The noodle shop's fluorescent lights buzzed overhead as Zhang Yu stabbed at his food, chopsticks clattering against the bowl. Yin's words looped in his skull like a broken record:
*"Sounds like you've got a crush."*
*She's infuriating. She argues about everything—the temperature of the office, the font size in reports, whether pineapple belongs on pizza (it doesn't). But then she'll bite her lip when concentrating, or laugh so hard she snorts, and—*
His grip tightened on the chopsticks. *"This is ridiculous."*
Yin swirled his coffee, watching the creamer spiral. *"Denial is the first stage."*
*"Fine! Maybe I—"* He lowered his voice to a growl. *"—maybe I like how she never backs down. Or how her eyes get all sparky when she's mad. Happy now?"*
Yin nearly choked on his drink. *"Wow. You've got it* bad."
**Li Shiyi's Meltdown**
Back at her apartment, Li Shiyi sat statue-still on the couch, her fingers pressed to her lips where Yu's thumb had brushed away ice cream earlier.
**Luong's Interrogation
*"Earth to Li?"* Luong snapped her fingers. *"You're blushing so hard you're glowing. Spill."*
**Li's Panic **
*"He—he called me* stubborn *and* reckless *and then his hand was* right there *and now my pulse won't drop below 120—"* She clutched a throw pillow to her chest. *"I think I'm dying."*
Luong smirked. *"Nope. Just screwed."*
**Trade Sprint's New Era**
**The Email :**
**Subject:** URGENT: Yin Zhang Transfer – Effective Immediately
*Attached: His 12-page resignation letter from Zhou Corp (highlighted: "Creative differences with management")*
**Office Gossip **
*"The CEO never greets new hires!"*
*"Unless,"* a junior intern whispered, *"they're* secretly dating *and—"*
Li's death glare cut them off. *"Basement archives. Now."*
**Luong & Yin's Meeting (Tension Maxed):**
Yin straightened his tie outside her office—*then messed it up deliberately.*
**Their Exchange **
Luong: *"You* requested *this transfer, didn't you?"*
Yin: *"I heard the coffee here's better."* (Translation: *You're here.*)
As Yin walked out, the entire office pretended not to stare. Li blocked his path, arms crossed.
**Their Silent Standoff:**
- Yin's smirk vs. Li's scowl
- A shared memory of ice cream and trembling hearts
- The unspoken: *This changes everything.*
**Luong's Voice (From Her Office):**
*"Yin! My 12:30 canceled. Let's... discuss your onboarding."* (Wink.)
The office exploded into muffled squeals. Li facepalmed.
*Somewhere, a keyboard clattered as the intern updated the office betting pool: "Yin/Li vs. Luong/Yin – Odds 3:1."*