CH 59

At exactly nine in the evening, the lights were still on in the office.

Pei You walked out of the elevator, nodded at the receptionist who was still working, then turned right and walked down the corridor to the deepest office.

In this line of work, it seemed like the concept of nine-to-five didn’t exist. Several large areas in the corridor still had their lights on. Pei You stood in front of the door to the partner’s office, tapping the light that seeped through the gap at his feet and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” a response came from inside.

Pei You turned the doorknob and pushed open the door in front of him.

“Anna, did you need something?” Pei You asked.

“Yes.” The woman behind the desk looked up when she heard him and smiled at Pei You. She jokingly said, “This late, I hope it didn’t interfere with your plans?”

Pei You still wasn’t used to discussing personal matters too much in a work environment, so he politely smiled, lips slightly pursed. He didn’t directly answer but inquired in a business-like manner, “Is there something you needed?”

“Have a seat.” The woman tilted her chin, indicating for him to sit across the desk from her. She smiled and said, “Don’t look so serious. It’s a good thing.”

With a slight bow, she reached under the desk and pulled out a plastic-wrapped file, placing it on the desk.

“You’ve been working at the firm…” Anna paused, recalling, “for almost five years, right?”

“Almost,” Pei You confirmed. “Four years and seven months.”

“It’s time for a promotion.” Anna hinted.

She pushed the folder in her hand towards Pei You, then continued, “You know, headquarters plans to set up a new branch in the southwest. Since Shanghai is closer, they’ve transferred quite a few experienced hands over there. And right now, the management is a bit short on people. Headquarters wants to promote two managers from within—I recommended you.”

“Although technically, you’re due for a promotion next year, a few months’ difference won’t matter.” Anna smiled and added, “And if I recall correctly, that location is a bit closer to your home.”

Pei You opened the folder and took a look. Inside, he found an internal promotion application form with his name on it. His work history had already been printed out by Anna and was attached to the back of the application form.

“…Indeed, it’s a good thing,” Pei You thought for a moment, then closed the folder. “But I don’t have any plans to transfer in the near future.”

“May I ask why?” Anna politely inquired.

“The person I like is here in this city,” Pei You straightforwardly stated.

Promotion is a good thing, and Pei You had previously been to work in the Shanghai branch for a while, becoming familiar with that location. If it weren’t for Zhou Qingbo, he probably wouldn’t hesitate to agree to the transfer.

However, he had now realized his feelings for Zhou Qingbo and was wholeheartedly pursuing him. Therefore, he had no intention of being involved in a long-distance relationship, which he saw as having risks outweighing the benefits.

” Are you willing to give up developing your career just because of love?” Anna asked surprisingly. “That doesn’t seem like a choice you would make.”

“It’s not giving up, just waiting for the next opportunity,” Pei You corrected. “According to the normal process, I could also apply for a manager position internally next year.”

Pei You wasn’t someone driven solely by romantic emotions, but he had his own understanding of “love.” If two people were ready to be together, when faced with potential conflicts, someone should naturally compromise to make their relationship thrive.

Knowing Zhou Qingbo, Pei You understood that he wasn’t someone eager to conquer new territories; he preferred to stay in his comfort zone.

However, Pei You wasn’t particularly attached to where he worked, so making a small compromise didn’t seem like a big deal to him.

“But over there, it’s directly connected to the headquarters, and the prospects are better,” Anna said with a smile. “The salary and job level are also higher than in the Beijing branch.”

“I know,” Pei You also smiled, but it seemed like he wasn’t going to change his mind. He closed the file and gently handed it back to Anna.

Anna wasn’t upset, nor did she take the file. She just gestured for Pei You to keep it for now.

“While you don’t need to give me an immediate answer,” Anna said, “the transfer to the Shanghai branch will take place at the end of the year. You can think about it or discuss it with your partner. If you still don’t want to go, I won’t insist.”

With almost half a year until the end of the year, Pei You thought for a moment. Instead of firmly rejecting the offer, he silently accepted the proposal and took the folder.

“Alright, the promotion can wait,” Anna said. “What’s more pressing is a work matter. We discussed the joint project with the municipal government last week, and it was approved today. Since you have experience in this area, I’m assigning it to you. Get ready tomorrow and go on a business trip the day after. I’ll have my secretary email you the details.”

“Sure,” Pei You said. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way.”

“Alright,” Anna nodded, and before he left, she added, “Take your time to consider.”

As Pei You left the office building, it wasn’t yet closing time at Black Bar. He sat in his car, pondering whether to head to the bar to catch the last part of the night. Just then, his phone, connected via Bluetooth to his car, started vibrating intensely.

Seeing the caller ID “Ge Xing,” Pei You was puzzled but answered the call.

“Hello?”

“Pei You..” Ge Xing’s voice came from the other end, somewhat distorted and hoarse. “Are you done with work?”

“Yes, I’m done,” Pei You replied. “Is there something you need?”

Before he could inquire further, Ge Xing hung up the phone abruptly.

Soon after, two WeChat messages arrived in quick succession. Zhou Qingbo’s face appeared on Pei You’s phone screen, illuminated by dim lights. Zhou Qingbo’s eyes were half-closed, his forearm resting on his forehead, looking lost and bewildered. His eyes shimmered with a slight glint of tears, as if he were intoxicated.

Pei You had never seen Zhou Qingbo like this before. He looked innocent and vulnerable, his soft bangs falling over his forehead. His loose collar was partly open, and the pendant around his neck was crooked, brushing against his collarbone.

Pei You unconsciously licked his lips, his gaze momentarily unfocused.

The accompanying message contained an address. Pei You input the address into his navigation system and found that it led to a KTV (karaoke venue)not far from the city center.

“Why is he at a KTV instead of the bar?” Pei You wondered.

Although puzzled, he messaged Ge Xing that he would come immediately, then started his car.

After 9:30 PM, traffic in the city had eased up. It took Pei You about twenty minutes to reach the destination. Following the provided room number, he made his way to the private room.

It was an oversized room, capable of accommodating dozens of people. When the room service opened the door, a racket of singing and shouting spilled out, as if it could lift the roof off the building.

Pei You involuntarily furrowed his brows, feeling his ears ache from the noise.

About twenty people inside, upon hearing the door, turned their attention towards it. From a distance, Ge Xing saw the tall figure standing at the doorway, and he became visibly excited. He curved over the couch from the other side, making his way toward Pei You, and grabbed his hand.

“It’s great you’re here, you have to take Zhou Qingbo home,” Ge Xing earnestly said.

Pei You: “…?”

Pei You was utterly puzzled. Before he could even figure out where Zhou Qingbo was, Ge Xing released his hand and rushed back to the other end of the private room.

“Hey, buddy.” Ge Xing patted the karaoke machine in front of Zhou Qingbo and said, “Guess who’s here.”

Zhou Qingbo was slightly intoxicated, furrowing his brows as he turned his head. He happened to see Pei You walking towards him through the crowd.

Perhaps due to the effects of alcohol or a delayed reaction, Zhou Qingbo first stared in confusion. Then, he squinted his eyes, as if he didn’t recognize Pei You, and carefully scrutinized him.

“Why did you drink so much?” Pei You had approached by this point and extended his hand to help him up. “Done having fun? Should I take you home?”

“…Pei You?” Zhou Qingbo stared at him, perplexed.

He looked somewhat lost, and Pei You’s heart softened a bit. He confirmed, “Yes, it’s me.”

Pei You asked, “Have you had too much to drink?”

“Why did you come?” Zhou Qingbo deflected with a question.

“I…?” Pei You was momentarily taken aback by this question. He subconsciously replied, “Ge Xing called me and said—”

“It was Ge Xing who asked you to come!” This statement seemed to strike a sensitive nerve in Zhou Qingbo. The vulnerable and innocent image from the photo disappeared instantly, replaced by intense fury. He erupted like a robot suddenly reconnected to a power source. He sprang up from the high stool, venting his grievances loudly, “I like you so much! And yet you don’t answer my calls!”

“I knew you don’t like me anymore!!”

Pei You: “…”

This earth-shattering accusation left Pei You dumbfounded. His expression went blank, and all thoughts vanished from his mind. He was torn between rectifying the misunderstanding or being thrilled by Zhou Qingbo’s unexpected confession.

However, the drunkard was persistent. Seemingly intending to hug Pei You, Zhou Qingbo’s balance faltered. He stumbled and swayed like a falling domino, ending up lunging at Pei You, resembling a real-life collision.

Pei You instinctively caught him, but Zhou Qingbo was unexpectedly heavy. Pei You couldn’t hold onto him.

Initially, Zhou Qingbo attempted to grab his shoulder but lacked the strength. He wobbled and eventually settled on sitting by the karaoke machine, hugging Pei You’s waist.

“You! You went on a blind date!” Zhou Qingbo exclaimed, “You told Ge Xing but didn’t think to tell me!!!”

Ge Xing turned his head away, unable to look at the scene directly. He thought it was quite something for a drunkard to play the victim card, and he even managed to snitch.

Pei You, stunned, found himself unfairly blamed. He desperately wanted to explain, but he had no idea why Zhou Qingbo was asking this. His mind was a jumble. Subconsciously, he looked at Ge Xing.

“Ge Xing…” Pei You struggled to speak, “Why did he drink so much?”

“I don’t know either.” Ge Xing lit a cigarette, his voice carrying a hint of bitterness amidst the smoke. “Maybe he’s troubled by something in his heart.”

Seeing that Pei You still paid him no attention, Zhou Qingbo sighed softly.

“I get it now,” Zhou Qingbo said, “He must be better-looking than me right?”

Before Pei You could defend himself, Zhou Qingbo sighed again and continued, “In that case, I have nothing else to say. I’ll sing you a song instead, to celebrate our feelings.”

Suddenly, an unsettling feeling surged within Pei You. Before he could stop Zhou Qingbo, he watched helplessly as Zhou Qingbo slid down a step, taking a deep breath.

“Let me into your heart and be the only one you ever desire—”

Pei You: “…”

Ge Xing’s hand trembled, causing the newly lit cigarette to fall through his fingers, almost burning a hole in his pants.

Pei You, in his whole life, had seen countless things, but being serenaded in public by a clingy drunk was a first.

Perhaps the experience was so surreal that Pei You’s usual composure vanished entirely. His mind went blank, and he turned into a rigid stick from head to toe.

Yet Zhou Qingbo was clueless. Persistently, he finished the next line with genuine emotion, his voice resolute and powerful.

Pei You finally couldn’t handle the situation any longer. Bending over to pull Zhou Qingbo’s arm, he struggled to speak, “Zhou Qingbo—”

“You really don’t like me,” Zhou Qingbo paused his singing, gazing at him with an “I knew it” look. “You even used my full name.”

“Qingbo.” Pei You adjusted his words obediently. “Let’s go home.”

“In that case, do you like me?” Zhou Qingbo looked at him expectantly.

Pei You: “…”

Being pressed for his feelings in public, even by a drunkard, made him blush.

“I…” Pei You’s ears turned red instantly. Fortunately, the lighting provided some cover, so it wasn’t too noticeable. He pursed his lips, feeling awkward. However, when dealing with a drunk Zhou Qingbo, he had no other choice. He bent down, pulling Zhou Qingbo up and awkwardly said to him, “I…I like you.”