Chapter 38. That's where he kissed. (Lu Qiaoyuan's ending)

Based on the first version of the semi-submersible floating wind power basic sketch, Ke Fan led his team to conduct preliminary tests.

However, in the tank test, the wind turbine model showed insufficient stability under certain specific sea conditions, especially under the combined effects of strong winds and irregular waves, resulting in load data deviations.

After discussing with other senior engineers in the team, Ke Fan unanimously suspected that the environmental parameters were inaccurate.

On Monday morning, Ke Fan knocked on Li Chengjin's office door.

"Have you decided to go to the South China Sea?"

"Well, the existing environmental database has limited local accuracy and will definitely not be sufficient in the future. I want to conduct on-site environmental parameter sampling, especially focusing on the actual sea conditions in the target deployment area. This will also improve the accuracy of our simulation model."

Li Chengjin hesitated for a moment and asked, "Should we take a few more people with us?"

Ke Fan smiled and said, "No, it's not a difficult task. Let Xiao Cai and I go. The rest of you stay and continue running the tests."

After finalizing the South China Sea itinerary, Ke Fan called Cao Xinyu immediately.

They had originally planned to have dinner together this weekend.

"Leaving on Wednesday? How come it's so tight?" Cao Xinyu was a little surprised. She was in another city with her boss for training this week and wouldn't be back until Friday. "Then I won't be able to see you this week."

She said with a hint of resentment: "You said we are in the same city, but it seems like we are in different places."

Ke Fan chuckled. There were many people who were truly far away from her. At this moment, there were 7 unread red dots on her phone, and she hadn't had time to reply.

"I can only wait until I get back. Then I'll treat Miss Cao to dinner."

This trick used to be very effective, but today it didn't make Cao Xinyu laugh.

Ke Fan keenly felt that she had something even more unhappy, but she didn't tell him.

"What's wrong? Are you unhappy with the training?"

"no..."

Cao Xinyu had a big argument with her father on the phone yesterday, and had been planning to have a good talk with Ke Fan over dinner this weekend.

But Ke Fan's schedule was so tight, and she was obviously overwhelmed by miscellaneous matters. She didn't want to add more pressure to her for no reason.

Cao Xinyu tried to sound a little happier:

"No, the training was good, but I'm probably too tired lately, so I'm a little bit lacking in energy."

Ke Fan felt relieved:

"Well, take care of yourself and get some rest. I'll video chat with you once I'm settled in the South China Sea."

"The same to you."

After hanging up the phone, she clicked on the seven unread red dots again.

Two good morning greetings, three links to travel destinations recommended by Xiao Moushu, and two emoticons of people waiting obediently.

She made a voice call.

The call was picked up immediately.

"Why isn't it a video?" The resentful tone was exactly the same as that of someone on the phone just now.

"It's not very convenient at work."

As Ke Fan spoke, he quickly clicked on the link he sent: "These places are all good, we can plan some later."

Yi Lingjia on the other side was obviously happy again: "Going next month?"

"I don't think it'll be available next month. I'm calling to talk about this. I'm going to the South China Sea on a business trip on Wednesday to get some data, and it'll probably take a month for me to be back."

"So long?" Yi Lingjia's voice, raised slightly, came through the microphone. Ke Fan could imagine the protest in his grape-shaped eyes.

He paused for a few seconds, then asked in a negotiating tone, "Shall I go with you?"

Ke Fan hummed softly, and raised his chin briskly on the other end of the phone where Yi Lingjia couldn't see:

"sure."

Very much to my liking.

After the second call, Ke Fan went to find Cai Jieyu to synchronize the itinerary.

Cai Jieyu was very happy: "I have always wanted to go to the sea area to conduct a personal inspection, and this time I finally have the opportunity."

Ke Fan smiled at her cheerful expression, then remembered something:

"If this is your first time out to such a long sea, remember to bring seasickness medicine."

Cai Jieyu scratched his head a little embarrassedly:

"Sister Xiaofan, you shouldn't get seasick. I grew up on my dad's fishing boat..."

The two were chatting when Ji Hang suddenly appeared:

"What are you talking about? I want to listen too."

Cai Jieyu said with a smile: "We were talking about how Sister Xiaofan wanted to take me on a business trip to the South China Sea."

"Going on a business trip to the South China Sea?" Ji Hang was shocked. He turned to Ke Fan and said bitterly, "When did you decide this? Why didn't you tell me? Sister Xiaofan, you are biased!"

Ever since Cai Jieyu joined their group, she has been getting closer and closer to Ke Fan. Ji Hang vaguely sensed the crisis of falling out of favor, and now she wishes she could take his place and fly to the South China Sea with Ke Fan.

A big hat of bias was put on him, and Ke Fan was at a loss whether to laugh or cry:

"Didn't I take you to Jinshi last time? Give Xiao Cai a chance to see the actual situation in the sea area."

"Then can I go with you?"

"We have enough manpower."

"Then Cai Jieyu stays and I go?"

Why are we going back again?

Ke Fan sighed amusedly.

Ji Hang was also sure that she was cold on the outside but warm on the inside and was being unreasonable.

"Okay." She feigned a stern face. "You stay at the institute and run tests with the others. I'll hold regular meetings to check on you. Got it?"

There was a hint of grievance in Ji Hangyuan's eyes, and he nodded reluctantly.

Ke Fan controlled himself and did not show any mercy.

These people, each one knows how to control her.

There is one last thing to do before going to the South China Sea.

Ke Fan clicked on the profile picture that he hadn't contacted for a long time.

Lu Qiaoyuan's profile picture resembles a book cover: the entire image is painted in warm tones—gold, orange, and brown—not bright and cheerful, but rather soft and gentle like a setting sun. An elderly man in a black windbreaker walks alone on a country road, with vast fields and an endless skyline in the distance.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.

A Pilgrimage of One Person.

Lu Qiaoyuan was staring at a test report on the computer at the moment.

He helped Ke Fan prepare a sample inspection report on the subsidence problem at the Oasis Wind Farm.

Client: Ke Fan.

Trustee: Lu Qiaoyuan.

Over the years, their names have been written together like this countless times.

It seems like he really is the perfect work partner.

A wry smile played at the corner of his mouth.

So when their work no longer overlapped, it seemed as if they had no intersection either.

Lu Qiaoyuan opened another email he received last night.

His mentor, Mr. Gao, was recently attending a seminar in Cambridge, England, so there was always a time difference when sending emails.

"Qiao Yuan, I met the renowned Professor Wilma at a seminar. She was surprisingly interested in our lab's research and even read two of your articles. It just so happens that her group has a postdoctoral position open, so I asked you about it."

Qiao Yuan, do you want to go?"

Lu Qiaoyuan left work early today and arrived at the door of the agreed-upon cafe.

In September, the streets already had the air of early autumn. The setting sun shone down, tinging the broad leaves of the sycamore trees with a golden edge. The wind blew slowly across the street, gently swaying the leaves, and their shadows rippled like water.

The distant sky was painted by the setting sun into a mixture of orange-pink and gray-blue. There was a slight coolness in the air. It was the end of summer and the prelude of autumn, which intersected at this moment in the evening, quietly reminding people:

The seasons are changing quietly.

Lu Qiaoyuan has a tall and handsome figure, and his eyebrows and eyes are picturesque. Today he is wearing a formal white shirt and standing under the sycamore tree, attracting passers-by to look back frequently.

But he was only focused on a tall figure slowly walking towards him.

Today is Tuesday, and Ke Fan also came from the wind power station.

She was going on a business trip tomorrow, so before leaving get off work, she and the team reviewed everyone's tasks while she was away from Haishi, and was a few minutes late.

Ke Fan hurried along, apologizing a little: "Have you been waiting for a long time?"

Lu Qiaoyuan was still as gentle as usual: "No, I just got here too."

The two sat down and after exchanging pleasantries, they fell strangely quiet.

The coffee was emitting wisps of steam, and Lu Qiaoyuan stroked the ceramic cup in his hand.

Ke Fan said: "Brother, I still want to talk to you about this in person."

Lu Qiaoyuan's heart trembled, and for a moment, he really wanted time to stop so that he wouldn't have to hear what was said next.

But the reality was not what he wished for. He only heard Ke Fan continue to say, "Yi Lingjia and I are together again."

After she finished speaking, she met his eyes, her eyes calm and composed.

Ke Fan believed that the two of them had such a tacit understanding that there was no need for her to finish speaking.

The "boyfriend-girlfriend" relationship between them that they used to cover each other can end here.

"Congratulations." Lu Qiaoyuan said after a long time. He smiled faintly, as if he was still digesting the news.

Ke Fan didn't feel anything unusual. Although she and Lu Qiaoyuan had known each other for many years, they rarely talked about personal matters. If Wan Li hadn't met them last time, he might not even remember who Yi Lingjia was.

Therefore, when she set up the plan to cause Yi Lingjia to misunderstand, she was also worried and unsure whether she should tell Lu Qiaoyuan.

If I tell him, it will only drag him deeper into it, and he may not be willing to do that.

However, everything is in the past. There is no need to talk about the emotions I felt at that time while sitting at this coffee table.

"Thank you, Senior Brother. When he comes to Jin City, we will treat you to a meal together if we have the chance."

Lu Qiaoyuan smiled again.

"Xiao Fan, I also have something to tell you today."

Ke Fan was stunned:

"What's up?"

"I'm probably going to Sweden for a postdoc, joining Wilma's group."

"Wilma?" This name is well-known in the wind power industry. "Is it the big shot in Lund who has published numerous articles in numerous journals?"

"Yeah." Lu Qiaoyuan smiled faintly, "It's her. Teacher Gao met her at the seminar in Cambridge."

Ke Fan was genuinely happy for him: "Brother, this is truly a great joy! When you go to Sweden, there will definitely be more good opportunities."

The coffee in Lu Qiaoyuan's hand had already grown cold, and the wall of the cup pressed against his palm, retaining some stubborn residual warmth.

When he went to Sweden, no matter what, he would no longer have the opportunity to drink coffee with her like today.

Lu Qiaoyuan sent Ke Fan home.

I have driven on this familiar road countless times, but today I drove very slowly.

Fortunately, she didn't notice.

Around him, her sensitivity seemed to never cross that line.

Or maybe it's his own fault, he hid it so well.

Ever since he was kicked out of the house by his father at the age of sixteen, he has been unable to express himself directly and passionately, and has always been suppressed. He is so different from Yi Lingjia.

Perhaps it was because of this that even after being with her for six years, he was unable to enter her heart.

What Ke Fan needed was the kind of love that was poured all out regardless of the consequences. He couldn't give it to her, but he was unwilling to just be a spectator in her life, so he used the empty shell of boyfriend and girlfriend to get a hint of sweetness.

But after that, there was no more.

The car stopped steadily downstairs of Ke Fan's house.

Ke Fanmai got out of the car and was about to go upstairs when Lu Qiaoyuan suddenly called her.

"Xiao Fan, wait a moment."

He also unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car with her.

"I don't know if I'll still be in Haishi when you come back from the South China Sea. Give me a hug."

He stood an arm's length away from her with his arms outstretched, his white shirt bathed in a gentle glow from the streetlight.

His facial features were as gentle as jade carvings, and his brows were as calm as the sea. His eyes, like clear springs, contained a hint of brightness, as if revealing silent expectation.

"Okay." Ke Fan also stretched out his hand and walked towards his arms.

The moment he hugged her, Lu Qiaoyuan could hardly hold back any longer.

After so many years, he is not unwilling to accept it.

The last time they were so unable to contain themselves was when they went camping with several younger students from the Institute of Geology.

Ke Fan's tent broke down, so they were forced to squeeze into one tent before going to bed.

Ke Fan was drunk and fell asleep beside him.

It was midnight and they were so close that they could hear each other breathing.

He almost kissed her.

But the last kiss only landed on the temple.

At that time, he said to himself, be patient, there will be a day when he can kiss her openly.

But there won’t be such a day anymore.

The warmth of Ke Fan in his arms was fleeting.

Just a normal, cherishing hug between good friends.

Lu Qiaoyuan thought more about this moment and completing what he wanted to do in the tent that day.

But in the end, he just let her go gently and casually stroked the hair on her temples.

That's where he kissed.