1 - Same Shop, Two Bouquets of Roses
In the evening, the afterglow of the setting sun spilled in from the glass curtain wall of the office.
The powerful air-conditioning of the central air conditioner above the head makes people in the office feel no trace of the heat outside that envelopes the entire city.
Cheng Li picked up the coffee on the table, still staring at the computer screen.
Compared to the constant typing on the keyboard around her, she seemed more leisurely and calm.
Moreover, what was playing on her computer was obviously a special press conference, which did not seem to be related to work.
Until she was tapped on the shoulder.
Cheng Li looked up and found that the person coming was Ren Kuang, the boss of the company.
She reached out and took off the wireless headphones from her ears.
"I have sent the latest infrastructure system optimization plan to your email. Have you read it?" Cheng Li didn't care at all. She was slacking at work and was caught by the big boss, so she said it directly.
Ren Kuang glanced at her computer screen: "Are you watching the latest press conference of Qiyu Technology?"
"Didn't Qiyu Technology announce that they will build a car? I think they will enter the autonomous driving track sooner or later. If you know yourself and the enemy, you will never be in danger."
Ren Kuang smiled: "It's a good idea to dare to regard an industry leader like Qiyu as our opponent."
However, Ren Kuang came to her, obviously not just for chatting.
"Come to my office."
Cheng Li nodded and pressed the space bar to pause the video.
The two of them entered Ren Kuang's office. Ren Kuang did not sit down, but walked a few steps and stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.
"I remember how high-spirited I was when I first moved into this office."
Cheng Li was slightly startled and said sincerely, "You are still the same now."
"Old Yu officially applied for resignation today."
Hearing this, Cheng Li's heart skipped a beat.
But there is a feeling that the stone hanging above your head has finally fallen.
Yu Cheng is Cheng Li's immediate boss and the chief architect of the entire Oceanwide Network. However, recently, there have been rumors in the company that he is leaving.
Although Cheng Li asked his subordinates several times not to spread rumors.
But Yu Cheng frequently asked for leave during this period, so that most of the work was completed by Cheng Li.
It can be said that there can be no waves without wind.
Now this trend has really hit Oceanwide, an emerging autonomous driving company.
Seeing Cheng Li's silence, Ren Kuang simply asked, "What do you have in mind?"
Thoughts?
What ideas could she have.
Cheng Li was surprised when she thought about it, and said, "Senior, I have no intention of leaving with Mr. Yu." When the technical backbone of a startup company leaves, they often take away a group of subordinates around them.
Group job-hopping is a big turmoil for any company.
"Of course I know," Ren Kuang didn't expect this to be what she said. He laughed: "You are my person. No matter what happens to Old Yu, he will never take you away. I guess he didn't tell you about him leaving."
Cheng Li nodded, indeed not.
Three years ago, Ren Kuang decided to start a business and invest in the autonomous driving track, which is currently in the spotlight, because he has worked for a top domestic manufacturer for many years and has no shortage of connections and technology.
He went back to his alma mater to win over Cheng Li personally, not only because they graduated from the same school, but also because Cheng Li had excellent professional qualities and was the most outstanding student in that class.
Three years after joining the company, she has lived up to expectations, starting as an assistant engineer and gradually becoming the current chief engineer.
Ren Kuang looked at Cheng Li: "To be honest, you have always surprised me. After the company was founded, a group of people left because of financing problems. At that time, people were distracted. I thought you would not be able to bear the pressure and left with with them. But you never complained, you were more determined and better than anyone else."
Cheng Li's heart beat loudly at Ren Kuang's words.
"Although Danny is still thinking about it, I have already made up my mind," Ren Kuang smiled at Cheng Li: "After Yu Cheng leaves, I want you to take over his position."
Danny is the other founder of the company.
Chief Architect.
Cheng Li took a deep breath. Although Oceanwide is only a new company established three years ago, it is still considered a rising star in the autonomous driving entrepreneurial circle and has a bright future.
She thought she had at least a few more years before she could go further.
But now the opportunity is right in front of him.
Cheng Li didn't hesitate at all and said quietly: "I won't let you down."
"You have never let me down." Ren Kuang laughed loudly again.
The two chatted for another ten minutes before Ren Kuang said, "It's almost time to get off work, so I won't waste your time on a date."
Cheng Li was startled.
"You are dressed so beautifully today, are you celebrating Chinese Valentine's Day with your boyfriend?" Ren Kuang joked.
Today is the traditional Chinese Valentine's Day. Various promotions and promotions are bombarded in the streets and alleys. It is impossible to ignore them even if you want to.
Cheng Li usually dressed up in a simple and convenient way, but today was different. She wore a mint green dress. The fresh color made her skin extra white and delicate.
Besides, she is the kind of beauty who is stunning at first sight.
When Ren Kuang was introduced to Cheng Li by his professor, he was still wondering in his heart, could such a beautiful girl be able to work in technology with peace of mind?
Unexpectedly, Cheng Li slapped him hard in the face for judging people by their appearance.
Cheng Li smiled: "You guessed it right."
Ren Kuang said in a relaxed tone: "Xu Jiheng is so lucky. He has even chased after the forefront of our Oceanwide. Speaking of which, I can also be considered your matchmaker. When the time comes for you to get married, I have to sit at the head table."
"Definitely."
Cheng Li's boyfriend, Xu Jiheng, is also an alumnus of their J University.
The two didn't know each other when they were in college. Their initial contact was because of Oceanwide's financing project. Xu Jiheng worked in an investment bank.
Therefore, it is not unreasonable for Ren Kuang to say that he is a matchmaker.
**
Cheng Li came out of Ren Kuang's office and walked towards her seat, seeing the teasing expressions on everyone's face along the way.
When she saw the huge bouquet of roses on her desk, she understood immediately.
"If you want to talk about it, it's President Xu," the assistant Zuo Qingqing beside him said in a low voice: "When the errand boy came in just now, the whole office was boiling."
Cheng Li pursed his lips and smiled.
She was about to send a WeChat message to Xu Jiheng, but unexpectedly, her phone rang as if she had a telepathic connection.
It was Xu Jiheng who called.
He was probably here to pick him up and take him out for dinner.
Xu Jiheng's voice rang the moment the phone was connected: "Lili, I'm sorry, I suddenly received a short notice from the company that I have to go to Hangzhou for a short business trip."
Cheng Li did not expect this to be the case, and was suffocated for a moment.
Seeing that she was silent, Xu Jiheng also knew that he was in the wrong and coaxed softly: "When I come back, I will make it up to you. Don't be angry with me, otherwise I won't be able to feel at ease at work."
Cheng Li heard what he said and said, "I'm fine, work is important."
"Don't be so unhappy." Xu Jiheng thought of something else and asked, "Have you received the flowers?"
"Yes, they are very beautiful and everyone is jealous of me."
Xu Jiheng smiled reassuringly: "I promise that I will always make you envied by everyone in the future."
After hanging up the phone, Cheng Li sat down and prepared to continue working.
Internet companies have always been highly involved, and working overtime is common. However, today is Chinese Valentine's Day, and many people still get off work on time to go on dates.
"Boss, aren't you leaving yet?" Zuo Qingqing's boyfriend called, and she turned off her computer and prepared to get off work.
But seeing that my boss hasn't left yet, I feel guilty.
Cheng Li: "You can get off work first. I'll leave after I take care of this."
Zuo Qingqing nodded understandingly: "I know, you must be waiting for Mr. Xu to pick you up."
When Xu Jiheng chased Cheng Li, the pursuit was vigorous and many people in the company were watching, so everyone envied them as a couple.
Cheng Li smiled and said nothing.
She was too lazy to go home early from work to avoid being questioned by her mother why she didn't go on a date with Xu Jiheng today.
At around seven o'clock, Cheng Li stretched out, took out her mobile phone, and prepared to call a taxi home.
It turned out that the taxi-hailing app was also waiting in line.
While waiting for the driver to take the order, she casually opened Weibo and happened to see a picture of the sky that Xu Jiheng had posted before.
She clicked in and was about to like it.
But she accidentally clicked on his likes and saw that the top profile picture was a selfie of a young girl.
For some reason, Cheng Li clicked in.
The other party's latest Weibo was showing off roses.
Today is Chinese Valentine's Day, it was normal to show flowers, but what was unusual was that Cheng Li looked at the roses she had shown, and then turned to look at the roses she had received.
Whether it is white wrapping paper or matching black ribbon, they are exactly the same.
Cheng Li took a deep breath. She knew she shouldn't let her thoughts wander and make random associations. The other party just gave Xu Jiheng a like, and today is Chinese Valentine's Day. It's normal for the other party's boyfriend to send roses. Maybe it was just a coincidence that they bought the same roses from the same flower shop.
At this moment, Cheng Li received a call from the taxi-hailing app driver, saying that he would be downstairs of the company soon.
She quickly turned off the computer, and after thinking about it, she picked up the bouquet of roses.
After getting in the car, the driver confirmed the last number on her mobile phone and prepared to leave.
"Master, can I change my address?" Cheng Li asked.
The driver said good-naturedly, "Okay, where do you want to go instead?"
"J Restaurant on the Bund." Cheng Li said with determination.
This is the girl she saw in the Weibo comment just now replying to her friend that the place to eat tonight is the most famous J Restaurant on the Bund.
Cheng Li knew that her behavior at the moment was very irrational, like a perverted stalker, but without taking a look for herself, she felt that she would not be able to feel at ease tonight.
Maybe if she went to look at it, she would find that she is just too cranky.
**
The Bund is particularly noisy tonight. The rows of buildings on both sides of the strait are covered with bright yellow lights, which look particularly radiant in the night.
This is the heart of Shili Foreign Market. It is bustling on weekdays, let alone during such a festival.
Cheng Li arrived at the door of the restaurant and was a little confused for a moment.
She didn't think clearly and just came here all at once. Could it be that she had to break into the restaurant now and search for tables one by one?
The waiter at the door asked politely: "Miss, do you have a reservation?"
He thought Cheng Li was a guest coming to eat.
Cheng Li's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she accidentally reported Xu Jiheng's mobile phone number. When the other party lowered his head to check, he smiled and said, "The seat you reserved is No. 5, which is the best floor-to-ceiling window location in our restaurant."
At this moment, Cheng Li has no trace of luck left in her heart.
She wanted to turn around and leave immediately, but when things came to a close, she still wanted to see it with her own eyes.
So she refused the waiter's guidance and walked in.
The restaurant was very quiet, and the dim light created a romantic atmosphere. Cheng Li didn't know where table No. 5 was, but she knew it was the best floor-to-ceiling window seat, so she followed the window seat and walked all the way there.
Finally, her eyes fixed on a certain place.
The dining table was covered with a white tablecloth, and there were exquisite crystal candle light ornaments on it. The slender champagne glasses had already been filled with golden liquid.
Her boyfriend, Xu Jiheng, was sitting there, opposite a strange woman that Cheng Li had never seen before.
The bouquet of roses was placed on the chair next to the woman.
The same roses that Cheng Li received.
Haha, men are really lazy, buying two bouquets of roses from same store.
Suddenly, Xu Jiheng stood up, which scared Cheng Li and hid behind a nearby pillar. She thought the other party had discovered her.
But Xu Jiheng just sat next to the young woman. The waiter raised his phone. The woman held Xu Jiheng's arm and rested her head on his shoulder. The two of them smiled at the camera, just like the other couples in the restaurant today.
So sweet and well-matched.
When the woman spoke in Xu Jiheng's ear, a slight helpless smile appeared on his face.
Cheng Li had seen that expression countless times.
She thought it belonged to her only, a doting expression that he would only show when he couldn't defeat her.
It turns out that this expression is also wholesale, just like the bouquet of roses in her hand.
When the woman raised her face slightly and Xu Jiheng lowered her head to kiss her, Cheng Li finally couldn't bear it and closed her eyes.
She thought she would go crazy with anger, but at this moment, she only felt a complete chill that penetrated into her flesh and blood, freezing every inch of her body.
How on earth could this person deceive himself without changing his face?
Cheng Li couldn't help but think of what he said on the phone before, that he would make everyone envy him in the future.
So this is how he makes others envy her?
Give her a unique green hat.
Impulse told her that she should rush over and expose the hypocritical and disgusting true face of this man in public.
But rationally, she thought that if she went at this moment, she was just putting on a bloody drama and would becoming the laughingstock of others in the restaurant.
She didn't want to get herself into that embarrassing and unbearable situation.
This kind of scumbag is not worth it!
Looking at Xu Jiheng who was still unaware of the situation across from her, Cheng Li had no thoughts in her heart.
She turned around and left the restaurant, walked downstairs, glanced at the rose that was still in her hand, and threw it into the trash can without thinking.
The originally bright rose was thrown to the edge of the trash can by her.
In an instant, the petals fell in all directions and became dilapidated.
Just like her feelings, they were sweet one moment and turned into ashes the next.