dognovel Chapter 4: Was he actually married?
Chapter 4: Was he actually married?
Tan Haoyu listened briefly to the work reports from each business department.
He would sometimes nod slightly, sometimes furrow his brow, and his questions were always incisive.
After the report, he did not linger and left with his group.
As soon as his figure disappeared from sight, the business department seemed to have been unleashed and became lively again.
Colleagues started gossiping amongst themselves.
"You guys say the new CEO is so outstanding, is he married or not?" a young female colleague asked with a face full of curiosity.
"I think he must be married. A man as successful as him must have a supportive wife behind him," a long-time employee guessed.
“Maybe he’s still single. A career-oriented man like that doesn’t have time for dating,” another colleague retorted.
Zhu Ziqing listened silently to everyone's discussion, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
She didn't know how to participate in the discussion, so she chose to remain silent.
Finally, a long day at work came to an end.
Colleagues left the office one after another, and the laughter and chatter gradually faded away in the corridor.
Zhu Ziqing sat alone in her seat, slowly packing her things.
Her movements were somewhat slow, and her mind seemed to be in a tangled mess.
She didn't know how to face Tan Haoyu, and even began to hesitate about whether to go home.
The thought of being alone with Tan Haoyu made her feel nervous and uneasy.
After some deliberation, Zhu Ziqing decided to walk home.
She felt that taking a walk might calm her chaotic thoughts and allow her to reflect on the complicated relationship between the two of them.
Zhu Ziqing arrived at Homer Fresh Supermarket, which was bustling with people.
She pushed her shopping cart slowly through the shelves, her eyes lingering on the various ingredients.
She hesitated, wondering whether she should call Tan Haoyu and ask him what he liked to eat.
But then again, it felt a little strange, since their relationship was still quite delicate.
After much hesitation, she decided to choose the ingredients according to her own ideas.
After shopping, Zhu Ziqing carried the bags home.
As evening fell, the afterglow of the setting sun cast long shadows on the streets.
Just then, she unexpectedly ran into Tan Haoyu.
He was standing at the entrance of the residential compound, waiting for her to come back.
At this moment, Tan Haoyu was dressed in casual clothes.
A simple white shirt paired with black casual pants creates a clean and neat look.
He stood tall and walked with a steady gait.
That calm and reserved temperament was even more captivating in the sunset, making Zhu Ziqing unable to resist taking a few more glances.
Zhu Ziqing took a deep breath and mustered her courage to greet Tan Haoyu: "Hi."
Her voice was a little dry, with a hint of nervousness.
Tan Haoyu stopped and nodded slightly: "Mm."
His expression remained indifferent, and his eyes showed little emotion.
The two locked eyes and instantly fell into an awkward atmosphere.
Zhu Ziqing felt that the air around her had become somewhat thin.
She didn't know what to say, but the silence made her feel uncomfortable.
Zhu Ziqing secretly sized up Tan Haoyu and suddenly noticed that he was now wearing glasses.
Those glasses added a touch of refined elegance to him, making him look even more composed and handsome.
Tan Haoyu frowned slightly as he looked at the heavy bag in Zhu Ziqing's hand, and offered to help her carry it.
Zhu Ziqing subconsciously took a step back and quickly waved her hand, "No need, I can do it myself."
Her refusal was somewhat abrupt, and after saying it, she felt it was inappropriate.
The two walked into the apartment building together and entered the elevator.
The elevator was so quiet that only their slightly rapid breathing could be heard, and the cramped space made the awkward atmosphere even more intense.
Zhu Ziqing stared at the elevator floor number, hoping the elevator would arrive soon.
Back home, Tan Haoyu scratched his head awkwardly and said, "I can't cook, and I rarely go into the kitchen."
Zhu Ziqing smiled, trying to ease the tense atmosphere: "It's okay, I'll do it."
Tan Haoyu said, "Thank you."
His tone was indifferent, but Zhu Ziqing could still sense a hint of distance.
Zhu Ziqing responded awkwardly, "It's okay, it's what I should do."
She felt a little disappointed, as if the relationship between the two of them was very distant, like there was a thick layer of glass between them.
You can see the other person clearly, but you can't actually touch them.
Zhu Ziqing went into the kitchen and began preparing dinner.
She tied on her apron with swift and practiced movements.
She first sorted and organized the ingredients, and then started washing and chopping the vegetables.
The sound of the cleaver hitting the cutting board echoed in the quiet kitchen.
Tan Haoyu stood at the kitchen doorway, looking hesitantly at Zhu Ziqing's busy figure.
After a while, he spoke up, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
His tone carried a hint of embarrassment; he wasn't quite used to this kind of scene in the kitchen.
Zhu Ziqing glanced back at him, smiled, and said, "No need, you can wait there, it'll be over soon."
There was a hint of tenderness in her eyes, hoping to make Tan Haoyu feel more relaxed.
While chopping vegetables, Zhu Ziqing kept recalling the moments between the two of them from the time they met until now.
She realized that marriage is like a complicated dish.
It requires careful management; we cannot give up because of temporary difficulties.
She secretly resolved to work hard to improve her relationship with Tan Haoyu.
She decided to start going home earlier every day from tomorrow.
This way, Tan Haoyu can prepare a sumptuous dinner.
Spending more time together might allow us to understand each other better.
Regardless of Tan Haoyu's position in the company, she must cherish this marriage and make this family more warm.
At home, the air seemed to freeze, and there was complete silence.
Tan Haoyu's deep eyes were fixed on Zhu Ziqing's busy back.
His gaze held a complex mix of emotions, a hint of tenderness that was hard to detect, and a touch of helplessness in the face of the current situation.
He just watched quietly, as if trying to etch Zhu Ziqing's image into his heart.
After a moment, he frowned slightly, with a hint of reluctance and hesitation, and turned to walk towards the study.
His tall figure exuded an aura that kept strangers at bay.
But only he knew that beneath that cold exterior, his heart had already been stirred by Zhu Ziqing.
He had to deal with work that seemed never-ending.
But all I could think of was Zhu Ziqing busy in the kitchen.
Zhu Ziqing seemed oblivious to Tan Haoyu's departure, focusing intently on preparing dinner.
She skillfully chops and stir-fries vegetables, her movements light and efficient, as if this small kitchen were her stage.
Every movement she makes is filled with love for life; she cooks with care.
Because she knew that this was not just a dinner, but also a way to maintain the subtle feelings between them.
Soon, a delicious aroma filled the air, and a feast of three dishes and a soup appeared on the table.
The color and presentation clearly show that a lot of effort was put into it.
Just like her relationship, although she was confused, she was still trying her best to make it work.