The team-building activity ended abruptly after Tao Xinrou and Fang Rong fell from the high altitude. Everyone was escorted to the rest area, and many were still discussing the terrifying incident with lingering fear.
Zheng Shuhui sat close to Tao Xinrou, poured a glass of warm water, and stuffed it into her hand, her eyes sparkling.
"Xinrou, that was so scary just now! Thank goodness Fang Rong was behind you, it put my mind at ease a bit, but... the way he reacted when you fell was so fast!"
She gently nudged Tao Xinrou with her elbow and said mysteriously, "And after you fell, I saw him holding you up there, protecting you like that. Even though it was dangerous, the scene really looked like a knight saving a damsel in distress from a drama! So romantic!"
Tao Xinrou was sipping the warm water and nearly choked. The heat that had just subsided threatened to rush back.
Romantic? Where was the romance! That was the most embarrassing scene she would never forget.
But Zheng Shuhui, completely oblivious to her friend's inner崩溃, continued to indulge in her drama filter, her eyes curved in a smile as she imagined further: "He was so worried about you just now, from pulling you up to checking your knee, and then arguing with the person in charge. Xinrou, do you think he might have feelings for you too?"
Pfft—
Tao Xinrou spat out a mouthful of water, coughing so hard tears almost came out.
"Zheng Shuhui! Don't talk nonsense! There's nothing like that! That was just mutual help between colleagues! If it were you or someone else, he would have helped too. That was an emergency just now. What drama... Watch fewer of those short shows; they'll rot your brain!"
But Zheng Shuhui had no intention of stopping. She secretly glanced at Tao Xinrou with a smile, then looked at Fang Rong, who was stretching not far away. In her eyes, this usually gentle man seemed even more heroic.
"Alright, alright, I'm not rushing. I have to see how your story ends. Keep it up! I'm rooting for you!" Zheng Shuhui even made a "go for it" gesture, leaving Tao Xinrou completely embarrassed.
Tao Xinrou felt her temples throbbing. She was already socially dead, and someone was still enjoying the drama.
Speechless, truly speechless!
She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, unable to bear listening to Zheng Shuhui's nonsense anymore.
"Shuhui, I want to rest a bit."
Seeing this, Zheng Shuhui had to stop her teasing. She patted Tao Xinrou sympathetically. "Alright, alright, I won't talk anymore. You rest, but... Fang Rong really is a nice guy. You should consider it." She couldn't help adding one last whisper.
Tao Xinrou wanted to roll her eyes twice but had no energy left.
*
Since that day, Tao Xinrou didn't want to run into Fang Rong again.
But the psychological aftermath was like a soft wisp of cotton, occasionally brushing against her heart.
Every time she closed her eyes, it was either the scorching warmth of Fang Rong's embrace or the stern, cold expression she had seen in her vision of his future.
Especially since she had to see Fang Rong not only at work but also after work. This left her distracted at work and sleepless at night, with dark circles heavier than a panda's.
But the person sitting at his desk, completely unaware, was still working away naively.
Tao Xinrou was puzzled, Tao Xinrou was shocked.
When would the big boss get tired of his "virtual life"?
Please, hurry up and become the president so she wouldn't have to worry anymore.
Just as she was trying to numb her tangled nerves with work, a new wave of gossip quietly swept through the entire Yunlu Hotel—
"Breaking news! A friend at headquarters revealed that the Ying family's third young master, who was sent abroad as a child and had no news for years, returned to the country last month!"
"Really? Didn't the old man say he was useless and wasn't allowed back to cause trouble?"
"Times have changed. I heard the old man hasn't been in good health the past two years, and the group needs to elect a new leader. You know, someone needs to come in and balance things out first."
"But even if he's parachuted in, there has to be a reason. What did he study abroad? Hotel management? Finance? Don't tell me he's just coming back as a mascot?"
"Who knows! But apparently he's already in the country and might have quietly entered the group's system. He could be learning the ropes at one of our branches!"
"Oh my god! Incognito inspection? That's too exciting! You think... this key new hotel of our group might be the third young master's first stop for experience?"
"Totally possible! Otherwise, why would Vice President Ying come in person last time for the opening? Maybe he was here to scout things out."
"Oh man, if that's true, could there be spies from the young master among us?"
"Shh—! Keep your voice down! But now that you mention it, I've been looking at everyone like they might have connections..."
"Oh no, oh no, I was slacking off in the warehouse for ten minutes last week. Did the future boss see me?"
...
The rumors were vivid and detailed, and the atmosphere in the hotel became subtle and restless. Many clever employees began surreptitiously observing who might be the mysterious third young master's advance informant.
The art of flattery and currying favor saw unprecedented practice.
Some people suddenly became enthusiastic toward colleagues they rarely interacted with. Some casually dropped probing questions during chats. Some always managed to sit next to seemingly well-connected colleagues during meals in the cafeteria.
Two people, however, stood out as particularly unsocial in this activity.
They were Fang Rong and Tao Xinrou.
Fang Rong still came to work on time every day, kept his head down, and busied himself in the guest room areas.
When faced with colleagues' excited discussions, he mostly just listened, occasionally nodding and showing a slightly bewildered expression like "Oh, really?"
As if these rumors and news of Mars colliding with Earth belonged to a distant galaxy.
Tao Xinrou, on the other hand, took it all in and could only sigh: Dear heavens, you gave me the golden finger of precognition just so I could get a front-row seat to watch how the president becomes president?
Even Zheng Shuhui couldn't contain her curiosity and couldn't help gossiping with Tao Xinrou: "Xinrou, do you think what they're saying is true? Is the third young master really at our hotel?"
Tao Xinrou didn't know how to answer. She couldn't say, "Yes, yes, it's that guy," because she dared not spread unconfirmed rumors. Besides, based on the current gossip, it was gradually matching the scenes she had seen in her visions.