Chapter 25: A Blatant Secret Crush part 2

Everyone seemed eager to know, crowding around her. Even Chi Ye crossed his arms and looked over with interest.

Yuran didn’t take it seriously. “Nope. I’m a career woman. Love just gets in the way.”

“No way…” Yan Xi started, but seeing Chi Ye’s expression tighten, he lowered his voice and muttered, “Well, that’s a problem…”

After a few more jokes, Yuran followed Chi Ye upstairs to his office. She loved the lazy droplet-shaped beanbag by the window and, just like before, curled up beside the short desk to draw.

Chi Ye finished up a few tasks, then quietly sat at his desk and started reading.

Yuran glanced up at the sound of pages turning. He sat upright, back straight, lips pressed together, completely focused. He looked so serious, like someone cramming for college entrance exams. She had no idea what he was reading.

Two hours later, Chi Ye suggested a break. “Want to go play for a bit?”

“Sure,” she said. Her drawing wasn’t going smoothly anyway, and immersing herself in a game might spark some ideas. The others were still deep in training, so Chi Ye played a couple rounds with her.

It reminded Yuran of their second year of high school, when the pressure was building. They’d sneak into a VIP room, grind through hours of test prep, take a break to play a couple games when they got tired, then go right back to it. When they finally couldn’t stay awake anymore, they’d crash on the sofas.

Her old account was such a low level that it wasn’t even fun to use anymore, and she’d long forgotten the password. Every time they played, she used the account Chi Ye gave her. He never minded how bad she was or worried she’d ruin his stats.

After two rounds and a short break, Yan Xi and the others finished their training.

Ji Mo passed by, grabbed a water bottle, and glanced at their screen. “Not bad, Sister Yuran. You’re getting better.”

Yuran smiled modestly. “Nah, I’m still pretty bad. I only win because Chi Ye carries, and because his account’s strong.”

Yan Xi leaned over for a look. “Of course it’s strong. It’s one of his smurf accounts. His main’s called Drunk in First Snow. That one’s god-tier.”

‘Drunk in First Snow.’

The name struck something familiar in Yuran’s mind, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t remember where she’d heard it.

Later, she went back upstairs to keep working.

Secretary Li came in with coffee and brought Yuran the company’s Mid-Autumn Festival gift package too. Even though she wasn’t officially an employee, she’d spent so much time working there that she got the perks too.

First, Secretary Li handed her a gift box and a card.

Opening it, Yuran saw a full set of LA MER skincare on the top layer and CHANEL makeup underneath. She knew these brands as Xu Jianwei used them. They were expensive.

She was stunned. “Does everyone get this?”

Secretary Li smiled. “This is the gift set for female employees. The guys get something else.”

Yuran couldn’t help thinking how much must this holiday be costing Chi Ye. 

Then she looked at the card. It was a prepaid supermarket card, and the amount printed on it shocked her again: 2,000 yuan!

Secretary Li brought over a small raffle box and said cheerfully, “This is a fun little holiday activity from our company. Go ahead and draw a card.”

Without thinking much, Yuran reached in and randomly pulled one out. It was a scratch card.

The back said it was a discount card for shopping at Beichen Star Mall, valid for any clothing brand there.

Secretary Li urged excitedly, “Quick, scratch it! Each person gets a different discount. Rumor is, there’s a jackpot prize no one’s gotten yet. Let’s see your luck!”

Yuran scratched the surface little by little, and slowly revealed the words: 0% off. No purchase limit.

“AHHHHHHH!”

She and Secretary Li screamed in unison.

All the clothing brands at Beichen Star Mall were high-end. Being able to get anything for free was unreal. But once the shock wore off, something felt… off.

“Secretary Li, what did you get?”

Secretary Li pulled out her card. 25% off.

“Most people get 20% off, a few got 30%,” said Secretary Li.

So it really was a company-wide benefit.

Still, Yuran couldn’t help but feel a little pang of guilt. How much did this all cost? She sighed. “Your boss must be spending a fortune on this holiday.”

Secretary Li chuckled. “The mall belongs to the Shenyu Tiancheng Group. It’s an in-house perk, totally manageable.”

“Oh, I see.” Yuran was relieved and smiled. “This kind of benefit is wild. Big companies really are generous!”

Just then, Chi Ye walked in and caught her last sentence. He smirked and tossed her a bag of snacks.

Later that afternoon, around the time people get off work, Xu Jianwei came to find Qin Lang. She knocked on Chi Ye’s door, grinning. “I heard our Ranran’s here too. Thought I’d pop up to say hi.”

She found Chi Ye and Yuran sitting side by side, each with a lollipop in their mouths, surrounded by immersive music.

“Wow,” Xu Jianwei teased. “You two are really enjoying the work vibes, huh?”

Yuran laughed. “Of course. Why else would I keep running over here?”

She handed her gift box to Xu Jianwei. “Weiwei, I crashed Chi Ye’s company’s Mid-Autumn Festival gift. This set’s full of your favorite stuff. Take it.”

Xu Jianwei pushed it back. “No need. My boyfriend got me the same set.”

“Alright then.”

That little sliver of doubt in Yuran’s heart disappeared completely.

“We’re going to a movie later,” Xu Jianwei said. “Wanna come?”

“Nope,” Yuran declined flatly. “I’m not third-wheeling.”

“Come on, it’s not just you. Bring Chi Ye too. It’s a holiday. You’ve both been working all day. Time to relax.”

She turned to Chi Ye. “You coming?”

“Yes,” Chi Ye answered without hesitation, closing his book.

Xu Jianwei grinned. “My treat.”

She nudged Yuran. “C’mon, Ranran. Even Chi Ye’s going. Join us. Besides, I’m not an employee here. I’m freeloading off the company perks. Let me repay the favor!”

With all that said, Yuran reluctantly agreed. “Fine.”

On the way to the parking area, Qin Lang whispered to Chi Ye, “My girlfriend just asked if you have feelings for Lin Yuran. I told her I wasn’t sure and I’d check with you. What should I say? How about I just tell her yes?” Qin Lang continued. “Then she can drop a hint to Lin Yuran. Wouldn’t that break the ice?”

“Everyone can see how you feel. No way she hasn’t noticed. If she’s not avoiding you, that probably means she likes you too. She’s just waiting for you to confess.”

Chi Ye let out a bitter smile. “Back then, I was sure she liked me too. But when I finally tested the waters and confessed… she rejected me without even a second of hesitation. Don’t say anything,” Chi Ye sighed. “Let me handle it at my own pace.”

Qin Lang frowned, clearly worried. “Alright. Just… figure it out.”

Qin Lang and Xu Jianwei had already booked their tickets, so Xu Jianwei bought two more for the same movie, though there weren’t any adjacent seats left. The four of them couldn’t sit together.

They arrived at the theater with less than fifteen minutes to spare. While the others picked up the tickets, Chi Ye went to buy drinks. Yuran grabbed two big tubs of popcorn.

When Chi Ye returned with four cups of milk tea, the others were waiting for him. He handed the one in his left hand to Yuran, letting Xu Jianwei pick from the rest. She took the grape-flavored one, and the other two were divided between the guys.

Yuran poked in a straw and took a sip. The tangy-sweet strawberry collided with the mellow jasmine tea, and the chewy peach jelly added an extra layer of deliciousness. It was so good.

Chi Ye really knew her taste.

The four of them hurried to scan their tickets and headed toward the screening room.

Just as they reached the entrance, Lin Yuran froze.

……

T/N: Boss Chi Ye is too obvious, forget about LA MER, I couldn’t afford even the cheap skin care