PB - Chapter 30
Chapter 30
For companies like Ruifeng and Rongfang, the daily workload was many times greater than that of an ordinary company. For those in important positions, overtime was the norm. Leisure and entertainment were merely interludes after excessive work, a way to relieve fatigue. Thus, Gu Jianchu’s Monday dinner invitation to Qiao Qi was delayed until Wednesday, and even then, it was a spontaneous decision made after work.
Qiao Qi was coming down from the thirty-fourth floor, about to leave, when she received a call from Gu Jianchu. Gu Jianchu had just finished a meeting at a branch office and didn’t plan on returning to headquarters. Most fortuitously, Qiao Qi also had no plans to work overtime that day. After agreeing on a dinner location, Qiao Qi gave her driver the night off and went to the B1 parking garage to retrieve her car, which had been parked there for a long time.
The city outskirts, nestled by mountains and water, lay in the quiet evening breeze. Though not far from the bustling city, it was a world away from all the noise and dust. After getting out of the car, Qiao Qi fell in love with the tranquility of the place. Here, private dining rooms were set up on antique-style painted boats. Each boat was a single room, roaming the lake, spaced far apart to create independent spaces. They were scenery to each other, yet they didn't disturb one another.
As she stood there, Gu Jianchu had already spotted her and was walking toward her. Spring was in full bloom. Gu Jianchu wore a mid-sleeve blouse over her pencil skirt, a watch on her delicate, exposed wrist. A collarbone necklace was faintly visible in the V of her neckline, where two buttons were undone. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders. She approached from a distance, walking straight into Qiao Qi’s heart. It had only been a few days, but Qiao Qi realized she had missed her very much.
Even in the dim light, Gu Jianchu could see Qiao Qi’s detailed gaze upon her. Qiao Qi wore her hair in a loose, low ponytail today. The vibrant beauty of her long, deep pink dress was hidden by the night. She stood under the moonlight, elegant and poised, which lent her a lofty, commanding presence. Smiles appeared on both their faces.
The outskirts of the city had several natural lakes, and the restaurant Gu Jianchu brought Qiao Qi to was one that was built by a lake. Qiao Qi had followed her GPS for nearly two hours to find it. Halfway there, she had called Gu Jianchu, thinking she must have set the wrong destination because it was so remote. Gu Jianchu assured her she wasn’t lost, which put her at ease.
Gu Jianchu didn’t usually come here either because it was too far. This time, besides it being a whim, it was also because Qiao Qi’s appetite was poor, but she could still stomach river fish. Moreover, Qiao Qi liked quiet, and this place was perfect. As she approached, she saw the expected look of satisfaction on Qiao Qi’s face, and the corners of her own mouth lifted. There was still some distance from the parking lot to the shore, so she took her hand and led her around the man-made wooden boardwalk.
“I asked them to make the fish and shrimp light. You should have a few more of the fresh, hand-pounded fish balls later. And for the fish bone congee, I only had them add some green onions; I was afraid you wouldn’t like the other seasonings.” Gu Jianchu’s eyes were filled with moonlight, incredibly beautiful. When she looked at you so intently, it was as if you had fallen into an abyss.
Qiao Qi said, “Whatever you arrange is fine.”
“Do you like it here?”
“Yes, it’s very special.”
Qiao Qi clearly heard Gu Jianchu’s light laugh, but in the next second, that laugh was smothered against her own mouth. They had just reached a bend in the path, flanked by decorative, artificially planted trees. The dim lighting created a blind spot, so Gu Jianchu kissed her without restraint.
Gu Jianchu’s soft lips and scorching breath mesmerized her. She wrapped her arms around Gu Jianchu’s shoulders, deepening the kiss. Gu Jianchu’s hand rested on her waist, but Qiao Qi was wearing a one-piece dress, so she couldn’t touch the memorable, delicate skin underneath the fabric. She could only crush the material at her waist as if drinking poison to quench her thirst.
Gu Jianchu left her lips and moved to suckle her earlobe. Qiao Qi quickly bit her lower lip and took a deep breath, changing her embrace into a push. “Jianchu, we’re still outside.”
No matter how quiet it was, people still came and went. If the two vice presidents of Ruifeng and Rongfang were seen kissing passionately here, it would probably start a storm of rumors and cause a city-wide commotion.
Gu Jianchu let go of her earlobe, but her hot breath still fanned across it. She said in a low, seductive voice, “I knew I shouldn’t have come to such a remote place.”
This time, Qiao Qi used a bit of force to push her away. “Stop messing around. Let’s go eat.”
Qiao Qi was Qiao Qi. It was as if she had a switch hidden on her body. The transition from the intoxication of the kiss back to her usual self was swift and seamless. But she knew that she was only able to maintain a calm facade because she was accustomed to composure.
The boat rowed to the center of the lake. Qiao Qi walked out of the cabin and sat on the bow to watch the night scenery. A gentle breeze blew, making her hair fly. Gu Jianchu sat down beside her and wrapped a thin blanket around both of them. Qiao Qi naturally leaned back into Gu Jianchu’s arms, letting her hold her from behind. Their bodies, under the blanket, fit together perfectly, warm and intimate.
“Will you get a headache tomorrow from being in the wind like this?”
Qiao Qi chuckled softly. “I don’t know. If I have a headache tomorrow, President Gu must remember to take responsibility.”
Gu Jianchu nibbled her cheek and whispered in her ear, “Alright, I’ll definitely take responsibility.”
Qiao Qi laughed and dodged, then recalled seriously, “It seems like I’ve been to a lot of interesting places since I met you. Jiayin used to ask me out for a meal occasionally, but she was too busy with work at the hospital, and I don’t like socializing, so we rarely actually went. Since you appeared, it feels like everything has changed.”
“Has it changed for the better or for the worse?”
“Neither for the better nor for the worse. It’s slowly changed into something I like.”
Gu Jianchu’s heart softened, and she hugged her tighter. The boat drifted toward some unknown shore. The bright moonlight rested on the water’s surface. Even the air in the suburbs was clear, so you could look up and see the stars hidden among the mountains. Qiao Qi loved all of it. She thought, the night is beautiful, but Gu Jianchu is even more beautiful.
“Jianchu, let’s go back.”
“Okay.”
With a tacit understanding, they returned to Qiao Qi’s place. Ping An seemed to have gotten used to this uninvited guest. He shook his body and slowly walked to Qiao Qi’s legs, circling her. Qiao Qi picked Ping An up, and Gu Jianchu once again heard the purring sound from that morning. She had never had a pet and didn’t know cats could make such a noise.
“You go upstairs and shower first. I’m going to the study to deal with some emails.”
Gu Jianchu’s expression darkened for a fleeting moment. The only work that would make Qiao Qi deal with it immediately upon returning home had to be the U.E. project. She knew that she and Qiao Qi were bound to compete over the U.E. partnership.
Qiao Qi was checking on internal personnel changes at U.E. Thomas’s promotion was partly her doing, so she wasn’t surprised. In addition, U.E. had expanded the scope of future cooperation, adding agency rights for several mature products, which made the partnership even more important. She called Xu Yangpu.
“Get ready. We’re flying to the U.S. tomorrow.”
“Should we bring Zhao Xiangqian and Yu Yao?”
“No need. Just you and me.”
“Okay, I’ll get on it right away. President Qiao, get some rest.”
“You too.”
After hanging up and approving a few more emails, she came out of the study holding Ping An. Gu Jianchu had already showered and was lying in bed, working on her tablet. Seeing her return, she put on a deliberately unfriendly expression and continued to work. Qiao Qi walked over, a smile filling her eyes.
“I’ll leave Ping An here to keep you company.” Gu Jianchu’s cool expression showed no sign of softening, and the cat whose fate was being decided didn’t seem too happy either. Qiao Qi suddenly felt that this person and this cat were remarkably similar. Her mood improved, and her smile widened. She leaned close to Gu Jianchu’s ear, her breath as fragrant as an orchid. “I’ll come and apologize to you after my shower.” After speaking, she left a kiss on Gu Jianchu’s cheek.
The lingering fragrance in the air was like a restless spring breeze rustling through the treetops, its clamor refusing to cease. The usually serious President Qiao also knew how to flirt. For instance, Gu Jianchu felt an itch in her heart from her teasing. When she came back to her senses from the enchanting moment, she found Ping An staring at her. She lifted him up to eye level. Ping An was fearless.
When Qiao Qi came out of the bathroom, Ping An had already been thrown out of the bedroom by Gu Jianchu. So, the moment she came out, she heard scratching at the door. She looked at Gu Jianchu in disbelief. “Why did you put him outside?”
Gu Jianchu’s gentle expression was mixed with disdain as she said slowly, “It’s inconvenient with him in here.”
There was no refuting that. Qiao Qi could only go out and soothe Ping An first. This was the first time Gu Jianchu had ever been so neglected.
President Qiao’s way of placating someone was her usual style: less talk, more action.
Qiao Qi said, “I have to fly to the U.S. tomorrow.”
“When will you be back?”
“Not until the end of the month.”
It was only the beginning of the month. “You’re going for that long?”
“I plan to fly to my parents’ place first when I get back. I haven’t been back in a long time.”
Gu Jianchu’s heart rate calmed, and strength gradually returned to her limbs. She rolled over, pinning Qiao Qi beneath her. Her eyebrows raised slightly, her eyes alluring. “The bed is no place for conversation.” Qiao Qi raised her hands to hook around her neck, pulling her closer and kissing her lips. Gu Jianchu devoured her breath in one go.
Neither of them had a habit of taking days off on weekdays. Qiao Qi woke up at her usual time; Ping An was already waiting outside the door. Gu Jianchu came downstairs ten minutes after her. Qiao Qi was in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Having seen her fridge before, Gu Jianchu didn’t have high expectations.
This morning was bacon and eggs with toast and coffee, far exceeding Gu Jianchu’s expectations. While not lavish, it was much better than yogurt and cereal. Gu Jianchu cornered her by the dining table and asked with a smile, “When did you buy all this?”
“Last weekend.” After Gu Jianchu had left, Qiao Qi had driven to the supermarket alone and bought some easy-to-prepare ingredients. At the time, she didn’t know Gu Jianchu would be back so soon. She was just thinking that no matter when Gu Jianchu came next, there would be other food options in the fridge.
Gu Jianchu was touched by Qiao Qi’s thoughtfulness. Since they had met, Qiao Qi had always indulged and tolerated her. She hugged her and let out a sigh. “Why are you so good?”
“Hurry up and eat breakfast, or you’ll be late for work.”
“You’re the company’s vice president. It doesn’t matter if you’re a few minutes late occasionally. Don’t be so strict with yourself. Enjoy a lazy morning. And don’t always eat yogurt and cereal just to save time.”
“Okay.” Qiao Qi patted her shoulder lightly. “It’s getting cold.”
Gu Jianchu’s heart felt incredibly soft. Her breath was filled with Qiao Qi’s scent. As if deliberately trying to be the one to break Qiao Qi’s principles, she refused to let her go and eat breakfast despite Qiao Qi’s urging. Qiao Qi could only resign herself to being late today.
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