Party

After preparing the congee, Lina hesitated, contemplating whether to deliver it herself or ask a staff member to do it. After a few minutes of reflection, she whispered to herself, "Lina, don't forget how well Wei Jian and Lian Mei have treated you. And even though Bo Qiang can be a bit serious at times, he's never mistreated you." With this thought in mind, she decided to take the congee herself, placing it carefully on a tray. As she ascended the stairs, she reached Bo Qiang's door and heard voices coming from inside. She debated whether to enter but ultimately decided to knock.

"Come in," a deep voice called from within.

Lina stepped inside cautiously and, upon seeing Bo Qiang engrossed in a meeting on his computer, nearly dropped the congee. Quickly regaining her composure, she placed the bowl on his desk and hurried out of the room.

Once she was out of sight, Lina exhaled the breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Her mind whirled with a flood of anxious thoughts. "I should have just left it by the door," she scolded herself. Why did she feel the need to enter? Now, she could only hope Bo Qiang wouldn't be upset with her for interrupting, or worse, that she hadn't embarrassed herself completely.

The whole encounter was so swift that it took Bo Qiang a moment to process what had just happened. When he glanced at the congee, an unexpected wave of hunger hit him, prompting him to say to the executives, "Well, that's it for this meeting. We'll continue tomorrow." Before anyone could react, he had already shut off his computer.

As everyone regained their bearings, the executives began to ask, "Who was that? Is she the president's girlfriend?"

Curious, they turned to the secretary, who, unsure of how to respond, opted to say, "She's the president's sister."

That night, the entire company learned that their boss had a sister and that he had left the meeting because of her. This quickly became the biggest gossip of the month, sparking conversations in break rooms and hallways alike. Employees whispered excitedly about the president's mysterious sibling, speculating about her background and whether she would make future appearances at the office.

Meanwhile, Bo Qiang took a spoonful of the congee and savored its gentle yet unique flavor. He mused, ""This is nothing like what our cook prepares. Did she make this? Could it really have been her?" As he continued to eat, he felt a wave of happiness wash over him. "It truly is nice to have a sister." Bo Qiang had never had anyone care about how much he ate or whether he was well-fed; his parents worked long hours, and he had always been looked after by strangers. Lina's thoughtful gesture touched his heart in a way he hadn't anticipated.

After finishing the congee, Bo Qiang noticed a medication bottle next to his plate, accompanied by a glass of water and a note that says, "Take the medicine after dinner."

He let out a hearty laugh, thinking, "It really is nice to have someone who cares." That simple gesture of kindness from Lina had brightened his mood in a way he hadn't expected. As Bo Qiang lay in bed that night, a sense of warmth and contentment washed over him. It had been so long since someone had shown genuine concern for his well-being, and the thought of having someone close who cared about the little things, like whether he took his medicine or had eaten properly, filled him with a happiness he hadn't felt in years.

For the first time in what seemed like forever, Bo Qiang drifted off to sleep with a smile on his face, feeling a rare sense of peace. It was a happiness that came not from business successes or material achievements, but from the simple joy of feeling cared for. What he didn't yet realize, though, was that the dynamic between real siblings didn't usually involve this kind of tender, thoughtful exchange. True sibling relationships were often far more complicated, filled with teasing, bickering, and occasional rivalry. But for now, Bo Qiang relished the idea of having someone in his life who looked out for him in such a heartfelt way, unaware of the complexities that might come later.

The next morning, Bo Qiang and Lina were sharing breakfast when his phone suddenly rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was his secretary and answered.

"Good morning, president," the secretary greeted him.

"Good morning," Bo Qiang replied, wiping his mouth. "What can I do for you?"

Knowing that Bo Qiang preferred straightforward communication, Secretary Yuan wasted no time: "Today, there's going to be a masquerade party. Are you bringing a date?" He sighed, aware that Bo Qiang rarely brought anyone to such events, yet he had to ask to avoid any potential issues later.

Lina, overhearing the conversation, felt a pang of anxiety. "Isn't that the party where Bo Qiang meets Xiao Hua?" she thought nervously. "I have to stop this."

As Bo Qiang considered the question, Lina interjected before he could respond, "I can accompany you."

Bo Qiang, who had been serious up until that moment, felt his expression shift to surprise. "What?"