The Boss Always Thinks I'm After Him - Chapter 13

Chapter 13 — Heartbeat Progress 1.3% — So Funny, Who Would Like That…

Zhang Heng suddenly remembered something and suggested, “It’s been a long time since we last hung out. Tigerzi is coming to the capital on a business trip next weekend. How about we all get together?”

“Aren’t you seeing someone now? Bring your girlfriend along, and we’ll help you take a look at her.”

“Forget it…” Xiao Yang looked hesitant, stammering, “She’s pretty introverted and doesn’t like this kind of occasion.”

Seeing his unusual expression, Zhang Heng rolled his eyes and guessed, “You wouldn’t be lying to me, would you? Actually, you don’t have a girlfriend, and you’re just saying that to avoid being made fun of?”

“Huh? No way!” Xiao Yang laughed nervously, his mind racing for a way to respond when his phone suddenly rang — Yuan Ming was calling him to board his flight.

Like grabbing a lifeline, he quickly said goodbye to Zhang Heng, “Ah, can’t chat now, I gotta board. Message me if anything.”

Watching his hurried departure, Zhang Heng felt something was off. He took out his phone and typed a message.

Xiao Yang hurried onto the plane, and before takeoff, saw Zhang Heng’s message:

[Zhang Heng]: It’s settled then, next Saturday night, bring your partner along for dinner.

He didn’t reply immediately, switching his phone to airplane mode to pretend he didn’t see it.

Indeed, telling one lie requires a thousand more to cover it up. If only he had told the truth from the start, none of this trouble would’ve happened.

At that moment, he couldn’t find a close female friend to help; otherwise, just confessing honestly would be better…

But that would definitely make him the butt of jokes, saying Xiao Yang has been single his whole life, too eager to have a partner that he lies about it.

The plane flew for four hours, and Xiao Yang pondered the whole time until he got off and saw the familiar figure of the boss, when suddenly an idea struck him. He typed a reply to Zhang Heng.

[Xiao Yang]: It’s really not that I’m hiding anything, it’s just hard to tell you guys about this.

[Xiao Yang]: The person I’m seeing isn’t a girlfriend.

The chat showed the other side was typing but didn’t reply immediately. Sure enough, silence followed.

Xiao Yang thought he was safe, pocketed his phone, and took a taxi to the hotel with everyone. Later, checking his phone again, he felt bad all over.

[Zhang Heng]: You mean your partner is a guy?

[Zhang Heng]: That’s even more reason to bring him so we can check him out. Men are the most unreliable; what if he’s lying to you?

[Zhang Heng]: Enough excuses. Even if your partner is a dog, bring him out next Saturday. It’s a date.

Seeing Xiao Yang’s pale face, Xu Mubai quietly asked, “Are you okay? Carsick?”

Xiao Yang shook his head, looking sick, “I’ll tell you later.”

The taxi soon arrived at the hotel arranged by the tech association for the companies. The boss told everyone to go to their rooms and drop their luggage. Taking advantage of the break, Xiao Yang told Xu Mubai everything.

“Heaven above, why did I even care about saving face back then…”

Xiao Yang flopped onto the bed, tossing and turning the blankets messily, then suddenly jumped up and grabbed Xu Mubai’s shoulders, shaking him back and forth, “What do you think I should do?”

Xu Mubai thought for a moment and tentatively asked, “Do you like guys?”

“Ah?” Xiao Yang was caught off guard by the question, stepping back after releasing him, “Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve never liked anyone before, so I really don’t know if I like guys or girls.”

“Have you ever been in a relationship? Why does someone like another person? Is it because they’re good-looking, rich, or kind to you?”

Xu Mubai didn’t answer immediately but thought carefully for a long while before explaining: “Liking someone is a feeling. If one day, someone appears in your life, and seeing them makes you happy, not seeing them makes you miss them, you unconsciously want to be near them, and hope to be with them — that’s liking.”

As he spoke, a face suddenly flashed in Xiao Yang’s mind, and he burst out laughing.

“Knock knock knock…” Yuan Ming knocked on the door, calling them to come downstairs.

Xiao Yang laughed while opening the door, “You’ll never guess who popped into my head just now — the boss… so funny, who would like the boss?”

He pulled open the door, and Gu Che and the others were standing in the hallway, their smiles instantly fading.

Not good, how could this be so unlucky? If the boss heard that, it’d be over for him.

Xiao Yang smiled sheepishly, lowering his voice to ask Yuan Ming, “Did you hear what I just said?”

“Hear you say ‘boss’,” Yuan Ming glanced at Gu Che and joked, “Are you talking bad about the boss behind his back?”

Everyone looked at him, even Gu Che’s gaze turned sharp. Xiao Yang’s heart pounded, and he barely had the courage to speak, “No way, I said we’re lucky the boss brought us here to broaden our horizons, right?”

He looked at Xu Mubai, who was nervous but quickly nodded to back him up.

Seeing them both so scared, Yuan Ming laughed, “You hear yourself? Guilty much?”

“Not guilty! Don’t joke around and stir trouble between me and the boss.”

“Hey, watch your words.”

…

The group laughed and chatted as they headed to the elevator. Gu Che lagged behind by half a step, his eyes deep.

Whether others heard it or not, he did — “like, boss,” those words gave him an unprecedented sense of nervousness, afraid someone really heard it.

Gu Che silently watched for a while, making sure no one else heard, then finally relaxed.

This can’t go on. Maybe it’s time to adjust the company rules. After all, feelings can’t be controlled at will. They can’t just fire all talented people because of this.

Ding — the elevator arrived.

Xiao Yang rushed in, shrinking into a corner, not daring to meet Gu Che’s eyes.

The boss showed no reaction, so he probably didn’t hear what he said. False alarm.

Everyone entered, the elevator door closed, and it started descending.

Xiao Yang quietly adjusted his breathing and sneaked a glance at the back of Gu Che’s head.

Objectively speaking, the boss is rich and handsome, treats him well, gave him a raise and expensive suits, doesn’t punish him for mistakes — really a good person. As for that kind of feeling Xu Mubai described…

Xiao Yang thought carefully. When he saw Gu Che, he felt more scared than happy.

Of course — that’s the boss! Who would like their boss? Plus, a weird workaholic boss with some masochistic tendencies.

Besides, if he really liked the boss, he might lose his job — no way.

Xiao Yang exhaled slowly and shook his head, driving the strange thought out of his mind.

Ding — the elevator reached the first floor.

Gu Che led everyone toward the banquet hall to attend the tech association’s reception for attendees.

The huge banquet hall was crowded, with people from all over the country’s tech industry drinking and socializing.

“No need to follow me, feel free to mingle,” Gu Che glanced back and pointed at Xiao Yang, “No drinking.”

He still remembered last time Xiao Yang got drunk and caused trouble.

Xiao Yang nodded vigorously, promising repeatedly, “Yes, yes, definitely won’t drink.”

Satisfied, Gu Che took Zhang Rui and disappeared into the crowd.

Everyone was dressed in suits, blending in so well it was hard to tell who was who.

Xu Siyang followed in and waved, “Come on, I’ll take you guys to a feast. Eat up, then we bounce.”

“Alright, we’re with you, brother Yang,” Xiao Yang grabbed Xu Mubai’s hand and looked around.

This top tech conference was held in the biggest, most luxurious hotel in Haishi city. Tonight’s reception had various fine wines and hundreds of delicacies and desserts, lasting till late evening.

Looking at the lobsters, abalone, big crabs, Xiao Yang’s eyes grew brighter.

It was his first time attending such a meeting. Without knowing anyone else, and not liking awkward small talk, he quietly took a plate with some food and sat down in the dining area with his colleagues.

Yuan Ming glanced at Xiao Yang’s plate and kindly warned, “Eat less seafood or you’ll get diarrhea later.”

“Don’t worry, my stomach’s tough,” Xiao Yang put on disposable gloves and started digging into a big lobster.

The five of them sat together, eating and chatting happily.

Suddenly, Xu Siyang looked toward the entrance with a serious expression, “Zhou Huai from Jixing just arrived.”

Hearing this, everyone turned to the door.

Zhou Huai and Zhang Wei were among the first to start tech companies and were leaders in the industry. Though almost fifty, they kept in good shape and looked vigorous.

As Zhou Huai entered, many people flocked to flatter him. Zhou Huai responded gracefully.

Besides him, the other social center in the hall was around Zhang Wei and Gu Che.

Both held champagne glasses, occasionally responding to people who approached.

When they saw Zhou Huai arrive, they glanced at him briefly before looking away.

Zhang Wei sipped his wine with a smile, “I heard old Zhou got so mad from losing to you last time he even ended up in the hospital.”

“If he hadn’t attacked us first, he wouldn’t have hurt himself,” Gu Che put down his empty glass and looked around the hall.

Zhang Wei nodded and curiously asked, “That’s not like you. Who came up with that nasty trick?”

Gu Che smiled faintly. The reflection in his frameless glasses sparkled as he nodded toward a certain direction, “The one eating the lobster.”

Rarely seen smiling, Zhang Wei looked where he was indicating.

Though the dining area was crowded, most wouldn’t choose troublesome food that might hurt their image. The only one eating a big lobster was Xiao Yang — the lobster was almost as big as his face.

Zhang Wei couldn’t help but laugh and sighed, “Don’t judge a book by its cover. Looks cute and innocent, but full of mischief. No wonder Gu always likes him.”

The word “like” stabbed into Gu Che’s heart, making it skip a beat, and he froze.

Does he like Xiao Yang?

That sentence was so strange, like a vigorously growing seed suddenly taking root, sprouting from inside Gu Che’s heart.