Chapter 23: Special

Near month’s end, aside from the cold making mornings brutal, Qi Yu found life lately fairly smooth.
Especially the week before annual leave: their team finally submitted the year-end key project. Upper management valued this campaign; they had polished it half a month for the final review meeting.
Work before the holiday was still heavy—locking in the first post-holiday event—but maybe because a big load had just lifted, or because festival mood arrived early, the office “slacked” this morning and the department chat group hit 999+.
Usually that casual group was nearly dead; these past days it buzzed. Everyone talked holiday plans—how badly they wanted time off.
Qi Yu was in a good mood and chimed in a few times.
Colleague Xiao Zhao was not complaining today either, beside her gushing about travel plans, then asking Qi Yu.
Qi Yu could only smile helplessly. Her holidays were like weekends—mostly home, occasionally out with Qi Xuan or Tang Xuejun.
Annual leave did not feel that special—but her mood was still lighter for its coming.
Unfortunately the pleasant harmony did not last the afternoon.
By afternoon everything flipped. The floor looked calm; inside everyone’s mind was boiling.
The conflict came suddenly. Nobody expected the center to be Qi Yu—famous in the department for good temper.
Yet everyone also felt she had cause.
The trigger was Friday’s final project review—company leaders, client, finance, execution team all present. Report the plan, pass budget, nail details—the most critical meeting before the holiday.
As lead on one of the projects, Qi Yu presenting was only natural.
But after lunch the group announcement swapped the speaker for someone else.
Obviously only “irresistible force” could do that.
Everyone saw it—the famous nepotism hire, surely arranged above. Unfair—but most people swallowed it.
Qi Yu did not. Like a newborn calf, she marched straight to the director.
The director stepped into his office; Qi Yu followed, face dark enough to draw every eye.
After the door shut, gossip lovers hovered nearby on fake errands; most pretended nothing happened—expecting only one outcome from such a confrontation.
Qi Yu had thought of that too.
She was not stupid.
She had long looked the other way on upper-level favoritism—but she could not watch her own painstaking work handed to someone else.
She owed the company nothing. She had done her part. Why swallow this?
“Director—we set it two days ago. I present. How does it change overnight?”
Facing her aggressive question the director sat in his chair, scratched his head impatiently, sighed. “But it’s arranged from above—let Xiao Gu present. Isn’t he on the team too?”
Xiao Gu—Gu Jian—the guy who did nothing, had not even read the full plan.
His light tone made the anger in Qi Yu’s chest harder to suppress. Her voice tightened. “I’m the lead. This is my work. Nobody knows the content better than me. Why swap me out?”
At that the director finally lifted his eyes, looked at her properly, then lowered his voice in warning. “Qi Yu, you’ve been here a while. Usually no trouble—what are you making a scene for today?”
He tapped the desk—dull knocks. “I want you up there too—but you know who Gu Jian is? Background’s there. Even the client knows him. Top named him. What can I do?”
Seeing her still furrowed brow, furious face, the director sighed again.
He stood, walked to her, comforted her. “Qi Yu, I know your ability—it’s solid. But in this place you can’t be so rigid. Learn to bend.”
“If you’re smart, listen to me. Drop it. It’s settled. Your skill’s obvious—he may not stay in our department forever. More chances later.”
“And if you blow this up, it hurts you. Why bother? Right?”
After the false kindness he even patted her shoulder—revolting, nauseating, for a long while after.
The talk ended badly, of course.
When Qi Yu came out black-faced everyone assumed she had given in—even Xiao Zhao, closest to her.
Xiao Zhao saw her cold expression tidying her desk and sympathized. “You okay? Don’t be too angry—capitalists never treat us like human beings. They steal your credit just like that…”
“You… didn’t fight with the director, did you?”
“No.” Qi Yu kept packing.
Xiao Zhao: “Oh… good, no fight then…”
Qi Yu: “Fighting’s useless. So I decided.”
“Decided what?” Xiao Zhao looked over, bad feeling rising.
Sure enough—desk cleared, Qi Yu said calmly, “To resign.”
“Not right away—I’m not stupid. At least after year-end bonus. Probably won’t come back after the holiday. One less in the team—you’ll have to hold the fort.”
“What?” Xiao Zhao stared, dumbfounded.
Her work buddy quitting—felt like the sky falling. Speech stuttered. “You… serious? Think again? This job’s actually pretty good…”
“I don’t decide lightly. I’ve thought it through.”
Seeing Xiao Zhao’s gloom, Qi Yu smiled, patted her back, soothed her a few words, then picked up mug and instant coffee and walked calmly to the pantry.
She was never impulsive.
Anyone or anything crossing her bottom line—cut when it must be cut.
……
Resigning was no small thing. After deciding she did not dare tell family right away—bore it alone several days.
Emotion needed an outlet. After thinking she wanted to tell Tang Xuejun first.
Tang Xuejun was down lately too. They agreed weekend evening at a quiet bar by the sea.
The bar was a bit remote but still packed. When they arrived past nine, first and second floors were nearly full—they took a corner table.
“You really thought resignation through? Job market’s bad—if you can hold on, keep going.”
Tang Xuejun slouched in her chair, utterly casual. Had not seen her in a while—new wavy perm bouncing with every move, mature charm beyond her years.
Qi Yu was not like that—did not dress up for every outing. Windy today; she wore a heavy black down jacket, wrapped tight.
“Only resign if I’m sure. Everyone knows the logic—but in my situation you’d snap faster than me.”
Qi Yu ordered a whiskey sour, sipped—ice made her teeth ache. She frowned, set the glass down. “Our team spent over half a month on that plan. Anyone else presenting—I might not be this angry.”
“But it had to be the nepotism guy—does nothing, takes the credit. Why? Director faked comfort—said I have a future, don’t be so serious.”
“Is that what I was serious about? Ridiculous.”
Tang Xuejun had nothing to say.
Silence, then clinked glasses with Qi Yu. “Sigh… yeah, that company’s not worth it. Quit. Won’t starve.”
“We’re both miserable… you career, me love life.”
Qi Yu raised a brow, eyes from clear liquor to her face. “What? Fighting with your girlfriend again?”
“Fight?” Tang Xuejun scoffed. “I’m afraid we’re breaking up.”
Qi Yu: “What happened?”
Tang Xuejun: “Same old drama—worse than yours.”
“Together almost two years—fine before. Last month she felt off. Caught her chatting with someone unlabeled.”
“At first denied it. These days she admits it—her ex, first love, white-moonlight senior, you know.”
“I don’t know how they started again. The ex said she regrets the breakup, asked if there’s still a chance. She’s hesitating—can’t forget the ex either, so…”
“Before I came out we were still arguing breakup. She wants time apart. I don’t.”
Tang Xuejun finished, sighed long, tipped her head back and drained the glass.
Seeing her hollow like that, Qi Yu was unused to it. After a pause she said, “I don’t get it—forget she’s still with you. The ex’s been gone ages—how still hung up?”
“Because the ex is her white moonlight—college crush on a senior.”
“Like you and Jiang Ya—she rejected you then came back and you agreed to be friends.”
Hearing that name again Qi Yu’s heart clenched—but her face stayed flat.
“Why bring her up? Not the same thing.”
Tang Xuejun knew she misspoke, palm on forehead, heavy sigh. “Yeah. Maybe I drank too much. Don’t take it to heart.”
Qi Yu looked at the table—Tang Xuejun had ordered three strong drinks, all empty. She had drunk plenty.
Tang Xuejun: “Enough about me. After you quit—what’s the plan?”
Qi Yu shook her head. “Not clear yet.”
“But I’ve thought—if I don’t work maybe open a small café. Savings might not be enough… haven’t calculated.”
Tang Xuejun waved. “Small stuff. I’ll be your partner, chip in. Parents say I do nothing all day—perfect, I can help in the shop.”
Qi Yu sighed. “Easy to say. Harder in practice.”
“I’d want somewhere busy—near a school maybe… but I haven’t been to No. 1 High in ages. Don’t know the area well.”
Muttering to herself—Tang Xuejun looked up, smile meaningful.
She said, “You’re not familiar—but someone you know is.”
“Who?”
“You tell me.” Tang Xuejun smiled at her.
The moment the answer formed inside, Qi Yu froze, grip on the glass tightening.
……
Later in the night Qi Yu drank too. She took a cab home tipsy.
She was not in a hurry upstairs—alcohol numbed her, body soft, tired. She sat on a bench under a tree.
The moment she sat, dizziness spread; the world warped; stomach burned; nausea rose but nothing came up. She endured, slid along the back until half-lying.
Maybe she had not drunk this much in ages—after the discomfort, deeper loneliness surged, mixed with unfamiliar feelings.
She looked up at leaves in the wind, a sliver of moon through the gaps.
A familiar name flashed through her heart.
Then—for some reason—Tang Xuejun’s words tonight surfaced again.
……
Tang Xuejun: “Why not ask her?”
Qi Yu: “No reason. Not appropriate.”
Tang Xuejun: “What’s inappropriate? You’re friends now. What’s wrong asking a friend?”
Tang Xuejun: “Unless you’re still hung up on her—not really treating her as a friend—what are you afraid of?”
……
Impossible.
Three words in her mind.
She was sure—very sure—completely sure—she did not like Jiang Ya now.
Though she had to admit Jiang Ya was different from others in her heart—special. That did not mean leftover love.
Some people, some feelings, could not be summed in one word. The world was not black and white; neither was emotion.
Qi Yu stared at tree shadows. After who knew how long she realized she might truly be drunk.
Because Tang Xuejun’s words sounded reasonable—and right now she really wanted to contact Jiang Ya.
Action outran thought. She opened WeChat.
Chat with Jiang Ya still at last week—Qi Xuan, trivial things.
Since their serious talk they had been like normal friends—at least more natural than before.
Good sign.
And she would only ask about the school area. She had a reason—not boredom…
Convincing herself, Qi Yu sent a message.
*Are you free? I want to talk.*
Past eleven at night—bad timing.
But the reply came fast.
Jiang Ya: *I’m free. What’s up?*
Qi Yu stared at the line, brows knit from dizziness, typed quickly.
*I decided to resign.*
Jiang Ya: *What?*
Jiang Ya: *What happened? So sudden?*
The alcohol hit harder than she expected. Palm on forehead, nerves jumping at her temples, dull ache.
She held that pose a while. Opening the phone again—several more messages from Jiang Ya.
She did not read them clearly. Her whole mind wanted to vent. A thought flashed—she steadied herself and started a voice call.
After connect, silence on the other side a moment, then a soft voice. “You… okay?”
“What happened? Can you tell me?”
Gentler than usual. The instant she heard it, Qi Yu’s restless heart quieted.
She paused, phone tight to her ear. “I… don’t know how to say it.”
“Feels like too much to explain at once.”
“You…” Jiang Ya paused, hesitant. “Did you… drink?”
……
Qi Yu: “How could you tell?”
Jiang Ya: “Really?… Your voice sounds a bit strange.”
“How much did you drink?”
“…Don’t know. Several glasses.”
That was not what she had meant to talk about—but somehow the topic drifted.
“You drank that much?” Jiang Ya’s tone shifted—soft voice edged with urgency. “Where are you? Home? Outside?”
“…Sitting downstairs at my building.” Qi Yu looked down, honest.
Jiang Ya: “Why not go up? It’s cold tonight—you’ll get sick sitting long. Go inside.”
“……” Qi Yu almost asked why she cared… but Jiang Ya had always been like that—generous with concern for others.
“Don’t feel like going up yet. Just want to sit.”
“Oh…” Jiang Ya’s voice weakened.
“But still—go up soon? We can talk at home. You drank a lot—unsafe outside.”
“And won’t your family worry?”
Qi Yu: “…Probably not. Told them I’d be back late.”
Silence on the line. Then Jiang Ya’s voice, muffled. “But…”
“Even if… even if your family isn’t worried…”
“I’m worried.”