70. Emotional catharsis
The workplace is like a seemingly calm, yet turbulent ocean. The surface rules are written in a manual, but the true principles flow beneath every glance and every meaningful word. You never know which casual complaint will become a bullet fired back at you, or which smiling face hides the cold yardstick measuring your worth. Trust needs to be built here, but total commitment can be a luxury.
Chi Jin spent the last few working days before the New Year with this heavy realization.
The aftermath of the storm from that day's report was still there, but the whispers directed at her had indeed noticeably decreased. Most people seemed to accept the plausible explanation that "Chi Jin had made a mistake at work and ran into Editor-in-Chief Chen's bad mood."
After all, compared to ambiguous romantic scandals, scenes of strict bosses criticizing their subordinates are more common in the workplace and lose their novelty more quickly.
She tried her best to block out external distractions, burying herself in piles of manuscripts and year-end summaries. Her efficiency was surprisingly high, as if only this mechanical busyness could temporarily suppress the cold feeling of betrayal and the complex and inexplicable entanglement she felt towards Chen Yisheng.
He had put on a good show, successfully protecting her, but he had also suddenly thrust her into a situation where she had to face suspicion and scrutiny alone, without even giving her a line in the mirror. Intellectually, she understood this was the quickest way to distance herself from him; yet emotionally, the embarrassment and injustice of being rebuked so mercilessly in public, and the subsequent cold distance he had deliberately created, still pierced her heart like a tiny thorn, causing a dull pain.
Jiang Xuhuan continued to play the gentle, considerate, and kind senior to her, frequently checking in on her and urging her to relax during her annual leave, as if the helpless, silent deputy editor in the meeting room had never existed. Chi Jin also played along, feigning gratitude and sadness, but every time they locked eyes, she could more clearly see the carefully concealed calculation and satisfaction in his eyes.
This made her feel physically uncomfortable, but it also made her learn to hide her true emotions more quickly.
Finally, the last day of work before the Lunar New Year was over. Chi Jin had taken three days of annual leave, after all, she had planned to travel and relax with Chen Yisheng. Of course, she didn't tell her mother about this, but just told her that she would go home as soon as the company was closed.
Soothing music played in the car, but the atmosphere was subtly silent. The estrangement and cold war from a few days ago could not be completely eliminated with just one explanation.
Finally, Chen Yisheng spoke first, breaking the silence: "Regarding how to deal with Jiang Xuhuan, the company's top management has discussed this several times."
Chi Jin's heart tightened slightly and he looked at him sideways.
"After all, she's been with Zhongxin for many years and is responsible for several important projects. Sudden dismissal at the end of the year would have a huge impact, and the handover would also be problematic." Chen Yisheng stared straight ahead, his tone steady and emotionless. "The final decision was to let her spend the New Year holiday, and then formally handle the matter after the New Year. This is also in line with the procedures."
Chi Jin was silent for a moment. This result was both unexpected and reasonable. The workplace was never a place for happy-go-lucky relationships; weighing the pros and cons always came first. The thought of having to work under the same roof with Jiang Xuhuan for a while made her feel a little choked up.
"Okay, got it," she murmured, her eyes fixed on the rapidly receding scenery outside the window.
Chen Yisheng seemed to sense her melancholy and, freeing his right hand, gently placed it over the back of her hand resting on her leg. The warm touch was soothing.
"Don't think about it." He slowed down his voice. "We agreed that no one would mention the unpleasant things in the company these days."
Chi Jin felt the warmth from his palm, and the knot in her heart seemed to be slightly smoothed out. She gently held his fingers with her backhand and nodded: "Okay. Let's not talk about it."
Yes, it’s a hard-earned vacation, so why let those annoying people and things occupy your mind?
She tried to shake off her chaotic thoughts and began to turn her attention to the upcoming trip.
“How long will we be driving?”
"If there's no traffic, it'll take more than an hour," Chen Yisheng replied, his thumb unconsciously rubbing the back of her hand. "If you're tired, just close your eyes and rest for a while. I'll call you when we get there."
"It's okay, not too tired." Chi Jin shook his head, trying to make his tone lighter.
She adjusted her sitting position, found a more comfortable angle, and began to rack her brains for some light-hearted topics, such as the osmanthus cake that was said to be famous in Hecheng, the photos of the ancient town's night view that she saw on the Internet, and the special restaurants marked in the travel guide.
The world outside the car window quickly receded, the winter wind whistling past, carrying a sense of freedom, like escaping a cage. However, in the intervals between small talk, when silence occasionally fell, the wrinkles that had not been completely smoothed out were still faintly visible.
Chen Yisheng suddenly turned his head to look at her, his eyes deep: "Why do I feel...you are still not in a good mood?"
Chi Jin subconsciously shook his head and forced a smile: "No."
"Didn't you expect Jiang Xuhuan to be this kind of person?" He paused, his voice lowered with a hint of subtle caution. "Or... you can't really accept the way I lost my temper the other day. I embarrassed you."
After he pointed it out directly, Chi Jin's suppressed grievances seemed to find a crack and quietly seeped out. She lowered her eyelashes, staring at their clasped hands, and said in a muffled voice, "You were acting... and you didn't even check the script with me beforehand. I was really, really upset."
"I'm sorry," Chen Yisheng's voice was filled with sincere apology. His fingers tightened, completely enveloping her hand in his palm. "I was wrong that day. My approach was too extreme. I made you feel wronged."
"Yeah." Chi Jin said in a low voice.
He looked at the road ahead and expertly steered into a quieter lane. "We're almost there. Look at the navigation, it's the area ahead. It looks like a nice environment indeed."
The car finally came to a steady stop at the entrance of a waterside alley. White walls and black tiles, winding stone paths, and red lanterns swayed gently in the evening breeze. The owner of the B&B, a middle-aged woman with a warm smile, was already waiting at the door. She helped them unload their luggage from the trunk and led them into a bluestone alley that exuded the air of time.
The guesthouse is a meticulously renovated old house, its small courtyard tucked away amidst ingenious rockery and gurgling water. Their room is a timber-framed attic, with carved wooden windows opening onto a winding, clear canal below. Across from them are a patchwork of ancient buildings. Lanterns and wine flags hang from the eaves, reflected in the shimmering water, like a vivid ink painting.
“This place is so beautiful!”
Chi Jin couldn't help but lie by the window, watching a black-sailed boat gently pass by, the sound of oars creating ripples.
Chen Yisheng put away his luggage and walked behind her. He naturally stretched out his arms to wrap around her waist, gently resting his chin on the top of her head, and said with a smile: "As long as you like it."
However, Chi Jin slid out of his warm embrace and walked towards the wooden round table in the middle of the room. He said in a deliberately relaxed tone, "It's a bit late. Let's go out and find something to eat first."
Sensing her intentional distance, Chen Yisheng paused his arm in mid-air, then slowly lowered it. He turned, his deep gaze fixed on her slightly evasive back, not letting her easily change the subject. He took a few steps forward and grasped her wrist again from behind, his grip gentle but unyielding.
"What's wrong?" he asked softly, gently pulling her around to face him, his gaze falling on her slightly drooping eyelids inquiringly. "Still can't really forgive me? Tell me, how can I make it up to you, huh?"
His questioning was like a key that finally opened the floodgates of emotions that had been suppressed with great effort.
Chi Jin raised her head, her eyes slightly reddened. It wasn't tears, but a physiological reaction to the intense emotions. She looked at him, her voice choked with sobs and accusations, even though she herself wasn't aware of them. "Actually... there were times when you scolded me even more harshly before. But now... even though I know deep down you were probably faking it, the embarrassment of that moment and the subsequent days of indifference... I still... here..."
She pointed to her chest. "It's still very uncomfortable. It's more uncomfortable than I thought. I know we just agreed not to talk about this, but I just... don't know how to get rid of it."
Chen Yisheng's heart felt like it was being tugged at. He watched her trying to suppress her grievances, and all his prepared explanations and consolations seemed futile. He stopped talking and simply reached out, wanting to hold her in his arms again.
However, at the moment when his arm came around, Chi Jin seemed to be seized by some emotion, and suddenly made a move that he had not even expected -
Instead of moving forward obediently, she suddenly exerted force and pushed him backwards!
Chen Yisheng was caught off guard and stumbled a few steps as she pushed him. His knees hit the edge of the bed, and he lost his balance, falling backward onto the vintage carved wooden bed covered with a soft cotton mattress. The bed creaked slightly.
A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and before he could react, Chi Jin had already approached him.
She sat directly on his legs, her knees sinking into the soft mattress, and holding his face with both hands, she kissed him fiercely with an almost ferocious and reckless force.
The kiss was random and even hit each other's teeth. It was more like an emotional release, a clumsy and intense possession and confirmation.
It seems that only through this most primitive and intimate way can I dispel the coldness and uneasiness entrenched in my heart, truly feel his presence and warmth, and burn away all the damn grievances, anger, and fear.
Chen Yisheng's body stiffened for a moment when she threw him down, but then, in her awkward but passionate kiss, he reacted quickly. He did not push her away, nor did he take the initiative. Instead, he followed her rhythm and let her vent.
The air quickly heated up, filled with a dangerous, addictive ambiguous tension.
Chi Jin seemed to feel that it was not enough. In between kisses, she panted and her fingers began to pull at his sweater eagerly and even roughly.
Buttons? Zippers? She seemed to have lost her patience and wanted to break through any obstacles.
Chen Yisheng was completely ignited by her rare initiative and eagerness. With a swift turn, he instantly switched their positions and gently pressed her into the soft bed. A shadow fell over her, and his gaze was as dark as ink.
"Don't be impatient..." His voice was hoarse, and he placed hot kisses on her brow, eyelids, and nose. Finally, he covered her lips, which were red, swollen, and moist from being kissed, and whispered vaguely, "Let me do it..."
His movements no longer hesitated, with the same eagerness but a more skillful passion. Clothes were peeled off piece by piece, scattered haphazardly across the pristine wooden floor. The cool air touched her skin, stirring a small shudder, but it was followed by his even more passionate caresses and kisses, setting fire to everything he touched.
A warm halo of light filtered through the cracks in the carved wooden windows, dimly outlining the overlapping figures on the bed. The sound of oars from the sculls of the black-sailed boats and the faint chatter of people in the city seemed to come from another distant world.
At this moment, there was only the rapid breathing, suppressed moans, and the trembling hot temperature brought by the contact of skin.
All the uneasiness, grievances, and suspicions were violently collided, crushed, and then sublimated into an ultimate certainty and possession in this unreserved intimate fusion.
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