If there’s anything in the world that flies by faster than a holiday, it’s the Lunar New Year break. It feels long at first—stores start prepping as early as New Year’s Day, and its festive afterglow lingers for weeks, with many believing the New Year isn’t over until the Lantern Festival. But for most people, aside from kids and students, the real joy of the New Year is condensed into a fleeting seven days.
Lin Hui and He Jian Shan were no exception.
Surprisingly, they spent nearly the entire holiday at home. Although they’d been in love for quite some time, the New Year seemed to supercharge their affection, as if someone had applied a game buff. Their love became even more exuberant in these few short days—no work, no outings, phones tossed aside, clothes scattered everywhere. Traces of their presence were all over the house: the bed, the sofa, the carpet, and even the long-contemplated bathtub—
Lin Hui, drenched and laughing uncontrollably, clung to He Jian Shan. “You’re insane, He Jian Shan!”
He Jian Shan caressed Lin Hui’s fingers and kissed his way down slowly. Lin Hui closed his eyes, a faint smile on his lips.
There was nothing in this world more intoxicating than a Lunar New Year like this.
On the seventh day of the New Year, Wan Zhu officially resumed work.
He Jian Shan left for the company early in the morning. As per Wan Zhu’s tradition, the big boss had to stand at the entrance on the first workday after the New Year, handing out red envelopes to employees as a gesture of goodwill and blessings for the year ahead.
When Lin Hui arrived at Wan Zhu, He Jian Shan had already handed out most of the red envelopes. From a distance, Lin Hui could see him standing at the entrance, surrounded by Annie, Zhao Xiao Xiao, and a small crowd.
Looking at the queue, Lin Hui immediately regretted not remembering this tradition. Had he known, he might’ve avoided the main entrance altogether. He was just considering sneaking up through the freight elevator when Zhao Xiao Xiao’s sharp eyes caught him. She waved enthusiastically, shouting, “Assistant Lin! Over here—come get your red envelope!”
All heads turned toward Lin Hui. Even He Jian Shan glanced over. Their eyes met briefly, but before Lin Hui could react, the people in line were already calling out, “Assistant Lin, Happy New Year! Come join the queue!”
Resigned, Lin Hui joined the end of the line, chatting casually with familiar colleagues as he shuffled forward at a leisurely pace. When it was his turn, a small crowd had gathered nearby, watching the show. Lin Hui reached out to take the red envelope, but He Jian Shan didn’t let go.
Lin Hui looked up and saw He Jian Shan placing a small piece of candy on top of the envelope. It was a white marshmallow from the decorative bowl at the front desk—Lin Hui had no idea when He Jian Shan had grabbed it.
The onlookers erupted with laughter and teasing.
“Whoa—why does Assistant Lin get candy and we don’t?” Annie joined in with a grin.
Amid the uproar, Lin Hui’s face turned red despite his thick skin. He Jian Shan, however, remained calm, a faint smile tugging at his lips, clearly in no hurry to rescue Lin Hui.
Fed up, Lin Hui unwrapped the candy and popped it into his mouth. “You’ve all got some nerve, teasing the boss. Wait until I head to Ninghai in March—let’s see who’s going to look out for you then.”
The crowd jeered playfully.
“No, Assistant Lin, don’t go!”
“Stay with us!”
“Assistant Lin, remember to come home often!”
Amidst the cheerful chaos, Lin Hui made his way back to his office. Upstairs, the 12th floor was quiet, with both He Jian Shan and Zhao Xiao Xiao still downstairs.
As Lin Hui opened the door, the first thing he noticed was a bouquet of elegant white roses sitting where his potted flowers used to be, beside his computer. They stood gracefully in a clear vase, exuding a soft, tranquil beauty.
Returning to his long-unused office felt surprisingly comforting. Lin Hui poured himself a glass of water and was just about to start his day when a knock on the door interrupted him. Looking up, he saw He Jian Shan entering, a faint glow behind him.
Lin Hui couldn’t help but smile. “Morning, President He.”
When He Jian Shan approached, Lin Hui noticed he was carrying a box. Curious, Lin Hui eyed it until He Jian Shan placed it on the desk in front of him.
“So, it seems I’m in for a surprise beyond just a red envelope. Is this the gift you mentioned before the New Year?”
“You could call it a gift—or you could try guessing what’s inside, Assistant Lin.”
Lin Hui glanced at He Jian Shan’s expression, then at the box. “Judging by the size—a watch? Something symbolic, like ‘every second of your life with me’?”
He Jian Shan raised an eyebrow. “Creative. I’ll keep that in mind for next time.”
“It’s not?” Lin Hui frowned. “Forget it, I’ll just open it.”
The box was wrapped in deep blue ribbon, meticulously tied into a bow. Lin Hui untied it and, on a whim, fastened the ribbon onto the roses’ stems. “You know, back when Honey Pot Fund sent gifts, they’d all be wrapped like this—perfect bows that looked straight out of a manual. My roommate used to joke that Wan Zhu probably had a KPI for passing down knot-tying traditions.”
Inside the box was another, smaller box with no logo. Lin Hui looked up at He Jian Shan suspiciously. “Can I open it now?”
He Jian Shan smiled and nodded.
“No funny business,” Lin Hui muttered as he carefully opened the box. “If it doesn’t live up to the kaleidoscope, I—”
He stopped mid-sentence.
Inside the box was a pair of rings, gleaming softly in the light.
Lin Hui’s gaze snapped to He Jian Shan, who stood there watching him tenderly. It took Lin Hui a long time to process what he was seeing. Just as he reached for the rings, He Jian Shan closed the box and took it away.
Lin Hui quickly stood up, his hand instinctively reaching out before stopping short. Realizing something, he withdrew his hand and cleared his throat, mumbling, “So… what’s the meaning of this?”
He glanced at He Jian Shan, then at the white roses on his desk. The petals shimmered like velvet under the sunlight, so stunning that Lin Hui couldn’t look away.
He Jian Shan admired Lin Hui’s reaction for a moment before placing a stack of documents on the desk. “Sign these first, and I’ll tell you.”
His voice was as soft and sweet as the marshmallow from earlier, tempting Lin Hui to lower his head.
The documents were for a change in Wan Zhu’s shareholders. Everything had been prepared—ID copies affixed, forms filled, stamps in place. The signature fields were neatly marked, and all that remained was for Lin Hui to complete the process.
Suddenly, Lin Hui felt flustered. Gripping the documents awkwardly, it took him a while to realize he should sit down. He fumbled around the desk before finally finding a pen.
It was an ordinary black ballpoint pen, one from Wan Zhu’s standard office supplies. Lin Hui had been using it for a long time; its ink was halfway gone, and the printed logo on the cap was almost worn off. This pen had helped him arrange He Jian Shan’s schedules, prepare important meeting materials, and revise countless contracts.
Lin Hui looked up.
Across the desk, He Jian Shan was watching him intently, gripping the box tightly with no trace of a smile. To most, he might appear solemn, but Lin Hui knew—he was nervous.
For some reason, Lin Hui suddenly recalled the first day they got together, when he earnestly told He Jian Shan that office romances were inappropriate during work hours. Yet it was in those countless hours of work that their love had quietly blossomed.
Every light in the building, every computer screen, every sheet of paper from the printer, every shadow passing by, every door opening and closing, every phone ringing, every heated meeting—they had all recorded his joy, passion, and struggles.
Lin Hui didn’t know when exactly he had fallen in love with He Jian Shan.
What day? What moment? What second?
Why had the mundane routine of work suddenly become something extraordinary?
Taking a deep breath, Lin Hui steadied his trembling hand and signed his name at the bottom right corner of the first document.
There were many more to go.
At 9:00 AM, Wan Zhu’s workday officially began.
Downstairs, a door slammed loudly—probably blown shut by the wind. Zhao Xiao Xiao returned to her desk, exclaiming as she knocked something over. Annie would arrive in half an hour to finalize the week’s schedule, promising to bring Lin Hui a coffee. And the general manager, He Jian Shan, who usually arrived later, was standing right in front of him, waiting expectantly.
Lin Hui lowered his gaze and signed the first of many documents.
Just like any other day.
As Wan Zhu’s First Assistant, Lin Hui’s day always began with a signature.
=The End=
Author’s Notes:
1. Thank you all for accompanying Lin Hui on his eight-year journey into He Jian Shan’s heart. I hope I’ve captured the essence of soulmates in this story. While their moments of love aren’t all sweet, they are all genuine. Just like He Jian Shan’s wish for Lin Hui’s love—a mix of depth, warmth, and intensity, as soft as moonlight and as vibrant as blooming roses.
2. Extras are coming! Expect the first one this weekend, and a longer special titled An Interesting Dream, where 35-year-old He Jian Shan meets 20-year-old university student Lin Hui. Just a fun scenario I’ve cooked up!
3. If you enjoyed this story, feel free to check out my next one, A Tree Blooms. Although I’m still deciding on the exact direction, you’ll see updates in my column soon.
4. For more on Lin Hui and He Jian Shan, follow my updates on Weibo!
5. Once again, thank you for being part of this journey.
