At noon, my online boyfriend sent me a photo of his lunch, fishing for compliments. It was a steaming bowl of braised chicken and rice. [Baby, I ate my lunch properly today. I'm such a good boy, come praise me~] Just as I was typing "Good boy," my eyes caught something. Printed on the cafeteria tray in the photo were four red letters: Aegis Tech. My heart dropped. Because... the company I work for is also called "Aegis Tech." I froze right there. Are you kidding me, bro? The online boyfriend I've been dating for over a year actually works at the same company as me? 1 It was lunchtime, and I was happily enjoying my favorite braised chicken and rice in the company cafeteria. Remembering my online boyfriend saying he was too busy at work and often forgot to eat lunch, I sent him a kind reminder: [No matter how busy work gets, don't forget to eat your lunch. Be a good, obedient puppy.] Ten minutes later, my phone lit up with his reply: [Baby, I ate my lunch properly today. I'm such a good boy, come praise me~] [Image] I opened the picture. It was a steaming bowl of braised chicken and rice. I was just about to praise him. But then I realized the photo looked oddly familiar. After a closer look, I found the source of that damn familiarity: The four red letters printed on the tray: [Aegis Tech] And that is exactly where I work. I looked at the braised chicken in front of me, then at the photo my online boyfriend sent. Suddenly, the meat in my mouth didn't taste as good. The company cafeteria is strictly for employees only. My online boyfriend works at the same company as me? I was speechless! 2 [Baby, why aren't you praising me? (Puppy pouting face)] [I really listened to you and ate properly. (Puppy crying)] [Are you mad? What did your puppy do wrong? (Puppy crying in the corner)] The messages from my online boyfriend came one after another. I still hadn't recovered from the shock. Although I knew we were in the same city, I never expected we would be in the same company. This damn fate! "Puppy, what company do you work for?" "Puppy, are you at Aegis Tech?" I typed out the words and deleted them, over and over again. I didn't know what to say. If I asked, he would probably ask me where I worked too. He might even figure out I'm at Aegis Tech. Then he would try to find me. What would I do then? The thought of some random guy at work calling me "baby" all day made me want to die of embarrassment. Before I could even digest this fact, he sent another message: [Baby, you're not ignoring me because you're eating with someone else, are you!!!] [Baby, what's wrong? I'm panicking...] To prevent him from noticing anything unusual, I replied: [I was eating and didn't see your messages. Good boy.] Only then did he stop bombarding me. [Baby, I finished eating. Going back to work now~] 3 I breathed a sigh of relief and looked around the cafeteria. There were hardly any people left. Mostly women, and one older man with gray hair. It couldn't possibly be him. I forced myself to calm down and organize my thoughts. Right now, there were a few pressing questions I needed to figure out: First, who is my online boyfriend? Second, what kind of person is he really? Third, if I find him, do I confess, continue dating online, or break up? (Because it really is too awkward.) Thinking back on our online relationship from the beginning until now. We were both very careful about our privacy. For example, we never sent selfies, nor did we reveal our real names or addresses. He only sent me a few pictures of his abs when I practically begged him to. Based on that alone, it's really hard to figure out who he is. I can't just go around lifting guys' shirts to compare their ab definition with the pictures, right? 4 Back at the office, I looked at my male colleagues. I shuddered. We battle it out every day like sworn enemies. If my online boyfriend turned out to be one of them, I would literally die on the spot. I scrolled through my chat history with him, looking for clues. And I actually found something. Last month, he couldn't decide which water bottle to buy. [Baby, I'm shopping at the mall with a friend and I want to buy a water bottle.] [Help me pick one! Which one looks better? I'll buy one for you too.] He sent a few pictures, and I picked out a titanium thermos with a traditional lacquer finish. To protect my privacy, I politely declined his offer to buy me one. [Whatever my baby chooses is the best.] He bought that exact thermos right then and there. So, I just needed to see who in the company was using it. I wandered around the office several times but couldn't find anyone using it. I messaged him: [Are you using the water bottle you bought?] He replied almost instantly: [Baby, I'm using it right now!] [Image.] The water bottle was sitting right on his desk. That's weird. Why didn't I see it? While I was still pondering this, a message from my boss, Mr. Sterling, popped up on the company messaging app: [Chloe, there are some issues with the proposal. Come to my office for a minute!] When I walked into his office, Mr. Sterling was on the phone: "Baby, I miss you too. Come see me at the office tomorrow." "Oh, right, Liam is coming tomorrow too, you can catch a ride with him." "Aw, I'm just worried about you driving by yourself, it's not safe~" "Okay, I'll listen to you. Just come whenever you're ready, drive safely." "I have to get back to work, hanging up now, mua~" I awkwardly turned my face away. I couldn't bear to look, I really couldn't. Our Mr. Sterling actually had such a gentle side. He hung up the phone, coughed, and smiled at me. "Chloe, the investors looked at the proposal this morning. They're generally very satisfied, but they brought up a few points. I've noted the specifics on the document, please revise it according to their suggestions." "Okay, Mr. Sterling." Just as I was about to leave, I caught sight of a water bottle sitting on the corner of his desk. It was the exact same titanium thermos with the traditional lacquer finish! Identical to the one I picked out for my online boyfriend! In that moment, I felt like I had been struck by lightning, frozen in place! Seeing that I hadn't left, Mr. Sterling asked: "Hmm? Is there something else?" His voice pulled me out of my shock. I took a deep breath, pretending nothing was wrong. I pointed at the thermos: "Mr. Sterling, that's a nice water bottle. Where did you buy it?" He slowly uttered two words: "The mall." Me: "..." Mr. Sterling smiled slightly, his eyes curving into crescents. "Why, do you like it?" I quickly composed my facial expression and waved my hands. "Ah, it's nothing, just asking casually." Then, I fled the office in a panic. An absurd thought popped into my head: Mr. Sterling is my online boyfriend! But if I'm his girlfriend, who was he calling "baby" just now? Is Mr. Sterling cheating? Holy crap! 5 I was completely out of it for the rest of the day. I didn't even reply to the messages my online boyfriend sent me. Suppressing my emotions, I finally finished revising the proposal. I went home in a daze. My phone was full of messages from him. [Baby, what are you doing?] [Baby? Where are you?] [Baby, why aren't you replying?] [Baby, why are you acting so weird today? Did I do something wrong? Tell me if you're unhappy, I'll definitely fix it!] [Baby, don't scare me!] ... With trembling hands, I typed a few words. [Puppy, are you hiding something from me?] He replied instantly: [No, baby. I always answer whatever you ask truthfully.] [Baby, is there a misunderstanding between us?] [No.] I tried to calm my chaotic mind. Now that I knew he was highly likely Mr. Sterling, my next step was to figure out if Mr. Sterling was really cheating. And who the "baby" he was talking to actually was. What if I was misunderstanding him? My online boyfriend sent another message: [Oh right, baby, the new collection from brand V just dropped. Help me pick one out? I want to wear it tomorrow!] [Image.] I specifically picked out a solid black sweater with a logo on the left chest, making it easy for me to identify. I still held onto a sliver of hope. If Mr. Sterling didn't wear this sweater tomorrow, it would prove he wasn't my online boyfriend. Then I wouldn't have to agonize over whether he was cheating or not. 6 The next day, I walked into Mr. Sterling's office with the revised proposal. He was sitting on the sofa drinking tea, wearing the exact same black brand V sweater I picked out yesterday. Blindingly black. "Mr. Sterling, the proposal has been revised." He gave me a gentle smile. "Good work, Chloe." "The investors are coming this afternoon, please be prepared." "Okay." I stared at Mr. Sterling's sweater, pretending to ask casually: "Mr. Sterling, I've never seen you wear this sweater before, it looks nice." He smiled: "Bought it yesterday." This made me even more certain that Mr. Sterling was my online boyfriend. Sitting at my desk, I absentmindedly stared at his office. He said yesterday that his "baby" was coming to the office today. I really wanted to know who this "baby" was. If it really was what I thought, then this relationship had to end. 7 An hour later, a woman with exquisite features walked straight into Mr. Sterling's office. I pretended to go get water. As I passed his office, I heard talking and laughing from inside. "Baby, I missed you so much. This sweater looks really good on you, I just realized black suits you." Mr. Sterling's voice was gentle: "Baby, as long as you like it. I picked it out specifically. Aren't we meeting your parents tonight? I was afraid they wouldn't be satisfied with me." "How could they? My parents will naturally like the person I like." Hearing this, it felt like my heart had taken a heavy blow. So he asked me to pick out clothes for him so he could meet his beloved girlfriend's parents. Then what am I? A secret mistress? The next second, I took out my phone and with great difficulty, typed a few words to my online boyfriend: "You are rotten to the core, let's break up!" Then, I swiftly blocked and deleted him. 8 Mr. Sterling walked out holding his girlfriend's hand, watching her leave. He didn't look sad at all. I felt more and more like a clown. Thinking back to all the moments we shared, I felt a wave of bitterness in my heart. The only thing worth celebrating was that I used an alt account for online dating. Otherwise, I would have been so embarrassed. I consoled myself: since love is gone, I should just focus on work. After all, I'm a rational woman, I couldn't possibly quit my job over this. 9 In the afternoon, Mr. Sterling sent me a message. [Chloe, the investor has read your proposal and thinks it's feasible. Come in and give a presentation.] I gathered my emotions, held my head high, and walked in. "Chloe, this is the investor, and also my good buddy, Liam Hayes. Don't be nervous, just explain your ideas to Mr. Hayes." I ignored Mr. Sterling and looked at the person sitting on the sofa. And my eyes met Liam's. Unlike Mr. Sterling's gentleness, the man in front of me exuded a noble and unapproachable aura. He was wearing a black V-neck suit, the neckline perfectly revealing a black, slim-fit turtleneck sweater underneath. The sweater outlined his pecs, which were ready to burst out but perfectly concealed by the jacket. It left much to the imagination. His long, fair fingers picked up a water glass, and he took a small sip. I was completely intimidated by this man's aura and nervously swallowed. Urged by Mr. Sterling, I explained my ideas to Liam. Once in work mode, I was confident and poised. When I finished, Mr. Sterling clapped. "Chloe, very well said. Liam, what do you think?" Mr. Sterling and I looked at Liam simultaneously, but Liam's gaze was fixed on my neck. He suddenly said: "Miss Chloe, that's a very nice necklace." I looked down. The neckline of my outfit today was a bit low, and my crystal necklace was perfectly exposed. I panicked a little, because when I bought this crystal necklace, I had sent a picture to my online boyfriend. [Puppy, look at my new necklace, isn't it pretty?] [Image] The image was a close-up of my neck wearing the necklace. He replied: [Baby looks good in everything.] Now that the necklace was exposed, Mr. Sterling wouldn't recognize me, would he? I glanced at Mr. Sterling. Thankfully, he didn't react much. He was still eagerly waiting for Liam's reply. Of course, he had a girlfriend, and he was just playing with me. Why would he remember these details? Only I remembered every little thing about our online romance. I hurriedly pulled my hand back and said: "Just bought it casually, for fun." 10 Mr. Sterling sat next to Liam and took a sip of tea. "Liam, let's get down to business, what do you think?" Mr. Sterling stared at Liam, but Liam stared at me. After a long while, he slowly uttered one word. "Excellent." Hearing this, Mr. Sterling happily patted Liam on the shoulder. "Liam, you truly are a good buddy, reliable." I also breathed a sigh of relief in my heart. All those sleepless nights rushing the work weren't in vain. I finally got a good result. Liam pushed Mr. Sterling's hand away in disgust, the corner of his mouth curving into a smile as he looked at me. "It's because Miss Chloe is outstanding enough." Even though it was our first meeting, I felt a strange sensation. Liam's gaze made my ears turn red. Mr. Sterling looked surprised. "Oh? This is rare. Our Mr. Hayes actually knows how to praise people." "But thinking about it, it makes sense. Our Chloe is so outstanding, who wouldn't want to praise her?" "But you, praising someone for the first time, and a woman at that. The sun must be rising from the west." "Ah, no, wait, spit spit spit, there's still sister-in-law. No, wait, sister-in-law dumped you, spit spit spit, look at my stupid mouth." My little ears perked up, feeling like I was hearing some incredible gossip. What? The legendary business mogul got dumped? Which woman was so blind? The next second, Liam shot me a resentful look. I quickly lowered my head, feeling an inexplicable sense of guilt in my heart. Liam shifted his gaze, took a sip of tea, and said flatly to Mr. Sterling: "If you talk any more nonsense, I don't mind withdrawing the investment." Mr. Sterling hurriedly waved his hands. "Hey, don't, don't, don't, look at you, still can't take a joke." I suppressed my drumming heartbeat and threw out a sentence in a panic: "Mr. Sterling, Mr. Hayes, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." And fled as if escaping. Back at my desk, Mr. Sterling sent another message. [Chloe, are you free tonight? Mr. Hayes said he still has some questions about the proposal and wants to invite you to dinner to chat about it.] I replied coldly: [No.] [If you go, I'll double your year-end bonus this year.] Who would say no to money? I agreed immediately. [Okay, send me the address.] Turning off my phone, thinking about how Mr. Sterling was meeting his girlfriend's parents tonight, I felt a wave of bitterness and mocked myself: Chloe, you're unlucky in love but lucky in your career.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "394489", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel