Ding Xiulin and Chu Lai didn’t work on the same floor. The company campus had several buildings, and there were even two buildings just for the cafeteria. When Chu Lai first started, he had been confused and had to rely on his seniors to guide him.

It wasn’t even lunchtime yet when he received a message from Ding Xiulin:

[Can we have lunch together today?]

Chu Lai’s department was on the 24th floor, while Ding Xiulin’s was on the 26th. The two of them had ridden the elevator together that morning.

A colleague from the same department had also gotten into the elevator with them. Since Chu Lai had been talking the whole time, the colleague found it rather novel. After the morning meeting, he even joked with Chu Lai.

“We were in the same elevator, and you didn’t talk to me at all, but you managed to chat with someone all the way from the first floor to the 24th! That’s scary.”

The colleague had joined the company at the same time as Chu Lai, and they had been regular lunch buddies from the start, so Chu Lai was fairly familiar with him.

Keeping his usual calm expression, Chu Lai tore a sticky note off his desk and replied, “He’s my high school classmate.”

The colleague raised an eyebrow, “High school classmate? Pretty handsome, I must say.”

Usually, Chu Lai gave off a rather cold demeanor in the department. If he hadn’t mentioned having a boyfriend, people would have easily thought he was the type to become a monk rather than get involved in a relationship. It was hard to imagine him being in love, especially since the news of his upcoming marriage was still a hot topic, and no one had ever seen what Chu Lai’s fiancé looked like.

But after a week of luxury cars, lavish meals, and elaborate flower arrangements, the most information anyone could gather was…

He’s rich.

A married man, preparing for a wedding, suddenly reconnecting with a high school classmate—combined with the look Ding Xiulin had given him in the elevator—the colleague chuckled and teased, “Looks like you’re getting lucky with romance.”

Chu Lai glanced at him, then back at the message on his phone, “Unless you also want to be cheated on.”

The colleague gasped, “Cheated on?”

Gossip in the company was a never-ending cycle. Their department had a low turnover rate, so aside from the interns, the gossip had made its rounds. Among everyone, Chu Lai was the only one in a stable relationship, seemingly dating with marriage in mind.

Chu Lai just nodded and continued walking, clearly not intending to elaborate, leaving his colleague hanging with curiosity.

As he walked, he replied to Ding Xiulin’s message.

[Sure, come down to my floor.]

Near the end of the workday, Chu Lai received another message, this time from Xuan Rongqing:

[Lai Lai, do you have time?]

[I had someone draft some designs for the wedding favors. Take a look and tell me which one you like.]

Chu Lai hadn’t expected getting married to be this complicated, but it was too late to back out now.

If it were just him, getting married because he genuinely liked someone, and considering his minimal family background, the wedding would probably be a simple meal at most, maybe with a short trip afterward. But the Cen family was going all out. While waiting for the elevator, Chu Lai opened the images, frowning as he browsed through them.

When the elevator doors opened, there weren’t many people inside. Standing at the front was Ding Xiulin, who greeted him as he entered. “Busy with work? You seem a little upset.”

Chu Lai shook his head, “Do I look upset?”

Ding Xiulin worked in the data department. He had a refined, handsome appearance that seemed both scholarly and strikingly bright when he smiled. In the elevator, he stood out, especially with the gentle tone he used when speaking to Chu Lai, which only fueled people’s curiosity about their relationship.

The man nodded, “You look troubled.”

Chu Lai scrolled through the pictures and forwarded them to Cen Wei, then said to Ding Xiulin, “Choosing wedding favors. It’s giving me a headache.”

He spoke about the wedding so casually, without a hint of excitement, that it reminded Ding Xiulin of how Chu Lai had been during their school days—always like this.

Whether in spring, summer, autumn, or winter, even after a physically demanding fitness test, where he would be panting heavily, his eyes still carried that cool indifference. He stood out in a crowd, but only if you paid close enough attention to notice over time.

Ding Xiulin glanced at Chu Lai’s hand—no ring—and thought about the morning when Cen Wei had dropped them off together, still harboring some doubts.

“Will you be inviting me to the wedding?”

Chu Lai forwarded the message to Cen Wei, who quickly replied: My mom showed them to me too. Which one do you like?

[Cen Wei]: She said your opinion matters more than mine.

He then sent an exasperated emoji, which was an image of a big-money emoji that Chu Lai had made because Cen Wei kept using it. Cen Wei eventually saved it to his phone for easy access.

As the elevator descended, Chu Lai’s eyes remained on his phone as he replied to messages. He nodded to Ding Xiulin, “You can come if you want, but it’s fine if you don’t. It’ll save me some money.”

He said it so bluntly. The two of them were squeezed into a corner, and though Ding Xiulin hadn’t meant to look at Chu Lai’s phone, he still caught a glimpse of it.

Chu Lai had saved his fiancé’s name as:

AAA… blue bell pepper, with a bell pepper emoji at the end.

Ding Xiulin didn’t really understand. The triple A might have been affectionate, but why blue bell pepper? Maybe it was a quirky nickname between lovers.

He looked away, noticing the young man standing in front of them. His work badge hung from his neck, and his hand, cradling his phone, was covered by his sleeve, hiding a familiar red mole on the back of his hand that Ding Xiulin remembered well.

Glancing at his own reflection in the elevator’s mirror, Ding Xiulin saw that he looked terrible.

Since he was having lunch with Ding Xiulin today, Chu Lai made an effort to go to the company’s most popular cafeteria, which delayed his response to Cen Wei’s messages.

Meanwhile, Cen Wei waited for a long time, his lunch turning tasteless as he ate. Eventually, Xuan Rongqing called him. Though they didn’t see each other every day, as soon as she heard his voice, she could tell something was off.

“What’s wrong? Are you buried in work? Do you have another late-night meeting?”

The Cen family’s Lianxin Umbrella Company was well-known throughout the city, with several office buildings. Cen Jiansun had mostly retired, leaving the business to Cen Wei.

Because of his independent studio, his schedule was always packed. He wished he could stretch each day to 72 hours, racing against the clock even for meals.

During his lunch break, he looked up from his documents and glanced at his phone.

His pinned contact hadn’t replied.

Maintaining his calm tone, he said, “It’s fine. I’m not traveling this month.”

The electronic calendar on his desk was packed. Even without travel, as the next-in-line for a major corporation’s transition, he had no personal time.

Just like his ex had said: Even a dog has more free time than you. Expecting you to spend time with me is wishful thinking.

For example, when his ex had ranted inappropriately about how even finding time for intimacy was impossible.

Though crude and uncharacteristic of Shen Ke’s usual demeanor, Cen Wei had to admit he wasn’t entirely wrong. After work, all Cen Wei felt was exhaustion, and even watching movies he used to enjoy felt boring now, like everything in life had lost its flavor.

Work at the family business had drained him of his spirit, but Cen Wei wasn’t one to seek pleasure, his sense of responsibility too heavy. He was reluctant to even take a day off, though recently, things had eased up a bit.

And the reason for that was Chu Lai.

Closing his eyes, Cen Wei let out a sigh. Remembering the frustration he’d heard in their phone conversation last night, Xuan Rongqing asked, “Why the long face? You’re about to get married!”

She suddenly recalled his question about hula tang (a spicy soup) that morning. “Does Lai Lai like hula tang?”

Cen Wei replied, “He said he wanted to try it.”

Xuan Rongqing encouraged him, “Then make it for him!”

“We both have work in the morning, where would I find the time?”

He thought back to the conversation in the car earlier, where Chu Lai had casually mentioned, “We can start having breakfast together at the office from now on.”

Since it was a big company, the cafeteria had plenty of choices. Even if they missed the limited breakfast specials, there were convenience store options downstairs.

Chu Lai, who was habitually late, often missed breakfast altogether. The two of them had ended up talking about this during their commute that morning and had made plans to eat together for lunch and dinner.

Faced with this, Cen Wei had nothing to say. He hadn’t felt this clearly excluded in a long time, and it wasn’t a pleasant feeling. What made it worse was when Ding Xiulin had added, “And in the evenings, we’ll take the dog out together.”

Even though he knew they weren’t in the same department, the idea of them spending so much time together made it seem as though they were practically inseparable.

This feeling was so unfamiliar that it unsettled him.

“You both need to have a life outside of work,” Xuan Rongqing advised over the phone. “I’ve told you before, if you don’t have time to cook, just come over to the house. I’ll prepare everything.”

“If you live together on weekdays, you can come stay at our house on the weekends. Lai Lai’s little dog is welcome too.”

With a nod, Cen Wei recalled the video call with Chu Lai’s mother last night when they’d discussed weekend plans.

Originally, Xuan Rongqing had planned to ask about the wedding photos, but now she was alarmed. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Meeting the in-laws is a big deal; you need to prepare something.”

She then asked, “What day are you going?”

Their hometown was about a three-hour drive away, so a round trip would take the whole day. She added, “A friend of mine recommended a photographer who’s worked with celebrities. You can choose where to take the photos.”

“Locally or somewhere else, it’s up to you.”

Cen Wei’s head throbbed. He already regretted agreeing to hold a wedding; there were so many details, he felt like he was going to explode.

“Let’s just do it locally.”

“Alright then. I’ll send you the specifics by email. You and Lai Lai can decide.”

Hearing his mother call Chu Lai “Lai Lai” so affectionately made Cen Wei cringe. Though he had gotten used to it, he couldn’t help but ask, “Why have you and Grandpa suddenly started calling him Lai Lai?”

While he and Chu Lai still addressed each other formally, his family seemed to have embraced the more intimate nickname, which only made things feel even weirder for him.

It gave him the distinct sense that there was no turning back.

“Of course, it’s different for us,” Xuan Rongqing said. “We’re not as mushy as you two are. ‘Baby’—ugh, that would make me cringe.”

Cen Wei: …

“We actually just call each other by our full names.”

After a few more words, they ended the call.

Just then, Chu Lai finally replied with a picture, likely of his roast goose lunch:

[Photo] It’s delicious. What did you have for lunch?

Chu Lai had a dedicated album on his phone just for his meals, a habit he’d picked up in college.

The company cafeteria offered food from various regions, and today, after Chu Lai’s recommendation, they’d chosen Cantonese cuisine.

As they sat down, Ding Xiulin reminisced about their school days. Seeing Chu Lai snap a quick picture of his meal and send it off, he chuckled, “I remember you used to keep a notebook in high school where you’d write down what you ate every day.”

Chu Lai, whose hair had grown slightly longer, looked up in surprise. Despite his slightly longer hair, he didn’t appear effeminate. His skin was naturally fair, and his eyes, framed by glasses, had a slight upward tilt. His quiet demeanor often made him blend into the background.

For instance, during school activities, Chu Lai could easily end up in the wrong class’s lineup, and no one would notice for a while.

“You remember that?” Chu Lai asked.

“You accidentally handed it in with your math homework once, and I returned it to you,” Ding Xiulin replied with a smile.

Chu Lai had nearly forgotten about that. While looking at his phone, he noticed that Cen Wei had sent him a picture of a packed lunch. Chu Lai replied with an emoji and a cheeky remark: Not as good as mine.

Agreeing, Cen Wei then asked if they would have dinner together later.

With his head down, texting, Chu Lai simultaneously chatted with Ding Xiulin.

Every so often, Ding Xiulin would glance at him while eating. At a neighboring table sat interns from Ding Xiulin’s department. Coincidentally, they were classmates with the intern under Chu Lai’s supervision. The two spoke in hushed tones.

“That’s the new big shot in our department. Isn’t the guy he’s eating with your team leader?”

“Yeah, I think so. Didn’t know they were acquainted.”

“Your team leader looks so young. You could totally mistake him for a college student.”

“He’s got a pretty calm demeanor. I don’t even dare joke around with him.”

“Is he super cold?”

“Not exactly, but he doesn’t seem to like being disturbed. He’s always by himself…”

The intern had been working under Chu Lai for two months, during which time they’d heard plenty of rumors about him—particularly about his upcoming marriage.

“Isn’t your team leader the one getting married? That stretch limo last time left me speechless when I saw the pictures in the group chat.”

“You guys gossip too much!”

“Who doesn’t? But don’t you think your team leader and that new guy seem a little…”

“That guy’s pretty handsome too. Now I’m really curious about your team leader’s fiancé. With a car like that, he’s probably loaded, right? And you guys even got expensive baked goods last time.”

“Ugh, I’m so jealous…”

Chu Lai didn’t notice the looks from Ding Xiulin. In fact, he wasn’t particularly sensitive when it came to love and romance.

His first love was a thing of the past. What he sought now was long-term companionship rather than fleeting romance.

“Want to grab dinner somewhere outside this weekend?” Ding Xiulin suggested again.

Chu Lai shook his head, “I’m heading to my mom’s place this weekend.”

Ding Xiulin, familiar with Chu Lai’s family situation, was a bit surprised. “Isn’t your mom…”

“Well, I’m getting married, so my boyfriend’s going to meet her,” Chu Lai said casually.

“Oh,” was all Ding Xiulin managed. His gaze drifted to Chu Lai’s hands, and he found himself recalling the stories of Chu Lai’s college romance with his ex-boyfriend, as told by their classmates.

Unable to hold back, he called out, “Chu Lai?”

“Hm? What’s up?” Chu Lai asked, glancing up.

“Can I ask why you and your ex-boyfriend broke up?”

Knowing it was a personal question, Ding Xiulin quickly added, “If it’s too personal, you don’t have to answer.”

After a month had passed, Chu Lai felt indifferent about Shen Quanzhang. He shook his head, “It’s not a big deal.”

“He cheated on me. It’s as simple as that.”

He stirred his dessert soup with a spoon while a new email notification popped up on his phone.

It was a copy of the wedding photography plan from Xuan Rongqing, forwarded by Cen Wei. The email asked him: I think we should shoot locally, but you can choose the location.

When it was time to clock out, Ding Xiulin had a department dinner, so Chu Lai left first.

That evening, rather than staying late to work, Cen Wei left the office early. One of the teams at his studio was discussing locations for their next team-building activity, but he paid little attention to it.

He drove to pick up Chu Lai, and the two headed home to cook together.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Chu Lai was texting on his phone. “Let’s go to the tea mountain at Xunyan. I heard the food at the restaurant there is pretty good too.”

“Final decision?” Cen Wei asked.

Chu Lai nodded and sent the message to Xuan Rongqing. Almost immediately, a new message popped up on Cen Wei’s phone.

It was from Shen Yangxu, the company’s vice president and a friend:

[We’re doing a team-building event at a farm near Xunyan tea mountain this weekend. You coming?]

Chu Lai saw the message too and glanced at Cen Wei.

The traffic light turned red, and with a bit of helplessness, Cen Wei said, “I guess we’ll have to pick another place.”

Chu Lai, finding it a hassle, replied, “Forget it. I already told your mom.”

True to her efficient nature, Xuan Rongqing had already confirmed the booking.

He suddenly thought of Shen Quanzhang, who worked at the same company as Cen Wei, and silently hoped they wouldn’t run into him.

That would really kill the mood.

Chu Lai stared out the window, his bangs slightly covering his eyebrows, but the curve of his profile was softened by the golden light streaming in.

“Did you have lunch with Mr. Ding today?” Cen Wei asked.

Chu Lai nodded, “It was his first day at work.”

“And what about tomorrow?”

The light was taking a while to change, so Chu Lai turned to look at him. Dressed meticulously for work, Cen Wei always appeared neat and sharp, the complete opposite of Chu Lai’s more casual style.

After a long look, Cen Wei smiled and said, “Am I being too personal? Sorry.”

Chu Lai laughed as well. “Not at all. You’re my legal partner now.”

He added, almost teasingly, “Don’t worry. I’ll keep my distance from him.”