Chapter 51 What a Fool
"Is the boss really back?" The girl with a ponytail held a bouquet of flowers and kept standing on tiptoe to look out.
"Yes, Mr. Ling only told us to prepare, but what if the boss doesn't come back?" Another girl looked at the empty alley with some trepidation.
"The boss must be back. Hurry up, stop talking, the car is here." Li Li was the calmest. She believed that Ling Shen would definitely be able to bring Su Nian back.
Ling Shen's car stopped at the alley entrance. Looking at the people already waiting at the bookstore entrance, he deliberately blocked the top of the door frame with his palm as he walked around the front of the car, fearing that Su Nian would hit her head when she stood up. The moment their fingers intertwined, Su Nian felt a sense of relief.
A special firework tube sprayed out silver paper flowers that fell all over the sky. The scarf in front of Su Nian was gently lifted. The people standing at the door were customers he used to be familiar with. Under the warm yellow light of the bookstore, rows of bookshelves were neatly arranged, and the strong scent of ink could be faintly smelled.
Li Li took the lead and stepped forward, "Boss, you are finally back."
The remaining few people also gathered around, surrounding Su Nian tightly in the middle, and asked him about his situation.
Ling Shen leaned against the doorway, his gaze following the figure surrounded by the crowd, the corners of his lips curling up unconsciously. The air was filled with the scent of ink from old books and the fragrance of flowers, blending into a comforting atmosphere. He suddenly felt that all the waiting and running around had found the most appropriate destination in this moment.
Without interrupting Su Nian's chat with the others, Ling Shen sent Su Nian a message and quietly left the bookstore. He wanted to take Su Nian to other places, but before that, he had to finish the accumulated work.
Su Nian looked at the message on his phone from Ling Shen, "I'll pick you up after I finish work, wait for me." He looked at the people reading in the bookstore and the tools on the bar that he was familiar with.
The old elm bookshelf that once creaked has now been reinforced by Ling Shen with mortise and tenon joints, and even the tilted partitions on the top layer have been adjusted to fit perfectly.
In the white porcelain vase by the window, several branches of blue snowflakes covered with morning dew are stretching their petals. Water droplets slide down the edges of the round petals, leaving shallow water marks on the wooden table.
The messy broken porcelain pieces in the kitchen sink have disappeared. Su Nian's favorite set of underglaze colored bowls and plates are now neatly lying in the cupboard, and the glaze surface is glowing warmly under the warm yellow light.
There were two pillows placed side by side on the bed in the bedroom, and many of Ling Shen's frequently used things were placed in the corner.
At this moment, Su Nian finally understood the torment Ling Shen had endured since she left. Ling Shen had gradually recovered all the traces of her past, and the lingering scent of cedar in the space brought tears to Su Nian's eyes.
Once upon a time, Su Nian stubbornly followed in another person's footsteps, surrounding himself with memories. But he never imagined that there would be someone who would, like him, try hard to piece everything together, just to keep that tiny trace.
"What a fool." Su Nian stroked the photo of snow-capped mountains on the bedside, tears in the corners of his eyes and a smile on his lips.
In the lobby of Ling Group, the crystal chandelier emitted a soft light, and Song Ze had been pacing there for a long time.
His eyes kept darting towards the carved glass door, silently counting. This was already the 17th time he'd looked there that day. Ever since he'd heard about Ling Shen's return and received the text message from Ling's father, he felt like the heavy weight on his heart had finally been lifted.
He finally no longer had to deal with Ling's father's whims, nor did he have to stay up until the early hours of the morning waiting for a response. Thinking of this, he raised his hand and gently wiped the corners of his eyes. Although there were no tears, it seemed as if he could really wipe away the fatigue and grievances he had felt during this period.
Xiao Li at the front desk glanced curiously at the usually calm special assistant, wondering, "What's wrong with him today? He's so distracted, and he's been standing here the whole time, making it impossible for me to slack off."
Just as Xiao Li was complaining and Song Ze was waiting anxiously, Ling Shen's tall figure finally appeared outside the revolving door. The late autumn wind blew up the hem of his windbreaker, and the sunlight outlined a warm silhouette for him.
"Mr. Ling, you're finally back." Song Ze's voice trembled slightly, and he rushed forward in two steps. His excited expression made Ling Shen subconsciously take half a step back.
Ling Shen shook his head helplessly, and as he walked towards the elevator, he asked about the work arrangements. The familiar scene and conversation instantly brought the assistant back to his senses, and he was full of energy.
"Mr. Ling, today I'm discussing next quarter's material supply with a representative from Wang's Group. They have some concerns about pricing and lead times. The Finance Department has compiled last month's financial statements, and there are a few figures that require your review and signature. The Planning Department has also sent the work plan for next year to your email, awaiting your approval..."
Song Ze quickly opened the tablet and reported various matters in a clear and orderly manner. His fingertips slid across the screen from time to time to call up relevant documents.
As the elevator slowly ascended, the metal door reflected Ling Shen's increasingly cold expression. The man who had been gentle, considerate, and patient in front of Su Nian had now transformed back into the decisive, commanding leader of the Ling Group.
The elevator dinged to a stop. As Ling Shen stepped out, he spoke in a deep and powerful voice, "Prepare the meeting room. The meeting will start in 10 minutes."
The order spread like wildfire throughout the Ling Building. Middle and senior management staff sprang into action, and the clatter of phones and hurried footsteps instantly brought the long-silent office area to life.
The long-closed "Shiguang Bookstore" was bustling once again, with wind chimes tinkling as the glass doors opened and closed. Regular customers, upon learning of Su Nian's return, arrived like migratory birds awakened by the spring breeze, their faces brimming with long-lost smiles, some clutching previously borrowed books.
Su Nian, wearing an apron, bustled behind the counter, the sweet aroma of caramel cookies wafting from the oven. Li Li tiptoed to remove a ceramic tray from the wooden rack and packaged the freshly baked cookies, their golden edges tinged with amber.
The girl with a ponytail and a pink canvas bag was almost lying on the bar, staring at Su Nian's profile after he took off his glasses with her sparkling eyes: "Boss, you look so handsome without glasses!"
Her voice was as clear as a wind chime, causing the students who were flipping through books nearby to look up.
Aunt Wang's needles flew as she knitted, a ball of maroon yarn rolling gently on her knees. She glanced at the girl over her reading glasses, a smile etched in her lips as she retorted, "Oh, Boss Su has always been the bookstore's 'living signboard.'"
As she spoke, she suddenly leaned closer, and her sleeves with the scent of laundry detergent swept across the counter, "Boss Su, do you have a partner? My niece has a partner at my unit..." Before she could finish her words, Li Li quickly covered her mouth with her hands.
"Auntie!" Li Li laughed breathlessly, "Please don't match me up with other girls. Boss Su must be taken!"
Aunt Wang finally broke free, panting dramatically, her fingertips quietly pointing at Su Nian, who was frothing milk. Her eyes were full of curiosity, "Who is it? Is it that guy who always came here? He always sits in the same seat by the window."
The steam wand in Su Nian's hand emitted a long humming sound, and fine milk foam swelled like snow in the metal latte art pitcher. As he lowered his head and chuckled softly, the strands of hair at the back of his neck trembled slightly with his movements. The morning light filtered through the bookstore's diamond-shaped glass windows, casting a honey-colored halo on his profile.
Seeing that he didn't answer, Aunt Wang became even more excited. She threw the half-finished scarf over her shoulders and said, "I knew it must be true! That boy is so handsome and talented. He is really a good match for you."
Li Li and the girl next to her huddled together, covering their mouths with their hands while laughing. The two heads put together and looked at Su Nian's red ears.
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