Chapter 28: Standing Up for Himself
“Tsk.”
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll make your Technology Department a mess?”
Chen Jiamu pouted, looking arrogant, but his eyes showed doubt and suspicion.
“No.”
“You’re not that kind of person.”
Seeing his hesitation, Li Qi placed the employee badge in his hand. “You have the day off.”
“Come back whenever you want tomorrow.”
At the touch of their skin, Li Qi’s gaze darkened. He retracted his hand, his fingertips lingering on the sensation…
Looking at the badge, Chen Jiamu felt a surge of vengeful pleasure. The thought of using Li Qi’s influence to get revenge made him smile.
He wanted to see Qian Chengfeng and Li Kui’s reactions. They’d plotted to get him fired, hadn’t they?
What if they found out he could act however he pleased tomorrow? Would it make them explode with rage?
Thinking this, Chen Jiamu straightened his posture and pocketed the badge.
Jumping off the desk, he feigned reluctance, “Whenever I feel like it.”
As he turned to leave, his shirt was tugged. Li Qi’s clear voice rang out, “Would you do me the honor of having lunch with me?”
Chen Jiamu stopped, glanced back, and his heart softened.
The early autumn sun cast a warm glow through the window, illuminating Li Qi. His handsome features were unusually gentle.
For a moment, the silent and taciturn boy from his memory seemed to fade.
Yes, four years had passed; Li Qi was no longer that boy.
“No!”
Chen Jiamu, still upset, left without looking back.
The onlookers at their desks quickly averted their gazes, pretending to work.
Chen Jiamu glanced at them, raised his head, and confidently left the department, leaving a group of bewildered onlookers.
“So, was he fired?”
“I don’t know. It’s hard to say.”
As Chen Jiamu reached the door, Zhang Xin blocked his path, “You…”
“Are you alright?”
Zhang Xin bit her lip, looking guilty. Chen Jiamu looked at her with complex emotions.
“I’m fine.”
Not wanting to argue, Chen Jiamu walked past her. Zhang Xin’s eyes widened in surprise.
Usually, when she approached him, he responded enthusiastically. Why was he so cold today?
Was it because of the boss’s reprimand?
Or had he been fired?
After leaving the company, Chen Jiamu received a call from a friend, who was also in Su City. They made plans to meet that evening.
In the office, Li Qi’s gaze fell. He opened the door and left.
Chen Jiamu went home and went straight to sleep. Not having to go to work felt great.
He slept until dusk, then remembered his meeting with his friend. After getting ready, he took a taxi to the designated location.
At the Su City bar, Chen Jiamu saw his friend, Bai Jing, waiting.
Bai Jing was delicate, with fair skin and fluffy hair that moved in the breeze. His thin lips were slightly pursed, his eyes scanning his surroundings. He wore a white T-shirt and loose black jeans. Seeing Chen Jiamu, he quickly approached.
A red pendant around his neck swayed with his movements. Chen Jiamu found the pendant familiar.
“It’s been a year, and you’re still so late!”
Bai Jing punched him on the shoulder. Chen Jiamu winced, returned the punch, “You’ve gotten bolder!”
Bai Jing dodged the attack, smiling, “Alright, I’ve reserved a table. Let’s go inside.” Chen Jiamu glared but said nothing, lost in thought.
They reached their reserved private room. As soon as they sat down, a waiter whispered to Bai Jing. After Bai Jing nodded, he left.
“What? Are you a regular here? So mysterious.”
Chen Jiamu looked at the pendant, then smiled knowingly.
“It’s my brother’s shop; I’ve been here a few times.”
“By the way, why are you in Su City instead of Beicheng?”
“Dude, I’ve been in Su City for a year; have you just gotten internet access?” Chen Jiamu tossed a napkin at him. Bai Jing caught it and threw it back.
“I think you’re the one who just got online! I just got back from studying abroad!”
“What were you thinking? I told you when I went abroad!”
“I studied abroad for two years. Did you ignore my messages?”
Bai Jing’s words reminded Chen Jiamu that he’d mentioned it two years ago, but his mind had been preoccupied with Li Qi’s departure.
He hadn’t paid much attention and assumed he was still in China…
“So… let’s call it even…”
Chen Jiamu coughed awkwardly and changed the subject to the pendant.
“When did you start wearing women’s pendants?”
“I think my sister has one just like it.”
Perhaps it was his imagination, but Bai Jing’s expression was subtle, his eyes darting away when Chen Cheng’s name was mentioned.
“Oh, a woman’s?”
“My mom gave it to me; she said it’s for protection.”
“Oh~”
Chen Jiamu smiled, not exposing his lie. Bai Jing was uncomfortable. He poured himself some water and then remembered his question.
“Forget that, why did you leave Beicheng and come to Su City to suffer? Don’t tell me it’s because of that woman.” Before graduation, Chen Jiamu had mentioned Zhang Xin to Bai Jing, expressing his interest.
“It was, but it’s not interesting anymore.”
“I’m done being a workhorse.”
Chen Jiamu felt little emotion when talking about Zhang Xin. He’d been working hard, yet Zhang Xin refused to budge.
Their most intimate moment was holding hands while walking in the park, and even that was initiated by him.
“You even lowered yourself to suffer for her, and you still didn’t get her?”
“That woman must have a heart of stone.”
Speaking of stone hearts, Chen Jiamu thought of Li Qi. He was the one with a heart of stone. Four years abroad, and not a single message…
They’d even planned a trip…
Although, Li Qi never confirmed…
Thinking of this, Chen Jiamu’s expression dimmed. Suddenly, he realized how strange his state of mind was!
Li Qi was back; what did it matter to him?
Why was he thinking so much!
“Your expression is quite dramatic. Who were you thinking of?”
The aroma of food reached his nose; Chen Jiamu saw the waiter serving the dishes.
Ignoring his hunger, Chen Jiamu responded vaguely, “No one. I was wondering if your life abroad was carefree and enjoyable.”