Chapter 49 But Two

Chapter 49: Two, Actually

In the afternoon, Shen Qingci was going through documents in his office.

Lin Wei knocked and entered to report on routine matters: "Mr. Shen, Mr. Hill sent a message saying he's in the country and would like to meet with you tonight."

Shen Qingci pondered briefly, then nodded. "Set up the time and place."

"Got it." Lin Wei acknowledged.

Right as Lin Wei hit send, the office door was pushed open.

Lu Lin walked in carrying a big bouquet of irises, a faint smile on his lips, his eyes locked on Shen Qingci behind the desk.

He walked over casually, naturally placed the bouquet on the desk, then moved to Shen Qingci's side, smoothly dropping to one knee and reaching out to rub his leg.

"Brother," Lu Lin said softly, his tone hinting at anticipation and testing the waters, "There's a banquet tonight... can you come with me?"

Shen Qingci kept his eyes on the documents, his fingers flipping through a contract page, his voice calm and even: "I've got plans tonight. No time."

Lu Lin stopped massaging, the light in his eyes visibly fading. His thick lashes drooped, casting a shadow under his eyes.

He muttered, "...Okay."

Just as Lu Lin was about to ask who the invitation was from, his phone suddenly rang, cutting off what he was about to ask.

Lu Lin glanced at the caller ID, his brow barely furrowing.

He stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window to take the call.

A moment later, he ended the call and turned back to Shen Qingci: "Brother, I've got some urgent stuff to handle. After you're done tonight, want me to pick you up?"

Shen Qingci still focused on the documents, just letting out a vague "Mm," unclear if he was answering the first or second thing.

---

That evening, Shen Qingci showed up right on time, at a private room in a high-end restaurant with great privacy.

When he pushed the door open, besides Hill, there was an unfamiliar Asian guy in his thirties sitting beside him, with a refined air.

Shen Qingci's expression didn't change. He handed off the coat over his arm, and Lin Wei took it and hung it on the nearby rack.

Leaning on his cane, Shen Qingci walked over and said calmly: "I didn't expect Mr. Hill to have friends here too."

Hill laughed loudly, patting the guy next to him on the shoulder, and introduced him warmly in Chinese with an accent: "Oh, no, A-Qing, he only came back to the country in the last two years. Before that, he was developing abroad. He's my good buddy, a really good buddy!"

Shen Qingci couldn't care less about the extra person and didn't even acknowledge Hill's obvious introduction.

Only when Hill said that overly familiar "A-Qing" did his cool brow twitch, barely noticeable.

He sat down, picked up the warm tea in front of him, and under the eager stares of Hill and the other guy, took a sip. Then he set the cup down, looked up, and corrected him coldly and clearly: "Just call me Shen Qing."

Hill's smile froze for a second, then he let out a forced laugh, trying to smooth things over: "That's just how Shen Qing is! He keeps business and personal separate! Love that!"

Shen Qingci didn't bite at Hill's attempt to get chummy, getting straight to the point: "Mr. Hill, what business do you have with me this time?"

Hill clearly didn't want to get down to business yet. He reached out to spin the glass lazy Susan on the table, moving a full glass of strong booze in front of Shen Qingci, grinning from ear to ear: "No rush, no rush! Let's first experience your wonderful drinking culture, chat while we drink, how about that?"

The crimson liquid swirled in the crystal glass.

Shen Qingci glanced down at it but made no move.

Lin Wei, knowing full well that Shen Qingci never drank, was about to step forward and take it on his behalf when she heard Shen Qingci say coolly: "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Mr. Hill. I never drink alcohol."

Having been rebuffed repeatedly, Hill's smile began to falter.

He squinted, sizing up the man sitting upright with a refined yet aloof demeanor.

Shen Qingci met his gaze, his eyes devoid of any extra emotion, only an almost indifferent calm, as if standing above the clouds, looking down on the turmoil of the world.

After a few seconds of eye contact, Hill suddenly burst into laughter again, spinning the glass back to himself, and exclaimed with exaggerated flair: "What a pity! You're missing out on the joy of fine wine!"

Shen Qingci said no more, his right hand resting on the cane beside him, his index finger tapping the top idly.

Hill and his friend began to clink glasses and chat, occasionally throwing a few words at Shen Qingci, making small talk about everything and nothing, but never getting to the point.

The phone on the table vibrated softly.

Shen Qingci picked it up and glanced at it.

Lu Lin: Brother, the banquet is over. Can I come pick you up?

Shen Qingci's fingertips moved slightly, and he replied briefly: No need.

Putting the phone away, he noticed Hill had somehow moved to sit beside him, a glass in hand.

The alcohol-laden breath drawing near made Shen Qingci frown slightly.

"Shen Qing, I see you haven't eaten anything. Is it not to your taste?" Hill said, picking up the serving chopsticks and placing a dish onto Shen Qingci's barely touched plate.

Shen Qingci's brow instantly tightened, and the last shred of his patience evaporated.

He stood up directly, his voice even colder than before: "If Mr. Hill has no other important matters, I'll take my leave."

"Hey, wait, Shen Qing! Mr. Shen!" Hill quickly stood up too, reaching out to stop him.

Lin Wei stepped forward, precisely and firmly blocking Hill's hand reaching for Shen Qingci, her tone leaving no room for argument: "Mr. Hill, please maintain your distance and decorum."

Hill looked at the stern-faced Lin Wei, then at the cold-faced Shen Qingci, raised both hands in a gesture of surrender, and stepped back, finally dropping the pretense.

"Alright, alright! Mr. Shen, here's the thing: my overseas company... well, it's run into some trouble. The cooperation project we discussed before... might not be able to move forward."

He pointed to the friend who had been mostly silent: "But don't worry! I'm introducing my good friend to you! His company is very strong and can fully take over my part to continue our cooperation!"

Shen Qingci's finger paused on the top of his cane. He glanced at Hill's so-called friend, then looked away and said flatly: "For the specifics, have your person in charge come to Qingye tomorrow to liaise with my team."

With that, without giving Hill any chance to plead or explain further, Shen Qingci gave Lin Wei a slight nod, leaned on his cane, and turned to leave.

In the car, Shen Qingci leaned back in the seat, resting his eyes, his fingertip habitually tapping on his cane.

Ever since that day, under Lu Lin's aggrieved gaze, he had eaten the food Lu Lin served him. For a time, he thought accepting food from others might not be so difficult.

It wasn't until Hill's presumptuous behavior today that he clearly realized: no, that wasn't the case.

It seemed he could only accept it from Lu Lin.

This realization sent a faint trace of irritation through his heart.

His phone vibrated again.

Shen Qingci opened his eyes and tapped the screen.

This time, Lu Lin sent a photo.

In the photo was a fluffy little golden retriever puppy, tilting its head, its dark, shiny eyes glistening as it looked at the camera, its fur sleek and glossy, clearly well cared for.

Lu Lin: Bro, look, it's so cute. [Image]

Shen Qingci's fingers twitched, and he replied with just one word: Mm.

Soon, Lu Lin sent another one.

This time, he was squatting on the ground, his arm wrapped around the puppy's neck, him and the dog cheek to cheek, smiling brightly at the camera.

Lu Lin's smile was so simple and honest, strangely resembling the little golden retriever.

Another message from Lu Lin popped up: Bro, even though you can't keep it, you can set it as your wallpaper and look at it every day~ [Image]

Shen Qingci's gaze lingered on that photo for a few seconds.

In the photo, Lu Lin's eyes sparkled, his smile pure like a big boy, completely devoid of his usual seriousness and the occasional hint of darkness.

Shen Qingci didn't reply. He saved the photo and couldn't help glancing at it a few more times.

Suddenly, he inexplicably felt that.

In this photo, it seemed like there wasn't just one dog, but two.