Chapter 099　 Perhaps in her world, everyone else could only ever be the second choice.

  *

  Su Xian and Li Chengshi submitted their resignations on the same day. From then on, all work proceeded as usual. Everyone behaved as if nothing had happened, maintaining the standard professional courtesy and detachment typical of the workplace.

  December 26th was the last working day before the holidays. The two went to Zhao Nanfeng’s workspace to say their goodbyes. His expression was somber, and he didn't utter a word.

  Su Xian returned the company car keys to him, said "Goodbye, Boss," and turned to leave with Li Chengshi.

  Honda escorted them downstairs, crying as she asked them to invite her out to hang out in the future.

  **

  During the New Year holiday, Li Chengshi returned to China alone to visit Li Xiao. Su Xian didn't want to face Liang Wenya, Old Zhang, or Wang Jing in a state of double failure in both love and career, nor did she want to stay home alone and overthink. So, she signed up for an "Urban Sketch" group activity. Following the group, she experienced New Year customs in various places, capturing inspiration for sketches along the way. At the appreciation meetings, participants shared their works and learned from one another. It was a rich and meaningful time.

  During the trip, she filled a suitcase with various local specialties. She wasn't one for snacks; these were, of course, bought for Li Chengshi to thank him for his companionship. Without him, she didn't know how many times she might have crumbled.

  When she opened the door upon returning home, she saw him cooking in the kitchen. A sense of warmth and certainty filled her heart.

  She waved happily. "Hi, roomie!"

  He waved a spatula at her. "お帰り。(Welcome home)."

  *

  After the New Year, Su Xian officially joined Yobara International Design, a firm ranked in the industry's top ten, beginning a new professional journey.

  Yobara International is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a large conglomerate, employing dozens of designers and hundreds of staff. It wasn't the right place for a designer with dominant individualistic talent like Zhao Nanfeng, but it was a suitable platform for Su Xian. Of course, since she didn't need to get clients herself, she earned a decent salary and overtime pay, but there were no much project bonuses.

  Li Chengshi joined a dispatch agency. After several rounds of interviews, the company sent him to a construction firm specializing in residential buildings. There, he was involved in everything from design to construction. The work was complex and messy, the salary was average for the industry, the boss occasionally scolded people, and there was a lot of overtime. The conditions were mediocre at best, but he was satisfied. This job was proof that he could stand on his own feet in a foreign land by his own merit.

  Now, they left for the train together every morning and returned home separately at night. As long as it wasn't too late, they would gather to gossip about office drama and unwind.

  *

  Before heading to their respective rooms one evening, Su Xian suddenly asked, "Li Chengshi, do you think what we have now counts as pure friendship between a man and a woman?"

  He thought for a moment and said, "I guess so." But in his heart, he was wondering: What exactly is our status? Or rather, what do I really think?

  Behavior he once thought unforgivable didn't seem to matter much now. What bothered him more was the realization that the person she truly loved was Zhao Nanfeng.

  When he broke up with her, she moved on with her life. But when Zhao Nanfeng betrayed her, she threw away her job—the very foundation of her life. The difference was easy to see.

  Perhaps in her world, everyone else could only ever be the second choice.

  **

  Li Chengshi was set to take the Architect Exam in July. The study pressure was immense, and because of his overtime, he couldn't attend the prep school classes and had to self-study. Whenever she was free, Su Xian did her best to answer his questions.

  He was very grateful. "Team Leader, let me pay you the tuition fees I would have paid the school."

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  "Stop being 'generously poor.' If you can pass on the first try, I’ll be the one wanting to give you money. Hey, once you pass, would you be willing to be my assistant? By then, I should be well-established in the company, and I can give you an internal recommendation."

  "Of course I’m willing!" For that, he would give his absolute all to his studies. "By the way, is that troublesome assistant of yours causing drama again?"

  "Yeah. She claimed I didn't use polite language (keigo) with her and accused me of 'Power Harassment' (pawahara). The manager talked to me and asked me to apologize. I did, but she still refused to be paired with me. So the manager dumped Okubo on me—an assistant who's a bit depressed and can't handle any work. My god, it’s worse than having no one! Now I have to do everything myself and manage her emotions on top of it."

  "You must be exhausted. Want me to give you a massage?"

  Su Xian waved him off. "The work itself isn't tiring. But I thought at a firm of this level I could focus on design; who knew the internal competition would be this fierce? It’s all cliques and infighting. If I don't join a faction, I might not get a single project and will just be shoved into second, third, or fourth-tier roles for other designers by the manager."

  "Don't lose heart. Why not pick a clique that seems relatively decent and join them? Any candidates?"

  "Well, I admire designer Ninomiya’s style, but her team hasn't sent me an invitation..."

  *

  By early February, after a month of navigating the corporate waters, Su Xian finally joined the "Ninomiya Faction." She was the third-tier member in her new project group, with little say. She estimated it would be six months to a year before she had the chance to lead a project independently.

  Li Chengshi, lacking field experience, was assigned by his company to a new site near Otemachi to learn as he worked. His office was very close to Su Xian’s, so they began commuting together again.

  On the eve of the Lunar New Year, Honda came over to eat Chinese food with them. She brought plenty of news.

  The Sendai Library project had been officially won—Su Xian had already confirmed this on the project’s official website, where her bio appeared on the relevant page. On the day the news broke, Li Chengshi had treated her to a celebratory dinner of iron-pot braised fish. They were both so happy they sang all the way home after getting off the train.

  "けど、社長はちっとも嬉しそうにならない。（But the Boss doesn't seem happy at all,）" Honda noted.

  Zhao Nanfeng’s unhappiness was entirely of his own making; no one felt sorry for him.

  "社長は来月蘇さんにプロジェクトボーナスを支払うっと言いました。（The Boss said he’ll pay you your project bonus next month,）" Honda added.

  Su Xian nodded. That was only right; if he dared not to pay, she’d go knock on his door and demand it.

  *

  Honda asked if they could really never return to Towa Design.

  They both shook their heads.

  Honda mentioned that Zhao Nanfeng hadn't hired any new designers to replace Su Xian. He was working alone now, getting thinner, and his hair was starting to turn gray. "本当に可哀そうです。（He’s truly pitiful.）"

  Su Xian smiled. "本田さんは本当に社長ラブですね。（Honda, you really are a fan of the Boss, aren't you?）"

  "浮気野郎なんだけど、いい所もあります。（He’s a cheater, but he has his good points,）" Honda sighed. She then mentioned Ono Mari—now Kuroda Mei—who was urging Zhao Nanfeng to give up the Suitengu residence and move into the luxury mansion she bought in Azabu. He had been busy packing lately, and Honda had been called in to help.

  "二人は上手くやってる？（Are they doing well together?）"

  "そうみたいです。（It seems so.）"

  Honda had met Kuroda twice at the Suitengu residence. Her impression was that she was beautiful, gentle, and generous. Hearing that Honda had helped Zhao through two crises, Kuroda insisted on giving her a Chanel bag. It scared Honda to death, and she refused to accept it. Eventually, Zhao Nanfeng took it and stuffed it into her hands at the office the next day.

  There were many rumors about Kuroda online. In short, she had transformed into a tycoon, establishing a special fund for the infant childcare industry to provide free support for single mothers or low-income families. Public opinion had flipped, and now everyone praised her.

  "黒田さんは、社長と結婚したいと言いました。（Ms. Kuroda said she wants to marry the Boss.）"

  Su Xian and Li Chengshi both agreed that this was a wonderful thing. Let a powerful woman like that claim Zhao Nanfeng; otherwise, who could ever stop him from cheating?

  **