Taking Things Slow

Seated next to each other, Liu Yang spoke as her mother listened. From the beginning when she first found out that the owner was her old classmate to now when he walked her home.

After all was said and done, her mother was quiet, taking in all of this information. She looked at her daughter with fairly curious eyes before breaking into laughter. It was loud and harmonious but it was in no way condescending, just pure amusement.

"Hahaha, is that why you've been acting strange these past few weeks?" she asked.

Liu Yang looked at weakly her and nodded once.

"I see, I see. Well then, there isn't much for me I say is there?"

"What? What do you mean?"

Her mother chuckled.

"You know, your father and I didn't meet until university, and even then, we were only acquaintances at best. Still, we certainly felt something between each other. It took a few years before he confessed that he liked me and we went on a date. Of course, it didn't take long for us to realize it and we were married another year after that."

She looked up, reliving the moments in her memory.

"He was quite a romantic."

Liu Yang looked at her with a confused face, trying to understand what her mother was trying to say.

"But... what does that have to do with me and him?"

Her mother looked back at her.

"Look, it took me and your father years to figure things out. And you, it's only been a month or two since you met this old classmate. It's good to take things slow and the way I see it, this is a great time to reconnect, no matter the things you or he experienced. Even if it turns out you two don't like each other, you could still be friends."

She stood up and rested her hand on Liu Yang's shoulder, looking at her with a warm smile

"I'm not going to tell you what you should or shouldn't do but be aware of yourself and be aware of him."

Liu Yang looked at her before hugging her waist.

"Thank you, mom."

Her mother chuckled embracing her back before they both let go.

"Alright, it's already this late, and your fathers probably asleep. I should get to bed too, good night, Liu'er."

"Good night,"

Liu Yang watched her go before holding the glass of water with both hands, drinking quietly. She thought about what her mother said.

"Be aware of me and him..." she muttered.

The young woman nodded while repeating those words and finished her glass of water.

"I should get this sleep. It's going to be busy. I probably won't see him until... that meeting... I think."

Time slowly passed as she adjusted to her new position but it was difficult.

"Here, Liu Yang, another file from the department head, she needs it done in two weeks."

"These files are for another project, they don't have to be done immediately but they will be needed in two months."

"We'll be having a floor meeting so do be prepared."

As quickly as she worked, more tasks came and it seemed to never stop. Every time something was added, it was Ms. Han's secretary, Jiang Chen that told her. And this time was no different.

"Liu Yang, have these files prepared for the annual meeting. It's in a week and Ms. Han needs them."

"Thank you, Mr. Jiang."

She looked at him with a polite smile while receiving these new documents and adding them to a small pile on her desk.

"Continue your work", he replied.

As he left, her smile dissipated into a sad look, almost like she wanted to cry.

"Ah, more things to do... It doesn't help that he's so scary too, couldn't tell me with a smile or something?"

She watched his back as he stiffly returned to his office, sighing as she stared at the pile.

Jiang Chen was an older man, a bit tall and lanky. He wore glasses and a suit every day. Even as it grew warmer, he had a suit on. His face seemed to have only one expression, seriousness. His square glasses and a permanent frown were intimidating. Worst of all was his voice, calm and composed but carrying a cold edge to it.

Every time, he spoke there always seemed to be a distance between them. One that he did not want to shorten.

But Liu Yang quickly bounced back, returning to work until lunch came along.

As break came, she stood up and looked around, finding that her other coworkers had quickly left for lunch, leaving her behind.

"Ah, damn it, Liu Yang! You had a month to make yourself a few new friends. Damn it, but there's so much work!"

She silently yelled at herself while leaving for lunch, heading towards the elevator.

"Ah, let's just get this day over with."

As she waited for it to come, a shadow darkened behind her before this person, or rather, two people stood next to the office lady. Turning to look, her eyes widened in an instant as she almost let out a yelp, recognizing who stood next to her.

"Ah, Ms. Han and Mr. Jiang, I thought you'd have left for lunch already."

She let out a nervous giggle as both of her superiors looked at her. Ms. Han smiled at her new employee.

"There were some things that needed to be done so I stayed back a few minutes to see to it. Jiang Chen here helped me finish up quicker, so now we're going to have some lunch together. You know..."

The department head spoke bluntly but with a friendly tone.

This would've been a fine conversation if not for Mr. Jiang, who stood rather solemnly behind her, watching the elevator.

"Hah, I can't even focus on the conversation without looking at him. Why is he just standing there? Why can't he just talk too?" she thought.

"...anyways, Liu Yang?"

Ms. Han looked at her, noticing that something was a bit strange but the office lady quickly recovered.

"Yes, Ms. Han?"

"I was going to say that you're doing very good. I know that I've been giving you a lot of work but I wanted to see how good your capabilities are. You also need to adapt as it's going to be very busy soon. Still, I'm impressed and even Jiang Chen said that he was surprised by your work ethic."

"Really?"

Liu Yang looked at him to which he glanced back and spoke.

"Yes, you're a very hard worker, and the results you produce have been excellent. Do keep up the good work."

Despite his stoic tone, the words he spoke made her feel giddy inside. Then there was a loud ding as the elevator doors open, revealing an empty elevator.

The three of them entered as Ms. Han pressed the first-floor button.

"So then, I know that I just gave you those documents for the annual meeting but they have to be finished by then. You can pause on the other cases but just finish these reports first."

"Yes, Ms. Han. I will have them done as soon as possible."

Liu Yang gave a single nod as she responded with firm consent.

"Good, good, make sure to bring those with you to the meeting."

"What?"