At the same time, Shi Nian was in the process of building a team that would, in the future, drive innovation in the industry.
After spending the entire day in the laboratory, she remembered her dinner plans with her fiancé, Lu Yanchen.
Ring, ring…
"Brother Yanchen, I'll be there in a minute."
Lu Yanchen had arrived at the company and was waiting in the parking lot. Shi Nian hastily packed her things and walked out to meet him.
Seeing her approach, Lu Yanchen stepped out of the car to open the door. Today, he had given the chauffeur a break and decided to drive himself.
"Thank you," Shi Nian said softly as she got into the car.
Lu Yanchen froze, stunned and unaccustomed to her politeness. In the past, Shi Nian would always rush to him and throw her arms around him whenever he came to pick her up.
Once she was seated, he closed the door and got in on the driver's side. As the car rolled smoothly out of the company's parking lot, he reached into the back seat with one hand and handed her a small brown paper bag.
Seeing her puzzled look, he explained, "I bought you chocolate cake from the pastry shop."
"Thank you, Brother Yanchen."
Understanding what he meant, Shi Nian accepted the bag. Its packaging caught her eye. A vivid illustration of two ducklings entwined together.
Inside was the chocolate cake he mentioned.
Then she remembered, Shi Nian had always loved pastries and would ask Lu Yanchen to buy them from this particular store, mostly because of the story behind it.
The pastry shop was owned by a middle-aged couple who had eloped in their youth. A few years later, they had a son, but sadly, he passed away in his teens. The boy had loved baking, and after his death, the couple opened the pastry shop in his memory.
It wasn't exactly a romantic story, but Shi Nian found the love they held for their son to be special.
Was this a test? She wondered after noticing the fleeting sharpness in Lu Yanchen's eyes.
It couldn't be. This world doesn't have anyone involved in mystic arts. She refuted the thought immediately.
Lu Yanchen turned his attention back to the road, though he still noticed her occasional glances. The recent changes in Shi Nian made him think of the case the higher-ups had assigned to him.
Perhaps I had been overthinking, testing her without reason.
Unknowingly, however, the Shi Nian beside him truly wasn't the same.
Shi Nian only looked at him absentmindedly as her thoughts drifted while she ate the chocolate cake.
I guess it isn't just the story… the cake is really delicious.
…
The drive wasn't long. After about thirty minutes although delayed slightly by rush hour, they arrived at an upscale restaurant.
It was the same place Cheng Youmin had brought her to last time.
This time, she could properly admire it. The artistic interior reflected the vibrant culture of Country C in every detail.
Just as Shi Nian was taking in the view, she suddenly had a strange sense of déjà vu.
Turning, her eyes met Ye Qing's, who had just walked in with Shi Ning tagging along beside her, just like before.
No wonder I felt déjà vu earlier, Shi Nian thought. This restaurant must be popular among socialites and business people.
Although she recognized them, she acted as if she hadn't noticed and continued walking. But Ye Qing, upon spotting Lu Yanchen behind Shi Nian, clearly wasn't about to let them go so easily.
"Brother Chen!" Ye Qing called out, stepping directly in front of them.
Lu Yanchen paused, responding only with a polite nod before continuing on with Shi Nian, who didn't even stop.
They had booked a private room. Since Shi Nian had been here before, she already knew the way, though a guide still walked ahead of them.
Ye Qing pursed her lips, visibly aggrieved, and followed. She knew Lu Yanchen would never pay her any attention not unless it involved Shi Nian.
"Nian Nian, you're here again," she said in a deliberately sweet but loud voice. "Since the last time we met, you haven't replied to my WeChat messages. Why didn't you come with your previous date?"
Her tone was loud enough for Lu Yanchen to hear.
Indeed, Lu Yanchen's curiosity was piqued. Ye Qing had once told him Shi Nian came here with company, and he had brought her again, thinking she must have enjoyed her last meal here.
Shi Nian stopped and turned slightly. "Do I have to reply to every message? You must know I've been very busy with work."
"As for my previous date… don't you already know who he is? Hmm? Shi Ning?" she said, turning her gaze to Shi Ning, who stood behind Ye Qing like a timid lackey.
Caught off guard, Shi Ning stammered, "I… I didn't get a good look then."
But inwardly, she cursed. This crazy girl just couldn't leave me out of it.
She had tried to stay quiet since noticing Lu Yanchen. Though she enjoyed others picking fights with Shi Nian, she harbored a deep-rooted fear of him.
"Oh? You didn't? Yet you seemed to know quite well before," Shi Nian replied evenly.
Shi Ning bit her lip, looking pitiful. Lu Yanchen wasn't one to be fooled by such pretenses, though Ye Qing, as always, remained blind.
"Shi Nian, why are you such a bully?!" Ye Qing suddenly yelled. "Why are you forcing Shi Ning to answer? She said she doesn't know!"
"You cheated on your fiancé, and others can't even mention it? If you had nothing to hide, why don't you say it directly instead of dodging?" Ye Qing continued, her voice rising.
Unbothered, Shi Nian turned away and began walking toward their private room.
"Shi Nian! Answer me right now!" Ye Qing's shout echoed through the restaurant, drawing the attention of nearby patrons.
With her sharp hearing, Shi Nian caught snippets of their murmured conversations. Most of the diners were elites, too dignified to gossip openly but she could imagine what they would discuss in private.
Shi Nian hadn't planned to respond because she didn't care.
But now, she had to. This wasn't just about herself — it was about Lu Yanchen and the identity she now carried.
A person's reputation was vital in business.
This Ye Qing… such a schemer.