Re: Forgot to include this on the novel page (it’s there now though) but ch1 had already been translated by ayyshadow. Please read it here before reading ch2 -> https://ayyshadowtrans.wordpress.com/2018/02/15/swcm-1/
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When he returned to the warehouse, Wu Lin was very depressed.
He felt that he had messed up a very good opportunity to interact.
Narrow space, one lone man facing another…… the more he thought about it, the more he regretted. Maybe he shouldn’t have listened to Yuan Zhengjie’s idea and should have just boldly confessed instead? At least by now Tang Wenye would be aware of his feelings and would have to consider the issue between them.
This dejection persisted until that night when he was getting off work.
Altogether, there were two people in the warehouse department. One was him and the other was the senior warehouse clerk. It was obvious who was the last to leave.
Wearing the cheap plastic backpack he had been given when he bought a large container of shampoo, he carefully swept the warehouse floor. He was just about to close the door and leave when he heard the phone, which had been quiet all day, ring.
As a conscientious warehouse clerk, between pretending not to hear and answering the phone, he chose the latter.
Afterwards, he was rather pleased with his choice because the person on the other end of the phone was Tang Wenye.
When Tang Wenye heard someone answer the phone, it could be said that he was taken aback. He didn’t expect that someone would actually still be there at this time.
He had originally slept very peacefully all morning. It wasn’t until he was having lunch that afternoon that he found there was an important investment analysis report on his desk that needed to be reviewed. After a glance, he almost beat the table and finally understood why the previous director of investment management had to pack up and leave.
Such a foolish investment analysis report was actually written by the director of investment management at a large corporation…… He felt that it would be a loss to simply let him go. In any case, he should have been allowed to hand back all the salary he had ever received in the past before leaving.
Tomorrow was the regular monthly board meeting. Since he had just taken office, the president may not necessarily be in a hurry to ask him to report on this investment analysis but whether others will ask and whether or not he will actually do it are two different things. He didn’t wish for other people to stab him in the back and say that he was a second generation who *entered the company through the back door before he could even sit in the director’s chair long enough to warm it.
[T/N: 裙带关系 was used here, it’s basically equivalent to giving jobs to friends or family]
He spent the whole afternoon forming a general outline of the analysis report before thinking that he’ll be able to get by. Just as he was pondering how he would muddle through and was about to take a deep breath, he realized that his secretary and assistant had already been sent off work by him. He wanted to print out the report only to discover that there wasn’t a printer in the office. It could be seen that his predecessor had practically rolled up the sheets and taken everything when he left —— besides a table, chair, and cabinet, he didn’t leave behind any legacy of value.
The deputy director and secretary both have printers in their offices, but he could only look out through the window.
Tang Wenye was originally going to find a printing shop after leaving work when, as if demons and gods were at work, he saw the column for the logistics department on the company’s internal call list. The word “warehouse” seemed to attract him deeply like a magnet, making him involuntarily dial the number and encounter a dead mouse who hadn’t gotten off work yet.
In less than ten minutes, Wu Lin came up carrying a printer and a thick stack of A4 paper.
Tang Wenye personally opened the door and greeted him with a cordial smile, “You haven’t gotten off yet even though it’s so late?”
“I was just about to leave.” He looked around the office, then put the printer on the cabinet next to the desk.
Tang Wenye had no objections. He turned to help him pour a cup of coffee, then stood on the side to watch him fiddle around.
Wu Lin had the printer installed in just a few minutes. “I still need to use your computer to set up the printer.”
Tang Wenye made a ‘use it however you want’ gesture.
The company’s computers were all purchased uniformly so Wu Lin was not unfamiliar with using them.
Tang Wenye saw him quickly pressing keys and asked, “What is your major?”
“Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.”
“College?”
“En.”
“Then why are you working as a warehouse clerk?” He asked in surprise.
“Because the company happened to be looking for a warehouse clerk.”
Tang Wenye didn’t quite understand. No, it should be said that he couldn’t understand at all. Warehouse clerk is absolutely one of the most unpromising positions. How could a college student his age so willingly do it? “Do you plan on applying to another department later?” Treating it as a springboard is also a way. After all, large groups such as Xinwei are not easy to enter.
Wu Lin looked up questioningly, “Why would I apply to another department?”
“Are you going to be a warehouse clerk for the rest of your life?”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Yo mbegrf cba.”
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“Coafg P tjnf kbgxfv tfgf obg afc sfjgr, P mjc ufa qgbwbafv ab j rfclbg kjgftberf mifgx.” Qe Olc jigfjvs wjvf qijcr obg atf oeaegf.
“……” Forget it, to each their own. Tang Wenye lowered his head to drink a sip of coffee，“Is it done?”
“En. It’s done.” Wu Lin stared at the coffee in his hands. “Wasn’t that for me?”
Tang Wenye revealed a blank expression. “I’ll make you another one?” He found that every time he ran into him, his own reactions would be several seconds slower.
“It doesn’t matter, I can do it myself. You’re busy.” Wu Lin got up from his seat, opened the cupboard with familiarity, took out a bag of instant coffee and disposable cups, then went to the water dispenser to get hot water. His actions were skillful and natural. If Tan Wangye hadn’t confirmed that the box of coffee and disposable cups were what he brought himself yesterday, he would have thought that he was the guest.
“You can get off work after you finish drinking your coffee.” Tang Wenye began printing the report.
Wu Lin replied, “Aren’t I already off?”
“……” Tang Wenye thought, this person really doesn’t know how to flatter his superiors. Perhaps warehouse clerk really is a fitting lifelong occupation for him. Then, he remembered the questions he asked him in the elevator today, “Why did you want to know my address?”
Wu Lin’s eyes immediately lit up, “Will you tell me?”
“No, but I want to know the reason.”
Narrow space, one lone man facing another……
Wu Lin finally became aware of this second golden opportunity that had descended. He summoned up his courage and decided to confess, “Actually, I want to……”
Suddenly, the door of the office was knocked on twice.
“Please come in,” Tang Wenye called.
The door opened, it was Chen Xi. “I was just passing by and I heard voices so I came to see. Director Tang hasn’t left yet?”
“There’s a report I need to print.” Seeing that she wasn’t in the formal clothes that she had been wearing that morning, Tang Wenye asked jokingly, “Does Director Chen have a date?”
Chen Xi had suffered greatly from lacking the chance to extend an invitation so his question was undoubtedly a heaven-sent opportunity for her. She immediately smiled and replied, “It depends on whether Director Tang will do me the honors.”
The sound of the printer spitting out documents just happened to stop at that moment.
Time seemed to stop at a very calm but also very turbulent point.
Tang Wenye was struggling inwardly. In the past, he would have never refused the active invitation of a beautiful woman but right now, the situation is different. Xinwei group is not the experimental grounds it used to be to hop from one job to another. He intended to diligently and conscientiously stay here for a lifetime. If he ate the grass beside his nest (date within the company) then his reputation within the corporation will certainly be affected —— unless he was going to marry this woman before him.
But that, of course, is impossible.
He stroked his chin with his hand, ready to find a decent excuse that would not make him lose face.
Chen Xi seemed to see his hesitation and added cleverly with a smile, “It’s just a welcome dinner between colleagues. Director Tang doesn’t need to avoid even this now, does he?”
With her words, she made it clear that if Tang Wenye continued repelling people a thousand miles away then he would appear very unreasonable. He could only laugh and say, “I’m just afraid to let Director Chen spend her money.”
“I have been in Xinwei for so long and this is my first time taking someone out for dinner, where could I have spent money?”
Tang Wenye inwardly thought that this was just incredible.
What was originally said to be a welcome dinner between colleagues turned into a welcome dinner for him alone. Such a change made him feel that it wouldn’t be appropriate if he didn’t accept the favour.
“Can I come?” Wu Lin, who had been quietly watching, suddenly spoke.
Tang Wenye and Chen Xi looked over at the same time.
Chen Xi’s eyes flickered with obvious displeasure and refusal.
On the other hand, Tang Wenye’s mood was much more complicated. Although he didn’t know why this simple-minded Wu Lin wanted to insert himself in, not to mention the fact that his attitude toward him had been strange, there is no doubt that having an extra light bulb (third wheel) in this ambiguous situation would be a good thing.
So, he replied with a generous smile, “It depends on whether Director Chen is willing to spend more money.”
Chen Xi had been hoping for him to refuse but when she heard him reply as such, she also had to smile along, “Cash, credit cards, debit cards, and passbook are all on me. I’m just afraid you won’t do me the favor of coming.” She used you (singular) instead of you (plural), evidently in protest of Wu Lin coming uninvited.
Tang Wenye pretended to be unaware as he beamingly tidied up his things before following her downstairs. Wu Lin didn’t even pay any attention to what she said. At that moment, he had only one thought —— how to get the information he wants from Tang Wenye.
Like Tang Wenye and Chen Xi, Wu Lin also had a car—— an electric scooter.
[T/N: Electric scooter is 电瓶车 while car is just 车. Hopefully this explains the joke]
However, since they were having a meal together, there was naturally no reason not to go together. After some discussion between the three people, Tang Wenye volunteered to be the chauffeur.
This time, Chen Xi was sharp-eyed and fast-handed. Without waiting for Wu Lin, she flashed into the front passenger seat.
Towards this, Wu Lin didn’t mind much. Because the people in his family all liked to sit in the front, their family had always had a habit of first-come-first-sit.
After getting in the car, Chen Xi wasn’t in a hurry to talk to Tang Wenye. Instead, she felt out Wu Lin’s background. Once she had pretty much confirmed that Wu Lin was just a stupid boy with no family background or supporter behind-the-scenes and had only came to freeload some food, she no longer paid him any mind and aimed her full attention on Tang Wenye.
Poor Tang Wenye had to shuttle back and forth between the throng of cars during rush hour on one hand while getting distracted by Chen Xi’s explicit hints on the other. By the time he got out of the car, his originally unperturbed expression had already turned dejected.
However, thanks to Chen Xi, Wu Lin reaped a profit. Half of her questions came from his questionnaire. For example, he now knows that Tang Wenye is four years older than him, Cancer (zodiac), likes to eat Chinese food, and his favorite colors are white and beige……
Wait.
Looking at Chen Xi’s warm smile that was like a spring breeze, Wu Lin suddenly thought: Didn’t Biao Ge (cousin) say that this questionnaire is the first step in pursuing someone? Could it be that Chen Xi is also……
Due to his vigilance against a rival in love, Wu Lin continued to observe Chen Xi even after they sat down.
Chen Xi usually received a lot of admiration, but few were this straightforward about it without uttering even a single word.
“You’re not satisfied with the order?” She pretended to be surprised while still maintaining a good demeanor.
Wu Lin didn’t respond.
Tang Wenye interposed with a smile, “You’ve been staring at Director Chen for a while now, you wouldn’t be her admirer ba? No wonder she ran so proactively today, so it turned out that you were scared I would rob someone of their love? You can rest assured, a gentleman will always help others realize their wishes. ”
By borrowing someone else’s strength, he finally gave Chen Xi a tactful answer.
Chen Xi’s complexion immediately became a little unwell. She said with embarrassment, “Director Tang is so young and promising, how could I ever get a turn?”
“Are you married?” Wu Lin asked nervously.
Tang Wenye’s movement of drinking water paused slightly, “No.”
“Do you have a girlfriend?” He continued asking,
Despite not looking at him, Chen Xi’s ears perked up.
Inwardly, Tang Wenye was scolding Wu Lin with a torrent of abuse but on the surface, he maintained his elegant demeanor. “My career has just started, I wouldn’t dare distract myself with these matters.”
Sure enough, as soon as Chen Xi heard that she had a smooth road ahead without any extra obstacles, she immediately relaxed. “Director Tang is really modest. Across the country, there are few directors under the age of 30.”
This was obviously a compliment. With the current national standards, there are probably only three general managers, not to mention a director.
Tang Wenye smiled faintly and didn’t reply.
Chen Xi knew to not overdo things. Just as she began chatting idly about current happenings, the food was served.
Wu Lin had always been very picky about food. This stemmed from the Stirling family’s attitude about enjoying life. So when a foul smell from the scallops transmitted over, he reflexively spat it out and wrapped it in a napkin.
This made Chen Xi, who was in the process of swallowing, and Tang Wenye, who had already swallowed the food, freeze.
“It’s smelly.” Wu Lin explained.
Chen Xi slowly took a sip of orange juice and swallowed some scallops as if it was medicine. She then smiled, “Perhaps you’re not accustomed to it.”
“My mother likes seafood very much, she cooks it every week.” Wu Lin felt that they should correct their misconceptions about fine foods, “This really is smelly.”
Tang Wenye clipped a piece of fish with his chopsticks and put it in his bowl, “Eat fish.”
……
Wu Lin stared at the fish in his bowl in a daze, his heart moved. This is the first time his lover had served him food.
“It can’t be that the fish meat also smells?” Chen Xi looked at him coldly. Even if she didn’t make the dishes, she had introduced the shop. Wu Lin’s words seemed to accuse her of being unsophisticated.
Wu Lin looked at the fish with a silly smile, “I don’t know.”
Chen Xi gave a fake smile as she said, “Then you’ll know once you eat it.”
“I can’t bear to,” Wu Lin replied.
For a moment, neither Chen Xi nor Tang Wenye heard the implications of what he said. “Doesn’t your family eat seafood everyday? Why can’t you bear to eat a piece of fish?” Chen Xi asked.
Wu Lin replied, “The fish was given to me by Tang Wenye.”
……
Tang Wenye’s chewing slowed until it came to a complete halt.
Chen Xi also stared at him inconceivably.
Wu Lin didn’t notice their strange looks at all. He continued looking at the fish contentedly and considered letting the waiter pack it up.
Chen Xi abruptedly spoke, “I heard about some gay beauty contests a while back. Have you seen them?” Actually, what she wanted to ask even more was, did you sign up?
Wu Lin looked up from the bowl and stared at her in bafflement, “Why would I?”
Tang Wenye immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
But Chen Xi wouldn’t give up that quickly. She said with a smile, “It’s not a big deal. Even if it is, the national policy has been relaxed now. So even if you were one, it wouldn’t be a big deal.”
“Are you one?” Wu Lin probed.
He didn’t know if it was a misconception but Tang Wenye seemed to see the fringes covering Chen Xi’s forehead faintly rise.
“I was just saying.” Chen Xi jabbed into a fish with her chopstick and placed a large piece into Wu Lin’s bowl, deliberately mixing it with the one Tang Wenye had previously given him. “The fish here is very fresh. If there’s not enough then you can order more, no need to feel reluctant.”
Wu Ling really wanted to throw out the piece she gave him but considering how a gentleman should act, he ultimately picked it up to eat.
“Do you have a girlfriend?” She suddenly asked.
“No.” In order to reply, Wu Lin hurriedly swallowed the fish since he grandfather had taught him from an early age that he couldn’t eat and speak at the same time. “Our family stipulated that we can only have one lover throughout our life so we must be prudent.”
“Family?” Chen Xi’s thoughts shook. Could it be that Wu Lin wasn’t as simple as he seemed on the surface? He has a powerful family background? “I don’t seem to have heard of any influential families with the surname Wu in this city.”
Wu Lin corrected her, “It’s the Stirling family.” Due to the wizarding blood that flows in his body, in his heart, he had a greater sense of belonging to his maternal family than his paternal side.
Looking at his black hair and black eyes, Chen Xi began to wonder if he was someone delusional with a mental illness. She asked mockingly, “Do you know Harry Potter?”
Wu Lin wrinkled his brows, “Why do people like to ask this question? He’s just a character in a novel.”
……
So she wasn’t alone. She wasn’t the only one who thought there was a problem with his head. Otherwise, why would other people ask this same question? Although, his mental problems are evidently limited to himself, not directed at others. At least he didn’t admit that Harry Potter was his cousin.
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The translator has something to say:
Re: I first came across this novel through the stellar translation that ayyshadow did for the first chapter. It has already been two years yet I still remembered this one. I enjoyed it greatly and regretted that it was never fully translated so I intend to pick it up from where ayyshadow left off. Enjoy!
Wu Lin has it Hard. He’s a little dumb and he has a rival already! But he certainly has left an impression on Tang Wenye. Fufufu.
Thanks for the chapter!
well, he maybe dumb with common things, but he should be that good with magic? its a kind trait I read unless author didn’t follow the usual trait XD
Wu Lin is such a cutie! Good luck with the courting cause there’s a formidable (?) love rival.
Thank you for translating this cute story!
I was legit screeching throughout this whole chapter! And lmao TWY seem like the lightbulb in this dinner with the way these two are questioning each other! XD
Thanks for the chapter! 🙂
Is there a connection to Stirling and Harry Potter in the book? I am not very familiar with the Harry Potter series but this was mentioned twice XD so, I was just wondering…
I’m not sure but “sterling” definitely sounds like it came from the wizardry universe
Lots of Harry potter is based in Scotland. Might be related to Stirling being a Scottish place? Bit of a stretch but I really can’t see why else
His straightforwardness is so cute (っ˘̩╭╮˘̩)っ it’s a shame that there aren’t alot of chapters
Very interesting read so far. I love to read more…👍🤗💛👏🥰
Thank you for picking this novel up! 👍🤗👏
Omg! This is so cute!! I love Wu Lin my Innocent cinnamon bun!
Thank you so much for the chapter!(๑´>᎑<)~❤
Stirling is a pretty normal English last name right? Also I’m pretty sure Harry Potter didn’t have anyone important with any name, first or last with Stirling lol
Thank you for picking this up. WuLin is such a silly cutey. 😆
I like this novel. I’m just smiling out here and waiting for things to unfold. Wu Lin is so adorable haha
Thank you for picking up this story. It feels light hearted and sincere. To be treasured 💜🙏
Oof the second hand embarrassment is real. But what a fun read. Thanks for translating!