Sour
Yu Fan was chatting with Zhu Shiyi when she turned around and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Let's go get some late-night snacks together later." Lin Changren coughed lightly, then put his hands on his hips.
"Shiyi and I will go eat," Yu Fan politely declined.
“That’s what I was saying,” Lin Changren quickly explained, “Let’s go together, everyone’s had a hard night.”
"Huh?" Zhu Shiyi was taken aback. "Who else is there?"
She didn't want to eat with Li Xuan, especially not at a company dinner.
Lin Changren turned around, and Pan Yue happened to be walking this way.
Lin Changren tapped the back of him with his thumb: "Now it's just the four of us."
Zhu Shiyi peeked out and saw Pan Yue.
What does "now" mean...?
Zhu Shiyi looked around: "Is this considered a company dinner? Should we invite Brother Xuan?"
Strangely, she couldn't find Li Xuan.
"Uh..." Lin Changren stammered, "I guess so, we can call him later."
Zhu Shiyi gave Yu Fan a look.
She had told Yu Fan that Li Xuan was that manipulative male colleague.
Yu Fan slightly raised his eyelids, understanding: "President Lin, I'm not exactly an employee of your company, so it's not appropriate for me to go. You guys go ahead."
Zhu Shiyi quickly chimed in, linking arms with Yu Fan: "Then you two go ahead, President Lin. Yu Fan and I will go together."
"Ah—" Lin Changren said in surprise, "It's okay, Yu Fan, you can come. Don't worry about so much."
“Just the four of us,” Pan Yue replied, “we won’t call Li Xuan.”
Lin Changren glanced at Pan Yue, blinked, and seemed a little confused. He then changed his mind: "Yes, either way is fine. Just the four of us. Let's treat it as a get-together with friends."
"Hmm..." Yu Fan gave Zhu Shiyi a look.
Zhu Shiyi nodded quietly.
“Then let’s go together,” Yu Fan replied. “Thank you, President Lin.”
Lin Changren breathed a sigh of relief and waved his hand: "Just call me Changzi in private!"
"Everyone, please wait a moment!" the director suddenly called out. "We'd like to ask the two lead actors to do another take of that scene."
All eyes turned to that direction.
Li Xuan stood to the side of the director.
...
After filming officially wrapped, everyone went home. Lin Changren asked Li Xuan to stay behind and lock the doors and windows.
Yu Fan and Zhu Shiyi had already followed Lin Changren's car to Haidilao.
Pan Yue was left to drive his own car alone.
The four people sat down and ordered their food.
"Why did the director call for a reshoot in the end?" Yu Fan asked casually.
"It seems like Li Xuan and the director said something," Zhu Shiyi shrugged.
"There was a continuity error in a previous shot," Lin Changren explained. "Luckily, Li Xuan noticed it."
"I see," Zhu Shiyi replied casually.
She didn't care about such a small matter and didn't want to mention Li Xuan.
Pan Yue: "Actually, Li Xuan's abilities are not weak."
Zhu Shiyi: ...
“Back then, Li Xuan was the most hardworking and innovative member of the team,” Pan Yue said. “In the past, the company didn’t have much money and couldn’t afford a good outsourcing team. Li Xuan did it all by himself, using his own equipment, writing scripts and shooting videos to operate the company’s official account.”
Zhu Shiyi looked directly at Pan Yue.
Why did he say all this?
To exonerate Li Xuan?
“Perhaps it’s because he had a child in the last two years,” Pan Yue continued, “that the economic pressure increased, which led him to have wicked thoughts.”
Lin Changren opened his mouth, his expression surprised: "What kind of wicked thoughts are you having?"
Zhu Shiyi remained silent.
Pan Yue answered for her: "Stealing credit."
"What?" Lin Changren raised his voice.
“Li Xuan wanted to steal Shi Yi’s credit,” Yu Fan explained.
"Is that so?" Lin Changren's eyes widened.
Zhu Shiyi pursed her lips: "But it was resolved later."
Pan Yue nodded slightly and looked back at Zhu Shiyi: "A company cannot dismiss employees at will, especially employees who have merits."
Zhu Shiyi stared at Pan Yue, slightly taken aback.
She didn't even intend to get Li Xuan fired by the company!
Working people should be grateful for fairness, let alone being fired.
That's too much to do.
Pan Yue blinked away and pursed his lips: "If you really feel uncomfortable, you can apply to Director He for a change of team and get a different mentor."
Zhu Shiyi's chest trembled.
She understood and smiled knowingly: "No, not at all. Apart from work, we don't communicate at all. I don't need to let him affect my mood."
Pan Yue paused, then nodded slightly: "That's good."
"If you hate each other, that's all." Zhu Shiyi suddenly remembered this sentence.
She will never again become a prisoner in a game for someone who isn't worth it.
Pan Yue turned his head, stared at her for two seconds, and suddenly smiled.
He suddenly felt like an old father.
She has changed.
I will no longer waste my energy on those who betray me.
"Let's not talk about him," Yu Fan changed the subject. "Shiyi, where are you sleeping tonight?"
Zhu Shiyi was stuffing a cherry tomato into his mouth, his cheeks puffed out.
“I’m staying in a hotel,” she said, picking up her phone, her voice slightly muffled, “I’ll book now.”
“Hey—” Yu Fan pressed Zhu Shiyi’s hand, “Why book a hotel? Come stay at my place.”
Zhu Shiyi: "Isn't this inappropriate? It's bothering you too much."
“What’s wrong with that? I live alone,” Yu Fan gave Zhu Shiyi a reassuring smile. “You know my parents live in Qincheng.”
“Yes, I know,” Zhu Shiyi replied with a smile. “It’s because I sleep restlessly and dream of performing a whole set of Tai Chi. I was afraid I would accidentally hurt you.”
"It's okay, my house has two rooms." Yu Fan blocked their escape route.
Zhu Shiyi asked in surprise, "You live alone in a two-bedroom apartment?"
The school is far from the company, and Zhu Shiyi had considered renting an apartment. However, she found that nearby one-bedroom apartments cost 1,800 yuan, and the living conditions were only so-so.
Although it's not very expensive, staying in a dormitory can save you 1,800 yuan.
“After I started working at the bar, I wanted to find a place to rent nearby,” Yu Fan said, clapping his hands excitedly. “Perfect timing! This place is in a good location, the price is reasonable, and it’s spacious. I got a bargain!”
Zhu Shiyi sighed.
Why didn't she get to experience such a good thing?
Pan Yue frowned slightly and asked with concern, "Is it safe?"
Zhu Shiyi was taken aback.
“It’s a legitimate platform,” Yu Fan said, raising his chin slightly. “Besides, the security in that Phoenix City neighborhood is pretty good. Changzi should know that too.”
“Phoenix City—” Pan Yue raised his voice slightly and dragged out the last syllable.
He subtly turned to the side and glanced at Lin Changren.
Lin Changyi covered his face with one hand, hiding his furrowed and wide eyes, and slightly turned his eyes, moving his lips silently.
"Bro, stop it!"
"What's wrong?" Yu Fan asked, puzzled.
“It’s alright,” Pan Yue said with a slight smile. “Phoenix City is quite nice.”
“Yes, yes,” Lin Changren said, taking a tactical sip of water. “I live there too, it’s very safe.”
"As long as it's safe," Zhu Shiyi agreed.
She didn't see the expressions on the faces of the two men opposite her.
A strange feeling was churning inside me.
Like back in my hometown in the south, the first bite of a summer orange was before it was even ripe.
It's not only sour, but also a little bitter and slightly astringent.
Zhu Shiyi took a deep breath and suppressed his unusual emotions.
She picked up the bowl and took a sip of the tomato beef soup.
However, I couldn't taste the rich, salty-sweet broth.
On the tip of her tongue, she only detected one flavor—
It seems to be sour.
“Stay at my place, Shiyi.” Yu Fan shook her arm.
Zhu Shiyi was startled and came to his senses.
"Okay, thank you, Sister Fan, you're so kind." Zhu Shiyi forced a smile, her emotions churning.
Yu Fan didn't notice anything amiss and continued, "My place is very close to your company. It only takes about ten minutes to drive there. And just a few subway stops."
Suddenly, Yu Fan slapped his thigh: "Why don't you move in with me!"
Zhu Shiyi's eyes widened instantly.
She quickly waved her hand, "No, no, that would be too much trouble for you."
“It’s okay, I’m bored by myself too,” Yu Fan said, taking Zhu Shiyi’s arm. “Besides, you still have to go to school, right? Your internship will only last a few weeks, how could you cause any trouble?”
Zhu Shiyi's one-way commute takes an hour and a half.
At that moment, she was truly moved.
It should be cheaper to share an apartment with Yu Fan's friend.
“Then I’ll pay your rent,” Zhu Shiyi quickly decided.
“No need,” Yu Fan said, taking her hand and putting his hands on his hips, his brows furrowed. “You don’t need to worry about anything, just come and bring a few clothes.”
Zhu Shiyi pouted, her eyes almost filling with tears: "Yu Fan! Fanfan! Sister Yu Fan! Why are you so good to me?"
She deserves to die.
I was just agonizing over Pan Yue's words of concern!
What's there to be conflicted about?
Is it abnormal for friends to care for each other?
She must have lost her mind just now.
Yu Fan patted Zhu Shiyi's head: "Who told you to be so smart and cute?"
Zhu Shiyi smiled and nuzzled against Yu Fan's neck.
Forest:......
You can immediately tell who to envy or be jealous of.
“Okay,” Yu Fan moved away slightly, “Don’t feel pressured. I should thank you for giving me ideas for writing the lyrics this time.”
Zhu Shiyi scratched his head, embarrassed: "I didn't do anything."
The dishes were served one after another.
Yu Fan felt that just eating wasn't enough: "I'll order two bottles of wine, who's going to drink?"
Lin Changren sighed, "I'm driving."
Pan Yue: "I drive too."
Zhu Shiyi was inclined to try: "I'd like to have some!"
Yu Fan agreed: "No problem! I'm not on my period this time, so I can drink as much as I want."
“Exactly, exactly,” Zhu Shiyi echoed.
"By the way," Yu Fan changed the subject, "how are you feeling now?"
“I’ve been exercising regularly, so I should be feeling better,” Zhu Shiyi paused, her eyes glancing unintentionally at Pan Yue. “I got a membership at the gym near my company.”
Pan Yue's gaze seemed to sweep over it.
Zhu Shiyi wanted to catch it, but he lowered his eyes, remained silent, and just put the food into his mouth.
Instead, Lin Changren asked, "Is it the gym that Lao Pan took you to before?"
“Yes,” Zhu Shiyi nodded, “I just got the monthly pass these past two days.”
"You have such perseverance," Yu Fan praised sincerely. "I had a gym membership when I was in school, but it just sat there collecting dust."
“I probably bought it just to gather dust,” Zhu Shiyi hesitated for a second, then added, “It’s really hard to stick to it by yourself.”
My peripheral vision involuntarily reflected Pan Yue's image.
Pan Yue paused in his chopsticks movement and looked up.
Lin Changren glanced at Pan Yue, chewing his food in a series of bites.
He stared intently at Pan Yue, then suddenly a smile appeared on his face.
“Then you and Lao Pan go!” Lin Changren swallowed his food, his voice booming. He patted Pan Yue, looked at Zhu Shiyi, and sincerely suggested, “He’s going alone too.”
Ripples spread across the lake of my heart.
Zhu Shiyi's lips moved slightly, then she held her breath, her watery eyes fixed on Pan Yue.
In his eyes, he saw Pan Yue's profile.
He twitched his brow slightly and glanced at Lin Changren.
Lin Changren raised an eyebrow, smiled slightly, and acted nonchalantly.
Pan Yue handed over the dagger, chuckled softly for a moment, and then turned his face away.
Zhu Shiyi felt inexplicably nervous.
What is this...?
"Are you... available?" Zhu Shiyi hesitated for half a second before asking softly.
Pan Yue and she looked at each other without saying a word.
“It’s okay if it’s inconvenient,” Zhu Shiyi quickly added, chuckling as she smoothed things over. “Anyway, I swim alone at school.”
Pan Yue's lips curled slightly as he tilted his head: "I didn't say it was inconvenient."
Zhu Shiyi's eyes flickered.
“I work out on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays,” Pan Yue began, slightly raising his chin, “four fixed nights a week. You can come whenever it’s convenient for you.”
......
After the meal, Lin Changren offered to pay the bill: "I owe Lao Pan money for milk tea, so I'll treat him to this meal. You don't need to pay me back, okay?"
Zhu Shiyi nodded: "Then I'll pay with my account. I'm a college student, so I get a 31% discount."
Lin Changren said, "Okay."
"It's so good to be young." Yu Fan shook his head and smiled.
After paying the bill, Lin Changren gave the two ladies a ride home.
Zhu Shiyi had drunk some wine and was a little sleepy, but excited.
Start living with friends and explore a new world!
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