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Lin Ruoyin followed Zhou Hui into the conference room and immediately saw Xu Jia sitting in the main seat.

He wore a white shirt today, the fabric crisp yet soft, with one button casually undone at the collar and the sleeves neatly rolled up to his forearms, revealing a section of his smooth-lined forearms.

He was looking down at the screen, his brows relaxed, his fingertips lightly tapping the edge of the tablet. Whether it was an illusion or not, there seemed to be a very faint, almost pleasant smile on his lips.

The calm and subtle gentleness that enveloped him at that moment made Lin Ruoyin feel somewhat dazed. This was unlike the cold, confrontational man she had encountered in the office just a few days ago.

She sat down and placed the documents she had brought on the table. Almost simultaneously, Xu Jia looked up.

His gaze lingered on her face for a brief moment before shifting to the members of the Inkcore project team who entered later.

"Everyone's here," Xu Jia said. "Let's begin."

He gestured to Zhou Hui. Zhou Hui stood up and manipulated the wall screen, where a complex map of Southeast Asia appeared, with several key locations highlighted.

“The core reason for the obstruction of the Xingyu project is Article 7.3 of the newly revised Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection Regulations.” Xu Jia’s voice was calm, as if he were stating a fact that was unrelated to himself. “The clause requires that any large-scale commercial development that may have a ‘significant visual or cultural impact’ on ‘natural landscapes or traditional community features of cultural value’ must be subject to special review by the Cultural Heritage Committee, and the local community representatives have a veto right.”

“Lu’s original plan was to build a landmark glass and steel structure complex on the purest white sand beach on the outlying island.” Zhou Hui swiped his finger across the tablet, bringing up Lu’s original design renderings. A highly modern building, like crystal embedded between the blue sea and silver sand, was beautiful, but in the current environment, it seemed out of place and even arrogant.

“That’s where the problem lies.” Xu Jia looked up. “From the perspective of the committee and the local community, this is an invasion. It’s about using money and modern aesthetics to brutally cover up the coastline and way of life that they have protected for generations. I’ve heard that they are already showing signs of resistance towards this project.”

Lin Ruoyin listened silently to these analyses that had not been discussed within the Lu family.

“Therefore, forcing our way through the approval process won’t work,” Xu Jia concluded, his tone flat. “We need to repackage the project and make it something they’re willing to accept.”

Zhou Hui switched screens, and a brand new concept framework diagram appeared on the screen.

The title is "[Mohe-Lu's Joint Cultural Innovation Symbiosis Project]".

"Good morning, Mr. Lin. Now, I will explain the core of this plan to you." He Qizhi, the marketing director of Mohe, stood up. He was about forty years old, wearing frameless glasses, and had a calm and capable demeanor. He pointed to the first layer of the framework diagram with a laser pointer.

"On the first level, we plan to jointly establish a special foundation with the Lu family, which will allocate a fixed percentage of the profits from the Xingyu project each year to support traditional handicrafts in the project's location. This will allow these pure arts to be seen by more people through a sustainable economic model."

“Mocore will provide a complete set of digital platforms and technical support, while Lu’s side hopes to open up high-end retail channels to provide exhibition and sales opportunities for these revitalized traditional craft products, so that they can truly enter the vision of high-end consumers and form a sustainable business loop.”

He Qizhi paused, observing Xu Jia and Lin Ruoyin's reactions. Xu Jia leaned back in his chair, tapping the table lightly with his finger, signaling him to continue. Lin Ruoyin, meanwhile, focused intently on the screen, her pen rapidly scribbling in her notebook.

“The second floor,” He Qizhi switched the screen content, and several new design sketches appeared, “we will completely abandon the original ‘Crystal Palace’ style single landmark building. That was too aggressive.”

The new sketches depict a low-density cluster of buildings.

"The design is inspired by the local traditional stilt houses and weaving techniques, and makes extensive use of environmentally friendly and renewable materials. The core retail space will be significantly reduced, with more areas designated as public cultural spaces." The laser pointer pointed to several marked areas: "This space has many stories to tell. We can provide a free, regularly rotating exhibition platform for emerging artists and designers in Southeast Asia. In collaboration with local art academies and independent studios, we will hold monthly themed exhibitions and creative exchange meetings to help young creators with unique voices but lacking channels to gain wider recognition. This will promote a positive cycle between the local economy and the arts."

He Qizhi raised his voice slightly, with a hint of anticipation, "Through the renovation of the first two floors, we will transform 'Xingyu' from a simple high-end retail store into a destination that integrates luxury retail, digital art experiences, cultural preservation, and community coexistence. This unique immersive cultural experience will make it even more valuable and attractive."

The last syllable falls.

Lin Ruoyin sat there, gently and slowly exhaling a breath.

Her heart skipped a few quick, light beats in her chest, a long-lost flutter of excitement.

The plan had many fancy names, but Lin Ruoyin grasped its core immediately.

Let pure art be seen by more people.

Provide a free exhibition platform for emerging artists.

...

A warm feeling, hard to describe, flickered in Lin Ruoyin's eyes. Her gaze swept across the conference room table and involuntarily fell on Xu Jia.

He was tilting his head slightly, listening to He Qizhi's final summary. His profile looked focused and calm in the bright light, exuding a confident air of strategic planning.

Xu Jia seemed to notice the overly focused gaze.

He turned his head, his gaze precisely catching her eyes before she could fully withdraw them.

Their eyes met.

He clearly saw the lingering, somewhat relieved glimmer in her eyes.

Time seemed to stand still for half a second in the conference room.

But Xu Jia quickly lowered his eyes, and when he looked up again, that brief moment of disorientation was covered by his usual calm.

He cleared his throat, his voice regained its composure, and his gaze refocused on Lin Ruoyin's face.

"Director Lin, what are your thoughts on the direction and feasibility of the proposed plan?"

Lin Ruoyin met his gaze and smiled warmly, "I think it's great."

Xu Jia paused almost imperceptibly as he looked at the warm, faint smile on Lin Ruoyin's lips.

"If the Lu family has no objection to this cooperation framework, we will move on to the implementation phase."

Lin Ruoyin had a high level of authority; she could make the decision on her own: "No objections."

“Okay. Next week, you and I will go to Kuala Lumpur together to meet with key figures and impress the review committee with this proposal.”

He said the words "you and me" in a calm yet undeniable tone.

The gazes of the others in the conference room shifted subtly.

Zhou Hui lowered his head and quickly jotted down the key points of the itinerary.

Lin Ruoyin met his expectant gaze, hesitated for a few seconds, and then nodded: "Okay. I'll arrange a time."

Xu Jia: "Very good."

The meeting continued, with the heads of the technology, legal, and design departments quickly breaking down the division of labor and milestones, and the room buzzing with discussion. However, a closer look would reveal that the participation of a certain two individuals seemed to have decreased, perhaps intentionally or unintentionally.

Lin Ruoyin looked down at the notebook, her pen hovering over the paper, but didn't fall for a long time.

Next week, in Kuala Lumpur, with him.

...

Xu Jia appeared to be listening to his subordinate's report, but his mind clearly wandered for a moment. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the figure sitting upright but slightly lost in thought.

next week.

These two words rolled through his mind, stirring up a subtle ripple.

He recalled the fleeting, familiar yet unfamiliar glimmer in her eyes just now.

That gaze was like a tiny hook, gently tugging at a rusty corner of his heart.

He knew that the proposal he had just made had touched her, not just in terms of commercial approval, but also in some deeper sense of resonance.

But then, reason quickly prevailed.

What is he expecting?

Five years had passed between them, along with her marriage to someone else and countless wounds.

He picked up the glass of ice water in front of him, took a big gulp, and the icy liquid slid down his throat, suppressing the untimely restlessness in his heart.

"It's settled then." He concluded the discussion concisely, his voice regaining its absolute calm and control. "Everyone, proceed with full force according to the division of labor. Director Lin," he looked at her, "the coordination meeting before departure, let Zhou Hui and your assistant finalize the time."

Lin Ruoyin: "Okay."

After the meeting ended, everyone began packing their things and leaving in hushed tones.

Xu Jia was the first to stand up. "Zhou Hui, please see Director Lin off for me."

He gave Lin Ruoyin a businesslike nod, then walked straight to the door, his back straight and resolute, as if the momentary lapse in concentration had never happened.

...

On the afternoon of the last day before departure, Zhou Hui personally delivered two thick file bags to Lin Ruoyin's office.

“Director Lin, this is what Mr. Xu instructed you to give you.” Zhou Hui placed the file bag on her desk. “On the left is the updated final itinerary, background information on all confirmed meeting parties, and some local cultural etiquette notes. On the right,” he paused, “is a list of emergency supplies that may be useful, as well as information on a local doctor and security contact person whom Mr. Xu knows well, he said it's for unforeseen circumstances.”

"Mr. Xu, you're too kind." Lin Ruoyin was slightly surprised. She looked up from the thoughtful gift and nodded politely to Zhou Hui. "Please thank him for me."

Zhou Hui nodded slightly, his face still displaying his well-trained and calm expression. "The forecast for Kuala Lumpur these days is thunderstorms, but the air conditioning indoors is usually very strong. Please remember to bring a light jacket with you, as the sudden change in temperature can easily lead to a cold."

Lin Ruoyin paused almost imperceptibly.

She hadn't heard this kind of nagging, full of family warmth, in a long time.

It's definitely not something Zhou Hui would bring up to her on his own initiative.

The tone and the content of the speech almost allowed her to imagine, through the air, the person giving the instructions with a furrowed brow and a flat yet unquestionable tone.

"Tell her to remember to bring a jacket. The air conditioning there is practically free..."

Her thoughts came to an abrupt halt. Lin Ruoyin quickly cut off the image that had suddenly appeared in her mind.

"I understand," she looked up and gave Zhou Hui a polite, slight smile. "Thank you for reminding me."

"Of course." Zhou Hui nodded again, saying no more. "Then, see you at the airport tomorrow."

"good."

The office door closed gently, enveloping Lin Ruoyin in silence once more. The afterglow of the setting sun lengthened the shadows of the furniture, and fine dust particles floated in the air.

She lowered her eyes, her gaze returning to what Zhou Hui had brought for Xu Jia. The string in her heart, slightly taut with anticipation of the upcoming journey, seemed to be gently plucked by something, emitting a low, complex tremor.

At least on the surface, he was willing to maintain a friendly tone, extending an olive branch to those unavoidable days to come, signaling a temporary truce.

Lin Ruoyin packed her things into her bag, deciding to accept the offer.

The next day, at Pudong International Airport.

When Lin Ruoyin and her assistant Xiao Tang arrived at the VIP waiting room ahead of time, they immediately spotted Xu Jia sitting by the window.

Today he wore a light linen casual suit with a simple white T-shirt underneath, looking less sharp and more relaxed than in the conference room. He wore sunglasses and was looking down at his phone, with a half-finished cup of black coffee beside him. Zhou Hui and a young assistant she didn't recognize were sitting a little further away, talking in hushed tones.

Hearing footsteps, Xu Jia looked up. Through his sunglasses, Lin Ruoyin couldn't see his eyes, but she could see his sharply defined jawline move almost imperceptibly.

He took off his sunglasses.

"Good morning," he said, his voice slightly hoarse, a trait unique to the early morning.

"Good morning." Lin Ruoyin walked to the sofa opposite him and sat down. Xiao Tang and Zhou Hui naturally gathered on the other side to discuss their luggage and boarding arrangements.

The waiting area was quiet, with soft background music playing. Outside the huge glass windows, planes took off and landed.

"Have you reviewed all the information?" Xu Jia asked, putting his phone aside.

"Hmm." Lin Ruoyin took out her iPad from her briefcase. "There are a few details I'd like to confirm with you again."

"you say."

The two discussed the schedule on the screen in hushed tones. His finger would occasionally tap the screen, and she was so close to him that she could smell his faint scent.

Both strange and familiar.

The discussion ended quickly and efficiently. Then came a brief silence.

Xu Jia picked up his coffee, took a sip, and turned his gaze to the plane taking off outside the window, his profile calm.

Lin Ruoyin also looked away, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the smooth edge of the iPad. In each moment of silence, she could feel an invisible, subtle sense of testing and uncertainty arising from the impending close interaction slowly spreading through the space.

“Mr. Xu,” Zhou Hui walked over and gently reminded him, “You can prepare to board the plane now.”

Xu Jia nodded and stood up.

Lin Ruoyin also packed her things and stood up.

Their eyes met briefly again.

"Let's go," Xu Jia said calmly, but he was clearly waiting for her.