Otaku-15

Cheng Kai hatefully stabbed a piece of roasted meat with a knife, “Dog Qin, can’t you be more tactful just the slightest bit when rejecting a woman?” 

Qin Fanglu looked up without moving his head, “I was just expressing my stance clearly.”

Cheng Kai speechlessly saw through the familiarity and experience there, “As expected of you.”

An hour ago, outside the cinema, Xin Lei had generously invited Qin Fanglu for a meal appointment only for Qin Fanglu to open his mouth and spoke bluntly, “Apologies, I have no plans for dating.”

Xin Lei had expressed her understanding then.

Male Otakus indeed, oftentimes they have incurable “illnesses”, such as wanting to marry a certain anime character, not used to talking to others and only liked playing games by their lonesome, or allergic¹Lit insulator of romance, basically don’t want to be in romantic relationship, not really “allergic” per se to romantic love and so on.

Actually Xin Lei herself is included among those.

But no matter how absorbed in geekiness an otaku is, they still have to live in reality. Xin Lei had to admit that she was moved then.

Qin Fanglu was a very rare steady and calm career-oriented male otaku, he didn’t look as geeky as Cheng Kai and more suitable to be dated.

But Xin Lei was unwilling to be dismissed with just a single sentence. So she smiled and said, “Mr. Qin, you really don’t have any plan to step out of your comfort zone and try? Who knows, maybe we would match pretty well.”

And Qin Fanglu, as if rejecting a salesperson, said, “Miss Xin, thank you for the invitation, but I would like to refuse.”

Xin Lei is a smart woman, being rejected twice was enough to clearly state Qin Fanglu’s firm stance.

Now her sense of frustration by defeat was gradually replaced with playfulness. Xin Lei thought that this man was kind of interesting.

“This question may be offensive, but I’m really curious about it,” Xin Lei said, “Have you never liked anyone before?”

This wasn’t Qin Fanglu’s first time being asked such a question. Cheng Kai had asked, as did his friends before, and Qin Fanglu had always given them the same answer: “‘Like’ is not a necessary requirement to keep living. I have never liked anyone, and likely still won’t be in the future.”

Xin Lei twirled the tips of her hair, “But to some extent, people usually might have some feelings for certain someone ah. Not all of the people I know would date someone, but at least all of them have once liked someone.”

She smiled and said, “And hey, you are also already twenty six/seven years old, the people you have met thus far aren’t few, are they?”

Qin Fanglu replied earnestly, “Just because others like me doesn’t mean I also have to like them.”

At this point, nothing more needed to be said. The other’s stance was clear and definite enough. Xin Lei wouldn’t pester him further, Qin Fanglu’s image in her heart has also changed into “very unsuitable for dating and romance.”

In comparison, Cheng Kai was much more easier to talk to.

Xin Lei couldn’t help but vented to Cheng Kai a little about Qin Fanglu. And Cheng Kai was also helpless even though he also wanted to laugh, “I have already warned you in the restaurant before, don’t like him, you would be unhappy.”

“He was also like this when we were still in school, he had no interest whatsoever towards living people regardless of their gender.” Cheng Kai said to Xin Lei, “He may look like a beast in the business world, in reality he also lacks humanistic touch and care.”

Xin Lei nodded, concluding, “Indeed, men are still better when made of paper.”

Xin Lei and her best friend went home before dinner, leaving Cheng Kai and Qin Fanglu alone in the mall to eat roast meat.

Cheng Kai drowned in his sorrows with wine bitter tea²苦茶入愁肠 (lit bitter tea joining in sorrows/worries) is modified from Li Bai’s 酒入愁肠愁更愁 basically meaning “alcohol amplifies one’s sorrow”, “Indeed, drought would lead to death, downpour would lead to drowning.”³旱的旱死，涝的涝死 basically means things in any extremities aren’t good

Qin Fanglu also deliberately poured him poisonous chicken soup⁴Chicken soup refers to positive or motivational words, a poisonous one means there might be self-deprecating/insult implication or even used as way to promote something, “Every single person in this world has their own pace in life.”

Cheng Kai also began to just let it go⁵摆烂 means just let it go knowing it would fail because there’s nothing that could be done about it, “Forget it! I will set a small goal first, I just have to no longer be single before you! I’m satisfied with that!”

–

On Monday morning, Ruan Cunyun walked into the company under the sunlight and frustratedly gazed at Qin Fanglu’s desk.

Still empty. He sighed in indescribable emotions.

Ruan Cunyun was full of regret now, very very regretful.

Why was he so hot headed then? Why did he actually agree to Xu Feifei’s demand to verify his boss’ relationship status?

It would still be better to ask Ruan Cunyun to jump off from here than to personally go up to his boss and ask him his love status. 

Fortunately, his colleagues are all gossipy experts, they might have the answers if he asked them.

Ruan Cunyun dilly dallying around before then seeking Xiao Mei out, “Xiao Mei Jie, do you know if Mr. Qin…. if Mr. Qin is married?”

Xiao Mei was taken aback at first, then turned to show a small smile that looked like she was harboring evil intentions, “This question of yours came so suddenly ah, I actually have never heard about him having a partner——Why though? Do you have friends or relatives who are interested in Mr. Qin?”

Ruan Cunyun immediately shook his head in denial, trying hard to pretend to be a gossipy person as he mysteriously said, “No no no no, It’s just-…. It’s just that I saw Mr. Qin still working so late in the night once when I helped Rain Jie fetch a document last time, he was alone too. So I just got a little curious.”

Ruan Cunyun’s “Tea” indeed attracted those people’s gossipy desire, they gathered together and said, “Mr. Qin’s relationship status has always been mysterious ah, but I have heard somewhere that he has already prepared for engagement! With another group’s precious daughter.”

“Nonsense!” Another refuted, “Xiao Yang from business department told me that Mr. Qin is actually gay. He has a boyfriend of five years and their relationship is really good.”

Then more joined the battle, “Don’t spread rumor! Mr. Qin has already long gotten married, alright! His child will start attending kindergarten soon!”

Ruan Cunyun’s ears were about to bleed.

So no one actually knew the truth. Not only did he not get the answer on his boss’ relationship status, he actually found a pile of forceful matchmaking⁶拉郎 here actually refers to forcefully ship/match two people who actually have no emotional foundation/connection, I don’t know if there is an english equivalent of that :”).

The noisy voices gradually decreased as he got near. Qin Fanglu walked into the office calmly, and the area went silent. 

By the time he reached the furthest point where his desk was, the only sound left in the entire floor was the clicking sounds of keyboards.

“Everyone please check the company’s latest announcement.” Qin Fanglu raised his voice, “Please submit them before the end of work today.”

Ruan Cunyun didn’t dare lift his head, he tensely focused on the computer screen, following the order and clicked open the announcement.

To his surprise, it was [Zhufang’s Technology Department’s Autumn Trip Destination Voting]

Low murmurs of discussion could be heard all around him. It wasn’t hard to hear that everyone was quite excited.

A trip paid with public expense and won’t take up weekends! A first in so many years!

The atmosphere at work throughout the day was filled with joy. As soon as it was the time to leave work, everyone began to discuss the voting.

The two most popular destinations were “Seaside villa” and “Fengxi valley”⁷There is an actual scenic spot named that in Zhuzhou, China. It literally translates to Maple (and river) valley, with each group of people insisting on their choices.

Those in the seaside villa group thought that they could play water sports, there was also a commercial district to shop conveniently. The modern facilities were complete and they could easily find barbeque, board games, KTV, even murder mystery games for relaxation.

As for Fengxi Valley, it was a secluded scenic area amidst the mountain forest, far from the hustle and bustle of cities and convenient facilities. Moreover there might be a lot of mosquitoes and insects in the mountain. 

Supporters of Fengxi Valley also put forward their points. Autumn was the season to watch maple leaves and intertwine with nature, the landscape would also definitely be better than the commercialized seaside. As for those KTV and murder mystery games, they can go there anytime ah! Of course they have to go somewhere they have never been to when travelling!

Ruan Cunyun watched quietly as these two groups exchanged blows, then suddenly felt that air beside him move. Qin Fanglu had come and stood beside him, also coming to watch the employees arguing incessantly. 

Ruan Cunyun’s heart rate suddenly accelerated.

The colleagues in front of him were still absorbed in their dispute while Qin Fangly stood right beside him. It seemed to be exactly the right time for him to ask! Moreover no one would take notice of him. 

Ruan Cunyun secretly looked at Qin Fanglu. His features looked bright and relaxed, seemed like he was in a good mood.

Just stand up, approach Qin Fanglu, then ask him a sentence, “Sorry for the presumptuousness, I just want to ask, does Mr. Qin have a partner? I don’t mean anything, just a bit curious” and all is well. Very simple!

But Ruan Cunyun kept thinking it over and over again and was about to go crazy! How could he ask such a rude question!! It’s absurd no matter how much he thought about it! So how should he organize his words to make it better?

Everytime Ruan Cunyun got extremely nervous, his blood seemed to pool on his face. He still seemed clueless about it, unaware that his face was slowly turning red.

“Ruan Cunyun, which place did you pick?” Qin Fanglu’s voice came suddenly.

Ruan Cunyun’s toes curled in anxiety, after lagging a few seconds, voice steady as he said, “……Fengxi Valley.”

“Why?”

Of course because there’s no KTV or shopping plaza deep in the mountains and forests!

But Ruan Cunyun said, “Because I have never seen a mountain full of maple leaves.”

——This was also true.

Qin Fanglu nodded and called attention to the employees, “The rule is the less number of votes obey the ones with more votes, everyone please remember to vote.” Then he went back to his desk.

Ruan Cunyun looked at Qin Fanglu’s departing back in despair, as if he was looking at a cooked duck flying away.

He couldn’t muster up the courage to ask in the end.

Forget it, just let him be. Let Xu Feifei die of curiosity!

–

Qin Fanglu was watching the voting outcome that night, his finger lightly moving the mouse.

……The seaside villa beat Fengxi Valley by two votes.

They will go to seaside villa, will that child be disappointed?

Fortunately Qin Fanglu hasn’t cast his vote.

Although the usual consensus was that each person had one vote, and that Zhufang also adhered to democratic voting principles, but he, as a boss, should hold a little more reasonable weight, right?

So Qin Fanglu opened the voting program backend and casually added a few lines of code.

He then returned to the voting interface and then clicked on the “Fengxi Valley” option, increasing the votes suddenly by 5.

The Fengxi Valley’s bar immediately elongated, surpassing the seaside villa by a narrow margin, gloriously winning.

There’s actually no other reason, Ruan Cunyun’s face at the time was really red, it seemed like he was extremely excited. He must have wanted to go to Fengxi Valley a lot.

Moreover, Qin Fanglu himself was also more interested in the secluded and peaceful mountains and rivers of mother nature, it just so happened that he incidentally realized the newcomer’s wish. That’s all, not a big deal.

Qin Fanglu felt that his logic was very clear and legitimate, flawless like the seamlessness of heavenly clothes.

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The author has something to say:

Is it so amazing being able to change the code at will?

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Translator’s note:

Here we see an instance of abuse of power for love 🙂