After training, Chuyi and the others packed up and were about to head to dinner. Seeing that Sheng Qi's office light was still on, they all went over together to call him.
Chuyi knocked on the door, heard a response from inside, opened it, and the group filed in.
"Boss, off work? Want to grab dinner together?" Chuyi walked over with a smile, resting his hands on the desk and leaning forward slightly.
The others came in, found seats wherever they could, and looked at Sheng Qi with expectant eyes.
Chuer sidled up and grinned, "Your cousin Youyu opened a new barbecue place—the food's amazing. You didn't come last time, how about joining us now?"
Sheng Qi's hand holding the pen paused slightly, his expression unreadable.
Youyu chimed in from the sofa, "Yeah, the flavor's really good!"
Sheng Qi frowned, his gaze drifting faintly to the empty milk tea cup beside him that hadn't been thrown away yet.
Chuer happened to be standing near the cup's direction. He'd been watching Sheng Qi, so he naturally caught that look.
Following Sheng Qi's line of sight, he noticed the empty milk tea cup.
"Huh? Boss, since when did you start liking milk tea?"
Chuer's face showed surprise, his voice thick with astonishment and confusion.
Everyone's eyes snapped to the empty milk tea cup.
Sheng Qi glared at Chuer, his stare so cold it sent a chill down Chuer's spine.
Chuer: "..."
What did he say wrong?
Under the group's curious gazes, Sheng Qi reached out, grabbed the milk tea cup, and tossed it straight into the nearby trash can.
"Who drank..."
Sheng Qi opened his mouth to deny having drunk the milk tea, but then shut it again.
He was the boss—why should he explain himself to them?
"What's it to you? Get out!" Sheng Qi glared at the group, his tone harsh.
They were baffled by the scolding, a bit confused.
They were just curious—did that warrant such a terrifying glare?
"Ahem..." Chuyi cleared his throat and asked, "Boss, are you coming for barbecue?"
"No!" Sheng Qi said coldly. "Scram!"
Everyone: "..."
What's with this vibe of being caught red-handed and lashing out?
Sensing the low pressure in the air, they quickly scrambled to leave.
Xixi bolted out the fastest, with Youyu and Chuyi right behind.
Chuer lagged behind, puzzled. Didn't the boss hate sweets?
When did he start liking milk tea?
There was a milk tea shop across from his building that seemed pretty good. Should he buy a cup tomorrow to make amends?
"Stop!"
Sheng Qi's icy voice rang out. Chuer froze, turned around stiffly, and looked at him.
"Boss, what's up?"
Sheng Qi stared at him and said coldly, "Tell them to wait five minutes for me."
Chuer: "...Got it!"
Watching him leave, Sheng Qi shifted his gaze to the trash can.
After a few seconds, he pulled out his phone and found Bai Tang's number. Just as he was about to call, she called him instead.
Sheng Qi answered, "What's up?"
"Handsome, was the milk tea good?" The girl's playful voice came through, tinged with a hint of mischief. "Sweeter than your Tangtang?"
Sheng Qi: "..."
"I didn't drink it. Threw it away." Sheng Qi said coldly.
"Huh? Didn't drink it!!!" Bai Tang got a bit worked up. "And you threw it away! Handsome, don't you know wasting is shameful?"
Sheng Qi said nothing, glancing at the empty cup in the trash.
Well... the reason he drank it was because he thought wasting was shameful!