Han Zhiyeb, a struggling worker, watched Ye Qiu, who was blissfully goofing off during office hours for the first time, and a thought crossed his mind: his boss had been thoroughly captured—completely and utterly in someone’s grasp. Perhaps it was his younger brother who informed him about that person attending a gaming gathering. He never expected someone like Ye Qiu would actually fall into an online relationship.
A cold smile crept on his lips; it was true that no matter how heartless a man might be, once he encounters love, he would become just like an inexperienced youth.
In the next second, the inexperienced youth put down his phone and said, “The marketing plan from the planning department was subpar. I want to see a satisfying proposal in three days.”
Han Zhiyeb glanced at the proposal and replied, “Understood.”
Ceng Chen, counting the seconds, received a message from Ye Qiu at five o’clock sharp: “Boyfriend, I’m waiting for you downstairs.”
Feeling the secretary’s slightly inquisitive gaze, Ceng Chen stood up and instructed, “I’m leaving first. I’m finishing on time today.”
Thus, he hurried out, a stark contrast to his earlier workaholic self.
The rest of the office, eagerly awaiting his departure, were so excited that they could hardly contain themselves.
“Yes! I knew he would get off work on time today. Don’t forget that meal I’m owed!” a jubilant assistant exclaimed after Ceng Chen left.
The assistant who lost a bet was not convinced, “How could General Manager Ceng possibly leave early?”
“Even the strongest steel can become soft in the grip of love; no matter how indifferent a man is, love can change him entirely. Ah, love, you’re my shortsightedness without glasses, making me lose my way…”
“Thanks to our lovely and kind boss, I can finally avoid working overtime! My little face has grown quite haggard from the endless extra hours!”
“tsk tsk tsk, it should be our lovely and kind son-in-law, look downstairs.”
When Ceng Chen went downstairs, Ye Qiu was already waiting. Dressed in a well-fitted gray suit, the luxurious fabric showcased an air of sophistication that was slightly undone, and his dark hair fluttered in the wind, giving him a carefree demeanor that stood out from the crowd. He was tall and possessed a unique charm that attracted the attention of many nearby workers, who were eager to approach.
When Ceng Chen appeared, onlookers regretted not making their move first. Ye Qiu expertly took Ceng Chen’s things and opened the passenger door, making it clear that their relationship was more than casual.
Previously bewildered about why female employees at the company preferred to be picked up by their boyfriends, Ceng Chen now felt a sense of pride under the envious gazes around him.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Ye Qiu fastened Ceng Chen’s seatbelt without him needing to hint at it, asking, “Did I interrupt your work?”
“No,” Ceng Chen smiled, “It was just the end of the workday according to company policy.”
As they drove off, they caught even more attention, particularly from Ceng Chen’s private employee chat group.
“General Manager Ceng’s boyfriend is so handsome; he could easily be a star in the gay scene!”
“If he’s such a stunning creature, I can understand why General Manager Ceng would like him.”
“With a boyfriend like that, I would clock out the instant the clock hits five—staying even a second longer would be disrespectful.”
The two shared dinner in Ye Qiu’s rented apartment. After the meal, Ceng Chen looked down, already contemplating moving in together; he couldn’t bring it up himself, as it would seem too forward.
Struggling to find an excuse, he finally said, “Living here is quite inconvenient. It’s a bit far from the city, and there are neighbors—why not…”
“I think buying a… moving in with you?” Ye Qiu, thinking he was uncomfortable in the rental, proposed softly. Seeing Ceng Chen’s unsatisfied expression, he tentatively suggested it.
Feeling hopeful at last, Ceng Chen nodded hesitantly, “Staying at my place would indeed be more convenient and spacious.”
Even without Ceng Chen mentioning it, Ye Qiu was considering buying a place of his own. Now that cohabitation was a possibility, it felt like a delightful surprise.
Since they decided to move, they wasted no time. Ceng Chen didn’t have much to pack, and they organized everything quickly without needing a moving company; a suitcase and a cardboard box would suffice.
Ceng Chen lived on the forty-sixth floor, in an almost 300-square-meter apartment with stunning natural lighting and a 270-degree river view, featuring a private elevator.
What caught the eye the most was the breathtaking river view outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, reminiscent of the 1970s, owning the entire river in such a prime area of the city. With such a property, one could genuinely call themselves a winner in life. Not to mention, even the front door was significant—a handcrafted copper door from Germany.
The apartment featured four rooms and two living areas; one of the rooms was converted into an office, all designed in a gray and white color scheme that exuded a dominant aura.
Excluding the master bedroom, there were three remaining rooms where they dropped their belongings at the entrance. Ye Qiu looked at Ceng Chen in silence, waiting for him to choose a bedroom.
Ceng Chen suddenly realized that having such a large place could also be inconvenient, especially at that moment.
Ye Qiu suggested, “How about this one? It seems to have a private bathroom?”
“That one is a maid’s room,” Ceng Chen replied gruffly.
Before Ye Qiu could ask again, Ceng Chen spoke first, “This… this is the guest room my friend stayed in.”
“The last one is the office.”
With such a sprawling apartment, they couldn’t even find a suitable room to stay in, revealing Ceng Chen’s underlying intentions.
Ye Qiu was not oblivious to what he meant and teased, “Sharing a room? Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”
“Don’t you want to live with your boyfriend?”
Ye Qiu remained unfazed, softly saying, “Staying in the maid’s room would also count as living together.”
Ceng Chen frowned seriously, “How could I let my boyfriend stay in a room that someone else has slept in, especially a maid’s room?”
After all, rooms he had slept in didn’t count.
Ye Qiu quietly asked, “Isn’t this a bit too fast? Maybe we should wait a few more days?”
Some couples take three months to confirm their relationship, while they had resolved theirs in just a day; moving in after two days seemed somewhat astonishing.
“Ah.” Ceng Chen felt disheartened. How long meant a few days? Three days? A week? Or a month?
All he wanted was to fall asleep with him every day, wake up, and do all the things couples should do together.