Chapter 27.2

Song Wei sighed and turned away.

That evening, Chen Jubai didn’t come home, saying he had a work dinner.

Around 11 p.m., a drowsy Song Wei heard the bedroom door open, followed by the sound of the bathroom. About ten minutes later, the bed dipped beside her.

Then her stuffed bear was taken from her hands, and she “naturally” ended up in someone’s arms.

Song Wei’s mind gradually cleared, but she kept her eyes closed, letting him continue his actions.

“Mm…”

She shifted slightly, finding a comfortable position in his arms.

Alright, she thought, let’s give this new Abebe a try.

---

On Sunday, he was still busy. By Monday, Song Wei received a notice: she would accompany Chen Jubai on a business trip to Shenzhen the next day to meet with Changyan Technology. The trip was expected to last a week.

The Navigation Project was a significant undertaking, and completing it entirely online wasn’t feasible. As the product manager, she had to go.

Business trips meant compressed workloads, social engagements, and intense negotiations. Yet this time, Song Wei felt a trace of anticipation.

It would be her first time traveling with him.

Later, Assistant Xiao Xu asked for personal details to book flights and hotels. In the afternoon, she received the hotel information: a single room with a king-sized bed.

Song Wei clicked her tongue. Chen Jubai was probably staying in an executive suite, a world apart from them mere workers.

That evening, they met in the parking lot again after work. Once in the car, Song Wei asked, “Are you taking the same flight as us tomorrow?”

“Mm, the 2 PM one. But I have to go to the office in the morning, so you’ll need to head to the airport on your own.”

“Then I’ll go to the office too.”

Chen Jubai turned his head to glance at her, chuckling softly. “Alright.”

Song Wei continued, “Are you flying business class?”

“I’m not sure. My assistant booked the ticket.”

Song Wei, in a teasing tone, said, “Some of us have never flown business class in our lives.”

He responded earnestly, “I’ll let Xiao Xu know.” As he spoke, he reached for his phone.

“Don’t!” Song Wei hadn’t expected him to act so quickly. She hurriedly stopped him. “I was just joking.”

Chen Jubai smiled knowingly but still made the call. “Xiao Xu, what seat did you book for my flight?”

“Business class.”

“Change it to economy, same as Manager Song and the others.”

“Got it, Mr. Chen.”

Song Wei: “…”

“I was joking.”

“I know,” he replied, “but I’m serious.”

“…Fine,” Song Wei muttered. “Next time, I’ll work harder and aim to have Xiao Xu book me business class on her own initiative.”

The man driving turned to her, his smile deepening. “Alright, looking forward to that, President Song.”

The playful “President Song” ignited her fighting spirit. After dinner at home, she threw herself into work.

The short notice for the trip meant she had to prepare a lot of materials.

Chen Jubai also had work to do, and Song Gaoyi promptly shooed both of them into the study.

The study had two desks facing each other. It was Song Wei’s first time working alongside him, and it felt a bit surreal. She found herself occasionally looking up at him.

People in work mode, regardless of gender, always exuded a unique charm. She thought back to the blind date photo her aunt had shown her before. Now, the man in that photo sat before her, wearing glasses and focused on his work.

To be honest, Chen Jubai had a striking appearance. His features were exceptionally well-defined—perfect from any angle. Her gaze trailed from his sharp eyebrows to his eyelashes, his eyes, his nose, and finally his lips.

Subconsciously, she touched her own lips, the memory of their first kiss surfacing. Her face flushed red.

His lips were flawless—no visible lines, not too thick or thin. They felt so kissable—soft and slightly moist.

He was surprisingly skilled at kissing, not at all like someone inexperienced in relationships.

Were men naturally gifted in such things?

Song Wei sighed inwardly. The gears of fate had turned, delivering him to her. Thankfully, she had reached out and caught him. Otherwise, who knew what kind of “misshapen melon” might have come along next?

Thinking back to their first meeting, she had almost let him slip away. He had been late due to work and didn’t know how to hold a conversation. Back then, she barely gave him a passing score—60 at most.

Now? Maybe 80.

Good—though not yet excellent, it was enough to move forward.

Based on Song Wei’s years of academic experience, improving from 60 to 80 was relatively easy. However, progress beyond 80 became much harder, with every additional point requiring significant effort.

Half an hour later, the man across from her spoke up, sounding a bit exasperated. “Keep staring, and neither of us will sleep tonight.”

Song Wei chuckled, withdrawing her gaze, and finally got to work.

A large team was going on this trip: Chen Jubai, his assistant, her team of three, plus the tech lead Chu Qi and someone from operations. At noon, when they gathered for the airport transfer, Song Wei realized that the person from operations was Zhu Qingfei.

Taking the chance to sit next to her, Song Wei whispered, “Chu Qi is here too. You okay?”

Zhu Qingfei shot her a glance. “Song Xiaowei, don’t underestimate me. Do I seem like someone who can’t let go?”

Song Wei looked skeptical, but Zhu Qingfei said seriously, “I’m fine now. Just focusing on work.”

Inspecting her closely, Song Wei saw no signs of sadness. “Good, then work hard and make lots of money.”

Zhu Qingfei sighed. “I really need to. Unlike someone I know, who’s become a boss’s wife and is now living the life of a wealthy lady.”

Song Wei laughed. “Nonsense. I’m still just a worker now.”

The weary workers, tired from their journey, arrived at the hotel and checked in at the front desk. Chu Qi called out, “Team, it’s going to be a tough week for everyone. Since we probably won’t have time to eat together later, how about we have an early team dinner tonight?”

Everyone agreed enthusiastically. Chu Qi said, “Alright, 7 PM in the lobby.”

After completing the check-in process, the group took the elevator upstairs. Song Wei entered first and ended up squeezed into a corner, while Chen Jubai stood by the door, separated from her by three or four people.

“Ninth floor, with Qingfei. Thanks.”

“I’m on the ninth floor too.” He pressed the button. “What about you, Mr. Chen?”

“Sixteenth. Thanks.”

The elevator fell silent for a moment before Dong Ruicheng lightened the mood. “I hear this hotel’s highest floor is the sixteenth.”

Xiao Xu chimed in, “That’s right. The sixteenth floor has the executive suites.”

Dong Ruicheng joked, “Staying in an executive suite, or even a presidential one, would be a dream come true.”

Chu Qi took the opportunity to motivate him. “Complete this project, and your bonus might cover half a month there.”

Dong Ruicheng laughed. “Alright, new goal!”

Just as the conversation seemed to wind down, Chen Jubai’s voice suddenly cut through. “That’s no problem. Let’s switch.”

The elevator fell silent for two seconds. Dong Ruicheng quickly waved his hands, “President Chen, I was just joking.”

The elevator stopped at the ninth floor, and the young man hurriedly grabbed his suitcase and dashed out. Song Wei followed closely behind.

She didn’t look back, but she could feel the burning gaze lingering on her back.

As soon as she entered her room, she received a message: [Are you coming up, or should I come down?]

Song Wei curled her lips into a smile, settled onto the small sofa, and typed her reply: [Come up for what? We’re here for work. You stay there, I’ll stay here. Work hard, President Chen!]

A few minutes later, he responded: [I’ll come down tonight.]

Song Wei cursed him in her heart. Capitalist! What a waste of money!

The dinner gathering that evening turned into a prelude to intense overtime. Initially, everyone was a bit reserved, but when Chen Jubai stepped out to take a call, their volume rose several decibels. By the time he returned, there was no pulling them back.

The seat next to Song Wei, which originally belonged to Zhu Qingfei, was now empty because Zhu Qingfei had wandered off midway through the meal. The man returning from the phone call, possibly “blind,” took the vacant seat directly beside her.

Song Wei glanced at her colleagues, who were engrossed in their own conversations, and decided no one was paying attention. She leaned over to speak to him, keeping a safe boss-subordinate distance. “Don’t blow our cover. It’ll affect work.”

“I won’t,” he replied, straight-faced. Then he changed the subject to work. “The person we’re meeting tomorrow is Yu Shao, and there’s also a manager named Fu Yaoqing.”

“I know. I’ve been coordinating with Manager Fu.”

“Alright. I’ll come down at ten tonight.”

He skipped topics again, leaving Song Wei stunned. She glanced around and lowered her voice. “You’re serious?”

“Mm.”

“Be careful, then. Don’t get caught.”

Out of the blue, he asked, “Is your period about to start?”

Song Wei froze, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic and surprised he even remembered. She felt a bit shy, thinking about tonight, and her ears began to flush. “Around these two days.”

“Then why are you drinking cold water?” His voice was low, a little stern.

“…” Song Wei noticed the frosty glass in front of her. She quickly clarified, “It’s not mine. It’s Qingfei’s.”

Chen Jubai nodded. “If you feel unwell, don’t push yourself. Let me know immediately.”

“Okay.”

Across from them, Shan Kaicheng glanced over. Song Wei raised her voice, “President Chen, I’ll send you the presentation PPT for tomorrow later.”

“Sure, no rush.”

Shan Kaicheng looked away. Song Wei leaned in and whispered, “Alright, you should leave.”

He gave her a look before getting up and walking off.

Song Wei exhaled deeply.

At the office, their encounters had been limited, so they didn’t have to hide much. But now it felt like she was waging a covert war, even their conversations required constant vigilance.

The feeling was both strange and thrilling.

Song Wei picked up her teacup and sipped, a smile lingering on her lips.

Around nine o’clock, they returned to the hotel. Song Wei, Zhu Qingfei, and Dong Ruicheng got off on the ninth floor while others headed higher.

Zhu Qingfei’s room was 913, while Song Wei’s was 915. Room 913 was ahead, but Zhu Qingfei absentmindedly walked straight past.

During dinner, Zhu had been distracted ever since her half-hour absence. Song Wei tugged at her. “Qingfei, are you okay?”

Zhu Qingfei snapped out of it and smiled. “I’m fine. What’s wrong?”

Song Wei pointed at the room number. “You’re in 913.”

“Oh!” Zhu Qingfei realized and doubled back, pulling out her room card to open the door. She waved as she entered. “Goodnight!”

Song Wei found it odd but figured it wasn’t a big deal. Her smile seemed genuine.

Near ten o’clock, Song Wei remembered he was supposed to come down and decided to shower first.

The space in the king bed room was small. Her suitcase was open by the bed. Her gaze swept across the bedside table, and her face turned bright red.

The hotel, known for its upscale amenities, had stocked the bedside table with a variety of contraceptives—three different types, more than she owned herself.

She quickly averted her gaze, but the sight of the pristine white sheets on the bed made her blush again.

This wasn’t home. It was a hotel with no interruptions.

There were condoms.

They were a newlywed couple married for a month.

Nothing could stop certain things from happening.

Song Wei cupped her face with her hands, her cheeks burning hotter than her body.

Her gaze dropped to her suitcase.

She hadn’t considered sharing a room with him when she packed. The weather in Shenzhen was hot, so she brought light clothing—a thin lace camisole, snug and form-fitting…

Biting her lip, Song Wei steeled herself, grabbed her sleepwear, and went to shower.

…

Upstairs, Chen Jubai had planned to take a quick shower before heading down, but Chu Qi followed him into the room.

Chen Jubai narrowed his eyes. “Why are you here instead of in your room?”

Chu Qi ignored him, plopped onto the sofa, and smirked. “Song Wei’s downstairs. Are you two sleeping separately? Want me to cover for you and bring her up?”

Chen Jubai shot him a sidelong glance as he searched for clothes in his suitcase. “Mind your own business.”

As he straightened up, Chu Qi was on the room phone ordering room service. “Yes, red wine for 1601, please.”

After hanging up, Zhu’s playful expression disappeared, replaced with exhaustion. “Not in the mood. Drink with me?”

Chen Jubai gritted his teeth, his gaze darkening. “You better have a good reason.”

“I broke up,” Chu Qi replied flatly.