Chapter 16

One second she was treading carefully, the next, a look of pleasant surprise nearly escaped her.

Zhou Sujin lowered his gaze, observing the subtle change on her face.

Wei Lai raised her head, her expression returning to normal. “Thank you, Mr. Zhou.”

Zhou Sujin silently turned his attention back to his stack of documents, setting aside the ones he hadn’t looked at yet.

Pushing boundaries is human nature, so she couldn’t be blamed.

But indulging without principles would be his fault.

His gaze briefly swept over her face. “Did you often get your way by acting cute before?”

Wei Lai nodded honestly. She had been adept at acting cute since she was young; it was innate.

She said, “That wasn’t exactly acting cute just now.”

Zhou Sujin held the last few documents in his hand, about to set them down but hesitated, turning his head to look at her, studying her for several seconds.

Wei Lai met his inscrutable gaze and suddenly realized she had misspoken. Too much talk indeed leads to mistakes. If she hadn’t even acted cute yet, and he had already given in, where would he put his dignity?

“Mr. Zhou, I…”

Even though she was usually eloquent, she found herself at a loss for words now.

Zhou Sujin didn’t press the matter. “Why are you nervous? I’ve already agreed. I can’t take it back now.”

“I know you won’t,” Wei Lai said.

Zhou Sujin interjected, “But don’t call me a good person in the future.”

Wei Lai didn’t respond.

Zhou Sujin stared at her. “Are you just going to stay silent?”

At that moment, the sound of suitcase wheels in the living room was interrupted, accompanied by a voice: “Mr. Zhou?”

Uncle Yan and Zhou Sujin’s accompanying bodyguard brought in the remaining suitcases, two of which were filled with books. Uncle Yan intended to take them directly to the study.

Previously, as long as Zhou Sujin left the study door open, Uncle Yan could deliver items directly. But now, with Wei Lai around, it was inconvenient. Hence the need for a reminder.

Zhou Sujin responded, “In the study.”

Wei Lai took a half step back, casually leaning against his desk and picking up a document from the table.

She held the document in her hand without even flipping it open.

Uncle Yan pushed the two boxes of books in and placed them by the door.

Wei Lai’s perusal of Kunchen Group’s important documents wasn’t surprising to Uncle Yan, given that she had bought a house in Jiangcheng and moved so many personal belongings.

Before leaving the study, Uncle Yan inquired about dinner arrangements for the evening. Following Zhou Sujin’s instructions not to hire a housekeeper, he had to temporarily take on the role of a steward.

Zhou Sujin looked at Wei Lai. “What would you like to eat?”

Wei Lai quickly glanced at the two boxes. The books inside would only take her half an hour to organize, leaving her with several hours of idle time.

“I’ll make seaweed rice for myself. Uncle Yan, could you help me prepare some lettuce and beef?… Actually, never mind, I’ll order it myself.”

Zhou Sujin didn’t eat seaweed rice, so he told Uncle Yan, “Have my dinner delivered from Riverside Restaurant.”

“Okay.”

They each minded their own business, sometimes feeling distant like strangers instead of a couple. Zhou Sujin might have overthought things.

Wei Lai ordered the necessary ingredients from her own supermarket and prepared seaweed beef rice for dinner, along with mushroom soup. Unless under special circumstances, she never slacked off on any meal.

Uncle Yan went outside to tidy up other luggage, while Zhou Sujin closed the study door. Leaning against the sofa in front of the window, he gestured to Wei Lai, “Come over here.”

Taking off his suit jacket and draping it over the back of the chair, he opened the boxes and began organizing the books.

“Mr. Zhou, let me help you with the organization.”

“No need.” Zhou Sujin refused directly.

Since these were books he often read, Wei Lai wasn’t familiar with his reading habits.

Wei Lai had no choice but to approach, but as the ‘client,’ Zhou Sujin was so busy, and she, as the service provider,’ felt uneasy playing the role of overseer without any work to do.

She stood up. “I’ll help you hand over the books and see how you arrange them. That way, I can better understand your preferences.”

Zhou Sujin glanced at her, then returned his focus to the bookshelf, continuing to arrange the books. “What’s the point of understanding so much about me?”

“…Getting familiar helps us cooperate better and builds rapport. Otherwise, if time passes, even Uncle Yan won’t be able to cover for us.”

In the half-minute of silence before Zhou Sujin responded, it felt like an eternity.

After finishing organizing the first box of books, Zhou Sujin leaned down to open the second one, pulling out five or six books at once. He handed one to her. “You do the arranging.”

Wei Lai, a beat slow to catch on, realized she could better understand him by watching how he arranged the books rather than doing it herself. She walked over to take the book.

He handed her one book after another, and all she had to do was arrange them in order. This sequence was his preference or habit when reading.

He doesn’t like people around him talking too much; that’s what Uncle Yan told her, so she didn’t intentionally seek conversation.

Every time he handed her a book, the texture of his sleeve and the half-revealed new watch under the cuff caught her eye.

As she placed each book he handed her onto the shelf, Wei Lai remembered the titles of all the books. She even had a basic impression of which book was placed next to which.

With the books sorted, Zhou Sujin returned to his desk to review the documents.

Uncle Yan knocked on the door again, this time coming to ask Wei Lai for help.

“Miss Wei, could you help me figure out how to organize the clothes?” Everything else was almost sorted out, but he had no idea where to put the clothes and accessories.

Wei Lai wasn’t sure either, but in front of Uncle Yan, she remained calm and relaxed. “I’ll take care of the clothes. Uncle Yan, you can focus on other things.”

There were a total of five boxes of clothes and personal items. Standing in the wardrobe for a while, she didn’t know where to start.

Clothes were different from books; clothes were too personal.

As the wardrobe door opened, Wei Lai turned around to see Zhou Sujin entering. He said, “Hang the suits and coats in the first wardrobe, the shirts in the second. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Wei Lai laid the largest box flat. It wasn’t brought by air from Beijing but directly from the hotel. As she lifted the dust cover, her white suit came into view, neatly folded and stacked on top of his shirts.

Only in a close relationship could clothes be placed like this.

Suppressing her racing heart, she quickly moved her clothes to the nearby sofa.

It must have been the hotel staff who packed the box, assuming she was his girlfriend and placing their clothes together without reservation.

Zhou Sujin also noticed her clothes. “Packed by the hotel staff.”

Wei Lai nodded. “I know.”

Zhou Sujin handed her a hanger. “Hang it in the foyer closet. Don’t forget to take it when you leave.”

His calm demeanor alleviated her awkwardness.

“Thank you, Mr. Zhou.”

It wasn’t a thank you for the hanger; why would she thank him? He should understand, right?

Finally freed from the bedroom, Wei Lai grabbed the hangers and her clothes and hurried out. The ingredients she had ordered on her phone had just arrived.

After making seaweed rice and mushroom soup, Zhou Sujin’s takeout hadn’t arrived yet.

Before eating, she politely asked in passing to the study, “Mr. Zhou, I’ve made the seaweed rice. Would you like to try some?”

Zhou Sujin glanced up at her, then returned to his documents. “You go ahead.”

That was a polite refusal of her seaweed rice.

“Okay, then you continue.” Wei Lai closed the door.

Just as she sat down and took a few bites, the doorbell rang, and the takeout arrived.

Among the dishes delivered by Riverside Restaurant, half of them were seafood. The key was that the non-seafood dishes weren’t to her liking.

He didn’t eat hot pot, but hot pot was one of her favorite foods. If not for health considerations, she could eat it every day.

Fortunately, they didn’t have to live together for real. Otherwise, with such different tastes, it would be difficult to get along.

Zhou Sujin emerged from the study and sat across from her.

Wei Lai scooped up some seaweed and put it in her mouth, silently watching him.

“What’s wrong?”

He lowered his head to roll up his sleeves but sensed her occasional glances at him.

“Nothing. Do you like seafood?”

“It’s alright.” Zhou Sujin picked up his chopsticks and began eating. This was his first time trying the seafood at Riverside Restaurant. Last time, He Wancheng had brought him seafood noodles to go and found their seafood to be quite good, so he had Uncle Yan order from there.

With only the two of them at home, it was easier to talk.

He asked her, “After spending a few days together, is there anything you want to say or any additional points you want to make?”

Wei Lai nodded. “Yes.”

She was always diligent and responsible in her work, even in this part-time job.

“When I’m in a relationship, others usually go along with me, coddle me, and don’t show me any unpleasantness.”

Zhou Sujin chuckled softly.

After a while, he looked at her. “We don’t need to actually date. Why are you telling me these things?”

Wei Lai explained, “I’m a bit afraid of you. In front of Uncle Yan and your family, I can’t show that I’m too afraid of you.”

Zhou Sujin asked mildly, “If you’re afraid, why do you dare to act cute with me?”

Wasn’t that because she had no other choice?

Most of the time, she was still afraid of him, unable to achieve the same relaxation in front of others.

After dinner, Wei Lai stayed alone in the living room while Zhou Sujin returned to the study to continue working.

When there are no outsiders, she and he are strangers, and the living room is her only place of comfort.

Just after nine o’clock, Wei Lai decided to take her leave.

Unlike before at the hotel, where coming and going was always easily noticed, so the meeting had to allow for enough time. Meeting in her own house was convenient; she could come and go as she pleased without any constraints.

“Mr. Zhou, I’m heading back now.”

Zhou Sujin nodded, then added, “I’ll be busy tomorrow.”

Wei Lai understood his meaning; there was no need to meet again.

“Then I won’t come over tomorrow.”

She forgot her white suit hanging in the hallway cabinet again.

Leaving Zhou Sujin’s place, Wei Lai went to her mother’s residence. She had encountered her father at the apartment last night, and she couldn’t gauge her mother’s mood. Today, she wanted to spend some time with her mother.

“Mom, I’m staying at your place tonight.” She sent a voice message to her mother.

“Where are you now? Mom will come pick you up.”

“No need to pick me up, it’s far, I’m still on this side of Jiang’an Yunchen.”

Cheng Minzhi had been to Jiang’an Yunchen once, it was a high-end residential area developed by Jiang’an Group, not far from the Jiang’an villa area.

The daughter didn’t conceal where she was, seemingly intending to reveal some information to her.

Wei Lai didn’t arrive at her mother’s place until almost ten o’clock.

As she crossed the yard, before reaching the living room door, the door was pulled open from inside. Her mother was wearing glasses and was in a hurry downstairs, and hadn’t had time to take them off.

“Mom, are you still working overtime?”

Cheng Minzhi took the bag from her daughter’s shoulder. “Can’t sleep anyway, planning to open the sixteenth store.”

Wei Lai became interested, “Where are you planning to open it?”

Cheng Minzhi said, “The comprehensive complex in the park has started leasing. They plan to open a four-thousand-square-meter supermarket on the negative first floor to meet the daily needs of the surrounding communities.”

Wei Lai knew about the new comprehensive complex in the park, which was a comprehensive shopping mall owned by Yunhui Group, totaling eight floors, covering various aspects of dining, entertainment, and shopping.

There were more than ten newly delivered residential communities around the complex, mostly inhabited by young people working in the park. There was no large-scale market planned there, so if they opened a supermarket focusing on fresh produce and cooked food, the business wouldn’t be bad.

The business area of the supermarket didn’t need that much space, so she could set aside two to three hundred square meters to design a unique style of free study room.

Cheng Minzhi said, “With such a good location, all the supermarkets must want to take over the operation rights. Anyway, let’s try our best.”

After discussing company matters, Wei Lai decided to slightly reveal some information about Zhou Sujin to her mother. “Mom, do you know when Zhang Yanxin’s wedding is scheduled?”

Cheng Minzhi nodded, “I heard about it.”

She also learned today that Mu Di and Zhang Yanxin’s wedding date had been set for late December.

Thinking of her daughter’s once happy face saying, “Mom, I want to marry Zhang Yanxin next year.” She couldn’t help but feel even more sad for her daughter, a hundred times sadder than when she divorced herself.

Wei Lai comforted her mother, “I’ve let it go. With so many suitors, I don’t have time to be sad.” She paused, “I have a friend from Beijing, we haven’t known each other for long, but he has feelings for me.”

Talking nonsense in front of her mother, she could only silently ask Zhou Sujin for forgiveness in her heart.

Cheng Minzhi didn’t ask too much, “Is it the one who lent you Cullinan?”

Wei Lai nodded, “Yes, it’s him. But he hasn’t confessed to me yet. Knowing that I just broke up and don’t have the mood for love, he often comes from Beijing to have dinner with me. He’s a nice person.”

She fabricated so sincerely that she almost fooled herself.

Cheng Minzhi didn’t ask further, “Remember to tell Mom when there’s good news.”

Wei Lai smiled, “Of course.”

—

The sixteenth store of the supermarket was officially put on the agenda.

The next day at work, Wei Lai began to work on the project plan, wanting to enter the comprehensive complex owned by Yunhui Group, which was very difficult.

Her mother told her that Fumanyuan Chain Supermarket also aimed to take over the operation rights of the supermarket in the comprehensive complex.

In Jiangcheng, the biggest competitor of Wei Lai Supermarket was Fumanyuan Chain Supermarket.

Cheng Minzhi cheered her daughter on, “In terms of the number of stores and networking resources, we can’t compare with Fumanyuan, but our supermarket’s business philosophy and management level are superior to theirs. When Yunhui Complex selects merchants, they will definitely consider all aspects, and we still have a good chance of winning.”

“Fumanyuan’s boss has connections, that’s also part of their strength, but we can try another approach.” Wei Lai got up to pour water and poured a glass for her mother too.

Knock, knock. Someone knocked on the door.

Wei Lai called out towards the direction of the door, “Please come in.”

To her surprise, the visitor was Zhao Yihan.

She had told Zhao Yihan that she could come to her office whenever she had time, hoping Zhao Yihan would come, but she hadn’t held out much hope.

Cheng Minzhi hadn’t seen Zhao Yihan for many years. Her current hairstyle and dress were completely different from when they were in junior high school. When they first met, she didn’t recognize who she was and thought she was her daughter’s friend.

“Auntie Cheng, hello, I’m Zhao Yihan.”

“Are you Yihan?” Cheng Minzhi stared at her in surprise, repeatedly apologizing, “You’ve grown so tall and beautiful, Auntie didn’t dare to recognize you.”

“Come to the house when you’re free, you two can chat.” Cheng Minzhi left her daughter’s office on the pretext.

Zhao Yihan placed her bag on the sofa, didn’t sit down, and leisurely walked to the window. In front of her, the traffic was bustling; it was one of the busiest streets in Jiangcheng.

Wei Lai made her coffee, and she leaned against the windowsill to drink it.

“Why do you have time to come out today?” Wei Lai asked.

Zhao Yihan replied, “I’m on an outdoor assignment, don’t need to go back to clock in.”

After coming out from a client, she directly drove to find Wei Lai, also bringing some samples.

“At the end of the month, Yunhui Group is hosting an anniversary party. Our boss received two invitations, and gave me one, but I don’t need it. You go.”

As she spoke, Zhao Yihan put down her coffee cup and took out the invitation from her bag.

“You’re not trying to expand your supermarket? Without resources and connections, it definitely won’t work. As for Zhou Sujin… After all, it’s not a long-term solution. You still have to rely on yourself.”

Embossed invitation.

However, Weilei felt it was too hot to handle. Every time there was such a rare opportunity, Zhao Yihan always thought of her.

Zhao Yihan relieved her worries, “The boss knows I want to pass it on to you, and he agreed.”

The boss knew her well. Going to the party would be pointless for her, as she wouldn’t actively engage in conversation with anyone. When the boss gave her the invitation, he said that if she didn’t want to go, she could give it to someone else.

She could only give it to one person, and that person was Wei Lai.

“Our boss is shrewd, never makes a losing deal. He guessed that you and Zhou Sujin have a close relationship now and is willing to establish a good relationship with you by lending you this opportunity.”

After drinking a cup of coffee and admiring the sea of people and traffic for half an hour, Zhao Yihan finally took a mint candy from Weilei, and as the setting sun’s afterglow shone through the blinds, she picked up her bag and bid farewell.

Wei Lai opened the invitation. Yunhui Group was the most powerful listed company in Jiangcheng. They held an annual anniversary party at the Riverside Hotel. She had the opportunity to attend once, when Zhang Yanxin took her there.

At this year’s party, the person in charge of Yunhui Complex would definitely be there, and she had to take the opportunity to connect with them and strive to establish a rapport.

Whether the sixteenth store could enter the complex would be crucial that night.

But that night, she would definitely encounter some old acquaintances.

After staring at the party’s schedule for a few seconds, Wei Lai opened a chat with Zhou Sujin: [Mr. Zhou, how long will you be staying in Jiangcheng?]

Zhou Sujin: [Until the end of the month, returning in early October. Why?]

That would be enough time.

Wei Lai didn’t like beating around the bush, so she said directly: I have a party at the end of the month. After the party ends, I want you to pick me up, is that convenient? Having him pick her up could ward off some unwanted suitors. While he was picking her up, she also wanted those people to know that they hadn’t broken up and that the Cullinan wasn’t a breakup fee from Zhou Sujin.

[If it’s inconvenient, it’s okay.]

Zhou Sujin was even less fond of beating around the bush: [Send me the address and the end time of the party. If I’m free, I’ll come pick you up. If not, I’ll ask Uncle Yan to pick you up.]

Wei Lai: [You come to pick me up.]

Zhou Sujin: [What, Are you not afraid of me now?]

How could she not be afraid? When she typed the four words ‘you come to pick me up’, her heart was in her throat, [Yes, I’m still afraid. I’m slowly getting used to being around you.]