TNSFC – Chapter 38

Que Yining felt she had taken a big step towards her goal.

Gu Shanxue had proactively invited her to participate in her hobbies. This showed that she was becoming more and more important to Gu Shanxue. Que Yining raised her wine glass and gently clinked it with Gu Shanxue’s, feeling exceptionally good.

After finishing their meal, Que Yining picked up her bag and naturally linked her arm with Gu Shanxue’s as they walked out together.

The moment the door was pushed open, the warm air was instantly swept away by the cold wind. The chill felt like fine dust, pervading the air.

Que Yining and Gu Shanxue walked towards the intersection and stood by the roadside waiting for a car. Gu Shanxue had driven there herself, but they had both had some wine. Although it was just a light drink, it wasn’t suitable for driving, so they were waiting for a driver.

There weren’t many cars on the road; the winter night seemed a bit desolate.

“Do you have any plans for tonight?”

Que Yining, still holding Gu Shanxue’s arm, tilted her head up slightly to ask her.

Que Yining was undoubtedly a greedy person. As soon as she felt she had become a bit more important, she immediately tried to press her advantage, starting to inquire about Gu Shanxue’s evening plans, attempting to monopolize more of her time.

Gu Shanxue exhaled a puff of white breath, her voice seeming to carry the chill of winter: “Overtime.”

Que Yining wasn’t too disappointed; she wasn’t surprised by this answer at all. After all, Gu Shanxue was indeed very busy. She had many things to do, so everything was urgent.

“Overtime, huh…”

Her voice dissipated in the wind. She gently rested her head on Gu Shanxue’s arm, looking at their elongated shadows snuggled together by the roadside, and secretly curved her lips into a smile.

Gu Shanxue lowered her head slightly, looking at the whorl of hair on top of Que Yining’s head. She didn’t pull away, quietly staying with Que Yining.

After about half a minute, Que Yining straightened up and looked up at Gu Shanxue.

“Even if you’re busy, you need to take care of your health. Although I’d love to take care of you, I don’t want it to be under these circumstances, you know.”

Que Yining’s eyes curved, her smile bright and radiant.

Gu Shanxue’s gaze met hers. She saw Que Yining’s glistening, watery eyes, and also saw the stars reflected in them.

She nodded in agreement, then suddenly felt something was off and asked hesitantly, “Then what kind of circumstances?”

Her confusion was obvious. Que Yining had unintentionally made a suggestive remark, and meeting such a gaze, she couldn’t help but cough.

Que Yining had initially only feigned it, but unexpectedly, it seemed to have tickled her throat, and she couldn’t help but cover her lips and cough a few times.

She coughed quite a bit. Gu Shanxue patted her back to help her catch her breath and calm down.

Gu Shanxue reached out, unwrapped her scarf, and re-wrapped it for her. Her fingers brushed against Que Yining’s cheek. Que Yining’s face was flushed from the coughing and felt a bit hot to the touch.

“Are you okay?”

Que Yining nodded, feeling that the spot she had touched was even hotter.

With this interruption, Gu Shanxue also forgot her previous question and instead turned her attention to Que Yining’s well-being.

Gu Shanxue lowered her hand and softly advised, “It’s getting colder lately. Remember to take some medicine before you go home at night to prevent a cold.”

Que Yining continued to nod obediently, indicating she understood.

They hadn’t had a chance to talk about anything else because Gu Shanxue’s driver arrived. Gu Shanxue handed him the keys and asked him to bring the car out.

Gu Shanxue: “Do you need me to give you a ride?”

Que Yining shook her head: “No need, you go ahead and take care of your business. My assistant will come pick me up.”

Gu Shanxue: “Then be careful on your way.”

Que Yining: “You too.”

The car drove out from the underground parking lot, its headlights on, emitting a warm glow.

Que Yining watched Gu Shanxue get into the car. Just as Gu Shanxue was about to close the door, Que Yining called her name.

Gu Shanxue looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

Que Yining: “When can I pick up Ningning to take him to the vet?”

Ningning was old enough to be neutered; they had agreed on this before.

Gu Shanxue: “Sometime in the next couple of days is fine. Whenever it’s convenient for you, you can pick Ningning up.”

Que Yining: “Then tomorrow. How about tomorrow afternoon?”

Gu Shanxue: “Okay, I’ll give you my house key tomorrow.”

Que Yining took a couple of quick steps, still wearing high heels. Gu Shanxue was a bit worried she might slip and couldn’t help but reach out to catch her.

Que Yining took her hand, leaned in close, and whispered in her ear.

“You trust me this much? Aren’t you afraid I’ll go to your house and steal some secrets?”

Que Yining was clearly joking, her happiness unconcealed.

Gu Shanxue: “The study is locked.”

Que Yining: …

This woman is truly unromantic!!!

Seeing Que Yining’s frozen expression, Gu Shanxue couldn’t help but let the corners of her lips lift slightly.

Gu Shanxue’s eyes held a faint smile: “But I trust you. If you want the study’s password…”

Que Yining: “Stop. I don’t want it.”

Today, Que Yining truly understood what “there’s always a higher mountain” meant. Gu Shanxue had actually stepped outside her usual tactics this time. However, it had to be said that Gu Shanxue was an exceptionally cautious person, which Que Yining liked.

If it were Que Yining herself, she wouldn’t be completely unguarded either. This actually had little to do with trusting or not trusting friends; it was more a matter of habit. Some things just required caution.

Gu Shanxue: “Then see you tomorrow. Shall we have lunch together tomorrow? I’ll give you the key then.”

Que Yining was immediately placated, even feeling like she had come out ahead in this exchange. At least she had gotten an opportunity to have lunch together.

“Okay, see you tomorrow.”

Que Yining took two steps back, standing outside the car door, and waved at Gu Shanxue.

The car door closed. The illuminated headlights lit up the evening darkness, the light seeming endless as it gradually receded into the distance.

Que Yining watched it go. The wind blew past her, like the heavy breathing of a nighttime traveler, spreading throughout the streets.

About two minutes after Gu Shanxue left, Zhang Shiyu arrived in her car to pick up Que Yining. Que Yining opened the back door, and a wave of warm air hit her face, making her yawn involuntarily.

Zhang Shiyu: “Boss, home?”

Que Yining responded, her voice tinged with a bit of laziness.

Zhang Shiyu couldn’t quite gauge Que Yining’s mood at the moment, unsure if she was happy or unhappy about her date. She turned down the radio volume, afraid of disturbing her.

Halfway there, Que Yining’s phone rang.

The call was from Xie Yanhuai. He almost never called Que Yining unless it was about work.

Que Yining listened to what he said and told him she would be there soon.

Que Yining hung up the phone and looked ahead: “To the company.”

Zhang Shiyu: “Okay.”

It was now seven o’clock in the evening, already past quitting time, but almost everyone was still hard at work at their posts.

After Que Yining arrived, the core team immediately held a meeting. Que Yining tied up her hair, took off her coat and scarf, rolled up her sleeves, and instantly switched into work mode.

Que Yining was undoubtedly very dedicated to this game of hers. Because of her previous experience, the progress this time was actually very fast. But precisely because of this speed, they couldn’t afford to be complacent.

After the meeting, everyone went back to work. Testers continued testing, bug fixers continued fixing bugs, and modelers continued designing data. Their enthusiasm for work was such that anyone who saw it wouldn’t want to leave.

At nine o’clock, Que Yining ordered a late-night snack for everyone, not forgetting to order some barbecue for herself. She took a photo and posted it on her Moments.

Mainly, she wanted a certain someone to see her update, although that certain someone might not necessarily check her Moments.

A few minutes later, her phone vibrated.

Que Yining opened her phone full of anticipation, only to see a comment from Qiao Yuchu.

【Xiao Qiao】: You actually dare to eat barbecue! Fattening warning!

Que Yining pouted, then her eyes darted, and she sent a message to Gu Shanxue.

Gu Shanxue was in a video conference. When her phone vibrated, she initially didn’t want to pay attention, but seeing the name on it, she picked it up.

【Yining】: [Cat Crying]

【Yining】: Someone said I’m fat QWQ

【Yining】: I also feel like I’ve gotten fat. If I’m fat, Shanxue, you’ll definitely think I’m not pretty anymore.

【Yining】: I even ordered a late-night snack. Should I not eat it?

The other participants in the video conference, located on the other side of the ocean, rarely saw their boss, who always maintained a cool demeanor, actually frown. They looked at each other, and no one dared to speak.

Gu Shanxue typed with a cold, stern expression, a displeasure she herself wasn’t aware of on her face.

【Gu Shanxue】: Who said that? You’re very slim.

【Gu Shanxue】: You look good.

【Gu Shanxue】: Eat.

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