Chapter 94: Heavenly Benefits

Hong Lixia pondered for a moment, her brow furrowed. “I heard there are several kinds. Apples, pears, grapes, honeydew melons, pomegranates, mangoes, and kiwis,” she ticked them off on her fingers. “Those who arrive first get to choose first.”

Yu Shui’s jaw dropped, his eyes wide. “What kind of heavenly benefits are these? We can even choose?” he exclaimed in disbelief. “I don’t know what to pick!”

Hong Lixia chuckled at Yu Shui’s astonishment. “There’s a bumper harvest this year, so it’s only natural they’d be used as benefits,” she explained warmly. “Director Zhu has already drawn lots for everyone. Just wait for the group notification.”

The office erupted in applause, the staff’s enthusiasm evident.

Bi Qiao’an clapped along, grinning. Her excitement, however, stemmed not just from the two boxes of fruit, but also from the two boxes of mooncakes awaiting her.

That’s right, mooncakes!

It had been years since Bi Qiao’an had enjoyed the sweet, savory treat. She and Shen Yanming had been abroad during the last Mid-Autumn Festival, scouring for supplies, and hadn’t been able to celebrate overseas.

When they returned home, the mooncake sales period was over.

This time, Bi Qiao’an could finally satisfy her craving.

At 10:30, a message from Director Zhu popped up in the group chat: “Everyone, please come to Office 102 on the east side of the first floor to receive your Mid-Autumn Festival benefits.”

Bi Qiao’an and Shen Yanming hung back, letting others go first and staying behind to watch the office.

After their colleagues had collected their benefits, Bi Qiao’an and Shen Yanming went to Office 102.

“Let’s choose one box each of mangoes, pomegranates, grapes, and kiwis.”

The staff distributing the benefits nearly wept with joy upon hearing Bi Qiao’an’s choices. Less popular varieties like these were plentiful, while apples, pears, honeydew melons, and other favorites were in short supply.

Early that morning, they had received many private reservations via WeChat and phone calls. Although the rule was first come, first served, it wasn’t uncommon for people to reserve fruit.

But who could have thought that everyone’s choices would be so similar? They watched helplessly as the pile of fruits dwindled, afraid they might not be able to keep their promises.

Bi Qiao’an made her choices strategically. Some of these fruits couldn’t be stored for long and had to be eaten quickly. She could take them home without worrying about spoilage, while some colleagues might have to give theirs away.

This small, thoughtful gesture might have been insignificant in helping others, but it put her mind at ease!

After the staff dutifully transported Bi Qiao’an’s selected benefits to the door of Office 102, Shen Yanming turned to her. “Wait here,” he instructed before enlisting a colleague’s help. Together, they made three trips, carefully loading the fruits into their car’s trunk.

Fortunately, they had arrived early and parked in the underground garage, protecting the bounty from the heat.

When Shen Yanming returned, he held two mooncakes.

“How did you know I wanted these?” Bi Qiao’an’s eyes gleamed as she looked at him.

“You couldn’t take your eyes off them,” Shen Yanming replied, his voice filled with warmth.

“Really? You must be mistaken,” Bi Qiao’an giggled, blushing slightly.

Back in the office, Bi Qiao’an eagerly unwrapped a rose bean paste mooncake. Its sweet aroma filled the air as she inhaled deeply. With a contented sigh, she took a bite of the soft pastry.

It was every bit as delicious as she remembered! The harmonious blend of rose jam and mung bean paste delighted her taste buds, the delicate floral notes intertwined with a smooth sweetness. It was a symphony of flavors with every bite.

“How many come in a box?” Bi Qiao’an asked, her words muffled by a mouthful of mooncake.

“Twelve. Enough to keep you satisfied for a while,” Shen Yanming replied with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. “If you like them, we can buy more after work.”

Bi Qiao’an finished the first mooncake and reached for another, but Shen Yanming’s fingers gently closed around her wrist. “Save some for later,” he chided softly, his thumb brushing her knuckles. “It’s almost time for lunch.”

“But I want more,” Bi Qiao’an pouted playfully. “I haven’t had mooncakes in years. Please, just one more?” She tugged at his arm, her voice soft and pleading.

Despite their hushed tones and subtle movements, the watchful eyes of Mi Xue’er and Qin Yiren did not miss their exchange.

Qin Yiren’s brow furrowed as she rose to her feet, a frown tugging at the corners of her mouth. “The holiday is just around the corner,” she announced, her voice cutting through the chatter. “Let’s discuss preparations for Qingli Mountain.”

At her words, Bi Qiao’an reluctantly released Shen Yanming’s arm. With lightning speed, Shen Yanming whisked the mooncake away, tucking it into his drawer and turning the key with a decisive click.

Bi Qiao’an pouted, fixing Shen Yanming with a pitiful expression that nearly made him cave in.

His heart screamed, ‘I’ll give you everything, everything you want!’ But reason held his hand firm on the drawer.

As the two locked gazes, Qin Yiren’s voice echoed once more. “Qingli Mountain provides free tents, but I think we’d be more comfortable in our own,” she mused, glancing at Shen Yanming. “I have two at home. If anyone needs one, I’d be happy to lend it out.”

“Me! Yiren, I don’t have a tent. Could you lend me one?” Ye Xiaoxiao’s hand shot up, her voice filled with excitement.

Qin Yiren smiled. “Sure, mine is a double tent. You can find someone to share it with.”

“There’s no need to bring our own, right? We’ll only stay for a day or two. We can just rent one then,” Yu Shui interjected.

Hearing the discussion of tents, Bi Qiao’an turned to Shen Yanming with a questioning look.

“We’ll use our own,” he replied, his voice low and reassuring.

Bi Qiao’an nodded, a smile softening her features. Before she could speak, Qin Yiren’s voice chimed in again.

“How about a barbecue party when we get there?” she suggested, her eyes sparkling. “Should we prepare ingredients in advance?”

Shen Yanming frowned. “There’s no need,” he said firmly. “The scenic area provides everything.”

“Oh, is that so? It seems I haven’t researched the area enough,” Qin Yiren replied, a hint of awkwardness in her laughter. “In that case, we’ll just need to pack some changes of clothes.”

She waited a moment. Seeing that the conversation had died down, she sat back down. The sight of the two people across from her, already immersed in work, drew a satisfied smile to her face.

---

“Any updates?” Qiu Man’s voice crackled through the phone, the bustling sounds of the capital echoing faintly in the background.

“Boss, there’s nothing unusual on Xiao Fei’s side,” the security guard replied, his voice low and steady.

“And Shen Yanming?” Qiu Man pressed, a hint of sharpness in his tone.

“Also nothing out of the ordinary.”

A frown pulled at Qiu Man’s lips, evident even through the phone line. “What have they been up to lately?”

The security guard flipped through the records in his hand. “After the rain stopped, Chen Jin—her belly swollen with child—stormed into Xiao Fei’s workplace, causing quite a scene. Xiao Fei was left with no choice and the two of them got their marriage certificate the very next day.”

“As for Zhang Chenjun, she left the company the day after Xiao Fei got married and applied to be a laborer. She has persisted for nearly a month now.

“Shen Yanming, on workdays, commutes with Bi Qiao’an. On their days off, they mostly stay at home and rarely go out, only occasionally going shopping. Based on their travel and shopping records, there’s nothing unusual about any of them. However, Shen Yanming has signed up for the National Day meteor shower event at Qingli Mountain. Boss, should we follow him there?”

“Is it just Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an who signed up?” Qiu Man’s voice held a note of suspicion.

“No, they’re going with a group of colleagues from their work unit. Thirty-two people in total.”

“In that case, don’t bother with Shen Yanming for now. Keep your focus on Xiao Fei,” Qiu Man paused, considering. “Try to find clues from Xiao Fei’s relatives. Report back immediately if you discover anything.”

“Yes, sir!”

---

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