Chapter Seventeen: Cheering for You

"Excuse me, you are...?" Manager Huang circled around his desk, carefully sizing up the distinguished man standing in the doorway, his calculations so transparent that even Xiaoxiao could hear them.

Lin Shuo straightened up, casually pulled out a business card, and handed it to Manager Huang, who immediately lowered his head to read it. In that brief moment, Lin Shuo redirected his gaze toward Xiaoxiao, his expression still holding that ambiguous, almost-smiling look.

"So, you're President Lin—my apologies," Manager Huang said eagerly, extending his hand. But Lin Shuo had already slid both hands into his pockets, pretending not to understand the gesture and making no move to respond. Just as Manager Huang was about to give up, Lin Shuo finally reached out, unhurriedly. Xiaoxiao let out a breath of relief and, taking advantage of Manager Huang's delight, quickly excused herself.

"Xiaoxiao." As she stepped out, she heard someone call her name. Without even looking, she knew it was Nina. She was surprised; although they worked at the same company, they'd only really interacted the previous night.

Nina smiled gently. Last night, the dazzling lights had rendered her strikingly glamorous, but today she seemed much more approachable. Xiaoxiao greeted her kindly, "Is there something you need?"

"I heard everything you said just now. If someone hadn't beaten me to it with their applause, maybe I'd be the one cheering for you now."

"Hmm?"

Nina looked troubled, glancing toward Manager Huang's office, and scoffed, "The higher-ups treat him as a pillar of the business, but without us women running errands for him, do you think he'd be so impressive today? Everyone is angry but doesn't dare speak up." Suddenly, Nina grinned, her eyes full of admiration. "You might seem quiet and reserved at work, but today you really made an impression. Still, Manager Huang prides himself on his generosity, but you and I both know what kind of person he is deep down—it's best to be cautious."

"Thank you for your concern." Xiaoxiao had few friends at the company, so Nina's words brought her a touch of comfort.

"Who was that man just now?"

"I don't know him." Xiaoxiao spoke these three words with complete composure, as if she'd rehearsed them countless times, not a hint of uncertainty. She called Nina to leave with her, hoping to steer clear of trouble, but half an hour later, Manager Huang's internal line summoned her back to his office. Before she even entered, she saw him waiting at the door expectantly. Soon after, President Tu emerged from the elevator. Manager Huang hurried over to greet him and told Xiaoxiao to bring in some fruit. Yet she clearly saw Manager Huang's secretary leisurely shopping online at her desk—she hadn't expected retaliation to come so swiftly.

Xiaoxiao arranged the sliced fruit on the table, but Manager Huang wasn't about to let her off. Pointing at Lin Shuo's empty cup, he said, "Didn't you notice President Lin's cup is empty?" Xiaoxiao paused, her peripheral vision catching Lin Shuo, who was reminiscing warmly with President Tu. President Tu seemed to value this intergenerational friendship greatly, his tone gentler than ever before. Xiaoxiao poured tea and placed it before Lin Shuo, who finally responded, smiling, "Thank you." She knew she couldn't compare; he was now young and accomplished, while she was just a junior assistant. People say ten years is a threshold, but she felt she couldn't even overcome four.

Standing quietly by, she listened as they talked business, maintaining her professional smile throughout. She paid no special attention to Lin Shuo's every move, only feeling that he was indeed different from before, a faint itch in her heart. She was about to straighten her legs when Lin Shuo glanced at his watch and announced he had to leave for another engagement. President Tu rose to see him off at the office door, reluctant to part. Suddenly, Lin Shuo, feigning a whimsical mood, insisted Xiaoxiao accompany him downstairs. President Tu and Manager Huang urged her along; though she knew it was deliberate, there was nothing she could do but obey.

Lonely moments—never speak of love, Chapter Seventeen: Cheering for You. The update is complete!