Chapter 56
After the May Day holiday, work resumed. The old town renovation project had finally finalized its plan before the holiday, and after agreeing to the "symbiotic" plan proposed by the original residents, Xia Wan poured considerable energy into the reinforcement and renovation of the old residential area.
"New buildings are easy to build. 'Creating something out of nothing' is much easier than 'renovating it.'" Xiao Zhao buried himself in a pile of documents, his voice muffled through the paperwork. "Engineer Xia, do you have any direction?"
"Xiao Zhao, don't be discouraged. You can always figure it out." Xia Wan adjusted the frame of his glasses and comforted the dusty Xiao Zhao.
Several people in the team worked overtime until almost nine o'clock, and the overtime only ended after Jiang Yu called.
"Xia Wan, I was waiting at the door of the design institute for a long time, but you didn't go home, so I had to come and catch you myself." Jiang Yu's voice came through the receiver. Even though the speakerphone was not on, it spread in the quiet office. There were only four or five colleagues in the office, and almost all of them heard it. Some were even whispering about something. Xia Wan quickly turned down the volume, told everyone to get off work, picked up her backpack and was about to go downstairs.
I got in the car, fastened my seat belt, and the car drove into the fast lane.
"Xia Wan, didn't you agree to come and take care of the patients? Why does it feel like I'm taking care of you?" Jiang Yu chuckled, "And I'm not taking good care of you. Look how thin you are..."
Xia Wan had indeed worked overtime too late this time. The car stopped at the red light. Xia Wan took Jiang Yu's hand, interlocking their fingers. "I want to hold hands and replenish my energy. I won't do that next time, Master."
Jiang Yu noticed that Xia Wan liked to call him "Young Master" recently, but he found the name quite useful. He took Xia Wan's hand and placed a light kiss on the back of her hand.
As the night deepened, the light in the study remained on. Xia Wan sat at the large desk, spread out before her detailed survey drawings and structural analysis reports for the century-old brick and wood building in the old city. The warm yellow light of the desk lamp enveloped her, but it couldn't dispel the solemnity that settled between her brows.
The small building, numbered "B-07," stood like a stubborn reef in the middle of the river where the project was progressing smoothly. The exterior must be preserved in its original form—a commitment to history and the cornerstone of the project's approval. However, the load-bearing main beams and some purlins within, eroded by over a century of insects and ants, had become rotten. Like an elderly person in his twilight years, the skeleton appears intact, yet the interior is riddled with holes.
The team's meeting this afternoon was somewhat subdued. Conventional reinforcement solutions, whether pouring concrete internally or wrapping the exterior with steel, would damage the original wooden structure and its historical traces to varying degrees, contradicting the original purpose of the conservation renovation. Several young engineers proposed some bold ideas, but they were either too risky or too expensive to be realized within budget.
Xia Wan rubbed her swollen temples, feeling them throbbing. She stood up, wanting to get a glass of water, but found Jiang Yu had also arrived in the study. He hadn't turned on the main light, relying on the dim light from the living room. He was leaning against the doorframe, holding a glass of warm water.
"Are you still awake?" He handed her the cup of water, his eyes falling on the drawings spread out on her desk, covered with dense lines.
"Yeah, I've run into a problem and I'm stuck." Xia Wan took the cup and took a sip. The warm water flowed through her dry throat, bringing a sense of relief. At this moment, having someone by her side, even if it was just silent companionship, gave her a sense of support.
Jiang Yu took a few steps closer, his gaze sweeping over the structural nodes circled in red on the blueprint. He said nothing, simply watching quietly, his deep eyes reflecting the complex lines on the blueprint, as if he were performing some rapid calculations and comparisons.
Xia Wan did not disturb him, but just drank water silently, enjoying this moment of tranquility and companionship.
After about two or three minutes, Jiang Yu's left index finger gently tapped an inconspicuous corner on the blueprint where the main beam connected to the wall. Due to long-term stress, there were signs of slight twisting and cracking.
"Last year, our company participated in a Song Dynasty stone bridge reinforcement project in Suzhou," he began, his voice low and steady, devoid of any instruction, more like sharing a case study. "The internal stone of the bridge arch was severely weathered, but the external reliefs couldn't be moved. At the time, the structural laboratory we were collaborating with came up with an idea called 'carbon fiber cloth composite anchoring technology.'"
Xia Wan's heart suddenly moved, she raised her head and looked at him with burning eyes.
Jiang Yu met her gaze and continued calmly, "The principle is to utilize the high tensile strength of high-strength carbon fiber cloth. Like a bandage, it's tightly adhered to the surface of the structure that needs reinforcement. Specialized chemical anchor bolts are then used to transfer the force to a deeper, more stable structure. The advantages are...it's extremely light, adding almost no load to the existing structure. It's flexible to construct, and damage to the original structure can be reduced to the millimeter level."
He paused and added, "Of course, this is just an idea. When it comes to wooden structures, especially the adhesive and mechanical properties of this type of old wood, extensive experiments and calculations are needed to verify its feasibility. Furthermore, the selection of the construction company and on-site monitoring will be crucial."
He didn't give a definitive answer, nor did he say "leave it to me." He simply provided a technical term and its core principles that were valuable for reference, and clearly handed the subsequent complexity and decision-making power back to Xia Wan.
That's enough!
For Xia Wan, who was stuck in a mental dilemma, this was like someone opening a window in a dark room, letting in a ray of new light. She had previously been struggling with how to make subtractions between "reinforcement" and "preservation," but had forgotten that she could introduce new, more advanced "additions."
"Carbon fiber cloth...composite anchoring..." Xia Wan muttered the words repeatedly, her mind racing, searching for relevant literature and case studies. Her eyes brightened, and the sharpness and focus that always characterized "Xia Gong" in the face of a challenge returned to her face.
"I see!" She put down her water cup and almost immediately sat back at the table, picking up a pen and quickly writing down key words in her notebook. "Thank you! This direction... is very inspiring!"
Jiang Yu watched her instantly ignite, a subtle smile and admiration flashing across his eyes. He knew his mission was accomplished. He stopped bothering her and simply whispered, "Don't stay up too late." He then turned and left the study, gently closing the door behind him.
Over the next few days, Xia Wan led her team in a feasibility study of this new direction. Through a contact provided by Jiang Yu, she connected with the structural expert who had worked on the Shiqiao project and conducted several in-depth remote consultations. The team's young engineers were also enthusiastic and began searching for similar cases both domestically and internationally.
Finally, after repeated simulation calculations and small-scale experiments, they confirmed that the carbon fiber cloth reinforcement solution was technically feasible, and developed a detailed special construction plan and monitoring plan for the B-07 building.
When Xia Wan clearly and confidently presented this new solution at the project meeting, the gloom that had previously hung over the team dissipated. After listening to the detailed technical demonstration and cost assessment, the investor representatives finally agreed.
The project is once again moving forward steadily.
Xia Wan didn't express much gratitude to Jiang Yu, but she knew this breakthrough was inseparable from his well-timed guidance at a crucial juncture. He didn't just solve her problem; he gave her a lever to leverage it. This understanding and help, based on professional respect and intellectual support, was more precious and reassuring to her than any material gift.
Early summer in Jinzhou, amidst the clamor of exhaust fumes during the day and the rising chirping of cicadas at night, gradually deepened. Nearly two weeks had passed since the crucial technical challenge of the Old Town project was overcome. The carbon fiber cloth composite anchoring technology solution received high praise at the expert demonstration meeting, and the subsequent bidding process was successfully launched. The heavy stone that had weighed on Xia Wan's heart for months was finally lifted.
The atmosphere in the design institute's office was noticeably more relaxed. The afternoon sun filtered through the blinds, casting dappled shadows on a desk piled high with drawings and models. Xia Wan was staring at her computer screen, carefully reviewing the preliminary technical bid documents submitted by the construction company. Her fingertips tapped lightly on the mouse, her expression focused.
Xiao Zhao came over with a stack of freshly printed materials, a relieved smile on his face. "Engineer Xia, we can finally breathe a sigh of relief! Didn't you see the look on Mr. Jin's face when he came to the meeting today? He was much more amiable than before."
Xia Wan raised her head from the screen, took the information, and a slight smile appeared on the corners of her lips: "The technical path has been opened up, and the next step is a matter of execution and control. We can't let our guard down." Her tone was calm, and she did not become complacent with her temporary victory, but the confident light in her eyes that belonged to "Xia Gong" was brighter than ever before.
"I know," Xiao Zhao nodded repeatedly, lowering his voice with a hint of curiosity. "Speaking of which, Engineer Xia, that carbon fiber cloth idea is truly amazing! How did you come up with it? We've looked up so much information before, and we haven't thought in this direction."
Xia Wan's eyes flickered slightly, and her mind instantly flashed back to that night, Jiang Yu leaning against the study doorframe, his fingers tapping on a blueprint as he calmly recounted his story. She lowered her eyelids, concealing the warmth that streamed through them. She spoke as calmly as possible, "I happened to hear someone mention a similar case, and I thought it might be instructive, so I led everyone to research it."
She had no intention of taking all the credit for this achievement, but she subconsciously protected the tacit support that belonged only to the two of them, based on professional understanding and spiritual resonance. It was not a capital for showing off, but the most precious treasure in her heart.
When it was almost time to get off work, the phone screen lit up and it was a message from Jiang Yu.
"What do you want to eat tonight? Li Mo sent some fresh sea bass and vegetables."
It's a very ordinary question, but it carries a natural and homely atmosphere.
Ever since she'd moved into Jiang Yu's apartment temporarily under the pretext of "caring for the injured," these daily, subtle interactions had become more frequent. He was still busy, but he always tried to get off work on time. They'd prepare a simple dinner together, or after finishing their work, they'd relax on the sofa, share a glass of red wine, and chat about trivial matters.
In this seemingly ordinary rhythm, the relationship quietly shifted. The wall of love, built by a decade of unrequited love and the vast disparity in their social status, was gradually crumbling under the daily companionship and Jiang Yu's subtle care. He was no longer just the "white moonlight" she had admired for a decade, but a living partner with warmth, someone she could rely on and offer solid support when she needed it.
Xia Wan replied, "Just steamed sea bass. I'll be home around 6:30. Wait for me to cook it when I get home. Don't do it yourself, Master!"
Back at the apartment, he turned the key in the door lock. The hallway light was on, and the air was filled with the aroma of rice and a faint, refreshing aroma that belonged to Jiang Yu. He was standing at the open kitchen counter, head bowed, his left hand clumsily but diligently preparing the sea bass. The warm yellow light outlined his focused profile, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing a sleek forearm.
Hearing the noise, he raised his head and looked at her: "Are you back?"
"Yeah." Xia Wan changed into slippers, walked over, and naturally took over the work in his hands. "Didn't you say you would wait for me to come back? Let me do it. You should be more careful with your right hand."
Jiang Yu readily made way for her and leaned over to watch her skillfully cut the fish, rubbed salt on it, and topped it with shredded ginger. "Did everything go well today?" he asked.
"That's good. The construction company has started bidding. All we have to do now is keep an eye on them to make sure they don't make any mistakes." Xia Wan was busy while casually talking about work in a relaxed tone.
Jiang Yu listened quietly, occasionally interjecting with suggestions on construction management or cost control. His perspective was precise, yet he never overstepped his bounds, always respecting her professional leadership. This kind of communication made her feel understood and supported, rather than being scrutinized or interfered with.
At the dinner table, the steamed sea bass was tender and delicious, and the side dishes were also refreshing and pleasant.
"By the way," Jiang Yu casually mentioned, "There's an industry charity dinner next week, and the organizers sent me an invitation. Do you want to go?"
Xia Wan paused slightly as she picked up her food. A charity dinner? That meant a semi-public event, a chance to appear together as "partners" before a specific group of people in Jinzhou. There would be business partners, and maybe... acquaintances from his parents' circle.
A slight sense of nervousness quietly gripped her heart. She subconsciously wanted to refuse and hide in the professional field she was familiar with and proficient in.
Jiang Yu seemed to see through her hesitation. He put down his chopsticks and looked at her calmly. "It's just an ordinary dinner party. Don't feel pressured. If you want to go, go. If you don't want to go, we can cancel it." He paused and added, "I just think that you should be seen by more people. Your brilliance shouldn't be limited to drawings and projects."
His words, like a gentle breeze, blew away the fog in her heart. He didn't want to push her into a battlefield she was not familiar with, but to bring her to more corners of his world and declare her existence and value to everyone.
Xia Wan met his encouraging and calm gaze, and the timidity in her heart gradually dissipated. She took a deep breath and nodded: "Okay, I'll go."
A clear smile flashed across Jiang Yu's eyes. He reached out his hand, crossed the dining table, and gently shook her hand: "Don't worry, I'm here."
After dinner, Xia Wan cleaned up the kitchen while Jiang Yu received a long-distance call from his mother. He went to the study to answer it. The door was not closed tightly, and Xia Wan could vaguely hear his steady voice.
"...She's recovering well, don't worry... Well, the weather's been quite changeable lately, so we need to be careful... Her? She just finished work. I made steamed fish tonight, it's delicious..."
His voice was low, and there wasn't much emotion in it, but Xia Wan could sense that he was diligently, time and again, embedding her presence in his conversations with his mother in a calm and positive way. There was no fierce confrontation, no deliberate show-off, just a calm recounting of his daily life with her, as if she had long been a natural part of his life.
This silent and firm protection made Xia Wan feel more at ease than any sweet words.
After she finished cleaning up, Jiang Yu also finished his phone call and came out of the study, looking normal.
"Auntie...are you okay?" Xia Wan asked softly.
"Well, it's the same as always, worrying about my health." Jiang Yu walked to her side, naturally put his arm around her waist, and led her to the sofa in the living room. "However, she seems to be... not so opposed to hearing about you recently."
He used the word "not so repulsive" cautiously and objectively, but it gave Xia Wan a glimmer of hope. She knew that behind this was his repeated patient and wise communication.
The two of them leaned on the sofa, neither of them turning on the TV. Outside the window was the neon lights of the city, and inside the room was only a floor lamp, the light soft.
Xia Wan rested her head on Jiang Yu's shoulder, and could smell his pleasant soapberry fragrance mixed with a hint of aftershave. His arms were around her, and his palms gently rested on her lower abdomen, the warmth transmitting through the thin fabric.
"Charity dinner...do I need to prepare anything?" Xia Wan suddenly remembered this and asked in a low voice.
"No need to make special preparations," Jiang Yu rubbed his chin against the top of her head, "I'll have the dress from a familiar brand sent to you for you to choose. You just need to show up and be yourself." His tone was filled with complete trust and pride.
Be herself. These three simple words held immense power. Xia Wan nuzzled herself into his embrace, finding a more comfortable position, her heart at peace.
She suddenly remembered Lin Wei's exclamation on the phone a few days ago: "Wanbao! Does this count as living together? It's progressing so quickly!"
At the time she was eager to deny it: "No! I'm just taking care of him temporarily!"
Lin Wei smiled ambiguously on the other end: "After taking care of each other for so long, are we finally taking care of each other under the same roof? I think Mr. Jiang's injury won't heal that quickly!"
At this moment, feeling the steady heartbeat and warm embrace of the person beside her, Xia Wan suddenly felt that Lin Wei's words might have some truth. This kind of interpenetrating and interdependent life was like a slowly flowing stream, unknowingly overflowing the banks of her heart.
She quietly raised her head and looked at Jiang Yu's profile, his eyes closed in deep thought. The light cast a small shadow on his straight nose, and the corners of his lips were slightly pursed in a relaxed manner. This man was, in his own way, gradually integrating her into his life, patiently, firmly, and full of respect.
Xia Wan leaned back again, closed her eyes, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.
Perhaps, just walking on like this, slowly, was fine. The future might still bring its share of storms, but at least now, they possessed each other's warmth and the courage to move forward together. The gentle night enveloped the two embracing in a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
