Chapter 1

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Qiu Zhen Qing steps on the braking pedal, swerving the car around. It is at this time that he notices a rather familiar figure on the other road, directly opposite of him. He is driving a car but she is riding a bike. It is Yin Ting. When he drives his car closer, he sees it clearly. It really is her.

Yin Ting is wearing a simple t-shirt and jeans, her hair in a ponytail. She is riding a rather worn bike. She lifts her b.u.t.t, leans forward and steps on the pedals with vigour. That is because the direction she is heading to is an uphill road. The distance from her bike to his car is only half a road. They pa.s.s by each other. A brief moment, a short distance, those few glances are enough for him to see clearly how the sunlight showers on Yin Ting. Her ponytail sways here and there, the way he sees it – she truly is energetic. The girl is his colleague and company’s little miss, Qin Yu Fei’s close friend. They met once briefly but cannot be considered as friends. Their relations are also shallow but he has a deep impression of her. Both she and Qin Yu Fei have the manner of rich, pampered young misses but unexpectedly he sees her here riding a bike on the streets. The company he is working at is called Yong Kai, a well-known trade and commerce corporation with plenty of brands under their name. Qiu Zheng Qing is the manager there. At 33-years-old, he is already the vice-president, a status that invites the envy and admiration of many people. Furthermore he is invited to work there and nurtured personally by the boss, Qiu Wen Yi. He can be considered as someone with a successful career and life. Today is a Sunday, his off day. Typically on such days, it simply means that he is moving from his office in his company to the office in his home. But today he makes a rare venture outdoors. It is also the day of a rare private appointment. The one who makes the appointment is his former university cla.s.smate, Mao Hui Zhu. She is similar with him, with the same poor family background. Those days they competed for the same scholarship and work-study programme. The scholarship quota was limited, therefore they both fought for the right fiercely, afraid of losing out. In the years they spent in the university, the other cla.s.smates nicknamed them the “Killer Student Duo”. They would definitely be found late into the night studying at either private study rooms or the library. Thanks to their similar background and plight, with the addition of their similar hardworking personalities, they both subtly recognised a sense of mutual friendship despite being compet.i.tors. If they found any suitable jobs for the other person, they would definitely inform each other and even make recommendations. But when it came to their studies, they both went all out. After graduation they naturally drifted apart. When they both found suitable jobs, they did not meet to celebrate but they did call each other to offer congratulations. On the phone, she thanked him for being her compet.i.tor. Without his existence, she would not have such outstanding results or stellar academic transcript. Neither would she be able to enter her dream company. These words reflected what his innermost thoughts. Thinking back, of all that girls that came into his life, Mao Hui Zhu can be considered as a special existence. Those years, he put all his time and effort into studying and working part-time without entertaining any thoughts about romance. He began working immediately after graduation and faced another cruel battlefield. Once again he concentrated all his effort in surviving the compet.i.tive working world, to do his best and carve a place for himself in the world. Without even realizing it, he has worked for almost eleven years. He has become an elite in his field but his private life appears to be on a standstill. On the other hand, after working for two years, Mao Hui Zhu received a promotion and was transferred overseas permanently with her boss. In the first place they hardly connected each other, that separation completely broke off their friendship. This year she returned to homeland and emailed him. For many years he still uses the same email and the both of them reconnects. The both of them talked on the phone, exchanged each other’s social media IDs, and shared about their current lives. Once again, their circ.u.mstances are shockingly similar. Both of them have successful careers, stellar accomplishments, and still single. He couldn’t refrain himself from laughing. They really are similar, she is just like a female version of him. They chatted online for quite some time, discussing from economics to politics to industry growth. They were very compatible. A couple of days before, she called him and invited him out to meet on Sunday. He cheerfully agreed. Even though the invitation was extended by Mao Hui Zhu but as a gentleman, he offered to pay for the meal and be responsible for picking and sending her home. He booked a table at a rather well-known restaurant. He once ate there with an acquaintance. The décor of the restaurant is very cla.s.sy and the environment is also quiet. Mao Hui Zhu was very satisfied with his arrangement. She also did not put on airs and make him wait. When his car reached, she immediately came down from her apartment. It was the first time they have met since graduation. Seeing each other, they were unable to help but laugh. Shedding the childishness of their youth, ten years on the battlefield have coated them with an air of professionalism, confidence, certainty, and maturity. Their changes are drastic but they are still able to recognise each other’s faces. They laugh for quite a while before getting into the car. Mao Hui Zhu laments about how fast time flies. He replies, “It’s fine as long as we didn’t spend it in vain.” She smiles. “You’re still the same with the way you speak.” He too smiles. “Then I can be considered as having kept my distinguishing characteristic intact. You, on the other hand, have changed a lot. You used to speak so politely and stiffly.”

“I am a woman. After entering the society to try and make a living, being too polite and stiff will make others stomp me to death. Humans need to adjust. In this aspect, you men have the advantage. Even if you show your temper, society will give you more toleration than they will give women.” “Will they?” he asks, stepping on the pedal to start their journey. “I’m of the opinion that genders are not important. What’s more influential is our background.” His words have gone straight into her heart. For a person with no background or origin to achieve their present status and success, it will definitely require a lot of sacrifice and effort. “We both suffered.” She smiles at him. He glances at her, remembering the past. “We indeed suffered. Back then when I saw you not leaving, I would not leave either. I thought that if I left, I would definitely lost to you.” “Ha, me too.”

The both of them laughs again, conversing happily throughout the drive. It is at this time that he notices a familiar figure. Why is she still here? He slows down his car to take a better look. He is now driving on the road back, just bypa.s.sing the uphill road when he sees the previously energetic Yin Ting sitting in a tree’s shade. Her bike is parked on the road side. When he drives closer, he sees that it is because her bike chain has snapped. He hesitates for a moment before finally deciding to ask if she is alright. He stops his car. It is at this moment that Yin Ting stands up and pats her jeans off. She sees a car stopping next to her and stops her actions. The driver’s door opens and she sees Qiu Zheng Qing stepping out. He asks her, “What’s wrong with your bike?” Yin Ting’s eyes twinkled, her face bright. The words “I found my saviour” are practically etched on her forehead. “Director Qiu!” Even her voice carried a tone of reverence. He is somewhat tickled by her display of enthusiasm. He points at her bike. “Broken?” “Yeap!” Is it not obvious? Yin Ting skips-walks over to him. “After much difficulty I finally reached the top of the hill but it ended up dying on me!” The bike chain snapped, even the brake chain broke. The bike’s death is rather tragic. “Then what will happen to you? Will your friends or family come and pick you up?” he asks. “I didn’t bring my phone.” Her answer is matter-of-fact. He raises an eyebrow. While contemplating whether to lend her his phone or offer to send her home, Yin Ting interrupts, “Director Qiu, can you give me a little help? There’s a repair shop on Yi Yuan Road, just in front. Can you send me there?” Before the sound of her voice even fades, Mao Hui Zhu steps down from the car. It is only now that Yin Ting realizes that there is still another person in the car. Furthermore it is such a well-dressed woman. Her hair is professional short bob, her makeup is delicate, and she is dressed in a branded suit. Dating? Yin Ting’s gossip radar is pinging. Her eyes flash with excitement but she remembers that she should desperately try to restrain herself. So she politely adds, “Is it convenient?” “It should be okay, it’s on the way anyway.” The restaurant he booked a table at just happens to be on Yi Yuan Road. He nods at Mao Hui Zhu and then points at Yin Ting. “This is my colleague’s friend, she’s called Yin Ting.” Yin Ting smiles warmly. “h.e.l.lo, h.e.l.lo. I apologise for the inconvenience, I hope I’m not too much of a bother.” Her smile is too bright, it makes him sweat-drop. He continues to introduce, “This is my friend…” Before he could finish, Mao Hui Zhu interrupts, “h.e.l.lo, I’m Zoe.” He is a little startled but then remembers that in all her emails and online IDs, she always uses the name Zoe. He also remembers that in university, she is often teased for having an old-fashioned name. He understands now that she is still sensitive about her name. Therefore he chooses to remain quiet, only to say, “Zoe, Yin Ting’s bike is broken. Let’s give her a ride.” Of course Mao Hui Zhu does not object. Therefore he helps Yin Ting place the bike in his car trunk. The three of them gets into the car and continues their journey. Yin Ting sits in the backseat and steal curious glances at the two person sitting in the front seats. Great Director Qiu is actually on a date! This piece of gossip is truly explosive, she really wants to report it to Qin Yu Fei! Too bad she did not bring her phone. While driving, Qiu Zhen Qing can feel a pair of eyes fixed on him. He glances at the rearview mirror. Yin Ting’s expression of elation over new gossip makes him want to sigh. No one can blame his hesitation earlier before deciding to help her. Qin Yu Fei that pampered princess and her circle of friends are definitely not to be provoked.

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