The Secret Realm of Time, His and Her Life Through the Changes

If you read Chapter 187 again, I'll start charging.

Shang Yibo didn't ask anyone for help. He took a quick shower, changed into his usual casual clothes, and felt comfortable all over. Even his sprained ankle seemed to have eased up a lot.

Just then, he heard Zhou Yanruo softly ask from the doorway, "Shang Yibo, are you ready? I'm coming in, okay?"

Before she could knock, Shang Yibo turned the doorknob, pushed open the door, and walked out of the room, smiling as he said, "I'm hungry. Can we eat now?"

Zhou Yanruo was startled when he suddenly appeared at the door.

He wore a loose-fitting, heather gray wool pullover, with a white crew-neck T-shirt faintly visible underneath at the collar, paired with black cargo pants, giving him a casual yet stylish look. His freshly washed hair was still damp, the short strands standing upright. Despite his injured right arm hanging limply, his left arm supported by crutches, and his left leg hampered by a sprain, this "wounded soldier" image actually added a unique charm to him, making him appear even cooler and more handsome.

"Yes, everything is ready. I just came to call you for dinner." She took a step forward gently, intending to reach out and help him, but seeing the smile on Shang Yibo's face, her hand paused slightly in mid-air before she withdrew it.

Zhou Yanruo's vision blurred; the same smiling face flickered in front of her in a blur. She quickly turned around and said to Shang Yibo behind her, "Come on, everyone's waiting for you."

Shang Yibo's cane tapped the ground gently, making a regular "thump-thump" sound, as he followed Zhou Yanruo to the dining table.

Zhou Yanruo walked straight to the chair next to Zhou Zihang, sat down by herself, and seemed to be deep in thought.

Shang Yibo originally thought that Zhou Yanruo had specially pulled out a chair for him. He was just about to turn around and sit down when he found that Zhou Yanruo had already sat down without paying any attention to him.

Seeing this, Ding Jiajia quickly got up and pulled out the chair on the other side of Zhou Zihang, inviting Shang Yibo: "Yibo, come and sit down."

Seeing this, Ding Jiajia quickly got up, pulled out the chair on Zhou Zihang's other side, and said, "Yibo, sit here."

Shang Yibo smiled and nodded, then walked over and sat down on the other side of Zhou Zihang, directly opposite Zhou Yanruo.

Zhou Zihang: "Everyone's here, so please don't be shy and eat as much as you like."

Hong Yun: "Didn't the doctor's family prepare any wine? Jiajia and I came in such a hurry that we forgot to bring any wine. It's such a pity that there's no wine with all this delicious food."

Zhou Yanruo: "Let's not drink today. Zihang can't drink, Shang Yibo is injured and can't drink, and we ladies shouldn't insist on drinking either."

Hong Yun: "Okay, after we finish eating, let's go to a place that has alcohol and have a drink. It's on me."

Ding Jiajia was the first to respond: "Okay, okay, I agree."

Zhou Yanruo smiled slightly and remained silent.

Shang Yibo teased, "Let's eat first, and then we can discuss the next program later."

Hong Yun laughed as she ate, "You eat yours, it's not your business what we're discussing. Besides, I can eat sweet and sour pork ribs while I'm talking."

"Speaking of which, you're on vacation this week, and Ding Jiajia doesn't have much to do either. I'm thinking of having her come to my company to lend a hand. You don't have any objections, do you?" Hong Yun's mouth was full of ribs, and her speech was a little slurred.

Shang Yibo turned to Ding Jiajia and asked, "Are you going to help out at her company? What kind of help can you offer?"

Ding Jiajia explained, "I'll go help out for a few days. Here's the thing, Mr. Hong's company is just starting out and is short-staffed. Especially with the newly signed artists participating in talent shows, there simply aren't enough executive agents and assistants."

Shang Yibo lowered his head slightly, his eyes darting around, and said casually, "Go if you want. Anyway, Zhou Yanruo is looking after me here, so I don't need you for the time being."

Upon hearing this, Ding Jiajia couldn't immediately understand the meaning behind Shang Yibo's words and became nervous. She quickly said, "If you don't agree, I don't have to go."

"Of course I agree, why wouldn't I? Go ahead." Shang Yibo was secretly delighted to have a week alone with Zhou Yanruo. Not wanting to show it, his tone was naturally urgent and heavy.

Ding Jiajia, sensing the subtle emotion in Shang Yibo's words, assumed he was unhappy. So, she quickly said to Hong Yun, "President Hong, you should find someone else to help. I won't go. Shang Yibo needs me."

"Don't flatter yourself, I don't need anyone," Shang Yibo said in a deep voice.

“Don’t mind him. I’ve already talked to Zhou Yanruo.” Hong Yun said, then turned to Zhou Yanruo for confirmation. “Right? You just said that Yibo didn’t give any notice before going to Huizhou, so he can rest and recover properly.”

Zhou Yanruo placed a braised prawn in Shang Yibo's bowl and explained, "Shang Yibo, President Hong did discuss this with me. I thought since you don't have any scheduled work this week, you could come to the company with me during the day, and someone would take care of you if you stayed at Zihang's place at night. Jiajia wants to go to a talent show to learn how to mentor newcomers, and President Hong happens to be short-staffed. I thought this was a good opportunity, so I took the liberty of agreeing."

Shang Yibo looked around and noticed that everyone was staring at him. He laughed and said, "Why are you all staring at me like that? It's just that Ding Jiajia is helping out at Hongyun Company. Didn't I already agree? The way you're looking at me makes it seem like I'm a heartless person. Stop looking, or I'll have to charge you."

Hong Yun looked away, rolling her eyes at him. "Who cares about you? You're not even as good-looking as the sweet and sour pork ribs on the table. You know what? When I was helping him fight off online trolls, all I saw were his unflattering photos. They made me want to throw up, haha..."

Ding Jiajia interrupted her with a laugh: "Don't say that. Don't we know what Yibo is like? How could those photoshopped ugly pictures on the internet disgust you to that extent? You're exaggerating."

Zhou Yanruo also joined in the teasing: "That's right, I've glanced at those photos a few times. Although they are indeed 'ugly' in a unique way, I still think they are quite cute."

Zhou Zihang didn't know much about the domestic online world and entertainment news. At this moment, listening to the laughter of the ladies, he felt a little confused, but he could tell from the atmosphere that the previous embarrassment had disappeared.

"Even food can't shut you up," he said with a helpless smile.

Zhou Yanruo changed the subject and said seriously, "However, on the other hand, Ding Jiajia's trip to President Hong's company wasn't entirely just about helping out."

Upon hearing this, Ding Jiajia's smile faded, and she asked seriously, "Sister Yanruo, what do you mean by that?"

Zhou Yanruo calmly explained, "Because both President Hong's company, Rushang Group, and President Fang have shares in it. So, your going there is less about helping out and more about a formal secondment opportunity."

Upon hearing this, Ding Jiajia's face lit up with joy, and she loudly confirmed, "Yes, yes, this is a legitimate job opportunity!"

Shang Yibo shook his head and uttered a dismissive "Tch, speechless."