I Revealed My True Identity After Confessing My Love - Chapter 23

Du Xiran bumped into some colleagues in the breakroom and chatted for a bit before heading back to her office with water. She saw Ye Nanning sitting upright and well-behaved, looking like a top student waiting to be reprimanded.

“I just need to look at the data; there’s no need to be so nervous.” Du Xiran sat down with a smile. Glancing at her phone, she instinctively wanted to reply to the blogger she had been chatting with.

When she opened her phone, she froze.

[The other party has withdrawn a message]

[The other party has withdrawn a message]

Du Xiran didn’t know what the other person had withdrawn, so she could only suppress her curiosity for the time being and focus on the business at hand.

She opened the files Ye Nanning had organized and began to read through them carefully.

During the wait, every second felt like an eternity. Worried about making a mistake at work and terrified of her “secret identity” being discovered, Ye Nanning felt like someone walking onto an execution ground, waiting for the final verdict.

Seeing Du Xiran’s expression grow increasingly solemn and silent, Ye Nanning’s inner turmoil worsened. Her eyes darted around, and when she saw the phone on the desk, she nearly blurted out an inquiry about whether the other woman knew she was “Grandpa Under the Tree.”

“There are a few issues here,” Du Xiran suddenly said, pointing at the document.

Ye Nanning snapped back to reality, looking at her blankly: “Where?”

Du Xiran leaned over and pushed the document closer: “The market risks aren’t comprehensive enough. These were the risks listed in the previous materials, but now that we’re switching to an overseas listing, the risks involved will be different.”

“Okay, I’ve got it.” Ye Nanning hurriedly took notes.

Du Xiran pointed out a few more errors, saying, “You should pay attention to these things normally, but since this is your first time organizing this kind of data, you’ve already done a great job. It saved everyone a lot of time. You can use it after you make the revisions.”

Ye Nanning nodded: “That’s good then.”

“Alright, go back and rest, take a nap.” Du Xiran waved her hand and yawned, wrapping her shawl around herself. As if thinking of something, she suddenly looked at Ye Nanning, “Don’t come in and peek at me while I’m sleeping later, or you might see me drooling.”

Ye Nanning smiled and made sure to pull the door shut as she left.

Lunch break had started, and most people had already lied down, but she didn’t feel sleepy at all. She left the office alone and found a café downstairs. Sitting there, she opened her phone and repeatedly checked her chat logs with “Dududu.”

People always talk about “fate,” but once such a coincidence actually happens to you, it’s hard to believe and even harder to face.

Looking closely at this fan’s ID, it was indeed “Du Du Du.” She had never thought about it in that way before.

However, judging from Du Xiran’s normal demeanor, the other woman clearly didn’t know she was “Grandpa Under the Tree.”

This meant all the “rainbow farts” (lavish flattery) she had sent to President Du hadn’t been discovered yet. It wasn’t too embarrassing yet, she just had to keep this mask tightly secured!

And… and maybe this was an opportunity to get closer to President Du. Usually, she wouldn’t dare talk about these “girly heart” secrets with President Du on WeChat.

“Ye Nanning, what a coincidence,” Yan Zhenghao walked over with a coffee. “Can I sit here?”

Ye Nanning glanced at him but said nothing, continuing to drink her coffee.

Yan Zhenghao sat down directly opposite her. Seeing her staring out the window, he noted how her profile was beautiful yet distant.

“Back in class, I always saw you like this, staring outside, keeping people a thousand miles away,” Yan Zhenghao smiled.

Ye Nanning turned back to look at him: “Do you need something?”

“We’re colleagues; can’t we just chat?” Yan Zhenghao had restrained his feelings back in school, knowing she was hard to pursue, so he wanted to wait until he had some standing before making a move. Now that they were at the same company and he was performing well and was well-liked, he felt he could find more topics to talk about. He smiled, “How was your business trip the other day? Was it tiring?”

For some reason, after he asked this, Yan Zhenghao felt her expression soften slightly, though she still remained largely expressionless.

“It was okay.” Ye Nanning took a sip of coffee to hide the slight curl of her lips.

Ye Nanning, don’t get cocky! Stay low-profile!

“That’s good. I’ll also try to get a chance to go on a business trip. I feel like I could learn a lot.”

Ye Nanning nodded.

“By the way, have you been following the forum? People are guessing if you’re in a relationship again,” Yan Zhenghao probed.

A figure walked past the window. Ye Nanning said, “Hu Hanqiao is outside.”

Yan Zhenghao looked over and saw Hu Hanqiao looking back with a surprised expression, seemingly unsure if she should come in.

“She and I are just ordinary friends,” Yan Zhenghao said. “You should be able to tell who I like, right?”

“Me?” Ye Nanning asked.

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t like you.” After saying this, Ye Nanning breathed a long sigh of relief. She had finally rejected him.

Before, Yan Zhenghao hadn’t directly stated his feelings, and as someone with social anxiety, she didn’t feel comfortable proactively rejecting him, what if she had misread the situation?

She had intentionally kept her distance, yet Yan Zhenghao had kept thinking he had a chance. Finally, the opportunity had come.

“Is it that you look down on me, or you just don’t feel anything?” Yan Zhenghao asked.

“Didn’t you just say the forum was asking about my relationship status?” Ye Nanning finished the rest of her coffee in one gulp, stood up, and looked down at him. “I can tell you: I’m in the middle of an unrequited love.”

Yan Zhenghao was shocked for a moment and immediately chased after her: “Ye Nanning!”

Ye Nanning stopped and looked at Hu Hanqiao, who was in front of her: “He just confessed to me, and I have clearly rejected him. In the future, don’t involve me in your business, and definitely don’t let it affect my work. I stayed silent only because I didn’t want to play these ‘house’ games with you, not because I’m weak.”

With that, she strode away, leaving Hu Hanqiao and Yan Zhenghao staring at each other.

After entering the elevator, Ye Nanning quickly pressed the close button and took a deep breath, secretly clenching her fist: Well done!

It felt great to finally say what was on her mind in one go!

The afternoon work proceeded in an orderly fashion. Ye Nanning’s mind was filled with work until she saw Du Xiran leave with her bag after clocking out, at which point all sorts of thoughts began to bubble up again.

Should she just confess to President Du?

But then the other woman would definitely ask who this “perfect secret crush goddess” she mentioned was. The answer was obvious!

Should she cut off contact with President Du?

Wuwuwu, I can’t bear to.

Or… just deny it to the death?

…That seemed feasible.

While she was pondering, her phone lit up. A message from Weibo.

Dududu: [Sorry, I was too busy this afternoon and didn’t see the message. What did you withdraw?]

Even though people around her were already leaving work, she remained cautious. She took her phone to the restroom, locked herself in a stall, and replied:

Grandpa Under the Tree: [It was nothing, just a typo!]

Dududu: [Okay, I’m off work now. Let’s talk later. Get some rest.]

Ye Nanning: “…”

That was it?

Come on, chat for another two minutes.

Ye Nanning looked at her phone wistfully. After two minutes, there was still no message, and she left the restroom dejectedly.

Returning to her station, she saw her WeChat jumping. She clicked it, it was from Du Xiran!

Du Xiran: [Did you forget something?]

Forgot something? Forgot to express my love to you?

Confused, Ye Nanning replied with: [?]

Du Xiran: […] Du Xiran: [Your luggage is still in my car!]

Ye Nanning was startled. Look how angry President Du was she even used an exclamation mark.

She scurried down to the parking lot and saw the other woman from a distance. As she approached, she realized Du Xiran was on the phone and gestured for her to wait.

Ye Nanning waited nearby. In her peripheral vision, she saw their shadows stretched long on the ground, their heads appearing to touch.

She stealthily took a photo of their shadows together and quickly tucked her phone away when she heard Du Xiran hang up.

“The luggage has been there for days, and you didn’t notice?” Du Xiran opened the trunk and stood aside.

Ye Nanning went to lift the suitcase but couldn’t move it at first. Du Xiran reached out to help lift it.

“Are you okay?” After putting the suitcase down, Ye Nanning instinctively grabbed Du Xiran’s hand and blew on it.

Du Xiran: “…” Du Xiran: “Do you know who you look like right now?”

Ye Nanning belatedly let go and stammered: “Who?”

“Li Lianying (a famous eunuch). You’re being so cautiously sycophantic.”

“…”

Ye Nanning pursed her lips. “But you’re not Empress Dowager Cixi.”

“Then who am I?”

“You’re Princess Du.”

“Pfft.” Du Xiran burst out laughing. “Alright, take your suitcase and go back.”

“Okay, I’ll go up and work overtime first.”

“Dragging the suitcase with you?”

“Yeah.”

“Leave it on the first floor, let the security guard keep an eye on it for you.”

The thought of having to interact with the security uncle made Ye Nanning prefer the legwork: “It’s too much trouble for him. I’ll just drag it up.”

“…”

Du Xiran had no choice but to pat the car. “Get in. I’ll give you a ride home.”

Ye Nanning: “!!”

“Hurry up.”

“But my work is just a bit away from finishing,” Ye Nanning said regretfully.

Du Xiran: “How much longer?”

Ye Nanning: “About half an hour?”

“Go on then. Let’s eat together later, and then I’ll send you back,” Du Xiran mused. It just so happened that there were several food spots recommended by that blogger she hadn’t checked out yet. Taking a friend was better than eating alone.

Happiness came so suddenly. Ye Nanning looked down at her feet and muttered, “I didn’t even step in dog poop today, how am I so lucky?”

“What are you talking about dog poop for? Hurry up, put your suitcase away and handle your work. I’ll go find a spot at the restaurant now and send you the location.”

“Okay!”

Because Du Xiran was waiting for her, Ye Nanning’s efficiency in finishing her work skyrocketed. She finished in less than twenty minutes and hurriedly shut down her computer to leave.

“Where are you going in such a rush?” Xu Huan asked.

“Dinner!” Ye Nanning replied while running. As she squeezed into the elevator, she ran into Yan Zhenghao.

He gave her a nod. Ye Nanning stood to the side and heard him whisper: “Can I know who the person you like is?”

Ye Nanning shook her head: “Privacy issue. I can’t answer.”

Yan Zhenghao: “You aren’t lying to me, are you?”

Ye Nanning shook her head again. This time she didn’t even have time to answer seeing the elevator doors open, she rushed out.

Seeing the hint of indescribable anticipation in her expression, Yan Zhenghao guessed she was going to see the person she liked and sighed dejectedly.

The address was a very familiar restaurant. If she remembered correctly, she was the one who had shared it with this “Du” fan.

After rushing to the restaurant, she avoided the waiter’s greeting and looked for the table number Du Xiran had given her.

“Ye Nanning, I’m over here,” Du Xiran called out.

Ye Nanning looked over. Steam was rising from the pot on the table, and Du Xiran gave her a slight smile through the hazy mist.

Ye Nanning walked over with difficulty and sat opposite her: “President Du.”

“You’re funny. You call me Princess Du at work, but call me President Du after work?” Du Xiran teased.

“Princess Du,” Ye Nanning corrected.

Du Xiran covered her forehead, afraid she’d laugh too hard. “Let’s stick to President Du. It’s more familiar.”

“Okay, President Du.”

“I’ve ordered some things. See if you want to add any more meat?” Du Xiran said.

Ye Nanning scanned the QR code on the table to check the items already ordered. She added a portion of diaolong and chishuang (cuts of beef), wanting Du Xiran to try them. “President Du, this time it’s my treat.”

Du Xiran: “Did you get paid?”

Ye Nanning: “No.”

Du Xiran said, “Weren’t you going to wait until you got paid to treat me?”

Ye Nanning replied, “I play the stock market sometimes. I made a little yesterday.”

“Really? Which one did you make money on?” Du Xiran asked curiously.

Ye Nanning answered, and surprisingly, the other woman took an interest and began chatting about stocks with her.

The waiter bringing the food gave them a surprised look and reminded them: “The meat is fresh, please eat it soon.”

The two of them ended the topic reluctantly. Du Xiran smiled: “I didn’t expect you to be so professional. I thought you were just playing around. Where did you get the capital?”

“New Year’s money,” Ye Nanning said, looking down.

“Hmm… no wonder.” Du Xiran nodded. Recalling the rumors she’d heard, if Ye Nanning dressed well at school, it was likely just her legitimate income from stocks. Deleting those forum posts was the right move!

She picked up her phone and sent a “Red Packet” to Zhang Mishuang.

Zhang Mishuang: [? Are you possessed?]

Du Xiran: [A reward for your boyfriend. His technique is good.]

Zhang Mishuang: […Honey, watch your wording. You’re making me overthink things.]

Du Xiran: [IT technique!]

“President Du, it’s ready to eat.” Ye Nanning wanted to serve her meat, but she was afraid the other would find her chopsticks unsanitary, so she used the serving chopsticks. “It won’t taste good if it gets cold.”