Stealing The Wind But Not The Moon [Completed]

09. Chu Zhichen's Sweaty Palms Betrayed Him.

The chair beside Chu Zhichen had remained vacant for the past week. He believed it was a deliberate arrangement by the company to encourage his "independence," so he didn't think much of it.

As he exited Xiang Mingzhang's office, he suddenly noticed a backpack resting on the empty desk.

A young man returned from the tea room, his tall stature apparent with broad shoulders and long legs strode confidently into the sales department.

His open denim shirt rippling in the breeze. The shirt was faded and well-worn, but it fit him perfectly, hugging his muscular frame. Underneath, he wore a simple white T-shirt. His feet were shod in a pair of canvas sneakers, which were a bit scuffed but still looked comfortable.

The young man, seeing Chu Zhichen in his starkly contrasting outfit consisting of a pristine white shirt. The white shirt was so clean and crisp that it seemed to glow in the sunlight. The flat collar gave Chu Zhichen's neck a long and elegant appearance.

The trousers were a dark gray color and were tailored to fit Chu Zhichen's body perfectly. They were so well-fitting that they seemed to be painted on.
He was taken aback. "Are you a new colleague?" he asked.

Chu Zhichen replied, "Hello, I'm Chu Zhichen. I started last week."

The young man introduced himself as Ling Qi.

Having just finished his probation period, Ling Qi had taken leave the previous week to handle some school-related formalities and treat his mentor to a meal. He had also applied for staff housing and had been busy with the move. Today was his first day back at work.

Ling Qi had no knowledge about Chu Zhichen's background or circumstances, and engaged in friendly conversation. "Are you adjusting well to the sales department?" he asked.

Observing Ling Qi's attire, Chu Zhichen concluded that the young man had yet to fully integrate into the department. Thus, he subconsciously sought a companion with whom he could find solace.

"It's fine," Chu Zhichen responded with concern. "And how about you?"

Ling Qi scratched his head. He had pursued computer science for his undergraduate and master's degrees, with the aspiration of becoming an application architect. However, this year, Xiangyue did not have any openings for recent graduates in technical positions.

He had briefly considered exploring opportunities in other companies, but his mentor had advised him that Xiangyue placed great emphasis on research and development and offered excellent benefits as a large corporation.

Chu Zhichen pointed towards the window and inquired, "Would you be interested in joining the research and development center?"

Ling Qi nodded, explaining, "I ended up in the sales department due to my confusion."

The landscaped lake and the river formed a natural barrier between the R&D center and the office building.

The lake was a tranquil oasis, its calm waters reflecting the surrounding trees and mountains. The ducks and swans that swam in the lake added to its peaceful atmosphere. The R&D team found the lake to be a great place to relax and clear their heads after a long day of work.

The river, on the other hand, was a busy waterway. Small ships and ferries plied its waters, and the sound of their engines was a constant reminder of the outside world. The office building was located on the banks of the river, and its employees often looked out the windows to watch the ships go by.

The two bodies of water formed a natural barrier between the two buildings, both physically and figuratively.

From their dressing style, temperament, and working methods, the staff in both places were distinctively different.