70: Chapter 71 In the Name of Love, Project Angel

A few days passed slowly, marked by Yin Tianxue's deliberate avoidance and Yu Bo's anxious waiting. The investigation on Yin Hanhai's side seemed to still be ongoing, and he had ordered Yu Bo not to disturb Yin Tianxue for the time being. But Yu Bo knew that just waiting was definitely not a solution, especially after learning that Yin Tianchou had returned to the country and seemed to be paying extra attention to this matter; he felt even greater pressure. He had to do something, to take the initiative to repair the rift, even if it was just taking a small step forward.

The opportunity arrived on a Friday afternoon. Due to an important cross-border merger and acquisition case, Yin Tianxue needed to personally go to a high-tech park in the suburbs to conduct final negotiations with the founding team of a startup company. Yu Bo had originally been following this project too, but he wasn't leading it. He immediately realized this was an opportunity.

He ended an unimportant meeting at "Listening to the Waves" early and instructed his assistant: "Help me book a table at the 'bamboo room restaurant' for tonight. I want the quietest private room, and have the dishes prepared in advance according to Miss Yin's tastes." Then, he drove himself and arrived early to wait near the park where the startup was located.

Yin Tianxue's negotiation took more than half an hour longer than expected. When she walked out of the geek-style office building with her team, looking slightly tired, the sky had already darkened. The late autumn evening breeze carried a chill; she tightened the collar of her trench coat and was just about to tell her driver to head back to the city when she caught sight of that familiar car parked on the side of the road.

Yu Bo was leaning against the car, wearing a simple white shirt and grey casual trousers, no tie, with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, toying with his car keys. Seeing Yin Tianxue come out, he immediately stood up straight, a cautious and ingratiating smile appearing on his face, and walked over quickly.

The assistant and team members beside Yin Tianxue all recognized Yu Bo. Seeing this, they exchanged glances, very tactfully said their goodbyes, and left first, leaving the space to the two of them.

"Why are you here?" Yin Tianxue stopped and looked at Yu Bo, who had walked up to her. Her tone was flat, revealing no joy or anger, but a complex ripple still flashed in her eyes. Not having seen him for a few days, he seemed to have lost some weight; his jawline was sharper, and there were faint dark circles under his eyes, clearly indicating he hadn't been resting well either. This realization caused a part of her heart to twinge slightly, but it was immediately stung by the memory of those ten seconds, causing her to harden her heart.

"I heard from Lisa that you were coming here to negotiate a project today, and I estimated that it should be about time to finish." Yu Bo's voice was very soft, carrying a trace of imperceptible hoarseness, and his gaze was focused on her, as if confirming whether she was alright. "You've been negotiating all afternoon; you must be tired and hungry, right? There's a 'bamboo room restaurant' nearby with a quiet environment and light dishes, all in the Jiangnan style you like. I've booked a table, and I wanted to... invite you to dinner."

Looking at the cautious anticipation and well-hidden fatigue in his eyes, the wall of ice in Yin Tianxue's heart seemed to loosen slightly, without a sound. She was indeed hungry and tired. The afternoon's negotiation had consumed a great deal of mental energy, and now, being blown by the evening breeze, she felt even colder and more empty.

"...Alright." After a long while, Yin Tianxue finally spoke, her voice still devoid of warmth, but she had ultimately agreed.

A flash of surprise erupted in Yu Bo's eyes, like stars suddenly lighting up in the night sky. He hurriedly turned to the side and opened the passenger door, his movements as gentle as if he were handling a fragile treasure: "Get in, it's not far ahead."

The car drove steadily toward the private restaurant named "bamboo room restaurant." The atmosphere inside the car was somewhat stagnant, with only soothing light music flowing. Yin Tianxue turned her head to look at the rapidly receding streetscape outside the window, not speaking. Yu Bo didn't try to force a conversation either, just glancing at her from time to time in the rearview mirror while driving attentively.

The "bamboo room restaurant" had a Chinese courtyard style, with small bridges and flowing water, swaying bamboo shadows, and private, elegant dining rooms. Yu Bo had clearly made arrangements in advance; the dishes were served quickly, and they were indeed the light Jiangnan flavors that Yin Tianxue preferred, with exquisite plating and an enticing aroma.

Yu Bo first served her a small bowl of steaming Yan Du Xian; the soup was milky white and fragrant. "Drink some soup first to warm yourself up." He placed the soup bowl gently in front of her, but didn't pick up his own chopsticks, just watching her.

Yin Tianxue picked up the spoon and took a small sip. The soup tasted excellent; the warm, delicious liquid slid into her stomach, dispelling much of her chill and fatigue. Her tensed nerves seemed to relax slightly in this comfortable environment and with the appetizing food.

Only then did Yu Bo begin to use his chopsticks, occasionally serving her dishes that she loved. His movements were natural and familiar, as if the previous rift had never existed. "This steamed hilsa is very fresh, try it." "Shepherd's purse stir-fried rice cakes, very refreshing." "Would you like to try this crab meat lion's head meatball? I remember you like it."

His tone remained gentle throughout, carrying a deliberate, ingratiating attentiveness, yet it wasn't overly sycophantic; he handled the degree just right. Yin Tianxue ate silently, not responding to him serving her, but not refusing either. In the steaming mist of the delicious food, the atmosphere gradually shifted from icy to a subtle, distanced calm.

Halfway through the meal, Yu Bo put down his chopsticks, picked up a wet towel to wipe his hands, and then took a thin folder out of his briefcase and pushed it in front of Yin Tianxue.

"What is this?" Yin Tianxue raised her eyes, her gaze falling on that thin folder with a trace of confusion.

Yu Bo looked at her, the ingratiation and caution from before gone from his eyes, replaced instead by a deeper, more solemn tenderness. He gently opened the folder and turned the contents toward Yin Tianxue.

On the first page was a carefully designed cover for a proposal, with the title prominently reading: "Yin Angel" Public Welfare Medical Assistance Project. Below it was a line of small text: Dedicated with this project to all the "Smiling Angels" who need help.

Yin Tianxue was stunned, her gaze firmly drawn to it. She quickly opened the proposal.