The next day, Friday, there was a welcome dinner in the evening.

Xiao Jiang sent the venue’s address to the group at noon, and then sent another message privately to Luo Qi: [Sister Luo, you are responsible for paying the bill tonight, remember to bring your card.]

Luo Qi was grateful for the reminder, even though Jiang Shenghe’s card was always in her wallet.

Xiao Jiang, having finally completed the task assigned by the big boss, leaned back in his chair, drank his coffee, and breathed a sigh of relief.

The dinner will be held in a tavern with two floors. There were six or seven tables downstairs and an open hall upstairs with long tables, suitable for a gathering of more than a dozen people.

It was recommended to him by his girlfriend. In her words, it has a great atmosphere, with dim lights and just the right amount of ambiguity. The overall decor gave people a sense of the vicissitudes of life and even a hint of desolation, full of people’s stories, but at the same time revealed a bit of hope and warmth.

Including Jiang Sixun, there were nine people in total for the welcome dinner. He ordered the dishes from the tavern owner in advance. In fact, it didn’t matter at all what he ate. The most important thing was that Luo Qi was happy.

The tavern owner said they would be open until two or three in the morning on weekends, so they didn’t have to worry about closing time.

Jiang Shenghe texted @everyone in the group: [No need for anyone to drive, let the drivers take you there, and my car can still seat two people.]

Luo Qi made plans with Secretary Ju, and they took a company car to the venue.

Xiao Jiang and another colleague had no choice but to bite the bullet and get into the boss’ car.

“I haven’t been here before.” Luo Qi looked out the window and saw unfamiliar surroundings.

Secretary Ju has never been here before either, “Xiao Jiang is very diligent to find such a good place.”

The tavern was called: ‘Come, I’m still here’.

Luo Qi fell in love with this name at first sight and couldn’t explain why she liked it.

She took her mobile phone, raised her head slightly, and took a picture of the wooden plaque above the door, carved with the whimsical name of the tavern.

Lou Qi was wearing a khaki-colored trench coat. The lighting was blurry, and it was as if she was standing in a painting.

… …

When Jiang Shenghe got out of the car, it was this scene that appeared in his eyes. He quickly unlocked his phone and took a picture of her taking the photo.

Including the one he took just now, there were two photos of Luo Qi on his phone. The other one was six years ago, when they were abroad. He met her by chance in Times Square. In the rush of people, he could only take a picture of her back.

Jiang Sixun got out of the car and leaned against the car door to smoke.

He looked at Jiang Shenghe taking pictures of people’s backs. He narrowed his eyes—a man trapped in love was simply too terrifying! He mustn’t be like Jiang Shenghe; he can’t ever fall in love with anyone, even if he is hog-tied.

Even if he was seriously hog-tied and thrown into a river!

Jiang Shenghe saved the photos he had just taken. Without taking his bag with him, he put his cell phone in the pocket of his coat. Then he remembered Jiang Sixun, “Let’s go.”

“Still haven’t confessed? Until when will you wait?” Jiang Sixun said the unwelcome words first, “This is the last time. Even if you beg me to come back next time, I won’t come back anymore.”

Over the years, he has said a lot of unwelcome things—they were not a threat to Jiang Shenghe at all.

Jiang Sixun put out his cigarette, and the two of them entered the tavern one after the other.

… … translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

The two of them arrived last, and the two seats at the head of the long table were left empty for them.

Jiang Sixun deliberately sat next to Secretary Ju, leaving the empty seat next to Luo Qi for Jiang Shenghe.

Although it was a dinner party, they had a tacit agreement to sit  in order of position. In this way, Luo Qi had to sit next to Chief Jiang. The seating arrangement was specifically discussed by Xiao Jiang and the others.

They usually sat casually during dinner parties and were not particular about it.

Before the meal started, Jiang Shenghe said, “Don’t keep shouting out for ‘Chief Jiang’ tonight. If you don’t know what to call me, then don’t say anything. Whoever says the respectful ‘you’ tonight or says ‘Thank you, Chief Jiang’, all the quarterly bonus for the fourth quarter will be forfeited.” 

“…Huh? Then I will end up with nothing.” Xiao Jiang’s voice was the loudest among the murmurs that swept across the table.

Jiang Sixun took a piece of candy from the table, unwrapped it, and plopped it into his mouth. He complained for everyone, “You have such a dark heart, why don’t you just deduct the year-end bonus all at once?”

Jiang Shenghe replied, “If the quarterly bonus is not enough, then the year-end bonus can also be discussed.”

Knowing that the boss was only joking, Xiao Jiang protested, “This rule is unfair.”

Others agreed and asked Luo Qi for help, “We have to work together to fight for the opportunity for better terms. Assistant Luo, you represent us.”

Luo Qi turned to face the man sitting beside her and begged, “I’m used to calling Chief Jiang a certain way, and it just comes out naturally… Maybe we can change the punishment method a little?”

Jiang Shenghe looked at her and said, “It’s not impossible.”

Someone suggested, “This tavern has a bar. You can be punished with one drink if you make a mistake.”

“Alcohol is not a good penalty, how much can one drink?” Jiang Shenghe thought about it and said, “Whoever makes a mistake once will sing a song acapella. There is no maximum limit.”

Xiao Jiang went franctic at this new condition, “Chief Jiang, yoooo—” the respectful word ‘you’ almost came out! He stretched out the pronunciation of the word, and his tongue almost stiffened in stress.

Everyone laughed.

“Chief Jiang, you… know that my singing is out of tune.” Xiao Jiang finally managed to say the casual word ‘you’.

Jiang Shenghe’s tone was non-negotiable, “You have to sing even if it’s out of tune.”

Xiao Jiang again turned to Luo Qi for help, “Sister Luo, you don’t know but I really can’t carry a tune even if you give me a bucket. Please talk to Chief Jiang about the conditions.”

Luo Qi: “…”

In a sense, she was their superior and should speak for them.

She had no choice but to plead with the boss again, “Chief Jiang, please give each of us two chances to make mistakes.”

Jiang Shenghe looked at her and said, “Alright, three chances. But no other conditions are allowed.”

Other people:”…”

Such partiality, no one else could enjoy it.

Seventh Year of My Secret Love for You translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

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