AMBTICBPIB Chapter 85

Shen Jin finally got to experience the joy of commuting to work with Chu Yi.

Though they had to stop a hundred meters from the company entrance and enter separately, and Chu Yi had to address him as “President Shen” in front of others, Shen Jin still had to pretend not to know him.

Thankfully, they could still spend some quality time together during lunch.

To make it easier for Chu Yi to access his office, Shen Jin had given him a special access card. With a simple swipe, Chu Yi could enter Shen Jin’s office without knocking.

One day, while eating lunch, Chu Yi accidentally stained his light-colored shirt with a crimson stain.

The stain only grew larger as Chu Yi tried to wipe it with a napkin.

“What am I going to do?” Chu Yi fretted. “Even if I wash it now, it won’t come out.”

Shen Jin told him not to worry and pulled a fresh shirt from the closet. “Wear this for now.”

“You even keep spare clothes in your office?” Chu Yi asked.

“For emergencies,” Shen Jin replied. “Sometimes I have to attend banquets and don’t have time to go home to change.”

Shen Jin and Chu Yi had distinctly different builds, so Shen Jin’s shirt was much looser than Chu Yi’s usual clothes.

Still, it was better than wearing a dirty, spice-stained shirt. Plus, with his jacket on, no one would notice Chu Yi had changed into a white dress shirt.

As Chu Yi took off his T-shirt and reached for the shirt, Shen Jin grabbed his hand. “Let me help you put it on.”

Chu Yi immediately saw through Shen Jin’s intentions and refused. “President Shen, this is your office. Company policy strictly prohibits superiors from harassing subordinates.”

“Besides being your boss, I’m also your husband,” Shen Jin countered. “Hurry up and get dressed. You’ll catch a cold.”

Shen Jin immediately began helping Chu Yi with the shirt. Of course, the great President Shen couldn’t resist taking advantage of the situation, running his hands over Chu Yi’s waist, collarbone, and chest. The contrast between Shen Jin’s tanned hands and Chu Yi’s fair skin was striking. Only when Chu Yi glared at him did President Shen finally restrain himself.

Even after Chu Yi was fully dressed, President Shen continued to “harass” his subordinate. Chu Yi was kissed until tears streamed down his face, his lips flushed crimson.

Even as Chu Yi glared at him with reddened eyes, President Shen shamelessly declared, “Wife, if you keep glaring at me like that, I might lose control.”

Chu Yi: ……

On his way back to the office, Chu Yi ran into Wang Xin.

Wang Xin greeted him, “Where have you been?”

Chu Yi casually pointed, “Just took a call in the hallway.”

Wang Xin hummed in acknowledgment, his gaze lingering. The direction Chu Yi had come from seemed to be toward the executive offices, where President Shen and the new manager’s offices were located. If he wasn’t mistaken, Chu Yi had indeed come from that direction.

Clearly, Wang Xin wasn’t entirely convinced by Chu Yi’s explanation.

Wait a minute, Wang Xin thought, his eyes narrowing. He remembered Chu Yi wearing a light-colored T-shirt earlier that morning. How had he changed into a white dress shirt by lunchtime?

The shirt, hanging loosely on Chu Yi’s slender frame, was clearly ill-fitting.

Something seemed to click in Wang Xin’s mind, and his gaze toward Chu Yi took on a new, ambiguous edge.

Since the new manager had taken over, the company’s overtime hours had drastically decreased. Employees now completed their work on time during regular hours and left promptly at the end of the day.

Going to work didn’t seem so bad anymore.

Sister Wang couldn’t help but sigh, “I still can’t quite believe I’m leaving work on time every day. My husband even asked yesterday if I’d been laid off, since I’ve been coming home so early. He told me not to shoulder everything alone and that even if I lost my job, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. He said I should rest at home first and look for work whenever I felt ready.”

The others nodded in agreement, sharing her sentiment. At first, everyone thought leaving on time was just a fluke, but now it had become the norm.

Before, working five days a week with three or four days of overtime was commonplace.

It wasn’t just Sister Wang’s husband who found it hard to believe; none of them would have believed it before either.

As Chu Yi left work, he saw Sister Wang’s husband waiting to pick her up. Seeing her walking with her colleagues, the husband finally relaxed. He had been worried his wife was carrying everything on her own.

When Chu Yi’s classmates learned they were leaving work on time, they were filled with envy. After just a month of internships, they had already experienced multiple overtime sessions, and some had even been called back to the office from home on weekends.

The group chat buzzed with envy, jealousy, and resentment towards Chu Yi.

Jiang Xu sent Chu Yi a private message.

Jiang Xu: I just heard you’re interning at the same company as Wang Xin. Stay away from him—his reputation isn’t good.

Chu Yi: Okay.

Jiang Xu rarely spoke ill of others behind their backs, as he often lacked concrete evidence. For now, he could only warn Chu Yi.

After a month of interning, Chu Yi’s tasks gradually shifted from menial work to more substantive responsibilities as his colleagues began to recognize his capabilities.

One day, Manager Meng assigned both Chu Yi and Wang Xin a project proposal, wanting to assess their abilities as interns. He instructed them to present their proposals in three days for the team to discuss and decide which one to adopt.

Chu Yi took his first project proposal very seriously. After dinner, he immediately began working on it.

Seeing him hunched over his computer, researching and typing diligently, Shen Jin felt a pang of sympathy. “Do you need your husband’s help?”

For Shen Jin, such a proposal would be effortless, practically second nature.

Chu Yi resisted the temptation. “I want to do it myself.”

“Okay,” Shen Jin replied.

Chu Yi thought for a moment. “I’ll ask you if I get stuck.”

“Alright,” Shen Jin said. “I’m on standby.”

While his little one worked diligently, Shen Jin took charge of logistics, placing a freshly squeezed glass of juice beside him. “Don’t forget to drink your juice.”

As Chu Yi worked, Shen Jin went to play with Little Lucky Star. Knowing his Little Dad was busy, Little Lucky Star came over and said, “Daddy, good luck!”

Chu Yi’s heart warmed. “Thank you, Little Lucky Star. I’ll do my best.”

When Shen Jin returned to the room later, Chu Yi asked, “Is Little Lucky Star asleep?”

Shen Jin came over. “He’s already asleep.”

After showering and making the bed, Shen Jin found Chu Yi still typing away at the keyboard. He leaned against the chair and asked, “How much have you finished?”

“Less than a third,” Chu Yi replied.

“Chu Yi, it’s time for bed.”

Without looking up, Chu Yi casually said, “I’ll be done soon.”

Shen Jin ruffled Chu Yi’s hair. “I’ll give you ten minutes. After that, turn off the computer and go to sleep.”

Ten minutes passed, but Chu Yi still hadn’t shut down the computer.

It was already eleven o’clock. Shen Jin approached him and reminded him, “Ten minutes are up. Time for bed.”

“Ah, already?” Chu Yi felt like only a minute had passed. He pleaded again, “Just ten more minutes, please?”

“No, you need to rest,” Shen Jin said firmly, shutting down the computer. He then scooped Chu Yi into his arms. “We still have three days left. Don’t wear yourself out like this.”

Shen Jin carried him like a doll.

Fine, Chu Yi obediently let Shen Jin carry him from the chair to the bed. Once Shen Jin was in bed and the lights were out, Chu Yi burrowed into his arms.

They chatted for a while before Shen Jin noticed the sudden silence. Looking down, he saw Chu Yi had already fallen fast asleep in his arms.

Shen Jin gently brushed Chu Yi’s hair aside and pressed a tender kiss to his forehead.

***

While Chu Yi was pouring water in the break room, Wang Xin happened to enter to do the same.

Wang Xin approached Chu Yi and casually asked, “How’s your proposal coming along?”

Chu Yi answered honestly, “I’ve only finished about a third. What about you?”

“You’ve already done a third in just one night? You’re so fast!” Wang Xin exclaimed. “I haven’t even started yet. Are you really not finished?”

Chu Yi nodded.

Wang Xin looked at him earnestly. “Then let’s both work hard and compete fairly.”

Chu Yi poured his water and left the room.

Out of Chu Yi’s sight, Wang Xin smirked triumphantly. *He’s not even finished yet? I thought Chu Yi had some real talent. Looks like I’m ahead of him after all. I stayed up all night to complete my proposal.*

That morning, while Chu Yi was away making copies, Wang Xin seized the opportunity to submit his proposal to Manager Meng in his office.

“Manager Meng, I’ve finished the proposal.”

Manager Meng was surprised by Wang Xin’s efficiency. He hadn’t expected the proposal to be submitted so quickly—just the second day. Meanwhile, there was still no sign of progress from Chu Yi. Manager Meng couldn’t help but give Wang Xin a few extra glances, thinking, *No wonder he’s a top graduate from Lan University.*

“Excellent work, Wang Xin!” Manager Meng praised. “Your work ethic is truly impressive.”

Wang Xin’s heart swelled with pride at Manager Meng’s praise. He could already envision himself as the one who would ultimately be retained.

He knew getting into this company was no easy feat, and he was determined to prove himself and secure a permanent position.

As Wang Xin emerged from Manager Meng’s office, Chen Ye happened to be passing through their department.

“President Chen!” Wang Xin greeted him obsequiously upon spotting the company’s CEO.

Chen Ye nodded slightly, his gaze landing on Chu Yi, who was carrying a stack of documents. As if suddenly remembering something, he said, “Chu Yi, please deliver this file to President Shen immediately.”

Chu Yi glanced at Chen Ye, suspecting he was being deliberately singled out. *Why me, with so many others around?*

Seeing Chu Yi’s hesitation, Wang Xin quickly volunteered, “President Chen, I’ll take it. Chu Yi’s busy right now. I’ll make sure it gets to President Shen right away.”

This was another opportunity to impress, and Wang Xin wasn’t about to miss it. “You can count on me to handle it perfectly,” he assured.

Chen Ye ignored Wang Xin, focusing on Chu Yi as he handed him the file. “Please take care of this. It’s urgent—President Shen needs to sign it immediately.”

Chu Yi had no choice but to take the file and head upstairs.

After Chen Ye left, Sister Wang pondered, wondering if it was just her imagination, but President Chen seemed unusually polite to Chu Yi. The new manager always appeared stern, and everyone knew new leaders often came in with a “three fires” approach, so no one dared provoke him.

Wang Xin watched Chu Yi’s retreating figure, his eyes flashing with envy, though the look quickly vanished.