"Where you off to with that?" Wendy's eyes sparkled, spotting the yun in Lila's hands.
Lila cradled the ceramic instrument, its cool surface warming under her touch, as if it pulsed faintly. "Gonna play a tune—see if I still got it."
Wendy clapped. "I'm all ears!"
Lila brought the yun to her lips, exhaling softly. A ethereal, lilting melody floated from the small, fist-sized instrument, its tone surprisingly clear.
The tune turned playful, and Wendy grinned, recognizing it. "SpongeBob's theme! Remember when SpongeBob asked Patrick, 'Would you give up brains and riches to be an idiot with me?' And Patrick's like, 'Yeah, I would…'" She whispered to Lila.
Lila's chest tightened, a pang of guilt hitting. Wendy was her Patrick—loyal, unwavering—while Lila felt she'd never been a worthy SpongeBob.
After the song, Lila grabbed Wendy's hand, earnest. "Wendy, no matter what Vanessa says, don't believe her, okay?"
Wendy nodded, her smile steadfast. "So, what's the yun for?"
"Lu Zhe's grandma's birthday is coming," Lila said. "Vanessa'll be there, scheming. I'm prepping a 'show' to shut her down."
Wendy smirked. "Vanessa's gonna try humiliating you at the party. What a snake—wasting that pretty face."
After some gossip, Lila suggested hitting the incense shop, dragging Wendy along.
The shop owner greeted them warmly, today in a sleek flagrobe, exuding cool elegance. "Back already? Trouble with the carving? And this is…?"
Wendy whispered to Lila, "I'm jealous. She's so poised, confident—goals for women."
Lila smiled, introducing, "This is my bestie, Wendy. I'm here for some fine tools."
The owner nodded, fetching a delicate tool set and two small scent boxes. "These tools are great. The boxes are gifts—perfect for closets."
Lila and Wendy thanked her, leaving with their haul.
"This owner's the best!" Wendy gushed. "The shop's so classy, and these scent boxes smell divine."
Lila, seeing her joy, chuckled. "Glad you love it. I'll get you something like this, though their stuff's pricey."
"No need!" Wendy protested.
"I can make one myself—saves cash," Lila said, grinning. "Your happiness is what matters."
Wendy hugged her tight. "You're the best."
They wandered a bit before their evening shift. Chen Yu texted Lila: Heading to the restaurant to check in.
Lila cringed, recalling his brawl with Lu Zhe. Wendy, starry-eyed, squealed, "Your neighbor bro's coming? He's so hot!" She'd been smitten since meeting him.
"Like him? Go for it," Lila teased.
They chatted, then focused on work. After closing, Chen Yu waited outside.
"You're Wendy, right? Lila's told me about you—smart and adorable," he said, handing her a rose. "This is for you."
Wendy blushed, floored. "Thank you!"
Lila smirked, noting Chen Yu's smooth moves. Wendy's already his fangirl.
He took them to a coffee shop. "You're on the same project team, right? Let's talk business."
Chen Yu had scoped out Lila's startup project. Despite its patent and prize, it lacked serious funding to launch. He saw potential and wanted to offer a sweet deal, partly to help Lila.
After risk assessments and simulations, the outlook was stellar—tough early, but with massive long-term gains.
"Alright, spill your terms," Lila said, surprised he'd planned this pitch. She masked her excitement, adopting a cool, negotiating stare.
Chen Yu fidgeted, thrown by her intensity. "My company's offering $10 million to kickstart your project, plus a 10% profit share, win or lose."
"Whoa, that's huge!" Wendy gasped. "Lila, our project's worth that much?"
Lila stayed composed. "Contract length? Ten years?"
"Wendy's sold, and you're stone-cold?" Chen Yu teased, smirking. "Ten years' dividends isn't enough? You trying to buy my company?"
Lila grinned. "Business is business. You know our project's hot—other firms are circling. That deal's not that sweet."
Chen Yu nearly choked on his coffee. "Why not just rob me?"
"Why not steal our project instead?" Lila sipped her drink, her smile sly.
Wendy blinked, lost. "You're talking robbery, and I'm clueless."
Lila laughed. "Wendy, your confused face is perfect. You're the good cop, I'm the bad—nailing this negotiation."
Chen Yu sighed. "Wendy, our offer's solid. Think it over?"
Wendy glanced at him, awkward. "Thanks for the rose, and yeah, you're cute, but this deal's too good. Feels like a scam."
"Scam?" Chen Yu floundered.
"Show us the contract," Wendy pressed, egged on by Lila's nod. "Could be tricks. Don't sell us out. And ten years? That's short."
She'd studied economics, sharp enough to sense a catch. Lila chimed in, "Our project's heat could last thirty years. Ten's insulting."
Wendy nodded eagerly. "Tons of companies want in."
Lila smirked, their teamwork flawless. "No good offer? Someone else will step up."
Chen Yu, sweating, caved. "Fine, we'll pause here. Next time, I'll bring the contract—no scam vibes."
Lila stood, pulling Wendy along. "See you with the paperwork."
Wendy whispered, "We good?"
"Golden," Lila said. "He's ready to throw cash at us."
"This feels unreal," Wendy giggled. "Tell the team?"
"I'll loop in Senior first, get his take," Lila said. "Once we sign, we'll surprise the team."
They laughed, heading back to campus. Lila texted Lu Zhe: Staying at the dorm tonight.
Lu Zhe stared at the message, silent, lost in thought.
The next day, Chen Yu met them at the coffee shop, revised contract in hand. "Check it out. Any issues, speak up."
He eyed Lila warily—she seemed sweet but was a shark in deals. After a night's reflection, her terms felt fair.
The contract now spanned forty years, with an initial $10 million for project rights.
"Happy?" Chen Yu asked. "I'll keep you updated with data—extra perk."
Lila skimmed the contract, satisfied. She'd played him perfectly, holding all the cards. "Deal. Congrats, shady guy."
"Shady? I'm lucky you didn't bleed me dry," he groaned, relieved as they signed. "Money's coming."
"You know I'm fair," Lila said, her smile deceptively innocent.
The deal crushed her expectations. She called Senior, who backed her fully—whatever made bank, the team supported.
Now, Grandma's birthday loomed. Lila rubbed her temples, exhausted, reaching home past 10 p.m.
Lu Zhe was there, asleep on the couch, files in hand. Waiting for me?
She grabbed a blanket, draping it over him, muttering, "Go to bed, dummy. You'll catch a cold."
As she turned, Lu Zhe's hand caught hers. "You're back?" His voice was husky, sleepy but magnetic.
Lila startled. "You're up? Get to bed."
He hummed, not letting go. "Where were you? With Chen Yu again?" He pulled her into a hug. "I told you to stay away from him. Did you not hear me?"
His voice was low, firm, his breathing uneven, anger simmering.
"What's so great about him?" His fingers grazed her cheek, making her shiver.
The air grew heavy. Lila felt his silent fury, his stare chilling her spine.
She took a breath. "We were just talking contracts. Wendy was there—nothing else."
"Better be," Lu Zhe said, his laugh cold, releasing her.
Lila huffed. "What, scared we're sneaking around, Mr. CEO?"
"I don't trust you," he said, his mood sour. "I trust what I see."
Lila's smile twisted, bitter. "Good one, Lu Zhe. Remember that. We've got time."
She slammed her bedroom door, heart stinging. He doesn't trust me? After all I've given?
Fuming, she grabbed her carving tools, attacking the sandalwood. A slip of the knife nicked her hand, blood beading. She wiped it, carving on, silent. I want Grandma to love my gift, to see me. But you, Lu Zhe—what about you?