Ever since that birthday night, she had noticed that Lin Yi often worked through meals, sometimes going an entire day with just coffee to sustain him. As a thank-you, she decided to bring him lunch every day—though the first three attempts had been politely declined.
"Fourth try," Su Xiaoxi whispered to the bento box for encouragement. "Today, I *have* to make him accept it!"
In the office elevator, she clutched the lunch bag nervously. When the doors opened, Lin Yi was already at his desk, focused intently on his computer screen. He was wearing a dark blue shirt today, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his well-defined forearms. Morning light streamed through the window, casting a soft glow around him.
Su Xiaoxi took a deep breath and walked over, placing the bento on his desk. "G-Good morning! This is today's lunch..."
Lin Yi looked up, his brow slightly furrowed. "I said it's unnecessary."
"But you said it was delicious!" Su Xiaoxi quickly countered, referring to the bento from his birthday night. "And I already made it—it'd be a waste not to eat it."
Lin Yi's gaze flickered between the bento and her hopeful face before he finally sighed softly. "...Thank you."
Su Xiaoxi's eyes lit up. "Really? You're taking it?"
"Just this once," Lin Yi emphasized, though the slight curve of his lips softened his sternness.
"Then I'll bring more tomorrow!" she chirped, darting back to her seat before he could protest.
All morning, she couldn't help stealing glances in his direction. It wasn't until lunch break, when she saw him finally open the bento box, that her heart settled. Lin Yi ate slowly, savoring each bite as if it were a delicacy. When he reached the carrot star, Su Xiaoxi clearly saw the corners of his lips lift.
"How was it?" she asked later that afternoon, pretending to casually pass by his desk.
Lin Yi looked up, his gaze uncharacteristically gentle. "...It was good. Thank you."
Those three simple words sent warmth flooding through her chest. From then on, preparing bento became her daily routine. And Lin Yi, who had initially resisted, gradually began accepting it as a given—even going so far as to request dishes in advance.
On Friday at noon, just as Su Xiaoxi was about to heat up their lunch, Wang Jie, the creative department head, suddenly clapped her hands and announced:
"Company team-building tonight! Six o'clock, 'Blue Note' bar—*everyone* must attend!"