Qing Qing was going to get married.
When Baozhu heard the news, she had to admit she was envious.
At the same age and working in the same company, Hu Li seemed to easily get everything she wanted - good job, boyfriend, marriage proposal, wedding, and even the friendship of Baozhu...
Qing Qing thought sourly to herself: So what if she's getting married, is her fiancé Cheng Peng better than my boyfriend Song Qi?
Song Qi, the hospital director's only child, young and promising, owns his own firm...tall, handsome and successful.
The only downside was, he hadn't reached the point of believing Qing Qing was his one and only, and wanting to get married immediately.
Qing Qing tidied up her make up and slowly walked out of the elevator, handbag in the crook of her arm. The first thing she saw was Song Qi, standing straight as a rod at the end of the hallway.
Qing Qing smiled to herself and quickened her steps towards him. But Song Qi didn't seem to notice her there, and actually walked in the opposite direction.
Oh - that's because Baozhu was approaching from that direction, head lowered as she perused some documents in her hand.
Song Qi briskly walked up to Baozhu, meaning to surprise her mischievously. But Baozhu didn't look surprised; she simply lowered her head further and stepped aside to walk around him. Song Qi persisted and moved to block her path again, accidentally causing Baozhu to run straight into his chest.
"Ha ha, careful there," Song Qi said, laughing and supportively putting an arm around Baozhu's shoulders to prevent her from falling.
Qing Qing was furious but kept her smile pasted on.
Baozhu apologized, "I'm so sorry, I didn't realize it was you."
Song Qi loosened his tie and casually said, "Too bad I didn't startle you. Where are you headed?"
"Just going for a walk after work," Baozhu replied.
Qing Qing harrumphed to herself then called out loudly, "Baozhu, let's go eat together. Song Qi and I were planning to have hot pot at Little Lamb tonight."
"No thanks, I should get going," Baozhu demurred.
But Qing Qing grabbed her wrist, "Come on Baozhu, don't stand on ceremony. You're practically family, Song Qi has to call you cousin!"
Song Qi's expression froze.
Even Baozhu looked surprised. She looked Qing Qing up and down before replying, "I have other matters to attend to, maybe next time."
After Baozhu left, Qing Qing teased Song Qi, "Mr. Song, this is serious! Someone openly threw herself at you right in front of me. Who knows what goes on when I'm not around to watch over you. Do you get flocked by admirers left and right?"
For once, Song Qi was sensitive enough to question, "Hey, are you jealous? Is Baozhu the type to deliberately throw herself at someone?"
Qing Qing thought to herself that his opinion of Baozhu was rather high - most men didn't understand subtle maneuvers, and Baozhu was an expert tease amongst women. But of course she didn't voice her thoughts aloud. She just smiled gently and shot Song Qi a sultry glance, "Not usually, but you're different. I wouldn't be surprised if lots of beauties are lining up to get your attention. You have excellent taste after all - in women and in me."
Song Qi laughed, clearly flattered that a woman as publicly recognized as gorgeous as Qing Qing would pay him such a sincere compliment. What man wouldn't love that?
After dinner, Song Qi brought Qing Qing to Wandering Thoughts Bar for the first time. As soon as they appeared, the bar erupted in whistles and hoots,
"Yo Song Qi, you finally brought your woman to meet us!"
"Wow, what a beauty! Where'd you find this flower, Song Qi?"
Song Qi introduced Qing Qing, "This is my girlfriend, Qing Qing."
Qing Qing basked in the flattering compliments, keeping a faint smile on her face - not too warm but not cold either, occasionally bantering playfully with them.
That is until someone came over to their table with a huge platter of alcohol. Song Qi formally introduced Qing Qing again, "Brother, meet my girlfriend Qing Qing."
The man bore some resemblance to Song Qi - tall stature, sharp features, bespectacled with a casual studious charm.
He adjusted his spectacles and reached for Qing Qing's hand, "Pleased to meet you Qing Qing, I'm Song Qi's cousin, Song Kai."
Qing Qing was uncharacteristically nervous and self-consciously tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
Song Kai sat down beside them. The bar had just opened and there were few patrons, mainly their group.
Thoughtful Song Qi passed Qing Qing a cup of hot water, "You just ate, have some water first."
The others banged the table in jest, "We're at a bar and you serve her water? Song Qi you're too strict on your woman!"
"Now that I think about it," one of them exclaimed, "wasn't the girl you abruptly hauled out of True Colors Bar that other time...your wife now?"
Caught unprepared, Song Qi swiftly glanced at Qing Qing. Unruffled, she smiled back at him then explained, "Song Qi knows I have low tolerance. He was afraid I'd embarrass myself in front of all of you!"
The first guy continued, "Ah that makes sense. We were sitting here chatting when you suddenly rushed out looking bothered. So it was because you were worried! Song Qi you rascal, look at you now."
Everyone cackled loudly.
Song Qi's grin was strained. His cousin Song Kai threw him an inscrutable look before urging everyone to drink. "This wine is a newly imported foreign brand, quite strong, give it a try."
So the topic moved on to discuss the merits of alcohol...
Qing Qing calmly matched the group's pace, relaxed and unhurried now that the earlier discomfort had passed. Song Qi also gradually unwound and prepared to start drinking.
Qing Qing was going to get married.
When Baozhu heard the news, she had to admit she was envious.
At the same age and working in the same company, Hu Li seemed to easily get everything she wanted - good job, boyfriend, marriage proposal, wedding, and even the friendship of Baozhu...
Qing Qing thought sourly to herself: So what if she's getting married, is her fiancé Cheng Peng better than my boyfriend Song Qi?
Song Qi, the hospital director's only child, young and promising, owns his own firm...tall, handsome and successful.
The only downside was, he hadn't reached the point of believing Qing Qing was his one and only, and wanting to get married immediately.
Qing Qing tidied up her make up and slowly walked out of the elevator, handbag in the crook of her arm. The first thing she saw was Song Qi, standing straight as a rod at the end of the hallway.
Qing Qing smiled to herself and quickened her steps towards him. But Song Qi didn't seem to notice her there, and actually walked in the opposite direction.
Oh - that's because Baozhu was approaching from that direction, head lowered as she perused some documents in her hand.
Song Qi briskly walked up to Baozhu, meaning to surprise her mischievously. But Baozhu didn't look surprised; she simply lowered her head further and stepped aside to walk around him. Song Qi persisted and moved to block her path again, accidentally causing Baozhu to run straight into his chest.
"Ha ha, careful there," Song Qi said, laughing and supportively putting an arm around Baozhu's shoulders to prevent her from falling.
Qing Qing was furious but kept her smile pasted on.
Baozhu apologized, "I'm so sorry, I didn't realize it was you."
Song Qi loosened his tie and casually said, "Too bad I didn't startle you. Where are you headed?"
"Just going for a walk after work," Baozhu replied.
Qing Qing harrumphed to herself then called out loudly, "Baozhu, let's go eat together. Song Qi and I were planning to have hot pot at Little Lamb tonight."
"No thanks, I should get going," Baozhu demurred.
But Qing Qing grabbed her wrist, "Come on Baozhu, don't stand on ceremony. You're practically family, Song Qi has to call you cousin!"
Song Qi's expression froze.
Even Baozhu looked surprised. She looked Qing Qing up and down before replying, "I have other matters to attend to, maybe next time."
After Baozhu left, Qing Qing teased Song Qi, "Mr. Song, this is serious! Someone openly threw herself at you right in front of me. Who knows what goes on when I'm not around to watch over you. Do you get flocked by admirers left and right?"
For once, Song Qi was sensitive enough to question, "Hey, are you jealous? Is Baozhu the type to deliberately throw herself at someone?"
Qing Qing thought to herself that his opinion of Baozhu was rather high - most men didn't understand subtle maneuvers, and Baozhu was an expert tease amongst women. But of course she didn't voice her thoughts aloud. She just smiled gently and shot Song Qi a sultry glance, "Not usually, but you're different. I wouldn't be surprised if lots of beauties are lining up to get your attention. You have excellent taste after all - in women and in me."
Song Qi laughed, clearly flattered that a woman as publicly recognized as gorgeous as Qing Qing would pay him such a sincere compliment. What man wouldn't love that?
After dinner, Song Qi brought Qing Qing to Wandering Thoughts Bar for the first time. As soon as they appeared, the bar erupted in whistles and hoots,
"Yo Song Qi, you finally brought your woman to meet us!"
"Wow, what a beauty! Where'd you find this flower, Song Qi?"
Song Qi introduced Qing Qing, "This is my girlfriend, Qing Qing."
Qing Qing basked in the flattering compliments, keeping a faint smile on her face - not too warm but not cold either, occasionally bantering playfully with them.
That is until someone came over to their table with a huge platter of alcohol. Song Qi formally introduced Qing Qing again, "Brother, meet my girlfriend Qing Qing."
The man bore some resemblance to Song Qi - tall stature, sharp features, bespectacled with a casual studious charm.
He adjusted his spectacles and reached for Qing Qing's hand, "Pleased to meet you Qing Qing, I'm Song Qi's cousin, Song Kai."
Qing Qing was uncharacteristically nervous and self-consciously tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
Song Kai sat down beside them. The bar had just opened and there were few patrons, mainly their group.
Thoughtful Song Qi passed Qing Qing a cup of hot water, "You just ate, have some water first."
The others banged the table in jest, "We're at a bar and you serve her water? Song Qi you're too strict on your woman!"
"Now that I think about it," one of them exclaimed, "wasn't the girl you abruptly hauled out of True Colors Bar that other time...your wife now?"
Caught unprepared, Song Qi swiftly glanced at Qing Qing. Unruffled, she smiled back at him then explained, "Song Qi knows I have low tolerance. He was afraid I'd embarrass myself in front of all of you!"
The first guy continued, "Ah that makes sense. We were sitting here chatting when you suddenly rushed out looking bothered. So it was because you were worried! Song Qi you rascal, look at you now."
Everyone cackled loudly.
Song Qi's grin was strained. His cousin Song Kai threw him an inscrutable look before urging everyone to drink. "This wine is a newly imported foreign brand, quite strong, give it a try."
So the topic moved on to discuss the merits of alcohol...
Qing Qing calmly matched the group's pace, relaxed and unhurried now that the earlier discomfort had passed. Song Qi also gradually unwound and prepared to start drinking.
