The Boss Always Thinks I'm After Him - Chapter 11
Chapter 11 — Heartbeat Progress 1.1%
“Thank you, boss, for your great kindness…”
When it came to specific people, Gu Che deliberately glanced at Xiao Yang, hoping he would understand.
The boss’s reprimand instantly chilled the entire team’s atmosphere. Everyone shrank their necks, eyes on their noses or their hearts, guessing who had been slacking off and got caught, causing such a big anger.
After Gu Che returned to his office, Xiao Yang turned his head and pointed at himself with his index finger. “He just glared at me, did you see that? Since when did I slack off and get caught by him?”
Xu Mubai made a zipper gesture over his mouth, then pointed at his phone and started typing quickly.
【Xu Mubai: Don’t use the company’s internet, it will get monitored.】
Xiao Yang smiled knowingly and typed back on his phone.
【XYZ: Of course.】
【Xu Mubai: I also feel like the boss noticed you. He looked a bit angry.】
【XYZ: How could that be? I’ve been very careful!】
【Xu Mubai: It’s definitely because you often stare at him.】
【XYZ: Then let’s communicate via phone from now on.】
…
In the afternoon, Gu Che suddenly called a work summary meeting, asking each group to report their project progress.
He originally wanted to use this chance to reprimand some people, but instead of catching the intended target, it was Group 3 who got caught.
The large meeting room was filled with several rows of seats, and the atmosphere was tense.
Ding Zhanyang, sitting at the front on the right side with two large dark circles under his eyes, quickly explained: “Boss, to be honest, it’s not our fault.”
He lifted his chin and pointed toward Group 1, complaining: “Ever since you took Xiao Yang away, we haven’t recruited a suitable new member, and then one person resigned; another had to take leave to care for his sick father; and one more took maternity leave… Suddenly, we lost four people, and we’re all exhausted.”
When Xiao Yang was in Group 3, it was fair to say he did the work of three people. Once he left, these other things happened, so Group 3 has been really short-handed lately.
Knowing the truth, Gu Che couldn’t blame them further and said, “Submit the recruitment plan to HR, expand the scope, recruit nationwide.”
Phantom always adheres to high standards and requirements, so recruitment is strict — they don’t want to hire people who aren’t suitable. Since the tech team is the company’s most important department, the hiring process naturally takes more time.
Ding Zhanyang agreed and turned to find Xiao Yang among the crowd, pointing at him: “Recruitment takes time. Let me use Xiao Yang for now. He was responsible for that game before.”
Gu Che turned to see Xiao Yang’s opinion.
“I can.” Xiao Yang raised his hand and agreed.
Logically and emotionally, he had to agree, since Ding Zhanyang had been backing him since he joined the company.
But taking on this responsibility meant his relaxed on-and-off work routine was over.
The smart guide glasses project wasn’t especially urgent, but with less than half a month to the game release, Xiao Yang suddenly felt tense.
That night, Xiao Yang began working overtime, bringing his laptop and keyboard to Group 3, even working through the weekend.
Xu Mubai watched helplessly as Xiao Yang changed from energetic to tired and messy within just two or three days. Worried that Xiao Yang was focusing too much on the game and neglecting the original project, Xu Mubai even offered to take over some parts of the tasks Xiao Yang hadn’t started yet.
Xiao Yang was very grateful and promised to treat him to a big meal after this busy period.
The boss said overtime would be paid triple wages. Just from these days, Xiao Yang had earned enough for many meals at Wanxingyuan.
By the end of February, as the code was almost done, Group 3 finally got a few new recruits.
While typing, Xiao Yang listened to Ding Zhanyang introducing the newcomers and caught a key word, then looked up.
“Jinzhou?” Xiao Yang looked at the three new recruits warmly. “There’s also a Jinzhou person in Group 1. You’re from the same hometown; maybe you know each other.”
Hearing this, the tallest and strongest man among the newcomers politely nodded but didn’t say much.
Xiao Yang didn’t press it and returned to coding.
After ten consecutive tough days, Xiao Yang finally finished his task and went home to rest on Sunday afternoon.
Just as he opened the door, the scene before him was one only seen in Group 3’s office — someone he recognized standing in his own dining room.
“Did I work overtime so much I’m hallucinating? How did a Group 3 newcomer end up at my place?” Xiao Yang shook his head and rubbed his eyes, indeed seeing the new Group 3 recruit standing in his kitchen, wearing an apron.
Hearing the voice, Xu Mubai hurried out from the room to explain, “This is Yu Qian, my friend.”
“Hello.” Yu Qian extended his hand to shake with him.
“Oh…” Xiao Yang shook his hand, seeming to understand and yet not quite, his mind slow to react. “I thought you might know each other, but I didn’t expect you to really be friends. That’s such a coincidence.”
The aroma of food filled the dining room — sour, spicy, fresh, and fragrant. Xiao Yang’s stomach growled uncontrollably.
Xu Mubai invited him to sit and eat. The three chatted while eating.
The apartment was a two-bedroom; Yu Qian shared a room with Xu Mubai, so it didn’t affect Xiao Yang much.
Xu Mubai, for some reason, seemed nervous and cautious when speaking, stammering slowly, “Last week, I heard Group 3 was recruiting, and my friend also does game development, so I told him to try for an interview. Unexpectedly, he passed.”
“Since housing in the capital is hard to rent, he had nowhere to go temporarily. But don’t worry, we’ll chip in more for rent later.”
He looked at Xiao Yang carefully, afraid he wouldn’t agree.
“Ah, I see. Friends helping each other is only natural,” Xiao Yang said happily while enjoying the delicious food. He casually asked, “Who cooked this?”
Xu Mubai pointed to Yu Qian, “He did. His cooking skills are great.”
“That’s great, friend!” Xiao Yang extended his hand and gave Yu Qian a hearty pat on the shoulder. “You’re very welcome to stay here anytime. To repay you, I’ll wash the dishes.”
Yu Qian slightly turned his body, “Thank you.”
Xiao Yang’s hand slipped down but he didn’t feel awkward. He happily finished the meal and tidied the dishes.
Soon, the sound of running water and clinking dishes came from the kitchen. Xiao Yang hummed a tune in a good mood.
Xu Mubai finally relaxed and collapsed on the sofa.
“Why are you so nervous? Even if he knew, it wouldn’t matter,” Yu Qian said, pulling a tissue and wiping Xu Mubai’s mouth with practiced ease.
Xu Mubai obediently let him finish wiping, then shifted a bit away on the sofa. “Originally it wouldn’t matter, but the company forbids office romance. If the boss finds out, we’re done.”
“We finally switched jobs to get here; we don’t want to lose it over this.”
Yu Qian was silent, tossed the tissue in the trash, and sat down beside him.
They said nothing more. Ten minutes later, they turned their heads to find Xiao Yang leaning in the kitchen doorway, staring intently at the sofa.
He didn’t know when Xiao Yang had gotten there; his eyes fixed on them.
Xu Mubai gasped, “W-what are you doing?”
Xiao Yang said nothing, seriously scrutinizing them, making Xu Mubai break into a cold sweat.
“I don’t know why,” Xiao Yang struggled to find the right words in his head, “but you two… the atmosphere between you two seems… very harmonious, not like just ordinary friends?”
The vibe between them felt like they’d been close for a long time and were very comfortable with each other, but Xiao Yang couldn’t describe it well.
“Ha… haha, maybe it’s because…” Xu Mubai nervously stammered, barely coming up with an excuse, “maybe because we were roommates in Jinzhou.”
“Oh, that makes sense.” Xiao Yang nodded and turned back to his room, joking, “Why are you so nervous? It’s like you have some secret or something.”
“No, not at all.” Xu Mubai said that, but as soon as Xiao Yang closed the door, he pulled Yu Qian into the room.
After a hot shower and a comfortable sleep, Xiao Yang felt like a new man.
Group 3’s work was almost done, and on Monday, he returned to Group 1.
The routine meeting was held as usual. After assigning work, Gu Che specifically asked Xu Siyang, Xiao Yang, and Xu Mubai to stay behind.
“Work overtime these two days and try to finish ahead of schedule. On Wednesday morning, we’ll leave for Haishi to attend an exchange conference.”
Gu Che gave brief instructions and reminded them: “We won’t return until Friday. Remember to wear formal clothes and bring necessary items.”
“Got it.”
The three answered together, packed their meeting materials, and left the room.
Gu Che watched them leave, feeling quietly pleased that after returning from Group 3, Xiao Yang seemed much more focused.
Not far from the meeting room, Xiao Yang thought aloud, “After the conference, it’s the weekend, so I can go home and see my parents.”
“Your home’s in Haishi?” Xu Mubai hadn’t asked before, always assuming Xiao Yang was from the capital.
“Yeah, my home is in Tingxi City, next to Haishi, about half an hour by high-speed train.”
Then Xiao Yang suddenly remembered something and turned back, “Oh, I need to ask the boss to cancel my return ticket.”
Gu Che just left the meeting room and bumped into Xiao Yang, his heart skipping a beat.
Xiao Yang smiled mischievously, trying to please him, “Boss, can we talk about something?”
“Since we won’t be able to work much after the conference until Friday, how about you let me cancel my return ticket? I want to take half a day off to go home and see my parents.”
“I was working overtime all through the New Year and didn’t have time to visit. My mom even scolded me.”
Gu Che thought it might be something serious and sighed with relief. “Alright.”
Xiao Yang put his hand on his chest and gave a mock bow, “Thank you, boss. Your great kindness, I’ll never forget.”
Xiao Yang was really the first to joke around like this in front of Gu Che. Watching him bounce away happily, Gu Che even felt a bit of fondness.
Gu Che didn’t realize that the faint smile playing on his lips and eyes made him look much brighter.
Speaking of which, when a TV reporter once interviewed him, besides work questions, they also asked personal things like family and relationships…
At that time, Gu Che’s mind strangely flashed with images of Xiao Yang — very odd.