Chapter 8

The next day, Chi He Yuan didn’t come to pick up Chi Xiting. Chi Xiting had figured out the route yesterday and, as planned, woke up at 8:30 AM. After getting ready a bit, he took the subway to the office.

Chi Xiting timed everything perfectly. He swiped in at the lobby right at 9:00 AM.

Not a second more, not a second less.

This is the self-discipline of working.

Don’t work extra shifts.

Chi Xiting went to the 27th floor as usual and immediately felt the undercurrent of tension within the department as soon as he stepped out of the elevator.

The corridor and the break room were both empty.

Even the tea room, which is usually busy with people looking for snacks, was vacant.

Chi Xiting gently tapped his hand and then walked into the C Group office.

The atmosphere in the office was even more delicate.

Everyone was sitting at their desks, looking serious and dejected. After staring at their computers for a while, they would absent-mindedly lose focus, only to snap back to reality and feel regretful.

The intern desks, which were empty at this time yesterday, were now occupied, and their expressions were as serious, if not more so, than the formal employees. Some even appeared to be a bit dazed.

Chi Xiting didn’t even need to think to know the reason.

Other groups were probably in the same state.

Chi Xiting could understand it.

When your direct supervisor comes back from a business trip, it’s never good news for anyone, especially when this “big boss” returns and immediately wants to have a meeting to assess everyone’s work results.

And one by one, at that.

Even someone like Chi Xiting, who had been working for almost ten years, felt some pressure.

He quietly observed his colleagues for a while and then went straight to his desk, opened his computer, and started thinking about what he should do today.

Yesterday, Xing Panpan had already written and submitted the activity script for his small project. Xing Panpan seemed to be busy, so the document hadn’t been received yet. Chi Xiting didn’t feel like chasing her and, after a bit of idling at his desk, started working on his actual tasks.

The regular meeting.

The work progress report.

This was a task Chi Xiting was familiar with.

In his previous jobs, there were always meetings every few days. The frequency of them had trained him to become quite proficient in creating PowerPoint presentations, despite not being particularly fond of them.

Chi Xiting had his own set of reporting logic: from personal updates to an overview of the work, gradually transitioning to the recent work content, highlighting key points, and then ending with a brief analysis of problems and future outlook.

It wasn’t difficult, just a process of showcasing one’s core value.

However, for Chi Xiting, the only challenge was that he had only been at the company for two days, his work content was sparse, and today was Friday, with the report due on Monday after the weekend…

He hadn’t faced such a lean situation before.

—-

After thinking for a while, Chi Xiting organized the overall structure, created a mind map, and just as he was finishing, a clear female voice sounded by his ear.

“Xiting, I’ve read through your script.”

Xing Panpan paused for a moment, and her gaze towards Chi Xiting carried a mixture of admiration and confusion. “It’s really well written, I…”

Xing Panpan smiled and continued, “I was thinking of helping you revise it, but after reading it a few times, I couldn’t find anything that needed changing.”

Chi Xiting humbly replied, “Your reference materials were really helpful.”

Xing Panpan placed her hand on the table. “Don’t say that. It’s not just about looking at reference materials to write it. You did well, Xiting. Have you written something like this before?”

“Hmm, I’ve worked on something like this in college,” Chi Xiting blinked and vaguely replied.

Seeing that Chi Xiting didn’t want to elaborate, Xing Panpan didn’t press further and simply said, “You probably already know, Manager Shen is coming back next Monday. You and the other interns will need to do a brief self-report…”

Xing Panpan gave Chi Xiting a quick rundown of the preparation needed for the self-report, including gathering materials, summarizing work content, and staying relaxed.

“Manager Shen is a nice person. Normally, he won’t make things difficult for you,” Xing Panpan patted Chi Xiting’s shoulder and reminded him, “But after all, he’s our direct leader, and he’s very serious and strict about work, so be sure to prepare well.”

Chi Xiting nodded to show he understood.

—-

After giving her instructions, Xing Panpan quickly returned to her desk to resume her work.

For the entire day, the atmosphere in the C Group office remained dead and devoid of energy. Most people didn’t even go downstairs for lunch.

Chi Xiting couldn’t help but start questioning what Xing Panpan had said.

Manager Shen is a nice person?

Then why does everyone look so on edge?

Other interns felt the same way.

Most of them were top students from prestigious universities, having made countless presentations in class, and many had even participated in public speaking competitions, so they shouldn’t be nervous.

But this must be the difference between campus and the workplace.

The roles had changed, and the mental burden and pressure had transformed.

Although there were more tasks today than usual, it was still within Chi Xiting’s capacity and didn’t affect his Friday happiness and sense of satisfaction.

As with yesterday, no one left their desk when it was time to go home.

The difference was that while yesterday, a few were pretending to stay late, today everyone seemed genuinely stuck in work, trying to figure out how to deal with Monday’s meeting.

Chi Xiting still left work on time, shutting his computer at exactly 5 PM and heading out.

He had finished everything that needed to be done—why stay longer? Shouldn’t he go home and enjoy the weekend?

Chi Xiting happily clocked out and, on his way to the subway, suddenly decided on a whim to treat himself to a nice meal.

Even though he hadn’t done anything particularly noteworthy.

But he still worked hard.

He had saved a list of restaurants he was interested in, most of which were near Chushi, so he could eat and then head home.

After browsing his phone for a while, he decided to try Qingtingxuan.

Qingtingxuan was located in the same shopping area as Chushi, only about a ten-minute walk away. Since Chi Xiting finished early, it wasn’t yet dinner time, and he didn’t need to wait for a table; the waiter immediately showed him in.

The decor of Qingtingxuan was elegant, with a classical style, antique and charming. The overall decoration was dominated by wood tones, lush green plants, and fresh, natural air. On both sides of the corridor were intricately carved display cabinets, neatly lined with various types of tea leaves and uniquely styled teacups.

Chi Xiting glanced at the teacup for a moment but continued walking with the waiter. Following the waiter’s recommendation, he sat down at a window-side table.

“This is our menu,” the waiter handed him a thick menu, slightly bowing and smiling. “You can take a look first.”

Chi Xiting nodded and took a glance at the menu.

The first page was entirely dedicated to their signature dishes.

Amber lobster with rich roe, crispy pigeon, creamy crab paste…

Chi Xiting pursed his lips, his gaze lingering on the pictures on the menu for a moment. Then he glanced at the prices, feeling a bit of discomfort in his heart.

So expensive.

Although he had mentally prepared himself before coming, sitting down still made him wince at the prices.

Chi Xiting lowered his gaze, his fingers unconsciously resting on his lips. After a few moments of hesitation, he finally decided to order the amber lobster, glancing up at the waiter beside him, “I’ll have…”

Before Chi Xiting could finish, his peripheral vision suddenly caught a familiar figure at the restaurant’s entrance, and he froze.

Two men stood at the door. The one closer to the inside wore a suit, his hand casually tucked into his pocket. His watch could be faintly seen on his wrist, and his dark hair was neatly styled. As he moved, his hair occasionally brushed his neck, making his skin appear even whiter, like cold jade.

Chi Xiting fell silent.

Well, well.

He comes here for a meal and ends up running into his boss?

If that’s the case, maybe he should just die now.

The waiter noticed Chi Xiting’s silence and asked with confusion, “Sir?”

Chi Xiting snapped back to reality, realizing his gaze had been too obvious. He felt a bit nervous for a moment. Just as he was about to pretend he hadn’t seen anything and discreetly look away, he saw the man, Chu Yu, looking over at him from across the room.

Chi Xiting visibly trembled.

Forget it.

Maybe the world should just delete him.

Chu Yu: “…”

Shen Zhihe continued talking beside him, “I did some research today. They have king crab, and I’ve already reserved one. Their lobster is also good…”

“I’ve been out there struggling for so long, isn’t it fine if I take advantage of you a little, President Chu?” Shen Zhihe laughed, touching his chin while thinking about what other big dishes to order. But when he saw Chu Yu suddenly looking in one direction, his usually calm expression briefly softened.

Shen Zhihe froze for a moment and subconsciously followed his gaze. When he recognized Chi Xiting’s face, his pupils trembled, and he reflexively looked back at Chu Yu, blurting out, “Hey, isn’t that the person at your table…”

Before he could finish, Chu Yu turned around and gave Shen Zhihe a warning glance. Shen Zhihe, who had been thinking he’d discovered something, immediately quieted down, making a zipping gesture with his mouth.

Chu Yu briefly acknowledged Shen Zhihe’s words before returning his attention to Chi Xiting.

Feeling he had avoided the fate of having to greet Chu Yu, Chi Xiting felt a chill run down his spine. After struggling for two seconds, he couldn’t ignore his professional etiquette and began walking toward Chu Yu.

“Hello, President Chu,” Chi Xiting greeted obediently.

Chu Yu lowered his gaze to look at him, his expression unreadable behind his glasses. After two seconds, he simply responded with an “Mm.”

Shen Zhihe, interested, crossed his arms and gave Chi Xiting a once-over. His gaze lingered longer on Chi Xiting’s face before he asked, “President Chu, is this your employee?”

Chu Yu gave Shen Zhihe a meaningful look and replied, “He’s your employee.”

The moment Chu Yu spoke, both of them unconsciously looked at each other, seeing a hint of surprise in each other’s eyes.

Chi Xiting blinked, his eyelashes rising as he stared at Shen Zhihe for a while.

His employee?

So he’s Shen Zhihe?

Shen Zhihe was a bit confused. After a moment, he said, “Ah, from the marketing department?”

“Mm,” Chi Xiting licked his lips and added, “An intern.”

Shen Zhihe nodded with realization and then looked at Chi Xiting with more curiosity. After pondering for a moment, he asked, “Came here to eat?”

Chi Xiting smiled without really smiling, “Yes.”

Isn’t that obvious?

“Well, then,” Shen Zhihe glanced at Chu Yu’s face before continuing, “Join us. It’s not good to eat alone.”

It’s unsatisfying to order just one dish, and two dishes can’t be finished.

“President Chu is treating,” Shen Zhihe grinned mischievously, his handsome face showing a playful smile, “If you join, I can make him treat me more.”

Chi Xiting: “…”

Now he kind of believes what Fang Ben said, that Chu Yu might have shares in Shen Zhihe’s company.

This is the face of a natural capitalist.

“That’s not good…” Chi Xiting politely declined.

He just wanted to greet him, why was he being dragged into a meal?

One big boss, one direct boss.

Having a meal together would be more uncomfortable than killing him.

“Ai, let’s go,” Shen Zhihe clicked his tongue and urged, “I want to order the lobster.”

Lobster.

Amber lobster with rich roe.

The image from the menu flashed in Chi Xiting’s mind again.

Sometimes.

One might bend just a little for food.

“Then, how can I refuse?” Chi Xiting pursed his lips, raising his gaze. It unintentionally fell on Chu Yu, who was treating them.

Chu Yu’s gaze dropped, his long lashes falling. His eyes behind the lenses met Chi Xiting’s raised gaze. Chi Xiting’s eyes were clear and dark, like a tranquil, clear lake, his small expectations barely concealed.

Chu Yu’s lips subtly curved, but it was fleeting. Before Chi Xiting could take a second look, Chu Yu turned and walked toward the private room, casually saying three words.

“Let’s go together.”