"Auntie, I'd better not go," Song Ge declined. She was afraid that if she went, she would run into Zhai Cheng, and it would be awkward for everyone.
As if knowing what was on her mind, Meng Yajing volunteered, "Don't worry. Zhai Cheng has to work overtime today and won't come to my place. Besides, it's been ages since he last came to see me." As she spoke, she couldn't stop herself from playing the victim. "I'm getting old, and there's no one to visit me. Oh, I might as well just live out my days alone."
Hearing these words, Song Ge felt quite sad. "I'll come over after work then."
"Great. I'll be waiting for you. You go ahead and get back to work." Her voice was so loud that there was no trace of the sadness from before.
Song Ge hung up the phone helplessly. The phone screen returned to the page with Zhai Cheng's phone number. She hesitated but finally didn't tap on it.
Putting down the phone, Song Ge devoted herself whole - heartedly to her work.
As it was almost time to get off work in the evening, her boss suddenly gave Song Ge a stack of files and told her to finish organizing them before leaving. Helpless, Song Ge just sped up her pace. She knew Meng Yajing was waiting for her.
The clock struck eight.
Meng Yajing was sitting in the living room, stealing glances at the clock on the wall from time to time. The food on the table had long since gone cold.
Seeing that Song Ge hadn't come yet, the maid couldn't help saying, "Madam, maybe Miss Song isn't coming. Let me heat up the food for you. You should eat."
Meng Yajing shook her head, her eyes fixed on the door. "No need. Song Ge said she'd come, and she will."
Song Ge always kept her promises. If she really didn't come, Meng Yajing would be worried that something might have happened to her.
Song Ge rushed into the villa, out of breath.
Seeing Song Ge arrive, Meng Yajing stepped forward and patted her on the back. "Child, why are you running so fast?"
Song Ge looked apologetic. "Auntie, I'm so sorry. The company made me work overtime at the last minute, so I'm late."
"It's okay." Meng Yajing pulled Song Ge into the hall and told the servants to heat up the food. "You can have dinner soon."
The two chatted for a while. When the food was served, they ate while chatting.
"Song Ge, come and keep me company more often when you have time. I'm so bored by myself." Meng Yajing was smart enough not to mention Zhai Cheng. She thought the young people should sort out their own affairs.
"Sure." Song Ge just wanted to finish her meal quickly and leave. She always felt that Zhai Cheng might suddenly show up.
As it turned out, she was overthinking. By the time they finished the meal and had some after - dinner fruits, Zhai Cheng still hadn't appeared. Strangely enough, Song Ge felt a bit disappointed.
Song Ge left the villa and went back to her own home.
Seeing her, Mother An finally felt a bit relieved. Song Ge had been acting too normally recently, and she always felt that something was up.
"Mom, don't worry. I'm fine." Song Ge was being sincere. She had decided to let it go. The world would still go on without anyone.
The next day, Song Ge went to work as usual.
She felt quite relaxed in this company because her colleagues were all very friendly, and there was no back - stabbing.
One of the male colleagues walked up to Song Ge with a sandwich in his hand, looking nervous.
"Song Ge, here's this for you."
Song Ge was completely confused.
The male colleague scratched his head. "I bought too many. It would be a pity to throw them away."
"Okay, thanks." Song Ge took the sandwich. She had gotten up a bit late that morning and forgotten to have breakfast.
The male colleague left happily. When he got back to his desk and saw Song Ge eating the sandwich, he was overjoyed.
A colleague next to him patted him on the shoulder. "Do you like Song Ge?"
"How did you figure that out?"
"Your feelings are written all over your face."
Because Song Ge had a heavy workload, she still hadn't finished her work by lunchtime. So she decided to go to lunch a bit later.
After a while, Song Ge shut down her computer and was about to go out for lunch.
"Are you going to have lunch? Let's go together."
Song Ge was startled. Usually, the office was almost empty at lunchtime. She patted her chest. "Why haven't you gone for lunch yet?"
"I just finished my work." The male colleague continued, "I know there's a Sichuan restaurant nearby. It's quite good. I'll treat you."
Song Ge thought for a moment and declined. "No, thanks for the offer. I'll just grab a bite."
"We're going to be colleagues for a long time. Can't you give me this much face?" The male colleague looked hurt.
Song Ge had no choice but to agree. The two of them went out for lunch together.
When they got back to the office, most of the colleagues were already there. Seeing them return, they started to tease. "You've got it made, buddy."
"When are you going to treat us to a meal?"
Song Ge was bewildered. She went back to her seat and asked the girl next to her, "What are they talking about?"
The girl smiled. "Don't you know? Everyone in the office thinks you two are dating."
Song Ge rubbed her forehead, feeling quite speechless. "Really? I didn't even know that."
In the afternoon, to avoid any rumors, Song Ge tried not to talk to the male colleague.
Finally, it was time to get off work. As soon as she walked downstairs, she saw the male colleague waiting there.
Song Ge covered her face, but he still spotted her. "Song Ge, let me drive you home."
"No, thanks. I'll take a taxi." After a pause, Song Ge said, "There have been some rumors in the office recently. Don't take them to heart. And, I have a boyfriend."
The male colleague looked heart - broken but forced a smile. "I didn't mean anything by it. I just thought it wasn't safe for you to go home alone so late. Since that's the case, I'll be on my way."
After he left, Song Ge took a taxi home.
The next day, as soon as Song Ge entered the office, she heard people whispering.
"I heard he's not coming anymore."
"What happened? He was fine yesterday."
Later, Song Ge found out that "he" they were talking about was the male colleague who had paid court to her the day before.
Song Ge asked out of curiosity, "Why did he leave?"
"I'm not sure. Some people said he had family issues."
Song Ge didn't think much of it and just got back to work as usual.
When she went to the toilet at noon, she accidentally heard someone talking outside.
"I think someone higher up is behind this."
"Otherwise, why would he be transferred out of nowhere? It must be the higher - ups' decision."
"Forget it. We'd better just focus on our own work."
After saying that, their voices faded away.
Song Ge opened the door and came out. She was a bit confused. That guy wasn't a technical expert. Was it really worth the higher - ups' effort to transfer him?
Could it be that someone was meddling in this? But why?
Song Ge never figured it out. Since it had nothing to do with her, she didn't really care.