Leng Yebai felt a tinge of regret, clearly having been trapped for many days together in the dream. Why hadn't he asked for her name in advance?
He pressed his temples again, took a deep breath, and thought to himself that he was losing his mind.
It was just a dream.
How could the people in the dream be real?
Leng Yebai slowly exhaled while standing by the window of the building, looking down.
Downstairs, people hustled and bustled, just like every day, with everyone busy.
Suddenly, Leng Yebai's eyes widened, and he stepped forward, his eyes almost pressed against the window.
Below, a girl walked past the building, chatting and laughing with a young boy.
The outlines were blurry; Leng Yebai couldn't even see her eyes, yet his heart raced uncontrollably.
The girl's face, so familiar, was etched in his mind; he had seen it.
In that absurd dream!
She said, "Why don't we die together?"
Leng Yebai glanced deeply at the girl down below, then strode out of the office.
As he walked, he began to run.
The elevator was still on the first floor; he was on the eighteenth.
Leng Yebai couldn't wait for the elevator to come up; he rushed towards the stairwell.
His heart was pounding violently, but he didn't know why.
He took three or four steps at a time, yet there was still a long way down the stairs ahead.
For the first time, Leng Yebai found this building too tall and the stairs too long.
His suit restricted his movements, so he unbuttoned the suit jacket with one hand, holding it instead, without pausing his steps.
Sixteenth floor, tenth floor, fifth floor…
By the time Leng Yebai reached the first floor, his stern face was covered in sweat.
"President Leng, may I assist you with something?"
The security guard cautiously asked the president who had just burst out of the stairwell.
"No need!"
Leng Yebai replied coldly without stopping, striding quickly towards the exit.
The security guard scratched his head, casting a puzzled glance at the stairwell, then at the normally functioning elevator.
"The elevator isn't broken. What's President Leng in such a hurry for?" the guard murmured softly.
President Leng was the most serious person in the whole building; he had never seen him so uncomposed.
At the entrance of the building, Leng Yebai scanned the doorway swiftly, holding his jacket like a hawk.
The girl from before was nowhere to be seen.
"President Leng, may I ask you—"
A person, surprised, glanced at the gasping Leng Yebai and quickly approached him for conversation.
He was just a small employee at Wangyang Company, thinking that if he caught the president's eye, his future would surely brighten!
"Step aside!"
Leng Yebai shot a cold glance at the man who approached him, striding in the direction the girl had just gone.
The man was frightened by Leng Yebai's icy stare and stood still on the spot.
Leng Yebai, ignoring the bewildered looks from others, focused intently ahead, unbothered by his image as he sprinted through the street.
With his striking features and professional suit exuding a cool, god-like allure,
such an outstanding man running through the streets naturally drew a lot of attention.
Leng Yebai paid no mind to the stares, moving faster and faster, eyes locked forward, always feeling his pace was too slow.
From the building opposite Wangyang Company, Bai Yifan curiously watched the man running below, slightly tilting his head.
"Sis, why is that person running around the street?" Bai Yifan curiously took another look at Leng Yebai.
Bai Xiqin pushed a cart full of groceries, took a moment to glance down, only managing to catch a glimpse of a tall silhouette.
"Maybe he's lost a pet. Don't mind these details; go grab another cart, let's buy more!"
After all, the more serious a man seemed, the more likely he was secretly a pet lover at home.
Bai Xiqin only gave a quick look outside before returning her eyes, sparkling, to the supermarket's array of goods.
Chocolate, bread, canned goods, drinks…
Any of these were more appealing than the running man downstairs!
"Okay!"
Obediently, Bai Yifan headed to get another cart, thinking they should take more milk powder and diapers this time.
Seven or eight pacifiers should be sufficient!
The siblings returned with their bags full, having bought so much they needed a courier to send it home.
Neither wanted their hands empty, each carrying two large bags of snacks.
The shopping spree had emptied Bai Yifan's purse.
When they returned home from the supermarket, Bai Yifan nudged Bai Xiqin, pointing to the entrance of the opposite building.
A tall figure was slowly walking back into the building, his silhouette seemed somewhat lonely.
"Sis, he's the runner!"
Bai Yifan whispered into Bai Xiqin's ear.
Bai Xiqin glanced at the man's retreating back, shrugged, "No need to run now; in the future, everyone will be running."
If you can't outpace, you become zombie fodder.
Bai Yifan sighed, holding on to the milk powder he picked, as only milk powder could soothe him now.
"Good day President Leng!"
The security captain stood up straight and greeted Leng Yebai.
"Get today's surveillance footage."
Leng Yebai massaged his temples, his usual cold face showing a hint of fatigue.
Was it really just a dream? Had that person been a figment of his imagination, someone who didn't exist in the real world?
He had dashed through the streets multiple times, attracting much attention, but still, he couldn't find her.
Could his obsession be so deep that it became a hallucination?
"Yes, sir!" The security captain saluted and briskly headed to the security room to collect the footage.
"President Leng, do you have any instructions?"
A man in a suit scratched his head, glancing secretly at the sweat on Leng Yebai's forehead.
The company was abuzz with stories of President Leng running wildly in broad daylight!
Only a strip of clothing away from running naked!
"Secretary Zhao, move my office to the first floor."
Leng Yebai glanced at the elevator, then made his way toward an empty room on the first floor.
The large window of that room faced the bustling street outside; no amount of soundproofing could shut out the noise.
After all, it was directly opposite a large chain supermarket, with the hustle and bustle outside easily disrupting office ambiance.
This office had been vacant, and nobody thought such a cold person as President Leng would choose to work there.
Secretary Zhao, puzzled, watched Leng Yebai's back, quickly agreeing.
"President Leng, I'll get on it right away!"
Saying so, Secretary Zhao jogged over to the elevator to wait for a ride.
Meanwhile—
Bai Xiqin and Bai Yifan slumped on the couch, surrounded by piles of snacks, their feet nestled among bags of rice, flour, and oil.
With a wave of her hand, Bai Xiqin stored all the food in the space, and the two disappeared from their spots.