Chapter 72 No boyfriend, just someone…
Spring has come again in the blink of an eye. Jiang Shiyuan's studies at school have come to an end. Her doctoral supervisor, Li Bozhen, arranged for her to work at the Beijing Municipal Museum, where she is in charge of the "Digital Beijing Museum" project. She has been there for more than a month now.
She was in charge of the project with two other people, both of whom were from the same school.
One was Yu Zisen, a senior in his third year of doctoral studies, and the other was a female classmate in the same year named Lin Shuwan.
The three of them worked late into the night in the museum to obtain and organize data on cultural relics, which forged a deep revolutionary friendship.
In the convenience store at dusk, Lin Shuwan placed the project recruitment brochure on the table, handed it to Jiang Shiyuan, and pointed to a company on it, saying, "This is Shiyuan Technology, which won the bid in the end."
"This company has only been established for less than two years, yet it managed to break through the ranks of so many top tech companies and secure the national-level 'Digital Jingbo' project. This boss is amazing." Lin Shuwan took out a meatball from the oden, chewed it a couple of times, and suddenly remembered something. "What a coincidence, it's almost the same as your name."
Jiang Shiyuan bit into an ear of corn, her eyes lowered as she looked at the recruitment book on the table.
The name "Shiyuan Technology" is prominently displayed. It was founded just two years ago, but in just over a year, this startup has secured numerous cutting-edge technology projects in China, causing the company's market value to grow almost exponentially every day.
"Once the 'Digital Jingbo' project is completed, this company will be a legendary entity in the field."
The two had a quick dinner at a convenience store before heading back to the museum to continue their work.
Tomorrow morning, the project team from Shiyuan Technology will arrive at the museum. She and Lin Shuwan will be responsible for explaining the artifacts to help the partner company better understand the museum's artifacts.
"It's such an exhausting doctoral journey, but I feel like I'll have to extend my studies if I don't participate in projects..."
After leaving the convenience store, Lin Shuwan looked at the sunset on the city's horizon and finally relaxed for a moment. "I must have been out of my mind to choose to continue my doctoral studies. If I had chosen to graduate, I might have already gone home and received a million-dollar settlement allowance."
Jiang Shiyuan chuckled and teased Lin Shuwan, saying, "Isn't the talent recruitment policy in your hometown such that only PhDs get a million-dollar settlement allowance?"
Hearing this, Lin Shuwan immediately perked up, "That's right! For a million-dollar settlement allowance, anything is worth it now!"
After being slapped by Jiang Shiyuan, Lin Shuwan returned to her office and began frantically memorizing the presentation script, while Jiang Shiyuan stared at the recruitment booklet, thinking for a very long time.
It's so annoying, it follows me everywhere.
That's impressive, though; they managed to get this project without the Huo family's backing.
Jiang Shiyuan's phone rang, and a string of incomprehensible ellipses appeared on the message screen.
She smiled, picked up her phone, and replied with a string of ellipses. Upon receiving the message, the other party became even more enthusiastic, sending two more strings of ellipses and a photo of themselves eating.
The child in the photo has rosy lips and white teeth, and is happily eating in a high chair.
The edge of the photo "inadvertently" reveals a hand feeding someone, with a string of small-leaf sandalwood beads on the wrist.
Her daughter, Tuantuan, is just three years old. She hasn't learned to type yet, but she has already learned to send ellipses and pictures. She can send and receive messages with her every day.
Immediately after, another voice message came through, the voice was so sweet and childlike that it almost melted Jiang Shiyuan's heart.
"Mom, I'm eating properly."
She had just listened to it when Tuantuan sent another voice message.
"Dad said we should say that Dad is feeding Tuantuan."
Jiang Shiyuan couldn't help but laugh out loud, only to see that her senior, Yu Zisen, had also returned to the office, carrying three cups of coffee in his hand.
"Keep it up, girls! Once Shiyuan Technology joins us, our workload will be halved."
"I'll explain it properly tomorrow, try to make it clear to them, reduce the amount of follow-up communication, and benefit everyone."
Yu Zisen was two years older than them. He was witty and humorous, and always knew how to liven up the atmosphere. The office was never dull when he was around.
After serving the coffee, Yu Zisen sat down next to Jiang Shiyuan and asked curiously, "Junior sister, who were you chatting with just now? You seemed so happy." He tentatively asked, "Your boyfriend?"
Jiang Shiyuan shook her head, "I don't have a boyfriend..."
I don't really have a boyfriend, I just have a husband I see occasionally.
"Oh, oh, oh." Yu Zisen nodded and returned to his workstation, not pressing the matter further.
Tomorrow, the three of them will each give a presentation on the cultural relic they are responsible for. In order to ensure the smooth progress of tomorrow's presentation, we need to go through the materials on the cultural relic tonight.
The next morning at eight o'clock, museum staff began to arrive one after another.
Jiang Shiyuan wore a fitted off-white business dress today, her black hair was tied up low, and a white jade hairpin was inserted in her hair. Pearl earrings hung on both sides, making her look more gentle and elegant.
Lin Shuwan knew that Jiang Shiyuan was beautiful, but Jiang Shiyuan usually liked to dress loosely and comfortably. Today, her sudden change of outfit made it impossible for anyone to look away.
"If I had your face and figure, I would never do this grueling archaeological work," Lin Shuwan exclaimed, her face resolute as she declared, "I want to enter the entertainment industry!"
Yu Zisen stepped in to help Jiang Shiyuan out of the predicament, laughing and saying, "Alright, stop teasing her, we still have to give an explanation later."
“However…” Yu Zisen stroked his chin, his eyes revealing appreciation, “Shi Yuan, dressed like this, does indeed look like a host who is about to participate in a program. She is very beautiful.”
Lin Shuwan chimed in with a look of anticipation, "What, you've taken a fancy to Shi Yuan?"
Yu Zisen, who is usually lively, blushed for once and immediately said, "Don't talk nonsense, no way, hurry up and memorize your script."
Lin Shuwan didn't seem to care. "Why memorize? I already know these museum artifacts by heart. They're even in my undergraduate textbooks..."
A few people were sitting in the office waiting to receive the Shiyuan Technology team, chatting casually, when they suddenly overheard some museum staff talking about "Shiyuan Technology".
"Actually, this company has a powerful backer; otherwise, how could it have grown so fast? Do you know who it is?"
"They say the Huo family in Wancheng is incredibly wealthy. A few years ago, my cousin's engagement party invited half of the world's elite!"
"Oh no, is it the person in charge of the Huo family coming today?"
"What are you thinking! Why would such a big shot personally come out to communicate with such a small company's project? If you want to see him, just search for him online."
"Too......"
"The Huo family of Wancheng?" Lin Shuwan's eyes lit up, and she excitedly said to the two of them, "I saw a video of Huo Lan teaching at university when I was in college! He's Huo Lan, the current head of the Huo family. He's incredibly handsome, tall and fair-skinned!"
"It's a pity..." Lin Shuwan said with some regret, "The video disappeared after a short while..."
Jiang Shiyuan raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. Could the video Lin Shuwan mentioned be the one Cheng Yan filmed back then? That would be quite a coincidence.
As they were talking, someone informed them that the people from Shiyuan Technology had arrived downstairs and that everyone should get ready quickly.
The museum staff sensed something was wrong and grabbed the colleague who came to inform them, saying, "Is there any need to be so nervous? It's just a tech company that's acting as a contractor."
"The Huo family is here!" The colleague who was being held looked at the group and said, "Quickly straighten your clothes and keep the office clean."
"Not only is the curator here, but government leaders are also here to receive us." The colleague looked at the three people in charge of the tour and said, "Your doctoral supervisor is here too, so you'd better do your best later."
Lin Shuwan suddenly became a little nervous and began to silently recite her explanation.
"Is Huo Lan really coming? Is this project that important?" Lin Shuwan asked nervously and in surprise. "Although it is indeed a national-level project, the Huo family won't make much money from it at all."
"Who knows?" Jiang Shiyuan adjusted the microphone at her collar to make sure the equipment was working properly. "Maybe she's just bored."
Several people stood in the lobby waiting, and soon they saw a large group of people moving in from the doorway.
What should have been the service provider (Party B) being overly attentive has now turned into the client being overly enthusiastic.
If we can secure sponsorship from the Huo family, the funding problem for the digital museum project will be completely solved. They want the contractor to do the work and also want their money.
The curator led the way, explaining the cultural and economic significance of the successful construction of the digital museum, and speaking eloquently from both social and national perspectives, which made everyone increasingly excited.
The line stopped at the entrance of the museum exhibition hall but had not yet entered. The person in the center listened attentively and gently reminded the group to enter the exhibition hall when it was almost time.
The curator then realized he had been speaking too emotionally, and quickly led the group into the exhibition hall.
Jiang Shiyuan immediately spotted Huo Lan, who was walking at the very front.
Light streamed through the glass dome of the hall, casting a cool halo around him. Without a word or a movement, an innate sense of nobility and aloofness emanated from him—the aura cultivated from long-standing positions of power and authority.
It was this same quality that once captivated her when she was still a young girl, making her his kept woman without a second thought.
The group approached the three people, and the curator introduced them to Huo Lan: "These are the doctoral students from Beijing University who are in charge of this project. They will show you the details of each exhibition hall in our museum, and will also coordinate follow-up work and provide professional support."
Huo Lan didn't wear a traditional suit today. Instead, he wore a navy blue suit jacket with a Chinese-style modification, paired with a black embroidered shirt.
He, who usually prefers a simple style, wore a minimalist platinum diamond brooch on his chest today, and his hair looked like it had just been styled.
Huo Lan's gaze swept casually over Jiang Shiyuan, and he simply nodded and said, "Then let's begin."
Lin Lang, who was standing next to him, was laughing so hard his mouth almost stretched to his ears.
He barely listened to a few of Lin Shuwan and Yu Zisen's explanations, but he always felt Jiang Shiyuan burning at his back.
It wasn't until the last two exhibition halls that Jiang Shiyuan took over as the guide.
Huo Lan's lips curled slightly, but he pretended to be indifferent. "Then I'll trouble Miss Jiang to take charge of the rest of the explanation."
His gaze shifted slightly, but not to the utensils in the glass display case that Jiang Shiyuan was explaining. Instead, he noticed the hairpin and pearl earrings that Jiang Shiyuan was wearing today.
She must have dressed up so beautifully today for him.
Huo Lan smiled unconsciously, only realizing later that Jiang Shiyuan had reminded him many times.
"Mr. Huo, please listen carefully." Jiang Shiyuan smiled gently, making Huo Lan's heart flutter.
Shi Yuan smiled at him again. Was she willing to go back to Huo Garden with him?
"Okay, I'll take it seriously."
After Jiang Shiyuan finished his explanation, the creative team from Shiyuan Technology briefly presented the project's planning scheme. They will use technologies such as Internet+ and VR to realize the display of three-dimensional cultural relics and build a cloud exhibition hall.
The person explaining the project proposal was a cute girl with a lively appearance and permed hair. She paused for a moment after seeing Jiang Shiyuan, and continued, "At the same time, we will also be doing a live broadcast online. I think this Ms. Jiang is very suitable to be the museum's broadcaster!"
Suddenly brought up, Jiang Shiyuan looked at the little girl in front of her with a puzzled expression.
The girl with the curly hair wasn't intimidated and continued, "Miss Jiang has such a great image, she'd definitely be a hit if she went live."
Huo Lan's face had turned ashen. Lin Lang quickly abruptly ended the girl's proposal and said, "This is just a suggestion, not a formal decision. The proposal is roughly as described. Thank you, leaders."
Jiang Shiyuan replied, "I think it's great, I can accept it if there's an opportunity in the future."
After the tour, the lunch that was supposed to be held was declined by Huo Lan due to his busy schedule.
After get off work, Jiang Shiyuan was about to go to a restaurant with Yu Zisen and Lin Shuwan when they were intercepted by Lin Lang.
Lin Lang looked embarrassed, "Sister Shi Yuan..."
Before Lin Lang could speak, Jiang Shiyuan, under the puzzled and shocked gazes of the two, told them to go eat first, and then followed Lin Lang to the elevator.
"Sister Shiyuan, the boss is a bit unhappy again." Lin Lang pressed the elevator button, and his face completely fell after he entered the elevator. "He just yelled at me, saying I'm bad at hiring, letting just anyone into the company..."
"That girl is your classmate, a top student from one of the top two liberal arts colleges in the country, and he actually thinks I have no taste." Lin Lang complained incessantly. "Later, Sister Shi Yuan, you should try to appease Mr. Huo, just for my sake and that top student who's about to be fired..."
Jiang Shiyuan frowned. "Fire her? Her proposal is excellent."
"You need to talk to Mr. Huo about this; he's in the car."
When the elevator reached the ground floor, Lin Lang led Jiang Shiyuan to a low-key black Cayenne parked under the shade of trees.
After getting into the car, the familiar scent of ebony and sandalwood wafted towards them. Huo Lan was resting with his eyes closed in the car and didn't open them when he heard the noise.
After Jiang Shiyuan sat down, he asked, "Why did you invest in this project?"
Huo Lan then opened her eyes, but didn't look at her, her face showing some displeasure. "Who is that man?"
Jiang Shiyuan was completely confused by the question, "What man?"
"The guy who explained things to you."
Jiang Shiyuan then realized, "You mean Yu Zisen?"
Huo Lan's tone was sour, "You do remember his full name."
“How could I not remember my classmate’s name?” Jiang Shiyuan found it somewhat amusing and didn’t continue the topic. “Where’s Tuantuan? Didn’t she come along? Then I have nothing to talk to you about.”
Just as Jiang Shiyuan was about to get out of the car, she heard the sound of the car door locking.
Huo Lan's breath suddenly drew close, but he didn't dare to kiss her.
“He’s thirty years old and still not married, there must be something wrong with him. You can’t like him.”
Jiang Shiyuan was completely confused by what Huo Lan was saying. Was he talking about Yu Zisen?
"If you're going to choose, you can only choose someone like me, someone you've already proven effective in my early twenties..."
Finally unable to resist, he embraced the slender waist he had longed for so long, which he hadn't touched for almost three months, and then lightly kissed her lips.
“Tuantuan didn’t come, but Tuantuan said she misses her mom.”
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Author's note: It has been more than three years since Shi Yuan left. The events that have happened in these three years will be briefly recounted later.
The "chasing-back-to-his-wife" arc isn't long, but it's purely sweet with no angst, and the main story will likely end within 50,000 words. [Thumbs up!]
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