The Decoy Project

The next day, Su Ya and Lin Hao put their plan into action. They decided to create a fictitious business project, a diversion to draw Xiao Mei's attention away from the real secret. They named it "Project Phoenix," a supposed innovative venture that Lin Hao was 'secretly' working on, which they hoped would provide a plausible explanation for his recent changes.

In the office, Su Ya casually mentioned to Xiao Mei, "You know, I heard Lin Hao has been working on something big, a project called Phoenix. It's all very hush-hush."

Xiao Mei's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Really? What kind of project? Do you know anything more about it?"

Su Ya shrugged, feigning ignorance, "Not much, just that it's something innovative. Lin Hao is really talented, you know."

This bait worked better than Su Ya had anticipated. Over the next few days, Xiao Mei's focus shifted to uncovering more about Project Phoenix. She often prodded Su Ya for more details, but Su Ya skillfully dodged these questions, keeping her answers vague.

Meanwhile, Lin Hao played his part perfectly. He started staying late at the office, pretending to work on the project. He even left some cryptic notes and documents on his desk, which he knew Xiao Mei would inevitably see.

However, as Xiao Mei's interest in Project Phoenix grew, so did her determination to uncover its secrets. She started spending more time around Lin Hao, trying to engage him in conversations about his work.

Lin Hao, aware of Xiao Mei's prying eyes, stayed cautious. He occasionally dropped hints about the project, careful not to reveal anything substantial. He was impressed by Su Ya's quick thinking and her ability to manage the situation.

As days turned into weeks, Project Phoenix became the talk of the office. Colleagues whispered about Lin Hao's mysterious project, speculating on what it could be. Lin Hao and Su Ya frequently exchanged knowing glances, relieved that their plan was working.

But amidst this charade, Su Ya couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for deceiving Xiao Mei. She knew her friend's intentions were not malicious, merely driven by curiosity. However, she also understood the importance of keeping Lin Hao's secret safe. It was a delicate balance, and Su Ya hoped that their decoy would hold up long enough for Xiao Mei's curiosity to wane.

As the plot thickened, Su Ya realized that this experience was changing her too. She was no longer just an observer in Lin Hao's story but an active participant in a game of secrets and deceptions. Her role in protecting Lin Hao's secret was proving to be more challenging and exhilarating than she had ever imagined.