Wrinkled and cute

Ming Shuzhen drove her little purple Mercedes, trailing Ming Shuyan’s black Audi.

Instead of heading toward the company, Ming Shuyan drove out of the urban village, toward Zhongxin Road.

That road, lined with hospitals, was completely out of the way from the company’s commercial district. Ming Shuzhen hesitated—return to the office or keep following?

As she wavered, Ming Shuyan called via voice chat.

Ming Shuzhen turned the volume to max, placing her phone in the center console.

“Boss?” she asked tentatively.

“Mm,” Ming Shuyan’s tone was unreadable through the phone. “Didn’t you say you’d treat me to dinner? I’ve picked a place. Follow me.”

“Oh, okay,” Ming Shuzhen replied quickly, relaxing to trail Ming Shuyan’s car.

Though she felt roped into treating, after all the boss’s help, she was genuinely willing.

After their brief exchange, Ming Shuyan didn’t end the call, leaving it open despite the silence.

Ming Shuzhen, oblivious to the unended call, was too focused on surrounding traffic and signals to check her phone.

As for why Ming Shuyan didn’t hang up? Pure whim.

The wide asphalt road, bustling city, crowded hospital area, distant car horns, rustling leaves, and the faint navigation voice from the phone…

These sounds, filtered through the phone into her ears, carried an inexplicable thrill.

Even without words, without hearing each other’s faint breaths, Ming Shuyan felt… content.

A vast world, yet this was her first taste of such fulfilling joy.

She played music—Lady Gaga’s *The Cure*.

Ming Shuzhen recognized it instantly from the intro.

C-major synthesizer melody: *“I’ll undress you ‘cause you’re tired.”*

Glancing at her phone, she saw the call with Ming Shuyan still active. The music came from her end.

The boss listens to music? Gaga’s song—her favorite.

Should she hang up? Maybe the boss thought she’d ended it and forgot.

But her hands, gripping the wheel as a newbie driver, couldn’t spare a moment. *Scooters were fine, cold wind and all…*

Unable to act, she let the call continue.

Hearing Lady Gaga’s voice, though, was delightful.

The playlist looped Gaga’s songs.

So the boss really loves Gaga. That’s why she’s so nice—fellow fan.

Ming Shuzhen pieced it together.

“Hospitals ahead, no parking here. Let’s loop to the back, park, and walk?” Ming Shuyan’s voice cut through the car’s music.

“?” Ming Shuzhen blinked. So the boss knew the call was still on? Why keep it open? She’s an experienced driver, not too busy to hang up.

Probably a diehard Gaga fan, eager to share the music, playing it through the call.

Ming Shuzhen pieced it together again.

“Okay,” she replied to the phone.

Zhongxin Road was busy. Anxious, Ming Shuzhen struggled to park. Side parking should be simple, but she crossed the line.

Ming Shuyan, parked, checked her rearview. “No rush, take your time.”

Hearing her voice, Ming Shuzhen nearly cried. “Okay.”

She maneuvered, turning left, then full right, finally parking safely.

Stepping out, she eyed her neatly parked Mercedes, exhaling.

Ming Shuyan got out, saw her, and relaxed, finally ending the call.

“Let’s go?”

“Oh, yeah,” Ming Shuzhen hurried to her side.

Noticing her closeness, Ming Shuyan shifted to the outer side of the sidewalk.

“Cold?” she asked, turning.

“Uh, not really,” Ming Shuzhen blinked, feeling the boss was too close.

The wind wasn’t strong, not enough to stir dust. They walked side by side, silent.

Ming Shuzhen wasn’t one for small talk, so she stayed quiet.

Cars sped by on Zhongxin Road. The hospital loomed large, its tall building visible from afar.

They reached their destination.

“?” Ming Shuzhen blinked. McDonald’s? *Cheap.*

Ming Shuyan’s lips curved, glancing at nearby shops, then at her.

“C-Can do,” Ming Shuzhen nodded reflexively. “Boss, I can treat you to something fancier. My mom gave me allowance.”

“Mm, but I…” Ming Shuyan started.

“…Really? Not messing with me?” Ming Shuzhen muttered, skeptical.

“Let’s go,” she said shyly.

Inside, they approached the counter, eyeing the menu.

Ming Shuyan studied it intently; Ming Shuzhen glanced briefly.

Used to ordering via app, her glasses fogged up on entry, so she removed them, barely seeing the menu.

The shop wasn’t busy, no line, so she waited patiently as Ming Shuyan ordered.

“You order too,” Ming Shuyan said.

“Oh,” Ming Shuzhen leaned closer, squinting at the menu.

They ordered and sat at a small round table with high stools, requiring a step to climb up.

“Always wanted to try this place. Finally here,” Ming Shuyan said, earnestly scanning the decor.

“Uh, Boss, you could’ve ordered delivery. Our office location has cheap fees.”

“Mm,” Ming Shuyan nodded, turning to her. “It’s different.”

“Oh,” Ming Shuzhen didn’t ask why.

Unprompted, Ming Shuyan said, “I was really sick as a kid, came to this hospital.”

“After, I asked my mom if we could eat here. She said no parking, so we drove past.”

“Oh,” Ming Shuzhen understood. “That must’ve hurt, thinking it was an excuse.”

“Mm, as a kid, I didn’t get why we couldn’t park. Just stop, right? Now I know—no parking allowed here.”

“Haha, yeah, it’s a crossroad near a hospital, rules and all,” Ming Shuzhen empathized.

“When I was little, I’d throw fits over toys my parents wouldn’t buy. Gave them headaches,” she shared to comfort her.

“Mm,” Ming Shuyan smiled faintly, scooping her ice cream. She’d never even thrown a tantrum.

Her first McDonald’s. Her family was strict—no outside food.

As an adult, living here, she’d outgrown the allure. But with Ming Shuzhen, the memory resurfaced.

Back then, her mother sat beside her, stone-faced, not even lowering the window when she asked. The driver sped by.

It was her first small request. Parking a block away and walking wasn’t that far.

Finishing her ice cream, Ming Shuyan lost her appetite but forced down a burger.

“So that’s the taste,” she murmured.

“Pfft,” Ming Shuzhen laughed, recalling Qian Duoduo saying the boss was loaded. “Boss, you’re so rich, finally eating us mortals’ food. Feeling nostalgic?”

“Heh,” Ming Shuyan’s mood lifted, smiling at her bright grin. “What, you’re not a mortal too?”

“No, no, no,” Ming Shuzhen wagged her finger. “You’re rich. Mortals like us work, earn, do chores, cook.”

“Your house,” Ming Shuzhen said, swallowing a bite, eyeing her, “full of maids, right? One for bags, one for massages, one just yelling ‘Welcome home, Master’ at the door?”

“You watch too much TV,” Ming Shuyan shot her a look, but her mood was clearly better.

“Mm, mmph…” Ming Shuzhen tried to speak, mouth full.

“Swallow first,” Ming Shuyan slid her juice closer.

“Mm,” Ming Shuzhen chewed diligently.

Ming Shuyan watched her, saying earnestly, “Do people often call you cute?”

“Huh?” Ming Shuzhen’s eyes widened. “Mmph, what… Not really.”

“Heh,” Ming Shuyan chuckled, getting her answer.

They finished, got their cars, and drove back to the company.

At the entrance, Han Shuyu returned from outside.

Ming Shuzhen waved both arms. “Han Shuyu!”

Hearing her, Han Shuyu jogged over. “Did the inspection?”

“Yup, yup,” Ming Shuzhen nodded. “Was just looking for you. Perfect timing.”

“What’s up?” Han Shuyu asked, nodding at Ming Shuyan. “Boss.”

Ming Shuyan eyed them warily.

“I’ve got questions about the inspection. The house had secondary renovations. I want to distinguish them from the original construction,” Ming Shuzhen said, missing Ming Shuyan’s expression.

“You could ask me,” Ming Shuyan interjected before Han Shuyu could respond.

“Uh, thought you’d be busy,” Ming Shuzhen said, embarrassed to ask, fearing she’d seem incompetent and get fired.

“Not too busy,” Ming Shuyan offered a step, hoping she’d ask for help.

But Ming Shuzhen turned to Han Shuyu. “You free now? We could talk in the fifth-floor lounge.”

“Sure,” Han Shuyu glanced at Ming Shuyan, nodding.

The three entered the company, splitting at the elevators.

Ming Shuyan, expressionless, pressed her private elevator.

Ming Shuzhen and Han Shuyu waited for the regular one.

Seeing Ming Shuyan enter, Ming Shuzhen waved enthusiastically. “Bye, Boss.”

Ming Shuyan glanced at her, then at Han Shuyu, and stepped in silently.

“Uh,” Ming Shuzhen scratched her nose, sheepish. “What’s with the boss? She was fine earlier.”

Han Shuyu, ever stoic, said, “Feels like the boss treats you differently.”

“How so?”

“How so…” Han Shuyu pondered.

The boss rarely frowned around Ming Shuzhen. Her expression softened with her.

“Maybe you’re just charming. You’ve got this high sense of security—feels comfortable around you,” Han Shuyu said.

“Huh?” Ming Shuzhen blinked. “Complimenting me?”

“Not dissing you,” Han Shuyu said, amused.

“What,” Ming Shuzhen rubbed her nose, her scrunched face adorable.

“Elevator’s here. Let’s go.”

“Oh.”

—

Near quitting time, Ming Jianchang messaged Ming Shuzhen, saying he was waiting in the garage.

She replied “OK,” uploaded her data, and waited for the end of the day.

“My dog friend’s kid got caught,” Meilin said. “She messaged me today, asking me to walk her dog again.”

As work wound down, chatter resumed.

“!” Qian Duoduo perked up. “Finally caught! Kids like that need reform school, or they’ll keep acting untouchable as minors.”

“I say reform school’s useless. Some kids are just born bad,” a colleague joined in.

Everyone debated the issue.

At 5:30, they grabbed their bags and left in sync.

In the garage, Ming Shuzhen spotted Ming Jianchang’s Jeep first.

“Dad,” her voice echoed in the open space.

“Hey!” Ming Jianchang, lounging and scrolling, grinned, showing teeth. “Off work.”

“Drive out. I’ll watch.”

“Okay.”

At noon, she and Ming Shuyan had parked together.

Opening her car door, she glanced at the next window, spotting Ming Shuyan in the driver’s seat, hand on the wheel, looking her way.

“Huh?” Ming Shuzhen paused but waved at the window.

Ming Shuyan lowered it, watching her, silent.

“…Boss is weird sometimes,” Ming Shuzhen blinked, getting in.

Under Ming Jianchang and Ming Shuyan’s watchful eyes, she started the engine and eased out.

Practice made perfect—she drove bolder than that morning.

Out of the garage, Ming Jianchang overtook her, then called.

“See? Less scary now, right?” his voice came through.

“Mm,” Ming Shuzhen nodded, feeling relaxed, her grip on the wheel less tense.

“Your boss seems to value you. She watched you closely as you pulled out,” Ming Jianchang said, chatting casually.

“You sure she wasn’t worried I’d scratch her car?” Ming Shuzhen eyed the Jeep.

He chuckled. “Could be.”

“But why didn’t she leave? She was already in her car when I got here.”

“Uh, maybe… she likes it,” Ming Shuzhen blurted.

“Likes what?” Ming Jianchang was puzzled.

“Cramped spaces. Feels safe.”

“Could be,” he nodded. “Lots of young people now, raised by parents who ignored their needs, grow up looking independent but lack security and identity, always hiding.”

“Dad, stop overanalyzing,” Ming Shuzhen groaned, honking the Jeep. “Our boss? Our company’s top-tier in the industry. She built it—how could she lack anything? Too many psych books?”

“Hey,” Ming Jianchang held his ground. “Running a great company doesn’t mean she can’t be vulnerable.”

“You don’t know her. She’s not fragile. A modern, independent woman.”

“Exactly. Outwardly successful, but there’s always a missing piece, tied to her family.”

“Worldly success or inner strength doesn’t erase that void. There’s always a moment where it hits—empty, like everything’s dimmer.”

“Uh,” Ming Shuzhen disagreed, unwilling to let anyone say Ming Shuyan was lacking.

Ming Jianchang wasn’t targeting her specifically—just exploring a concept. Realizing she felt offended, he dropped it.

“Good for you, defending your boss. That’s a workplace skill,” he said, pleased she voiced her view instead of nodding or bottling it up.

“Shut it,” Ming Shuzhen honked again.

“Don’t scare pedestrians.”

*Beep beep beep.*

—

With Han Shuyu’s help, after two days of hard work, Ming Shuzhen completed a thorough inspection report.

It detailed the primary construction and secondary renovation layers, clearly showing the wall’s noises came from the later repainting, not the contractor’s work.

Li Feiyuan couldn’t use it to extort the contractor.

Ming Shuzhen messaged him: “The report’s ready. When can you pick it up?”

No reply by end of day.

The next day at work, still nothing.

On the third day, sitting at her desk, she asked Meilin, “Meilin Sister, Li Feiyuan hasn’t replied. Should I drop the report at his place?”

“Good idea,” Meilin said, approving. Though a “nepotism hire,” Ming Shuzhen was humble and diligent, never acting superior.

Encouraged, Ming Shuzhen texted Ming Jianchang: “Dad, I’m delivering a report to a client. Don’t pick me up this afternoon.”

“OK,” he replied with a thumbs-up emoji.

“I made soup. Want me to bring it to your office? Lots to share with colleagues,” he added.

Through the screen, Ming Shuzhen felt her dad’s cautious care, not wanting to disturb her work but hoping she’d have warm soup in winter.

“Sure, bring it. Extra utensils,” she replied.

“Got it! Dropping some at your mom’s school first, then to you.”

“Dad, you’re really free lately. Did your birds hibernate?”

“Birds don’t hibernate,” he said seriously. “Only North American nightjars do. Sometimes they fall asleep incubating eggs, wake up, and—oops, where’d these chicks come from?”

Ming Shuzhen sent a nodding emoji.

At noon, Ming Jianchang arrived with a large thermos and three sets of utensils.

Outside, his face, weathered from years in rainforests and wetlands, creased with a grin.

“Go back, it’s cold,” Ming Shuzhen said, taking the thermos.

“Alright, get inside. Rest after eating—slack when you can.”

“What’re you saying,” she teased.

“Just love my girl. Don’t overwork.”

“Got it, go.”

Holding the thermos, she pressed “3” on the elevator.

At lunch, Team Two was gone, but Team One was bustling.

“Han Shuyu,” Ming Shuzhen called.

Hearing her, Han Shuyu looked up from her desk.

“Why’re you here?”

“My dad brought soup. Wanna share?” Ming Shuzhen blinked, feeling like a slacker in an honors class amid Team One’s intensity.

“Oh, I’m hungry,” Han Shuyu said, uploading data to the Red Brick app. “Thank your dad.”

“Mm,” Ming Shuzhen stood in the aisle, clutching the thermos.

Han Shuyu tidied up, shut her computer, and they took the elevator to the fifth floor.

“Your team doesn’t eat at lunch? Still working?” Ming Shuzhen whispered in the elevator.

“Oh,” Han Shuyu said, unfazed. “Heavy workload. We’re perfectionists—can’t eat if the work’s not done.”

*Can’t eat if work’s not done…* Weirdly niche.

Ming Shuzhen opened her mouth, then swallowed her words.