Chapter 13: Colleagues (Request for Votes)

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Shen Siyuan took a taxi back home but saw Old Lu still lingering downstairs. Upon seeing Shen Siyuan return, the old man gave a slight bow but did not approach. Shen Siyuan wondered to himself if he intended to play the long game, appealing to his emotions. In truth, Shen Siyuan had already decided to help him—not out of some saintly compassion for the elderly, but because he wanted to see if assisting someone like Old Lu in fulfilling his last wish would earn merit in the cosmic order. After all, souls as pure as Dou Dou’s were rare, and most were children. As Old Lu had said, most people in this world were like him—having faced countless temptations in life, it was almost impossible to be completely blameless. They learned and grew through experience; that didn’t make them bad people. Old Lu was such a man—once reckless in youth, but as he aged, his thinking matured, and he gradually became the kindly grandfather figure everyone respected. Nothing worthwhile is achieved overnight; everything follows a process. Some people stray and never return, while others turn back and become better versions of themselves. You cannot label someone a villain just because they took a wrong path. There are no absolutely perfect people in this world. So Shen Siyuan wanted to try helping Old Lu and see if the heavens would recognize it—but he decided to wait a few days before acting.

The next morning, Shen Siyuan arrived early at the bus stop and found Lin Manzhi already there, perched on the car eating breakfast. “I thought it was still early, so I bought some breakfast by the roadside. I brought you one too—here, have a rice ball,” Lin Manzhi said generously. She wore a light blue short-sleeve top and fitted jeans that accentuated her long legs. Her hair was tied up high, full of vitality. They say there are two kinds of enchanting women: youthful young wives and mature young ladies with charm. Lin Manzhi belonged to the first kind, drawing countless admiring glances from passersby. “I’m not picky,” Shen Siyuan said without hesitation, accepting the rice ball. “I know you guys love meat, so I added a sausage for you,” she said with a hint of pride. “So thoughtful, Manzhi. At this rate, I might just fall for you,” Shen Siyuan joked, then hung the breakfast on the car door instead of eating it immediately, signaling for Lin Manzhi to get in as they headed off. Lin Manzhi sat in the back, sitting astride the seat because of her jeans. “I have plenty who love me, so one more or less doesn’t matter,” she teased. “Manzhi, you sure are confident,” Shen Siyuan said with a wry smile. “What can I say? Beauty like mine is hard to give up,” she laughed heartily.

Just then, a car nearby, seemingly annoyed at seeing the handsome couple joking so early, suddenly sped up to overtake, forcing Shen Siyuan to brake sharply. Lin Manzhi, seated in the back, slammed into Shen Siyuan’s broad back due to inertia. Shen Siyuan stopped the car and wanted to scold the reckless driver, but they had already sped away. “Manzhi, are you okay?” he asked, looking back. “I’m fine, but I got your shirt dirty,” she said, patting his back repeatedly. Because she had been eating, her mouth was smeared with grease that now stained his back. As for any suggestive contact, that was impossible—she was modest in every sense, which was her only flaw. “It’s nothing,” Shen Siyuan said, continuing on. Lin Manzhi then wiped his back with tissues all the way.

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“So, what do you think about what I mentioned?” Lin Manzhi suddenly asked. “What thing?” “The person I introduced to you.” “Wasn’t that off the table?” “Seeing them won’t cost you anything.” “Sigh, why are you all so keen on playing matchmaker?” “Because we’re all in the same hot water, so we want to drag you in too,” Lin Manzhi laughed. “Manzhi, you’re so blunt—surely you don’t really mean that.” “Of course I do. Why not?” “Fine, you’re right, I’ll meet them then.” Shen Siyuan decided to agree first to stop Lin Manzhi from pestering him with introductions. “Don’t act like you’re doing me a favor. Have I ever introduced anyone to others in our department?” “Well, I should thank you then.” “No need.” Shen Siyuan: … “Seriously though, I’m honest this time. I think you’re decent, so I’m introducing you to someone.” “I thought it was because I’m the most handsome.” Lin Manzhi laughed, patting Shen Siyuan on the back. “You’re pretty narcissistic. It’s just choosing the best among the short guys. Tian Yunrui is too fat, Wang Chao isn’t broad-minded enough, Zhou Chuan is already married, and Li Kang isn’t very smart…” “Uh… Manzhi, your summary is spot on…” “Of course, I have great taste. You’re the most pleasing to my eyes.” “Thanks for the compliment, sister.” “It’s settled then. I’ll tell my best friend today.” “Alright.” Having agreed to meet, Shen Siyuan no longer hesitated. When they arrived at the company entrance, he let Lin Manzhi go in first while he went to park his car. After parking, he munched on the rice ball as he entered the office and ran into Ding Youguang from the channel department. “Bro, good morning!” Ding Youguang greeted him warmly, his smile radiant. He wasn’t only friendly to Shen Siyuan but to everyone—an archetypal social butterfly. He had once worked in the online operations department, so they knew each other well. “Don’t smile like that, it’s kind of scary.” Ding Youguang leaned in and whispered, “Are you free Friday night? I want to treat you to dinner.” “Why the sudden kindness? You up to something?” Shen Siyuan eyed him suspiciously. “Hehe, I have something to discuss with you,” Ding Youguang said with a shameless grin.

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“Good news?” “Of course.” “Good news for me?” “Come on, we’re brothers. Would I betray you?” Ding Youguang said with mock solemnity. “Because we’re brothers, I’m just afraid you’ll stab me in the back.” They joked all the way to the elevator, then parted to their respective departments. But just as Ding Youguang turned, Shen Siyuan called after him. “What’s up?” “Don’t call me bro—you’re older than me.” “No big deal, it’s just a nickname. If I see a dog on the street, I’ll call it ‘bro dog’ too.” “Damn…” Shen Siyuan flipped him off with his middle finger. Returning to the operations department, the office was mostly empty, as everyone arrived just on time. The farther they lived, the earlier they came; the closer, the later. Li Wenjuan was wiping down the desk. Seeing Shen Siyuan, she immediately asked, “Want me to wipe your desk?” “No, it’s not dirty.” Her eyes fell on the dusty computer screen. After he shut it down, it was even clearer. “You don’t know—screens shouldn’t be wiped with a cloth; it damages them.” “Sounds like laziness to me.” Li Wenjuan went over and wiped his desk twice. Shen Siyuan sat nearby, eating breakfast and watching her. She was a nice girl—long hair flowing, slim figure. The only flaw was a faint bluish birthmark on the left side of her face, which she mostly hid with her hair. She was cheerful and never let it make her feel inferior. Many admired her at work, but she was picky and unimpressed by all suitors. Just then, Lin Manzhi, who had been engrossed in her phone since Shen Siyuan arrived, suddenly stood excitedly. “Shen Siyuan, I’ve set up a date for you. How about this Saturday?” “That quick? But I’m going home this weekend, so no.” Lin Manzhi thought for a moment. “How about Friday night?” Hearing that, Shen Siyuan recalled Ding Youguang’s invitation and nodded immediately. “Friday works; I’m free.” “Great, it’s settled then—this Friday.” Lin Manzhi resumed texting her friend. Shen Siyuan turned back to see the dirty rag left on his desk; Li Wenjuan had already returned to her seat.