Chapter 12 Hotpot and Hesitation
Lin Qi didn’t know Lin Yan was dating the purchasing manager—a good guy.
There’d been rumors about Lin Yan at the office before, so I’d talked to the manager to keep things quiet.
He’d told me straight: “I know there’s nothing between Lin Yan and President Huo. If there was, President Huo’s head would already be in pieces.”
Turns out they’d grown up together. He’d joined the company for her.
The original Huo Chichen used to ask Lin Yan out, and the manager had always watched. I was glad I’d transmigrated early—between Lin Qi and him, I’d have been dead otherwise.
But Lin Yan was keeping it from Lin Qi, so I stayed quiet.
Lin Qi’s fingertip tapped the rim of his glass, like he was testing my words.
“Then who do you have feelings for?” he asked.
My heart skipped. I looked up at him.
He stared right back.
I opened my mouth—just as my phone rang.
Emergency at work.
“I have to go.” I stood.
Lin Qi didn’t try to stop me. He just nodded.
But as I turned to leave, he grabbed my wrist—not hard, but firm enough that I couldn’t pull away.
“Tell me next time,” he said.
I nodded. “Okay.”
A month flew by. The company hit a crisis; I worked late every night.
Finally, the storm passed. That same evening, Lin Qi texted: Heard from Lin Yan you’re off work. I bought hotpot ingredients—your place or mine?
Me: My place.
Half an hour later, he showed up with bags of food.
Lin Yan was right behind him.
I’d planned to confess tonight.
I’d realized I liked Lin Qi from the dreams—dreams where I pinned him down and made him cry.
Dreams don’t mean much on their own.
But those dreams made it clear: I liked him.
My protectiveness toward his hidden gentle, sensitive side had grown into real feelings.
Liking him wasn’t the problem. Feelings come and go without warning.
The problem was I’d always been straight. Still was—except with Lin Qi.
I wanted to tell him. If he felt the same, we’d date. If not, we’d stay friends.
Now the plan was ruined.
Lin Yan grinned and waved her drinks. “Hope we’re not intruding, President Huo.”
I stepped aside to let them in, wondering what exactly Lin Qi was playing at.
Once the hotpot was bubbling, the mood warmed up fast.
Lin Yan chattered about office gossip.
Lin Qi quietly rinsed meat and kept putting pieces in my bowl.
After a while, Lin Yan’s expression turned strange. She glanced between us, eyes narrowing playfully.
When dinner ended, she volunteered to wash dishes.
Lin Qi and I sat on the couch in awkward silence.
“I’ll go grab more drinks,” I said, standing.
Lin Qi nodded. “I’ll come with you.”
“No need. Stay with Lin Yan.”