Chapter 21
Monday was spent in silence, settling the chaotic mood of the weekend.
On Tuesday morning, Lin Qi had just finished a meeting and returned to his seat with a cup of coffee when his phone screen lit up.
She clicked on it and saw a link sent by Chen Yan, which was an article from a well-known food public account. The title was "In this city, these ten Hunan restaurants will make you cry because of the spiciness and sweat because of the food."
Before Lin Qi could click to read it, his text message came.
【Chen Yan: It’s not appropriate to watch this during breakfast time.】
[Chen Yan: However, it can be used as the first alternative plan for our "grand plan."]
He paused, as if he felt that talking only about food was a bit too direct, and added another sentence.
[Chen Yan: It's Tuesday. You must have been exhausted from work yesterday, right?]
【Lin Qi: Not bad, how about you?】
Chen Yan must have been taking a break from work, as he replied very quickly.
[Chen Yan: Same as always. Mondays are always a little chaotic.]
He answered Lin Qi's question, and then immediately, as if he had just realized something, overturned the proposal he had just made.
[Chen Yan: I just remembered after posting this that you don't eat spicy food. It seems the first alternative plan is going to be scrapped.]
This little mistake made him seem a little confused, but also very cute, and made Lin Qi laugh.
[Chen Yan: So, for the first stop of our "grand plan," what instructions does our guide, Lin Da, have?]
Lin Qi: Haha, actually, I've thought about it. If I don't eat spicy food, I'll miss out on a lot of delicious food. We can order something mildly spicy. Let's start with the Hunan cuisine you posted. Are you already impatient for the weekend?
Seeing her reply, Chen Yan was a little surprised at first, but then a deep smile appeared on his face. He could feel that Lin Qi was willing to make some compromises and try some things for this common "plan", which touched him deeply.
【Chen Yan: Don’t force yourself.】
Chen Yan: The joy of the "Grand Plan" lies in enjoyment. We can't let our "Lin Da Guide" eat anything less than satisfying. Among the eight major cuisines, there's always a non-spicy option.
He straightforwardly rejected her suggestion of "putting himself in a difficult position" and put her feelings first.
Then, he slowly responded to her teasing with a smile.
[Chen Yan: As for whether or not I can’t wait…]
【Chen Yan: Yes, you discovered it.】
He admitted it quite frankly.
[Chen Yan: Okay, enough joking. First stop, you decide what we're going to eat.]
Lin Qi: Okay, let's save Hunan cuisine for last. First up is Cantonese food. There's a new Cantonese restaurant just opened in the west of the city. It's got great reviews. We can start there.
She didn't say when, but left the decision to him.
Lin Qi quickly and decisively planned the first stop and threw the question of "when to go" back to him. This rhythm of mutual respect and back-and-forth made him feel very comfortable.
[Chen Yan: Received instructions, Guide Lin.]
[Chen Yan: Cantonese cuisine is delicious, light, and great for chatting.]
He fully agreed with her choice, and then, without hesitation, took over the decision-making power she had handed over and set a time.
【Chen Yan: Then let’s set it on Saturday night, is that okay?】
[Chen Yan: Send me the name of the restaurant and I'll make the reservation.]
Lin Qi sent him the name of the restaurant and agreed to Saturday.
After she sent him the restaurant information, he responded quickly.
【Chen Yan: Got it.】
[Chen Yan: I'll make a reservation during my lunch break and send you the information when it's ready.]
He handled things in an orderly manner, which always made people feel at ease. With the plan set, he ended the "small talk" during work hours naturally as usual.
【Chen Yan: Then, we’ll see you on Saturday.】
【Chen Yan: Focus on your work first.】
From Tuesday to Friday, time flies by.
As usual, they were each busy with work, and there was no contact during the day. Only occasionally, late at night, would they exchange a simple "goodnight." The tacit intimacy they'd built up over the weekend wasn't diluted by the return to work; instead, like a simmering fire, it continued to simmer gently beneath the tranquility of their respective lives.
On Friday afternoon, Lin Qi was finishing up some work for the upcoming weekend when his phone vibrated. It was Chen Yan.
She thought he would say something funny about the restaurant tomorrow night, but when she opened the message, she saw words that were clearly apologetic.
[Chen Yan: Lin Qi, something went wrong. I'm very sorry.]
[Chen Yan: I just received a notice that there's an urgent issue with a project out of town, and I need to go there immediately. My flight is tonight.]
[Chen Yan: So... our "Cantonese cuisine date" tomorrow night has to be canceled.]
Lin Qi could feel the helplessness and solemnity in his expression as he typed these words.
[Chen Yan: I'm sorry, this is my mistake. I didn't make arrangements in advance.]
[Chen Yan: I'll make it up to you when I get back. Okay?]
Lin Qi felt a little disappointed at first, but then quickly adjusted his mood and replied:
Lin Qi: It's okay. Just focus on your work and don't worry about it. We'll go eat when you come back.
【Lin Qi: Have a safe journey tonight.】
Chen Yan was probably on his way to the airport, so the surroundings were probably quite noisy. But Lin Qi's message was undoubtedly the most reassuring sound to him at that moment. He replied almost immediately, and one could sense the relief that washed over him as he typed.
【Chen Yan: Yes.】
[Chen Yan: I feel relieved after hearing your words.]
He honestly admitted his previous guilt and pressure.
【Chen Yan: I'll be back as soon as I finish dealing with it.】
This is a promise.
[Chen Yan: You too, have a good rest this weekend. Don't let me affect your mood.]
Even in this emergency situation, he still put her feelings first.
[Chen Yan: I'm on board. I'll tell you when I land.]
Late Friday night, Lin Qi received a message from him: "I've landed. It's very late. Go to bed."
Over the following Saturdays and Sundays, their contact became rare. Chen Yan seemed genuinely preoccupied with that urgent project, completely overwhelmed. Only occasionally, late at night, would he send a brief, "Busy, good night," as a check-in to let her know he was doing alright.
Lin Qi tacitly did not disturb him, but only occasionally replied with a sentence "take care of yourself" and let him concentrate on his work.
Time quickly came to Tuesday afternoon.
When Lin Qi thought that he might have to stay away for a few more days, his message came with a sense of relief that everything was settled.
[Chen Yan: I've been busy with the project these days and haven't been able to get in touch properly. Please forgive me.]
[Chen Yan: Things are basically done. If everything goes well, I'll be back on the flight tomorrow night.]
He reported his itinerary, and then, very directly, put the "to be continued" that he was most concerned about back on the agenda.
[Chen Yan: So... our Cantonese restaurant that I "destroyed."]
[Chen Yan: This weekend, are you willing to give me another chance?]
Lin Qi smiled knowingly.
Lin Qi: Of course. It's still waiting for us, the distinguished guests.
Her playful and thoughtful reply was undoubtedly the best solace for him after these days of intense work. He could almost immediately imagine her face, her eyebrows curved and her smile on her face as she typed these words. The fatigue of the past few days seemed to be alleviated in this moment.
[Chen Yan: I don't deserve to be called a distinguished guest.]
[Chen Yan: As the guest who "broke the appointment" last time, I should drink three cups as punishment.]
He naturally took her joke and took the responsibility himself in a very mature and responsible way.
[Chen Yan: That's settled then. I'll contact the restaurant to make a reservation as soon as I get home tomorrow.]
【Chen Yan: Is the time still set for Saturday night?】
【Lin Qi: Okay.】
After receiving her concise "OK", Chen Yan knew that all the agreements had been settled. He glanced at his watch and it seemed that he really had to go to the meeting.
【Chen Yan: Yes.】
[Chen Yan: I'll go into the venue first.]
Instead of saying "You work hard" or "We'll talk later", he ended the conversation with a more direct and warmer sentence.
【Chen Yan: Wait for me to come back.】
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