The elevator doors opened, and employees hastily swiped their cards before nine o'clock, entering one by one.
I was pushed into the innermost corner.
My assistant, Ha Tinh Tinh, carrying a cup of coffee, squeezed in just as the elevator was about to close.
The elevator slowly ascended to the 39th floor.
A few people gradually exited, and the elevator immediately felt much less crowded.
Ha Tinh Tinh turned her head and saw me there. She immediately smiled and said, "Good morning, sis."
"Good morning." I smiled and nodded.
After exiting the elevator, Ha Tinh Tinh walked slowly behind me, saying, "Sis, the person in charge of Shengfei Advertising wants to meet you."
"Before the project meeting, I won't meet anyone from the partner side."
After saying that, I didn't forget to remind her, "The meeting starts at half past ten as usual. Please revise the business document you sent me yesterday."
"Yes, sis." Ha Tinh Tinh nodded deftly, then handed me the coffee in her hand, saying, "It's rich and strong, specially brewed for you."
"Thanks." I took the coffee cup and smiled at her.
This young assistant has been in office for less than half a year. She's a post-95 generation, full of youthful recklessness, which always gives me a headache.
But I have to admit, even though she's new, her work attitude is very positive. She knows how to be accommodating and please others.
Meetings in the morning, reviewing proposals from partner companies in the afternoon.
Another endlessly busy day.
For now, this proposal is almost perfect. From product perception, key strategies, to promotional methods, it completely surpasses the ideas of other companies. I wonder which expert came up with this advertisement.
Until I opened the letter to see which company had bid for the project, and saw the simple company name and the identity of the representative, I was surprised to see a familiar name.
Shengfei Advertising, Lin Mo.
Just six words, sharp as a knife's edge, like a needle piercing my eye, like a sharp blade cutting into bone.
I thought I would never meet Lin Mo again.
If we were to meet again in this life, I would surely be at the peak of my life, having achieved great success.
The stage lights would be dazzling, the crowd below bustling, fluorescent lights swirling. Lin Mo would be standing among the cheering crowd, looking up, witnessing my entire being shining brightly. If that were truly the outcome, I would wake up laughing even from a dream.
There's a saying: "What you can't forget, you're bound to meet again."
Under the influence of longing – a phenomenon transcending psychology – after ten years, I met him again as a business partner.
The business world is truly small, and ill-fated connections cling even tighter.
Calming myself, I sent a message to Ha Tinh Tinh, who was beside me: "I need all information about Shengfei Advertising, the more detailed the better. Quickly!"
A few minutes later, Ha Tinh Tinh stammered in reply, "Sis, I've collected all the information, but it still needs a bit of organizing..."
"Can I not work overtime today? Can I send it to you before noon tomorrow?"
After saying that, she sent a sparkling rose emoji and a smiling face icon.
I looked at the time displayed on the corner of my computer, five fifty p.m. on May 20th, 2021, ten minutes before quitting time.
Oh well, no one hits a smiling face.
Besides, today is 520, with "dog food" scattered everywhere.
I also don't want to be the witch who forces her subordinates to work overtime.
Thinking this, I replied to her with a mild smiling emoji.
Hà Tinh Tinh immediately sent a deep red lips emoji: “Thank you, boss, Happy 520!”
Ignoring her flattery, I continued to review that proposal, intending to find some flaws or a legitimate reason to reject it right in front of everyone.
But after a thorough check, apart from finding a few minor inconsistencies that didn't have a major impact, the basic strategy was perfectly sound.
Lâm Mặc, oh Lâm Mặc, ten years have passed since we last met, and you're still as meticulous as ever.
After working with my head down for a long time, my head started to ache dully again, and even my entire right arm began to go numb.
Lâm Mặc had already made me uncomfortable, and I didn't expect this damned body to start acting up and wanting to go on strike, with old ailments and new problems flooding back one after another.
From psychological to physiological, nothing was at peace, inside and out.
Turning off the computer, I called A Lệ, then went downstairs and drove to the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) physiotherapy wellness center.
I didn't know when it started, but this wellness center had become a safe harbor for me to rest and recuperate after every work session.
Luckily, A Lệ was sensible enough to stay and mind the shop, not abandoning it for 520.
2.
“A Lệ, help! I’m practically dying! My head hurts, my back hurts, my arms hurt!”
As soon as I stepped into the center, I shed my usual tough facade, becoming a weak, fragile girl.
Under A Lệ's guidance, I obediently lay down on the physiotherapy bed.
“A Lệ, tell me, not long ago, my back pain was so bad I had to come to you for acupuncture to feel better for a while. Why am I getting migraines recently too?”
A Lệ, while concentrating on massaging, meticulously answered my questions.
“Sister Hứa Hủ, your headaches and numb arms are caused by cervical spondylosis. Cervical spondylosis can be simply understood as ‘one part hurting, affecting the whole body.’ Damaged cervical bones compress blood vessels, causing headaches, and compressed nerves will make your arms go numb.”
“It’s true that once you reach middle age, your body no longer obeys you. Even goji berries in a thermos no longer work.”
I lamented mournfully, my voice dropping: “A Lệ, I’m old. I don’t want to get old, but I can’t help it.”
“Even a machine used for a long time needs maintenance to prevent it from breaking down quickly. Your health has seriously deteriorated. Your body’s pain is a distress signal, reminding you to stop and rest. Trying to push through will only make the situation worse.”
A Lệ was like Tang Sanzang reciting sutras, but it made me feel unusually warm.
“If I don’t push through, what am I supposed to do? Are you going to work to support me?” I teased.
“Yes, I’ll support you,” A Lệ replied without hesitation.
“Tsk.” My voice full of disdain: “How much do you even earn in a month? I’m a rich spendthrift, can you afford to support me?”
“What’s the difference in life whether you earn a lot or a little? Is money more important, or your body? If you don’t pay attention to your health now and only focus on making money, you’ll have to spend it all on medicine later.”
“A Lệ!” I said sharply: “Don’t you dare jinx me!”
“I’m telling the truth. If you don’t take care of your cervical spine, it will get worse and worse. By then, any therapy will be useless; you’ll have to go to the hospital for surgery.”
Hearing about surgery, I was terrified: “Is it that serious?”
“Don’t worry, it’s not at the point of needing surgery yet. You should move your neck more often, to keep your neck active. You can’t just sit still staring at the computer, nor can you spend long periods looking down at your phone. You need to combine work with rest.”
“Got it,” I said, resignedly. “I really don’t want surgery. After surgery, I’d have to wear a neck brace, which would be the ugliest thing ever.”
A Li let out a mocking laugh from behind me.
“What are you laughing at? What’s so funny?”
A Li sighed, “You’re clearly so naive, yet you pretend to be the big sister in front of me all the time.”
“I’m not pretending. I’ll always be your big sister.”
I turned my head and gave him a disdainful look.
A Li didn’t reply, but increased the pressure of his hands, silently showing his displeasure.
“Ouch, A Li, go easy.”
I scolded him sternly, “My old bones can’t handle your bullying. Hold on, my stomach feels bloated, it’s a bit uncomfortable.”
“After the massage, I’ll do moxibustion therapy for you. Moxibustion at the navel point and Zusanli acupoint can relieve abdominal distension and pain, regulate the stomach, and promote the flow of qi and blood in the liver.”
“Okay, I’m in your hands.”
Feeling the pressure from A Li’s fingertips, I felt my headache ease, and the unease in my heart gradually faded.
By the end of the physical therapy session, I felt like a new person. When I went to pay, I saw a sign at the reception desk advertising annual VIP memberships with a twenty percent discount.
I pulled out my phone, intending to scan the QR code to sign up.
A Li, standing beside me, stopped my impulse to splurge: “Sister Xu Hu, don’t get the card. Even if you have money, you should still save it.”
Honestly, A Li! I wanted to help him earn a commission, but he stopped me from spending freely, spoiling my grand gesture. It was truly annoying.
I scolded him, displeased: “A Li, are you stupid? Don’t you want the commission?”
“When you come, you don’t need to swipe a card.”
A Li leaned closer to me, his smile growing even more sincere: “Just using your face is enough for a discount.”
At such a close distance, I could clearly see his thick eyelashes. Beneath his lashes were slightly upturned phoenix eyes. It was a handsome, bright face, full of vitality.
“A Li, you’re truly a model employee.”
I hastily pushed him away, deliberately teasing: “Do your bosses know you’re blocking their path to riches?”
“He *is* our boss,” the girl at the reception desk said with a smile. “What’s more, Sister Xu has long been a VVIP client here. Only you can call directly to make an appointment and have our boss personally serve you.”
I recalled my first time coming here for physical therapy. The girl at the reception desk had asked if I knew any of the therapists here.
I looked around and saw a young man in traditional attire sitting quietly to one side. Catching sight of his clear, ocean-blue eyes, I casually pointed: “Him.”
At the time, I didn’t notice her awkward smile, only that the young man was stunned for a moment, then stood up, nodded, and said, “No problem.”
That day, after the acupuncture session, I was so pleased with his service that I insisted on getting his personal phone number and WeChat ID.
Initially, our appointments were just for physical therapy, but then we became friends who helped each other out. For the past six months, we'd occasionally chat. When I had problems in life, I'd even ask him for help, and he never once refused.
To show my gratitude, I'd sometimes give him small gifts or treat everyone at the center to drinks.
We were merely casual acquaintances, and our relationship didn't go beyond that. Not interfering much in each other's lives meant I knew very little about him.
It turned out that the 'little specialist' A Li – the one I frequently called to bother, believing that a small favor repaid meant I could order him around as I pleased – was actually the owner of this wellness center.
At this realization, my imperious 'madam' attitude completely vanished. I offered an awkward smile, and under A Li's watchful gaze, I paid and then bolted out the door, fleeing.
As soon as I crossed the street, A Li caught up to me. "Sister Xu Hu," he said, "I almost forgot to give you this. Happy holiday!"
With that, he slipped a gift package into my hand, then waved, turned his back, and went back into the center.
I looked down at the gift bag in my hand. It was printed with a small rose and covered in tiny heart shapes like a starry sky. I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
On this 520 – online Valentine's Day – a middle-aged single woman like me had actually received her only romantic gift, and it was from a wellness center for a regular customer.