"What are you looking at?"
Lu Rang walked over quietly and discovered that she had drawn a pier guide map, with the outline of a small coffee shop in the corner.
"I'd like to add a rest area at the dock entrance." Shang Wu didn't even look up, and with her pen, she added another tree next to the coffee shop.
"When tourists get off the boat, they have a place to rest, which can also boost some consumption."
Lu Rang bent down to take a closer look, his finger lightly tapping on the drawing: "We can leave a window here to sell freshly made pastries. I know a time-honored brand whose osmanthus cake is very popular, so it would be suitable to put it here."
Shang Wu paused, then turned to look at him.
Sunlight fell into his eyes, revealing a clear reflection of himself and an undisguised earnestness.
"You can give it a try."
Shang Wu withdrew her gaze, drew a circle on the pastry window with the tip of her pen, and said in a softer voice than usual, "But we have to talk to our partners first and see if they are willing to give up this area."
“Leave this to me,” Lu Rang replied immediately, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible pleasure. “I’ll contact that pastry shop tomorrow and then communicate with the dock management. I’ll try to give you an answer next week.”
Shang Wu didn't say anything more, but her fingers, which were gripping the pencil, loosened slightly.
That afternoon, the two spent the entire afternoon discussing the contract at the stone table.
Lu Rang brought his laptop, and when he encountered controversial terms, he would turn the screen towards Shang Wu.
The two of them stood very close together, occasionally accidentally touching each other's arms, and then gently separating as if they had been electrocuted.
A faint scent of paper and ink wafted in the air, along with an indescribable warmth.
Dinner was eaten at the old house.
Lu Zheng did not sit alone in the main seat as usual, but asked the butler to add a set of chopsticks and a bowl, indicating that Lu Rang should sit down.
At the dinner table, Lu Zheng didn't mention their relationship, but only asked Shang Wu, "Has the security plan for the dock been finalized? I'll have the security department contact you next week."
"Still looking, we have two options in mind."
Shang Wu picked up a piece of green vegetable, then suddenly remembered something and turned to ask Lu Rang, "You worked with that security company before, how was their response time?"
Lu Rang felt a warmth in his heart; she actually remembered what he had mentioned.
He put down his chopsticks and answered seriously, "They're pretty fast. Last time the law firm's surveillance system malfunctioned, they arrived in half an hour. However, the price is a bit higher. If you have a limited budget, I can help you negotiate a discount."
"No need, safety comes first." After saying that, Shang Wu put a piece of pork rib on Lu Rang's plate. "Eat more, you must be tired from going over the contract with me this afternoon."
Lu Rang paused, his hand holding the chopsticks stilled, and his eyes lit up instantly.
Even Lu Zheng, who was sitting opposite, looked over, a barely perceptible smile flashing in his eyes, but he didn't say anything, only silently adding a bowl of soup to Shang Wu's bowl.
After dinner, Shang Wu went to the study to deal with the remaining documents, and Lu Rang offered to help organize them: "I am familiar with the contract terms. I will mark the places that need to be modified for you. You can talk to the partner directly tomorrow."
Shang Wu didn't refuse, but as he entered the study, she handed him a glass of warm milk: "Don't drink too much coffee at night, it's bad for your stomach."
Lu Rang took the milk, his fingertips touching her hand, which was warm.
He watched Shang Wu turn away to get the documents, and his heart softened completely, as if it had been soaked in warm water.
The two of them were busy in the study until ten o'clock.
As Lu Rang was packing his things to leave, Shang Wu suddenly called out to him, "Lu Rang."
He turned around and saw that she was holding a neatly folded light jacket: "It's windy tonight, wear this."
That was the coat he left at the old house last time. Shang Wu had washed it, and it still smelled faintly of laundry detergent.
Lu Rang took the coat, his fingers gripping the hem, and suddenly mustered up his courage to ask, "Awu, are you free this weekend to go to the pier together? The sunset there is beautiful."
Seeing the expectation in his eyes, Shang Wu didn't answer immediately. After a few seconds of silence, she nodded gently: "Okay."
Lu Rang's heart exploded like fireworks.
He walked out of the old house wearing that fragrant coat, his steps light and quick.
Lu Zheng watched his retreating figure, then shook his head with a smile.
I finally got it.
The weather was exceptionally nice that weekend.
Lu Rang arrived at the dock half an hour early, and even brought a picnic mat and some fruit that Shang Wu liked.
When Shang Wu arrived, she was wearing a beige trench coat, her hair draped over her shoulders. As she walked over from afar, she seemed to melt into the autumn sunlight.
The two walked slowly along the pier's boardwalk.
A cargo ship passed by in the distance, its horn blaring.
Lu Rang would occasionally glance at Shang Wu, worried that she might be blown away by the wind, but also afraid that he was being too deliberate, so he could only quietly slow down his pace and keep a distance from her that was neither too close nor too far.
“You always said you wanted to find a place to watch the sunset,” Shang Wu suddenly said, gazing into the distance. “Now it seems this place is better than anywhere we’ve looked before.”
Lu Rang's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly replied, "We can come here often in the future. Once the cultural and tourism area at the pier is completed, we can sit in the coffee shop here and spend the whole day there."
Shang Wu didn't speak, but the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.
As the sun slowly sank below the horizon, it dyed the sea a golden-red hue.
Looking at her profile, which was flushed red by the setting sun, Lu Rang suddenly mustered up his courage and gently took her hand.
Shang Wu's hand stiffened slightly, but she did not pull it away.
Lu Rang's palms were warm, slightly sweaty, and he held her hand tightly, as if afraid she would run away.
“Awu.” His voice trembled slightly. “I know I’ve made you suffer, but I promise that from now on, no matter what happens, I will discuss it with you and never let you be sad alone again.”
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