You Are My Lover Friend Recap, Plot, Synopsis

You Are My Lover Friend Synopsis

Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan, high school classmates and friends for ten years, passionately devoted themselves to their respective careers after entering society—Tang Yang working in bank credit review and Jiang Shiyan in new media production. While working in microfinance, Tang Yang helped the families of military martyrs start businesses, and Jiang Shiyan used their resilient stories as material for a documentary, which gained widespread attention.

Throughout this process, the trust and tacit understanding they had developed since their teenage years stood the test of time, deepening into a sincere and beautiful love. The two progressed from being classmates and friends to lovers and partners, forming a relationship and starting a family together.

You Are My Lover Friend Recap

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On the eve of their high school graduation, Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan had a dinner gathering with the whole class. Thinking about how their close-knit high school life was coming to an end, everyone felt a deep sense of reluctance. They started opening beers and boldly embraced the “bottoms-up” tradition. Looking back at their youthful days, their bonds were truly strong.

Eleven years later, on a morning when Tang Yang was still lying in bed, Jiang Shiyan was already tugging at her nose like an alarm clock, telling her to get up. Even after all these years since graduation, the brotherly bond between the two remained deep. Tang Yang reminded Jiang Shiyan to drive steadily, as she wanted to take this chance to touch up her makeup. This day marked Tang Yang's first day on a new job.

She had come to apply for a position at a bank, and her emotions were a mix of nervousness and anxiety. It had been difficult to get into such a prestigious local bank. The leadership team at the bank also paid special attention to this new hire, as she had a PhD, which made her somewhat overqualified for the position. Unlike Tang Yang's meticulous work, Jiang Shiyan worked as a livestream host, facing high pressure and a heavy workload.

He often managed tasks like food-related livestreams. On this particular day, Sheng Nina and the team from Lìyà had a disagreement at work. Lìyà had suddenly added a new product to the sales plan, and Sheng Nina was not happy with this unilateral decision. She asked Jiang Shiyan to mediate the situation. Lìyà now had a large fanbase and was well-known. Occasionally, she displayed a celebrity-like attitude, and most people felt they should accommodate her.

However, after Jiang Shiyan understood the full situation, he concluded that the issue lay with Lìyà. A complete list of products for the livestream had already been finalized, but the product Lìyà added was missing a food safety barcode. If fans were to report this in the future, they could face a huge compensation claim. After Jiang Shiyan explained all the pros and cons to Lìyà, she still refused to compromise.

She even mentioned that many companies had extended offers to her and that she had stayed out of loyalty. Seeing her becoming increasingly difficult to manage, Jiang Shiyan agreed to terminate her contract on the spot. This left Lìyà dumbfounded. On Tang Yang's first day at work, Jiang Shiyan sent her a message asking if she wanted to treat her colleagues to lunch and mentioned that he had already reserved a table at the most famous local restaurant.

However, the department head declined due to other matters, and with everyone unsure of their standing, no one dared to agree. As a result, Tang Yang had to eat alone at the cafeteria. At noon, Jiang Shiyan had originally been invited to a lunch, but upon hearing that Tang Yang was eating alone, he made an excuse, saying that he had also heard that the cafeteria food at Tang Yang's company was delicious and wanted to taste it.

Tang Yang, in a bad mood, agreed, and also asked him to retrieve the bag she had left in his car. Tang Yang was feeling a bit upset because, on her first day, her boss hadn’t arranged an office for her and had instead squeezed a spot for her next to other employees’ desks. Fortunately, Jiang Shiyan’s thoughtful care deeply touched Tang Yang.

Not only did Jiang Shiyan bring her bag, but he also gave her the necklace she had been eyeing for a long time. Tang Yang was overjoyed and asked Jiang Shiyan to help her put it on.

In the elevator, Jiang Shiyan gently helped Tang Yang put on the necklace. There was a slight sense of ambiguity in the air. Tang Yang immediately asked if everything at his company was going smoothly. After all, knowing Jiang Shiyan’s character, he always handled things smoothly, so Tang Yang never really worried about him. The bank's HR gave Tang Yang an onboarding evaluation form. Just then, she saw the news on her phone about Lìyà’s resignation from Jiang Shiyan’s company.

She quickly called Feng Weiran to get more information. Feng Weiran, also their high school classmate, was now married with children, one of the first among their group of friends to settle into married life. Concerned that Jiang Shiyan might feel upset about Lìyà’s resignation, Tang Yang invited him to dinner. Over the meal, they easily found their usual rhythm. Jiang Shiyan reminded Tang Yang to call him if she ever encountered difficulties at work.

Tang Yang joked if he would expect a tip for his help. Jiang Shiyan responded that there should always be a material reward, otherwise, there’s no motivation. Their banter was so natural that outsiders might mistake them for a couple, though they had been best friends for thirteen years. Feng Weiran drove Jiang Shiyan back and, upon seeing the two having dinner together, gave them a lift as well.

On the way, he asked why they were both still single, suggesting they might as well just get together. However, Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan rejected the idea in unison, explaining that they were too close for that. Eventually, Tang Yang got off the car awkwardly and headed home. Jiang Shiyan, tired of Feng Weiran’s repeated attempts to set him up, joked that if he had any improper thoughts about Tang Yang, he should be hit by a car.

No sooner had he spoken when a delivery man's vehicle almost collided with him. Jiang Shiyan felt a chill down his spine—could it really be that superstitious? Jiang Shiyan still lived in his old house with his mother. It wasn’t because they couldn’t afford a higher-end place, but rather because his mother tended to so many plants that moving to an apartment would make it difficult to keep them alive.

Jiang Shiyan, who also loved plants, completely understood his mother’s reasoning. Jiang Shiyan’s company officially invited Sheng Nina to be one of their hosts, even holding a press conference to celebrate. Just before the event, one of Jiang Shiyan’s cufflinks fell to the ground, and he couldn’t find it. Sheng Nina handed him one of her earrings, which turned out to be a perfect fit.

Toward the end of the press conference, Sheng Nina stumbled due to her high heels, and Jiang Shiyan quickly stepped forward to support her. A reporter happened to capture this moment. When the photo was enlarged, they noticed the cufflink and speculated that Jiang Shiyan and Sheng Nina were wearing matching items, hinting at a romantic relationship. That evening, the photo of Sheng Nina being supported by Jiang Shiyan went viral on the internet.

Tang Yang read the fans' comments below and found it amusing. Some were even commenting on Jiang Shiyan’s looks. Jiang Shiyan, too, found it all quite unbelievable. As the company’s operations director, he thought having a trending topic was a good thing, especially since it brought in free publicity. He explained the situation to Tang Yang and asked if she secretly hoped he would find someone soon.

Tang Yang, appearing serious, said that although Jiang Shiyan hadn’t found someone yet, his singleness helped share her burden of also being single. But she certainly didn’t want it to affect his personal happiness. Both of them smiled, unsure of each other's true feelings. Jiang Shiyan thought that since Tang Yang wasn’t jealous, she clearly didn’t see him as anything more than a friend. At the bank, there was plenty of under-the-surface competition.

People were discussing Tang Yang’s high starting point, speculating on alliances, and commenting on how impressive it was that she managed to gain the boss’s favor through overtime work and quietly secured a private office. When Tang Yang returned to her hometown, she would usually call Jiang Shiyan after work, and they would visit the old bookstore and little eateries they frequented during high school. The bookstore was still in the same spot.

They were both filled with nostalgia, remembering their innocent high school days. Many fun things had happened in the library, including a time when they had a small argument and gave each other the silent treatment, both raising their pinkies in defiance. Back then, Jiang Shiyan even went to the broadcasting station to call out Tang Yang’s name.

One of the reasons Jiang Shiyan and Tang Yang always have so much to talk about is because they both love food, and their tastes align perfectly. Whether it's grilled squid, fried skewers, or potato towers, they enjoy every bite. This time, while they were eating at a street stall, someone suddenly shouted, "The city enforcement is here! " Within seconds, the small table they were using was whisked away.

Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan stood there, holding their bowls of food, watching the scene unfold. The city enforcement officers were loudly reminding the vendors nearby that they couldn’t occupy public space. At that moment, Tang Yang spotted a familiar figure in the crowd. She immediately turned around, hoping not to be noticed. Unfortunately, an employee with sharp eyes recognized her and called out her name, even addressing her as "boss.

" That morning, Tang Yang had critiqued this person's work, and now, here she was, caught eating at a street stall. It couldn’t have been more awkward. As they retraced their steps along familiar streets, they often reminisced about the past. Jiang Shiyan bragged about how he once tamed a particularly aggressive dog here, and how it would lower its head submissively every time it saw him.

Tang Yang quietly nudged him to turn around, and sure enough, there was a large wolfdog staring them down, looking ferocious, mouth wide open, drooling with its tongue hanging out. Jiang Shiyan's bravado crumbled instantly. Frozen with fear, he didn’t dare move and told Tang Yang to leave first. Without hesitation, Tang Yang bolted, leaving Jiang Shiyan to face the dog alone.

Realizing the danger, Jiang Shiyan quickly followed suit, and the wolfdog, sensing their panic, dashed off just as swiftly. Earlier in the day, Tang Yang had casually mentioned to Jiang Shiyan how her department leader had a habit of tapping the backs of the female employees' hands while talking. On his way home after parting with Tang Yang, Jiang Shiyan couldn’t shake the thought.

Remembering that Tang Yang had gone to a dinner with colleagues, he worried that she might encounter some inappropriate behavior, so he turned his car around to check on her. Luckily, the restaurant where Tang Yang and her colleagues were dining was owned by their old classmate, Feng Weiran. Jiang Shiyan quickly got hold of a waiter’s uniform and disguised himself as a server.

Sure enough, he noticed Tang Yang’s department leader, an experienced old-timer, sitting beside her at the table. Despite Tang Yang explaining that she had a cold and had just taken medicine, the leader still insisted on toasting with her. Jiang Shiyan stepped in to help, constantly serving dishes, refilling drinks, and cleaning up to distract the leader and ease the pressure on Tang Yang.

When the leader still wouldn’t give up, Jiang Shiyan "accidentally" spilled soup on his pants, bringing the dinner to an abrupt end. Feng Weiran played along with the act, scolding Jiang Shiyan, the “waiter,” for poor service and firing him on the spot, even offering to waive the bill. Tang Yang burst out laughing on the side, giving both of her friends a thumbs-up for their brilliant performance.

Later that night, one of Jiang Shiyan’s friends told his mother about his heroic act of saving Tang Yang. Even Jiang Shiyan’s mom wasn’t surprised, as she had long believed that the two would never end up together. After all these years, if something were to happen between them, it would’ve happened by now. Currently, Tang Yang’s mom and Jiang Shiyan’s mom attend the same dance class, where they talk about everything. They’ve watched each other’s children grow up and have both concluded that their kids just aren’t meant for each other.

Yaya's recent departure was a significant blow to Jiang Shiyan's company. While the company's fan base had been steadily growing, it has now fallen out of the top ten. Seeing other live-streamers starting to compete in the PK (player-killer) arena, Jiang Shiyan decided to give it a try himself. At Tang Yang's bank, the competition is intense.

Every day, there are major and minor targets to achieve, and one constantly has to deal with inappropriate behavior from "hams" (a term for those who make unwanted advances). During one instant while eating instant noodles, Tang Yang saw the "ham" again touching a female colleague's hand through the window. It gave her goosebumps. Usually, Tang Yang can chat with Jiang Shiyan, but now, she's stressed because her mother is busy arranging blind dates for her.

Tang Yang called Jiang Shiyan for help, asking him to intervene in her love life indirectly. Her mother, who used to focus on finding high-quality single men for her daughter, has recently become obsessed with card games. She often seeks advice from Jiang Shiyan's mother, lamenting about her poor skills and weak mental resilience. Recently, Sheng Nina has been followed by paparazzi.

Every day, there are various gossip news about her, often mentioning her weight gain or lack of recent roles, portraying her as an outdated star. When she arrived at the underground parking lot from her residence, she encountered a paparazzo taking photos. The photographer, dressed in a black hoodie, had a sneaky demeanor that left her uneasy. Upon arriving at the company, Sheng Nina encountered someone else in a black hoodie in the elevator.

She became very cautious, clutching her arms and nervously watching the person's every move. The person in the hoodie was Cheng Hui, an engineer from the same company. He usually comes in only when necessary and is not very talkative, but he is highly skilled. He is always involved in software upgrades and video editing at the company. Cheng Hui was scanning a QR code with his infrared testing glasses at the company's advertising light board.

Sheng Nina found this extremely irritating and thought she was being photographed again. She loudly demanded that the person not take any pictures and delete any photos that had already been taken. Cheng Hui found Sheng Nina's reaction puzzling but didn't bother to explain. He was already used to her nagging. When Sheng Nina tried to remove his glasses, she mistook them for a spying device.

It wasn't until they entered the company and someone greeted Cheng Hui that Sheng Nina realized she had misunderstood. The glasses were already broken, and when Sheng Nina offered to buy a new pair, Cheng Hui coldly replied that they weren’t available for purchase yet. In the evening, Jiang Shiyan's mother continued to nag him about improving his emotional intelligence.

Hearing that Tang Yang had returned to her hometown, she made "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall" (a traditional Chinese dish) and invited Tang Yang to come over and try it. Curious about what Tang Yang was doing, Jiang Shiyan also bought some velvet cake, which Tang Yang loved, and put it in his car. When Tang Yang received a call from Jiang Shiyan, she was curious why he invited her down so late and found his excuse rather childish.

Jiang Shiyan mentioned that he was grateful to Tang Yang for not abandoning him during his recent encounter with a stray dog and wanted to make up for it by giving her a small gift. When Tang Yang arrived at Jiang Shiyan's car, she was surprised to receive a lipstick from him. It was a delightful surprise, as Jiang Shiyan was the first to gift her both high heels and lipstick. Tang Yang was thrilled and found the lipstick shade perfect, admiring Jiang Shiyan's impeccable taste.

Tang Yang's high school classmate, Zhou Mo, invited her to dinner. Upon hearing this, Jiang Shiyan rushed over. When he saw that Tang Yang’s blind date was not only handsome but also successful, Jiang Shiyan felt a sense of danger. Seeing that the two of them had a lot to talk about, Jiang Shiyan felt uneasy and immediately texted his good friends, asking them to come quickly because there was an urgent matter.

Cheng Hui and Feng Weiran, upon receiving Tang Yang's message, thought something might have happened and hurried to provide assistance. To their surprise, the location was a Western restaurant. Feng Weiran quickly understood Jiang Shiyan's intention—it was a move to probe the situation. When Jiang Shiyan saw his “allies” arrive, he excitedly asked Zhou Mo to sit on the side with the guys, creating some distance between Tang Yang and her date.

However, Zhou Mo proved to be so impressive that he quickly won over Jiang Shiyan's allies. Feng Weiran’s child was looking to book piano lessons with a well-known teacher, which was almost impossible. It turned out that Zhou Mo was friends with this teacher, and Zhou Mo immediately agreed to help arrange the lesson, pulling Feng Weiran onto his side. That evening, Tang Yang's friends and family were lively, discussing Zhou Mo’s handsomeness and maturity.

The women were particularly smitten by him. Jiang Shiyan was frustrated because he initially intended for them to speak negatively about Zhou Mo to create a rift, but instead, they were boosting Zhou Mo's reputation. Feng Weiran’s wife had recently acquired a new app to test compatibility. The women were excitedly trying it out, and Jiang Shiyan was eager to see how he and Tang Yang would score.

He believed they would get a high score, but when the results were revealed, everyone laughed. The scores for everyone else were higher than for Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan, and Jiang Shiyan, who cared most about the result, ended up with a score of fifty-two, indicating very low compatibility with Tang Yang. During a dinner with old classmates, Zhou Mo and his friends discussed Tang Yang, who was referred to as a diligent junior.

One classmate, who had been a dormitory mate with Tang Yang, described her as a very ambitious person. After graduation, Tang Yang saved up a bit of money and bought a house in her hometown. She disliked owing money to the bank, so she chose the shortest repayment term and lived frugally, even skipping buying her favorite figurines. Zhou Mo noted this information and greatly increased his positive impression of Tang Yang.

Tang Yang told Jiang Shiyan that she hoped he would come to her rescue again on Saturday, as he had done before, to help her deal with her blind dates. Jiang Shiyan was always willing to help with such requests and set an alarm in advance. On Saturday, Jiang Shiyan overslept and, thinking about his ideal woman talking to strangers, felt he could have put fire wheels on his car.

As expected, with Jiang Shiyan's help, Tang Yang quickly completed the tasks her mother had arranged and finished the tedious blind date process. Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan went home together, and Jiang Shiyan complained about being so hungry that he missed a meal. Since it was mealtime, Tang Yang invited Jiang Shiyan to come home and eat with her.

During dinner, Tang Yang’s mother overheard Jiang Shiyan referring to her daughter as “Yang Ge. ” She quietly reminded Jiang Shiyan not to use that nickname, fearing that her daughter might end up relating to men as just friends. Jiang Shiyan suddenly realized that his usual phrase was indeed quite casual. After dinner, when Tang Yang was seeing Jiang Shiyan out, he asked how he should address her in the future. Tang Yang felt that any nickname would be fine.

Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan had planned to play tennis on Sunday, but early in the morning, Tang Yang received a WeChat message from her senior, Zhou Mo, asking for her help. Unable to refuse, Tang Yang sent her location to meet him. At the tennis meeting spot, Feng Weiran and his wife arrived early, and Jiang Shiyan brought snacks, ready to have a good time.

Soon, Jiang Shiyan received a message from Tang Yang, saying she couldn’t make it because she had to meet Zhou Mo. Jiang Shiyan was distracted throughout the tennis game, especially after hearing that Tang Yang might find a partner this year. The prediction suggested that her partner might be someone she’s familiar with but doesn’t know well. Since Jiang Shiyan and Tang Yang understood each other very well, they didn’t fit this description, which left Jiang Shiyan feeling quite frustrated.

Sheng Nina, an actress, had previously helped Jiang Shiyan’s company with several live broadcasts. Now that she had film offers, she prioritized her own work. Seeing the poor viewership, Jiang Shiyan called Sheng Nina. Her agent signaled her not to agree, but Sheng Nina had a good impression of Jiang Shiyan and accepted his invitation. Tang Yang and Zhou Mo met at Feng Weiran’s café.

Zhou Mo’s request for help turned out to be asking Tang Yang for her opinion on various figurines’ features and styles. Knowing Tang Yang liked figurines from their chats, Zhou Mo made a special effort to engage. That day, Tang Yang stayed out late and found that she hadn’t replied to Jiang Shiyan’s messages for a long time. She felt she might have hurt Jiang Shiyan’s feelings.

To make amends, Tang Yang bought fish-flavored shredded pork rice and delivered it to Jiang Shiyan’s company the next day. Jiang Shiyan, who was initially upset, was quickly cheered up by the sight of Tang Yang bringing him lunch, and all his grievances disappeared. At the bank, Tang Yang received a loan application from a woman whose husband had died in a special military mission.

As a woman herself, Tang Yang felt deep sympathy and wanted to help her get approval. However, a colleague reminded Tang Yang that being a widow would increase the repayment pressure. After work, Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan planned to stroll around. When with Tang Yang, Jiang Shiyan could forget everything else. Passing by a sports hall, even though it was closed, Jiang Shiyan wanted to play tennis. He suggested they climb over the wall.

With their agility, they both scaled the wall, but found that the tennis hall’s door was locked. At that moment, a security guard spotted them. Jiang Shiyan quickly pulled Tang Yang away, and they eventually found an unlocked storage room to hide. In the cramped corner, Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan were very close, close enough to hear each other’s breathing. Jiang Shiyan, feeling embarrassed, apologized for bringing Tang Yang into such an adventure so late.

Tang Yang admitted that they were quite different, like parallel lines. Jiang Shiyan’s work required flexibility, freshness, and fashion, while Tang Yang’s job was rigid and meticulous, often requiring her to suppress her true feelings and respond in a formal manner.

When Tang Yang reflected on why they had become such familiar and comforting friends, Jiang Shiyan agreed. Despite the many beautiful and charming people in the company over the years, Tang Yang had always been the most dazzling and gentle rainbow in his heart. Jiang Shiyan almost leaned in to kiss her, but as their eyes met, Tang Yang felt embarrassed and quickly avoided his gaze, finding an excuse to leave.

To help Jiang Shiyan fulfill his wish, Tang Yang took him to a nearby night market to play tennis. The place had ample lighting and was perfect for playing. After returning home, Jiang Shiyan, still excited from the game, sat in the courtyard drinking tea and reminiscing about their tennis session. Tang Yang hinted that Jiang Shiyan should cherish their friendship. Jiang Shiyan didn’t fully understand her comment but felt a strong sense of urgency.

Knowing Zhou Mo was actively pursuing Tang Yang, he feared that if he didn’t confess soon, he might miss his chance. During a staff meeting, Tang Yang presented her project proposal. To her surprise, Gan Yiming was the first to approve it and even praised Tang Yang publicly for her keen eye in finding clients right after starting work. After the meeting, Tang Yang’s colleagues warned her about the risks of the project and advised caution.

Tang Yang was mainly sympathetic to the military widow and hadn’t fully considered the potential risks. Zhou Mo sent a package to Tang Yang’s home, and she was thrilled to see the figurines. However, the recipient's name on the package made her suspicious, as it wasn’t a name Jiang Shiyan would use. Tang Yang recalled a recent conversation with her senior about figurines and suspected that Zhou Mo had bought the set to win her favor.

The figurines were expensive, and Tang Yang refused to accept them. Zhou Mo seemed a bit unhappy, so Tang Yang immediately offered to transfer money for them. Zhou Mo, understanding Tang Yang’s refusal, accepted her payment. Jiang Shiyan had originally planned to take Tang Yang to a Michelin restaurant that day, but since Tang Yang couldn’t make it due to work, Jiang Shiyan gave the valuable Michelin invitation to Feng Weiran.

Cheng Hui, seeing this great opportunity, asked to join Feng Weiran at the Michelin restaurant. Jiang Shiyan then brought a lunchbox to Tang Yang’s home and, seeing the figurines, felt uncomfortable. He ended up breaking one of the figurine’s arms, and when Tang Yang demanded he fix it, Jiang Shiyan was pleased. He had recently bought the same figurine and could now leave it at Tang Yang’s place. Tang Yang was very focused on her first loan project.

She often visited a small eatery to observe its business. After expanding the storefront, the business had become much quieter. Tang Yang invited Jiang Yanan for a meal, and after just one bite, Jiang Yanan remarked how much better the food was compared to the storefront’s décor. Tang Yang looked back at the eatery’s simple decor and formal menu, realizing it didn’t stimulate much appetite.

Jiang Yanan bought a lot of the eatery’s specialty food and brought it to Jiang Shiyan’s company, both to support the owner and to help with promotion. Jiang Shiyan tasted it and found it quite good, noting the small shop's name on the takeout box. The next day, after work, Jiang Shiyan saw a group of boys bullying another child, a scene he felt he had seen before.

He immediately started recording a video on his phone while running to the scene. Jiang Shiyan lifted the bullied boy off the ground and used the video to warn the bullies that if they continued, he would post the video online. He told them that they would be labeled as bullies for life, affecting their future in school and work. The bullies quickly left.

Jiang Shiyan learned that the bullied boy, Min Lin, was the son of the female owner of the fast-food restaurant. Min Lin’s father had died in the line of duty, and the school children bullied him for being from a single-parent family. Jiang Shiyan felt a pang of pain. As someone who also came from a single-parent family, he was grateful for Tang Yang’s companionship and support.

Many times, she had stood up for him against bullies, never viewing him through a prejudiced lens. Jiang Shiyan felt comforted when he recalled those past experiences.

Jiang Shiyan wanted to help promote the "Zhilan" small shop, so he invited a well-known food vlogger who had reviewed restaurants before. The vlogger arrived at Yi Xiu with no reservations, bringing large bags and filling them with all the sponsored food products from the company. He even asked Jiang Shiyan why he was so concerned about such a small shop with low prices and no potential for profit.

Sheng Nina had once broken Cheng Hui's smart glasses, and to make up for it, she offered to treat him to dinner. Cheng Hui finally agreed, but when Sheng Nina arrived, she was surprised to find seven or eight engineers, with no sign of Cheng Hui.

One of the engineers explained that they were the ones who developed the glasses and assured her that breaking them was no problem—they would make a new pair and, once released, gift them to both Cheng Hui and Sheng Nina. They awkwardly added that they had long admired Sheng Nina and had never met a celebrity in person, and Cheng Hui had helped them fulfill that dream. Sheng Nina smiled awkwardly and responded that she also liked high-tech products.

During a meeting, Gan Yiming suggested three factories for loans. When Tang Yang visited the sites, she found that these companies were not among the local top ten performers, as Gan Yiming had claimed. Many of the machines were covered in a thick layer of dust, indicating they hadn't been used in a long time. Tang Yang felt there was a significant loan risk and didn’t recommend approving the loans.

Gan Yiming, however, kept pressuring her, saying that these factories were major clients and that refusing the loan would lead to endless trouble from them. Tang Yang conducted a thorough investigation, including looking into the factory owner's large spending records. At a public meeting, Tang Yang presented her findings, revealing that the owner had spent millions on streaming platforms and online gambling, frequently purchasing luxury goods and leaving thousands of comments on livestreams.

It was clear that this person was not focused on running the business and did not have the capacity to repay the loan. Tang Yang not only had records but also solid data to support her claims, making it impossible for anyone to cover up the truth. Jiang Shiyan brought the figurine he bought to Tang Yang’s home. At first, Tang Yang noticed that the figurine was flawlessly repaired and praised Jiang Shiyan’s skills.

But then she noticed the number on the figurine and was shocked. The code on the figurine was clearly different from her original one. Tang Yang quickly looked it up online and realized that Jiang Shiyan had bought the set in advance. Tang Yang was unsure of Jiang Shiyan’s intentions. Did he like her, or was he just trying to make up for damaging her figurine?

She had no clue, so she sought advice from a close friend, though she framed the situation as if it were about a colleague. Upon hearing the story, her friend immediately guessed that the guy must have a crush on the girl. So many coincidental details—gifting lipstick, high heels, and even an expensive figurine—what else could it be but love? Her friend advised Tang Yang to take the guy shopping and test the waters through subtle hints.

Following her friend’s advice, Tang Yang tried each suggestion one by one. The results were confusing—neither clear rejection nor confirmation of feelings, but with a lingering sense of ambiguity. When Jiang Shiyan saw Tang Yang wearing a different style of clothing than usual, he didn’t offer any empty compliments or buy matching couple bracelets. However, he did give her a sweet, delicate bracelet and, when he noticed her shoelaces were untied, casually knelt down to tie them for her. What kind of feeling was this? A sibling-like bond? Tang Yang was left puzzled, her head spinning with thoughts.

Cheng Hui and Sheng Nina were doing an outdoor live broadcast. This time, their location was a coastal hillside with tea gardens, a bright blue sky, and fresh air. Cheng Hui worked with precision and seriousness, and after finishing work, he kept himself busy with his own activities, like night running and watching the sunrise. Sheng Nina had never encountered someone with such boundless energy.

Her assistant even thought this guy was pretending to "coincidentally" bump into them as a way to strike up a conversation with the beauty. But in reality, Cheng Hui was genuinely heading out to watch the sunrise. He had set his alarm for 4 a. m. and had already checked the sunrise time the night before, preparing a detailed route. Tang Yang really wanted to help the female owner of a small restaurant.

Coincidentally, Jiang Shiyan had run into the owner's son and felt sorry for the boy who was being bullied. The two of them quickly agreed to work together and designed a promotional food advertisement to help the restaurant. Jiang Shiyan brought his professional filming team and carefully prepared everything. They even conducted a special interview about the owner's hardships and the origin of the restaurant.

The inspirational story, combined with the food video, attracted many customers, and the small shop’s business boomed. The bank staff saw the great success of the small shop that Tang Yang was responsible for lending to and were envious, thinking she had secured a lucrative deal. However, Tang Yang just felt she was lucky. That same day, an uninvited guest arrived at Jiang Shiyan’s company.

The man had trusted an advertisement link and invested in a fund, only to find that the website soon disappeared, and he could no longer find it. In a fit of rage, the man stormed into Jiang Shiyan’s company and took a woman hostage, holding a knife to her neck. The situation was critical. As the head of Yi Xiu Company, Jiang Shiyan immediately stepped forward to calm the man down.

The man was determined to get his investment back, but Jiang Shiyan advised him to call the police, as his company had never hosted such a link. The police soon arrived, along with a psychological counselor. A large crowd had gathered, and the counselor suggested that Jiang Shiyan continue to keep the man calm and move him to a less crowded area. Jiang Shiyan, thinking quickly and remaining calm, worked with the police to guide the man toward the elevator.

Tang Yang was watching the live stream and saw Jiang Shiyan negotiating with the man, who was still holding the knife. She was terrified. Despite being in the middle of a staff meeting, she immediately stood up and ran out. Fortunately, Jiang Shiyan made it through the ordeal unharmed. When Tang Yang arrived at the scene, she saw Jiang Shiyan wrestle the knife away from the man, only to be pushed down in the process.

Tang Yang ran over in a panic and helped Jiang Shiyan up. Jiang Shiyan was surprised to see her there, while Tang Yang, overwhelmed, burst into tears. Seeing her red, swollen eyes, Jiang Shiyan felt that the risk he took was completely worth it. After the crisis at the company during the day, Jiang Shiyan and the entire staff were working overtime. Tang Yang stayed at the company as well.

Jiang Shiyan's mother saw the news report and was so frightened that she immediately called her son. Seeing that he was safe and that Tang Yang was by his side, she finally felt reassured. In the early morning hours, Tang Yang fell asleep on the company sofa. Jiang Shiyan gently covered her with a blanket and, looking closely at her long eyelashes, felt that working overtime wasn't tiring at all—in fact, it even felt a bit romantic.

One day, with nothing to do, Tang Yang decided to visit Jiang Shiyan's company. She happened to arrive during a brainstorming session, where they were trying to figure out the theme for their next show. Tang Yang overheard that none of them were particularly satisfied with their ideas. This reminded her of how Zhang Zhilan had made fried rice from leftover rice last time, and it tasted amazing. She suggested they could create a "Leftover Challenge" cooking competition.

Everyone thought it was a great idea, especially as it fit with the fast-paced lifestyle of today's youth, and they immediately decided to use this theme. Jiang Shiyan invited Tang Yang to stay for a company meal. While browsing the food displays, she overheard one of Jiang Shiyan's colleagues asking about her relationship with the boss. Jiang Shiyan quickly clarified that he and Tang Yang were just like close brothers, ready to help each other at any moment.

Feng Weiran, standing nearby, also chimed in, saying that the two of them had a purely platonic friendship, so no one should misunderstand. Hearing this conversation, Tang Yang suddenly felt disappointed. It turned out Jiang Shiyan had always seen her as just "one of the guys" and even went out of his way to distance himself from her in front of his colleagues. With this thought, Tang Yang lost interest in staying.

She had a colleague pass on a message, saying that she had to leave for a work meeting and that there was no need to have dinner together. Back home, Tang Yang carried the dessert box Jiang Shiyan had given her before she left his company. Although it contained her favorite treats, she recalled hearing him clarify that they weren't romantically involved, and her mood soured.

She decided it would be better to keep her distance from Jiang Shiyan in the future to avoid any potential heartache. Jiang Shiyan, as usual, went to Tang Yang's bank to pick her up after work. Her colleagues, upon seeing such a handsome guy, looked at her with envious eyes.

But when Tang Yang came out, she coldly reminded Jiang Shiyan not to pick her up from work anymore and not to drop by so often to avoid people misunderstanding their relationship as a romantic one. It was the first time Jiang Shiyan had heard Tang Yang say something like this, and he felt genuinely upset. Back at the company, he sought out Cheng Hui and Feng Weiran, repeating what Tang Yang had just told him.

Cheng Hui and Feng Weiran exchanged puzzled looks, sensing something was off. Tang Yang had always been carefree and never cared about how others viewed their friendship. Why was she suddenly being so cautious now? Feng Weiran speculated that Tang Yang might have found someone she admired at the bank and was worried that Jiang Shiyan picking her up might hurt her chances. Hearing this explanation, Jiang Shiyan became even more unsure of what to think.

Lately, it seemed that wherever Tang Yang was, Jiang Shiyan wasn’t, and whenever Jiang Shiyan was around, Tang Yang was absent. Even Feng Weiran and Jiang Yanan noticed this. One day, Jiang Shiyan overheard that Tang Yang had gone to look at houses with a senior. Growing suspicious about how close they had become, he immediately called Tang Yang. During the call, Jiang Shiyan learned that Tang Yang had been in a car accident.

He rushed to the scene just in time to find that three or four drunk men had smashed her car windows with iron rods and were yelling, ready to cause trouble.

Jiang Shiyan helped call the car insurance company, and after Tang Yang’s vehicle was towed away, he drove her home. On the way, he noticed that Tang Yang’s knee had been cut by broken glass from the car, so he took out a first-aid kit and carefully put a bandage on her. Seeing how attentive Jiang Shiyan was, Tang Yang began to wonder, was this really just something a “brother” would do?

He was so thoughtful in treating her injury, driving her home, and not even considering his own safety. At her doorstep, Jiang Shiyan once again asked if Tang Yang would join him for dinner the next day, but this time Tang Yang declined, saying that helping out as friends shouldn’t come with strings attached. Jiang Shiyan wasn’t sure what had changed, but Tang Yang emphasized that maintaining some distance was important, and he agreed to respect her wishes.

Meanwhile, during one of Sheng Nina’s livestreams at her company, a large group of internet trolls entered the chat, bringing up some of her past issues. The barrage of negative comments threw her off balance. Cheng Hui noticed this and quickly wrote some code to block the trolls from the stream. With the negative messages gone, Sheng Nina calmed down and was able to continue the livestream smoothly.

After the livestream ended, Sheng Nina noticed Cheng Hui walking behind them and assumed he was still “secretly admiring” her. To her surprise, Cheng Hui was just going the same way. He even opened the door to his luxury car and pulled out a small electric scooter, preparing to work as a part-time driver. Sheng Nina was even more shocked. Cheng Hui, with his supercar, didn’t seem to lack money, yet here he was, moonlighting as a driver.

It was beyond anything she could comprehend — totally unusual behavior! On Sunday, Feng Weiran invited Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan to a picnic. He brought his child along, who referred to Jiang Shiyan as "godfather" and to Tang Yang as "godmother," while calling Cheng Hui “big brother. ” Feng Weiran laughed heartily as the child explained that Cheng Hui’s in-game character was called “big brother. ” With the child there, the atmosphere was lively and joyful.

Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan fell back into their usual rhythm of being close friends, feeling free and easy around each other, but without any awkwardness. As the sun set, the sky was ablaze with fiery clouds, constantly shifting in shape. Jiang Shiyan was moved by the beauty of the scene.

Watching Tang Yang happily gazing into the distance, he couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like if they started a family together and had a child of their own. Everyone else was enjoying the scenery, but Jiang Shiyan found himself staring at the girl beside him, lost in thought. That night, Jiang Shiyan had a dream. In it, Tang Yang had chosen the senior over him, and they even had a child together.

Cheng Hui pulled him away, and as he looked back, he saw Tang Yang and the senior smiling together. The dream scared Jiang Shiyan so much that he woke up immediately. After waking, he felt an overwhelming sense of unease, hoping that the dream would never become a reality. Sheng Nina’s recent livestreams were a huge success, and her follower count surpassed 10 million. The team celebrated with champagne and flowers.

Sheng Nina, holding a bouquet of flowers, stood next to Jiang Shiyan, smiling happily. Someone posted a video of the celebration in a group chat, commenting on how well-matched Sheng Nina and Jiang Shiyan looked, saying that their hands almost touched while holding the flowers. That night, Jiang Shiyan had planned to have a New Year’s Eve dinner with everyone after the celebration.

But when Tang Yang saw the video in the group chat of Sheng Nina and Jiang Shiyan smiling together, she thought they indeed made a great pair — one a beautiful woman, the other a successful young company leader. They really did look perfect together. Feeling suddenly upset, Tang Yang called a friend, saying she had a dinner with her bank colleagues and wouldn’t be able to make it.

At that time of night, there was no chance her bank was working late. Jiang Shiyan saw the video in the group chat and guessed the reason for Tang Yang’s cancellation. He immediately grabbed his phone and went to Tang Yang’s favorite alley to find her. Tang Yang had thought she’d spend New Year’s Eve with a stray cat, but when she opened her eyes, there was Jiang Shiyan, standing in front of her, breathless from running.

Tang Yang lifted her head while answering the phone, and there he was—Jiang Shiyan! He smiled as he walked toward her step by step. Tang Yang felt a little dazed by happiness. This was the person she had always cared for, yet they had always maintained a friendship. Now, Jiang Shiyan had come to spend New Year's Eve with her, and her eyes reddened. Jiang Shiyan reached into his pocket and pulled out a sparkler. It was their tradition.

Many years ago, Tang Yang had casually mentioned that she loved sparklers, and Jiang Shiyan had remembered it ever since, bringing her sparklers every year. Tang Yang asked Jiang Shiyan why he wasn’t spending New Year's Eve at the company. Jiang Shiyan confidently said that he only wanted to spend the night with her. Fireworks bloomed in the dark, deep sky, just like the flowers in Tang Yang’s heart.

The two of them stood side by side, silently watching the fireworks, feeling that this moment was especially beautiful. Jiang Shiyan then took Tang Yang back to the company to have New Year's Eve dinner. Sheng Nina saw the two of them arriving together and finally realized that the person Jiang Shiyan liked was Tang Yang. After exchanging greetings with Jiang Shiyan and his assistant, Sheng Nina left.

Jiang Shiyan and Tang Yang stayed at the company to have New Year's Eve dinner with Feng Weiran, Cheng Hui, and the others. This group had been together since high school, almost like family. After dinner, they continued their old tradition of writing down their wishes on slips of paper. Jiang Shiyan remarked that while their high school days were happy, the present was just as joyful because they still got to see each other every day.

Feng Weiran and his wife brought Jiang Shiyan and Tang Yang on a hike to watch the sunrise. The couple was openly affectionate, and Tang Yang couldn’t help but express how envious she was that they had gotten together so quickly and now had a lovely little child. Feng Weiran said that everything had fallen into place naturally, as long as one stayed true to their heart.

Jiang Shiyan nodded in agreement, blurting out that he also believed the happiest thing in life was when friends became lovers. Tang Yang looked back at Jiang Shiyan in surprise, noticing how serious he looked. She had often felt that Jiang Shiyan had a place for her in his heart, but she was never sure whether it was out of brotherly affection or romantic interest, making her uncertain and afraid to pursue it.

Feng Weiran and his wife left early, leaving Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan to wait for the sunrise alone. The air around them was damp and cool. Jiang Shiyan took off his jacket and gently draped it over Tang Yang. They cherished this moment of solitude. As the first rays of light touched the earth, Zhou Mo finished the last bottle of beer and then staggered to his feet. He carefully wiped the name on the tombstone.

He had spent New Year's Eve here and stayed until the early hours of the next morning. Only here, by the grave, did he feel at peace. After New Year's Eve, Jiang Shiyan called Tang Yang to invite her to the company to play cards. Despite her terrible card skills, with Jiang Shiyan helping her, she managed to win a few rounds and was extremely happy.

Jiang Shiyan’s mother heard that his company was holding a “leftover food competition,” and she actively participated. Despite her average cooking skills, she put in extra effort in the kitchen and actually made sushi rice balls. For the first time, Jiang Shiyan eagerly accepted his mother’s invitation to taste the new dish, only to hear her say over the phone that half of the food had been given to the dog, and the other half to Jiang Shiyan.

As New Year’s Eve approached, Jiang Shiyan overheard his employees asking for leave to have a family reunion dinner. He suddenly realized that he had never had a New Year's Eve dinner with Tang Yang. He remembered many years ago, when his mother was hospitalized, and Tang Yang rushed to the hospital to be with him, bringing him food. At that moment, he truly felt that Tang Yang had entered his life in a meaningful way.

Tang Yang never expected that one day, she would find herself in direct competition with Zhou Mo. Zhou Mo had quickly won over the bank manager with some strategies, and now, Tang Yang's investigation report could no longer sway the leader's opinion. Jiang Shiyan, determined to spend New Year's Eve with Tang Yang, often visited her home under the pretense of fixing the water purifier, chatting with her aunt, and paying close attention to her family’s needs.

When he overheard Tang Yang’s parents discussing their plans for the New Year, he immediately suggested they fly to the south for the holiday. However, Tang Yang’s mother didn’t want to leave her older sister behind. Jiang Shiyan then suggested taking a cruise instead, but her parents were worried about getting seasick. Left with no other choice, Jiang Shiyan said he would think of something else.

To make sure they could spend New Year's Eve together, Jiang Shiyan asked his colleague to find the most luxurious New Year’s Eve dinner package. As expected, everything was double the usual price, and all the restaurants and resorts were fully booked. In the end, Jiang Shiyan managed to secure a presidential suite at a high price. The suite had ten rooms, offered New Year’s Eve dinner, a hot spring, and facilities for group dining, card games, and other entertainment.

Knowing his mother was frugal, Jiang Shiyan lied, saying that his company helped a resort with some promotions, and as a token of appreciation, they gifted him the presidential suite. His mother initially wanted to decline the offer, but Jiang Shiyan convinced her, and she finally agreed. To prepare for the gathering, Jiang Shiyan spent an entire morning planning.

He bought small gifts for each of his friends, presents for Tang Yang’s parents and aunt, and even several new outfits for himself, laying them all out on the bed, carefully considering which one would be most suitable to wear. Jiang Shiyan also encouraged his mom to change into festive attire. When everything was ready, Tang Yang was driving her parents to Shallow Water Bay. Just as they were about to set off, she received a call from Jiang Shiyan.

It turned out that his grandfather had sprained his ankle that morning. After a hospital check-up, his grandfather insisted on returning to their hometown that very day. Jiang Shiyan, regrettably, informed Tang Yang that he would have to go back home for New Year’s and wished her and her family a fun time at Shallow Water Bay. While Jiang Shiyan’s mother was urging his grandfather to take his medicine, Jiang Shiyan suddenly heard Tang Yang’s voice.

To his surprise, Tang Yang had brought her parents and aunt to his hometown to visit. At last, Jiang Shiyan’s wish had come true, and his eyes crinkled with joy. Tang Yang’s parents brought small gifts for Jiang Shiyan and his grandfather, as well as packed New Year's Eve dinner for them. The courtyard was lively with activity. Tang Yang also handed Jiang Shiyan’s mother a small jacket from her own mother, which delighted her.

She exclaimed how much she loved the gift, as she had been struggling to cook in her heavy coat. Following village tradition, everyone had to write spring couplets on New Year's Eve. Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan spontaneously picked up brushes and began writing couplets. Their friends couldn’t help but notice how well-matched they were, and they jokingly urged the two to turn their "pure revolutionary friendship" into a romantic relationship.

With the cooperation of the family, the New Year’s Eve dinner was finally ready, and everyone gathered around, happily enjoying the meal. Jiang Shiyan, in particular, couldn’t stop smiling the entire day. During dinner, everyone teased that Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan should sit at the children's table since neither of them was married yet. According to rural customs, unmarried people are considered children.

Tang Yang shared some embarrassing stories about Jiang Shiyan from the past, which still amused her when she thought about them. On New Year's Eve, Cheng Hui was on duty at the company and couldn’t make it home for dinner. Both Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan received red envelopes from him, but the amount was just over one cent. They messaged Cheng Hui, asking if he could send red envelopes worth more than one yuan.

Cheng Hui explained that it was bad luck that they received so little from the mini-program he used, but on the other end of the line, Sheng Nina had received 188 yuan from him. Sheng Nina was also busy working that day and missed the New Year’s Eve dinner, so she settled for an instant hotpot from the company and posted about it on social media.

Cheng Hui opened several instant hotpots, unsure of which flavor to eat, and when he saw Sheng Nina’s post about a tom yum hotpot with dumplings, he immediately took some frozen dumplings from his freezer to cook and copy her meal. After dinner, Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan strolled around the village. An old man at a small shop was still selling fireworks. Tang Yang bought a few and also got a “Da Da Juan” bubble gum.

This type of bubble gum was something she and Jiang Shiyan used to eat a lot when they were kids, and they would often compete to see who could blow the bigger bubble. As they reminisced about their childhood memories, it felt as if time had stood still. When they returned home, Jiang Shiyan’s mother asked him to take Tang Yang to his room to help carry some gifts.

It was Tang Yang’s first time in the room where Jiang Shiyan grew up, and she saw many of his old toys and baby photos, which she found amusing. Jiang Shiyan’s mother gifted Tang Yang a pearl necklace. Tang Yang asked Jiang Shiyan to help her put it on. With just the two of them in the room and in close proximity, Jiang Shiyan blushed and couldn’t resist the urge to lean in and kiss Tang Yang.

Suddenly, a shadow appeared by the window, startling Tang Yang, and she pushed Jiang Shiyan away. Realizing that he had crossed a line, Jiang Shiyan immediately felt embarrassed. Thankfully, someone downstairs called for them to come watch the fireworks, breaking the awkward moment, and they quickly joined the crowd. Jiang Shiyan felt a bit disappointed. He thought Tang Yang considered him a good friend, but he almost crossed a boundary.

He worried that she would blame him and that their friendship would be strained, so he went to bed early. Tang Yang, too, felt embarrassed by what had just happened. The next morning, Tang Yang, her mother, and her aunt got up early to prepare for their return trip.

Jiang Shiyan woke up late and rushed out to the courtyard when he saw the text message, just in time to catch Tang Yang, who had forgotten a box of jujube cakes. As he handed them to her, Tang Yang sensed his awkwardness and quickly reassured him that nothing happened the previous night and there was no need to dwell on it. After the New Year, Feng Weiran suggested they all attend a gathering.

During a break in the event, Tang Yang finally saw Jiang Shiyan again. Jiang Shiyan was eager to get an answer from Tang Yang—whether or not he could take that step forward. However, Tang Yang thought that Jiang Shiyan’s feelings the previous night were just a fleeting moment of emotion, and that he didn’t truly see her as a romantic partner.

She reminded herself not to get her hopes up and then told him that after all these years, she had come to regard him as a confidant and friend. Otherwise, how could they have sworn brotherhood back in high school? Jiang Shiyan said he would no longer call her “Yang Ge” from now on.

Tang Yang didn’t understand what Jiang Shiyan meant by that, but all she could say was that no matter what changes happened in the future, he would always be the most important person in her life.

Jiang Shiyan couldn’t understand why Tang Yang pushed him away that New Year's Eve. After pondering for a long time, he decided to ask Jiang Yanan for advice. During lunch, he stopped by the restaurant Jiang Yanan ran, under the pretense of grabbing a meal. He mentioned that his cousin had encountered some issues recently and hoped she could offer some insight.

After hearing his story, Jiang Yanan casually remarked that maybe the girl only saw him as a friend and had never considered him as boyfriend material. This statement felt like a bucket of cold water on Jiang Shiyan, making him wonder if Tang Yang’s words were true, and if his actions had embarrassed her. Sheng Nina had issues with her home internet and called Feng Weiran for help.

Feng Weiran, knowing that Cheng Hui was still at the office, asked Cheng Hui to go and take a look. It was Cheng Hui’s first time visiting Sheng Nina’s house, so he packed a bag with a router and various small components. Normally quiet, he was even more reserved when he arrived, especially since some of Sheng Nina’s girlfriends were there chatting. They discussed Cheng Hui’s good looks but all agreed that he was too wooden and didn’t understand romance.

Besides fixing the router, Cheng Hui had also brought several types of flavored sauces, knowing that Sheng Nina often ate fast food due to her busy work schedule. These sauces would make for quick, flavorful meals. Ever since hearing Jiang Yanan’s comments, Jiang Shiyan had avoided seeing Tang Yang for several days. One day, upon hearing that Tang Yang had come to their company, Jiang Shiyan quickly hid in a corner, only emerging after she left.

When Cheng Hui saw him, Jiang Shiyan awkwardly said he had been on a phone call. Tang Yang’s bank had a collaboration with Jiang Shiyan’s company, and to avoid meeting her, Jiang Shiyan had Feng Weiran attend the meeting on his behalf. During the banquet, the conversation shifted to the famous local liquor, which required a reservation months in advance to try. The leaders from Tang Yang’s bank expressed regret that they couldn’t taste it.

Suddenly, the server brought out the signature liquor. The server explained that this bottle had been specially reserved by Jiang Shiyan for Tang Yang. Last year, when Tang Yang couldn’t attend her birthday dinner, Jiang Shiyan had instructed the restaurant to save the liquor for the next time Tang Yang dined there. It was the first time Tang Yang realized she had such special treatment from Jiang Shiyan.

Later, while at home, Tang Yang heard from Feng Weiran that Jiang Shiyan had gone on a business trip. She wanted to message him on WeChat to ask why he hadn’t told her, but after typing it out, she deleted the message. Deep down, she knew Jiang Shiyan had been avoiding her in recent days, but she didn’t have the courage to confront the reason.

The next day, Tang Yang made an excuse to go to Jiang Shiyan’s house and wait for him. She happened to see him arriving home with a suitcase. Their eyes met, and Jiang Shiyan smiled brightly at her. Tang Yang felt relieved; Jiang Shiyan was still the same as before, just like when they were in high school. They were still close companions.

At the bank’s wine-tasting event, Tang Yang attended with her department leader and also ran into the intern Lin Lang. Lin Lang was dressed in a crop top, looking very sexy. She had recently gotten close to that handsy man, and Tang Yang felt a bit worried when she saw Lin Lang enthusiastically greet Gan Yiming. She reminded Lin Lang not to drink too much alcohol.

At the wine party, Lin Lang clung to Gan Yiming, and as expected, was forced to drink a lot. Tang Yang noticed that she didn’t look well and immediately helped her leave the scene. Lin Lang vomited in the restroom for quite some time, feeling miserable. Tang Yang told her to go home and not to worry about the rest. Gan Yiming had his own plans, but Tang Yang’s intervention ruined them, so he began to harbor resentment towards her.

Seeing Tang Yang standing on the stage giving out awards, his desire grew even stronger. Taking advantage of a moment when no one was paying attention, he called Tang Yang outside, claiming to have something work-related to discuss. With no one around, Gan Yiming placed his lecherous hand on Tang Yang’s shoulder, saying that the more outstanding a woman is, the more it stirs his desire to conquer her.

Tang Yang glared at him, and when he didn’t back off, she decisively grabbed a metal fork from a nearby cart, pressed it against his neck, and warned him to stay still. She made it clear that she wasn’t afraid of causing a scene, but he might not be able to handle the consequences. Jiang Shiyan also attended the wine party. After just two minutes of looking around, he noticed Tang Yang was missing from his sight.

His gaze quickly scanned the room and spotted Tang Yang holding a fork to Gan Yiming’s neck, angrily speaking to him before throwing the fork aside and walking away. Jiang Shiyan had seen Gan Yiming try to take advantage of Tang Yang once before, and this time he was certain the man’s old habits had resurfaced. Enraged, Jiang Shiyan went over and gave Gan Yiming a good beating.

Before long, Gan Yiming left the party in disgrace, his face swollen and bruised. Tang Yang, curious about what had happened, then saw Jiang Shiyan following closely behind and realized that Jiang Shiyan had avenged her. It was clear that Jiang Shiyan had been quietly protecting her all along, and whatever had happened between them in the past few days was instantly forgotten. Tang Yang helped Jiang Shiyan apply medicine to his injured hand.

Though Jiang Shiyan looked like a tough guy from the outside, he was surprisingly vulnerable. Who knew how many punches he’d thrown at Gan Yiming, only to end up hurting his own hand? Zhou Mo had witnessed the entire scene of Gan Yiming being beaten. He walked over, helped Gan Yiming get a car, and went back with him.

In fact, Gan Yiming’s wife was one of Zhou Mo's company leaders, and Zhou Mo had received instructions from her to take Gan Yiming back. The couple had been separated for many years, living their own lives. When they needed to appear together for an event, they would put on a temporary act. Gan Yiming’s wife only contacted him when she needed money, and then Gan Yiming would find a way to get a loan for her company.

This time, when Gan Yiming’s wife saw the bruises on his face, she guessed it had something to do with another woman. She warned him not to let a woman bring him down one day, but Gan Yiming only laughed, reminding her to be grateful. Every loan he had secured for her company over the years was done illegally, and if they were ever investigated, it would be a disaster for them both.

So, he said, they should enjoy each day as it comes. Jiang Shiyan wanted to confess his feelings to Tang Yang, but at the crucial moment, his phone rang. His mother called, asking him to come home and help with something. Just then, Tang Yang’s mother also called, so both Jiang Shiyan and Tang Yang had to rush back.

Later, Jiang Shiyan and his mother went to Tang Yang’s place, but throughout this time, Jiang Shiyan kept trying to pick up where he had left off at the wine party, only to be interrupted again and again. Finally, on the way back with his mother, Jiang Shiyan couldn’t hold back any longer. He asked his mother to go home first as he had something important to say to Tang Yang. He was determined to go find her and explain everything in person.

In the evening, Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan walked near the neighborhood, sharing stories about their lives. Jiang Shiyan intentionally revealed that he had originally started *Yixiu Haochi* (a food exploration channel) for Tang Yang. When they were young, Tang Yang would always bring him delicious food, whether it was hot pot, skewers, or instant noodles they cooked together. After Jiang Shiyan graduated, Tang Yang went on to pursue her master's and then her PhD, creating a distance between them.

Jiang Shiyan hoped that one day Tang Yang would return to their hometown, so he began using food to try to keep her connected. He started exploring local eateries, and every time he edited and filmed a video, he reminded himself to do his best so Tang Yang could see that every local dish was delicious.

Tang Yang smiled and confessed that during her university years, when she was writing late into the night at the library, she would always watch Jiang Shiyan’s food videos. Over time, these videos became her pillar of support and motivation for studying. Tang Yang casually mentioned that she once had a roommate who was very envious of another girl whose boyfriend was her elementary school classmate.

She thought that a pure friendship developing into love was something to be cherished, but sometimes it was hard to tell if it was really friendship or love. Jiang Shiyan wanted to express the feelings he had kept inside for so long, but when he looked into Tang Yang’s eyes, he grew nervous and didn’t know how to begin. Just at that moment, Tang Yang’s phone rang—her mother was urging her to come home.

During the day, both Gan Yiming and Lin Lang had taken leave, and the manager asked Tang Yang to temporarily take over Gan Yiming’s work. Tang Yang hadn’t thought much of it, since the bank had policies in place, and covering for a few days was no big deal. Meanwhile, Gan Yiming, resting at home, was calculating his own moves. Recently, a shady company was trying to apply for a large loan.

Based on past experiences, the company wasn’t qualified for such a loan, but due to the owner’s connections, the bank had always taken risks by approving it. This time, Gan Yiming wanted to put some pressure on Tang Yang to see how she would handle it. Jiang Shiyan personally went to the bank to pick up Tang Yang after work.

Her colleagues teased her, asking how her conversation went the day before, but Tang Yang, still unsure, just said they were trying and would leave the rest to fate. As she walked out of the bank and saw Jiang Shiyan waiting for her, Tang Yang was overjoyed. On the drive back, as Tang Yang handed Jiang Shiyan a water cup, their hands accidentally touched, and both of their hearts raced.

Tang Yang tried to hold Jiang Shiyan’s hand, but lacked the courage to do so. They both wanted to make a move but ultimately hesitated. When they arrived at Tang Yang’s apartment complex, Jiang Shiyan got out of the car and took the initiative to hold Tang Yang’s hand. Both of them were filled with nervous excitement. However, just at that moment, an elderly lady hurried over and handed them a bunch of plums.

Now, both Jiang Shiyan and Tang Yang had their hands full with plums, and there was no more chance to hold hands again. Feng Weiran mentioned to Tang Yang that there would be a class reunion in a few days, and their old classmate Chang Xinyi would be attending. Feng Weiran thought highly of Chang Xinyi, describing her as lively and outgoing, saying she would be an instant hit if she became a livestream host for their company.

He also reminisced that back in school, Chang Xinyi was the class beauty, and most of the boys liked her—except for Jiang Shiyan. But in the end, it seemed that Chang Xinyi had even tried to pursue Jiang Shiyan. Feng Weiran expressed regret that Jiang Shiyan and Chang Xinyi didn’t end up together, not realizing that Jiang Shiyan had always had feelings for Tang Yang. The next day was the class reunion.

Jiang Yanan had prepared by putting on a facial mask at home, even giving one to her husband, Feng Weiran, saying no one wanted to meet their classmates with a weathered face. Feng Weiran casually remarked that Tang Yang probably didn’t bother with such things, thinking that Tang Yang acted more like a tomboy. However, at that very moment, in Tang Yang’s home, she was putting on a facial mask while reading a book.

Tang Yang attended the class reunion, and everyone was enthusiastically chatting about the past. Chang Xinyi was also there, and naturally, the group began discussing the brief relationship between Jiang Shiyan and Chang Xinyi during their school days. Someone even asked Tang Yang if she knew about it. At that moment, Jiang Shiyan was in another room, helping with the fruit trays, completely unaware of the conversation.

Tang Yang, looking confused, said she had no idea about Jiang Shiyan and Chang Xinyi’s relationship. Since she had been away for three years doing her PhD, and they were in different cities at the time, it was understandable that she didn’t know about it. Feng Weiran explained that Jiang Shiyan and Chang Xinyi’s relationship was very brief and ended quietly. Hearing this, Tang Yang felt a bit jealous.

During dinner, she watched as Jiang Shiyan and Chang Xinyi chatted and laughed together, seemingly ignoring her, which made her furious. She started downing beer cans one after another. Chang Xinyi and Tang Yang were two very different types of people. Tang Yang was carefree and typically wore more neutral clothing, while Chang Xinyi was gentle and ladylike, with long flowing hair and elegant dresses. Tang Yang felt like she might be facing competition.

After all, she and Jiang Shiyan had been friends for so many years, and if something romantic were going to happen, it would have already. So, she decided to step aside and let things happen naturally. After dinner, she even took Feng Weiran’s car and asked Jiang Shiyan to take Chang Xinyi home. Now, only Jiang Shiyan and Chang Xinyi were left, and the atmosphere became a bit awkward.

Chang Xinyi made small talk, asking if Tang Yang worked at a bank, noting that bank employees often had drinking parties. She teased that Tang Yang must have quite the tolerance for alcohol. Only then did Jiang Shiyan realize that Tang Yang had been drinking a lot earlier. When the car arrived, Jiang Shiyan asked the driver to take Chang Xinyi to her hotel, while he headed back to find Tang Yang.

Back at home, Tang Yang was sitting by her table, drinking again with her potted plants. When Jiang Shiyan knocked on the door, Tang Yang, still a little tipsy, asked why he came here instead of taking his "white moonlight" home. Jiang Shiyan denied that Chang Xinyi was his "white moonlight," but Tang Yang wouldn’t let it go. She grabbed his collar, demanding to know if it was true.

Unable to take it anymore, Jiang Shiyan told her that she was his "little sun. " Tang Yang burst into tears and laughter, pulling him into the bathroom and pointing at the ceiling light, asking if he knew what a "little sun" looked like. Jiang Shiyan couldn’t help but laugh at how Tang Yang had confused such an important metaphor with a light bulb.

That night, Tang Yang rambled for a long time, asking if his first kiss had been with Chang Xinyi, crying and fussing, even demanding that Jiang Shiyan kiss her. But just as the moment approached, Tang Yang fell asleep. Jiang Shiyan initially wanted to follow through on what was left unfinished, but he decided it wasn’t honorable to take advantage of her while she was drunk.

So, he set up a makeshift bed on the floor beside her to take care of her throughout the night. Nothing happened between them. Tang Yang slept on the couch, while Jiang Shiyan slept on the floor nearby. In the morning, Tang Yang woke up to the smell of food—Jiang Shiyan had made breakfast. Just as she was about to try the purple rice porridge that Jiang Shiyan had made, Jiang Yanan knocked on the door, tearfully entering.

It turned out that Feng Weiran had put their current house on the market without consulting her, intending to buy a new one in the city center as an investment. Jiang Yanan disagreed because she saw it as their marital home and felt he should have discussed it with her first. As a result, Jiang Yanan decided to leave home and stay at Tang Yang’s place, refusing to go back. Meanwhile, Feng Weiran was getting anxious and kept calling Tang Yang, hoping she could help mediate the situation.

Tang Yang took over the business left behind by Gan Yiming at the bank and discovered that one of the company's loan applications seemed somewhat irregular. However, it appeared that the leadership had high hopes for this company, so whether or not to approve the loan required careful consideration. Tang Yang consulted her senior about the company's startup process and its early business operations, analyzing its ability to repay the loan.

Jiang Yanan was still staying at Tang Yang's house every day, and Feng Weiran had no choice but to ask Tang Yang for help. Cleverly, Tang Yang brought Jiang Yanan’s son to her house. Hearing how much her child missed her, Jiang Yanan immediately took him back home that same day. Chang Xinyi called Tang Yang, asking to meet up, which made Tang Yang very curious.

When they met, Tang Yang learned that Chang Xinyi wanted her to convince Jiang Shiyan to take the company public soon. Tang Yang honestly replied that, even though Jiang Shiyan often called her “Yang-ge,” they never interfered in each other’s work. Moreover, since Yi Xiu’s business was currently thriving, it proved that Jiang Shiyan’s decisions were rarely wrong, so Tang Yang wouldn’t interfere in his work.

After this close encounter, Chang Xinyi realized how exceptional Tang Yang was, and it made sense why Jiang Shiyan was so deeply attached to her, even refusing to engage with any other girl. His taste was truly sharp. The next day, Chang Xinyi called Jiang Shiyan, telling him she was heading back and asking him to contact her if he ever planned to take the company public.

She also urged Jiang Shiyan to quickly confess to Tang Yang, or else such an outstanding girl might be snatched up by someone else. Jiang Shiyan appreciated Chang Xinyi’s understanding and shyly responded that he and Tang Yang were already seriously dating. Jiang Shiyan found a picturesque inn and called Tang Yang, inviting her for a relaxing weekend hike on Friday. When the innkeeper saw Jiang Shiyan, he thought he looked familiar.

Yi Xiu’s food streaming had become very famous in the industry, and many restaurants were eager to be featured by Yi Xiu, as any restaurant promoted by them would see booming business. Jiang Shiyan tasted the local specialties recommended by the owner, found them particularly delicious, and jotted down the dish names. Hearing that some dishes needed to be pre-ordered, he immediately called the restaurant to make a reservation, ensuring that they would have the dish on Friday.

Friday finally arrived, the day they had planned to head to the resort. That morning, Tang Yang even replied to Jiang Shiyan's WeChat, but suddenly she stopped responding. After waiting for one or two hours without hearing back, Jiang Shiyan became very anxious. He rushed to Tang Yang’s place, only to find the door locked. He called Jiang Yanan, asking if she had seen Tang Yang, but even she hadn't. Tang Yang wasn’t at the bank either.

Jiang Shiyan hurried to Tang Yang’s parents' house, but she wasn’t there either. He was frantic with worry, but Tang Yang’s mother sat calmly on the sofa, reassuring Jiang Shiyan that it was probably nothing serious—maybe Tang Yang's phone battery had died and she had forgotten her charger. Still uneasy, Jiang Shiyan called Zhou Mo for help in locating her.

Finally, Zhou Mo informed him that Tang Yang had gone out to investigate a business matter, which gave Jiang Shiyan some relief. Feng Weiran finally returned from his business trip, thinking that his wife’s anger would have subsided after being away for a few days. However, to his surprise, his wife had packed up all his belongings and asked him to take them and leave.

Feng Weiran started to panic—he had already paid the deposit for the new house, and if they didn’t sell the old one soon, they’d be stuck. Jiang Shiyan felt that Feng Weiran had taken a big risk by making decisions without consulting his wife first, so it wasn’t surprising that he was being punished now. Finally, Tang Yang called, and Jiang Shiyan excitedly rushed out of the office.

When he saw Tang Yang standing in front of him, he was overwhelmed with emotion and immediately asked if anything had happened to her the day before.

Tang Yang went to investigate the loan for the company in her hands. She visited the law enforcement department to check whether the company had any criminal record, which could pose a risk to loan repayment in the future. After much effort, Tang Yang finally found some clues that indicated there were indeed risks in approving the loan.

Jiang Shiyan took Tang Yang back, and she complained about the poor bathroom facilities in the hotel during her business trip, which made her feel uncomfortable for days. Jiang Shiyan brought some mugwort leaves and claimed that a soak with them would surely dispel all discomfort. Tang Yang couldn't help but laugh; Jiang Shiyan acted like a little follower in front of her, as gentle as a lamb. However, the public was envious of Yi Xiu company.

Last time, a fan found out that Tang Yang knew Jiang Shiyan and even asked her to help get his autograph. Tang Yang was quite surprised; she wanted to say that just the night before, she had been having barbecue skewers with Jiang Shiyan, and she had paid for the meal! To welcome Tang Yang back, Jiang Shiyan even cooked a hotpot at her place. The two chatted casually, and it felt like they had settled into domestic life.

Jiang Shiyan wanted to plan their next dinner, but the one he had carefully prepared earlier had been disrupted by Tang Yang's work. However, Tang Yang didn’t mind at all, as her work issues were still unresolved. The business left by Gan Yiming was tricky and needed to be handled quickly. When Feng Weiran returned home, he found that the house's entry code had been changed. His son opened the door to ask for an Ultraman toy.

Just as Feng Weiran handed over the new toy he bought, the door was slammed shut in his face. Jiang Yanan had previously instructed their son that if his father managed to enter, both he and his father would be sent to live in the old house. With no other options, Feng Weiran had been eating and sleeping at the office for four or five days. Unable to bear it anymore, he asked Tang Yang for advice.

Coincidentally, Tang Yang was investigating a company called "Qing Lai. " One of the admissions teachers there was enthusiastically talking about the school's credentials, recommending annual and quarterly membership cards. Tang Yang wasn’t too optimistic about their enrollment situation. Just then, she saw a parent angrily dragging her son out of the classroom, hitting him a few times, and complaining that he was wasting the lesson fees she had just paid. The child was crying uncontrollably.

Tang Yang couldn’t stand it and immediately went over to remind the mother that hitting children in public would not only harm her child but also negatively affect other kids. However, the mother was quite rude, yelling that Tang Yang was interfering with how she disciplined her child. This unruly woman was beyond reasoning, and Tang Yang was no match for her.

Jiang Shiyan walked over and tried to reason with the parent, but in the end, they couldn’t win the argument. Thankfully, a teacher from the training center came over to mediate, and the parent finally left. Tang Yang quickly grabbed Jiang Shiyan, and they left the scene. In the car, Tang Yang reminded Jiang Shiyan that he shouldn’t have stood up for her earlier.

They were pretending to be a couple to investigate the company's business, and there were so many onlookers just now. If someone had recorded the scene and posted it online, it could negatively affect Jiang Shiyan as the boss of a company. Seeing Tang Yang’s worried expression, Jiang Shiyan couldn’t help but laugh. She still cared about him, still had that sense of justice, and was always willing to stand up for what was right.

From their school days to their professional lives, her character had never changed. Jiang Yanan was taking a walk with her child in the community when she bumped into an old classmate, who now worked in real estate. The classmate reminded Jiang Yanan to sell her current house as soon as possible, or it might affect the signing of the new house contract.

It was only then that Jiang Yanan learned that her husband had already paid the deposit for the new house. This led to yet another argument between the couple. Jiang Shiyan’s appendicitis flared up again, and Tang Yang quickly called Feng Weiran. It wasn’t until Feng Weiran and Jiang Yanan received the call that the couple finally stopped fighting.

Jiang Shiyan was sent to the emergency room and, after undergoing surgery, was moved to a hospital room. Jiang Yanan and Feng Weiran came to visit him, while Tang Yang specifically bought some milk and toiletries for him. She asked Jiang Shiyan how he was feeling and reminded him that he couldn’t eat anything until he passed gas. Tang Yang gave him a long list of instructions, but Jiang Shiyan quietly lay in bed, not minding her nagging at all.

Instead, he felt reassured watching Tang Yang busy herself around him. Jiang Shiyan's mother went home to get some of her personal belongings, leaving Tang Yang to stay with him in the room. She thoughtfully placed a phone next to Jiang Shiyan’s pillow, reminding him to inform her when he passed gas, so she could bring some food to the room.

On her way home, Tang Yang bought easily digestible millet porridge and ingredients, waking up early the next day to bring them to Jiang Shiyan. By then, Jiang Shiyan had passed gas and could eat some food. Tang Yang personally fed him millet porridge and a few delicate side dishes. She originally planned to stay with him that evening in place of the housekeeper, but Jiang Yanan enthusiastically insisted that she take over.

She explained that it would be more convenient for a man to care for another man during the night, a rather solid excuse. Although Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan were close, taking care of someone overnight wasn’t something she could handle. Tang Yang’s bank supervisor called her into the office. After listening to her work report from the past few days, he specifically reminded her that for some reputable companies in the market, the bank should adopt more flexible policies.

Tang Yang understood that he was referring to Qinglai. However, based on her investigation, she discovered that Qinglai Group hadn’t paid its employees for several months, and their bonuses and allowances were also being delayed. Tang Yang felt that the situation wasn’t as simple as it appeared, so she decided to conduct another review and didn’t approve Qinglai’s loan. She took three days off to accompany Jiang Shiyan at the hospital.

When Jiang Shiyan heard that Tang Yang would be coming to stay the night, he was overjoyed, excitedly imagining spending the evening alone with her. But shortly after, the doctor came to check on him and found all his vital signs to be normal. The doctor advised that Jiang Shiyan could be discharged that day. Surprised, Jiang Shiyan immediately asked if he could stay another day and be discharged tomorrow. The doctor reiterated that appendicitis was a minor surgery.

Frustrated, Jiang Shiyan texted Tang Yang, telling her she no longer needed to stay with him that night. Tang Yang replied, promising to come in the afternoon to help him with the discharge process and take him home. It seemed Jiang Shiyan’s prayers reached the heavens, as he developed a fever in the afternoon. The doctor recommended that he stay for further observation.

Lying in bed, Jiang Shiyan smiled, while Tang Yang, seeing the rising temperature on the thermometer, couldn’t help but worry. She took even greater care of him, staying by his side through the night. Every time Jiang Shiyan woke up and opened his eyes, he saw Tang Yang’s concerned gaze. Feeling content, by the next morning, Jiang Shiyan’s complexion had improved. Tang Yang propped up his pillow to make him more comfortable.

As the two sat close together, Jiang Shiyan could smell the scent of Tang Yang’s hair, and the atmosphere between them grew more intimate. Jiang Shiyan’s mother brought breakfast and, noticing how hard Tang Yang had worked, urged her to go home and rest. She also said there was no need for Tang Yang to come in the next couple of days, reminding her that work was important.

Jiang Shiyan was able to walk around, so there wasn’t a need for someone to stay by his side constantly. Jiang Shiyan could only watch helplessly as the equally reluctant Tang Yang left the room. When Jiang Yanan wasn’t busy, she would chat with Tang Yang. Ever since Feng Weiran paid the deposit for the new house without her consent, it had been a source of unease for her.

Although Feng Weiran sent her flowers every day after that, Jiang Yanan still wasn’t happy, feeling that they were increasingly losing common ground in their relationship.

Zhou Mo's project had been waiting for Tang Yang’s approval for a long time, and he was getting anxious. Upon hearing that Tang Yang had taken time off to care for Jiang Shiyan in the hospital, he decided to go there himself to find her.

The moment Tang Yang saw Zhou Mo, she knew why he had come, but she excused herself, saying she needed to take care of Jiang Shiyan’s meals, and that work matters could wait until she returned from her leave. Zhou Mo, however, insisted on waiting until Tang Yang was done, reminding her that he was their senior. Jiang Shiyan told Tang Yang to go ahead and take care of her work, assuring her that he could manage on his own.

Jiang Shiyan invited Tang Yang to have coffee near the hospital. When Tang Yang heard Zhou Mo’s request, she immediately clarified that if the conditions were met, the bank would certainly release the loan without delay. Zhou Mo then asked if there were any special policies or discounts available. Tang Yang, however, did not want to engage in any under-the-table dealings, as she was committed to being honest and transparent in her work.

Zhou Mo responded bluntly, reminding her of how when Huishang Bank was hiring, 60 candidates were selected for the written test, then 30 for the interview, and only 5 were eventually hired. Tang Yang knew this well, as she had been the fifth candidate. But Zhou Mo then revealed that at the time, Huishang Bank was only hiring men. Tang Yang was stunned.

Zhou Mo went on to admit that he had pulled some strings through his uncle to secure a spot for Tang Yang, which was why she had been able to join the bank. Zhou Mo urged Tang Yang to reconsider whether she was truly as clean and transparent as she believed, reminding her that she was not only the youngest management trainee at Huishang, but also the only female vice director at the bank.

Tang Yang was utterly shocked to learn that this was how she had gotten into Huishang. Jiang Shiyan had waited for a while in the hospital room but grew worried and went out to meet Tang Yang. When he saw her coming out of the elevator, teary-eyed and distressed, he immediately embraced her and comforted her, urging her not to fall for Zhou Mo’s tricks.

He reminded her that 11 banks had made offers to her at the time, and it was she who chose Huishang, not the other way around. With Jiang Shiyan’s reassurance, Tang Yang felt much better, realizing that her concerns were misplaced. Jiang Shiyan stayed with Tang Yang for a while, sitting nearby as the evening breeze blew gently. Tang Yang’s mood improved, and she couldn’t help but wish that time could just stop here.

Jiang Shiyan had thought about this too. Back in their school days, Tang Yang often helped Jiang Shiyan with his studies, and he wished those moments could last forever. However, as he thought about the future—marriage and children—he felt a pang at the thought of Tang Yang becoming someone else’s wife. It was then that he realized that if he could marry Tang Yang, they could be together forever.

Now that Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan had moved from being friends to being in a relationship, Jiang Shiyan had been hoping for a kiss, but every time they got close, something interrupted them. While he was slightly disappointed, Tang Yang laughed and urged him to go back and rest. Meanwhile, Jiang Yanan and Feng Weiran were unaware of the good news in Jiang Shiyan’s life.

However, their relationship had recently improved, especially after Feng Weiran realized that Jiang Yanan didn’t like spicy food or sugary coffee, both of which she had been accommodating to match his preferences. Feeling guilty, Feng Weiran took the initiative to invite Jiang Yanan to dinner. Jiang Yanan decided it was time to rethink the dynamics of their relationship, and Feng Weiran fully agreed with her suggestion.

Jiang Yanan and Feng Weiran discussed starting their relationship over as boyfriend and girlfriend. Feng Weiran found this change refreshing. Cheng Hui, noticing that Feng Weiran was rarely home, assumed that there were cracks in their marriage. Feng Weiran dismissed Cheng Hui’s gossip, explaining that he was now fully respecting Jiang Yanan and relearning how to communicate perfectly with her. Gan Yiming called Tang Yang over and asked if she was intentionally delaying the loan approval for Qinglai Group.

Tang Yang admitted that she was. Qinglai Group had not paid its employees for months, and it wasn’t just her decision—her superior, Zhou Xing, also disagreed with approving the loan. Gan Yiming, left with no other option, changed the subject and called Director Zhou to confirm the situation. Within just two days, there was an incident at Qinglai Group: one of the board shareholders fled with company funds, and even the police were involved.

Jiang Shiyan, freshly recovered, returned to his company to handle some matters. During her lunch break, Tang Yang took the opportunity to visit him at work. The two hadn’t seen each other for two days due to their busy schedules, and as the saying goes, "absence makes the heart grow fonder.

" They headed to Jiang Shiyan’s office, ready for an intimate moment, but Cheng Hui kept coming in and out with coffee deliveries, acting as a huge third wheel, ruining even their chance to hold hands. Jiang Shiyan personally walked Tang Yang downstairs, and they discussed whether or not to make their relationship public. Tang Yang believed they needed to carefully analyze the pros and cons before making a decision.

When Tang Yang returned to the bank, the day’s staff meeting included a special commendation from the director for the way the Qinglai situation was handled. Thankfully, they hadn’t approved the financing, or the billions in loans would have turned into bad debt. That evening, Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan sat down at home to carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of going public with their relationship.

After a thorough discussion, they decided it was best to keep it private for now, as it didn’t really matter to them either way. Later that night, Jiang Shiyan leaned in to kiss Tang Yang, but just as they were getting into it, Jiang Shiyan’s mother returned home. Jiang Shiyan had already bought her a movie ticket, but she unexpectedly came back halfway through, once again becoming a huge third wheel.

Jiang Shiyan quickly explained that he had brought some company reports for Tang Yang to help him calculate. While Jiang Yanan was out shopping, she stopped by a makeup counter and noticed that the makeup artist's skills were lacking. With just a few strokes, she transformed the look into something much more refined. The customers were impressed and suggested that Jiang Yanan should consider becoming a makeup artist and even teach makeup through live streams. This suggestion inspired Jiang Yanan.

She had originally thought about returning to her career as a designer, but now, makeup seemed like a more familiar path. Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan had initially planned to rent a hotel apartment for a cozy weekend together, but the bank suddenly decided that Tang Yang needed to attend new employee training. It seemed that they wouldn’t be able to spend much time together. Jiang Shiyan suggested that after finishing work, he could accompany her to the training site.

As they were talking, they suddenly spotted Cheng Hui’s car approaching. Jiang Shiyan quickly pulled Tang Yang down beside his car, feeling like every time they saw Cheng Hui, they couldn’t shake him off. And as fate would have it, just as Jiang Shiyan and Tang Yang were cautiously scoping out the situation, Cheng Hui spotted them and curiously asked what they were doing.

Cheng Hui brought Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan to the apartment he rented. It was a two-bedroom unit. A few days ago, Feng Weiran had stayed there after a disagreement with his wife, but now that they had reconciled, the other bedroom was vacant. Cheng Hui, hearing that Jiang Shiyan was looking to rent a place nearby, casually offered for him to stay there.

However, Cheng Hui didn't know that Jiang Shiyan was hoping to rent a place to spend time alone with Tang Yang, so when invited, he immediately declined, saying he hadn’t made up his mind yet. In Cheng Hui’s living room, Tang Yang saw the trajectory of an asteroid on the computer. Cheng Hui remarked on how this tiny star would soon fly away from Earth.

According to its path, it was headed toward the solar system, but it would take at least ten thousand years. This meant that it would take ten thousand years for the star to come into contact with the sun. Hearing this, Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan suddenly felt how short human life is. At that moment, they realized that Cheng Hui was much more thoughtful than he appeared.

After leaving Cheng Hui’s place, Jiang Shiyan succeeded in kissing Tang Yang for the first time. The two had been best friends for over ten years, and now, it was their first close and intimate moment. They were both overjoyed, and even after returning home, they couldn’t help but blush at the excitement of the moment. During a break at work, Tang Yang noticed that her colleagues were watching Jiang Yanan’s live makeup tutorial, which had become quite popular.

Tang Yang was genuinely happy for her friend. When Jiang Shiyan wasn’t too busy with work, he would stop by near Tang Yang’s workplace to visit her. Since their relationship had evolved into a romantic one, they felt particularly sweet together. Besides the essential "good mornings" and "good nights," they tried to meet as much as possible, yet it still never felt enough.

One night, Jiang Shiyan had to work late at the office, so after finishing her shift, Tang Yang rushed over to accompany him. Her mother curiously asked why Tang Yang had gone out of her way to put on makeup that day and who she was meeting.

When Tang Yang said it was Jiang Shiyan, her mother couldn’t help but nag, suggesting that she should use her time to meet other boys, watch movies, or do something else instead of spending time with Jiang Shiyan. Tang Yang couldn’t help but smile to herself—her mother still didn’t know that she and Jiang Shiyan were already dating.

Cheng Hui invited Sheng Nina for a late-night snack, but her flight was delayed, and she texted saying she might not be able to make it on time. Cheng Hui reassured her not to worry and said he would wait for her. Normally not one to be romantic, Cheng Hui ordered the restaurant's signature dishes and even took note of Sheng Nina’s mango allergy, thoughtfully replacing the mango dessert with something else.

He waited until the restaurant closed but still didn’t see Sheng Nina, so he ended up eating both portions by himself. Just as Cheng Hui was leaving the restaurant, Sheng Nina finally arrived, and they ended up eating at a street stall together. Sheng Nina, who had been single for years due to her busy schedule, was touched to meet someone as patient and considerate as Cheng Hui, feeling warmth in her heart.

Jiang Shiyan suggested to Tang Yang that they try doing something they had never done before. Tang Yang was very curious about what Jiang Shiyan had in mind. To her surprise, it was helping her pack her suitcase. Tang Yang couldn’t help but laugh—aside from her parents, no other guy had ever helped her pack. Jiang Shiyan neatly organized everything and even gifted her a pen case before he left.

After Jiang Shiyan left, Tang Yang opened the pen case to find a fountain pen. It was identical to the one she had in high school that had been broken by Feng Weiran. Back then, she had been heartbroken when her favorite pen was smashed, as it had been a gift from her grandmother, something she kept as a reminder of her.

After learning the story behind the pen, Jiang Shiyan went to great lengths to find a pen collector and paid a high price to buy an identical one for her.

Tang Yang had to go on a business trip for training. Upon arriving at the hotel arranged for the training, she messaged Jiang Shiyan to let him know she was safe. Jiang Shiyan sent Tang Yang a photo of his packed schedule via WeChat. Both of them were extremely busy with work.

Jiang Shiyan jokingly expressed his regret that he couldn’t turn into the suitcase she was carrying, and he was even envious of the bed in her room where she would be resting. At that moment, he didn’t seem like the usual domineering CEO. But Jiang Shiyan reminded her that being domineering on the outside didn’t mean he didn’t love his girlfriend.

Originally, Tang Yang had been keeping an eye on Jiang Shiyan’s schedule because he was supposed to go on a business trip to Beijing that Wednesday. However, by Tuesday, Jiang Shiyan announced that he was changing his plans and would fly to the city where Tang Yang was, so they could celebrate her birthday together. Tang Yang found it unbelievable, especially since the weather report at the time said flights were canceled.

Jiang Shiyan told her to book movie tickets in advance, saying that even if he couldn’t make it, they could still watch the same movie simultaneously from afar. Jiang Shiyan's assistant checked several flight schedules, and it was true—the flights had been canceled. Determined to reach Tang Yang, Jiang Shiyan drove straight to her city, rushing to make it in time for the movie. Just before the film started, he arrived.

Tang Yang, seated in the theater, was still worried about the weather where Jiang Shiyan was. When she looked up, she was shocked to see Jiang Shiyan standing there! She was deeply touched. After the movie ended, she found Jiang Shiyan had already fallen asleep from exhaustion, and she couldn't resist giving him a loving little "ding-ding. "After the movie, Jiang Shiyan suggested they take a walk in a nearby park.

Tang Yang, unfamiliar with the area, laughed and asked how Jiang Shiyan knew there was a park nearby. However, as they entered the park, the lights turned on, revealing candles, flowers, and colorful, romantic balloons draped with delicate fabric—clearly, it was a surprise Jiang Shiyan had carefully prepared. Tang Yang was both surprised and overwhelmed with joy. She had always thought they were just close friends, perfectly in sync, without ever daring to dream of anything more.

But it turned out Jiang Shiyan had always been by her side, silently protecting her. Their friendship had now blossomed into romance, and Tang Yang was deeply moved. As night fell, Zhou Mo arrived at the cemetery with flowers in hand. Buried there was the only girl he had ever truly loved—her name was Xu Shanshan. Unfortunately, shortly after they met, Xu Shanshan faced a tragic fate.

Zhou Mo, who had lost his parents at an early age, had also lost his girlfriend soon after. Though he appeared cold on the outside, he was, in truth, very lonely. After celebrating Tang Yang's birthday, Jiang Shiyan accompanied her back to her place.

They had expected to enjoy a romantic evening together, but one of Tang Yang’s colleagues at the bank had fallen ill, so Tang Yang, who normally only had one task to finish, had to take on her colleague’s work as well. Jiang Shiyan patiently waited by her side until late at night. Fortunately, Tang Yang eventually finished her tasks, and they passionately spent the night together. During her training at the bank, Tang Yang met a colleague named Xiao Qin.

Xiao Qin was only a year younger than Tang Yang, but she always called her "Tang Tang Jie" (Sister Tang Tang). Xiao Qin would go out of her way to pay special attention to Tang Yang during the training, seemingly infatuated with her every smile and gesture. Though Tang Yang remained polite, she found Xiao Qin’s excessive enthusiasm uncomfortable and tried to keep her distance.

Back at his place, Jiang Shiyan had added several romantic touches, including soft lighting, scented candles, and even cartoon-themed chopsticks for their meals. He imagined how delighted Tang Yang would be when she saw everything. Knowing she was returning from her training, he also prepared a bouquet of flowers for her. When the two reunited and hugged, they felt an overwhelming sense of happiness.

At first, Jiang Shiyan was going to take Tang Yang home, but on the way, he received a call from his company. The signed celebrity, Sheng Nina, had become embroiled in a scandal. Since work was important, Tang Yang urged Jiang Shiyan to return to the company immediately. When Jiang Shiyan arrived at the office, Feng Weiran explained the seriousness of the situation. Sheng Nina’s account had been hacked, and many false videos and photos were posted.

Although the images were fabricated, they were still likely to impact their brand negatively. Feng Weiran suggested that the best course of action would be to terminate Sheng Nina’s contract immediately to minimize the damage. Jiang Shiyan, however, explained that they initially signed Sheng Nina because she came across as intelligent and warm. Canceling her contract without clarifying the truth would be unethical. Jiang Shiyan disagreed with Feng Weiran's suggestion.

At that moment, Cheng Hui, who had taken time off, left in a hurry. Jiang Shiyan had no idea why Cheng Hui was rushing off but found it odd that he would take time off at such a crucial moment. Cheng Hui called Sheng Nina, and after getting her permission, he went upstairs and encrypted her webpage. Since it was already late, and Sheng Nina hadn’t eaten, Cheng Hui cooked wontons for her. After she finished eating, he headed back.

Before leaving, Cheng Hui comforted Sheng Nina, telling her not to worry about the public's reaction. He said that the truth would come out eventually. He shared how he once spent three to four months in the mountains repairing equipment, and when he came back down, he resumed his normal life, unaffected by what had happened outside. He added that real fans wouldn’t be swayed by external noise.

Cheng Hui’s words reassured Sheng Nina, and with that, she went back to rest with peace of mind. After finishing work, Jiang Shiyan went to Tang Yang’s place. His company matters were stressful, but being with Tang Yang was always the most relaxing part of his day. When Tang Yang saw that Jiang Shiyan’s shirt cuffs were dirty, she suggested he change clothes. Since she was doing laundry, she washed both of their clothes together.

While Tang Yang was tidying the room, she noticed Jiang Shiyan smiling at the washing machine and couldn’t figure out why he was in such a good mood. Jiang Shiyan explained that seeing their clothes tumble together in the washing machine made him feel very happy. Realizing this, Tang Yang understood how much Jiang Shiyan truly cared about her, and she couldn’t help but hug him. A few days later, a due diligence company visited Jiang Shiyan’s company for an inspection.

The person in charge happened to be his old classmate, Song Jing. Back in high school, rumors had spread that Song Jing and Tang Yang briefly dated, though their relationship ended quickly. Jiang Shiyan initially considered telling Tang Yang about Song Jing, but Feng Weiran advised him not to stir up unnecessary drama, as it wouldn’t benefit anyone if old feelings resurfaced. At noon, Jiang Shiyan, Feng Weiran, and Cheng Hui accompanied Song Jing and other employees for lunch.

Coincidentally, Tang Yang showed up at Jiang Shiyan’s company for a free meal. Jiang Shiyan had already told her that the inspector was Song Jing. When Tang Yang showed no expression upon hearing this, Jiang Shiyan felt relieved and invited her to join them for lunch. Tang Yang didn’t seem surprised to see Song Jing, nor did she show any particular reaction.

However, Song Jing was clearly nervous, immediately standing up to help Tang Yang find a seat, even forgetting to eat. Feng Weiran, noticing how Song Jing couldn’t take his eyes off Tang Yang, found it amusing, as did Cheng Hui. Tang Yang, focused on eating, had some food stuck at the corner of her mouth. Song Jing quickly grabbed a napkin to help her, but Tang Yang politely declined, saying her boyfriend would help her.

Jiang Shiyan, understanding the situation, casually pulled out a tissue and handed it to her. Feng Weiran and Cheng Hui, witnessing this, silently admired the couple’s unspoken connection. Song Jing, meanwhile, was frozen in place, his jealousy toward Jiang Shiyan painfully evident. Later, Song Jing invited some old classmates to dinner and specifically asked about Tang Yang. A classmate mentioned that Tang Yang was still single, and her mother was even arranging blind dates for her.

They also said that Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan were just close friends. Hearing this, Song Jing felt much better. After all these years, he still had strong feelings for Tang Yang.

Song Jing was going to attend a university professor’s celebration banquet. While still conducting research at Jiang Shiyan’s company, he acted a bit arrogantly. He specifically approached Jiang Shiyan, claiming he was having dinner with Tang Yang that evening because they had taken the same professor's class during university. He even asked if Jiang Shiyan knew about it. Jiang Shiyan awkwardly replied that he had been told, but he was too busy to care at the time.

At the bank where Tang Yang worked, her assistant brought her a bouquet of flowers with a smile, saying someone had sent them to her. Tang Yang, excited and thinking the flowers were from Jiang Shiyan, happily took pictures with the bouquet and sent them to him. But when she looked at the card inside, she realized it was from someone else! In a rush, Tang Yang deleted the photos.

However, Jiang Shiyan had already seen them and asked her about the flowers. Tang Yang explained everything in detail and even offered to throw the flowers in the trash if Jiang Shiyan was upset. Jiang Shiyan didn’t mind, as he knew Tang Yang’s personality well. He figured that Song Jing had ulterior motives when they had dinner together. Jiang Shiyan specifically asked Tang Yang to take a photo of the flowers next to the trash can.

Then, he casually showed the picture to Feng Weiran in front of Song Jing, pretending not to know and saying, "Why did Tang Yang put such a big bouquet next to the trash? " Song Jing’s face immediately turned grim. Sheng Nina’s hacked account situation was quickly clarified by the authorities. They presented solid evidence to the public, proving that rumors had been spread, and Sheng Nina’s reputation was finally restored.

Her popularity surged even more, and she received more endorsement deals than before. Sheng Nina asked her assistant to find out who had helped her with the technical issues, feeling very grateful for all the support. Xiao Qin was transferred to the same branch where Tang Yang worked. He had secretly liked Tang Yang for a long time and had worked hard to get closer to her. During an evening gathering, Jiang Shiyan came to pick up Tang Yang.

Xiao Qin, testing the waters, asked if Jiang Shiyan was Tang Yang’s boyfriend. Feng Weiran laughed and said it was impossible, that they were just close friends. Xiao Qin was surprised, but Cheng Hui simply shook his head helplessly. After the rest of the bank colleagues left, it was just Tang Yang, Jiang Shiyan, Cheng Hui, and Feng Weiran.

Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan deliberately raised their voices, asking where they should go next—maybe watch a movie or hang out at someone’s place. As they walked off arm in arm, Feng Weiran stared in shock, while Cheng Hui shook his head and remarked that the whole world knew the truth, except Feng Weiran, who was still in the dark. That night, Feng Weiran shared the “big news” he had just witnessed with Jiang Yanan.

Jiang Yanan was both excited and surprised. They immediately decided to go to Tang Yang’s place to investigate. They assumed the couple would definitely spend the night together after the movie, so they both set out at the same time.

When Jiang Shiyan and Tang Yang were questioned about when they had transitioned to a romantic relationship, the two of them began reminiscing about their sweet moments as if no one else was around, leaving Jiang Yanan and Feng Weiran feeling like they were being fed “dog food” (a playful term for being envious of others’ happiness). Zhou Mo worked at Gan Yiming’s wife’s company.

He had previously promised to secure a loan approval from Tang Yang’s bank, believing that playing the family card would ensure Tang Yang would make it happen. Unfortunately, he had miscalculated. One time, he saw Gan Yiming rush into his wife’s office, reminding her that Tang Yang hadn’t approved the loan. Gan Yiming then quickly shut the door to discuss solutions with his wife. Zhou Mo, overhearing from the shadows, realized things weren’t going as smoothly as he had imagined.

As night fell, Zhou Mo opened a small poem that Shanshan had written, reminiscing about every moment they had shared. He still felt warmth from those memories. Perhaps God was unfair; why had he taken away the person he loved so dearly so early? Shanshan was his college classmate. While studying, she had also worked part-time as a cashier at a supermarket. It was a chance encounter during one of her shifts that allowed them to meet.

Later, they discussed literature and their favorite poets, discovering that they shared similar interests and enjoyed each other's company. Song Jing investigated the analytical data of Jiang Shiyan's company and found some accounts that seemed irregular, necessitating a review. Upon hearing this, Feng Weiran suspected Song Jing was pursuing a personal vendetta. Jiang Shiyan carefully examined the entire investigation data and felt that Song Jing, with years of auditing experience, wouldn’t create trouble for personal reasons.

He instructed Song Jing to follow up on the overdue accounts again. Since Feng Weiran learned that Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan had entered a romantic phase, he began urging Jiang Shiyan to get married immediately. They had known each other for many years, and once they confirmed their relationship, there was no need for a prolonged courtship.

Moreover, the biggest advantage of marriage was that Jiang Shiyan wouldn't have to refer to her as his girlfriend anymore; he could simply bring the campus beauty home. This suggestion sparked something in Jiang Shiyan, prompting him to quietly prepare for a proposal. Tang Yang had recently been busy with a business project involving Zhou Mo. While comparing all the data, she noticed issues with the repayment deadlines; the company consistently failed to repay on time.

Given that this company had been doing business for years, Tang Yang started reviewing previous files. A person named Shanshan appeared in the documents; she had also investigated a project involving Zhou Mo, but it was unclear what had happened in the end. Shanshan had resigned, and the situation seemed very peculiar. Finally, with the weekend here, Jiang Shiyan was away on a business trip, so Tang Yang returned home to have a meal.

Her mother had started arranging blind dates for her again. After discussing it with Jiang Shiyan over the phone, Tang Yang decided to come clean with her parents. Initially, her mother didn’t believe her, thinking her daughter was using Jiang Shiyan as an excuse to avoid blind dates. No matter what Tang Yang said, her mother wouldn’t listen. Frustrated, Tang Yang decided to retreat to her own place to escape her mother’s matchmaking.

After finishing their work, Song Jing and the team were ready to head back. Feng Weiran suggested treating them to dinner. Song Jing quietly asked Feng Weiran if he could invite Tang Yang to join. Knowing that Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan were now dating, Feng Weiran immediately called Jiang Shiyan to ask for his opinion. If Jiang Shiyan disagreed with Song Jing meeting Tang Yang, then Feng Weiran absolutely wouldn’t give him that chance.

Upon receiving the call, Jiang Shiyan didn’t oppose Song Jing meeting Tang Yang. Instead, he asked Feng Weiran to call Tang Yang and gauge her feelings. Trust was essential in their relationship, and the decision needed to respect each other’s opinions. When Tang Yang met Song Jing, he explained that he had been too focused on getting a chance to study abroad to consider Tang Yang's feelings back then and now didn’t know if he still had a chance.

Tang Yang immediately interrupted him, reminding him that he might have misunderstood. His previous actions had nothing to do with her; it had always been his own plans. Now that she had a boyfriend, it was even less relevant. After their conversation, both felt relieved about the past. When Jiang Shiyan returned from his business trip, he came straight to bring Tang Yang breakfast without even adjusting to the time difference.

Seeing him with two dark circles under his eyes, Tang Yang felt sorry that he hadn’t gone home to rest. Jiang Shiyan, however, said earnestly that seeing Tang Yang for even an hour made the day feel shorter. He would rather meet her every day, which was a bit cheesy but warmed her heart. While brushing his teeth, Tang Yang accidentally got toothpaste on the bed. The two of them changed the sheets together, laughing and playfully teasing each other.

Just as they were enjoying themselves, suddenly, both of their mothers arrived. Tang Yang's mother had a key, and when they entered the bedroom, they were startled by the scene before them. Jiang Shiyan's mother was also taken aback. Jiang Shiyan awkwardly explained that he was dating Tang Yang. Although they looked neat, they still appeared a bit disheveled. Tang Yang's mother, a retired senior teacher, was momentarily at a loss upon seeing the situation.

Both mothers hurriedly left the room. In the hallway, they reflected on Jiang Shiyan’s explanation and felt reassured since the two had grown up in front of each other's mothers, knowing each other well. It was best if they ended up together. Jiang Shiyan's mother was particularly delighted; she had liked Tang Yang since she was a child. After seeing Tang Yang complete her doctorate, she worried her son was unworthy of her. Now that she had unexpectedly become her daughter-in-law, it felt like their ancestors had indeed worked hard for this.

Sheng Nina was very grateful to Cheng Hui for helping her fix the astronomical telescope, so she invited him, along with Feng Weiran and Jiang Shiyan from the company, to have steak together. However, the local steakhouse was closed.

To secure the opportunity for their gathering, Cheng Hui specially invited a Western chef to Yoyuan Residence and made sure to inform Feng Weiran that they would not be serving any other customers that day, setting up a private dining experience for them.

When Sheng Nina heard Feng Weiran laughingly guess that Cheng Hui would definitely order "filet mignon" because that was his online name, she suddenly realized that it was Cheng Hui who had helped her find the evidence of the hacking incident to report to the authorities. After dinner, she asked Cheng Hui why he had quietly done so much for her. Cheng Hui looked into her eyes and asked if she was ready to hear the answer.

At that moment, Sheng Nina understood Cheng Hui's feelings for her but did not respond about whether she accepted them. After dinner, Sheng Nina left, and Cheng Hui stood outside with a beer, gazing at the stars in the sky. Jiang Shiyan walked over, and Cheng Hui expressed that some stars, although able to see each other, would always remain parallel lines, where even the dream of togetherness had become a luxury.

Jiang Shiyan comforted him, saying that there was a magnetic field between stars, and perhaps two stars that attracted each other could change each other's trajectories. Tang Yang heard that Sister Lin from the company's human resources had worked at the bank for over ten years, so she wanted to get some clues about Xu Shanshan from her.

Sister Lin in HR only remembered that Xu Shanshan joined the company in 2019 and worked for two years before she suddenly heard that Xu had been transferred, after which there was no further news. Sister Lin also found it strange because the notice about Xu Shanshan's transfer had been quite sudden and was issued by higher-ups. Following the leader's instructions, Zhou Mo aimed to secure financing for Jiang Shiyan's company.

Not long after, Feng Weiran invited him to meet at the company, but Zhou Mo politely declined the proposal. Feeling downcast, Zhou Mo wandered to a nearby restaurant and was relieved to see it still in operation. A smile crept onto his face as he recalled the times he used to come here with Xu Shanshan.

During Xu Shanshan's first month at the business, she had treated him to a meal with her first paycheck, saying she wanted to take Zhou Mo out for a grand dinner and would work harder to earn more money in the future. Zhou Mo received a call from his leader, and after returning, he reported on his visit to Yi Xiu. However, the female leader appeared troubled.

Zhou Mo jokingly suggested that they could forge a contract with Yi Xiu, which earned him the female leader's admiration; she liked ambitious and adventurous people. Soon, Gan Yiming arrived, reminding his wife that Tang Yang was investigating the loan cases that Xu Shanshan had handled and might uncover the truth soon. The female leader, experienced in handling such matters, decided to intimidate Tang Yang after hearing Zhou Mo say that she couldn’t be bought off with money.

Zhou Mo felt a shiver run down his spine and blurted out, "It won't lead to a death, will it? " The female leader smirked and replied that they were just planning to scare her a bit, adding that Xu Shanshan's case had been an exception. The female leader instructed Zhou Mo to take the time to invite Tang Yang out.

To be safe, Zhou Mo arranged to meet Tang Yang in advance and shared some information, advising her to pay attention to the ultimate direction of the loans. He explained that whoever benefited from the loans was the instigator. This time, Zhou Mo also provided Tang Yang with a few clues, suggesting she focus on three people: Yuan Chi, Sun Zhenxi, and Liao Shuang. When Zhou Mo mentioned these three names, Tang Yang was surprised.

In addition to Xu Shanshan, these three bank staff had also approved the loan. However, they had since resigned. A huge amount of money had flowed into several virtual company accounts and then vanished without a trace, leaving no channels for recovery.

Tang Yang wrote down the recent discoveries truthfully and submitted a whistleblower letter to the higher authorities, reporting the incident under her real name. She felt a bit scared, but Jiang Shiyan stayed by her side, encouraging her to do the right thing. After Tang Yang sent the whistleblower letter, Jiang Shiyan kept her close. Finally, the police received leads and apprehended the suspects involved.

Tang Yang was shocked to learn from the police that Zhou Mo had kidnapped the female leader, Wei Changqiu, and even trapped her in a cold storage facility. This was not the behavior one would expect from the usually refined senior. At that moment, Tang Yang received Zhou Mo's location. When the police arrived at the site, they found Zhou Mo waiting in front of a cemetery.

He told Tang Yang that although she and Xu Shanshan shared the same birthday and both worked at the same bank, she was much luckier. Not only did she have a boyfriend who took care of her meticulously, but she also had a harmonious and happy family. In contrast, Xu Shanshan had been retaliated against by Wei Changqiu after discovering irregularities in the loans.

Wei Changqiu hired someone to tarnish Xu Shanshan's reputation and even took photos to threaten her into silence. Not long after, Xu Shanshan committed suicide. Zhou Mo found Xu Shanshan's phone, where the last message she sent was to him, but unfortunately, it never got sent. Every time he thought of this, his heart ached. Without the girl he loved deeply, he didn't want to waste his days anymore.

He discovered that Yuan Chi, Sun Zhenxi, and Liao Shuang had all started working at a company in Jiujiang and plunged into the wolf's den to uncover the truth. Wei Changqiu, Gan Yiming, and two other employees faced legal consequences. Tang Yang did not let this hinder her future; once the case was clarified, she quickly returned to her job. Six months later, both of them achieved success in their respective positions.

When they were not busy, Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan would cook together, enjoying their life as a couple. Their mothers began preparing for their marriage, shopping for bedding. Jiang Shiyan's mother suddenly felt it was time to prepare a new house for the children and called Jiang Shiyan, insisting that he must take Tang Yang to buy a new home within the month. She even offered her savings, which she had accumulated over half a lifetime, to support them.

Sheng Nina invited Cheng Hui to watch the stars together. Over time, she had grown accustomed to having Cheng Hui in her life. That evening, they were surprised to see that the two stars symbolizing them had indeed changed their original orbits and were beginning to draw closer to each other.

Cheng Hui calmly stated that even if they were destined to be parallel lines, as long as they walked into the paths they wanted to take, it would all be worth it. Their hands held tightly together, their hearts felt very close at that moment. Feng Weiran heard that Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan were planning to buy a wedding home soon. He recalled that he had reserved a sea-view apartment and paid a deposit of 100,000.

However, Jiang Yanan refused to sell the original wedding home, so he recommended this sea-view apartment to Tang Yang. Sure enough, Jiang Shiyan was interested in that layout. Although housing prices were rising in the market, they still sold it at a fair price due to their years of friendship. Both sets of parents began preparing for the wedding banquet, and before they knew it, the wedding date was set.

Although Tang Yang and Jiang Shiyan were not very fond of such formalities, they still entered the marriage hall in a way they liked. Their wedding took place on a beautiful mountaintop surrounded by snow. When they were eighteen, they had climbed that mountain and made a wish to return together one day. Now, their dream was finally realized.

They had progressed together in the first half of their lives and would continue to walk side by side in the second half, deeply in love. They remotely shared the wedding video with their parents, who happily applauded. Life is a journey, and the scenery along the way varies for everyone. Each person has their own path to walk and people to meet. While we often envy others, we may overlook what we currently possess.

Jiang Shiyan came from a poor single-parent family and faced humiliation and bullying as a child. However, he met a kind girl who sheltered him through life's storms. In the end, he found his own happiness. Even in our ordinary lives, perhaps we have also received God's favor!

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