Chapter 10: Ambiguity

“Brother Song, wake up.”

“We’re at your place. Want me to help you upstairs?”

Song Chunhui’s head felt like it was splitting, his mind a tangled mess, completely unaware of where he was or who was speaking to him. He struggled to lift his heavy eyelids, but everything was a blur, and he couldn’t see clearly.

The dim and hazy world made Song Chunhui’s heart suddenly panic, a wave of unease rising within him.

In his daze, a shadow approached him, and as darkness encroached on his vision, fear gripped his heart. His heartbeat quickened, and his limbs trembled slightly, feeling pain all over his body.

“Don’t hit me…”

What was Four Eyes mumbling about?

Li Huan didn’t catch it, so he leaned closer to Song Chunhui, only to be hit by the smell of alcohol. He wrinkled his nose in distaste and continued to observe Song Chunhui under the dim yellow light of the car’s roof lamp. The usually slick and neat hairstyle was now wet and disheveled, strands sticking to his forehead.

Who would’ve thought that without his glasses, Four Eyes looked quite pleasing, and with his hair down, he seemed much younger, losing that old-fashioned vibe he had during the day, looking rather spirited, like a different person.

Feeling unfamiliar, Li Huan scrutinized Song Chunhui’s entire face inch by inch, his gaze direct and unrestrained, full of aggression.

Song Chunhui’s eyebrows were long and delicate, his eyelashes thick, eyes deep-set, nose not too high, lips well-defined, and cheeks slightly flushed, with smooth skin.

If one had to nitpick, there were shallow indentations on either side of his nose, slightly darker than the surrounding skin, marks left from years of wearing glasses.

The warm air mixed with the smell of alcohol spread in the quiet car, gradually creating an ambiguous atmosphere.

Li Huan’s gaze was unusually calm, deep and profound, as he listened to Song Chunhui’s faint breathing, occasionally mixed with low hums, a stark contrast to his loud voice during the day.

With the warm breath, Li Huan extended his index finger, gently pressing the pad of his finger against Song Chunhui’s slightly parted lips, softly calling him, “Brother Song?”

Song Chunhui suddenly opened his eyes, the bright daylight outside the window making him instinctively close them again.

His head felt like it was about to explode, his temples throbbing, each pulse tugging at his nerves, causing sharp pain. When he lifted his arm, he found his limbs stiff, realizing he had slept in the car all night, no wonder he had nightmares.

After a while, Song Chunhui sluggishly reacted: Where’s Director Wang? Did the deal go through? He just went to the bathroom to throw up, how did he black out?

He quickly fumbled in his pocket, pulling out his glasses and phone, hurriedly putting them on and checking his phone. There were four missed calls, three from his junior, one from his assistant, and it was already past eight.

Song Chunhui immediately called back his assistant, and the call was quickly answered. He asked Li Huan, “Xiao Li, what did Director Wang say last night?”

The voice from the receiver was hoarse but full of energy. Li Huan thought, Four Eyes should really keep his mouth shut, maybe then he’d be quiet in bed.

He replied with a smile, “Director Wang had a great time singing and asked me to thank you for the hospitality.”

“Didn’t he say anything else?” Song Chunhui asked again.

“He said he’d consider it carefully,” Li Huan casually replied, then asked Song Chunhui, “Brother Song, did you just wake up? Don’t forget the team-building activity this weekend, the bus leaves at nine, and it’s already eight-ten.”

“Got it, hanging up now.” Song Chunhui ended the call, exhaustedly leaning back into the seat. After all that effort, he only got a “consider carefully” in return, thinking about all the time, energy, and money he invested.

Even though the money could be reimbursed, Song Chunhui was still wrapped in a sense of defeat.

The reimbursement limit was tight, and he wanted to control costs, maximize profits, and clear out the clinically valuable unsold drugs in the warehouse through bundling.

Song Chunhui refused to give up, immediately forcing himself to perk up, sending Director Wang a thoughtful greeting and sincerely inviting him to the famous “Red Romance” bathhouse in the county next week.

Just as he was about to get out of the car, his junior called again.

“Brother Hui, why are you just answering now?”

Needing to rush home to shower and pack, Song Chunhui kept it brief, explaining that he had put his phone on silent during the social event last night and was now in a hurry to shower.

Hearing his senior’s hoarse and tired voice, Meng Chunxun’s alarm bells went off, repeatedly asking where Song Chunhui was, why he was just going home to shower, and if he had taken the intern to the social event last night.

“I told you to be cautious, but you didn’t listen.”

Song Chunhui, with a splitting headache and no energy, was annoyed by his junior’s nagging, snapping back, “Why do you still have a bias against Xiao Li? I drank too much and blacked out last night, he brought me back, I slept in the car all night, where else could I be? I’m in a hurry, the company has a team-building event, I need to go.”

“Team-building? You used to tell me about any company activities, I’m already on my way to Ancheng, bringing you some bacon and sausages my mom sent a few days ago.”

“…” Guilt washed over Song Chunhui. In this world, only his junior truly cared for him, treating him like a real brother, comforting him during his most painful breakup, even introducing him to potential partners, though those conversations never led to meetings.

“I’m sorry, Chunxun, the cooperation didn’t go well last night, I’m in a bad mood, shouldn’t have taken it out on you. I’ve been busy lately, haven’t had time to reply. Turn around at the next exit, keep the bacon and sausages for yourself, I don’t lack anything, don’t worry too much.”

Meng Chunxun, still worried, insisted on visiting Ancheng, and upon learning that Song Chunhui’s team-building activity was a two-day, one-night event with hot springs, he was even more concerned.

Afraid of saying too much and upsetting his senior, he could only say, “Take care, Brother Hui, try not to soak in the hot springs, who knows if there’s someone else’s foot skin or urine in the water.”

“That’s disgusting.” Song Chunhui laughed, “I checked online, the resort is famous, a five-star hotel, all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. I’ve only been here a month and already got such good treatment, don’t worry, I’m doing well, I’ll change jobs once I save more money.”

“Okay,” Meng Chunxun also laughed, “Eat more, but not too much, too much seafood is hard on the stomach, eat more meat and vegetables.”

“Got it, you head back.”

After persuading his junior to return to Jiangcheng, Song Chunhui dragged his tired body up to the third floor, hurriedly washing up, washing his hair, and showering. He only had time to dry his hair, throwing his dirty clothes into the basin without washing them, packed his bag, changed into casual clothes, and rushed out, driving to the company.

By the time he arrived, the bus was already waiting at the company entrance, and Liu Wenjin’s BMW was there too. Employees were boarding one after another, his assistant standing in line, head down playing on his phone, probably flirting with his girlfriend.

His phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket, but Song Chunhui didn’t have time to check it. After parking, he planned to greet the general manager and do some flattering, but just as he got out of the car, Liu Wenjin’s BMW drove off.

However, his little lackey came over.

Seeing his superior, Li Huan was stunned. Song Chunhui’s soft black hair was casually draped, bangs covering his smooth forehead, the ends fluttering in the wind. The once old-fashioned black-framed glasses now made him look like a student.

Different from last night, yet another new look, quite pleasing.

But what was with that old-fashioned leather jacket and straight pants? Neck up, he looked twenty, neck down, fifty, how could it be so disjointed?

“Xiao Li, come here.” Song Chunhui pulled out his leather briefcase, handing it to Li Huan, “Carry this for me.”

Li Huan was resigned, hefting the square black bag, wondering where Four Eyes found such an old-fashioned thing, his taste was peculiar.

“Thanks for last night, I didn’t make a fool of myself, did I?” Song Chunhui patted Li Huan’s shoulder, “Let’s go, they’re probably waiting for us.”

“No trouble, you just fell asleep.”

Having blacked out for the first time, Song Chunhui was relieved he didn’t make a scene, waking up with his suit still decent, just a bit dirty, no vomit stains.

Li Huan glanced sideways, recalling how last night, when helping Song Chunhui with his pants, Song Chunhui kept leaning into him like a dog, not resisting even when his butt got slapped.

When carrying him to the car, it took a lot of effort because Song Chunhui suddenly got drunk and groped his chest, humming while touching him, his technique indeed a bit lewd, like a horny pervert.

“You’re lucky, just joined and already have a team-building event, never been to a five-star hotel, right?” Song Chunhui asked.

“Yeah.” Li Huan replied with a perfunctory smile, “Never been, a bit excited.”

Seeing his assistant excited, Song Chunhui couldn’t help but show off, though he hadn’t been to many himself, he raised his status: “Then you need to work hard, the headquarters has good benefits, high pay, staying in a five-star hotel is nothing.”

In the bus, some eyes turned their way, Li Huan hadn’t noticed yesterday, but this morning he realized something was off, so he smoothly changed the subject: “Brother Song, Ding Lei and Zhang Cong aren’t talking to me, seems like they’re excluding me.”

Song Chunhui didn’t expect his assistant to be excluded so quickly, quite satisfied, he comforted Li Huan: “Ignore them, just focus on working with me.”

“I heard it’s two people per room tonight, they’ve already paired up, not including me.” Li Huan said sadly, “I thought about rooming with Sun Wei, but he’s with Liu’s driver, no spot for me.”

Song Chunhui knew the feeling of being excluded, if not his assistant, it would be someone else tonight, so he immediately said, “You can room with me.”

“Ah,” Li Huan showed reluctance, “Brother Song, I don’t really want to room with you, afraid you’ll test me, dock my pay.”

Young people are straightforward, need some guidance, Song Chunhui lectured: “Do you know what team-building is? It’s to cultivate team spirit, enhance team cohesion, understand? It’s not for fun, it’s to motivate you, don’t just focus on your romance, without money, how will you marry? Be careful your partner doesn’t run off, prioritize work while you’re young!”

“…” Last night his phone died, the hotel room wasn’t cheap, now all Li Huan wanted was to shut Song Chunhui up, both his mouths, until he was quiet.

Tonight was the perfect opportunity.

A new day is a new beginning, Song Chunhui never looked back at his embarrassing past. On the bus, facing his colleagues’ gazes, he tried not to think about his gossip, seeing everyone as NPCs in his life, not important.

Meeting Ding Lei and Zhang Cong’s eyes, Li Huan remained indifferent, following closely behind Song Chunhui, placing their bags and sitting beside him, fully embodying the obedient little follower.

“Rumble, rumble—”

The wheels rolled, kicking up dust, the bus steadily heading towards Beicheng.

Song Chunhui hadn’t slept well in the car, feeling lethargic, leaning back to nap. Remembering the message he hadn’t checked earlier, he took out his phone, it was from his assistant, asking if he had arrived.

In the next moment, a new message popped up.

Xiao Li: [Brother Song, you can sleep, I’ll wake you when we arrive]

For the first time, “Jinhui” organized a resort team-building, the employees were all excited, the bus lively, some playing games, some chatting.

Once again, Song Chunhui felt a sense of not fitting in. Society is a large group, within it countless small groups, each like a mini-society, truly embodying the saying “where there are people, there are conflicts,” regardless of the number of people.

He realized he was affected by the gossip, why do people care so much about face? If he cared, he’d have to clarify, but would anyone care?

Sometimes, he really wanted to throw away his pride, live more freely.

*

“Manager, we’re here.”

Song Chunhui blinked, opening his eyes to a blur, then a pair of black-framed glasses was handed to him.

He took them and sat up, realizing he had been sleeping on his assistant’s shoulder, truly dazed, not even knowing when he took off his glasses.

Li Huan sat by the aisle, and as Ding Lei’s lackey passed by, he deliberately bumped his bag into him, Li Huan glanced up, saying nothing.

Once everyone left, he automatically picked up Song Chunhui’s bag.

The assistant had been perceptive all morning, Song Chunhui assumed it was the result of showing Li Huan the world last night.

After receiving the room card from HR and entering the room, he was amazed, the room had a wide view, a full-length window, and even a private indoor hot spring for privacy.

He was worried about not being able to soak in the communal outdoor hot spring, now he could enjoy it, worth the trip.

“Xiao Li, you’ve never seen this, right?” Song Chunhui was subtly excited, afraid his assistant would covet it and compete with him, so he said, “This pool is called a private hot spring, just an indoor hot spring, but soaking isn’t much fun, you should try the outdoor kind, it’s natural mountain spring water, with minerals, good for the body.”

Li Huan put down his backpack, seeing Song Chunhui’s pretentiousness made him want to laugh.

He praised where it was due: “Brother Song, you’re really knowledgeable, I’ve never heard of a private hot spring. Actually, I didn’t want to come to the team-building, just heard from Sister Zhao at the warehouse that the hot springs here are good for the body, so I decided to try.”

That’s great.

Song Chunhui wanted to take photos for social media, but with someone else present, it wasn’t convenient to find the right angle, also afraid of looking like a country bumpkin who’d never seen the world.

He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down, seeing lush greenery, the blue lake shimmering with golden light under the sun. Beyond that, a vast green golf course, unable to see what was on the other side.

But Song Chunhui knew it was the domain of the upper class, a world he once couldn’t imagine.

He finally tore a small hole with his own skills, peeking into the outside world. In the future, when he earns his worth, he wants to try playing golf, see what it’s like.

“Brother Song, let’s go eat.”

“You go ahead, I need to use the bathroom.” Remembering his assistant hadn’t eaten much last night, Song Chunhui quickly instructed, “The buffet is all-you-can-eat, don’t be shy, but don’t grab, we represent the company’s image.”

Li Huan placed the room service menu back on the table, his gaze lingering on Song Chunhui’s backside for a moment, the photos he took last night were almost there, but not quite ready to show Four Eyes.

Not enough surprise.

Once the assistant left, Song Chunhui took out his phone, snapping away, the five-star hotel in the resort was much more upscale than the two he had been fortunate to visit.

He didn’t forget to pair it with a photo of himself standing by the window, overlooking the view, editing a nine-grid collage for social media, adding a motivational caption, selecting the location, and posting it, perfect.

As he approached the restaurant, Song Chunhui was momentarily stunned, why were there people from the head office? And from the procurement department, a female colleague he almost got involved with—Xia Wei.

“Oh, Manager Song.”

Seeing her was annoying, with few people around, Song Chunhui simply grabbed Xia Wei’s arm, pulling her to a corner, “I have something to ask you.”

“Using force on a woman, are you even a man?”

Li Huan came out just in time to witness this scene, about to follow when a dog appeared, his dad’s loyal secretary, named Han something, he forgot.

He stepped back, speaking softly, “I’m working hard now, stop monitoring me.”

“You misunderstood,” Secretary Han explained, “I’m the overall person in charge of this team-building event. Please actively participate in the afternoon meeting and activities, including tomorrow’s competition.”

Confirming Secretary Han was just passing a message, Li Huan suppressed his emotions and agreed.

In the northwest corner of the restaurant, there was a terrace surrounded by tall greenery, the dense foliage partially concealing it, faintly revealing two figures behind.

As Li Huan approached, he heard a woman’s low complaint.

“Your sexual harassment is a fact, do I need to spread it?”