Chapter 57

On her first day at work, receiving such a unique little surprise had Cheng Li positively glowing as she returned to the 26th-floor office.

As soon as she walked in, Zuo Qingqing followed and asked, “Boss, want some coffee? I can get you a cup.”

“No need. I can get it myself,” Cheng Li smiled, waving her hand lightly.

She then asked, “Are all your office supplies in place?”

Zuo Qingqing replied, “The computers were shipped to everyone in advance. Currently, we’re coordinating with the former team members. But for detailed work, you’ll still need to talk to Minister Qin. After all, he’s now the technical lead for the entire autonomous driving department.”

Although Pan Heng was the department head, he oversaw the broader scope—production, R&D, management, and interdepartmental coordination. The technical development work, however, was handled by Qin Weiyan.

He was the Chief Scientist of the autonomous driving division.

“Got it. I’ll connect with Mr. Qin as soon as possible. The autonomous driving focus at Qiyu might differ significantly from what we were working on before,” Cheng Li said calmly.

Zuo Qingqing glanced outside, visibly excited, and said, “You have no idea how impressive Minister Qin’s résumé is. A Tsinghua graduate, Princeton master’s degree, straight into Google’s headquarters upon graduation. In just three years at Qiyu, he’s become the youngest minister-level executive in the company.”

Cheng Li, although aware of Zuo Qingqing’s knack for gathering information, couldn’t help laughing, “How do you even know all this?”

“Just ask around with colleagues,” Zuo Qingqing said proudly before adding, “I also heard that Minister Qin has a peculiar personality—proud and aloof. I guess geniuses tend to be like that. He’s the first genius-level programmer I’ve met.”

Cheng Li chuckled and replied nonchalantly, “He’s not the first I’ve met.”

Zuo Qingqing quickly followed, “Of course, you graduated from J University. You’re no less of a genius yourself.”

Cheng Li didn’t think that highly of herself. Though J University was a top-tier institution domestically, it couldn’t quite compare to the unshakable dominance of Tsinghua and Peking University. Perhaps it was because Qiyu’s founders were both Tsinghua alumni that the company had such a strong draw for its graduates.

Someone as talented as Qin Weiyan likely followed in Rong Qi and the others’ footsteps to join Qiyu.

“And do you know what’s even more astonishing?” Zuo Qingqing teased.

Cheng Li asked, “What?”

Zuo Qingqing opened her phone and showed Cheng Li the data she had found earlier: “I found information on a patent database, showing patents filed by Qin Weiyan as the inventor. He has 62 invention patents and three utility model patents.”

Cheng Li hadn’t expected Zuo Qingqing to dig this up.

Taking the phone, she seriously reviewed the list of patents, becoming increasingly astonished as she read. There was no denying Qin Weiyan was a bona fide genius. Just these invention patents alone were achievements many people couldn’t dream of achieving in a lifetime.

Yet, so young, he’d already accomplished so much. He wasn’t someone with a promising future—his present was already remarkable.

Cheng Li pursed her lips, pondering for a moment before asking, “This patent site, can anyone search on it?”

“As long as it’s an invention patent, it should be searchable,” Zuo Qingqing replied.

Cheng Li handed the phone back to her, smiling as she said, “Send me the website later.”

“Who are you going to look up?” Zuo Qingqing asked curiously.

Cheng Li responded simply, “Just send me the link.”

Zuo Qingqing quickly sent the website link to Cheng Li’s WeChat.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll head out,” Zuo Qingqing said after sending the link.

Cheng Li nodded. “Go ahead.”

Not long after, Cheng Li opened the link and searched Rong Qi’s name on the site. The search results appeared quickly, and even though she had mentally prepared herself, she was still stunned.

As the inventor, Rong Qi had filed 152 patents, including 145 invention patents and seven utility model patents.

She had thought Qin Weiyan’s achievements were extraordinary, but Rong Qi—who was about the same age—had nearly twice as many patents.

Even among geniuses, there were differences.

Cheng Li originally wanted to send a message to Rong Qi but decided to put her phone away instead.

Work hours demanded full focus.

The morning passed with Cheng Li familiarizing herself with Qiyu’s office software and reviewing the department’s current progress. Although she was mostly reading through materials, it felt fulfilling.

A knock on the glass door interrupted her.

Zuo Qingqing pushed the door open and stood at the entrance. “Ms. Cheng, time for lunch?”

“It’s lunchtime already?” Cheng Li glanced at the clock in the bottom-right corner of her computer screen. It was already 12:15. She’d been so immersed in the materials that she hadn’t noticed the time.

She locked her computer, tidied up her desk, and stood up.

Seeing Zuo Qingqing looking visibly famished, Cheng Li chuckled. “Next time, if you’re hungry, don’t wait for me.”

Zuo Qingqing shook her head. “No way! If I hadn’t checked, you’d probably read through lunch and straight into the afternoon.”

The elevator was crowded since it was peak lunch hour.

While waiting, Zuo Qingqing said, “Before I joined, I did some research online. Our company has two cafeterias—one on the 32nd floor and another on the 33rd. The 32nd floor has a buffet-style cafeteria for quick meals, while the 33rd is à la carte. Which one should we try today?”

“Whichever you prefer. I’m fine with anything,” Cheng Li replied casually.

Zuo Qingqing happily pulled out her phone. “The cafeteria menus are on the company’s public account. I’ll check them. I can’t believe I’m having a hard time deciding because the options are too many.”

At that moment, Cheng Li’s phone rang.

It was Rong Qi.

She quickly said to Zuo Qingqing, “Let me take this call.”

Cheng Li stepped aside and answered in a low voice, “Hello?”

Her subdued tone made Rong Qi laugh. “Someone nearby?”

Instinctively, Cheng Li replied, “No.”

“If not, why are you speaking so softly?” Rong Qi teased, drawing out his words lazily. “Afraid someone will hear you calling me?”

Cheng Li didn’t hold back. “Obviously! What if someone finds out?”

She paused, looked around to ensure the coast was clear, and then lowered her voice even more.

“If the company learns there’s someone in this building called Rong Qi’s wife, I might become a national-level protected species by this afternoon.”

Rong Qi chuckled softly. “I was hoping I could invite you to my office for lunch.”

Cheng Li replied, “I can keep you company at home tonight.”

That was her polite way of declining.

“What are you having for lunch today?” Cheng Li quickly changed the subject.

Rong Qi said, “Depends on what He Zhuoyuan brings back for me.”

“You’re not going to the cafeteria?” Cheng Li asked, surprised.

“If I could tolerate everyone turning to look at me every time I eat there, then maybe I’d consider it,” Rong Qi replied, his exasperation evident even over the phone.

Cheng Li burst out laughing. “So, you’re the real nationally protected species here!”

Rong Qi had eaten in the cafeteria before, and while no one dared to bother him, nearly everyone who passed by couldn’t help but sneak a glance.

Even with a strong mindset, he grew weary of the attention and eventually stopped going. On days he stayed in the office for lunch, he would have He Zhuoyuan bring food for him.

He wasn’t from a wealthy family, so he wasn’t picky about food. He simply ate whatever the regular employees were having.

Thinking for a moment, Rong Qi added with a chuckle, “On Mondays, the 32nd-floor cafeteria has salted pork strips at the self-service station. He Zhuoyuan brings me a portion every week—they’re quite good.”

Cheng Li teased, “Is this Rong Qi’s recommended dish?”

“You could say that.”

“What a shame the cafeteria staff don’t know. Otherwise, they could put up a sign at the station that says ‘Rong Qi’s Recommendation,’ and it would guarantee a crowd every day,” Cheng Li joked.

Rong Qi: “…”

As they chatted, a voice nearby called out, “The elevator’s here.”

“I’ll talk to you later. Time for lunch,” Cheng Li said, ending the call.

She walked toward the elevator corridor, where Zuo Qingqing was holding the elevator doors open, apologizing to those inside. “Sorry, my colleague is coming.”

Cheng Li quickly stepped in and softly apologized, “Sorry for the delay, everyone.”

Just as the doors were closing, a man in a black hoodie inside the elevator said, “No worries. We’re all colleagues here.”

Zuo Qingqing was scrolling through her phone, considering where to eat.

Cheng Li decided for her. “Let’s go to the 32nd floor.”

“Great,” Zuo Qingqing sighed in relief. “Thanks, Manager Cheng, for curing my indecision.”

Everyone in the elevator seemed to be heading up to eat.

When they reached the 32nd floor, a crowd exited, leaving only those heading to the 33rd floor. Among those who got off was the man in the black hoodie.

He initiated a conversation. “Are you from the Autonomous Driving Department? I noticed you got on from the 26th floor.”

The 26th floor was indeed where the Autonomous Driving Department was located.

Cheng Li nodded. “Yes.”

“I’m Shang Zeyan. I work on the 25th floor in the Smart Cockpit Design Department,” he introduced himself.

“I’m Cheng Li from the Autonomous Driving Department,” she replied.

Shang Zeyan studied her briefly and said, “You must be new here. I don’t recall seeing you at past interdepartmental meetings.”

Cheng Li’s striking looks made her hard to forget for anyone who’d met her before.

“Yes, we just joined today,” Cheng Li replied with a small smile.

“So, you’re from the company recently acquired by ours. The Autonomous Driving Department is fortunate to get significant resources from the company,” Shang Zeyan said.

“And your Smart Cockpit Department isn’t bad either,” Cheng Li responded politely.

Shang Zeyan shrugged with a wry smile. “Not much choice. To create a standout feature for our cars, the company chose full-stack self-development from the start. Every department in our automotive division is under a lot of pressure. People say smart cars are like smartphones, where the system is critical. Our Smart Cockpit team is shouldering a lot.”

Cheng Li was a bit taken aback. His familiarity seemed excessive for a first meeting, and his candid complaints didn’t seem like something one would normally share with a stranger.

Noticing her slight discomfort, Shang Zeyan quickly explained, “Sorry, I’ve been so stressed lately that I even vent to the smart robot in our department. I’ve practically become a nag.”

Qiyu Technology was renowned for its technical expertise, and their headquarters was designed as a smart building. Each floor had a smart robot.

“Don’t think of me as some weirdo,” Shang Zeyan added with a self-deprecating smile.

Cheng Li chuckled softly. “I’ve had moments like that too.”

Although it was their first meeting, their shared connection to the automotive division gave them plenty to talk about. While waiting in line for food, the conversation flowed easily.

After they got their meals, Shang Zeyan asked, “Mind if I join you?”

Seeing that he was dining alone, Cheng Li shook her head. “Of course not.”

The three of them found a table and sat down.

Looking around, Zuo Qingqing marveled, “I never imagined Qiyu’s cafeteria would be bigger than our entire office back at Fanhai, and it’s so well-decorated, with such a variety of dishes. It’s like paradise.”

The 32nd-floor cafeteria featured a warm, natural wood design. Even the pendant lights above the tables had wooden shades. The spacious dining hall was lined with white tables, and it was bustling with employees during the lunch rush.

Cheng Li smiled at Zuo Qingqing. “Hurry up and eat.”

“You’ve got good taste. Those salted pork strips are a hit at this station,” Shang Zeyan said, glancing at Cheng Li’s plate with a grin.

Cheng Li responded calmly, “I just chose randomly; I didn’t expect it to be so famous.”

“This minced meat with eggplant is also delicious,” Shang Zeyan offered, “Would you like to try some?”

He picked up the bowl with the minced meat and eggplant and extended it toward Cheng Li.

Cheng Li was momentarily stunned before smiling apologetically, “I don’t really eat eggplant.”

In truth, Cheng Li enjoyed eggplant but wasn’t comfortable sharing food so casually with someone she’d just met, especially a man.

Although Cheng Li was currently in a hidden marriage, she naturally maintained boundaries with others.

As soon as Cheng Li politely declined, she happened to glance up and saw He Zhuoyuan carrying a boxed lunch and preparing to leave.

Their eyes met briefly.

Cheng Li and her colleagues were seated near the cafeteria entrance, so He Zhuoyuan had to pass by. He couldn’t help but notice Cheng Li sitting face-to-face with a male colleague.

What made it more awkward was that this male colleague, Shang Zeyan, was someone He Zhuoyuan knew—a director of the Intelligent Cockpit Design Department. Given the frequent meetings recently between Rong Qi and the automotive department, He Zhuoyuan was already familiar with the department’s middle management.

On her very first day at work, Cheng Li had gotten so acquainted with someone from another department?

To make things even more awkward, He Zhuoyuan saw Shang Zeyan enthusiastically offering Cheng Li his dish.

It was easy to read the situation.

Originally, He Zhuoyuan planned to leave quietly. However, as he passed by, Shang Zeyan greeted him, “Assistant He.”

He Zhuoyuan paused, smiling politely, “Director Shang, here for lunch as well?”

Shang Zeyan grinned and pointed at Cheng Li. “This is Cheng Li from the Autonomous Driving Department. You probably haven’t met her yet. She might join us at our next meeting with President Rong.”

He took the opportunity to introduce them, “This is Assistant He from the President’s Office, President Rong’s personal assistant.”

Even though He Zhuoyuan was used to high-pressure situations, the awkwardness of the moment was palpable.

Still, he maintained composure, glancing at Cheng Li, “Director Cheng, nice to meet you. I’m He Zhuoyuan.”

“Hello, Assistant He, I’m Cheng Li,” she responded with a polite smile.

After the brief exchange, He Zhuoyuan quickly made his exit.

Once he was gone, Shang Zeyan lowered his voice, “You’re not upset that I introduced you to Assistant He, are you?”

“Not at all,” Cheng Li shook her head.

Shang Zeyan explained, “Assistant He is President Rong’s right-hand man. It’s beneficial to have contact with someone in his position.”

*

When He Zhuoyuan returned to the office, he handed the boxed lunch to Rong Qi.

Rong Qi accepted it, opening the box while glancing at his computer screen. Looking up briefly, he asked, “Something on your mind?”

“I ran into Director Cheng in the cafeteria earlier,” He Zhuoyuan said hesitantly.

Rong Qi broke apart his disposable chopsticks and asked, “Which Director Cheng?”

Realizing mid-question, Rong Qi looked up again, “Cheng Li?”

“Yes,” He Zhuoyuan hesitated, debating whether to mention Shang Zeyan. After all, it was just a meal—hardly a big deal.

But if Shang Zeyan had other intentions, that could complicate things, especially given the boss’s concealed marriage to Cheng Li.

Rong Qi, noticing his assistant’s unease, asked nonchalantly, “Who was she having lunch with?”

“One of her female colleagues from the department,” He Zhuoyuan started, before adding cautiously, “and Director Shang Zeyan from Intelligent Cockpit.”

Rong Qi frowned slightly, “The Intelligent Cockpit Department and Autonomous Driving Department don’t share the same floor, do they?”

“No, they don’t,” He Zhuoyuan confirmed, lowering his gaze to the carpet.

Rong Qi paused, then chuckled softly.

That laugh sent a chill down He Zhuoyuan’s spine, making him nervous that his boss might retaliate.

But all Rong Qi said, in an even tone, was: “It seems she’s adjusting well to the company, getting to know her colleagues so quickly.”

Relieved, He Zhuoyuan thought, Boss, as long as you can take it in stride, everything’s fine.

*

At 3 p.m., a delivery of afternoon tea arrived—Cheng Li’s treat for her first day at the company. She had deliberately ordered from a well-known bakery to foster camaraderie between the new Fanhai employees and the existing Qiyu staff.

The gesture left a favorable impression, as the employees appreciated both her thoughtfulness and her efficiency.

The office atmosphere lightened considerably.

When Qin Weiyan sent someone to summon her, Cheng Li was about to personally deliver a coffee and dessert to his office.

Knocking on his door, she heard a voice say, “Come in.”

Cheng Li entered, holding the items. “President Qin, I ordered some afternoon tea. This is especially for you.”

“I don’t need it,” Qin Weiyan said curtly, glancing at the coffee and dessert box in her hand.

Awkwardly, Cheng Li placed the items on his desk. “I see. Then, is there any work you need from me?”

Qin Weiyan lifted his gaze, scrutinizing her with an icy demeanor.

“Director Cheng, the company already provides afternoon tea. Next time, there’s no need to waste money on such gestures,” he said coldly.

Cheng Li explained, “I apologize, President Qin. This is my first day at the company. I wanted to familiarize myself with the team and help the Fanhai and Qiyu employees integrate quickly for smoother collaboration. If this approach isn’t to your liking, I won’t do it again.”

Interrupting her explanation with a wave of his hand, Qin Weiyan stated bluntly, “In my team, I value employees who are dedicated to their work and skilled in technology—not those who waste time buying goodwill and engaging in office politics.”

Cheng Li stared at him in shock.

She hadn’t expected to encounter such harsh words from her superior on her first day of work.

Cheng Li didn’t think she was the kind of person to rub others the wrong way, and she certainly didn’t recall offending Qin Weiyan.

After a long pause, she asked softly, “President Qin, did I perhaps do something to cause a misunderstanding?”

“Misunderstanding or not, I know what I’m talking about. I’m just giving you a reminder—I expect you to focus on your work,” Qin Weiyan replied curtly, getting straight to the point. “That’s all. You can go back to work now.”

Cheng Li wanted to explain further, but seeing the cold expression in his eyes, she decided it wasn’t the right time to argue. Getting into a dispute now might cause an uproar that their colleagues outside could overhear.

It was her first day, and a public clash between the department’s two leaders would only create divisions among the staff.

After all, she wasn’t the only employee transferring from Fanhai to Qiyu.

Quietly, she stood up and prepared to leave.

“Take your coffee and cake with you. I don’t like them,” Qin Weiyan said again from behind her.

Cheng Li took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to retort. She turned back, grabbed the coffee and cake from his desk, and left the office.

Back at her desk, she sat down, her thoughts racing. She couldn’t figure out why Qin Weiyan harbored such hostility toward her.

Could it really be because of the afternoon tea she had ordered?

Did he think she was trying to win people over?

Or was he worried she might threaten his position?

Cheng Li didn’t think so highly of herself to believe that.

Fortunately, the day passed without further incident. Being her first day, there wasn’t much work to do, so she left the office at 6:30 p.m., drove home, and started contemplating what to order for dinner when she heard the door open.

“You’re back early today,” Cheng Li said, heading to the living room to greet Rong Qi.

Without a word, Rong Qi wrapped her in his arms.

The city lights outside the window sparkled like stars, while the atmosphere inside the home grew intimate and warm.

Although they had seen each other briefly at the office earlier, Cheng Li felt as though the day had dragged on forever. Looking up at his face, she couldn’t help herself—she leaned in and kissed him.

One thing led to another, and they ended up tangled together on the couch, their desires for each other taking over.

Just as the moment intensified, an untimely sound broke through the room—a loud gurgling from Cheng Li’s stomach.

Rong Qi, who had been cupping her face, paused and glanced at her, his lips curling upward.

Reacting quickly, Cheng Li clapped her hand over his mouth and warned, “Don’t you dare laugh! If you laugh, you’ll be sleeping alone tonight.”

The threat seemed effective.

Although Rong Qi’s eyes sparkled with amusement, he held back the laughter that was threatening to burst out.

“I’ll make dinner,” Rong Qi said, getting up.

“How about just cooking some noodles? We’ve both had a long day,” Cheng Li suggested.

“Sounds good,” Rong Qi nodded.

Neither of them felt like preparing anything complicated, so noodles it was.

While Rong Qi cooked, Cheng Li stayed by his side, chatting. As he dropped the noodles into the pot, he turned to her and asked in a gentle tone, “How was your first day at work?”

How was it?

Could Cheng Li tell him the truth?

That she’d encountered two men—one excessively warm, and the other excessively hostile?

“It went well,” Cheng Li leaned against the kitchen counter, watching him through the steam rising from the pot.

Honestly, with Rong Qi’s looks, he could easily hold his own in the entertainment industry, even among the most popular young stars.

Her friend Meng Yuange, who worked in media and loved celebrity gossip, often sent her photos of the latest “husbands” or “heartthrobs.”

After comparing them, Cheng Li had to admit—very few of them came close to Rong Qi in terms of looks. And that didn’t even touch on his physique.

Not to mention his sharp mind and remarkable abilities.

“Do you work out regularly at the office gym?” Cheng Li asked.

Rong Qi responded with a soft “Mm,” and added, “How did you know?”

Cheng Li replied, “I took a look around Qiyu’s building today. I’ve always heard big corporations have great perks, and now I’ve seen it for myself. When I walked past the gym at lunchtime, it was packed with people.”

Rong Qi chuckled lightly.

“You know what struck me the most about Qiyu today?”

The pot began to boil over. Rong Qi removed the lid and stirred the noodles with chopsticks, asking, “What struck you the most?”

“That I really married an extraordinary man,” Cheng Li said, her voice tinged with disbelief and wonder.

That massive building, the thousands of employees, the enviable benefits, and the amazing work environment—they all existed because of the man in front of her.

He had created Qiyu, providing a space where so many people could thrive.

Rong Qi turned to find her gazing at him with a look of awe and admiration he’d never seen before.

In that moment, his heart was moved.

“Can I ask you for something?” Cheng Li said.

Rong Qi didn’t hesitate. “Of course. What is it?”

Cheng Li’s expression turned serious. “Now that I’m working at Qiyu, no matter what happens, can you promise not to intervene? Let me handle things myself, just like you would with anyone else.”

“Did something happen today?” Rong Qi asked sharply, his brows knitting together.

Cheng Li shook her head decisively. “No.”

Qin Weiyan’s attitude toward her today had left Cheng Li feeling that her days in this department might not be easy. Still, she didn’t want Rong Qi stepping in at the first sign of trouble.

Seeing his lingering doubt, Cheng Li firmly added, “Really, nothing happened. I’m just giving you a heads-up in advance.”

Rong Qi remained silent, not agreeing right away.

“Do you doubt my abilities? Do you think I can only resolve problems by relying on you as a backdoor?” Cheng Li teased deliberately.

Still, Rong Qi said nothing.

Just as she was about to continue, he nodded slowly. “Fine, I promise.”

The moment he said this, she immediately extended her pinky finger. “Then let’s pinky swear. If you don’t keep your word, you’re a puppy!”

Rong Qi hesitated for a moment before hooking his pinky with hers.

But as soon as the words left her mouth, Cheng Li found herself unexpectedly pulled into his embrace with just the strength of his hooked pinky.

She hadn’t expected that with a single pinky pull, he could bring her into his arms.

His voice rang firmly in her ear, leaving no room for argument.

“If you truly suffer any grievances, I wouldn’t mind being a puppy.”