Although Qi Xi knew that Gu Yan's words likely stemmed from Gu Xuehan's perspective—not wanting to lose a promising new lawyer—and perhaps also from his own standpoint (after all, their collaboration was seamless, and training a new team member would be time-consuming and less efficient), his plea for her to stay still caused an unwelcome flutter in her chest, followed by regret, sadness, and hesitation.
After Gu Yan left, Qi Xi opened the bag of medicine he'd brought, intending to organize it. The sadness and hesitation intensified. Each box bore Gu Yan's handwriting. He'd used sticky notes to clearly and concisely detail the symptoms each medication addressed, its efficacy, dosage, and frequency. His handwriting was elegant, the strokes sharp and precise, yet written with meticulous care. Qi Xi could almost picture him diligently composing these notes.
He'd brought nearly sixteen different medications, each with its corresponding note. The sheer volume of writing could rival a simple indictment, demonstrating the time and care he'd invested, belying his claim of it being a mere afterthought.
Being cared for and considered in such a way was naturally heartwarming, but Qi Xi wished it would stop. Gu Yan's kindness and inherent gentleness were likely extended to everyone. He even downplayed his efforts as trivial to avoid burdening others. But Qi Xi, perhaps the most susceptible among them, couldn't help but sink into the warmth of his attention.
She slept poorly, arriving at the office the next day preoccupied and still wrestling with the decision of whether to resign after receiving her lawyer's license. Then, the administrative director appeared in the main office area with an announcement:
"This year, our firm's revenue has reached a new high! To boost morale, we'll be holding a golden egg smashing event during lunch break. Everyone wins! Consider it a bonus and a more convenient alternative to a mandatory team-building outing, perfectly aligned with our firm's principles. Each team will send one representative to smash an egg."
Qi Xi stared blankly at Gu Yan, who wore an "I told you so" expression, unusually enthusiastic about such an event. "I'll go for our team," he volunteered. "It's a guaranteed win," he added, clearing his throat. "And I've always had good luck."
As if to prove his point, he began recounting every lucky draw he'd won from kindergarten through university. Qi Xi knew some people thrived on the thrill and anticipation of such events. Having no particular fondness for them herself, and seeing Gu Yan's eagerness, she readily agreed to his participation.
While this unexpected perk made her impending resignation even more difficult to broach, she couldn't deny a flicker of anticipation.
"I heard the prizes are generous," she said, turning to Gu Yan with clasped hands. "Apple and Huawei laptops, phone sets, bedding, appliances—mostly practical items, and quite valuable. With your luck, get me a laptop!"
**
However…
Regrets exist because wishes often go unfulfilled.
Staring at the "Couple's Movie and Dinner Package" Gu Yan had won, Qi Xi felt that while reality often discounts ideals, this discount was excessive, especially considering that other teams had won computer sets, sound systems, and VR sets.
Dumbfounded, she exclaimed, "Gu Yan, are you serious? You were the first to smash an egg, with so many prizes to choose from! How did you manage to pick the worst one? Everyone else got amazing sets, and you got stuck with this…couple's thing? Where's your legendary luck?"
According to the administrative director, the event, while a bonus, was also meant to foster team spirit. Prizes like laptops and phones were easily divided among team members. However, Qi Xi and Gu Yan's prize…
Yet, Gu Yan seemed unfazed, displaying no envy towards those who'd won Apple products. While his expression remained neutral, Qi Xi sensed a hint of satisfaction. Perhaps his positive attitude made him appreciate any win, especially since it was free.
Besides, the movie package included a private screening room, and the dinner was at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Converted to cash, the prize wasn't insignificant.
Thinking quickly, Qi Xi suggested, "That restaurant costs about a thousand per person. Just give me five hundred, and I'll give you the movie tickets. That way, you're not stuck with me and can take whoever you want." She shrugged nonchalantly. "I prefer staying home anyway. Five hundred, and I'll consider myself a winner too."
However, at the mention of money, Gu Yan's expression darkened. "Why should I pay you?"
"I can pay you, or I'll give you five hundred for the tickets and dinner voucher."
Her proposal was met with an immediate and firm rejection. "No," he stated, looking at her intently. "The redemption condition is that two team members must attend together. While the firm doesn't force us into awkward team-building retreats, they do encourage offline interaction to strengthen team cohesion."
Qi Xi's eyes widened. "There's a condition?"
"Yes," Gu Yan confirmed, clearing his throat. "I find it rigid too, but the firm has the final say on these matters."
Qi Xi felt a wave of despair. "So you can't go alone? Or with someone else?"
"No."
Annoyance mingled with anxiety and panic. She'd been trying to avoid spending time alone with Gu Yan outside of work, but this "bonus" had cornered her.
She tried reasoning with him. "The partners are funding this, including your sister. Let's just focus on work and skip it, saving your sister some money…"
"But I want to go." Gu Yan's lips tightened, his gaze shifting. Admitting his desire seemed difficult, but his yearning clearly outweighed his pride. In a resolute tone, he confessed, "I want to try that restaurant."
He looked at Qi Xi, adding, "It's team building, and we haven't socialized lately."
With that, Qi Xi could no longer refuse. He was right. It was just team building. She just needed to maintain a professional demeanor and treat it as such.
**
However, many things are easier said than done.
Sitting in the dimly lit, romantically decorated couple's screening room, with its oversized sofa resembling a bed, Qi Xi regretted everything. The thought of Gu Yan enjoying future dates with his girlfriend, his time fully occupied by her, dampened her spirits.
She felt like an imposter in a palace, granted access due to work, now tainted by ulterior motives. The opulent setting, once comfortable, now felt alienating.
Gu Yan, seemingly pleased with the free entertainment, appeared cheerful. Qi Xi, however, felt a turmoil of emotions, struggling to maintain a facade of composure.
The room's decor eventually distracted her. Frowning at the sofa, she remarked, "This…watching a movie here would be like lying in bed together."
The cinema had clearly catered to couples, but Qi Xi decided against a repeat experience.
"There's a well-reviewed documentary and a war film playing," she declared, determined to counter the romantic ambiance with serious subject matter.
However, the selection in the couple's room was far from mainstream. Instead, she found a bizarre list of titles.
"'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' 'The Mushroom-Picking Girl,' 'The Fox Lives Across the Street'?" She read aloud, frowning. "What are these? Children's movies?"
Gu Yan appeared equally perplexed. Resigned, they settled on "The Fox Lives Across the Street."
"Sounds like a fantasy story, maybe heartwarming," Qi Xi commented, pressing play. Turning to Gu Yan, she recounted, "The staff mentioned this is a 4D experience, very immersive, almost lifelike. They advised us to control our emotions."
She glanced around the room. "It's a new couple's room, but it's not that luxurious. Even with 4D, I've seen the world. I can hardly lose control in this environment."
The couple's package was pricey, but Qi Xi was disappointed. The room was far from upscale, resembling a themed motel room for couples, complete with cosplay costumes hanging on a rack, perhaps an attempt to mimic the popular "murder mystery" trend.
Gu Yan seemed equally underwhelmed, his usual calm demeanor tinged with displeasure. "This is it?" he finally muttered, as if personally offended by the expenditure. "I mean, for the price, it's not worth it." As the brother of one of the contributing partners, he seemed genuinely pained by the perceived waste of funds.
Since they were there, Qi Xi opened the minibar, promised to be stocked with complimentary refreshments. Hoping for a soda, she was met with an array of pink, ambiguously labeled alcoholic beverages. The prices were steep. She grabbed a bottle opener and popped one open.
Gu Yan looked surprised. "You're drinking?"
"Of course!" Qi Xi declared. "Everything's included. The room's mediocre, the movie selection is bizarre…'The Fox Lives Across the Street'? What even is that? This can't be worth the price. We owe it to Gu Partner's generosity to consume everything we can!"
She poured herself a glass, taking a sip. The drink was surprisingly sweet, like fruit wine. Thirsty, she had another glass, offering some to Gu Yan, who declined.
His expression remained disapproving. "This is terrible. We're not coming back."
Qi Xi tried to ignore the implication of "we," as in him and his future girlfriend. At least, she consoled herself, she was doing them a favor by scouting the location, sparing his girlfriend this underwhelming experience.
The sweetness of the wine and the slight alcohol content eased her tension. While she hadn't expected to feel intoxicated, perhaps due to the setting, a lightheadedness crept in.
Finally, "The Fox Lives Across the Street" began. It was a period piece.
However…
Staring at the crude visuals and sets, Qi Xi was bewildered. This didn't look like a proper film. Could a real movie be this poorly made?
The answer became clear when a scholar opened a door to reveal a scantily clad fox spirit.
Indeed, the fox lived across the street. A seductive fox spirit.
This wasn't a regular movie. It was…p**nography.
The scholar and the fox spirit began kissing, and Qi Xi squirmed on the sofa bed, her scalp tingling.
The sound system truly delivered an immersive experience. The sounds of their kissing echoed around her, amplified, as if happening inches away. She could practically hear the movement of tongues.
It wasn't hardcore p**nography, however. The scenes remained suggestive, within censor-approved boundaries.
After the kiss, the couple moved to an ornate bed. The curtains closed, the lights dimmed, and the bed began to shake rhythmically, implying vigorous activity.
Qi Xi thought being forced to watch this with Gu Yan was awkward enough. She was wrong.
As the on-screen bed shook, the sofa bed beneath them began to vibrate in sync.
Qi Xi sat stone-faced, her body rising and falling with the rhythmic motion.
Now she understood the "fully immersive 4D experience."
She glanced at Gu Yan, who, equally mortified, returned a blank stare, his ears slightly red.
In this suffocating atmosphere, the sofa bed continued its vibrations for fifteen minutes.
Qi Xi thought that was the limit, but soon, the scholar and the fox spirit, pursued by enemies, escaped in a carriage, where they resumed their amorous activities.
The sofa bed, simulating the carriage's bumpy ride, began to shake violently. This time, the motion was more intense, like a runaway train. Qi Xi slid across the sofa and into Gu Yan's arms.
No wonder it was advertised as a "private, luxurious, ultimate VIP couples' experience." It was certainly private and ultimate.
In the midst of the simulated "carriage ride," Qi Xi scrambled out of Gu Yan's embrace, only to be thrown back against him by the relentless shaking.
This sofa bed was unbearable!
Her head spinning, limbs weak, she scrambled to her feet and switched off the player.
The suggestive dialogue ceased, but the sofa bed, perhaps on a delayed timer, continued its vibrations for another ten minutes before finally coming to a halt.
Gu Yan looked genuinely exhausted, dazed by the ordeal. He glanced at Qi Xi, then looked away, his ears still flushed. "I didn't know it would be like this," he mumbled.
Flustered and slightly intoxicated, Qi Xi's thoughts were sluggish, but she managed to reassure him, "It's not your fault. You didn't buy the package. Maybe the administrative staff overlooked the details, focusing only on the price, assuming expensive meant good…"