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墨書 Inktalez
Zhou Xuanyu's expression instantly turned as cold as frost, causing Junxi to shudder. The warm and ambiguous atmosphere in the room suddenly froze.
"What happened to Zhou Ziyan?"
"He had an accident, I need to leave now."
Zhou Xuanyu hung up the phone, grabbed the coat that was draped over the sofa, and quickly put it on.
"Wait!" Junxi stopped him. "You need to explain clearly, what kind of accident?"
Her intuition told her that this accident was no small matter. Zhou Ziyan was tough; a little bump wouldn't make Zhou Xuanyu this anxious.
"During the race, Zhou Ziyan's car lost control and went off the track." He wasn't sure of the details.
"Oh my God!" Junxi exclaimed, her face turning pale as she nearly collapsed from weakness.
Zhou Xuanyu supported her for a moment. "Don't worry, I'll go check it out! I'll contact you once I have news."
"I'm going with you." She clung to his arm, determined as if to say, "If you don't let me go, I'll go anyway."
He really shouldn't let her come; things would be chaotic at the scene, and he wouldn't have time to take care of her. But he knew he couldn't win against her resolve, so he nodded.
"I'll drive first; you come down right away!" He tightened his grip on the car keys and turned back to instruct her. "Lock the door. I don't know when I'll be back tonight, so take an extra coat."
His voice faded as he walked away. Junxi glanced at the messy living room, her heart in disarray as well.
Zhou Ziyan better not really be missing an arm or a leg; she hoped her ominous words wouldn’t come true…
Zhou Xuanyu rushed directly to Qingcheng First People's Hospital with Junxi. After receiving emergency treatment in Belgium, Zhou Ziyan had already flown back to Qingcheng on a medical aircraft, which landed at Qingcheng Airport fifteen minutes ago. He was immediately transported to the First People's Hospital by ambulance.
The hospital was crowded, packed with people, filling the waiting hall to the brim. Zhou Xuanyu took the VIP passage, unobstructed by the throngs of people, his steps particularly swift, forcing Junxi to almost jog to keep up with him.
His phone rang incessantly, but he didn’t even glance at it, ignoring all calls. At this moment, nothing was more important than seeing Zhou Ziyan.
On the eighth floor of Zhou Ziyan's ward, when Junxi and Zhou Xuanyu arrived, many people were gathered at the entrance. Judging by their attire, they seemed to be friends from the racing scene.
"Dazhong, how is he?" Zhou Xuanyu asked one man with a stubbly beard.
"He just woke up on the plane; the doctor is examining him now," Dazhong replied, glancing at Junxi. They exchanged looks but didn’t know each other.
"What exactly happened?" Zhou Xuanyu furrowed his brow, his piercing gaze seemingly trying to penetrate the ward door and reprimand whoever was inside.
"Don't blame anyone; it's his own fault for going crazy," a sharp female voice suddenly cut through the crowd.
"Xiang Han, stop talking nonsense!" Dazhong scolded.
The woman pushed through the crowd and stepped to the front.
Junxi got a clear look at her; she was a tall girl with striking features, though her skin was somewhat tanned.
It was no surprise for someone who raced cars to be sun-kissed.
"I'm not talking nonsense. What else do you call it when Zhou Ziyan decides to switch cars right before a race? If he had a legitimate reason, that would be one thing, but he just wanted that guy's license plate number. Isn’t that crazy? If he survives this, I’ll definitely have that number engraved on his tombstone!" Xiang Han spoke passionately, her tone frantic yet revealing her deep concern.
Women are often contradictory creatures; love and blame intertwine in their hearts.
“Xiang Han, shut up! If he really dies, I bet you’ll follow him.”
“Damn it! Am I crazy?”
Xiang Han pressed her lips together and turned her back to the wall, clearly hurt by the words but refusing to admit it.
At that moment, the door to the hospital room was pushed open, and several doctors in white coats walked out.
“Doctor, how is he?” Xiang Han rushed forward first.
“There’s a concussion; we need to observe him for a while,” said the leading female doctor as she glanced at Zhou Xuanyu. “Mr. Zhou, could I have a word with you?”
Zhou Xuanyu nodded and turned to walk alongside the attending physician toward the elevator.
Junxi watched them from a distance, suppressing the unease in her heart.
The people who had brought Zhou Ziyan to the hospital had already pushed open the door to the room, and she followed them inside.
“Liu Xianghan, I can hear you cursing me to death out there! Do you have a grudge against me or something?”
Zhou Ziyan shouted. From the volume of his voice, it seemed he was not in serious trouble.
Junxi felt her tightened heart gradually relax.
Liu Xianghan blinked but surprisingly didn’t retort.
Zhou Ziyan turned his head and saw Junxi; his eyes brightened for a moment before he said, “Wen Junxi, are you here to see if I’m dead or not?”
Hearing Junxi’s name, Liu Xianghan, who had been keeping her head down, suddenly looked up. Her piercing gaze swept over Junxi from head to toe before she lowered her head again.
"You dying or not has nothing to do with me! I'm just here to see what your grandiose claims look like now that they've fallen apart."
The people in the room were momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter.
Zhou Ziyan felt embarrassed; perhaps it was due to his head injury, but he found himself blushing slightly.
"Can you blame me for the car having issues? Even a skilled cook can't make a meal without ingredients. If it weren't for my skills, I'd be lying in the morgue right now instead of just nursing these minor injuries."
"Minor injuries? I think you're hurt more than you let on. You used to never say things like 'even a skilled cook can't make a meal without ingredients.' You, Zhou Gongzi, would only boast about how nothing is impossible in this world."
The laughter in the hospital room grew louder, as if Junxi's words resonated with everyone.
"I'm in this state, can you at least cut me some slack?" Zhou Ziyan pleaded, feeling quite wronged.
Junxi smiled and said nothing more. If she wanted to give him face, she would.
"This is the first time we've seen Zhou Gongzi at a disadvantage. Miss Wen, you're impressive," Dazhong remarked from the side, unable to contain his admiration.
Junxi touched her nose and replied, "If you had been battling wits with him since you were three or five years old and trained for so many years, you'd be just as impressive."
"Exactly! So it's all thanks to my training," Zhou Ziyan shamelessly boasted.
Junxi shot him a glare.
Just then, Zhou Xuanyu walked in from outside. He moved lightly and opened the door cautiously, yet all eyes were drawn to him.
After all, when the doctor called him away like that, it was hard not to speculate or worry.
"Uncle, how are you? You bumped your head but didn't die, right? Why are you sneaking around like this? It sounds like you've got a terminal illness!"
Zhou Xuanyu's eyebrows twitched slightly, his expression neither good nor bad. He walked to the edge of Zhou Ziyan's bed, his tone calm and collected. "The doctors are just considering whether to stitch your mouth shut."
Zhou Ziyan pouted. "Uncle, when did you become like Junxi, always picking on me?"
He emphasized the word "picking" particularly heavily.
"I trained her," Junxi blurted out.
The atmosphere in the hospital room froze.
Zhou Xuanyu glanced at Junxi, a fleeting look that made her breath quicken.
"I was joking," Junxi quickly added, but the effect of her words was minimal.
Zhou Ziyan seized the opportunity to strike back. "Who doesn't know you're joking? My uncle doesn't need you to train him. If you want to be my aunt, I won't agree even if I were younger."
"I..."
Zhou Ziyan's words were surprisingly sharp, leaving Junxi at a loss for a rebuttal, a wave of melancholy washing over her.
She understood the gap between herself and Zhou Xuanyu; it wasn't just about age...
"Whoever wants to be your aunt doesn't need your approval; as long as I agree, that's enough."
Zhou Xuanyu, who had been standing by quietly, looked at Junxi and stepped in to defend her.
Zhou Ziyan protested, "Uncle, you can't spoil her! If you do, how can I train her?"
"Just hurry up and shut up so you can rest. Which patient talks as much as you do?" Junxi interrupted Zhou Ziyan.
He pouted and finally stopped talking.
The ward fell silent, the stillness suddenly oppressive. Her heart felt sweet in some ways, sour in others, yet it could never find balance.
As the heir of Hengfu Group, Zhou Ziyan's every move attracted considerable attention. Within a few days, news of his injury spread throughout Hengfu Group.
Although this prince who cared little for power rarely showed up at the company, rumors about him had always been plentiful. Recently, he had dominated the gossip charts in break rooms and restrooms. Junxi could almost hear female colleagues discussing Zhou Ziyan wherever she went.
"Hey, have you heard? That Zhou Gongzi has never gotten along with his father."
"Why don't they get along?"
"Who knows? The grudges between wealthy fathers and sons are far more complicated than those of ordinary folks."
"No wonder the Former President didn't let his own son take over when he stepped down; instead, he surprisingly chose his younger brother. I thought that was strange at the time..."
"Mr. Zhou is doing quite well now. He's handsome and cultured, and compared to that inexperienced prince, his life experience is a hundred times richer. I really like Mr. Zhou."
"Look at you, getting off topic because of your crush! We're talking about Zhou Gongzi's injury."
"Hahaha..."
A burst of cheerful laughter echoed in the restroom as Junxi pressed the switch on the sink. The steady stream of water abruptly stopped. She shook off the droplets from her hands, glanced at her reflection in the mirror, and without drying her hands, walked out.
She knew about Zhou Ziyan's strained relationship with his father, and because she knew, she couldn't listen to these gossiping conversations calmly.
Xiaolin was distributing small gift boxes in the office and waved at Junxi as soon as she saw her.
“Junxi, come here, this is for you.”
“What’s going on? Is there a celebration?”
Junxi composed herself and took the delicate gift box. The lid opened with the slightest touch, revealing chocolates that were even more exquisite than the box itself.
“Manager Gao just returned, and this is the gift she brought back for us. Although Manager Gao is usually strict with us, she’s the only one who remembers to bring us gifts every time she goes on a business trip.”
Junxi recalled the gentle voice of the woman from their phone conversation that day, struggling to associate her with the word ‘strict.’ She glanced again at the chocolates in the box; anyone who would choose such beautiful gifts must be a delicate and romantic woman.
Just then, the conference room door swung open, and Zhou Xuanyu stepped out with a woman. The woman wore a royal blue suit; though she was older, her elegance was still apparent from afar.
That was Galen.
Zhou Xuanyu was saying something while Galen nodded occasionally. Suddenly, her gaze shifted and landed on Junxi.
Zhou Xuanyu also glanced at Junxi and nodded at Galen. The two parted ways in front of the President's Office, and Galen walked directly towards Junxi.
“Hello, Miss Wen,” Galen smiled at Junxi, showing none of the coldness Xiaolin and the others had described.
“Manager Gao, you can just call me Junxi.”
“Alright, Junxi. Although it’s a bit late, I still want to welcome you to the Hengfu Group family. In the future, if you encounter any difficulties at work, feel free to reach out to me.”
“Thank you.” Junxi felt a bit overwhelmed.
“No need to be polite. Since you are Zhou Ziyan’s friend, I should take good care of you.”
Galen was not at all shy about her preferential treatment of Junxi, and her frankness left Junxi momentarily taken aback.
"By the way, I heard Zhou Ziyan was injured and hospitalized. I just landed, and I have a few meetings to attend, so I can't find the time to visit him."
"Don't worry. Besides the injury on his foot, which is still waiting for test results, everything else has been confirmed as not serious."
"That's good to hear. I brought him a gift from Italy. I wonder if I could trouble you to deliver it to him later?" Galen said with a smile, pulling out a brocade box from her bag.
Just looking at the box, Junxi knew it must be something valuable.
"It's not anything extravagant, just a White Jade Amulet. He loves cars, and safety is more important than anything else," Galen explained, as if she had guessed what Junxi was thinking.
Junxi nodded and took the brocade box in her hands; it felt heavy in her palm.
"Alright, I'll be going over tonight and will make sure to pass it along."
"Thank you. Also, let him know that once I'm done with my work, I'll come to see him."
"Sure."
Zhou Ziyan had been in the hospital for several days, and Junxi visited every day. With Zhou Ziyan's mother having passed away early, there was no one around to take care of him. Every evening after work, she would go to the market to buy pork ribs for soup and bring it to him after dinner.
Zhou Ziyan was very touched and kept insisting that he would repay her by dedicating himself to her once he recovered.
Junxi scoffed at this; his repayment was far too cheap for himself.
Zhou Xuanyu also reported to the hospital every day. Sometimes he arrived earlier than her, sometimes later, but in the end, they always left the hospital together because Zhou Ziyan insisted on having him escort her home each day.
Actually, there was no need for Zhou Ziyan to delegate this; Zhou Xuanyu's gentlemanly character simply did not allow a girl to go home alone at night. However, his gentlemanly demeanor occasionally veered into a rogue-like attitude.
Just like last night, he had followed the usual routine of seeing her home. As soon as they arrived at the entrance of her new place by the East River, he got out of the car alongside her.
Junxi asked him what he was doing, and he replied that he was hungry.
Just two simple words, spoken with calm assurance and a sense of entitlement.
She was momentarily taken aback as he looked up at the half-open window on the third floor and added, "Did you forget that you still owe me a meal?"
"I haven't forgotten, but it's so late. Where am I supposed to go to buy groceries for you?"
He shrugged his shoulders, playfully acting like a rogue. "Just making some noodles would be fine."
Unable to argue with him, Junxi let him follow her inside. The hallway lights were old and dim.
Zhou Xuanyu walked closely behind her, matching her pace.
When she turned around, she saw him stretching out his long arms, protectively surrounding her from a distance... In that moment, her eyes suddenly felt warm, and she thought that no matter what he wanted to eat, she should make it for him.
There was really nothing left in the fridge—just a few eggs and a leftover piece of yam from the soup along with some scallions.
Zhou Xuanyu didn’t eat yam; he was allergic... Her options were even more limited now.
Just as she was feeling troubled, Zhou Xuanyu suddenly walked into the kitchen. He glanced at her remaining ingredients and without saying a word, took the apron off her waist and put it on himself.
"I'll handle this."
It seemed he had an idea and immediately took charge, shooing Junxi out of the kitchen.
She sat in the living room, waiting. The room was tidy; although small, it had everything one could need. With her touch, it looked quite cozy. When Zhou Xuanyu walked in, she couldn't help but glance at him several times, knowing he liked this style.
Before long, a delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen. She turned to look and saw him coming out, each hand holding a plate. Although it was fried noodles, he presented it with the flair of Italian pasta.
The noodles were perfectly cooked, the egg was fluffy and not overdone, and the green onions added an enticing fragrance... This was the best fried noodles she had ever tasted.
He was the one who claimed to be hungry, yet it was she who devoured the food ravenously.
Halfway through the meal, he suddenly said, "This meal doesn't count as mine; remember, you still owe me one."
That expression of his was the kind that made her smile just thinking about it.
Of course she remembered... It wasn't like she would try to weasel out of treating him to a meal.
---
When Junxi went to the hospital, it was already dark. Zhou Ziyan had been unusually quiet today, not calling her even once.
If it had been the previous days, even if she arrived a little late, he would have called her repeatedly as if he were about to starve.
Frustrated by his urgency, she had complained before, "I'm taking care of you out of goodwill, and here you are treating me like a babysitter."
Zhou Ziyan had replied with a hint of grievance, "I'm just bored being alone."
Zhou Gongzi usually had plenty of entertainment options. Now that he was hospitalized and confined to bed alone without anyone to talk to, it indeed felt desolate after all the previous excitement. Thinking about it made her feel a bit sorry for him, so she decided not to hold it against him.
Junxi stepped out of the elevator with a thermos in hand. The third floor was the hospital's premium level; everything was luxurious. However, due to the high cost of staying there, most of the rooms were empty, making it feel much quieter than other floors.
"Bang!"
At the end of the corridor, the sound of shattering glass echoed, piercing through the silence of the third floor.
Zhou Ziyan's hospital room was located just there... She paused to listen carefully, but soon, there was no more sound.
Her heart tightened, and she quickened her pace.
The door to Zhou Ziyan's room was slightly ajar. She glanced through the crack. Sitting by Zhou Ziyan's bedside was a man nearing fifty. Although it had been a long time since they last met, Junxi recognized him; it was Zhou Ziyan's father, Zhou Xuan Yong.
Behind Zhou Xuan Yong stood another person, likely his personal bodyguard given his stature and attire. Now reliant on a wheelchair for mobility, Zhou Xuan Yong indeed needed someone by his side at all times.
"Just go," Zhou Ziyan's cold voice came from inside.
"Zhou Ziyan, what do you want?"
"I don't want anything; I just don't need your hypocritical concern."
"You still won't forgive me."
"Don't talk about forgiveness; I have no right to forgive you." Zhou Ziyan turned her face away. From Junxi's angle, he could see her expression clearly. Perhaps it was the lighting, but her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"My mother and I..."
"Get out!" Zhou Ziyan raised her voice and coughed unexpectedly.
Zhou Xuan Yong instinctively reached out to pat Zhou Ziyan's back but was brushed off by her.
"Take him away!" Once Zhou Ziyan caught her breath, she directed all her pent-up anger towards Zhou Xuan Yong's bodyguard.
The bodyguard remained unmoved as if he hadn't heard her. It was Zhou Xuan Yong who sighed and conceded first: "Then I'll leave for now. You should rest well."
Zhou Ziyan remained silent.
The sound of the wheelchair wheels echoed softly as Junxi retreated into the hallway. She wasn't sure why she felt the need to hide; perhaps it was because she feared that he had long forgotten her.
After all, she had been close to everyone in the Zhou family since childhood, yet this Uncle Zhou had always felt distant.
Inside the hospital room, a rich aroma wafted through the air.
“Zhou Ziyan, what smells so good? Are you hiding delicious food from me?” Junxi pushed the door open, pretending not to notice the mess on the floor.
Seeing her sudden entrance, Zhou Ziyan froze for a moment, still unable to adjust his emotions.
Junxi noticed that his eyes were indeed glistening with unshed tears.
“Oh, so besides me, there’s another girl making soup for you! Zhou Gongzi, you really are quite fortunate. But what's with this wastefulness?”
Junxi stepped around the spilled soup on the floor and approached the bedside table, placing her thermos down. During this process, she dared not meet his gaze.
This version of Zhou Ziyan frightened her.
“Don’t worry, I won’t drink anything except your soup,” Zhou Ziyan said lightly. “But since you came late today, there should be a punishment.”
Hearing him say something teasingly annoying again, Junxi smiled, feeling a weight lift off her heart as she continued to banter with him. “Yes, yes, it’s my fault. How would Zhou Gongzi like to punish me? I’ll accept any punishment.”
Zhou Ziyan raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
“Really.”
"Come here."
Junxi obediently leaned against the edge of his bed, protecting her head. "Considering that I admit my mistakes, please go easy on me. And remember, no hitting the face; I make a living off my looks."
Zhou Ziyan smiled. He was used to her quirky antics, but today, she seemed especially endearing in her mischief.
"Don't worry, I won't hit your face. Just stretch out your hand." He wiped the smile from his face and maintained a serious expression.
"You better keep your word." Junxi opened her palm and obediently offered her hand to him, mentally preparing to flee the moment he struck.
Zhou Ziyan raised his hand, blew on his palm, and swung it toward her...
Junxi was quick to dodge back, but his hand curved around her waist. She was caught off guard, like an innocent little lamb, pulled into his embrace.
"Zhou Ziyan, are you crazy?"
"Don't move!" Zhou Ziyan firmly held her restless hands in place and softened his tone. "Let me lean on you for a moment."
His voice was hoarse. Remembering how he had just lost control in front of his father made Junxi feel a pang of sympathy.
Her pushing against him gradually slowed until she finally patted his back.
"Everything will pass," she said softly.
Zhou Ziyan remained still and silent. The remnants of his volcanic anger still simmered within him, causing him pain. Only the cool fragrance from Wen Junxi could soothe him.
They stayed in that embrace for a while, but Junxi began to feel a bit stiff.
“Zhou Gongzi, is that enough? If you keep holding on, I’m going to start charging you.”
Zhou Ziyan didn’t let go; instead, he pressed closer.
“How much? Just tell me.”
“Get lost, get lost! You’re really getting into it, aren’t you?”
Junxi reached out to pry his hand away. He was laughing, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t break free. His laughter only grew louder…
In the midst of the chaos, she suddenly heard him call out, “Uncle.”
Junxi hurriedly turned around.
Zhou Xuanyu was standing at the door of the hospital room, his expression unreadable. He must have witnessed their playful embrace and laughter just moments ago.
Zhou Ziyan released his grip and adjusted his hospital gown.
“Uncle, I thought you weren’t coming today.”
“Couldn’t rest easy about you, so I came to check in,” Zhou Xuanyu replied, his cold gaze landing on Junxi. With a meaningful tone, he added, “If I had known Junxi would be here taking care of you, I wouldn’t have come.”
Zhou Ziyan paused for a moment, glancing between Junxi and Zhou Xuanyu before breaking into a mischievous grin. “See? You’re ruining my good time.”
“Zhou Ziyan, stop talking nonsense,” Junxi said, wishing she could punch that handsome face of his.
“What nonsense? It’s the truth!”
"You, you, you..."
"What, what, what’s wrong? Why are you so shy?"
"…"
The two glared at each other, ready to erupt into a fight at any moment.
Zhou Xuanyu wore an expression of detachment, showing no intention of intervening. In the past, he would have already stepped in to mediate.
He stood there for a while, and when the nurse came to clean the room, he received a phone call. After finishing the call, he announced that he was leaving.
Zhou Ziyan, ever the gossip, remarked that his hasty departure must be due to a woman calling him. Zhou Xuanyu didn’t deny it and shared a knowing smile.
Junxi lowered her head, a wave of indescribable disappointment washing over her.
What kind of woman could make him show such a satisfied expression?
She watched him turn and leave, his tall and straight figure outlined by the light in the corridor. He hadn’t gone far when his phone rang again…
Zhou Xuanyu glanced at the number on the screen; it was still Infant Water Spirit. He had just dismissed her, yet she continued to pursue him relentlessly.
He felt irritated already, and her persistence only fueled his urge to explode.
It had been a long time since he had lost his temper—not because he had become more patient, but because few people had managed to touch that sensitive nerve of his over the years. His friends often said he was like an enlightened being with no desires or needs, but he knew better; he was simply numb inside.
However, just moments ago, seeing Wen Junxi and Zhou Ziyan so close together had stirred something within him—a sharp pain that shot through his body like lightning.
He ended the call from Infant Water Spirit, and as silence enveloped him, his heart raced wildly in his chest.
The car stopped at the hospital entrance, and he hurried over. As he opened the door, he caught sight of the dark green lace headband on the passenger seat.
It belonged to Wen Junxi. After she had left it in his car yesterday, he had let it occupy that spot ever since. Today, he drove his car to lunch with a client. Because of that little thing, no one dared to sit in the passenger seat.
He had a feeling that Junxi would be here today, which was why he came to the hospital. He wanted to take her home; he wanted to return this little item to her. Zhou Xuanyu grasped the headband.
The lace wrapped around his palm, soft and gentle, just like its owner. Though it was small enough to fit in his hand, it gave off such a strong feeling.
He slammed his hand down on the steering wheel.
“Beep!!!”
The horn blared loudly, causing the cars in front of him to part ways.
He pressed the accelerator all the way down, and the car shot forward like an arrow, cold wind rushing in through the window as the headband fluttered in the air...
Junxi hadn’t slept well all night. Every time she closed her eyes, visions of Zhou Xuanyu walking with another woman flashed through her dreams.
Though she couldn’t see the woman’s face clearly, she knew that this woman was not the Infant Water Spirit; the Infant Water Spirit didn’t have the grace to wear a white dress so beautifully.
The only person she knew who could wear a white dress with such spirit and be so intimately close to Zhou Xuanyu was Lin Jingming, the woman whose every gesture exuded elegance...
After moving, Junxi found that her commute took half as long as before.
When she arrived at the company, there were hardly any people around. However, Galen's office was already lit up.
Junxi put down her bag and went to the break room to get some water. As she passed by Galen's office, she was called in.
"Junxi, come in for a moment," she waved at Junxi through the slightly ajar glass door.
Junxi placed her cup on Xiaolin's desk and pushed the door open.
"I delivered your gift to Zhou Ziyan yesterday."
"Okay, thank you."
"You're welcome."
"What brings you here so early?" Galen asked as she stood up and walked toward her coffee machine.
The small, exquisite machine was bubbling away, filling the room with a rich aroma. Every corner of the space was enveloped in that delightful scent.
The atmosphere was quite relaxed.
"Manager Gao was here even earlier."
"I'm getting older; I wake up early now."
Junxi blinked. "Manager Gao, you're joking. You look quite young."
"Compared to you, I'm definitely older."
"I'm still inexperienced, while you're in your prime; that's different."
Galen smiled. This girl was not only sweet-tongued but also sharp-witted to the core.
“How are you adapting during this time?”
“My colleagues have been very kind to me. My work and life are well taken care of, so I haven’t had a chance to feel out of place.” Junxi smiled; it was not just polite talk, but her heartfelt gratitude as a newcomer entering the workforce.
“That's good to hear.” Galen nodded, pouring coffee into a beautiful white porcelain cup. She then looked up at Junxi and asked, “Would you like a cup?”
Junxi was taken aback and shook her head after regaining her composure. “No, thank you.”
“Coffee is a wonderful thing; it keeps you alert and sharp. I can’t do without it for even a moment.” Galen took a sip. “I have another bag here; you can take it with you later. You’ll need it.”
“Me?” Junxi was bewildered.
Galen nodded. “Once the work schedule updates come out, you’ll see. Mr. Zhou has arranged for you to work overtime for the next week.”
“Overtime?” Junxi was even more shocked. This decision seemed too sudden, and what about Zhou Ziyan?
“Yes. It was assigned last night on short notice. Also, once you finish your current tasks, you’ll need to go to Italy with him.”
“A business trip?”
“Otherwise?”
“It’s just… it’s all so sudden.”
“The workplace isn’t like school; there won’t always be time to prepare for everything. Mr. Zhou has his own way of doing things, and you need to keep up with him if you want to be valued in the future.”
“Understood.”
Perhaps realizing that the conversation had turned serious, Galen cleared her throat and smiled again.
"You are the one I brought in, so of course I hope you shine brighter than anyone else to prove my good judgment, right?"
Junxi did not expect Galen to be so straightforward. In front of such a woman, she couldn't afford to be overly modest or appear too confident and arrogant. So she smiled, "I hope I won't let you down."
As soon as work hours began, Xiaolin handed a pile of documents that needed translation to Junxi.
These were all the documents from the Italian client, ranging from client information to cooperation plans to payment schedules, filled with dense Italian text.
Junxi majored in English and had also taken elective courses in Italian, Korean, and Japanese during her studies. Unlike other students in the English department who approached their electives with a casual attitude, Junxi put just as much effort into her electives as she did into her major courses. While others enjoyed a carefree university life, for her, it was a challenging time that brought tears to her eyes when she looked back. But she persevered, and now the only thing she felt proud of was that she had made up for the wasted eighteen and a half years in just a few years.
Although her foundation was solid, applying that knowledge to work was still somewhat challenging. Aside from eating and using the restroom, Junxi spent the entire day buried in documents.
Zhou Xuanyu had not shown up at the office since morning. According to Xiaolin, he had worked overtime until dawn last night before going home.
However, when he left the hospital, he clearly went out for a rendezvous. Could it be that he was stood up and returned to the office to drown his sorrows in work?
It was one thing for him to work overtime himself, but dragging her down with him seemed rather inconsiderate.
As closing time approached, Junxi called Zhou Ziyan to inform him that she would be working late for the next few days and advised him to fend for himself.
On the other end of the line, Zhou Ziyan seemed to be in a lively environment. His lazy voice came through, "Don't worry; I know you're going to flake out on me. Uncle has already arranged for a dedicated chef. I won't starve."
Junxi felt relieved after hearing that. She hung up and grabbed a quick bite at a nearby restaurant before returning to the office to continue her battle.
One by one, her colleagues left until she was the only one left in the office with a single light on.
She wasn't a timid person; back when Xue Waiwai told ghost stories in their dormitory, while other girls were scared stiff, she still went to the restroom in the dark without hesitation.
The vast, dark office seemed endless. The sound of her flipping through documents was soft and rustling, like a mouse sneaking around. Oh, mice—those gray little creatures—she was quite afraid of them.
Zhou Ziyan once said that everyone needs to have one or two things they fear in life; otherwise, what is the point of having courage? Sometimes, this unreliable guy actually made sense.
Working alone inevitably drained her enthusiasm, and before long, she found herself yawning repeatedly. The aftereffects of last night's insomnia hit her all at once, and she simply laid her head down on the desk.
She fell into a deep sleep, and when she finally woke up, she couldn't tell whether it was day or night. As she moved, the coat draped over her slipped off and landed on the chair.
"I thought I would sleep until dawn."
As she spoke, the light on the desk next to hers flickered on. Zhou Xuanyu was leaning against the desk, his long legs casually crossed, revealing a hint of mischief rarely seen.
"What are you doing here?" Junxi asked as she picked up his coat, which was still warm from his body. He must have been there for a while.
"Concern for employees—shouldn't I?" he replied with a grin.
Junxi rolled her eyes. "Concern for employees shouldn't mean making them work overtime for no reason."
Zhou Xuanyu shook his leg and stood up, walking over to glance at her translation work. With a serious expression, he asked, "What do you mean 'for no reason'? Manager Gao didn't tell you these documents are urgent?"
Junxi found herself at a loss for words. He was the Boss; there was no need for him to explain himself when it came to exploiting employees—his whims were reason enough.
"Go in," Zhou Xuanyu suddenly said.
"Huh?"
"Work in my office," he said as he picked up the stack of documents and headed straight toward his office.
Their office was spacious, with both cooling and heating provided by the central air conditioning. When the administrative staff finished work, they turned off the main switch for the air conditioning. Junxi felt too embarrassed to turn it back on by herself, so she endured the cold.
Zhou Xuanyu's office was warm. He placed the documents on his desk and casually pulled out his office chair.
"Come sit."
Junxi shook her head, standing obediently in place.
"This is the president's seat. How can I just sit here? If someone sees me, won't I be accused of trying to usurp power?"
Zhou Xuanyu frowned and emphasized, "These documents are urgent."
"But..."
"You dare not usurp power, yet you dare to disobey orders?"
Junxi clicked her tongue; he had a point. In ancient times, both offenses could lead to execution. Since it was a matter of life or death anyway, she might as well enjoy herself before facing the guillotine.
She walked over, and he watched her, suddenly reminding him of the times he caught her doing homework as a child. It felt uncomfortable—so uncomfortable that her heart raced wildly.
The president's leather chair was indeed comfortable, but this comfort probably only applied to someone like her who could joke around. Those truly in high positions likely felt more of the helplessness that came with being at the top.
After Zhou Xuanyu had her sit down, he turned and moved toward the sofa. He casually picked up a magazine, crossed his legs, and struck a pose reminiscent of a foreman overseeing construction.
Junxi pouted, feeling both amused and exasperated in an instant.
The room was quiet, but she couldn't regain the focus she had when she was alone earlier. She didn't even need to look up; her peripheral vision seemed glued to him like super glue.
What kind of person was he? Even reading a magazine, he seemed capable of deciphering classified documents with such concentration.
Junxi sighed at her uncontrollable laziness, her gaze shifting to the pen on his desk.
It wasn't an expensive pen; the body was made of sandalwood, more playful than practical. Yet she recognized it immediately—the wooden pen was a gift from someone special.
"What’s wrong?" Zhou Xuanyu suddenly turned his head, taking in her distracted expression.
She felt like a thief caught peeking into someone else's secrets, her face flushing with embarrassment.
"Hmm?" Zhou Xuanyu approached her.
In a moment of impulsive determination, she grabbed the pen, trying to act nonchalant. "This is from Teacher Lin, isn’t it?"
Zhou Xuanyu paused for a moment, then calmly took the pen from Junxi's hand after a few seconds of contemplation.
"Yes." He nodded subtly and opened a drawer to place the pen inside.
"Where is Teacher Lin now?"
"Get up; I’ll take you back."
Though his expression and tone remained unchanged, the atmosphere in the office noticeably shifted.
Junxi obediently stood up, realizing she had stepped on a landmine. While she had no idea what had transpired between Zhou Xuanyu and Lin Jingming over the past five years, she could guess that since his return to the country, with the presence of an Infant Water Spirit by his side, it was clear that the couple who had once been on the brink of marriage had not ended up together.
From the elevator down to the parking lot, Zhou Xuanyu walked ahead of her. His pace was steady, but the flickering lights in the parking lot made his silhouette appear unsteady.
She felt a deep ache in her heart, even though she hadn’t meant to touch his wounds. If he hurt, she felt it too.
"Mr. Zhou..." she called softly. At that moment, she couldn’t bring herself to jokingly call him "uncle."
The vast parking lot scattered her voice, and he seemed not to hear it, walking faster and faster.
She felt like a child who had done something wrong, lowering her head and almost breaking into a jog to keep up with him.
“Mr. Zhou!” she shouted.
He stopped and turned around.
Junxi hesitated for a moment before saying, “I’m sorry.”
As she spoke those three words, her nose tinged with a bit of sadness.
Zhou Xuanyu looked at her; in such a dim environment, her pupils shone as if they could light up the darkness. He did not overlook the thin layer of mist in her eyes.
A sudden pang of pain gripped his heart. It was his fault; he had been too emotional.
“I didn’t mean to…”
Before Junxi could finish her sentence, she felt Zhou Xuanyu’s large hand pressing against the back of her head. She looked up in shock, but before she could read his expression, he pulled her into his embrace.
Tears flowed down uncontrollably as she clutched the hem of his shirt, taking a small step to lean closer to him.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought it up…”
“It’s okay.” He gently patted her head and whispered softly, as if speaking to her and to himself, “It’s not your fault.”
After so many years, it seemed that in this moment, seeing her tears brought him an inexplicable sense of relief.
Yes, it is not her fault, nor anyone else's.
If one must place blame, it can only be on fate.
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