“So you really don’t like him?” Song Jianing asked, “There’s no chance of getting back together?”
“No.” Yu Yan shook her head. “He Shuliu is a good partner, but we’re just not right for each other.”
“Sigh…” Song Jianing let out a regretful sigh. “If you’re not going to talk about it, then don’t. These things can’t be forced.”
Yu Yan: “Mm.”
“But even if you’re not together anymore, you still need to be careful.” Song Jianing suddenly changed the topic.
Yu Yan was puzzled. “Careful about what?”
“Of course, be careful not to upset him!” Song Jianing spoke earnestly. “Look, you two only had a fight this time, and he still went up the mountain alone for more than half a month. If he gets hurt again, what if he gets so sad he jumps off a building?”
Yu Yan: “It probably won’t come to that…”
“What do you mean ‘probably’? When people get stuck in a bad place, they can do anything. Don’t take it lightly!”
Yu Yan thought to herself, He’s already gotten through the hardest times, how could he possibly fall apart over a breakup? Besides, they’d only been together for less than half a year.
Song Jianing continued to persuade her, “Anyway, just try to be gentle, don’t rush things. After all, you don’t hate him, right?”
Yu Yan recalled the feeling of sleeping in his arms these past two nights.
Of course she didn’t hate him, otherwise she wouldn’t have tolerated being so close with him.
“I understand. I don’t want to hurt him either.” Yu Yan said softly, “This time I’ll be careful. I’ll wait until he’s recovered before bringing up breaking up.”
“Recovered from what?” Song Jianing was confused. “Didn’t you say he’s fine?”
“There’s still a little something wrong…” Footsteps sounded faintly ahead, and Yu Yan paused, not finishing her sentence. “Let’s not talk about it, I’ll head back first.”
Song Jianing: “Alright, go rest. If anything comes up, remember to call me.”
“You too.”
Yu Yan hung up the phone, nodded in greeting to a colleague passing by, and turned to leave.
After she left, another person emerged from around the corner not far away.
Well-dressed, with regular features—it was none other than Lin Rang, the one who had given her a ride home after the Department Dinner.
Yu Yan had no idea that Lin Rang had spotted her as she passed the pantry, and had then followed her all the way here, hiding around the corner to eavesdrop on her call.
Lin Rang had only wanted to see where she was going alone, but unexpectedly overheard her conversation—and even got a surprise.
So she didn’t like her boyfriend at all, and they’d already broken up.
From the sound of it, that boyfriend didn’t want to break up and was still pestering her…?
Thinking of Yu Yan looking helpless and at her wit’s end, Lin Rang couldn’t help but feel a secret joy.
That boyfriend of hers didn’t look like a good guy, and she was so gentle and weak—she must be having a hard time now, right?
At times like this, as long as he let go of past grievances and took the initiative to help her, it should be easy to win her gratitude and affection…
Perfect. His chance had finally come.
Yu Yan returned to her workstation, rested for a bit, and soon threw herself back into work.
That afternoon, He Shuliu sent her a lot of messages, along with some photos—some taken at the Hospital, some at the Supermarket or on the street. He even sent her a picture of the ice cream he bought.
Before, Yu Yan would’ve just sent a sticker or two and brushed him off, but today she carefully read every message and photo, replying to each one in turn.
She kept Song Jianing’s advice in mind—gentle, tolerant, and endlessly patient.
Maybe it was her responses that encouraged He Shuliu, because he quickly sent another message.
[You’re not working overtime today, right? Can I come pick you up?]
Yu Yan thought for a moment, then replied with a simple “Okay.”
There really was no need, but she didn’t want to make He Shuliu feel rejected.
At least, not right now.
At six thirty, Yu Yan got off work right on time.
The elevator was packed, and just as Yu Yan stepped out of the lobby, Lin Rang hurried after her from behind.
“Yu Yan! Wait up…”
Yu Yan heard someone call her, turned around, and showed a surprised expression.
Wasn’t that Lin Rang? Work was over, what did he want with her?
“Is there something you need?” she asked politely.
“It’s nothing much, just some work stuff I wanted to ask you about.”
Lin Rang stopped in front of her, scratching his head awkwardly. “Are you free now? I won’t take up too much of your time…”
Yu Yan refused without a second thought. “Sorry, I’ve already booked a ride. If it’s work, let’s talk tomorrow.”
“But it’s really urgent! If we wait until tomorrow, it’ll be too late!” Lin Rang saw she was about to leave, and quickly reached out to stop her. “How about I give you a ride? I live at Splendid Garden, it’s on the way to your place. You can give me some advice on the way.”
Yu Yan frowned.
Although she and Lin Rang were in the same Department, their work didn’t overlap, and they rarely interacted. There was nothing that only she could help him with.
Besides, it was after work—who wants to deal with work issues off the clock?
Yu Yan’s frown deepened, about to refuse again, when Lin Rang hurriedly added, “I’ll treat you to dinner! As long as you help me this once, you can eat whatever you want…”
Before he could finish, a cold voice suddenly sounded from behind.
“Why is it you again?”
Yu Yan turned her head and saw He Shuliu striding over.
He was wearing a cap today, his clothes a basic black and white, making him unremarkable in the crowd.
Yu Yan had thought he’d arrive right on time, but he found her in the crowd at a glance—he must have been waiting for a while…
It was scorching hot outside today. With his current health, could he handle it?
Yu Yan’s gaze dropped to his overly pale arm, a hint of worry rising in her heart.
Lin Rang hadn’t expected to run into her boyfriend right at this moment, and his face turned a bit awkward.
But then he remembered—Yu Yan didn’t like this guy anymore, so what was he nervous about?
If anyone should be nervous, it should be this guy.
Thinking about how Yu Yan would soon break up with He Shuliu, Lin Rang couldn’t help but gloat, and immediately felt more confident.
“Sorry, I just have some work questions for Yu Yan, that’s all.” Lin Rang straightened up, trying to look upright and modest.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to treat her to dinner? That’s work too?” He Shuliu sneered.
“It’s normal to treat a colleague to dinner if they help you out, isn’t it? I think you’re making a fuss over—”
Lin Rang started to argue, hoping to score some points with Yu Yan, but when he looked up, the mockery on He Shuliu’s face was gone.
Those pitch-black eyes were calmly looking down at him, utterly indifferent.
A chill ran through Lin Rang’s body, goosebumps rising all over.
Was it his imagination? This guy was obviously alive, but why did his eyes feel so… unsettling?
Suddenly, Lin Rang didn’t dare meet his gaze, hurriedly looking away and forcing a dry laugh. “But you’re right, talking about work after hours isn’t great. Let’s discuss it another time.”
With that, he left quickly, just like last time, leaving Yu Yan and He Shuliu standing there.
Yu Yan was speechless. “Is there something wrong with that guy?”
He Shuliu smiled. “He definitely has issues.”
“Forget it, let’s go home.” Yu Yan walked out as she spoke. “I’m starving after a whole day of work…”
He Shuliu took her hand, naturally intertwining their fingers.
Yu Yan’s fingertips twitched, but she let him hold her hand, not shaking him off like last time.
He Shuliu’s lips curled up, and he walked with her toward the Parking Lot, thoroughly satisfied.
After getting home, Yu Yan was drenched in sweat.
It had been unbearably hot these past few days—just walking a few steps outside felt like being steamed alive.
Yu Yan opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of iced water. When she turned, she saw that He Shuliu still looked fresh and clean—not a trace of sweat, not even on his face.
Even when he held her hand earlier, his palm was dry and cool—cooler than someone who just left the Company.
And the Company’s air conditioning was always freezing—if you didn’t dress warmly, you’d catch a cold…
Yu Yan closed the fridge and asked seriously, “How did your checkup go today?”
“Hmm?” He Shuliu took off his hat, and answered her casually, “No big deal. The Doctor said I’m just a bit weak, probably from getting soaked in the rain that day. A bit of rest and I’ll be fine.”
“That’s it?” Yu Yan was a little suspicious.
His body temperature was obviously much lower than normal, which didn’t seem like ‘no big deal’ to her.
“Of course.”