Eleven

 "Sobering soup requires quite a few ingredients to alleviate headaches and sober up," Su Hao picked up her phone from the coffee table and glanced at the time; it was quite late.

She stood up, her nightgown hanging loosely down. Even in this somewhat oversized cotton skirt, her slender figure could still be faintly seen. Su Hao approached the triangular table beside the couch, picked up the receiver, and dialed the front desk.

Soon, someone answered on the other end.

Su Hao listed several ingredients like kelp, tofu, and small fish, asking, "Do you still have these ingredients available?"

There was a pause from the front desk upon realizing it was a call from this room. They immediately replied, "Yes, we can find them. Do you need them now?"

Su Hao glanced back at Zhou Yang. He was leaning on his chin, maintaining his earlier posture, looking at her too. Their eyes met briefly. Su Hao calmly moved back and said, "Yes, please bring them up now if you can find them. Thank you."

After confirming, Su Hao hung up and looked at Zhou Yang. "Lie down for a bit. I'll get things ready."

With that, she turned and walked towards the attached kitchen.

The kitchen was new, fully equipped with utensils. It was prepared for Zhou Yang and his group, and the hotel never took any chances, always ensuring freshness even if they weren't frequently used.

Su Hao boiled water, washed the utensils thoroughly, took down knives and cutting boards, and opened the seasonings. Her delicate figure moved around the kitchen.

Zhou Yang's neck was red, his smooth arms also showing a hint of redness. His hand, resting down, revealed veins bulging slightly. He glanced at his phone, then at the woman in the kitchen. The smile on his face faded a lot, his elongated eyes deepening, appearing even darker. Her seriousness made his casual demeanor seem like a joke.

He leaned back, reclining on the couch with his eyes closed.

He didn't like Su Hao's type because she was too serious, serious to the point where one couldn't easily let go once entangled with her.

It was hot.

He loosened his collar with his fingertips, opening it a bit more.

Alcohol and fever hadn't dulled his senses; instead, he became more sensitive. Every sound from the kitchen entered his ears clearly. The footsteps of the woman moving around, reaching into cabinets, wiping tables with a cloth, her fingertips moist with droplets—everything resonated.

The doorbell rang.

Footsteps emerged from the kitchen, passed by the coffee table, headed for the corridor, and opened the door.

"Sorry to bother you. Thank you," Su Hao took the items and spoke gently, each word exceptionally clear. Then, with a bang, the door closed. Su Hao entered with the bag, footsteps drawing nearer. Zhou Yang's eyelids twitched but he didn't open his eyes; he looked very relaxed.

As if exhausted.

He heard a glass placed on the coffee table. Soon after, that gentle voice asked, "Asleep?"

"If you're not asleep, drink some water."

With that, she turned back into the kitchen, her soft voice following her.

Finally, Zhou Yang opened his eyes, sitting up straight, leaning forward to look at the glass of water on the table.

His chest thumped.

A thud, caused by the dispersing alcohol.

He thought.

He picked up the glass, took a sip, then casually reached for his cigarette case, shook one out, lit it.

An orange light climbed his brow.

He lit the cigarette, blowing out a smoke ring, toying with the smoke.

The phone on the table beeped.

All messages were from Su Hao.

Su Hao only allowed WeChat notifications, showing two names, but the content wasn't visible.

One was Shen He.

The other was T.

It was half past ten at night.

Zhou Yang's eyes scanned these two WeChat messages.

He hadn't expected the hotel to deliver such fresh ingredients so late. Later, he realized it was the time when the vegetable wholesale market had just opened, and all major hotel restaurants would go there to purchase their pre-ordered ingredients.

That's why the ingredients were so fresh.

The small fish were still lively, ten of them delivered. As long as the ingredients were sufficient, Su Hao's speed was quite fast. In no time, the aroma filled the air.

Su Hao found a larger bowl, scooped out the soup and ingredients, and carried it out of the kitchen.

There was a slight smell of smoke in the living room. The man was checking his email on his phone, cigarette between his fingers. Despite the lingering scent of alcohol and abnormal redness at the base of his neck and ears, one might think he had no worries at all. Su Hao placed the bowl down, spoon pressing against the bowl, wiping her hands, saying, "Eat."

Zhou Yang extinguished his cigarette, lips curving into a smile. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. You've helped me a lot before."

Hearing this, Zhou Yang paused with his fingers, then grasped the spoon to scoop the soup, his expression inscrutable, unreadable.

Su Hao half-squatted down to rummage through the medicine kit on the coffee table. She hadn't looked for antipyretics before, so it was a bit difficult now. Her nightgown had long sleeves and was somewhat loose. As she searched, her hand slipped to her elbow, revealing a slender, fair wrist, much like the tofu in Zhou Yang's bowl of sobering soup.

Zhou Yang lifted the bowl, propped his knee, drank, his gaze falling on her wrist. "You have two WeChat messages."

"Huh? Let me see." Su Hao turned her head, illuminated the screen.

After seeing clearly, she didn't rush to look. She turned back to continue searching for antipyretics.

Zhou Yang swallowed a piece of tofu, his eyes twinkling. "Besides Shen He, the other one is Tang Rui?"

"Su Hao finally got the antipyretic medicine. She paused, broke off a black one, and said, 'Here.'

'The sobering soup tastes good. Do you make it often?' It's quite fresh. It's Zhou Yang's first time drinking it, because he's never had a fever and alcohol together. His tone was casual, indifferent.

Su Hao replied openly, 'Yes, it's my mom's specialty dish. My dad used to drink a lot before he got sick, and I occasionally make it for him. Tang Rui likes it too when he drinks too much.'

'Oh?' Zhou Yang finished the soup in one gulp, the bottom of the bowl visible.

Su Hao placed the medicine by his side, then picked up her phone. 'Take another dose in two hours. I'll be leaving now.'

'Don't shower. Wait until your fever subsides tomorrow morning.' Su Hao reminded before leaving. She turned off the light at the entrance, closing the door behind her as she left the suite.

Opening the door.

Her skirt was drawn back by her, then the door closed, along with the skirt.

The room fell silent.

Even the faint scent of the woman dissipated, leaving with her. Zhou Yang looked at the door, then withdrew his gaze, pinching the pill on the table. In the medicine kit were antipyretic pills, black and white. Su Hao had taken a black one last night, and her fingertips still seemed a little hot. Gentle personalities, like vines.

Growing up, climbing up.

Entwining, then retreating, leaving traces.

Because of the dead fish, even though her hands were washed clean, there was still a fishy smell. Su Hao returned to the room, took another shower, changed into pajamas, and then lay down to sleep.

Before closing her eyes, she recalled Zhou Yang's attitude tonight.

Compared to when he was younger, he was actually a bit different now. At least at this moment, he was much gentler, as if his rebelliousness had been smoothed out over the years.

This man would make a good friend.

As she thought about it, she suddenly remembered there were unread WeChat messages.

She picked up her phone and opened it.

Shen He: Hey, how long until you're back? Cough cough cough, can't you take a break?

Su Hao: No, I have to do my job well. It'll be about done soon. I'll come back after finishing up.

Shen He: Still not asleep? I thought you were.

Su Hao: Getting ready.

Shen He: Then get some sleep earlier and come back sooner. I rarely go on business trips!!!

Su Hao: Okay.

She exited and looked at another WeChat message.

T: Asleep?

Su Hao: Yes.

T: Looks like you're not. How's the new job?

Su Hao: It's okay.

T: Hmm.

She replied very slowly to the last message. Su Hao was very tired, so she set down her phone and went to sleep, not replying further.

The sobering soup worked well. After about an hour, Zhou Yang felt the alcohol's effect wasn't as rampant. He stood up, casually picked up the black pill and put it in his mouth, then unbuttoned his shirt, walked into the bathroom, took it off, revealing his abs. He turned on the shower, hot water cascading down.

His hair instantly lay flat. He leaned against the wall, water droplets on his brow.

Closed his eyes.

Besides the sound of falling hot water, it seemed there were other sounds. Sounds from the kitchen, footsteps moving, the slender figure, and the sleeve sliding down to reveal a fair wrist as she searched for the pill.

His Adam's apple rolled, water droplets sliding down his neck.

The water's sound was loud.

His voice was very low.

"Damn it."

The medicine worked quickly. After showering and coming out, wrapped in a bathrobe, Zhou Yang sat on the edge of the bed, lazily drying his hair a bit, which was slightly dry. Then he lay down.

The medicine took effect.

But he fell into a dream, a dream with a waist as slender as a willow branch.

He slept until dawn. Su Hao was awakened by the alarm clock again. As the alarm rang, there was also an incoming call. She picked up her phone, but it was from Chen Yu. Su Hao paused, grabbed a handful of hair, and sat up.

"Chen Yu, morning."

"Sister Su Hao, when are you going to Feijie?"

"In a while, I just woke up." Su Hao yawned, walked barefoot to open the curtains, letting a little light flow in. Chen Yu hesitated on the other end and laughed, "Sister Su Hao, can you help me adjust an account for March? It's from Fengying."

Fengying.

Isn't that the supplier she found yesterday with different purchase prices?

Su Hao was stunned, realizing, "You... didn't catch that earlier?"

"Chen Yu didn't expect Su Hao to react so quickly. Her voice lowered, 'It's not that I didn't check, I didn't notice the price fluctuation.'

'You find it for me, send it to me, I'll organize the overall accounts here, cross-check with your side, and then submit it to Director Zeng. Also... don't mention this to Zhang Xian and Lu Mimi for now.'

It's the same routine again.

Su Hao remembered what Zhang Xian said yesterday. After careful consideration, she said, 'Zhang Xian knows everything. It's better not to play tricks in front of her.'

'What do you mean?' Chen Yu was about to say something but stopped and asked Su Hao instead.

Since Su Hao joined the company, she had a good relationship with Chen Yu. Chen Yu took her out to dinner, helped her get familiar with the company. When Zhang Xian and Lu Mimi were not very friendly to her, it was Chen Yu who introduced her. Su Hao always remembered this favor, but she couldn't let personal relationships interfere with her work. Su Hao said, 'Zhang Xian knew about that account from yesterday.'

'You told her?' Chen Yu asked again.

Actually, Zhang Xian did mention it to Chen Yu at the time, but Chen Yu was busy with his phone and didn't take it seriously. Now he had forgotten about it.

With this question,

Su Hao felt embarrassed.

She whispered, 'Yesterday Zhang Xian called and mentioned me.'

'Really? But why didn't she tell me?' Chen Yu pressed. Seeing her persistent questioning, Su Hao couldn't be bothered to explain further. Her tone remained gentle, not aggressive but firm, 'In the future, for small matters I can help you with, I will. But for big issues like incorrect accounts, if someone is not careful during reconciliation and tries to alter things afterwards, I will report it to Zhang Xian. I hope you understand.'

Click—

He hung up.

Su Hao squeezed her phone, sighed, looked out the window, and didn't snap out of it for a while.

After standing there blankly for a while, she finally turned to take a shower, but there was still a lump in her chest. Since Zhang Xian called to complain about her, why didn't she tell Chen Yu? It caused Chen Yu to vent his anger on her?

Su Hao furrowed her brows.

After thinking about it, Zhang Xian probably did mention it. Thinking about Zhang Xian's usual work attitude...

... she probably didn't take it seriously?

Thinking of this, Su Hao felt much better. She changed into another outfit and came out. Her expression was no longer as dejected as before. Breakfast from the hotel had arrived and was waiting at the door. Su Hao brought it in, focused on finishing it, then grabbed her bag and went out. At the elevator entrance, a man in a white shirt and trousers was looking down at his phone.

Hearing movement, he glanced back at her.

'Here?'

Su Hao nodded, smiled, and walked over, asking, 'Has your fever subsided?'

'It has.' Zhou Yang glanced at her again. 'Your complexion isn't great. Didn't sleep well last night?'

This man was quite insightful. Su Hao nodded, 'Didn't sleep well.'

She didn't mention anything about the company.

Zhou Yang smiled faintly, 'Oh? What are you thinking about?'

His long narrow eyes had a hint of mischief, a bit playful. Su Hao felt his expression at this moment was somewhat familiar. After a pause, she said, 'Not thinking about anything.'

Then the elevator arrived. The two of them entered, but for a moment, neither said a word.

He coughed lightly and turned his head slightly.

Su Hao glanced at him, thought for a moment, and said, 'Drink more water. Drink more hot water today to prevent a relapse.'

Zhou Yang clenched his fist against his lips, listened, turned his head to look at her, smiling with his brows and eyes, 'Alright.'

Arriving on the first floor.

There were still many people, and it was sunny outside.

The light was good here. Su Hao noticed that Zhou Yang's complexion was still somewhat pale. It seemed the fever hadn't completely gone, but even so, his demeanor was strong.

Many people were watching him.

After getting into the car.

They quickly arrived at Feijie. Su Hao still reminded Zhou Yang a few times to drink more water, then carried her bag and hurried into the building. It was getting late.

Inside the building, she went upstairs, and her phone beeped.

She took it out and checked.

Zhou Yang: What kind of water should I drink?

Su Hao furrowed her brows.

This remark was even more playful.

But... she felt it wasn't right to casually think of a patient this way.

Su Hao: Warm water.

Zhou Yang: Okay.

Seeing this reply, Su Hao breathed a sigh of relief, walked out of the elevator, and went to handle the next tasks.

Today's work was particularly difficult. Chen Yu was uncooperative, and Su Hao was annoyed by him several times. In the end, she had to ask Lu Mimi for help.

After Lu Mimi learned that Chen Yu was being difficult, she scolded him. Several minutes later, Chen Yu honestly sent a WeChat message to Su Hao, allowing her to continue with her work.

The cashier here was watching and laughing, somewhat amused.

After handing Su Hao the receipts, he chuckled, 'There are many monsters and ghosts at headquarters, Assistant Su. You're too honest. Be careful.'

In fact, although Su Hao was honest, she was also smart and sensitive. So after checking the accounts yesterday, the cashier didn't dare to underestimate her.

But still wanted to gossip and seemed to want to reveal some gossip to Su Hao, but Su Hao didn't want to know. Sometimes, the less you know, the better.

"Today, the end of work was delayed, which may have caused some delay. Zhou Yang's driver still came to pick up Su Hao. Su Hao returned to the hotel, had dinner, sorted out her accounts again, and rested. She had a good dream that night. Over the next two days, Su Hao didn't see Zhou Yang. It seemed he didn't return to the hotel either; he was chauffeured back and forth.

After she finished handling all the accounts, Director Zeng's assistant called her and said, 'Su Hao, your ticket has been booked. You're returning this afternoon.'

Su Hao was surprised. 'Okay.'

Director Zeng's assistant chuckled and said, 'President Zhou still has matters to attend to. He'll probably stay in Haishi for another two days.'

Oh.

So that's how it is.

Su Hao started packing, the driver came to pick her up, and she went to the airport. This time it was a business class flight. Su Hao sat alone. At 3 PM, she arrived in Licheng. She dragged her luggage to the company, went straight to the office to submit the accounts to Zhang Xian, while Chen Yu was busy dealing with receipts.

Only Lu Mimi greeted Su Hao.

Su Hao smiled and glanced at Chen Yu before heading home.

She took her clothes to wash and cleaned the living room and bedroom. Feeling settled, Su Hao leaned back on the sofa, feeling a bit lazy.

At that moment, her phone lit up with a WeChat message.

She picked it up and checked.

Shen He: Su Hao, you're back? I'll be busy for two more days. Let's meet in two days.

Su Hao: Okay.

Over the next two days, Su Hao was busy. She consolidated the accounts, double-checked the payments made, and processed many expense reports.

Su Hao was busy non-stop. Apart from work-related matters, she didn't chat with Chen Yu about anything else.

Two days later.

Finally, she had some free time. Su Hao finished her early shift and checked her phone.

Shen He sent a WeChat message.

Shen He: Shall I come directly to your company to pick you up?

Su Hao had to pause and reply.

Su Hao: Okay.

As soon as she replied, a black Mercedes-Benz arrived and stopped at the door. The window rolled down, and Shen He waved, 'Su Hao.'

Su Hao smiled, walked a few steps forward, opened the car door, and sat in the passenger seat.

'Where should we go?' Shen He was wearing a black hoodie tonight and jeans, looking young. Su Hao thought for a moment and said, 'I'm open to anything. I'm not familiar with this area.'

'Alright then, let's go for Japanese food.' Shen He started the car, glanced sideways at Su Hao, who was wearing a black off-shoulder dress, slender figure, hair tied up a bit messily.

Still very beautiful.

As night fell, a Porsche arrived at the airport. A tall man loosened his tie, bent down into the car, crossed his long legs, his brows carrying a faint weariness, yet still exuding a charismatic aura.

Assistant Lu adjusted the rearview mirror and asked, 'President Zhou, heading back to the company?'

Zhou Yang pinched his phone, opened WeChat.

In the group chat, a few people were chatting, inviting.

Li Yi: Is everyone free? Let's drink.

Jiang Yu: Go to your winery?

Li Yi: Yes.

Li Yi: @Zhou Yang, have you arrived?

Zhou Yang took a cigarette, bit it, didn't light it, chewed on the tobacco, edited his fingertips.

Zhou Yang: Arrived, exhausted. Still drinking? Tsk.

Li Yi: Does that mean you're not coming?

Wen Ze Li: My nephew is still in Licheng. Date tonight.

Xu Dian: Oh? Surprising, did Zhou Yang play matchmaker?

Wen Ze Xin: Yes, who would have thought President Zhou would also be a matchmaker, haha, when will you introduce one to me? I need one too! A beauty from the south, gentle and graceful like that Su Hao.

The outside lights swept in, falling on Zhou Yang's sharply defined face. His expression was unclear as he watched the scrolling chat page. Then he picked up a tissue, spit out the shredded tobacco, exited the chat box, and clicked on Shen He's profile picture.

Zhou Yang: Come over for drinks. We have the Liang wine you've been looking for.

Zhou Yang: Bring Su Hao along. Don't let her go home alone.

.................................................................................................................

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