Chapter 13

Ye Ji’an had long prepared for the worst regarding the situation he would face upon returning to the company. Although he and Liang Xiao had fought in self-defense, and the audio and video evidence was sufficient that even the police found no fault, it was undeniable that he had impulsively invited everyone out for drinks that night, and they had all gotten thoroughly drunk. If something serious had happened, it would undoubtedly be his failure as the team leader.

Ye Ji’an was never afraid of taking responsibility, as he genuinely felt he had made a mistake. The feeling of being a turtle withdrawing its head and arguing with others was even worse. So, even if the final outcome was a company-wide reprimand along with a complete deduction of his bonus, forcing him to spend the Spring Festival at home cooking plain noodles with salt to save money, he would accept it.

Who would have thought that none of that happened? He was merely called into the Chairman’s office for a brief chat. This news came suddenly after the morning meeting, and the General Manager delivered it in a mysterious manner, looking rather grim, which made Ye Ji’an feel anxious.

After waiting for more than half an hour outside the large office on the top floor, he stood before the gray-haired, gentle boss. When asked how he felt about his position, he thought this was the prelude to being fired. He thought to himself, “This won’t do, brother. I still have over five years left on my mortgage.” He earnestly reported on his recent work, which he had mentally rehearsed while waiting outside, presenting himself as both professional and humble. In the end, the Chairman’s question left him momentarily stunned: “Do you think you are happy doing this job?”

Ye Ji’an’s mind raced, and he finally replied, “If I could go back to when I just graduated, I would still come for the interview.”

The Chairman seemed to see right through his words, shook his head, and laughed heartily, “Young people these days are all unhappy. How can someone like you, in your thirties and already a supervisor, be happy?”

Indeed, happiness was a distant thought; the anxiety of wanting to die lingered in his heart. Ye Ji’an didn’t want to say something insincere like “I’m very happy,” so he could only smile politely and nod slightly. He then heard the boss ask, “What do you think of the young people working under you?”

With over twenty people in the department, about ten of whom were younger than him, was he expected to comment on each one? Ye Ji’an didn’t think the Chairman could remember them all, so he gave a general introduction, mentioning some common situations.

The boss pulled out the employee handbook and flipped through it. “What about this Xiao Li… how has he adapted since moving from the General Affairs Department to your team?”

“Pretty good. He’s very diligent and clever.”

“What about Xiao Zhang? A graduate student who has worked at the United Nations and speaks four languages?”

“Yes, her translation skills are excellent, especially her vocabulary in finance. She’s a bit immature since she just graduated, but the colleagues get along well with her.”

“And this Xiao Liang?”

“He’s particularly precise in his work, smart, and quite bold,” Ye Ji’an’s mind conjured up Liang Xiao’s smiling fox-like face, and he felt a bit more at ease. “He’s a sensible person.”

The Chairman chuckled, “I’ve heard he can be a bit arrogant. Is he not very good at getting along with others?”

It was likely that the bald General Manager had been offended a few times and had come to complain to the big boss. Ye Ji’an thought that although Liang Xiao usually kept a distance from most colleagues, never participating in group orders for milk tea and rarely saying sweet words, he was always eager to help when needed. He simply had little interest in others. Moreover, in this day and age, how close could one really be with colleagues? True friendships were rare.

With this in mind, Ye Ji’an spoke up, “Liang Xiao does have a strong personality, but you see, the term ‘arrogant’ implies he must have talent first. He is very capable; he just doesn’t like to join in the fun. It’s not that he doesn’t fit in; I think we should respect the individuality of such a mature and capable young person.”

The Chairman closed the employee handbook and applauded him, his eyes crinkling with laughter. “I can see you value talent.”

Ye Ji’an thought to himself that if he didn’t cherish these capable individuals, he would be left alone to dedicate his life to overtime. Besides, isn’t it only natural for talented people to be appreciated? Is sweet talk more important than making a fortune? He chatted with the Chairman for another ten minutes, the topics scattered, and in the end, there was no hint of him being fired. He was simply allowed to return to work.

Reflecting on his initial impression of the “stereotypical old man who cares too much about employee image,” Ye Ji’an felt a bit embarrassed. He realized the Chairman was actually quite friendly and open-minded, truly possessing the demeanor of a great boss.

The last two weeks before the Spring Festival holiday were, of course, quite busy. Fortunately, they had just secured a major project, and the main tasks were mostly minor ones, allowing Ye Ji’an to return home. He and Liang Xiao managed to catch the last two subway trains every day; if they missed them, they would take a taxi. Ye Ji’an had moved his basic living supplies and a change of clothes into Liang Xiao’s place, making it convenient to retrieve anything he forgot to take home. Thus, he began a cohabitation life with his potential romantic interest without waiting for the holiday.

However, calling it cohabitation, the actual content was mostly just sleeping. By the time they got home, it was often close to one o’clock. Ye Ji’an frequently fell asleep on the sofa while Liang Xiao was showering, and in the living room, he was accompanied by a dozen geckos kept in boxes. Liang Xiao would have to wake him up and raise the water temperature by two degrees so that he wouldn’t fall into bed without washing up. Each time he emerged from the bathroom, he would see Liang Xiao looking as lively as ever. When he finally lay down, he would be gently embraced from behind, watching Marx blink slowly on the bedside table, while the one behind him would start to feel a bit sleepy.

The comforting thing was that the dosage of sleeping pills had been reduced by half, and Liang Xiao had not experienced a whole night of insomnia. In the mornings, Ye Ji’an would wake up fifteen minutes early, making various sandwiches or wraps, and preparing some fruit mixed with yogurt. When he was alone, he had no motivation, but now that they were together, he didn’t want to settle for less. Often, while frying eggs, Liang Xiao would yawn and walk to the kitchen door, sleepily calling him Ge and wishing him good morning. After that, the day’s hustle began with squeezing onto the subway.

He hadn’t lost his old habits; Ye Ji’an still jogged for half an hour before work, and Liang Xiao did too. However, he no longer had to avoid him, as they had already openly discussed their tattoos and preferences. There was no need to hide anything, though they still couldn’t shower together.

Sometimes, Ye Ji’an would suddenly feel strongly that this kind of life was actually quite good. Although he was still busy with little personal time, the feeling of emptiness and anxiety had vanished.

On the last day before the holiday, he and Liang Xiao agreed to enjoy a live show at a small underground bar next to the Tianqiao Performing Arts Center. A Norwegian band known for heavy metal was performing, a typical representation of Nordic rock, with its bizarre and lethargic sounds reminiscent of the cold climate of Northern Europe, which both he and Liang Xiao enjoyed. One day, after finishing work early, they had hot pot together. After Liang Xiao finally finished washing the dishes, he excitedly showcased his CD collection, mentioning that he was just one early EP short of completing the band’s discography. Ye Ji’an took him back to his own home and pulled it out from a shelf filled with albums and vinyl records.

Ye Ji’an was quite pleased with the adoring glint in Liang Xiao’s eyes.

As the year of work finally came to an end, he wanted to enjoy this rare live performance with this unexpected kindred spirit.

He held onto this wish until the end of the workday, as it was a company tradition not to work overtime on the last day. Ye Ji’an had even reserved a table at a well-reviewed Vietnamese restaurant, planning to fill Liang Xiao up before heading out to dance. However, just as he was about to do a final brief report in the General Manager’s office, he was suddenly interrupted.

“We have a dinner tonight,” the General Manager said. “I’m treating, and a few major shareholders will be there. Xiao Ye, don’t push back.”

Ye Ji’an knew very well that this meant he had to go out for drinks. In the eyes of the leadership, this seemed to be one of the main purposes of hiring young people. Just like himself, he had attended countless such dinners and had helped his superiors drink countless toasts as a “young talent.” But he was skilled at self-deception; after downing a mix of red and white wine, he could end up hunched over the toilet, throwing up bile, yet still manage to clean himself up and head back out to socialize. He told himself this was also part of the job, but he had never felt so hesitant before.

“I have some things at home; can we…”

“You’re not married, so what things could you have?” The General Manager interrupted him cheerfully while making tea at the water dispenser, patting him affectionately on the shoulder. “Don’t waste time going back. I’ve already notified your department to leave work early. Just wait here for a few minutes, and we’ll go together. Don’t embarrass me.”

Well, Ye Ji’an knew he had no choice but to go. The saying “the higher the official, the more pressure” rang true—if they offered you a ride, how could you refuse? He gave up resisting, sitting on the sofa in the General Manager’s office, texting Liang Xiao:

[The boss is treating, I have to go drink, can’t make it to the show.]

Liang Xiao did not reply. Just a minute or two passed, and Ye Ji’an anxiously awaited a response, feeling a sudden pang of regret, filled with immense guilt. It felt like walking home with an unsightly report card as a child.

He picked up his phone again.

[I said I had something at home, but I have no choice; I have to go cover for them. They won’t even let me leave the office.]

[Have you finished work?]

[Don’t skip dinner. Don’t get too excited and drink too much at the venue. Listening to the music is the main thing. You have to come home no matter how late it gets.]

Liang Xiao replied: [Okay. Is it the General Manager?]

Ye Ji’an: [Yes, and a few major shareholders.]

Liang Xiao went silent again.

It wasn’t until Ye Ji’an got into the General Manager’s car that the other end of the conversation remained quiet. Throughout the ride, Ye Ji’an skillfully and politely chatted with the other two people in the car who held higher positions than him, his handbag resting on his lap, his phone tightly clutched in his hand. Upon arriving at the restaurant, after escorting the leaders to the elevator, he stood alone in the lobby waiting for the remaining shareholders, typing a few words in the input box only to delete them: [Are you angry?]

This message was ultimately sent.

More than an hour later, he received a reply just as he had finished toasting a round of drinks, sipping on some cold soup while sitting in a position with his back against the door, attentively listening to the guests’ grand discussions. They were called major shareholders, but in reality, they were just a few small investors. The General Manager mainly wanted to win them over to strengthen his own position. Ye Ji’an understood this perfectly, but he ensured that his smile didn’t appear like a sneer. His phone vibrated, jolting his dazed mind back to reality; it was Liang Xiao’s message:

[Senior, come out for a moment. No need to bring your coat or bag.]

Followed by another:

[I’m outside.]

Ye Ji’an was momentarily stunned, the alcohol hitting him. He replied: [You didn’t go to the show?]

[Not yet. Just come out, and it’ll be fine.]

Ye Ji’an thought for a moment and concluded that perhaps this kid had something to discuss with him. Not bringing a coat or bag meant he would return to continue drinking after they talked. He figured it was normal to excuse himself to the restroom after drinking so much, so he quietly said “excuse me” and walked to the door. At first, he struggled to push the heavy velvet door, which felt as solid as a city wall. After finally mustering the strength to open it, his hand suddenly felt empty as Liang Xiao helped him pull the door open and quickly closed it behind him.

“Hey, you really came…” Ye Ji’an grinned foolishly, trying to steady himself so he wouldn’t lean his forehead against Liang Xiao’s shoulder. “What’s up?”

“Wait for me a moment, just two minutes.” Liang Xiao looked at him, his expression neutral, shadows cast beneath his eyelashes.

“What?” Ye Ji’an was confused.

“I’m going in to toast a drink and grab your things. It’ll be quick,” Liang Xiao said, gripping his shoulder and whispering in his ear, “You just stand here and wait for me. I want to take you to dance.”