Sweet as Honey and Sugar - Chapter 5:

Do you want to give it a try with me?

Her voice was low and husky, the kind that could stir something deep inside a person.

The words snapped He Qingrou back to her senses. Their bodies were still pressed too closely together; even with two thin layers of fabric between them, she could clearly feel the warmth and softness of the other woman’s body. Embarrassed and flustered, she pushed Lin Nai away in a rush.

Her face was burning red. Holding her breath, she began gathering her things, shutting down her computer in a hurry. She had planned to stay late and finish more of her work, but now she couldn’t focus for even a second.

I asked you something, and you haven’t answered, Lin Nai stopped her again.

What? He Qingrou replied vaguely, her head still down as she stuffed her papers into a folder.

Give it a try with me.

He Qingrou froze. Her heart gave a sudden jolt, and the papers she had just gathered almost slipped from her hands. She steadied herself, put the documents neatly back in place, and said, I’m not interested in office romances.

It’s not like we’re in the same department, Lin Nai said lightly. Then she added, with a faint curve of her lips, I just think we’d suit each other.

I don’t, He Qingrou cut her off, her tone firm. It’s late. I should go.

She brushed past Lin Nai before the woman could say anything more, leaving the office almost like she was escaping.

Out in the open-air parking lot, she got into her car but no matter how many times she turned the key, the engine wouldn’t start. The car was an old one she’d bought right after graduation for a little over seventy thousand yuan cheap, but it broke down often. Great. Just her luck.

She looked around. Hardly any taxis passed this way at night. Maybe she should call a ride on her phone?

Knock, knock.

The sound startled her. Outside the car window stood Lin Nai, motioning for her to roll it down.

He Qingrou pressed the button.

I’m heading that way. I can give you a ride, Lin Nai said simply.

I She was about to refuse, but Lin Nai added, It’s not safe to call a ride this late.

That much was true. There had been too many reports lately about late-night ride-share incidents. This area was quiet and dimly lit. After a moment’s hesitation, He Qingrou sighed and nodded. Thank you.

There’s a repair shop up ahead, Lin Nai said, opening the passenger door for her. You can call them tomorrow to pick it up.

Okay, He Qingrou murmured, getting into the car. Outside the window, everything was pitch black. It looked like they really were the last ones to leave the company.

Your address? Lin Nai asked as she started the navigation.

She had said it was on the way, yet she clearly didn’t even know where He Qingrou lived. He Qingrou bit her lip and replied softly, No. 78, Tianxing Avenue, Anhe Street.

Do you live alone?

He Qingrou didn’t want to get into personal matters, so she stayed silent, eyes fixed on the dark streets outside. Seeing that, Lin Nai didn’t push the question further.

The drive was smooth and quiet. In just twenty minutes, they reached the entrance of her apartment complex.

He Qingrou was about to unbuckle her seatbelt and get out when the world dimmed for a second Lin Nai leaned over and brushed a featherlight kiss against the corner of her lips.

Good night.

He Qingrou froze, her heartbeat loud in her ears.

That night, she couldn’t sleep. No matter how many times she turned in bed, her mind kept replaying that moment the soft kiss that had barely lasted a second, yet somehow tangled up her thoughts completely.

She didn’t know what Lin Nai meant by it, or what she wanted.

When she finally grabbed her phone, it was already three in the morning.

The screen’s light stung her eyes. Out of habit, she opened WeChat nothing, even the group chats were silent.

She scrolled absentmindedly until she landed on the friend request list. That familiar orange cat avatar was there again. She didn’t even remember when the person had sent it this time. Staring at it for a long while, she finally pulled the blanket tighter around herself, took a deep breath as if bracing for something and tapped Accept.

The next morning, the price of not sleeping was oversleeping. She woke up half an hour late, rushing through her routine, and ended up arriving at work for the first time in her life late.

She was mentally prepared to get scolded by Manager Yang as soon as she entered the office. But to her surprise, he wasn’t there. The atmosphere in the design department felt even heavier than yesterday.

As soon as she sat down, her coworker Wan Keyin leaned over and whispered, Don’t get near Manager Yang today.

What happened? she asked, puzzled.

He got called into the Director’s office the moment he arrived. He’s still not back. Someone went in to deliver documents and said he was getting chewed out like a schoolkid.

The same Manager Yang who normally scolded everyone else without taking a breathapparently, karma had finally come around.

No one dared laugh out loud, but the delight in the air was palpable.

He Qingrou smiled faintly and turned on her computer, determined to keep her head down and stay out of trouble.

A few minutes later, Manager Yang stormed back in, his face black as thunder. Everyone immediately buried their faces in their work. He stalked around the room, then stopped in front of one unlucky coworker the one who’d witnessed his humiliation.

You. My office, he growled through clenched teeth.

The poor man’s face went pale. He stammered an okay while everyone else silently wished him luck.

He Qingrou quickly looked away and focused on her screen again. Midway through her design, she noticed a data discrepancy and reached for the file to double-check just then, a WeChat notification popped up.

Lin Nai: Did you call the repair shop?

She hesitated a moment, then replied: Yes, I did.

Almost instantly came another message: Come to my office and get the proposal.

Didn’t she say she wouldn’t review it until tomorrow? He Qingrou frowned slightly, then tucked her phone away and made her way to the Director’s office.

Knock, knock.

Come in.

Lin Nai was there, waiting. The X6 transmission project proposal was spread across her desk, every page marked with neat red notes.

Have a seat, she said, handing He Qingrou two folders.

He Qingrou sat down, confused.

From now on, you’ll take over the X6 transmission project. As for your current assignments, Manager Yang will reassign them to others. These, she tapped the second folder, “are the materials for the Western Hills Auto Show at the end of the month. Take them home and review them tonight. I want your summary report tomorrow.

He Qingrou blinked, stunned. But… aren’t these Manager Yang’s responsibilities?

If he found out she’d replaced him, he’d despise her even more!

Manager Yang has been reassigned. He’ll be away from the design department for a while.

Why? The question slipped out before she could stop it. She remembered how Lin Nai had asked last night whether the Tiancheng project was his doing. Could this be…?

Reading her expression, Lin Nai explained calmly, He wasn’t performing his duties properly. The demotion was decided by upper management before I even arrived. As for you, you were voted in as his replacement by the department heads. I’m just here to relay the decision.

It was true He Qingrou had built a reputation for being steady, fair, and capable. Among the younger generation in the department, she was easily one of the best. Senior management likely wanted to test her potential and identify future leaders.

If you’re uncomfortable with it, Lin Nai continued, we can choose someone else.

Both projects the X6 transmission and the Western Hills Auto Show were rare opportunities. If she performed well, it could boost her evaluation score and become a major milestone in her career.

After years of hard work with little recognition, how could she not be tempted?

Still, she hesitated. She wasn’t sure she was ready.

But after a long moment of thought, she clenched her jaw and nodded firmly. “I’ll do it.”

A small smile played on Lin Nai’s lips. No need to look so serious. Most of the groundwork has already been done. You’ll adapt quickly. For the transmission project, you can form your own team from the design department. For the auto show, both Director Zhang and I will assist you.

He Qingrou’s eyes brightened. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and said sincerely, Thank you.

If you really want to thank me, how about buying me dinner? Lin Nai teased.

It was clearly a joke, but He Qingrou was in too good a mood to care. Sure.

Oh? Lin Nai chuckled, pleasantly surprised. How about Sunday then?

Sunday’s fine.

Any preference for food?

I’m not picky. Anything’s fine.

There’s a Cantonese tea restaurant in the city center that’s supposed to be great. Want to try that?

Sounds good.

So agreeable today. Lin Nai couldn’t help thinking of her chubby, easily flustered cat aloof most of the time, but once it was happy, it would roll over and show its belly for a pat.

Do you like cats? she asked suddenly.

I don’t have one, He Qingrou replied honestly. Work keeps me too busy to take care of a pet.

I have one, Lin Nai said, looking at her with a knowing smile. She’s very well-behaved.