pjbooks Chapter 39: Couldn't you have lied to me even once?
Chapter 39: Couldn't you have lied to me even once?
It was noon when Chen Mo got home.
He simply made a pan-fried chicken breast with a vegetable salad, ate it, cleaned up the kitchen, and checked the time: 1:30 pm.
According to his plan, he should start writing his novel.
Chen Mo opened his computer and logged into the author's backend. The number of favorites for "The Immortal Clan in the Mortal World" increased by more than 100, and is now close to 600.
The trial recommendation is gradually showing results, and the comment section is seeing more new and positive comments.
Chen Mo smiled, closed the page, and started typing.
He was in good form today; his thoughts flowed smoothly, he wrote very easily, and his efficiency was high.
Writing online novels is hard work, but seeing the story in your heart come to life is truly fulfilling.
unconsciously.
Three hours had passed in the afternoon, and Chen Mo had already written nearly six thousand words.
He stopped to rest, rubbed his wrists, and was about to get up to pour water when his phone vibrated.
When I opened it, it was a WeChat message from Zhongyi.
Zhong Yi: [Chen Mo, what are you doing? Are you free tonight?]
Chen Mo: [What, found something delicious again?]
Zhong Yi: [Hmm, shall we come?]
Chen Mo: [Okay, time and place?]
Zhongyi: [6:30 PM, I've sent you the location, see you then.]
Chen Mo: [Okay.]
Putting down his phone, Chen Mo glanced at the time. It was a little past four in the afternoon, and there were still two hours until his dinner appointment. He decided to write for a while longer.
At 5:30, he turned off his computer on time, changed his clothes, and went out.
The location sent by the other party was a hot pot restaurant called "Xiangzi Shen Hot Pot," located in a small alley in the old city.
I heard the storefront isn't big, but business is booming and there are often long queues.
When Chen Mo arrived, Zhong Yi was already sitting by the window waiting for him.
She wore a light blue dress today, her hair was loosely tied up, revealing her slender neck, and she looked much softer than usual.
She smiled and waved when she saw Chen Mo.
"Pretty punctual."
Chen Mo sat down opposite her and said naturally, "Of course I should be eager to get a free meal."
The two had known each other for quite some time and were not at all reserved when they were together.
"Let's order, I'm starving." Zhong Yi pushed the menu over.
Chen Mo didn't stand on ceremony and ordered several signature dishes: tripe, beef aorta, beef slices, and shrimp paste, along with a few kinds of vegetables.
We chose a half-and-half hot pot, with clear broth and half chili oil.
While waiting for the food, Zhongyi rested her chin on her hand and looked at him with a smile, saying, "You look great, have you had any happy moments lately?"
"There really is."
Chen Mo answered truthfully, "Does a promotion and a raise count?"
"Really?"
Zhong Yi smiled and said, "Congratulations! But since that's the case, you have to treat me to dinner today."
"Okay, no problem."
Chen Mo joked, "I'm not short of money."
"Wow, getting a promotion really makes a difference."
Zhong Yi smiled and asked, "How does it feel to be a junior manager now?"
"The pressure has just increased."
Chen Mo spoke frankly: "If a project doesn't go well, I'll be the first one to get scolded."
"But there are also more opportunities now."
Zhong Yi said seriously, "Unlike me, I'm still just a lowly fashion designer's assistant, and I don't even know when I'll become a designer."
"Keep going, it'll be quick."
Chen Mo nodded without saying anything more.
Zhong Yi didn't want to steer the conversation back to herself, so she changed the subject, saying, "By the way, your video is getting more and more views. People on my WeChat Moments were sharing it yesterday."
"..."
Chen Mo said helplessly, "Why hasn't this stopped yet?"
"That means you have potential."
Zhong Yi's eyes lit up, and she said, "Aren't you really considering opening a Douyin account?"
Even if you don't show your face, posting some singing clips would be helpful; it could build up a following, which might be useful later.
"Not interested."
Chen Mo shook his head and said, "Right now, I just want to do a good job on the project and get back in shape. I don't have the energy for anything else."
"Exercising?" Zhongyi caught the key phrase.
"Um."
Chen Mo smiled and said, "I just went to the gym today and got a membership and a personal trainer. I plan to train systematically."
"That's amazing!"
Zhong Yi gave a thumbs up and said, "The most attractive men are those who are self-disciplined."
Stop teasing me.
Chen Mo said, "I'm fine, I'm just practicing for fun."
At this point, the broth and vegetables were served one after another.
The chili oil sizzled and bubbled, filling the air with its aroma. The two ate and chatted.
Zhong Yi was very talkative, and Chen Mo listened and occasionally chimed in with a few words, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
Halfway through the meal, Zhong Yi suddenly put down her chopsticks, her expression becoming more serious.
"Chen Mo, actually, besides having dinner, there's something else I wanted to tell you today."
"What is it?" Chen Mo looked up.
"I'm being transferred to the Shanghai branch next month."
Zhong Yi said softly, "It might take a month, and maybe I'll stay there for a long time."
Chen Mo was taken aback: "So sudden?"
"It wasn't sudden. The company had this plan in mind for a while. I applied for this spot for a long time, and it was only approved last week."
Zhong Yi smiled and said, "It's a good opportunity. I heard that both the job title and salary will increase."
"Well... congratulations."
Chen Mo raised his glass and said, "I wish you all the best."
"Thanks."
Zhong Yi clinked glasses with him, her eyes filled with complex emotions, and said, "Actually, I'm a little reluctant to leave. After all, I've been in Jiangzhou for so many years, and all my friends are here."
"Shanghai isn't far either, just a two-hour high-speed train ride. You can come back anytime," Chen Mo reassured him.
"Too."
Zhong Yi nodded and said, "But it won't be as convenient to meet up in the future, so I'll try to ask you out a few more times before I leave."
"..."
Chen Mo felt a mix of emotions.
That's how the workplace is; people come and go, and gatherings and separations are unpredictable.
Zhongyi is one of the few friends he can get along with; she's a straightforward and direct girl.
She was indeed a little reluctant to leave.
"When are you leaving?"
Chen Mo said, "I'll see you off later."
I'm leaving tomorrow or the day after.
Zhongyi joked, "There's no need to send it. I'm afraid I'll be too sad to part with you and cry, which would be too embarrassing."
"It can't be that bad."
"How could it not be that bad?"
Zhong Yi glared at him, then pouted and said, "I may seem carefree, but I'm actually quite sentimental."
"Yeah?"
Chen Mo laughed and said, "I really didn't see that coming."
The two chatted for a while longer, and it was already past eight o'clock when they finished their meal.
Although Zhongyi verbally asked Chen Mo to treat her, she actually insisted on paying the bill in the end.
The reason is that this is her "farewell banquet," and she is in charge.
Chen Mo didn't argue much and went along with her.
As I stepped out of the hot pot restaurant, the night breeze carried the heat of summer.
"Do you have any plans for the future?" Zhongyi asked.
Chen Mo replied, "No, I'm getting ready to go home."
"Would you like to walk with me a little longer?"
"OK."
The two strolled slowly along the old street.
The streetlights cast a dim yellow glow, the shadows of the trees swayed gently, and the small shops along the roadside were still lit up, with pedestrians occasionally brushing past each other.
Zhong Yi suddenly started humming a song softly; it was Jay Chou's "All the Way North".
"The world in the rearview mirror, a farewell that grows ever more distant..."
Chen Mo listened quietly without interrupting.
After humming a verse, Zhongyi stopped and laughed self-deprecatingly.
"Isn't that a bit pretentious? And it's not even as good as the singing?"
"No, it sounds pretty good," Chen Mo said honestly.
Zhongyi turned to look at him, her eyes appearing soft under the light.
"Chen Mo, I've always thought you were quite special."
"What's so special about it?"
"I can't quite put my finger on it, it's just... different from other men."
Zhong thought for a moment and described them as: "Not impetuous, not greasy, has goals, and is willing to work hard."
Most importantly, I feel comfortable around you; I don't have to pretend, and I can be myself.
"..."
Chen Mo was a little embarrassed by the praise and laughed, "Don't flatter me, I'm just an ordinary working person."
"Ordinary working people don't become internet sensations just by singing a song while camping."
Chen Mo: "..."
She paused, then suddenly lowered her voice.
"After I leave, will you feel lost without me as your dining companion?"
"have no idea."
Chen Mo smiled truthfully and said, "I'll only know the answer after you leave."
Zhong Yi couldn't help but roll her eyes: "Can't you even lie to me once?"
Chen Mo laughed and said, "Okay, then I definitely won't get used to it, and I'll miss you too."
"Hmph, not a shred of sincerity."
Zhong Yi pouted and said, "When I get back, I'll block you on WeChat."
"fine."
Chen Mo said, "But take good care of yourself in Shanghai. Contact me anytime if you need anything. I won't block you."
Zhong Yi paused for a moment, then nodded: "Mm."
The two stopped at the street corner.
Zhong Yi hailed a taxi, and before opening the car door, she suddenly turned around and gently hugged Chen Mo.
It was very brief, a fleeting moment.
"I'm leaving. Keep in touch."
"Okay, be careful on the road."
Watching the taxis merge into the traffic, Chen Mo stood there for a while before turning around and walking towards the subway station.
He could tell that Zhong Yi seemed to have a pretty good impression of him.
They had only known each other for a short time and had just gotten to know each other when she left due to work.
Back home, after washing up, Chen Mo lay on the bed when the system interface popped up.
[Brave Lifestyle Contributor Progress Update: 82%]
It rose another 2% today.