Weiwei was staring at her computer monitor with a blank stare. To an observer, it may have looked like she was concentrating hard on something on the screen, but in fact her mind was very far away from work.
Weiwei felt she was in deep trouble.
Going to bed last night, she had realized that she was feeling that irrational exuberance that some finance guy a long time ago coined into a phrase. She didn't even know why that phrase even popped into her head. What she knew for sure was that yesterday evening she was the happiest she had been since before her grandma passed away, and probably as happy as she had ever been in her life. That thought was scary enough, but when the feeling lingered into the morning, Weiwei knew she was in a really big trouble.
The cause of her problems had a name. That name was Qi.
Qi had arrived at her place with only two roller bags, and Weiwei allocated him the couch, the only other place available to sleep in her tiny apartment, other than the floor. The two of them ordered a takeout, ate, talked, then watched some TV, because Weiwei couldn't think of anything else they could do that wouldn't make her freak out.
Seeing Qi only a meter away from her on the couch in casual clothes watching TV with her made Weiwei feel comfortable, ecstatic, and terrified – in turns and at the same time. They didn't even have to talk for her to feel good.
Late in the evening, she said good night to Qi and went to her bedroom in such bliss that she couldn't fall asleep for half of the night.
This feeling is simply incredible. Omg, can I be falling for him? Does it take that little to fall in love? Or is there another, more reasonable, more palatable explanation why I feel so happy and peaceful?
Weiwei closed her eyes.
In her head, the entire story of her coming to Xīnchéngshì, being lonely and miserable, then meeting Qi, bumping into him at the banquet, then him moving into her tiny apartment, and making her float in space – the whole story flashed momentarily before her.
What an unbelievable adventure!
Weiwei opened her eyes.
And now what? What am I going to do?!
She was about to bury her face in her hands when she heard rustling behind her and someone politely cleared their throat. Weiwei spun around in her chair. Chengli was looking at her with a trace of remorse in his eyes.
"Sorry, did I startle you?"
Weiwei let out a deep sigh. "Oh no, Chengli, it's perfectly fine. I was just – I just lost track of time."
"You said you wanted to look something up?"
True, I had actually messaged him earlier and completely forgot. Oh Weiwei, you poor empty-headed bubblehead!
"Yes," Weiwei nodded. "I was looking for supporting documentation for a few transactions."
Chengli blinked behind his thick glasses. "No problem. Which ones?"
Weiwei pulled up the Lántiān Group file and scrolled through for a bit.
"For these two sales," she finally pointed out.
She saw an unusual flicker in Chengli's eyes. If Weiwei hadn't gotten to know him a little, she'd even think that he blushed slightly.
Did I say something wrong? I hope I'm not asking him to do something that breaks the rules. But why would that break the rules? That's what he does, after all, manages our digital records.
"Is that alright?" asked Weiwei.
"Oh yes," replied Chengli quickly. "I just thought that the report was already submitted. Is there a problem?"
Weiwei explained her doubts to Chengli in general terms.
"I see," he winced. "Let me find those for you."
Weiwei would've thought some more of Chengli's unusual behavior, but a message popped up on her phone that diverted her attention. What time are you going to be back? I need to run an errand. Do you mind if I take the key?
Weiwei again immersed in the torturous state of euphoria mixed with paranoia.
We're sharing the keys to the apartment. We're living together. Oh, if anyone finds out, I'm so screwed!
She quickly looked around, as if someone could've been spying on her.
Would anyone actually care? He's no longer the big boss.
She clasped her head.
Weiwei, you're dumb! He's someone you're living with. If my parents were alive, I'd be in trouble. What am I thinking? I am in trouble. And there is no one to help me.