Chapter 055　 We were familiar.

  *

  The "surprises" turned out to be a dishwasher and a robot vacuum—a bit too normal, and not quite surprising enough.

  Seeing that he wasn't particularly thrilled, Su Xian asked, "It lightens your load; don't you like it?"

  "Of course I do." He turned and hugged her. "Thank you, wifey."

  "You little dummy. You're the one who helps me at work and spoils me in life; where’s the justice in making you say thank you?" She tilted her head up, about to kiss him, when the doorbell suddenly rang. "Go see who has such terrible timing."

  Li Chengshi ran to open the door. It was another Amazon package.

  "Open it up, honey. This is the real surprise for today."

  Looking at her wicked smile, he didn't even need to think—it was definitely a "not-so-innocent" surprise. This time, he was excited.

  **

  Two days later, Su Xian gave the organized manuscript to Zhao Nanfeng. He made some polished edits and returned it.

  Seeing the signature line, Su Xian was surprised. "Joint Design? I only changed that one part; putting me down as an Assistant Designer is enough."

  "That one part was the finishing touch. It changed the entire character of the building."

  "You’re being too kind, Boss." She could no longer suppress her grin.

  "Revise the parts I handwritten, add the photos according to the numbers, redo the layout, and get to it."

  *

  A few days later, the magazine notified them that they had decided to publish the article in next month’s issue.

  This was the first time Su Xian would have an article published in a major industry journal, and as a "Joint Designer" no less. It was hard not to be excited, but considering Li Chengshi’s feelings, she dialed back her enthusiasm when she returned to her desk.

  But he wasn't in his seat.

  As Su Xian looked around, she saw him walking over with a cup of hot tea, a brilliant smile on his face. "Team Leader, I heard your article is going to be in a magazine. Congratulations!"

  "Zhao Nanfeng told you?"

  "Honda said it."

  "I’m just riding his coattails, it’s no big deal."

  "Stop acting. You were practically jumping for joy just now; I saw you clearly from behind. Then you come back to our work area and put on this act—are you afraid I’ll feel pressured?"

  "Do I really have that much foresight?" she joked.

  "Team Leader, I’m not that fragile." He handed her the tea. "And I know the most important thing I can do for you is not to get jealous over nothing."

  "Honey, you don't have to be so sensible. You can be fragile, and you can be jealous, because I love comforting you. Go on, throw a little tantrum for me right now."

  "Fine then. Tonight, I refuse to cook. You’re taking me out for something delicious."

  "Okay. Pick an expensive place and make a reservation."

  **

  The magazine needed photos of the designers. The two provided several professional headshots, but the editors weren't satisfied. They proactively introduced a Tokyo-based freelance photographer named Brick to come to Towa Design to shoot them.

  In the morning, seeing Su Xian choose a plain black shirt, Li Chengshi asked, "Why not the Ralph Lauren one?"

  "That one is elegant and soft. Today, I want a bit of an edge." As she spoke, she pulled her hair back into her usual sleek style. Her makeup was light, but she emphasized her eyebrows to add a touch of strength to her look. "Honey, you should dress up too. The Boss said he’d ask the photographer to take a company group photo at the end."

  "Then help me style my hair."

  Su Xian had him sit down. Using a round brush and a hairdryer, she gave him a simple, clean look, spritzed on some setting spray, and then gave him a kiss.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  "Tony the Barber offers extra services, I see," he joked.

  "Don't tell anyone. This favoritism is for you only."

  **

  Brick set up simple lighting in Zhao Nanfeng’s office area. After a few tests, the shoot officially began.

  Zhao Nanfeng chose a charcoal grey linen casual suit. Combined with his mostly white hair and the depth in his eyes caused by his weight loss, he looked a few years older, but he truly had the aura of a "Artist."

  Brick shot from several angles but still didn't seem satisfied. Su Xian walked up and whispered a few words to the photographer. He made a slight adjustment and shot another set, then turned to Su Xian and said, "You sure know his best angle."

  "Yeah, we were familiar."

  Next were Su Xian’s solo shots and the joint shots of the two of them. Finally, Brick took a group photo of all four employees.

  *

  A week later, Brick sent them the final edits. The editors selected a joint photo for publication. The journal was set for release in early February, right around the Lunar New Year.

  Looking back on the year, it had been a fruitful one. Su Xian was deeply satisfied. Turning her head, she saw Li Chengshi zooming in on her and Zhao Nanfeng’s joint photo on his screen. Her heart tightened. "Honey, are you feeling upset?"

  "Yeah. My wifey is so beautiful, I’m happy."

  "Hehe. Is she as beautiful as when she isn't wearing clothes?"

  Li Chengshi almost jumped out of his skin trying to cover her mouth. "We’re in the office, for heaven's sake! Can you please not be so 'wild' with your words?"

  "Okay, honey. Stop staring at that one. I think my solo shot is better—a mix of soul and beauty. It’s practically the photo of my life. This Brick guy really has skills."

  "Then are you going to change your WeChat profile picture?" Her current one was still a formal headshot taken years ago at Anliang.

  "I am, but not to this one. I don't use WeChat for work anymore. I want to change it to a lifestyle photo." She scrolled through her phone and finally chose a photo of them together at the Youth Plaza in Chiba.

  "Why this one?" It wasn't their most "beautiful" photo, and since they weren't a couple yet back then, they weren't standing very close.

  "Do you remember? I said when I’m old, I’ll do square dancing, and you said you’d sell fried chicken next to me. You even said ' It's a deal. Go back on your word, and you're a bastard.' Back then, you wouldn't even agree to be with me, but that sentence... it sounded like you were saying 'forever.' Hehe."

  If they were at home, that sentence would have been enough to make him pounce on her and hug her. But since they were in the office, he only dared to pinch her sleeve. "Was I acting a bit too pretentious back then?"

  "Not at all. You only said 'no' with your mouth, but you were being good to me the whole time. You were constantly jealous of Zhao Nanfeng. On our first day here, Honda said we were a couple, and you never even denied it. You’re such a 'say-one-thing-do-another' little puppy."

  "So you knew everything all along? You were just waiting for me to figure it out myself?"

  "I wasn't just waiting around. I was seducing you every second. Did you really not feel it because you were too innocent?"

  He was ready to go back and re-analyze every single plot point from the beginning, but there were too many stories. Better to work first. "Tonight, when we get home, we’re going to check everything with you. Let me see exactly what 'little tricks' you were playing."

  **