sasha to had very fresh ingredients, especially for seafood barbecue, though it wasn’t cheap. 

Yan Kai prepared to pay, but Sasha stopped him, “I suggested the barbecue, so I’ll treat.” Yan Kai was somewhat helpless. When dining with Lu Nan, he often couldn’t pay the bill four or five times out of ten. Now, seeing Sasha take out her wallet, he felt as though he were freeloading off her. 

Lu Nan chuckled, “Senior, what kind of expression is that? Sasha, don’t bully Senior Yan. Let’s split the bill.” 

After splitting the bill, each person paid a bit over two hundred yuan, which was manageable. 

The semi-annual conference and new employee training lasted for three and a half days. The last morning was for exams, and Lu Nan scored full marks. However, there was no reason to boast because among over a hundred people, twenty or thirty also scored full marks. 

After the exam, they received bad news from the director. Due to a typhoon, the ferry from Wanghai City to Hailin City was suspended. They would have to stay at the guesthouse for another night and leave depending on the weather tomorrow. 

But wouldn’t this be like gaining an extra day to play? Moreover, tomorrow was Saturday, and after smoothly returning, there would be one more day until Sunday. Roughly speaking, this whole week was spent outdoors—how could people not be happy about that? 

“Are you happy? I knew you would be,” Director Xiang said into the microphone. “But let me emphasize, the typhoon is no joke. They’ve even put up warning lines along the coast. If I catch anyone disregarding warnings and going to the beach, they’ll be fired!” 

They were all adults and could distinguish between serious and non-serious matters. Since Director Xiang had said so, no one should dare to act recklessly. 

“I brought my swimsuit for nothing,” Wang Xiaoxue sighed. 

Sasha sat next to Lu Nan and also expressed her disappointment, “I was planning to show off my great figure and let Chen Xiao know what he’s missing out on.” She whispered the latter part. 

“Hmm…” Lu Nan chuckled, “You’re truly a generous beauty.”