Chapter 116 Those Destined to Meet...
Xia Zhiyao closed her notebook, shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with the managers, and then said goodbye to them one by one. This week's work was finally coming to an end.
At the conference room door, Zhou Yue leaned against the wall, occasionally hearing sounds from inside. Xia Zhiyao's figure appeared and disappeared. He stared at that blurry outline, but a strange sense of disorientation welled up in his heart: it was the one he knew best, yet also the one he knew best.
After seeing off the last collaborator, Xia Zhiyao turned around and noticed the person standing at the door. Zhou Yue was leaning against the wall, looking deep in thought.
She smiled and raised an eyebrow: "What are you doing here?"
"Just passing by." His gaze fell indifferently on her.
She glanced at him, her tone light and cheerful: "So, you must have traveled quite a distance to get here?"
"No distance is too far to find you." He said softly, but naturally reached out and tidied up the stacks of documents on her desk. "Mainly, I missed you."
Xia Zhiyao was already used to his witty remarks beneath his calm and restrained exterior: "So investors can say things that don't follow strategy either."
“I’ll make an exception once in a while.” He smiled and picked up her laptop bag. “Let’s go, my brother finally has time to have dinner with me today.”
The car drove onto the highway. The trees outside the window were gently swaying in the autumn breeze, and the streetlights cast dappled shadows on the ground. Zhou Yue gripped the steering wheel, turned his head and smiled, "Luckily, my driver's license hasn't expired yet."
Xia Zhiyao rolled down the car window halfway, the wind ruffling her hair. She raised her hand to smooth her hair and said with a smile, "It seems New York hasn't completely forgotten you yet."
The red light came on, and the car slowly came to a stop. Zhou Yue suddenly asked, "Are you nervous?"
Xia Zhiyao turned her head, a slight smile playing on her lips: "Why are you nervous?"
"To see my brother," he smiled, then added, "and that friend I mentioned to you before."
She raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of teasing in her voice: "Are you nervous?"
"A little," Zhou Yue admitted frankly, his tone calm but revealing a hint of awkward sincerity, "I'm afraid they'll say something that will embarrass me."
"for example?"
“For example…” he paused, his gaze fixed ahead, the tips of his ears turning slightly red, “what exactly is our relationship?”
Xia Zhiyao couldn't help but laugh out loud, and gently patted the back of his hand: "What's so embarrassing about that? You're my boyfriend."
Zhou Yue turned to look at her, the corners of his lips involuntarily turning up: "Alright, just saying that is enough." He looked straight ahead again, a smile still on his lips, a smile that came from the bottom of his heart, quiet and resolute.
A breeze blew in through the half-open car window, carrying the coolness of the city and a hint of indescribable sweetness. The sound of the wind swept between the two of them, carrying the warmth of the night.
The red light turned green, and the car slowly moved forward. The neon lights at the street corner swept past the car window, their gold and red hues casting a soft glow on her profile.
Before long, we arrived at the upscale restaurant, which was decorated like a garden. Green plants stretched from the corners of the walls all the way to the ceiling, vines intertwined with lights, and a faint floral fragrance filled the air.
Xia Zhiyao looked around, a glint of light in her eyes, and couldn't help but whisper, "It's so beautiful...it's a bit like Paris."
Looking at her expression, Zhou Yue smiled slightly: "Looks like you made a good choice."
Jiang Qiran had already arrived, wearing a Columbia University blue hoodie. Upon seeing them, he immediately put down his cup, his smile as bright as the New York sunshine.
"Brother!" He quickly stepped forward and gave Zhou Yue a gentle hug, then turned to Xia Zhiyao and smiled, "Sister Zhiyao, long time no see." His tone was natural, with a hint of long-lost familiarity.
Xia Zhiyao smiled and gently patted his arm: "Qiran, you've grown up."
"How is it, bro? The environment is nice, isn't it?" Jiang Qiran asked with a smile.
Zhou Yue glanced around and nodded: "It's fine."
“Of course,” Jiang Qiran said proudly. “Since you’re treating, I have to choose a place I wouldn’t normally come to, since I’m going to see Sister Zhiyao.”
Xia Zhiyao chuckled and changed her tone: "Judging from what you're saying, should I prepare a gift for our first meeting?"
“No need,” Jiang Qiran waved his hand. “Your presence is the best gift.”
Zhou Yue sighed softly, then shook his head with a smile: "Your tongue is getting smoother and smoother."
As they chatted and laughed, the waiter led them inside, and Zhou Yue pulled out a chair for Xia Zhiyao with a natural gesture.
Jiang Qiran glanced at them and smiled meaningfully: "Brother, this is the first time I've seen you act like a gentleman."
Zhou Yue replied casually, "Then you should see him more often in the future."
The three of them had just sat down when a slender figure appeared in the doorway. The girl was wearing a well-tailored suit and had slightly curly hair, clearly having just finished get off work. She looked around hesitantly, as if searching for someone.
Jiang Qiran's eyes lit up, and he almost instinctively stood up: "Sister Weiwei!" He waved towards the door, his tone full of surprise, "Over here!"
Lu Zhiwei visibly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly walked over. "Sorry, I just parked and drove around for a while before I found it."
"It's alright." Jiang Qiran quickly pulled out a chair for her, his movements swift and eager.
Lu Zhiwei sat down and said to Zhou Yue with a smile, "Long time no see, Zhou Yue. So, you've finally won the heart of your beauty?"
Zhou Yue was drinking water when he almost choked. He coughed, looked up, and said helplessly, "Your mouth hasn't changed at all."
Lu Zhi smiled innocently: "You get choked up even when I praise you?"
"You call that 'praise'?" Zhou Yue couldn't help but laugh, a hint of helplessness in his eyes, as he introduced, "This is Xia Zhiyao."
Then he said to Xia Zhiyao, "This is the legendary Dr. Lu Zhiwei."
"Hello." Xia Zhiyao extended her hand and said with a smile, "Zhou Yue often mentions you."
“I’ve heard of you too.” Lu Zhiwei smiled and shook hands with her. The moment their fingertips touched, they both subconsciously glanced at each other. It was an unexpected sense of “connection”. Their temperaments were different, but they had a strange similarity.
Jiang Qiran joked from the side, "Well, you two hit it off right away, I can't even get a word in edgewise."
“That’s perfect,” Lu Zhiwei replied in a light tone. “I was just wondering about Zhou Yue’s situation after he returned to China.”
“I’m fine, so please don’t repeat your theories to Xia Zhiyao again,” Zhou Yue said calmly, “one minute it’s about astrology and blood type, the next it’s about MBTI.”
Xia Zhiyao tilted her head and laughed: "Haha, isn't this normal? That's how conversations always start."
“Actually, I really admire you guys,” Lu Zhiwei said while eating her salad, “for making firm choices and sticking to them.”
"And what about you?" Xia Zhiyao asked with a smile.
"Me?" she sighed softly, "I'm still hesitating about whether or not to go back to China."
“What’s there to hesitate about? If you want to come back, just come back,” Zhou Yue interjected, his tone genuinely certain. “You’ll be fine wherever you are.”
"That's what they say," Lu Zhi smiled slightly. "I heard your projects have been going quite well since you returned to China?"
"It's alright, I just finished an investment deal for a new energy industrial park." Zhou Yue nodded, his tone as calm as ever.
“That sounds impressive.” She raised her glass and gently touched his. “Then I must toast you.”
Zhou Yue smiled and raised his glass in return, saying, "Thank you."
The streetlights outside the window streamed in, reflecting in the wine glasses, creating a play of light and shadow. The people at the table chatted and ate, their conversation ranging from work to the New York weather, from fun stories of studying abroad to good restaurants in the city.
As the main course was served, Jiang Qiran poured wine for everyone, her tone light and cheerful: "To be honest, it was Sister Weiwei who helped me get a table for this meal. You have no idea how popular this restaurant is."
“It’s not that exaggerated.” Lu Zhi smiled, her tone gentle. “I just know the store manager.” Her tone was soft and her eyes were warm, making it easy for people to lower their guard.
Xia Zhiyao asked, "How's your work going?"
“I’m currently interning at the research institute.” Lu Zhiwei nodded, her tone calm. “I mainly focus on clinical psychology, researching anxiety and stress interventions.”
“That sounds interesting,” Xia Zhiyao laughed. “Our company sometimes does corporate consulting, which also involves organizational psychology.”
"You're a consultant?" Lu Zhiwei's eyes lit up. "No wonder you were so organized when you spoke just now."
"Occupational hazard," Xia Zhiyao said with a smile, shaking her head. "Spending all day analyzing problems for others makes it easy for me to overthink things."
“Actually, this is quite similar to my job.” Lu Zhiwei said thoughtfully, “You help companies find structural answers, and I help individuals find psychological outlets.”
Xia Zhiyao looked at her, her gaze softening. She liked this kind of communication—rational, sincere, and with a touch of warmth.
Lu Zhiwei continued, "You see, the work you're doing is quite stressful. Actually, we're all a little anxious." Lu Zhiwei said softly, "Sometimes it's not because of the problems, but because we want to do everything perfectly."
Xia Zhiyao looked up and met her gaze. At that moment, she suddenly felt a long-lost sense of understanding. Different industries, different experiences, yet both were searching for balance in the same loneliness and pressure.
Jiang Qiran smiled and raised his glass: "Alright, alright, you two are talking too professionally. If you keep talking, I'll be diagnosed with mild anxiety."
“Then you need to exercise more.” Lu Zhi smiled. “Everyone experiences anxiety, as long as it doesn’t develop into an illness.”
“That sounds quite philosophical,” Xia Zhiyao replied. “I need to invite you to our company to give a talk.”
Jiang Qiran sat next to Lu Zhiwei, and he was more talkative than usual. He talked about interesting things that happened in class, and occasionally glanced at her. His gaze was both restrained and couldn't hide his smile.
Lu Zhiwei listened with a gentle smile, but always maintained a just-right distance. Xia Zhiyao drank her wine, lost in thought.
She looked up at Zhou Yue, who was also looking at her. Their eyes met briefly in mid-air, and they understood each other perfectly. They could see right through their brother's little scheme.
The group chatted and ate. Jiang Qiran was in high spirits and kept refilling Lu Zhiwei's water. Lu Zhiwei smiled and thanked him gently, but always maintained a just-right distance.
Xia Zhiyao looked at them and asked casually with a smile, "Do you often go out to eat together?"
“Occasionally,” Lu Zhiwei said softly, her expression calm. “He’s busy with classes, and I often work overtime, so we don’t see each other most of the time.” She paused, then added with a smile, “The last time we met was on my birthday.” Her words were natural and appropriate, with a faint smile, yet they maintained a perfect distance.
Xia Zhiyao was slightly taken aback, then smiled, took a sip of wine, and sighed softly in her heart. She was all too familiar with this kind of "gentle rationality." It was Lu Zhiwei's defense line and her true nature.
After the meal, Lu Zhiwei picked up her coat and said to them with a smile, "I had a really great time today. Next time you're free, I'll take you to another restaurant by the river, with an even better view than here. It's a promise, next time it's my treat." Her tone was gentle, as always, and she was very poised.
“Sure,” Xia Zhiyao replied with a smile. “Or we can grab a coffee sometime. If you have time to come to Beijing when you’re back in China, be sure to look us up.”
"Then I'll take you to the car." Jiang Qiran quickly stepped forward.
Lu Zhiwei waved her hand lightly and smiled, "No need, it's just a few steps. You should go back soon." She waved to them and walked briskly out of the restaurant.
Jiang Qiran stood there, watching her figure disappear at the street corner. In that instant, the city lights reflected in his eyes. He was a little lost in thought, unsure of what he was thinking. He just felt that every smile and every turn of hers was so gentle that it made him unable to get close.
"Let's go." Zhou Yue's voice rang out behind him, interrupting his thoughts.
Jiang Qiran turned around and saw his brother waiting for him. He murmured an "Mmm" and smiled, but there was a hint of loneliness in his smile. All his attempts to get closer to her could only stop at her gentleness.
After Zhou Yue and Xia Zhiyao took Jiang Qiran back to her dormitory, the car drove back into the night. Xia Zhiyao leaned against the window, watching the street scene recede little by little, the neon lights casting shimmering light on the glass.
“Your brother really likes her,” Xia Zhiyao suddenly said.
“Yes, I know.” Zhou Yue nodded.
"And what about her?"
Zhou Yue paused, then said in a calm tone, "You saw her attitude; it was basically a rejection."
Xia Zhiyao turned her head to look at him, her lips twitching slightly: "You talk like a doctor making a diagnosis."
“It’s not a diagnosis,” he said, looking ahead calmly, “it’s that I see things too clearly.” After saying this, he reached out to take her hand, his palm warm and firm. “But some things are not in a hurry.”
He whispered, "People who are destined to meet will meet sooner or later, just like us."
The car fell silent, with only the city lights flashing by and reflecting on their profiles. Xia Zhiyao's hand was held in his palm, and she suddenly felt more at ease at this moment than with any confession.
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