Chapter 89: Meteor Shower

Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an arrived punctually at the office each day. In the past, when working independently, Bi Qiao’an would occasionally feel bored. However, now that they collaborated closely, with Shen Yanming frequently sharing her responsibilities, the tedium had dissipated. 

Perhaps this was the essence of the adage “love conquers boredom”?

After a fortnight of interaction, the recent hires in the Human Resources Management Department had grown accustomed to their colleagues.  

Qin Yiren, an affluent young lady, had taken notice of the strapping and dashing Shen Yanming from her inaugural day at the unit. However, being new, she wished to avoid appearing too brazen in her interest. 

When selecting her desk, Qin Yiren employed a subtle strategy. Surveying the office, she ruled out seats adjacent to male coworkers and middle-aged women. This left only the spots near Li Yueya and Mi Xue’er as viable options.

Upon reflection, Qin Yiren settled on the desk beside Mi Xue’er. While comely, Mi Xue’er’s petty nature would prevent her from outshining Qin Yiren. In contrast, Li Yueya’s excessive gentility was off-putting.

With a graceful and warm smile, Qin Yiren took her place, offering a friendly greeting to Mi Xue’er.

Observing Qin Yiren’s choice, fellow new hires Xia Ran and Ye Xiaoxiao followed suit, claiming the desks across from Mi Xue’er and Qin Yiren. 

As for Li Yinhe, he promptly opted for the seat beside Yu Shui, with Li Yueya to his right. 

When Mi Xue’er had made her selection back then, she waited until Shen Yanming had settled into his chosen location. 

She noted the vacant seat beside him, understanding it was reserved for Bi Qiao’an. 

Despite knowing Shen Yanming would decline, Mi Xue’er couldn’t resist inquiring about occupying the space, unsurprisingly met with a polite refusal.

Consequently, Mi Xue’er opted for a vantage point from which she could observe him. Despite knowing her affections were futile, she was powerless to rein in her desire to lay eyes upon him daily.

Most of their colleagues in the management bureau were aware of Mi Xue’er’s affections but refrained from mentioning it, as her conduct had not crossed any egregious boundaries.

Moreover, with Shen Yanming’s wife now by his side, the likelihood of any developments was minimal. Given sufficient time, Mi Xue’er would likely come to accept the situation and move on.

Seated beside Mi Xue’er, Qin Yiren had a clear view of Shen Yanming, her gaze often lingering on him as she grew increasingly convinced of his exceptional qualities.

Indeed, he was affluent, handsome, refined, gentle, attentive, and loyal. Qin Yiren frequently imagined how incredible it would be to claim this flawless man as her own.

After developing a closeness with Mi Xue’er, Qin Yiren inquired about the nature of Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an’s relationship. With a meaningful glance, Mi Xue’er succinctly replied, “Couple.”

This information led Qin Yiren to believe that Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an were merely in a casual relationship, suggesting the possibility of luring him away.

Wasn’t there a saying? There’s no wall that can’t be breached, only spades that don’t try hard enough!

Perceiving Mi Xue’er’s feelings for Shen Yanming, Qin Yiren questioned, “If you like him, why not pursue him?”

Mi Xue’er responded with a wry smile. “It’s not for lack of effort, but I couldn’t capture his interest.”

“That challenging?”

“Mm-hmm, he never accepts invitations from other women.” Mi Xue’er spoke truthfully, a smile playing on her lips as she observed Qin Yiren’s contemplative mien, eagerly anticipating the impending spectacle.

Lost in thought, Qin Yiren reached for her phone, idly scrolling through Weibo, her interest not piqued by the top trending topic, “Laborers and Dry Toilets.”

The second-ranked topic, “Taurids Meteor Shower,” caught her attention. After a moment’s consideration, she tapped on it.

“The annual Taurids meteor shower graces the skies from around October 1st to 10th, reaching its zenith on October 3rd. It stands among the three most significant periodic meteor showers of the year, boasting a peak rate of up to 400 meteors per hour.”

“This year’s Taurids meteor shower is anticipated to peak at 11:15 PM on October 3rd.”

Qin Yiren felt a surge of excitement upon reading this news. She had never witnessed a meteor shower firsthand. Each time an opportunity arose, either inclement weather intervened, or her patient vigil yielded no celestial spectacle.

As she continued to scroll, an idea began to take shape in her mind.

“Longing to witness a meteor shower?
Yearning for a camping and barbecue adventure in the wilderness? 
Craving a swim and fishing excursion in a pristine river?
Aspiring to scale mountains and behold a sea of clouds at sunrise?
Make your way to Qingli Mountain Scenic Area!
A trove of wonders awaits your discovery!
Secure your spot among the coveted 10,000 reservations during the National Day holiday. Send a private message to register!”

Qin Yiren diligently perused the official Weibo account of Qingli Mountain, absorbing every detail.

It came to light that the observatory had issued a notice indicating a high probability of the Taurids meteor shower intensifying into a meteor storm this year.

Qingli Mountain had been shuttered for over six months due to the global rain. During this period, not only did the scenic area suffer a complete loss of income, but it also incurred substantial management expenses. They had anticipated a surge in visitor traffic once the rain subsided, but to their astonishment, business remained lackluster.

Upon learning of the impending meteor shower, the management of Qingli Mountain recognized a potential business opportunity.

Qingli Mountain boasted pristine air, a picturesque environment, an absence of light pollution, and a sprawling hundred-acre lawn flanked by a clear, meandering stream, rendering it an ideal location for meteor shower observation.

As a result, Qingli Mountain promptly introduced a meteor shower package, limiting admission to 10,000 tourists during the National Day holiday, guaranteeing attentive service, albeit at a premium price.

Qin Yiren was not short on money. After reviewing the photographs and service descriptions of the scenic area, she deemed it quite appealing. As she scrolled further, she noticed numerous comments from individuals eager to secure a reservation.

The corners of Qin Yiren’s lips curled upward. Wasn’t this a tailor-made opportunity to grow closer to Shen Yanming in a private setting?

“Hey, are you aware of the Taurids meteor shower occurring during the National Day holiday?” Qin Yiren casually brought up the topic.

“Truly? I’ve never had the chance to witness a meteor shower!” Ye Xiaoxiao, seated across from Qin Yiren, inquired with surprise.

“It’s accurate, and the observatory suggests a high likelihood of it evolving into a meteor storm, potentially reaching a rate of 10,000 meteors per hour.” Qin Yiren handed her phone to Ye Xiaoxiao.

Xia Ran also leaned in to read the Weibo content. “Oh my goodness, it’s indeed true. I’m eager to see it! I’ve never encountered a meteor shower in my life.”

“In previous years, a meteor shower boasting hundreds of meteors per hour was considered remarkable. This year, it might soar to 10,000. Won’t it resemble a celestial downpour?” Qin Yiren remarked as she retrieved her phone from the duo.

Their animated voices and captivating topic quickly drew the attention of others in the office.

“Qin Yiren, since we have a lull in work at the moment, why not share the news with everyone?” Yu Shui suggested.

“Certainly!” Qin Yiren readily agreed and proceeded to read aloud the information she had discovered.

Upon concluding, Qin Yiren hesitated briefly before adding, “I came across a Weibo post mentioning that Qingli Mountain Scenic Area will be offering a meteor shower package during the National Day holiday. 

They will limit admission to 10,000 tourists throughout the holiday period. The package includes barbecuing, mountain climbing, and river swimming. Most crucially, it provides an excellent vantage point for viewing the meteor shower.”

“That sounds appealing. Is it costly? If it’s within budget, I’ll consider signing up. I don’t have any plans at home during the holiday anyway.” Before Qin Yiren could extend an invitation, Yu Shui took the initiative.

Qin Yiren silently commended Yu Shui’s perceptiveness in her mind. The man truly had a keen eye.

If Yu Shui were privy to her thoughts, he would undoubtedly roll his eyes, as his sole motivation was to embark on an enjoyable excursion.

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