Chapter 44 Crispy Fried Batter with Fresh Lettuce, Delicious and Crispy Paired with Soft…

Ever since Chen Shuojie moved to the ninth floor, Bai Yuanzhi had been suffering.

Whenever she was on duty,

this guy would summon her endlessly, twenty-four hours a day.

For example—

“Ah Zhi, I accidentally spilled a glass of water. Please come and help me clean it up.”

Bai Yuanzhi brought the cleaning cart to his room,

and he slammed the door shut, took out a small cake, held it up with both hands, and said with a smile, “Yufuji’s cheese yogurt cake, want to try it?”

Bai Yuanzhi asked expressionlessly, “Mr. Chen, where exactly needs cleaning?”

Chen Shuojie pursed his lips and said, “If you eat this cake, I’ll tell you.”

“Eating during work hours is not allowed, especially not food given by guests. Thank you.”

Chen Shuojie lowered his head, “No one will see… I closed the door.”

“No, thank you.”

Chen Shuojie, “But this cake is really delicious. It’s Yufuji’s new release. Ah Bin waited in line for an hour to buy it.”

“Thank Ah Bin for me, but no need.”

Chen Shuojie, “Ah Zhi, do you really hate me?”

“Of course not, Mr. Chen. Our Bilanting Hotel welcomes you very much.”

Chen Shuojie said dejectedly, “Alright, since you don’t want to see me, I won’t force you. You can go.”

Bai Yuanzhi left.

Ten minutes later,

Chen Shuojie would repeat the same trick, summoning Bai Yuanzhi again with non-existent reasons like “spilled a bowl of soup” or “broke a cup.”

In reality, he would take out chocolates, double-layer steamed milk custard, or the like, insisting that Bai Yuanzhi eat them.

Once, Chen Shuojie even took out jewelry to give to Bai Yuanzhi…

Bai Yuanzhi was going crazy.

To avoid this nuisance, Bai Yuanzhi took a day off.

When arranging her leave, she felt as if her heart were being torn apart!

To make time for the Chen Group’s project, she often worked non-stop at Bilanting.

Thus, every day of her leave was precious.

Who would have thought that because of Chen Shuojie, she would be forced to waste a day of the leave she had saved up for so long.

However, Bai Yuanzhi cherished her time off.

She first left a message on Qiao Yusheng’s pager, then hurried to the hospital to visit her eldest sister, Zhou Sier.

Zhou Sier’s condition had improved a bit more.

She had gained some flesh on her face and body, her skin was plump and rosy, and her breathing was light, even, and rhythmic.

She was like a sleeping beauty.

Bai Yuanzhi sat by the hospital bed, holding her eldest sister’s hand and chattering away.

She detailed her recent situation,

briefly mentioned Zhou Zhaoer’s matter,

talked about her business collaboration with Qiao Yusheng,

and exaggerated the conflicts between her and Song Junshu…

“Sis, I really hope you wake up soon!” Bai Yuanzhi whispered softly, “But sometimes I’m also very scared…”

However, before Bai Yuanzhi could explain what she was afraid of,

she felt the palm of the hand holding her sister’s being gently scratched.

Bai Yuanzhi: ???

“Sis—”

Bai Yuanzhi stared incredulously at the sleeping Zhou Sier.

But Zhou Sier remained peacefully asleep, not moving at all.

As if it had just been Bai Yuanzhi’s illusion, or… as if some spirit had gently scratched her palm.

Bai Yuanzhi was lost in a daze for a while, unsure of what to do. Unconsciously, she repeated the unfinished words from earlier, “I’m scared… I’m scared…”

After murmuring “I’m scared” over a hundred times,

Bai Yuanzhi finally calmed down.

She began to put on a performance.

Bai Yuanzhi suddenly collapsed onto the hospital bed in a state of breakdown and cried out loudly, “Sister, I’m so afraid you’ll never wake up!”

After saying this, she buried her face in her elder sister’s neck and quickly whispered in their hometown dialect, “Are you awake?”

Soon, a tingling sensation spread across Bai Yuanzhi’s palm.

Bai Yuanzhi suddenly became excited and hurriedly spoke loudly in Mandarin, “Sister, sister, please wake up soon! You’ve been unconscious for so long… I’m really scared, wuwuwuwu…”

Zhou Sier remained quiet, showing no response at all.

Bai Yuanzhi lowered her voice and asked quickly and indistinctly in their encrypted hometown dialect, “Why don’t you dare let anyone know you’re awake? Is someone watching you?”

Soon, her palm tingled again.

Bai Yuanzhi was startled, but she didn’t stop speaking, asking in Mandarin, “…Sister, you’ve been unconscious for so long! I’m really worried about you!”

After crying for a moment, Bai Yuanzhi continued in their hometown dialect, “What should we do now?”

This time, Zhou Sier did not scratch Bai Yuanzhi’s palm again.

Bai Yuanzhi was burning with anxiety.

But she also knew,

if what Zhou Sier said was true and someone was watching her, then Zhou Sier, who had already regained consciousness, might be pretending to be in a vegetative state to protect her life.

Bai Yuanzhi absolutely must not expose her elder sister’s difficult act.

So, what should she do next?

Bai Yuanzhi’s mind was in turmoil.

After thinking deeply for a long time,

Bai Yuanzhi vaguely had an idea, but she felt uncertain about it, leaving her somewhat conflicted.

Just then—

“Ah Zhi!” Qiao Yusheng walked into the ward holding a bouquet of flowers and asked with a smile, “How is your sister today?”

Bai Yuanzhi was startled.

Feeling both excited and guilty, she spoke particularly loudly, “Hahahaha, Brother Qiao, you’re quite fast!”

Qiao Yusheng looked a bit shy, “Actually, I was planning to visit your sister today anyway. As soon as you called me, I headed out… but I stopped by a flower shop on the way to buy a bouquet, so I was a little late.”

Bai Yuanzhi replied absentmindedly, “My sister hasn’t woken up yet, so she can’t see the flowers you brought.”

Speaking of which, Qiao Yusheng was truly thoughtful.

Every time Bai Yuanzhi visited her elder sister, she would find different fresh flowers arranged in the ward.

When she asked, she learned they were all sent by Qiao Yusheng.

Qiao Yusheng disagreed with Bai Yuanzhi’s words, “Even though Sier can’t see, she can still feel it. Sier is trying very hard to get better, just like…”

He paused, trying to express his speculation to Bai Yuanzhi, “…just like Sier is trapped in darkness. Even though she can’t move, she can actually hear sounds and smell scents. So every time I come, I bring a different bouquet of flowers, hoping she can smell the fragrance, feel the presence of flowers around her, and maybe feel a little happier.”

As he spoke, Qiao Yusheng removed the old flowers from the vase and placed the fresh ones he had brought into it. Only then did he turn to Bai Yuanzhi and say, “Ah Zhi, you think so too, right? Look, every time you come to visit your sister, you also have endless things to say.”

Bai Yuanzhi followed Qiao Yusheng’s gaze and looked at the hand she was holding—Zhou Sier’s hand.

At that moment, Qiao Yusheng glanced at Zhou Sier lying on the hospital bed and said joyfully, “Sier’s complexion is getting better day by day… I really hope that by the time we visit her next, she’ll already have woken up…”

Bai Yuanzhi finally made up her mind.

Even if it was a lousy plan, it was still a possible way to break the deadlock!

She should take this opportunity while chatting with Qiao Yusheng to voice the thoughts in her heart to Zhou Sier.

As for whether Zhou Sier would adopt them or not, that would be up to her.

So Bai Yuanzhi took Zhou Sier’s hand and tucked it under the blanket.

Then Bai Yuanzhi spoke up, “Brother Qiao, do you think… since my sister has been unconscious for so long, is it possible she might never wake up?”

“Hey, Ah Zhi, don’t talk nonsense!” Qiao Yusheng quickly replied, “Mazu forgive us, children’s words carry no harm!”

Bai Yuanzhi held back a laugh.

At the same time, she observed Zhou Sier.

—Zhou Sier remained completely still.

Bai Yuanzhi couldn’t help but think: Big Sister’s acting skills are truly impressive! But it must be so exhausting.

Bai Yuanzhi asked Qiao Yusheng, “Brother Qiao, my sister has been unconscious for so long. Do you think… if she really does wake up, could she lose her memory?”

Qiao Yusheng was taken aback. He was stunned for a long moment before asking in return, “Why would you think that?”

Bai Yuanzhi began to ramble, “I read a novel a few days ago about a man who betrayed his wife and went out driving with his mistress. They got into a car accident, and when he woke up, he had lost three years of memory. So he forgot about his mistress and thought he and his wife were still a loving couple…”

Qiao Yusheng widened his eyes, “What happened next?”

Bai Yuanzhi couldn’t keep making things up, so she said, “I haven’t finished reading it yet…”

Qiao Yusheng said angrily, “If that male lead doesn’t get his comeuppance, if his wife forgives him, if they reconcile and live happily ever after… Ah Zhi, help me tear that book up!”

Bai Yuanzhi suppressed her laughter and nodded seriously, “Alright!”

Then she steered the conversation back, “Brother Qiao, so you think… when my sister wakes up, could she lose her memory? What if she doesn’t recognize you? What would you do then?”

Qiao Yusheng was shocked, “How could she not recognize me…”

It had to be said,

Qiao Yusheng was truly a simple-minded person.

He actually began to seriously consider this possibility.

“How could she not recognize me? If Sier doesn’t recognize me, that means her memory has regressed by at least two and a half years…” As he spoke, Qiao Yusheng grew somewhat melancholic, “Even if she doesn’t recognize me, as long as she recovers… Right now, I just pray she gets better. I’d be grateful to heaven and earth for that.”

Under the blanket—

Bai Yuanzhi felt her palm being lightly scratched by her big sister again.

After a moment of surprise, Bai Yuanzhi felt a surge of excitement.

Because this meant…

Big Sister seemed to have adopted her suggestion.

Bai Yuanzhi then said to Qiao Yusheng, “Brother Qiao, don’t be like that. This is just my wild imagination. How could real life be like something out of a novel?”

“Moreover, if my sister wakes up and loses her memory, what will happen to her case? Will Bilanting Hotel no longer want to be responsible for her medical expenses?”

“And will she remember my aunt? Will she remember her boyfriend? Will she remember me?”

“Will she forget all the university knowledge she’s already learned? Can she continue with your research projects?”

…

Bai Yuanzhi raised a series of questions.

This was actually helping Zhou Sier refine her plan—if she wanted to pretend to have amnesia upon waking up, how should these key points be handled?

But Qiao Yusheng couldn’t answer. He stared blankly at Bai Yuanzhi, at a loss.

So Bai Yuanzhi said to Qiao Yusheng, “Brother Qiao, this is just my wild imagination. Don’t worry, this situation won’t happen.”

“By the way, Brother Qiao, when will you come to visit my sister next?” Bai Yuanzhi asked again.

Qiao Yusheng glanced at Zhou Sier lying quietly on the bed, thought for a moment, and said, “Tomorrow afternoon!”

Perfect.

This way, the method for Zhou Sier to “wake up but stay safe” had been figured out, and even the timing for her awakening had been prepared…

Now, it would be up to Zhou Sier’s performance.

Bai Yuanzhi gently squeezed Zhou Sier’s hand with the one hidden under the blanket.

—Zhou Sier had to use this upcoming period of solitude to figure out how to play the role of an “amnesia patient,” then wake up at the appropriate moment.

Afterward, Bai Yuanzhi and Qiao Yusheng discussed the business collaboration between the Qiao family’s accessories company and the Chen Group regarding film and television merchandise.

“Brother Qiao, you should head back first. I need to leave too. Thank you for conveying the project we just discussed to your company when you return. Tomorrow afternoon, let’s meet here at my sister’s place again, visit her, and also continue discussing the collaboration,” Bai Yuanzhi said.

Qiao Yusheng nodded, “Alright, see you tomorrow.”

He gazed longingly at Zhou Sier again, “Ah Zhi, do you think… if your sister wakes up, she… might not want to see me? Or maybe she’ll feel that my frequent visits are bothering her?”

As he spoke, he sighed dejectedly.

Bai Yuanzhi comforted him, “Didn’t you just say? My sister may not be able to move, but that doesn’t mean she can’t think… Maybe she can hear sounds and smell scents! If that’s the case, she’ll definitely know that besides me, you’re the only one who has persisted and never given up on her.”

“I’m not my sister, so I can’t make any decisions for her.”

“But I believe that, at the very least, my sister will understand that ‘time reveals a person’s heart.'”

“Brother Qiao, don’t underestimate yourself,” Bai Yuanzhi advised.

Qiao Yusheng’s eyes reddened silently, “As long as she can wake up…”

“Even if she loses her memory and forgets everything… it’s fine, as long as she wakes up, that’s already good enough.”

Bai Yuanzhi nodded, “Exactly.”

After leaving the hospital, Bai Yuanzhi went to night school.

She studied at night school until ten o’clock in the evening, finally emerging with a dizzy and muddled head. Just as she was about to take the bus back to Bilanting Hotel, someone suddenly called out to her.

“Ah Zhi!”

Bai Yuanzhi turned around at the sound.

She froze for a moment,

before confirming that she was seeing… Zhou Weihao.

It had been nearly two months since they last met, and Zhou Weihao had changed.

He used to be a gentle, refined gentleman, as smooth and elegant as jade;

Now, his appearance remained the same, but his demeanor had undergone a dramatic transformation—he had become thin, melancholic, listless, haggard, and weathered.

No matter what, he was still her former patron.

Bai Yuanzhi greeted him politely, “Brother Hao, what a coincidence!”

Although she knew,

his appearance here at this time might not be a coincidence.

But the necessary pleasantries couldn’t be skipped.

Sure enough, Zhou Weihao said hoarsely, “Ah Zhi, this isn’t a coincidence. I was waiting here for you on purpose.”

He explained, “I called your duty room looking for you. They said you were off today, so I thought maybe I could wait for you here.”

Bai Yuanzhi smiled, “Brother Hao, I have a pager now. You can contact me through it in the future.”

Zhou Weihao was taken aback, “Ah, sorry, I… forgot about that.”

Bai Yuanzhi looked at his eye bags and dark circles, wondering if he had been thinking day and night about Duoluoxi, who was already in prison, and had become so disheartened because of it.

“Ah Zhi, let me treat you to some late-night snacks. I… I have something I want to talk to you about,” Zhou Weihao said.

Bai Yuanzhi agreed.

—Mainly because even if she returned to the Bilanting duty room, she might still have to face Chen Shuojie.

It wouldn’t be a bad thing to stay out a little longer.

So, Bai Yuanzhi followed Zhou Weihao to the night market.

Bai Yuanzhi chose a barbecue stall, ordering grilled squid, salt-baked shrimp on bamboo skewers, fried batter-wrapped lettuce, and two bowls of plain congee.

The grilled squid was the most delicious, generously seasoned and perfectly cooked, tender and juicy;

The most surprising delight was the fried batter-wrapped lettuce.

No one knew where this method came from—dipping whole lettuce leaves in a thick, heavy batter and then frying them in oil.

The result was a crispy, savory outer layer with moist, juicy lettuce inside—simply delicious!

Paired with a bowl of smooth, creamy congee cooked until the rice grains had completely melted…

It was pure bliss.

Zhou Weihao waited until Bai Yuanzhi had almost finished eating before shyly speaking up, “Ah Zhi, my situation… have you heard about it?”

Bai Yuanzhi nodded, “I heard you and Miss Sheng are about to have a happy occasion.”

Miss Sheng was a legend in Hong Kong City.

Her given name was Qing,

Sheng Qing came from a declining wealthy family. In her early twenties, following her parents’ wishes, she married a nearly forty-year-old tycoon with a not-too-generous dowry.

Just three years into the marriage, the tycoon had an affair. Unlike other wealthy wives who turned a blind eye for the sake of their own and their family’s interests, Sheng Qing refused to pretend she didn’t see or know…

She insisted on a divorce and, using some unsavory methods, obtained compromising evidence against her husband and his mistress, forcing him to divorce her and securing a substantial settlement.

Because of this, Sheng Qing’s reputation in high society was not good.

A few years later, Sheng Qing remarried.

It was said her second husband had been an admirer of hers. After her divorce, he pursued her passionately.

Sheng Qing was moved by his affection and agreed to marry him.

But the good times didn’t last long—her second husband also had an affair.

It was said the man knelt before her, weeping bitterly, claiming he had been framed and wronged,

But this time, Sheng Qing refused to compromise as well, still choosing to divorce in a very resolute manner.

Her second husband, in an attempt to win her back, almost handed over his entire fortune to her, and even after the divorce, he never left her side…

For some reason,

after Zhou Weihao caused that scandal,

the Zhou family almost became the laughingstock of high society,

yet Sheng Qing did not look down on Zhou Weihao. When Mrs. Zhou tentatively approached Sheng Qing to propose marriage,

Sheng Qing actually agreed without hesitation!

So recently, the entertainment sections of major media outlets and newspapers in Hong Kong City have been almost entirely filled with rumors about Zhou Weihao and Sheng Qing’s marriage.

Zhou Weihao let out a long sigh and then spoke honestly, “I don’t want to get married.”

Bai Yuanzhi thought to herself: Even if you don’t want to get married, you shouldn’t be telling me this!

“I’m not close to her. I’ve only met her a few times before… I’ve always seen her as an older sister. I… I really can’t accept it,” Zhou Weihao stammered incoherently. “Ah Zhi, I know I shouldn’t have come to you. Honestly, I’m too ashamed to face you, but I really… have no other choice.”

“So, Ah Zhi, could you help me?” Zhou Weihao whispered.

Bai Yuanzhi asked curiously, “How do you want me to help you?”

—In her view, if Zhou Weihao didn’t want to marry Sheng Qing, he should talk to his parents or tell Sheng Qing directly.

Coming to her…

What good would that do?

Zhou Weihao hesitated awkwardly, “I… I… I wanted to ask you, you… you… could you… marry me?”

Bai Yuanzhi’s mouth fell open.

She heard every word Zhou Weihao said clearly.

But she didn’t understand.

…What on earth did he mean?

Zhou Weihao’s face flushed red. “Ah Zhi, don’t misunderstand. I… I don’t mean to be disrespectful!”

“I really have no other choice… no other choice!”

“So I thought, if we could register our marriage before the engagement party, maybe they wouldn’t force me like this.”

“So, could you…” As he spoke, Zhou Weihao himself felt deeply ashamed.

Bai Yuanzhi understood now.

But she still didn’t get it.

“Brother Hao, are you saying—you want me to have a fake marriage with you?” Bai Yuanzhi tried to follow his train of thought.

Zhou Weihao nodded.

“Then why did you choose me?” Bai Yuanzhi asked again.

Zhou Weihao whispered, “Because you know about my past with Duoluoxi…”

Bai Yuanzhi replied, “Everyone in Hong Kong City knows about it now!”

Zhou Weihao: …

Zhou Weihao took a deep breath. “But you’re the only one who can accept me and Duoluoxi.”

Bai Yuanzhi showed a thoughtful expression. “So, Brother Hao, you mean you want to register our marriage, but you think we’d be a fake couple after getting married… Because you still love Duoluoxi, you want to remain faithful to her, right?”

Zhou Weihao was too embarrassed to look directly at Bai Yuanzhi. He stared at the ground and nodded.

Bai Yuanzhi refused. “I’m sorry, Brother Hao. Even though I’m poor, I value marriage highly. I won’t marry a man lightly, and I certainly can’t pretend to be a fake couple with anyone.”

Zhou Weihao grew anxious. “Ah Zhi, I can give you money! I receive 150,000 every month from the family trust fund, and my company dividends are over two million a year! Plus, I can do other things… If you’re willing to marry me, all this money will be yours!”

Bai Yuanzhi smiled, “Brother Hao, I really appreciate your honesty. It shows you truly consider me a genuine friend, to speak so directly about this matter…”

Zhou Weihao flushed red for no apparent reason.

Bai Yuanzhi continued, “I’m truly sorry, but I really can’t accept it.”

The light in Zhou Weihao’s eyes gradually dimmed.

Bai Yuanzhi added, “But Brother Hao, I can offer you some advice. Would you like to hear it?”

“Go ahead.”

“Hao-ge, you could have discussed this directly with Miss Sheng,” Bai Yuanzhi analyzed. “Now everyone in Hong Kong City knows about you and Duoluoxi, yet Miss Sheng is still willing to marry you. Do you think she doesn’t know there’s someone else in your heart?”

Zhou Weihao looked utterly dejected. “I’ve already talked to her, but she said—”

He couldn’t avoid it any longer, covering his face with his hands and speaking quickly: “She said she doesn’t care if there are other women in my heart. She just feels she’s reached the right age, so she wants to get married and have children. She thinks aside from my insistence on being with Duoluoxi, I don’t have any other flaws…”

“She told me not to worry about developing feelings between us. She said she understands the hurt I’ve suffered in love because she’s also been deeply hurt and probably won’t fall in love with anyone else in this lifetime.”

“She even turned around and advised me, saying the marriage must happen, and children must be had because I’m the only son of the Zhou family. Even if there’s someone in my heart, I can’t stay single for Duoluoxi forever…”

“She said after we marry, she’ll have at least four children. If I still can’t let go of Duoluoxi, she can divorce me—she’ll take two children and leave two for the Zhou family… Even if we divorce, we’ll still be family because of the children. As for feelings, she doesn’t force it.”

Bai Yuanzhi marveled, “Miss Sheng is that clear-headed and free-spirited?”

I really want to be friends with this Miss Sheng!

Zhou Weihao was also stunned. “What did you say? Ah Zhi, you… you…”

Bai Yuanzhi nodded. “I’m on Miss Sheng’s side.”

Zhou Weihao grew anxious. “But Ah Zhi, you’re my friend. You should be on my side!”

“Sorry, not even a little bit,” Bai Yuanzhi admitted frankly. “Hao-ge, it’s because I consider you a true friend that I’m being honest.”

“Even if I registered to marry you, the pressure you’d face wouldn’t be any less than marrying Miss Sheng. Because she’s willing to have children for herself and for your Zhou family—she’s marrying you voluntarily, but I’m not. So in the future, you’d have to handle the hostile relationship between me and your parents, plus the pressure from your parents to have children… Think about it, isn’t that right?”

Zhou Weihao fell into a daze.

After a long while, Zhou Weihao said awkwardly, “Then… is marrying Sheng Qing the only path forward for me?”

Bai Yuanzhi smiled. “I think Miss Sheng is very generous and open-minded. You won’t find a second person as good as her.”

“Is that so?” Zhou Weihao asked doubtfully.

Bai Yuanzhi said cheerfully, “Hao-ge, think about it yourself! Didn’t you also say that you and Miss Sheng have actually known each other for a long time? So she understands you, and you should understand her well too… Have a good talk with her yourself!”

Then, Bai Yuanzhi added, “Hao-ge, tonight’s late-night treat was basically wasted, huh!”

Zhou Weihao smiled bitterly. “How could it be? Since the incident happened, everyone I used to know has been avoiding me. Only you… are still willing to meet me, talk with me, and help me sort things out.”

“Ah Zhi, no matter what, thank you! And… I’m sorry!” Zhou Weihao said guiltily.

Bai Yuanzhi had patiently accompanied him through such a long analysis of his emotional journey, waiting precisely for this moment.

“Hao-ge, actually, there’s something I’d like to ask of you too,” Bai Yuanzhi said.

Since the incident, Zhou Weihao had been in a slump for quite some time. Recently, his parents had skipped over him and directly discussed marriage matters with Sheng Qing, making him feel utterly worthless.

After hearing Bai Yuanzhi’s words,

Zhou Weihao felt that he too was someone needed, and his spirits lifted. “Go on,” he said.

Bai Yuanzhi continued, “I mentioned to you before that my sister is hospitalized at St. Maria Hospital… do you remember?”

Zhou Weihao nodded repeatedly.

“I need to bring her some things tomorrow afternoon. There might be quite a lot, so it won’t be convenient to take the bus. Could I trouble you to accompany me?” Bai Yuanzhi said very tactfully.

Zhou Weihao understood—she wanted to use him as a driver tomorrow. “No problem, it’s nothing!”

Bai Yuanzhi then added with an embarrassed look, “Also, tomorrow I might need to discuss my sister’s treatment plan with the hospital… Brother Hao, I’ve never handled something like this before, and I’m afraid if the doctor tells me things I don’t understand at all, I…”

Zhou Weihao agreed without hesitation. “Don’t worry, I’ll go with you.”

Bai Yuanzhi thanked Zhou Weihao with satisfaction. “Thank you, Brother Hao.”

Bai Yuanzhi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This way,

when Zhou Sier regained consciousness tomorrow, Zhou Weihao would also be present.

With Zhou Weihao’s backing,

she hoped it would serve as some deterrent to the culprit.

However, she wasn’t sure if Zhou Weihao’s influence would be enough.

If only she could find a way to drag Chen Shuojie and Chen Shen along too…

“Ah Zhi, it’s getting late. Let me take you back!” Zhou Weihao said.

Bai Yuanzhi agreed, packed some late-night snacks to share with her coworkers, and then got into Zhou Weihao’s car, returning to Bilanting Hotel.

The coworkers were delighted with the late-night snacks Bai Yuanzhi brought back.

A Xi, while munching on a roasted chicken leg, complained to Bai Yuanzhi, “Ah Zhi, that Chen Shuojie is such a hassle! He called early in the morning, asking you to bring breakfast to his room, but you were already gone, so I had to do it… When Mr. Chen saw it was me, he was furious. He asked where you were, and I said you were on leave. Then he kept sulking.”

“After that, he didn’t even eat his breakfast and just told me to take it away. He kept calling every ten minutes to ask if you were back. I wanted to say, ‘Why don’t you just call Ah Zhi?’ but I didn’t dare…”

A Xi also told Bai Yuanzhi that Chen Shuojie had been frantically looking for her all day,

skipping both breakfast and lunch.

It wasn’t until around three or four in the afternoon when he left

that A Xi and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“Next time you take a day off, take Mr. Chen with you. He’s too scary!” A Xi said.

“Ding—”

The elevator chimed.

Xiao Yu ran out to take a look and came back whispering, “…Mr. Chen is back!”

Everyone immediately fell silent.

A minute later, the phone in the duty room rang.

A Xi, already on edge, nearly jumped out of her chair in fright!

She answered the phone with trembling hands, listened for a moment, and then said in a shaky voice, “Good evening, Mr. Chen.”

Her gaze shifted to Bai Yuanzhi, and she added, “Yes, Mr. Chen,” before gently placing the receiver back on the phone.

A Xi, her face pale, clasped her hands together and bowed in Bai Yuanzhi’s direction, pleading softly, “Ah Zhi, the call was from Mr. Chen. He said he wants you to bring him some late-night snacks… Please, please do it!”

Since A Xi was a waitress, this kind of task should have been her responsibility.

Bai Yuanzhi thought for a moment, rummaged through the takeout box, pulled out a skewer of grilled squid, and headed toward Chen Shuojie’s room.

Sure enough—

The door to Chen Shuojie’s room was wide open.

Bai Yuanzhi knocked on the door, “…Good evening, Mr. Chen!”

She only saw Chen Shuojie’s jacket and shoes thrown in the living room, but didn’t see him anywhere, so she waited at the doorway for a while.

After a moment, Chen Shuojie’s voice rang out coldly, “Not coming in yet? Do I need to invite you?”

Bai Yuanzhi walked into his room, holding the grilled squid skewer.