Chapter 16.3

Zhu Qingfei uncharacteristically squirmed. “Not exactly… Weiwei, I think I have a thing for competence. I admire capable people.”

Song Wei blurted out, “Then why don’t you like Chen Jubai?”

“I don’t know—maybe it’s just a feeling? President Chen is impressive, but I only admire him. When I see Chu Qi, my heart races, and I blush.” Then she asked, “Do you ever feel that way about President Chen?”

“No.”

“Figures. I guess you wouldn’t. I feel like a lovestruck teenager. Is this what you’d call a crush?” She groaned dramatically. “Unrequited love is so hard.”

Though Zhu Qingfei usually exuded confidence, she confessed that she hadn’t even dared to approach Chu Qi during the few times she saw him at work. Their paths rarely crossed, leaving her to daydream from afar.

Song Wei had never experienced unrequited love and couldn’t entirely relate, but she understood. After some thought, she offered, “Let’s see if we can have dinner with Chu Qi in a few days. You can join us.”

Zhu Qingfei poured herself tea, not taking it seriously. “Forget it. Even if I could join, it’s not fair to ask you to use your connection with President Chen for my sake. That would make me a terrible friend.”

Song Wei hesitated before confessing, “Actually, it’s not a big deal, but… Qingfei, I need to tell you something. I’m married to Chen Jubai. We got our marriage certificate a few days ago.”

This time, Zhu Qingfei heard her clearly and froze in shock. “What? Say that again!”

Song Wei lowered her head and repeated, “I’m married to Chen Jubai. We just registered our marriage a few days ago.”

There was a long silence.

When Song Wei glanced up, she saw Zhu Qingfei’s face, a mixture of joy and disbelief.

“What kind of expression is that?” Song Wei asked, amused.

Zhu Qingfei laughed and cried simultaneously, pulling Song Wei into a hug. “Oh my gosh, this is amazing! I’m going to be your bridesmaid! And Chu Qi must be the best man, right?”

“…”

Over the next hour, Zhu Qingfei bombarded Song Wei with questions, ranging from the absurd to the practical—even suggesting names for their future children. Song Wei was exasperated.

After dinner, Song Wei finally saw Chen Jubai’s reply saying that his plans had changed, and he might not return for a few more days.

When she got home, she lingered in the neighborhood for ten minutes before deciding to call him.

Their marriage had been rushed, but if they were to build a life together, they needed to get closer. She wasn’t one to shy away from making the first move.

Unfortunately, both calls went unanswered, only the sound of ringing filling the silence.

Staring at the disconnected call, she clenched her fist and huffed. You’re the one not answering—don’t blame me!

Then, looking up at the sky, she sighed. She’d known how busy he was before they married. Today’s frustration was entirely self-inflicted.

At almost midnight, he finally replied, explaining that he had just returned to his hotel after a dinner meeting with a potential partner. He ended with: [Good night. Rest early.]

Song Wei, still awake, recorded a short video of her cat, Snowflake, and sent it to him with a simple message: [Good night.]

She patted Snowflake on the head, her dimples appearing as she smiled. “Good night, Snowflake~”

…

The collaboration with Changyan Technology was anything but easy. Chen Jubai had used his teacher’s connections to secure an initial meeting, but convincing Changyan to believe in Guangnian’s capabilities would require significant effort.

After meeting with Changyan’s representative, Chen Jubai and Chu Qi stayed at their hotel for three days straight, working tirelessly to prepare a foundational application model.

During this time, Bi Xuyao contacted Chen Jubai again. Unwilling to waste time on him, Chen Jubai bluntly stated their position.

Bi Xuyao was furious. “Don’t overestimate yourself. In Shenzhen, you’re nothing.”

Chen Jubai replied calmly, “Underestimating us will be the worst mistake you ever make.”

On the fourth day, they presented their work at Changyan’s headquarters. The company’s technical director personally attended their three-hour presentation.

As they left, the director politely said the project required further evaluation and that they would follow up with the results.

Chu Qi suggested taking the director out for dinner that night. Checking his watch, Chen Jubai noted it was almost noon—just enough time to catch the afternoon train back to Nan’an.

“No need to treat them to dinner. This isn’t something a meal can resolve. We’ve already done what we should,” said Chen Jubai.

Chu Qi thought he might be exhausted. “True, we haven’t really slept these past few days. How about we rest up and head back tomorrow?”

The man rejected the suggestion outright. “I’m leaving this afternoon.”

“???” Chu Qi stared at his tall figure walking away and suddenly understood. Newlyweds, just registered their marriage, haven’t seen each other for days—of course, he’d be in a hurry to go home.

The high-speed train departed at 1 PM. After packing their belongings, they headed straight for the train station.

Around 5 PM, they arrived in Nan’an. Chu Qi hailed a ride. “Where to?”

“Back to the office first.”

Chu Qi clicked his tongue. “At this hour, shouldn’t you be rushing home to see your wife?”

Chen Jubai glanced at him, and Chu Qi instantly fell silent.

Guangnian’s workday ended at 6 PM.

At 5:40, Song Wei received a message saying President Chen needed to review materials for the Xingfu Jiaoyu project.

Surprised, she asked the assistant who had contacted her, Xiao Xu: “Now?”

Xiao Xu: “Yes, now. President Chen needs it urgently.”

“He’s back?”

Xiao Xu: “Yes, just arrived.”

Song Wei was filled with question marks. He didn’t mention he’d be back today. And starting work right after arriving? Is he even human?

The Xingfu Jiaoyu project contract had been signed in recent days, and Song Wei had already started working on it. With the materials ready, she grabbed a few folders and headed upstairs to report.

While waiting for the elevator, she vaguely recalled someone mentioning that Chen Jubai never personally handled business or product matters.

Even as she exited the elevator, she couldn’t help but marvel at his boundless energy.

The General Manager’s office was on the 22nd floor, a place she’d never been before. When the elevator doors opened, the General Office came into view.

Song Wei greeted a young woman sitting outside. “Hello, I’m Song Wei, Manager of the Product Department One. I’m here to deliver materials to President Chen.”

The young woman gave her a quick once-over and then smiled faintly. “Manager Song, you can go right in. President Chen is inside.”

“Thank you.”

Song Wei walked to the office door, which was ajar. She knocked lightly, and a voice inside called, “Come in.”

The office wasn’t particularly large but was well-equipped, with separate areas for work and receiving guests. Behind the seating area were two small rooms, likely a lounge and a restroom.

During their first meeting, he had mentioned frequently sleeping in the office. Now that she saw it, this office was practically a small apartment—just missing a kitchen.

Song Wei shifted her gaze back to the man inside.

Faint shadows of exhaustion darkened his eyes, a testament to several days of nonstop work.

She understood his situation. He was undoubtedly busy, and their contact had been sporadic. Yet, during each call, he would clearly explain what he was working on, what his next steps were, and roughly when he would finish.

Their last conversation had been two nights ago. He said he was wrapping up soon, planning to return after his presentation. He had come back earlier than expected.

Feeling a little self-conscious, she refrained from closing the door and walked closer, lowering her voice to ask, “Why did you come back so suddenly? Was it not going well?”

Chen Jubai focused his gaze on her. “It went very well.”

He stepped out from behind his desk, standing directly across from her, lowering his eyes slightly. “Shall we have dinner at your house tonight?”

The man’s height made Song Wei tilt her head up slightly. “Sure, but I’ll need to check if my parents are free first.”

“Alright. We’ll also need to visit your aunt’s house soon to discuss the betrothal gifts and the wedding date.”

Wasn’t I here to report work? How did we end up talking about this…

Having been apart for several days since registering their marriage, Song Wei had almost forgotten about these matters. She nodded vaguely. “We’ll talk about that later. Let me report on the project first.”

Chen Jubai’s voice was calm and restrained. “No need.”

Their eyes met, one gazing upward, the other downward.

His eyes were warm, deep, and unfathomable, like a bottomless abyss in the darkness.

Feeling uneasy, Song Wei turned her head to look out the window.

The view from the 22nd floor was far better than from her office on the 7th. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of Nan’an’s skyline, a cityscape of towering buildings.

In the silence, a delicate warmth brushed against her right hand—soft, fleeting, and electrifying, sending a shiver straight to her heart.

She instinctively pulled her hand back.

It was mid-February, still winter in Nan’an, yet she felt as if a wave of heat had washed over her.

Just then, footsteps sounded inappropriately from outside. Panicking, Song Wei lowered her gaze and noticed his hand, which hadn’t yet withdrawn, clearly reaching out to hold hers.

Her voice faltered. “If there’s no need to report, then I’ll go.”