Chapter 28 - The Pain of Longing: Rolling Roll felt that Little Stream was about to be stolen away...

Art Cafe recently announced a collaboration with painter Benan to launch a Qixi Festival co-branded series. Benan's first meet-and-greet event will be held at their World Trade Center store in two weeks.

Last year, Lin Xi curated an art exhibition featuring Bei Nan's paintings.

That art exhibition transformed Bei Nan from an unknown nobody into a sought-after painter, so when deciding on the event planning company, she insisted that Lin Xi be the chief planner for the meet-and-greet.

At that time, Lin Xi spent the entire day squatting at the science and technology exhibition venue, unable to leave at all.

However, Bei Nan refused to change his choice and insisted on waiting for Lin Xi.

Fortunately, the event was not large in scale, and setting up the venue was not as complicated as in other exhibition areas.

Yang Zhuojun and Art Coffee arranged for Lin Xi to lead a team to the World Trade Center for a site visit the day after the technology exhibition ended, and to discuss the venue plan on site.

After Zou Song approved the leave, he was just about to boast to Fu Qingli when his assistant suddenly reminded him of the matter. He could only go to apologize with a long face and a very sincere attitude: "Brother Fu, I know I was wrong!"

Fu Qingli frowned, and another question immediately came to mind: "Was Yaoshi's press conference also held at the World Trade Center?"

“Yes, they’re all in Zone 1,” Zou Song hurriedly explained. “However, I’ve confirmed with Yaoshi that Su Yi’an will no longer participate in any press conferences. Ye Baichuan admires my sister-in-law’s designs and has expressed several times his desire for her to plan their anniversary celebration. I haven’t agreed yet, and Yaoshi would never dare to do anything to my sister-in-law.”

"Okay, keep an eye on things. Bye!"

After Fu Qingli finished speaking, she hung up the phone and then dialed a video call, which was busy.

It took Lin Xi quite a while to call him back.

After the call connected, Lin Xi, dressed in a light yellow outfit, appeared in his field of vision. Her long hair was loosely tied up, and her girlish charm carried an unconscious allure.

Lin Xi explained, "I was just on the phone with Duo Duo."

"Duoduo, He Xiaduo, do you still remember me?"

Fu Qingli nodded: "I remember, what did your good friend talk about?"

Lin Xi lowered her eyes a little guilty and picked at her nails: "It's nothing, just some private talk between girls."

"Okay, then I won't ask." Fu Qingli readily agreed. "I remember she stayed in Nanqing to attend university. Is she studying or working now?"

“She’s working now. She’s a math teacher at Nanqing Elementary School,” Lin Xi said excitedly. “It’s a really coincidental thing. The class she taught last semester was in our old classroom. She told me that the graffiti we left on the wall is still there.”

Fu Qingli tentatively asked, "Have you gone back to check?"

Lin Xi was taken aback, her expression stiffening for a moment: "No."

Over the years, she has only returned to Nanqing on the day of her father's memorial service, and always on the same day.

“Then…” Fu Qingli’s voice softened, with a hint of coaxing, “When shall we go back and look at your elementary school doodles? I’ve never seen them.”

After he finished speaking, he held his breath slightly, feeling somewhat uneasy about her reaction.

Lin Xi's pupils were somewhat unfocused, her gaze deep and unfathomable. After a long silence, she softly hummed in a nasal tone.

Fu Qingli breathed a sigh of relief, relieved that she wasn't going to press too hard, and changed the subject: "I heard from Zou Song that your group's holiday has been extended and you're still working tomorrow?"

Lin Xi was drawn in by his deep, magnetic voice, and her attention was indeed diverted somewhat. She frowned: "Well, actually I feel a little guilty towards my colleagues. They haven't had a break for so many days, and now because of me..."

"Xiaoxi, you don't need to feel too guilty. The work arrangements weren't decided by you alone. Zou Song has always valued democracy and allows anyone to refuse projects they don't want to do. If your colleagues are unwilling, they will refuse. As far as I know, the bonus for your project is generous, so consider it compensation for everyone."

Hearing this made Lin Xi feel a little better. She pursed her lips and thought for a moment, "I'll just order everyone a cup of coffee tomorrow."

Seeing her fair and delicate face with a slightly aggrieved look, Fu Qingli felt a pang of tenderness and rubbed her itchy fingertips, wanting to pat her head.

However, being separated by a screen, I can only think about it in my mind.

Fu Qingli: "I'll have Xiao Tao make the arrangements tomorrow."

After saying that, he picked up his phone from the table.

"Ah? No need, I can do it myself." Lin Xi waved her hand repeatedly.

"Your group should have 10 people," Fu Qingli said, already making arrangements. "Xiao Tao will arrange for someone to deliver them to the World Trade Center before work; you can't carry so many by yourself."

That's true.

Lin Xi thought for a moment and said, "Okay, how much is it? I'll transfer it to you."

Fu Qingli put down her phone, staring intently at her on the screen, her expression somewhat hurt. After a long while, she sighed, "Xiaoxi, are you going to settle things with me like this now?"

Lin Xi's gaze trembled slightly, and she lowered her eyes, stammering guiltily, "No, it's just... I felt it was too much of a burden for you."

Fu Qingli let out a pleasant chuckle: "Then treat me to dinner when we get back."

His pronunciation was clear, and his cool, deep voice was so pleasant to listen to that it was captivating, as if it were something worth looking forward to.

*

Out of respect for the partner, Xiao Tao arranged for coffee at the Art store, while the desserts were ordered from another bakery.

Li Ru got excited as soon as she saw the packaging: "This shop is super delicious, it's a pity they don't do delivery, and there's always a long queue every time I go! Lin, did you get up really early?"

Before Lin Xi could answer, she muttered in confusion, "Wait, I remember their house doesn't open until 10 o'clock?"

Lin Xi scratched her nose awkwardly and made up a reason: "I arranged a time with them in advance."

"I see. Thank you, Team Leader Lin. You've gone to so much trouble."

Li Ru only asked the question casually and did not pursue the matter further.

After everyone thanked them happily, they went to choose their favorite small cakes, and even specially saved a Black Forest cake for her.

It's easy to imagine that Fu Qingli put a lot of thought into what seemed like a simple arrangement.

Lin Xi was deeply moved, but felt that words were inadequate. After much consideration, she sent Fu Qingli a message before the Art representative arrived: "When you come back, I'll treat you to a big meal!"

Ting: [Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it.]

To prepare for the promised feast, Fu Qingli compressed his rest time to the extreme. If he weren't worried about Lin Xi, he could sleep only three or four hours a day.

Finally, Ji Jiali couldn't take it anymore. Looking at Fu Qingli, who was eating breakfast and reviewing materials on a weekend, he complained, "Brother Fu! The progress is much faster than expected. We don't really need to be in such a rush! Why don't you take some time to go back to Beicheng to see your wife? Let me get some rest too. At this rate, I feel like I'm going to die from lack of sleep!"

Fu Qingli didn't even look up, coldly tossing him a sentence: "I'll have them arrange an L1 for you in your room later."

L1 can monitor in real time, so if there is any danger, it can be detected immediately.

The subtext is: Don't worry, you won't die!

"..." Ji Jiali looked deflated, picked up the toast on the table and took a bite indignantly.

Just then, Fu Qingli's phone on the table rang. Ji Jiali glanced at it with a gossipy look. It wasn't "Xiaoxi" as expected, but a video call from "GunGun".

They all knew that Gun Gun was now with Lin Xi, which made him click his tongue in a suggestive way: "Tsk tsk, they're inseparable, Brother Fu, don't you really want to go back and ease your longing?"

Fu Qingli had no interest in his teasing; Gun Gun's phone call at eight in the morning was simply too unusual.

The meeting design is progressing smoothly, and the exhibition setup has been completed, so Linxi and the others can have a normal rest this weekend.

Due to the effects of medication and her physical condition, she would sleep until noon on her days off.

Moreover, Gun Gun has been so happy lately that he doesn't even want to go home. He doesn't join in the conversations with Lin Xi, let alone call him privately.

These thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, and he was startled. He picked up his phone, answered the call, and walked towards the room: "Hey, Gun Gun!"

"Fu Lili~" came a clear, melodious baby voice, but its fluffy figure did not appear.

The screen showed a coffee table and a beige fabric sofa in the living room, with a bohemian-style knitted blanket on it, but Lin Xi was nowhere to be seen.

Fu Qingli strode into the room, closed the door, and carefully observed the surroundings to confirm that the camera that was turned on was the one built into Gun Gun's eyes.

His tone was urgent: "Gungun, where's Xiaoxi? Has something happened to Xiaoxi?"

"Nothing happened, Xiaoxi just went out~" Rolling's voice trailed off with a hint of disappointment.

Fu Qingli breathed a sigh of relief and asked in confusion, "Why didn't you go with her when she went out?"

At this point, Gun Gun said, feeling very aggrieved: "Xiao Xi won't let Gun Gun come with her! Fu Lili, when are you coming back? Gun Gun feels like Xiao Xi is going to be taken away by someone!"

A note from the author:

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