Two days later, Manager Kong, who was on a business trip, asked Qian Fei to tell Xiao Yuan to book him a flight back to Beijing for the following afternoon. He said he couldn’t reach Xiao Yuan by phone.
When Qian Fei tried calling Xiao Yuan, she indeed couldn’t get through—Xiao Yuan’s phone service had been suspended.
Gritting her teeth, Qian Fei topped up Xiao Yuan’s phone with fifty yuan via Alipay. After that, the call went through.
However, all this hassle left Qian Fei flustered, and when she relayed the message, she mistakenly said, “Book Manager Kong a flight for tomorrow morning.”
About half an hour later, Manager Kong called Qian Fei: “Xiao Qian, didn’t I say to book an afternoon flight? I won’t be done with my meetings in the morning!”
Qian Fei was so frightened she nearly wet herself. She hurriedly called Xiao Yuan again, asking her to cancel the ticket and rebook another one.
The issue was finally resolved, but because of this incident, Qian Fei remained listless and dispirited for the rest of the afternoon.
As they were leaving work, Li Yifei noticed her dejected state and asked what was wrong. She recounted the whole incident.
When Li Yifei looked at her again, his eyes were full of disdain: “Is it worth getting so worked up over? It’s such a small matter.”
Qian Fei hung her head dejectedly. “I just don’t understand why I keep making such basic mistakes. Today I booked the wrong ticket for the boss, and before that, I brought the wrong materials to a meeting. What should I do to avoid making these careless mistakes over and over again?”
Seeing her on the verge of developing depression over this, Li Yifei felt an unexpected twinge of kindness.
“I’ll teach you a method. Get a small notebook, and whenever you make a mistake, write it down. When you have free time, flip through this notebook to reinforce the lessons learned. This way, you won’t make similar mistakes in the future.”
Qian Fei looked up, her eyes brightening. “That’s a good idea!” She clapped her hands together. “Did you used to make a lot of mistakes too, and then use this method to completely transform yourself?”
Li Yifei snorted coldly. “How could someone as perfect as me make mistakes? This method was developed by an idiot named Shen Yufeng from his errors. You two have similar IQs, both pretty low, so I thought his method might work well for you.”
Qian Fei rolled her eyes. “You’re the low one! I’m tall, big, and up, thank you very much! And you’re far from perfect. If you’re perfect, then I’m Amway!”
From then on, Qian Fei consistently used the method Li Yifei taught her, and indeed, she rarely made those careless little mistakes again.
She couldn’t help but marvel once more. Although Li Yifei had a strong young master temperament and low everyday life IQ, she had to admit that his emotional intelligence in work and social etiquette was truly high. He was indeed skilled at navigating the workplace.
Just before going to bed that night, Qian Fei received a message from Hu Zining. He said he had returned from his business trip and asked if she was free the next evening to have dinner together.
Qian Fei replied affirmatively.
The next day at work, Qian Fei received a call from the customer service of an online shopping mall. They informed her that some of her points were about to expire and reminded her to redeem them for gifts promptly.
Qian Fei went to the website to see what she could exchange. As she scrolled through the page, she suddenly saw a man’s coat. The style was quite nice, suitable for young people, and the thickness was just right for the current weather.
She immediately clicked the redeem button, and then called customer service to ask if they could expedite the delivery of the coat. The customer service representative said it wouldn’t be a problem if she was willing to pay for the shipping herself.
Qian Fei gritted her teeth and agreed to pay for the shipping.
Shortly after hanging up, she enthusiastically and considerately asked Li Yifei, “Young Master Li, are you thirsty?”
It’s just shipping fees, what’s the big deal? It’s nothing more than her fetching a cup of water.
Li Yifei didn’t even look up, just extended his arm and pushed his cup toward her.
Qian Fei took the cup and stood up. “I’ll give you a 60% discount on this cup of water, just 12 yuan. When the courier arrives this afternoon, you can go directly to pay for me, okay?”
Li Yifei glanced up at her and snorted, “Qian Fei, are you too naive, or have I not made myself clear? I don’t even like moving the distance to the water dispenser, and you want me to go downstairs to receive your courier?”
Qian Fei rolled her eyes at him. “Fine then, if you won’t run the errand, how about settling the errand fee now?”
Li Yifei chuckled coldly: “Giving you twelve yuan now is no big deal, but I’m afraid these twelve yuan might ignite my competitive spirit. Later when we play landlords, I might win uncontrollably, and you might end up losing a hundred and twenty or so!”
Qian Fei, holding the water cup, nearly knelt before him.
So, getting him water had turned into her paying off a debt in advance? If this young master’s skill at exploiting people were to be ranked like taekwondo belt colors, it would be as black as his conscience!
The coat arrived in the afternoon before work ended. Qian Fei held it in her hands, examining it from all angles, feeling very satisfied.
Li Yifei suddenly asked from the side, “Is it for your boyfriend?”
Qian Fei, while putting away the coat, responded with an “Mm-hmm.”
Li Yifei chuckled, “You’re quite thoughtful towards him!”
Qian Fei shyly said, “Oh, it’s nothing. I exchanged it with points, didn’t spend any money!”
Li Yifei seemed to sneer, “What nonsense! Sister Qian, you should grow a brain when you have time!” After saying this, he turned and went upstairs to get some documents from the securities representative.
Qian Fei stared at his back, indignant, “Who are you calling sister? My ID proves I’m younger than you, big brother!”
In the evening during dinner, Qian Fei gave the coat to Hu Zining. She didn’t mention that it was exchanged with points, fearing Hu Zining might look down on it.
Hu Zining took the coat, his eyes lighting up. He said to Qian Fei, “Feifei, you know what? I’ve always wanted a coat like this, but I never dared to buy one! Feifei, you are my thoughtful little darling!”
Qian Fei laughed, “I’m glad you like it, I’m glad you like it!”
Just like that, a single coat swept away the previous awkwardness and ambiguity between them.
Hu Zining enjoyed the meal very much and even insisted on paying when it was over. As they left the restaurant, Hu Zining wore the new coat, stuffing the old one in his pocket to carry. They walked slowly along a small path, digesting their food. As they walked, Hu Zining raised his arm and embraced Qian Fei, then turned his head to kiss her cheek, “Babe, do I look handsome in my new coat?”
Qian Fei couldn’t help but shudder, “Handsome!”
Satisfied, Hu Zining kissed her again, then turned his head as they continued walking forward.
Qian Fei quietly fell into self-doubt. In the later stages of her relationship with Wang Ruhai, she always complained that he wouldn’t say sweet nothings to her; but now, when someone did say sweet things to her, she shuddered upon hearing them. She suspected she might have contracted the rumored “jian disease” (a complex mix of desire for attention and discomfort with affection).
After strolling for a while longer, they reached the subway station. Before Qian Fei went in, Hu Zining asked her, “Do you want me to see you home?”
Qian Fei looked at her watch and grinned casually, “It’s still early! I can get back on my own! You’ve just returned from a business trip and must be tired, go home and rest!”
Hu Zining looked at her, smiled, and didn’t insist further.
For several days in a row, Hu Zining invited Qian Fei to dinner after work every day. After dinner, they would take a walk or watch a movie. Qian Fei felt that their relationship had become harmonious again.
When talking on the phone with Yao Jingjing, Jingjing asked her, “Feifei, are you satisfied with Hu Zining? Do you like him? I always feel there’s something off about this guy!”
She thought carefully about this question and told Yao Jingjing, “I’ll say it again, my relationship with Wang Ruhai lasted too long and hurt too much. Now I no longer have any beautiful yearnings or girlish fantasies about love. My family is pressuring me to find someone to marry quickly, so I don’t become a leftover woman. Hu Zining does have a bit of a mischievous streak in some ways, but undeniably, he is currently the most suitable marriage candidate for me. At least he looks good, has a good job, and is willing to say some nice things to comfort me. Jing Jing, do you know how long it’s been since anyone has comforted me? I won’t easily fall in love with anyone anymore anyway, so why not find someone willing to comfort me?”
For a long time after she finished speaking, Yao Jingjing didn’t say anything. After a while, a sigh came from the other end of the phone: “Girl, seeing you joking around with me every day without a care in the world, I always thought you had moved on. Now I realize that you’ve been heartbroken all along! You’ve hidden yourself too well! It wasn’t until just now that I understood that heartbreak doesn’t necessarily mean crying your heart out every day. There’s also your way, which is exactly the opposite – not crying at all, eating when you should eat, drinking when you should drink, laughing when you should laugh, finding a boyfriend when you should find a boyfriend, but no longer believing in love!” She sighed again, “Feifei, are you using numbness to protect yourself?”
Qian Fei laughed at her words, “Why suddenly so sentimental?” But as she laughed, her eyes began to sting.
After all this time, only Yao Jingjing had truly understood her.
On Friday after work, while having dinner together, Hu Zining asked Qian Fei, “Babe, didn’t you mention before that you wanted to go hiking together? Why don’t we go tomorrow?”
Qian Fei shuddered while answering, “Okay.”
Ever since she gave Hu Zining that coat, his pet name for her had evolved to a new level, changing from “Feifei” to “Babe.”
Every time Hu Zining called her this, she couldn’t help but shudder.
She had asked Yao Jingjing if there was any cure for her “Jian disease” of wanting to be comforted but not being able to bear sweet talk.
Yao Jingjing said, “Don’t bother trying to cure it. I don’t think you’re the one with a problem, that guy is even more ‘Jian’ than you!”
The next day, after finishing the hike, Qian Fei felt refreshed. Hu Zining then suggested going to see a movie.
After the movie, they went to have dinner together.
While serving her food, Hu Zining asked with great care, “Babe, did you have fun today?”
Qian Fei grinned, “Yes, I did!”
Hu Zining stared at her with what was said to be a doting gaze.
Qian Fei thought that if she had never known Wang Ruhai or been in a relationship before, she would surely have drowned in Hu Zining’s loving gaze by now.
Hu Zining put down his chopsticks and looked at her tenderly, “Babe, I want to discuss something with you!”