Despite Qi's best efforts, Weiwei didn't fully move in with him. At least, that's how Weiwei saw it. She was spending most of her nights at his place, she had all of her modest wardrobe there, but she refused to give up her small apartment completely and visited it regularly.
I should always remember where I came from. Of course, it's great to be able to have nice things and eat at nice places, but I don't want to become a high-flyer who lives a life that's very different from others. At least, I was both most miserable and happiest when I lived at that apartment, and I don't want to lose that feeling.
Qi didn't insist one way or another on the matter of the apartment because, in his opinion, it mattered little for the two of them now, budget-wise.
The one unresolved question he cared about was whether Weiwei would go back to work, and if so, whether she'd go back to her position at TTT Group.
Weiwei was still thinking it over. She was thinking of asking for Ruxuan's perspective, but then she realized she'd have to explain to her the entire story of her dating Qi first.
If we are going to continue to be friends, I'll have to tell her about it sooner or later. I shouldn't wait too long, because it'll be harder and harder to explain to her why I kept it a secret.
Weiwei knew Ruxuan would blame her for not sharing such a juicy piece of gossip, even if it was on the condition of keeping it to herself.
She could tell others. I'm almost certain she would—maybe inadvertently. On the other hand, as soon as I show up with Qi at a company event of any kind, everyone would find out anyway. Ah, why can't we live in a remote village all by ourselves!
Weiwei consulted Qi.
"Do you think it's going to be a big deal if people at TTT find out about us?"
He shrugged. "The world will continue to revolve. Why do you ask? You don't want them to know?"
"Not that," Weiwei shook her head. "I'm asking how you'd feel about it. Wouldn't it be awkward for you in the office?"
"What would be awkward about it? Am I not allowed to have a girlfriend?" Qi chuckled.
"I also worked there."
"You didn't report to me, so it's not an inappropriate relationship," he said. A playful smile appeared on his face. "We could make it inappropriate, though. Would you like to work as my secretary?" He cocked his head. "That would be fun."
"Don't even think about it!"
Speaking of secretaries…
"Did you have cute secretaries?" she asked.
There was a smile of satisfaction on Qi's face.
"Why are you grinning?" Weiwei asked, pouting.
"I'm just happy that you're jealous."
"I'm not jealous!"
He pulled her closer and squeezed in a tight embrace. "I never cared about any of my employees, if that's what you're asking."
"And you never went after them?"
"Why would I?"
Weiwei shook her head doubtfully. "Was Mr. Vice President really so cold and indifferent?"
"If it's going to make you feel better, I'll only have male assistants going forward."
Weiwei tapped her chin, considering. "You can have half and half. They'll keep an eye on each other."
Qi laughed. "Weiwei, you're prudence itself."
"And don't forget, Mr. Vice-President, that I'm now self-sufficient and can leave you, if you disappoint me."
"Don't even dream of it," Qi whispered in her ear. "You won't be able to ever get rid of me, even if you tried."
She hid her face on his chest and sighed. "I'm kidding. Just hold me like this."
That evening, after speaking on the phone with his grandfather, Qi told Weiwei that everything was ready for his return to TTT.
"By the way, Grandpa had an interesting idea," he said. "Now that Lántiān Group is TTT's client again, they are looking for a few new people for their accounting team. How would you like to be their accounting manager?"
"Lántiān?"
Qi nodded. "After all, you were the one who raised the issue with their accounting irregularities."
"Even so, I don't think I'm qualified to work as a manager," said Weiwei.
"I'm sure you'll be fine. Whatever you don't know yet you'll learn on the job, just like you did at TTT."
Weiwei wasn't convinced. "That's different. Another level of complexity and responsibility."
"Well, think about it," said Qi softly. "I can ask my team to find a couple of qualified candidates to work under you and help out."
Weiwei shook her head skeptically. "I'll think about it, but don't get your hopes up."
"My hopes are sky-high already," replied Qi. "I know my Weiwei can achieve anything she sets out to achieve."