Deputy Minister of Commerce!

Since Lan Tongtong was transferred back to the data room, the project team leaders, especially Project Manager Liu Chao and Chief Engineer Zhang Xiao, have subtly changed their attitude towards her. They seem to be taking better care of her. Not only has the data room work become relatively easy, but they soon assigned her a part-time job: in her spare time, she will assist the project's business department in organizing and submitting measurement data for approval to supervisors and clients.

Lan Tongtong was well aware of the rationale behind this arrangement. The project management had clearly taken advantage of her close relationship with Chief Supervisor Engineer Mo Zhichi, hoping to leverage this personal connection to smooth the measurement approval process, even if it meant simply speeding up the process.

Lan Tongtong felt a little uncomfortable, but it was a work arrangement and she couldn't refuse. She could only prepare each measurement document more carefully and meticulously, ensuring that the data was accurate and the attachments were complete, leaving no room for anyone to accuse her and avoiding embarrassing Mo Ge.

As a result, she went to the director's office more frequently. Every time she walked into Mo Zhichi's office with a thick stack of measurement materials, she felt a little nervous.

When Mo Zhichi saw her, his attitude was as calm as ever, even a little more gentle than he was with other people who came to do business. However, the way he handled the business made Lan Tongtong and the project department a little "disappointed".

He never looked through the documents and signed them on the spot. Every time, he would signal Lan Tongtong to put the documents in the designated place on the desk, and then he would naturally turn to her and start chatting about other topics.

He'd ask if she was settling into the library, if she'd been in touch with Xiaochi recently, how her parents were doing, and even chat about the latest news or books she'd read. His tone was that of an elder concerned about a younger person, and the topics of conversation were completely unrelated to work. Lan Tongtong was a little reserved at first, but Mo Zhichi's calmness always helped her relax, and she'd share some of her own recent news and thoughts. These brief exchanges became a rare touch of warmth in her busy schedule.

After chatting for a while, Mo Zhichi would naturally say, "Leave the information here. I'll take a closer look when I have time. You can go back and do your work first."

Then, he would personally call the engineer in the Supervision Department who was responsible for the measurement review and ask him to come and take the information and review it according to normal procedures.

The result is often: those who need to sign, have complete information and comply with the terms of the contract will naturally sign after the process is completed; but for those parts where there are disputes, incomplete information or the project department tries to "play the edge ball", Mo Zhichi will still ruthlessly block them, requiring additional information or reduction according to the rules, and will never make any concessions just because it is Lan Tongtong who submitted the information.

After a few conversations, the project team finally understood. Mo Zhichi's willingness to chat with Lan Tongtong stemmed from personal friendship; however, when it came to matters of principle, he was extremely precise, keeping a clear distinction between public and private matters, and would never let personal relationships affect his professional judgment.

Lan Tongtong was relieved by this and admired Brother Mo even more. She didn't want to be a tool used by the project department for "public relations". Brother Mo's attitude protected her and maintained the seriousness of the rules.

However, every time she left the Director's office, she would feel a mixture of emotions. Those brief, more-than-work-related chats made her feel warm and cared for; yet, Mo Ge's ruthless and impartial approach to business made her clearly see the unbridgeable line of rank and principle between them.

Her work assisting with the delivery of measurement data became a unique connection between them. It was built on a foundation of business, yet it always fostered moments of personal connection beyond the formalities. These exchanges, like a spring, quietly nourished her somewhat parched heart and made the image of that mountain-like, steady figure even clearer and more profound in her mind.

Time slipped quietly through the quiet of the data room and the anticipation of her occasional trips to the director's office. Lan Tongtong found herself increasingly enjoying the process of delivering measurement data. It was no longer a simple official duty, but a fleeting yet heartwarming moment she secretly longed for.

She began to pay unconscious attention to her clothing and demeanor, checking her skirt to see if it was straight and her hair combed properly before going. On her way to the director's office, she would feel strangely lighthearted, with a hint of hidden joy.

Every conversation with Mo Zhichi drew her in like a magnet. She admired his meticulous professionalism, his "ruler-like" precision and impartiality, which gave her immense peace of mind and admiration. She was even more moved by the tenderness and sensitivity beneath his stoic exterior—he would remember a casual mention of family matters, remind her to dress warmly when the weather turned cold, and offer steady and wise counsel based on his rich life experience when she occasionally expressed uncertainty about the future.

The more she interacted with him, the more she discovered Mo Zhichi's charm, a charm honed over time. Unlike the impetuous and passionate young men, he was reliable and reserved, like a silent mountain, protecting her from the wind and rain. With him, she felt an unprecedented sense of security, a feeling of being understood and cherished.

This feeling, unknowingly, has surpassed gratitude, admiration, and even dependence on elders. It has quietly transformed into a clear and identifiable love between a man and a woman.

Realizing this, Lan Tongtong's heart was filled with sweet panic. Her heartbeat would quicken at Mo Zhichi's simple words of concern, and she would secretly rejoice for a long time at his casual smile. She began to greedily cherish every opportunity to see him, even if it was just a few minutes, it would become the source of her good mood for the whole day.

However, this love was also accompanied by immense anxiety and timidity. She was well aware of the gap between them—age, experience, position, status…each one of them a seemingly insurmountable chasm. He was the high-ranking chief engineer, the respected "Brother Mo," while she was just a fledgling technician who had made mistakes before.

She dared not reveal a word, only carefully hiding this quietly growing feeling deep in her heart, like guarding a precious secret. Those visits to the director's office became the only bright spot in her gloomy life; that calm figure, as steady as a mountain, became a beacon quietly standing in the sea of ​​her confused heart.

This secret love, tinged with sweetness and bitterness, became the gentlest and most powerful force that supported her through this period of lows. She didn't know what the future held, but as long as she could still occasionally be close to him and silently admire him, it was already a gift from fate. She was content with the current situation, but she couldn't help but harbor a small, humble hope for the future.

During the National Day holiday, cities are adorned with lights and colorful decorations, creating a festive atmosphere. However, in the construction industry, deadlines are tight, and project teams remain busy, albeit at a slightly slower pace than usual.

Mo Xiaochi's design institute was on holiday, and she had a rare chance to have a few days off, so she returned from her work city. That afternoon, with nothing else to do, she wandered over to the construction site she was most familiar with, and went straight into her father, Mo Zhichi's office.

Coincidentally, Lan Tongtong also happened to have a measurement document to deliver that needed Mo Zhichi's review. She knocked on the door and heard Mo Xiaochi's crisp "Come in" from inside. She pushed the door open and saw this scene:

Mo Zhichi was sitting at his desk, reading documents, while Mo Xiaochi occupied the reception sofa across from him, animatedly discussing the details of a project with a colleague from the design institute on her phone, her fingers typing rapidly on the screen. Seeing Lan Tongtong, Mo Xiaochi's eyes lit up, and he put his phone down for a moment, smiling and greeting her, "Hey, Sister Tongtong is here!"

This address made Lan Tongtong blush, and she subconsciously glanced at Mo Zhichi. Mo Zhichi also looked up from the documents, and when he saw Lan Tongtong, a gentle smile appeared on his face and he nodded: "Tongtong is here, what's going on?"

"Brother Mo, Xiaochi." Lan Tongtong greeted the two of them somewhat embarrassedly and handed the document in her hand to Mo Zhichi. "The Ministry of Commerce asked me to send this measurement instruction to you for a look."

"Put it here." Mo Zhichi pointed to the table, then seemed to remember something and said to Mo Xiaochi, "Don't just talk about work. Go and pour your sister Tongtong a cup of tea."

"As you wish, Mr. Mo!" Mo Xiaochi responded playfully, jumping up and finding her father's treasured tea and clean teacups. She brewed a cup for Lan Tongtong as well and brought it to her. "Sister Tongtong, please have some tea! This tea of ​​my father's is really good, he usually doesn't want to drink it!"

Lan Tongtong quickly thanked him and took it. Mo Zhichi also put down his work temporarily and picked up his teacup. The three of them formed a wonderful, informal tea party atmosphere in the office.

The afternoon sun streamed in through the windows, bringing warmth. The aroma of tea wafted through the air, diluting the office's usual solemn atmosphere.

Now an industry insider, Mo Xiaochi naturally couldn't stop talking about architecture. Instead of complaining about school, she began ranting about the client's bizarre revisions and conflicting clauses in the specifications. She also occasionally poked fun at herself by recounting embarrassing moments from her early days in the industry, much to Lan Tongtong's amusement. She also bluntly ripped off her father, revealing how Mo Zhichi, a "professional," had mercilessly ridiculed her when he was trying to figure out the new BIM software at home.

Most of the time, Mo Zhichi would just smile helplessly and shake his head. Occasionally, when he was pushed into a corner by his daughter, he would frown and scold her for being disrespectful, but there was clearly indulgence and pride in his eyes.

Lan Tongtong sat quietly listening, occasionally chuckling at Mo Xiaochi's amusement. She watched this rare, heartwarming interaction between father and daughter, and the gentle, even awkward, fatherly love that emanated from Mo Zhichi beneath his formal mask. The hidden emotions within her heart deepened. This Mo Ge felt more real, and more captivating.

Mo Zhichi would occasionally bring the conversation to Lan Tongtong, asking about her work in the library or discussing technical issues she encountered on a project, offering her advice as a senior, his tone natural and caring. His gaze would occasionally fall on Lan Tongtong, with a gentleness that he himself hadn't noticed.

At this moment, there's no hustle and bustle of the construction site, no gaps in rank, no complicated disputes. There's only the fragrance of tea, sunshine, and the relaxed banter among colleagues. Lan Tongtong wishes time could stay forever in this quiet and beautiful afternoon.

However, happy times are always short-lived. After finishing his cup of tea, Mo Zhichi's phone rang. It was a call from the construction site. He answered the call, his expression returning to his usual serious workmanlike demeanor. Lan Tongtong knew it was time to leave.

She stood up to say goodbye, and Mo Xiaochi enthusiastically asked her to go shopping together next time. After leaving the director's office, Lan Tongtong's heart was still wrapped in that warmth.