I Revealed My True Identity After Confessing My Love - Chapter 29

Going back a few days, Ye Nanning had felt a stir in her heart ever since she learned that the apartment opposite Du Xiran was up for rent.

After returning to her own apartment, everything she looked at seemed wrong.

The renovation was too flashy and high-profile, the bathroom was so large it wasted space, there were too many wardrobes extravagant and the floors were so polished and shiny that they were a slipping hazard, a threat to her very life.

She convinced herself: to protect her personal safety, it was high time to move.

On her way to work the next day, she suddenly thought of an even more compelling reason: her current apartment was far too far from the office. Driving took over half an hour, and taking the bus was prone to traffic jams.

Meanwhile, Du Xiran’s place was only a twenty-minute drive from the office. She could sleep for ten more minutes every day!

Plus, she might even be able to hitch a ride with President Du…it was simply too perfect.

In short, with all these reasons combined, every sign pointed toward moving.

And so, the decision was happily made.

After working overtime on Monday, she contacted the agent to rent the place. Then came the contract signing and the actual move.

Initially, the agent requested she sign the contract at the shop, but the shop was located right in the residential complex’s commercial strip. What if she ran into Du Xiran? What if Du Xiran told her not to move in?

Since she had made her decision, she had to execute it in one smooth motion.

Especially when chasing a girlfriend, one must strike while the iron is hot.

For a socially anxious person like her, once this opportunity passed, it would be difficult to find the right moment to make such a decision again.

The timing, the location, and the people were all in alignment if she didn’t move now, she wasn’t worthy of her heritage!

She arranged to meet the agent at a coffee shop near the university to sign the contract, then contacted a moving company.

After packing for two consecutive nights following overtime, she was exhausted. But the thought of becoming Du Xiran’s neighbor acted like a shot of adrenaline she didn’t feel tired at all.

Finally, on Thursday night, the move was successfully completed. Looking at her new, empty home filled with her boxes, she felt an inexplicable sense of joy.

The next morning, she woke up early. The kitchen in the new place wasn’t set up yet, so she went downstairs to buy breakfast. Seeing that it was still early, she went home and tidied up for a while.

Then, timing it perfectly, she stood behind her door, watching the movement of the door across from her through the peephole.

Time ticked by second by second until finally, the door opened from the inside. Du Xiran, bag in hand, was preparing to leave.

Ye Nanning immediately stood straight. Ignoring her racing heart, she forced herself to look calm as she opened her door and said with a straight face, “Morning, President Du.”

The next moment, President Du stepped back into her room and shut the door.

??

Ye Nanning panicked. Could it be that seeing her first thing in the morning had ruined President Du’s mood?

Shortly after, the door opened again. Du Xiran looked at her in shock: “Why are you here?!”

Fortunately, she doesn’t hate me, Ye Nanning thought with relief. She said, “I moved. I live here now.”

“Moved?” Du Xiran looked at her in disbelief. “Moved to the place across from me? When did this happen? Why didn’t you say anything in advance?”

“The landlord was going to sell my old place, so the move was a bit rushed.”

As Du Xiran walked into the elevator with her, she frowned. “A change in ownership doesn’t break a lease. How could they kick you out?”

Ye Nanning quickly explained, “It wasn’t a forced eviction. The lease was almost up anyway, and the new owner has children and won’t be renting it out. Since there was a vacancy here, I moved in…”

Du Xiran led her to the parking lot. After getting into the car, she asked, “You didn’t move here just so you could hitch a ride with me every day, did you?”

“Um…”

Admittedly, that was indeed a major factor. Hitching a ride meant going to work together every day, half an hour of private time every day, and the first person she saw every day would be her!

However, Du Xiran didn’t think that far. She simply thought the girl wanted to save on transportation costs hitching a ride every day for a month would save enough for a new outfit.

Du Xiran laughed noncommittally. “You can hitch a ride, but from now on, you drive.”

“No problem! You’re the best, President Du!” Ye Nanning said forcefully.

“But the rent in our complex isn’t cheap. Are you renting alone or with a roommate?”

“Alone.” Ye Nanning lowered her head. “I don’t have a good personality. If I lived with roommates, they wouldn’t like me.”

“Why would you think that?” Du Xiran was puzzled, suddenly remembering the malicious and kick her while she’s down posts on the university forum. “Did you move out because you didn’t get along with your roommates?”

Ye Nanning bit her lip. “I’m used to living alone.”

Shared living always brought various troubles. Roommates would often say she was cold and unapproachable at first, then quickly form a clique to hang out together. Even if there was no malice, Ye Nanning would be the first one left out.

A person is most lonely when they are in a crowd, everyone else is happy, while she is the only one excluded.

So, she preferred the loneliness of being alone; at least she could do whatever she wanted.

“Don’t overthink it. Your personality isn’t bad at all.”

Du Xiran’s voice pulled her out of her memories. She asked in surprise, “President Du, you don’t think I have a bad personality?”

Du Xiran: “I never pick meal buddies with bad personalities; it ruins the mood for eating.”

Ye Nanning felt a warmth in her heart, then heard her say, “But since most of your salary is going toward rent now, I guess you won’t be able to go out to eat often.”

Ye Nanning went blank.

“I’ll see if I can find another meal buddy.”

“I can do it!” Ye Nanning said heroically. “It’s just a few meals. I can afford it. At worst, I’ll just take on a few more part time jobs.”

Du Xiran burst out laughing. “Is all your hard work just for food and a place to stay?”

Ye Nanning muttered, “People live for their mouths and their beds.”

Du Xiran smiled, thinking to herself that times really had changed. When she first graduated, she lived in the suburbs, squeezed onto the subway during morning and evening peaks, and pinched pennies just to save up for a house.

However, one couldn’t say whose lifestyle was correct. After all, everyone lives their own life and has no right to interfere with others’ as long as they are happy.

If Ye Nanning felt that living well was worth it, then so be it.

After arriving at the company, the two took the elevator together. Ye Nanning loved the feeling of arriving and leaving together. As she was secretly rejoicing, she heard someone next to her greet her: “Morning, Ye Nanning! Have you had breakfast?”

Ye Nanning turned to see it was Hu Jiaxu and nodded.

Hu Jiaxu asked again, “What did you have?”

Ye Nanning: “Rice noodles.”

Even though she only gave short answers, Hu Jiaxu didn’t find her cold. Since Ye Nanning had helped her last time, she had developed a good impression of her, realizing that one shouldn’t judge people solely by their appearance or first impressions.

Hu Jiaxu said with a smile, “I had soup dumplings. What are you having for lunch? Want to go eat with me?”

Ye Nanning shook her head. “I’ll just eat alone.”

Hu Jiaxu glanced at the others in the elevator. Seeing no familiar faces, she still leaned in cautiously and whispered into her ear, “I’m not eating with Hu Hanqiao and the others, don’t worry.”

Because of the sudden proximity, Ye Nanning instinctively tried to avoid her. She leaned back and actually leaned against Du Xiran’s shoulder.

Just as she was wishing she could die of embarrassment, Du Xiran reached out from behind to steady her. “Careful.”

Ye Nanning: !!

Aaaah! I was hugged by President Du! I want to detach this arm and put it on an altar, wuhu!

“So? Want to eat together?” Hu Jiaxu confirmed again.

Ye Nanning nodded dizzily.

The elevator doors opened, and Hu Jiaxu walked ahead with a smile. “Alright then, I’ll help you order takeout later.”

Ye Nanning couldn’t refuse her kindness again and agreed. She then followed Du Xiran toward their area. Du Xiran whispered, “See? You do have friends.”

Ye Nanning knew she was being comforted, but she didn’t dare hold out hope. She said, “That’s only because she doesn’t know me well yet. She’ll probably get tired of me in a few days.”

“Why?”

“It just… happens that way,” Ye Nanning stammered.

Du Xiran saw a trace of hurt on her habitually “cold” face. She didn’t understand what the girl had been through, but it was clear she had almost no friends, which led to her instinctive resistance to social relationships.

“Go to work first,” Du Xiran said.

“Okay.”

Ye Nanning returned to her seat. After working for a while, it was time for a meeting.

The acquisition case had been completely finalized. The next step was handling contracts and various materials to help both clients reach their goals.

“Xu Huan will be in charge of this, she has experience. Shui Min, you take the analysts and join Xu Huan to assist her. Although you don’t often handle this area, you should gain more exposure,” Du Xiran said.

“Understood.”

“Try to avoid conflicts with the clients during this period. Make sure they are satisfied with our work especially the acquiring party. Their goal is to go public. Let’s strive to get the IPO project as well, understood?”

Everyone nodded.

The meeting was nearly over when Du Xiran suddenly looked at Xu Huan and asked, “Ye Nanning has been here for nearly a month. How do you think she’s doing?”

Ye Nanning was startled. She hadn’t expected to be called out like this, it felt like being back in class.

In school, teachers always liked to call on her to answer questions. After she answered, they would ask the students to critique her performance. At first, the students were serious, but over time, they felt the teacher was biased. They also thought she was arrogant because she kept a “stink face” even when praised, so they stopped commenting. Everyone would remain silent, staring at her while she stood alone in the classroom, feeling the cold wind outside.

Ye Nanning looked at Xu Huan nervously, her eyes hiding a fragile expression. Then she saw Xu Huan speak up: “I think Xiao Ye is really amazing! She works cleanly and efficiently, and she’s very smart. Actually, I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t had time to lead her or teach her much, but she’s already able to complete tasks independently. She’s such a relief to work with. I wish every intern was as capable as her.”

Ye Nanning’s face turned slightly red. She didn’t feel like she was nearly as “amazing” as described.

“Xiao Ye is indeed great. She even helped me organize materials and print drafts during her overtime. She never complains. Xiao Ye, I’ll treat you to a meal another day,” Chen Shuimin said.

Ye Nanning: “Thank you.”

“Xiao Ye is a formidable force. Having her in our group is like giving a tiger wings. I think she has a great future ahead of her and will definitely achieve big things. So, I have to suck up to her first. Xiao Ye, don’t forget your old brother Wang when you’re successful,” Old Wang said with a laugh.

“You flatter me.” Ye Nanning scratched her head, feeling a bit shy.

Du Xiran smiled. “Since you all like her so much, don’t wait for ‘another day’ to treat her. Today is Friday, let’s all have a team dinner after work.”

“Sure! My treat!” Chen Shuimin said.

Xu Huan: “Then I’ll get the next one.”

Everyone started discussing where to go. The meeting room was lively. Ye Nanning looked at her colleagues and couldn’t help but curl the corners of her mouth. When she looked at Du Xiran, she found the other woman smiling back at her.

Suddenly, she realized that Du Xiran was the one who brought up the topic.

Was President Du doing it on purpose? To let her see her colleagues’ true feelings?

Ye Nanning stared at her blankly, then suddenly gave a radiant smile like spring wind blowing across a snowy landscape, a startlingly beautiful bloom of spring.

Du Xiran froze for a second, momentarily captivated.

Indeed, beauty knows no gender.

At lunch, Ye Nanning ate with Hu Jiaxu. The two ate at Ye Nanning’s workstation because the pantry was too crowded.

Hu Jiaxu wasn’t shy at all. She started chatting after just a few bites, from university life to these past few weeks of interning. Ye Nanning chimed in occasionally, while her peripheral vision stayed on the office.

Du Xiran had been busy in her office until finally, she pushed the door open and came out.

Ye Nanning quickly focused on her food. A moment later, the sound of footsteps stopped in front of her. Du Xiran’s smiling voice came from above: “Oh, eating with a new friend?”

“Hello, President Du. I’m Hu Jiaxu.” Hu Jiaxu introduced herself proactively with a sweet, likable smile.

“You know me?” Du Xiran asked, surprised.

“Of course! I knew who you were within a few days of starting. You’re so beautiful and became a VP at such a young age. I really admire you,” Hu Jiaxu said.

Du Xiran laughed and looked at her ID badge. “You have a silver tongue. Hu Jiaxu, right? I’ll remember you.”

“Thank you, President Du.”

Ye Nanning watched their familiar interaction as if they were long time friends. Her gaze toward Hu Jiaxu shifted envy, jealousy, and hate, wuhu.

“President Du, go eat your lunch,” Ye Nanning urged.

The two of them were stunned. Seeing her stiff tone and rigid expression as she blurted that out was quite a shock.

Hu Jiaxu looked at her with admiration.

Du Xiran was amused to the point of irritation. “Are you ordering me around?”

“I’m caring about you,” Ye Nanning said.

“Really? Looking at your face, it doesn’t seem like care. It looks more like you’re angry.”

“I’m not.” Ye Nanning forced a rigid smile, truly living the old saying her smile looks worse than her cry.

Hu Jiaxu collapsed with laughter. Du Xiran covered her face, her red lips curving upward. “Alright, I won’t disturb you ‘kids’ while you eat. I should go forage for food myself.”

Only after watching Du Xiran leave did Ye Nanning retract her gaze. She caught Hu Jiaxu staring at her and instinctively leaned back, asking warily, “What are you doing?”

“I just thought you were so cool just now. You actually dared to talk to a VP like that! I wouldn’t dare speak to my VP that way, he’s too scary. I don’t even dare to joke around,” Hu Jiaxu said. Then, she added some balanced praise, “But President Du is so nice. I’d always heard she was strict and thought she’d be a ‘thorny rose,’ but she’s so approachable and beautiful.”

Ye Nanning silently moved her lunch box a bit further away and turned her back to eat.

“Hey, Ye Nanning, what’s wrong?” Hu Jiaxu asked.

Ye Nanning didn’t want to talk to her.

Hu Jiaxu poked her back. “Do you want some ribs? I don’t like ribs, this portion hasn’t been touched.”

Ye Nanning shook her head. Suddenly, she turned around and looked at Hu Jiaxu, looking as if she wanted to say something but was hesitating.

“What is it? Do you want to ask something?” Hu Jiaxu blinked, encouraging her, “Ask away, I’ll see if I can answer.”

Ye Nanning actually asked: “What do you think of President Du?”

“She’s great.”

“Then, do you like her?”

“I do.”

Ye Nanning turned her back to her again, her face puffed up like a pufferfish.

“But I’m just saying that based on my first impression,” Hu Jiaxu added. “What if she’s hard to get along with in private?”

Nonsense! President Du is super great in private too!

Ye Nanning whipped her head back around, wanting to refute her, but heard Hu Jiaxu continue to herself, “But President Du probably isn’t that kind of person. A person’s face reflects their heart, she must be nice in private too.”

Only then did Ye Nanning retract her glare and ask, “Do you have a boyfriend?”

Hu Jiaxu’s eyes widened. She looked around before whispering, “I’m only telling you this, don’t tell anyone else. Actually, there’s a guy I’m pursuing, but he’s going abroad for further studies next month, so I’m not sure if I should confess. What do you think? Any advice?”

Ye Nanning silently handed over the cola from her set meal.

As long as you don’t like President Du, we are friends!