Qi Sui's scalp tingled. She felt like her fever had already healed. Compared to this man, her temperature was nothing. LEO was definitely, at least for now, burning up.
She went to sleep with a head full of questions, but unexpectedly, it was simple. Maybe the fever had fried her nerves. Anyway, Qi Sui had a good night's sleep. As for how the man in the next room tossed and turned, unable to sleep, that was outside her jurisdiction.
The next day had no specific tasks. They only stayed until noon to catch the next train. The combination of fever reducer and anti-inflammatory was especially effective for someone like Qi Sui who didn't take medicine often. The fever lasted only one day. By the time they boarded the train back, her only symptom was a bit of weakness in her limbs.
LEO openly wore a handsome suit, a dark red water-cloud pattern tie around his neck, and glasses on his nose. The lenses reflected light slightly, indicating he was seriously browsing information on his computer, oblivious to everything else.
Qi Sui replied to messages on her work account, then leaned back slightly, staring absently out the window. A rare confusion surfaced in her heart.
That morning, she had received a message from the contact named "Husband." Perhaps she should change it now. Qi Sui stared at the contact for a long time, then swiped the screen and retyped his name. The message's tone was ingratiating and cautious, asking when her business trip would end and if she could make it to Tuesday's birthday banquet. This was a tone Qian Jin had never used in this marriage. He always said: "You have no parents; I gave you a home. Before Teacher passed away, she asked us to be good together. Don't be willful. You don't understand work matters; talking to you is a waste of time."
Qi Sui replied that she could make it, and then requested: "Free up Wednesday after work. Go to the Civil Affairs Bureau."
Both knew what for.
It took a long time for Qian Jin to reply. It wasn't until just now, when Qi Sui boarded the train, that she received his response—a simple "Okay."
Outside the train window, distant misty clouds and dark red twilight burned like a torch across the sky, reminding her of years ago—a collective summit climb organized by a university club. They set off in the evening and reached the top just at sunrise. During that trip, she had quarreled with Qian Jin and went alone out of spite. She sat alone on a rock that served as a bench, watching pink morning clouds covering the sky. Behind her, she heard the chatter of the group, but she was alone.
Just like now.
"Tired?" LEO took off his glasses, leaned toward her slightly, and followed her gaze into the distance. It was a continuous, gentle mountain range. He said: "The area near that mountain has become a 4A-level scenic spot now."
"You know that?" Qi Sui was surprised by his familiarity. Wasn't he mixed-race?
"Of course," LEO smiled. "I also studied in China for college, just that I went abroad later."
His voice carried a hint of nostalgia: "I used to climb that mountain with club members too, but..."
"But what?" Qi Sui reacted slowly and then asked.
"Nothing." LEO didn't want to say more.
She naturally didn't have the tact to press further. Qi Sui turned back to look at the continuous mountain. What was she thinking about just now? Right. When she climbed that mountain, she caught a cold from wearing too little. Everyone else wore appropriate clothes; they couldn't carry extra items. She shivered, hugging her arms, wanting to cry. She thought then: If only she had come with Qian Jin. Or if she hadn't quarreled with him.
At that time, there was a light cough from behind. A pale hand handed her a loose men's cotton jacket, with a weak voice saying: "If you don't mind, wear this." That jacket was so warm.
When she remembered it again, it had been six years. Something that had seemed so painful then now appeared childish and ridiculous. What was once her unwavering devotion had become passing clouds.
Qi Sui withdrew her gaze. The burning clouds were left behind, just like her solitary sunrise that day and the long, slow death of her marriage.
Everything should end soon.
They took the elevator up from the company's underground parking garage. When she smelled the familiar scent of ink and paper, Qi Sui felt as if she had shed a layer of skin. But it was nowhere near quitting time. At least this afternoon, she had to stay in the company and clock out normally.
Guan Guan rolled over on her swivel chair, a playful smile on her face, probing as usual: "Suisui, how was it?"
"How was what?" Qi Sui didn't turn around, tidying up things on her desk, deciding to complete the processes she could finish this afternoon.
Guan Guan exaggeratedly sighed. "A business trip with the VP! How was it? Did it feel good?"
Qi Sui didn't understand her meaning. She turned around. Guan Guan still had that annoying but oddly strange smile.
"It was just work. Nothing good or bad about it."
"Ah?" Guan Guan dragged out the word. "But won't your husband be angry? I heard the VP is good-looking. And why did he specifically pick you for this trip?"
Qi Sui replied expressionlessly: "The VP needed a temporary secretary. I filled in. This one time. It seems to have nothing to do with my husband."
Guan Guan asked: "But I heard from Sister Zhang in HR that your husband also works at our company. Why have we never heard you mention him?"
At this, the office erupted. Everyone had questions. Of course, the most asked was: Who is Qi Sui's husband?
She turned around, raising her left hand. The small diamond ring was no longer there; it had disappeared from her ring finger at some point. Qi Sui didn't care what Guan Guan was trying to do—whether she was trying to regain her authority through this method, or make her a target for everyone to mock this failed marriage. But what did it matter? She and these people had never belonged to the same world.
She replied coldly: "I don't think I need to report my private matters to colleagues. As for the business trip with the VP, he needed an assistant familiar with the project, and I happened to fit and had no urgent work."
"Sister Guan Guan," Qi Sui's gaze was calm. Even though Guan Guan was younger than her, she called her sister nonchalantly. "Are you very concerned about my marriage? What my husband thinks doesn't seem to need an outsider's attention."
Meeting her deadpan eyes, Guan Guan felt a flash of anger, but it was quickly shattered by Qi Sui's next words: "So you ride with Supervisor Tang next door because you care about his marriage too? You should hurry up."
Across from Qi Sui's department was the Product Management Department, headed by a Supervisor Tang. Of course, that wasn't the most important thing. What everyone knew was that Supervisor Tang was recently going through a divorce, and his wife wasn't surnamed Guan.
After she finished, Qi Sui didn't even bother to look at the gossipy expressions of the others. Guan Guan was furious, but after taking deep breaths for a long time, she still couldn't calm down. She forced a reluctant smile: "Don't joke like that, Suisui."
But she saw the expression on Qi Sui's face—an expression she had never seen before, a sharp coldness. Qi Sui was a very gentle person; everyone in the office could see that. She seemed to have married very young, never revealed her husband's identity, and was like a transparent person in the office. Everyone was outwardly equal but secretly discussed and pitied her. She looked like a woman with an unhappy marriage, neglected in her family. Guan Guan especially.
Her smile grew thicker, but it wasn't kind; it carried strong mockery. Guan Guan stood up and stopped in front of Qi Sui. She wore a white blouse with black women's trousers, a playful water-red bow tie at her collar with a few gold threads embroidered on the edge, looking unique.
"Suisui, just a business trip with the VP. Do you think too highly of yourself? President Xiang has always been kind, but we employees shouldn't be arrogant."
Guan Guan leaned down, patted Qi Sui's shoulder, her tone threatening.
President... Xiang?
Qi Sui looked up, frowning. This somewhat disgusted expression seemed to please Guan Guan. She waved her hand lightly: "Oh, that LEO. His Chinese name is Xiang Yu. Do you know his background? Not only is the new inspector his cousin, but half the company is surnamed Xiang. Suisui, you... you wouldn't have any improper thoughts, would you?"
Xiang... Yu...
Xiang Yu?
Guan Guan's voice wrapped around Qi Sui's brain like a persistent buzzing, like a worm boring into her bones.
Qi Sui stared fixedly at the water-red bow tie hanging on Guan Guan's collar. But what came to mind was another beautiful, dark red water-cloud patterned men's tie. Two identical ties, but hanging on different men's necks.
At that moment, she felt a strong nausea. Dizziness attacked her brain. Her face turned pale and ugly, her eyeballs trembling as if she would faint at any moment.
Guan Guan looked at her and nodded in satisfaction: "I know your marital relationship with your husband is very poor, but as women, we must be faithful and honest. In ancient times, women who cheated in marriage would be drowned in a pig cage. Not to mention President Xiang; can you afford to reach that high?"