“Duoyi, you’re still here?”

Voices and footsteps suddenly came from outside the break room. Shen Duoyi hurriedly broke free, shoving the peeled pear into Qi Shi’an’s hand, only then realizing he’d just been lost in thought.

Team Leader Qi appeared at the door, surprised. “Oh, Mr. Qi is here too. I took a day off today, just came by to grab some files to stay on track.”

Qi Shi’an didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on the half-peeled pear in his hand.

Shen Duoyi’s cheeks flushed, and his eyes darted around, unsure where to look. He quickly walked out and said to Team Leader Qi, “I’ll send you the notes and files from today’s meeting.”

“That’s great. Is there a lot?”

The break room emptied, leaving Qi Shi’an alone. He leaned against the counter, finished the pear in a few bites, washed his hands, and stayed in place. The conversation outside faded; Shen Duoyi and Team Leader Qi had likely gone into the office.

He felt like the extra piece, unable to get a response from Shen Duoyi. Holding on to the uncertainty, he didn’t know whether to feel regret or relief. Checking his watch, he decided it was better to go back and monitor the trading. He left without saying a word.

“So much was discussed today — just looking at these files is making me anxious,” Team Leader Qi said, leaning on the table and staring at the screen. “By the way, why was Mr. Qi here just now?”

Shen Duoyi’s mind was still on Qi Shi’an. At the mention of his name, he instinctively glanced outside and replied, “He was just wandering around while working overtime. We talked a bit.”

Team Leader Qi didn’t press further and instead started to complain: “I’m telling you, get married early. This job is too exhausting. The older you get, the harder it is to cope. It’s killing me.”

Shen Duoyi slowly refocused, compressing the files as he asked, “Why are you so tired? Weren’t you taking wedding photos? Did you handle the lighting yourself?”

“Lighting? Come on, don’t make me laugh.” Team Leader Qi pulled out a chair and sat down. “We went to three parks. The crowds were crazy, so we headed to a rose garden in the suburbs. Between the flower fields, bridges, and lakes, I was either holding or carrying my wife the whole time. She’s not heavy, but the dress weighed over ten pounds.”

Shen Duoyi hit send and teased, “Your wife didn’t complain, and you’re still whining?”

“She said the fabric wasn’t light enough. Apparently, there’s some brand overseas with lighter dresses, and she wants to wear one of those for the wedding.” Team Leader Qi grumbled, but his face glowed with happiness. “That dress costs a hundred thousand. The dress isn’t heavy, but my heart sure is.”

Shen Duoyi chuckled, resting his chin on his hand. “You should buy it. Just save on your suit.”

“Already bought it. The hundred thousand I’d saved for post-wedding investments is gone.” Team Leader Qi suddenly threw an arm around Shen Duoyi’s shoulder. “Duoyi, can I ask you something?”

“What, help you with work? Sure.” Shen Duoyi thought nothing of it.

But Team Leader Qi said, “It’s not about work. I want you to be my groomsman.”

Shen Duoyi shook his head immediately. “I can’t do that. It’s not that I don’t want to help — I’m just bad at handling guests. I’d mess it up and embarrass you.”

“Don’t worry. You don’t need to entertain guests. We’re colleagues; I can’t order you around. It’s just that my wife has a bridesmaid group, and I need a groomsman group. You’re good-looking — help me out.”

His sincerity and flattery worked. Shen Duoyi clicked his mouse a couple of times and nodded. “Alright. Just let me know if you need anything. I can’t promise perfection, but I’ll try my best.”

Team Leader Qi was so touched, he silently vowed to introduce Shen Duoyi to the prettiest bridesmaid.

Staying late to help a colleague wasn’t necessary anymore, so Shen Duoyi packed up and left with Team Leader Qi. As they drove away from Central Street, Shen Duoyi couldn’t help but glance up at the lit 30th floor.

The 30th floor was bright and quiet. Qi Shi’an worked with a grim expression, then went directly to the trading room. The fluctuating numbers on the charts annoyed him, and his mood was visibly bad, making his subordinates too scared to speak.

After a long silence, he finally said, “Go long near the 10-day moving average. Don’t chase short-term highs.”

At home, his apartment was as cold and quiet as the office. Recently, Qi Shi’an changed his habit of showering immediately, now checking on his hydrangea first.

It was wilting. Again.

Qi Shi’an was utterly frustrated. He had given it the best water and soil, yet it still struggled. In the stillness, he considered replacing it with a cactus.

But in the end, he couldn’t do it. A cactus was too ugly for his ornate dining table.

The sudden ring of his phone broke the silence. He picked up without looking. “Hello, Qi Shi’an speaking.”

“It’s me.” Shen Duoyi’s voice came from the other end. “You ate a pear, right? Don’t eat crab tonight — I heard those two together can upset your stomach. That’s all…”

Ignoring the absurdity, Qi Shi’an cut him off. “If you wanted to call me, just say so. No need for silly excuses.”

Shen Duoyi tried to save face but lacked conviction. “I’m not making it up. My grandpa really said that…”

It was late, and Qi Shi’an didn’t want to waste time arguing. He touched the delicate petals and asked, “If I skip the crab, do you have anything else to tell me?”

Shen Duoyi paused, then said, “In the break room, you said our first encounter was romantic. I wanted to tell you, it can still be romantic now.”

Qi Shi’an’s fingers crushed the petals, his heart pounding. “How can it still be romantic?”

Shen Duoyi replied, as though making a lifelong promise, “Let’s work overtime together.”

“…”

Is he insane?!

Qi Shi’an’s emotions nearly suffocated him. After several deep breaths, he managed to regain his composure. He stared at the crushed petals and considered ending it all by licking the blue-purple sap off his fingers.

When the silence stretched too long, Shen Duoyi checked the screen and continued, “You used to work overtime alone, right? It looked so sad. I’ll keep you company.”

Qi Shi’an muttered, “I have plenty to be sad about. Even the flowers at home keep dying. Will you help me take care of them?”

Shen Duoyi hesitated. “You could just get a different plant.”

“And when it’s my turn to attend a business dinner, will you go for me?”

“Just say you’re not feeling well and send Mr. Zhang.”

Qi Shi’an growled, “Then what about the hug I spent forever working up to, only to be interrupted? Are you going to make it up to me?!”

Shen Duoyi finally understood. Qi Shi’an’s list of grievances could fill a New Thousand and One Nights, but this was the one that really stung. He fiddled with the blanket’s pattern, staying silent.

Qi Shi’an, having vented, quieted down. He remembered Shen Duoyi hadn’t resisted earlier, but his silence now left Qi Shi’an unsure.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“Did you fall asleep?”

“If you ignore me, I’m going to eat that crab.”

Shen Duoyi suddenly asked, “Are you going to Team Leader Qi’s wedding?”

Qi Shi’an, exhausted, hadn’t even noticed. “He’s getting married? He’ll invite me out of formality, but I can’t go to every wedding.”

“He asked me to be a groomsman. I’m nervous.”

Qi Shi’an’s tone changed immediately. “When’s the wedding? I’ll mark it down.”