He could feel He Xiaoyuan growing even closer and more familiar since the Spring Festival.
For Lu Chen, this was a good thing—exactly what he had hoped for, a “result” he could anticipate from the careful, gradual approach he’d taken.
Theoretically, under this plan, Lu Chen should remain composed, showing no emotion.
Commonly referred to as “boiling a frog in warm water.”
But at this moment, Lu Chen’s mind was restless, as if his words and awareness were disconnected. His eyes lingered on the boy’s handsome face—his gaze tracing every detail, from the face to the long, raven-like eyelashes that seemed to pierce into his heart.
He Xiaoyuan looked up mid-task and met Lu Chen’s gaze. Lu Chen didn’t look away, still speaking as he watched, calm yet intense: “The meeting’s next week. There’s still time, no rush. You can take it slow.”
He Xiaoyuan retrieved his laptop and said, “Can’t slow down. I’ll be presenting, so I have to prepare.”
Still sitting close to Lu Chen, he felt the warmth of Lu Chen’s presence beside him.
Lu Chen shifted slightly, draping an arm over the back of the sofa behind He Xiaoyuan, silent, quietly observing him.
He Xiaoyuan, unaware, only realized the gaze resting on him after a while.
Turning, he saw Lu Chen looking at him and tilted his head in mild confusion: “Hmm?”
Lu Chen revealed nothing, simply met his eyes.
He Xiaoyuan dismissed it and returned to his PPT work, but soon turned again: What are you looking at?
His expression—something on it?
Lu Chen smiled faintly but said nothing.
He Xiaoyuan chuckled and turned back to the screen, though he could still feel that gaze. Curiosity got the better of him, and he mumbled, “What are you looking at?”
Lu Chen curved his lips, calm and deliberate: “Looking at how good you look.”
He Xiaoyuan laughed, a sweet, bright laugh, then returned to his PPT.
That smile, so near and radiant, made Lu Chen unable to restrain himself. His arm, still draped behind He Xiaoyuan, moved, and his hand tenderly stroked the soft hair at the back of the boy’s head, voice slipping out unconsciously: “Want me to teach you?”
He Xiaoyuan’s focus was on the screen. Thinking Lu Chen meant he couldn’t do it, he replied: “It’s fine, not difficult.”
Eyes on the laptop, he added: “Just need to prepare the script for the presentation, and review last year’s projects in the backend—don’t want to be asked questions and have nothing to say.”
Lu Chen replied: “I know what they’ll ask.”
He Xiaoyuan tilted his head: ?
Lu Chen’s gaze locked on him: “Should I tell you?”
He Xiaoyuan felt something odd—Lu Chen had guided him since his rotation, usually by hints, not direct answers. This straightforward “I’ll tell you” was unusual.
Lu Chen wasn’t the type to spoon-feed.
He Xiaoyuan instinctively teased back: “Just giving me the test answers isn’t fair.”
Lu Chen’s eyes met his: “What’s unfair about it?”
Calm, confident: “I’m the one who decides anyway.”
He Xiaoyuan laughed, playing along: “Alright then. Tell me the answers. If I get asked, I’ll just say what you told me.”
Lu Chen leaned closer, intimate, his voice lowered and affectionate: “What else do you want?”
Promotion? Salary raise?
Good projects for me to take you through?
He Xiaoyuan’s chest skipped a beat. The close proximity, the direct gaze, stirred a strange, inexplicable feeling.
He instinctively looked away, feeling a bit shy, then glanced back at Lu Chen, his expression clear yet evasive.
What’s this about…
He Xiaoyuan didn’t know if those three words were a question for himself or for Lu Chen. He blinked, saying nothing.
Lu Chen observed him: “Hmm?”
He Xiaoyuan looked again.
Lu Chen smiled. He Xiaoyuan muttered: “You’re teasing me again?”
Lu Chen’s tone was firm: “No.”
He Xiaoyuan insisted: “You are.”
Lu Chen’s smile softened: “I’m just caring for you.”
He Xiaoyuan felt a sudden joy, lips curling, and said: “Cheesy.”
Lu Chen stroked the boy’s soft hair, coaxing: “Not cheesy. Really.”
He Xiaoyuan’s mouth lifted in a grin, proud: “I don’t need that. I can do it myself.”
He turned, lifting an arm to move his hair, then got up, laptop in hand, and went to the other end of the sofa.
Lu Chen: “Why sit so far?”
He Xiaoyuan: “Focus on overtime.”
He raised a hand, gesturing: × Do not disturb.
Lu Chen chuckled.
He Xiaoyuan returned to the laptop, his mind drifting back to earlier moments, muttering to himself: What’s this about…
That night, when leaving for the apartment, he half-jokingly asked if Lu Chen would walk him home again in slippers.
Lu Chen countered: “Aren’t you supposed to do it yourself?”
Why me?
He Xiaoyuan, one hand on his laptop bag and the other pulling Lu Chen’s arm: “Come on, let’s go together for a little stroll.”
Later, before bed, He Xiaoyuan couldn’t help thinking of Lu Chen teasing him—talking about promotions, salary raises, and giving him good projects.
What projects?
He didn’t believe it, yet his lips curled upward.
He reached for the drawer of the nightstand, pulling out the Silver Leopard brooch, holding it in his hand and looking at it.
Watching for a while, He Xiaoyuan was no longer on the bed—he had moved in front of the wardrobe.
The wardrobe doors were open as he rifled through his clothes, trying to decide what to wear tomorrow.
Should I wear the outfit Lu Chen gave me on New Year’s Eve?
The next morning, in the office, the assistants and administrative staff group chat lit up:
- “Wow, only three days back at work and our top star (He Xiaoyuan) has already changed outfits three times—each one more handsome than the last!”
- “Is he in love?”
- “Is he in love?”
- “Is he in love?”
- “With whom?”
- “Exactly, no idea who the lucky one is.”
- “Must be some rich, beautiful girl.”
- “Must be some rich, beautiful girl.”
- “Must be some rich, beautiful girl.”
…
When Chang Bei arrived and saw He Xiaoyuan today, he exclaimed: “Another date tonight?”
He Xiaoyuan looked up: “Huh?”
Chang Bei walked to his workstation, acting matter-of-fact: “Why else dress so sharp every day? Participating in a beauty contest?”
Beauty contest?
He Xiaoyuan looked himself over: Is it really that exaggerated? Not too bad…
Qin Chengfei arrived and also threw a glance at him.
He Xiaoyuan preemptively said: “No date, no beauty contest, just festive clothes for the New Year.”
Qin Chengfei pulled out a chair and said casually: “Then be careful when you go out tonight.”
He Xiaoyuan: ?
Chang Bei chimed in: “Careful you don’t get mugged for your looks.”
He Xiaoyuan: “…”
He didn’t dwell on the morning’s small episode—being complimented on his looks had been routine for him all his life.
Later, after a quick trip to the restroom, He Xiaoyuan washed his hands at the sink and happened to glance in the mirror. Carefully turning his head from side to side, he assessed his face and outfit: Looking good today?
Soon after, he raised his phone in front of the mirror and snapped a picture.
Sending it to Lu Chen, he messaged: “Apparently I look a little good today.”
Lu Chen: “Only a little? You look great.”
He Xiaoyuan: “Really? You’re flattering me.”
Lu Chen: “What’s wrong with flattering you?”
Walking along, He Xiaoyuan’s face lit up with a mischievous smile.