The Daily Struggle of a Corporate Slave 14

Chapter 14

Pei Songji wasn’t one to dwell on things.

When he realized his feelings for Jing Ciying, he had carefully analyzed the possibility of a relationship, concluding it was impossible. He had then started the process of distancing himself, intending to transfer Jing Ciying to a different position once he had adjusted.

But now, it was clear his feelings were deeper than he had anticipated. He couldn’t, and didn’t want to, be without Jing Ciying.

He discarded his previous plan and started considering a new one.

What obstacles would they face if they were together?

Firstly, his grandparents. They were traditional and might not accept their grandson being with a man.

Secondly, the company. Although he knew others in their circle had same-sex relationships, they were always kept discreet. Except for Chu Yang, no one openly acknowledged such relationships.

But Pei Songji didn’t want secrecy. He didn’t want a clandestine affair.

If they were together, he would announce it to the world, proudly acknowledging their relationship.

But same-sex relationships were still a sensitive topic in their country. Openly acknowledging his relationship could negatively impact the company.

Thirdly, Jing Ciying himself.

Although Jing Ciying had worked for him since graduation, he knew little about his family or their views on same-sex relationships.

And how should he confess?

This wasn’t urgent. He knew Jing Ciying was insecure and wanted to resolve these issues before taking that final step, ensuring Jing Ciying could accept his feelings without any reservations.

He started planning, realizing each step required careful consideration and timing.

Some of these steps would be easier without Jing Ciying around, so he gave him an unexpected leave of absence.

“Two weeks?” Jing Ciying was speechless. “But Mr. Pei, the New Year is only two weeks away.”

Pei Songji realized this, his resolve wavering. He didn’t want to be apart from Jing Ciying for so long.

But this was important. Once they were together, they would have a lifetime ahead of them.

“I know,” he said. “You’ve been working hard. Take a break.”

“But…”

“You’ll still get paid.”

“Okay.”

Jing Ciying sometimes found Pei Songji difficult to understand, but he also recognized his charisma and occasional generosity.

He couldn’t refuse paid leave, but he felt uneasy.

Was this truly just a vacation?

Or was Pei Songji still upset about Ji Shuhuai’s job offer?

Loyalty was paramount for a secretary.

Perhaps Pei Songji suspected his loyalty.

Was this a prelude to being replaced? Maybe Pei Songji would hire a new secretary during his absence.

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. He considered finding another job, just in case.

He remembered Ji Shuhuai’s offer. He had learned a lot about Huaisi through the recent collaboration. It seemed like a good company.

But…

Things weren’t that desperate yet. He would consider Huaisi if necessary.

Having a potential backup plan eased his anxiety.

With this unexpected free time, he decided to deep clean his apartment and buy some New Year’s supplies.

Although it was just him and his sister now, they still had to celebrate.

His parents had always said that celebrating holidays was about celebrating hope. If they neglected traditions, their family would fall apart.

He always took holidays seriously.

As he was cleaning, his phone rang. It was his aunt.

“Hello, Aunt,” he answered.

“Xiaoying, are you on holiday yet?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Ruoruo is on winter break, and I thought we’d come visit you.”

“Great!” He was delighted. “When are you arriving? I’ll pick you up.”

“The day after tomorrow, in the afternoon. Don’t buy anything or go to any trouble. We’re just coming to see you.”

“Okay, I’ll be there.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he hung up, feeling energized.

He had initially planned to clean only the living room, kitchen, and bathroom, but since his aunt was coming, he cleaned his bedroom as well.

The extra work kept him busy until late at night.

Despite the late night, he woke up early the next morning and went to the supermarket to buy Ruoruo’s favorite snacks.

His family was small. After his grandparents and parents passed away, only his sister and aunt remained.

Due to his studies and his sister’s medical needs, they had stayed in the city, rarely returning home. His aunt visited almost every year, although the timing varied. This year was later than usual.

The following afternoon, he arrived at the train station, quickly spotting them at the exit.

His aunt, as always, was laden with bags. Ruoruo, seeing him, rushed forward. “Brother!”

“Ruoruo,” he said, ruffling her hair. “You’ve grown taller.”

“Of course! I’m in middle school now,” she said proudly.

“Speaking of which, she’s struggling to keep up,” his aunt said, sighing.

Ruoruo turned away, annoyed. “Mom, not again!”

“Alright, alright, I won’t say anything. I can’t win with you.” She handed Jing Ciying some bags. “I made some cured meat. Here, have some.”

“Thank you, Aunt,” he said, taking the bags and their luggage, leading them outside.

“Don’t mention it.” She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She was much younger than his father but still showed signs of aging, gray hairs appearing despite being only in her forties.

“Cook more at home, Xiaoying. Eat less takeout. It’s expensive and unhealthy in this big city.”

“Mom, are you done? You nagged me enough on the train. Now you’re nagging my brother.”

“Hey, you…”

Jing Ciying chuckled, hailing a taxi. “It’s okay, Aunt. I like hearing you nag.”

Besides his aunt, no one else cared enough to nag him.

Emboldened, his aunt turned to Ruoruo. “See? Your brother doesn’t mind. You’re the one who complains. Do you think I enjoy nagging? It’s because you don’t apply yourself. Tell your brother, what was your final exam score?”

“Mom!” Ruoruo covered her ears, annoyed.

“You…” His aunt sighed, turning back to Jing Ciying. “I’m just worried. If only she were more like you and Xiao Jun…” She stopped abruptly, correcting herself. “If only she were as good at studying as you.”

Jing Ciying smoothly ignored the slip-up. “Don’t worry, Aunt. She’s just starting middle school. There’s still time.”

“I hope so. I don’t know what to do with that girl…”

Perhaps because Ruoruo refused to listen, his aunt continued venting to Jing Ciying throughout the taxi ride.

He didn’t mind; he found her nagging comforting.

They arrived at his apartment. He offered to take them out for dinner, but his aunt insisted on cooking, grabbing an apron and heading to the kitchen.

“Aunt, you must be tired from the journey. Let’s eat out tonight. You can cook next time.”

“I’m not tired. Go watch TV with Ruoruo. And don’t let her watch cartoons. She’s too old for that.”

“But…”

“No buts. Go on.”

She pushed him out of the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, only to be surprised by its emptiness.

“You don’t cook at home? Why is it so empty? You must eat takeout all the time. I’m telling you, it’s not healthy. You’ll get sick. Don’t think you’re invincible just because you’re young. You’ll regret it when you’re older…”

He wanted to explain that he usually ate at the company cafeteria, but she didn’t give him a chance. He sat on the sofa with Ruoruo.

Ruoruo, one hand covering her ear, the other flipping through channels, looked at him with a knowing expression. “Brother, doesn’t it bother you?”

He knew what she meant. He flicked her forehead playfully. “No, I actually enjoy hearing your mom nag.”

She stared at him as if he had lost his mind.

“I’m serious,” he said, offering her an orange. “It’s nice to have someone who cares enough to nag.”

“Brother, you’re going to be henpecked when you get married.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You know a lot for your age.”

“Of course! I’m in middle school now. Don’t underestimate me.”

“Have you mastered linear equations yet?”

“I hate you.”

Despite the empty refrigerator, his aunt managed to prepare a four-dish meal with soup, using the ingredients she had brought.

As she served them, she looked around the apartment, her eyes filled with concern. “Xiaoying, even if you don’t live here often, you should furnish it properly. It feels so empty and impersonal. It’s not good for you.”

“I will, after the New Year,” he said, always agreeing with his elders, even if he didn’t intend to follow through.

His aunt knew him too well. “Empty promises. I know you have a lot of expenses, but don’t neglect yourself. If you collapse…”

“Mom!” Ruoruo interrupted, knowing what she was about to say. “We’re eating!”

“Alright, alright.” She placed some food on Jing Ciying’s plate. “Eat up. Look how thin you are.”

“Okay.”

He ate, savoring his aunt’s cooking.

He had planned to take them sightseeing in the afternoon, but his aunt wanted to visit his sister. He couldn’t refuse.

They were quiet on the way to the hospital, his aunt staring out the window, lost in thought.

At the hospital, he led them to his sister’s room.

Despite her mental preparation, his aunt’s eyes reddened as soon as she entered.

She approached his sister’s bed, taking her frail hand, her voice choked with emotion. “Junjun…”

She seemed to have so much to say but couldn’t utter another word.

Jing Ciying stepped out, leaving them alone.

As he passed the next room, he noticed Lu Mi’s belongings had been returned.

The room looked exactly as it had before his death, except for the empty bed.

Ji Shuhuai hadn’t moved on.

But… who had?

Everyone in this hospital was struggling.

He suddenly craved a cigarette, but this was a hospital.

His aunt emerged after a long while, her eyes red and swollen.

He understood her grief, knowing words were useless. He pretended not to notice. “It’s getting late. Let’s go home.”

“Okay. We’ll visit Junjun again tomorrow.”

They left the hospital.

His apartment had only two bedrooms. His aunt and Ruoruo stayed in his sister’s room, and he slept in his own.

As he was getting ready for bed, he realized how cold it was. He hadn’t turned on the heating.

He didn’t mind; he was used to the cold. But he worried about his aunt and Ruoruo. He grabbed an extra blanket from the closet.

As he opened the door, he saw his aunt sitting alone in the living room.

“Aunt, what are you doing here?” The northern winter nights were cold, and his unfurnished living room was even colder. He approached her with the blanket.

He saw tears streaming down her face.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, concerned.

“Xiaoying, sit down,” she said, wiping her tears and patting the sofa beside her.

He sat down, placing the blanket aside.

“I just…”

She seemed to be struggling to find the right words.

He sensed what was coming.

“Xiaoying,” she said, “if it’s too much, just… let go. You’ve done enough. You’ve carried this burden for so long. Your sister would understand.”

He understood her concern, but he couldn’t accept it. He remained silent.

“I know you two are close, but what’s the point of exhausting yourself providing her with the best medical care? Save the money, start a family. You’re too young to be living like this.”

He didn’t respond, his silence conveying his refusal.

His aunt had said her piece. Seeing his unwavering resolve, she sighed and stood up to leave.

“Aunt,” he finally spoke, “if I were the one lying there, my sister wouldn’t give up on me either.”

His aunt and Ruoruo left two days later.

The apartment, briefly filled with warmth, felt empty again.

Exhausted from the past few days, he slept soundly.

He woke up refreshed in the late afternoon.

The sun was setting, the last rays of light fading. The room was dim, the lights still off.

He checked the time. Almost 7:00 pm. He went to the bathroom to wash his face, then opened the refrigerator, intending to cook a meal with the cured meat his aunt had brought.

To his surprise, the refrigerator was full of groceries.

A note was stuck to the door: Eat less takeout.

He smiled. It was Ruoruo’s handwriting.

“So messy,” he muttered, carefully peeling off the note and putting it away.

He cooked a meal with the cured meat and some chili peppers.

It wasn’t as good as his aunt’s cooking, but it was satisfying.

After dinner, he went to clean his sister’s room, where his aunt and Ruoruo had stayed.

As he lifted the blanket, he saw two thick red envelopes.

There was no note, but he knew they were New Year’s money from his aunt.

She always left him some money, even though her own family wasn’t wealthy.

This year’s envelopes were thicker than usual.

He stared at them for a moment, then sent his aunt a WeChat message.

[Thank you, Aunt.]

She replied quickly.

[Take care of yourself.]

He took the red envelopes to the hospital. His sister was still asleep.

He placed his aunt’s red envelope under her pillow.

“From Aunt. She couldn’t celebrate New Year’s with us, so she gave it to you early.”

“I was supposed to give you yours on New Year’s Eve, but I’m giving it to you now.”

He placed his own red envelope under her pillow as well.

“You used to trick me into giving you my New Year’s money, saying you’d keep it safe for me. But you always spent it. I thought you’d grow up to be a con artist.”

He paused, a chuckle escaping his lips. “But you don’t have to trick me anymore. I’m giving you mine. So, as a favor to me, can you promise me something?”

“Sis, please wake up.”

“Please.”