32: Chapter 32 The Promise for Tomorrow
Meanwhile.
The afternoon sun, past three o'clock, streamed through the glass curtain wall of Company Name's twenty-third floor, casting long shadows across the Planning Department's office area.
The air was filled with the sound of keyboard tapping and faint telephone conversations.
Qiao Yichen saved the final archived file for the xianbai project he was responsible for at his workstation, leaned back in his chair, and let out a soft breath, "Finally done."
Liu Yanran had just mentioned it this morning, so he took advantage of having few tasks today to start organizing it early—even though the document itself wasn't needed until next week.
But he still adhered to the idea of solving things sooner for an easier time later.
Before he could fully relax, the first piece of intelligence from his system surfaced—the one about that Jiayi Xuan Auction House Private Negotiation Fair.
Since last weekend, he had started reading books borrowed from the library so as not to appear like a complete novice at the auction.
He clicked on the browser on his computer and typed in the words "Jiayi Xuan Auction House Private Negotiation Fair."
The page jumped, and the official website interface popped up.
However, under the title "Returning Treasures Private Negotiation Fair," the line of text was a bit glaring:
[This event is exclusively for specially invited guests and partner organizations. It is not open to the public, and on-site registration will not be accepted.]
There were no further details about eligibility requirements, nor any contact information.
Qiao Yichen closed the page, tapping his fingers unconsciously on the desk.
The intelligence couldn't be wrong; the value of that huanghuali square cabinet was undeniable. But the intelligence didn't tell him how to get in.
Just viewing information online was useless; it was hard to draw any effective conclusions.
Qiao Yichen thought about it. In his past life, he had heard of Auction Houses and knew that for events described as 'not open to the public,' one often needed an introduction from an acquaintance or proof of a certain amount of assets. He needed to figure out the way in first.
So, he planned to go check it out himself on Saturday.
...
About ten minutes later, he picked up the newly printed "xianbai project Full Case Strategy Archive Index" and walked toward the Director's office.
Liu Yanran's office door was slightly ajar.
Qiao Yichen knocked softly outside the door, and a voice inside said, "Come in."
Qiao Yichen pushed the door open. Liu Yanran was facing her computer screen, her brow slightly furrowed, with several documents spread out nearby, clearly handling other matters. Hearing the movement, she looked up.
Qiao Yichen raised the folder in his hand and said naturally, "Didn't you say this morning that the Xianbai archive index was due next week? I happened to be free today, and I've already finished organizing all the archived files. Since you have to review them anyway, could you take a look now if you have time?"
Liu Yanran's gaze paused on his face for a moment, seemingly surprised by his efficiency, then she nodded, "You are quite fast, finishing it in one day. Leave it here."
Qiao Yichen handed over the documents. Liu Yanran took them and began to flip through them.
Her reading speed was fast; her eyes swept over the pages, occasionally tracing a light line under a sentence with her fingertip, or pausing for two seconds. The office was very quiet, with only the rustling sound of pages turning and her occasional breath.
About five minutes later, she closed the document, picked up a pen, and signed a few letters on the cover page, indicating it had been reviewed and approved.
"The structure is very clear, and the key points are well-marked." She handed the document back, "This document needs a few minor details adjusted, and then it can be handed over to the subsequent service team on Monday."
"Okay." Qiao Yichen took the document back but didn't leave immediately.
Liu Yanran seemed to notice, looking at him again with a hint of inquiry in her eyes.
Qiao Yichen looked at her; there was a barely perceptible trace of fatigue on her face.
"I noticed you haven't been leaving on time these past two days," he began, his voice lower and softer than when discussing business, "Are you working overtime again?"
Liu Yanran paused slightly, then relaxed her shoulders and leaned back gently in her chair.
She raised a hand to rub her temples—a small gesture revealing exhaustion.
"Yes," she admitted, with a hint of helpless candor in her tone, "I still have the visual proposal for the Little Deer Tea Drink, plus two other projects to monitor." She paused, suddenly looking up at him, a very faint, teasing curve on her lips, "Is Mr. Qiao checking up on my attendance?"
Qiao Yichen detected the teasing in her tone and felt a sense of relief, smiling back.
"Not at all." He leaned forward slightly, bracing his hands on the edge of the desk, closing the distance between them slightly, "I just feel that Ms. Liu has been working too hard lately."
He lowered his voice, his gaze fixed on her face, and asked softly,
"So, are you free tomorrow evening after work? Shall the two of us go out for a nice meal?"
Liu Yanran's eyelashes fluttered almost imperceptibly. She didn't avoid his gaze; instead, she followed his teasing tone, the curve of her lips deepening slightly.
"A nice meal?" she repeated the words, her voice rising slightly at the end, "What kind of nice meal does Mr. Qiao plan to treat me to?"
He agreed.
Qiao Yichen's smile became more pronounced—he knew she had accepted.
"I heard about a creative cuisine restaurant that has excellent reviews and a quiet environment," he said, his tone becoming serious, "The ingredients and flavors are exquisite, and the head chef returned from abroad. I thought... you might like it."
He paused and added, his voice softer, "Consider it a reward for you. Let's both take a proper rest."
Liu Yanran looked at him.
The light from outside the office window swept across her profile just then, coating her clear contours with a soft, pale gold.
She didn't speak, but the curve of her lips widened considerably.
Just as Liu Yanran was about to speak—
"Knock, knock."
A knock sounded on the door, somewhat abruptly.
Liu Yanran sat upright almost instantly; the softness on her face quickly faded, returning to her usual composure.
Her voice also rose slightly as she addressed the door, "Please come in."
Qiao Yichen quickly created distance, standing up straight, holding the document in his hand, his posture instantly reverting to that of a subordinate who had finished reporting and was about to leave.
The door was pushed open.
It was Li Yong from the Planning Department, holding a folder, with a hint of anxiety on his face. He paused when he saw Qiao Yichen there.
"Director Liu, Brother Qiao, sorry to interrupt," he said quickly, shaking the file in his hand, "The Party A for the Little Deer Tea Drink is rushing us for revision comments; there's an urgent item that needs your signature right now..."
Liu Yanran's gaze had already fallen on the document.
"It's fine, bring it here." Her voice was steady, betraying no unusual emotion.
Seeing this, Qiao Yichen nodded to Liu Yanran and gestured to Li Yong, his voice normal: "Director Liu, I will adjust this archive file according to what we just discussed."
Liu Yanran lifted her gaze from the document and looked at Qiao Yichen.
"Mm, go ahead."
Qiao Yichen turned, pulled open the office door, and walked out.
The door closed softly behind him, isolating the sound of the conversation inside.
Leaning against the wall in the corridor, Qiao Yichen let out a soft breath, and the smile that had been interrupted earlier reappeared on his face.
Tomorrow night.
He glanced down at his phone and began searching for the page of the restaurant he had saved a long time ago, which he had always wanted to take her to, preparing to book a table.
...
Back at his workstation, Qiao Yichen didn't rush to make the final adjustments to the archived file.
He first picked up his phone and sent a WeChat message to Su Qing:
"Lawyer Su, have you gotten the results for the studio name check? What do I need to prepare for the next step?"
After sending the message, he opened the archived file and made minor adjustments based on the sections Liu Yanran had circled. He worked very efficiently and finished the revisions in no time.
His phone vibrated once.
Su Qing replied:
"Mr. Qiao, the name 'Yiran Consulting' is available. The registration application has been submitted. For the next step, you need: 1. Clear photos of the front and back of your ID card; 2. An electronic signature to accept the virtual address usage agreement; 3. Confirmation of the final scope of business (Suggestion: GG Planning, Marketing Planning, Information Consulting Services). Relevant documents have been sent to your email, please check."
Qiao Yichen replied, "Received, I'll handle it tonight. Thank you."
Putting down his phone, he glanced at the time in the bottom right corner of the computer screen.
It was already five-thirty.
He saved all the files and closed unnecessary web pages and programs. Colleagues in the office had also begun to pack up one after another, preparing to leave.
Qiao Yichen also shut down his computer, stood up, and began organizing his backpack. He put in his laptop, charger, the copy of "research on huanghuali furniture" borrowed from the library, and a few documents he might need to look over at home.
He picked up his backpack and turned off his desk lamp; the workstation fell into darkness.
His steady footsteps sounded in the corridor, gradually fading away.