The evening in the small apartment was unusually quiet.
Feng sat at the small dining table, working on his laptop. The soft glow from the screen lit his calm face as he typed slowly.
Across the room, Mengmeng stood near the window with her phone pressed to her ear.
Her voice was low.
Feng wasn't trying to listen.
But the apartment was small… and sound carried easily.
"…Handle it tomorrow," Mengmeng said quietly.
A voice from the phone replied loudly enough for Feng to catch a few words.
"Yes, Boss."
Feng's fingers stopped typing.
Boss?
His eyes slowly lifted toward Mengmeng.
She was still facing the window, her back to him.
"…Don't make mistakes again," she continued calmly. "I won't repeat myself."
Her tone was completely different from the sweet voice she used at home.
Cold.
Sharp.
Authoritative.
Then she ended the call.
Mengmeng turned around and immediately noticed Feng looking at her.
For a brief second… their eyes met.
Then she smiled.
The sweet, harmless smile he was used to seeing.
"What?" she asked lightly.
Feng leaned back in his chair.
"Someone called you boss."
Mengmeng blinked.
Then she laughed softly.
"Oh."
She walked toward the kitchen like it was nothing.
"It's just a nickname."
Feng raised an eyebrow.
"A nickname?"
"Yes," she said casually while pouring herself water.
"At the office they call me boss sometimes. You know… joking around."
Feng watched her carefully.
Her expression looked completely relaxed.
Natural.
But something still felt strange.
"So you scare your employees that much?" he asked.
Mengmeng pretended to think.
"…Maybe a little."
Feng chuckled.
"Poor employees."
She smiled innocently.
And just like that, the conversation ended.
But in Feng's mind…
The word Boss echoed again.
Later that night, Mengmeng sat on the couch reading.
Feng walked out of the bedroom holding his phone.
The screen suddenly lit up with a message.
Before he could react, Mengmeng's eyes accidentally glanced at it.
The message preview showed:
"Boss, the meeting is confirmed for tomorrow."
Mengmeng's eyes widened slightly.
She looked up at Feng slowly.
"…Boss?"
Feng froze.
For half a second.
Then he cleared his throat and casually locked the phone.
"Oh."
Mengmeng crossed her arms.
"Don't tell me that's a nickname too."
Feng rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"…Something like that."
Mengmeng stared at him.
"You're someone's boss?"
"It's a small company," Feng said quickly. "Nothing impressive."
Mengmeng narrowed her eyes slightly.
Then suddenly…
She laughed.
"A small company?"
Feng looked confused.
"Yes?"
"You live in this apartment and run a company?" she teased.
Feng coughed slightly.
"…It's not going very well."
Mengmeng shook her head.
"Poor boss."
Now it was Feng's turn to feel embarrassed.
For a moment, both of them realized something funny.
They had caught each other in the same situation.
Both being called boss.
Both making weak excuses.
Both pretending it meant nothing.
Their eyes met again.
Then suddenly…
They both started laughing.
The tension disappeared instantly.
A little later, they were sitting on the couch again.
The apartment was quiet.
Mengmeng leaned back comfortably while scrolling on her phone.
Feng sat beside her, but his thoughts were far away.
Something strange was happening to him.
Whenever Mengmeng talked to him…
His chest felt tight.
When she suddenly looked at him…
His heart jumped.
When their hands accidentally touched earlier…
He had felt nervous.
Feng frowned slightly.
What is this feeling?
He had dealt with huge business deals, dangerous rivals, and intense negotiations without fear.
But somehow…
Talking to this woman made him panic.
He glanced at her.
Mengmeng was focused on her phone, unaware of his thoughts.
Her soft hair fell slightly over her face.
Without thinking, Feng spoke.
"…Mengmeng."
She looked up.
"Yes?"
Their eyes met.
And suddenly Feng forgot what he was about to say.
His heart started beating faster.
He quickly looked away.
"…Nothing."
Mengmeng tilted her head slightly.
"You're weird."
Feng sighed.
"…Maybe."
He leaned back against the couch.
This is ridiculous, he thought.
But deep inside, he knew something had changed.
This strange panic.
This sudden nervousness.
This warmth he felt when she smiled.
Maybe…
It was a feeling he had never experienced before.
And maybe…
Their fake marriage was slowly becoming something much more real.