32 Chapter 32
◎Can you give me a hug?◎
Back in the office, Sang Xinqi wanted to announce the dinner party in the evening, but found that the news had already spread throughout the studio.
She knew without a doubt who leaked the news, and she shook her head helplessly.
At the end of the workday, everyone arrived at the booked restaurant as planned. The studio was not large, and a small private room was just enough to accommodate everyone.
"Everyone, order whatever you want today," Sang Xinqi waved her hand generously.
Photographer Ah Xiao immediately responded, "Of course we should. It's so rare for the boss to treat us, so we have to make a good meal."
The others all laughed and agreed.
After ordering the dishes, everyone chatted about recent interesting things. Sang Xinqi took advantage of the good atmosphere and briefly arranged the next work schedule.
Soon, the food was served, and the private room was filled with laughter and joy as people drank and chatted.
After three rounds of drinks, Sang Xinqi glanced at the glass in her hand and then remembered that she had driven here. Slightly tipsy, she pulled out her phone and, after a moment's hesitation, sent a message to Liao Yishen: "Liao Yishen, I've been drinking. Can you come pick me up?"
After sending the message, she smiled self-deprecatingly, not expecting him to reply, let alone expecting him to actually come.
However, her phone soon vibrated, and the brief reply on the screen made her eyes light up: "Where?"
Sang Xinqi's face lit up instantly, and she quickly sent the location. This unexpected response brightened her mood, and she couldn't help but have two more drinks.
Considering that everyone had to go to work the next day, the dinner did not last too late and everyone was ready to leave around ten o'clock.
As they walked out of the hotel, the night breeze was slightly cool. Ah Xiao turned around and asked Sang Xinqi, "Boss, have you called a designated driver?"
"No need, someone's here to pick me up," Sang Xinqi said, and Xiao Zhang started to make faces and say, "Hey, is it your boyfriend?"
Sang Xinqi pursed her lips and smiled, "Not yet."
"With the boss's condition, isn't it just a matter of your nod?" Xiao Zhang said with a smile.
Sang Xinqi shook her head, thinking if only it were that simple.
She waved her hand and said, "Okay, go home early. If you are driving, remember to call a designated driver. If you are not driving, take a taxi back and ask me to reimburse you tomorrow."
"Long live the boss!" Xiao Zhang cheered.
When he reached the door, Xiao Zhang looked around like a searchlight.
Sang Xinqi naturally knew what he was looking for, and couldn't help but smile. She looked up and saw the familiar figure under the street light. The corners of her mouth unconsciously rose.
"I'm leaving now, please be safe," she said to her colleagues.
"Okay, boss, take care," Xiao replied.
The hotel entrance was brightly lit, but the light on the roadside was dim. Xiao Zhang and the others could only vaguely see the tall figure of the person coming. Although they couldn't see his face clearly, the superior figure outline was enough to make people imagine.
The night wind ruffled Sang Xinqi's hair. She trotted over to Liao Yishen, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I thought you wouldn't come."
Liao Yishen's expression was indifferent. "Jiang Xun saw the news about you. He asked me to come."
This sentence was like a bucket of cold water poured over Sang Xinqi's head. Under the influence of alcohol, she recklessly took his arm and said, "Okay, so you're so reluctant to pick me up? Aren't you afraid that I'll get drunk and something bad will happen?"
"Don't talk nonsense," Liao Yishen frowned.
Sang Xinqi snorted softly, and the night wind brought a chill, and she couldn't help but shrink her shoulders.
"Where is the car?" Liao Yishen asked.
Sang Xinqi pointed to the car parked on the side of the road.
The two of them got into the car one after the other. The faint fragrance mixed with the smell of gasoline in the car made Sang Xinqi, who was already a little tipsy, feel her stomach churning. She rolled down the window and the cold wind blew in her face.
"Is it cold?" Liao Yishen glanced sideways.
"I'm not cold, just a little nauseous." Sang Xinqi closed her eyes and leaned back in the chair. "I'm going to take a nap."
She didn't actually fall asleep along the way, she just closed her eyes to rest.
After returning to the community, in front of her house, she suddenly grabbed Liao Yishen's sleeve and asked, "Can you make me a bowl of hangover soup?"
Seeing that he remained silent, Sang Xinqi lowered her eyes and said in a soft, drunken voice, "It's really uncomfortable... If it's inconvenient, forget it."
Liao Yishen finally softened his heart and said, "Okay."
Entering the house, Sang Xinqi was slumped on the sofa. Liao Yishen walked into the kitchen but found it empty.
He turned back and said, "I'll go cook over there."
Just as he was about to leave, Sang Xinqi suddenly grabbed the corner of his clothes with force. Liao Yishen staggered and squatted down quickly for fear of crushing her.
Sang Xinqi used the force to sit up and held his face with both hands, "Liao Yishen, you are so bad!"
Liao Yishen's face flushed instantly. Just as he was about to break free, he heard her crying, "Please don't push me away... please don't..."
He paused. Sang Xinqi's wet eyes looked straight into his. "Hug me, please?"
At this moment, Liao Yishen's heart softened. He slowly reached out and embraced the drunken girl. Sang Xinqi rested her chin on his shoulder and closed her eyes contentedly.
The two of them hugged each other for a long time, and Sang Xinqi still showed no intention of letting go. Liao Yishen asked softly, "Would you like to drink the hangover soup?"
The person in his arms was silent for a moment before he lazily responded, "Drink..."
Liao Yishen was about to pull away when Sang Xinqi suddenly pouted and grabbed the corner of his clothes. Leaving his warm embrace, she felt empty inside.
She raised her face, her eyes wet, and said, "I'll go with you."
"You should rest first," Liao Yishen advised.
But just as he took a step, he heard rustling noises behind him.
Looking back, Sang Xinqi had already caught up with him. Her drunken eyes stared straight at him, like a little animal afraid of being abandoned. "Let's go together."
Liao Yishen had no choice but to acquiesce.
Walking into Liao Yishen's kitchen, Sang Xinqi couldn't help but sigh.
There are all kinds of pots, pans, and utensils here, and seasonings and ingredients are neatly arranged, which is in stark contrast to her kitchen which is only used to boil water.
She leaned against the cooking counter, following Liao Yishen's busy figure with her eyes, watching his slender fingers skillfully handling the ingredients. The soup in the pot gradually exuded a fragrance. She didn't come back to her senses until a bowl of hot hangover soup was handed to her.
Sipping the warm soup in small sips, the warmth spread from her stomach to her whole body. After finishing it, Sang Xinqi squinted her eyes in satisfaction, but stayed on the sofa and refused to leave.
"It's half past eleven," Liao Yishen glanced at the clock and said in a tone that brooked no refusal, "It's time to go back."
Sang Xinqi stood up reluctantly and slowly moved towards the door.
Before leaving, she suddenly turned around and, under the influence of alcohol, pecked Liao Yishen on the cheek quickly, "Good night."
Without waiting for the other party to react, she had already slipped away like a cat that had successfully stolen some fish, leaving Liao Yishen standing there, his fingers unconsciously touching the place that had just been kissed.
Now he really doesn't know what to do?
Accept it again, but also worry that when faced with the same choice again, she will abandon herself again without hesitation.
I don't accept it, but I can't bear to let her go.
-
After two weeks of hard work, Sang Xinqi finally completed ten sweater designs. She contacted Xu Jianian, and they arranged to meet with Mr. Zhang at the badminton hall to discuss cooperation.
On the day of the appointment, Sang Xinqi never expected to meet Liao Yishen here.
"Do you know each other?" Mr. Zhang looked back and forth between the two with his sharp eyes.
Liao Yishen said calmly, "We met during summer tutoring in high school."
This casual answer sent a stab through Sang Xinqi's heart. Could it be that, in his eyes, their past relationship was just "acquaintance"? If the occasion wasn't wrong, she really wanted to confront him right then and there.
She forced a smile and agreed, "Yes, we met at the summer cram school."
Mr. Zhang smiled brightly, "We're all acquaintances! Our company has a wide range of business, and we often cooperate with Mr. Liao and Mr. Xu."
After the greetings, the four began their doubles match.
Sang Xinqi has maintained the habit of playing badminton over the years and has quite good skills. She and Xu Jianian are in the same group, playing against Liao Yishen and Mr. Zhang.
Seeing Sang Xinqi and Xu Jianian having an intimate conversation together, Liao Yishen's face became increasingly gloomy.
Hadn't we agreed to start over? Why was she so close to that man again? Was she teasing him? These thoughts swirled wildly in his mind.
Xu Jianian was a novice, and Sang Xinqi patiently explained the rules and techniques to him.
Fortunately, he has a high level of comprehension and understands things immediately.
After the match began, the experienced Zhang Zong and Liao Yishen worked in perfect harmony and quickly gained the upper hand. Despite Sang Xinqi's outstanding skills, she was ultimately unable to hold her own and was quickly defeated.
"Mr. Zhang is really amazing!" Xu Jianian praised sincerely.
Mr. Zhang looked at Sang Xinqi with a smile, "Little Mr. Sang, you fight well. Can we have a private sparring match some other time?"
Sang Xinqi winked playfully, "Please show some mercy on that one. Don't let me lose too badly."
Mr. Zhang's hearty laughter echoed in the arena, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out. "Of course, of course, Mr. Sang, don't worry."
Xu Jianian glanced at his watch at the right moment and suggested with a smile, "It's almost time for dinner. I heard that the new Sichuan restaurant in this club is very authentic. Why don't we go try it together?"
Sang Xinqi secretly admired Xu Jianian's social skills.
He always arranges business entertainment just right, so that it doesn't seem deliberate and makes people feel comfortable.
The four of them moved to an elegantly decorated Sichuan restaurant.
Xu Jianian had already booked a private room, and the waiter respectfully led them to an elegant room by the window.
Outside the window is a carefully maintained Chinese-style courtyard, with a few red maple trees dotted among the rockery and flowing water, adding a touch of elegance to this business banquet.
When sitting down, Sang Xinqi's eyes accidentally met Liao Yishen's. There seemed to be an undercurrent in his deep eyes, but he regained his composure in an instant, so quickly that she almost thought it was an illusion.
After they were seated, the waiter handed over the menu. After ordering and exchanging a few pleasantries, Liao Yishen suddenly spoke up, "Mr. Zhang, I heard that Mr. Sang's designs are highly regarded in the industry."
This sentence just reminded Mr. Zhang of the purpose of his visit. Mr. Zhang patted his forehead and said, "Look at my memory. Mr. Xu did mention this to me."
Sang Xinqi understood and took out a carefully bound design book from her briefcase and handed it to Mr. Zhang with both hands.
Mr. Zhang took it and flipped through it, his eyes gradually brightening. The company's sales have declined in the past two years because the styles are outdated and lack innovation.
The designs before him retained classic elements while incorporating a sense of fashion, which was exactly what he wanted.
"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" Mr. Zhang exclaimed repeatedly, his facial wrinkles smoothing out. "These designs perfectly meet our needs for brand upgrades."
The two quickly engaged in a professional discussion, chatting animatedly about everything from fabric selection to craftsmanship details. By the time the waiter brought the food, Mr. Zhang couldn't wait to say, "I'll have the legal department prepare the contract when I get home."
Sang Xinqi raised her wine glass gracefully, the crystal glass reflecting a brilliant light under the light, "Thank you, Mr. Zhang, for your appreciation."
"It's mutually beneficial," Mr. Zhang said, clinking glasses cheerfully. "Your design is truly eye-catching."
After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere in the box became more harmonious. Sang Xinqi inadvertently caught a glimpse of the faint smile on Liao Yishen's lips, and then she suddenly realized that his seemingly casual reminder was actually a secret help.
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