For years, I lived like that, but I was never resigned to it for a single day.
Ye Lingyun's gaze, lacking its usual arrogance, now held a spark of light. He was clearly someone with a defined goal, striving forward with all his might.
Ye Lingyun lit a cigarette, his movements as practiced as a seasoned smoker. In this moment, he revealed his most authentic self.
"Why are you telling me all this?"
Tang Xiaomin didn't understand, nor did she particularly care to, as she had already guessed.
"Because I don't want to lose you as a friend, so I'm being honest with you. I don't want us to stop being friends because of me; that would be a great regret for me."
It was as if someone was laying bare their secrets to another, requiring courage and complete trust.
"So, can we continue to be friends as before?" Ye Lingyun asked.
After hearing him speak at length, Tang Xiaomin understood the suppressed past of Ye Lingyun. In the end, he was just an ordinary person fighting against his fate, and clearly, he had good luck and won.
"Even as friends, we need to maintain a proper distance. Aren't you a little too close?"
At some point, Ye Lingyun's arm had brushed against Tang Xiaomin's. Realizing this, Ye Lingyun quickly moved a few steps away, laughing awkwardly.
"Sorry, I got too caught up in what I was saying and didn't notice. Did I make you uncomfortable? You're not going to hate me over something like this, are you?"
With their feelings out in the open, the atmosphere became more relaxed. Tang Xiaomin was not someone who forgot favors; she remembered the help Ye Lingyun had given her.
"Everyone has their own secrets. As friends, I allow us to have them."
"However, there's one thing I need to clarify in advance. Please don't deliberately arrange for me to see Ye Fengxing anymore; it will cause me trouble."
Her saying she allowed friends to have secrets meant they could still be friends. Ye Lingyun ran a hand through his short hair.
"I was just curious if you'd truly let go of Feng Ye. I won't do it again, I promise."
That was a truly pointless reason. At that moment, Tang Xiaomin's phone rang. She glanced at it.
"I'm leaving now. See you tomorrow, friend."
Tang Xiaomin left, passing through the sports field, heading towards the school gate, and directly got into a car to depart. Ye Lingyun watched it all, murmuring to himself, "How can there be pure friendship between men and women."
...
Returning to the company, a graceful figure approached Tang Xiaomin.
"Miss Tang, I'm Chen Qingyue, newly hired. I'm new here, please take care of me."
Chen Qingyue had gone through a rigorous recruitment process at Xianfu Group, emerging victorious from a pool of applicants. Her current position was Manager of the Funeral Department.
Tang Xiaomin sized up the woman, finding her to be described as alluring and charming. Her pair of foxy eyes were now clear and bright, and her attitude was sincere and earnest.
"Hello."
Tang Xiaomin extended her hand to Chen Qingyue, a gesture of introduction.
"Miss Tang, I'm new here and not very familiar with Xianfu Group. Could you please give me a tour? The department is quite large, and I often get lost."
This request was a mere trifle. Tang Xiaomin took Chen Qingyue around the premises, explaining things in detail.
"The first department on the left from the main entrance is the Funeral Department. After bodies are delivered, they are first sent here to be prepared by the embalmers before the funeral is held."
"This is the cremation department, with a crematorium and a morgue."
...
Everywhere in Xianfu Group, there were the deceased, the sorrowful cries of their families, the scent of burnt paper money drifting in the air, and the smell of gunpowder from firecrackers. Before the tour was even over, Chen Qingyue's charming face had turned pale.
"Miss Tang, I... I'm not feeling well. I want to go back to the office building to rest."
Chen Qingyue was scared, which was normal. Tang Xiaomin didn't think much of it.
"Alright, you go back yourself then. I still have things to do."
After parting ways, Chen Qingyue practically ran back. Upon returning to her office, she gulped down a large glass of ice water, and the feeling of fear subsided somewhat. Before arriving, she believed she had mentally prepared herself. However, she had underestimated the atmosphere here and overestimated her own courage.
A colleague nearby, seeing her pallor, kindly offered comfort.
"Miss Chen, it's natural to feel unwell when you first arrive. When I first started, several colleagues couldn't adapt and left. After a few days, it doesn't feel like anything. It's hard to overcome at first; you'll be fine in about half a month."
"Oh, thank you." She had finally managed to get in here; she couldn't leave just because of a little fear.
After organizing some reports, Chen Qingyue headed to the CEO's office. Before she could enter, Zhong Li stopped her.
"What do you need?"
Zhong Li had a fierce expression, which startled Chen Qingyue.
"Oh... I... I'm here to deliver a document for Mr. Yan to sign."
"Give me the document, and go back and wait."
"But this document is very important and needs immediate signing. The people on the other side are waiting. If this goes wrong, can you bear the responsibility?"
Seeing that the woman was insistent on pestering him, Zhong Li became impatient.
"Then just give it to me."
"But I have important work to discuss with CEO Yan in person."
"You're new, aren't you? You don't understand the rules at all."
"What's wrong with being new? I need to see CEO Yan right now. Why are you blocking me?"
The two began to argue in the hallway. Tang Xiaomin returned and happened to witness this scene. She stood aside and watched silently for a moment. Chen Qingyue was trying too hard to see Yan Jue. Given her qualifications, she shouldn't be making such a basic mistake in the workplace. Driven by curiosity, Tang Xiaomin stepped forward.
"What are you arguing about?"
Chen Qingyue grabbed Tang Xiaomin's arm and complained, "I came to get Mr. Yan's signature, but this person absolutely refused to let me in. My work is being delayed!"
So that's how it was. Tang Xiaomin immediately understood.
"Oh, I was just about to go in to see CEO Yan myself. You can come with me."
This time, Zhong Li said nothing more. After all, if anything happened inside, it wouldn't be his fault. Chen Qingyue didn't forget to glare fiercely at Zhong Li. Tang Xiaomin pushed open the office door. The inside was empty; Yan Jue was nowhere to be seen.
Chen Qingyue asked doubtfully, "CEO Yan isn't here?"
"He might have overslept his nap."
Tang Xiaomin said this while glancing at her phone, her eyes widening in alarm.
"Oh no, this is bad."
Tang Xiaomin rushed out of the office in a desperate hurry, not even paying attention to Chen Qingyue.