So many things had happened lately that Mai Ding had already forgotten the mentor-and-friend conversation he once had with Zhu Qiang in the elevator. Zhu Qiang, however, had not forgotten it. That day he walked into An Zi Yan’s office while An Zi Yan sat in his chair with the back turned toward him.
“I need to talk to you about something.” An Zi Yan did not respond. Zhu Qiang forced down his temper. “Marketing has been short-staffed lately, and Human Resources won’t be able to find anyone suitable right away.”
“And?”
“I think Mai Ding from your Public Relations Department is hardworking and proactive. Lend him to me for a while. Once Marketing hires someone, I’ll return him.” If Mai Ding had heard someone praise him like this, he would probably have been beside himself with excitement. At least someone had finally recognized all his hard work. A few seconds after Zhu Qiang finished speaking, An Zi Yan’s chair slowly turned around. There was something extra in his expression. “What did you say?” Zhu Qiang knew perfectly well An Zi Yan had heard him. His face practically said: Say that one more time and I’ll kick you out.
“You don’t like Mai Ding anyway. Losing one person temporarily won’t hurt Public Relations, will it?”
“But I like you even less.”
“This is work!” Zhu Qiang emphasized loudly.
“To me, it’s personal.” Zhu Qiang did not interpret the remark in any deeper way. Since he and An Zi Yan argued constantly, he assumed An Zi Yan was simply being difficult on purpose. Irritated, he said, “What does that have to do with anything? I’m only asking to borrow one person.”
“It has everything to do with it.”
“Then give me a reason.”
“None of your damn business.” Zhu Qiang’s face flushed red with anger as he glared at the expressionless An Zi Yan. “Stop mixing personal feelings with work.” An Zi Yan remained unmoved in his chair. “In this matter, personal and professional have to stay separate.”
“I’m done arguing with you. Are you lending him to me or not? One answer.”
An Zi Yan stood, planted both hands on the desk, leaned forward slightly, and said through clenched teeth, “No. And if you ever ask me for him again, I’ll make sure you die right here.” Zhu Qiang still refused to give up. “Let him choose for himself. If he wants to work with me, you can’t object, can you?” An Zi Yan sat back down. “Do whatever you want.” Zhu Qiang walked to the doorway. “Mai Ding, come in for a minute.” Mai Ding, who knew absolutely nothing about what was happening, walked into the office and immediately shivered at the sight of An Zi Yan’s icy expression.
“Mai Ding, I can tell you don’t like working under An Zi Yan either. Marketing badly needs people right now. Would you be willing to come work with me?” Zhu Qiang asked directly. Mai Ding stared at him, stunned. Zhu Qiang continued, “You don’t need to be afraid of him. I’ll back you up. Say what you actually want.”
What he actually wanted? What a completely secondary concern. If he dared leave with Zhu Qiang, he would absolutely die when he got home. Staying alive was far more important. This was not a joke. If he said even one wrong word, An Zi Yan would definitely get angry. Very angry. Even though he was already a little angry now.
“Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Manager Zhu, but Public Relations is short-handed too right now, so I probably…”
“I already said that doesn’t matter. I know you’re afraid that saying it in front of An Zi Yan will offend him. I’m sure he won’t mind.”
An Zi Yan slowly swiveled his chair without speaking, simply waiting for Mai Ding’s answer. Mai Ding politely refused Zhu Qiang. “I still want to stay in Public Relations.”
Zhu Qiang sighed. “Then there’s nothing I can do.”
“You can leave now.” An Zi Yan was completely rude to Zhu Qiang. Zhu Qiang glared fiercely at him before leaving the office. Mai Ding relaxed and joked, “I was so obedient. Aren’t you going to praise me?”
“Looks to me like you just can’t bear to leave me.”
“What kind of attitude is that? You think you’re so irresistible that I have to stay by your side? If I’d known, I would’ve accepted Zhu Qiang’s offer.” Mai Ding lifted his chin arrogantly.
“Don’t say things like that, Mai Ding. You’re not going anywhere.”
“My legs belong to me. I can go wherever I want. You’re seriously possessive.” Mai Ding bit his lower lip, trying not to smile. He had to admit that making An Zi Yan jealous like this was rather fun. Did An Zi Yan get that same sour feeling Mai Ding did? He decided to scare him a little. An Zi Yan tilted his head. “I’m not denying it. And the next time I see you laughing and chatting with Zhu Qiang, my possessiveness might make me walk over and pin you against the wall.” Now Mai Ding was the one who got frightened. He knew An Zi Yan might actually do it. Nervously, he said, “Don’t be impulsive. We can talk things through. You need to be broad-minded.”
“I’m very narrow-minded.” Once again he spoke like a shameless rogue. No, he simply was a lawless rogue. What was Mai Ding supposed to do with him? Realizing he should not stay in the office too long, Mai Ding ended the conversation. “We’ll talk at home.” Then he looked up and saw An Zi Yan’s half-smiling expression. An Zi Yan had not said anything. He had not done anything. Yet Mai Ding’s legs seemed glued to the floor, and neither his gaze nor his body wanted to leave.
Mai Ding had been right. His legs belonged to him, but the remote control for his body was in An Zi Yan’s hands. How pathetic.
At the end of the workday, Mai Ding stretched long and hard in his office chair. They should finish sorting all the files tomorrow. Feeling satisfied while pretending not to care when An Zi Yan planned to leave, he headed downstairs. The moment he stepped out of the building, he spotted Fu Shu. He was just about to go greet him when he saw Ji Meng too, so he ducked behind a car like a thief.
Ji Meng seemed a little surprised to see Fu Shu, though she barely showed it. “I already told An Zi Yan what I decided. Is there something else?”
“It’s personal.”
“Oh?” Ji Meng raised one eyebrow. “What kind of personal matter?”
“This time I’m trying the handsome-man approach.” His words made Ji Meng laugh. Fu Shu opened the car door as though he had no concern she might refuse. And Ji Meng did not refuse. She got in. “Now you’ve made me curious.” She had nothing waiting for her in an empty home anyway. Following him would cost her nothing.
Mai Ding stared in shock. He already knew Fu Shu had the composure and charm of an attractive man, but he had not realized Fu Shu was also skilled at picking up women!! He suddenly noticed someone standing beside him and turned around. An Zi Yan had appeared without Mai Ding knowing when, staring at Fu Shu’s car as it disappeared into the distance.
“What’s wrong?” Mai Ding asked after seeing An Zi Yan’s expression.
“Nothing.” There was no emotion in his voice. He walked toward his own car. For no apparent reason, that sour feeling rose inside Mai Ding again. Maybe it was not for no reason. Maybe it was because of the expression An Zi Yan had just worn.
Could An Zi Yan be possessive of Fu Shu too?
Could An Zi Yan have some other kind of feelings for Fu Shu?
Those two questions trapped Mai Ding in place for a long time.