Chapter 9

She had just dozed off for a bit when her phone buzzed with an incoming text message.

Lethargically, she picked it up and saw that it was from an unfamiliar number. The content was also somewhat strange, consisting of just four words: "An egg strikes a rock."

Mu Hanxia looked at it, slightly stunned, and typed, "Who are you?"

After a while, the person replied, "It's me."

Clutching her phone, Mu Hanxia felt a weird intuition surging within her. Such a cold tone made her think of only one person... In addition, on the night of the car accident, she had left her address and phone number with the police. It wouldn't be surprising if Lin Mochen had found where she worked and obtained her phone number as well.

She replied, "I don't understand what you're talking about."

Lin Mochen sent back just one word: "Pretending."

Mu Hanxia had a vague idea of what he might be referring to. But as she looked at the text he sent, for some reason, she felt the urge to laugh. So she responded, "What about it, are you going to bite me?"

He didn't reply again.

After waiting for a while, Mu Hanxia stuffed her phone back into her pants pocket and lay down next to the pile of goods to continue sleeping.

——

Mu Hanxia saw Meng Gang again two days later.

The morning was clear without fog and pleasantly cool. Mu Hanxia had just run to the edge of the sports field when she saw Meng Gang still standing by the same exercise equipment they'd been at that day, working on his arm strength.

Mu Hanxia ran over, "Director Meng, good morning!"

Meng Gang paused his movements, turned his head, and saw her. The busyness of the past few days seemed to have left no trace of fatigue on his face. Beneath his arched eyebrows, his eyes were smiling, "Good morning, Hanxia."

The sun slowly covered the entire sports field, and the sky became completely bright.

Their ten laps around the field were quickly completed. Meng Gang led her to sit down and rest at the same spot as last time.

Mu Hanxia took out a towel to wipe off her sweat, a slight smile always tugging at the corner of her mouth, feeling less intimidated by Meng Gang than before. Compared to the past, her admiration for him had grown. She wasn't sure what to talk about, so she just sat beside him, quietly looking ahead with a peaceful mind.

Meng Gang watched her fine profile without a word, smiling as he asked, "Why didn't you come to run these past few days?"

"Oh, I've been too busy these days," Mu Hanxia answered.

It was a powerful excuse. Meng Gang nodded, but there was always a hint of a smile in his eyes, leaving her unsure if he believed it or not.

"This big promotion was carried out based on your reminder," he continued, "I will remember your contribution. However, you've just joined the marketing department, and it was a promotion that skip levels, so being too conspicuous isn't good for you, which is why I haven't publicly commended you."

Moved by his words, Mu Hanxia replied, "Director Meng, thank you. I don't mind about the commendation. I'm just happy to learn things in the marketing department."

Unexpectedly, Meng Gang changed the subject, "Even though I can't give a commendation, I can still invite you to a meal."

Mu Hanxia was startled and looked up at him. He took out a cigarette and lit it. The smile in his eyes was still gentle and calm, but inscrutable to her.

"Oh, there's no need, Director Meng. You don't have to treat me to a meal. My contribution... wasn't that significant," she said hastily.

Meng Gang was amused by her again and took a drag on his cigarette, saying, "What about breakfast?"

——

Ten minutes later.

The two sat next to a breakfast stall by the riverbank, brought there by Meng Gang's car.

By this time, the sun had fully emerged from the clouds, casting a sparkling sheen over the surface of the river, with a cool breeze blowing in their faces. The stall owner had set up a few wooden tables on the shore and placed a stack of plastic chairs. Meng Gang, not fussy at all, sat down opposite Mu Hanxia.

She ordered a bowl of rice noodles with beef, indicating that she had already "slaughtered" the boss with her order. Meng Gang simply smiled warmly and ordered a bowl of vegetarian rice noodles for himself.

He ate quickly and soon his bowl was empty. Setting down his chopsticks, he drank some hot water and watched her. Mu Hanxia had only eaten half of hers, smiled at him, and lowered her head to continue eating. The sunlight felt warm on her body, and he lit another cigarette, its scent slowly enveloping them, not unpleasant at all.

"Mu Hanxia," he suddenly spoke, his voice slow and gentle, "what are your dreams?"

Mu Hanxia was slightly startled and looked up at him. His calm and warm eyes made it clear that he was seriously seeking an answer to this question.

After a moment of silence, she answered, "Meng, my dream might sound a bit overambitious. I want to retake the high school exam and get into a good university, and then go abroad."

Meng Gang seemed somewhat surprised and asked, "Go abroad? Why?"

Mu Hanxia replied, "I don't know, I just want to see what's out there."

Meng Gang grew quiet for a while, then picked up a teapot next to him, filled her cup with water, and said word by word, "The broader your heart, the farther you'll go. To me, this doesn't sound too overambitious for you. Do you understand, young girl?"

Mu Hanxia was at a loss for words and softly murmured a "mm-hmm." Meng Gang said nothing more; his deep and calm gaze remained on her. One of his hands, holding a cigarette, hung below the table. The other hand was on the table, not far from hers. She wondered what he was thinking.

Although they had been alone together a few times, Mu Hanxia had always regarded him as a leader, with a touch of youthful admiration. But to be gazed at so quietly for such a long time by him was a first for her. She suddenly felt her cheeks heat up, and her emotions became tumultuous, arising within her heart like wild grasses.

She lowered her head to avoid his gaze.

Then her hand was suddenly held by his.

The action was so unexpected that Mu Hanxia was completely stunned. She could only feel her slightly cool hand being firmly wrapped by his broad one, slightly calloused from long use. Then she heard him say, "Boss, the money is on the table."

He led her up as they left. Only then did Mu Hanxia come to her senses, her heart pounding like a drum. She tried to pull her hand away, but he felt it and held on even tighter.

He glanced at her sideways. Mu Hanxia was almost stuttering, "Meng... Meng, why are you holding my hand? Let go."

She tried to play dumb, but Meng Gang just smiled, his eyes as deep and inscrutable as ever.

"Don't be afraid, young lady," he said, but the hand that held hers was obviously not planning to let go.

Mu Hanxia felt as though she was walking through flames, every step taut and torturous. She was in turmoil, completely thrown into disarray. The thought of disregarding Meng Gang's face and pulling her hand away in a fit of pique was something she couldn't do. She could only let him lead her, step by step up to the river embankment, towards the parking area.

He held her hand all the while, his tanned, rough knuckles firmly holding her soft hand in his palm, causing her heart to race continuously.

Thankfully, the car was parked not too far away. Finally, they reached it. Mu Hanxia felt relieved, and as he fumbled for the car keys, she swiftly withdrew her hand.

Meng Gang let out a barely perceptible smile and said in a low voice, "Get in, Meng will take you home."

Mu Hanxia did not look at him, her face entirely red, and sat in the car. The two of them didn't speak during the drive, and Mu Hanxia was in a daze the whole way. As soon as they arrived downstairs at her home, she immediately opened the car door and ran out.