Tea Time

Cheng Jun's face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance as she stood up, reaching out to snatch Shen Yi's phone.

Shen Yi, of course, wouldn’t let her succeed. He raised his hand just out of her reach, leaving her helpless.

"Give it to me, give it to me..."

Cheng Jun rose onto her tiptoes, one hand braced against the table while the other stretched as far as she could.

Leaning sideways toward him, Shen Yi caught the faint scent of her shower gel.

Her collar shifted with the movement, offering glimpses of her light blue bra—something he couldn’t help but notice.

Seeing that the joke had gone far enough, Shen Yi decided to stop teasing her.

He lowered the phone with a grin.

"Just messing with you."

"I didn’t actually take any photos. Did you really believe me?"

Cheng Jun lowered her arm, studying his expression for signs of deceit before hesitantly asking,

"Really?"

"Of course."

Shen Yi unlocked his phone, swiping through his photo gallery in front of her.

"See for yourself—nothing there."

Then, feigning offense, he added,

"You were completely out of it last night. I barely managed to get you home."

"Gave you water, took off your shoes, wiped your face—I was too busy playing caretaker to even think about taking pictures."

Cheng Jun fell silent, realizing she’d caused him quite a bit of trouble. Her expression dimmed slightly.

"Sorry..."

"My bad for doubting you."

Noticing the shift in her mood, Shen Yi quickly lightened the tone.

"Just because I didn’t take photos doesn’t mean your sleeping face was anything to admire."

Cheng Jun’s momentary guilt evaporated.

"You—!"

Caught between irritation and amusement, she pointed at him, at a loss for words.

After the laughter died down, breakfast was finished.

Cheng Jun checked her phone—9:15 a.m. Time to head to the office.

She stood hesitantly. Her car was parked at work, leaving her without transportation.

She considered asking Shen Yi for a ride but couldn’t find the right words.

After a moment of hesitation, she sighed and opened her phone to book a ride.

Before she could tap the screen, Shen Yi spoke up.

"I need to head out anyway. I’ll be passing near the office."

"Want a lift?"

Cheng Jun’s heart lifted. She closed the app, pausing before replying.

"Sure. Saves me the trouble of calling a car."

She kept her tone casual, not wanting to seem too eager—as if she’d been waiting for this.

Shen Yi grabbed his keys, ready to leave.

As Cheng Jun picked up her jacket, she spotted the socks tucked underneath and quickly snatched them up.

Watching Shen Yi’s retreating back, she called out,

"Wait a second—I need to use the bathroom."

"Sure."

Girls needing a moment before heading out wasn’t unusual. Shen Yi leaned against the door, scrolling on his phone while he waited.

Cheng Jun slipped into the bathroom, finally seizing the chance to change into the stockings she’d been holding.

After a quick check in the mirror, she deemed herself presentable and stepped out.

They headed downstairs one after the other, got into the car, and left the neighborhood.

Once on the main road, Shen Yi turned right toward Tiancheng Corporation.

Cheng Jun pretended to focus on her phone while discreetly observing her surroundings.

He bought a new car?

Though she’d ridden in it the night before, she had no memory of it.

Now, seeing it properly for the first time, she noted the temporary license plate—proof it was a recent purchase.

This isn’t cheap. Didn’t he say his family was just average?

Her thoughts churned until an image surfaced in her mind, growing clearer.

Could it be...?

The possibility made her press her lips together, a sinking feeling taking hold.

No matter how she looked at it, she couldn’t find a flaw in herself—yet reality kept proving her wrong, with no hope of turning things around.

Soon, the car passed the mall they’d visited the night before and pulled up in front of Tiancheng Corporation.

Braking to a stop, Shen Yi turned to her.

"I’m not going into the office, so I won’t drop you at the parking garage."

"Mind walking the last bit?"

Cheng Jun snapped out of her thoughts, forcing a smile as she grabbed her handbag.

"No problem, it’s close enough."

"Go ahead with your errands. I’ll manage."

She stepped out, waving as he turned the car around.

Only once the taillights disappeared did she head inside.

Exchanging nods and light chatter with a few colleagues, she rode the elevator up with a small group.

The moment Shen Yi was out of sight, the ease between them vanished. No matter how she smiled or laughed, her emotions remained untouched.

Few things—or people—could stir her anymore.

Settling at her desk, she tossed her bag into a drawer and stared blankly at her computer.

Shen Yi’s driving had been smooth and direct, his pace unhurried—nothing like someone with urgent business. The realization made something click in her mind.

If you wanted to drive me, you could’ve just said so. Did you really need the excuse of ‘running errands’...?

The thought curled her lips upward.

Such a liar.

Whatever Shen Yi’s true intentions were, Cheng Jun decided to interpret them her way.

It was the best way to stay in good spirits.

Her mood lifted, and the morning passed quickly.

By afternoon tea, she’d already placed an order after confirming with Fu Nanzhi.

This time, she was the guest on the 13th floor, Fu Nanzhi’s domain.

Carrying two paper bags, she knocked and entered.

Fu Nanzhi was bent over her desk, scribbling something. Recognizing Cheng Jun, she smiled and gestured.

"Jun’er, take a seat."

"Just finishing up here."

Cheng Jun settled on the sofa, unpacking the bags onto the coffee table.

"No rush, Nanzhi-jie. Take your time."

"Join me for coffee when you’re done."

She arranged the cakes, pastries, and coffee, then leaned back with her phone, sipping her drink while scrolling.

Before long, Fu Nanzhi joined her, explaining,

"Sorry, they needed me to review a contract urgently."

Cheng Jun waved it off, nudging a dessert box toward her.

"Try these. I’ve ordered from this place before—they’re amazing."

"Really?"

Fu Nanzhi picked up a piece, taking a delicate bite.

Her eyes lit up after a few chews.

"Mmm, you’re right. Which shop is this?"

Cheng Jun took a bite herself, nodding.

"I’ll send you the link."

Fu Nanzhi sipped her coffee and asked casually,

"Shen Yi got you home safely last night?"

Cheng Jun’s gaze drifted away.

"Y-yeah."

"Though I was completely out of it. No idea how I even got back."

She pulled a face, adding,

"Next time, let’s not drink so much, Nanzhi-jie."

Fu Nanzhi covered a laugh with her hand.

"We were just having fun! I didn’t expect us to finish the whole bottle either."

Then she confessed,

"Honestly, Jun’er, I don’t even remember how I got home."

The two burst into laughter, sharing the same rueful understanding.

Amid laughter and chatter, the two of them polished off an entire box of pastries. Cheng Jun opened another box and slid it over, saying,

"Have some more, Nanzhi."

"No, I really shouldn't," Fu Nanzhi shook her head, patting her chest with a conflicted expression.

"My body is so weird—this area gains weight the moment I eat. You go ahead."

"Erm..."

Cheng Jun glanced at Fu Nanzhi's ample curves, then down at her own modest silhouette, and was instantly rendered speechless.

Once again, she had lost.