One Day, I Discovered My Cold Boss Was My Online Friend

[About 3 yuan for the complete edition, thanks for your support ovo]

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Something big happened recently at the gaming company where An Lulu works: her new direct supervisor was parachuted in and had just entered the workforce.

Her coworkers said this supervisor was handsome, but the aloof, hard-to-approach type.

As it happened, the goofy online friend she'd known for years, T, said that after spending ages lounging around at home, he'd finally started working.

But whenever An Lulu tried to focus on work, she would get spammed with WeChat messages from T.

Most of them were trending Weibo jokes and weird animated reaction images.

An Lulu: Aren't you at work?

To her surprise, he replied with complete confidence

[Ever heard of slacking off at work?]

An Lulu: ...?

An Lulu: What poor boss hired you?

An Lulu: If I were your boss, I'd fire you for sure [grin/]

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Later.

When An Lulu met T in person one day, she saw

Her aloof, unattainable supervisor, Ruan Song Ting, smile at her. "When are you going to be my boss?"

An Lulu: ...??

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[Bonus scene]

An Lulu: ...Your online and offline personas are pretty different, aren't they?

Ruan Song Ting: If you hadn't told me years ago that you liked aloof guys, would I have to be this damn split personality?!! (gritting his teeth)

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Reader's notes:

1. Mutual unrequited love, school memories, and a [made-up] workplace slice of life

2. The main text alternates between the leads' perspectives, though the female lead gets more page time

3. The original idea for this blurb came from everyday chats with my friend Qing Shu. Her upcoming novel is listed below if you're interested.

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"A Summer Romance"

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Xu Ming Ran considers herself a shut-in.

She doesn't like going out or socializing. If she didn't have to make a living and find a job, she'd happily stay home for the rest of her life.

Just imagine a rainy day, lying in bed with a tablet, watching anime, playing games, or reading novels, with a bedside table piled high with snacks...

It's hard to imagine a more perfect day.

Xu Ming Ran has thought more than once that she, her bed, and her tablet could live happily together, and that would be all they needed.

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Until one day, while handing over some work, Xu Ming Ran saw the desktop of Gu Qi, a new hire in the art department next door. It seemed to have an animated Live2D of her wife, Ilena...

In a flash, the word "Wifey" slipped out.

Realizing she'd let it slip, Xu Ming Ran hurriedly covered her mouth.

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At the same moment, her love rival looked at her, momentarily stunned.

A few seconds later.

The man, who had been all business and ready to discuss work with her, seemed to finally realize what was going on.

He casually picked up a pen from the desk, struck a grade-schooler's attack pose, and declared sternly, "Love rival, prepare to fight!"

Xu Ming Ran: "...?"

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A few months later.

Xu Ming Ran never imagined that this "love rival" of hers would become her...

boyfriend.

And the "three of us" she'd dreamed of would become...

"the four of us" (x)

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Recommended: My friend Qing Shu's new novel, "The Client Is Actually My Partner." Check out her author page if you're interested =v=

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Xu Yi and Lin Si Ran are childhood friends who have always been close. This year, they're preparing to get engaged.

While away on a business trip, Xu Yi received a location pin from a villa district, followed by a text from his father: "The marital home is ready. Handle the renovations yourself. Son, bringing your wife home is only the beginning. Your happiness is up to you."

He tapped at his screen a few times and replied, "Got it."

The next day, Lin Si Ran received her first major project since joining the company: designing the renovation of a private client's detached villa. Apparently the client was a longtime customer, sharp-tongued and demanding about the plans. Even several veteran designers complained that working with him was just too difficult, but he paid so well!

[Bonus scene]

At a design meeting, Lin Si Ran saw Xu Yi smiling at her. Wanting to mess with him, she deliberately rejected the design plan. "Why go with a minimalist style? Wouldn't Hello Kitty be better? Wouldn't a pink, sweet little kitty create a more sugary atmosphere?"

Xu Yi didn't even blink. "That makes a lot of sense."

While everyone stared in stunned silence, Xu Yi quickly approved the plan. Everyone guessed that Lin Si Ran must be involved with Xu Yi to win over such a big client, but what they didn't guess was

That evening, after his shower, Xu Yi stood beside the desk, cheeks flushed, watching Lin Si Ran type. He asked eagerly, "My sweet little kitty, I did so well this morning. Aren't you going to reward me?"

Theme: Even when you don't notice, someone is always quietly paying attention to you