XiYou Song Series

Raining Love Part One

“Xiao You?”
At the mention of her name, Xiao You turned her head around and came face to face with the Finance Department head Xi Men Yan - her boss.
“Yes? Is there something you need me to do?”
He shook his head. “No, but didn’t you clock out an hour ago?”
“Ah yes Sir. But I can’t seem to get any taxi because of the weather.”
Xi Men finally noticed the rain. “Oh, I didn’t realize it was raining. How long has it been?”
“More than an hour now. It was just a drizzle but now it is pouring quite heavily.”
“And you haven’t had any luck?”
“Unfortunately, no.”
“Did you try booking online?”
“I did but all the taxis are booked.”
“So you’ve been stranded here since you clocked out?”
She nodded her head.
“Well, come on then. I’ll give you a lift.”
“Ha?!”
“Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t your house that way?” He pointed towards the south.
“Yes.”
“My house is also that way. I’m going home now. I can’t rest easy knowing you’ll be stuck here for hours waiting possibly for nothing. Since we’re going on the same route I might as well take you home.”
“But-”
“Let’s go.”
Xiao You wanted to protest but Xi Men had already grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her towards the car park at the back.
They both stopped at the area designated for motorcycles.
“I hope you won’t mind getting wet though.”
“Eh?”
Xi Men handed him the extra bike helmet.
It was only then that Xiao You remembered the fact that her boss goes to work on a motorcycle.
“I only have a spare helmet and no raincoats I’m afraid.”
She was too stunned to say anything.
Xi Men put on his helmet and got the bike started. It roared noisily on the empty car park. When he saw that Xiao You hadn’t put on yet her helmet, he put it on her head which made her startled.
“Sorry, I thought you need help.”
“Ah no sorry.” She was too flustered to say more since he was busy adjusting the strap to secure it fits and doesn’t come off.
“There.” He smiled.
“Thanks.”
“You can sit whichever way you like.”
Thankfully, Xiao You had worn pants that day and so she sat on the bike the same way he did.
“Not your first time on a bike?” He commented.
“No. I actually had a bike during college.” She replied.
“You?”
“I was working part time as a food delivery.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Xi Men chuckled and set the bike to life again, the roaring noise echoing through. “Hold on.”
As Xi Men sped them out of their company building and cruised through the wet roads of Shanghai, Xiao You could not believe what just happened. How did she end up getting a ride home from her boss? And sitting so close to him?
She was so lost in her thoughts that when the bike jolted suddenly it made her lean on Xi Men’s back. Her arms instinctively wrapped around his body.
“Oops. Sorry.” Xi Men wasn’t speeding but he was swerving in between cars as traffic slowed.
“It’s okay.” She loosened her arms around him but Xi Men told her she better keep her arms wrapped around him for safety. And so she did until they reached her house. The rain still hadn’t stopped but at least it was slowing down.
“Do you want to wait until the rain stopped and dry off your clothes inside?” She asked politely after thanking him repeatedly.
“I guess I can take your offer. If you don’t mind.”
“No, not at all. It’s the least I can do in return.”
“Well, I guess you got lucky I was working late.”
“Yeah. Lucky.”
Inside, Xiao You hurried to give Xi Men a clean towel and found an old men’s clothing on the cabinet for Xi Men to change into. While he used the bathroom, she quickly changed clothes and set to boil the water then steeped the tea leaves.
Xi Men emerged out of the bathroom and drying his hair with the towel.
Xiao You found the sight of him amusing though. The pants barely reached his ankles and the shirt was a snug fit on him.
“I look funny, do I?”
“Sorry.”
“Better this than my damp clothes, right?”
Both laughed.
“You have a nice place. A little big for one person though. Is this yours or are you renting it?”
“Thanks. My aunt actually owns this place. She and her husband are living abroad now. I’m just house sitting for them.”
“Generous aunt. Big savings on rent.”
“Yes.” She poured tea for each of them. “Here, to warm you up.”
“Thanks.”
“Sir Yan-”
“Call me Xi Men.”
“I can’t do that. It’s improper and impolite.” Xiao You reacted.
He laughed. “Trust me, it’s really okay. Besides, we’re not at work anymore. At the office you can address me formally but outside and after work you can just call me Xi Men.”
Xiao You has been working at the company for five years now and has been Xi Men’s subordinate as an accounts analysts for three years and had never called him other than ‘Sir’ or ‘Mr. Yan.’ “O-okay, sir.”
“Didn’t I just tell you to call me Xi Men?”
“Okay…Xi Men.”
He grinned. “See? That wasn’t so hard.”
Xi Men glanced at the window. “This rain doesn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon.”
“I’m sorry for bothering you.”
“Bothering me? Not at all. But maybe I might be the one who’s bothering you right now.”
“No, not at all.”
“Then if you don’t mind may I stay a while?”
“Sure.”
They have finished the pot of tea when Xiao You remembered that she hadn’t eaten dinner yet. And maybe Xi Men too.
“Oh! I’m so sorry. I just realized now that you probably haven’t eaten yet.”
“I could say the same to you since you’ve been stranded for an hour before I found you.”
That was true. In fact she was hungry already. She realized she wasn’t able to take an afternoon snack because their head office in Beijing emailed their department asking for a consolidated report of their accounts for the past ten years - to be submitted by 7PM. Everyone was preoccupied with their respective tasks including her. Thankfully, all their files have been inputted in the computer already and it was easy to access. But still it was a long and tiring day for all of them. And most especially to Xi Men who had to double check everything before sending it forward to the head office.
“You just sit and wait there while I prepare something for the two of us to eat, okay?”
“If it’s not any imposition on you. Besides, with the rain outside, I am not going anywhere.”
“No, no imposition at all.”
“But let me help you.”
“Oh, no, you don’t have to. You’re my guest after all.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Alright. But if you need any help just tell me.”
“Yes s-, I mean Xi Men.”
Xi Men winked at her.
Alone in the kitchen, she was finally able to process her thoughts and feelings. She certainly was flustered having her boss around. Not that he wasn’t a good boss; he was very nice actually. Stern at times but friendly and approachable to all his subordinates. Not just to them but to everyone in the company. There was even a rumor going on that he was being groomed to be the next Chief Financial Officer. Besides that, Xi Men was quite good looking too. All of the ladies - even the married ones - at their company has a crush on him. Including her. But it’s a secret.
The beef noodle hot pot that she prepared was consumed at once and not a single drop was left. Xiao You was worried Xi Men might not like what she prepared but to her surprise he was enjoying it.
“Wow! This is so delicious, Xiao You. I want more.”
This pleased Xiao You.
They had another fresh pot of tea after dinner. And it was this time that Xi Men brought up his observation regarding Xiao You.
“I’ve been keeping an eye on you actually.”
“You are?”
“On all the workers under my supervision but most especially on you.”
“May I know why?”
“You’re a very diligent worker Xiao You. You don’t complain whenever you are given a task. And when others asked you favors to help them on their tasks, you help them right away. You might all think I don’t notice these things but I do. And I think you let others abused your kindness to them.”
“I don’t mind helping them.”
“Yes, but all of you are given equal tasks. Don’t let them get used to being helped by you all the time. There are limits. You should learn to say no sometimes.”
“I can’t help it. It’s just who I am.”
“I know. I even know when the reports are made by you or not.” He chuckled.
“Is that bad?” “Well, no. But like I said, learn to say no sometimes. Let them learn. And grow.”
“Okay.”
“I don’t often praise people at work to avoid favoritism but when the person is deserving I can be generous with praises too. And Xiao You, since we’re alone, I just want you to know that in our department you’re the one I can depend on most. You’re very reliable.”
“Thank you. You’re a good boss too.”
“Thanks. That means a lot to me.”
Both looked at the clock and were shocked to find out that it was almost midnight already. Outside, it was still raining.
“Ah, I’m sorry. I’ve overstayed my welcome. I better head home now.”
“But it’s still raining.”
“My place isn’t too far from here. I can manage.”
“No.”
Xi Men stared at her. “There’s a spare bedroom. You can sleep there.”
“Are you sure?”
“Sure. Besides, you’ve already dried off and if you get wet again, you might get sick tomorrow. And tomorrow don’t you have a meeting with our company’s CFO?”
Xi Men was amazed that Xiao You remembered his meeting when he himself had almost forgotten about it. “If it’s not an imposition.”
She smiled. “I think we’re already past that.”
Xi Men helped her clean up the dishes while she prepared the spare bedroom. Xi Men joined her once he was done with the dishes. “This looks comfortable. Thank you.”
The two of them stood by the doorway of their respective bedrooms.
“Good night, Xi Men.”
“Good night, Xiao You.”
As Xiao You lay her head on her own bed, she couldn’t help but wonder how the day turned out to be. What would her colleagues at work say if they find out that their boss Xi Men Yan a) gave her a ride home on his bike, b) dressed in her uncle’s old clothes, c) told her to call him by his first name, d) ate and liked the meal she cooked, e) told her she was the one he can depend most, f) washed the dirty dishes and lastly, g) bade her goodnight? There would be lots of inquiries as well as jealous hearts for sure. As she succumbed to slumber, her last thought was that all that happened tonight was just a dream. A dream she never want to wake up from.