Top-Tier Ex-Girlfriend - Chapter 33
Chapter 33: Ding Tang
Even a three-day holiday felt short, let alone a single day for New Year's.
In the blink of an eye, it was time to go back to work.
Having made peace with Huo Yichi, Pei You emerged from her room to find Huo Yichi at her house again.
Grandma Pei, beaming, invited Huo Yichi to join them for breakfast.
Pei You breathed a sigh of relief.
If Huo Yichi hadn't come, she would have felt strangely disappointed.
Thankfully, Huo Yichi was here; it meant their friendship was still intact.
After breakfast, they left together. Pei You carried a bag of trash downstairs to throw away, then turned to Huo Yichi, asking, "Did Xiao Xing like the treats I bought her yesterday?"
"She loved them. But I can't give her too many; otherwise, she’ll become like a kid addicted to junk food and refuse to eat her meals. So, I’m rationing them.”
Pei You’s eyes crinkled with a smile. "You're right. When I was little, I went through a phase where I only wanted to eat snacks, and I got in trouble for it.”
They soon reached the gate. Huo Yichi walked over to the car and opened the door for Pei You.
"Thanks," Pei You got in.
Friendship was strange. Just two days ago, they'd been in a silent standoff, and now, here they were, together again.
Huo Yichi handed her the hand warmer. "It might not be fully charged, but it's better than nothing.”
Pei You patted her bag. "I have the gloves you gave me; I’ll be fine." She glanced at Huo Yichi's neck. "Why aren’t you wearing the scarf I gave you?”
"..." Huo Yichi coughed lightly. "I’m not that cold.”
Pei You rolled her eyes. "Seriously? I wish I hadn't gotten it for you then."
"No, the scarf is lovely," Huo Yichi said, turning to look at her.
She really wanted to wear it, but she was afraid of being too obvious.
Unlike Pei You, who saw her as a friend and was open about the gifts, Huo Yichi couldn't be so casual.
Her feelings for Pei You were… different.
As Huo Yichi drove, Pei You did eye exercises.
Even a one-day holiday was still a break, and she’d stayed up late last night. Her eyes felt tired.
As they neared Pei You’s office, Huo Yichi cleared her throat. "I might be a bit busy lately."
"Busy with work?" Pei You asked, curious.
Huo Yichi’s eyelashes fluttered as she hummed in agreement. "Yes, new projects. I was working on a new proposal in the study yesterday.”
"Okay, good luck with that," Pei You said, waving her hand dismissively.
As they waited for the traffic light to turn green, Huo Yichi blurted out, "Which means… you won’t be seeing me.”
Pei You paused, then asked tentatively, "Will you be busy for a long time?"
"About half a month," Huo Yichi said, giving a conservative estimate.
Pei You gasped, then patted Huo Yichi's shoulder. "It’s okay, focus on your work!" she said encouragingly.
"Okay," Huo Yichi replied. She wanted to ask Pei You if she would miss her, but she couldn't bring herself to; it would be too forward.
It was only the second day of the new year; she shouldn’t rush things. She needed to be patient.
Even though she’d already waited so long for Pei You.
But she could wait a little longer.
Huo Yichi had never doubted her own charm before, but around Pei You, she felt insecure and self-conscious.
As Huo Yichi pulled up to Pei You's office, Pei You suddenly seemed to realize something. “So…," she said, “I won’t be seeing you for half a month?”
Huo Yichi softly hummed in confirmation. "Yes.”
Pei You touched her forehead, seemingly processing the information. "Oh, is that so?"
The car was parked by the roadside, surrounded by the usual morning rush of cars and pedestrians.
Everyone seemed to be in a hurry, just trying to survive in this city.
Huo Yichi gripped the steering wheel, her lips pressed into a thin line, watching Pei You's dazed expression. "What's wrong?" she finally asked.
"Nothing," Pei You smiled. "Let me know when you're free."
"I will."
After Pei You got out of the car, Huo Yichi didn’t drive away immediately.
Of course she would contact Pei You, but she would control the frequency.
She would focus on her work during this busy period.
Pei You didn't have any romantic feelings for her right now. She wanted to give herself some time to sort out her feelings, and she wanted to give Pei You some time to think, too.
What Huo Yichi really wanted to know was whether Pei You would feel… different after not seeing her for half a month.
If not, then she had a lot more work to do.
There were many times she’d wanted to give up, but every time she saw Pei You’s smile, the thought vanished.
She wouldn't give up.
She wanted Pei You’s eyes to light up for her, wanted Pei You’s smile to be meant for her, and only her.
After all these years of unrequited love, she wanted something, anything, in return.
Pei You, unaware of Huo Yichi’s inner turmoil, was still processing the fact that she wouldn’t be seeing Huo Yichi for half a month.
But then she realized that with the new year and the upcoming Spring Festival, it was normal for people to be busy.
She just hadn’t expected Huo Yichi to be that busy.
It was a bit of a surprise.
When she arrived at the office, she immediately noticed something different—a group of colleagues were gathered around a workstation.
Jin-jie was among them.
Pei You tried to remember who sat there but couldn’t.
Actually, that workstation had been empty before.
Puzzled, Pei You sat down at her desk, her gaze fixed on the small crowd, curious.
After a few minutes, the group dispersed, and Pei You finally saw who was sitting there.
A new face.
A young woman, younger than Pei You, with a sweet smile.
Seemingly sensing Pei You’s gaze, she looked up and waved.
Pei You nodded in acknowledgement.
Within minutes, she learned the girl’s name: Ding Tang, a new hire.
Most companies didn't hire new employees at this time of year, usually waiting until after the Spring Festival.
Ding Tang had graduated last summer; she was only 22.
After introducing herself, she sat down quietly, looking rather well-behaved.
After the morning meeting, Jin-jie called Pei You and Ding Tang over. "Xiao Pei, you and Xiao Ding are about the same age. Show her the ropes.”
Pei You nodded. "Okay."
Once Jin-jie left, Pei You extended her hand politely. "Hello, I’m Pei You. The ‘You’ in ‘colorful glaze.’”
"Xiao You-jie, you can call me Tangtang," Ding Tang said with a smile, dimples appearing on her cheeks.
"Let me show you around first," Pei You said, starting her assigned task.
Showing a new employee around the company and explaining the work was standard procedure.
Since Ding Tang's job was similar to hers, it wasn't difficult for Pei You to explain.
Ding Tang was very attentive, taking notes as Pei You explained the work, as if afraid of missing any important information.
Pei You glanced at her notes; her handwriting was elegant and neat.
Pei You couldn’t help but compliment her. "Your handwriting is beautiful.”
Ding Tang’s eyes, bright and grape-like, lit up. "Thank you, Xiao You-jie!”
Pei You felt a little uncomfortable but didn't show it.
Ding Tang’s constant use of the honorific "Xiao You-jie" felt strange.
Before Ding Tang arrived, Pei You had been the youngest in the office. Now, with Ding Tang being the youngest, it took some getting used to.
The day passed quickly. When 5 pm arrived, Pei You felt a little disoriented.
She picked up her phone, half-expecting a message from Huo Yichi, saying she’d arrived downstairs, like usual.
But there was nothing.
That brought Pei You back to reality.
Huo Yichi was busy; they wouldn't be seeing each other for half a month.
This time, it wasn't because of a fight, just… work.
Pei You knew this, and she didn’t feel particularly bothered by it, but as she took out her gloves from her bag, she paused, thinking of Huo Yichi.
"Xiao You-jie, shall we go?" Ding Tang asked, walking over to her desk.
Ding Tang’s voice was youthful and cheerful.
Pei You snapped out of her thoughts, smiling and nodding. "Sure.”
Ding Tang’s gaze fell on Pei You’s gloves. “Those are so pretty!”
"They are, aren’t they?" Pei You said, holding up her hands to admire them.
Huo Yichi had good taste; the gloves were indeed beautiful.
As they walked, Ding Tang asked, "Could you share the link? I haven’t bought any gloves yet.”
Pei You smiled apologetically. "Sorry, they were a gift.”
"Oh, haha, okay," Ding Tang didn’t ask any further questions.
Pei You walked with her downstairs, parting ways at the intersection.
She was taking the bus home.
The bus was crowded; there were no seats available.
Pei You put on her headphones, holding onto a handrail, listening to music as she watched the city go by.
It was the same commute as always, yet it felt… different.
After several songs, the bus reached her stop.
Pei You got off and walked towards her apartment complex.
As she passed the parking spaces near the gate, she stopped, staring at the spot where Huo Yichi usually parked.
Pei You took off her headphones, a little dazed.
Then she took out her phone and messaged Huo Yichi: 【My birthday is in half a month. Are you free?】
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