Chapter 26
Is it really true that you can't harbor bad intentions, or should I just go find a temple to pray? I originally thought that cursed Saturday would be like the last gathering—painful while it lasted, but over once it ended. Who knew this time it wouldn't just be more painful than last time, but the worst part was that I'd become like a dark horse that shocked everyone by making it to the finals—and one that keeps getting blacker and blacker.
My "black" wasn't the lucky kind at all. It was the kind that literally reflected the color of the word—a real string of bad luck.
Shangguan Yun—or rather, Yang Yun—had attached himself to me.
The word "attached" might be a bit strange to use, but I really couldn't think of another term. Every day I received at least three calls from him, and every day after work I'd see his ridiculously cool Ferrari parked there. If it weren't for the roses, his whole display screamed of some rich young master chasing after a girlfriend.
Of course, he wasn't chasing me. Even though this guy looked like he was completely disregarding gender and willing to risk societal disapproval for a same-sex romance, in my eyes, he was more likely just messing with me—teasing me, more like.
His methods weren't even that awful. His calls were perfectly proper, and when we met he'd talk like we were just friends. But the moment I refused his invitation, he'd immediately pull out my embarrassing secret as leverage—kind of like today.
"So, uh, Yun..." I started carefully. I swear, even back when I faced the head teacher in middle school, I was never this cautious. "I'm really busy today."
The deadline my manager gave was almost here, and my conclusion wasn't even finished yet, let alone the review. If a whole month's of hard work went to waste because of one tiny oversight at the end, that would be enough to make anyone depressed.
"Too busy?" His clear voice rose slightly—impossible to tell if he was happy or angry.
"Really too busy. How about another day? I'll treat you next time." Was this really me? Good lord, I actually said that—offering to treat him. In the past, this would have been a sign of the apocalypse!
"If you're really too busy, then I suppose that's that. I know, everyone's busy." He sounded magnanimous, but before I could even exhale in relief, that voice like spring water immediately delivered the words of the devil: "Since you're busy, I'll just ask Brother Fei instead. We could go to Wawa together—take a bath, grab a meal, sing some songs. I have such deep feelings for that place, you know. I once met the most adorable guy there..."
"I'm going!" I screamed before he could finish. "I'll be right down—give me five minutes!" Thank goodness it was almost seven and everyone in the office had already left, otherwise my shriek would have attracted quite a few stares.
Yang Yun didn't hold back on the low laughter on his end. Honestly, his voice was nice—I'd never heard such a good voice before. But such a great voice always gave me the urge to slit his throat.
I hung up the phone and stared gloomily at the pile of documents before me. Another night of overtime. Without even looking in a mirror, I knew my face had to be the kind that would make pandas in Sichuan want to come give me a big hug—they'd mistake me for one of their own.
But even though working overtime was a headache, what was even more headache-inducing was the next task—reporting to Shangguan. I'd already put him off for five days straight. Could I really keep using that excuse about consulting with colleagues?
Headache or not, the call had to be made. I wouldn't dare stand him up, not even if someone gave me ten胆. At this point, I was actually a little grateful for the assignment my manager gave me—otherwise I wouldn't even have an excuse to make now.
I dialed Shangguan's phone and pulled out that worn-out excuse again. My heart was racing. Even though Shangguan wasn't right in front of me, even though it was normal for people on the same team to discuss projects, even though he probably wouldn't actually go ask Yang Xin about it—I was still lying. And I was lying to Shangguan.
Shangguan was silent for a moment. I swallowed hard, almost ready to confess and beg for forgiveness, when he finally spoke: "Got it."
Then he hung up. I stared at my phone for a moment, feeling vaguely that something was off, but I didn't think too much about it. I frantically gathered my things, grabbed my bag, and rushed down the stairs. There was still some extremely恶劣 guy waiting at the corner with my biggest weakness in his hands!