Chapter 6

Chapter 6

On my birthday, I sat at home alone all day. My phone buzzed every now and then.

There were WeChat blessings from my parents and friends, text messages from businesses about double points, and various sales associates mentioning they had small gifts waiting for me. Even two familiar clients called to exchange pleasantries.

The only person I didn’t hear from was Xie Mingchen.

I waited until twilight deepened and the streetlights flickered on, watching the day come to an unremarkable end.

The final call before midnight came from the client hosting this anniversary celebration.

“Suisui, happy birthday.” Lin Zhao’s deep, magnetic voice reached my ears, tinged with a hint of disappointment. “Why didn’t you come this time? I’ve been looking forward to it for so long. I even wrote your invitation by hand, yet you didn’t give me the honor of your presence.”

I hadn’t received any invitation.

But in an instant, I understood. It had likely been intercepted by Xie Mingchen-precisely because it was “special” and “handwritten.”

Lin Zhao had indeed pursued me once.

No wonder Xie Mingchen was so adamant about me not accompanying him on this business trip.

But that was all so long ago…

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I could only try to smooth things over for Xie Mingchen.

“Thank you for the kind thought, Manager Lin. Someone needed to stay behind at the office to handle some matters, so… I’m sorry.”

“It’s my fault. I originally thought everyone could get together, so I scheduled the event for today. I didn’t realize you wouldn’t be able to make it, and now I’ve caused Xie Mingchen to miss your birthday.”

“It’s fine, I don’t mind,” I replied perfunctorily, preparing to hang up. But then, I heard a low chuckle from the other end of the line.

“And what if I told you that his secretary entered his room nearly an hour ago and hasn’t come out yet? Do you not mind that either?”