“Jingjing, take care of your- yourself. Don’t forget about me—” Carrying his suitcase, Doggo looked back at every other step he walked.
“Aren’t you just going away for a week?” Zhang Jing pushed Doggo outside. “Why would I forget you? Just return as fast as possible.”
“Yep, just one- one week.”
Doggo pushed the elevator button and turned around, once again, to console Zhang Jing. “Why don’t you ask Lincoln to come over?”
“Don’t worry about me. Just go have a safe trip.”
After much more coaxing and reluctance, Doggo finally closed the elevator door and headed downstairs. Even though Zhang Jing stressed multiple times that he wouldn’t feel lonely, a sense of emptiness overwhelmed him. He walked to the window sill and furtively watched Doggo carry his suitcase towards the neighborhood’s gate, where his company car awaited its guest.
Doggo was selected to go on a one-week business trip. He transferred to this company less than a year ago, but he was always chosen to go on business trips, regardless of his opposition.
Zhang Jing habitually picked up a cigarette, which he then placed down after another round of rationality kicked in. Instead of looking for his lighter, he balanced the cigarette on his ear and searched for gum instead.
He hadn’t seen Ji Dongxun for nearly an entire month.
Without his distracting presence, Zhang Jing’s life became more stable and the hallucinations occurred significantly less. However, once he had nothing to distract himself with, he would lose to his impulses and open WeChat to see their pinned conversations.
Above the last messages was the name, written in three plain Chinese characters—Ji Dongxun.
There was a glaring red dot on the top right corner of Ji Dongxun’s icon, signaling an unread message. The red dot had resided there for many days, unclicked, yet its image had been reflecting through Zhang Jing’s eyes ever since it appeared.
More often than not, Zhang Jing couldn’t even identify his reasoning for hanging onto this old flame. If Ji Dongxun was merely a random person that he was interested in, he would not hesitate to reach out and connect. However, he was not. He was not some random dude over the internet. He was Ji Dongxun.
Zhang Jing caressed the name on his screen as if he was touching the real person. He repeatedly stated to himself that he should never taint such a wholesome and memorable romance with flirtatious and ingenuine marks.
“Mr. Ji, the nursing home just called to inform you about President Ji’s boredom and desire to leave the nursing home.” Chen Wei maintained a professional stance, tone respectful and humble.
Ji Dongxun asked, “Will he be okay? What’s the doctor’s opinion?”
“The doctor said that President Ji’s health is in good shape, so he should be fine living at home as long as he pays attention to some minor details.”
“A nursing home does sound like a monotonous life. Ask his driver to send him home.” Ji Dongxun ordered but soon changed his mind. “Scratch that. If our schedule is free this afternoon, let’s go to the eastern side of the city first. I’ll pick him up afterward.”
Chen Wei bowed. “Okay, Mr. Ji.”
Ji Dongxun smiled out of courtesy and thanked, “I appreciate your hard work, Wei.”
“Of course, no need to thank me. Oh, by the way,”
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.
“Lw?”
“Cybea atja mbwwfgmlji…” Jtfc Qfl uijcmfv ja Al Gbcuzec’r wlmgb-fzqgfrrlbcr, pevulcu ktfatfg bg cba tf rtbeiv mbcalcef. “Ktf qgbvemfgr mbcajmafv wf ab rjs atja kf cffv ab rfcv j gfqgfrfcajalnf bc-rlaf veglcu atf oliwlcu rfrrlbcr. Zg. Al, rtbeiv P olcv rbwfbcf bg…?”
Al Gbcuzec ibbxfv abkjgvr j qlmaegf ogjwf, rlqqfv tlr mbiv mbooff, jcv gfqilfv, “Xb jtfjv jcv rfcv rbwfbcf.”
“Got it.”
Chen Wei had an idea about Ji Dongxun’s feelings ever since Ji Dongxun gave him the contact info of a random advertisement studio. They had their own advertisement department that solely worked for them; still, Ji Dongxun can’t be less bothered to connect with their advertisement department either. But when Mr. Zhang met with Ji Dongxun directly a few times, Chen Wei immediately recognized the big picture. If he couldn’t even see through that, he would’ve been replaced by another secretary by now.
He refilled Ji Dongxun’s coffee and left his office.
Meanwhile, Ji Dongxun tried to empty his mind by observing the details of the coffee, its steam, the sun rays reflecting off the mug—anything, as long as his mind could wander elsewhere. He used to think a couple of years would be enough to forget his past feelings.
But he betted wrong.
In the afternoon, Ji Dongxun headed to the nursing home to pick up his father. A year ago, his father was sent to urgent care for a spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage. Fortunately, they rescued him from the jaws of death, but he had to set aside his work for a while. Hence, he called Ji Dongxun over to temporarily take over his position until he was permitted to leave.
Due to his parents’ divorce, Ji Dongxun felt indifferent toward the people who were supposed to be his most reliable and intimate friends. He didn’t feel an inch of concern for his father, even when he was on the verge of death. Not only them, but he also lacked sentiments toward everyone else, except for one person.
After sending his father home, he left straight away. His father formed a new family with a youthful wife and a daughter, so Ji Dongxun was considered an outsider. They treated him like a servant rather than a son.
The day the filming began, Ji Dongxun attended a banquet that drained all his energy. He squeezed his eyebrows and messaged his eyes—the exhaustion persisted. Chen Wei leaned close and whispered, “Mr. Ji, should I send you home?”
Ji Dongxun tiredly nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
“Of course.” Chen Wei guided Ji Dongxun to the car, and finally mustered the courage to pry into his boss’ personal life, “Mr. Ji, you drank alcohol?”
Ji Dongxun responded, leaning on the window with his eyes closed, “A bit.”
Chen Wei didn’t continue as he saw Ji Dongxun drifting into sleep.
On the highway, a car suddenly merged into their lane without any signaling, causing Chen Wei to put unanticipated pressure on the brake. Ji Dongxun was startled by the abrupt pause in the car’s oscillation. Chen Wei seized the opportunity and quietly said, “I asked the person who went on-site today.”
JI Dongxun, eyes still shut. “Mhm.”
Chen Wei continued, “He said that the advertisement studio sent a female representative, a really young one.”
Ji Dongxun aloofly replied, “Oh.”
“Quite a coincidence, actually. The vice president of our advertisement department graduated from the same university, so they talked a bit.” Chen Wei peeked at his boss’ reaction through the rearview mirror. “Apparently, her studio is experiencing some difficulties.”
Ji Dongxun’s eyes shot open. “Oh?”
“That girl said that both of her bosses weren’t present: one went on a business trip, the other was handling a client. I think that the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is targeting them, which is why she was sent on-site instead of her boss.”
“ICBC?” Ji Dongxun frowned confusingly.
“They’ve done this countless times. They aren’t capable of bothering larger companies, so they target small, nameless studios, especially commercial ones. If ICBC wanted to, they could easily frame them for designing a misleading commercial and profit at least eight hundred thousand yuan. This isn’t the worst case. If their business license is suspended for a few months, then their entire studio is doomed.”
Ji Dongxun hurriedly looked at the time: it was already nine-thirty in the evening. “Industrial and Commercial… I remember someone from last month—was his name Lin something?—he invited me to dinner. Is he part of ICBC?”
Chen Wei searched through his memory and confirmed, “Yes, he is. You want to ask him?”
“Yes, Wei, please ask him.”
“Okay, I’ll park after getting off the highway.”
Ji Dongxun knew that Zhang Jing wasn’t the one who went on a business trip, so he must have been at the dinner.
After finishing the call quickly, Chen Wei reported, “A section chief from ICBC is at the dinner since he’s the manager of this assignment. Director Lin is also present. Mr. Ji, should we drive there right now?”
Ji Dongxun concealed his boiling emotions and replied, “Let’s go take a look.”
Chen Wei started the engine again and commented reluctantly, “Mr. Ji, you know, if you’re worried, a call would suffice. Just tell Director Lin to not make things difficult for them.”
Ji Dongxun turned his head towards the window, slightly embarrassed, and said, “Let’s still go. Ji… he seems too innocent. I don’t want him to be caught in an unfavorable situation.” Ji Dongxun was aware that over these years, Zhang Jing already matured and could resolve issues independently. However, he couldn’t help but feel anxious.
Within twelve hours, Zhang Jing received three warnings about their advertisements spreading misinformation, and thus must be taken down and investigated—this was alarming. Under these circumstances, they most likely displeased a higher authority. At first, he thought he could resolve the issue simply by donating money to the investigation department. The money was returned untouched.
Bai Qi thought his previous company was targeting him for “stealing” a group of talented designers, but Zhang Jing didn’t focus on the doers. Such problems must be resolved as fast as possible, so he didn’t spend time deducing the mastermind.
This dinner was equivalent to his Hongmen Banquet—a trap in disguise.
For the entire duration, all the representatives were trying to get under his nerves through extreme sarcasm or hostile behavior. He was tempted to kick the table and storm out multiple times, but he was painfully aware that he had no support. He had no right to express his anger. This was his only chance of quelling the impinging warnings.
He felt increasingly uncomfortable under that setting; his face turned paler and paler from excessive alcohol, his stomach also experiencing a hurricane.
He forced himself to drink another full glass of wine even though he could barely stand without wobbling. He looked around and only saw overlapping images of a few bald middle-aged people. At last, he regained some consciousness when he was allowed to sit for a brief moment.
A sense of hopelessness overwhelmed Zhang Jing. Why can’t I just pay the fine and give them the business license? I can just quit.
But this studio consisted of others: he still had a responsibility to fulfill.
He could barely see light through his eyes; everything appeared hopeless and dismal. Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of Ji Dongxun.
He saw Ji Dongxun pushing open the private dining room’s door and taking quick strides towards him. Zhang Jing didn’t know whether to cry or laugh at his hallucinations occurring at a ridiculous time like this. However, after looking at disgusting people for so long, seeing Ji Dongxun’s face happened to cleanse his eyes and his stomach’s turbulence.
Deep within, he didn’t want to end this imagined scene of Ji Dongxun, in his black tuxedo, rescuing him from a group of repulsive authority figures.
Upon seeing him, a person gasped, “Mr. Ji…?”
Ji Dongxun didn’t bother to respond. Instead, he picked up Zhang Jing’s glass and chugged the rest. “Sorry, everyone. He isn’t feeling too well, so you’ll have to excuse him. Take your time eating. I already paid for the bill, but feel free to order more if you’d like to.”
Then, he supported Zhang Jing by the arm and leaned forward to ask, “Jing, are you drunk?”
Zhang Jing, looking at his face, put on a wide grin.
Ji Dongxun’s face is as attractive as ever. I think I might’ve forgotten how to breathe!
Speaking as gently as he could, he asked Zhang Jing again, “Wanna go home with me?”
Zhang Jing smiled and nodded eagerly. “Ya!”
They walked out together, leaving the other people looking at each other in confusion, panic, and cold sweat. All the while, Ji Dongxun carried Zhang Jing into the car.
“Wei, sit in the front.”
“Okay, Mr. Ji.”
Ji Dongxun took off Zhang Jing’s jacket and handed him a bottle of water.
Zhang Jing didn’t take it. Under the influence of alcohol, he overlooked many possible consequences and forgot to think about explanations that could justify his actions. All he thought about was the Ji Dongxun who sat beside him, who seemed so real. He settled his hand on Ji Dongxun’s face and murmured, “Ji Dongxun…”
Ji Dongxun placed his hand over Zhang Jing’s and responded tenderly, “You recognize me even though you’re drunk?”
“How could I ever forget you.”
Zhang Jing used his last bit of strength and lifted his back. His other hand held onto Ji Dongxun’s skull. He pressed his lips onto Ji Dongxun’s—they were surprisingly warm! Ji Dongxun’s heart skipped a beat, especially when Zhang Jing bit down on the lips and mumbled, “My big baby, you’re still as attractive as ever.”
Ji Dongxun pulled Zhang Jing closer to him—his trapped feelings had made their escape.
Looking at his own reflections in Ji Dongxun’s eyes, Zhang Jing thought to himself, after tonight, maybe it’s finally time to make an appointment with Dr. Zhuo…
I don’t know why I keep reading this even though it hurts so much (╥_╥)
Thank you for the chapter 🙏
Thank you for reading!
He’s the real deal, hun 😭
😭😭
Oh no, poor thing! 😢💔❤️🩹
Thanks for the chapter!
Damn. I’d kowtow to those stinky old men for bringing these two together and for finally helping us readers get a bit of sweetness. It’s truly a blessing in disguise! I’m so happy for them. Finallyyyy 🙌🏼
LOLL
Also, thank you for this chapter. 💕