Whether it’s Shoucheng Group or other companies developing smartphones or smart-related products, they will quickly imitate. Just like now, the smartphone they developed has been online for less than a year, and many competitors have already started to copy it. Although their product’s performance and appearance aren’t as good as theirs, the other features of the smartphone have also been implemented by competitors. The same applies to mobile games.

“So, the best approach is to find a professional game development team and form a strategic partnership with them. We need to push all aspects of the data to the extreme, so our product can have a competitive edge over others.”

“Just like when we started producing smartphones.”

Lu Linshen pulled out a stack of materials from somewhere, and when Meng Suihuan opened it, it was full of information about game companies. She hesitated, lifting her head, her round eyes staring at him.

“What is this?”

“These are materials for game companies. I’ve selected a batch of them that I plan to meet and discuss with soon. If there’s a good match, we’ll collaborate directly.”

After a pause, he added, “It’s the same idea as yours.”

She took the materials and flipped through a few pages. Like a couple having a little tiff, she pouted and looked a little upset, “You had this idea a long time ago, and you still let me help test it. So, were you just teasing me earlier?”

“It wasn’t that long ago. It was after reviewing things from the past, thinking about how you quickly expanded into the mobile phone industry. That’s when I came up with this idea and gathered these materials.”

Lu Linshen reached out and gently touched her cheek, his actions affectionate. “As for the testing, you own 5% of the shares. As part of the company, you have to be involved in any growth or development of the company. But I admit I have a personal reason. Apart from that, there’s another reason. Do you want to hear it?”

“Of course.” She answered firmly.

“The other reason is—” He emphasized each word, and before she could react, his fingers unknowingly brushed against hers, slipping in gently. “I want to see you and talk to you.”

Meng Suihuan coughed lightly, feeling a warm flush on her cheek. She pinched his finger to punish him lightly. “Be serious.”

Lu Linshen smiled softly, “Okay. I’ll be serious. Besides wanting to see you, I want to hear about the world of games you’ve been in, and understand the strengths and weaknesses of the game we’re currently researching.”

This reason was much more acceptable.

“Then let me explain in detail about the games I’ve played before.”

Recalling the games was always lighthearted and enjoyable. She selected one of her favorite popular games and began explaining, gesturing with her hands. She detailed the skills and the teamwork required to complete missions. She was shining brightly, while he watched her glow without a moment’s pause. Eventually, he couldn’t resist reaching out.

“What’s wrong?” She turned back, puzzled. “Is there a problem?”

“Suisui, can you talk to me about your ‘past’ later? I want to hear it.”

“I want to understand you, understand the world you’re in, and know everything about you.”

What was her world like?

Meng Suihuan gently closed her eyes, and a scene appeared in her mind’s eye, her dark, deep gaze reflecting it. She lived alone in a spacious, quiet little villa, enjoying a wealthy life that others envied. However, in reality, she was solitary and aloof, with few close friends. She often found herself alone, unsure of what to do next, not knowing what mattered enough to invest her time and energy in. Her friends suggested that she try being in a relationship, meet someone suitable, be with them, eat together, go shopping, and do countless insignificant things. To feel love, enjoy love, to love and be loved. One day, when she no longer felt that life lacked meaning and no longer thought that those little things were insignificant, the world would appear completely different, and so would her life. Unfortunately, she was only one step ahead in her thoughts, but before she could experience it, misfortune arrived. Life took away everything she had — wealth, friends, a peaceful life — and instead gave her a life that was difficult, painful, and required constant striving. Looking back now, wasn’t this a form of blessing?

“Suisui, the name you kept mentioning earlier, is that someone in your world who loves you, like I do?” He suddenly asked her.

She froze in place, and after a moment, she realized what he had said. With a playful smile, she asked, “Lu Linshen, are you jealous?”

“Yes,” he said, not hiding his emotions at all. He had listened as she mentioned this name repeatedly, her eyes softening whenever she spoke of this person. It was clear that she felt differently about them.

She chuckled, pinching his face, smoothing his slightly furrowed brow with her palm. “Yes, it’s the person you just heard about. Her name is Chen Yuanzhi, ‘yuan’ for foresight and ‘zhi’ for wisdom. She is a confidant, a mentor, and also a very important friend to me.”

“But she’s a girl, and she’s ten years older than me.” She explained patiently, ending with a bright smile, standing on her toes, and placing a kiss on his lips. “Are you still jealous?”

“Yes,” he said again, and she kissed him once more.

“Still jealous?” she teased, kissing him again. The third time, before he could speak, she kissed him once more, lifting herself on tiptoe and giving him a deep, passionate French kiss, like in the TV dramas.

Although she had initially led the kiss, somehow, he had taken control. Bit by bit, he began to take the initiative. She felt herself growing weak, wanting to refuse, but he was so drawn to her that he couldn’t bring himself to stop. He lifted her up, holding her waist, comforting her while continuing his pursuit.

She didn’t know how long it had been, but she felt exhausted, so she called out, “Lu Linshen…”

He finally released her, pulling her into his arms, affectionately stroking her hair. “Suisui, I’m here.”

No matter when she called for him, he always responded immediately. She took a breath and then complained, “You really… you’re bullying me… my lips are swollen…”

She couldn’t take it anymore, but he still lingered, reassuring her. She was completely drained, still lacking the strength to recover.

“Suisui, I was wrong. It’s my fault. I lost control.” He gently held her tighter, looking at her reddened lips, even redder than before. A few tears were still lingering at the corners of her eyes. He gently wiped them away, his heart aching as he explained softly, “Especially when you called me… ‘husband.’ At that moment, my mind went blank, and I completely lost control. My brain, my hands, everything about me just stopped listening.”

When she mentioned the word “husband,” she could feel a dull ache in her lips.

It was an unintentional slip. She had called his name, but he didn’t respond, so she had naturally called him by a title, from “dear boyfriend” to “husband.” As she had hoped, he did respond, but his reaction was completely different from what she had expected. Thinking back on his uncontrollable behavior, she really didn’t have the courage to recall the earlier scene, where nothing went right. She could only try to cover his mouth and say, “… Don’t say anything more, my lips hurt, I’m uncomfortable, and I don’t want to talk to you.”

Lu Linshen obediently closed his mouth, staring at her swollen lips. After two seconds of silence, he got up and left.

Meng Suihuan heard the movement, but she really didn’t have the energy to pay attention to him. When he came back with a small ice cube to ice her lips, telling her that it would make her feel better, Meng Suihuan was stunned for a moment, then couldn’t help but laugh, “Lu Linshen, are you… serious?”

She had seen ice packs before and even used them herself, but for something like this, an ice pack was almost unheard of. It was practically unheard of for anyone to do it for her. She looked up at him, unable to stop herself from giving him a thumbs-up. From getting the ice to bringing it over, everything was done instinctively.

Now, as the ice’s biting cold temperature spread to his fingertips, Lu Linshen seemed to wake up a little. Staring at the ice in his hand, he looked flustered and helpless, “Suisui, my mind was blank earlier…”

After saying that, he turned to walk away, wanting to deal with the ice.

“Lu Linshen, wait.”

He stopped and looked back at her. The young woman spoke clearly, “You’ve already taken it out, let’s try it, but I don’t want to do it myself.”

“So, you help me apply it, okay?”

The sensation of the ice pack was still vivid in her memory. After just a brief application, she felt her lips growing cold and numb, with no sensation left. The original burning pain disappeared.

He was really patient, holding the cloth and repeatedly applying the ice to her lips, serious and devoted. Just like when they finished eating, he took the initiative to clean up. She had wanted to help, but he firmly pressed her back down to sit. She quietly watched him clean up. Now, he was helping her with the ice, and she just watched him. It seemed like a boring action, but for some reason, she found it very interesting.

Suddenly, she reached out, took the cloth from his hand, and held his cold hand, smiling. “It’s enough now, Lu Linshen. I’m not uncomfortable anymore. Come sit for a while, I’ll take care of the rest.”

After saying this, she stood up with the cloth, intending to wash and put it away. But the moment she released his hand, he quickly grasped it again, “I’ll go with you.”

It was such a small thing, but he acted as though they were inseparable. Strangely, she didn’t find it annoying; she actually enjoyed the closeness.

In the end, Lu Linshen washed the cloth, and she stood by, watching him. When he finished, she smiled and took his hand, putting it in her pocket. “My hands were cold earlier, but now they’re so warm.”

Meng Suihuan glanced at the time—it was already 10 PM. Shouldn’t he be going back? She had ignored the time before, but now it was so late that she couldn’t ignore it, though she felt a bit reluctant.

Unfortunately, her little actions and thoughts didn’t escape his notice. He gently rubbed her head.

“Suisui, I forgot to tell you earlier, but I’m not going back to the lab tonight.”

Ah, he wasn’t going back to the lab? Then where would he stay? She glanced over at the small sofa not far away, wondering if it was time to get a bigger one. Or—

A different possibility suddenly flashed through her mind, and just the thought of it made her heart race. She could feel her entire body heating up, unable to stop the restless warmth spreading through her.

She looked up at Lu Linshen and couldn’t help but swallow. Was their progress… moving too fast?