After our group of interns became regular employees, the company organized a small social gathering.

Due to the strong demands of many socially anxious individuals, the HR department agreed to a novel matchmaking method using the internet.

After several rounds of anonymous random matching, I struck up a conversation with someone named "Prince."

Prince and I both shared the common label of being cat owners, so we got along well online.

【Little Goldfish, do you like large dogs?】

Little Goldfish is my nickname.

【I'm okay with them. I particularly like fluffy and cute breeds like Samoyeds or Alaskans.

【But I like all obedient dogs.】

Prince is a particularly shy and introverted person. I invited him to take a break together in the pantry several times, but he always refused.

Is he afraid of socializing?

I actually have a good impression of him. We share the same values, and he speaks very gently.

However, he types slowly and often disappears during our conversations.

I bribed the HR department with a cup of milk tea to find out which department Prince is in, so I can catch a glimpse of him from afar.

The HR lady has principles.

"We agreed to anonymous matchmaking, so I have a responsibility to maintain confidentiality. Why don't you take the initiative and ask him out?"

"He always says he's too busy and doesn't have time for now. It's rare to find someone who doesn't slack off."

I complained in a hushed voice.

But the HR lady smiled meaningfully.

"Perhaps that's his good point."

I spent quite some time in the HR office and coincidentally encountered the CEO during my exit.

Shi Huai Chao stared at the half-empty milk tea in my hand with a cold gaze.

I nervously hurried back to my workstation.

Prince sent a message ten minutes ago.

【Little Goldfish, are you free this weekend?】

【I'm back! Yes, I'm free. What's up?】

Prince replied instantly.

【I just thought if you're free, we could meet in person. Hmm... Saturday is Christmas Day.】

【Sure, I can make it.】

I excitedly typed on the keyboard, glanced around with my head lowered, and then relievedly complained.

【I was caught slacking off by CEO Shi just now. It was terrifying.】

【Don't you like CEO Shi?】

I thought for a moment and continued my reply.

【It's hard to say if I like him or not, but I'm a little afraid of him. He's very strict when it comes to scolding people during meetings.】

Prince didn't respond. He's probably busy again.

I'm really looking forward to meeting Prince.

Thinking about the Christmas atmosphere, I went to a jewelry store and bought a crystal snowball ornament as a gift for him.

Then I stood alone at the entrance of the mall with the gift bag, waiting from noon until evening.

Only then did I realize a fact.

I was stood up by Prince.

From politely asking for his location at the beginning to later expressing my grievances.

I sent many messages to Prince, but he didn't reply to any.

I blocked Prince and threw the gift into the mall's trash can without looking back, leaving without a word.

Online relationships are really unreliable. I felt down for a while and even lost my motivation at work.

Fortunately, CEO Shi Huai Chao didn't come to inspect during that time.

Otherwise, I'm sure he would have dragged me out and scolded me.

I picked up the crystal ball from Shi Huai Chao's bedside, and underneath the base, there was a crumpled but flattened sticky note.

"Wishing Prince a quick reunion with his princess!"

I wrote it enthusiastically on the day I got stood up.

So did Shi Huai Chao accidentally find the gift, or is he actually "Prince"?