Chapter 063　 Don't fall for him.

  *

  Aside from Yoshida Wakaba, who was specifically assigned to drafting for Zhao Nanfeng, five other newcomers joined the team. Having successfully weathered its second crisis, Towa Design was once again brimming with vitality.

  Honda’s position remained unchanged, near the entrance. Yoshida’s workstation was within Zhao Nanfeng’s office area, while Su Xian and Li Chengshi were on the opposite side. The other employees occupied the central area.

  As was her custom, Honda went to serve tea to Zhao Nanfeng, but Yoshida proactively requested to take over the task. She argued that since she was the closest, she could immediately sense the Boss’s needs, saving him the trouble of shouting or calling Honda via the intercom.

  Zhao Nanfeng did not object.

  Honda felt a bit dejected but couldn't say anything. She took Yoshida to the pantry and showed her where the tea leaves were stored. Now that the weather was warming up, Zhao Nanfeng mostly drank bottled tea; she just needed to keep a few bottles iced and ready. He only asked for freshly brewed tea when it was cold.

  "あの時また教えます。(I’ll show you again when the time comes.)" Honda said.

  "大丈夫です。私、お茶に詳しいから。(It’s fine. I know a lot about tea.)" Yoshida replied, before turning gracefully and walking away.

  Li Chengshi came to get water for Su Xian, and the two exchanged polite nods.

  *

  Back at his desk, Li Chengshi said with concern, "Team Leader, I have a feeling that Honda might have fallen for the Boss."

  "It’s not impossible." Su Xian had noticed it too. "Ever since Zhao NanTowalped her get her money back, she’s been quite enamored with him. But even though she saved his life, he probably just sees her as a younger sister. I’m afraid she’s going to be disappointed. Then again, looking at it from another angle, what’s so good about being loved by him? I just hope she doesn't fall too deep."

  **

  The Golden Week holiday was fast approaching, and there were numerous coordination meetings with various clients. Zhao Nanfeng took Su Xian with him everywhere, spent several consecutive days doing this. Fortunately, since he promised "no more verbal harassment," he hadn't said anything inappropriate, and Su Xian gradually lowered her guard.

  On the way back to the office, Zhao Nanfeng discussed the post-holiday work schedule while driving.

  "We don't have to wait until after the holiday. I can come in on the 2nd and 3rd to do some overtime and finish a few things. Coming in for a few more days is fine too."

  "I heard Li Chengshi’s mother is coming over."

  "Yes. He loves his mother very much, so they’ll definitely get together during the holidays. But I don't need to accompany them; he’ll take her out himself."

  "Then won't she be staying at your place?"

  "You don’t say I should ask her to go out and stay in a hotel, do you?"

  "Can you stand it?" He wondered. For someone as guarded as Su Xian regarding the concept of "family," allowing an intrusion by someone else’s family member was a significant sacrifice.

  "We chat on WeChat sometimes. She doesn't nag or judge me; we get along quite well."

  "Conflicts become prominent when you live together."

  "Stop trying to drive a wedge between us, you petty man."

  Zhao Nanfeng burst into laughter.

  "To tell you the truth, I gave her one million RMB to help her pay off her mortgage and buy a car. Not for any other reason, but to buy myself 'discourse power' in the family."

  "One million RMB?" Zhao Nanfeng was incredulous.

  "That's right."

  "For someone who loves money as much as you do to be willing to spend a million on him... to be honest, I’m extremely jealous."

  "You're out of your mind! I suggest you shut up."

  "Is he really worth all that?"

  "He's worth everything."

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Zhao Nanfeng said nothing, only silently accelerating. Su Xian smiled triumphantly, finished filling out the proposal, and tucked it into her briefcase.

  **

  On the last working day before the holiday, Li Chengshi left early at 3:00 PM to pick up Li Xiao at Narita Airport. As soon as 6:00 PM arrived, all the new employees—except for Yoshida Wakaba—couldn't wait to grab their bags and leave. It seemed everyone had long since planned their holiday itineraries. Honda also had to rush back to Atami to help at her family’s minshuku (inn). She came over to say goodbye to Zhao Nanfeng. Without looking up, he told her to go, so she left dejectedly to say goodbye to Su Xian.

  "ゴールデンウイーク、月影荘は忙しいだろう。頑張ってね。(Golden Week must be busy at Getsuyousou. Work hard!)"

  "頑張ります。蘇さん、社長はよろしくお願いします。(I will. Su, please look after the Boss.)"

  "心配しないで。(Don't worry.)" Su Xian stepped forward and whispered, "ね、本田さん、もしかして、社長のこと好き？(Hey, Honda-san, do you... by any chance, like the Boss?)"

  "いえいえ、そんなことないよ！(No, no! Nothing like that!)" Honda’s face turned crimson, and she waved her hands frantically. "体はまだ完全に回復していないから、ちょっと心配します。(His body hasn't fully recovered yet, so I’m just a little worried.)"

  "そうなことない、私から見ると、健康しすぎて問題が起こそう。(That's not it. In my view, he’s over-recovered and is about to start causing trouble.)"

  Honda looked confused.

  "忠告は一つだけ、社長はいい人じゃない、好きにならないで。(Just one piece of advice: the Boss isn't a good boyfriend. Don't fall for him.)"

  *

  The moment the elevator doors closed, Honda let out a sigh. She had entered the company right after Zhao Nanfeng’s scandalous mess—how could she not know what kind of person he was? She also knew he didn't give her a second thought. But love is love; it’s completely uncontrollable. She never expected to be with him; simply being able to work at Towa was enough for her.

  However, that Yoshida Wakaba always made her feel uneasy.

  **

  In Zhao Nanfeng’s office area, there was a large workbench where he and Su Xian often spread out manuscripts for discussion.

  The Museum revision was somewhat stuck. When it was originally designed, it was a pure design, and considerations for cost and technical feasibility weren't as strict. Now that it was being implemented, many details had to be re-examined.

  "Sanyou has an ample budget, so don't worry too much about the cost. Write a detailed report on the technical issues, and I’ll submit it to our partner units for review."

  "Alright."

  "It's 9:00 PM. Let's call it a day."

  "Okay." Su Xian began to organize the documents.

  "Li Chengshi took the car. I'll drive you home."

  "No need, I’ll take the train."

  Zhao Nanfeng didn't insist. He turned to Yoshida and said, "You should head home too."

  *

  The three of them went downstairs together. Su Xian turned left toward the Asakusa Line station, while Zhao Nanfeng and Yoshida turned right—he toward the parking lot and Yoshida toward the Tozai Line station.

  After walking only a dozen meters, Yoshida suddenly twisted her ankle and fell to the ground, a pained expression on her face.

  "What happened?"

  "I twisted my ankle."

  Zhao Nanfeng helped her up, and she leaned into him. "Boss, talk to me in Chinese. I can understand."

  "Try and see if you can still walk."

  She took a few steps and immediately cried out in pain.

  "I’ll take you to a clinic then."

  "No need. I’ll just go home and ice it. It's just..." she said with difficulty, "it’s hard to walk now. Could I trouble the Boss to walk me to the station?"

  Zhao Nanfeng wasn't fooled by this little act. "I'll drive you home."

  "Then I’ll be in your debt, Boss."

  *