When I left City B, I gave the hotel lobby manager 10,000 yuan to pass on to the beauty department's service staff. I didn't know her name, I just knew she was number 23.

The city didn't change much because someone died.

Coming back to my place, it was a mess. Tiger was there, happily chewing on one of my shoelaces. He seemed to have a thing for shoelaces.

Seeing me, he ran over, acting all cute. I lightly tapped him, but he didn't understand he did something wrong.

Feeling tired and annoyed by the mess, I picked him up. I lightly slapped him, but he started crying and tears fell.

I felt sorry, animals are like people. Kids need company, care, and to play with someone. Cats are the same, so attached to their owners. They need attention and love.

I held him while tidying up the place. I noticed he had been sleeping on my pillow while I was away. Maybe my scent comforted him.

Feeling guilty, I bought some fish meat for him. He stood up, asking for it eagerly. It seemed like he loved it.

Even if they always eat the same thing, animals are easily satisfied with a change. They are simple creatures.

The best times were when we watched movies together in the dark. Tiger lying on my belly, trying to keep up with the big screen, so adorable.

Once during an emotional scene, he looked back at me and softly meowed. I asked if he understood, and he continued watching.

L seemed different after I returned. She was distant, serious, and no longer playful. She didn't help with Tiger or the house, back to being a work machine.

She was the only one I could chat with, joke around with, without any walls. I sensed her actions weren't intentional.

I didn't want to push her with questions. People have their reasons for everything, even if not justified. She thought it was right.

Seeing L like that made me sad. I stopped joking around, realizing I might have caused trouble. Our closeness was a mistake.

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I didn't adapt to her changes, instead, I went back to how things were.

Days later, L's gaze became complicated. She seemed hesitant, sympathetic, and reluctant.

One night, she texted me, "Are you asleep?"

I replied, "No, can't sleep."

She said, "These days have been tough."

I agreed, "Feels like forever."

She said, "It's fate, am I being cheesy?"

Confused, I asked, "What does that mean?"

She teased, "You're playful again, I'm emotional."

I guessed, "Are you getting transferred?"

She confirmed, "Yeah, it's the boss's decision."

I inquired about the reason, and she mentioned she couldn't ask.

I said, "I'll ask."

L immediately refused, saying: "Don't ask, it's not good for you. You're valuable when you're useful, but once you're not, you're just wastes. The reason the boss treats you this way is because you're useful. Don't set yourself up for trouble."

I scoffed: "I'll ask because I'm still useful now. If I wait until I'm not, there will be a gun pointed at my head when I ask. Don't worry about it, go to bed early."

The next day, I asked the manager to arrange a meeting with the boss at a tea house.

When I saw the boss, he still had that smile, but I didn't find him friendly anymore.

The boss asked: "What's up, T, urgent?"

I said: "Not urgent, just something I want to clarify."

The boss inquired: "Oh, tell me."

I directly asked: "Why is L being transferred? You know, we've been working well together. I'm used to it. It's not easy to have such understanding. I don't want my work quality to be affected because of a change in assistants."

The boss replied: "Assistants are the least important among your personal aides."

I argued: "I don't think they're least important because they assign tasks directly affecting my willingness to do them."

After a moment, the boss chuckled, "Oh, I see. Seems like L is important to you."

Feeling like he found a weak spot, I instinctively retorted: "Not important, just needed."

The boss sighed, saying: "Oh, I understand. I don't want L to be transferred either, but it's from higher up."

Surprised, I asked: "From higher leadership? Aren't you the boss?"

The boss wryly said: "Haha, T, you know little about company matters. I'm the executive director, we both have a common big boss."

Hearing this, I believed him but felt he was brushing me off. It's a common excuse for bosses unable to explain everything, blaming decisions on their superiors.

Seeing my hesitation, the boss continued: "T, it's for your own good. You know, you can't have any emotions beyond work."

I replied: "I get it, we have no personal feelings."

Suddenly, the boss spoke rationally: "But humans are emotional beings, remember that. There are times when emotions can get out of control, especially in relationships."

I explained: "Boss, I've always kept things in check. I don't think I'll lose control. Please speak to the big boss on my behalf. I probably can't meet him in person. Please go and talk to him. I haven't signed the contract extension yet. Let's sign it in a few days. I hope you can help me out, thanks a lot."

As he sighed, I left the teahouse. Stepping outside, I took a deep breath, feeling a bit worked up. But since I'd already come this far, let things unfold. What will be, will be.