Secretive

The store chosen by Fujiki is indeed very close to the station, but it is hidden behind a few alleys.

"How on earth did you find this kind of shop?" Ono, who was following behind, complained, but he had to admire Fujiki's ability.

There are not too few people in the store, but it is not overcrowded yet.The warm yellow lights in the store easily make people feel friendly, and the store helped to put together a table, so that nearly ten people in the group can sit down.

While waiting for the dishes, the beer has already been served.

Amidst the clinking of cups, the atmosphere gradually became lively, and it was at this time that Miyamoto Suzu heard about the misinformation before joining the job.

"Ah, speaking of which, I did meet a star-like beauty on the day of the interview." Miyamoto Suzu recalled after being dumbfounded. "It seems to be called Suzuko."

Rika Mizude, the goddess of the editorial department, continued, "Isn't that a newcomer from the fashion department?"

"It really is like this—" the crowd wailed.

Shuiide put her elbows on the table and leaned forward: "Speaking of which, I heard that she knew Director Ito."

"Well, where did you hear the news?" Takahashi asked casually.

Someone answered, and Mizude immediately showed high spirits: "Didn't Director Ito graduated from the University of Tsukuba? Suzuko Abe is a classmate of Director Ito."

"It's great to know such a beauty..." Murasaki said enviously.

Takahashi drank the beer in the glass without saying a word, and Kurokawa, who was sitting next to him, poured it for him.

"Tomorrow we'll ask Director Ito out for a drink." Ono said earnestly.

"Hey, Ono, it's too hard." Kurokawa said with a smile.

"What are you talking about in front of the director!" Murasaki said in a reprimanded tone, but with a smile on his face.

"You are very courageous, Xiaoye, how about applying for a transfer to the fashion department for you tomorrow?"

"Just kidding, kidding!" Facing Takahashi's ridicule, Ono quickly waved his hand to deny it.

Mizude tapped the table lightly with her beautifully decorated manicure, and said dissatisfiedly: "The editorial department also has beauties."

The eyes of the man on the table focused on Mizuide, and a cute smile appeared on Mizuide's beautiful face.

"Who made Xiao Lixiang already have a boyfriend." Fujiki made a regretful voice.

"Yes—" the others echoed.

Shuiide restrained her smile: "Beautiful flowers should be taken good care of at all times."

"Yes." Everyone showed a gentleman's demeanor.

While talking, all the dishes were served, and Miyamoto toasted everyone. After drinking this cup, he had already received the news from his boyfriend.

"Sorry, I have to go back first. My boyfriend has come to pick me up." Before Shuiide calmly left, he toasted everyone again.

The only woman present had already gone back, so naturally no one was worried.

Men's friendship is a very strange thing. After drinking two glasses of wine together and chatting a few words, the next moment is a bosom friend.With that cute face and easy-talking personality, Miyamoto Suzu quickly became familiar with everyone.

Takahashi had unknowingly drank a lot of wine in the gossip, and his interest gradually became high.

When the topic occasionally touched on work matters, he would criticize Ito for his evil deeds. When the discussion was exciting, their group seemed to be at odds with the Ito group who was in charge of the same magazine.

When Takahashi's cell phone rang, no one noticed at first, and after a while Murasaki called Takahashi to remind him to answer the phone.

The name displayed on the mobile phone made Takahashi's dizzy head suddenly clear.He stood up holding the phone and said, "I'll pick it up."

Of course it was Ito's call. When we got to the toilet, Takahashi answered it before he could speak. Ito's voice came through the airwaves with a chill: "Do you know what time it is?"

"Now..." Takahashi raised his hand to look at his watch, "Twelve o'clock?"

"Then tell me where are you now?"

"The party is still going on..."

"so what?"

Takahashi lowered his head and apologized: "I'm very sorry."

"There's no need to apologize to me."

"Don't be like this, Xiao Qiao... I'll be right back."

"Whatever you want." In an instant, the phone was hung up.Takahashi showed distress on his face flushed from alcohol, he turned to go back, but was startled by Miyamoto who didn't know when he was standing behind him.

Although Miyamoto drank a lot of wine, his clear eyes were not drunk at all.

Takahashi greeted and asked, "When did you come here?"

"Just now...I want to tell the director, I have to go back first." A smile appeared on Miyamoto's face.

"Ah, I just want to go back too." Takahashi nodded.

The four Fujiki who were in high spirits heard this and protested in muttering.

"This is not good, Director, I will have another drink later." Fujiki said dissatisfied.

"That's right, obviously everyone is single, so there's no need to go back so early." Ono also continued.

Takahashi couldn't help showing a wry smile, Miyamoto bowed and apologized: "I'm very sorry, my mother is still waiting for me to go back."

"Ah, what a good boy." Facing Miyamoto, the others nodded in approval.

"Anyway, I have to go back first, you guys can't be late tomorrow." Ito's phone call made Takahashi feel like his butt was burning, and he hurried out.

Miyamoto followed Takahashi, and after he paid the bill, he followed him outside the door.

"Director Takahashi, where are you going?"

"I'm going to Shin'er-cho." Shin'er-cho is at least two stops away from where they live. Takahashi usually takes a ride to Shin'er-cho and then transfers to another car. Lenovo.

"My family is over there, can we go together?"

Takahashi paused for a moment, then replied: "Okay."

After hiring a taxi, Takahashi asked Miyamoto to report the address first, and only after confirming that he got off before him did he report his address.

"I'm really happy today." Miyamoto seemed to be still immersed in the atmosphere just now.

Takahashi responded casually.

"Director Takahashi."

"what?"

"Xiaoqiao, do you mean Director Ito?"

"Say something stupid." Takahashi tried to steady his voice as his head broke out in a cold sweat because of Miyamoto's speech.

Miyamoto laughed flippantly: "That's right, how is it possible. Calling Director Ito Xiaoqiao is a little out of sync."

"That guy doesn't fit such a cute name at all." Even though Miyamoto said negative words, Takahashi still felt uneasy emotions expanding in his heart, without explaining who Xiaoqiao was, Takahashi turned his head and looked at the car window The passing scenery made the car sink into a very quiet atmosphere.

Shin-Ni-machi arrived soon, and Miyamoto wanted to pay before getting off the car, but Takahashi stopped him.

"It's okay, just let me come, you go back quickly."

After a good refusal, Miyamoto thanked him and left.

After the car drove out for a while, Takahashi remembered to tell the driver about changing the address.

The car stopped steadily in front of the house where they lived, the lights were still on inside, and Takahashi hurriedly opened the door.

Hearing the voice, Ito came out of the living room. He was wearing a pure cotton gray pajamas and took off the glasses that always made him look smart. Under the light of the small lamp in the living room, his face looked very soft.

As soon as Takahashi closed the door, regardless of Ito's expression, he stretched out his arms and hugged him.

"Scared me……"

Ito's sighing voice was close to his ears, and he grabbed Takahashi's hair: "Stay away, it stinks."

"It stinks, it's just the smell of wine—" Takahashi approached Ito directly in response to his lover's rather inconsiderate words.

The aroma of the shower gel on Ito's body smelled very comfortable at this time, and Takahashi's head that was drowsy due to alcohol became more confused.

Ito and Takahashi rubbed the tip of their noses, and said, "The stink is the smell of wine, go take a bath."

"It's so cold, why don't you ask me 'what happened?'?" Takahashi complained dissatisfied as Ito pushed him away.

"Yes, what happened?"

"That's right, Miyamoto Suzu heard me when I called." Takahashi immediately pretended to be about to complain.

"The newcomer today?"

"Yes, he lives in Xiner Town, what a trouble..." Takahashi frowned.

"and then?"

"Then we were in the car together, and this guy actually asked me, 'Is Xiaoqiao Director Ito?'" After Takahashi finished speaking, he felt that the momentum he had put up had finally let go, showing a completely flustered look.

Ito pondered for a moment: "Isn't that normal? I think it's a miracle that Murasaki hasn't found out that you live with me until now."

"Because Murasaki was careless." On the contrary, Takahashi felt very relieved by this.

Ito showed a comforting smile: "Anyway, it's nothing if it's exposed."

"Why do you say that, you obviously care about it all the time."

"That's not because you proposed to keep it secret, but you are the one who pays the least attention. This attitude makes me angry the most."

Takahashi could only bow his head and apologize again.

The next day, sure enough, the hungover foursome looked rather haggard.

"Didn't I tell you to go back early yesterday?" Takahashi put on the expression that I knew you would.

The only response to him was a painful slap.

Miyamoto took out Lijian from his backpack and handed it to them, saying: "Because I knew it would happen, I have prepared it for the seniors." Even Takahashi had a bottle stuffed in his hand.

"It's so gentle, Ah Ling~" Fujiki said with emotion.

"What's the name? It's so disgusting." Kurokawa said, "Thank you, Miyamoto."

Thanks to everyone, Miyamoto just showed a shy smile.

"Okay, thank you Miyamoto-kun for your help, everyone clear up the situation, and the sample issue will be finalized on Thursday. Finalize the remaining manuscripts before today."

"Yes—" Since they responded weakly, everyone still started to rustle.

Takahashi didn't have a lot of work today, and around ten o'clock, the internal phone rang.

"Director Takahashi, Mr. Yongnan is here." A gentle voice from the front desk came from the other end of the phone.

"I see, go there immediately."

Yongnan Shifei is a contracted writer of the magazine. The "Tokyo Cat and the Crow" which is currently serialized in the magazine has received a good response because of its witty writing and interesting and profound stories. He is one of the few writers Takahashi is still working as an editor.

His hair is curly and fluffy, and his posture shows a slight decadence, probably due to his writing at his desk.

The two greeted each other, and Yong Nam handed over the manuscript he was holding.

"Mr. Takahashi, here is the manuscript for next month's serialization and the outline of the next novel." He explained.

"Thank you very much, I will start reading now." Takahashi bowed his head.

During the reading process, Yongnan Zhengfei sat quietly opposite and waited.

The writer who Ito sent away to deliver the manuscript happened to meet the two of them as he passed by.

Yongnan and Ito greeted each other politely and had a brief conversation.

Takahashi closed the manuscript after reading it, looked up to see Ito, and immediately put a smile on his face: "Isn't this Director Ito, who is so busy with work and still has time to hang out in the reception room?"

"Of course not as diligent as Director Takahashi." Ito also responded with a smile.

Yongnan Zhengfei's eyes flickered back and forth between the two, with a bewildered smile on his face.

"Then Teacher Yongnan, I will excuse you first."

"Ah, good." After bowing to each other, Ito left straight away.

Takahashi faced Yongnan's right and wrong, and said, "As expected of Mr. Yongnan, this serialization is also very exciting."

"Thank you." Yongnan thanked habitually.

"Then, about the outline..." Takahashi hesitated to speak.

Yongnan straightened his back subconsciously, his eyes fixed on Takahashi.

"With all due respect, this topic deviates from the positioning of our magazine and may not be adopted."

Yong Nan nodded blankly.

"However, the idea of ​​this part is also quite ingenious. If possible, I also very much hope to see the text." Takahashi continued.

Yongnan listened to Takahashi's words steadfastly, with an increasingly hesitant look on his face.

"I hope you will think about it carefully."

"I see." Yongnan nodded.

Takahashi left his outline behind, respectfully sent Yongnan off, and fell into deep thought.

He took the outline document and went directly to Ito.

"Ito, let's do a joint issue."

Just as Ito put the water in his mouth, he choked on hearing this, covered his mouth with his hands and coughed.

"Are you okay?" Takahashi immediately reached out to pat him on the back and asked nervously.

"Cough, what did you just say?" Ito finally slowed down and asked back.

"Uh...joint issue?" Takahashi finally realized, avoiding Ito's eyes to hide his embarrassment. "No... isn't next month a co-issue month?"

"That's true." Ito took out a paper to wipe the water splashed on the table.

"I want to talk to you about next month's joint issue."

Ito stood up and said, "Okay, have you brought your proposal?"

"what?"

"No plans at all?"

"I just have an idea... talk about the need to prepare a proposal? Brainless!"

"Everything is fully prepared before launching an attack, so the chances of success will be greater, right?"

"This kind of thing is fine!" Takahashi caught a glimpse of the female colleagues in the Ito group whispering from the corner of his eye.

Ito obviously noticed it, and responded coldly: "In short, let's make a proposal first. I don't accept the rhetoric that only newcomers like ideas have."

Takahashi raised his eyebrows and came out with an uncomfortable gesture.

Ito squinted his eyes, with the aura that you can't help me.

"The two of us are at the same level."

"I know."

Takahashi has seen Ito's impervious attitude many times, so naturally he will not be angry because of this attitude.

"Let's talk about the 'joint publication' after preparing the proposal." Ito emphasized the word "joint publication".

"You don't need to emphasize this, you idiot." Takahashi muttered in a low voice, and left angrily.

After that, Ito received a lot of emoticons with stupid faces.

"Then let's publish together tonight." Ito replied.

"We'll talk about next month's affairs next month!"

Followed by a lot of facial expressions.

That night, the two had an in-depth soul-searching about the joint issue.