Team building
"The Wumeng Mountains connect to mountains beyond mountains, and the moonlight shines on Xiangshui Beach..."
On the bus, a man was singing into a microphone to everyone on board, his voice filled with enthusiasm.
The familiar melody made everyone sing along involuntarily, and the joyful laughter from the car could be heard by passing vehicles on the highway.
In a corner of the car, a woman looked at the person next to her with a worried expression, while Secretary Liu nervously looked at President Chen while clutching her bag.
"Mr. Chen, are you alright?"
You shook your head, your face pale.
Who would have thought you'd get motion sickness on a bus?
The car made another sharp turn, shaking so violently that the acid in your stomach felt like it was churning. You felt like you were about to vomit, so you quickly covered your mouth and forced it down.
Today is the company's team building day. You decided on the location last week: a three-day trip to the hot springs in the neighboring city of H. Everyone was incredibly excited that week, and you were looking forward to it too.
It was your first time riding a bus. As soon as you got on, a pungent smell filled your nostrils, and you almost felt like vomiting.
As the bus drove onto the highway, everyone livened up the atmosphere and started singing karaoke. The smell became increasingly unpleasant, constantly irritating your nose.
Secretary Liu, sitting next to you, noticed your unusual behavior immediately.
"Mr. Chen, what's wrong?" she asked you in a low voice.
You keep swallowing, trying to suppress the acid in your stomach. "I think I might be a little carsick."
Secretary Liu immediately opened her bag; inside was an orange.
As you lean back in your chair, you suddenly smell a refreshing citrus scent wafting towards you.
As soon as you open your eyes, Secretary Liu hands you something. You take it and see that it's a few pieces of orange peel wrapped in paper. The fragrance you just smelled came from it.
Secretary Liu's hands were full of orange juice. "President Chen, this orange peel can relieve motion sickness. Smelling it when you feel unwell will make you feel better." She tore the orange segments and distributed them to the others.
After distributing the bags, he took out another bag from his bag. "Mr. Chen, if you feel like throwing up, I have another bag here. You can use this bag when you need to."
You held it to your nose and smelled it; it definitely felt much better. You smiled gratefully at her and said, "Thank you, Secretary Liu. I'm so grateful for your help."
Secretary Liu smiled and said, "You're welcome," adding that he could close his eyes and rest for a bit.
When you woke up again, the car had already stopped, and Secretary Liu said softly, "Mr. Chen, we've arrived."
You shake your head to clear your mind and say, "Okay, get out of the car with Secretary Liu."
After getting off the bus, you see that everyone is already eager to get started.
You clapped your hands with a smile to quiet everyone down. "It seems everyone is really looking forward to this trip. We'll be staying here for three days. Without further ado, here's the food and wine. Feel free to do whatever you want. If you want to go back to your rooms first, the manager will announce it in the group chat later. Now, everyone, you may leave."
"Thank you, Mr. Chen." Everyone cheered and rushed towards the hotel behind them with their luggage.
"Beep".
You open the door, insert your room card into the slot, and the room lights immediately turn on.
You casually put your suitcase aside, sit on the sofa, turn on your computer and phone, and prepare to reply to some work-related questions.
Although we came here for team building with the employees, there are still some tasks that need to be confirmed promptly.
As soon as I turned on my phone, I found that Chen Peiyuan had called me several times.
You call back, the phone rings a few times, and someone answers.
"Hey, Lanlan, have you arrived yet?" a magnetic voice called out.
The sound enters your ears from the loudspeaker, feeling as if it's electrified, tingling and making you rub your ears uncomfortably.
"Yes, we've arrived."
Chen Peiyuan laughed out loud, and then seemed to say something to the person next to him, in a noisy background.
Holding your phone, you say to the other end, "Chen Peiyuan, you go ahead with your work. I have some things to do here. Let's talk later."
Chen Peiyuan said "okay".
As you hung up the phone, you seemed to hear a familiar voice, like the announcements made at an airport.
You glance down at the phone screen. Shouldn't Chen Peiyuan be at the company at this hour?
Or perhaps you misheard.
After finishing your work at 5 p.m., you plan to go downstairs for dinner. During this time, Secretary Liu knocks on the door and asks if you want to go out for a walk.
You were in a hurry to organize the new store's information, so you declined, saying, "Secretary Liu, don't worry about me, just go and have fun."
After closing the room door, we prepared to take the elevator to the second floor. The hotel offers a free buffet. You have booked floors 10-15 of the hotel because your company has nearly 200 employees, and you have chartered five buses. That's why you are also taking the bus. With seats available, there is no need to spend extra money. Since you have a large group, the hotel promises free meals, hot springs, and games.
"Ding, we've arrived at the second floor."
The sound of the elevator interrupted your thoughts. As soon as the door opened, a cacophony of noise hit you, and you seemed to smell the aroma of fried noodles.
The greeter smiled and bowed slightly, "Please come in, miss, welcome to dine."
As you walk forward, the aroma grows stronger, and signs displaying the names of dishes are hung all around: satay beef, salt and pepper yellow croaker, cheesy mashed potatoes, black pepper beef ribs, as well as various barbecue skewers, seafood, and Japanese cuisine.
After walking around for a while, you filled a small plate with pasta, picked up some fruit, and found an empty seat to sit down.
After taking a few bites, you put down your chopsticks, feeling that something was off.
At this moment, Chen Peiyuan sent you a message, which you clicked to read.
It's a picture of food, showing a pot of boiling seafood porridge.
Chen: I tried seafood congee today, and it tasted pretty good. What did Lanlan eat today?
Chen: Rabbit smile. jpy
Looking at the picture, this seafood porridge looks delicious; your mouth is watering and your stomach is rumbling.
You also took a picture of the tabletop and sent it over.
The other party is not replying anymore, so you put down your phone.
Looking at the pasta, you sigh, thinking how much you want to eat the seafood porridge Chen Peiyuan makes right now.
After eating a quick bite to fill your stomach, you plan to go back to your room.
The greeter, all smiles, watched you enter the elevator, saying, "Take care, miss, and welcome back next time."
"Splash."
Wrapped in a bath towel, you step into the steaming hot spring, slowly sit down, and the water gradually spreads up to your chest.
You are all alone in the hot spring. Leaning against the edge, the warm water envelops your body, and you feel your body slowly heating up. You can't help but sigh comfortably.
How long has it been since you last soaked in a hot spring? The last time was before work. It's good to take advantage of the team building to soak in a hot spring this time.
"Sister Xiang, please don't splash me! Please spare me!"
"Xiao Zi, how dare you say that? You were the one who splashed it first."
A voice came from not far away. You looked over and it sounded somewhat familiar.
They were the three people who were chatting in the break room that day.
You are somewhat surprised. It's amazing how you can run into the three of them everywhere you go.
The hot spring pools they're soaking in have their backs to you, so they won't know you're right behind them until it gets dark.
After the two had played enough, they each found a place to sit down, and the three of them quieted down.
Suddenly, Li Xiang swam to Mo Lizhi's side, and Mo Lizhi looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"Xiao Zi, what kind of person do you think the boss is?"
Mo Lizhi was a little flustered and was surprised that she suddenly asked, "Is it not appropriate to whisper to the boss?"
Li Xiang waved her hand dismissively, "Oh, it's okay, we're not talking badly about the boss."
After saying that, he turned to Xu Meng, who was standing next to him, and said, "You agree, right, Xu Meng?" trying to gain some approval from her.
Xu Meng forked a piece of fruit, put it in her mouth, chewed slowly, glanced at the two people next to her silently, and didn't say a word.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Li Xiang immediately pestered Mo Lizhi, "Xiao Zi, Xiao Zi, just tell me! You were so bold to greet the boss last time, you were amazing, you were practically a dream queen." She then winked at her.
Mo Lizhi was amused by Xiang Jie's words. "Xiang Jie, don't tease me. I'm not the boss's dream girl. I just idolize her. President Chen is so outstanding. I wish I were even a tenth as capable as her." After saying that, she became shy and splashed into the water.
Ah, that's it? Li Xiang stood there dumbfounded. She hadn't expected Xiao Zi to like the boss for this reason, but it felt so normal.
Xu Meng chuckled.
Upon hearing the sound, Li Xiang immediately turned around, mischievously stretching out her small hand and looking at Xu Meng. "Xu Meng, how dare you laugh at me? I'll tickle you until you beg for mercy, or I'll write Li Xiang's name backwards."
As he spoke, he lunged at Xu Meng.
Now, Xu Meng started running around the hot spring pool, while Mo Lizhi watched from the side.
After listening to the whole story, you silently submerged in the water, as if that would hide your red ears.
When you left, those three were still soaking in the water, and now they've started singing.
Wearing a bathrobe, drying her hair with a towel, she rode the elevator.
Just as you were about to take out your room key to swipe the door, you inadvertently glanced at something on the ground and froze instantly. Your body tensed up in an instant, as if blood was rushing to your brain.
You slowly crouch down and pick it up; it was something you had caught in the door crack before leaving the house, as a safety precaution.
One of your hairs.
It never fell off before, so why did it fall off today?
Someone has been in your room! Who was it?
As you hold that strand of hair, countless possibilities flash through your mind.
Cleaning staff? Receptionist? Or thief?
No, you came out. The cleaning staff couldn't have gone in to clean the room without permission.
If it were the front desk, they would definitely call or message you, but after you finished soaking in the hot spring, you didn't see any unfamiliar messages on your phone.
There is only one suitcase and one computer in your room, and no valuables.
The thief might still be in the room. The safest thing to do is to leave and tell the front desk so they can handle it.
You are taking a step.
Just then, the door in front of them was opened from the inside.
You froze, quickly backed away, and warily watched the gap, clutching your only possession, your phone, tightly in your hand.
A face suddenly appears behind the door, and you stare in surprise.
How could it be him!
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