Get some fresh air and clear your head.
The clamor of the victory banquet finally subsided.
Meng Yihe returned to his quiet yet familiar apartment, took off his coat, and rested on the sofa for a while. Just then, his phone rang. It was a message from the CEO's assistant, who directly copied him and Cui Yu:
[President Meng, President Cui, the boss has instructed: You two have worked tirelessly and made outstanding contributions recently. You are hereby granted three days of paid leave to rest and recharge.]
Have a wonderful holiday!
Almost the second after he finished reading the message, his phone rang.
The name "Cui Yu" was displayed on the screen.
Meng Yihe hesitated for a moment, then answered the call, her voice tinged with weariness.
"Hello?" Cui Yu's voice came from the other end of the phone. The background was quiet, and he seemed to have arrived home already. There was a hint of a smile on his face. "Did you see the message?"
“Mm,” Meng Yihe replied.
"Any plans? It's a rare holiday," Cui Yu asked naturally.
"Rest." Meng Yihe said succinctly. He really just wanted to sleep and make up for the energy he had overdrawn over the past few days.
A soft chuckle came from the other end of the phone, as if he had expected this answer. Then, Cui Yu revealed his true intention: "The weather will be nice tomorrow. It's no fun staying cooped up at home all the time. How about we go out for a walk? Just to get some fresh air and clear our heads."
Meng Yihe held her phone and remained silent.
Want to go out for a walk? With Cui Yu? Outside of working hours?
The combination of these elements made him instinctively feel somewhat lost and disoriented.
He almost instinctively wanted to refuse, but the words caught in his throat, and he found it hard to say them.
The other party was Cui Yu.
"...Where to?" Meng Yihe heard his own voice utter the question dryly.
Cui Yu on the other end of the phone was satisfied with his leniency, and his tone remained relaxed.
"I haven't decided yet. How about we find a quiet place to walk around and have a coffee? Or is there somewhere you'd like to go?" He tossed the choice back to him.
Meng Yihe fell silent again. He really had nowhere he wanted to go; his life was so uneventful that it consisted almost entirely of work.
Cui Yu interpreted his silence as acquiescence and continued reflection.
Cui Yu pressed his advantage: "Then it's settled? I'll pick you up at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Just wear something comfortable." He didn't even give Meng Yihe a chance to hesitate or refuse again before setting the time, and then quickly changed the subject: "Okay, I won't disturb your rest anymore. Go to sleep early."
After saying that, he hung up the phone decisively.
Meng Yihe was momentarily stunned as she listened to the busy tone coming from her phone.
So... it's a deal?
A non-work-related vacation trip for two?
Meng Yihe stared at the darkened screen, his mind a jumble of thoughts. Finally, he put down his phone, slumped heavily back onto the sofa, and raised his arm to shield his eyes.
never mind.
I just went out for a walk, to get some fresh air and clear my head.
At 9:50 a.m. the next day, Meng Yihe stood in front of the full-length mirror in his apartment, his brows slightly furrowed. He had changed out of his usual suit and chosen a good-quality light gray cashmere sweater and casual trousers, with a dark overcoat on top.
This is the outfit in his wardrobe that best meets the requirement of "going out for a stroll".
Just then, the doorbell rang.
He took a deep breath, suppressed the inexplicable tension, and went to open the door.
Cui Yu stood outside the door, holding a small paper bag that emitted an enticing aroma of baking and rich milk. Upon seeing Meng Yihe, his eyes lit up slightly. He looked her up and down, a pleased smile curving his lips: "Very punctual. You look great in this outfit."
Meng Yihe felt her ears burning under his gaze. She avoided his eyes and awkwardly changed the subject: "...Let's go." He turned and went out the door, locking it behind him.
Cui Yu smiled and handed him the paper bag.
"Didn't have breakfast? I passed by a pretty good bakery and bought some croissants and hot milk to tide me over."
The warmth of the paper bag traveled through my fingertips, and the rich aroma of milk and the scent of buttery croissants mingled together, filling my nostrils.
Meng Yihe hadn't eaten breakfast. He took the paper bag and said softly, "Thank you."
The two walked side by side toward the elevator.
As the elevator descended, Cui Yu naturally started a conversation: "Did you sleep well last night?"
"It's alright," Meng Yihe replied, looking at the changing floor numbers.
"I was a little too excited and didn't fall asleep until late at night," Cui Yu said casually. "It's probably because I suddenly relaxed."
Meng Yihe glanced at him but didn't reply.
He found it hard to believe that someone like Cui Yu could get so excited.
When they got downstairs, Cui Yu's car was parked at the door. He very naturally opened the passenger door for Meng Yihe. This overly gentlemanly gesture made Meng Yihe pause for a moment, hesitate, and then bend down and got in.
Cui Yu walked around to the driver's seat, got in, fastened his seatbelt, and started the car.
"Is there anywhere you particularly want to go?" Cui Yu asked while steering the car.
"No," Meng Yihe answered honestly, looking at the street scene rushing past the window.
His life was pitifully simple; aside from his company and a few business venues he frequented, he knew almost nothing about the city's leisure side.
"Then leave it to me?" Cui Yu glanced at him sideways.
"Mmm," Meng Yihe responded. He realized that in this situation, all he seemed to be able to do was nod and say "Mmm."
Cui Yu seemed to be in a good mood. Soft music was playing in the car. He no longer tried to start a conversation, but would occasionally point to a landmark or park outside the window and give a brief introduction.
Meng Yihe quietly ate her croissant and drank warm milk. The sugar and milky aroma dispelled the last trace of morning haze, warming her stomach and gradually relaxing her body.
He secretly glanced at Cui Yu, who was driving, out of the corner of his eye.
The man stared intently at the road ahead, his profile softened in the morning light, the ruthless decisiveness of his business persona gone. At that moment, he looked more like an ordinary person with exceptional presence.
This feeling is novel.
The car eventually drove away from the bustling city center, where the surrounding buildings became lower and sparser, and the air seemed much fresher.
"Where are we going?" Meng Yihe finally couldn't help but ask.
Cui Yu smiled and kept everyone in suspense: "A place that's good for clearing your head, we're almost there."
After driving for about ten more minutes, the car stopped at the entrance of a quiet lakeside park.
There aren't many tourists here, and the view is expansive. The trees in late autumn are dyed in varying shades of yellow and red, reflected on the calm lake surface, like a tranquil oil painting.
"Let's get out and walk around?" Cui Yu suggested after parking the car.
Meng Yihe looked out the window at the scenery that was so different from the concrete jungle and nodded.
The two walked slowly along the lakeside path.
The air was crisp and cool, carrying the scent of lake water and woods. Sunlight filtered through the sparse branches and leaves, falling on my body.
For a long time, the two remained silent, walking side by side, listening to the rustling of leaves in the wind and the occasional distant bird call. This complete relaxation and tranquility was utterly unfamiliar to Meng Yihe.
He was used to being filled with all kinds of information and decisions, and the sudden emptiness at this moment made him feel a little lost. He just subconsciously followed Cui Yu's footsteps.
Cui Yu seemed to be enjoying this state.
He walked leisurely with his hands in his coat pockets, admiring the scenery around him, occasionally stopping to watch the birds flying across the lake.
"How is it? Isn't it better than staying at home and sleeping?" Cui Yu suddenly asked.
Meng Yihe snapped out of her daze, looked at the expansive scenery before her, and took a deep breath of the crisp, cool air. The oppressive feeling that had been building up in her chest seemed to have been somewhat dispelled.
"Um."
The winding path led them to an open area with a great view, where several log benches were set up, facing the shimmering lake.
"Take a break?" Cui Yu gestured to the bench with his eyes.
Meng Yihe did feel some leg soreness, so she nodded.
The two sat down on a bench, maintaining a proper social distance.
The lake water shimmered with tiny golden lights under the sunlight, and a few boats glided slowly by in the distance, leaving faint ripples.
Cui Yu simply leaned back in his chair, gazing into the distance, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.
He has a strong presence, yet he doesn't make people feel pressured.
Meng Yihe followed his example and relaxed his tense shoulders and back a little. He rarely had a time like this where he could simply sit still.
Just then, Cui Yu's phone vibrated slightly.
He took it out and glanced at it; it was a preview of a work email notification. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but he quickly turned off the screen, put the phone back in his pocket, and showed no intention of dealing with it.
This small gesture caught Meng Yihe's eye out of the corner of his eye. He knew how busy Cui Yu was with work; even on vacation, complete isolation was unrealistic.
"Is something the matter?" Meng Yihe asked out of habit, but then felt it was a bit redundant, as it seemed to be beyond the scope of their current "out for a stroll".
Cui Yu turned her head to look at him and smiled: "It's okay, even if the sky falls, we'll talk about it after the holiday."
He paused, then said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "The main task now is to supervise Director Meng to ensure he completely relaxes; this is an important official matter approved by the CEO."
This official business is not that official business.
Meng Yihe turned her head to look at the lake, but her ears felt slightly hot.
He found himself unable to win an argument with Cui Yu.
Seeing his slightly embarrassed yet trying-to-remain calm profile, Cui Yu's smile deepened. He didn't tease him any further, but instead turned his gaze back to the lake and casually started talking.
"When I was studying abroad, I liked to go to a nearby park or lakeside to sit alone when I was stressed. I would do nothing but stare at the water and relax. It was quite relaxing."
This was the first time he had brought up any details about his past.
Meng Yihe was slightly taken aback and subconsciously turned to look at him.
Cui Yu's expression was calm, with a hint of nostalgia.
Meng Yihe found it hard to imagine that someone like Cui Yu would need to "daydream" to relieve stress. In his mind, this person always seemed to be in control and always at ease.
"I can't tell," Meng Yihe honestly stated her thoughts.
Cui Yu chuckled, turned to look at him, and said with a mocking look in her eyes, "What? Does Director Meng think I'm a robot that doesn't need to be charged?"
Meng Yihe: "..."
He was once again rendered speechless and could only purse his lips.
“Everyone gets tired and needs to relax.” Cui Yu’s tone softened again, and his gaze became more serious. “It’s just that everyone does it differently. How did you usually spend your holidays, besides work?” He steered the conversation back to Meng Yihe.
Meng Yihe paused for a moment.
His vacation?
It seems that most of the time is spent in the study, dealing with documents and data that are not usually read, or simply working overtime.
“…Reading.” He finally gave an extremely meager answer that fit his persona.
Cui Yu seemed unsurprised and nodded.
“Hmm, that’s good.” He changed the subject, looking into Meng Yihe’s eyes, “But it’s nice to try a different approach sometimes, right?” Cui Yu’s gaze was encouraging.
Meng Yihe understood Cui Yu's intention in bringing him out. It wasn't just to "get some fresh air," but also to let him experience a lifestyle away from work.
He lowered his eyes, looking at his clasped hands, and after a long while, he gave a barely audible reply.
"Um."
Cui Yu didn't say anything more, but the corners of his lips curved upwards in satisfaction.
The warm sunshine bathed me, the lake breeze was gentle, and time seemed to slow down.
After a while, Cui Yu stood up and stretched his shoulders: "Let's go, I'll take you somewhere to have lunch. This place has really good fish, it's very fresh."
Meng Yihe looked up, somewhat surprised. He thought the walk would end there.
“Not far, just nearby,” Cui Yu added, seemingly knowing what he was thinking, and naturally reached out his hand to help him up.
The action was so natural that Meng Yihe almost subconsciously offered her hand.
But just as their fingertips were about to touch, Meng Yihe suddenly realized what was happening, her body stiffened for a moment, and then she hurriedly stood up, supporting herself on her knees, to avoid the hand.
"...Let's go."
Meng Yihe's voice was a little tense as she took the lead and walked towards the parking area, her pace a little faster than usual.
Cui Yu's hand paused in mid-air for a second, then he casually withdrew it and put it in his coat pocket. He looked at Meng Yihe's slightly hurried back, a faint regret flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a knowing "I knew it" attitude.
He smiled, took long strides, and followed at a leisurely pace.
Lunch was at a secluded private restaurant by the lake, with white walls and gray tiles, an elegant environment that blended seamlessly with the surrounding natural scenery.
The owner personally came out to greet them, acquainted with them, and led them to a private room by the window, which overlooked a small bamboo grove.
As Cui Yu said, the dishes are primarily fresh.
Steamed lake fish has tender and smooth flesh, seasoned only with simple scallions and ginger, yet retains its natural freshness to the maximum extent. A stewed old duck soup with dried bamboo shoots has a clear broth, and several seasonal vegetables are stir-fried until crisp and refreshing.
Since there was no wine, Cui Yu only asked for a pot of tea.
The meal was eaten quietly.
Cui Yu no longer deliberately steered the conversation, only occasionally introducing the characteristics of a dish or commenting on its cooking time. Meng Yihe ate more than usual, her stomach feeling warm and cozy, her tense nerves further relaxing in the delicious food and quiet environment.
After the meal, the owner brought over a plate of delicate osmanthus cake and two cups of tea.
"Try it, the osmanthus cake here is good, not too sweet." Cui Yu pushed the plate towards Meng Yihe.
Meng Yihe picked up a piece as instructed.
The small pastries are exquisitely made, soft and chewy, with a rich osmanthus aroma and just the right amount of sweetness.
"Any plans for this afternoon?" Cui Yu asked, taking a sip of tea. "Would you like to wander around some more, find a place to sit, or... go back and rest?"
Meng Yihe paused for a moment. He was actually a little tired. His body, which had been lacking rest for a long time, began to cry out for compensation after relaxing.
But saying "go back" directly seems a bit disappointing?
He glanced at the bright sunshine outside the window, then at Cui Yu across from him, who was calm and composed. He suddenly realized that he seemed to be considering the other person's feelings.
This realization made him feel uneasy again.
"...Either is fine." Meng Yihe finally gave an ambiguous answer, throwing the choice back to him.
Cui Yu seemed to see through his hesitation and smiled.
"Then let's not waste this nice weather. There's an art museum nearby, it's not big, but the exhibits are quite interesting, and it's mostly quiet. Shall we go take a look? We can leave whenever we're tired."
His suggestions always seemed just right—neither too noisy nor too impolite, yet providing a reason to continue the relationship, and thoughtfully leaving room for withdrawal. Meng Yihe found it difficult to find a reason to refuse.
He nodded: "Okay."
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