"May I come in, Mr. Senior?" I knock lightly on the cabin door, peeking in with a small smile.
"Come in, Yunhua," he says with a chuckle.
I step inside, hands behind my back. "You staying overtime?"
"Oh yeah," he says, stretching his arms behind his head and yawning. "Need to catch up with all the stuff, sort things out, and give instructions tomorrow for the next protocol and test... 'cause a certain someone delayed today's test."
I scrunch my face. "Haha..., sorry about that. But I'll help you."
He waves a hand. "No, no. You should go home, it's late. Your boyfriend must be waiting for you."
"What... what boyfriend?" I blink, raising my brows. "I don't have any boyfriend."
"Eh?" He frowns a little, looking genuinely confused. "What happened to that guy you always used to talk about? Your childhood friend... umm... what was his name again? Tang Shixiu?"
My smile tightens just a little.
Of course he'd bring up that name. Can't go one evening without my emotional trauma making a cameo.
"Ah, well… things didn't go right." I shift my eyes away, pretending to look at the files on his desk. "He rejected me recently."
Zeyan's head jerks up. "What? Really?" He sounds honestly shocked. "But weren't you kinda sure he… y'know, hides his feelings for you?"
I let out a dry laugh and shrug. "Well, I guess I mistook his kindness for love."
"Oh…" His voice softens. "Sorry to hear that."
I wave it off like it's nothing. "It's fine. I'm not that teenage love-sick girl anymore."
He leans back in his chair, studying me with a small smile. "Yeah… You've always been mature and composed in every matter."
I rest my hands on the chair across from him but don't sit. "Well, not always. You just weren't there to see the mess part." I smile, but it doesn't quite hide my emotions.
"So why didn't you get married, Mr. Lady Killer?" I cross my arms and narrow my eyes at his hand, very obviously staring at the ring finger. "Not even a fake ring?"
He lifts his hand, flexing his fingers with a smirk. "Oh, just haven't found anyone I feel is the one for me."
I snort. "Oh, says who? You dated more than half of the university girls."
Zeyan leans forward on the desk, resting his chin on his hand. "Haha… but not you, right?"
I blink. "Huh? What?!" My voice cracks a little as I lean back instinctively.
His smirk widens. "See? Even you forgot."
"Idiot," I mutter, turning my face away.
How come he manages to say it with a straight face? Not even a twitch. Not a smirk. Just smooth confidence like he's reading a weather report.
This cheeky idiot—ugh, all he's got is his deep brown eyes that stare right into your soul like he's about to propose or hypnotize you. Long black hair tied back in a lazy ponytail, sharp jawline that could cut glass, and that stupid tongue of his that manages to flirt even when he's just talking about lab protocols.
"Say Yunhua, wanna drink after we're done with these two files? Like old days?"
"Huh? Umm…"
Ugh, what do I do? Jiang is at home, but I've been going home late these days anyway. Maybe a little drink won't hurt.
Mr. Jun also hasn't sent any info yet, so there's nothing much to do after going home.
And… I kinda wanna suck out some info from Zeyan. Just a drink or two won't bother, right?
"Yunhua!? What you spacing out for? I just asked for a drink, not your v-card."
Of course he went there. Classic Zeyan. Someone get this man a filter.
"Huh—Ugh! Moron! Don't say that!" I snap, eyes wide as I smack his arm with a file.
He laughs, ducking a little with that stupid smug grin. "So? Is that a yes?"
I roll my eyes and huff, crossing my arms while glaring at him. "Fine… One drink. Just one. And only because I'm in a good mood today."
He leans back in the chair, looking way too satisfied with himself. "Great! I know a place nearby. Just like old times, huh?"
I mutter under my breath, "Yeah yeah… old times, my foot."
.
.
.
.
After doing some sorting and going through reports for an hour, we both sit in a nearby bar.
The place is dim, a few quiet tables here and there. I lean back in my chair and let out a tired sigh.
We both gulp down beer bottles in the name of "bottoms up," just like old days.
"Say, Zeyan, why are you here out of nowhere?" I ask, resting my chin on my palm. "Who assigned you to China again? What happened? USA didn't pay you well?"
He chuckles, tipping the bottle against his lips before answering. "Oh well, I was earning well in the USA. But just a few days ago, I was offered 2 million to just join NBRC. And salary of 500k per month. Of course, I wouldn't leave such a chance."
"Pfff—cough cough!" I almost choke, thumping my chest. "Wait—2 million upfront?! And what per month?! 500k?! Are you secretly working for El*n M*sk?!"
Zeyan grins, shrugging like it's no big deal. "Yeah. I feel kinda strange too, but I was told senior researchers are unavailable and all."
I stare at him, wide-eyed. This guy… walking, talking money bag.
"Even though I've been handling the lab these days." I pout, slumping forward on the table. "I need a promotion."
Zeyan laughs, tilting his head. "Go fight for it. You're more hardworking than half the department anyway."
I squint at him. "So, Zeyan, who was it that hired you?"
He leans back, stretching his arms behind the chair. "Oh, who can it be… the well-known and absurd scientist. The only one like you who has two absurd PhDs—in radio astronomy and biological engineering."
"Ehh?! Mr. Xian?" I sit up straight, nearly knocking over my bottle. "Did Mr. Xian hire you?!"
He nods with a small smile. "Yeah, he did."
I slam my palm on the table. "Give me the damn number. Mail. Pigeon. Whatever he used to contact you—I need it right now!"
Zeyan flinches, blinking at my sudden energy. "Eh—um, I can give you that, but…" He scratches the back of his neck. "It's no longer in existence. It disappeared right after I got my money and signed the contract with NBRC."
"Tch… shady much." I cross my arms, staring down at my empty bottle.
Zeyan leans in, voice dropping low. His brown eyes narrow a little. "Yunhua, something big is going on in China, right?"
I blink. "Huh? What do you mean?"
He taps the side of his beer bottle, eyes not leaving mine. "I heard news about Xumiumugi Mountain."
My fingers freeze around the glass. He keeps talking.
"Even though the public's got a blind eye on it, in just two days, you're well aware of this sudden reassigning of seniors." He tilts his head. "It's shady."
I try to laugh, but it comes out awkward. "You really think so?"
He raises a brow. "Come on, Yunhua. I know you. You always notice weird stuff. And this one? It's not just weird. It stinks."
I look down at the table, pretending to wipe the condensation from my bottle. "Maybe... I'm not sure yet."
But inside, I know he's not wrong. Something is going on.
"And that something is Jiang!!" I mutter under my breath, eyes snapping to my watch.
"Shit—it's already 11!" I shoot up from the chair, nearly knocking over the bottle.
Zeyan blinks. "Huh? What happened?"
"Umm... I have to go home now!" I grab my bag, fumbling to zip it up.
He tilts his head, amused. "Why the rush? Trains run till 1, right? And even if you get late..." —he smirks, picking up his car keys— "I can drop you with my car."
I freeze for a second, then force a laugh. "No no! I mean, thank you, but really, I gotta go. Important stuff!"
Like a glowing alien manchild who might try to cook the TV this time.
"Why? It's not like anyone is waiting for you at home!"
He says it with a teasing tone, but the second the words leave his mouth, he instently regrete it.
"Ahh—um, sorry. I didn't mean to..." His hand scratches the back of his neck, awkward.
I just chuckle, brushing it off with a small wave. "Yeah, I know. It's fine…" I pull my bag over my shoulder and take a step back. "Um… bye. I really gotta go."
He gives a tiny nod, still looking a bit guilty. "Take care, Yunhua."
I walk out of the bar, cool night air brushing against my cheeks.
His words… should have hurt.
But somehow, they don't. Not tonight.
Because this time—this time—I actually do have someone waiting for me.
Someone who might just throw himself at me the second I open the door, all glowing antenna and clingy arms.
Hehe.
It makes me... happy.