Quenching

Jin Xixing gently turned the back of his chair, cleared his throat, and dialed a video call with Wanli Ruoyu with a worried expression.

"Sir, the mining channels at our mine have all been arranged, and the most advanced equipment and technicians are waiting there. It's just that the young master isn't here, and communication with the higher-ups is..."

"understood."

Wanli Ruoyu put down the newspaper, took a deep breath, and had no choice but to get up.

The servant reluctantly put away the teacup, his face showing a look of regret.

Wanli Ruoyu had just taken a step when she paused, turned around, and asked.

"Is Zhou Binwei's birthday the day after tomorrow?"

"Yes, she was a little girl who played well with the young master when she was little. Now she has grown into a beautiful young lady."

"Ah."

Wanli Ruoyu sat down again, opened the newspaper, and picked up her teacup.

"Why don't you leave?"

"no need."

The servant, completely bewildered, put away the teacup.

Wanli Ruoyu reached out to pick up the teacup. Hmm?

"what happened again?"

"Dinner's almost ready, stop drinking."

******

As night deepened, Wanli Fuguang massaged his aching shoulders and looked up at the windows of the residential area. Most of them were pitch black, and among the few faint lights, there was a single, warm light that was always on for him.

Looking exhausted, Wanli Fuguang raised the corners of his lips slightly and quickened his pace. But then, a thought flashed through his mind: the notebooks lying around carelessly, the shoes kicked away, the clothes strewn about, the snacks flying everywhere, the messy kitchen. His pace slowed down.

"Wanli Fuguang".

A lively voice completely stopped Wanli Fuguang's slow steps.

"Zhou Binwei".

Wanli Fuguang shook off his fatigue and, with a smile in his eyes, invited Zhou Binwei to sit down on a bench in the community.

Zhou Binwei touched the rice noodle stain in front of Wanli Fuguang with her slender fingers.

Are you here to experience life?

"Haha, how did you know I was here?"

“A mysterious person told me this, but you still owe me something.”

Zhou Binwei pouted, turned her palm upward, and frowned at Wanli Fuguang.

"I……"

Wanli Fuguang stared at Zhou Binwei's fair and delicate face, completely bewildered.

"It's one thing that you didn't come to my birthday party, but you didn't even prepare a birthday present for me. Isn't that going too far?"

Zhou Binwei delivered a perfect chokehold and casually draped his arm over Wanli Fuguang's shoulder.

"Hehe, it was my fault, I'll definitely make it up to you. What do you want?"

"Forget it! I don't want this belated birthday present. Where are you going later?"

"I'm going home. My girlfriend and I live here."

Zhou Binwei withdrew his arm, looking slightly embarrassed, and asked curiously.

"You're in a relationship? How come there's been no word from you? Do you have any photos? Let me see them?"

Wanli Fuguang handed over his phone and explained.

"She's a bit shy and not very good at interacting with people."

"Then I won't bother you any longer. Otherwise, I'd like to go up and sit for a while. Actually, I was planning to take advantage of this time to relax. It seems you don't have time to play with me either."

"Next... oh... it's... we need to prepare for the mining, right?"

"Well, the bidding hasn't started yet, but there are too many uncontrollable factors like geology and weather. I'm afraid I'm not prepared enough, so..."

Zhou Binwei cast a pleading glance at Wanli Fuguang, who was wearing a rice noodle-stained jacket.

"Write down a few phone numbers and addresses, and visit them in person."

"A door-to-door visit is too abrupt!"

"The address I gave you doesn't matter. Seize the opportunity before the end of the year and go!"

Zhou Binwei pouted and complained to Wanli Fuguang.

"The end of the year? I want to travel for a few more months!"

Wanli Fuguang said with a serious expression.

"Work won't wait for you to have a go and then come chasing after you, waiting for your signature."

When will your documents be approved?

Wanli Fuguang closed his mouth and took out a pen from his shirt pocket.

A hint of coldness flashed in Zhou Binwei's eyes. She lightly slapped Wanli Fuguang in annoyance and said with dissatisfaction.

"We can only start the bidding process after you've all signed and completed the formalities, leaving only the scraps, and even then, there's no guarantee you'll win the bid."

Wanli Fuguang continued to search his entire body with his head down. Zhou Binwei looked puzzled and nudged Wanli Fuguang curiously.

"What are you looking for?"

"Shall I write down your phone number and address?"

"Just show it to me, and I'll remember it, won't I?"

Wanli Fuguang was suddenly stunned, and said casually.

"My girlfriend is used to writing everything down on paper, and I'm used to it too."

Zhou Binwei then playfully slapped Wanli Fuguang lightly on the hand and mocked him.

"Look at you, a stay-at-home husband, how can you be so dull and stupid?"

Wanli Fuguang nodded in agreement, pulled out the address and phone number from his phone, Zhou Binwei memorized them, waved, and strode off.

"You can go now, I'm leaving."

"Let me see you to your car! It's so late, and it's a bit dark in the neighborhood. With your night blindness, you might slip and fall flat on your face."

"You're the one who fell, you..."

Just as Zhou Binwei reached out to pat Wanli Fuguang, Wanli Fuguang dodged away, and the prophecy was fulfilled.

Huang Qiaqia, upstairs, looked down at Wanli Fuguang's broad and warm back, where the girl was still tugging at his ear, her eyes filled with a hint of bitterness.

Wanli Fuguang closed the car door for Zhou Binwei and nodded to her.

Wanli Fuguang didn't overstep any boundaries, nor did he have any ulterior motives. He was just doing what a friend should do, which was perfectly reasonable. Yet, Huang Qiaqia's pillowcase was still soaked.

The world was covered in a blanket of white snow. Huang Qiaqia really wanted to share her joy at first sight of the snow-covered landscape with Wanli Fuguang. But when she opened the door, she was greeted by a spotless, cold house.

Huang Qiaqia drew back the curtains, let out a long sigh, nestled in the rocking chair on the balcony, opened her laptop, and tilted her head slightly.

The robot sheep completed its task with a "clattering" sound.

"Senior, are you home alone? Where's Wanli Fuguang? I feel like I haven't seen him in ages. Are you two together?"

"Is he busy with work? Why did you come alone? Where are the others?"

"Professor Zhong only contacted the two of us, didn't you know?"

"Oh, I've almost finished all my credits. If you join Professor Zhong's lab, you'll have to extend your studies!"

"I plan to start my own business in the future; taking academic credits is only part of it."

Chen Zhixing casually picked up a sandwich from the table and took a big bite.

Huang Qiaqia's gaze was fixed on Chen Zhixing's hand. Momo also habitually tucked her index finger in, pinching the sandwich between her thumb and middle finger. There were so many similarities between them.

A handsome, sunny face suddenly appeared magnified in front of Huang Qiaqia.

"Senior, senior, Huang Qiaqia."

"Ok?"

Huang Qiaqia mechanically responded, clearly forgetting that Chen Zhixing was holding a love sandwich made for him by Wanli Fuguang.

"I'm not full? Can I have a steamed bun?"

"Chen Zhixing. You haven't eaten enough, you..."

Huang Qiaqia glanced up casually, his brows furrowing again. Sunlight filtered sparsely, and his jawline was exactly like Momo's. They weren't the same person, no, but…