Xie Ran and Meng Feixuan returned to Xie Ran’s downtown apartment.

“Mister, everything is over now.” As soon as they walked through the door, Meng Feixuan pulled Xie Ran into his arms, pressing his back against the door and impatiently kissed him.

“Mm.” Xie Ran wrapped his arms around Meng Feixuan’s waist and responded to him clumsily. They kissed their way from the entrance all the way to the sofa.

Meng Feixuan pinned Xie Ran down on the sofa, his breathing already heavy.

Xie Ran felt the heat radiating from Meng Feixuan and let out a low, ambiguous laugh: “Your functions were all tested before going online. Now it’s time to put them to use.”

He thought Meng Feixuan would immediately pounce on him, but he didn’t.

Meng Feixuan knelt beside him, legs apart, staring at him longingly. His body was burning hot, but he made no further moves.

Xie Ran asked: “What’s wrong?”

“You haven’t rested all night. I can’t bear to wear you out,” Meng Feixuan said as he gently brushed Xie Ran’s lower eyelid with his thumb: “Just kissing is enough for now.”

Xie Ran chuckled and hooked an arm around Meng Feixuan’s neck: “It’s fine, I have good stamina.”

Meng Feixuan’s eyes lit up immediately: “Then I want to hear your voice.”

“Alright.”

Recently, a new intern named Meng Feixuan joined the marketing department at Zhuzi Technology.

Half a year ago, after Xie Ran decided to be with Meng Feixuan, he had already started planning for it.

In the data age, many people’s identities existed more as strings of data online. Their life experiences and even relationships were digitized—this provided Xie Ran with many advantages.

Meng Feixuan’s identity was that of an orphan sponsored by the Xie family since childhood. Because of his outstanding grades, he received a scholarship from the Xie family and went abroad to study. He had just returned recently, and his profile was complete, though there were no domestic activity records tied to him.

Of course, if someone deliberately investigated, Xie Ran had already prepared a complete resume and corresponding strategies for Meng Feixuan.

But their biggest crisis had already passed. As long as they didn’t attract attention, Meng Feixuan’s identity wouldn’t be a problem. Over time, he would establish real social relationships and life experiences—everything would fall into place naturally.

The first step in becoming human: Meng Feixuan started his internship at Zhuzi Technology.

Since he had been working for Xie Ran since his creation, the most suitable department for him was naturally the president’s office. However, to align with the previous investigation by regulatory authorities, he needed to build a record of an ordinary internship first. So, he was placed in the marketing department.

Meng Feixuan was attractive, cheerful, efficient, and extremely familiar with Zhuzi Technology’s business. He quickly won the unanimous approval of his colleagues.

The only shortcoming was his aloofness outside work hours.

Several other interns from local universities joined at the same time as Meng Feixuan. They were close in age and often chatted and had lunch together. Only Meng Feixuan disappeared as soon as break time started. He never joined group meals or departmental team-building activities.

At the end of the month, the department conducted performance evaluations for interns. These evaluations determined whether interns could be offered full-time positions after graduation, so everyone took them very seriously.

Manager Xu, who was in charge of the interns, called Meng Feixuan in for a talk.

While reviewing his evaluation form, Manager Xu said earnestly: “Xiao Meng, your work performance is excellent, but why don’t you participate in department activities? Are you not used to interacting with colleagues?”

“No.” Meng Feixuan blinked and answered truthfully: “I just don’t have time.”

“You’re that busy?” Manager Xu clearly didn’t buy it: “I’ve noticed you never eat lunch with colleagues—you disappear the moment break starts. You’re not saying you’re busy during lunch break too, are you?”

This suspicion wasn’t unique to Manager Xu—others in the department felt the same way. Lunch breaks were short, and everyone needed to eat. It was understandable to occasionally be busy, but Meng Feixuan had never once spent a break in the department since his first day. It was hard not to suspect that he was avoiding people.

Since interpersonal relationships were part of intern evaluations, and Manager Xu was very satisfied with Meng Feixuan’s work, he hoped to keep him in the department after graduation. Naturally, he was concerned.

Manager Xu guessed that “no time” was just an excuse—no one was so busy they couldn’t spare even a lunch break. As a workplace veteran, he felt responsible for helping Meng Feixuan open up.

To his surprise, Meng Feixuan smiled and said cheerfully: “Yes, I eat lunch with my boyfriend every day.”

Manager Xu: “……”

He was caught completely off guard and couldn’t help but feel a bit speechless. Young people these days! Dating so clingily—even on workdays!

Manager Xu gave a dry cough and chuckled awkwardly: “You and your boyfriend must have a great relationship.”

…And plenty of energy, apparently.

Meng Feixuan didn’t shy away and nodded enthusiastically: “We’re the best couple in the world.”

Manager Xu: “……”

Okay, that didn’t need to be said so proudly.

Since the issue wasn’t poor social skills, Manager Xu couldn’t pry further into personal matters. So he changed the topic: “The company will conduct evaluations for full-time conversion next month. You’ve performed very well—I’ll fight for a full-time spot for you. Make sure to prepare well…”

This was no small thing.

Zhuzi Technology, being one of the country’s top tech giants, was a dream employer for most fresh graduates. The bar for hiring was extremely high—most new hires came from elite universities.

Even for internal interns, the conversion process was strict and involved multiple layers of approval.

For a manager like Xu to explicitly say he would help an intern get converted internally was rare. It showed how much he valued Meng Feixuan.

Any other intern would’ve been thrilled. Meng Feixuan, however, remained calm and politely smiled: “Thank you, Manager. But I already have plans.”

Manager Xu looked surprised: “You don’t want to be converted?”

“Not exactly.” Meng Feixuan waved it off: “I’ll stay with the company, but not in the marketing department.”

“I see.” Manager Xu understood.

But Zhuzi wasn’t the kind of company where you could choose your department freely, and marketing was already a very promising department.

Unwilling to accept that his department wasn’t Meng Feixuan’s first choice, he asked: “Which department do you want to go to?”

Meng Feixuan answered without hesitation: “The president’s office.”

Manager Xu: “…Huh?”

The president’s office was Zhuzi’s core department. Even the lowest-level assistant there outranked department directors in administrative hierarchy. Without exceptional credentials, there was no way in.

Manager Xu had thought Meng Feixuan was clever and steady. Now he seemed delusional. A bit disappointed, he decided to guide him.

“Xiao Meng, it’s good to be ambitious,” Manager Xu said earnestly: “But you need to take it one step at a time. Do you know what kind of place the president’s office is?”

Meng Feixuan nodded: “I do.”

Manager Xu didn’t believe him and patiently continued: “The president’s office doesn’t hire fresh graduates.”

Meng Feixuan gave him a meaningful smile: “I can get in.”

Manager Xu: “……”

He started doubting whether Meng Feixuan was actually as smart as he seemed. How could he not understand something so simple?

Manager Xu sighed and stopped trying to persuade him. He just patted Meng Feixuan’s shoulder and said: “Young people need more real-world experience.”

One day, reality would hit him, and he’d understand what the president’s office truly was.

Manager Xu’s impression of Meng Feixuan plummeted, and he dropped the idea of helping him get converted. He ended the conversation casually.

Some teams in the department had hiring quotas for new grads. A few teams that had been eyeing Meng Feixuan asked Manager Xu about the meeting, and were speechless after hearing about it.

They all thought the same as Manager Xu: Meng Feixuan seemed smart, but turned out to be unrealistic—just started working and already wanted to join the president’s office… and seemed a bit love-brained too.

Word of the conversation spread quickly. The other interns heard bits and pieces. They didn’t have strong opinions—they weren’t close to Meng Feixuan, and since he was capable, he was their biggest competitor. Now that the department didn’t seem interested in keeping him, they felt a little relieved.

But they were far more curious about his romantic life.

Meng Feixuan was attractive and capable. Many interns liked him, but he always vanished during breaks, making it hard for anyone to approach. Some had planned to wait until they got closer, only to now find out—he had a boyfriend.

And all those lunch breaks? Spent with his boyfriend.

…Heartbreaking and intriguing.

Zhuzi had a 30-minute afternoon tea break to help employees relax. During this time, a few interns gathered in the break room to gossip.

“Whoa, didn’t expect Xiao Meng to have a boyfriend.”

“Not surprising—he’s good-looking and competent. He must have plenty of admirers.”

“Yeah, he doesn’t look like someone lacking options.”

“What surprises me is that he eats with his boyfriend every single lunch break. I couldn’t keep up with that—it’s exhausting.”

“You single people don’t get it. That’s called love!”

“Well, still, isn’t his boyfriend a bit too clingy—”

Just then, Meng Feixuan walked in to get water and caught that last part. He immediately objected: “Nonsense! I’m the clingy one!”

Everyone froze, not expecting him to show up mid-gossip. A little awkward at first, then stunned by what he said.

…That wasn’t exactly something to be proud of?

Since he’d overheard them anyway, one intern boldly asked: “Xiao Meng, does your boyfriend work nearby? You two eat together every day.”

“Yeah.” Meng Feixuan replied while pouring water: “He works at the company.”

“What?” The others were shocked: “He works here?”

“Whoa, who is it? We’ve never seen him.”

“You have.” Meng Feixuan smiled proudly: “It’s President Xie.”

Actually, he and Xie Ran never bothered hiding it—Xie Ran didn’t care what others thought.

It was just that Xie Ran’s office was heavily restricted. Most people didn’t go near it during breaks, so no one ever caught them eating together.

If anyone did see them together, they just assumed it was for work.

Meng Feixuan was open about it, but the others burst out laughing: “Oh wow, a Xie Ran fanboy!”

“Ehhh—” One person twitched: “Xiao Meng, not a funny joke.”

One girl, however, lit up and gave Meng Feixuan a knowing look: “I’m a Xie Ran fangirl too. We’re sisters now!”

“You clay idol fangirl, shut up!” Meng Feixuan growled: “I’m telling the truth!”

“You know about clay idol fans? You are my sister!” the girl declared: “Don’t worry, I understand!”

Meng Feixuan: “…No, you don’t.”

Clearly, no one believed him. Xie Ran’s cold, distant image was too deeply ingrained. Meng Feixuan’s pride couldn’t beat the strength of Xie Ran’s public persona.

Back at his desk, Meng Feixuan sent a mini report to Xie Ran:

[Mister, someone actually doesn’t believe you’re my boyfriend!]

[We look so good together!]

[I strongly recommend new employees get vision checks at onboarding!]

[Anyone who can’t tell we’re a couple should be classified as blind!]

…

Xie Ran was in a routine meeting when the messages started pouring in—he instantly knew it was from Meng Feixuan.

No one else dared text him like that.

He glanced at the messages and let out a small laugh.

“Hold on.” Xie Ran raised a hand: “I need to post an announcement.”

Everyone froze in surprise. If Xie Ran was interrupting a meeting for an announcement, it had to be urgent.

The assistant offered quickly: “President Xie, what announcement? I can do it.”

“No need. I’ll do it myself.” He hit enter: “Done.”

That fast?

Everyone scrambled to check the company system. A notification had just appeared.

Posted from Xie Ran’s personal account, it showed a photo of a young man and just two words: [My boyfriend]

Everyone: ???!!!

Shocked, they turned to Xie Ran. One even blurted: “President Xie, what does this mean?”

Xie Ran looked at him coolly: “Exactly what it says.”

Then waved his hand: “Let’s continue the meeting.”

He was completely unfazed, as if this announcement were a minor interruption. He didn’t care how stunned everyone was.

Meanwhile, Zhuzi’s entire staff exploded in chatter—especially the marketing department, which was collectively floored.

“What… What does this mean?”

“Did President Xie get hacked?!”

“…Who could hack his account?”

“So it was him?!”

Once they figured it out, the interns who had teased Meng Feixuan earlier were utterly stunned. Especially the Xie Ran fangirl, who stared at him and stammered: “Xiao Meng, you… you’re really President Xie’s boyfriend?!”

Meng Feixuan hadn’t expected Xie Ran to make such a public announcement. He was caught off guard but overjoyed. Straightening up proudly, he declared: “I am.”

Thud! The fangirl collapsed to the floor and screamed: “I didn’t mean to idolize President Xie—I’m a girlfriend fan! No wait—I’m not a fan at all!”

Meng Feixuan: “……”

Just then, Manager Xu rushed out of his office, trembling: “Xiao Meng, you’re… actually going to the president’s office?!”

Meng Feixuan: “…Yes.”

Manager Xu’s legs gave out. He slowly sank into a nearby chair and sighed: “Looks like I haven’t been beaten enough by reality yet!”

Meng Feixuan: “……”