Shamelessly thinking like this, Zhou Jia grinned happily. See! These were the romantic novel-like moments she had been antic.i.p.ating.

Zhou Jia grabbed Qiu Yue's arm and pulled her outside the room.

"Everyone is waiting for you!"

Not only had the incident been resolved, they had finally released their new game for everyone to see. Riding on the coattails of the media coverage which were invited by Bao FeiYin, Love's Countdown would receive free publicity.

As soon as they saw Qiu Yue they clapped thunderously. Her project was finally set to release! All the hard work and late nights were going to show their result!

Qiu Yue's heart was going to burst from happiness, not just because of the release or the press conference but rather the sensation that remained on her lips. She could push down to urge to touch her lips but she couldn't stop the bright smile on her face.

Qiu Yue might've known happiness before this, but never like this.

Some of her subordinates were already turning as red as a tomato while others smiled mischievously once they glanced at her neck. Boss was so impatient!

Yao Yan's face didn't stray from its ambiguous half smirk and had instead slightly stiffened for half a second, maybe some part of her deep inside had been triggered while looking at Qiu Yue as she felt like a bucket of cold water had been splashed on her face. Regardless of her inner demons, she managed to mask it all with a smirk.

No matter how high of a cloud nine Qiu Yue was on, looking at all of the strange expressions on their faces and all the knowing glances cast at her, Qiu Yue's lips started twitching and her smile began to show signs of cracking. Especially when seeing Yao Yan's peculiar expression and remembering Zhou Jia's weird look...

....

FENGFENG!

⁞ つ: •̀ ⌂ •́ : ⁞-︻╦̵̵͇̿̿̿̿══╤─

She swirled her head around, looking for Huo Zi Feng as she glared holes into his suit, but nothing could pierce that thick skin despite how many glares she was sending his way. Instead, his grin had become more p.r.o.nounced and his eyes brightened as if he wanted to keep provoking her.

Shameless!

Qiu Yue could feel blood rush to her cheeks as she pulled her collar higher in an attempt at covering the traces of the cursed mark.

.........

Later in her cabin, Yao Yan stood twisting a lollipop in her mouth as she stared at Qiu Yue nonchalantly.

After telling her all about what had happened, it was apparent that w.a.n.g Xi would make a move soon. Although they had a paper trail of Bao FeiYin's purchase of the explosives, with w.a.n.g Xi believing he had caught Qiu Yue threatening Bao FeiYin on tape, it was obvious that he would have been itching to release it. Surely he'd contact the Lang parents soon enough.

But there was something far more concerning on Qiu Yue's mind right now!

Yao Yan sucked on the lollipop as she spoke.

"It's just a gift for New Years, do you have to be so tensed?"

"It's not just a gift! It's- it's the first gift I'm giving him! And it's New Year's Christmas, it's my favorite time of the year... normally I just expect gifts... b-but now! I realize how hard choosing one is, and if he gives me something I love but I have nothing to give in return?"

"Ooh, the gift he's chosen is def-"

"He bought one?!"

Qiu Yue said in utter disbelief.

"He helped make it and designed it especially for you!"

Yao Yan nodded, almost delighted at Qiu Yue's dilemma.

Qiu Yue fell into such a disarray that she almost asked Yao Yan for a suggestion but then stopped herself.

This girl... with her personality she'd probably say something like - 'wrap yourself up and gift yourself to him!'.

No way, no way could she ask Yao Yan!

Then the only option was to ask the others in the office...

The first one she approached was Zhou Jia. She seemed mature and sensible! Maybe she wouldn't have to ask anyone else for an answer- is what she thought.

Zhou Jia's lips curled into a mischievous smile as she looked at Qiu Yue with a cryptic gaze seemingly smiling at her innocence.

"...you know the present has to be something he loves right? Let's wrap you up on ribbons and give it to him?~" She said mischievously.

"...." Qiu Yue was speechless.

?!?!?!

Seeing as her hopes had been crushed, Qiu Yue ran away.

Next was... Liu Hui.

But somehow he seemed to be in a dark, gloomy mood, Qiu Yue could even see dark clouds over his head and could have sworn lightning was about to strike.

"....uh?"

As soon as she repeated the question she had asked Zhou Jia, Liu Hui's sharp gaze fell on her.

"How about you crush one of these companies? Like flies, they keep sitting over things and dirtying everything. Annoying pests."

Qiu Yue s.h.i.+vered at his freezing tone. Huo Zi Feng should've been dealing with these along with him but he was busy with some issues in the Lang family... didn't it mean this was her fault?!

（ΩДΩ）

At this moment, thankfully her phone rang, giving her a reason to escape from Liu Hui. Even though she could see the displeasure in his eyes she quietly escaped while maintaining a neutral visage.

Her beautiful parents, they had such an amazing timing!

But she had really neglected to talk to them after the entire incident. It had all happened too fast, and Qiu Yue hadn't ever had parents who cared this much so the moment she picked up the phone, Lang Mother's worried voice could be heard.

"Ah Yue, are you alright? Zi Feng, that child, he said that you were resting and told us about what happened-"

"Mom... I'm okay! FengFeng- uhh... Senior Huo talked to you?"

"He has been calling once a week to tell us how you've been doing. We both know you wouldn't complain to us, don't be angry Ah Yue, mother and father were worried."

A strange feeling welled up within Qiu Yue, it felt like an unbearable wave of warmth that touched her heart and she could feel her eyes tearing up. But she sighed and stopped herself, smiling downwards.

This... felt nice. She felt so happy she couldn't stop herself from tearing up.

She shook her head lightly to snap herself out of it.

"I won't be angry mom... I'm sorry, I should've called you more often. Mom after the launch of the new game, Senior Huo and I will come back to the family house. I want to spend more time with you and dad!"

Her words were sweeter than osmanthus jelly to her parents.

Contrary to her gentle expression Mama Lang humphed lightly.

"You were just calling him FengFeng, now it switched to Senior Huo? After some time you'll forget these old parents!"

"How can I forget the two people who loved me before anyone else in this world?"

Both her parents really felt their hearts sweeten. This child, Qiu Yue, had never been one to say such sweet things. Maybe staying with Huo Zi Feng she'd become more relaxed with her words. It really soothed them to know she was happy. To them, all they did was to ensure her happiness as well as each others.

Perhaps this was what had touched Qiu Yue, she had never felt this type of unconditional love before. They both kept Qiu Yue like she was the most important piece of their hearts, and Qiu Yue could feel it.

This feeling of love was something she'd never felt, and now that she had, it wasn't truly hers. Although Qiu Yue never said it in words, not even uttering them in her mind, somewhere inside her, she knew that this love was for the original Qiu Yue.

She thought to herself that she didn't deserve such warmth. But these thoughts were immediately locked away in the depths of her soul.