Chapter 26: Are You Shy?

The resignation letter was half-written on Song Chunhui’s computer, but the three lines already there were enough for Li Huan to understand the situation. Four Eyes was eager to leave, and his reason for resigning was laughable—he was planning to get married next year and wanted to move to the city where his girlfriend lived.

When Song Chunhui returned from the restroom, he noticed his assistant wasn’t at his desk, and his office door was open. He quickly walked over and saw Li Huan holding his thermos.

“Manager, your tea is finished. I’ll make some more,” Li Huan said casually.

“It’s late, no need,” Song Chunhui replied, taking back the thermos and sitting down at his desk. “If you have a part-time job tonight, you can leave after work. It’s almost six.”

Li Huan said, “I was just about to leave. I was worried you’d be working late without tea, so I wanted to fill it up for you.”

Song Chunhui casually flipped open the contract he needed to sign tomorrow, glanced at it, and said, “Go earn your money. Close the door on your way out.”

“Okay.” Li Huan didn’t say anything more and gently closed the door.

The brat seemed to have just come in and probably didn’t notice anything. If he had, he would have closed the door and freaked out.

Song Chunhui put down the contract, placed his hand on the mouse, and clicked on the minimized document window in the taskbar. He stared blankly at the computer screen, at the resignation letter he had been writing and stopping.

Those three short lines spoke of Song Chunhui’s inner struggle, conflict, and reluctance. His fingers rested on the mouse without moving, and his thoughts drifted away.

He recalled the day he first joined Nuolin, filled with dreams and enthusiasm, full of expectations for the future. Back then, Fangfang was still by his side, never despising him, living with him in a small, old rental apartment, dreaming of the future together, planning what their home would look like.

Once this resignation letter was submitted…

Saying it wasn’t painful would be a lie. Song Chunhui had feelings for the Nuolin Group.

He never dared to dream of a high executive position; being a procurement manager was always his goal. Last night, he even dreamed of being transferred back to headquarters due to his outstanding business skills, replacing Ma Jianguo, and becoming the manager of the procurement department’s raw materials group. Those who disliked him started trying to curry favor with him.

In reality, Song Chunhui was trying to remove the “sexual harassment” label from his head by making up a resignation reason, hoping to salvage some of his image. He thought that once the news reached headquarters, his former colleagues would know that such an excellent man could easily find a girlfriend, so why would he need to harass female colleagues?

“Sigh…”

A sigh that couldn’t express the bitterness of half of Song Chunhui’s life.

He placed his hands on the keyboard and continued the unfinished resignation letter.

Outside the business department.

Li Huan had just walked out of the office building when Zhang Cong, who had returned to the company, called out to him.

“Xiao Li, you moved out to rent a place?” Zhang Cong seized the opportunity to inquire, showing concern. “Is the rent expensive? Where did you rent?”

Li Huan just gave a brief “hmm” and didn’t stop, heading straight to the parking lot.

“Well,” Zhang Cong quickly caught up, “actually, Qian Xin is just like that. I sometimes can’t stand him either. Don’t take it to heart. Moving out is a loss, right? The company doesn’t reimburse rent.”

Who is Qian Xin? Li Huan didn’t care at all, let alone take it to heart.

In the entire company, only Song Chunhui could make him uncomfortable.

No wonder Four Eyes was so eager to give him a trial period. It turned out everything was secretly arranged, just waiting for tomorrow to sign the contract with Director Wang, then apply for a commission from Liu, get the money, and run.

If it weren’t for this cooperation, Four Eyes might have run away the night he was strangling him with a belt.

“The day before yesterday, I spoke up for you against Qian Xin. He knows he’s got a foul mouth and didn’t say a word. Ding Lei also talked to him,” Zhang Cong said cheerfully, trying to build a relationship. “We’re all colleagues, after all. We see each other every day.”

Indeed, they see each other every day. Li Huan stopped and asked Zhang Cong, “Does Ding Lei have any connections?”

Zhang Cong was the typical fence-sitter, siding with whoever had the stronger backing.

Hearing Li Huan’s question, he weighed his options and decisively abandoned Ding Lei, who couldn’t speak English, and chose to befriend Li Huan, whispering, “Ding Lei’s aunt’s sister is Liu’s…”

Li Huan didn’t like vague answers and pressed, “Which one?”

Though it was dark, Ding Lei hadn’t returned to the company yet. Zhang Cong cautiously looked around and gestured for Li Huan to go to a corner to talk.

Once in a secluded spot, Zhang Cong took out a cigarette from his pocket, enthusiastically offering one to Li Huan, and whispered, “She’s the mistress. The company doesn’t allow this to spread, so I’m telling you secretly. Don’t tell anyone.”

He thought it was a strong connection, daring to openly oppose Four Eyes.

Li Huan took the cigarette, put it in his mouth. The wind was strong, so he shielded the flame Zhang Cong offered with his palm, leaned in to light the cigarette, took a slow drag, and said, “That’s a pretty average connection.”

“Average?” Zhang Cong’s curiosity was piqued, and he continued, “Liu has two daughters, and his wife isn’t in good health. That mistress gave Liu a son last year and was directly rewarded with a house. If Manager Song hadn’t been transferred, Ding Lei would have been promoted. He only joined Jinhui in June. You tell me if that’s a strong connection.”

Previously, Zhang Cong had called Four Eyes “troublemaker,” but now he referred to him as “Manager Song.” Li Huan understood, flicked the ash off his cigarette, and said with a smile, “Even if Manager Song leaves, it won’t be Ding Lei who becomes the manager.”

Zhang Cong understood immediately, realizing he had backed the right horse.

Even a small branch office is a legitimate company. As the general manager, Liu Wenjin is rarely seen, maybe once every ten days or half a month. Li Huan took the opportunity to inquire about Liu Wenjin, asking Zhang Cong what he knew.

He learned that Liu Wenjin was a relative of a leader at headquarters, only coming to the company to sign documents once a month, with other businesses outside, essentially holding a nominal position but still reaping benefits.

Because the existence of “Jinhui” was mainly to supplement the product line and absorb production capacity, it wasn’t that important to headquarters, so management was lax.

And the reason Ding Lei dared to target Song Chunhui was that the entire branch office was under Liu Wenjin’s control.

People from headquarters couldn’t be easily dismissed, and since Song Chunhui was reluctant to leave, Ding Lei led a “strike,” waiting a month or two to have a legitimate reason to dismiss Song Chunhui for not achieving business results.

“I heard Manager Song signed a big deal. You should have seen Ding Lei’s face at noon…” Zhang Cong looked around again, “I’ve told you everything, don’t say it was me.”

Having learned enough, Li Huan thanked Zhang Cong, “I’ll treat you to a meal sometime.” With that, he swung his long leg over his electric scooter and rode off in style.

Zhang Cong watched, only realizing after the electric scooter turned the corner and left the company that he hadn’t found out anything, yet he had spilled all his secrets.

*

The night was dark, and the cold wind howled.

The old office building stood in darkness, with only the windows of the second-floor business department emitting light, adding a touch of human warmth to the dead of night.

Without the need to work overtime desperately, Song Chunhui stayed in the office, not wanting to face the brat at home. His heart was a mix of emotions, wanting to be alone.

The resignation letter was finished and printed, locked in his drawer. He hadn’t decided when to give it to Liu Wenjin. Once handed over, it would all be over.

“Beep beep.”

Song Chunhui was now refusing to receive any messages, leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed, resting.

During the day, there were two calls from unfamiliar numbers, showing his hometown as the location. He guessed it was Luo Hu and didn’t answer. The number then sent two text messages, with Luo Hu calling him “brother,” asking if he was okay and if he could come home for the New Year.

How could he be okay?

Where did he have a home to return to?

This family only remembered him when things were dire, with their fake concern. They probably thought he was really going to jail and were eyeing his big house in Jiangcheng.

“Beep beep.”

The message sound was particularly piercing in the quiet office, and Song Chunhui found it annoying, cursing the brat for bothering him. He opened his eyes to mute the phone but caught a glimpse of the screen’s note, from “Jun Jun.”

He opened WeChat, his expression darkening, but quickly composed himself. It was expected, nothing to be upset about; they hadn’t been together long anyway.

He understood the logic, but Song Chunhui still felt upset.

It was like a lump of bitter medicine stuck in his throat, his chest heavy, something pressing on his heart, making even breathing feel exhausting.

Life was…

Really frustrating, frustrating to death.

Now his headache was starting too. Song Chunhui muted his phone, suddenly startled by a “knock knock” at the door, causing his phone to fall onto the desk with a “thud.” Then, the office door opened.

Li Huan first peeked his head through the door crack, winking at the stunned Song Chunhui, then slipped in, closing the door behind him, one hand always hidden behind his back.

“Wife,” he asked mysteriously, “guess what I brought you.”

“…” Song Chunhui glanced at his watch; it was already 9:30 PM, and he hadn’t realized he had stayed this late.

“Come on, guess.” Li Huan urged.

When it rains, it pours. Having just been dumped by his online lover, Song Chunhui had no mood for guessing games. Already annoyed, the brat was asking for trouble.

“Guess your grandpa, are you childish? Who let you come over?”

“Always getting mad at me, really.” Li Huan pouted, complaining, then revealed a box of rice with meat and vegetables from behind his back, presenting it to Song Chunhui like a treasure, thoughtfully opening the lid and taking out disposable chopsticks.

“I knew you’d be working late and probably hadn’t eaten dinner. This place’s rice with meat and vegetables is pretty good, recommended by a colleague at the gym.”

The aroma of the food was enticing, still steaming, filling the air with a warm, homely scent.

Song Chunhui looked down at the ordinary rice with meat and vegetables, momentarily speechless.

“The wind was strong, so I kept it warm in my clothes and rode back with one hand,” Li Huan said, sitting on the sofa in front of the desk, smiling at Song Chunhui. “Eat up, wife. If you don’t, I’ll feel bad.”

Song Chunhui: “…”

Li Huan: “After you eat, we’ll go home together.”

As the saying goes, “a soft mouth after eating,” Song Chunhui wanted to refuse but felt that refusing would make him seem petty, probably due to his low mood.

Forget it, he was hungry anyway, and the brat owed him this.

Seeing Song Chunhui silently eating, Li Huan asked with a smile, “Is it good, wife?”

Song Chunhui didn’t respond, focusing on his meal.

Li Huan wasn’t upset, continuing to talk, “This part-time job is pretty good. I can work out for free, planning to go every night. If there’s a social event, let me know in advance, wife, and I’ll make time.”

Song Chunhui still didn’t respond, focusing on his meal.

Li Huan continued, “By the way, wife, I’m planning to find another part-time job. Are you sure you won’t lend me your computer? My phone screen is too shattered, always losing touch, really affecting my ability to make money. How can I support you if I don’t make money?”

Actually, the meal Song Chunhui ate the most was rice with meat and vegetables because it was relatively affordable and had a variety of ingredients, both meat and vegetables, providing multiple nutrients.

He was grateful to Li Huan, thinking maybe the brat had a bit of a conscience.

“Wife,” Li Huan said, slapping the sofa, “want to find some excitement in the office?”

“…” Just knew the brat had no good intentions. Song Chunhui immediately retracted his previous thought, glaring at Li Huan, “If you keep being a pervert, get out.”

Li Huan leaned back on the sofa, grinning shamelessly, “Who told you to ignore me, not even giving me a glance? I had to find a way to get your attention.”

Song Chunhui: “…”

Li Huan: “See, I want to have a good chat with you, but you ignore me, not even looking at me. When I’m a pervert, you finally pay attention to me, finally look at me. What does that mean?”

Song Chunhui: “…”

Li Huan: “Do you like it when I’m a pervert to you?”

“…” Song Chunhui snapped, “Can you have some decency? Really disgusting.”

Li Huan chuckled, saying, “Not teasing you anymore, eat up. I’m here to pick you up from work.”

Song Chunhui: “…”

After Song Chunhui finished eating, Li Huan cleaned up, grabbed Song Chunhui’s briefcase, then turned off the lights, and they left the office one after the other.

As they went down the stairs, Li Huan asked, “Manager, are you going to sign the contract alone tomorrow?”

Song Chunhui replied, “You stay at the company.”

Li Huan was just about to say that, and as they walked out of the office building, a gust of cold wind blew, and he asked again, “Don’t drive, it’s a waste of gas money. I’ll give you a ride.”

“No need.” Song Chunhui would rather waste gas money than ride Li Huan’s electric scooter. They lived together, and if the business department saw them in the morning, who knows what rumors would spread.

Li Huan: “You’re just trying to hide it.”

Song Chunhui: “…”

“Good thing your junior is dumb and didn’t notice.” Li Huan continued, “You deliberately scolded Qian Xin in front of me before, just to make them ostracize me. Now you’re avoiding me, afraid others won’t notice, right?”

“…”

Song Chunhui fell into a brief silence. Back then, he did want a compliant little lackey, worried Li Huan would be roped in by Ding Lei. Who would have thought one misstep would lead to a lifetime of regret?

“If I had known you were so black-hearted, I would have fired you on the first day.” Song Chunhui cursed, “Brat.”

Li Huan just laughed, saying, “Black-hearted because of my wife. If he agrees to ride with me, I won’t hold it against him.”

Song Chunhui: “…”

In the end, Song Chunhui didn’t ride Li Huan’s electric scooter, citing the cold as a reason. Four wheels at least shielded from the wind and rain, and he didn’t allow Li Huan to ride his Mercedes.

As a result, when they got home, it naturally led to endless torment.

Perhaps because the whole day’s emotions were too bad, Song Chunhui rarely resisted, abandoning all the real-life troubles that bothered him, indulging himself in the warm water, in the scorching embrace.

“Wife, turn your face so I can kiss you.”

When Song Chunhui really turned his face slightly towards Li Huan and allowed a kiss, Li Huan’s blood surged, his hand suddenly gripping Song Chunhui’s chin, forcing him to lift his head, and kissed him fiercely.

The passionate kiss melted in the water, mixed with heat, spreading over their burning lips and teeth.

Li Huan thought it was thanks to the rice with meat and vegetables. The small raincoat he bought online had arrived, and while showering, he initially just wanted to cuddle. With Four Eyes being proactive, he went wild in the cramped bathroom, lifting the person onto himself, kissing and tormenting Song Chunhui…

…

The next day, when Li Huan woke up, the pillow beside him was already empty.

He reached for the phone on the bedside table, it was just past seven, and there was no sound from the living room, the house was overly quiet.

When he got out of bed to check, Song Chunhui was really not at home.

And at 7:15, Song Chunhui had already arrived at the company, hiding in the manager’s office, wishing he could slap himself a few times, mentally cursing himself.

Song Chunhui, oh Song Chunhui, you’re so muddle-headed! How could you be so reckless? Huh? You can’t just mess around with a gay guy because you’re upset! That kind of thing is so disgusting and annoying, how could you be so confused? Was it worth it for those few moments of pleasure?!

“Beep beep.”

WeChat chimed, and Song Chunhui didn’t want to look. Not looking would make him seem cowardly, but it was just a little brat, he needed to muster up the courage to teach him a lesson.

Xiao Li: [Wife^^]

Xiao Li: [Are you shy?]

Xiao Li: [You can’t hide from me]

“…” Song Chunhui had never wanted to block someone so much.

Before eight, Song Chunhui hurriedly left the company with the contract. The contract was to be signed at two in the afternoon, and he wanted to find a place to clear his muddled mind.

At 10:30 in the morning.

Li Huan stepped onto the third floor and knocked on the general manager’s office door.

When he received the intern’s call in the morning, Liu Wenjin was confused, not knowing what was going on. It had been a week since he last came to the company, so he decided to come and see.

He had some impression of this intern, but couldn’t remember his name, only recalling he was a relative of some manager at headquarters, sent over for some experience.

“Good morning, Mr. Liu.” Li Huan greeted politely.

“What’s your name again? Sit down and tell me what’s going on in your business department.” Liu Wenjin asked, “Is Manager Song not arranging things well for you?”

“Not at all.” Li Huan didn’t sit, standing in front of Liu Wenjin’s desk, “Manager Song is excellent in business skills, very caring towards a new intern like me. I’ve benefited greatly from following him, very lucky to have such a good mentor.”

“…” Liu Wenjin was taken aback.

Li Huan continued, “I mainly want to discuss with you about giving Manager Song a raise.”

A young intern, relying on some family connections, so unaware of the world, Liu Wenjin’s face changed immediately, scolding Li Huan, “Who taught you to talk like that? Is it you or me who runs this company?”

Li Huan maintained his smile, “My dad sent me here for experience. If he knew I met such a good mentor, not just a raise, he’d even give Manager Song your position…”

Liu Wenjin slammed his palm on the table, interrupting Li Huan, standing up to question, “Who’s your dad?!”

Li Huan dropped his smile, answering seriously, “My dad’s surname is Li, his name is Li Yunxian.”

Having long heard of the famous Director Li of Nuolin Group, Liu Wenjin’s face changed again, instantly smiling, as if he had met a long-lost relative.