The result of Lin Hui and He Jian Shan’s playful antics was that Lin Hui got completely “tortured” the entire night. As soon as they left the clubhouse, He Jian Shan practically dragged him into the car at lightning speed. Lin Hui couldn’t stop laughing during the ride.
He Jian Shan had a rather traditional side to him and would never dare to act recklessly in the clubhouse. But now, suppressing himself, he floored the gas pedal as much as he could within reason. This thought amused Lin Hui, who then teased in a completely serious tone, “President He, does Lin Zong know you’re taking me home?”
He Jian Shan said nothing.
“President He,” Lin Hui continued, “if you keep acting like this, Lin Zong will be upset.”
Still no response.
Not letting up, Lin Hui added with a mischievous grin, “Actually… the car is quite spacious.” To emphasize his point, he deliberately placed his hand on He Jian Shan’s thigh, as if making an enthusiastic suggestion. But after placing it there, he acted nonchalantly, as if it was entirely casual and without deeper meaning.
For the first time, He Jian Shan felt the stirrings of a headache. He glanced at Lin Hui, his expression unreadable under the shifting lights from the streetlamps. “Assistant Lin, we’re five minutes away from home. Let’s see if you’re still this talkative then.”
True to his prediction, Lin Hui found himself at a loss for words that night. He couldn’t utter a single coherent sentence, only managing to whimper softly as his body tensed. Under He Jian Shan’s thorough and relentless “efforts,” Lin Hui discovered the many unconventional uses of neckties. That night, they reached new levels of mutual understanding and exploration. In a sense, it was an educational experience—of a very particular kind.
The next day, Lin Hui didn’t get up until noon. After making lunch, He Jian Shan went to wake him. Lin Hui, still groggy, weakly voiced his grievances, “You know, every game starts with a ‘healthy gaming reminder,’ right?”
Biting his shoulder lightly, He Jian Shan prompted him, “Oh? Do tell.”
“The last line says, ‘Arrange your time reasonably and enjoy a healthy lifestyle,’” Lin Hui grumbled indignantly.
He Jian Shan chuckled, clearly amused. “I’m off work today. Isn’t that reasonable time management? And you were quite happy, weren’t you? Isn’t that a healthy lifestyle?”
Speechless, Lin Hui thought: Forget who started the game. Right now, the top priority is to prevent further addiction.
That said, once he got out of bed and showered, Lin Hui was brimming with energy again. Sitting on the sofa, he suddenly suggested, “Let’s go to the supermarket this afternoon.”
“What do you need to buy?” asked He Jian Shan, who was busy blow-drying Lin Hui’s hair.
In the past, Lin Hui never bothered to blow-dry his hair, just giving it a quick towel-dry and letting it air out since the house was warm enough. But ever since He Jian Shan helped him blow-dry it once, he seemed to have taken a liking to the task. Now, every time, he insisted on doing it for Lin Hui, who was happy to leave the job to him.
The fragrance of shampoo lingered in the air as the warm breeze from the dryer gently swept through Lin Hui’s damp hair, which gradually became dry and soft. Lin Hui, unable to sit still, often tilted his head mid-drying, pestering He Jian Shan to hurry up. And without fail, He Jian Shan would bend down to kiss him.
Lin Hui often suspected that He Jian Shan’s fondness for blow-drying his hair stemmed from wanting to kiss him during the process. Conversely, He Jian Shan sometimes thought Lin Hui enjoyed kissing him while having his hair dried.
It was a sweet misunderstanding neither was willing to clarify.
Lin Hui turned off the blow dryer, grabbing He Jian Shan’s hand. “It’s the New Year. We need to stock up on supplies.”
For adults, the festive joy and anticipation of the New Year had long faded. Especially for someone like He Jian Shan, who had never been particularly enthusiastic about holidays. But Lin Hui’s eyes sparkled with excitement, like a child. His enthusiasm kindled a warm sense of anticipation in He Jian Shan’s heart.
Neither of them had the typical familial obligations requiring extensive New Year preparations. For He Jian Shan, one phone call could have everything delivered to his doorstep. In the past, he appreciated the convenience. But now, he found it dull—because he truly enjoyed going to the supermarket with Lin Hui.
Their trips were filled with playful debates over what the house needed, debating whether to get items they probably didn’t need. If lucky, He Jian Shan might even catch a glimpse of Wan Zhu Group’s famously decisive assistant hesitating over a shelf of shampoos, pondering which scent to choose.
Their unplanned shopping trips often led to forgotten items, or overstocking on others. Back home, they’d laugh at the oversight and plan another trip, finding joy in the mundane process.
After lunch, they drove to the supermarket. Lin Hui pushed the cart, chatting with He Jian Shan as they browsed. “I’m flying back tomorrow. The earliest I’ll return is the 26th. By then, the supermarkets will be crowded—it’ll be a madhouse. Better to get everything today.”
“Three days away?” He Jian Shan asked.
Lin Hui understood his concern. “The first day’s just for flying; nothing else will get done. The second day, I’ll put up Spring Festival couplets and tidy the house. Then I’ll fly back on the third day.”
“Yang City’s cold. Dress warmly. I’ll take you to the airport tomorrow.”
“Got it. Let’s see… Today, we need candy, cloud cakes, snacks. Fruits can wait a few days. We already have alcohol and drinks at home, and…”
Lin Hui pondered seriously. He Jian Shan added, “Don’t forget the couplets and the ‘Fu’ character for the door.”
“Oh, right! Almost forgot!” Lin Hui suddenly smiled, remembering something. “Did you know? Back in sixth grade, I won first place in the city’s elementary school calligraphy contest. Every year after that, my grandmother made me write the ‘Fu’ character for our house.”
“Feel like giving it a try this year? There’s a bookstore next to the supermarket. We can pick up the supplies.”
“Sure. But we should still get some pre-made ones, just in case.” Lin Hui wasn’t sure if his calligraphy skills had survived years of neglect.
“Alright.”
In the condiments aisle, He Jian Shan started selecting spices. Lin Hui loved shrimp, so he planned to make salt and pepper shrimp for New Year’s Eve. Realizing Lin Hui hadn’t responded, he turned to see him staring blankly, lost in thought.
“Something on your mind?” He Jian Shan asked with a smile.
As the New Year approached, the supermarket bustled with people. Shoppers loaded their carts, preparing for the holiday. Lin Hui thought to himself, No wonder so many stories capture the simple charm of grocery shopping. In this space, regardless of wealth or status, everyone is busy for the sake of their loved ones.
He smiled. “I want cold dishes, fish, shrimp, and lots of seafood.”
“Make a list tonight,” He Jian Shan said, placing the spices into the cart. “On New Year’s Eve, I’ll have the ingredients delivered.”
Lin Hui’s voice softened. “We’re spending the New Year together.”
He Jian Shan smiled. “Yes, families spend New Year’s together.”
The next morning, He Jian Shan drove Lin Hui to the airport. Before parting, he wrapped his scarf around Lin Hui’s neck. “Message me when you arrive. Get some rest at the hotel. I have a banquet tonight, so don’t text—I might not have time to reply.”
“Got it.” Lin Hui waved. “If you’re busy, have Zhao pick me up when I get back.”
Watching Lin Hui pass through security, He Jian Shan finally left the airport. But before he even reached the exit, his phone buzzed with a message:
[I’m already starting to miss you.]
He stopped, glancing back at the bustling terminal. Lin Hui was long gone, lost in the crowd. Staring at the message for a moment, he replied:
[Come home soon.]
That evening, He Jian Shan attended a banquet at Yue Feng Manor, a private clubhouse. As a leader in the industry, he was naturally a focal point.
“President He, long time no see!”
“Congratulations on the Ninghai project—what a way to start the New Year!”
“President He, share your thoughts on new opportunities in the industry!”
Wave after wave of greetings and conversations left little time for respite. Just as the crowd thinned, a familiar voice called out:
“President He!”
He Jian Shan turned, surprised to see the former HR director of Wan Zhu, Xu Huai Qing. Retired for years, Xu Huai Qing had moved abroad to reunite with his family. He never expected to see him here.
Their brief exchange ended with a revelation that lingered in He Jian Shan’s mind long after the banquet:
“Lin Hui was a beneficiary of the Honey Jar Fund.”
Author’s Note:
Everyone saw it coming—except President He.
