“Brother Wei, just give me a chance. I’ll prove myself. I’ve already interned at my brother’s company, I know I can do this job.”
Wei Jing: “Then keep interning there.”
“Brother Wei, is Yang Jiabo working here now?” Qin Rong glanced at Yang Jiabo.
“He’s a special consultant for our company. Any objections?”
“No. But if he can work here, why can’t I?” Qin Rong retorted.
“Many of our projects stem from his ideas. There’s no comparison. He contributes to the company, while you’re just an intern.” Wei Jing’s words were merciless.
“Brother Wei, just give me one chance to prove myself!” Qin Rong refused to give up.
“That’s enough. There are other candidates waiting. You can leave now.”
With Wei Jing’s dismissal, Qin Rong shot a resentful look at him and Yang Jiabo before stomping off in her high heels.
After she left, Wei Jing called in the employee who had arranged the interviews. “Why was an unqualified candidate like her scheduled?”
“My apologies, President Wei. President Ren’s assistant called to arrange it.”
Yang Jiabo frowned. “Who’s Brother Ren’s assistant?”
“You’ve met him, Zhang Yunwei. He’s close to Qin Ruiwen. This probably wasn’t Brother Ren’s doing.” Wei Jing was annoyed at Zhang Yunwei’s overreach, but since he was Ren Boying’s assistant, the matter would have to be handled by Ren Boying himself.
The rest of the interviews went smoothly. The candidates’ education, experience, and demeanor all met Wei Jing’s standards. Afterward, he asked Yang Jiabo for his opinion. Yang Jiabo immediately recommended a recently married young father for the assistant role.
Wei Jing was puzzled. Why him? Yang Jiabo explained that while the two unmarried women had stronger resumes, hiring a young female assistant as a male boss could lead to workplace complications and misunderstandings. It wasn’t prejudice, just practicality.
The young father had relevant experience. Though his resume wasn’t as impressive as the women’s, he’d be more suitable for business trips and external meetings, with no risk of misunderstandings. Most importantly, he had a family to support and was less likely to job-hop. While his young child might cause minor disruptions, overall, he was the best fit.
As for the last candidate, Yang Jiabo dismissed him outright - smooth talker, but too flighty. After reviewing the resumes again, Wei Jing agreed and decided to hire the young father.
Once the interviews ended, Wei Jing wrapped up some work before taking Yang Jiabo to lunch. But at the building’s entrance, they ran into Qin Rong who had been waiting for them all along.
Spotting Wei Jing, she beamed. “Brother Wei, since you rejected my application, you won’t mind treating me to lunch, right?”
The Wei and Qin families were acquainted, so Wei Jing couldn’t refuse such a small request. He agreed.
“Brother Wei, I’d love French. There’s a nice place nearby.” Qin Rong had already picked the spot.
Yang Jiabo looked uneasy. “Let’s go somewhere else. I don’t like Western food.”
“This place is great, you should try it,” Qin Rong urged.
“How about Chinese instead?” The truth was, Yang Jiabo wasn’t against Western food, he just didn’t know the etiquette.
Back when he’d eaten Western with friends, they’d booked private rooms and asked for bowls and chopsticks, treating it like Chinese food. But he couldn’t very well ask a fancy French restaurant for chopsticks, that would be humiliating.
Qin Rong seemed to sense his hesitation and kept pushing for the French restaurant.
“Brother Wei, you promised lunch. I want French. Unless you’re being stingy? Besides, small-town folks like him probably haven’t had authentic Western food. It’d be a treat for him.”
Noticing Yang Jiabo’s discomfort, Wei Jing understood. “Let’s do Chinese. Xu Chen’s place has new dishes, we can try those.”
“We go there all the time, it’s boring. And this place is closer to your office. More convenient.”
“If you’re not interested, that’s fine. Go wherever you like, and I’ll reimburse you. We’re leaving.” Ignoring her reaction, Wei Jing pulled Yang Jiabo toward the parking lot.
Yang Jiabo, dazed, let himself be dragged away.
“Brother Wei—!” Qin Rong stomped her foot, watching them leave. Did she care about a free meal? What was so special about that country bumpkin? How had he become Wei Jing’s friend, let alone earned such favor?
Yang Jiabo let Wei Jing lead him, feeling the warmth of his grip. Was this still within the bounds of friendship?
Ren Boying’s words lingered in Yang Jiabo’s mind. He kept wondering, what exactly were his feelings for Wei Jing? Reflecting on their interactions, maybe Ren was right. Their relationship had surpassed friendship, yet it wasn’t quite romantic. A phrase came to mind: More than friends, less than lovers.
If Wei Jing someday started a family, his focus would shift to his company, his spouse, his children. He’d have no time left for Yang Jiabo, and they’d drift apart. How would that feel? Just the thought made Yang Jiabo’s chest ache. If Wei Jing really grew distant, becoming a stranger,.Yang Jiabo couldn’t bear it.
He realized, with a jolt, that he might have fallen for Wei Jing without noticing. His mind was in turmoil. Did Wei Jing feel the same? But he didn’t dare confess, what if Wei Jing was disgusted and pushed him away?
In the car, Wei Jing studied him. “Jiajia, what’s wrong? You look pale.”
“Nothing.” Yang Jiabo suppressed his unease and forced a smile.
“If you’re unwell, tell me.”
“I’m fine. Let’s just eat, I’m starving.”
That afternoon, Yang Jiabo was distracted. Back at Wei Jing’s place that night, the sight of the bed they’d shared for days suddenly felt unbearable. Before, it hadn’t mattered—but now, lying beside Wei Jing, he felt restless.
Wei Jing had noticed Yang Jiabo’s odd behavior all day but held back from asking. Now, he couldn’t. “Jiajia, what’s going on? You’ve been off all day.”
“It’s nothing. I just miss home. If I can get a flight tomorrow, I’d like to leave.”
Startled by his own feelings, Yang Jiabo panicked. Afraid Wei Jing might notice, he decided to flee.
“So soon?” Wei Jing was surprised.
“You’re busy, yet you’ve been making time for me. I feel bad. Besides, I should talk to my dad about seeing a doctor. You’re right, if I want a better life, I should get professional help.”
But Yang Jiabo knew the truth, his condition could relapse anytime. At best, it could be managed, not cured.
“That’s good. The sooner you decide, the sooner I can book an appointment.”
“Okay.” Yang Jiabo knew this was just an excuse to escape. He still hadn’t decided whether to seek help.
The next day, Yang Jiabo bought a ticket and bolted. His trip to the capital ended abruptly, he fled home in disarray.
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