The next day, it was finally time for the company tour.
Everyone packed and loaded their things onto the bus.
Well... it was more like a mini-van. Not nearly enough seats.
My coworkers were already nestled next to their closest friends. Even Manager Li had brought her husband and was already living her best life.
I looked around, praying for an empty front seat.
No luck.
Only two seats were left.
One was beside Assistant Gu.
And the other...
...beside Xiang.
But of course, Xiang was sitting right between those two seats.
I stared in horror.
Do I really need to go on this trip? Is it too late to fake a stomach ache?
I asked Gu where he was sitting.
Without hesitation, he pointed to the left of Xiang and flopped into the seat like a possessive raccoon.
That left me with the window seat—on Xiang's right.
I sat down slowly, as if walking into a trap. Memories flooded back.
The mysterious boy from the bus… was now sitting right next to me again.
Only this time, he had a job title and a company badge.
And a phone. Still always that phone.
I pulled out mine and sent an emergency text in our group chat:
> "Guys. Xiang is sitting beside me. What do I do?! "
Xin replied instantly:
> "Lie on his shoulder."
I typed back:
> "I'm awkwardly watching this mess unfold while also silently judging myself."
Ling and Meng chimed in together:
> "Ye. It's your chance. Even if it's wild~~~ just GO for it."
> "We're totally here for this chaos. Proceed, legend."
I sighed and looked out the window, wondering if I could just dissolve into the scenery.
That's when Xiang tapped my arm.
"What happened? Why are you sighing?"
I glanced at him. "Oh, it's just my friends. They're teasing me."
He raised a brow. "You have friends?"
I turned to him, dramatic. "Yes. Limited editions. Just like me."
Assistant Gu snorted so hard, he nearly choked.
Xiang blinked, mildly offended—and went quiet, scrolling on his phone.
I thought. He should've done that in the first place instead of talking to me.
Finally, some peace.
It was late at night, and everyone else had fallen asleep.
Everyone… except me.
Of course I couldn't sleep.
The idiot beside me was the reason I lost sleep three years ago.
And now he was snoring softly like a peaceful angel with no clue about my internal chaos.
Even though I felt awkward, I was… oddly thankful.
I had prayed to sit beside him again—and somehow, the universe gave me this seat.
I stole a glance at him.
His veins still popped out the same way. His shirt had that faint scent again. Everything felt the same.
I couldn't help myself.
Quietly, I reached out and traced the veins on his hand with my finger.
Gently. Softly. Like brushing over memories.
What I forgot… was that Assistant Gu was a certified night owl.
I had no idea he saw me.
Xiang, on the other hand?
Slept like a log.
---
By morning, we arrived at the resort.
It was massive. Fancy. Like something out of a dream.
Xiang stood at the entrance, coordinating check-ins.
Then, as we walked in, Gu suddenly grabbed Xiang's hand and examined it.
Xiang narrowed his eyes. "What are you doing?"
Gu dramatically gasped.
"Your veins… they're so smooth! Are you sponsored by lotion or something?!"
Xiang yanked his hand back. "Smooth like butter~"
Then he placed a palm on Gu's forehead.
Gu blinked. "What are you doing?"
Xiang replied seriously, "You don't have a fever. Then why are you acting like this?"
He squinted. "Wait… did you even sleep last night?"
Gu avoided eye contact and tiptoed away like a cartoon villain.
---
In the resort's main hall, Manager Li handed out room cards.
"Assistant Gu," she said, "you'll share a room with Xiang."
Xiang turned to her like a betrayed toddler. "Why don't I get my own room?"
She looked sheepish. "Sir, there was a mix-up. The names got swapped. But just for a week, please adjust."
"You and Gu are like brothers anyway," she added.
Xiang looked like she had just stabbed him emotionally.
Gu didn't miss a beat. "He's not my brother."
Manager Li gasped. "Oh! Sorry, sorry. You're right—he's your boss!"
But Gu raised his hand dramatically.
"No, you misunderstood again."
The room went quiet.
Then Gu declared loudly,
"He's like my son. I'll take care of him."
Dead silence.
Then chaos. Everyone burst into laughter.
Xiang looked like a man deeply regretting every career decision that led him here.
---
Later, everyone settled into their rooms, freshened up, and headed to the dining hall.
In mine, I was on a video call with my girls.
The second they answered, they screamed:
> "DID YOU MAKE ANY PROGRESS LAST NIGHT?!"
I grinned. "Yesss… I took my hand and—"
> "WHAT?!"
"I took my hand… and traced his veins."
Dead silence.
Their faces were blank with disbelief.
Then: laughter. Absolute chaos.
Xin shook her head. "Zhou Ye… I'm sorry. That's your progress?! If it were me, I'd have gone all in."
Ling side-eyed her. "Oh? Didn't you fight with your boyfriend last week over a BTS edit?"
Xin sputtered, "That's different! He distracted me!"
Meng chimed in, "Xin, treat your boyfriend better than your imaginary K-pop bias next time."
Ling and I burst out laughing.
---
Just then, someone knocked on my door.
I opened it—still on the call—and of course, it was Gu.
"Miss Ye, it's getting late. Why aren't you down for breakfast?"
I smiled. "I'll be there in five minutes. You go ahead, Gu. Don't wait for me."
He whispered, "I wasn't waiting. My son is the stubborn one."
From the phone, my friends:
> "OHHHH!"
I gave him a glare and subtly signaled shut up,, I'm on call.
He nodded, got the message, and left.
Outside the door, he whispered to Xiang, "She's on an important call. Maybe we shouldn't disturb her."
Xiang, annoyed, muttered, "You go eat. I have work."
Gu smirked. "Alright, my son. I'll eat first and then come back to feed you. Wait for me~"
A second later, Xiang kicked him.
From behind the door, I was crying with laughter.
This trip was going to be wild.