Lately, Chen Ting had noticed that something was off with Luo Li, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
It was like she had suddenly grown up—her work efficiency had skyrocketed, and even when she smiled while talking to people, there was an undercurrent of pressure behind it.
She especially noticed this when Luo Li interacted with Manager He.
To everyone else, Manager He seemed like a pretty good guy—kind, generous, young, and handsome. He even treated his team to milk tea now and then, and they occasionally got some, too.
Compared to Director Lu, he seemed like the kind of leader people would want to work for.
That's what others said, but Chen Ting was firmly in Director Lu's camp.
At that moment, Luo Li was standing in the break room, hot water slowly pouring into her thermos.
The break room was always the fastest place for gossip to spread, and a few colleagues were sitting behind her, chatting.
"Have you noticed? Director Lu just got back today, and Manager He has already been here a bunch of times... It's obvious what he's up to."
"Honestly, I think they make a great couple," another colleague chimed in. "I saw them having lunch together in the cafeteria today. There could be something going on."
"Right? They're both so well-matched. I approve of this union!"
"And who do you think you are to approve…"
Luo Li heard every word, and her mood, already low, sank further.
When Lu Cixue returned from her business trip and walked past her earlier, she didn't even glance in her direction. And at lunchtime, when Luo Li couldn't find her, it turned out she was with He Qinian.
According to Lu Cixue, they were just friends.
Luo Li knew she shouldn't overthink it or get jealous—she didn't even have the right to feel that way.
The hot water overflowed from her thermos and splashed onto her hand, causing her to yelp in pain as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Are you okay?" Some colleagues noticed and rushed over to help.
"I'm fine." Luo Li forced a smile, quickly running cold water over her reddened hand.
Just great—what a day.
The office was nearly empty during the lunch break, with a few people napping at their desks.
Luo Li's hand throbbed with pain, and not wanting to bother anyone, she decided to go to the hospital to get some medicine.
As she stood by the elevator, the doors opened, revealing Lu Cixue and He Qinian.
They seemed to be deep in conversation, with He Qinian smiling broadly, and even Lu Cixue's lips were curved in a faint smile.
But the moment Lu Cixue's gaze landed on Luo Li's awkwardly held left hand, the red burn on her hand caught her attention. Was it her imagination, or did Lu Cixue seem concerned when she saw Luo Li's teary eyes?
"How did this happen?"
Seeing that He Qinian was being completely ignored, Luo Li's sense of injustice seemed to vanish.
"Uh… I accidentally burned myself with hot water. I was just going to the hospital to get it checked out. It's probably nothing." Luo Li's own words made her feel even more pitiful.
Her hand was injured, and yet she still had to drive herself to the hospital.
Lu Cixue didn't comment on Luo Li's exaggerated tone, stepping aside to let her into the elevator.
"I'll take you."
Luo Li's spirits lifted instantly, but she glanced at He Qinian and said, "But you two were in the middle of something important. I can go by myself."
He Qinian smiled at her. "It's nothing urgent. You two should go."
Director Lu ignored her and simply looked at Luo Li, who, feeling guilty, lowered her head and obediently stepped into the elevator.
At the hospital, the doctor prescribed some medication and applied ice to Luo Li's burn.
Luo Li sat in the passenger seat, sneaking glances at Lu Cixue several times. All she could see was her profile, her eyes fixed on the road ahead, focused on driving.
"Was the business trip exhausting?"
"It was fine."
"The day after tomorrow is a holiday. Liu Jie said there's a dinner tomorrow night. I heard she asked if you were going, but you said no?"
Lu Cixue finally reacted, glancing at her hand with a complicated expression. "Are you going?"
Luo Li nodded, her fingers brushing the ice pack. "It's to welcome me, so I can't really skip it…"
Lu Cixue didn't respond, leaving Luo Li unsure if she would attend or not.
But there was a more pressing matter on her mind.
"I heard that you and Manager He went to the same university. Did you know each other back then?"
This question was pretty intrusive, delving into personal history. Luo Li tried to act casual, but inside she was a bundle of nerves.
"Mm."
Just a "mm"?
Luo Li's disappointment was plain to see, and she mumbled, "It seems like you two are pretty close…"
Lu Cixue silently considered it for a moment. She didn't think her relationship with He Qinian could be described as "close."
They were just acquaintances, connected by a similar background and a few favors exchanged.
But explaining that seemed unnecessary. Debating whether their relationship was "good" or not was pointless.
Instead of returning to the office, Lu Cixue drove them back to their apartment complex.
She instructed Luo Li to stay home and rest, reminding her to apply the medication regularly.
On the way back, because Luo Li kept complaining about the pain, Lu Cixue even bought her a small cake.
Luo Li shamelessly interpreted it as Director Lu trying to comfort her.
"Don't be so reckless next time."
Luo Li sighed with satisfaction. Even a slight reprimand from Lu Cixue made her happy—she was truly hopeless.
Bored at home, Luo Li stared at the ice pack on her hand, deep in thought.
After some deliberation, she took a few photos and began typing away on her phone.
So what if there's a heart emoji? So what if you've known each other for a long time? When I got hurt, Lu Cixue didn't hesitate to take me to the hospital.
She knew her behavior was childish, like a kid vying for attention in preschool, but she was still pleased with herself as she posted to her social media.
"My hand hurts (teary face), but the sweet little cake made it all better (shy face)."
The shy face emoji was especially telling.
After posting, Luo Li waited for replies.
Of course, her main goal was for He Qinian and Lu Cixue to see it.
Soon, many concerned comments appeared.
Only Jing Yao, ever perceptive, asked: "Which cake shop works such wonders? Or is it the person who gave you the cake? (smirk)"
Luo Li scrolled down. He Qinian had replied with a very leader-like message: "Rest well." But there was nothing from Lu Cixue.
Knowing her personality, she'd probably just seen it without reacting.
Luo Li bit her lip in frustration. Did she get it at all?
At exactly six o'clock, Lu Cixue left the office.
Chen Ting was shocked to see Director Lu leaving on time for the first time.
Being her devoted fan, Chen Ting decided there was no point in staying late if her idol wasn't.
She quickly packed up and left.
The only reason Lu Cixue left early was that she knew Luo Li would have a hard time doing anything on her own with an injured hand. She wouldn't be able to eat alone either.
Usually, Lu Cixue wouldn't think twice about such things, but when it came to Luo Li, she found herself making excuses: Luo Li took care of her last time, so it was only fair to return the favor; she still owed Luo Li a dinner, so she should go help…
There was always a reason.
At least, that's what she told herself.
But as she stood in the supermarket, Lu Cixue hesitated, unsure of what Luo Li liked to eat.
During their brief time together, she rarely saw Luo Li show particular interest in anything at home.
Her grandfather hadn't allowed it, forbidding her from indulging in food, toys, or other "vulgar" pleasures.
That included pets.
Luo Li was happily ordering takeout at home.
After seeing her social media post, Luo Zhining sent her a comforting message, which she used as an excuse to decline her mother's offer to come home.
In the end, she received a generous money transfer.
Pizza and anime were the perfect combo, along with her favorite orange juice.
Luo Li was enjoying herself when the doorbell rang.
She ran to open the door, and there stood Lu Cixue, holding a bowl of what looked like a very nutritious porridge.
Luo Li couldn't believe it at first, so she pinched herself.
It hurt—this was real.
Lu Cixue had brought her dinner.
Once that fact registered, Luo Li's grin spread across her face.
How silly.
"Is that for me?" Her eyes sparkled as she asked, needing to confirm it.
Lu Cixue suddenly didn't feel like answering.
She was standing here, wasn't she? Did Luo Li really think she was bringing dinner to herself?
"I guess it is for me…" Luo Li answered her own question, suddenly feeling bashful. "But how could I accept this…"
Halfway through her awkward response, her smile froze.
Her takeout was sitting right there in the living room.
Lu Cixue noticed Luo Li's sudden daze but didn't comment, though she was starting to lose strength holding the fruit containers in one hand. "These are heavy."
"Oh? Oh, right!" Luo Li quickly let her in.
The takeout was in plain view.
Lu Cixue paused to glance at it but said nothing.
Luo Li, feeling both guilty and shy, quietly sat at the dining table, sneaking glances at Lu Cixue's expression.
It seemed… she wasn't angry?
Luo Li accepted the bowl of porridge with a whispered thanks and took a big bite.
She had tasted Lu Cixue's cooking before, and compared to her own, it was worlds apart.
"Have you eaten?"
"Mm."
Silence settled in again.
"Do you like eating this?"
The sudden question nearly made Luo Li choke. Seeing Lu Cixue staring at the takeout, she quickly shook her head. "Not at all. I got sick of it abroad, but I didn't have anything else to eat, so I just ordered it."
She wouldn't take her food away, would she?
Luo Li clutched her bowl protectively.
"You seem to really like that brand of orange juice." Lu Cixue changed the subject.
She had noticed it several times. Luo Li didn't seem to like coffee or milk and usually drank that.
Luo Li nodded and absentmindedly offered, "It's pretty good. Do you want to try it?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted it. She had already drunk from it—how could she offer it to Lu Cixue?
But Lu Cixue didn't seem to mind, shaking her head without comment.
Luo Li let out a sigh of relief, though she felt a tiny pang of disappointment.
But why did Lu Cixue seem so unfazed? Had she not seen the post? Or did it not mean anything to her?
"The little cake you brought me today was really delicious." She was practically spelling it out. Surely, she'd get it now?
Lu Cixue turned to her, puzzled. "Do you want another one?"
It was too late, and sweets weren't exactly healthy at night.
Luo Li's face fell, giving up entirely. "Did you even see my post?"
Lu Cixue opened her mouth but didn't speak.
Luo Li, thinking she was just embarrassed, couldn't help but grin.
"you blocked me, remember?"