Jack reclined gracefully in his chair, his lips curving into a warm smile that had the power to melt the iciest of hearts. His voice, like a soothing melody, filled the room. "You play, and I'll indulge in other games with you," he said, his eyes dancing with a playful glint.
Georgia found herself seated across from him, her heart embracing his words like a cozy embrace on a chilly winter's night. His simple statement carried with it a profound comfort, warming her from the inside out. In that moment, she couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for his presence beside her. Without him, she would have been adrift in a sea of uncertainty.
As they continued with the game, its novelty had begun to wane after two or three rounds. Dong, the spirited host of their gathering, now enthusiastically announced the commencement of the second game: hand and foot.
In this unique challenge, everyone formed pairs, and each duo had their hands and feet securely bound together. The objective was straightforward: to determine which pair could reach the finish line first. Prizes awaited the first three triumphant teams, while punishments loomed ominously for the last three stragglers.
The process of forming these groups typically involved colleagues with close-knit relationships. After a week's observation, Georgia couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment as she realized that Xiao Han was nowhere to be found. She scanned the gathering once more, her eyes searching for any sign of him, but they only came to rest on the sight of Xiao Han, seemingly dragged into Mencius Han's team.
A sense of helplessness washed over her as she surveyed the crowd around her. Her female colleagues from the administrative department had already formed their groups, leaving her as the lone outsider. It seemed that since the unfortunate incident involving Cheng Lu, the secretaries had treated her like a pariah.
One of her male colleagues from the same department extended an offer, breaking her reverie. "Georgia, would you like to team up with me?"
With a polite smile, Georgia politely declined, "No, thank you."
It appeared that she might be left to navigate this challenge alone when a tall figure leaned in beside her, his voice a familiar caress on her senses. "I'll be your partner," he declared with a subtle hint of possessiveness.
The voice was unmistakably Jack's, and as Georgia's gaze lifted to meet his, her heart fluttered at the sight of him standing resolutely beside her.
Before she could utter a word, Jack reached for a vibrant red rope lying nearby, his fingers nimble as he expertly tied his left foot to her right. Gasps and whispers erupted from the assembled onlookers, a mix of marveling, sighing, and envious glances.
"Goodness, why didn't I think of that? Teaming up with Mr. Jack would have been the smartest choice!"
"If only I had known! I would have never joined any other group!"
"Why did Georgia get so lucky? I'm already regretting my decision!"
Amidst the buzz of conversation, Georgia couldn't help but gaze down at Jack, who was focused on tying the rope. Her heart swelled with an overwhelming sweetness, and at that moment, she couldn't help but feel that she must have saved the entire galaxy in her past life to deserve such a perfect man as her husband.
With their feet securely bound together by the vibrant red rope, Du Yue stepped forward and completed the binding by deftly tying their hands together. Georgia could feel the intense scrutiny of her female colleagues piercing through her. As the back of her hand brushed against Jack's, her cheeks flushed a shade of crimson.
The sensation of their hands intertwined sent a wave of excitement rippling through her. She couldn't help but chuckle softly as she looked at the red rope that connected them, feeling a slight dizziness from the whirlwind of emotions.
On the sidelines, the referee, Dadong, who had been observing the spectacle, finally decided to intervene. He picked up the horn and declared, "Alright, everyone, get ready; the game is about to commence!"
Jack lowered his head, his deep gaze locking with Georgia's. His voice, a mere whisper, carried a gentle tone filled with affection. "Just follow my lead, okay?"
It was the first time he had held her hand in front of so many people, and the significance of the gesture wasn't lost on the watching crowd.
A nearby female colleague couldn't contain her excitement and let out a loud, "Ah!"
Georgia couldn't help but laugh at the exuberance around her. She looked at the red rope binding their hands together and couldn't deny that, in this moment, she felt incredibly fortunate.
Beside her, Jack leaned in slightly and whispered, "Just make sure we're not among the last few. We don't need to win, but we certainly don't want to be punished." His words were both a strategy and a promise, a testament to his unwavering support and protection.