Seven Years of You

Chapter 15

Jiang Shenghe's arms trembled slightly as he carried Luo Qi across the moonlit bridge, her sunflower bouquet crushed between them. The scent of osmanthus blossoms mingled with her shampoo as he murmured: "We'll cross this again on our wedding day."

The convenience store's security camera captured:22:17: Jiang purchases six sunflowers, rejecting the vendor's offer of roses22:19: Luo Qi's earlobe flushes crimson under neon lights

Earlier dialogue echoed:"How many properties do you own here?" Luo Qi's question hung between them, Jiang's evasion masking twelve deed boxes in his Suzhou vault.

The bridal carry lasted 47 seconds. Jiang's pulse registered 112 bPM as Luo Qi initiated their first kiss - a chaste press of lips that left his collar damp with nervous perspiration.

Thermal imaging showed:22:34: Body heat signatures merged for 8.3 seconds at bridge midpoint22:35: Jiang's grip tightened 23% during descent

Luo Qi's final whisper - "See you tomorrow, President Jiang" - dissolved into autumn mist as Jiang's Mercedes retreated, navigation system already plotting tomorrow's route to her childhood home.

Luo Qi's fingers trembled on the refrigerator handle as Jiang Shenghe's proposition hung between them. The zucchini she'd bought for dinner rolled forgotten across the kitchen tiles.

"Friday nights then," Jiang stated rather than asked, his dress shirt sleeves rolled to reveal forearm veins. "The east wing has separate climate controls. You'll never hear me working."

Earlier confrontation:He Xiu's leather loafers left scuff marks on the stairwell walls as he fled, security cameras capturing his** retreat after mistaking Luo Qi's apartment for Luo Yu's love nest.

Jiang's encrypted emails revealed:19:03: Acquisition plans for neighboring Unit 202 initiated19:07: Priority override codes issued to block He Xiu's construction permits

The unwashed Toyota Camry became their sanctuary. Luo Qi's palms left condensation ghosts on the steering wheel as Jiang's teeth grazed her earlobe: "The villa has blackout curtains."

Blueprints showed Jiang's "weekend residence" modifications:

Soundproofed master suite

Dual walk-in closets

Emergency stairwell connecting to Luo Yu's future apartment

Luo Qi's final counteroffer - "Next Friday" - dissolved into the parking lot's sodium vapor glow as Jiang's knuckles whitened on the gearshift.

Luo Qi's fingers trembled on the bathroom doorknob as Jiang Shenghe's shadow loomed in the hallway. His Armani suit jacket slid from her shoulders, still warm from his body heat.

Earlier confrontation:Luo Yu's frantic texts illuminated Jiang's bedroom:"Sis he's CRAZY!!!""I messed up BIG TIME (crying)(crying)(broken heart)"

Jiang's encrypted calendar revealed:09:00 AM - Board meeting re: Ruipu Medical acquisition03:00 PM - Florist delivery confirmation for Sucheng villa renovations

The walk-in closet's motion sensors recorded:23:17: Luo Qi's silk chemise snagged on custom wardrobe hardware23:19: Jiang's cufflinks left parallel scratches across mahogany drawers

Thermal imaging showed:23:34: Body heat signatures merged for 17 minutes 42 seconds23:52: Residual warmth concentrated near balcony French doors

Jiang's abandoned cigarette burned to filter ash as Luo Qi whispered: "President Jiang..." The honorific hung between them like unspooled silk, her teeth marks still visible on his collarbone.

The master bathroom's steam clouded mirrors where Jiang's palm prints lingered - twin ghosts of restraint finally shattered.

Luo Qi's fingers trembled as she unknotted the silk ribbon from the gift bag. Jiang Shenghe's vintage movie ticket lay between them like a pressed flower - seven-year-old ink still legible: Row 12 Seat 08, Cineplex Downtown, 8:30 PM.

The project proposal binder's margins revealed Jiang's meticulous notes:"3D printing substrate temperature control - her idea needs thermal compensation algorithm." Dated three days before Luo Qi's internship termination.

Jiang's leather wallet yielded two faded receipts:

￥196 lunch invoice with "Third soup option declined" scribbled in margin

￥199 dinner tab annotated "Last working meal before Ruipu transfer"

Thermal sensors recorded:14:32: Luo Qi's pulse spiked 22% when handling Jiang's monogrammed umbrella14:47: Residual warmth concentrated near balcony chaise lounge where Jiang's teeth grazed her collarbone

The 2016 cinema security log showed:19:08: Jiang purchased adjacent seat using dummy corporate account21:17: Discreet photo captured of Luo Qi's profile illuminated by screen glow

Luo Qi traced the embossed wedding album sample: "We'll shoot at Qin Mo Ridge's studio. My treat." Jiang's encrypted calendar updated with "Photoshoot Deposit - Paid in Full."

Luo Qi adjusted her blazer collar as the elevator doors closed on Ruipu Medical's 42nd floor. The glass walls reflected her composed expression - a facade masking the hollow ache from Jiang Shenghe's absence in the adjacent office.

The receptionist's puzzled voice crackled through the intercom: "Director Luo, there's two bouquets for you. Both have... numbers?" The delivery slips read 9.25 in Jiang's precise calligraphy, peonies chosen to mirror their wedding date blooms.

Earlier boardroom confrontation:Lu Rui's polished Oxfords tapped rhythmically beneath the conference table. "We look forward to your guidance," he purred, market reports detailing Ruipu's 37% Q3 revenue drop sliding across the mahogany surface.

Jiang's encrypted messages revealed:11:07 AM - Security feed monitoring Ruipu's executive floor activated12:32 PM - Florist order confirmation for dual peony arrangements

Luo Qi's fingers lingered over Weiyuan Group's internal portal, the "Resignation Approved" notice on her profile blinking like fresh scar tissue. Her new Ruipu email contained a single thread:From: Jiang ShengheSubject: (None)Attachment: CCTV still_2016.09.25.jpg

The planned pumpkin patch in Jiang's courtyard stood roped off, greenhouse framework casting prison-bar shadows. His landscape architect's notes specified: "Vining plants require vertical support systems."

As Lu Rui's laughter echoed from the executive lounge, Luo Qi's encrypted chat window flashed:Jiang Shenghe: Missing the 09:15 coffee runLuo Qi: Missing the 14:00 budget argumentsJiang Shenghe: Shall we schedule virtual disputes?