The atmosphere turned charged all at once.

Neither of them said anything after that. Once Zhang Ruowei had finished eating, Zhao Ming had the staff box up a family bucket to take away, then drove her back to the foot of the girls' dormitory.

"I… I'll go up, then."

"Mm."

"Drive safe. Get an early night."

Zhang Ruowei pushed the car door open, and just as she was about to get out Zhao Ming suddenly called her name. She turned back, surprised, and looked at him with open curiosity — her expression saying: was there something else?

"Uh…" Zhao Ming laughed, a little awkward. "Can I ask you a question?"

"What question?"

Zhao Ming knew perfectly well, but he asked anyway. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Zhang Ruowei's face showed surprise first, then a flustered look. She stumbled over the answer. "Of… of course not."

"Right. Good."

Zhang Ruowei shut the door and walked briskly into the dormitory. Once she was through the entrance she let out a sigh, despairing of him, and thought: You great idiot. Would it kill you to just ask "can I go out with you" — you're unbelievably slow.

Watching Zhang Ruowei go off all bashful, and satisfied he had made his feelings plain, Zhao Ming smacked the steering wheel several times in excitement. He swung the car around to head home in high spirits — and only when he was almost there did he discover that in his rush to leave the company he had forgotten his keys. Fortunately his place was very close to the office, so he made a trip back for them first.

By now most of the staff had already gone for the day.

Zhao Ming rode the elevator up to his own office and took the keys out of the drawer. Then he noticed the shirt Zhang Ruowei had brought over at midday, still sitting on the sofa. He pocketed the keys, went across and lifted the black polo shirt out of the bag — and the moment it was out, a faint scent reached him.

That was her!