Happiness comes quickly
Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows of JFK Airport in New York, the morning mist had not yet dissipated, but Ning Zhichu's fingertips, clutching her passport, were warm to the touch. Wei Ting pushed the luggage cart ahead, the hem of his camel coat brushing against the metal railing. When he turned back, his eyes showed the weariness of having just finished work, but he still reached out to adjust her scarf: "Let's go to the hotel to drop off our luggage first. I'll have Lu Zexu pick you up this morning. He knows New York's shopping districts well, so he can show you around."
Ning Zhichu had just nodded when Wei Ting's phone rang. The "Urgent from Investment Banking Department" message flashing on the screen made him frown almost imperceptibly. He answered the phone, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the back of her hand, his voice as deep as the cold morning mist of Wall Street: "Data anomaly? I'll be at the company in half an hour. Have the risk control department send me the report ahead of time." After hanging up, he lowered his head and kissed the top of her head: "Sorry, the plan to go to Central Park with you has to be changed. Lu Zexu is my childhood friend and business partner; he's reliable. I feel at ease with him around."
She stood on tiptoe to straighten his tie, deliberately tracing a line across his Adam's apple with her fingertip. "Mr. Wei, don't worry about your work. I'm not a three-year-old." She tried to sound mature and considerate, but her voice trailed off. Wei Ting smiled, staring into her bright eyes, and gently pinched her chin with his fingertip. "I'll take you to a steakhouse in Brooklyn tonight. I'm sure you'll love their black truffle pasta."
The hotel was in Midtown Manhattan, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the spire of the Empire State Building. Wei Ting had just opened his suitcase when he began explaining Lu Zexu's preferences: "He doesn't like places that are too noisy, but if you want to see a Broadway show, have him book tickets in advance; he has a VIP pass." As he spoke, he took a black card from the inside pocket of his suit and placed it on the dressing table. "Don't hesitate to buy whatever you want; the password is your birthday."
Ning Zhichu had just put the card into her bag when her phone vibrated. It was a message from her best friend Su Xiaoran: "Baby! I just finished class and I'm downstairs at your hotel. Come down quickly!" She turned to Wei Ting and waved her phone, her eyes shining like stars: "My best friend Su Xiaoran is studying media at Columbia University. She's here to go shopping with me."
Just as Wei Ting raised an eyebrow, the doorbell rang. When he opened the door, he saw a girl in a caramel-colored trench coat standing there, her curly hair still damp with the New York wind. She rushed over to hug Ning Zhichu as soon as she saw her, but stopped when she caught sight of Wei Ting out of the corner of her eye. She smiled and reached out her hand: "Hello, Mr. Wei, I'm Su Xiaoran, Zhichu's best friend."
“Please take good care of her.” Wei Ting reached out and shook her hand, his gaze sweeping over the Columbia University badge on her chest. Suddenly, he remembered something. “Your advisor is Professor Lin? We met at the financial forum last year.” Su Xiaoran’s eyes lit up: “Yes! Professor Lin also mentioned you to me, saying that your investment strategy reports are particularly insightful.”
As the two were talking, the doorbell rang again. Lu Zexu leaned against the door frame, his casual suit accentuating his tall figure. He whistled when he saw Wei Ting: "Not bad, Lao Wei, you've got this girl all sweet." When he turned and saw Su Xiaoran, his eyes paused for a moment, then he smiled and reached out his hand: "Lu Zexu, Wei Ting's childhood friend."
Su Xiaoran raised an eyebrow and looked him over, then gently shook his hand before withdrawing it: "Su Xiaoran, Zhi Chu's best friend." As soon as her fingertips touched his palm, she felt that it was a bit too warm, and she casually added: "Didn't you sleep well last night, Mr. Lu? Your hands are so hot, be careful not to catch a cold in New York."
Lu Zexu paused for a moment, then laughed out loud: "Miss Su is quite observant, but don't worry, the Iron Man of Wall Street isn't so easily defeated." He shook the car keys in his hand, "Let's go, let's have brunch first, the crepes at that French restaurant on Fifth Avenue are amazing."
The restaurant is tucked away in an alley on Madison Avenue, where sunlight filters through the blinds, casting dappled shadows on the tables. As soon as the menu was handed over, Su Xiaoran pointed to the truffle crepe and said to Ning Zhichu, "I've been here before, you have to order this. It's absolutely amazing with their osmanthus latte."
“The osmanthus latte is too sweet,” Lu Zexu interjected while flipping through the menu. “Why not try cold brew, paired with a crepe to cut the sweetness?” Su Xiaoran glanced at him sideways: “Does President Lu even understand women’s tastes? You’ve always liked sweet things, haven’t you?” As she spoke, she nudged Ning Zhichu’s arm.
Ning Zhichu was looking down at her phone at a message from Wei Ting when she looked up and met Lu Zexu's gaze. He was tapping the "Osmanthus Latte" on the menu with his fingertips, a smile in his eyes. Just as she was about to speak, Wei Ting's phone rang. He answered the call, his expression darkening slightly: "I'll be right there. You guys eat first."
Before leaving, Wei Ting walked to Ning Zhichu's side, bent down and whispered in her ear, "I'll try to come back early tonight. Call me if anything happens. Lu Zexu's phone is on 24 hours a day." His breath carried a faint scent of cedar, and he gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear with his fingertips, a natural and intimate gesture.
After Wei Ting left, the atmosphere at the dinner table became more lively. Su Xiaoran, biting into a crepe, teased Lu Zexu, "Does Mr. Lu always meddle in other people's preferences like this? No wonder Mr. Wei called you a 'Wall Street nanny'." Lu Zexu almost spat out the cold brew he had just drunk, pointing at Su Xiaoran and laughing, "Did Old Wei say that? I'll have to settle accounts with him later. But Miss Su, even a Columbia University graduate can't eat sweets all the time, or he'll get cavities."
"Mind your own business." Su Xiaoran rolled her eyes, but turned to the waiter and said, "Another cold brew, less ice." Ning Zhichu watched the two bickering, secretly took out her phone, took a picture, and sent it to Wei Ting with the caption: "Your childhood friend and my best friend are just a pair of bickering lovers."
After finishing brunch, Lu Zexu suggested going shopping on Fifth Avenue. As soon as they reached the Tiffany's window, Su Xiaoran pulled Ning Zhichu to a stop: "Look at that sapphire necklace, isn't it perfect for you?" The necklace in the window shimmered with a deep blue light in the sunlight, and the pendant was an exquisite iris design.
Lu Zexu leaned over for a look, then stroked his chin and commented, "The style is too plain; it looks cumbersome when paired with the pearl necklace she wore last time." He beckoned to the shop assistant and pointed to another necklace, "Take a look at that diamond choker; the star and moon pattern made of small diamonds would match the white shirt she wore last time perfectly."
As soon as the sales clerk took the necklace out, Su Xiaoran's eyes lit up: "I must say, Mr. Lu's taste isn't too bad." As she spoke, she picked up the necklace and held it up to Ning Zhichu's neck, "Look, it suits your skin tone so well." Lu Zexu stood beside her, his gaze falling on the top of Su Xiaoran's head—her curly hair was a little messy from the wind, with a few strands sticking to her cheeks, and the way she was carefully examining the necklace was actually quite cute.
Just as Ning Zhichu was about to decline, Lu Zexu said, "Wrap it up, consider it a gift from Lao Wei and me to you." Su Xiaoran immediately glared at him, "Who asked you to give it to me? I'll buy Zhichu's gift." As she spoke, she took out her phone to pay, but Lu Zexu pressed her wrist down. His palm was warm, and his fingertips gently covered the back of her hand, "Trying to take it from me? Miss Su, you'd better save your breath. Lao Wei specifically instructed that your expenses be charged to his account."
Su Xiaoran's ears instantly burned, and as she pulled her hand back, she deliberately bumped into him, saying, "Who wants to spend your money? I have my own." Although she said that, she didn't insist on paying. Ning Zhichu watched their interaction and secretly smiled—when Su Xiaoran said earlier, "President Lu's taste isn't too bad," her tone clearly carried a hint of approval.
Around 3 PM, Su Xiaoran suddenly clutched her ankle and hissed. She had missed a step near the Givenchy window display and twisted her heel. Lu Zexu reacted the fastest, immediately crouching down: "Let me see." He gently touched her ankle with his fingers, his movements surprisingly gentle. "It's a little swollen, don't walk anymore."
"It's nothing, just a minor injury." Su Xiaoran tried to stand up, but winced in pain as soon as she exerted herself. Lu Zexu didn't waste any words with her and turned around to squat down in front of her: "Get on, I'll carry you." Su Xiaoran was stunned for a moment, her face instantly turning red: "No need, I can walk by myself."
“If you fuss over it, the wound will swell up even more.” Lu Zexu’s voice carried an undeniable forcefulness, yet he deliberately softened his tone. “Do you want Zhichu to help you? She’s going to have steak with Lao Wei tonight. What if she gets tired?” Su Xiaoran glanced at Ning Zhichu’s worried eyes and finally reluctantly leaned on his back.
Lu Zexu's back was broad, carrying a faint scent of cologne mixed with the warmth of the sun. Su Xiaoran's arms unconsciously wrapped around his neck, her fingertips accidentally brushing against his earlobe, the heat making her quickly pull away. Lu Zexu paused, but didn't turn around, only asking softly, "Does it hurt? I'll walk slower."
Ning Zhichu followed beside them, smiling as she watched their retreating figures. Lu Zexu, seemingly carefree, deliberately avoided crowded areas, walking very quietly. As they passed a dessert shop, he turned and asked, "Want some ice cream? Strawberry, it'll help with the swelling." Su Xiaoran, perched on his back, hummed, "Mr. Lu knows all this? Does he often carry girls on his back?"
"You talk too much." Lu Zexu retorted with a smile, but still asked Ning Zhichu to buy a strawberry ice cream. As Su Xiaoran was biting the ice cream scoop, she glanced at the Rolex watch on his wrist, with a small "L" engraved on the dial, and suddenly remembered something: "Didn't you give an investment lecture at Columbia University three years ago? The speaker at that time was a partner surnamed Lu."
Lu Zexu raised an eyebrow: "You've heard of it?" Su Xiaoran nodded, the corners of her mouth involuntarily turning up: "Back then, I wrote your 'Investment Logic in the Media Industry' into my course paper and even got an A+." She paused, then added softly, "Actually... it was pretty good."
Ning Zhichu was about to make a joke when her phone rang. It was a message from Wei Ting: "Something came up at the company, so we might not be able to go to the steakhouse tonight. Have Lu Zexu take you to the revolving restaurant on the top floor of the hotel. I'll be there as soon as I've dealt with it." A bank transfer record was also attached.
She had just shown the message to the two of them when Lu Zexu's phone rang. It was Wei Ting calling. He answered the phone, his expression gradually darkening: "The data was tampered with? I'll be right there. You keep the board calm." After hanging up, he placed Su Xiaoran on a nearby chair and said apologetically, "Sorry, something happened at the company. I have to go to the investment banking department."
"Need any help?" Su Xiaoran suddenly asked. She took out her laptop from her bag and opened a document: "Last week, I helped my mentor organize recent risk control cases from Wall Street. There are similar data tampering response plans in there, which might be helpful." Lu Zexu was stunned for a moment, and when he leaned over to look at the screen, his nose almost touched the top of her head.
The notes in the document were extremely detailed, with key parts highlighted in highlighter and accompanied by the author's analysis. When Lu Zexu turned to a certain page, his eyes lit up: "This 'cross-validation method' is perfect for this. How did you come up with it?" Su Xiaoran proudly raised her chin: "Columbia Media doesn't just teach writing; you also need to understand risk control logic."
Lu Zexu immediately took out his phone and called Wei Ting, briefly explaining Su Xiaoran's plan. After hanging up, he looked at her and smiled, "Ms. Su, thank you so much this time. Here, I'll take you back to your hotel first, and after we've finished dealing with things, I'll treat you to the best Japanese food in all of New York."
Just as Su Xiaoran was about to refuse, Ning Zhichu pulled her along, saying, "Go ahead, go ahead, I'd like to try it too." She watched Lu Zexu's hurried departure, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the shoulder he had just turned his back on, her ear tips still warm from the heat.
Back at the hotel, the setting sun was bathing the Empire State Building in a golden-red hue. Ning Zhichu helped Su Xiaoran treat her ankle, and seeing her constantly checking her phone, he chuckled and teased, "What's wrong? Worried about President Lu?" Su Xiaoran blushed and retorted, "Who's worried about him? I'm worried about something happening with President Wei, that it might affect your date."
Just then, there was a knock on the door. It was a fruit platter delivered by a hotel staff member, along with a card written by Wei Ting: "My little girl, wait for me to come back." The fruit platter was full of strawberries and blueberries, which Ning Zhichu loved, and there was also a small cream cake decorated with Godiva chocolate.
Looking at the cake, Su Xiaoran couldn't help but sigh, "President Wei is too good to you, he practically spoils you like a princess." Ning Zhichu smiled as she bit into a strawberry, her eyes filled with warmth, "He works very hard too. Last time, he canceled an emergency meeting for half an hour just to have beef brisket with me." She paused, then looked at Su Xiaoran, "Actually, President Lu is also quite nice. When he carried you on his back just now, he made sure to take a path with shade."
Su Xiaoran's ears turned red again. She pretended to look down at her phone, but posted a photo of the Empire State Building on her WeChat Moments with the caption: "The wind in New York doesn't seem so cold."
At eight o'clock in the evening, Lu Zexu finally called, his voice tired but still smiling: "It's all settled! President Wei asked me to take you to the revolving restaurant first, he'll be there in ten minutes." As soon as Su Xiaoran hung up the phone, she quickly went to change her clothes, took out the prettiest burgundy dress from her closet, and secretly put on some light makeup.
Inside the revolving restaurant, the New York cityscape outside the floor-to-ceiling windows shimmered like a starry river. Ning Zhichu had just finished ordering when Wei Ting strode in. He took off his suit jacket and draped it over the back of his chair, walked straight to her, bent down, and kissed her on the lips, his breath carrying a faint scent of tobacco and cedar: "Sorry to keep my little girl waiting."
He had just sat down when he looked at Su Xiaoran, his tone filled with gratitude: "Thank you so much this time. Without your proposal, we would have lost at least a billion US dollars." Su Xiaoran quickly waved her hand: "It was nothing. It's mainly because President Lu has a strong understanding." As she spoke, she glanced at Lu Zexu, and their eyes met. They both quickly looked away, but their ears turned red.
During dinner, Lu Zexu placed a piece of salmon on Su Xiaoran's plate: "The Japanese food here is very authentic. I'll bring you here next time." Su Xiaoran was about to say no, when Ning Zhichu said, "Xiaoran has a thesis defense next week. Let's go together after it's over." Wei Ting chimed in, "I'm free that day, let's have some fun together."
Su Xiaoran couldn't refuse, so she could only nod. But as she lowered her head to drink her soup, she saw Lu Zexu secretly picking out the ginger slices from her bowl. She looked up at him; he was pretending to chat with Wei Ting about work, but a subtle smile played on his lips.
After dinner, Wei Ting escorted Ning Zhichu back to her room. In the elevator, he took a velvet box from his suit pocket, inside which was the star and moon choker he had seen at Tiffany's during the day. "I was planning to surprise you tonight," he said, putting the necklace around her neck and gently stroking the skin on the back of her neck with his fingers. "Do you like it?"
Ning Zhichu leaned against him, looking at the two of them in the mirror, the necklace shimmering under the light. "I like it," she said, looking up and kissing his chin. "I like anything you give me." Wei Ting lowered his head and deepened the kiss. When the elevator doors opened, he reluctantly released her, whispering in her ear, "Get some rest. I'll come and keep you company after I finish my work."
Ning Zhichu had just returned to her room when she received a message from Su Xiaoran: "Lu Zexu brought me back. He just told me he'll be there to cheer me on at my defense." She added a blushing emoji. Ning Zhichu replied with a smile: "I knew he was interested in you."
At the other end of the corridor, Lu Zexu watched Su Xiaoran enter her room before turning to leave. He took out his phone and sent a message to Wei Ting: "Old Wei, Su Xiaoran's defense is next week. Order me a bouquet of white roses, the freshest ones." After sending the message, he looked up at the window of Su Xiaoran's room, and a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.
As the lights of the Empire State Building gradually dimmed in the New York night, two heartbeats resonated quietly amidst the glitter. Ning Zhichu leaned against the window, touching the necklace around her neck and smiling; Su Xiaoran sat at her desk, looking at Lu Zexu's WeChat Moments on her phone, her fingers unconsciously swiping the screen; Wei Ting was in his office, looking at Ning Zhichu's photo on his computer, his eyes filled with tenderness; Lu Zexu walked down the street, thinking of Su Xiaoran's appearance during her thesis defense, his steps becoming lighter.
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