Chapter 30 Interest: "I am yours completely"
Because of the long work stoppage and the major reshuffle of the team, it is not easy to find old materials.
The three of them spent two whole hours finding the most original documents in the cramped space of the prefabricated house's filing cabinets and floor.
The kraft paper file box was covered with a thick layer of dust. With just a light touch, it dispersed into a fuzzy mist in the sunlight, reluctantly uncovering the dusty past.
Qiao Yunzheng found the document listing the project team members and looked at it with Wen Hong.
She didn't recognize many of the people, and only vaguely remembered a few names from the leadership team.
Wen Hong's gaze swept quickly across the pages, finally landing on a name.
Qiao Yunzheng leaned closer to look and asked in surprise, "Is there something wrong with this Shen Xingduo?"
The position corresponding to this name is the manager of the North City Project's Mobile Department, who is responsible for the daily maintenance and repair of all equipment, instruments, and pipelines.
Wen Hong lowered her eyes, thought for a moment, and then said, "I just feel... he looks familiar." She then turned to the project manager and asked, "Do you remember this person?"
The project manager leaned over and glanced at it, then nodded firmly: "Yes, I've heard my friend mention it a few times. After the proposal to renovate the old tank area was rejected, most people gave up, but Shen Xingduo stood firmly on my friend's side and insisted on reporting the matter to the company..." He paused, then concluded, "He's a very enthusiastic and responsible person."
Wen Hong listened and gave a faint "hmm," neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
It was already 8 p.m. when I left the North City project site.
The driver sped off towards the suburbs with the two people in the back seat.
The successful resumption of the Chengbei project was a relief for her father, but Qiao Yunzheng couldn't feel happy about what should have been a cause for celebration.
She felt as if a heavy stone was pressing down on her chest, making her feel somewhat suffocated.
The car window was half open, and the night breeze, having dispelled the heat, carried the city's hustle and bustle, and blew in with a touch of coolness.
She glanced sideways, and Wen Hong beside her was unusually quiet. He seemed exhausted, his head resting on the back of the chair, his eyes half-closed.
I don't know if she was thinking about something or if she was really asleep.
Wen Hong was usually unrestrained and arrogant in front of Qiao Yunzheng. She rarely saw him as reliable and considerate as he was today, as if he were a completely different person.
The car sped through the city lights, the flickering light and shadows outlining his handsome silhouette.
The long, thin eyelashes, the straight nose, and finally settled on the two thin, distinct lips.
It was truly rare to see him so shrewd, with a hint of mockery usually playing on his lips.
Even in such dim light, Qiao Yunzheng's gaze only lingered for a moment before quietly shifting away, only to drift back again unintentionally.
As she looked at him for what seemed like the umpteenth time, Wen Hong suddenly opened his eyes.
His gaze met hers.
He calmly observed her, taking in her momentary unease and panic.
"What are you looking at?"
Caught red-handed, Qiao Yunzheng's cheeks immediately flushed, but fortunately the dim lighting inside the car prevented her unease from being too obvious. She forced herself to remain calm and changed the subject: "I've always heard people say that Wen Lu is amazing, but today I've truly witnessed it for myself."
Wen Hong rested her chin on her hand and looked at her: "So?"
Qiao Yunzheng straightened up: "It's alright!"
Wen Hong laughed: "It's alright?"
Qiao Yunzheng nodded seriously, but out of respect for the driver in front, she put on a boss-like air: "Don't be arrogant, keep working hard."
Wen Hong couldn't help but chuckle softly, but didn't refute her words.
As the noise outside gradually faded, the car had left the crowded city and reached the suburbs.
Qiao Yunzheng told the driver to park the car outside the villa area and go home on his own, while she and Wen Hong got out of the car and slowly walked towards home.
Wen Hong followed her at a leisurely pace, a smile in his eyes: "Why are you getting off here?"
Qiao Yunzheng instinctively hoped the journey home would be longer, but casually said, "The moonlight is nice tonight, let's just take a walk..."
"Oh..." Wen Hong's drawn-out tone was ambiguous. She glanced up at the ethereal moon shadow shrouded in clouds on the horizon and obligingly agreed, "It's not bad."
At this time, there were almost no pedestrians on the streets of the villa area. It was quiet all around, and the orange light of the streetlights cast only their shadows.
Qiao Yunzheng moved almost imperceptibly toward Wen Hong, and only after seeing that there was no gap between the two shadows on the ground did she smile.
Whether it was Qiao Yunzheng's imagination or not, she felt that Wen Hong was unusually quiet today.
Her gaze remained fixed on the shadow on the ground, and she automatically broke the silence by starting a conversation: "Wen Hong, thank you so much for today."
She continued walking, waiting for his response.
After taking two steps, he noticed that the distance between his shadows had increased, so he stopped and realized that Wen Hong had stopped in the same spot.
Wen Hong looked at her: "Qiao Yunzheng, what do you want to say?"
Qiao Yunzheng was taken aback for a moment, but still obediently explained again: "Thank you so much for today!" She didn't want to say anything too sentimental, so she repeated vaguely, "Anyway, thank you so much for being here today."
Wen Hong was clearly not satisfied with this answer, and still looked at her: "Anything else?"
Qiao Yunzheng's mind went blank for a moment, thinking that her words were not enough to satisfy the pride of the person in front of her. She thought about it seriously for a moment and then continued, "Thank you very much for helping me with the shareholders' meeting before."
Wen Hong: "Anything else?"
"Anything else?" Qiao Yunzheng was completely confused. She and Wen Hong hadn't been back together for very long, and their relationship had only been relatively peaceful recently. She really couldn't think of anything else she could use to express her special thanks.
She scratched her head and tentatively asked, "Um... can I ask for help from outside the venue?"
Wen Hong stared at her for a few seconds, then moved closer, his brows furrowed slightly, clearly displeased with her reaction: "Qiao Yunzheng, why do you give me the feeling that you're about to be discarded after you've served your purpose?"
"Huh?" Qiao Yunzheng didn't expect that she had caused him to misunderstand like this, and hurriedly explained, "I didn't."
His brow relaxed slightly: "Nothing?"
Qiao Yunzheng nodded solemnly: "It's just simple gratitude."
Wen Hong finally smiled and reached out to pinch her cheek: "There's no need to thank me for this?"
As he suddenly approached, Qiao Yunzheng's heart skipped a beat, and her breathing became erratic.
Then Wen Hong continued unhurriedly, "It's also my fault. I've been so busy these past few days that I forgot to remind you."
Qiao Yunzheng: "What?"
Wen Hong chuckled softly, bent down to bring his gaze to hers: "Helping you isn't a given, is it, my wife?"
Those beautiful eyes were level with his, without any mockery or ridicule, their gaze filled with a tenderness that could melt anything.
Qiao Yunzheng was completely overwhelmed by his gaze. Her nose suddenly felt sore, and she instinctively wanted to look away, but her gaze seemed to be firmly held by him, uncontrollable, unable to look away or break free.
“I am yours,” Wen Hong’s eyes sparkled with laughter, blurring the corners of her eyes and brows. “Use me however you want, look at me as you please… understand?”
Qiao Yunzheng belatedly realized that he knew she had secretly looked at him so many times in the car.
She thought about it for a moment, and just as he said, she traced his facial features inch by inch from top to bottom. Finally, she smiled with satisfaction and nodded seriously: "Yes, it looks good."
Her serious reaction pleased him, and Wen Hong let out a muffled laugh that vibrated from his chest.
Then, he straightened up and naturally took her hand: "Let's go! I'll take you home."
Without deliberately dodging or cautiously testing the waters, he calmly and generously took her hand in his.
Qiao Yunzheng stared at his profile in a daze, obediently letting him lead her away.
The warmth of another person flowed continuously from my palm, bringing an indescribable comfort and peace of mind.
Qiao Yunzheng felt her heart tremble slightly, and then, it was as if a small crack suddenly opened up in a certain place in her heart, and a sweet feeling like a spring began to flow out in wisps.
She remained calm and carefully rotated her palm to place it against his.
Then, quietly, she slowly inserted her five fingers between his fingers.
No one spoke again, only the night breeze gently passed by, quietly passing through her hair and slipping into the hem of his clothes.
When the large hand sensed her probing, it paused only for a moment before wrapping around her like a vine, enveloping her with a gentler grip.
Qiao Yunzheng lowered her head, feeling the warmth rising from her cheeks.
Whether it was her imagination or not, she could even feel the flow of his blood and the deep, powerful pulse between their skin.
They soon arrived at the entrance of the Qiao residence.
The light in the upstairs living room was still on; Yao Jing was still awake, waiting for her to come home.
Qiao Yunzheng stopped in her tracks, looked at Wen Hong beside her, and suddenly felt a little reluctant, but still had to say, "I've arrived."
"Hmm," Wen Hong looked down at her, but their intertwined fingers showed no sign of letting go.
She glanced upstairs again: "My mother is waiting for me."
Wen Hong sighed softly before reluctantly letting go of her hand.
He then suddenly stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.
Qiao Yunzheng wasn't short, but when he held her, she looked tiny.
She instinctively reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her face against his chest, her heart feeling completely filled.
She had been away from this embrace for a long time. Her hand touched it and it seemed that it was a little more upright and firm than before. It was still familiar, with his unique scent.
Wen Hong rested his chin on the top of her head, swayed slightly, and let out a soft sigh: "Why do I feel like we're having an affair?"
Qiao Yunzheng chuckled softly. It was quite fitting, to be honest.
When she heard the sound of the door opening and closing upstairs, Qiao Yunzheng suddenly stiffened and dared not move.
Yao Jing's voice drifted over faintly: "...Give it to Xiao Zheng...Okay, I'll tell her...she hasn't come back yet..."
Qiao Yunzheng nudged Wen Hong and whispered, "Okay, I really have to go home now."
Wen Hong pulled her closer to him, tightened his arms around her, paused for a while, and then lowered his voice to whisper in her ear, "Okay."
His gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then a thin smile curved his lips: "Let's collect some interest one last time."
"Huh?" Qiao Yunzheng was puzzled.
Wen Hong had already leaned down, his warm lips gently touching her forehead.
Author's Note: Thank you so much "Sunshine" for the nutrient solution! Mwah~
I can't help but yell: Reconstruction is so difficult, it's like finding a savior from heaven!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
