Paper Lover At Old Town Bookstore Chapter 14

She Is Not a Paper Doll

The elevator in the Office Building chimed, signaling its arrival at the 12th floor. As the doors slowly opened, I immediately saw Xu Xingruo standing near the reception desk.

She was wearing the company’s standard light gray intern uniform. The loose-fitting shirt couldn’t hide her vibrant energy. At 18 years old, she was like a freshly picked peach, radiating an unpolished vitality. Her oval face was fair and full, completely free of makeup, yet it held a natural rosy glow. Especially those large almond eyes—the corners slightly upturned—shone like they held morning dew. They blinked, carrying a mix of curiosity and nervousness typical of a newcomer to the workplace.

Her dark hair was loosely tied into a low ponytail, with a few stray strands framing her cheeks. They swayed gently as she turned her head, highlighting her slender neck and soft shoulder line.

She was currently speaking to the receptionist, a slight smile on her lips revealing a pair of small dimples. Her voice was as clear as a wind chime, making the surrounding air feel lighter.

I stood at the elevator entrance, my heart giving a slight jolt, skipping half a beat.

This wasn’t cold text on a phone screen, nor a blurry outline in a dream. This was the living, breathing Xu Xingruo.

This was the girl who had made my heart ache to the point of collapse, who had driven me to grit my teeth and move forward, the girl I was determined to protect even if it meant crossing dimensions.

She stood right there, vibrant and bright, untouched by betrayal and harm, her eyes full of anticipation for the future. She was so beautiful I couldn’t look away.

“Qiusheng! You finally made it!” Xu Xingruo turned her head. When she saw me, her eyes instantly lit up, and she quickly walked toward me.

Her gait held a slight bounce, light and quick, like a hopping little rabbit. As she approached, I caught the faint scent of gardenias—exactly the same as the scent in my memory, only clearer and more real than in my dreams.

“I just told you not to be late, but thankfully you made it.” She smiled and patted my arm. The warmth of her fingertips transferred through my shirt, soft and gentle, carrying the tenderness of a young girl. “Let’s go quickly. Brother Zhang was just asking about you. He needs to walk you through the project process today.”

I stared at her face, my throat tight, unable to speak for a moment.

The person before me was more vivid than the novel described, more dazzling than I had imagined.

Untouched by the grind of the workplace, not yet scarred by heartbreak, she was like a blank canvas, waiting for the most beautiful picture to be painted upon it.

“What’s wrong?” Seeing me frozen, Xu Xingruo tilted her head, her almond eyes full of confusion. “Are you still half-asleep?”

Her finger gently poked my cheek, a hint of playfulness in the gesture. The touch was soft and warm. I snapped back to reality, my ears instantly flushing red. I quickly averted my gaze, my voice carrying a barely noticeable hoarseness: “N-no, I was just spacing out.”

“Spacing out about what? Come on, let’s go!” Xu Xingruo grabbed my wrist and quickly led me toward the office area. Her hand was small and warm, gripping my wrist. The pressure wasn’t strong, but it ignited a fierce determination within me—this time, I must protect her. I absolutely cannot let her repeat the same mistakes.

People were already busy in the office area; the sound of keyboards clicking and phones ringing rose and fell. Xu Xingruo led me to an empty workstation, pointing to the seat next to it. “This is your desk! I’m right next door! If you don’t understand anything later, just ask me!”

She smiled, her eyes curved into crescents, full of sincerity. I looked at her, a mix of bitterness and joy swirling in my heart, my eyes feeling slightly warm.

“Okay,” I replied softly, my gaze fixed on her face, unable to pull away.

Eighteen-year-old Xu Xingruo was truly beautiful. Not the beauty of deliberate adornment, but a beauty that stemmed from the heart, full of vitality. There was light in her eyes and sweetness in her smile, making everything around her brighter.

Just then, a familiar figure walked through the office entrance—Yang Changwen. He wore a sharp suit, a perfectly measured smile on his lips, and was talking to a colleague beside him, looking full of vigor and ambition.

My eyes instantly turned cold, and the hand gripping the mouse unconsciously tightened.

Xu Xingruo followed my gaze, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. “That’s Consultant Yang from the Marketing Department. I heard he’s incredibly capable and handsome too. Lots of female colleagues secretly like him.”

I turned to look at her. Her eyes held pure admiration, without any trace of ulterior motive.

Of course. Right now, she hadn’t been deceived by Yang Changwen’s sweet words, nor had she experienced that heartbreaking pain.

“Don’t go near him,” I said instinctively, my voice carrying a hint of urgency.

Xu Xingruo paused, looking at me in confusion. “Huh? Why?”

I took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions in my heart, trying to keep my tone calm. “Nothing, I just feel like he’s… not very reliable.”

I couldn’t tell her about the future; I couldn’t shatter this hard-won peace. All I could do was clear the obstacles for her before she encountered danger, keeping her away from the person who would hurt her.

Though confused, Xu Xingruo nodded. “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

Her trust warmed my heart. I looked at her bright eyes and silently vowed: Xu Xingruo, this time, I am here. I will grow with you, face workplace challenges with you, and help you avoid all the traps. I will ensure you always maintain this vitality and brightness, always remain the girl with light in her eyes and a sweet smile.

The sound of keyboards in the office area remained crisp. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, falling onto Xu Xingruo’s face, bathing her in a soft halo. I watched her profile as she earnestly organized files, a smile unconsciously spreading across my lips.

It’s wonderful. I finally get to see the living you.

It’s wonderful. Everything is still salvageable.