Chapter 8

Chapter 8

The news of Qi Yuwen’s marriage spread through the company like wildfire. That afternoon, You Nan could still hear colleagues in the office discussing it.

The cafeteria was always crowded, and gossip could never be kept under wraps. Especially when the person involved had openly announced it in front of everyone, making it official with his own words.

That really set things off.

"What a shame, outstanding men always marry young, while mediocre, overconfident men end up in the dating market," a young woman in the office couldn’t help but sigh. "I wonder what Qi Yuwen’s wife looks like, to make him choose her even when the manager’s daughter had her sights set on him."

Wang Yuanyuan, the finance team lead, opened a box of cherry tomatoes she had brought and shared them with her colleagues.

You Nan also received a few and politely thanked her.

Hearing the young woman’s slightly envious tone, Wang Yuanyuan let out a hearty laugh. "Don’t worry, you’ll meet the right one someday."

She extended her box of fruit toward the young woman. "Try some."

The young woman blushed as she took a few and sweetly thanked her, "Thanks, Sister Wang."

You Nan didn’t participate in office gossip, but his colleagues didn’t avoid discussing it around him.

He focused solely on his work, not giving the subject of their chatter a second thought.

"Xiao Nan," Wang Yuanyuan called out to You Nan just before quitting time, "is your part ready? The boss might want it ahead of schedule."

Their hotel hosted various banquets and receptions daily, and You Nan was responsible for handling the detailed terms and budgets for these events.

You Nan rubbed his temples.

He had been staring at his computer all afternoon, feeling stiff from sitting so long.

"Almost done," You Nan checked the time. With half an hour left before clocking out, he estimated his progress. "I’ll need about forty more minutes."

Wang Yuanyuan acknowledged his response and nodded.

By the time You Nan finished work, it was already an hour past quitting time.

He hurriedly grabbed his bag and headed toward the nearest subway station.

During work, he had been fully absorbed, his mind entirely on his tasks. Only after finishing did he remember 007, the little cat waiting for him at home.

He wondered if the kitten had eaten well and slept properly.

Maybe he should install a camera at home someday? That way, he could check on it during breaks.

But as soon as the idea crossed his mind, he quickly dismissed the thought.

He was still living at Qi Yuwen’s place, and installing a camera would require notifying the other person—it seemed like too much trouble.

Walking along the street, the thought of that chubby, goofy-looking kitten filled him with affection. Although 007 was a system, it was still the first cat he had ever raised.

Now he had a cat to come home to.

The hotel was in a good location, surrounded neither by clusters of office buildings nor low-rise residential homes. The walk to the subway station was two kilometers and took about twenty minutes.

The setting sun hung on the horizon, casting orange rays over the crowds of tired people rushing home. Each person seemed to shimmer like sunlight reflecting off the sea.

Halfway there, You Nan heard an unfamiliar car horn. He instinctively moved inward without glancing to the side.

The horn paused for a few seconds before sounding again.

Only then did You Nan snap out of his thoughts about the kitten.

He looked up and saw an unfamiliar car.

The window on the sidewalk side rolled down, and through the open window, You Nan spotted a familiar face.

"Oh, it’s you. I was wondering who it was."

Suddenly seeing the male lead, You Nan felt as if he were dreaming, and he stumbled over his words.

Yao Xianqing was dropping off a family member and happened to pass by. It was rush hour, and the traffic was slow, leaving him stuck on the road.

He hadn’t expected to spot someone he had just met yesterday on the sidewalk.

You Nan’s figure was too distinctive. Yao Xianqing had seen his back multiple times the day before and recognized him instantly.

The other man was tall and slender, with a straight posture.

Quiet and reserved, he resembled a tender bud on a spring branch, exuding a subtle vitality.

The monotonous, repetitive routine of life hadn’t bowed his neck. You Nan walked with his eyes fixed ahead, standing out starkly from the surrounding crowd.

He thought, since You Nan was his friend’s spouse, that made him a friend too. Since they had crossed paths, giving him a ride wouldn’t hurt.

Yao Xianqing smiled warmly, his demeanor radiating a mature man's charm and steadiness. "Are you heading home? Since we ran into each other, let me give you a ride."

You Nan hardly dared to let the male lead personally drive him home. If Qi Yuwen found out, there's no telling what he would think.

He quickly declined, "No, it’s fine. I’ll take the subway. I’ll be home soon."

Yao Xianqing didn’t take offense; his tone remained as calm as before.

"In that case, since my car is stuck here anyway and I’ll be passing by the subway station later, why not hop in and rest your feet? You can get out at the station."

"It’s hot and stuffy outside. I have the AC on in here—it’s very comfortable," Yao Xianqing tempted You Nan.

He was noticeably warm toward You Nan. "The AC cools the same whether it’s just me or both of us."

While speaking, he glanced at the traffic light ahead, which was about to turn green in a few seconds. "Look, the light’s about to change. Come on up," he urged You Nan.

At his words, You Nan’s thoughts and intentions followed his lead.

Infected by the other’s sincerity, You Nan looked ahead at the changing traffic light. He fidgeted with his hands, thinking that Yao Xianqing was being so kind and considerate. Refusing felt ungrateful.

Yao Xianqing’s words had truly been thoughtful.

Pursing his lips, You Nan stepped forward. Before he even reached the car, Yao Xianqing opened the door for him. Without wasting time, You Nan quickly got in.

He closed the door behind him, and they were alone in the enclosed space.

The cool, faint scent of magnolia filled the air. Neither spoke. You Nan busied himself with fastening his seatbelt, while Yao Xianqing observed him.

For a moment, the car was so quiet they could hear each other breathing.