Su Qing (Img)

  ---

  What's it like w in a powerful department of a powerful ministry?

  The answer is simple: busy.

  Really busy.

  From the moment you step into the offitil long after normal w hours, you're drowning in work. Big tasks, small tasks—everything must be handled with precision. There's no room for even the smallest mistake.

  A minor error at the top snowball into a major disaster at the grassroots level.

  The work iy is so high that even many male colleagues find it overwhelming.

  But Su Qi fulfilled.

  She thrived on this busyness, this sense of purpose.

  More importantly, it made her feel like she was stantly improving.

  ---

  She wasn't sure when it started, maybe two years ago but somewhere along the way, she began hiding someone in her heart.

  He was so exceptional, so remarkable, that everyone who knew him couldn't help but feel proud of him.

  In the past two years, his name had bee a regur feature in the try's most prestigious neers, magazines, and TV shows. He'd received widespread praise from every er of the try. Even at work, Su Qing often overheard her leaders praising him.

  Yet, she old anyone about their e.

  In her heart, there was an obsession: she wao work hard to get closer to him.

  "I already have a boyfriend."

  This was her standard response whenever someone expressed i in her or tried to introduce her to a potential partner.

  But no one had ever seen this so-called boyfriend. She never mentioned who he was or what he did. Most people assumed it was just an excuse.

  Only she khe truth.

  There really was someone in her heart.

  With him, there was no room for anyone else.

  No matter how te she worked or how tired she was, she always logged into World of Warcraft whe home, cheg to see if he'd sent her any messages or left her anything. Whenever she had a moment, she'd visit his social media space, reading the posts he'd left behind.

  At first, she didn't uand, but over time, she realized that his posts were visible only to her.

  To him, she ecial.

  And to her, he ecial too.

  Occasionally, she'd wonder if their retionship would ever ge.

  Though it wasn't bad, it always felt like something was missing.

  Every time she saw photos of him with other women in the news or when someoried to use his fame for publicity she felt unfortable. But she was smart. She could read between the lines.

  She trusted him. And because she trusted him, she never asked questions.

  If you believe, there's o ask.

  ---

  That evening, after finishing overtime, she pushed her bicycle out of the office building. Across the street, uhe dim streetlight, stood a man in a mask and a thick down jacket.

  Despite the smog hanging over the capital, she reized him instantly.

  He saw her too and waved enthusiastically.

  She couldn't see his face behind the mask, but she was sure he was grinning.

  "When did you get back? Why didn't you tell me in advance?" Su Qing asked, a hint of pyful annoyan her voice. But the happiness shining through her torayed her true feelings.

  "I've been back for two or three days. I wao surprise you," Gao Shen said with a smile.

  And it was indeed a surprise.

  She walked her bicycle slowly, and he kept pace beside her.

  They hadn't gone far whearted pining about sore legs.

  "Have you been waiting out here for long?" Su Qing asked.

  "Two or three hours," he replied casually.

  "Why didn't you e inside?"

  "I didn't dare," Gao Shen said with a grin. "This is a national gover building. If I wandered in, I'd probably get arrested. Imagihe headliomorrow: Serie A Coach Detained for Trespassing at State Ministry. How would I face the world then?"

  Su Qing burst out ughing.

  She got on her bike aured for him to hop on the back.

  At first, he sat cautiously, keeping a polite distance. But as they rode through the streets, he inched closer aually ed his arms around her waist.

  "I feel safer this way," he said with a self-depreg chuckle.

  When did this guy learn to be so smooth?

  Suddenly, she didn't feel like going home just yet.

  She pedaled leisurely through the alleys of the capital, carrying him on the back seat.

  Passersby turo stare, whispering to each other.

  Some ented on how ungraceful it was for a man to let his girlfriend do all the work while he lounged on the bike.

  Others specuted that he might be sick, why else would he be so shameless?

  When they passed by the park, an elderly man taking a stroll called out to Su Qing, "Girl, don't spoil a man like this!"

  Su Qing couldn't help but giggle, while Gao Shen remained unfazed, smiling and shouting back, "Thank you for your , uncle!"

  As they rode away, ughing, the old man muttered to himself, "What's wrong with young people these days? Se!"

  After riding for what seemed like ages, they arrived at one of the most solemn ndmarks in the capital.

  Gao Shen suddenly jumped off the back of the bike, startling Su Qing. She quickly braked and turned around, ed that he might have fallen. When she saw that he erfectly fine, she let out a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to pin, she noticed the serious expression on his face.

  Without warning, Gao Shen raised his voice.

  "Su Qing!"

  "I love you!"

  The words echoed in the night.

  People passing by stopped iracks, stunned by the se. A man in a thick down jacket and mask stood uhe streetlight, shouting his love to a woman with a araordinary temperament.

  Onlookers quickly caught on to what was happening.

  Many of the women couldn't help but feel envious of Su Qing. To be loved so openly, so boldly, must feel like pure bliss.

  The men watg were equally impressed. Brave or reckless, this guy had guts!

  "I swear here and now," Gao Shen tinued, "I will let the whole world know that I love you!"

  Su Qing's vision blurred as tears welled up in her eyes.

  Following her heart, she walked forward quickly and embraced Gao Shen tightly.

  Warm appuse erupted from the bystanders, cheers filling the air.

  Overwhelmed by the attention, Su Qing blushed deeply. As soon as the crowd's excitement subsided, she pulled Gao Shen along, pushing her bike, and fled the se as fast as she could.

  ---

  The m, Gao Shen woke up feeling refreshed, surrounded by a faint, pleasant fragrance.

  The beauty who had slept beside him the night before was gone, but the sound of cooking wafted in from the kit.

  Leaping out of bed, Gao Shen tiptoed to the kit door and saw Su Qing, dressed in light pajamas and an apron, busily preparing food at the stove.

  Uo resist, he rushed forward and hugged her from behind.

  But instead of the startled rea he'd anticipated, Su Qing remained calm, her movements undisturbed. She only said pyfully, "Don't move your hands. I'm cooking. You'll get burned."

  Gao Sheed his head on her shoulder, inhaling her faint fragrance.

  "My dear young dy, shouldn't you act a little more delicate right now? At least pretend to be startled, just to satisfy my mase ego."

  Su Qing giggled. "I heard you moving around the moment you left the bedroom. Besides, there's no one else at home. Who else could it be but you?"

  Gao Shen pouted. "You're breaking the rules. How am I supposed to keep this up?"

  "Well then, my great sir, you scared me half to death!" Su Qing teased, ughing so hard she could barely stand.

  Watg her radiant, pyful smile, Gao Shen couldn't help but tighten his embrace. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, "I've always thought you look beautiful when you smile, but now I realize how utterly captivating you are."

  And with that, Gao Shen's hands began to wander again.

  ---

  For the wo days, Gao Shen stayed hidden in the capital.

  Every m and evening, he apanied Su Qing to and from work, and they spent their luogether. During his free time, Gao Shen wahe city, expl its sights.

  At one point, he even snuto the ministry's cafeteria.

  "I have to say, the food here is really good," he joked to Su Qing ter.

  Two days ter, Gao Shen didn't return to Shanghai. Instead, he booked a flight straight back to Europe from the capital.

  Su Qing took half a day off to see him off at the airport.

  "Make sure to prepare for your vacation," Gao Shen reminded her before leaving. "Get your passport and visa ready so you e and watch me py!"

  Before heading to security, he hugged her tightly and didn't let go for a long time.

  "e back as soon as you ," Su Qing said softly, her eyes glistening. "And don't fet to call me, no matter how te it is when you nd."

  Gao Shen nodded.

  In the past, it had been his parents who stantly worried about him. Now, it was Su Qing.

  But this was different, and Gao She it deeply.

  He silently vowed to himself that he would succeed not just for himself, but for Su Qing.

  He wao give her the most publid heartfelt fession in the world.

  He wanted everyoo know that Gao Shen was no longer single.

  ---

  After a long flight, Gao Shen arrived in Rome. The moment he nded, he called Su Qing.

  Even though it was the middle of the night in a, Su Qing answered immediately, clearly waiting for his call.

  After firming they were both safe, Gao Shen reminded her to take care of herself and not overwork.

  In the past, he had suggested that she quit her job, but Su Qing had refused.

  She loved what she was doing, and Gao Shen respected her decision. He was fident that their retionship wouldn't be affected.

  Long-distaionships were tough, no doubt. But they could also be sweet.

  Whether they succeeded or failed didn't depend on the dista depended oher the people involved were right for each other.

  Some couples, separated by thousands of miles for years, still stayed together until old age.

  Others, living side by side, still drifted apart.

  Gao Shen believed his retionship with Su Qing was the former.

  After talking with Su Qing for a long time, Gao Shen hailed a car a off for Naples.

  On the ride, he mentally prepared himself to dive bato work with renewed energy.

  Bueura and Pintus had already crafted a wiraining pn tailored to Napoli's needs. The goal was to use the break to recharge ahe team up for an eveer sed half of the season.

  Gao Shen was determined. He wao lead Napoli to more victories and championships in the months to e.