He Xiaoyuan drove back to the apartment.
In the elevator, he glanced down at the silver leopard brooch on his coat and touched it again, clearly pleased.
Previously, he would have worried about how expensive it was. But now, the price didn’t matter—he was simply happy that Lu Chen had chosen to give him a gift.
Even though he was still carrying the clothes that Xu Ruomeng had given him, his full attention was on the brooch.
He stared at it for the entire elevator ride, his admiration apparent.
Once home, he stood in front of the full-length mirror on the first floor, carefully examining the brooch. It wasn’t until Xu Ruomeng called that he turned his attention to the clothes, as she reminded him to try them on and see if they fit.
He Xiaoyuan walked to the sofa to grab the outfit: “Alright, I’ll try it on now.”
From the other end of the phone, Xu Ruomeng teased: “Aren’t you going to consider Lu Ge?”
He Xiaoyuan laughed, pretending to scold her: “I’m considering him! Happy now?”
Before Xu Ruomeng could continue, he asked: “Shall I try on the clothes?”
She replied: “Yes, yes, yes! Try it on and send me a video so I can see.”
He Xiaoyuan positioned himself in front of the mirror: deep blue jeans, a white crew-neck sweater, and a short dark brown leather jacket. Unlike his usual casual or office attire, this outfit was stylish from head to toe.
Looking in the mirror, he barely recognized himself.
He sent a video to Xu Ruomeng, showing his reflection. She squealed over the phone: “So handsome! My taste is always on point!”
“What were you wearing before?” she teased. “From now on, wear this!”
“Absolutely stunning! Too handsome!”
Then she added: “Send it to Lu Ge too, let him see how handsome you are!”
He Xiaoyuan laughed quietly. He had no intention of sending it. He returned to the sofa, removed the leather jacket, and noticed the coat on the sofa with the silver leopard brooch still pinned to the front.
On impulse, he stopped, slid the jacket back on, walked back to the mirror, and lifted his phone.
He Xiaoyuan: [selfie.jpg]
As he sent the photo to Lu Chen, he unconsciously pressed his lips together in a soft smile.
Xu Ruomeng immediately asked: “Did you send it? Did you send it? Was he blown away?”
He Xiaoyuan replied: “Yes, he’s blown away.”
Then he sent the same photo to Lu Chen: “Just like this?”
Xu Ruomeng teased again: [rolling cat.jpg]
Lu Chen responded: “Looks like my Xiao Yuan hasn’t received enough compliments yet.”
He Xiaoyuan: “Not enough.”
Lu Chen sent a voice message: “I’ve only seen the photo. It doesn’t even compare to seeing you in person. When you’re standing in front of me, I’ll praise you properly.”
He Xiaoyuan’s grin stretched almost to his ears.
He nearly removed the jacket again, paused, and then put it back on. He took several more full-length photos in the mirror and sent them to Lu Chen.
At Yanlan Bay, Lu Chen looked through each photo, then looked again, lips curved in a quiet smile.
That night, He Xiaoyuan lay in bed, holding the silver leopard brooch, staring at it.
He had quickly looked it up online—it was indeed a luxury item, reportedly a new model this year, with a retail price in the tens of thousands.
So expensive… he thought.
Yet he wasn’t concerned with the price. He simply admired the brooch, the gesture behind it.
At first, he appreciated it visually. But soon, his thoughts drifted to the moment Lu Chen had given it to him in the car, the commanding words with which he had pinned it on. Before he knew it, he was holding the silver leopard in his hands, playing with it absentmindedly.
He rolled onto his side, gazing at the brooch, recalling Lu Chen’s firm yet affectionate words. He pursed his lips, thinking: He was a little strict with me…
Despite the scolding tone, his mood was joyful, and a smile tugged at his face.
Then he wondered quietly: How did Lu Chen and his ex-boyfriend break up? Was it because of incompatibility?
The next morning, He Xiaoyuan headed to work, energetic and bright, wearing the outfit Xu Ruomeng had given him.
The first workday of the new year had just begun, and as He Xiaoyuan stepped into the office, he immediately caught the attention of his colleagues—everyone was stunned: Wow~~ is he really this handsome?
Someone joked, “Xiaoyuan Boss, you’ve single-handedly raised the entire project team’s attractiveness level.”
He Xiaoyuan laughed and sat down, playing along: “Too bad looks don’t fill your stomach.”
“Who says looks can’t fill your stomach?”
Chang Bei pushed the door open, stepping in wearing a brand-new outfit, refreshed for the new year, followed by Xiao Qiyi, her hair freshly styled and dressed fashionably.
Everyone greeted them warmly: “Good morning, Chang Zong. Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year, Xiao Zong.”
Xiao Qiyi smiled first: “About looks not filling your stomach… well, Chang Zong here definitely disagrees.”
Then she saw He Xiaoyuan and her eyes widened. Walking toward her workstation, she couldn’t help but glance back: “Is he really this handsome?”
Chang Bei also stared at He Xiaoyuan, blurting out “Wǒcāo!”—the exact thought on everyone’s mind, making the office burst into laughter.
Sitting down, Chang Bei turned to He Xiaoyuan: “Did you go get plastic surgery over the holiday?”
He Xiaoyuan, busy with his work but cheerful, replied: “Yeah, got it done.”
Chang Bei’s female assistant quickly asked, “Xiaoyuan Boss, which hospital? Introduce it to Chang Zong!”
Xiao Qiyi laughed: “I want it too! Now even just hot massage treatments aren’t enough.”
Xue Jinming pushed open the door: “What hot massage? New project?”
Before reaching his desk, he pulled out a stack of red envelopes from his briefcase and gestured to his assistant to distribute them.
The office cheered: “Long live Xue Zong!”
The office atmosphere was lively; shortly after, Yu Xun and Qin Chengfei arrived. Yu Xun also brought a stack of red envelopes, while Qin Chengfei glanced around, his eyes landing on He Xiaoyuan, who looked ridiculously handsome.
He Xiaoyuan smiled and greeted them: “Good morning, Happy New Year.”
Qin Chengfei: “Happy New Year.”
Then he teased: “Are you dating someone?”
He Xiaoyuan, confused, turned his head.
Qin Chengfei sat down, gesturing at He Xiaoyuan’s outfit: “Why are you dressed like this?”
He Xiaoyuan chuckled: “Dressed like this? That means I’m dating? No one said our project team has to wear suits.”
He explained: “A good friend gave me these. I’m wearing them today.”
He lifted his phone to remind Qin Chengfei: “Don’t forget to send the group red envelopes.”
Just then, the assistant distributed red envelopes from Yu Xun and Xue Jinming to their respective recipients.
He Xiaoyuan accepted them, raising his voice: “Thank you, Xue Zong, thank you, Yu Zong. We’ve got some too.”
“Everyone has some,” Chang Bei chimed, holding his phone: “Send red envelopes, send red envelopes!”
The morning was filled with the cheerful chaos of red envelopes being exchanged.
After sending dozens of red envelopes in the group chat, He Xiaoyuan also sent one to Lu Chen, 200 units with the note: “Good luck on the first day back.”
Then, he sent a separate one to Xu Ruomeng, and a few more in other work-related group chats.
Qin Chengfei asked: “That project from last year wrapped up, right?”
He Xiaoyuan: “Yes, it’s done.”
Thus, the new year’s first workday began with the lively exchange of red envelopes.
After a while, He Xiaoyuan picked up his phone again and saw Lu Chen’s reply: [1314 Good luck at work]
Not a red envelope this time, but a transfer.
Amount: 1314.
One life, one love?
He Xiaoyuan laughed: “Lu Zong, are you trying to make me work for the project forever?”
Lu Chen’s 200-unit “Good luck at work” envelope had already been received.
Lu Chen: “Just take it first.”
He Xiaoyuan accepted it.
Then Lu Chen sent another transfer with the note “Good luck at work”.
This time: 9999 units.
He Xiaoyuan: “?”
Lu Chen: “For longevity.”
He Xiaoyuan: “So, I really am working for you forever?”
Lu Chen: [Big dinosaur hugs little dinosaur.jpg]
“Be good.”
“Collect the red envelopes and get to work.”
He Xiaoyuan couldn’t help but laugh.
Qin Chengfei, sitting nearby, glanced over and saw He Xiaoyuan holding his phone with a bright, delighted expression.
Qin Chengfei thought: Has he really not started dating anyone?
Meanwhile, He Xiaoyuan was already teasing Lu Chen in WeChat: “I’m wearing the outfit I sent you last night.”
“New look.”
“See in person?”
At the same time, Xiao Qiyi messaged on OA privately: “Xiaoyuan, do you have a scanned copy of the industrial and commercial license?”
He Xiaoyuan put down his phone and replied: “Yes, I’ll send it to you.”
…
The morning flew by. The office atmosphere on the first workday of the year was relaxed, with laughter between bursts of work and coffee breaks.
By 10:30, while a few administrative assistants were discussing lunch and whether the company cafeteria had any new offerings, the entire office suddenly fell silent.
A colleague leaning against another desk with a coffee in hand turned, only to see Lu Chen standing outside the glass doors with his hands in his pockets. The colleague nearly spat out their coffee and hurried back to their workstation.
The office went completely silent.
He Xiaoyuan, puzzled, raised his eyes from the computer and noticed that everyone at their desks was unusually quiet. A glance toward the glass door revealed Lu Chen standing outside.
He Xiaoyuan raised a brow.
Soon, the figure at the door disappeared. Chang Bei exhaled audibly across the aisle.
He Xiaoyuan waited a few more seconds, then stood, putting on a calm, composed expression as he walked out.
Chang Bei muttered jokingly: “Rushing to your death?”
He Xiaoyuan: “Bathroom.”
He pushed open the door and stepped out.
Not far down the corridor, Lu Chen had stopped and turned slightly, waiting.
Seeing He Xiaoyuan, Lu Chen curved his lips into a smile and continued walking forward.
He Xiaoyuan quickened his pace to match Lu Chen, deliberately bumping his shoulder against him as they walked side by side. Cheerfully, he said, “Came to see me?”
Then, taking a few quick steps forward, he turned to face Lu Chen, walking backward while keeping eye contact.
Lu Chen smiled, eyes lowered to appraise He Xiaoyuan’s outfit, and with a calm tone gave his approval: “Definitely looks good.”
He Xiaoyuan lowered his voice teasingly: “Just like that?”
Lu Chen: “Very handsome.”
He Xiaoyuan widened his eyes: “Just that?”
I thought you were going to praise me properly in person?
Lu Chen: “Mm, just like that.”
Beaming with energy, He Xiaoyuan squinted playfully, stepped closer, and bumped Lu Chen’s shoulder again, full of mischievous charm.
Lu Chen laughed, and as He Xiaoyuan bumped him, he raised a hand to hold his arm: “Remember to come over after work tonight.”
He Xiaoyuan squinted teasingly: “Come over for what?”
He walked a few steps backward, turned, and raised a lively, familiar smile at Lu Chen.
When he pushed the door to return to the office, He Xiaoyuan thought he had composed his expression perfectly. But as soon as he sat down, Qin Chengfei glanced over and remarked casually: “Bathroom giving out red envelopes today too?”
He Xiaoyuan: “Huh?”
Qin Chengfei looked at him with a calm, puzzled expression: “Why are you so happy just going to the bathroom?”
“…”
He Xiaoyuan forced a neutral expression and countered with a barely convincing, “Really?”
Qin Chengfei withdrew his gaze and got back to work: “Yes.”
He Xiaoyuan touched his face, muttering softly: Really?
Okay, maybe he was a little carried away.
At lunch, since it wasn’t busy, he went early to the cafeteria. As he sat down, Qin Chengfei noticed He Xiaoyuan across the table taking a photo of his untouched lunch with his phone, fiddling with it afterwards—clearly sending it to someone.
Curious, Qin Chengfei asked mid-bite: “Holiday syndrome?”
He Xiaoyuan looked up.
Qin Chengfei: “Sent to your girlfriend?”
He Xiaoyuan finally put down the phone and picked up his chopsticks: “No, no girlfriend.”
He had sent it to Lu Chen.
Qin Chengfei: Really no one?
It seemed like He Xiaoyuan had changed a bit after the holiday.
Sure enough, throughout lunch, He Xiaoyuan kept fiddling with his phone while eating, his face smiling the entire time.
Qin Chengfei couldn’t help asking: “Working?”
Definitely not.
He Xiaoyuan replied vaguely: “Just chatting with a friend.”
Qin Chengfei repeated: “Girlfriend?”
He Xiaoyuan lifted his gaze: “Male.”
Qin Chengfei jumped: Boyfriend?
He Xiaoyuan: “Male… just a friend.”
Qin Chengfei’s curiosity peaked even more: A male friend can make you this happy? That conversation must be so interesting and funny.
He Xiaoyuan lowered his head and continued eating while chatting with Lu Chen, occasionally breaking into a smile.
In the afternoon, during tea break, He Xiaoyuan sent a photo of his milk tea and cake to Lu Chen: [photo]
“First afternoon tea of the workday.”
“A little sweet.”
Lu Chen instantly replied: “Sweet? I’ll get you another serving.”
He Xiaoyuan: “No, it’s fine, tastes good enough.”
Lu Chen: “Not busy today?”
He Xiaoyuan: “Not really, it’s actually quite quiet.”
“Where are you now? Not at the office?”
Qin Chengfei glanced over and noticed He Xiaoyuan again, holding his phone just like at lunch.
He didn’t think much of it, assuming it was because it was the first day back from vacation. Otherwise, a workaholic like He Xiaoyuan wouldn’t spend all his time staring at his phone instead of focusing on work.
Evening arrived, and as soon as work ended, He Xiaoyuan shut his computer down.
“Heading out.”
He Xiaoyuan stood, and Qin Chengfei looked up, sensing He Xiaoyuan was eager to leave.
“Meeting someone?” Qin Chengfei casually asked.
He Xiaoyuan pushed back his chair: “Going home for dinner.”
Xue Jinming’s voice rang out: “Xiaoyuan, leaving already? I was going to send you something.”
He Xiaoyuan: “Not urgent? Then tomorrow is fine.”
He already stepped out, clocking out.
As the glass door opened and closed behind him, a few bosses who hadn’t left started chatting:
“Strange, Xiaoyuan left first today.”
“Meeting someone, maybe.”
“Probably a date, dressed this handsome.”
“Makes sense.”
“Set up during the holiday?”
“With that face? Who needs a setup?”
At Yanlan Bay, the moment the elevator doors opened, He Xiaoyuan stepped out and immediately opened his arms to greet the big cat, He He, who was waiting at the door with perked ears. Cheerfully, he exclaimed: “He He, hug from big brother!”
“Already this early?”
Lu Chen was walking down the stairs.
He Xiaoyuan bent to lift the cat, stroking him as he looked up at Lu Chen.
Lu Chen headed toward the kitchen: “I thought you’d come around seven or eight.” Usually, that was the time.
He Xiaoyuan followed, still holding He He: “Today’s light, so I clocked out on time.”
He kept petting the cat as he walked.
In the kitchen, He Xiaoyuan planted himself in the center, still holding the cat. Wherever Lu Chen went, he followed, rotating and stretching like a sunflower.
Lu Chen: “Hungry?”
He Xiaoyuan: “Not really.”
Lu Chen: “Almost ready. Go sit outside.”
He Xiaoyuan didn’t move, still acting as a sunflower, petting the cat.
Lu Chen went to the fridge to grab something but was blocked again. He set down what he was carrying, wrapped his arms around the “sunflower,” and moved He Xiaoyuan to the kitchen doorway: “Stand here.”
Just as he turned back to the counter, he heard He Xiaoyuan murmuring near his ear:
“He He, Daddy says we’re in the way.”
Lu Chen chuckled, turning to the boy behind him: “First day back at work and already separation anxiety? So clingy.”
He Xiaoyuan lowered his head, stroking the cat: “Daddy even says we’re clingy.”
Lu Chen turned, reaching out to hook a finger under He Xiaoyuan’s chin.
Immediately, He Xiaoyuan felt a ticklish, sweet sensation running from his chin to his chest, as if countless tiny paws were grazing him. Sweet, extremely sweet.
He stepped closer, coming up to the counter, pressing his arm against Lu Chen’s: “Let’s see what Daddy is making for us.”