Aunt Huang chatted for a few minutes and then left in a hurry.

The chubby girl watched her retreating figure and muttered to herself, "Tiger and Brother Jian aren't home, what's Aunt Huang busy with?"

Aunt Chen didn't think anything of it, after all, Aunt Huang had always been a woman of few words and rarely went out.

"Jiaojiao, my aunt is making braised pork ribs tonight. Would you like to come over for dinner?" She squatted down and asked.

"Is it okay?" Jiaojiao blinked her big eyes and turned to look at Lin Ziyan.

Tonight, my grandmother went to the temple for a vegetarian meal, saying that she went with her friends.

"Let Xiaoxiao come over after school. Ade is cooking tonight; his braised pork ribs are pretty good," the chubby girl said, her mouth practically watering.

"Of course, Aunt Chen, thank you for your help." Lin Ziyan smiled and patted Jiaojiao's head.

The chubby girl put her hands on her hips, pretending to be angry, and said, "If we keep being so polite, we can't be friends anymore!"

"Have I eaten at your house enough times? Don't be so polite."

Lin Ziyan, "..."

Aunt Chen shook her head and chuckled, squeezing Jiao Jiao's chubby little hand. "That's right, Ayan, don't be so polite with us."

"You can go out without worry in a little while. My grandmother told me this morning that she wanted me to take care of Jiaojiao."

Jiaojiao hugged the chubby girl's leg, revealing her little baby teeth, and smiled brightly.

The dimples on her cheeks became visible, and her eyes curved like crescent moons.

The chubby girl looked at Jiaojiao and her heart melted. She hugged her back and said, "I love Jiaojiao so much. She's like a snowball."

"Jiaojiao also likes Pearl Sister, she's so soft." Jiaojiao's voice was soft and sweet.

Lin Ziyan nodded, a dark glint in her eyes as she thought of Aunt Huang next door.

…

On the other side, the city government office building.

Lu Qiuying was writing furiously in her office.

The previous project proposal was not approved, but Minister Hai did not reject it.

bell……

"Hello, this is Lu Qiuying." She answered the phone, her tone indifferent.

"Mom, how come you, such a busy person, have time to call me?" Lu Qiuying smiled.

"It's your birthday today. Didn't you go out with your colleagues?" He Qingyu asked on the other end of the phone.

Lu Qiuying said, "I'll be going out in a bit. Xiao Jin will come pick me up."

The two chatted briefly before hanging up.

Lu Qiuying stretched and breathed a sigh of relief.

Working long hours can easily make you irritable, and you always feel a sense of pent-up frustration in your chest.

She got up and looked out the window; the branches swayed, sending in a refreshing breeze.

Even though the autumnal equinox has passed, the sun in Fuzhou is still blazing hot.

She didn't celebrate her birthday around this time last year because she was so busy with port matters that she completely forgot.

She only remembered it when she received the gift from her brother.

Therefore, Lu Yunshen called her a workaholic.

The leaves rustled, and occasionally a few yellow leaves fell.

However, the trees in Fukushima are lush and green all year round, and there is no sight of fallen leaves covering the ground in autumn.

Knock, knock,

"Is work over?" Xiao Jin raised her hand and glanced at her watch. It was already time to leave work, but Lu Qiuying was usually still working overtime at this time.

He now agrees with his friend Lu Yunshen's words: Qiu Ying is a workaholic.

“Work is never finished. I just want to stop and shift my focus.” Lu Qiuying shook her head and smiled, a soft light appearing in her eyes, her long eyelashes slightly lowered.

Xiao Jin smiled gently, "Would you like to go to the dorm and change your clothes?"

Lu Qiuying shook her head. Why change clothes for a birthday party?

She thought her white shirt looked good; it was clean, neat, and appropriate.

Xiao Jin leaned against the sofa, waiting for her to pack her things.

The evening sunlight fell on the desk, casting a soft orange glow.

The light and shadow fell on Lu Qiuying's fair neck, where there were several dark blue hickeys hidden by her shirt.

Xiao Jin's throat felt itchy, as if it had been tickled by a feather.

A dark shadow loomed over her, and Lu Qiuying leaned closer to Xiao Jin, asking, "What are you thinking about so intently?"

"I called you several times but you didn't answer."

Xiao Jin took a step back, creating some distance, and said, "It's nothing."

Lu Qiuying looked at him suspiciously, a slight twitch at the corner of her mouth.

Not thinking about anything? Her face was so red it made you want to take a bite...

She muttered to herself as she pulled Xiao Jin's hand and walked out of the office.

Their families knew about their relationship, and Lu Qiuying didn't intend to hide it at work.

Xiao Jin was naturally happy for her to go public, otherwise all the girls in the department would be flocking to him.

When the two arrived at Boss Huo's shop, it was almost full.

They went straight to the private room they had booked.

Lu Cheng and Pei Zhuling sat in two adjacent seats.

Yang Yanzhou looked at Lu Cheng with resentment, yet dared not snatch his wife back.

"Where's Zhouzhou? Why didn't you bring him along?" Lu Qiuying pulled out the chair next to Pei Zhuling and sat down.

Pei Zhuling smiled slightly, "My cousin brought Zhouzhou back to Beijing. The two elderly people in the family are worried about Zhouzhou and want him to stay with them for a while."

While they were chatting, Xiao Jin helped Lu Qiuying set out the bowls and chopsticks.

"A gift, happy birthday!" Lin Ziyan handed her a gift box.

Lu Qiuying's eyes brightened slightly. "Thank you!"

As everyone continued to offer their congratulations, the atmosphere became lively.

Lu Qiuying drank quite a bit of alcohol during the meal, but her expression didn't change at all.

Lin Ziyan only drank two glasses before focusing on eating and didn't touch the wine glass again.

Lu Yun Shen simply took her wine glass away.

"Sister Qiuying, you have a really high alcohol tolerance. Nobody at work knows that, right?" Lin Ziyan glanced at Lu Yunshen but didn't say anything.

She was about to peel the shrimp when Lu Yun Shen stopped her.

"Of course, I can't let the people at work know, otherwise I'll drink myself to death during the social events..." Lu Qiuying's lips twitched slightly as she glanced at her younger brother.

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