Chapter 34: The Conservatory Adds to the Merriment

Company team-building at the amusement park, family members allowed. But since everyone was just a weary wage earner, and the company strictly forbade office romances, there were actually very few who had partners, let alone ones also in Shanghai—a crowd mostly made up of singles. As for whether there were any secret affairs between colleagues in private, well... best left unsaid. Where there are rules above, there are countermeasures below, ahem.

…

“Aren’t you joining the rides?”

At the entrance of the amusement park, Zhang Long handed out the ticket bundles he’d bought to everyone—except himself. The park didn’t charge for entry, but each attraction required a ticket. There were single-ride tickets and bundled passes.

“I’ve been here twice recently...” Zhang Long explained to Liang Xue and Luo Man that he’d already played at the amusement park twice lately, though he didn’t mention his fear of heights. That was a secret—far too embarrassing to reveal.

“You didn’t bring your girlfriend along?” Liang Xue raised an eyebrow and clicked her tongue. “It’s Saturday, isn’t it? Even if you had to work, you could have taken a day off. Hiding your girlfriend so carefully—are you up to something?”

“Sis, you’re wronging me,” Zhang Long replied with a wry smile. “Want to see my chat history? I already swapped shifts twice last month. Can’t ask for another day off so soon. You’ll meet her someday.”

“All right, suit yourself.” Since Zhang Long had apparently had his fill of amusement parks, Liang Xue left him to his own devices. With three teams, there were plenty of people to pair up with, even if none were as good-looking as Zhang Long. His recent stellar work performance had done wonders for his bearing—he was becoming quite the charmer.

Muttering under her breath, Liang Xue walked off.

“Brother Long, I’m afraid of heights...” Just as Zhang Long was about to wander off and find a spot to sit, he hesitated. Nearly everyone had split up to play in groups, but one person remained.

Bai Xiaoying, a member of the Blizzard Team, petite and sweet-faced, couldn’t be more than 1.55 meters tall. Her wide eyes blinked shyly.

“Um, does Liang Xue know?” Zhang Long scratched his head, glancing around for Liang Xue. Sure enough, she met his gaze with a mischievous wave, eyes glinting with mischief. No doubt, she’d left him on purpose.

…

The bundled amusement park pass covered nearly every attraction except for a select few. Most ground-level games were included. Zhang Long, saddled with Bai Xiaoying as a tagalong, played one game after another, actually having a rather good time.

“Brother Long, you’re amazing!” “You’re so good at this...” At the balloon-shooting booth—a pay-per-play game—Zhang Long took Bai Xiaoying to shoot targets.

His marksmanship was just passable, but Bai Xiaoying was so comically bad that she managed to hit only two or three balloons out of ten shots. Zhang Long, hitting seven or eight, was at least able to win a consolation prize—better than nothing.

At the ring toss, Bai Xiaoying was equally hopeless, but she didn’t mind; the real joy was simply having fun together, enjoying the laughter and the company.

“I wish I could try, but I’m too scared.” Bai Xiaoying watched her colleagues ride the roller coaster, the giant swinging pendulum, the flying chairs—her eyes full of envy, but the terror was too much. Even if she managed to get on, she’d end up limp as a rag doll, done for. And if she threw up... well, that would be mortifying.

“Can you handle flying?” Zhang Long asked, curious. According to what he’d read online, fear of heights usually didn’t interfere with flying—unless you looked out the window—but some posts claimed even on a plane, the fear persisted.

“I’m fine on planes.” Bai Xiaoying nodded sincerely.

Relieved, Zhang Long thought that if she could handle flying, so could he—surely he couldn’t be more timid than a petite girl.

“Brother Long...” Suddenly, Bai Xiaoying seemed to summon all her courage, eyes shining with hope. “Will you ride the Ferris wheel with me? It’s less scary.”

“Please?”

…

In the end, Zhang Long didn’t accept Bai Xiaoying’s plea, her big eyes brimming with pitiful hope. He was just as afraid of heights and couldn’t risk them both becoming jelly-legged cowards together. Otherwise, people might assume the two of them had done something unspeakable up there.

He needed to keep his reputation intact.

“See you Monday, Brother Long...” “Don’t be late,” he replied.

All things must end. Around four or five in the afternoon, the team-building day wound down. Zhang Long and Liang Xue headed back together, taking the subway for convenience—taxis were expensive and the traffic was a nightmare.

“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of heights too...” On the subway, Liang Xue studied Zhang Long’s face with interest. “You refused that adorable girl’s invitation to ride the Ferris wheel? Cold-hearted.”

“I’m not, don’t talk nonsense.” Zhang Long denied it flatly. He had no intention of letting rumors sully his name; he simply didn’t want any misunderstandings.

“All right, just teasing.” Liang Xue swept her hair back and smiled. “Actually, I could use a favor. I’ve finished packing most of my things for moving today. Could you come help? There’s just too much stuff.”

“I’ll treat you to dinner afterward.”

At that, Zhang Long considered his schedule and, seeing nothing else planned, agreed. “Didn’t you move during the National Day holiday? Why now?”

“Unexpected circumstances.” Liang Xue sighed. She explained that she hadn’t intended to move, but her landlord suddenly decided to sell the apartment, and the buyer—rushing to get married—needed to renovate the place.

Though it was a breach of contract, the landlord returned her deposit and compensated her with an extra month’s rent. She had no choice but to move. The other two tenants had agreed, and Liang Xue couldn’t insist on staying alone. Might as well change her environment.

…

The eastern bank of the Bund was Lujiazui with the Oriental Pearl Tower. Not much farther east, you’d reach Century Park. Liang Xue had lived in this area for years and was moving within the same neighborhood; she hadn’t thought of moving closer to the office, even if her commute would be twenty or thirty minutes. Peace and quiet were more important.

Lujiazui and the Bund were crowded with office workers, but Century Park’s surroundings were much more tranquil.

“A one-bedroom?” Zhang Long noted that Liang Xue truly had a lot of belongings. Since she was just moving to the next complex, there was no need to call a moving company—hence her request for his help.

Small items were manageable, but as a single woman, she had no hope of carrying the big ones alone.

“No more roommates,” she said as they entered on the first trip. Setting her package down, she beamed, “September was a good month at work. Income’s on the rise, so I decided to reward myself with a bigger apartment.”

“Looks nice.” Zhang Long nodded. The one-bedroom, though small, had everything in order—south-facing living room and bedroom with plenty of sunlight. The decor was modest but decent, probably costing six or seven thousand a month—reasonable compared to a similar place near the Bund.

“Thank you, Manager Zhang...” Zhang Long shrugged. With another four or five trips, they’d be done. No need for more thanks—just finish up; he was starving. There was nothing good to eat at the amusement park, just a few snacks and a sausage in the afternoon.

And so, they shuttled back and forth, moving...

What Zhang Long hadn’t expected was that Liang Xue’s promised dinner wasn’t at a restaurant but a home-cooked meal. Too much trouble, he thought.

“It’s not trouble at all—it’s essential,” Liang Xue’s eyes sparkled as she licked her lips. “It’s the first night in a new place—you have to have a housewarming meal. How can there be warmth without the smell of cooking? It’ll be quick, and you’ll get to taste my cooking. I promise it’s delicious.”

“Let’s go buy groceries.”

Helpless, Zhang Long could only agree—it wouldn’t do to dampen her enthusiasm.

“Uh... you’re buying wine too?” A little later, in the supermarket, Zhang Long watched as Liang Xue picked out vegetables—and then a bottle of red wine.

“Of course, for a bit of fun.” Liang Xue rolled her eyes playfully. “Do you think I’m afraid you’ll take advantage of me? Relax, Manager Zhang, I trust you’re a gentleman. Come on!”

Sister, I’m the one who should be worried about you.

A housewarming with wine to liven things up? Is this really proper...