C22 The Blurred Girl From The Photos

The moment the office doors closed behind us, the entire department exploded into discussion.

“I told you something was strange.” “But she called him brother!” “Maybe they’re really related.” “No way.” “Then explain why she waits for him every day.”

Alex rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I think she’s the blurred girl from those photos.”

The office instantly became noisy again. Bright crossed his arms. “We’ll find out on Monday.”

Meanwhile, outside the building, Chris was already waiting near the bicycle racks. The moment he saw us approaching, a grin appeared on his face.

“See? You two work in neighboring departments and somehow always leave together.” He paused before suddenly laughing. “Oh, and Brother…”

He pointed at me dramatically. “Today you’re not sweating.” Alicia immediately laughed. I rolled my eyes. “That’s because somebody made my colleagues stare at me all afternoon.”

Alicia folded her arms. “Are your colleagues always this free? Why do they talk so much?” Chris chuckled. “Trust me. Compared to the Administration Department, they’re amateurs.”

Chris suddenly remembered something. “Oh, right.” His expression became serious. “I heard from my colleagues you were trending today.”

He looked at me carefully. “What exactly did you do this time?” Alicia immediately remembered the same thing.

Earlier during the day, she had seen the post while scrolling through Weibo. The accusations were ridiculous. Yet thousands of people seemed willing to believe them.

She had also noticed the photograph from the café. Fortunately, her face had been blurred. Otherwise she would have been dragged into the drama too.

I couldn’t help laughing. “My big day somehow became even bigger.” Chris waited. I continued. “First salary.” “Then a company reward.” “And finally…”

I pointed at myself proudly. “They gave me a girlfriend.” Alicia burst out laughing.

Chris looked completely confused. “Apparently I’m also an abuser now.” I said laughing.

Chris stared at me. Then he shook his head. “I leave you alone for 2 hours and somehow the internet creates an entire relationship for you.”

Alicia laughed even harder. “Honestly, Brother, you’re becoming famous.” I shrugged. “If fame comes like this, I’d rather stay unknown.”

Alicia looked thoughtful. “Are you really not going to do anything about it?” “No.” I answered without hesitation. “Whoever is doing this wants a reaction.” I smiled. “We know who they are.” “So why don’t we give them a little disappointment.”

Alicia nodded slowly. Then she asked, “If it gets worse, should I tell my father?”

The mention of her father instantly reminded all three of us about the envelopes still sitting in our bags. Chris immediately touched his pocket. “Right.” “The mysterious envelope.” I laughed. “I almost forgot.”

Alicia suddenly looked embarrassed again. “Don’t open them here.” That only made us more curious.

Chris narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Now I definitely want to know what’s inside.” Alicia covered her face. “Just wait until you get home.” Watching her react like that made both of us laugh.

The conversation shifted to the next day’s plans. Chris suddenly remembered something. “Oh!” “My parents agreed too.” “For Kite Flying Day.”

Alicia clapped happily. “See? Now everyone is coming.” Chris pointed at us accusingly. “That’s only because you two discussed everything in secret the other day.”

“It wasn’t a secret.” “It was absolutely a secret.” “It wasn’t.” “It was.” Their argument continued all the way to the bicycles. I found myself laughing without forcing it.

The evening air felt lighter. The pain was still there. The memories were still there. But it felt like life was slowly moving forward.

None of us realized how tomorrow’s Kite Flying Day would be.

When I got home, my mother was busy preparing dinner while my father had just returned from work.

They greeted me warmly, and I greeted them back. My parents had never been interested in social media. They rarely used it and had no idea about the rumors and gossip that seemed to follow me these days.

As usual, they asked about my day. I smiled and replied, “It went well. Everyone in my department congratulated me again today.”

Seeing me in a good mood made them happy as well. Soon dinner was ready, and the three of us sat down to eat together.

While eating, I suddenly remembered the envelopes Alicia’s father’s security team had delivered earlier that day. “Oh right,” I said. “Something strange happened today.”

My parents looked at me curiously. “Alicia’s father’s security guards came to the company and gave her some envelopes. She said they were for us and that we should only open them when we got home.”

My parents exchanged surprised glances. “Envelopes?” my mother asked.

I immediately stood up, went to my room, and returned with the envelope. “I haven’t opened it yet.” I handed it to my father.

Quinton studied the envelope carefully before reading the name printed on it. “Mooney…”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “The Alicia you’re talking about is the daughter of the Minister of Police you once mentioned?”

I nodded casually. “Yes.” Unlike me, both my parents instantly became serious. My father carefully opened the envelope and began reading.

A moment later, the concern on his face disappeared. His expression relaxed. Then a smile slowly appeared.

My mother immediately noticed the change. “What is it?” Without waiting for an answer, she took the envelope from him and began reading it herself.

While she was reading, I suddenly remembered something else. “Before the security guards left, one of them said something strange.”

Both my parents looked at me. I continued. “He said Alicia’s father was looking forward to meeting the two boys who are always with his daughter.”

The moment I finished speaking, both of them laughed. My father shook his head. “Don’t worry, son. This is simply an invitation.” He handed me the card.

“The Mooney family is inviting us to dinner at their residence the day after tomorrow.”

My mother’s smile widened. “I think Chris and his family probably received the same invitation.” The two of them quickly agreed that we should attend.

After all, refusing an invitation from someone as important as the Minister of Police could easily be seen as disrespectful.