Dragging my suitcase, I returned to the office and headed straight to SWRD to discuss the issues in person. My colleagues were visibly startled to see me—they knew I was supposed to be on leave today. They quickly assured me the matter could wait until later. I joked that I had a premonition they were about to encounter problems. Inside, though, I rolled my eyes at myself. Who was I kidding? This “premonition” was just an excuse to keep myself from spiraling into overthinking.
At the end of the day, wasn’t this all because of Chu Ke Huan?
When I traced the thread of events back to its source, it was humiliating to admit the truth.
After finally resolving all the issues, I retreated to the pantry for a breather. Drained of energy, I still couldn’t resist checking my phone again. And once again, there was nothing.
Enough is enough!
I had ended it all with my own hands. So what exactly was I still hoping for?
As I brooded in frustration, a curvaceous figure pressed against my back, and slender, pale arms wrapped around my neck.
“Who are you texting?”
Startled, I jumped like a student caught cheating on a test, fumbling to erase evidence in a flurry of panic. Once the chaos subsided, I realized the person behind me was Ke Fei.
“Why are you so jumpy?” Ke Fei asked, perplexed.
“How did you know I was here?”
“I asked the software department. They said your meeting just ended, and I figured you’d come here.” Ke Fei playfully winked. “How was your ‘family visit’ to Shanghai?”
“Fine,” I said, nodding wearily.
“What’s wrong? Didn’t solve the problem?”
“The old problem isn’t resolved. And now there’s a new one.” I hinted but didn’t elaborate on the “new problem.”
In this industry, we’re so used to “solving problems” that we instinctively assume once a problem is fixed, all will be well. But the truth is, solving every problem just ensures a product will launch—it doesn’t guarantee it will sell well. Similarly, resolving relationship issues or achieving a smooth engagement doesn’t guarantee a happy marriage. And considering the current state of my engagement, it’s barely a rejected product proposal, far from reaching execution or the market.
“Really? Oh well, don’t let it get to you. I told you to enjoy this fake-single phase!” Ke Fei said casually, trying to cheer me up. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Guess who I reeled in a few days ago?”
“Who?”
Before I could process what she meant, a phone was suddenly thrust in front of my face, so close that I couldn’t even adjust my focus. All I could tell was that it was a photo—blurry and unclear. Once I finally tuned in, I saw it: a picture of a blond, blue-eyed foreign guy.
“He’s from Germany! Do you get it now? I’ve finally achieved the ultimate feat of ‘defeating the Eight-Nation Alliance’ in person!” Ke Fei exclaimed excitedly.
In an instant, the mental string I had been straining since last night snapped. My mind went dark, releasing two days’ worth of exhaustion. Dizzy and nauseous, a force I couldn’t control surged to my head. Finally, every unpleasant feeling tied to Hao Yi, Gao Zi Yuan, and Chu Ke Huan erupted like vomit:
“Enough! What’s the point of you sharing all this with me? Are you trying to prove you’re freer than me? That you have better luck with men? Sleeping with guys from both local and foreign companies and lying to yourself that being alone is great—is that your pathetic version of a fulfilling life? Always telling me to have fun before marriage—have you ever considered that you’re destroying other people’s lives?! And don’t pretend to care about what happened in Shanghai. You’ve never cared!”
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