Part 2
Halfway through the meal, Zhang Yao put down his chopsticks and finally began to talk.
“Guan Jiayu found Bai Lu and went back to the Guan family to admit his mistakes.”
Bai He lifted his eyelids. “Is that all you wanted to say?”
“Of course not.” Zhang Yao pulled up his sleeve, revealing rope burns and other marks on his arm. “Zhou Sheng is a pervert. I have no interest in dragging things out with him. After thinking it over, I feel I should find a job. With Zhang Yao’s identity, I should technically continue going to school, but that’s boring. So, I thought of starting an internship early. Bai He, only you can help me.”
Bai He put down his chopsticks. “I can’t help you.”
“Don’t speak so soon.” Zhang Yao forced a smile. “I’m not asking you to help me get in through the back door or anything. I don’t have the qualifications for that. I’ll go through the formal interview process. I just need you to put in a good word for me with Qin Yao. Without you, even if I submit a resume, he’d filter me out before I even got an interview. It’s not like his dislike for me is a new thing.”
That was true. Bai He narrowed his eyes. “You’re going through the formal process? You seem quite confident.”
Zhang Yao suddenly seemed to have some confidence. “Didn’t I refuse to help in the group before just for the sake of the mission? In my past life, I actually developed games. My experience is decent.”
So that was it. Bai He understood. He thought for a few seconds. “In exchange, what benefit do I get?”
“Back to the earlier topic.” Zhang Yao became serious. “Guan Jiayu returned to the Guan family. I heard his company is merging with his brother’s company. You know Qingtian, right? They also make games, just in a different lane. Qingtian’s games lean more towards competitive esports, and their results have been very good over the years.”
Bai He looked up. “What do you mean?”
“Do you think Guan Jiayu will take revenge on Qin Yao?” Zhang Yao said. “In the later stages of the original text, Guan Jiayu definitely took revenge on Qin Yao. Although there is no original plot controlling things now, and Qin Yao hasn’t provoked him, we don’t know what will happen in the future. But what if? I’ve noticed that FREE is currently on the rise and is quite flashy in the gaming circle. Someone is definitely eyeing FREE. Xingchen needs to continuously produce high-quality storylines. You guys need talent. Moreover, I can keep an eye on what’s happening with Guan Jiayu.”
Bai He fell silent. He surprisingly found nothing to refute in Zhang Yao’s words. He looked at Zhang Yao and decided to make a bet. “What game did you make before?”
Zhang Yao paused, then smiled. “We might not necessarily be from the same world.”
Bai He stared at Zhang Yao. The latter sighed. “Fine, I’ll say it.”
Zhang Yao named a game, and Bai He froze.
It was a coincidence; it really was a game from Bai He’s previous world. Furthermore, that game was extremely popular—even Bai He, who didn’t play games much, knew about it. Its level of breakthrough success was astonishing.
“Submit your resume yourself and go through the interview process. I’ll talk to Qin Yao.” Bai He picked up his chopsticks again to eat. He had to admit, the food at Rong Lou was indeed very good. He definitely had to come here with Qin Yao sometime.
Zhang Yao felt relieved, and his chatterbox opened up.
Bai He responded sporadically, his eyes sweeping over Zhang Yao’s wrist. The marks hidden under the sleeve were faintly visible. To be honest, they were quite chilling, looking almost like abuse.
After the meal, Zhang Yao drove Bai He back to FREE. After getting out of the car, Bai He thought for a moment and asked, “Where are you living now?”
Zhang Yao was about to drive away but paused. “Why ask that?”
Bai He glanced at the expensive car. “You’re living at Zhou Sheng’s?”
Zhang Yao didn’t speak. Just as Bai He was about to say something, he remembered Zhou Sheng’s earlier words. The words got stuck in his throat, and he ultimately just shook his head. “Figure it out yourself. I can’t help you with that.”
“You…” Zhang Yao laughed in exasperation, but then shrugged indifferently. “Whatever. He wouldn’t dare kill me anyway.”
Bai He: “…”
Watching the car leave, Bai He sent the recording of their conversation during the meal to Qin Yao. He went to the FREE government affairs office to help out for a while. At five in the afternoon, Qin Yao came to the government affairs office to find him.
Bai He had finished his tasks. He was sitting by the window reading a book. The sunlight in this season held no warmth; like a light veil, it fell on Bai He’s side profile, dyeing his lowered eyelashes a warm, fuzzy color.
Qin Yao walked over quietly, burying his head from behind the chair back to look at Bai He. Bai He hadn’t noticed him yet.
At that moment, Qin Yao gently reached out to lift Bai He’s chin, leaning down to kiss Bai He’s lips. “I’m back. Did you miss me?”
Bai He blinked. “I did.”
Qin Yao was stunned by such a serious answer. His ears burned. “Xiao Bao, you’ve been so passionate lately.”
Bai He, who had merely told the truth: “…?”
“Ahem!” Yi Chen’s coughing sound rang out abruptly. Bai He snapped out of it and looked over, finding Yi Chen and Zhao Linyue busily flipping through the documents in their hands.
Even though they had finished work a while ago…
Bai He stood up and put down the book. “Did you listen to the recording I sent you?”
“I did.” Qin Yao nodded, squeezing Bai He’s palm. “Since you trust him, I won’t interfere. Let him get into FREE on his own merit.”
“Okay.” Bai He checked the time. “What now? Go home?”
Qin Yao greeted Yi Chen and Zhao Linyue in the office, then wrapped his arm around Bai He’s waist. “Today’s work is all done. Let’s go home first. What does Xiao Bao want to eat tonight?”
Bai He thought about it. The meal at Rong Lou at noon was truly delicious, and he wanted to share it with everyone. Besides, Rong Lou had many different sections, so they could try other areas. “How about eating out?”
He looked at Qin Yao. “I think Rong Lou is pretty good. You’ve been busy all day, so let’s not cook.”
“I’ll listen to Xiao Bao.” Qin Yao thought for a moment. “Just the two of us?”
Bai He fell silent, turning his head to look into the office where Yi Chen and Zhao Linyue, who were still pretending to work, were furtively peeking over.
“Yi Chen-ge, Zhao-ge.” Bai He called out to them. “Want to go out for dinner together?”
He paused, then added, “Qin Yao’s treating.”
“Huh? Ah?” Yi Chen jolted, embarrassed at being caught. He laughed loudly. “Sure! I won’t be polite with you guys. Let’s go, let’s go, Zhao Linyue! Boss Qin is treating us to dinner!!”
Qin Yao put his hands on his hips. “Got any other friends? Call them along.”
“Really?” Yi Chen, who was packing his things, stood up straight and took out his phone. “Well, I actually do have a few friends.”
A “few” friends forced Qin Yao to open three tables.
“Yo, we’re so close, yet you still had Yi Chen call me to come? Qin-ge, that’s not cool of you.” Zhang Wenyi came up the stairs, pulled out the chair next to Qin Yao, straddled it, and tossed a peanut into his mouth. “So many people. Is this a team-building event?”
Yi Chen was at the next table. He tilted his head back. “That’s right! Boss Qin is treating!”
“If the other guys in our department find out about this, won’t they make a fuss?” Zhang Wenyi laughed unkindly. He greeted the people at the neighboring tables one by one. “Team Leader Ji is here too. It’s really lively.”
Ji Feng nodded. “I came to pick up Yi Chen on the way.”
Zhang Wenyi: “Oh~”
Everyone else in the group was used to it.
Xia You glanced at Bai He and Qin Yao at the next table and sighed. “I knew it. Little Bai He is completely wrapped around Boss Qin’s finger! He’s not close to us anymore!”
Li Yuzi curled her lips. “Did you forget Little Bai came to greet us just now?”
Zhao Linyue picked up some food with his chopsticks. “Exactly. Besides, it’s not certain who is wrapped around whose finger yet.”
Sitting next to him, Kong Yizhou narrowed his eyes at Zhao Linyue upon hearing this.
The people who came for the “team building” included everyone from other departments. Yi Chen really had an unusual number of friends, though naturally, they were all acquaintances Qin Yao knew.
The gathering lasted until it was nearly dark. Afterward, everyone went back to their respective homes. It wasn’t far from the apartment, so Bai He and Qin Yao walked back. As soon as they got home, before the lights were even turned on, Bai He was picked up by Qin Yao.
“Drinking adds to the fun. Want to play something?” Qin Yao held the person in his arms and kissed him.
Bai He tilted his head back. “Are you unhappy that I invited Yi Chen and the others?”
“How could I be?” Qin Yao pressed against Bai He’s lips, grinding against them. “It just cut into my alone time with you. Can I make up for it now?”
Bai He was quiet for two seconds, then wrapped his arms around Qin Yao’s neck. “Approved.”
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