Bus Complex – Chapter 3

Jiang Xiao Hui’s company was becoming increasingly inefficient. At the end of the year, it was finally acquired by another big company.

The employees were all worried, fearing the new boss would implement significant steps when he took office, and many of them would be laid off.

As the most insignificant employee in the company, Jiang Xiao Hui was also terrified. He had no special skills and lacked performance. If they really wanted to fire people, he would have an 80% chance of being one of the first to go. Because of his fear of unemployment, even seeing Peng Feng each day could not make him entirely happy anymore.

At the end of the month, a new general manager formally took over the company’s management and staffing. In the office, Jiang Xiao Hui and his colleagues were preparing to greet the new boss.

As a result, Jiang Xiao Hui saw their department’s usually fierce supervisor use a flattering attitude to invite a tall, handsome young man in. The supervisor was chattering non-stop while walking.

The young man was frowning slightly and seemed somewhat impatient; he still endured the noise with great restraint. He looked up and glanced around and finally saw Jiang Xiao Hui standing at the edge of the crowd.

He kept his eyes fixed on him.

“…” Peng Feng – Jing Xiao Hui said the name silently in his heart. The moment he saw the young man, he couldn’t move at all. He never expected that his new boss would be someone he commuted with every day, the one he had always been secretly in love with.

After meeting the new boss, everyone quickly went back to work.

Jiang Xiao Hui was busy all morning with his head down, even though he didn’t know what he was actually doing.

The surrounding colleagues gradually began whispering about the new manager. They said he was young and handsome; he was the president’s third son sent to the office to learn by experience. As a result, he became very skilled: he helped his father open an additional branch in less than a year. He was the old man’s favorite son, and every family was rushing to marry their daughter to him. They also said that this person was rigorous and treated his subordinates harshly, but he would give them generous rewards if they did well.

…

His colleagues were falling over each other in their eagerness to find more and more gossip material. Based on what he heard from them, Peng Feng was no longer the face Jiang Xiao Hui was familiar with. Instead, he was about to become a god.

Jiang Xiao Hui knew they were exaggerating. He also used to make such jokes with them about their bosses. It was all harmless gossip, but today he no longer wanted to take part.

He was surprised that what he was feeling in his heart right now was – slight disappointment.

Jiang Xiao Hui smiled. It was pretty funny – what was so disappointing about him? Why was he disappointed? What qualifications did he have to be disappointed?

That day, Jiang Xiao Hui left the company as soon as he got off work and went to take the bus. Peng Feng was not on the bus this time.

The next few days brought no changes to his life. Jiang Xiao Hui would habitually look around when getting on or off the bus, but he no longer saw Peng Feng.

But it was ok. Jiang Xiao Hui commuted to work as usual and gradually forgot about his crush.

Until one day, when Peng Feng blocked Jiang Xiao Hi in the pantry and asked, “Jiang Xiao Hui, why are you hiding from me? How are you coming to work now? Why can’t I see you anymore?”

Jiang Xiao Hui looked at Peng Feng blankly. After a while, he said, “I still come by bus… Oh, it’s probably because I wake up early and leave earlier now.”

Peng Feng was silent for a moment and then said, “I need to tell you something. Let’s go together tonight.”

Jiang Xiao Hui said “Oh” and hung his head, looking spiritless.

Peng Feng stared at the lips that were so close to him. Suddenly his brain became feverish, and he leaned over to kiss Jiang Xiao Hui. He felt a kiss was not enough, so he sucked on his lower lip and said, “I just took over the company, and I am swamped. I can’t leave too early, but I will accompany you to and from work in the future. If you want to take the bus, we can take the bus. If you want to go by car, we can drive.”

Jiang Xiao Hui was shocked and didn’t notice what Peng Feng was saying. He only focused on one thing – he grabbed Peng Feng, who turned to leave, and asked in a stuttering voice, “You you you you you you, why are you kissing me?”

Because he was too nervous, his fingers were trembling a little.

Seeing Jiang Xiao Hui’s cramped expression, Peng Feng calmed down and said, “I like you.”

Jiang Xiao Hui blushed and became a bit flustered: “… ah?”

“‘Ah? What do you mean?” Peng Feng asked calmly. “Can’t I like you? Do you discriminate against homosexuals?”

Jiang Xiao Hui stammered, “No… I don’t discriminate against… homosexuals…”

When he heard these words, Peng Feng’s expression improved a little, and he snorted.

Jiang Xiao Hui looked at his face and said carefully, “Um… actually I like you too…”

Peng Feng: “…”

Jiang Xiao Hui felt that the moment he confessed, Peng Feng’s expression became stiff. Then, he saw Peng Feng quickly turn his head to the other side, and above the collar, his neck and ears were red.

Peng Feng took Jiang Xiao Hui’s hand stiffly and squeezed it; his face became redder, then he suddenly pushed open the door and left.

Jiang Xiao Hui was left in place confused, repeatedly recalling the confession just now.

He pinched himself hard: Damn; it hurts. Not dreaming!

With indescribable complex emotions, Jiang Xiao Hui walked out of the pantry, and when he turned his head, he saw Peng Feng smoking a cigarette on the other side of the corridor.

Peng Feng had one hand in his pocket and held a cigarette in the other while tilting his head. His silhouette was exquisite.

Jiang Xiao Hui was smitten with the handsome guy.

Peng Feng heard the movement and turned his head. Their eyes met.

Peng Feng’s hand stopped in mid-air, as if hesitating to come over.

Jiang Xiao Hui helped him decide – he walked toward Peng Feng.

“See you tonight,” whispered Jiang Xiao Hui as he walked by.

Peng Feng was expressionless.

Jiang Xiao Hui appeared calm, but his heart was very turbulent. During the few seconds Peng Feng was silent, he kept thinking – did he want to deny it after the kiss? Did he regret the confession? Would he be irresponsible after flirting?

Peng Feng didn’t speak, but he suddenly smiled at Jiang Xiao Hui, and then his smile became brighter and brighter.

“…” Jiang Xiao Hui couldn’t think of anything else. He looked fascinated at this man who was described as nearly perfect by his colleagues, as if discovering for the first time that his smile could be so childish and simple.

[End]