I Revealed My True Identity After Confessing My Love - Chapter 43

The employees in the office area were drawn by the commotion. They peered over and saw Ye Nanning seemingly kneeling in front of Du Xiran’s desk while Du Xiran was laughing, leaving everyone incredibly curious.

When Ye Nanning finally emerged from the office, she was surrounded by onlookers. She hurried back to her seat, only to be peppered with questions from her teammates.

Xu Huan: “What were you two doing in there just now?” Old Wang: “Did President Du bully you?” Chen Shuimin: “Why were you on your knees?”

Feeling utterly humiliated, Ye Nanning buried her face on her desk and mumbled, “It’s nothing. Go take your noon naps.”

Seeing they wouldn’t get an answer, the others gave up their curiosity to rest. However, Hu Hanqiao stared at Ye Nanning’s seat for a moment before turning to look at the cheerful Du Xiran inside the office, her brow furrowing.

Work had been hectic lately, with overtime becoming a daily occurrence. Ye Nanning was gradually adapting, though she still felt the occasional wave of exhaustion.

After finishing work late one evening, she picked up several packages at the residential complex. Back home, she tried on a new coat and a down jacket, the sizes were perfect. She then showered and prepared for bed.

Just before sleep, the doorbell rang. Looking through the peephole, she saw Du Xiran in her pajamas.

Ye Nanning opened the door immediately. “President Du, is there something wrong this late?”

“I’m glad you’re still awake. Quickly, check this model once more; I need to send it to a client in a bit,” Du Xiran said, walking in with her laptop.

The two began working intently in the living room. Once Ye Nanning finished reviewing, she sent the file back. “No issues found.”

Du Xiran had been communicating with the client throughout. Only after Ye Nanning’s confirmation did she use the model’s data to finalize things, occasionally discussing data points with her.

Watching from the side, Ye Nanning noticed Du Xiran was wearing gold-rimmed anti-blue light glasses. Her bright eyes, hidden behind the lenses, gave her an even stronger “boss” vibe, yet with a unique charm. Ye Nanning couldn’t help but stare, it was more effective at keeping her awake than caffeine.

They worked until after 2:00 AM. Du Xiran closed her laptop and leaned back on the sofa, rubbing her brow with her eyes shut.

A cup of warm water was placed before her. “President Du, have some water.”

Du Xiran opened her eyes and took it. The warmth traveled from her throat to her stomach. She removed her glasses and brushed back her hair. “I kept you up tonight.”

“It’s no trouble. You didn’t sleep either,” Ye Nanning said. Not only was she not tired, but she felt happy. She truly wished she could accompany President Du every late night.

Du Xiran smiled and ruffled her hair. “Get some sleep. See you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, President Du.” Ye Nanning touched the spot where her hair had been ruffled. She walked her to the door and watched her enter her home before closing her own door, feeling elated.

The next morning, Ye Nanning prepared breakfast and went across the hall to call Du Xiran, but no one answered the bell even after a long time.

Did she oversleep? Oh no, did something happen? Could she have been abducted by aliens??

The thoughts grew increasingly dire. Ye Nanning turned back to get her phone, but noticed a bottle of milk at her own doorstep. Attached was a sticky note:

[Heading to the neighboring city early to see a client. Skipping breakfast.]

Ye Nanning took it inside, tucked the note into a drawer, and drank the milk to the last drop. She then carefully drafted a message: [What time did you wake up, President Du?]

The reply came quickly: [Around 6:00. I didn’t want to wake you. Can’t talk now, I’ve arrived at the client’s office.]

Ye Nanning was overjoyed. President Du is so thoughtful! Love it, love it!

However, when she reached the parking lot, she realized Du Xiran had taken the car. Usually, they timed their drive to the office perfectly. If she drove her own car, it would be too conspicuous.

She tried to hail a taxi, but during the morning rush hour, the wait was over thirty minutes. She searched for public transport routes. Figuring the subway would be too crowded, she opted for the bus.

The dense crowd nearly triggered her social anxiety. She spent the ride in a distorted posture to avoid physical contact with anyone, eventually arriving at the office exhausted and over ten minutes late.

“Xiao Ye, what happened to you?” Hu Jiaxu asked, seeing her run in disheveled, clutching her bag. “Did you just come back from a war zone?”

The colleagues laughed. Hu Hanqiao asked, “Why didn’t President Du come to work today?”

“I think she’s on a business trip,” Hu Jiaxu replied.

Hu Hanqiao glanced at the “impoverished” looking Ye Nanning and muttered, “Look at the state she’s in the moment President Du isn’t around.”

After lunch, Hu Jiaxu and Ye Nanning tallied their delivery expenses for the past half-month. Since Ye Nanning rarely took the initiative to order, Hu Jiaxu usually handled it. The bill showed Ye Nanning owed him over 200 yuan.

Ye Nanning went to open her phone but paused. Hu Jiaxu was right next to her, what if he saw the photos of Du Xiran on her phone and got the wrong idea?

She hesitated. “I don’t have any money in my WeChat wallet.”

“Alipay is fine too,” Hu Jiaxu laughed.

“Alipay is empty too… Can I transfer it to you when I get home tonight?”

“Sure, no problem,” Hu Jiaxu said generously, though he was curious. “Didn’t we just get paid? How are you out of money already?”

Ye Nanning: “…Rent, water, electricity, internet, gas, transportation…”

Hu Jiaxu: “Alright. If you don’t have it this month, you can pay me next month. I’ll cover the next month of orders for now.”

Ye Nanning: “No, no, I can definitely pay you tonight.”

Hu Jiaxu: “Hey, don’t be a stranger. I know you’re not the type to dodge a debt.”

Within a day, Ye Nanning noticed colleagues casting strange glances her way. She felt nervous and just kept her head down while eating.

“What’s up with them?” Hu Jiaxu wondered. “Are they envying your beauty again?”

“I don’t think so.” Ye Nanning shook her head, sensing it was something else.

She soon found out why.

Xu Huan returned from the water cooler and asked in shock, “Xiao Ye, I heard you’re so poor you can’t even afford 200 yuan for food? And you’re in debt?”

Ye Nanning: ??

“You don’t look like a big spender. How did you burn through your salary so fast?” Xu Huan asked.

“I didn’t…” Ye Nanning said timidly.

“Then why is everyone saying you’re dirt poor? That someone else has to pay for your lunch next month?”

Ye Nanning froze and looked at Hu Jiaxu. He overheard and turned around immediately. “I never said that! Who’s spreading this?”

Ye Nanning knew it wasn’t Hu Jiaxu, she had transferred the money the previous night, and they had already planned their meals for the coming week. Someone must have overheard their conversation and misinterpreted or exaggerated it.

“Just to clarify, Ye Nanning already paid me. She doesn’t owe anything!” Hu Jiaxu stood up and announced loudly.

The others believed him, but the fact that she couldn’t produce 200 yuan on the spot solidified her “poverty” status in their eyes. Their gazes remained full of pity.

Ye Nanning decided to let it be. She intended to be an unassuming intern anyway, and explaining her finances to everyone was too much work.

Ye Nanning: Dedicating the song “It Doesn’t Matter” to myself.

Around 5:00 PM, Du Xiran finally returned. She stopped by to grab some files and called out, “Ye Nanning, go downstairs and order a few coffees.”

Ye Nanning only had time for a quick glance before rushing off.

“Xu Huan, come to my office for a moment,” Du Xiran called Xu Huan in for business.

Soon, Ye Nanning brought the coffee in and returned to her workstation.

Xu Huan glanced at her through the glass several times, then asked, “President Du, are you reimbursing Xiao Ye for these afternoon teas?”

Du Xiran was puzzled. “Why do you ask?”

Xu Huan recounted the rumors of the past two days. “Interns have it rough. Their salary goes straight to rent. But where is she living that the rent is that high?”

Du Xiran thought: High indeed, and she’s even paying for a gym. These beauties are truly competitive.

Xu Huan continued, “I thought you might have forgotten to reimburse her. She’s probably too shy to ask.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve paid her back for everything. I wouldn’t scam an intern,” Du Xiran said, continuing with business.

When leaving the office, Du Xiran looked at the hardworking Ye Nanning and sighed inwardly.

After overtime, Ye Nanning took a taxi back. Just as she reached her door, the door opposite opened.

“You’re back?”

Ye Nanning’s hand shook, nearly dropping her keys. She turned around to see a freshly showered, refreshed Du Xiran. “Yes.”

“Do you have a moment?” Du Xiran leaned against the doorframe.

“?”

“Let’s talk.”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Ye Nanning moved toward Du Xiran’s door, but Du Xiran blocked her with an arm.

Du Xiran said awkwardly, “The house is a bit messy. Let’s talk at your place.”

“Sure!” Ye Nanning invited her in, poured two glasses of warm water, and sat on the sofa opposite her.

Du Xiran asked, “How did you get home alone?”

She cares about me! Ye Nanning’s heart bloomed. “I took a taxi.”

“Do you take a taxi every day after work?”

Ye Nanning nodded.

“Your expenses must be quite high then,” Du Xiran mused.

Ye Nanning’s heart skipped a beat. Is she going to criticize me for being a hedonist?

“But taxis are safer. It’s understandable,” Du Xiran added.

Ye Nanning looked at her in surprise and nodded. “Right, safer.”

“Then you need to work hard and earn more money,” Du Xiran encouraged.

“I will!” Ye Nanning nodded vigorously.

“You’ve been tutoring Du Heruo for a month now. It’s time to pay you,” Du Xiran leaned back, crossing her long legs. “Plus, the living expenses for Heruo and me eating at your place.”

Finally, Du Xiran transferred a substantial amount to her.

“The amount isn’t right…” Ye Nanning said, looking at the total. “It’s way more than the tutoring contract.”

“What about the food?” Du Xiran said. “I gave you what we usually spend on food in a day.”

“But I cook it myself, it’s much cheaper than eating out. This is too much.”

“Your effort and time are worth money too. If you don’t accept it, it means you’re dissatisfied, and we won’t eat here anymore,” Du Xiran threatened.

Ye Nanning had no choice but to accept. She felt warm inside, but she suspected “President Du” was basically doing charity.

After all, Du Xiran’s usual principle was: “We don’t do loss-making deals in this industry.”

No matter how she looked at it, Du Xiran was definitely taking a loss here.

She confirmed her suspicions just before bed. She received a private message from her fan, “Dududu,” filled with worry and affection.

Dududu: [Do you remember that excellent intern I mentioned before?]

Dududu: [She’s a bit poor right now.]

Dududu: [How should I help a poor young girl get out of poverty?]