Seven Years of You

Chapter 10

Before dinner began, Jiang Xiao took tongs to transfer a lamb chop from Luo Qi's plate to his own, then placed two more on Jiang Shenghe's plate, effortlessly solving Luo Qi's dilemma.Luo Qi expressed gratitude: "Thank you."Jiang Xiao smiled: "I should be thanking you for the extra lamb chops."As usual, Jiang Shenghe remained silent.Luo Qi had grown accustomed to this. In her established impression, he was a man of few words who valued verbal economy.

While eating, Jiang Xiao received a call from Secretary Ju asking about the day's work summary."I'll send it immediately, Master. Please wait a moment."He had already prepared the summary but hadn't sent it yet when Luo Qi called him for supper. The document was on his computer without mobile backup. Though he could have returned after the meal, Jiang Xiao seized this legitimate excuse to create alone time for his boss."President Jiang, Secretary Ju needs important documents. I'll return to my room to send them and be back in ten minutes. Please continue without me."Jiang Shenghe replied calmly: "Go ahead."

Left alone on the beach, Luo Qi and Jiang Shenghe might have been mistaken for a couple by observers."What's your perspective on Ruipu Medical and Dongbo Medical from last meeting?" Jiang Shenghe broke the silence.Luo Qi paused while reaching for another lamb chop."Eat while discussing," he said, using tongs to place one near her. "I've told you all before - no formalities during casual meals.""Thank you, President Jiang." Luo Qi grasped the foil wrapper. "Has the company decided to acquire Ruipu Medical?"Jiang Shenghe began eating his own lamb chop. "Li Rui's considering it."Luo Qi glanced briefly at his features. "Acquiring Ruipu could enhance Weyuan Medical's competitiveness and address our shortcomings."Regarding Dongbo Medical, she hesitated. "I shouldn't comment on Dongbo as my ex-boyfriend invested in it.""Huanheng Capital invested in Dongbo?""Yes."Jiang Shenghe feigned new awareness. "My apologies for mentioning sensitive matters."Luo Qi forced professionalism. "It's fine. We just broke up."His gaze intensified. "Was that why you cried that day?"She flushed, recalling her swollen eyes. "We were together many years. The separation overwhelmed me temporarily.""Take your time recovering. I've endured similar emotional struggles."Luo Qi's surprise showed. She couldn't imagine Jiang Shenghe experiencing romantic setbacks but appreciated his empathy.

Jiang Xiao returned after fifteen minutes, not wanting prolonged absence to arouse suspicion.Jiang Shenghe had lamb chops reheated. At 10 PM, he suggested: "The hotel will screen a movie here. Stay if interested."Jiang Xiao played along: "What genre this time, President Jiang?""Heartwarming family drama," came the reply.Luo Qi noticed "this time," assuming this was routine. The hotel quickly set up projection equipment.Within thirty minutes, a screen materialized on the beach. Luo Qi found this her first beach movie experience superior to Aunt Jiang's courtyard screening.

The hotel provided snacks and drinks. Jiang Shenghe strategically positioned himself diagonally behind Luo Qi for discreet observation. Nearby groups joined, sharing refreshments on the sand.

By midnight, the movie had ended. Luo Qi emerged briefly from her emotional fog.Jiang Shenghe remained seated. "You two retire. I'm meeting friends for cards."

Returning to her room, Luo Qi wrapped in a blanket on the balcony observed Jiang Shenghe's card game below. His beach activities held special meaning, she mused, while pondering what woman could reject his affections.

The next morning at a business club meeting with He Wancheng, the executive commented on Luo Qi's breakup: "When returning to Suzhou, let me introduce you to my nephew."Luo Qi deftly declined using Suzhou dialect: "Chairman He, my parents won't let me return home now!"He laughed while Jiang Shenghe, not understanding the dialect, intervened: "Chairman He might need to queue. A friend keeps pestering me to introduce Ms. Luo."

That afternoon, Jiang Xiao treated Luo Qi to coffee using "President Jiang's red envelope money."Next morning in Jiang Shenghe's suite, Qin Molin arrived jet-lagged from international flights. Luo Qi served coffee but Jiang Shenghe intercepted it, dismissing them: "Return in two hours."

After they left, Qin Molin remarked: "You're overprotective. Serving coffee is normal assistant work."Jiang Shenghe countered: "Different contexts. She shouldn't serve guests as staff. Even married, our housekeeper would handle hospitality."

Outside the hotel lobby, Luo Qi opened her sun umbrella and put on sunglasses, heading towards the beach.With her laptop in the boss's suite and two free hours ahead, she sought seaside diversion.

Facing away from the ocean, she took two unfiltered selfies and posted them on WeChat Moments, visible only to close family.

Her cousin Luo Yu, fresh from a morning snooze, commented instantly: 【Gorgeous! ✨】【Aren't you on business trip? How come beach time?】Luo Qi replied: 【Boss is considerate - meeting friends, gave us time off.】Mistaking "boss" for Jiang Yue-ru, Luo Yu sent privately: 【Does your boss know about your recent situation?】【Yes.】Luo Yu tried cheering her: 【She treats you like a daughter! Work hard to repay her kindness.】Luo Qi clarified: 【Not Madam Jiang. Her nephew Jiang Shenghe, our CEO. He's thirty - no need for my filial care.】Luo Yu burst out laughing, faceplanting into her pillow.

Strolling along the tide line, Luo Qi found unexpected joy in Jiang Shenghe's misunderstanding.

Returning punctually after two hours, they found Qin Molin departed. Jiang Shenghe served self-brewed coffee, casually placing a cup by Luo Qi's laptop - reciprocating her earlier gesture to Qin Molin.

Xiao Jiang swallowed scalding coffee, secretly marveling at his first taste of the CEO's brew.

Return flight to Beijing saw Jiang Shenghe seated beside Xiao Jiang, casually inquiring: "Wedding plans?""Next July/August." Xiao Jiang flattered: "Maybe you'll be planning yours too next year."Jiang Shenghe smiled, glancing at Luo Qi's sleeping form ahead. "Appreciate the sentiment."

Back in her dusty apartment, Luo Qi cleaned obsessively. Noticing first-floor grandma's vegetable patch, she impulsively ordered hydroponic gear.

Luo Yu arrived during setup: "Edible cucumbers?""Obviously.""Why farming?""Retirees do it - looks therapeutic."Luo Yu teased: "Sis, retired aunties grow veggies. You're..."

Meanwhile, Cui Peng posted strategic WeChat Moments: 【Mom's taste.】 Hinting at dating via comments. Luo Yu sneered at this manipulative display.

Pei Shixiao saw Cui Peng's public post during office visit. Their tense exchange revealed Cui Peng's calculated retreat: "I'm dating now. Wanted you to know through public posts."Pei Shixiao remained impassive: "Noted."Cui Peng feigned vulnerability: "Every moment with you was stolen happiness. Now I'll keep distance."

Post-holiday, Luo Qi learned Jiang Yue-ru's hospitalization. At the private hospital suite, the businesswoman revealed restructuring plans:"Two options: Operations VP or Jiang Shenghe's assistant."

Luo Qi deliberated: "The challenge - President Jiang's assistant."Jiang Yue-ru feigned offense: "Implying my nephew's tougher than me?""Different dynamics. You shielded me; he'll demand more."

Contacting Xiao Jiang for appointment, Jiang Shenghe personally called back: "Available now. Come anytime."