The office erupted in cheers. Su Xiaoxi turned to look at Lin Yi, who was frowning at his phone, clearly displeased with the sudden plan.
"Are you going?" she whispered as she approached his desk.
Lin Yi locked his phone screen. "Not safe."
"Come on~" Su Xiaoxi unconsciously drew out her words. "Everyone's going—it'd be weird if I were the only one absent. Besides, with you there, it'll be safe!"
Lin Yi studied her hopeful expression and fell silent for a few seconds. "...We leave early. No drinking."
"Deal!" Su Xiaoxi beamed, turning away so quickly she nearly bumped into their colleague Xiao Lin.
"Tsk tsk, showing off again," Xiao Lin teased, winking. "You two have been disgustingly sweet lately."
Su Xiaoxi flushed instantly. "Nonsense! We're just coworkers..."
"Please, the whole company sees it," Xiao Lin lowered her voice. "Daily lovey-dovey bentos, commuting together, those *looks* you exchange... Who are you trying to fool?"
Su Xiaoxi opened her mouth to retort but found no rebuttal. She stole a glance at Lin Yi—he was pretending not to hear, but the tips of his ears had turned suspiciously red.
---
By 6:30 PM, "Blue Note" bar was already buzzing with energy. Su Xiaoxi sat in a corner booth, wearing a pale blue dress. Lin Yi arrived as promised, dressed in black casual wear that made him seem less stern than usual—yet he still stood out. He chose a seat against the wall, one that offered a clear view of the entire room and a quick escape route.
"Lin Yi! Come have a drink!" a few male colleagues called out warmly.
"On duty. No alcohol," he declined calmly.
Su Xiaoxi was pulled into a tabletop game, and after a few rounds, she had already downed two cocktails, her cheeks tinged with a soft flush. Lin Yi maintained his distance but never let his gaze stray from her.
"Truth or Dare! Who's in?" Xiao Zhang from the marketing department suddenly suggested, met with immediate cheers.
As the game progressed, the dares grew bolder. When it was Su Xiaoxi's turn, she was already slightly tipsy.
"Truth or dare?" Xiao Zhang asked with a mischievous grin.
"Dare!" Su Xiaoxi raised her hand boldly.
"Go! Give Lin Yi a kiss on the cheek!"