Probe

The 17th floor housed the Administrative Department, which didn’t interact much with the Legal Department on the 13th floor where Fu Nanzhi worked. In a corporation this large, unless they deliberately sought each other out, the two of them rarely crossed paths.

Cheng Jun straightened up in her seat and quickly said,

“Please, have a seat, Nanzhi. What brings you here?”

“Is there something you need from me?”

Fu Nanzhi pulled out a chair and sat beside her, placing a document on the table before smiling.

“Just a small matter. Here, this document needs your signature.”

“I went to your office earlier but didn’t see you. Your assistant later told me you were here, so I came over.”

Cheng Jun scratched her head sheepishly.

“Ah, you didn’t have to come all this way yourself, Nanzhi. A phone call would’ve been enough—I’d have sent someone down to fetch it.”

As she spoke, she patted herself down, searching for a pen to sign with, only to realize she’d left it on her desk.

Fu Nanzhi pulled a pen from the small pocket of her blazer and handed it to her.

“I saw the document on my desk this morning and thought, ‘I haven’t seen you in days.’ Figured I’d drop by for a chat while getting this signed.”

Cheng Jun thanked her and took the pen, carefully skimming through the document before signing her name.

“Sorry for the trouble, Nanzhi.”

After signing, she slid the document and pen back. Fu Nanzhi took the file but didn’t leave immediately, instead twirling the pen between her fingers.

Cheng Jun’s lingering feelings for Shen Yi were no secret to Fu Nanzhi. Back then, however, Fu Nanzhi had just reunited with Shen Yi and was too caught up in her own happiness to care.

Later, she learned that Shen Yi had once saved Cheng Jun, but Fu Nanzhi never considered her a threat.

Now, looking back, Fu Nanzhi realized that staying silent had been the right move. After a pause, she struck up a casual conversation.

“How have you been lately, Jun?”

Cheng Jun’s eyes flickered, her scattered thoughts sharpening as she considered Fu Nanzhi’s intentions.

‘What’s this about? Is she here to flaunt her victory?’

She studied Fu Nanzhi’s face—rosy cheeks, radiant complexion, the unmistakable glow of someone in love—and couldn’t help the bitterness rising in her chest.

‘Is this his first dream? What exactly happened between you two?’

Not missing a beat, Cheng Jun feigned nonchalance.

“Just work, same as always. Why do you ask, Nanzhi?”

Fu Nanzhi tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“Oh… no reason. Just checking in on you.”

Cheng Jun didn’t buy it but played along.

“Everything’s fine. What about you?”

“Me?...”

“It’s hard to sum up in a few words, but I’m doing better than ever.”

Fu Nanzhi’s answer was vague, but Cheng Jun understood perfectly.

Masking her frustration with a smile, Cheng Jun fanned her nose theatrically.

“Nanzhi, you’re in love. I can smell the sweetness from a mile away.”

“It’s Shen Yi, isn’t it?...”

Fu Nanzhi chuckled, neither confirming nor denying it.

Even the pouring rain outside couldn’t dampen her bright smile. Propping her elbow on the table, she gazed at the hazy skyline and mused,

“Some meetings start ordinary, turn magical, linger in memory, and end with a smile.”

“Now that we’ve reunited, I should feel complete, but…”

The words were abrupt and melodramatic, yet coming from Fu Nanzhi, they carried weight.

Suddenly, she turned to Cheng Jun and asked,

“Jun, do you believe in past lives?”

Fu Nanzhi immediately regretted it, worried Cheng Jun would think she was being pretentious. But before she could backtrack, Cheng Jun answered firmly,

“I do!”

“You… you do?” Fu Nanzhi’s eyes widened in surprise.

Cheng Jun caught a raindrop in her palm and smiled faintly.

“The world is full of wonders. Past lives aren’t the strangest thing out there.”

“Honestly, Nanzhi, I envy you…”

Fu Nanzhi tilted her head.

“Envy me for what?”

The cool raindrop slipped through Cheng Jun’s fingers as she recalled her own ‘past life.’ It wasn’t just about who came first—compared to Fu Nanzhi, even her ‘past’ felt stunted.

With a sigh, Cheng Jun deflected.

“Nothing. Just… you’re lucky, that’s all.”

Fu Nanzhi hummed in acknowledgment before bringing up the incident where Shen Yi had saved Cheng Jun.

“You’ve been wanting to thank Shen Yi, right? How about I arrange a dinner for the three of us?”

Hearing his name from Fu Nanzhi’s lips, Cheng Jun’s gaze dropped, her resentment flaring anew.

‘Why bring this up now? Is she trying to expose me? Or is this some power move?’

Her hastily fabricated excuse back then had been full of holes. A single conversation between Fu Nanzhi and Shen Yi would unravel it.

But Fu Nanzhi didn’t seem the type for such games. Cheng Jun couldn’t make sense of her contradictory behavior.

Too unsettled to think straight, Cheng Jun decided to play it safe. Her mind was in turmoil, and she wasn’t ready to face Shen Yi again so soon. Shaking her head, she declined.

“No need, Nanzhi.”

“I already thanked him privately.”

She watched Fu Nanzhi closely for a reaction.

Whether Fu Nanzhi missed the probing or trusted Shen Yi implicitly, her expression showed only mild curiosity.

“Oh? When was this?”

The test failed. Cheng Jun pressed on.

“Last week. Just a casual meal.”

“You don’t mind, do you, Nanzhi?”

She glanced at Fu Nanzhi, laying on the faux innocence thick.

“Oh…” Fu Nanzhi nodded, unfazed. If anything, she seemed amused.

“Why would I mind? You’re like a sister to me.”

“But since you’ve already treated him, how about I arrange another dinner soon? We can all get to know each other better.”

Now Cheng Jun was thoroughly confused. Every veiled jab had been effortlessly deflected. She couldn’t tell if Fu Nanzhi was genuinely kind or subtly mocking her.

Flustered, she mumbled,

“Uh… we’ll see.”

Fu Nanzhi, however, took it as agreement and patted her hand.

“Great! It’s settled, then.”

The rain grew heavier, silver threads cascading from the darkened sky. Silence settled between them.

Then, as if changing the subject at random, Fu Nanzhi asked,

“By the way… did you participate in the company’s health check-up last month?”

Cheng Jun blinked at the sudden shift but answered,

“No.”

Fu Nanzhi leaned in, concerned.

“Why not?”

“Health is important. Our department found quite a few chronic conditions—early detection makes treatment easier.”

Cheng Jun smiled.

“Thanks for worrying, Nanzhi, but I’m fine.”

“I skipped the company’s check-up because my dad schedules two full-body exams for me every year.”

Fu Nanzhi’s eyes flickered before she nodded slowly.

“Good… that’s good…”