Chen Xiao politely said, “Thank you, Sister Lin, but I don’t really like these. Why don’t you ask Lu Nan if she wants some?” 

Lu Nan, who had been pretending not to exist by focusing on drinking milk with her head down since earlier. “…”? 

Reluctantly, she grabbed a cookie at the sight of He Manlin’s disappointed look. After taking a bite, she exclaimed, “It’s really crispy, Sister Lin’s baking is amazing.” 

“If you like it, take more,” maybe because Lu Nan’s praise was sincere, or maybe because it was said in front of Chen Xiao, He Manlin’s smile became more genuine. 

She placed a few pieces on a tissue and set them in the middle of the desk. Lu Nan said, “That’s enough, I can’t eat so much. The rest will probably be for Brother Xiao to finish.” 

Who asked you to use me as a shield! 

When He Manlin left the office, Chen Xiao looked at the cookies Lu Nan had pushed in front of him and said irritably, “You praised it so much, and you only ate one piece. Does it really taste that good?” 

Lu Nan gave him an ‘you don’t understand’ look: “I’m avoiding sugar.” 

“Huh?” What is that? 

And her real intention wasn’t about the cookies… Was this made for me? Do I deserve to eat that much? Lu Nan said nothing, but her gaze conveyed everything. 

Chen Xiao tapped his fingers on the desk, tapping his middle knuckle on the desk as a warning. 

Lu Nan blinked innocently and fluttered her eyes: Got it, boss. I didn’t say anything 

Chen Xiao narrowed his eyes: Don’t even think about it. “Finished with your milk?” 

There were only a few sips left. Lu Nan drink them all in one go through the straw. 

She was in a hurry, and after finishing, she let out a small burp. 

Ah, how embarrassing… Lu Nan quickly covered her mouth. 

“I wasn’t rushing you,” Originally slightly speechless and still a bit angry, Chen Xiao’s frustration was instantly extinguished by her cute little milk burp. He pushed the cookies to the corner of the desk, grabbed Lu Nan’s thermos, and said, “Want some hot water to settle it?” 

Before Lu Nan could respond, he went outside to get her a cup of hot water. 

After she finished, he said, “Let’s get back to work.” 

At five o’clock, the office staff were all done for the day. 

He Manlin glanced at Chen Xiao’s office. Through the blinds, she could vaguely see two shadows. 

Xu Yao followed her gaze and said, “Brother Xiao will probably be working late today. Let’s go.” 

Once they entered the elevator and were alone, Xu Yao said, “Don’t overthink it, it’s fine. I heard that when I went to his office today, they were preparing for the distributor’s large-scale event. Also, after working together for over half a year, we both know Chen Xiao well. He would never have any emotional affair beyond work with subordinates. Otherwise, Pan Sasha wouldn’t have applied for a transfer in such a downhearted state.” 

What He Manlin was actually worried about wasn’t that. She knew that Xu Yao’s words were right but not entirely correct. 

Chen Xiao would never have an emotional affair with a subordinate. Moreover, he wouldn’t have anything beyond a professional relationship with a colleague. 

This was a realization He Manlin had recently come to, and clearly, Pan Sasha had seen it earlier than her. 

The reason He Manlin had been standing there in a daze, not leaving immediately, was because in that moment, her heart sank a little with this realization. 

“Yao Yao, I think, maybe I should just give up.” 

“What’s wrong?” Xu Yao was surprised. After all, He Manlin had never shown signs of wanting to give up on Chen Xiao before. 

Although Xu Yao personally felt that if even Pan Sasha couldn’t move Chen Xiao, then He Manlin’s chances of success were even slimmer, she still felt the need to support her friend. Xu Yao thought, even though Pan Sasha was prettier and wealthier, Manlin wasn’t bad—she had a gentle and considerate personality, was good at housework, and could cook really well. Just those qualities alone made her superior to the spoiled Pan Sasha. 

He Manlin smiled bitterly, “I just suddenly feel like this kind of love is hopeless.” 

Unless she quit my job and no longer be his colleague, otherwise, he won’t even give her the chance to get close to him. But then again, if she quit, would there really be any chance to get closer? 

Maybe there’s a worse outcome… drifting further apart and becoming strangers? 

Seeing her so discouraged, Xu Yao reached over and put her arm around He Manlin’s shoulder, “Hey, don’t say that. I’ll tell you, ‘Distance makes the heart grow fonder.’ Who knows, maybe with a little more effort, you’ll win him over?” 

He Manlin shook her head and said nothing. 

… 

In the office, Chen Xiao didn’t know that the girls who had left were talking about him. He was handling the day’s wrap-up work with Lu Nan: “Let’s work hard today, stay for an extra hour, and finish what’s on hand.” 

Was the boss’s question really a question? 

Could she say no? 

But given her personality, she was the type to finish things in one go when she had something to handle. 

“Alright. Earlier, we were talking about the types and order of performances for the tasting event…” She nodded, “Apart from the confirmed runway show, face-changing act, classical dance, and small activities hosted by the MC, there’s also the piano solo by Mr. Yang’s daughter—I’d suggest placing it after the opening runway show. First, the stage will be more spacious, making it easier to bring in the piano; second, it’s hard for a child to keep makeup intact, so a little touch-up will be needed after eating or drinking; and third, she is after all Mr. Yang’s daughter, and having her perform right after his opening speech would create the perfect atmosphere.” 

“Okay, arrange the program order and send it to Feixiang tonight to get their feedback.” Chen Xiao swiped on his tablet, “Confirm the program first, then adjust the sequence according to the venue setup, while making sure to time each segment and transition—focus on the runway show and classical dance, the two programs with classic wine elements, and use the rhythm and duration of large tasting events in other cities as a reference.” 

While taking notes, Lu Nan agreed, “Lastly, for the raffle details, I think it can be set up this way. The first, second, and third prizes should be drawn separately, starting with the third prize…” 

Chen Xiao said it would be an extra hour of work, and his estimate was spot on. By the time they wrapped up, it was already just before 5:50. 

He turned off the computer, put the pen cap back on the pen, and placed it in the pen holder. Standing up from the office chair, he naturally said, “It’s already this late? Let’s go, I’ll treat you to a meal.” 

He always seemed to be able to invite others so naturally. 

But Lu Nan didn’t want to accept the invitation tonight: “No need, Brother Xiao, I still have food in my dorm, so I’ll head off for the day.” 

Chen Xiao wanted to persuade her again, but it was clear that Lu Nan wasn’t being polite. 

He reluctantly agreed: “Alright, then… thank you for your hard work today. See you tomorrow.” 

“See you tomorrow.” 

Seeing her walk directly out of the office without even asking if she wanted to take the elevator down together, Chen Xiao involuntarily pinched the bridge of his nose. Is she upset? She seemed fine while working. 

Lu Nan, who was riding the elevator alone downstairs, wasn’t upset but rather felt that she had unknowingly crossed boundaries recently. 

Whether it was silently mocking Chen Xiao for encountering a “peach blossom” at Feixiang or teasing the internal staff He Manlin about her intentions towards Chen Xiao… none of this was behavior an employee should have. 

Everyone in the office said Brother Xiao had a good temper, that he was down-to-earth. 

She and Chen Xiao also had unavoidable interactions at work. 

But in her two lifetimes, she had seen Chen Xiao’s gentleness, his dominance, his hypocrisy, and his unscrupulousness… Her understanding of Chen Xiao was deeper than anyone in the provincial or city offices. 

Lu Nan looked at her reflection in the elevator’s mirror-like stainless steel surface and smiled at herself. There’s no need to have so many meals together, right? 

She took a few deep breaths in the elevator, telling herself: 

Once his work is done, he’ll be transferred, transferred, transferred! 

Keep your distance for safety’s sake. 

… 

When Lu Nan opened the dormitory door, it was quiet for a moment. 

As she changed her shoes, her gaze swept toward the dining room: Oh, it’s quite lively. I guess I can’t compare to them when it comes to slacking off. 

Zhou Lei, Yi Wei, and others were all there. 

Dong Hui, in a host-like manner, greeted Lu Nan: “The guys are cooking tonight, would you like to join us?” 

Lu Nan smiled and nodded at everyone: “I’ve already eaten, you guys enjoy yourselves.” Then she went upstairs. 

Once her figure disappeared up the stairs, Yi Wei quietly asked, “Your dorm has such hardworking girl? It’s already this late!” 

Good question! Dong Hui and Zhou Lei exchanged a glance and casually said, “Brother Xiao values her, so people like us can’t compare with her.” 

Yi Wei showed a curious expression: “Is that so? I also think Lu Nan is the one who started work the earliest among the new recruits—didn’t you say her drinking capacity was bad? But I’ve seen her hold her own in a few banquets.” The second half of the sentence was directed at Wang Xiaoxue. 

Wang Xiaoxue felt a bit awkward: “What are you talking about? I never said Lu Nan’s drinking was bad, it’s just that when she first joined, she went with me to a small event at the calligraphy club, and she really didn’t drink much.” 

Xiang Feifei ate quietly, thinking the braised pork was pretty good. Also, people with big mouths usually just attack without thinking. 

After dinner, Dong Hui was cleaning in the kitchen—since it was her guest and the guest had cooked dinner, who else but her would clean up afterward? 

The others began their mahjong game, and it was quite lively. 

While washing dishes, Dong Hui felt itchy and wanted to join the mahjong table, but the work wasn’t done yet. At that moment, Zhou Lei walked into the kitchen: “Let me help you.” 

“No, no, you go ahead and play.” 

Zhou Lei pretended not to hear Dong Hui’s refusal, grabbed a cloth, and started wiping the stove. As he wiped, he said, “I never expected you to be so considerate.” 

Flattered by the sudden compliment, Dong Hui naturally felt happy, but she still politely replied: “Not at all, I can only do some cleaning after meals. I’m not good at cooking.” 

Zhou Lei smoothly added: “Actually, I’m good at cooking.” 

“Really? What’s your specialty?” 

After chatting for several minutes, Yi Wei called out from the living room: “Are you two done? Wang Xiaoxue said to set up another table, we’re waiting for you!” 

Zhou Lei took the clean dishes from Dong Hui’s hands, wiped them dry with a cloth, and called out to the others: “Don’t rush, we’ll be right there.” 

Around 9:30, Lu Nan took off her earphones and noticed the noise from downstairs, so she pretended to go downstairs for water and jokingly said: “I think if this keeps going, someone might come knock on the door.” 

Yi Wei, being clueless, loudly responded: “If they come, they come! We have plenty of people, two strong young men, no need to worry!” 

At those words, Wang Xiaoxue, sitting at the same table, laughed uncontrollably. 

That’s it, do as you please. Lu Nan glanced at Xiang Feifei and Dong Hui, shrugged, and went upstairs. 

The last two had indeed been quite caught up in the game, but in the end, they stayed reasonable. Wang Xiaoxue and the others don’t live here, so while they obviously wanted to have fun, it was their group who were the tenants. If the noise from the mahjong game caused trouble with the neighbors, it’d be pretty awkward since they run into people from the opposite door and downstairs in the elevator all the time.