Chapter 031　 We'll make up in a few days.

  *

  In fact, Zhao Nanfeng's invitation to Su Xian at the beginning of the year was a preemptive move in response to Wakui's planned departure, though on the surface, he had pretended everything was calm, working quietly to stabilize clients. Nevertheless, the losses were unavoidable.

  He didn't report the assault for fear that the news would spread and cause greater damage to the company's reputation.

  In July, he completed the divorce procedures with Mio. The house he had meticulously designed and built with his own hands went to her, and he also had to pay 10 million yen in alimony. He accepted all of Mio's demands without question, because she held a large amount of evidence of his infidelity. If the case went to court, the ruling would only be more unfavorable to him.

  *

  Zhao Nanfeng discussed renovating the company office with Su Xian. The two developed a plan together, drawing it out with marker pens as they talked. Their design skills were solid. By quitting time, they had produced a set of hand-drawn sketches for Li Chengshi, asking him to create a 3D model using SketchUp based on the company's floor plan the next day.

  "But Boss, Team Leader and I are going for our driving test tomorrow."

  "Oh, I forgot. The test is in the morning, right? If you pass, you'll need to study traffic rules in the afternoon. Then forget about it, do it the day after tomorrow. If you fail, come back to the office in the afternoon to work on the drawings."

  "Understood."

  **

  On the train ride home, there were no seats, and the two stood side-by-side. The lights of countless homes flickered outside the window. Li Chengshi's face, reflected in the window glass, seemed to carry a hint of worry.

  Su Xian quickly reassured him, "Even if we start from scratch, we can definitely achieve success. What's there to be afraid of?"

  "Even after finding out he tricked you into coming here to help him clean up his mess, aren't you angry at all?"

  "As long as he still holds onto the Heidi Group project, it's not a trick."

  "You're still defending him!"

  "I'm not defending him. It's just that I know, since we've already come, we can't just throw our hands up, say we quit, and immediately fly back home. So, recognize the reality, accept the reality, and just work hard. Li Chengshi, I brought you here. I will take responsibility for you. If he really can't pay the salary, I have some savings, and I'll cover you."

  He became even angrier. "You're even offering to pay his salary! Are you taking responsibility for me, or for him? Don't tell me you've fallen in love with him again after just one day of work?"

  "How could that be! Stop imagining things."

  "Dare you say you didn't feel a shred of sympathy for him today? Sympathy is a high-level expression of love."

  "Absolutely no sympathy! Maybe a very tiny bit of pity, but that's just basic human kindness." While explaining, Su Xian suddenly realized a question: "Isn't your concern for me like this another high-level expression of love?" Could he possibly be falling in love with her again at the same time he was rejecting her? This point genuinely made Su Xian curious.

  He rolled his eyes. "You're afraid I'm falling in love with you again? Relax, this is true kindness on my part, without any mixed intentions."

  I'm not afraid anymore, but I wish you would have some mixed intentions. She mentally grumbled. Sigh.

  **

  Just after noon the next day, Zhao Nanfeng saw Su Xian and Li Chengshi dejectedly arrive at the company. He gave a mocking snicker. "Both failed? That's quite the uniform outcome."

  Su Xian ignored him and went straight to her desk.

  Honda enthusiastically brought them iced green tea.

  "Atsui deshō. Taihen desu ne. (It's hot, isn't it? That must be tough.)"

  She glanced over to see Zhao Nanfeng wasn't looking, then pulled out two jellies from her pocket and gave them, saying she was grateful for their arrival because it finally gave her the chance to fully understand the gossip she had overheard during her interview. She said she had been about to burst from holding it in. But she was curious why Zhao Nanfeng would tell her so much.

  "Moto kanojo dakara. (Because I'm his ex-girlfriend.)"

  Honda was completely shocked.

  It was clear that, just to hear the gossip, she would happily continue to work at this company.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  **

  During the office renovation, Zhao Nanfeng had everyone work at his apartment.

  After divorcing Mio, he rented an apartment in the Suitengu area. The space was large, industrial style, minimalist—in other words, there was almost nothing arranged inside. He said it was just a temporary arrangement and not worth the effort.

  A client he had been pursuing finally signed the contract. The whole team immediately entered a feverish working state, often staying until eight or nine in the evening. When Zhao Nanfeng wasn't paying attention, Honda online ordered a water dispenser, coffee maker, a set of tea utensils, a gas stove, and other household items. When their stomachs were rumbling with hunger, she suddenly served up four bowls of Chashu Ramen.

  Su Xian absolutely adored her.

  "Who told you to waste company funds on buying all this stuff? Don't you know I hate people eating in the office?" He complained, but Zhao Nanfeng ate every last bite.

  Honda just ate, not even looking at him. After finishing, she said, "Gochisōsama deshita. (Thank you for the meal.)" She collected the bowls and went to the kitchen.

  "I really regret signing the contract with her on impulse." Zhao Nanfeng rubbed his forehead, utterly defeated by her.

  Su Xian, however, was full of praise. "She is so cute, clueless and unpretentious."

  Li Chengshi also complimented, "That ramen was so delicious!"

  "Her parents run a ramen shop. After graduating from vocational school, she couldn't find a job locally and was temporarily helping out at the shop. Over time, her parents started pressuring her to quickly find someone to marry and inherit the business together. She didn't want to, so she came to Tokyo to look for a job, constantly hitting walls until..." Zhao Nanfeng waved his hand helplessly. "I was too vulnerable then. Lying on the floor, I thought I was going to die. When I saw her, I thought she was a Bodhisattva who came to save me, ha!"

  "Isn't that destiny?" Su Xian teased.

  "Speaking of destiny, you broke up with Li Chengshi, and I got divorced. Plus, after all this, I've decided to turn over a new leaf. Now is the best time for you to turn back and marry me."

  Li Chengshi slammed his teacup down on the table with a loud noise. "Get in line, come in order! If she's going to turn back, she has to choose me first!"

  Hearing him say that, Su Xian lowered her head and smiled, feeling a little smug.

  Zhao Nanfeng asked suspiciously, "If you care about her that much, why did you break up with her?"

  "What's strange about a couple having a spat? We'll make up in a few days." He absolutely had to keep Zhao Nanfeng outside of Su Xian's safe zone.

  Zhao Nanfeng shook his head, noncommittal.

  **

  The second driving test was in early September. The weather had cooled slightly, but the waiting line was making them increasingly nervous.

  Seeing Li Chengshi nervously wiping the sweat from his palms onto his pants, Su Xian quickly made some small talk to distract him.

  He was a little impressed. "Team Leader, you're amazing. You're not nervous at all."

  "What do you mean, not nervous?" Su Xian showed him the glistening sweat in her palms.

  He took her hand and wiped it on his thigh a couple of times. "It's dry now."

  Su Xian lifted her hand in distaste and sniffed it. "How many days have you been wearing these pants?"

  "I change them every day!"

  *

  As it turned out, Li Chengshi failed his second attempt. When he got out of the car, he looked completely deflated. Su Xian was in the next group, so there was no time to comfort him; she only managed to pat his arm as they passed each other.

  He returned to the main hall, scheduled his next test, and stood in the bustling crowd in a daze for a while. He bought two bottles of water and returned to the edge of the testing area.

  Just then, Su Xian walked over, holding the successful test receipt.

  "Congratulations," he said, handing her a bottle of water with a woeful look.

  "Don't be discouraged. Just keep taking the test. Are you running out of money again?" Su Xian immediately pulled 20,000 yen from her bag and offered it to him, but he was too upset to reach out and take it. Su Xian pulled him close, letting him rest his head on her shoulder, and gently patted his back.

  It is said that foreigners in Japan take the driving test an average of five times to pass. This shouldn't have been a big deal, but she knew Li Chengshi's pressure: he didn't want Zhao Nanfeng to look down on him.

  "Go ahead and cry. I won't laugh at you or tell anyone."

  "I'm not crying! I'm just afraid you'll think I'm incompetent."

  "How could I? Being great in bed is already outstanding."

  *