Chapter Text
The look on the man's face when he saw the design. It was all familiar, too familiar, hearing his son's voice. In doing what he thought was the right thing he never felt like a bigger fool. "If I had not have spoken up and taken the blame." Yu Zhen us speaking up beside him. He remembers meeting him inside his office for this project, three more on his desk. They had rarely crossed paths until then. It was a month ago. Shi Lei had ordered take out once and screwed up, not knowing about his nickel allergy. "You don't trust me." The words coming out before he can stop them. He hadn't said a word since the meeting inside, they haven't made off the buildings paved sidewalk. But it's the truth. This is one of the biggest projects for the firm and in it they are supposed to trust each other. Gain it in the time spent together. He has heard if Yu Zhen's strong business side, sometimes cold as a fish exterior. He has seen it. At times thinking he is chipping away at it. Once even seeing him smile. Thinking he was winning his trust. Yu Zhen is one of the biggest partners in this firm. His words have stilled the other man. He also knows there is something between them. There have been warm moments to which You Zhen has brought on his frosty side too. Shi Lei was an idiot to think he could be the rare one. Get them to push this project to the finish line, win big for the firm prove to everyone else they were wrong about Yu Zhen. "It was my mistake. We will finish this project and I will present my resignation." The words are a shock even to himself. It took some work to smooth out what Shi Lei screwed up but he can't work in an environment where the partner makes it it impossible to take steps forward in respect and trust.
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Been on the computer all night putting the finishing touches on tomorrow's proposal. Hearing a knock at the door. It's almost midnight. Its Yu Zhen. How did he find out where Shi Lei lives? He's still in his suit. Shi Lei has eaten and changed clothes since they last saw each other. His place is small. One bedroom, bathroom, kitchen is right next to the door, living room right next to it. Yu Zhen hasn't moved much past the fridge. He's slumped, shoulder's drooping, hands in his pockets. Looking like a scolded kid. "I'm sorry." The words sound strange coming from him. They sound like a kid, not the businessman he's used to. The words are a surprise. Is it what he came here for? Why does Shi Lei getting the feeling Yu Zhen doesn't apologize very often. Part of his straight and narrow world? Know the facts, don't step out of line. Yu Zhen is quiet, shame for how things happened? Is the apology going to make a difference? Change things? Yu Zhen is going through the motions but does he mean it? He looks like a scolded child but has he learned from this? "Didn't the company have a death recently?" The question throwing Yu Zhen after what he just said. Searching his memory. "Yeah. A woman. Founder of the company, said she had a son." His eyes falling on me as it begins to register. She was my mother. She had started the company early in her twenties. No one believes she could do it because she was a woman. The company she started is a plane ride from here. She expanded, three more in ten years. She got sick a year ago. Cancer, chemotherapy. Took her to all of her appointments. Shi Lei worked until six months ago when things got worse. Shi Lei didn't see Yu Zhen at the funeral, he would remember. Her name had been smeared everywhere for years. She needed to be allowed this one day of peace. There are no pictures of Shi Lei in the media. Just her. Yu Zhen is seeing Shi Lei stripped bare. No one else knows. "Why didn't you tell anyone?" And it all could come back to bit him. The business man is back, the outrage he has heard few speak of. My bloodline, it's practically royalty by the sound of his voice. Shi Lei took this job in this building to be close to her. It was part of her final expansion. "Isn't it my business?" Yu Zhen isn't the only one keeping secrets. Shi Lei was in his own office two months before he got this project, in his mourning somehow grateful he got this part of his mother. He had moved away to have his own life. Start over in a sense.
Yu Zhen doesn't remember leaving Shi Lei's place. When he should have been sleeping he was looking into Shi Lei's mom. She didn't just open her own advertising firm, she did workshops, lectures. Standing in a conference room of one of the biggest meetings he's ever been a part of. The boss had wanted every advertiser, investor included in this. When they could all be in the area for the meeting. Shi Lei is trying to smooth things out from last night. The guy is at the table with a binder in front of him. All of them at the table have one. Graphs we have for information and their breakdown of information. Money projections for this meeting and investments after. How they can cut costs. Yu Zhen can believe he didn't see it before. Shi Lei has this posture, not erect, shoulders slightly sloped, semi relaxed but everything else is business. Hands in front of his body or guesturjng to the projector board. Talking to members at the table. The tone isn't condemning or confrontational, not making them feel like idiots for not knowing or understanding. Instructive but relaxed. Answering questions openly, honestly. Not angry as they spring up. He has seen Shi Lei give a presentation before. There was something about it he was jealous of. He couldn't put his finger in it. Now he knows. It comes natural, not from practice or from his mother. It flows, it's in him. Going in with all of the information and to make everyone feel at ease. Not with his knowledge or knowledge he's worked on it. They could give a care less about it. He cares about the work, their input, their questions, if hes covered what their concerns can be. Referring to Yu Zhen when their is a question he knows the other man will know the answer to or Yu Zhen piping up for the question or general comments. Shi Lei isn't there to take center stage, Shi Lei has been able to let You Zhen work with him, off of him or take over for that moment if Shi Lei is unsure. Yu Zhen has never felt this give and take before, especially in a conference room. He's kind of blown away by Shi Lei's openness. He's professional, flexible, open, reliable. It's a partnership Yu Zhen has never witnessed before. The meeting going well, everyone at the table is really happy, including their boss. The deal is signed and the boss is thrilled. Having food brought in the celebrate the occasion. It's strange to have a party like this, a room full of men in suits and have all of them sober. The anticipation for this meeting has been driving him nuts. The room full of conversation and food. The partners and advertisers talking to each other. Shi Lei has shown a smile and a calm face, not letting in about last night's mess. The room is full of heavy hitters, a great place to make connections, seeing their boss introduce Shi Lei to one of them.
Collecting the binders of information, trying to put the conference room back into working order. "You did good today." The first words Yu Zhen has spoken since they have been alone in the room. It's been a day full of praise. Can't help the smile. "So did you." It's the least he can do. Acknowledge their work. He didn't do this alone. They had been able to relax a little shed their jackets as the party went on. Trash from the party is done. The binders in a box. "My resignation has been accepted." Today had not changed the circumstances. After the meeting, Shi Lei has been in one side of the room while Yu Zhen has been on the other. Shi Lei kept his distance. Their boss wouldn't accept it, negotiated a transfer instead. When Shi Lei was offered this job he was also offered one at Venture advertising. Yu Zhen saw the man and Shi Lei talking, the position is available, with what he saw today he didn't want to waste any time. It's an hour away. The calm, pleasant look that has been there all day has slipped from his face. Yu Zhen thought today changed things. "What about your other projects?" Of course he would know about them. "Two were turned in last week, one is getting a commercial. The other sent in last night." Is Yu Zhen worried about what will get lost in the shuffle. Yu Zhen has been different today. He looked up Shi Lei's mother. As close as Shi Lei has wanted to be to her, Shi Lei doesn't want to get lost in that. The image, expectations. Pulling his suit jacket back on, pulling open the glass door of the meeting room. " Why are you doing this?" Yu Zhen has grabbed him. Didn't want to chance asking while Shi Lei is walking away? His voice is lower, outraged. Yu Zhen could have grabbed his wrist or elbow to stop him. But no his arm is wrapped around Shi Lei's waist under his jacket, forcing Shi Lei to stop and look at him. The receptionist is still here a few feet away. The proximity is uncomfortable. Yu Zhen's eyes are searching his for an answer. Taking hold of Yu Zhen's hand, gripping it to make him release. Does he believe Yu Zhen would hurt him? No. But he can't see past himself to think straight. "You have issues you need to work through." The answer is vague and his voice as low as he can make it. But frankly it's none of Shi Lei's business as he walks away.