Chapter 49: The Sweetness of a Late-Night Kiss
Zhou Lin fell silent and stopped asking questions. He just silently protected her on the inside of the road.
Arriving downstairs at the office, Su Hexi took out the key and opened the door, saying in a cold voice, "I'm here, you can go back."
Zhou Lin looked at her and shook his head: "I'm worried about you being alone, so I'll stay too, maybe I can help."
He knew it was just an excuse, but he couldn't leave her alone in this cold building to spend New Year's Eve.
Su Hexi glanced at him, knowing that she couldn't persuade him, so she didn't bother to say anything more and turned to go into the building.
In the empty office, lit only by a single work lamp, the two seemed to have returned to their original days in the small tailor shop.
Zhou Lin silently helped her sort through the scattered fabrics, sorting the different colored spools into different categories. Su Hexi sat at her sewing machine, absentmindedly pedaling it, making a rhythmic sound, but she had no idea what she was sewing.
Suddenly, there was a loud "whoosh-bang!" outside the window, and then a dazzling display of colorful fireworks burst forth in the dark night sky, lighting up the entire room. The sound of the firecrackers seemed to ring the New Year's bell.
Su Hexi subconsciously stopped what she was doing and looked up at the dazzling sky outside the window. The light and shadow flickered on her delicate yet cold face.
Behind her, Zhou Lin didn't look at the fireworks in the sky. His eyes were always gentle and focused on her profile. It was as if she was the only and most beautiful scenery tonight.
Late at night, the sporadic sound of firecrackers outside the office finally died down completely, with only the cold wind occasionally blowing through the window lattice, making a slight whimper.
Su Hexi was originally just dozing off, but the fatigue of the past few days and the dim warm light in the room finally made her unable to resist the sleepiness. She fell asleep on the sewing machine which was still warm, and her breathing became even and long.
Zhou Lin, who had been quietly standing by, saw this and immediately slowed down his movements. He stood up carefully and walked over to her. After hesitating for a moment, he leaned over very gently, put one hand through her knees, and supported her back with the other, and lifted her up steadily.
Su Hexi frowned unconsciously in her sleep, rubbed against his arms, found a more comfortable position, and did not wake up.
Zhou Lin's heartbeat was like a drum, and he took every step very slowly and steadily, for fear of waking her. He gently placed her on the temporary resting sofa, his movements as gentle as if he were placing a rare treasure.
Seeing her face fade away from its usual sharpness and reveal a little blush and fragility after she fell asleep, Zhou Lin's throat rolled unconsciously, and his eyes were as deep as the night outside the window.
He squatted beside the sofa, staring at her for a long time. As if pulled by some irresistible force, he slowly and extremely carefully leaned over and placed a kiss on her smooth forehead that was as light as a feather, but full of all restraint and affection.
They separated in an instant, like a child who had stolen honey, with a huge satisfaction and a hint of secret joy welling up in my heart.
He carefully tucked in the corner of his military coat that was still warm from his body, then pulled over a chair and sat quietly beside her, watching over her, as if this was the whole meaning of his staying up all night to see the New Year in.
The sky gradually brightened, and the first rays of the new year's morning light shone into the office through the window.
Su Hexi's eyelashes trembled as she woke up. The moment she regained consciousness, she found herself lying on the sofa, covered with Zhou Lin's familiar military coat, and the office was empty.
An indescribable feeling of loss and abandonment gripped her instantly. He'd left? Just left her here all alone? She sat up abruptly, grabbed the military coat that still clung to Zhou Lin's scent, and slammed it to the ground, as if that would dispel the inexplicable discomfort and grievance she felt.
At this moment, the office door creaked open. Zhou Lin walked in, carrying hot fried dough sticks, soy milk, and steamed buns. He immediately saw the military coat thrown on the floor and Su Hexi sitting on the sofa with an angry look on her face.
He was stunned for a moment, then walked over quickly, placing breakfast on the table. Then he naturally bent down to pick up his military coat, dusted it off, and asked with a tone of confusion and concern: "What's wrong? Did you not sleep well? Or did you have a nightmare?"
Su Hexi looked at Zhou Lin and was stunned for a moment, realizing that her reaction had been a bit extreme. She quickly turned away, concealing her emotions and said in her usual, somewhat unreasonable tone, "I was woken up so early by the sound of firecrackers outside! I'm not happy!"
She blamed all her emotions on the outside world.
Zhou Lin believed it and comforted her kindly, "Today is the first day of the new year, so it's inevitable that there will be a lot of excitement. It's for the sake of celebration. Come, have some hot breakfast first."
He put a straw into the soy milk and handed it to her.
While eating breakfast, Zhou Lin looked at her still somewhat gloomy face and tried to suggest: "The weather is nice today, do you want to go out for a walk? The streets should be very lively."
Su Hexi raised her head and stared into Zhou Lin's eyes seriously.
His eyes were the same, sincere and honest as always, with a gentleness that could accommodate all her bad tempers and sharpness. It was as if just by looking into those eyes, she could find a sense of home after her wanderings. Something in her heart softened slightly, but in the end, she shook her head vigorously and refused: "No. It's boring."
She quickly finished her breakfast, wiped her hands, and sat back at her desk, spreading out new blueprints and plans. She forced down her fleeting emotions, her gaze sharp and ambitious once again.
"After the New Year, when the company reopens," she said, seemingly talking to herself, but also as if declaring to Zhou Lin, "I'm going to do something big again."
She began to concentrate on planning her next career path, as if only by running forward could she fill the void deep in her heart that even she herself did not want to touch.
Zhou Lin silently watched her return to her work without interrupting her. He simply quietly cleared the dishes and continued to sit in his seat, not too far away, guarding her and this slightly cold "reunion" that he so happily embraced.
After the New Year, the construction site and the company started work.
Su Hexi looked at the data produced by the finance department. The money she had left was not enough to support her next actions.
She thought for a moment, then stood up and walked out of the office.
Tang Yuelin was listening to his subordinates' work reports when there was a knock on the door. The secretary announced, "Director, Mr. Su from the Xi brand wants to see you."
Tang Yuelin's eyes flashed with an expected glint, and a playful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. He dismissed his subordinates and straightened his tie: "Please let her in."
Su Hexi pushed the door open and walked in, holding a thick folder in her hand. There was no flattery or fear on her face, only an equal and even slightly aggressive business confidence.
"Director Tang, I'm sorry to bother you." Su Hexi's voice was clear and straight to the point.
Tang Yuelin didn't stand up. He just pointed at the sofa opposite him, still maintaining his superior posture, and said, "Sit down. What do you want to talk to me about?"
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