Confessing love
After Pan Yue's speech, the much-anticipated lucky draw began.
First prize (1 winner): Smartwatch;
Two second prizes were awarded: a Polaroid camera and a neck massager.
Three third prizes were awarded: supermarket shopping cards, blenders, and breakfast machines.
Of course, there's also a fourth prize, the "Sunshine Award," commonly known as a consolation prize—an umbrella, a thermos, an electric steamer, a U-shaped pillow...
Without exception, the lucky Zhu Shiyi won the supreme fourth prize and received an ugly, pure black power bank.
The good news was that Li Xuan got an even uglier umbrella, which made Zhu Shiyi feel much better.
......
As expected, the next activity is the talent show segment.
At the company's annual party talent show, most employees were forced to participate just to make up the numbers. Those with genuine talent, like Zhu Shiyi, were naturally exploited by the management, who ordered them to sing more songs.
Zhu Shiyi's repertoire was interspersed throughout the various programs.
On stage, she held her ukulele and sang with ease.
Nighttime, on the lawn.
Delicious food, music, gossip—how delightful!
She sang and played instruments on stage.
Everyone in the audience cheered and applauded for her, their eyes shining with appreciation and friendliness.
As if bewitched by the atmosphere, after Zhu Shiyi finished her song, Yu Fan rushed to the front of the stage, curled her red lips, and asked her if she wanted to sing a song together.
Before Zhu Shiyi could react, her colleagues below the stage gathered around her, excitedly cheering her on.
"One song! One song!"
Zhu Shiyi chuckled to himself.
Her dopamine levels surged dramatically, and she grinned, "Great!"
They improvised and sang a song together. When they reached the chorus, Zhu Shiyi met Yu Fan's gaze and couldn't help but sing along for her friend.
My colleagues' strange screams rose and fell.
"good!"
"It sounds great!"
A slight stirring in my heart.
Zhu Shiyi glanced at Yu Fan's unrestrained figure and gently curled her lips.
Countless memories flashed through my mind.
In elementary school, she would wear brightly colored makeup and extravagant performance costumes, stand on the stage, and sing every song she liked.
In middle school, she and her clubmates, a dozen or so people, sang one multi-part song after another.
In college, she had friends by her side: Yu Fan, Billy, Cozy, Lin Changren, and even... Pan Yue. She only needed to hold the microphone, close her eyes, and she could immerse herself in one musical feast after another.
The feast of memories is not limited to the stage.
At home, in the park, at the beach, even in the classroom or at the office;
As long as she has a pair of headphones, she'll attend a grand event.
......
She really, really likes this feeling.
She also wanted to enjoy this passionate and unrestrained dream, just like Yu Fan.
......
The last performance was also given by Zhu Shiyi, who changed into the guitar she borrowed from Yu Fan and sat quietly in the center of the crowd.
The winter wind was biting, and a bonfire was lit among the crowd, where they gathered to brew tea and warm wine.
The night was pitch black, but the camp was brightly lit with lanterns, their warm yellow hues resembling gentle moonlight.
With the guitar resting steadily on his lap, Zhu Shiyi naturally began to strum it.
The melodious strings lingered, and she took a deep breath, exhaling a clear sound.
Too Clever
She knew every word of this song by heart.
*
Even after hearing her sing this song countless times, Pan Yue's heart still races.
Her voice possesses an indescribable power, capable of melting the first snow in the western mountain streams and moistening the willow tips with the misty rain of Jiangnan.
On one side, clear spring water soaks the rocks in the stream, reflecting the sunlight and sparkling with crystal-clear brilliance, tinkling and leaping; on the other side, branches droop over the lakeside, lightly touching the shimmering clouds, wrapped in soft dewdrops, creating ripples.
*
She is like the tide, he is like the moon.
Zhu Shiyi felt that Pan Yue was an irresistible attraction to her.
He always drew her gaze, constantly and unconsciously.
In her eyes, she saw his sword-like eyebrows, his high and sharp nose, his moist lips, and his hair that moved with the wind.
Most importantly, those eyes, as black and clear as the stars, deep yet soft.
......
Zhu Shiyi suddenly remembered Yu Fan's joking question—
When does she plan to grant Pan Yue a good fate?
Zhu Shiyi's original plan was that since he liked her anyway, she just needed to wait for Pan Yue to come and confess his feelings to her.
But tonight.
......
She seemed to be about to lose control.
The campfire leaped and roared, dispelling the chill. Sparks flickered, chaotic and disorderly.
Zhu Shiyi became more and more engrossed in his singing.
"My chaotic thoughts are all because I want to be close to you too much."
......
actually.
Taking the initiative is not a big deal.
Previously, Zhu Shiyi had hoped that Pan Yue would bring her good fortune;
But now, she feels that good fortune is only in her own hands.
She wanted him to see her joy.
......
During the performance, Zhu Shiyi made two decisions.
First, tonight, she's going to confess her feelings to Pan Yue;
Second, she wanted to systematically learn music.
For the sake of her passion, she wanted to be brave for once.
Whether it's a person you love or something you love.
She wanted them all to fall into her palm.
The fifth route is suitable for all matters.
The courage to change.
--
After the performance, Zhu Shiyi sat down near Pan Yue.
At the annual meeting, the leaders naturally gather at one table to avoid disturbing the employees.
Zhu Shiyi didn't ignore the rules either. She sat at the table closest to Pan Yue, holding two packs of crispy snacks and munching on them, casually listening to her colleagues chat.
When people work together, their conversations naturally flow freely. When there are two or more men in the group, the topics inevitably revolve around Trump, Deng, and Ma, as well as various economic conditions—things that the "big shots" present are well-versed in.
They were also very enthusiastic and able to reach out to everyone present.
"Fan Jun, Shi Yi," said male colleague A from the marketing department with an air of confidence, "in this environment, do you young people have any plans for the future?"
Fan Jun's answer was impeccable: "Young people should be down-to-earth, and I'm just praying that I can get this job permanent."
Everyone nodded in satisfaction, their gazes all turning towards Zhu Shiyi.
Zhu Shiyi quickly looked away from Pan Yue.
Her mind was full of ellipses and question marks.
What the heck? She was just thinking about how to confess her feelings.
Zhu Shiyi chuckled dryly and replied casually, "Me too, just focus on your work."
She drifted off into her own world again.
The conversation then drifted away to other topics.
Qin Yu, however, put down his crossed legs and quietly sat down next to Zhu Shiyi, lowering his voice slightly: "Shiyi, I remember you're from Yuecheng. After you finish your undergraduate internship, are you planning to stay and work in Jinrong?"
Zhu Shiyi refocused her gaze. She put down her snacks and listened attentively.
Qin Yu is her mentor and cares about her a lot.
Zhu Shiyi was not averse to genuine concern.
But that's the point Qin Yu asked...
She answered truthfully, "I'm not sure yet. I haven't thought that far ahead. I'll just go wherever I can make the most money."
“The salary level in Yuecheng is almost twice that of Jinrong,” Qin Yu analyzed and suggested. “Since your family is in Yuecheng, you don’t need to rent a house or worry about basic survival issues. After graduation, you can find a job in Yuecheng and earn at least seven or eight thousand. Since you live at home, your expenses are not high, and you can save a lot of money.”
Zhu Shiyi thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.
Indeed, this was the arrangement for most of her classmates who grew up in Yuecheng.
Meng Xiaolan, who was sitting next to her, overheard the conversation and chimed in, "Yuecheng is developing well, with many opportunities and high salaries, but the prices are really frightening."
“I also worked at Yuecheng for two years after I graduated. At that time, I rented a one-bedroom apartment in an urban village next to the company. The conditions were terrible, and it cost 3,000 yuan a month. That was 3,000 yuan five or six years ago! During those two years, I earned money at Yuecheng and spent it all at Yuecheng. I didn’t bring a single penny home.”
Zhu Shiyi followed Meng Xiaolan and burst into laughter.
"If you ask me, as long as you have the opportunity, you should still try your luck in a big city when you're young," Qin Yu said like an old father. "The resources and connections in first-tier cities are unmatched by other cities."
Zhu Shiyi agreed with this. Her real father—whose WeChat name was "Sea and Sky"—also often said the same thing.
She wanted to ask, "Did Brother Yu work at Yuecheng before?"
Qin Yu shook his head: "I used to live in the capital, but the cost of living there was too high. After working there for a few years and saving some money, I returned to Jinrong."
“Housing prices in the capital are too high, I can’t afford to settle down at all,” Qin Yu sighed. “In Jinrong, with my own savings, some support from my family, and the housing provident fund, I can at least afford a small apartment.”
"Men, without a house or a car, how dare they talk about marriage with a girl?"
......
Zhu Shiyi listened quietly and offered a comforting remark, "Jinrong is doing well too."
She understood Qin Yu very well. Ambitious people all want to break into first-tier cities and make a name for themselves, but not everything goes as planned.
Without money, there is no chance to settle down in a big city; one can only drift alone.
Material conditions are definitely a major source of confusion for young people in their twenties and thirties.
Whether people accept it or not, this is the reality of society today.
Meng Xiaolan seemed to sense something.
She shook her head helplessly and smiled at Zhu Shiyi: "Old Qin is right, Yuecheng is indeed developed and the wages are high. If you go back to work in Yuecheng, wouldn't the salary in your account be your pocket money?"
That sounds incredibly tempting.
Zhu Shiyi chuckled and casually said, "You've made me tempted."
“I really envy you, Shiyi,” Meng Xiaolan replied with a gentle smile. “You were born in a big city, your starting point is higher than many people, you are so lucky.”
Zhu Shiyi was slightly dazed.
Her mother often said this to her, and she wholeheartedly agreed with the first part of the statement.
Zhu Shiyi never felt that there was anything wrong with this.
She wasn't some pampered young lady who never lifted a finger; she was actually born into an ordinary family. But her "ordinariness" was something many could only dream of.
But she had doubts about the second half of the sentence.
Does living in a big city guarantee happiness?
......
“Yes, I’m very lucky,” Zhu Shiyi said, rephrasing her statement.
Arguing from different perspectives about whether being born in a big city is a happy thing is meaningless.
Only by following the path before you can you find meaning.
The main issue is that, at this critical juncture, her heart is not here;
Elsewhere.
......
The evening breeze lifted the tent curtains, and the last embers of the campfire slowly died out.
This annual grand event is also coming to an end.
Colleagues left one by one, leaving very few behind.
"Fish Ball," Lin Changren called out to Yu Fan, "Let's go back."
Fish ball is a homophonic nickname that Lin Changren uses for Yu Fan.
Yu Fan nodded and asked Zhu Shiyi if they wanted to go back together on the way.
"I don't want to be a third wheel for you two!" Zhu Shiyi joked loudly, then pulled Yu Fan aside and whispered in his ear, "I want to be alone with Pan Yue for a while."
Yu Fan smiled ambiguously and pulled Lin Changren away.
At the campsite, only Pan Yue and the staff responsible for the cleanup were present.
Zhu Shiyi was more reserved when outsiders were present.
A gentle evening breeze blew by, and she tossed her hair aside, casually asking Pan Yue, "Aren't you leaving?"
“…” Pan Yue raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp. “I’ve had a drink, so tonight… I can’t see you off.”
"I'll take you." Zhu Shiyi hadn't been drinking; she was perfectly sober.
Pan Yue paused for a moment, then continued pouring wine: "It's late, you should go home now."
He picked up his drink with one hand and swiped his phone with the other: "I'll call you a private car."
“No,” Zhu Shiyi pressed Pan Yue’s phone, looked him in the eye, and said directly, “I just want to spend more time with you.”
Pan Yue paused for a moment, then looked away.
Perhaps it's because of the alcohol.
In the dim light, Pan Yue's pupils dilated slightly, as if out of focus, and his eyes became bloodshot. He looked slightly drunk and dazed.
Her heart softened slightly, and Zhu Shiyi lowered her head, staring intently at Pan Yue: "Are you drunk?"
Pan Yue's eyes flickered.
"......Um."
He finished his drink in one gulp.
"How much have you drunk?" Zhu Shiyi frowned, feeling a little sorry for him. She grabbed the wine glass from Pan Yue's hand. "Don't drink anymore. They're all gone. You don't need to drink anymore."
She remembered Lin Changren saying that Pan Yue was a heavy drinker.
Tonight is the company's annual party. Lin Changren refused to drink alcohol because his girlfriend was there. Pan Yue, as one of the bosses who slipped through the net, naturally couldn't escape the fate of drinking alcohol.
...They got even a heavy drinker drunk. How much alcohol did they have to make him drink?
Zhu Shiyi helped Pan Yue up, and subconsciously used all her strength to pull him to his feet: "Come on, I'll take you home."
Pan Yue obediently followed her, leaning against her.
A tall, imposing man leaned against her, but Zhu Shiyi didn't feel how heavy he was.
"Is Mr. Pan drunk?" A colleague noticed and asked with concern, "Are you alright? Do you need any help, Shiyi?"
"It's alright, it's alright, I can manage," Zhu Shiyi replied with a smile and a few polite words. "You guys are busy, thank you for your hard work! We'll be leaving after we're done playing, but you still have so much work to do."
Without asking any questions, Zhu Shiyi easily helped Pan Yue into the passenger seat.
"Are you alright?" She stood outside the car, bent down close to Pan Yue, and considerately helped him fasten his seatbelt. "I'll take you home and make you some honey water."
"...No need, I'm much better." Pan Yue sat up straight, his gaze drifting gently over.
"Really?" Zhu Shiyi frowned.
She carefully observed Pan Yue for a few moments; his eyes were clear, and he seemed to be genuinely not drunk.
He really can hold his liquor; he sobers up really quickly. He was drunk just ten minutes ago, but now he's perfectly fine.
Pan Yue gave a soft "hmm," took out his phone, and silently called a car.
Zhu Shiyi tried the same trick again, attempting to snatch his phone, but he avoided it.
“It’s not safe to go back too late,” Pan Yue said.
He quickly arranged for a private car for Zhu Shiyi and also called a designated driver for himself.
The entire operation was executed flawlessly, leaving Zhu Shiyi no chance to refuse.
"The car will arrive in five minutes," Pan Yue said casually.
......
Zhu Shiyi stared intently at Pan Yue.
She originally intended to... confess her feelings naturally.
But now, she only has five minutes left.
Countless images flashed through Zhu Shiyi's mind, but he didn't know where to begin.
She had never confessed her feelings to a boy before, and even after thinking about it for half the night, she still couldn't come up with a particularly good way to do so.
Zhu Shiyi made conversation by taking a deep breath: "Are you... sure you're not feeling unwell?"
Pan Yue responded softly, closing his eyes: "A little sleepy."
......
Zhu Shiyi stared quietly at Pan Yue's sleeping face.
He looked somewhat tired.
......
The second hand ticked by with each breath, and Zhu Shiyi glanced at her phone; four minutes had already passed.
Pan Yue opened his eyes at the opportune moment and also checked his phone.
"The car is almost here, only 200 meters away."
"..." The emotions that had been building up all night were about to burst forth.
Zhu Shiyi no longer wanted to think about any way to confess his feelings.
In the end, confessing your feelings boils down to just one sentence.
Zhu Shiyi tightened her grip on her phone, looked up, and stared directly into her heart.
“Pan Yue,” she said crisply, “I have something to say to you.”
Pan Yue's eyelids flickered, and his lips trembled slightly.
Zhu Shiyi spoke first: "We are very destined to be together. After spending so many days together, I want to say that I like..."
"Your flight is at 3 PM tomorrow?" Pan Yue suddenly interrupted, speaking rapidly.
Zhu Shiyi was stunned.
Love lingered on her lips, about to be expressed.
Pan Yue turned his face away, not looking at her: "I'll pick you up at 12:30 tomorrow."
Zhu Shiyi blinked.
What does Pan Yue mean by this?
"Hello, is this the car you called?" A large van pulled up beside us, and the driver rolled down the window and asked.
Pan Yue: "Yes."
He turned around, gave Zhu Shiyi a slight smile, and said, "Go ahead."
Zhu Shiyi bit her lip, her mind a jumble of thoughts.
"you......"
Pan Yue's eyes flickered.
He suddenly raised his hand and gently touched her head: "See you tomorrow."
"..." Zhu Shiyi was captivated by his gentle voice.
She smiled faintly: "See you tomorrow!"
......
Sitting in the comfortable van, Zhu Shiyi's thoughts were in disarray.
Pan Yue...did you understand what she meant?
......
He was a little drunk tonight, probably not quite sober, and didn't understand.
Zhu Shiyi comforted himself.
Perhaps Pan Yue wanted to confess his feelings to her tomorrow.
That's fine too; one more day won't make a difference in their lives.
But Zhu Shiyi felt a vague unease.
I went back inside and tidied myself up.
Zhu Shiyi opened the game, clicked on the friend relationship binding interface, and sent a couple request to Pan Yue.
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