L&H - 74

Yu Qing’s sleep these days came in short bursts—whenever she felt drowsy, she would close her eyes and drift off, regardless of the time. When Yu Jingze arrived home, she was once again asleep on the couch.

Her sleeping posture looked uncomfortable, yet she slept soundly.

Yu Jingze hesitated about whether to wake her up. His hand had already touched her shoulder but quickly retreated when he remembered her severe morning temper.

Back when she was studying abroad, during one spring break, he had taken her on a trip. At 4:30 AM, he woke her up to watch the sunrise, only to anger her.

It had cost him two million yuan to soothe her temper and make amends for disturbing her sleep.

Perhaps the most expensive wake-up fee in history.

Now that she had Fu Jichen backing her, if he were to wake her up, she might find all sorts of ways to pick a fight with him.

Yu Jingze turned off the crystal chandelier in the living room, leaving only the wall lamp on.

A blanket placed by the housekeeper covered her, so she wasn’t cold.

He walked quietly back to his room.

After living here for over a month, he was finally starting to adjust.

During the first few days after moving in, there was one instance when he drove himself home from work and ended up at his old apartment, forgetting that he now had another home here.

As Yu Jingze emerged from the bathroom, he noticed several missed calls on his phone—one from Zhou Siyuan.

It was too late to call her back, so he sent a message: [I’m home. Go to sleep early.] He had dropped Zhou Siyuan off at her place before rushing back.

She had said she was tired and didn’t feel like driving herself—it wasn’t safe since she hadn’t brought her driver that night. So, he took a detour to drop her off.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so late.

Zhou Siyuan was a night owl—it was common for her to stay awake until 2 AM.

She called him. “My drowsiness has passed, and now I’m staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep. Keep me company for a bit.”

Yu Jingze was worried about Yu Qing downstairs—he didn’t know if she had woken up yet. If she did and still couldn’t find him, even three million yuan might not be enough to pacify her.

Yu Qing never waited for anyone unless it was important or beneficial for her. The fact that she had waited for him until midnight and fallen asleep on the couch meant there must be something urgent.

If he continued talking to Zhou Siyuan, he might miss something important again.

“If we keep chatting, you’ll only get more awake. Hurry up and sleep. I’m going downstairs to check on Yu Qing. She’s asleep on the couch—I’m not sure if she’s woken up yet.”

There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds.

“Earlier at the restaurant, you said there was no difference between me and Yu Qing—we’re both your sisters. But look how biased you are now. I’m suffering from insomnia, and you won’t even chat with me. Meanwhile, you’re still worried about Yu Qing even though she’s asleep. So, there is a difference between us in your heart—you can’t deny it anymore.”

Zhou Siyuan appeared to be half-jokingly scolding him.

“Go take care of your sister. Good night.”

Yu Jingze grunted an acknowledgment and was about to hang up.

“Hey, wait a minute,” Zhou Siyuan quickly called out to him. “Are you attending the cocktail party next week? I’m going too. You can hang up now.”

Yu Jingze silenced his phone and went downstairs.

Yu Qing still hadn’t woken up. By this time, she was lying on her side, her hands slightly clenched into fists resting near her chin, looking like a sleeping baby.

Yu Jingze sat across from her, leaning back on the couch to rest his eyes.

Just as he was about to drift off, Yu Qing woke up from her nap.

“When did you get back?”

Yu Jingze opened his eyes. “I’ve been home for a while.” Overcome with drowsiness, he didn’t inquire why she had waited for him so late. Instead, he urged her, “Get up and go to bed.”

Yu Qing, having slept enough, wasn’t in a hurry to return to her room.

She sat up, hugging the blanket tightly in front of her, and began reproaching him. “Shouldn’t you reflect on yourself? Making me wait until now.”

Yu Jingze had no intention of telling the truth—if he mentioned that he had forgotten the time because he was dining with Zhou Siyuan, it would upset her.

So, he fabricated an excuse. “I got caught up with overtime work.”

Yu Qing naturally didn’t believe him. From the bank headquarters to home, even during rush hour, the drive shouldn’t take more than half an hour. Now, in the middle of the night, he claimed it had taken him an hour to get home.

“Did you go on a date?” It was the only plausible explanation.

If it had been a gathering with friends, he wouldn’t have lied—it must have been a woman.

Yu Jingze maintained a calm demeanor. “A date with whom? If I had a girlfriend, would I still be living at home?”

Yu Qing nodded, finding some semblance of logic in his words. Seeing how exhausted he was, she decided to temporarily forgive him and didn’t press the issue further.

She had waited for him so late because of the cocktail party—she wasn’t sure if Yu Jingze had received an invitation.

Yu Jingze did have an invitation; just moments ago, Zhou Siyuan had mentioned the same event to him.

He asked Yu Qing, “What is it?”

Yu Qing inquired about who else would be attending and specifically asked if Leng Wenning would be there.

Yu Jingze wasn’t sure. He checked the group chat and informed her, “They’ve invited nearly everyone in our circle. Fu Jichen is also on Jiashi Group’s guest list.”

As for whether Leng Wenning would attend, no one knew for sure, but she had received the invitation.

“Fu Jichen might not make it in time.” Yu Qing explained why she wanted to attend. “My sister will accompany Ji Qingyuan to the event. I’m worried she might feel pressured and unable to handle Leng Wenning. If Fu Jichen can’t return that night, I’ll go with you, so my sister has some peace of mind.”

Yu Jingze rubbed his temples, struggling to keep his eyes open. “Until when do you plan to worry about her?”

Yu Qing: “Once her relationship with Ji Qingyuan normalizes, I won’t meddle anymore.” She asked him, “Do you have time to accompany me that day?”

Even if he didn’t, he’d have to make time.

Yu Jingze nodded. “Alright.” But Zhou Siyuan might contact him that day. He preemptively informed Yu Qing, “I’ll introduce a friend to you then.”

“Who? If it’s a man, forget it—Fu Jichen will get jealous.”

“A woman.”

“Your girlfriend?”

The topic circled back.

Yu Jingze met her curious gaze. “No. She’s also my sister—my mother’s current husband’s daughter.”

Ah, so it was Zhou Siyuan.

With the cocktail party arrangements settled, Yu Qing returned to her room to sleep.

________________________________________

Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe.

Fu Jichen had spent over three hours discussing matters with Pang Linbin. They reached several agreements regarding their collaboration, though inevitably, there were also areas of disagreement.

Pang Linbin had another business meeting at 4:30 AM—a commitment scheduled weeks in advance. Thus, today’s discussion with Fu Jichen concluded.

Fu Jichen accompanied Pang Linbin out of the meeting room first. The staff from both teams breathed a sigh of relief, each tidying up their materials and shutting down their laptops.

Pang Linbin personally escorted Fu Jichen to the elevator. Midway, he suddenly remembered, “Jichen, come to my office with me. Your Aunt Li prepared a gift for Yu Qing before her business trip and entrusted me to pass it along to you.”

“How are things with Qingqing?” Pang Linbin’s tone softened, speaking to him like an elder concerned for his well-being. Gone was the sharpness he displayed during negotiations.

Fu Jichen: “I’m still on a long journey. The destination is far away.”

Pang Linbin spoke of himself. “My road to reconciliation with your Aunt Li was also a long one—it took two years, one month, and three days.”

Fu Jichen smiled. “You remember that clearly?”

“Let’s not dwell on it.”

Pang Linbin chuckled and changed the subject.

As for why he remembered the dates so vividly, it was because the medical records clearly noted the first time he had proactively sought out Li Bing after their divorce.

The day Li Bing took him to the hospital to see a neurologist was unforgettable for him.

Later, he often wondered if what truly moves a woman and makes her remember a man for life is when he suddenly does something completely out of character—something seemingly ‘crazy’?

And they called it love.

Pang Linbin mentioned, “Because of my remarriage, several renowned publishers have recently approached me through various connections, asking me to write a memoir. Honestly, I know they aren’t particularly interested in my business success—they just want to gossip about my personal life.”

As he spoke, he chuckled himself.

“I considered it for a while and thought, why not? It could be an opportunity to reflect on the past thirty years—both my career and family.”

“Before publishing, I’ll talk to Qingqing again. For many years, I felt guilty toward Li Bing. Now, even though I want to make amends, she doesn’t seem to need it. All she hopes for now is that Qingqing can live happily.”

By the time they finished chatting, they had reached his office.

Pang Linbin handed the gift to Fu Jichen. It was simply packaged in a document folder, feeling like either a notebook or a hardcover book.

Fu Jichen didn’t disturb Pang Linbin further and bid farewell.

Downstairs, Pan Secretary and his team were waiting for him.

Qiao Han was originally planning to sit in the back car, as he didn’t want to share the confined space with Fu Jichen—due to lingering guilt over the equity matter.

However, Fu Jichen specifically called him over. “I need to discuss something with you.”

With no choice, Qiao Han moved to the front car.

On the way back to the hotel, Fu Jichen discussed the idea of a chatbot with Qiao Han. He wanted Xinja Technology to develop one—not for commercial purposes, but to entertain Yu Qing.

As for the development costs, he would invest whatever amount was necessary.

“How feasible is it?” Fu Jichen asked.

For Qiao Han, it wasn’t particularly challenging. Xinja Technology had already developed an intelligent customer service robot. They just needed to improve and optimize it.

However, regarding its specific purpose of companionship, Qiao Han poured some cold water on Fu Jichen’s idea. “The chatbot might become socially withdrawn in front of Yu Qing—or worse, it might drive Yu Qing to withdraw herself.”

After all, a robot was still a robot. It had depth but lacked warmth. During conversations, it wouldn’t read social cues like a real person, knowing what to say and what not to say.

It wouldn’t understand Yu Qing’s psychology either—whether to agree with her or disagree at any given moment.

Fu Jichen’s requirement was simple: “Make her happy. Have it manage her walk-in closet and chat with her about what a happy marriage looks like.”

Qiao Han: “...”

When they arrived at the hotel entrance, a red sports car was parked there, waiting for Fu Jichen.

Zou Lexiao, leaning against the car window, was almost falling asleep. Her school was nearby, and knowing Fu Jichen was in town for business, she came by to fulfill her duties as a host.

During this spring break, she had been busy with her thesis and defense, foregoing any vacation plans.

To add to her stress, SZ Catering, in which she held shares, was being acquired. She didn’t want to transfer her shares, but domestic calls kept coming in, trying to persuade her.

What a headache.

Knock knock. Someone tapped on the car window.

Zou Lexiao straightened up, her eyelids drooping, and stepped out.

Fu Jichen glanced at her. “It’s 4 PM, and you’re this exhausted—is that appropriate?”

“I pulled an all-nighter working on my thesis. Plus, I haven’t adjusted to the time difference. What’s inappropriate about that?”

Zou Lexiao instructed her driver to park the car, then followed Fu Jichen into the hotel. “I’m too lazy to go anywhere else. Let’s eat at the hotel restaurant.”

“Second Brother, how’s Yu Qing doing recently?”

Fu Jichen knew what she was thinking and countered with a question. “Didn’t you just have dinner with her a few days ago?”

Zou Lexiao justified herself. “Didn’t you just say a few days ago ? I’m asking about these past couple of days. Is she okay?”

“She’s fine. No need for you to worry.”

Zou Lexiao glared at him but didn’t dwell on it. She pressed on, “How about Yu Qing’s family? Are they all doing well?”

Fu Jichen: “Are you part of the neighborhood committee? Why are you prying so much?”

Zou Lexiao: “...”