42: Chapter 42 Midday Interlude

The door to the small conference room closed again. Shen Bowen and Meng Zhi followed Li Yong out, while Qiao Yichen stayed inside. He quickly typed a message to Liu Yanran:

"I have to have lunch with the team members today to get familiar with the group. I won't be able to eat with you. How about this, I'll bring you something up after I finish eating?"

Less than half a minute after sending the message, his phone vibrated.

"Mm, okay."

Qiao Yichen looked at the concise reply, paused his fingertips over the screen, and added another sentence: "Is there anything specific you want to eat?"

This time the reply was very fast: "Whatever, you decide."

"Got it."

Putting down his phone, Qiao Yichen packed up his laptop and documents and walked out of the conference room.

The office area outside had returned to its usual rhythm, with the sound of keyboards incessant. Li Yong was leading Shen Bowen and Meng Zhi in setting up their workstations. Seeing Qiao Yichen approach, the three of them stopped what they were doing.

"Team Leader Qiao, the workstations are all arranged," Li Yong said with a smile. "Everyone is seated next to each other for easy communication."

Qiao Yichen nodded and looked at Li Yong and the two newcomers: "Wait a moment, everyone will have lunch together."

Shen Bowen immediately responded: "Okay, Team Leader Qiao, we'll follow your arrangements."

Meng Zhi also softly echoed: "Thank you, Team Leader Qiao."

In the blink of an eye, it was eleven-thirty.

Li Yong, familiar with the area, led the group downstairs, explaining as they walked: "This street below our company building has many dining options. To the left, there's a Hangzhou cuisine restaurant, which is light. To the right, there's a Sichuan cuisine bistro, which is flavorful. Across the road, there's also a Japanese set meal place that serves food quickly. What do you all feel like eating?"

Shen Bowen looked at Qiao Yichen: "Team Leader Qiao, you decide."

Qiao Yichen thought for a moment: "Let's go to that Hangzhou cuisine restaurant. The environment is relatively quiet, suitable for chatting."

"Alright, I frequent that place too." Li Yong led the way, not forgetting to continue briefing the newcomers. "If you ever have to work late, there are also a few late-night stalls on the next street. The stir-fried noodles and small wontons are both quite good..."

This restaurant wasn't large, but it was clean. The four of them found a square table by the window and sat down. The waiter handed them the menus. Qiao Yichen took one and naturally passed it first to Meng Zhi: "Ladies first, see what you'd like to eat."

Meng Zhi accepted it somewhat awkwardly and quietly said, "Thank you."

Shen Bowen and Li Yong leaned over to look together and quickly ordered four or five dishes. Qiao Yichen glanced at the menu, and during the brief moment they were discussing, he got up and walked over to the proprietress behind the cashier. He spoke a few words in a low voice, ordered two or three extra dishes, and finally added: "The dishes ordered later, please pack them separately for me. Make them lighter—less oil, less salt."

The proprietress understood, nodded, and made a mark on the order slip.

Returning to the table, the food had already been ordered. During the wait for the dishes, the conversation naturally circled back to work.

Li Yong was talkative, discussing everything from the collaboration habits of various departments in the company to interesting stories and pitfalls from previous projects. Shen Bowen occasionally interjected to share his own past experiences. Meng Zhi mostly listened quietly, only answering softly when asked a direct question.

The dishes were served one after another. Before picking up his chopsticks, Qiao Yichen raised his tea cup in place of a toast and said a few simple words: "From now on, we are colleagues on the same team. Support each other at work and look out for each other in life. Communicate anytime if you have problems."

Li Yong led the toast, and the atmosphere eased considerably.

After the meal, Li Yong eagerly wanted to pay the bill, but Qiao Yichen stopped him: "I'm treating this time."

Then Qiao Yichen said to the three of them: "You all go up first."

Li Yong responded, "Okay," and led Shen Bowen and Meng Zhi to leave the restaurant first and return to the company.

Qiao Yichen waited another ten minutes at the cashier. The proprietress came out with two delicate takeout bags: "Just as you requested, packed separately. The soup is also packed on its own."

"Thank you." Qiao Yichen took the bags. They felt heavy and were still warm.

He walked out of the restaurant; the midday sun was a bit dazzling. Back in the office building, he took the elevator up. The elevator stopped on the 23rd floor. The doors opened, and he carried the bags toward the Director's office.

Meng Zhi happened to be coming out of the restroom, wiping her hands with a tissue. When she looked up, she saw Qiao Yichen walking from the other end of the corridor.

He was carrying a paper bag printed with the restaurant's logo. Judging by the shape, it should contain takeout containers.

Meng Zhi subconsciously opened her mouth, intending to call out, "Team Leader Qiao."

But Qiao Yichen didn't notice her, nor did he stop walking. He didn't head toward the open glass door of the Planning Department office area. Instead, he turned midway and walked directly to an office on the other side of the corridor, knocked lightly, and then pushed the door open and went in.

The door closed.

Meng Zhi stood rooted to the spot, the greeting she hadn't spoken stuck in her throat.

Who was he bringing food to?

The thought had barely surfaced before she pushed it away herself.

She shook her head, threw the used tissue into the trash can, and turned back to the Planning Department.

...Qiao Yichen pushed open the office door, carrying the takeout bags.

"Yanran," he called softly.

Liu Yanran was facing the computer screen, her fingertips rapidly striking the keyboard, her brow slightly furrowed. "Put it on the desk, thank you."

Qiao Yichen gently placed the paper bag in an empty corner of her desk. He didn't leave immediately but walked around behind her.

"Eat first." His voice was very low, carrying an unquestionable tone. As he spoke, his hand naturally landed on her shoulder, pressing down twice with moderate force.

Liu Yanran's fingers paused over the keyboard.

Her tense shoulders slowly relaxed under his palm.

She finally turned her head to look at him.

"What did you order?" she asked, but her body was already leaning back against the chair.

"Guess," Qiao Yichen smiled, then withdrew his hand and started untying the paper bag. The containers were opened one by one; they were all her preferred light flavors, and at the very bottom was a serving of almond tofu.

Liu Yanran looked, saying nothing, but her eyes softened considerably.

Qiao Yichen handed her the chopsticks, then casually picked up her empty water cup from the desk, walked to the water dispenser to fill it with half a cup of warm water, and placed it back beside her.

He leaned against a nearby table.

"How much longer do you have to work this afternoon?" he asked, his gaze fixed on her face.

"I don't know," Liu Yanran picked up a piece of stir-fried seasonal vegetables. "There's an urgent proposal that needs revision."

"Mm." Qiao Yichen didn't press further, just watched her eat quietly.

There was a rare tranquility in the office, only the low hum of the air conditioning and the occasional light clinking sound of her utensils.

...By two-thirty in the afternoon, the sunlight slanted into the office.

Buzz.

Her phone vibrated on the desk. The screen lit up, displaying the caller ID: President Wu Guodong.

He didn't hesitate. He picked up his phone, stood up, and walked quickly to the back door of the Planning Department.

He pushed open the fire door and stepped into the stairwell.

He slid the screen to answer.

"President Wu," he began. His voice sounded exceptionally clear in the empty stairwell, even carrying a slight echo.

"Qiao Yichen," President Wu Guodong's voice came through the receiver, still in that steady tone, revealing no joy or anger. "Is it convenient to talk now?"

"It is convenient, please go ahead." Qiao Yichen leaned slightly to the side against the cool wall, listening intently.

"That matter you asked me about yesterday," President Wu Guodong got straight to the point. "I asked that old friend of mine who collects antiques."

Qiao Yichen held his breath.

"It turns out he is a long-time client of Auction House and even has an invitation letter from them." President Wu Guodong paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully. "I explained your situation to him—a young man interested in antiques who wants to broaden his horizons. He gave me face and agreed to take you in."

It worked.

A surge of warmth instantly flooded Qiao Yichen's heart, but he forcefully suppressed his emotions, maintaining a calm tone of gratitude: "President Wu, thank you so much! Please also convey my thanks to your friend."

"No need for formalities," President Wu Guodong interrupted. "The time is Wednesday, April 23rd, starting at seven in the evening. The location is the local branch of Auction House. Arrive half an hour early, call me when you get there, and I'll have my friend wait for you at the entrance. His surname is Song; just call him Teacher Song."

"Understood, I'll remember. Wednesday evening at six-thirty, outside Auction House, contact Teacher Song." Qiao Yichen repeated the details to ensure accuracy.

"Mm." President Wu Guodong responded, seemingly ready to end the call, but added one last thing, his voice dropping slightly, "Qiao Yichen."

"Yes, sir?"

"Once you are inside, look more, listen more, and speak less." President Wu Guodong's tone carried a warning.

"I understand, President Wu. I will be careful and absolutely will not cause trouble for you or Teacher Song," Qiao Yichen replied solemnly.

After that, the two hung up the phone.