Chapter Thirty-Nine: So It Was a Rival in Love

The institute’s cafeteria hadn’t served late-night meals on a large scale for quite some time now—there were no ongoing projects, no one working overtime, and naturally, no one coming in for a late supper. But tonight, the rare sight of the director personally leading people in for a midnight meal made everyone wonder if a major project was underway at last. Perhaps the cafeteria’s bleak winter was finally coming to an end.

With this thought in mind, the only young staffer still on duty at the cafeteria hurried off to call back the head chef, who had already changed out of his uniform and was about to head home. For such an occasion, it was only right for the boss to take charge—this was, after all, a cause for celebration worthy of the chef’s personal touch.

Upon being summoned, Chef Wang wasted no time changing back into his whites and getting to work. Soon, both wontons and stewed noodles were ready. Chef Wang, somewhat rotund, carried the dishes out himself, filling the room with an enticing aroma that quickly drew the assembled crowd.

“Director, judging by the scene tonight, is there something big happening at the institute again?” he asked hopefully, setting down the dishes and wiping his hands on his apron.

Seeing the head chef so concerned about the institute’s affairs made Director Bai quite pleased. What kind of spirit was this, if not a true sense of ownership? Even a cook cared about the institute’s fate, feeling the chill when the lips are gone and the teeth are exposed—this was the very essence of what kept the institute alive.

The director was so moved he almost promised to come for late-night meals every day from now on. Yet, holding back his excitement, he said, “Old Wang, you’ve been with us for years, so I’ll let you in on a secret. See those college students? Their project is now the institute’s priority. If they succeed, our future will be much brighter.”

Hearing this, Chef Wang felt reassured; the director’s words were as good as a guarantee. He turned with a smile to the hungry young men devouring their food. “Eat up, eat up! If you’re working overtime all night, you need to eat more. Otherwise, your body won’t keep up. Good health means good projects, and that’s the institute’s hope.”

Hurriedly swallowing his mouthful, one of them replied, “Absolutely, we’ll do our best to make this project a success and live up to everyone’s expectations.”

“Good, good, eat slowly. I’ll head back to the kitchen,” Chef Wang said with a broad grin, making his way back.

Setting his bowl down, Yang Hui glanced at the soup pot—there were still a few wontons left. He noticed that Yang Yue’s bowl was already empty. Now was his chance to shine. Xiao Bo quickly picked up the ladle and said, “Here, Yang Yue, these are pork and cabbage wontons—you’ll love them. Let me get you a few more.”

He reached for her bowl with such enthusiasm that even the other young men on the project team shook their heads, choosing to ignore him and focus on their own meals. But as Yang Yue’s official boyfriend, how could Yang Hui put up with this? Of course not. He finally understood—so this was his rival in love, and Yang Yue’s earlier hints suddenly made sense.

Regardless of whether Xiao Bo could take it or not, Yang Yue promptly refused his offer. She had eaten enough and didn’t want any more; even if she did, she certainly wouldn’t let Xiao Bo serve her.

“No need. Just give me the ladle,” she said, snatching it away from him. What happened next would remain etched in Xiao Bo’s memory.

Yang Yue had made up her mind: she needed to extinguish Xiao Bo’s hopes early on, for both their sakes. Without hesitation, she scooped some wontons into Yang Hui’s bowl, making her intentions unmistakable.

Yang Hui could only look on helplessly as Yang Yue helped herself to his bowl. Could he manage to eat any more? But when he caught sight of Xiao Bo’s face turning from shock to a deep red, his appetite returned with a vengeance—nothing was more satisfying than this.

Meanwhile, Xiao Bo, left holding an empty ladle, still thought Yang Yue had meant to serve him, only to see her ladle wontons into this fellow, Yang Hui’s, bowl. Could he be her brother? They did look similar, both surnamed Yang. The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed—perhaps he was meeting her family already. The thought made his heart race and his cheeks flush.

“Yang Yue, is this your brother? You two really look alike,” he blurted out, startling everyone. Yang Yue was too surprised to speak, and Yang Hui’s composure cracked as he set his bowl down and looked up at Xiao Bo. Director Bai, the only one who knew the truth of their relationship, almost choked on his noodles.

The other young men, having overheard that their team leader had such a sister, put down their chopsticks and scrutinized the pair, their curiosity barely concealed.

“Ahem, what are you all staring at? Eat!” Director Bai intervened, trying to ease the pressure on Yang Hui.

Though they bowed their heads, their eyes kept darting over. When Xie Lianfa picked up his bowl to eat, the others followed suit, so they could continue their covert observations.

“Comrade Xiao Bo, right? I must correct a misunderstanding,” Yang Hui said, stepping in to clarify things and defend his relationship.

If Yang Yue’s brother had something to say, Xiao Bo would of course listen. He sat up straight, attentive.

Seeing this, Yang Hui softened his tone. “First, I’m not Yang Yue’s brother, so don’t get the wrong idea. Second, Yang Yue is my girlfriend—my partner. We grew up together, childhood sweethearts from the same compound, and she transferred here with me. Third, we don’t look like siblings—our elders say we have the look of a married couple.”

Three points, each more pointed than the last, pierced straight to Xiao Bo’s heart, leaving his face a mix of green and red.

This revelation was too much for the young men of the project team—they lost all appetite, ignoring the director’s earlier admonition, and looked from Yang Hui to Xiao Bo, and finally to Yang Yue herself. They marveled at their leader’s good fortune: career on the rise, love in full bloom—who could compete? Compared to themselves, there was simply no contest.

Unable to bear the awkwardness any longer, Xiao Bo stood up. “Well, I’m done. You all enjoy,” he said, turning and leaving without hesitation. Director Bai hurried after him, shooting a fierce glare at Yang Hui on his way out. This young man was only here on loan—if anything happened, Old Yu back at the other institute would have his head.

Ah, no wonder Old Yu insisted on transferring the matter here—what a headache these young people were, always causing him trouble.

“Xiao Bo, you…” he called after him, hoping to comfort the heartbroken young man, but the words died in his throat.

“Thank you, Director Bai, I’ll be fine. Don’t worry—one good night’s sleep and I’ll be over it,” Xiao Bo replied, picking up his luggage and heading out.

“Oh, right—Director Bai, where am I staying tonight?”

“No problem, I’ll take you straight to the singles’ dormitory. No need to spend the night at the guesthouse,” Director Bai replied, hastily shouldering a bag himself, all formality forgotten.

Back in the cafeteria, the conversation resumed.

“Team leader, impressive! A real master of disguise,” Xie Lianfa, always the talkative one, was first to break the tension.

“That’s right—no wonder you’re our leader, always one step ahead,” Pan Wen chimed in.

Seeing their interest, Yang Hui regained his composure and nodded. “Let me introduce my girlfriend, Yang Yue. As Director Bai mentioned, she’s been seconded here from the other institute to help us with the airframe design.”

Although the director had already introduced her, Yang Hui repeated it, if only to ease the awkwardness.

“Hello, everyone. I hope we can complete this project together. We’ll need all hands on deck for the airframe—there aren’t many of us.”

Sensing the conversation turning back to work, the others got the hint. “Alright, we’re full anyway—let’s get going,” someone said, and soon only Yang Hui and Yang Yue remained.

Yang Hui picked up a large bag and headed for the guesthouse. “You’ll have to stay there again tonight. But don’t worry—I’ve been assigned a dorm room, so there won’t be any confusion about the rooms tonight.”

At this, both of them laughed, recalling the overly enthusiastic guesthouse attendant from before.

“You didn’t expect me to come today, did you?”

“No, I didn’t. It was quite a surprise,” Yang Hui replied, though it was unclear just which surprise he meant…