Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Thank you for your kind thoughts
Chen Jiashu was someone who was once etched into her life. Back then, he was aloof, cold, and solitary, like a glacier, refusing any warmth to approach, yet he also had a kind, sincere, and passionate heart.
She first met Chen Jiashu in a smoke-filled internet cafe. At the time, he was the owner of an appliance repair shop. His appearance seemed to be a layer separated from the surrounding background, attracting all her attention.
With a strong and distinct profile, high brow bones, and narrow, deep double eyelids, especially his deep, bright, obsidian-like eyes, the light cast a pale yellow hue on him, but it did not diminish his inherent aloofness that kept strangers at bay.
She was a sophomore at the time.
"alright."
Chen Jiashu raised his hands and handed over her ID card.
Her clear, slightly cool, and somewhat husky voice, like the slightly raspy magnetic bass strings of a viola, couldn't hide its unique qualities even in the noisiest environment.
This was their second meeting. Chen Jiashu was serving several customers for the internet cafe's cashier, and she was one of them. It was still a chance encounter.
But that's how fate works; once it starts, you'll meet again and again.
......
In her sleep, Qin Qiao clearly felt something gently placed on her body, followed by a faint warmth mixed with the scents of ebony, oak, bitter orange, and a touch of cedar, exactly the same as the perfume he was wearing.
She raised her hand and touched the soft, smooth fabric; it was a thin blanket.
Opening her tired eyes, through her blurry vision, Qin Qiao saw a glimpse of a pure black hem flitting past the corner of her eye.
Without making any other guesses, my first thought was him.
In the lounge just now, Chen Jiashu's seemingly casual remark contained a bitterness that almost swept her up like a rising tide. She knew his eyesight was poor, so she pretended not to recognize him when they met, just to take advantage of his poor vision.
Thinking of this, Qin Qiao felt guilty and raised her hand to beckon the flight attendant. As the flight attendant leaned over, she covered her mouth with her hand and whispered, "Could you please prepare a hot Americano for the gentleman behind me, with brown sugar cubes?"
That was Chen Jiashu's little quirk; she had even teased him about it before.
"Mr. Chen, people who drink Americanos don't add sugar. If you really find it too bitter, how about ordering caramel?"
"Is there a conflict between being afraid of bitterness and liking a rich, full-bodied flavor?" he asked sincerely.
“You’re not…” she thought for a moment, “you’re just forcing yourself to suffer.”
Chen Jiashu chuckled: "After drinking too much instant coffee, I now find that a little bitterness is more authentic." He held her hand and raised his chin: "It's not about forcing yourself to eat it, it's just that there's a certain flavor that you have to get used to."
Later, Americano with brown sugar eventually became his standard.
A warm, fragrant cup of coffee sat on the solid wood folding table. The rich, pleasant aroma of coffee filled his nostrils, and Chen Jiashu looked down at the white bone china cup, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Flight attendant: "Sir, this is a hot Americano with brown sugar that the lady in the front row ordered for you. She said she hopes you have a pleasant journey."
Chen Jiashu: "Please thank this lady for me. I appreciate her kindness." He held the cup handle and deliberately raised his voice. "Besides, things remain the same, and I am grateful for your concern."
The coffee was finished, and the journey had come to its destination. After all the business class passengers had disembarked, Chen Jiashu opened his white cane and stood up. Assistant Ye, who was next to him, picked up his briefcase and walked ahead to lead the way.
"Chairman Chen."
Before Qin Qiao could get up, Chen Jiashu called out to him as he passed by his seat, almost as if possessed.
Chen Jiashu turned to the side.
"Yours..." Qin Qiao's grip on the briefcase strap tightened and loosened repeatedly.
"Get off the plane first, then I'll talk to you."
Qin Qiao and Chen Jiashu stepped off the plane one after the other, and then stopped simultaneously in the corridor at the exit.
This sky bridge, suspended between the two terminals of the airport, is like a transparent bridge connecting the two huge glass and steel structure buildings.
Looking to the left, planes take off and land on the tarmac, their silver wings shimmering in the sunlight like swimming fish; to the right is the airport's ring road, where taxis, buses, and private cars come and go in the flow of traffic.
As Qin Qiao gazed into the distance, she could feel Chen Jiashu's intense gaze fixed on her face.
He finally spoke, his voice hoarse: "My right eye vision is 0.04. I can see you within a meter, your general outline, hairstyle, clothing color... You looked so vivid last time when you wore red lipstick."
The man's tone was relaxed, even carrying a hint of self-deprecating humor.
After saying that, Chen Jiashu turned around. Qin Qiao was slightly taken aback, and then turned back as well.
The two faced each other, three steps apart.
Qin Qiao subconsciously tightened her grip on her briefcase. Chen Jiashu naturally wouldn't notice such a subtle movement, but she was annoyed by this involuntary action, just as she was annoyed that her heart would surge like a tidal wave whenever she saw Chen Jiashu.
Distracted, she unexpectedly met his gaze. He smiled slightly and said, "If I want to see your eyes and nose clearly, I might have to get a little closer."
At the same time, he took a step forward. Only two steps remained between them.
Qin Qiao paused for a moment, then raised her right hand, palm facing him, and gently stopped him:
"Chairman Chen."
With his right foot back on the ground, Chen Jiashu smiled gently and uttered a single word, "Okay."
They have a long future ahead of them.
*
The two parted ways at the airport exit. Chen Jiashu got into a black Mercedes-Benz, while Qin Qiao was called over by her companion and got into a domestic brand minivan.
Qin Qiao did not tell Chen Jiashu that they were going to the same place and that they would see each other again soon.
Assistant Minmin handed the tablet to Qin Qiao. She took it, lowered her gaze, and gently stroked the screen with her fingertips, seemingly lost in thought.
Minmin was still saying, "How pitiful, his face was covered in blood. These past two days, the small town of Dongting has become famous because of Qiaoshu Group, and it has been trending on social media non-stop."
Yesterday, the father and son who attempted suicide by jumping off a building and were rushed to the hospital for three days of emergency treatment passed away. Social news, financial news, and even entertainment news all rushed to report on the incident.
Chen Jiashu is a native of Lanchuan and an outstanding entrepreneur in the province. Large enterprises are the pillars of the local economy, and their every move will affect the local image. Therefore, the higher authorities have required that the ins and outs be thoroughly investigated.
Qin Qiao volunteered to provide on-site coverage, and since the Lu TV station was looking for a suitable candidate, it approved her application without hesitation.
Two rows of security guards led the way as Chen Jiashu's car entered through the factory's main gate. The car windows were covered with privacy film, so the deceased's relatives, family members, and some media personnel who were gathered outside could not see the people inside the car.
Chen Jiashu visited the factory last March with several senior executives. They stayed for a week, walking around the factory area and holding several meetings with the factory's two vice presidents, workshop directors, and supervisors.
Back then, his eyesight wasn't so bad; at least he could tell who was faking a smile and who was avoiding his gaze.
Unlike now, when everyone in a meeting speaks sweetly and without a hint of deceit, he can't even read their facial expressions.
"elder brother."
Tian Jiayue, carrying a stack of documents, pushed open the office door and walked in.
She arrived here a day earlier than Chen Jiashu, bringing with her the audit department.
Chen Jiashu snapped out of his thoughts, leaned on his cane and walked back, pulled out his office chair, sat down, and picked up a document.
"I'll read it."
Tian Jiayue took the documents from his hand.
He would slowly read through all kinds of reports, contracts, project proposals, and other documents in the group that required his review and signature, all while wearing his vision glasses.
The function of the vision-enhancing glasses is to magnify the text. He can only use his right eye with difficulty now, and he is worried that high-intensity use of his eyes will worsen its condition.
So at the beginning of the year, the task of reading important documents was assigned to Tian Jiayue, while the daily reports were read by the two assistants.
In the afternoon, Zhu Ao called to say that the terms of the strategic cooperation agreement between Qiao Shu and Zhong Shen had been agreed upon, and the legal department was verifying the contract text, waiting for him to return and sign it.
After putting down his phone, Chen Jiashu picked up his white cane and went out. Led by his assistant Ye, he walked straight into the conference room where the audit department was located.
On the other side, as Qin Qiao stepped into the lounge, unlike the group of self-media reporters blocking the factory gate outside, the people inside were all familiar mainstream media reporters.
Two women, one tall and one short, stood against the wall, occasionally refilling their tea. But judging from their resentful expressions and dark, menacing demeanor, it was obvious they were government officials brought in to work in the service industry.
Qin Qiao's team was out, and Minmin sent a message saying that she had interviewed several workers from the factory and the videos had been sent to her email.
Qin Qiao couldn't sit still any longer, so she picked up her briefcase and went outside.
She suddenly stopped in the corridor and saw Chen Jiashu coming out of a room across a large open space. Besides his assistant who was always by his side, a young woman was also coming out with him.
A... young woman.
A note from the author:
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