Chapter 43 My heart beats forty-three times and I need you

The next morning, Wen Huai opened his eyes in bed.

When she took a split second to see where she was, her heart almost died.

She dreamed that Xu Youjing came to the bar to pick her up yesterday. She couldn't remember what they said, but she only knew that she asked if she could kiss him...

Pulling the quilt upward, the small space allowed the shyness to reach its peak. Wen Huai's fingertips touched his lips, unable to believe what had happened last night.

For the first time, she felt that it would be better to have no memory at all than to lose it after being drunk.

Lifting the quilt, Wen Huai took a deep breath, thinking about what he said yesterday about not having lunch -

Does this also mean that he no longer likes Qiao Mian?

So kissing her means you like her?

"bite!"

The alarm of the mobile phone on the bedside table rang, interrupting her wandering thoughts.

What she is worried about now is how to face Xu Youjing later.

...

Fifteen minutes later.

Wen Huai came downstairs a few minutes earlier than usual and walked into the living room. She heard noises coming from the kitchen and thought it was Aunt Ping. Just as she was about to greet her, she saw Xu Youjing coming over with a plate in his hands.

They looked at each other without any preparation. In a sober state, Wen Huai finally saw the person he hadn't seen for three days.

The lines of his face were clear, and he was even thinner than when he was seen at the wedding. Although his deep eyes were slightly dark, they showed his fatigue, but he was still handsome and sharp, making people unable to look away.

"Good morning." She took the initiative.

"Good morning." Xu Youjing placed two plates on the table mat, "Sit down and eat."

"good."

She noticed that his throat was a little hoarse today.

Noticing the coffee in front of him, Wen Huai couldn't help but be surprised: "Did you make the coffee?"

"Um."

"Sorry, I promised you a cup of pour-over coffee every day, but I didn't do it."

Upon hearing this, Xu Youjing glanced at Pinghe's peaceful brows without moving.

Wen Huai noticed his gaze and felt a pang of fear in his heart. He was about to speak when he heard him say, "It's okay. You were drunk yesterday, so forget it today."

Drunk...

She looked up at him and smiled awkwardly: "Were you the one who sent me back yesterday?"

Xu Youjing withdrew his gaze from her face and put down the coffee.

"do not you remember?"

"Well...I have this problem when I'm drunk. I don't remember things."

As they exchanged glances, Wen Huai had never felt so guilty before, and even the palms holding the coffee cup were sweating.

Before she understood Xu Youjing's feelings, she couldn't "remember". She was wrong to kiss her after drinking, but he also kissed her, so did she still need to make a fair judgment?

He asked this now, what else could she do except play dumb.

"Oh." Xu Youjing glanced at his watch. "I'm almost late. Let's eat first."

"Okay." Wen Huai breathed a sigh of relief.

Before he could finish his breath, Xu Youjing continued, "Take my car later."

"Why?"

Perhaps she was too surprised. He looked at her and vaguely sensed that something was wrong with her today.

"I'm sorry, I mean, we work together—"

"Is it illegal for me to send my wife to work?"

"......" Wen Huai choked, "It's not illegal."

"Then I'll take you there."

"......good."

"Eat it."

Wen Huai agreed and stuffed the neatly cut sandwich into his mouth. He was thinking about something and didn't taste anything.

...

Before getting in the car, Wen Huai realized that Aunt Ping was missing today, so he asked him in the car, "Why don't I see Aunt Ping?"

"It rained heavily yesterday, so I didn't let her come back." Xu Youjing started the car. "She'll come back today."

"Oh, okay."

so--

Was it Xu Youjing who did this this morning?

She opened her lips but didn't ask, "Was it raining when you came back yesterday?" She always felt that the relationship between them was subtle, and Xu Youjing seemed to be angry with her again.

He didn't care why she asked him and Qiao Mian to meet, nor did he ask why she went to the bar to drink... He didn't know whether he saw her suitcase, or if he did, he didn't ask.

If you don't ask, do you want to let it go, or do you want her to speak up?

Just as I was daydreaming, the cell phone in my bag rang.

Wen Huai took it and saw the email address sent by Jiang Han.

In it, he organized the general content and purpose of the pre-meeting.

He thought Xu Youjing asked him to synchronize it with her, and said, "I will read it carefully", which confused the driver.

On the way to the company, Wen Huai was looking down at the meeting content, and Xu Youjing wanted to talk to her but couldn't find the opportunity.

Finally, in the underground parking lot, he looked at the person who put away his phone.

"Wen Huai, let's talk after get off work tonight."

She knew she couldn't escape it, so she said "Okay".

-

Monday's regular meeting went on as usual. Wen Huai, on behalf of Jiang Han, briefly summarized the main points of the pre-meeting, readjusted the promotional language for the new product "Wings" to align with the government's ideas, and also rectified the process of the press conference that was about to end.

At the end, the door of the conference room was suddenly pushed open.

When everyone looked, they saw Tong Zhenyuan standing there with his hands behind his back.

He was wearing a dark blue plaid shirt, black trousers that were much wider, and a pair of cloth shoes that had been worn to a shine, but the white edges were still clean.

He often appears in public wearing this outfit, and people sometimes wonder why Mr. Tong buys several identical pieces of clothes.

"Why is Mr. Tong here?"

He politely declined Li Qicheng's offer of a seat and went straight to the point with Xu Youjing: "I want to change the L2 of 'Wing' to L3."

One sentence caused an uproar.

"The new product is about to be released. If we suddenly pull it out now, not only will we lose a lot of money, but we'll also have to redo the pre-launch and promotional plans!"

"That's simply impossible! There's no need for us to give up our profits and opt for something with high returns and low profits. Consumers may not buy it!"

"We've already spent a ton of money on endorsements. Wouldn't it be a waste of money to go back and retrain?"

“…”

The answer of rejection was obvious in the meeting room. Xu Youjing didn't say anything, and Tong Zhenyuan was waiting for the manager to give a response.

"Everyone, please calm down, please calm down," Li Qicheng said to smooth things over. "Assisted driving is certainly safe, but Mr. Sui has invested too much effort in autonomous driving. If the final L3 test data looks good, practical application is not impossible."

Sui Jianwen objected: "You know how much was invested in the early stages. Isn't it too far-fetched to change it now? Li Qicheng, Tong Zhenyuan is getting confused, and you are getting confused too?"

He turned to look at Xu Youjing: "Mr. Xu, you are not also hot-headed, are you?"

Xu Youjing was turning Wen Huai's pen and only opened his eyelids when he heard the words.

He asked Tong Zhenyuan: "Is there any experimental data?"

Tong Zhenyuan: "Not now, but I can guarantee——"

"Then stick with the original plan."

The unquestionable pressure interrupted the old man's words, and everyone fell silent.

Wen Huai looked up at Tong Zhenyuan. Although his expression showed surprise, he was more angry.

Xu Youjing asked back, "Mr. Tong, do you have anything else to say?"

"You don't believe me?"

The old voice trembled a little, and even Wen Huai felt a pang in his heart. He couldn't help but look at Xu Youjing, who had no expression.

"Even a letter needs written proof." He said in a moderate voice, "You don't have any."

"I don't have it now, but if I give you a few more days, I will definitely make you see it clearly."

"How many days?"

"One and a half days at the fastest!"

After thinking about it, Xu Youjing shook his head.

"Dongyang is already one step ahead of us. If we withdraw now, how will the thousands of employees at Peak survive?"

Tong Zhenyuan was unwilling to give up: "But autonomous driving technology will definitely be a highlight of the 'Wing'. Once it is launched on the market, sales will surely set a new record."

He twirled the pen rapidly with his fingertips, and finally stopped. "But you can't provide me with data that convinces me."

"I can't produce it now, but within two days—"

Xu Youjing continued to shake his head, interrupting him. "I still say that L3 deployment will inevitably be delayed. The losses and returns by then are unknown, and there's no basis for market evaluation."

"During this period, how will thousands of employees make a living? Is this just a pie in the sky, Mr. Tong?"

“…”

You hit the nail on the head.

There was a deathly silence in the conference room.

No one dared to breathe, and their eyes were filled with shock.

Everyone here knows that the most difficult person to deal with at Peak is Tong Zhenyuan, the chief engineer of the Technical Department.

He has a lot of experience, a bad temper, a stubborn personality, and is very opinionated.

He won't say a word about anything he's not interested in.

But if something goes against what he insists on doing, he will definitely not give in and will talk more eloquently than anyone else.

Now, he was left speechless by Xu Youjing. Everyone was shocked and felt sorry for the old man.

It's not easy to work like a beast of burden at such an old age.

Mr. Xu is too sharp-tongued, so scary.

No elder abuse!

"I see."

Tong Zhenyuan left, and Xu Youjing stared without any guilt on his face.

"continue."

“…”

Before the meeting ended, the people from the marketing department projected the plan on the screen. Wen Huai, Jiang Han who had hurried over, and Dong Chen were reviewing the process.

Halfway through the meeting, the marketing manager placed an outline of questions next to Xu Youjing. "The marketing department has prepared a few questions and plans to conduct a two- to three-minute interview with Mr. Xu after the press conference. I wonder if Mr. Xu has time?"

Wen Huai and Jiang Han looked at each other.

This process was not communicated with the secretariat in advance, and they didn't know what the questions would be. It was really abrupt.

"Excuse me." Jiang Han raised his hand to stop the marketing department staff, "Please let me review it first, and then talk to Mr. Xu—"

"It's okay." Xu Youjing's lips, pale with blood, were a little chapped. "Ask now."

The manager then spoke to smooth things over: "Yes, if there are any issues or offenses during the discussion with Mr. Xu, we can just delete it and get it over with in one go."

He signaled to start, and Wen Huai and Jiang Han discussed the subsequent procedures beside him.

Although the two sides were not close to each other, because the boss was present and there was the matter of Mr. Tong, everyone consciously lowered their voices and did not dare to act rashly.

As a result, Wen Huai was able to perfectly interpret the meaning of "his heart is in Cao's camp and his heart is in Han".

"My first question is for Mr. Xu, regarding the concept of 'Wings'..."

As she listened, she pointed out something unusual. "The time here is wrong. I need to confirm with the planner."

Jiang Han made a circle and said, "Okay."

"'Wings' is very popular among young people today, and this question also received the most likes from netizens. If Mr. Xu doesn't like it, he can cross it out."

"Um."

"Baidu shows that you, Mr. Xu, are only 28 years old this year, yet you've become one of the top entrepreneurs in North City. With such a successful career, we'd like to know if you were the kind of good student who never skipped classes or fell in love prematurely during your school days."

Wen Huai paused as soon as she clicked on a certain location in the itinerary. Jiang Han looked over, but didn't hear her speak.

Just as I was about to remind him, I heard a voice behind me: "Netizens are curious, as such an outstanding person like you, what kind of person do you like?"

Whether intentionally or not, Wen Huai felt that the noises around him had become quieter. Like her, everyone pricked up their ears to listen to his answer.

But she was more informed than others and knew that Xu Youjing had liked—

“I’ve never had a premature love relationship.”

Jun Leng's low voice sounded, causing Wen Huai to use force with his fingertips, leaving scratches on the form.

At this moment, someone patted Wen Huai's shoulder from behind. She turned around and met the man's gaze on the white sofa.

She heard him say:

"I never liked anyone before I was twenty-eight."

fraud.

Wen Huai suddenly wanted to cry.

How can this person lie with his eyes open?

He was so mean to Mr. Tong, and he's still a liar!

Xu Youjing was stunned by the undisguised resentment in Wen Huai's eyes.

The person who had just called Wen Huai didn't notice her unusual behavior and continued with his own business: "Secretary Wen, there are a few places we can't reserve. Could you please help us take a look?"

Realizing her inexplicable emotions, she looked away.

Why does she care whether he has ever written a love letter to anyone?

Then he nodded: "Let's go."

This is a good opportunity for me to temporarily avoid seeing Xu Youjing.

The person sitting on the sofa saw her leaving and, not caring about who was around, shouted, "Wen Huai."

Maybe it was too fast, and the ending sound was a bit torn.

After all, you can't pretend you didn't hear it.

The slender figure paused, it seemed.

Not only her, but everyone in the room looked over. Even Jiang Han was nervous about what the boss was going to do.

Xu Youjing himself didn't know what he was going to do.

Feeling awkward at the moment, he coughed dryly, his voice becoming even hoarse: "We've booked a table at Manxiang Pavilion tonight. Thank you all for your hard work during this period."

After a moment of silence, there was a burst of cheers.

"Manxiang Pavilion! That's the most reputable private restaurant in North City! Reservations have to be made several days in advance, and Mr. Xu actually booked the entire place?"

"Ah! I've heard of it, but the decoration looks so luxurious and expensive that I've never dared to go in."

"Although Mr. Xu seemed fierce this morning, he reserved the entire place for me!"

“…”

Someone also whispered, "So President Xu called Secretary Wen..."

"The restaurant owner just called to inquire about the dishes, and I was just about to ask Secretary Wen to take a taste test." He raised his chin and got straight to the point, "Let's start with Secretary Wen. Do you like sweet and sour fish or sweet and sour spare ribs?"

Jiang Han Petrochemical: Is this a too abrupt change of topic?

Wen Huai understood.

This was the question he asked last night.

Did he discover something?

Taking another breath, she had composed herself and smiled, "I'm sorry, Mr. Xu, I can't come tonight because I have something to do. I'll ask other colleagues about their preferences and have them delivered to your office within the hour."

“…”

Looking at the closed door, Xu Youjing couldn't come back to his senses for a long time.

Are you really angry?

-

An hour later, Jiang Han knocked on the office door with the list of employees' tastes.

Xu Youjing flipped through it briefly, "Where's Wen Huai?"

"Secretary Wen is busy reviewing the press conference process and asked me to send the list over."

Jiang Han saw that Mr. Xu's frown tightened even more and his expression did not look very good.

"Mr. Xu, are you okay?"

Jiang Han was really worried.

He was already incredibly busy dealing with those old foxes in Lingang, and even then, he'd found time to return to North City. He landed in the wee hours, barely slept for a few hours, and then attended a seven- or eight-hour meeting. After that, he drove another eleven hours, so it was strange he looked better.

Xu Youjing shook his head and raised his hand to press the solar plexus.

"Let Meng Ting bring data A to Tong..."

Jiang Han paused: "What?"

"Forget it." His eyelids were a little heavy, "Please bring me a mask."

Jiang Han responded, seeing that Xu Youjing looked really bad, "Mr. Xu, are you feeling unwell? Do you want me to get a thermometer?"

After a cough, Jiang Han was about to step forward but was rejected by Xu Youjing with a wave of his hand.

His voice became even hoarse: "I just measured it, it's not too high."

That means you have a fever!

Jiang Han thought back to his discomfort this morning and felt terrified: "Mr. Xu, should I tell my wife to take you to the hospital?"

"Hasn't the final process been decided yet? It's not that serious." He paused and lowered his eyelids. "You don't need to tell her."

“…Okay, I understand.”

Thinking of what he had just said but stopped, Jiang Han confirmed again: "Can't we let Mr. Tong know about Data A for now?"

Xu Youjing rubbed his brows and said, "I don't want anyone to know."

"But today, I saw that Mr. Tong seemed very frustrated. If he had known earlier that you hadn't given up on L3's data operations, would he have..."

Meeting that fierce gaze, Jiang Han stopped talking.

"Sorry, Mr. Xu."

"This is a company, not a charity." He drove them away, "Get out."

After leaving the office, Jiang Han's wounded heart healed in an instant. After thinking it over again and again, he decided that he should tell Wen Huai.

He took the mask and went to the marketing department but couldn't find her. After asking, he found out that she had just walked downstairs. So he took the elevator downstairs and finally saw her outside the first floor door.

"Secretary Wen!"

After calling out twice, the person in front finally saw him.

"Special Assistant Jiang? What happened?"

Jiang Han ran over and asked, "What are you doing..."

Wen Huai glanced at the pharmacy not far away and spoke unnaturally: "I just noticed that Mr. Xu's throat was not feeling well during the meeting. I want to buy a box of Longjiaosan. I'll trouble you to give it to him for me later."

Jiang Han hesitated to speak, then heard her say, "Why weren't you at the regular meeting this morning?"

Jiang Han was also stunned. "Didn't Mr. Xu tell you? It's been raining heavily in Lingang these past two days, and all transportation has been suspended. I just landed this morning after traffic resumed, and I've already reported this to Mr. Xu."

It was Wen Huai's turn to be confused. "All transportation is suspended? Then how did Xu... come back?"

"Mr. Xu——"

Jiang Han, knowing the reason for his hasty return, frowned and simply didn't hide it from him, revealing everything: "Mr. Xu drove for eleven hours in the rain, rushing back to Beicheng from Lingang overnight. He said he wanted to see you soon and had something to tell you."

"he......"

"I just took Mr. Xu's temperature. It's 38.3 degrees."

He saw the heartache flashing in Wen Huai's eyes and softened his tone, "Madam, you shouldn't buy Longjiaosan, you should buy antipyretics."

As the car horn passed by, Jiang Han looked towards the pharmacy not far away:

"Perhaps Mr. Xu needs you more than medicine right now."