My Youth Began With Him

“I’m just going to pretend I didn’t hear anything. You know that I couldn’t care less about what happens in the Wei Family.” Jiang Xiaowei smiled.

“Perfect.”

After their brief get-together, Huo Mian went back busying about at the company.

The truth was, she was surprised that Mo Xue’er was bailed out. After all, she had known her on a personal level – being enemies aside, Huo Mian felt bad for her.

– That afternoon –

Huo Mian had a meeting about a newly-developed building, and Bella walked into the conference room with her, placed a stack of documents down on the table, and quietly walked out.

“President Huo is in a meeting, Director Jing,” Bella reminded upon seeing Zhixin walk up to her.

“Oh, I’m not here to see my sister, I was looking for you.”

“How can I help you, Director Jing?” Bella said, keeping a polite distance from Jing Zhixin.

“Here, this is for you.” Zhixin handed her a delicate-looking bag.

“What’s… this?” Bella asked, slightly surprised.

“It’s your birthday today, right? I was going to treat you to dinner, but I heard your boyfriend’s coming to town, so I decided that a gift was better…”

“You didn’t have to do that,” Bella said, feeling a bit shy.

“Just take it… we’re friends now, and you’ve been taking care of my sister for so long… I really appreciate it,” Jing Zhixin said, stuffing the present in Bella’s hand before turning around and walking away.

“Wait, Director Jing…”

The truth was, Jing Zhixin wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do. Upon finding out that she had a boyfriend, he was going to give up on her, but since he bought a present already, he still decided to give it to her, either as friends or as colleagues.

Bella looked down at the paper bag she was holding with a complicated expression on her face.

It was already 5 PM by the time Huo Mian walked out of her afternoon meeting. The winter nights in Northern China were extremely long, and the skies were completely dark by 5 PM, lit up by sparkling building lights outside.

“President Huo, you still seem to have a lot to do. Should I tell the others to stay?” Bella asked.

“It’s okay, everyone’s probably exhausted. Tell them to go home as usual.”

“Mhm.”

Huo Mian took out a burgundy brocade box and handed it to Bella. “Bella, this is for you.”

“President Huo…” Bella was a little surprised.

“Happy birthday.” Huo Mian smiled.

“You remembered?” Bella asked, feeling touched; ever since she became Huo Mian’s assistant, the latter’s bought her presents every single year for three years. This year, she thought Huo Mian had forgotten since things at the company were near chaotic.

“Of course I do. Open it, I picked out the gift myself.”

Bella carefully opened the brocade box to see a stunning silver brooch in the shape of a swan. The swan’s eye was made of a giant, sparkling diamond.

“Isn’t this a part of the new luxury line that GK Jewelry just launched? This is too much, I can’t keep it, President Huo.”

Bella was stunned; this brooch was only launched about two weeks ago, and sold for more than 40,000 yuan… The diamond was rare, and the handiwork was delicate.

“It’s not too much, you’ve been working hard for the past year, and it’s a token of my gratitude. Take it.”

Upon seeing Huo Mian’s persistence, Bella carefully accepted the present…

“I was going to treat you to dinner, but Yang mentioned that your boyfriend was coming to celebrate with you. So, let’s eat another day.”

“Thank you, President Huo. We did have plans, but something came up with him and he’s not coming anymore. I’m going to eat at home tonight, my parents made me dinner.”

“He’s not coming? But it’s your birthday,” Huo Mian asked carefully.