44. Birthday Gift

Chi Jin went home and took a comfortable nap until she woke up naturally. Without being disturbed by messages from the work group, she felt like the happiest cow and horse.

In the evening, Chi Jin was wearing an apron and putting tofu into the pot. In the steam, she heard the sound of a key turning.

"Are you back? Just right, the soup will be ready soon. Wash your hands and eat." She said without turning her head.

"Oh my! I smelled delicious food right after entering the complex. Our Sister Chi is a chef." Taozi kicked off her high heels, threw her bag on the sofa, and came over. "Why are you back so early today?"

"Don't flatter me. I've only made a slight improvement compared to before." Chi Jin said with a smile, turning off the stove. "The Living Devil gave me a break. Seeing that I've been quite diligent recently, he let me rest for half a day."

"Live... the editor-in-chief who's chasing you?"

"She's not chasing me anymore. That's in the past. Now we're just superiors and subordinates."

"Then why did you get a holiday? Are capitalists so kind?"

"Please, I'm really tired lately." Chi Jin yawned, tears welling up in the corners of his eyes. "I'm extremely sleep deprived, okay? I have to go to bed early today."

As he was speaking, the phone on the counter suddenly vibrated several times, the screen lit up, and a notification of a new group chat popped up. Chi Jin was startled. At this time, there couldn't be any new tasks, right?

Fortunately, it wasn't work. Fang Tang created a group chat, and everyone except Chen Yisheng was there. It turned out that tomorrow was Chen Yisheng's birthday, and she suggested that they all buy a cake together and surprise him before lunch break.

Anyway, no matter how big the cake is, there won’t be much money if so many people in the editorial department share it equally. Chi Jin didn’t think much about it and voted “Agree” in the voting app.

"Why do you look so serious?"

"Oh, Chen Yisheng's birthday is tomorrow, and one of the deputy editors wanted everyone to buy a cake together to celebrate. It's such a small amount of money, and some people still don't agree."

Taozi said as she served the dishes, "That's easy to understand. You and Chen Yisheng are familiar with each other, so you agreed. But for most people, colleagues are just colleagues. I buy him a cake today and you a cake tomorrow. Not to mention the three highs, where does he get so much spare money?"

"That makes sense, so it should be nipped in the bud."

Taozi was a little confused: "But have you ever had this precedent before?"

"...Not in the two years I've been here."

"But hasn't Chen Yisheng always been the editor-in-chief? Why is he being celebrated this year?"

Chi Jin thought for a moment and said, "Oh, there are rumors that he is going to be promoted. Maybe this is his last birthday before leaving Face. The person who organized this is another deputy editor-in-chief. Maybe she wants to leave a good impression on the current editor-in-chief."

"There's a lot of intrigue going on in your editorial department. How's your relationship with this deputy editor?"

"Ordinary colleagues, no conflicts, but the other one kind of looks down on each other."

"It's the old witch you mentioned before."

"Yes." Chi Jin nodded, "But the voting results are out. The minority obeys the majority. They are already choosing the cake."

"Do you want to give him anything extra?"

Suddenly, Duan Xingche also sent a WeChat message to Chi Jin: [Master, do you want to prepare anything extra for Editor-in-Chief Chen?]

Chi Jin showed Taozi his phone: "This is the one I said I would introduce you to. You two really want to go together."

Taozi smiled and analyzed, "Sending them separately seems too servile and might even seem like an attempt to curry favor with the boss, but isn't Editor-in-Chief Chen nice to you two?"

Chi Jin nodded and sent the same message to Qin Xiancheng: [Brother Qin, do you want to prepare anything extra for King Chen?]

Unexpectedly, a minute later, Qin Xiancheng replied: "I'll ask Sister Huan first."

"Hey! These guys!" Chi Jin smiled and shook his head, "But I don't plan to send them off. We have a good relationship, but it's also awkward. I'm afraid he'll get the wrong idea if I send them off."

"Isn't your Sister Huan a smart person? I'm sure she will give it to you. If she gives it to you, she will definitely give it to the male editor you asked about."

"What you said makes sense, but what should I do? What's the most reasonable gift?"

Taozi smirked, "If Chen Yisheng is the type of self-conquering hero, then whatever you give him will make him think, 'Ah, she likes me so much'."

"I really can't stand you." Chi Jin said, "We're in such a hurry, we can't prepare anything too elaborate. Xiao Duan and I discussed it and decided to send something similar. Our financial situations are similar anyway."

"That's OK? Then don't show up, let that little Duan go."

Chi Jin nodded heavily: "Okay!"

"One more thing, Chi Zi, I'll give you the room fee, and you can move out tomorrow."

The two of them had previously agreed that if one of them brought their boyfriend back to rent a house, they would have to pay for the other's hotel. Chi Jin had always remembered this, but...

"You're not going to get back together, are you?"

"No, it's my bestie who wants to come and play with me this weekend. We'll be in the city on Friday and Saturday, and then we'll go to the beach on Sunday. So tomorrow we'll be a little noisy..."

Chi Jin nodded, but still felt a little guilty: "Okay, as long as it's not your scumbag ex-boyfriend."

"Hehe, of course not. I'm still waiting for Sister Chi Zi to introduce me."

"Okay, wait until I'm done with this busy period. Xiao Duan is busy too!"

…

The next day, the editorial office was filled with a furtive, tense atmosphere. The sounds of keyboards, printers, and occasional whispers formed the soundtrack of a typical workday, but there was a palpable sense of something unusual in the air.

The cake has been ordered and will be delivered to the editorial office at 11 o'clock. We will celebrate for Chen Yisheng during the half-hour lunch break until 11:30.

Chi Jin was relaxed and happy—a half-hour celebration was like a half-hour less work. She worked on the manuscript at hand, but her mind was already wandering elsewhere.

Xiao Duan, standing nearby, nervously pointed at the pot of cloud bamboo hidden under his workstation and muttered, "Master, isn't this a bit too shabby for us to give as a gift?"

"He definitely won't accept something expensive; it would be embarrassing." Chi Jin said firmly, his eyes fixed on the small and unique pot of cloud bamboo, its emerald green branches and leaves standing tall and full of vitality. "But this is different. It's a gift from us, so it's hard for him to refuse."

As the clock ticked towards eleven, the chat group began to pick up steam, with several planning colleagues silently coordinating with eye contact and lip movements. Deputy Editor Fang Tang stood up, straightened her dress, and glanced toward the editor-in-chief's office. Chen Yisheng was staring intently at his computer screen, oblivious to the undercurrents unfolding outside.

"Editor-in-Chief Chen, please come out for a moment. Someone wants to see you."

Jiang Xuhuan stood at the door of the editor-in-chief's office and knocked. His voice was normal, but his eyes and slightly swaying hands quickly gestured behind him, directing everyone to take action.

Chen Yisheng walked out upon hearing this. Almost immediately, the lights flickered out, leaving only a few warm yellow ambient lights. A burst of suppressed laughter and the sound of chairs being moved echoed through the editorial office. Fang Tang and another colleague slowly emerged from the dimly lit aisle, pushing a three-layer cake adorned with fresh cream and fruit. The flickering candlelight illuminated smiling faces.

"Happy birthday, Editor-in-Chief Chen!" Someone started the conversation, but the editorial office soon became lively, with everyone wishing Chen Yisheng well.

Chen Yisheng was clearly taken aback. He wore a fitted light blue shirt, his sleeves casually rolled up. The initial surprise on his face quickly gave way to delight and astonishment amid the candlelight and the sounds of blessing. The warm yellow light softened his normally cold and hard features.

"What are you doing..." He smiled and shook his head, and was surrounded by everyone and walked to the cake.

"Make a wish! Editor-in-chief, make a wish!" someone cheered.

Chen Yisheng followed suit and closed his eyes. His thick eyelashes cast a small shadow under his eyes.

Chi Jin's eyes fell on his clasped hands—her heart skipped a beat. She was surprised to find that the ring on his ring finger, which symbolized "married", was gone.

Doesn't he... want to maintain that persona anymore?

After more than ten seconds, he opened his eyes, leaned over and blew out the candle.

The office immediately erupted in applause and cheers.

"Thank you, thank you everyone." There was a genuine smile in Chen Yisheng's voice, and his eyes slowly swept through the crowd, and finally, fixed on Chi Jin without bias.

The two people's eyes met in the air.

A warm yellow halo danced in his eyes. His gaze no longer carried the scrutinizing distance of recent days, but was filled with bright tenderness, as if thousands of words were flowing in it, silently passing through the noisy crowd and landing precisely on her.

Chi Jin felt his heart skip a beat, and he hurriedly lowered his eyes, his cheeks slightly hot.

Fortunately, those who had prepared extra gifts exchanged glances, with Jiang Xuhuan taking the lead. She presented a gift box of pens, followed by literary works, tea, a shoulder and neck massager, and so on. Almost all of her colleagues, whether close personal friends or those seeking to curry favor, presented valuable or exquisite gifts.

Duan Xingche didn't get a word in until all the meat dishes were served. Finally, after the meat dishes were served, he and Chi Jin's small cold dish was served. "Editor-in-Chief Chen, this is a gift from my master and I. Yunzhu is easy to grow. Putting it in the office will add some greenery and is good for the eyes."

Chen Yisheng's eyes fell on the fresh green, and he was slightly startled, followed by a genuine smile.

"Everyone's spending money, but it really doesn't have to be like this. I appreciate the kindness, but these are too valuable for me to handle." His smile now had a formal, distant feel. "How about this, I think this pot of cloud bamboo is nice."

He reached out and gently touched the slender bamboo leaves with his fingertips.

"I like it very much." He raised his head and found Chi Jin again at the back of the crowd. "I'll just accept this. Thank you all for your kindness."

Why did you say "I like you" to Chi Jin?

Chi Jin lowered his head in panic, barely catching Jiang Xuhuan's smile as he tried to smooth things over. He only vaguely heard Chen Yisheng say a few moments later, "Thank you all for the surprise today. I'll divide the cake. If you don't have plans tonight, I'll treat you and we'll have dinner together."

Cheers erupted in the office. Chi Jin looked at Chen Yisheng, surrounded by his colleagues, chatting and laughing. He felt the insurmountable sense of distance surrounding him gradually dissolve. The barrier between them was also quietly loosening.

He suddenly became somewhat within reach.

This is really a dangerous idea. Chi Jin silently shrank to the back of the crowd, just wanting to wait for his colleague to hand over the cake and trying his best to avoid any direct contact with him.

The crowd gradually dispersed, and everyone returned to their workstations to enjoy their desserts or clean up the mess. When Chi Jin saw Chen Yisheng give the last piece of cake to Fang Tang, Du Yanni asked from the side, "Editor Chen, did you save any cake for yourself?"

Chen Yisheng smiled and said, "I don't like sweets."

Nonsense! Chi Jin has never seen a boy who likes sweet things more than Chen Yisheng.

Fang Tang was a little embarrassed: "Oh, how can you celebrate your birthday without eating cake? I'm in the management period recently, so I don't eat it."

"It doesn't matter. I made a wish, which is equivalent to eating it."

Everyone who hadn't started eating expressed their willingness to give their share of the cake to Chen Yisheng, but Chen Yisheng refused with a smile.

Chen Yisheng always dressed up as a sharp-tongued elite in a suit, and he certainly looked like a "cold-faced man" who wasn't interested in sweets. Fang Tang hesitated for a moment, then took the cake back to his workstation.