36. Uninvited Guests
As soon as I got out of the elevator, I saw Sun Ting appearing in the lobby with a bouquet of flowers, looking very eye-catching.
The flowers were obviously for her. But they had only met a few times, never even had a meal together, and their relationship was still "undeveloped." Wasn't it a bit too much for him to suddenly do this?
Chi Jin ran over with small steps, not intending to take the flowers, and politely asked hello.
"It's okay, you've worked hard." Sun Ting didn't mind and handed the flowers over with a smile, "Take it. It's not a rose, so don't feel burdened."
"You art students are so particular." Chi Jin couldn't refuse anymore, so he had to take it. "But I really have to go back to work overtime today. I'm really sorry that I can't treat you to dinner. How about..."
She silently calculated the day when her salary would be paid: "When will you leave Jing City?"
Sun Ting smiled and said, "It's okay. It won't take a day or two. I just happened to see some beautiful flowers in the flower shop and wanted to give them to a beautiful person."
"Thank you, I'm sorry for the expense." She held the flowers, as if holding a small ball of embarrassment that had nowhere to go.
"What about tomorrow? You should be free on the weekend, right?"
"The company has a team building tomorrow. It only happens twice a year. It would be inappropriate not to go."
"Oh... so you live nearby? I'll take you to work tomorrow, and how about we have breakfast together? Jing City is famous for its breakfast."
Breakfast for two people... Chi Jin silently estimated the price.
Very good! It shouldn't be too much!
Chi Jin nodded and agreed: "Okay. But since you said I was a local tyrant before, I must pay the bill."
"The guest follows the host's wishes."
"Then I'll go upstairs first. I still have some things to do. Thank you for the flowers!" She waved at him, turned around and trotted into the elevator almost as if escaping.
It was not until he walked into the editorial office that Chi Jin breathed a sigh of relief. He placed the flowers in the corner of his workstation, planning to take them home in the evening.
"Hey, picking up flowers tonight? Dutch irises, anyway."
Chen Yisheng and Jiang Xuhuan were checking in. Jiang Xuhuan caught a glimpse of it and said with a smile, "The language of flowers expresses lovesickness. Not bad, Chi Jin."
Chi Jin's ears burned, and he quickly explained: "It was given to me by a friend. I just went downstairs to get it."
Chen Yisheng, who was standing behind him, paused at the flowers for a moment. "Aren't you done? Why are you still working overtime?"
Chi Jin paused. That's right, she'd clearly already finished work, so why did she subconsciously lie and say she was working overtime? Firstly, she didn't have the money to treat him back, and secondly, because... Sun Ting's proximity made her feel a little overwhelmed, and she even wanted to run away.
"I'm ready to go too." She checked the time and picked up the flowers again. "I've been a little tired lately and want to rest early."
"It seems like you haven't been working overtime these days?" Jiang Xuhuan asked with a smile.
Chi Jin was speechless, almost giving himself away, and quickly changed the subject: "I've been playing with my phone too late at night lately... I want to catch up on some sleep today."
"I heard you did well at the discussion this morning." Jiang Xuhuan tactfully changed the subject. "I see Editor-in-Chief Chen is quite worried."
Chen Yisheng remained noncommittal: "It's a good start, we need to keep going."
Chi Jin quickly changed the subject: "Sister Huanhuan, do you want to go on a honeymoon?"
"I'm planning to go skiing in Hokkaido this winter, but for now, let's focus on work."
Chen Yisheng reassured, "The information regarding the accommodation for tomorrow night's team building has been verified, right?"
"Yeah." Jiang Xuhuan nodded.
"The bathhouse we'll be using tomorrow looks quite business-like and upscale," Chi Jin said. "I heard Sister Huanhuan chose it. It looks really nice."
"The buffet is also seafood. There are crabs, lobsters, and sea urchins."
"Looking forward to it." Chi Jin stretched, "Besides, I haven't slept well this week. I can finally have a good sleep in the big bed!"
The three of them got on the elevator, each with their own thoughts.
…
The next morning, Chi Jin met Sun Ting as agreed. Out of caution, she didn't give him the specific address, but instead met him at a breakfast shop one kilometer away from her home.
She rarely had time for a proper breakfast before work, so desperately she asked Taozi for a recommendation for a nearby, time-honored restaurant. The table was filled with Jingshi's famous pot stickers, wontons, and glutinous rice soy milk.
Sun Ting was very talkative. He talked about his experiences in training in various places, and Chi Jin also started laughing.
After breakfast, Sun Ting insisted on taking her downstairs to the office. Sitting in the back seat, Chi Jin secretly checked the price of the car with this logo. It looked like a luxury car. As expected, it was nearly two hundred thousand more expensive than Chen Yiwen's.
He is indeed a successful businessman. Chi Jin secretly felt that it would be better to go it alone these days.
Although it was rush hour, Sun Ting still skillfully crossed the traffic and sent her downstairs to the company ten minutes early.
He ran down to open the door and took out a small bag from his pocket.
"Take it apart and see."
No reward without merit, Chi Jin didn't dare to accept it at all.
"Don't be nervous, it's really not expensive," Sun Ting smiled and took out a small jewelry box from inside and handed it to her without hesitation. "If you feel burdened, you can return it to me after you've looked at it."
Chi Jin lowered his head to study the delicate little mechanism on the box, and suddenly felt a soft and warm touch on his forehead.
She shrank back suddenly as if struck by an electric current, and instantly pushed Sun Ting's hand away: "What are you doing?!"
"I'm sorry, I just thought you were so serious just now..."
"After all, we're not even friends," Chi Jin interrupted him quickly, frowning, and stuffed the unopened box back into his hand. "It's very rude of you to do this. Don't contact me again in the future."
Without giving Sun Ting any chance to explain, she turned and walked quickly towards the office building door, her cheeks burning with anger and embarrassment.
It was also at this moment that she seemed to catch a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye - Chen Yisheng was walking towards the revolving door from the other side. His footsteps seemed to pause slightly, and the lines of his profile looked a little cold and hard.
Did he see it?
Chi Jin's heart skipped a beat. She subconsciously wanted to call him, but she didn't know what to say. He didn't stop, didn't even look at her, and walked straight into the hall and disappeared in the crowd.
She was left standing there alone, the unexpected touch still lingering on her forehead, her heart in a mess because of the possible gaze.
Chi Jin was restless throughout the entire workday. She'd gone to Chen Yisheng this morning to report on her work, but he'd always brushed her off with a lukewarm response, saying either "I'm busy" or "I'll handle it myself."
Even when they met by chance in the cafeteria at noon, he just nodded slightly and passed by her with his plate, giving off a low-pressure aura that kept strangers away.
At the afternoon meeting, the group summarized the progress of the week. Normally, the three editors would make comments. Usually, Chen Yisheng would be sharp, but today he unexpectedly only said, "I have nothing to say."
This deliberate alienation reached its peak during the team-building activities in the evening.
In the luxurious buffet restaurant attached to the bath center, the seafood bar was piled high with fresh crabs, plump lobsters, and golden sea urchins. Colleagues were laughing and chatting, and the atmosphere was lively.
Chi Jin held the plate and hesitated for a moment, then took the initiative to sit at the table where Chen Yisheng was sitting - Qin Xiancheng, Jiang Xuhuan, and Duan Xingche were also at that table, the people she was most familiar with were there.
As soon as she sat down and greeted everyone with a smile, Chen Yisheng wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin, stood up and went to the dining table to get something.
Duan Xingche noticed that something was amiss between the two men all day, so he lowered his voice and asked, "Master, have you provoked King Chen again? He was fine just now, but he became like this the moment he saw you."
Chi Jin shook his head: "I haven't spoken to him all day."
If Chen Yisheng's attitude was due to what happened this morning, it would be unprofessional. However, he remained normal to everyone else, only to himself, where he suddenly changed his attitude.
After a while, Chen Yisheng came back with a plate and sat down. He only took a small piece of tiramisu.
Jiang Xuhuan said, "Brother Sheng, I haven't seen you eat crabs today. They were just airlifted in today and are especially plump. Now is the best time to eat them."
Qin Xiancheng quickly picked two female crabs and placed them in front of Chen Yisheng.
Chi Jin lowered her head, fiddling with the food on her plate with a dull expression. She had a clear conscience and wondered what she had done to deserve this reaction from him.
In the next karaoke session, Duan Xingche took the initiative to invite his master to sing a light and sweet song. Chi Jin was not in the mood, but he did not want to spoil his apprentice's fun, so he took the microphone.
As the music started, she forced a smile and sang in perfect harmony with Duan Xingche. Duan Xingche would unconsciously glance at her while he sang, his eyes sparkling like a boy expecting praise. When the song was over, someone in the audience started to boo.
Zhongxin officially "does not encourage office romances," and everyone was just saying it for fun. Duan Xingche blushed with embarrassment and waved his hands repeatedly, frightened enough to sit next to Qin Xiancheng, which caused another round of laughter.
After Chi Jin left the stage, she huddled on a sofa in the corner of the box, watching the lyrics flashing on the screen while hearing her colleagues' off-key singing and laughter. She felt completely out of place. She couldn't help but glance at Chen Yisheng, who sat there with his legs crossed.
After the bath, everyone wore the same clothes, though the styles differed for men and women. Chen Yisheng also wore the same clothes with great elegance. The collar was slightly open, revealing a rosy collarbone.
"Let's invite Brother Sheng to sing a song for us!" Du Yanni cheered.
"Brother Sheng! Brother Sheng!"
"One song! One song!"
Everyone cheered and Chi Jin also clapped his hands.
He openly ordered "Twilight", an old song.
When he opened his mouth, the box fell silent. His voice was deep and melodious, even more magnetic than the original, and he performed this classic song with great emotion and grace.
This was the first time that Editor-in-Chief Chen sang with the people, and the applause was thunderous.
Chen Yisheng nodded slightly in thanks, then said, "Alright, you guys go have fun. I have something to do later, so I'll go back upstairs to rest."
Everyone knew that Editor-in-Chief Chen didn't like noisy occasions, and no one meant to embarrass him. They just urged him to sing another song.
The next song happened to be another love song sung by a man and a woman. It was Lao Zhao who requested it and said, "Editor-in-Chief Chen, please sing. Editor-in-Chief Chen, please sing."
"Oh, this song doesn't sound good even if you two grown men sing it! Chi Jin, hurry up, join Editor Chen."
Chi Jin, who was suddenly called, trembled. She saw that Chen Yisheng's gaze finally fell on her, and there was finally a fluctuation in his eyes, as if he was inviting her.
Jin Yaojia suddenly stood up and said, "Editor-in-Chief Chen, would you be so kind as to sing a duet with me? I really like this song."
Everyone immediately started to make a noise: "Editor Jia Jia, come here!"
Chen Yisheng politely handed over the microphone and sang the well-known song "I Want to Sing Me to You".
As the prelude began, Jin Yaojia spoke gracefully and sweetly. When it was Chen Yisheng's turn, his voice was incredibly gentle, a stark contrast to his usual stern demeanor at work.
The climax turned into a chorus, and then Jin Yaojia very considerately walked to each female editor and handed the microphone. When it came to Chi Jin, it was time to sing the chorus for the male voice.
Chi Jin followed the harmony softly, feeling Chen Yisheng's gaze drifting towards her. When she looked at him, he immediately looked away.
Under the dim light, Chi Jin couldn't fathom his emotions, but he saw that his cheeks seemed flushed. He hadn't drunk any alcohol, and the temperature in the room wasn't high.
Could it be that you are shy?
Thinking of this, Chi Jin deliberately stared at Chen Yisheng, but saw that he immediately looked away, just like a shy teenage boy.
I never realized he was so thin-skinned before.
Thinking of this, Chi Jin smiled.
After the song was finished, Chen Yisheng said, "Okay, I'm tone-deaf, but I won't spoil the fun. Everyone, enjoy yourself."
"Okay! Anyway, the company will pay for it!"
“Hahahahahahahahahaha——”
"I'll go up first." Chen Yisheng bowed slightly and left quickly so as not to disturb everyone.
"Next song! Jia Jia, come sing. It just turned into a chorus."
Jin Yaojia was not at all stage-frightened. She smiled and nodded, and sang a rap song, which was very different from her usual image of a spoiled girl.
Everyone was surprised, and Qin Xiancheng was even more stunned.
Chi Jin poked him: "Wipe your worthless saliva."
Qin Xiancheng lowered his head to look for his water cup, but instead touched a piece of cold metal: "Whose phone is this?"
"It's not mine."
"Here's mine."
Duan Xingche looked down and said, "The frosted case should belong to Editor-in-Chief Chen."
"Who will go and deliver it?" Du Yanni asked.
Thinking of the unpleasantness between the two of them today and the relief just now, Chi Jin's heart moved: "I'll go, just in time to get some fruit for everyone to eat."
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