Two Parallel Lines

Two Parallel Lines

For several days in a row, the two of them seemed to have returned to their previous way of getting along. Lin Su was still the considerate, gentle assistant, while Gu Lin remained the aloof boss who rarely smiled.

It was as though they had no connection beyond work. Even when they ran into each other on the stairs at home, they simply passed by without a word.

Gu Lin felt strange, as if he had lost something. Yet when he thought carefully about it, he had no idea what was wrong with him.

What unsettled him was that he had not heard Lin Su's inner thoughts for several days. Could even the one remaining connection between them be about to break?

At that thought, President Gu grew anxious, though he had no idea what exactly he was anxious about.

"President Gu, regarding that plot of land in South City, President Yao of Fengyan would like to meet with you."

Gu Lin's pen paused slightly as he said in a low voice, "When?"

Xiao Jiang nervously straightened her back, her grip on the documents tightening. Her boss was terrifying like this. Why had Assistant Lin not come back yet? Who was going to save her?

"Tomorrow at noon, at Emerald Oriole Pavilion in Dingfeng."

After a moment of silence, Gu Lin lifted his gaze and looked toward Lin Su's empty seat.

"When will Assistant Lin return?" His voice was low, his tone impossible to read.

Xiao Jiang swallowed and, after weighing her words several times, said, "The original estimate was noon. There are quite a few problems at the new mall, so he probably will not be back until close to the end of the workday."

"Mm. You may leave."

She silently let out a breath. Though her tense body made her steps appear slow, she was actually walking in huge strides, wishing she could fly out immediately.

Before leaving, Xiao Jiang glanced at the chief assistant's desk, a trace of sympathy flashing through her eyes. Assistant Lin truly had it hard. Working under the boss's watchful eye every day—no one else in the company could match that state of mind!

Gu Lin undid his cuff and raised his hand to look at his wristwatch. He had bought this watch a few days ago when he visited the old residence.

Lin Su had one too. But since that day, Gu Lin had never seen him wear it again—not even on the weekend.

Gu Lin took a deep breath. Instead of easing the pressure in his chest, it only made him feel more stifled.

It was already three o'clock. Looking at the unfinished documents on his desk, he cast aside his irritation and threw himself back into work.

Lin Su had indeed run into a bit of trouble, though it had nothing to do with the new mall. Rather...

He had accidentally knocked over a college student. Mind you, not with a car—with his shoulder! His shoulder!

The matters at the construction site had been somewhat complicated, but they were resolved quickly enough. By the time everything was finished, it was already 11:40. The drive back to the company would take over thirty minutes, so he was pressed for time.

While making a phone call, he failed to notice the person approaching him. The man in front, dressed in a basketball uniform, was knocked to the ground by him, and by sheer coincidence, his leg twisted awkwardly.

To make matters worse, his phone had fallen and its screen turned completely white. It was clearly broken.

He had caused the trouble, so he had to take responsibility. He could only borrow the student's phone, but the signal there was so poor that it kept cutting out. Still, he barely managed to request leave.

"Big brother, we'll leave our Xiao Han to you," they said before carrying their basketballs away and waving goodbye.

"Hey!" He was about to get out of the car, but the driver stepped on the gas and sped straight toward the hospital.

Seriously, there had been an unusually large number of strange things happening this year!

It had to be said that drivers these days drove incredibly fast. Before long, the two of them were standing at the entrance of the hospital.

"Big brother, I'm really troubling you." As he spoke, he leaned his entire body against Lin Su, his spirited eyes sweeping over the blocker patch at the back of Lin Su's neck.

With such a large person draped over him, this was not trouble—it was pressure. Lin Su looked around, fixed his eyes on a target, settled the man to one side, and strode toward it on his long legs.

Han Jin's gaze remained fixed on the man. His tongue pressed against the roof of his mouth, and his eyes gradually darkened as he seemed to be thinking about something.

The handsome man approached again, and those captivating, peach-blossom-like starry eyes drew closer too. Han Jin could not help but think, He's really beautiful.

"Classmate? Classmate?" Why was he spacing out? Lin Su stepped forward and reached out to pat his shoulder, but the young man directly grabbed his hand. Lin Su frowned. Was that not a little too lacking in boundaries?

"Sorry, I got distracted just now." Han Jin pretended to lower his head, only then noticing that he was holding Lin Su's hand. He froze briefly, then released it and scratched his head awkwardly. "Sorry, sorry."

Only then did Lin Su withdraw his scrutinizing gaze. His expression remained composed as he said softly, "Get on. I'll push you inside."

"Thank you." The young man was very polite.

Hearing that, Lin Su looked at the young man's already swollen foot, his brows drawing together slightly. It must hurt badly. "No need to thank me. Your foot ended up like this because of me."

The young man looked at his ankle, his expression falling for a moment before turning indifferent again. He waved a hand. "No, it wasn't just your fault, big brother."

Every one of those subtle expressions fell into Lin Su's eyes. He knew the young man had not told him everything, but it was not appropriate to press further, so he let it go.

Gu Lin knew Lin Su had not returned when he saw the neatly arranged shoes by the entrance. A chill flickered in his ink-dark eyes as he stopped at the foot of the stairs, seemingly lost in thought.

The dark, empty villa seemed to have returned to how it used to feel. His brows were cold and sharp, and his dark eyes gradually became deep and indifferent. After staring at the entrance for a long time, he turned and walked toward the bedroom.

At the hospital, the male student was diagnosed with a fracture in his left ankle. It would take at least two months to heal.

By the time all the examinations and treatment were completed, it was already past seven in the evening. Since he had caused the incident, Lin Su naturally had to take responsibility. After taking the young man back to his dormitory, it was already late. The two exchanged phone numbers and names before Lin Su finally left.

After running around all day, he had barely rested at all. He was rather tired.

"Young man, where are you headed?"

Lin Su realized that he had not given an address. He must have been so tired that his mind had gone fuzzy. "To Jing..."

Lin Su looked at the small clock swaying in the car. It was already eleven at night. If he went back now, would he disturb him?

The driver was puzzled. Did this young man not have a home?

"Driver, do you know if there are any phone shops nearby that are still open?"

The driver slapped his thigh. "You sure asked the right person! I just came from there. What a coincidence, huh?"

Lin Su smiled. "It really is quite a coincidence. Thank you for the trouble."

"Hey, you're far too polite, young man."

As he got out of the car, the driver called after him.

"Young man, young man, it isn't safe to be out alone. Buy your phone quickly and get home early."

The driver was a very tactful middle-aged man. He did not ask about Lin Su's secondary gender, but the concern in his words was impossible to ignore.

"Thank you. You should be careful too." Lin Su smiled and waved goodbye.

He stood alone on the empty street, lowering his head to look at his white-screened phone. A long-lost, genuine smile appeared on his face. He had owned this phone for five years; it had been a graduation gift from the director he called Dad. Now that it was broken, he should get it properly repaired.

Lin Su carefully put it away and walked step by step toward the brightly lit, bustling night market behind him.

Home. Mm, it was time for him to go home and take a look.