Chapter 18: Encounter with Xiaoman

Chapter 018: Encounter with Xiaoman

The day passed quietly and uneventfully.

Chu Fei never explained what happened at the nightclub, and unexpectedly, Ximen Lu didn’t ask. Upon returning to the company, the two went to their respective desks as if nothing had happened, as though they had forgotten the negotiations of the day.

It wasn’t until a few minutes before the end of the workday that Chu Fei received a message from Ximen Lu.

“Chu Fei, let me treat you to dinner tonight.”

Simple and straightforward, just a single line.

Chu Fei replied with a smile: “No need.”

He then got up and left the company. Despite the seemingly significant events between them, Chu Fei had no desire to further entangle himself with this old classmate.

Perhaps Ximen Lu once had some affection or liking for him, but that was long ago. Chu Fei didn’t believe she still liked him, nor did he think the class monitor Xu Shiqi still harbored feelings for him—such things were unrealistic.

He and they now belonged to completely different worlds.

Moreover...

Ximen Lu was undoubtedly a temptress. Perhaps she was genuinely grateful to him today, but her nature wouldn’t change. One careless move and he might get ensnared by her.

“Hm?”

After bidding goodbye to his beautiful colleague Murong Wei at the building’s entrance, Chu Fei walked a short distance and then paused, noticing a slender figure silently walking ahead, about a dozen meters away.

Chen Xiaoman?

That figure was none other than the girl he longed to approach but lacked the courage—Xiaoman.

Yet, something seemed off about the girl; she walked with her head down, cradling a large box, within which he could vaguely see a jumble of documents and files.

As Chu Fei debated whether to approach, footsteps in high heels echoed behind him, followed by a woman’s call: “Xiaoman, wait for me!”

With that, a flamboyantly dressed, stylish woman dashed past Chu Fei, quickly catching up with Chen Xiaoman.

“Sister Zhang Yan, why are you here?” Chen Xiaoman stopped and asked curiously upon seeing the woman.

“Are you alright, Xiaoman?” the woman asked, wearing an expression of deep concern.

“I’m fine, thank you, Sister Zhang Yan,” Chen Xiaoman replied, gratitude showing on her face.

“That’s good! I was worried you might be upset. Hey,” the woman smiled, visibly relieved, then continued, “Want me to take you somewhere tonight to relax?”

“No, I have homework to do at home, but thank you, Sister Zhang Yan,” Chen Xiaoman shook her head.

“No need to be so formal with me. I treat you like my own little sister,” the woman laughed. “As long as you’re alright, I’m at ease. If you ever face difficulties, call me, okay? Don’t be embarrassed.”

“I will, thank you, Sister Zhang Yan,” Chen Xiaoman thanked her again.

“Alright, I’m off. You’d better hurry home too,” the seductive woman said, patting Chen Xiaoman’s shoulder before heading toward the nearby bus stop.

Chen Xiaoman stood there, watching the woman leave before turning around, sighing softly, and continuing forward. She had barely walked a few steps before having to stop again, her path blocked.

She was about to go around when the person blocking her smiled and said, “You’re Chen Xiaoman, right? Don’t you recognize me?”

Chen Xiaoman looked up in confusion, discovering the blocker was a strikingly handsome young man. She never considered herself someone who judged by appearances, but this man made her eyes light up. He smiled at her, and she paused, puzzled, “Do we know each other?”

“My name is Chu Fei. I live in the building behind yours and often see you coming and going from work. You really haven’t seen me even once?” The blocker was, of course, Chu Fei. With Chen Xiaoman right before him, he could no longer avoid the encounter.

“Ah? Really?” Chen Xiaoman looked at Chu Fei carefully, her eyes suddenly brightening. “Oh, I remember now! You’re the one who’s always with that woman who drives a sports car.”

Chu Fei broke out in a cold sweat. He never expected Chen Xiaoman to say such a thing. He would have preferred she didn’t recognize him at all.

“Ah, sorry, I—I didn’t mean to offend…” Chen Xiaoman realized her slip, and stammered in embarrassment, flustered and unable to find her words.

“You didn’t say anything wrong, so there’s nothing to apologize for,” Chu Fei replied nonchalantly with a smile.

“Huh?” Chen Xiaoman looked at him in surprise.

“You’re right. I am the one who’s always with the woman in the sports car. She’s a wealthy lady who finds me handsome and tried to pursue me, but I rejected her,” Chu Fei lied without a second thought, deliberately tarnishing that woman’s image after she had ruined his first impression with Chen Xiaoman.

“I-I didn’t mean it that way…” Chen Xiaoman grew even more uncomfortable. Her words had been a casual, unconscious remark, with no other intention. She hadn’t expected such an explanation, and felt it was a private matter she shouldn’t hear.

Chu Fei didn’t mind, glancing at the large box in her hands. “What are you carrying that for? Are you quitting?”

“No, not exactly. I was fired,” Chen Xiaoman hesitated but finally admitted, relieved to avoid discussing the awkward subject.

“Why?” Chu Fei asked.

“My work wasn’t up to standard, so the manager wasn’t satisfied,” Chen Xiaoman whispered, a shadow of sadness flickering in her eyes. The real reason she wouldn’t share with a neighbor she’d only just spoken to for the first time.

“Is that so?”

With his keen eye, Chu Fei didn’t miss the odd look in her eyes, but he feigned ignorance, smiling: “Don’t worry, when the old goes, the new comes. Your manager firing you is his loss. Find a better job and make him regret it.”

“Hehe—”

Chen Xiaoman laughed softly, her previously suppressed mood lightening considerably thanks to his words.

“Here, let me take it,”

Chu Fei reached out and took the box from her arms.

“Oh, no need, I—I can carry it myself, it’s not heavy…” Chen Xiaoman tried to take it back, but Chu Fei deftly avoided her attempt.

“We’re heading the same way. If I let a girl carry a box while I walk beside her, what would people think of me?” Chu Fei chuckled, turning to walk ahead.

“But…but…” Chen Xiaoman looked at him awkwardly, unsure how to react. Was he being overly enthusiastic? Yet his reasoning left her no room to object.

“No buts, let’s go,” Chu Fei called out. Their building was only a ten-minute walk from here, no need for a ride.

“Alright!” Chen Xiaoman obediently followed, though her gaze at Chu Fei was a little odd.

Chu Fei didn’t mind. He couldn’t just stand by and watch Chen Xiaoman carry the box alone. If Er Gou found out, he’d probably jump out and strangle him—was this how he looked after his little sister?

Collecting his thoughts, Chu Fei casually asked, “By the way, who was that woman talking to you earlier? A colleague?”

“She’s Zhang Yan. We’re in the same office. She’s always so good to me, the one who takes care of me the most,” Chen Xiaoman answered without hesitation, a hint of a smile at her lips.

“Is that so?”

Chu Fei’s eyes narrowed slightly, a cold smile forming in his mind. The one who takes care of Chen Xiaoman the most? He disagreed. Just now, after Zhang Yan had walked a short distance, she muttered two sentences that Chu Fei overheard: “That silly girl is so ungrateful,” and, “I really don’t understand why the director likes that yellow-haired brat.” The first was nothing, but the second reeked of jealousy.

Given the distance and volume, Chen Xiaoman wouldn’t have heard, which is why Zhang Yan dared to mutter, but Chu Fei caught every word. From these, he suspected Chen Xiaoman’s firing wasn’t simple, probably related to that director.

As for why Zhang Yan still tried to get close to Chen Xiaoman, what her intentions were, Chu Fei couldn’t yet determine, but he was sure she wasn’t genuinely concerned about Xiaoman.

“You…what’s wrong?” Chen Xiaoman noticed Chu Fei suddenly quiet and his expression darken. She hesitated, asking in a small voice, then hurriedly explained, “I was just asking, you don’t need to explain.” She seemed quite flustered.

“It’s nothing. I was just thinking, now that you don’t have a job, what will you do? If you want, I can recommend you somewhere. The company I work for isn’t big, but it’s decent…” Chu Fei smiled, considering whether Ximen Lu would do him this favor.

“No, that’s alright. I don’t want to find a job so soon,” Chen Xiaoman shook her head.

“Why?” Chu Fei looked at her in confusion.

“I’ll graduate in a month. I want to take this chance to work on my thesis and maybe find a temporary job. After graduation, I’ll look for something permanent,” Chen Xiaoman explained.

Chu Fei then remembered Chen Xiaoman, like Murong Wei, was still a senior in college, not yet graduated. He noticed a faint wariness in her gaze and smiled wryly, realizing she probably thought he had ulterior motives. He didn’t press further: “Alright, but if you ever face any difficulties, come find me.”

“Thank you,” Chen Xiaoman replied politely.

The two continued on their way, chatting and laughing, making the journey pleasant rather than lonely. Most of the conversation was Chu Fei talking and Chen Xiaoman listening, with Chu Fei occasionally making her laugh aloud. Her wariness toward him seemed to dissipate.

Finally, they arrived home.

“Thank you. Would you…like to come up for a while?” At the entrance, Chen Xiaoman took her box and hesitated before inviting him up. It was clear she hadn’t wanted to invite him initially.

“No, you go ahead,” Chu Fei smiled and shook his head, not wanting to burden her.

Chen Xiaoman noticeably relaxed at his reply, smiled at him, and hurried up the stairs.

Chu Fei stood watching until she disappeared, a gentle smile remaining in his eyes. Though their interaction was brief, he already understood Chen Xiaoman’s character—a kind, gentle girl, with a touch of innocence, even a hint of introversion or self-doubt. Perhaps it was related to her upbringing; he’d heard much about her and her brother from Er Gou.

Chu Fei sighed, turned, and left. But instead of heading for his own building, he turned and walked back, stopping in a quiet alley. Without turning his head, he said, “Come out!”

In that moment, Chu Fei shed the gentle, refined demeanor he had shown Chen Xiaoman. An icy, ruthless aura emanated from him, with a wild, murderous energy stirring beneath the surface.

This was the sign that Chu Fei was about to kill.

Perhaps I really do like Xiaoman, haha!