She will be with Zhenzhen forever.

Ming Shuzhen strutted into the company in her new outfit, turning heads.

The receptionist, Ke Mingpeng, greeted her warmly. “Full Purse! Morning!”

Ming Shuzhen, in high spirits, smiled back. “Morning!”

“New clothes? They look great on you.”

“Heh, thanks. You look great too—those earrings are sparkling.” Ming Shuzhen returned the compliment, heading to the elevator with a grin.

Today, after work, she’d be dining with Zhong Shuo and Zhang Baobao, bringing their partners along, so she was buzzing with anticipation.

Zhong Shuo and Zhang Baobao hadn’t met Ming Shuyan yet; they’d only chatted in the group, like online friends.

Was this a meetup, then? Ming Shuzhen chuckled to herself, proud that her partner would definitely impress.

With the New Year approaching, everyone was wrapping up tasks.

Though Ming Shuzhen had only been at the company for two months, she’d done plenty and had lots to review and organize.

Qian Duoduo, at her desk, eyed Ming Shuzhen’s outfit suspiciously.

Catching her gaze, Ming Shuzhen knew why.

Matching outfits with the boss? Thrilling just to think about.

But this wasn’t a coincidence—it was a couple’s outfit.

After a few glances, Qian Duoduo muttered, “You and the boss in sister outfits, huh?”

Ming Shuzhen wanted to correct her—not sister outfits.

But she couldn’t.

So she nodded vaguely, inadvertently cementing her “connected household” label.

Qian Duoduo thought to herself, *See? She denied any connection before, but now she’s owning it.*

Work was busy, but Ming Shuzhen kept an eye on her phone.

Set to vibrate in the office, it buzzed like it was on a hot plate.

The group chat was lively.

“Everyone, any plans for the Little New Year?” Zhong Shuo, free from her gaming grind, sounded human again.

“I’m lugging my camera to International Park to shoot the fireworks show and interview passersby,” Chang Yongxi replied first.

“What? Didn’t you switch jobs? Still no break for the Little New Year?”

“Break? Haven’t seen that word since I started working,” Chang Yongxi quipped.

“Hugs.” Zhang Baobao sent an emoji.

Chang Yongxi wasn’t one to whine, or he wouldn’t have been welcomed into the besties’ group.

“I’ll definitely have time during the New Year. We can meet up again,” he added. “Or want to join me at International Park for fireworks? I’ll snap pics for you.”

“Sounds good,” Zhong Shuo replied. “This year’s special, though. We’re all graduated, Baobao’s a proper grad student, and we’re all out in the world. Kinda bittersweet.”

Ming Shuzhen smiled at the message. “Bittersweet? Work has its own freedom. As long as we’re all together, it’s all good.”

“Yeah,” Zhong Shuo agreed, shaking off the mood. “Let’s plan the Little New Year. I’ll start a group poll later.”

Then she added, “Chang Yongxi, we won’t count you out. Pillow, is your partner joining?”

*Partner…*

Ming Shuzhen grinned at the word.

She texted Ming Shuyan, “The group’s planning how to spend the Little New Year. You in?”

Ming Shuyan replied quickly, “I saw the group chat. I’m in.”

“Cool.”

Ming Shuzhen responded in the group, then wondered why Ming Shuyan was lurking.

She texted her, “Wife, you feeling shy? Not chatting in the group?”

“Nah,” Ming Shuyan replied, pausing.

Sensitive as she was, she sensed Ming Shuzhen picking up on her unease.

She added, “Maybe I’m not that close with them yet. It’ll get better with time.”

“Oh…”

Ming Shuyan continued, “I’ve always been closed off, not used to this kind of closeness.”

Not wanting Ming Shuzhen to worry, she quickly added, “But planning with friends, figuring out where to go, what to do—it’s new and special to me.”

“As long as I’m with you, I’m happy.”

“Mm.” Ming Shuzhen blinked. “Didn’t know you had such a sweet tongue.”

“Heh,” Ming Shuyan chuckled.

Ming Shuzhen didn’t push. “In our house, I handle the outside world. You just focus on me.”

“Chat freely if you want, or lurk if you don’t.”

“You won’t mind if I neglect your friends?” Ming Shuyan teased.

“My wife? I’m spoiling her. She can do whatever she wants.”

“Whatever I want?” Ming Shuyan laughed boldly.

“Yup!” Ming Shuzhen, naive, didn’t sense a challenge.

“Alright, don’t back out,” Ming Shuyan said, suppressing a smile.

“No regrets,” Ming Shuzhen declared confidently.

Ming Shuyan dropped the topic, saying, “Pillow, being with you makes me so happy.”

“Whether it’s joining your friend circle or your openness with me.”

“Why so sappy all of a sudden?”

“Feeling it,” Ming Shuyan said again.

Another heartfelt moment.

…

After work, they met at Southeast Hotel.

Zhong Shuo had booked it, and the waiter led them to their reserved private room.

The menu was pre-set, skipping the ordering hassle.

“Ahem, my wife, Ming Shuyan,” Ming Shuzhen introduced.

They were lounging in the sofa area before dinner. “This is Zhong Shuo, my childhood friend.”

“Hi,” Ming Shuyan said, familiar with the name.

The formal introduction led to a brief handshake.

Then Zhang Baobao and Chang Yongxi, in the corner.

Having chatted in the group, the meetup wasn’t too awkward.

Ming Shuzhen winked at Ming Shuyan.

They discussed New Year plans, with Zhong Shuo brainstorming, Ming Shuzhen checking feasibility, and Zhang Baobao chiming in.

Ming Shuyan stayed quiet, sipping tea from her cup.

She loved the tea in hotel tea rooms—maybe the clay pot or her empty stomach made it so comforting.

Not bitter, not cloying, not bland like plain water.

Watching the lively women on the sofa, she felt content.

This was what healthy love felt like.

Comfortable, safe, joyful. Even the tea tasted good.

They settled on watching fireworks at International Park.

Sure, the park had fireworks every year, always similar, crowded, and neck-straining, but this year was different.

No longer students, and bringing partners along.

So, fireworks it was.

With the Little New Year came the company’s annual dinner.

Qian Duoduo said the company booked a banquet hall, the whole team gathering to eat and drink.

They’d hire affordable influencers to sing and dance, with raffles and games.

Though Ming Shuzhen had seen company gala videos online, experiencing it firsthand was exciting.

Half a year post-graduation, two months into her job, she sometimes felt like a student.

But at the gala, she embraced her working adult identity.

*

On gala day, Ming Shuzhen had Zhong Shuo do her makeup differently—bold eyeshadow, extended eyeliner, brighter foundation, like a little wildcat.

“Wow, your boss will lose it seeing you like this,” Zhong Shuo teased.

Ming Shuzhen grinned, lips pursed.

Driving to the venue, she followed signs to the banquet hall.

Turning a long corridor, she spotted Ming Shuyan.

Her long hair was down, softer than her usual sharp look, likely to seem approachable tonight.

“Hey?” Ming Shuzhen let out a surprised sound but saw other executives beside her and switched to, “Good evening, President Ming, President Ji, President Chen…”

Hearing “President Ming,” Ming Shuyan squinted subtly.

“Mm,” she nodded.

The other executives, unfamiliar with her, nodded perfunctorily.

As they passed, Ming Shuyan discreetly brushed Ming Shuzhen’s hand behind her back.

Her face remained expressionless, moving forward.

Ming Shuzhen’s eyes widened—she hadn’t expected such boldness.

The forbidden thrill, like a secret affair, was intoxicating.

Her scalp tingled as she touched the spot Ming Shuyan grazed, suppressing a smile as she walked on.

The banquet hall was opulent, with heating and AC.

Ming Shuzhen shed her coat, a waiter promptly taking it.

Spotting Team Two in a corner, she hurried over like finding her pack.

“Full Purse is here,” Qian Duoduo called. “Lots of drinks—pick one.”

Ming Shuzhen eyed the colorful liquids on the table. “Alcohol?”

“Nah, just sweet drinks.”

“Oh.” She grabbed a purple one, no worries.

They chatted, Ming Shuzhen sticking with Team Two, her circle small.

Seeing new faces, Qian Duoduo shared their illustrious backgrounds.

When Ming Shuyan entered with Presidents Ji and Chen, Ming Shuzhen’s attention shifted, watching her take the stage.

Ming Shuyan held a glass of fizzy white liquid—Ming Shuzhen thought Sprite, but her swirling motion suggested white wine.

Their eyes met briefly across the crowd, a tender glance, then quickly averted.

“See those two executives?” Qian Duoduo nudged her.

Ming Shuzhen snapped back. “Haven’t seen them before.”

“They’re from the parent company. Never came to past galas—wonder what’s up this year,” Qian Duoduo mused.

“The blonde’s Ji Chengyu, the one in the tailored suit’s Chen Chen. They seem tight with the boss.”

“Oh…” Ming Shuzhen noted.

“Guess what their deal is?” Qian Duoduo’s eyes gleamed with gossip.

“What?”

Qian Duoduo pressed her thumbs together, winking.

Ming Shuzhen got it instantly.

Then thought of herself and Ming Shuyan.

Her face showed she’d eaten big gossip but worried others might dig into hers. “You… don’t mind?”

“Mind what?” Qian Duoduo shrugged. “Not my place. Oh, they’re looking!”

Ming Shuzhen followed her gaze. The three on stage were indeed looking her way—especially her!

Ming Shuyan was one thing, but why Ji and Chen?

Uncomfortable, she looked away, then back, seeing Ji and Chen now chatting, ignoring her.

Ming Shuyan still watched, her gaze calm, lips curving slightly when Ming Shuzhen looked back.

The distant greeting, amid the crowd, made Ming Shuzhen tug her lips, quickly masking it to avoid notice.

Ming Shuyan, seeing her reaction, couldn’t help but smile, eyes crinkling deeply.

Ming Shuzhen, caught by her laugh, gave a goofy grin, less captivating but adorable.

The banquet began, people sitting by familiarity. Ming Shuzhen joined Meilin and Qian Duoduo.

A professional host kicked things off, followed by a pretty influencer singing, then a street dance crew.

More performances followed, and Ming Shuzhen watched leisurely, feeling at ease.

Her table, all Team Two, was relaxed—no one held back, eating or watching as they pleased.

With no drinking culture at Red Brick, no one pushed alcohol or acted superior, making the meal pleasant.

Midway, Ming Shuzhen’s phone buzzed. It was Ming Shuyan.

Heart racing, she glanced around, ensuring no one noticed, then checked the message, hugging the screen close.

It was a photo of her, looking like a dazed goose in the crowd. How Ming Shuyan spotted her was a mystery.

Ming Shuyan’s table was up front, facing hers, with her in the host’s seat.

“Your makeup looks great today,” Ming Shuyan texted.

Ming Shuzhen’s heart fluttered. “Zhong Shuo did it.”

“Looks good,” Ming Shuyan affirmed again.

Ming Shuzhen pocketed her phone, sitting up, craning to see Ming Shuyan.

With tables and varying heights in the way, it was tough.

Ming Shuyan texted, “Stop looking for me. Watch the show.”

“Okay,” she replied but kept stealing glances.

Finally spotting Ming Shuyan in the center, she grinned foolishly, surprised at her prominence.

Then she felt silly, giggling randomly like a weirdo.

“Wife, I really love you,” she texted impulsively, unbothered by the setting.

Ming Shuyan didn’t reply, but Ming Shuzhen knew she saw it—her head was down, smiling at her phone.

“Sigh.” Ming Shuzhen gulped her drink, feeling a rush.

The waiter swiftly refilled it, making her wonder if he’d noticed her goofy grins.

At Ming Shuyan’s table, Chen Chen and Ji Chengyu teased her like they’d seen a miracle.

“What, still working at this hour?”

“Nah, chatting with her sweetheart, I bet.”

Their banter made Ming Shuyan pocket her phone, glaring.

“Wow, such a complex, bittersweet expression on our President Ming’s face—first time,” they teased, unfazed.

Ming Shuyan sighed dramatically, texting Ming Shuzhen, “Me too.”

She set her phone down, meeting their gazes. “Finally got your chance to roast me, huh?”

“You bet.”

“When do we meet her?”

“We cleared our schedules for this gala—haven’t come in years.”

Ming Shuyan smiled at their tag-team act.

She’d started the business with Ji Chengyu and Chen Chen, dabbling in different fields, some joint ventures. Back then, she’d wondered how they could be so sappy in love, so perfectly matched, their sharp tongues unbeatable.

Now, with someone to be sappy with, she realized how wonderful it felt.

She was finally living this blissful life, while they’d been at it for years—jealousy-inducing.

But she’d be with Pillow forever, she thought.

“Ahem,” Ming Shuyan said, her expression shifting awkwardly. “The… clothes I mentioned. Did you find them?”

“Huh?” Ji Chengyu paused, then grinned, recalling the “play” outfits. “All set, every style. When do you want them? I’ll have them sent.”

“Um…” Ming Shuyan looked down. “Send them over.”

…

The banquet continued with the host announcing outstanding employees.

Winners strode up proudly, posing for photos with certificates and bonuses.

Ming Shuzhen heard Han Shuyu’s name and scanned for her.

She snapped several close-ups of Han Shuyu, sending them with, “So awesome!”

Han Shuyu didn’t reply, likely just offstage.

During the game segment, Ming Shuzhen, uninterested, chatted with Team Two or texted Han Shuyu.

Han Shuyu knew about her and Ming Shuyan—Ming Shuzhen had told her.

Her reaction was calm, unsurprised.

Ji Chengyu took the stage to speak.

Ming Shuyan disliked the spotlight and motivational speeches, so the deputy usually spoke. This year, with Ji and Chen from the parent company, they took over.

Ji Chengyu stood, microphone in hand, calmly addressing the crowd.

She spoke slowly about the parent company’s experiences.

Later, she showed a video, projecting her phone onto the multimedia screen.

Everyone looked up.

She used Ming Shuyan’s phone. Ji, playful, claimed hers was dead, then Chen’s, so the video was sent to Ming Shuyan’s.

The polished video held attention.

Three minutes in, the phone screen timed out. Ji, by the control panel, signaled Ming Shuyan to enter the password.

Ming Shuyan walked over, grumbling, “Didn’t you ask for the password earlier?”

“Oh,” Ji Chengyu realized.

Before Ming Shuyan could act, Ji lit the screen to input the code.

The lock screen showed Ming Shuzhen—her in a school uniform, marching, eyes forward, arms swinging, radiating youth.

Ming Shuyan loved it so much she’d set it as her wallpaper.

But she hadn’t expected it to be exposed to everyone.

Ji froze, staring at the image.

Ming Shuyan quickly entered the password, resuming the video.

But everyone had seen.

Not everyone knew Ming Shuzhen as the “connected household,” but Team Two did.

A brief silence fell.

Ming Shuzhen, seeing her photo on the big screen, froze. She hadn’t known it was Ming Shuyan’s phone.

Seeing her go over, she guessed it was her wallpaper.

The photo was old, buried deep in her Moments. Had Ming Shuyan scoured her profile?

Qian Duoduo glanced at her, silent, then caught Meilin’s eye.

*Still claiming no connection?*

The boss had set Full Purse as her wallpaper—such a doting “sister.”

Unaware at first, Ming Shuzhen felt the stares.

Her face burned with a mix of “Wow, Ming Shuyan’s so romantic” and embarrassment at being caught in public.

As she fidgeted, Ming Shuyan’s calm gaze met hers from the control panel.

Her expression was steady, unperturbed.

It calmed Ming Shuzhen.

*Whatever. Let them assume “connected household” or “boss’s sister.”*