"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.
Meng Yajing seemed to know what was on her mind. She volunteered, "Don't worry. Zhai Cheng has to work overtime today and won't come. Besides, it's been ages since he last visited me." As she spoke, she couldn't stop playing the victim. "I'm getting old, and no one comes to see me. Oh, I might as well spend the rest of my life alone."
Hearing this, 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 energetic that there was no trace of the gloom 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 call.
Putting the phone aside, Song Ge focused on 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. She knew Meng Yajing was waiting for her.
The clock struck eight.
Meng Yajing sat in the living room, glancing 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, the maid couldn't help but say, "Madam, perhaps Miss Song won't come. 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 word. If she really didn't come, Meng Yajing would be worried that something had 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 suddenly, so I'm late."
"It's okay." Meng Yajing led 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 on my own," Meng Yajing said. She was smart enough not to mention Zhai Cheng. She thought the young people should sort out their own affairs.
"Sure." Song Ge actually just wanted to finish the meal quickly and leave. She always felt that Zhai Cheng might suddenly appear.
As it turned out, she was overthinking. After the meal and even after they had dessert, Zhai Cheng didn't show up. Strangely, Song Ge felt a bit disappointed.
Song Ge left the villa and went back to her own home.
When Mother An saw her, she finally felt a bit relieved. Song Ge had been acting too normally recently, and she always felt that something was going on.
"Mom, don't worry. I'm fine," Song Ge said sincerely. She had decided to let 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. There was no back - stabbing or scheming.
One of the male colleagues walked up to Song Ge with a sandwich, looking nervous.
"Song Ge, this is for you," he said.
Song Ge was confused.
The male colleague scratched his head. "I bought too many. It would be a waste 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 saw Song Ge eating the sandwich at her desk, he was overjoyed.
A colleague beside him patted him on the shoulder. "Do you like Song Ge?"
"You noticed that?"
"Your feelings are written all over your face."
Because Song Ge had a heavy workload, she still hadn't finished by lunchtime. So she decided to go for lunch a bit later.
After a while, Song Ge turned off her computer and was about to go out for lunch.
"Are you going for lunch? Let's go together," the male colleague said.
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 great Sichuan restaurant nearby. I'll treat you."
Song Ge thought for a while and declined. "No, thanks. I'll just grab something to eat."
"We're colleagues. 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 there. Seeing them return, they started to tease. "You're quite something!"
"When are you going to treat us?"
Song Ge was confused. She went back to her seat and asked the girl beside her, "What are they talking about?"
The girl smiled. "Don't you know? Everyone in the office thinks you two are dating."
Song Ge put her hand on her forehead, feeling a bit speechless. "Really? I didn't even know that."
In the afternoon, to avoid suspicion, Song Ge tried not to talk to the male colleague.
Finally, it was time to get off work. As soon as Song Ge walked downstairs, she saw the male colleague waiting there.
Song Ge tried to cover her face, but he still saw 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 very sad but forced a smile. "I didn't mean anything else. I just thought it wasn't safe for you to go home alone so late. Since that's the case, I'll leave first."
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 won't be 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 shown her attention 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 pay much attention to it and just got back to work as usual.
When she went to the toilet at noon, she accidentally heard someone talking outside.
"Someone higher up must be behind this."
"Otherwise, why would he be transferred so suddenly? It must be the higher - ups' decision."
"Forget it. We'd better just focus on our own work."
After saying that, the 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 someone be meddling in this? But why?
Song Ge never figured it out. But since it had nothing to do with her, she didn't think about it anymore.