You Zhi started obediently clocking in on time, without even arriving late or leaving early.
Over the past few days, An Yubei had also been going to the company with Ji Shang every day.
Once they arrived, An Yubei went to the technical department to write code and upgrade the system, while Ji Shang handled company business.
Everyone in the technical department now held An Yubei in particular esteem, not because of his skills or abilities, but because he could tame You Zhi, who was like a feral dog.
In the past, You Zhi had come to work entirely according to his mood. If he was in a good mood, he stayed a little longer. If he was in a bad mood, he did not come at all.
No one could do anything about him, not even Ji Shang.
Some colleagues in the technical department had been there for three years, yet could count the number of times they had seen You Zhi on one hand.
Even if they suddenly ran into him on the street, they might not recognize him.
Someone who had always arrived late, left early, or been absent now came and left on time every day, and even occasionally worked overtime. It was quite unexpected.
He was also particularly obedient to An Yubei. If An Yubei told him to go east, he would never go west.
Everyone thought An Yubei had put a gu spell on You Zhi.
At that moment, An Yubei was discussing problems with the system with You Zhi. Intricate data filled the computer screen, and the two sat fairly close together. As You Zhi listened, his mind began to wander.
An Yubei had very long eyelashes, which cast faint shadows under the light, making his eyes look even deeper.
Those beautiful eyes remained fixed on the computer, completely oblivious to the unusual gaze of the person beside him.
An Yubei said, "There are only a few more parts left before the upgrade is complete. Let's put in some extra hours today and try to get it done early."
Did getting it done early mean An Yubei would be leaving?
You Zhi felt a little empty inside, so he said, "What's the rush? Let's take our time!"
This was also the first time You Zhi had worked so seriously. He found that time flew when he worked with An Yubei. A whole day passed before he knew it.
It was a wonderful feeling, like first love.
Without even raising his head, his eyes still fixed on the computer, An Yubei said, "No, I don't have much time left. Once school starts, I won't have time to come over. Let's try to finish before then."
"School's starting? So soon?"
An Yubei was speechless. It's almost September. How is that soon?
An Yubei thought You Zhi was acting a little strange, but could not put his finger on it.
Soon, he heard You Zhi say, "Let's have lunch together!"
"My treat."
An Yubei ate with Ji Shang every day, so his natural response was to refuse. "No need. I'm eating with my big brother."
You Zhi was a little displeased. An Yubei was always with Ji Shang, leaving him no chance at all to develop their relationship.
"You're already an adult. Why is it still 'big brother' this and 'big brother' that? You're like a baby who hasn't been weaned."
You Zhi's complaint angered An Yubei.
He retorted, "I'm of age. I'm an adult now! You're the one who hasn't been weaned!"
Seeing An Yubei take the bait, You Zhi pressed his lips together in a smile. "Then come eat with me, and we'll work overtime tonight and try to finish today."
An Yubei considered it. School started in two days. If they could finish today, he could get some proper rest.
The thought of being able to rest immediately filled An Yubei with enthusiasm. "Okay, you said it. Don't go back on your word later."
"Relax. Do I look like someone who'd do that? Come on, let's go eat now."
An Yubei checked the time. It was already eleven, still an hour before lunch.
"Isn't it a little early?"
You Zhi pulled An Yubei toward the exit. "It's fine. The sooner we finish eating, the sooner we can come back to work."
Before getting into the elevator, An Yubei sent Ji Shang a message, telling him they would not be eating together and that he was going out to eat with You Zhi.
There was no reply for a long time. An Yubei simply assumed Ji Shang was busy and slipped his phone into his pocket.
What You Zhi called grabbing a casual bite meant dining at an upscale restaurant.
When they reached the entrance, a server saw them and asked, "Hello, this is a restaurant for couples. Are you two a couple?"
An Yubei glanced around. The diners really were all in pairs: men with men, men with women, and women with women. Their intimate gestures made it obvious they were couples.
An Yubei turned his head and asked quietly, "Why did you bring me here? We're not a couple."
You Zhi likewise leaned close to An Yubei's ear. "The desserts and steaks here are really good. I've wanted to come for ages, but I had no one to come with. Thanks for helping me put on an act, Young Master An."
After spending these past few days with him, You Zhi had discovered that An Yubei had absolutely no resistance to sweets, so he knew what to say to keep An Yubei from refusing.
Before An Yubei could object, You Zhi took it upon himself to put an arm around his shoulders and told the server, "Of course we're a couple. Right, wifey?"
An Yubei froze and clenched his back teeth.
Denying it now would be no different from slapping You Zhi in the face, so An Yubei forced a smile. "Yes, you're right."
After they sat down, An Yubei said in considerable displeasure, "Don't come to me for anything like this again."
He did not want to be someone's wife. He wanted to be someone's husband.
You Zhi's lips curved into a smile. "Wifey, try their food before you say that."
An Yubei glanced around. "Don't call me wifey. There aren't any servers here."
"Okay, wifey."
An Yubei was speechless.
Was this guy incapable of understanding words?
You Zhi was unreliable, but the restaurant he had chosen really did serve exceptionally delicious food, especially the desserts.
They tasted sweet without being cloying, far better than what the dessert shop downstairs at the company sold. They also looked adorable and appetizing.
An Yubei ate not only his own portion, but You Zhi's as well.
Even after finishing, he had not had enough and wanted to order more. But Western restaurants were stingy and had so many rules, as though they disliked making money. They refused to serve any more, no matter what.
The server said, "Our restaurant is running a promotion. If you record a video expressing your love and post it on Moments, you can receive a complimentary six-inch cake."
Why did this feel like a Pinduoduo promotion?
Whatever the conditions were, An Yubei was tempted. He urged You Zhi to record a video and post it on Moments.
You Zhi agreed, but the server said that would not do.
An Yubei had to record the video, and You Zhi had to post it on Moments.
An Yubei was speechless.
For the little cake, An Yubei threw caution to the wind and recorded himself saying, "Hubby, your wifey loves you! Mwah!"
He even playfully made a little finger heart. The video turned out wonderfully, every gesture enough to make someone's heart flutter.
You Zhi saved the video. "Wifey, I love you too."
Once the server had walked away, An Yubei curled his lip. "Aren't you getting a little too into character?"
As he spoke, he reached for You Zhi's phone. "Hurry up and delete it. You're ruining my reputation."
You Zhi swiftly snatched it away, then said guiltily, "I already deleted it. As if I'd dare keep it!"
An Yubei did not give it much thought and assumed You Zhi had deleted it. He headed back with his little cake.
Little did he know that the company group chat had already exploded.
There was a company gossip group that discussed nothing about work, only gossip.
Who was dating whom?
Who seemed to have something going on with whom? These were all juicy topics everyone gossiped about.
Today's stars were An Yubei and You Zhi.
[Earth-shattering scoop! Are You Zhi and Young Master An together? There's video proof.]
The video was precisely the short clip An Yubei had recorded, in which he playfully said, "Hubby, your wifey loves you!"
[Oh my god, even my heart's fluttering. Isn't Young Master An way too cute?]
[Wow, watching them work together every day already made me ship them. Now it's real! I'm so happy.]
[Surely it can't be real? Could it be a prank video, or a dare after losing a game?]
[How could it be a dare? They went to that famous couples' restaurant. I bet fifty yuan they're definitely together.]
[I don't care, I don't care! They're definitely together. I'm shipping this CP. No bad ending allowed!]
Zhao Ze was also in the group. He was making coffee for Ji Shang when his phone kept buzzing. His curiosity got the better of him, and he discovered the earth-shattering scoop.
No wonder You Zhi was so obedient to An Yubei. He liked him!
Mystery solved. The master dog tamer was actually a master husband tamer.
After delivering Ji Shang's coffee, Zhao Ze turned to leave, found the video, and tapped it.
But Zhao Ze had forgotten to turn down the volume. The video suddenly blared, "Hubby, your wifey loves you!"
Hearing that familiar voice, Ji Shang could not help feeling his heart tighten. "What was that? Bring it here."
Zhao Ze cautiously walked over. Looking at the oppressive air around Ji Shang, he felt utterly terrified.
Ji Shang opened the video and watched it again and again. With every viewing, the fountain pen in his hand endured a little more pressure.
Finally, Ji Shang handed the phone back to Zhao Ze and said in a low voice, "Delete the video. Don't let it spread."
Zhao Ze took the phone and soon heard the fountain pen snap.
It's over. President Ji is angry.