Chapter 7: Encounter

Summer’s prayers were not heard by the heavens.

With a plagiarism detection rate of up to 98%, even if he tried to improvise, his deception was exposed.

The entire conference room fell silent.

Jian Mingzhou even saw the composed smile on the chief editor of the literature department gradually fading…

After the meeting, the two were summoned by the higher-ups.

Jian Mingzhou returned alone to the BL editing department.

As he returned, the junior editor, Xiao Yu, exclaimed, “Hey, why didn’t the chief editor come back with you?”

Jian Mingzhou, “Pfft.”

“…?”

Approaching noon, Xia Ye was finally allowed to return.

His face was stern and gloomy. Jian Mingzhou, using the same tone as that morning, greeted him, “Are you okay?”

Xia Ye’s gaze immediately swept over him like an autumn wind brushing away fallen leaves.

Jian Mingzhou chuckled nervously. “Who told you not to share it with me?”

“Heh. And then three people copy the same article?”

“It’s not that unfortunate,” Jian Mingzhou thought for a moment, then looked at Xia Ye with emotion. “But, among hundreds of posts, you managed to choose the same one…”

“Unlucky.”

He swallowed the word “tacit understanding” gently.

Xia Ye frowned. “Do you think he’s naturally my nemesis?”

Jian Mingzhou’s eyes subtly flickered. “Archenemy.”

“…Although it’s true, it sounds different coming from your mouth.”

“Archenemy?” Qian Qian happened to pass by the two of them, having heard half of their conversation. She raised her glasses enthusiastically and said, “It’s well-known! An archenemy is someone you’ve slept with.”

The entire office turned to look.

Xia Ye coldly glanced at her and said, “…Thanks. There’s no such consensus. And you, Jian Mingzhou, no eavesdropping allowed!”

Jian Mingzhou turned his head and busted.

—

Being able to safely navigate through the mid-year crisis was thanks to Xie Jing’s efforts.

After work, Jian Mingzhou sent a WeChat message to someone: “What do you like to eat? Uncle will cook for you tonight ＾0＾”

After a few minutes, the reply came.

【Jing】: Uncle, where are you?

【Mingzhou】: On the way to the supermarket.

【Jing】: I’m here too. Let’s meet at the supermarket entrance.

“…?”

When Jian Mingzhou arrived at the supermarket outside the residential area, he saw Xie Jing already standing at the entrance. With his tall and outstanding appearance, he attracted quite a bit of attention.

Jian Mingzhou noticed that many people were glancing at Xie Jing.

Upon seeing him, Xie Jing raised his hand in greeting, “Uncle.”

Jian Mingzhou walked over, enduring the stares. “Have you been waiting long?”

“I just came to buy some things.” Xie Jing turned and walked into the supermarket with him. “What do you want to buy? We can carry them back together after we finish shopping.”

Jian Mingzhou said, “I’ll buy what you like.”

Xie Jing asked with a half-smile, “Oh, did I do something good?”

Jian Mingzhou thought of Xia Ye and sighed softly, “You saved me from becoming a laughingstock.”

“…”

The supermarket had a wide variety of items, with fruits, vegetables, and meat all in one section. Jian Mingzhou called Xie Jing, and they chose ingredients together.

“Premium beef brisket, should we buy this?”

Jian Mingzhou stood in front of the freezer, selecting.

Xie Jing leaned over from behind him, extending his long arm. “This box seems better.”

They were choosing together when faint and restrained whispers came from behind, carrying a bit of excitement, making Jian Mingzhou very familiar.

“Ah~ Look over there…”

“Oh my god!”

As if sensing something, he lifted his eyes and saw two girls behind them. Apparently, they didn’t expect to be noticed, but they were secretly looking over:

“Are they living together?… So cute…!”

Jian Mingzhou’s fingertips trembled.

As a seasoned fan of the BL genre, he completely understood the other party’s brainwaves in an instant—two guys! After work! Shopping together!

He couldn’t help but imagine how wonderful their conversation must be.

Moreover… He looked at Xie Jing beside him. Xie Jing was taller than him, and when he spoke, he leaned down, looking particularly close.

Jian Mingzhou subtly moved away. “Should we get another box of pork belly?”

As he spoke, Xie Jing leaned over and said, “Sure, I’ll take care of this.”

In an instant, a voice drifted over: “Wow~ Ahhh…”

Jian Mingzhou: …

He felt a strange sense of excitement. Unlike Xie Jing’s uninhibited colleagues, Xie Jing was his friend’s nephew. Moreover, if Xie Jing were to hear, he probably wouldn’t understand.

After all, Xie Jing looked completely straight.

“Xiao Jing.” Jian Mingzhou handed the meat to him and decided to split up. “I’ll pick vegetables; you can choose the meat.”

Xie Jing held two boxes of meat and nodded, “Okay.”

Leaving that awkward area, Jian Mingzhou finally breathed a sigh of relief and went to pick tomatoes.

Just as he reached the end, he saw a familiar figure—

A mild and steady elite style surrounded him. He stood in front of the tomato stall with a proper smile, chatting away on his phone.

Jian Mingzhou, “…”

Oh no. Isn’t this He Luchen, the chief editor of the literature department?

He Luchen had his back to him, unaware of who he was talking to on the phone. While talking, he picked up tomatoes and put them into the pocket next to him, seemingly completely unaware of Jian Mingzhou.

In Jian Mingzhou’s mind, Xia Ye’s miserable face surfaced.

The nemesis of the chief editor, someone he had slept with—no, the archenemy.

He paused for two seconds and then quietly approached…

The pocket was right in the direction behind He Luchen, and it already had several shiny and round tomatoes. Jian Mingzhou stood by the side, quietly opening his own pocket.

When He Luchen picked a tomato and put it in the bag, Jian Mingzhou would take it out. He picked one, and Jian Mingzhou took one. Picked one, took one…

It was very time-saving and effortless.

Just as they were enjoying themselves, a faint figure suddenly appeared from behind.

Jian Mingzhou looked up and met eyes with Xie Jing, who had come over.

Their eyes met, and silence spread between them.

Xie Jing didn’t say anything, but his eyes were clearly asking: What are you doing?

Jian Mingzhou: …

He gently withdrew his hand, and the pocket made a rustling sound.

He Luchen had just finished his call, and upon hearing the movement, he turned his head and saw Jian Mingzhou, somewhat surprised. “Assistant Editor Jian?”

Jian Mingzhou tightened his pocket and naturally greeted him, “Chief Editor He, what a coincidence.”

He Luchen smiled faintly. “Do you live nearby?”

“Yes, Chief Editor. I haven’t seen you around here before.”

“Haha… just dropping by this area today.”

During their conversation, Xie Jing had walked over from the other side, standing next to Jian Mingzhou.

He silently watched the lively scene in front of him. If he hadn’t seen Jian Mingzhou picking ready-made items from someone else’s pocket a moment ago, he would have thought that these two had a very good relationship.

“…Well, let’s not delay any longer. See you at the office.”

Jian Mingzhou politely said goodbye and then called Xie Jing, “Let’s go, Xiao Jing.”

Xie Jing, “…Sure.”

As they turned to leave, a puzzled voice came from behind He Luchen:

“Huh? Did I only pick so few tomatoes?”

Xie Jing: …

Jian Mingzhou: …

He Luchen: …

He frowned slightly. “Hmm, I just picked a few tomatoes.”

Xie Jing: …

Jian Mingzhou: …

He Luchen: …

Jian Mingzhou bit his lip, tightened his pocket, and suddenly a large hand grabbed his arm. With a gentle tug, he was pulled to the front. Xie Jing’s tall figure blocked him from behind.

A light and gentle laughter came from above: “Uncle, aren’t you leaving? Quickly.”

Jian Mingzhou’s ears were a little hot, “…Oh.”

—

The most awkward thing for adults is encountering a witness when doing something childish.

But now, the witness has become an accomplice.

Jian Mingzhou felt like it wasn’t so awkward anymore.

After reaching a safe spot behind the shelves, he didn’t forget to take a picture of the bag of round and bright tomatoes and send it to Xia Ye.

【Mingzhou】: I’ve avenged you. [Picture]

【Chief Editor】:????

【Chief Editor】: [What is this][Question panda head]

Thinking that Xie Jing was still waiting nearby, Jian Mingzhou didn’t explain much to Xia Ye. He closed his phone, called someone, and headed to the next stall, saying, “Let’s go.”

Xie Jing followed along and casually asked, “Is it the same person as last time?”

Jian Mingzhou replied, “Yes, he’s also my superior.”

Xie Jing simply said, “Hmm,” and didn’t say anything else.

After buying a bunch of things, the two went to the checkout at the exit.

Customers were queuing up in twos and threes, and when Jian Mingzhou turned his head, he suddenly noticed that the two girls from before were behind them again.

“…”

He turned back slowly, pretending nothing had happened, and handed the items to the cashier to tally.

They bought quite a few things, and the people at the front of the line kept swiping their cards.

Xie Jing waited on the side and casually said, “We bought too many potatoes. We can cook only half tonight and do something else tomorrow.”

Jian Mingzhou nodded. “What do you want to eat tomorrow, sweet and sour potatoes?”

Xie Jing said, “I’ll cook tomorrow.”

“…” A long sigh came from behind them: Hoo—

Jian Mingzhou’s words got stuck for a moment, and he quickly stopped talking.

After settling the bill, Xie Jing carried the two big bags of items. The weight hung down, faintly revealing his sleek biceps. “Heading back?”

With half his face showing a youthful and handsome profile, Jian Mingzhou felt the breath behind him suddenly stop.

He quickly gave a light push and said, “Hmm, let’s go.”

As they walked out of the supermarket, five or six meters away at the checkout, there was finally a suppressed whisper:

“…Still younger! So cute—”

Damn! Jian Mingzhou’s heart skipped a beat, feeling a bit embarrassed by the confusion. He glanced at Xie Jing beside him and didn’t know if he had heard it.

After leaving the supermarket, the two walked through the parking lot.

There weren’t many people around at this time.

“The day before yesterday, in front of our company…” Jian Mingzhou chatted casually for a while, feeling that Xie Jing beside him was quieter than usual.

He turned to look at Xie Jing’s side profile and felt a long breath behind him. “…What’s wrong?”

“Uncle.” Xie Jing turned to him at his words. “What do they mean by ‘still younger,and ‘so cute’?”

“…”