All-purpose soothing balm
Lin Jingshang returned to his workstation and started dealing with the emails that had piled up during the holiday. As soon as he turned on his computer, he found a new email in his inbox with the title: "New Year, New Look: A Guide to Maintaining Intimate Relationships in the Workplace, Tailored for You."
Lin Jingshang: "..."
Did this system go for further training during the Chinese New Year? The vocabulary database has been updated.
He opened the email.
Recommendation 1: Make at least three non-work-related eye contacts for no less than five minutes each day.
Recommendation 2: Share office supplies for couples.
Recommendation 3: Develop a habit of taking a midday walk to have relaxed conversations in a natural environment and release stress.
...
The email also included a buy-one-get-one-free e-voucher for a nearby upscale coffee shop, with the note: "[A suitable place for in-depth discussions.]"
Lin Jingshang closed the email and casually dragged it into the trash can.
He sent a message to Xie Dang.
[Lin Jingshang]: It's back, and it even sent us a relationship maintenance guide. (Attached: Email screenshot)
[Xie Dang]: Received. The content lacks empirical support and is logically flawed. The sending address has been blocked.
During their lunch break, the two met on the small terrace, where the sun was shining brightly.
"It suggests we use more couple-themed office supplies," Lin Jingshang said, taking a sip of hot water. "Does it have some misunderstanding about what 'couple-themed' means?"
Xie Dang took a sip of coffee, his gaze sweeping over the ordinary white mug in Lin Jingshang's hand, then back to the black bone china mug in his own: "The utensils we are currently using meet the standards in terms of functionality and hygiene, and there is no need to replace them."
Lin Jingshang was amused by his serious answer.
Colleagues from the administration department came over carrying a stack of newly purchased office supplies and began distributing new mouse pads to each workstation.
When the message was sent to Lin Jingshang, a colleague handed him a navy blue one, while the one sent to the president's office was bright yellow.
The colors are strikingly contrasting and a bit glaring.
The administrative colleague explained with a smile, "The colors for this batch of purchases were randomly assigned to promote diversity!"
Lin Jingshang looked at the navy blue mousepad in his hand, then at the bright yellow mousepad that had been delivered to the office, and then at the email from the system. He suddenly felt that this randomness was a bit too deliberate.
The air in front of him began to ripple: [Complementary color office supplies detected! Potential compatibility +1! Suggested to use them actively to showcase unique taste!]
Lin Jingshang: "..."
He chose to ignore it.
In the afternoon, Lin Jingshang went to Xie Dang's office to deliver documents and immediately noticed the bright yellow mouse pad on Xie Dang's dark desk. Xie Dang seemed completely oblivious to anything amiss, moving the mouse across it.
Lin Jingshang put down the file and couldn't help but glance at the mouse pad a couple more times.
Xie Dang followed his gaze and said in a calm tone, "The color is eye-catching and not easy to lose."
Lin Jingshang: "...You're right."
As he left the office, he looked back one last time.
---
Spring has arrived, and pollen and willow catkins are beginning to float in the air. Lin Jingshang has mild allergic rhinitis, and he experiences some discomfort every year around this time, but it's usually not severe.
That morning, as soon as he arrived at the company, he felt an itch in his nose and sneezed several times in a row.
He didn't pay much attention, thinking it was just a normal seasonal reaction.
By the afternoon, Lin Jingshang's symptoms worsened; his eyes became red and his throat felt uncomfortable. He took his usual allergy medication, but it had little effect.
During his lunch break, he had little appetite and didn't go to the terrace, just listlessly lying on his workstation.
My phone vibrated; it was a message from Xie Dang.
[Xie Dang]: Didn't come to the terrace.
[Lin Jingshang]: I feel a little unwell, it might be an allergy.
Not long after he sent the message, he heard footsteps approaching. Looking up, he saw Xie Dang standing next to his workstation, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Is it serious?" Xie Dang asked, looking at his reddened eyes.
"It's okay, just my nose and eyes are a little itchy." Lin Jingshang rubbed his nose. "I took some medicine."
Xie Dang didn't say anything, turned around and went back to his office. After a while, he came back with a white ointment that had no label.
"Try this." He handed the ointment to Lin Jingshang.
"What is this?" Lin Jingshang asked, somewhat puzzled, as he took it.
"The all-purpose soothing balm that was given to us by the system before is suitable for various skin and mucous membrane discomforts. The main ingredients are aloe vera and chamomile extracts, which are non-irritating and theoretically safe."
Lin Jingshang looked at the ointment in his hand, feeling a little touched and also wanting to laugh.
Xie Dang would analyze the components of anything the system sent him before deciding whether to use it.
He unscrewed the cap, squeezed out a little of the clear ointment, and applied it to the sides of his nose and around his eyes. The ointment was cool and had a faint plant fragrance, which did indeed relieve some of the itching instantly.
"It seems to be somewhat effective?" Lin Jingshang was somewhat surprised.
"Hmm." Xie Dang nodded, "Physical cooling and the sedative effect of plants."
The air in front of Lin Jingshang began to ripple, and a system notification appeared: [Target detected using a care item! Intimacy +3! Friendly reminder: This ointment can also be used to relieve muscle soreness, insect bites, etc. It's recommended to keep some on hand and share it!]
Lin Jingshang was speechless and selectively ignored the prompt.
"Thank you," he said to Xie Dang.
"You're welcome."
Xie Dang looked at his shiny nose after applying the ointment, his gaze lingered for a moment, and then looked away: "Drink more water, I'm going to a meeting."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Lin Jingshang watched his retreating figure, then touched the tip of his nose, feeling that the small tube of ointment had soothed his inner turmoil.
By the time Lin Jingshang left work, his allergy symptoms had lessened considerably.
He packed his things, preparing to leave, and found the all-purpose soothing balm on his desk. He picked it up, hesitated for a moment, and then put it in his pocket.
The next day, Lin Jingshang's allergy had mostly subsided. During their lunch break, the two of them sunbathed on the terrace as usual.
"Is your allergy gone?" Xie Dang asked.
"Okay, all done." Lin Jingshang nodded, took the tube of ointment out of his pocket, and handed it to Xie Dang. "Here, take this back."
Xie Dang didn't take it: "Keep it, I don't need it."
Lin Jingshang thought for a moment and then didn't refuse anymore: "Okay, then I'll take it for now."
Maybe we'll need it again in the future; spring is still a long way off.
The system will probably send all sorts of strange and unusual care items, but that's okay, they have their own judgment and ways of using them.
---
On Saturday afternoon, Lin Jingshang was invited out for coffee by a college classmate he hadn't seen in a long time. The classmate chose a nice-looking coffee shop that wasn't crowded and had a quiet atmosphere.
The two chatted about their recent situations when the classmate suddenly lowered his voice and gestured with his eyes to a spot diagonally behind them by the window: "Hey, Jing Shang, look at that man over there, isn't he your company's president? What was he thanking for again?"
Lin Jingshang's heart skipped a beat, and he followed his classmate's gaze.
Xie Dang sat alone by the window, a laptop and a cup of black coffee in front of him, staring intently at the screen, sunlight streaming through the glass window onto him.
How did he end up here?
Lin Jingshang remembers that Xie Dang usually works at home or goes to the gym on weekends.
“It’s him.” He looked away, trying to keep his tone calm.
"Wow, he's even more handsome in person than in the financial magazines!" a classmate exclaimed softly, then leaned closer gossipy, "He's alone? Didn't he make plans with anyone? What do you think my chances of getting his contact information if I go over there now?"
Lin Jingshang tightened his grip on the coffee cup slightly.
He lowered his eyelashes, staring at the coffee in his cup, feeling inexplicably heavy-hearted, as if something was blocking his throat.
"I don't know, maybe... he's busy."
His classmate noticed his discomfort, smiled, and didn't continue the topic, changing the subject to something else.
Lin Jingshang found it hard to concentrate; his gaze kept drifting to the figure by the window. Xie Dang remained focused, occasionally taking a sip of his coffee.
He was alone, with no one else around.
This realization eased some of the suffocation in Lin Jingshang's heart, but a more complex mix of emotions welled up inside him. He wanted to go over and sit opposite him, even if he didn't say anything.
But Lin Jingshang ultimately did not move.
He had made an appointment with his classmate beforehand, but in what capacity did he go there?
Just then, Lin Jingshang saw Xie Dang close his laptop and prepare to leave. He picked up his coat from the back of the chair, stood up, and as he turned around, a small velvet box slipped out of his coat pocket and fell to the ground.
Xie Dang seemed oblivious and walked straight toward the cashier.
Lin Jingshang's heart raced. Without thinking, he stood up, hurriedly said to his classmate, "Sorry, wait for me," and walked quickly over.
He bent down and picked up the velvet box; it was small and exquisite.
He hesitated for a moment, then gently opened it.
Inside were a pair of exquisite silver cufflinks, shaped like two overlapping mint leaves, gleaming delicately under the cafe's lights.
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