Steady you big head ghost

Han Shuyu, dragged by Ming Shuzhen, stopped at a new booth.

She stared, almost possessed, at Ming Shuzhen’s hand gripping hers, unblinking.

“What’s up?” Ming Shuzhen waved her other hand in front of her. “Zoning out? Tired? Wanna sit on the sofas over there?”

The exhibition hall was vast, with booths, a lounge area, and a snack bar.

The lounge had quirky sofas, some occupied by chatting attendees.

Ming Shuzhen pointed. “There’s space. We can sit.”

“No need,” Han Shuyu said, awkwardly freeing her hand and shaking her wrist.

“Let’s keep going. Rare chance, tight schedule,” she mumbled.

“Okay,” Ming Shuzhen nodded, oblivious to Han Shuyu’s unease.

Impressive, she thought—Team One stayed focused even after a spat. She’d better seize this learning opportunity.

“Let’s keep touring,” she said, waving her notebook with gusto. “I’m not stopping till I fill three pages.”

“Pfft,” Han Shuyu laughed. “So dramatic.”

“Gotta be!” Ming Shuzhen nodded, eyes sparkling cutely. “I’ve got a task on wall noises, but I haven’t cracked it. So much to learn. Tons of equipment I’ve never even heard of, let alone used.”

“How’s your data analysis?” Han Shuyu asked.

“Uh…” Ming Shuzhen hesitated. “Got A’s in school, but no real-world experience. Might just be book-smart.”

“That’s enough,” Han Shuyu encouraged. “Equipment’s just tools—practice a few times, you’ll get it. The key’s here.” She tapped her head. “We deal with data. If you can measure and analyze, your A’s in school mean A+ at work.”

“Really?” Ming Shuzhen doubted, sensing forced comfort. “But isn’t work harder than exams? Exams have right answers; work doesn’t.”

“Exactly,” Han Shuyu said. “You nailed standard answers. Can’t you handle messy ones? No single solution means any answer you produce is valid.”

“Oh,” Ming Shuzhen half-grasped. “Thanks, Shuyu Sis—er, Han Shuyu.”

“Heh,” Han Shuyu smirked, cringing at her own sappiness.

She couldn’t believe it—today, she’d used a week’s worth of words, expressions, *and* physical contact, now spouting motivational fluff.

Terrifying. Was she possessed?

Shuddering at her own oddity, she snapped back.

“Han Shuyu, can I add you on WeChat?” Ming Shuzhen asked, tilting her head closer, unaware of Han Shuyu’s inner critique. “I’m new, don’t know many people here. You seem like a great friend.”

“How’d you figure?” Han Shuyu said coolly.

“That you’re great?” Ming Shuzhen blinked. “You’re loyal. When I clashed with Wu, you could’ve stayed out but backed me up. And when I worried about my work, you gave me that big pep talk.”

“Anything else?” Han Shuyu’s gaze softened, her single eyelids like a sail catching light.

“You’re pretty,” Ming Shuzhen blurted, then rushed, fearing it sounded like flattery. “Not lying! You look like a celebrity, uh, named…”

She blanked, picturing the face but not the name.

Han Shuyu smiled. “Who?”

“Can’t recall,” Ming Shuzhen said, innocently earnest.

“Pfft,” Han Shuyu’s eyes crinkled. “Fine, add me.”

“Yay!” Ming Shuzhen whipped out her phone, scanning the QR code with a *ding*.

After touring, a meal followed. Then, vans waited to shuttle everyone back.

“Same van?” Ming Shuzhen asked Han Shuyu.

“Yup,” Han Shuyu nodded. They took the back row.

The van, full on the way in, was half-empty now.

Xiao Fang and Green Sister went straight home, and Wu Zhengyu, embarrassed, stayed out of sight.

“Han Shuyu, won’t it be awkward facing Wu now?” Ming Shuzhen worried.

“He’s the one who should feel awkward,” Han Shuyu said, expressionless. “He’s the jerk.”

“Forget him. How was the tour? Learn anything?” she asked.

“Tons! Filled pages,” Ming Shuzhen said, showing her notebook.

“Oh, this scarf…” She spotted a scarf edge on the front seat’s backrest, like the boss’s.

“Probably a popular style. It’s gorgeous, so lots must buy it,” she thought.

“What about the scarf?” Han Shuyu’s ears were sharp.

“It’s pretty,” Ming Shuzhen said.

Han Shuyu glanced at it. Usually in oversized hoodies and pants, she didn’t care for accessories.

“Ever seen Monet’s water lilies?” Ming Shuzhen asked.

“Monet did 181. Which one?”

“The purple one.”

“Dunno,” Han Shuyu said bluntly.

“Okay,” Ming Shuzhen explained. “This scarf’s pattern reminds me of Monet’s purple lilies.”

Han Shuyu, uninterested, gave a vague hum.

The van headed to the company. At the drop-off, the doors slid open automatically.

Ming Shuzhen and Han Shuyu got out from the back, Ming Shuyan from the middle.

Ming Shuzhen: “…”

“Boss, you were in the van?”

“I’m heading to the company too,” Ming Shuyan said, raising an eyebrow like it was obvious.

“No, I mean, why this van? I didn’t see you or hear you say hi,” Ming Shuzhen said, laughing awkwardly, feeling rude.

The van’s seats were large, with high backs, and no one talked much, so missing her was plausible.

“You were chatting so happily with your colleague, I didn’t want to interrupt,” Ming Shuyan said, glancing at her, then Han Shuyu.

“…Oh,” Ming Shuzhen nodded, starting toward the building with Han Shuyu.

The cold hit, and she pulled her hood up.

The van roared off briefly behind them.

Under the engine’s rumble, Ming Shuyan untied her scarf and draped it around Ming Shuzhen’s neck.

“Boss?” Ming Shuzhen froze, startled.

“For the wind,” Ming Shuyan said.

“But it’s a silk scarf, not a winter one,” Ming Shuzhen said. No wind protection there.

She blinked, staring at the woman before her.

“It’s yours,” Ming Shuyan said quickly, like the scarf burned her hands.

“No, no,” Ming Shuzhen protested, reaching to remove it.

Ming Shuyan stopped her hand. “I only wore it once. Don’t mind it.”

“Wu Zhengyu’s resigning tomorrow. About Han Shuyu’s comment on non-work hours, I’ll address it. I’ll personally cover overtime pay.”

“…” Ming Shuzhen blinked, baffled. “What? Why tell me this?”

Ming Shuyan sighed heavily. “Go inside. I’m leaving.”

Watching Ming Shuyan’s retreating figure, her low-neck top now scarf-less, exposing her neck, Ming Shuzhen frowned. “Didn’t she say she was going to the company?”

Han Shuyu eyed her. “Obviously an excuse. Only you didn’t catch it.”

“Then why ride with us?” Ming Shuzhen asked, clueless.

“Ask her,” Han Shuyu said, annoyed, heading into the building.

“Wait, let’s go together!” Ming Shuzhen jogged after.

“It’s freezing. Who’s dumb enough to stand out here?” Han Shuyu jabbed.

Sensing her mood, Ming Shuzhen scratched her head, muttering, “Weren’t you just fine?”

“Fine, my foot,” Han Shuyu snapped, then paused, confused by her own volatility.

“Wow, Han Shuyu, you curse too?” Ming Shuzhen teased. “Thought you were all prim and icy.”

“Stop showing off your vocabulary,” Han Shuyu cut her off.

“Oh,” Ming Shuzhen quieted but sidled closer. “Let’s drop our stuff and head home. Where do you live? I’ve got my scooter—can give you a lift.”

“I drove,” Han Shuyu said, cold again.

“Fancy car person!” Ming Shuzhen exaggerated playfully. “Guess I’ll freeze into a popsicle on my scooter.”

“You’ve got the boss’s scarf,” Han Shuyu pointed out.

“It’s useless for wind.”

“Probably a big brand. Sell it on Xianyu,” Han Shuyu suggested.

“Sell it? Give the money to the boss?”

“Buy a windproof blanket, handlebar cover, thick pants. Then you won’t freeze.”

“You’re quite the economist,” Ming Shuzhen tilted her head.

Han Shuyu laughed. “What, you actually gonna sell it?”

“No way. If it’s a big brand, it’s pricey. I’ll return it to the boss.”

“Whatever,” Han Shuyu said, eyeing the scarf. It felt off somehow, though Ming Shuzhen looked cute, and the scarf was high-quality.

“Drop your stuff and meet me on the third floor. I’ll drive you home,” Han Shuyu said.

“You’ll drive me?” Ming Shuzhen considered. A car beat her scooter. “But my scooter’s here. How’ll I get to work tomorrow?”

“I’ll pick you up,” Han Shuyu said casually. “I’ll treat you to dinner. Didn’t eat much at the expo—only half full.”

“Same!” Ming Shuzhen grinned, warming to Han Shuyu. Cold face, warm heart.