Even the most worn-out pot needs a lid.

Leaving Li Feiyuan’s house, Ming Shuzhen called Meilin, and everything lined up.

Meilin’s dog friend dropped out at 16, pregnant, then raised her kid doing housekeeping jobs.

Later, as an adult, she married Li Feiyuan.

But Li, a deadbeat, stole her earnings for debauchery, leading to their divorce.

Then came the kid’s trouble—Li hid him, unbeknownst to Meilin’s friend.

When the police took the kid, she felt oddly relieved.

Having sacrificed her youth raising such a failure, she was finally free.

Ming Shuzhen and Meilin, stunned by the coincidence, sighed. Meilin remembered her friend as beautiful and refined.

“Now she can live for herself,” Meilin said over the phone.

Ming Shuzhen nodded, then, realizing Meilin couldn’t see, gave a loud “Mm.”

Hanging up, she turned out of the alley and spotted a familiar silver car.

Unsure if it was Ming Shuyan’s, she stared at the driver.

By chance, the driver’s window rolled down, their eyes meeting.

“Boss?” Ming Shuzhen stopped, smiling instinctively. “What’re you doing here?”

“I went to Team Two, didn’t see you, guessed you’d be here,” Ming Shuyan said.

“Hm? Something up?” To come all this way?

Ming Shuyan didn’t admit she was worried, fearing Ming Shuzhen might get bullied at Li’s.

Seeing the locked gate and Ming Shuzhen chatting happily with an auntie, she relaxed, waiting at the intersection.

“You owe me a meal,” Ming Shuyan said bluntly.

“Uh.” All this for a meal?

“What do you want to eat, Boss?” Ming Shuzhen blinked.

“You pick. What do you want?” Ming Shuyan countered.

“Hm,” Ming Shuzhen pondered.

In winter, she craved a steaming bowl of noodle soup.

Sprinkled with green onions, creamy pork bone broth with a glossy sheen, noodles perfectly blended with the broth, distinct yet flavorful—a warm comfort in the stomach.

But treating the boss to noodles—too cheap?

Seeing Ming Shuzhen’s conflicted expression, Ming Shuyan knew she was overthinking again.

“Pick what you want,” Ming Shuyan softened her tone.

“Noodle soup okay?” Ming Shuzhen glanced up, peering out the passenger window.

Reading a hint of unease in her eyes, Ming Shuyan smiled. “Sure, it’s been a while. I miss it.”

“Oh,” Ming Shuzhen blinked. “I’ll navigate then.”

She knew a great noodle shop—spacious, tatami-style, with private rooms.

Presentable enough… hopefully.

Setting the GPS, Ming Shuzhen led in her purple Mercedes, Ming Shuyan’s silver car trailing.

Winter sunsets came early.

Through the windshield, Ming Shuzhen saw the red horizon, her eyes tinged with orange light.

With Ming Jianchang guiding her recently, driving felt less daunting.

It was like leveling up in a game—each new route unlocked boosted her confidence.

Now, she was independently unlocking the noodle shop map, with a “companion” trailing her.

Ming Shuzhen’s lips curved inexplicably. Seeing the silver car in her rearview, she felt accomplished.

They reached the shop; plenty of parking. The purple Mercedes and silver car parked side by side.

The shop was quiet despite dinner hour.

“Not good?” Ming Shuyan glanced at her.

“It’s great!” Ming Shuzhen said confidently. “My friends and I come here a lot. The owner’s ambitious, always studying new techniques.”

“Mm,” Ming Shuyan nodded. She wasn’t here for the noodles—just to be with Ming Shuzhen.

Inside, the ambitious owner, in a white apron, was checking the place’s cleanliness.

Seeing customers, he called, “Upstairs, you two? First floor’s reserved.”

“Okay,” Ming Shuzhen walked in, spotting a narrow wooden staircase.

No wonder it’s empty—booked.

To prove the shop’s quality, she turned to Ming Shuyan with a proud smile, winking.

“See? Told you it’s good.”

Her heels clicked on the wooden stairs, like tapping a big wooden clock.

In the private room, the shop served appetizers first: radish cubes, seaweed salad.

The radish, mixed with peanut bits, was crisp. Noodles not yet up, Ming Shuzhen grabbed a few bites.

Seeing her enjoy it, Ming Shuyan pushed the plate closer.

“Settling in at the company?”

“!” Ming Shuzhen felt interrogated, heart jumping, looking up.

“I’m settled. I’ve learned lots of equipment. I finished Li Feiyuan’s report, reviewed issues, and summarized.”

Her tone was serious, like giving a formal report in a meeting.

Ming Shuyan shook her head. “Not that.”

“How’s your personal life?”

Ming Shuzhen blinked.

Personal life… made friends—Meilin, Qian Duoduo, Dou Youmi, Han Shuyu; driving’s improved, bolder, road-ready.

Is that what the boss wants? How’s it work-related?

Seeing her silence, Ming Shuyan’s eyes gleamed, knowing she’d overcomplicated it or had an answer she didn’t feel like sharing.

Fair enough. Using her boss status to force a meal together didn’t mean Ming Shuzhen owed her personal details.

They weren’t friends.

Not friends.

Seeing Ming Shuyan go quiet, Ming Shuzhen felt odd.

The noodles arrived, shifting her focus.

She picked up a noodle, blowing to cool it.

*Heh, focus on eating, no need to talk,* she thought gleefully.

But Ming Shuyan, opposite, didn’t touch her chopsticks, eyes following her.

Steam rose from the noodles, framing Ming Shuyan’s refined, cool face.

She wore pearl earrings today, like wind chimes by a window, tinkling in the breeze.

“Boss, blow on the noodles; they’re not hot then. Best eaten warm,” Ming Shuzhen said, eyes shifting from the earrings to her face.

“Mm,” Ming Shuyan nodded, obediently picking up chopsticks, blowing gently on a noodle.

The steam dispersed faster.

Seeing her start, Ming Shuzhen’s eyes curved. “Personal life’s good. Great colleagues.”

Ming Shuyan swallowed a bite, glancing at her. Such a perfunctory answer.

“Your Moments said you haven’t hung out with friends much since starting work,” Ming Shuyan pressed. “Year-end’s busy, but you’re only on Li’s project, right? Vacation’s just a form to HR. Take a break if you’re free.”

“Hm?” Ming Shuzhen’s puzzled gaze moved from her noodles to Ming Shuyan.

First thought: the boss saw her Moments? She’d posted about friends being too busy to meet before adding Ming Shuyan, meaning she’d checked her profile.

Gotta check the boss’s Moments later.

Second thought: was she shading her for not focusing on work, thinking about hanging out?

She hurried to explain, “No, no, Boss. I’m super dedicated. Sometimes I’m so focused on equipment and instruments, I don’t even check my phone.”

*Heaven’s my witness, eating with the boss is dangerous.*

“…” Ming Shuyan gave her a speechless look, knowing she’d misunderstood but doubting her claim of work obsession.

“Team Two’s the best at slacking, right? Snack reimbursements outpace other teams.” Chatting when done, watching fish in the elevator hall when not, strolling the break room either way, nibbling this and that.

“Ha,” Ming Shuzhen forced a stiff smile.

Seeing her strained grin, Ming Shuyan found it amusing.

She saved face: “It’s fine. Quality work’s enough.”

To Ming Shuzhen, it sounded loaded.

Leaders’ words—hear half, flip it, reverse it.

“Quality work”? Such a deliberate phrase. Slacking off, how could she deliver quality?

Traps, all traps.

“Our team doesn’t slack often. We know our limits…” Ming Shuzhen blinked, the noodles losing flavor.

Ming Shuyan sighed. “New topic. Treat me as just Ming Shuyan, not your boss.”

“…” Ming Shuzhen recalled her “leader walks first” line.

But the topic passed.

The shop’s soundproofing was solid. Downstairs, they found a crowd.

The first floor was decorated with cutouts, flowers, balloons—likely a couple’s anniversary.

Sure enough, Ming Shuzhen overheard friends saying the couple met here, celebrating their first year.

The cutouts were pink, long-haired figures, gender unclear.

“Huh, they both look like girls,” Ming Shuzhen whispered.

Ming Shuyan glanced, knowing it was a lesbian couple.

“Both girls,” she whispered back.

“Hm?” Ming Shuzhen studied the cutouts. They did look delicate, no “guy vibe.”

“Yeah, girls can be together,” she mused, chiding herself for stereotyping.

“Pfft,” Ming Shuyan, in a good mood, didn’t frown, her lips not drooping.

“Let’s go,” she said. They’d lingered too long, intruding.

“Mm,” Ming Shuzhen nodded, following her out.

“Ride with you,” Ming Shuyan said.

She had an ulterior motive—not wanting to part after dinner. Same car, more time together.

“Huh?” Ming Shuzhen eyed the silver car. “What about that?”

“Someone’ll pick it up,” Ming Shuyan said.

“…Oh.”

“Get in then,” Ming Shuzhen said, puzzled but respectful.

The passenger seat had only held her driving instructor and Ming Jianchang.

Not even Zhong Shuo.

Now Ming Shuyan sat there, pearl earrings dangling, curly hair framing her face, a faint smile. Ming Shuzhen panicked.

So panicked, she forgot to shift, stomping the gas, the car lurching in place.

“Shift,” Ming Shuyan said, glancing.

Flustered, Ming Shuzhen shifted, calming as the car moved smoothly.

“That couple, I’m kinda jealous,” Ming Shuyan said, rarely opening up, but with Ming Shuzhen, she wanted to.

“Not caring about others’ eyes, living bravely—pretty great,” Ming Shuzhen said, eyes glued to the road.

“Mostly jealous they found their other half, hearts aligned, feelings mutual,” Ming Shuyan said, glancing at the driver, who was hyper-focused on traffic, and fell silent.

“Aw, Boss, you’re so great, you’ll find someone too,” Ming Shuzhen caught her melancholy but couldn’t look away from driving.

“Am I? What’s great?” Ming Shuyan tilted her head, expression neutral.

“Everything—good-looking, caring, capable, running a huge company…” Ming Shuzhen listed.

“So if I’m not great, I don’t deserve someone mutual?”

“What?” Ming Shuzhen thought, *what’s that mean?* “You deserve it. Even a worn pot has its lid.”

“Heh,” Ming Shuyan smiled. “Hope my lid glances my way.”

She turned, looking at Ming Shuzhen.

At a red light, Ming Shuzhen braked, meeting her gaze.

Her eyes were clear, like untouched water.

Ming Shuyan’s heart skipped. Rarely so unguarded, she felt no need to rein it in.

—

Back home, Ming Shuzhen video-called Zhong Shuo.

“Shuo, I got ambushed by the boss today,” she wailed.

“?” Zhong Shuo, munching a cucumber, eyes bleary from late nights, said, “Spill.”

Ming Shuzhen recounted running into Ming Shuyan, being made to treat her to dinner, and driving her home.

“…” Zhong Shuo raised an eye. “Not really an ambush. More like a willing meal.”

“But she’s a big boss—why’s she so free, popping up everywhere?”

“Duh,” Zhong Shuo, though not a worker, knew workplace dramas. “She values you, wants to mentor you. Climb that ladder, hug the thigh, rise fast.”

“Pillow, you’re set—Red Brick’s future CEO!” Zhong Shuo grinned, daydreaming.

“I know my limits. Value me for what?”

“Babe, look at me,” Zhong Shuo raised a brow. “Tch, look at you—cute, pure college girl. She’s smitten, betting she wants to woo you.”

“Bro,” Ming Shuzhen rolled her eyes, halting her CEO-romance fantasy. “First, I’m not a college girl anymore—I graduated. Second, my boss is a woman, not some sleazy fat boss chasing subordinates for looks.”

“Got it, babe!” Zhong Shuo stared firmly. “I know she’s a woman. So what? Your thinking’s not progressive.”

“You’d get it if you met her. She’s all work, no emotions.”

“She told you she’s emotionless? Said she’s work-obsessed? Been in her head?”

“Uh, no,” Ming Shuzhen deflated.

“Forget her. You know an app… Hot Bar? No, HER?” Ming Shuzhen switched topics, still circling Ming Shuyan.

“Yup, had it before,” Zhong Shuo squinted, suspicious. “What’s up? Who told you?”

“…Can’t I just ask?” Ming Shuzhen pouted. “Is everyone on it lesbian?”

“Not always. I used it, didn’t I?”

“Oh, are you?”

“Yup,” Zhong Shuo said casually.

“For real? Why never mentioned?” Ming Shuzhen’s eyes widened.

“Real. Didn’t think it mattered. I’m not looking for anyone—guys, girls. Time’s tight.”

“Don’t you just game and sleep?”

“Exactly, that fills my day. You think 24 hours is real? Minus eating, washing, walking—barely any left. This chat’s already half an hour.”

They veered off, but Zhong Shuo pulled it back. “When I used HER, I was too young. Uploaded our photo, got banned for being underage.”

“Pfft,” Ming Shuzhen laughed. “Serves you right for using my pic without permission.”

“You’re cute, thought you’d attract girls for me.”

“Did it work?”

“Obviously not.”

Zhong Shuo redownloaded HER. “Big sis is legal now. Let’s see what demons are on here.”

She sent a screenshot of her profile. “Look, nothing—banned clean.”

Ming Shuzhen saw it—identical to Han Shuyu’s screenshot of “Ming Shuyan’s” profile.

Stock avatar, English username, “inactive,” bio: *“Athlete, short temper, versatile, no creeps.”*

“This bio…” Ming Shuzhen frowned. “System-generated?”

“Of course not,” Zhong Shuo glared. “Little me wrote that cringey intro.”

Ming Shuzhen nodded. Zhong Shuo was an athlete. But why was her HER profile the same as the boss’s?

While video-chatting, she switched to WeChat, messaging Han Shuyu.

“Han Shuyu, you sure that HER account’s the boss’s? Could it be someone else’s?”

“Pretty sure. Saw her checking it once. But you’re right—maybe she was looking at someone else’s,” Han Shuyu replied instantly.

“Straight girls check that app?” she added.

Yeah, Ming Shuzhen didn’t even know what it was. Does the boss really like girls?

But so what? It’s irrelevant to her.

She messaged Han Shuyu: “What’s the account ID?”

“The L ID?” Han Shuyu sent a string of numbers.

Thankful Han Shuyu wasn’t nosy, Ming Shuzhen copied it to Zhong Shuo. “Is this yours?”

“!” Zhong Shuo glanced. “How’d you know?”

“It’s really yours?”

“Yup,” Zhong Shuo showed her profile data.

“Babe, why all these questions? You on the app?”

“No, my boss is, and she saw your profile.”

“What?” Zhong Shuo yelled, nearly bursting Ming Shuzhen’s eardrums. “The boss you mentioned? Why’s she on my profile? It’s empty.”

“Uh,” Ming Shuzhen calmed. “Maybe she just scrolled to it, not intentional.”

Zhong Shuo shook her head, mock-thinking. “Suspicious.”

“Let me break it down. Your boss, female, wants to woo you.”

“No, she doesn’t,” Ming Shuzhen cut in.

Undeterred, Zhong Shuo continued, “On HER, checked my profile. Hiss, is she trying to get to me through you?”

“…” Ming Shuzhen stared, deadpan. “Absurdity opened the door for ridiculous.”

“Pillow, be careful. These career women are scary—scheming, devouring you, then—” Zhong Shuo mimed a basketball toss—“dumping you. Career and love, both gone.”

“Ridiculous to the max.”

Ming Shuzhen hung up, flopped on her bed, finding the boss hard to read.

Always catching her—one moment demanding a meal, another needing a ride home, like she wants to get close.

But wasn’t that self-absorbed? A big boss, just friendly, caring for subordinates—maybe she’s like this with everyone.

As for HER or whatever, it had nothing to do with her. Stop overthinking.

Feeling settled, Ming Shuzhen hugged her blanket and fell asleep.

At the company the next day, waiting for the elevator, she glanced at the pine-paneled one, wondering if the boss would pop out.

She’d just nod like others, say “Morning, Boss,” no special treatment for two meals.

Lost in thought, a face appeared before her.

Focusing, she saw Ming Shuyan beside her, head tilted, watching.

“Eaten breakfast?” Ming Shuyan asked as she snapped back.

“Uh,” Ming Shuzhen noticed colleagues’ gossiping glances, stepping back to give them space.

“Y-Yeah, ate,” she lied. Ming Jianchang didn’t drive her today, so no breakfast—she planned to snag break room bread.

“Mm,” Ming Shuyan nodded, sensing the employees’ curious or blatant stares. Though not malicious, it was uncomfortable.

She straightened, face hardening.

The employees toned down, staring woodenly at the elevator’s red numbers.

When it arrived, they glanced at Ming Shuyan, wondering if she’d join them or take her private elevator.

Ming Shuzhen wondered too—why wait here instead of using her own?

“Get in,” Ming Shuyan said to her. “I’m heading to Team Two.”

“Oh,” Ming Shuzhen followed the crowd in.

“Boss, what floor?” someone from another team asked, fawning.

“Already pressed, no trouble,” she said coldly.

The person, unfazed, smiled. “You’re too kind, Boss.”

Ming Shuyan said nothing, glancing at Ming Shuzhen, small and toy-like, tempting to pinch.

Realizing the thought, she frowned, feeling her impulses were getting reckless.

The guy who offered to press the button saw her frown, thinking it was at him, and shrank back, assuming he’d flattered wrong.

At the fourth floor, Ming Shuyan stepped out, Ming Shuzhen behind.

Team Two members, aware of Ming Shuzhen’s “nepotism” rumors, noted the boss asking about her breakfast and stayed quiet, whispering only after exiting.

Meilin, already there, stood. Her dog friend, now living alone, didn’t need to cook or drop her kid at school, so she walked Meilin’s dog too, saving time.

“Boss,” Meilin said.

“Mm,” Ming Shuyan nodded, watching Ming Shuzhen reach her desk before speaking.

“The low-energy library project we won—I want Team Two to handle it. Need a few for a business trip. Any volunteers?”

She scanned the room, encouragingly.

Everyone looked down, avoiding eye contact.

The project, originally Team One’s under Wu Zhengyu, had communication issues and stalled.

No one wanted the hot potato.

“Meilin?” Ming Shuyan’s gaze, oppressive, returned.

“Uh, Boss, I’ve got dog-walking,” Meilin said. Everyone knew her dog, Cappuccino.

“Shuzhen?” Ming Shuyan cued another.

“Shuzhen” sounded foreign—everyone called her Full Pockets.

“Boss, you’re going?” Though Zhong Shuo’s words were nonsense, Ming Shuzhen wanted distance from Ming Shuyan to avoid nepotism rumors.

If she’s going, maybe I won’t.

“I’m going,” Ming Shuyan said, expectant.

“I… walk dogs too,” Ming Shuzhen lowered her head, lying.

Ming Shuyan paused, studying her with interest.

Her ears reddened, head down, looking extra docile.

“Didn’t know you had a dog,” Ming Shuyan raised a brow.

“Just… got one.”

“Anyone else?” Ming Shuyan moved on, scanning others.

Her gaze returned to Meilin. “By end of day, give me the trip list. At least two.”

She paused. “Ming Shuzhen’s going.”