Chapter 45 Sharing Happiness: Today's happiness has increased by a mile, see for yourself...
She said she was going to her room to sleep for a while, but Zhu Liushuang couldn't possibly fall asleep.
She and Lü Feng truly shared the most sincere friendship from their youth.
She was also very grateful for Lü Feng's sincere help over the years.
Therefore, when she insisted on severing any possibility between them, she couldn't help but feel a sense of loss. She was indeed sad, but not to the point of crying.
Zhu Liushuang tossed and turned in bed for over half an hour, still wide awake. She crumpled the air-conditioning blanket in her arms into a ball.
The air conditioner on the wall has been installed for many years. When it's working, the outdoor unit makes a "putt-putt-putt" noise, which disturbs her peace of mind.
Night fell, and the wind stirred the shadows.
Gazing at the bright moon outside the window, Zhu Liushuang couldn't help but wonder: What is he doing? Is he working overtime or...?
She pulled out her deliberately hidden phone from under her pillow and opened WeChat.
Looking at He Ming's profile picture, Zhu Liushuang had a thought stirring in her mind, but she hesitated to ask. After looking at it for a while, she finally withdrew in disappointment.
Her gaze then drifted to the "Yueyin FM" icon. She hadn't opened the app in a long time since she had listened to all of He Ming's radio programs.
Zhu Liushuang rolled over in bed, her mind a complete mess.
He Ming didn't ask her about her relationship with Lü Feng. If she were to rush up and explain now, wouldn't that be a bit silly?
Their WeChat chat history consisted only of work and CPA-related topics; there were no other private matters.
Instead of abruptly disturbing him via WeChat, it's better to leave a message on "Yueyin FM" and naturally tell him about what happened during the day.
Anyway, she had been nagging him on his show all along, so he must have gotten used to it by now.
Zhu Liushuang silently applauded herself in her heart. As expected of her! She always manages to find a solution when she's feeling lost.
She suddenly sat up in bed, held up her phone and opened "Yueyin FM". She didn't even have the patience to watch the ten-second advertisement and clicked "skip" directly.
After entering the app, Zhu Liushuang couldn't wait to click on He Ming's personal profile.
As expected, he did not update the program.
Even the last time I logged in was ten days ago.
That was the last time she left him a message.
Suddenly, the butterfly in my heart began to flutter its wings, and an indescribable sense of joy spread through me.
Zhu Liushuang selected an episode of a show she had never commented on before, opened the comment section, and started typing.
[Since being harassed by a rogue while setting up my stall last month, I haven't been able to set up my stall for a long time. However, my dessert-making saga didn't end prematurely. Today, I completed my first-ever restaurant delivery order. Although my arms were aching from exhaustion, and the process was full of twists and turns, thankfully, my neighbor's older brother was kind enough to help, so I successfully delivered the dessert to the restaurant. Even more coincidentally, I ran into my senior after leaving the restaurant. But… he seemed to be in a bad mood. So—I wanted to share my happiness from today with him, hoping that everyone who sees this message can also find joy.]
She revised and rewrote it four or five times before finally clicking send, making sure the wording was correct.
Zhu Liushuang did not expect He Ming to see her message immediately.
So when the message "You have a new comment" appeared on her phone screen, she was so excited she almost threw her phone away.
You saw it so quickly? And you even replied!
So... he's not working overtime right now, is he?
Zhu Liushuang casually wiped the sweat from her hands and clicked into "Yueyin FM" again, where He Ming's comment jumped into view.
The harder you work, the luckier you get; life won't let down those who smile.
Hmm—He Ming's comments seem more and more like the encouragement a teacher gives to a student when they're in school?
Zhu Liushuang rested her chin on her hand, looking helpless: I really want to complain.
However, she held back!
"The harder you work, the luckier you get..." She repeatedly pondered the short comment on her phone screen, a surge of joy welling up inside her.
He not only praised her for her hard work, but also said that she was a cheerful person.
Zhu Liushuang couldn't help but smile foolishly at her phone screen.
After a moment's thought, she replied to He Ming again.
Life won't let down someone as hardworking, kind, and warm-hearted as you, senior! So... just between us, are you feeling a little happier now, senior?
This time, Zhu Liushuang did not exit the audio software immediately, but instead counted down the time while waiting for He Ming's reply.
When she counted to ninety-nine in her mind, the message bar displayed "+1".
Yes. Thank you for bringing me joy.
Looking at He Ming's reply, Zhu Liushuang felt a little sad.
He actually answered her question directly, which shows he was really in a bad mood today. It's unclear whether his "yes" was just to comfort her or if he was genuinely feeling better.
He Ming's mother had passed away, and his father had remarried and started a new family. Compared to him, at least she still had a loving mother. Zhu Liushuang couldn't help but sigh, racking her brains to find a way to comfort him further.
But...words seemed pale and powerless at this moment. Moreover, she had overheard those sordid family matters, so she had lost the right to comfort him.
After some thought, Zhu Liushuang decided to change the subject. She logged out of "Yueyin FM" and switched to WeChat, where she found a compiled application document in her phone's files and sent it to He Ming.
[Senior, are you home yet? If you have time, could you please take a look at my application materials and see if there are any changes needed?]
The best way to make a workaholic forget about unhappy things is, of course, to keep working overtime!
Soon, He Ming returned an "OK" gesture.
There were a lot of application materials; it would take at least an hour to read them all. While He Ming was reviewing the materials, Zhu Liushuang and Tian Xingyu had a long phone conversation.
The two chatted for a long time, and just before hanging up, Zhu Liushuang remembered that she had sent the application materials to He Ming two hours earlier.
The back of her phone was getting hot, and the battery was down to three percent. She used the last bit of battery to tap on He Ming's profile picture.
[Senior He: I've reviewed the materials, but there are some issues that need to be discussed in person. I won't be able to come next week due to our company's team building event, but the week after should be possible.]
It was sent half an hour ago.
Team building next week!
Only those four words remained in Zhu Liu's eyes. Zhuang Xiaoqian's voice began to echo in her ears: "Our company has been packaged up and handed over to Zhonghe this time. We're going to join Zhonghe's large group on a road trip along the Anhui-Sichuan-Tibet Highway. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity..."
[Senior, do you also go on team-building trips? After all, I heard from Lin Hui that you're a notorious workaholic in the firm. /laughs]
Zhu Liushuang asked the question in a teasing tone, but in reality, she was extremely nervous.
[Senior He: When you go, you should always balance work and rest.]
Upon receiving confirmation, Zhu Liushuang was overjoyed. She suppressed the urge to tell him that she would also go, and cleverly changed the subject.
Oh, I need to balance work and rest, otherwise my body won't be able to handle it. By the way... did my senior have something to say to me in the parking lot of Mengyuan Restaurant today? Unfortunately, my neighbor was in a hurry to get me home, so I didn't hear it. /sigh
She had carefully considered these words in her mind, aiming to both distance herself from Lü Feng and probe for the second half of what she wanted to hear. Zhu Liushuang bit her lip, as if she wanted to stare the phone screen until it blossomed into a flower.
I don't know if he understood what I meant, I've explained it twice already!
The chat interface displayed "Typing..." and Zhu Liushuang felt nervous, her breathing becoming rapid.
As the input stopped, He Ming's message arrived.
[Senior He: Actually, it's nothing important. I just wanted to thank you for making the xylitol cake for Grandpa; he really liked it.]
Speaking of cake, a few lines of text appeared before Zhu Liu's eyes; they were the WeChat messages that Dr. Xie had sent her privately during the day.
[Dr. Xie: Xiao Zhu, the cake you made is delicious. The old man hasn't had cake in ages! A Yuan said it was good too. And A Ming, even he who doesn't like sweets ate one, that's rare!]
When she received Dr. Xie's message, she was busy packing desserts and had no time to think about it carefully. Now, thanks to He Mingyi's reminder, she had time to ponder the meaning behind Dr. Xie's words.
The final phrase, "That's rare!", sounds like a joke, yet it's also a form of encouragement.
She was encouraged to continue to move closer to He Ming with unwavering determination.
"So...did you get any, senior?" she asked, knowing the answer already.
[Senior He: I tried one, it tasted good. Wishing you continued success in your dessert business.]
He Ming is not one to keep things to himself, and he is never stingy with his praise for her.
A joyful smile instantly appeared on Zhu Liushuang's face, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling as if they were filled with starlight.
Thank you for the blessing, senior. I'm even happier today! Everyone who sees this gets a share!
————
August is typhoon season, and Typhoon Ampil, the seventh typhoon of the year, is approaching. Weather forecasts are broadcasting typhoon updates daily, reminding citizens to pay attention to travel safety and take precautions against lightning.
Zhu Liushuang was probably more concerned about the weather in Gucheng than anyone else. She was worried that the company's team-building trip might be canceled due to the typhoon.
At that moment, she was standing in the corridor of the rheumatology and immunology department of the hospital, making a phone call to Zhuang Xiaoqian. Outside the corridor, the wind and rain were raging, and the trees were being blown about.
"Liu Shuang, is your mother alright? When is she going to be discharged from the hospital?" During the two days Zhu Liu Shuang was on leave, Zhuang Xiaoqian helped her with a lot of chores.
"It's just a routine physical examination. The blood indicators are fine, and I can be discharged tomorrow morning." Zhu Liushuang looked at the overcast sky and said with a hint of worry, "Won't it rain heavily again tomorrow?"
Zhuang Xiaoqian said matter-of-factly, "Typhoons always come and go quickly, right? This rain will definitely stop after a day and a night. Didn't you see the company group chat? Boss Guo said that as long as it doesn't rain heavily, the team building activity will proceed as planned!"
"I saw it..." Zhu Liushuang glanced into the ward. Her mother was chatting enthusiastically with the patient in the next bed, so she felt relieved and continued talking to Zhuang Xiaoqian. "Sister Zhuang, thank you for your hard work these past two days. My mother is being discharged tomorrow morning, but I don't know what time the procedures will be completed. I'll take my mother home and then rush over to meet you. Please remember to save me a seat."
"That's for sure!" Zhuang Xiaoqian assured her. Through the phone, she swallowed the surprise she had prepared for Zhu Liushuang.
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Author's note: Silently lighting a candle for Brother Xiaofeng.
Love is selfish; when you fall madly in love with someone, other suitors become insignificant!
Team building activities are coming up! I jotted down a few snippets in my phone's notes app, and I'm going to write them all down.
[Standing-eared rabbit head] Can any baby send me a few months' worth of gems? I want to start an image hosting service and change the cover.
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