Xiang's eyes practically turned green with jealousy.
> "I'm Zhou Yiren—Zhou Ye's older brother," my brother said with a chuckle.
Only then did the puzzle pieces fall into place for those two.
Xiang's face went blank like his soul left his body, while Gu legit ran away on the spot.
Xiang was this close to chasing him.
> Yiren turned to Xiang. "And you are?"
> "I'm her department head. Mr. Xiang."
They shook hands—awkwardly.
> I asked, "Mr. Xiang, why did you come all the way down here?"
> He fumbled. "I… I came to pick up my parcel.
Can't I come and collect it ?"
> I replied casually, "Yeah, yeah~ Go ahead and take it, sir."
He stood there for a second like a confused puppy, then finally walked off.
My brother turned to me and raised an eyebrow.
> "Your boss really doesn't look like he wants to part with you."
I chuckled.
> "It's not like that. He seems cold, but deep down, he's a total golden retriever."
> Yiren laughed. "Anyway, I'm heading over to Mom and Dad's. Be good, okay?
Don't cause a fuss like you usually do."
> "I cause a fuss? It's you who acts like a drama queen at home!" I snapped playfully.
He patted my head and left laughing.
I walked him out, then returned to the office and got back to work.
After work, I reminded my colleagues about my birthday and told them to be there.
We got into a serious discussion about their favorite foods.
Meanwhile, Mr. Xiang kept peeking through his door and wandering around his office like a lost puppy.
He'd peek, walk around, peek again, and repeat.
Gu looked at him and said,
> "If you're going to roam like that, I'll hand you a broom to clean the office.
At least then I can have my weekend off."
Xiang turned with his index finger raised,
> "Say one more word, and I'll stitch your mouth."
Gu replied without missing a beat,
> "If you stitch my mouth, how will I warn you when someone tries to steal your future wife?"
That shut Xiang up real quick.
He muttered to Gu,
> "Once their discussion ends, call Manager Li to my office.
And only say what I told you to. Don't add your own drama."
Gu laughed.
> "Yes, sir," and left.
Later, Manager Li walked in.
> "Sir, is there any task I need to finish?"
"No," Xiang replied.
> "Then… can I leave, sir?"
Gu struggled to hold in his laughter.
"I didn't even ask my question yet, Manager Li.
Why are you in such a hurry?"
> "N-no, sir. I have lots of work to do, that's all," she stammered.
Xiang leaned forward.
"What were you all discussing with Miss Ye?"
She gulped.
> "Just work, sir."
Xiang squinted suspiciously.
Gu joined in, copying Xiang's expression like a little mime.
> "Come on, spill it."
Manager Li gave in and told them everything.
---
After she left, Gu teased,
"See, old man~~ if you keep acting like this, she won't even invite you to her wedding."
Xiang smiled when he heard the word "wedding."
"I'm going to be her husband—why would she need to invite me?"
Gu sulked.
"You old man… instead of daydreaming here, go prepare something nice for her birthday!"
Xiang warned, "Call me old man one more time, and I'll cut your salary."
Gu sat at his desk with a dramatic sigh.
"When did you ever pay me enough for that threat to work?
Go ahead, cut it. I'll move into your house and take care of you,
Xiang—how's that sound?"
Xiang bent down to grab a shoe and chucked it at him.