BC Chapter 3

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The company where Jiang Xiaohui worked was doing worse and worse, and by the end of the year, it was finally acquired by a larger corporation.

Everyone in the company was on edge, fearing that the new boss would come in and start firing people left and right, and that they would be among the first to go.

Jiang Xiaohui was also nervous. He was just an unremarkable employee in the company, without any special skills or outstanding performance. If layoffs were coming, he would most likely be the first to be cut.

The anxiety about losing his job weighed so heavily on him that even seeing Peng Feng every day couldn’t bring him full happiness anymore.

At the end of the month, the company’s new general manager arrived to officially take over management and personnel decisions.

Jiang Xiaohui and his colleagues gathered in the office to welcome their new boss.

To his shock, he saw their usually fierce and overbearing department supervisor behaving obsequiously, leading in a tall, handsome young man while chattering incessantly.

The young man frowned slightly, appearing a bit impatient, but he was still polite enough to endure it with grace.

He raised his head and swept his gaze across the room—until his eyes landed on Jiang Xiaohui, standing at the edge of the crowd.

His gaze froze.

“…” Jiang Xiaohui silently mouthed Peng Feng’s name.

The moment he saw the young man, he was completely paralyzed.

He never imagined that his new boss would turn out to be the same person who rode the bus with him every morning and evening—the very person he had been foolishly and secretly in love with all this time…

After meeting the new boss, everyone quickly returned to their work.

Jiang Xiaohui kept his head down all morning—though he wasn’t even sure what he was working on.

His colleagues gradually started whispering about the new manager:

They said he was young and handsome;

That he was the third son of the company’s president and had been sent here for experience;

That within just a year, he had impressively helped his father open a new branch;

That he was the most favored son, with families lining up to introduce their daughters to him;

That he was strict and demanding toward his subordinates but also generous with rewards when work was done well.

…

People eagerly shared gossip from various sources.

In their words, Peng Feng was no longer the person Jiang Xiaohui knew—he was practically a legend.

Jiang Xiaohui knew that much of the talk was exaggerated. He used to joke about their bosses with his colleagues too—it was harmless fun.

But today, he didn’t feel like listening, let alone participating.

To his own surprise, the feeling inside him was… disappointment?

Jiang Xiaohui laughed bitterly.

How ridiculous—what was he even disappointed about?

What right did he have to be disappointed?

What qualifications did he have to feel this way?

That evening, as soon as work ended, Jiang Xiaohui rushed out of the company to catch his bus.

This time, Peng Feng wasn’t there.

In the following days, life carried on as usual.

Jiang Xiaohui still took the same bus every morning and evening, habitually scanning the carriage for Peng Feng—but he never saw him.

But that was fine.

Jiang Xiaohui continued his routine, gradually moving on from his secret crush.

Until one day—

Peng Feng cornered Jiang Xiaohui in the break room, demanding, “Jiang Xiaohui, why are you avoiding me? How are you getting to work now? Why haven’t I seen you?”

Jiang Xiaohui stared at him blankly, then replied after a long pause, “I still take the bus… Oh, maybe I’ve just been waking up early and leaving earlier lately.”

Peng Feng was silent for a moment before saying, “I need to talk to you. Come with me after work.”

Jiang Xiaohui mumbled an “oh,” head hanging low, looking listless.

Peng Feng gazed at the lips so close to him, and in a sudden impulse, leaned in to kiss Jiang Xiaohui.

Not satisfied with just a peck, he sucked on Jiang Xiaohui’s lower lip before finally saying, “I’ve been busy taking over the company these past few days, so I couldn’t leave early. But from now on, I’ll still go to and from work with you. If you like taking the bus, we’ll take the bus. If you want to drive, we’ll drive.”

Jiang Xiaohui was too shocked to process anything else.

He grabbed Peng Feng’s sleeve and stammered, “W-why did you kiss me?”

His fingers trembled with nervousness.

Seeing Jiang Xiaohui’s flustered expression, Peng Feng suddenly calmed down. With a neutral expression, he replied, “Because I like you.”

Jiang Xiaohui’s face turned red. He panicked. “…Huh?”

“What does ‘huh’ mean?” Peng Feng’s expression darkened, and he coldly asked, “What, am I not allowed to like you? Do you discriminate against gay people?”

Jiang Xiaohui stammered, “N-no… I don’t discriminate against… um, gay people…”

Hearing that, Peng Feng’s expression eased slightly, and he let out a faint huff.

Jiang Xiaohui carefully observed his face and hesitantly said, “Um… actually, I like you too.”

Peng Feng: “…”

Jiang Xiaohui felt like, for a split second, Peng Feng’s expression froze.

Then, Peng Feng abruptly turned his head away.

Jiang Xiaohui saw his ears and neck flush red above his collar.

Peng Feng stiffly grabbed Jiang Xiaohui’s hand, squeezed it, then turned even redder before suddenly letting go and striding out of the room.

Jiang Xiaohui stood there in a daze, replaying his confession over and over in his mind.

He pinched himself hard—damn, that hurt! This wasn’t a dream!

Feeling a mix of emotions he couldn’t quite describe, Jiang Xiaohui left the break room.

As soon as he stepped out, he spotted Peng Feng smoking in the corridor.

Peng Feng had one hand in his pocket and the other holding a cigarette, head tilted slightly back—his profile was strikingly handsome.

Jiang Xiaohui was mesmerized.

Peng Feng noticed the movement and turned to look at him.

Their eyes met.

Peng Feng hesitated, as if debating whether to walk over.

Jiang Xiaohui made the decision for him—he stepped forward.

“See you tonight,” Jiang Xiaohui whispered as he passed by.

Peng Feng remained expressionless.

Jiang Xiaohui tried to stay calm, but inside, he was a mess.

Was Peng Feng going to pretend nothing happened? Take back his confession? String him along without taking responsibility?

But then, Peng Feng suddenly smiled.

And his smile grew brighter and brighter.

Jiang Xiaohui was completely captivated.

He had never realized before that Peng Feng’s smile could be so simple and pure.

[The End]

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