The following afternoon, when Su Qiong arrived outside of Lin Fu’s office, Lin Fu was in the process of angrily scolding one of his subordinates. His blustering could be heard through the thick office door.
“Please sit, “ Xiao Zhang led Su Qiong to a leather couch in the waiting area, “Wait here a moment.”
The logic and reason our Director Lin had prided himself on had clearly collapsed by this point.
Su Qiong waved his hand emphatically and stood off to the side: “It’s fine if I just stand.”
Such a nice sofa would cave in as soon as he sat on it…
…
The previous night, just as Xiao Zhang had climbed into bed, he was called away by Lin Fu, who had asked Xiao Zhang to come pick him up.
When Xiao Zhang arrived, the illustrious Lin Fu was standing by the road in his pajamas with a coat thrown over top, stamping his feet and blowing into his hands for warmth. He looked like he’d been booted out of the house by the nagging of his wife after putting his foot in his mouth…
And when he’d stepped into the office this morning, Lin Fu had been like a powder keg on wheels; his foul mood was obvious, and no matter where he looked, everything was disagreeable to him.
Must’ve had a fight, Xiao Zhang thought. He silently measured Su Qiong with his gaze.
Oh, you little hussy, playing hard to get. What should our Director Lin do with you now?
…
Su Qiong waited outside for a while. As he listened to Lin Fu’s scolding from inside the office, his expression gradually became guilty and uneasy.
Xiao Zhang observed Su Qiong’s expression, then suddenly said, without rhyme or reason: “Our Director Lin is usually good tempered and treats his employees well. This summer, Director Lin organized a beach outing for the whole company and even personally roasted mutton skewers for us.”
Su Qiong mumbled in acknowledgement.
“At the last company party, Director Lin also personally sent the branch manager home without putting on any airs.” Xiao Zhang, who was usually so quiet, was acting like he’d taken the wrong meds today.
Su Qiong nodded, the rims of his eyes slightly red: “Mn…”
Of course I know how good he is…
Xiao Zhang looked at Su Qiong, who looked like he was about to cry, and rushed to add in a lie: “That branch manager was a woman.”
And Director Lin is gay!
“…Oh.” Su Qiong’s face was uncomprehending. He didn’t know why Xiao Zhang would say these things all of the sudden.
Xiao Zhang, seeing that he still looked unhappy, soon backtracked: “No, the branch manager is actually a man.”
Su Qiong said nothing. The corners of his mouth drooped down, and he lowered his head, fiddling with his fingers.
Xiao Zhang: “…”
Come on man, which one do you want it to be?
…
At that moment, the director’s door opened, and the branch manager who’d just been lectured to Hell and back walked out, utterly dejected.
Xiao Zhang lept out to block that branch manager’s bright, handsome face from Su Qiong’s view.
“What in the world?” The branch manager had just about been pushed to the ground by Xiao Zhang.
“Leave quickly, don’t look back, don’t let him see your face.” Xiao Zhang said harshly.
The branch manager, who looked like he had nothing left to live for: “…”
I can’t work here. This whole company is insane.
…
Seeing that there was no one else inside, Su Qiong stepped forward tentatively. He stood at the doorway and called: “Lin Fu.”
Lin Fu, who’d just been reading through some documents, suddenly looked up. Seeing that the person who’d called out to him was Su Qiong, Lin Fu’s expression became very complicated.
Xiao Zhang: “…”
Our OP Director Lin got the living daylights scared out of him.
“I have something I want to tell you…” Su Qiong glanced at the crinkled paper in Lin Fu’s hands and asked with uncertainty, “Do you have time?”
Lin Fu immediately tossed the document to the side. He gazed deeply at Su Qiong and said in a low voice: “I do. Please, go ahead.”
Xiao Zhang: “…”
Our Director Lin’s gaze is too complex to decipher, but at least 50% of it must be pure love.
“Can we go up to the roof?” Su Qiong pointed to the ceiling.
“Yes.” Lin Fu quickly stood up, straightened his clothing, and walked out from behind the desk. Throughout this whole series of movements, Lin Fu stared unblinkingly at Su Qiong, like there was only one place in the world where his gaze could rest.
Xiao Zhang, who couldn’t help but worry that Lin Fu would face-plant on the carpet: “…”
Goddamn, our Director Lin discovered that he can’t refuse any of your requests!
…
Once the two of them left the office, they took the elevator up to the roof.
They were surrounded by the whirr of the elevator’s machinery. The atmosphere was a little heavy. Su Qiong hung his head, looking for something to say: “Did you…sleep well last night?”
Lin Fu was silent for a moment, then said, his voice both gentle and helpless: “I didn’t sleep.”
Of the reasons he came to love Su Qiong, one was the tender affection he held for him, but even more so, it was that, despite his misfortunate situation, he would rather live with a simplistic non-opportunism, rather bear those misfortunes himself than put upon others. However, the events from last night made Lin Fu question the truthfulness of this.
Having long known me, and having even secretly collected my personal belongings, why would you pretend to not know me?
Lin Fu cut off his train of thought. Before Su Qiong explained it himself, he wouldn’t think ill of him.
The elevator doors opened, a thin glass door before them as they exited. Lin Fu pushed the door open, and a fierce, cold wind blew back the hem of his jacket. Lin Fu quickly walked through and held it open for Su Qiong, then silently blocked a portion of the wind for Su Qiong with his body.
…
“Please say what you have to say.” Lin Fu stood at the edge of the balcony gripping the railing.
The city had far less greenery in the winter. Cars shuttled along on the gray street. The sky was bleak, like it was about to snow. No matter where one looked, what greeted the eye was a dull, monotonous scene.
Su Qiong cleared his throat, swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and, as if making a life-changing decision, opened his mouth to say: “Actually, I’m not human.”
Lin Fu raised an eyebrow, appearing like he wanted to laugh.
The corners of Su Qiong’s mouth quirked upward, displaying a light smile: “I’m a God of Poverty descended from heaven.”
Lin Fu, who’s expression was so odd it was difficult to describe in words: “…”
“I know you don’t believe me.” Su Qiong stepped forward and reached out with a pale, slender finger to tap Lin Fu’s left eyelid, his touch like spring flowers dotting water[1]春花拂水, like spring flowers brushing across water. Then, he lifted his hand and pointed into the distance, saying with a warm, dreamlike voice, “Look.”
Lin Fu turned his head, his gaze following the direction of Su Qiong’s finger—
The author has something to say:
Lil’ Qiongqiong pulled out the finishing move~
Footnotes
| ↑1 | 春花拂水, like spring flowers brushing across water |
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