Back at Quantum Games, Xun Chunlei asked, "What are you doing here so late in the evening? I thought your work was over."
Zexi inwardly shivered, but she tried to maintain a calm expression. "No, actually I hadn’t left in the first place..."
He was taken aback. "Why?"
"I am still very new here, so I was just studying and learning as much as I can."
Xun Chunlei’s eyes widened for a moment and then he shook his head helplessly. "Aish, you are so dedicated. Guess I am seeing a healthy competition between you and Beiye."
She blinked. "Competition?"
"Oh yes. Actually, it hasn’t been announced yet but there is going to be a small software development challenge for the interns and new joiners. Whoever wins will get to be a part of an extremely crucial project of this company. Of course, there will be somebody senior to shadow the intern. This is a great opportunity to get valuable experience."
Zexi’s eyes shone like stars. "Oh my God this is amazing! Can I also join the competition?"
"Of course, like I said it’s for new joiners and interns."
Zexi couldn’t contain her happiness. "Thank you so much!"
Since joining the company, she had been focusing on nothing but Zhang Luqi’s case so she had forgotten all about her vigor and excitement about her dream company.
"I will do my best, Sir!" She stood in attention.
He laughed. "You are not in an army camp to stand in attention like that. Just relax. And for now, you should go home. You don’t have to complete studying all in just one day."
Zexi sheepishly grinned. "Hehe..."
Well, I didn’t find anything at Zhang Luqi’s desk space anyway so there is nothing more I can do tonight...
"Come on. I will at least drop you till the entrance."
When they reached the gate, he asked, "Have you booked a cab?"
"Yes, yes-"
"Z-Zexi...!"
Surprised, Zexi turned her head and looked in the distance to find Bojing furiously waving his arm at her. Her face beamed. "Bojing!"
As he rushed closer, Zexi also noticed Shilin accompanying him. "Oh Shilin is here too!"
He smiled. "I had some work along the same way so I joined Senior Lu."
Xun Chunlei asked, "Oh he is?"
Zexi grinned. "He is Lu Bojing, my boyfriend..." her cheeks blushed a little. At the same time, Bojing’s face turned beet red as well.
"I see, I see."
"Bojing, he is my manager, Sir Xun Chunlei."
Bojing became slightly nervous in front of him and his anxiety kicked in immediately. "O-Oh...I-I...um..." he began to sweat and tremble.
He wanted to greet him and thank him for taking care of Zexi, but he couldn’t say it. "T-That..."
Shilin gave a polite smile. "Senior Lu can get a little nervous meeting new people. But he wants to say hello."
Bojing burst into tears.
I am so useless! I cannot even properly introduce myself to my girlfriend’s boss...
Xun Chunlei was taken aback by his tears. "Why are you crying?"
"Senior Lu is an emotional person."
Zexi nodded her head vigorously. "Aish Bojing, it’s okay."
He sniffled and wiped his eyes. "I c-came here to p-pick you up..."
"Perfect! Just when I am done with my work anyway." She turned toward Xun Chunlei and bowed. "Thank you, Sir."
"Hm?" He looked back at her after being lost in a daze for a moment. "Ah, it’s nothing. I am just looking out for my new employee. See you tomorrow. Good night."
He smiled at Bojing once to which he jolted in reaction and he couldn’t help but chuckle, "I am not going to eat you."
"I-I...um..."
As soon as Xun Chunlei left, Bojing covered his face and poured out a fresh batch of tears. "I-I acted s-so pathetic.."
Zexi’s nostrils flared. "What are you saying? My boyfriend is not pathetic! Show some confidence because you are amazing!"
"Zexi..." his heart overwhelmed with joy.
He bowed to Shilin and sniffled again. "I am s-sorry that you had to c-cover for me..."
Shilin smiled. "No problem, Senior Lu. By the way..."
He eyed Xun Chunlei’s back who was farther away now, already heading inside the parking lot. His eyes slightly squinted. "So he is your manager who apparently snatched Zhang Luqi’s promotion."
Zexi sighed. "Well that’s only a speculation right now-"
"Accusation by Teng Bo, not a speculation."
"But there is nothing to prove anything yet. Also, I think there is a misunderstanding. Sir Xun is such a helpful and considerate manager!" She nodded.
He smiled. "People can be very ambitious and some don’t necessarily show it on their faces. Did you find anything in Zhang Luqi’s desk?"
She shook her head. "Nothing. Just a lot of test scripts and files. There was one drawer locked and I couldn’t check it. But I called her husband and the good news is that he still has her laptop. That’s the best place to look for evidence."
Bojing beamed. "That’s great!"
A gust of wind blew and Zexi shivered.
"L-Let’s head back home. It’s g-getting chilly. Shilin, are you coming with u-us?"
"No, Senior Lu. I will be myself from here on. Please take Zexi home."
"O-Okay!" he cried, "Y-you are such a good junior..."
Shilin chuckled. Bojing and Zexi left towards the car, hand in hand. She was eagerly telling him about the competition and the project and Bojing was sincerely listening.
Shilin’s phone buzzed in his pocket and he took it out. He arched his brow at the incoming call.
"Senior Lu still hasn’t ratted you out, Yong," he said.
"I sincerely hope so. Where are you?"
"Outside Quantum Games."
"Find anything?"
"Zhang Luqi’s laptop is still alive with her husband apparently "
She paused. "I see...Anything else?"
"Yes but unrelated to our stuff."
"Useless."
Shilin smiled, unoffended. "Is the party so boring that you are taking out your bitterness upon me?"
"Correction. Charity function. The place reeks of hypocrisy. I think I will puke," she hung up abruptly.
He merely shrugged and kept his phone back.
Shilin glanced at the company’s parking lot again, narrowing his eyes.
Hmm...this will be interesting.