Chapter 44: In High Demand

The sharp and piercing ringtone cut through the quiet like a sudden pebble thrown into a serene lake, causing both of their movements to freeze instinctively.

Chu Linchen frowned, shifting his gaze away from Lu Qiqi and onto the continuously vibrating phone on the desk.

Lu Qiqi also halted her actions, a trace of confusion flashing in her eyes as the two exchanged glances.

Lu Qiqi’s gaze swept past Chu Linchen’s furrowed brow and shifted to the incessantly buzzing phone. As if drawn by an invisible force, she slowly reached out and answered the call.

On the other end of the line, Bai Yu’s voice carried a hint of urgency: "Qiqi, have you heard? The government just rolled out a new policy heavily supporting overseas port trade. Quite a few industry giants are already restless and gearing up for a major move!"

Lu Qiqi’s eyes lit up abruptly, shining like the brightest stars in the night sky. She unconsciously tightened her grip on the phone, her fingertips turning slightly pale as her mind raced to calculate the chain reaction this news might trigger.

Inside the office, the lights seemed to grow brighter at that moment, illuminating the shifting expressions on her face while a tense atmosphere of an impending storm filled the air.

A flash of resolute determination crossed Lu Qiqi’s eyes. She slowly placed her pen back on the desk with a movement that carried an unquestionable strength. Her gaze swept across Chu Linchen’s face, her voice steady and clear: "I’m not signing anymore."

Her words dropped like a pebble into a calm lake, stirring ripples outward in layers.

Chu Linchen nodded with a hint of regret, the corners of his lips curving into a complex arc that seemed to conceal deep helplessness and puzzlement. "Very well then."

He spoke slowly, his voice deep and magnetic yet carrying an imperceptible chill.

Chu Linchen shifted his gaze away from Lu Qiqi’s resolute face and landed it upon the document that had been gently pushed back toward him.

A joyful smile bloomed on Lu Qiqi’s face, resembling the brightest spring sunshine that instantly dispelled all the gloom within the office.

Her eyes gleamed with excitement, and the corners of her mouth curved upward.

She stood up briskly and said to Chu Linchen, "Then let's hope we have another chance to collaborate in the future."

With that, she turned and walked toward the door, her steps light yet firm.

No sooner had Lu Qiqi stepped into the company lobby than her phone rang urgently. Following closely behind, like a chain reaction, the telephones across various departments began to ring one after another in a lively chorus.

Julie hurried forward with a look of anxiety, holding several urgent documents in her hands: "President Lu, these are the cooperation proposals that just arrived, and all these calls are demanding immediate negotiations."

Lu Qiqi took the documents and rapidly flipped through them, her eyes flashing with sharp insight.

In the lobby, several men in tailored suits were pacing anxiously, frequently glancing toward her office. The moment they saw her appear, they immediately rushed over with faces full of smiles, eagerly vying with one another to introduce their projects and advantages.

Lu Qiqi massaged her temples, her brows carrying a trace of fatigue that could not mask her underlying excitement. "Julie, screen out the ones with real substance."

She instructed, her voice carrying an unquestionable decisiveness.

Julie nodded immediately, taking the files from Lu Qiqi’s hands and beginning to review them carefully.

Seeing this, a mischievous smile curved the corners of Lu Qiqi’s lips. Taking advantage of the distracted crowd, she nimbly slipped through the throng of people.

The moment Lu Qiqi stepped into the underground parking garage, her silver car body cast a cold sheen under the dim, yellowish lights.

Just as she pulled open the car door, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind. A warm chest pressed closely against her spine, and a familiar masculine scent instantly enveloped her.

Lu Qiqi was startled for a moment before a tender curve touched the corners of her mouth. She didn't even need to turn around to know it was Si Qinyu.

Si Qinyu buried his face in the crook of her neck, his voice magnetic and laced with a smile: "Qiqi."

Lu Qiqi tilted her head slightly, the soft lighting outlining the profile of her cheek, and asked softly, "Why are you here?"

Si Qinyu’s voice was deep and gentle, as if capable of smoothing away all the creases in one's heart: "To take you out for dinner."

Lu Qiqi blinked in bewilderment before finally nodding, letting out a soft "Alright."

Immediately afterward, she felt Si Qinyu’s arms exert a slight force, turning her around to face him.

Under the dim garage lights, Si Qinyu’s features appeared exceptionally soft, and his eyes shimmered with a tender radiance.

He gently pulled open the front passenger door, signaling for Lu Qiqi to get in.

Lu Qiqi obediently slid into the car and had just fastened her seatbelt when Si Qinyu walked around to the other side and climbed into the driver’s seat.

With the roar of the engine, the vehicle slowly glided out of the garage and merged into the night.

Soft music played inside the cabin. Neither of them spoke, yet an indescribable tacit understanding flowed between them.

Si Qinyu drove to a cozy little restaurant tucked away in a quiet corner of the bustling metropolis—the very place where they had first met and where their romance had gradually blossomed.

Outside the restaurant, warm yellow light filtered through half-drawn curtains onto the cobblestone pathway, creating an illusion of time flowing backward.

Pushing open the door, a familiar woody fragrance mixed with a faint floral scent greeted them. An old-fashioned wall clock ticked steadily, as if every second was recounting tales of the past.

They were led to a table by the window, where two delicate candles flickered, their faint halos reflecting upon their faces and adding a touch of tenderness.

Si Qinyu gently pulled out Lu Qiqi’s chair, waiting for her to sit down before slowly taking his own seat.

Si Qinyu’s gaze fell tenderly upon Lu Qiqi’s face as he murmured, "We used to come here for dinner all the time. It’s been so long since we last came."

His words carried a trace of nostalgia, as if time itself had reversed at this moment.

Hearing this, Lu Qiqi tilted her head slightly, her gaze passing through the swaying candlelight to rest upon the familiar pathway outside the window.

A faint smile touched the corners of her lips, and her eyes shone with a gentle light.

Nodding, Lu Qiqi said, "It really has been a long time."

Her voice was soft, as if she feared disturbing the profound tranquility.

Outside the window, a breeze swept by, causing the curtains to sway gently and rustling Lu Qiqi’s hair. A few stray strands brushed across her cheek, adding an extra layer of allure to her appearance.

Seeing this, Si Qinyu instinctively reached out, gently tucking those stray locks behind her ear with a tender and delicate touch.

Si Qinyu gently stroked the back of her hand, his gaze filled with heartache: "You haven't had a single proper rest since you started working."

Lu Qiqi smiled faintly, a resolute light gleaming in her eyes as she said, "I love working. It’s something that allows me to find self-worth and a sense of accomplishment. Every time I solve a difficult problem or complete a project, the satisfaction it brings is indescribable."

Si Qinyu’s eyes were brimming with doting affection as his lips parted softly: "I don't want you to work so hard. You can just come home and rest properly."

As he spoke, he reached out gently.

Lu Qiqi paused slightly, raising her eyes to look at Si Qinyu.