Huayu 2021: Isn’t he in the technology field?

Chapter 248 A Progressive Relationship, Wild Child's Longing

The gentle morning light spilled across the windowsill, spreading a warm, golden glow across the wooden floor.

Jiang Qing lowered his eyes and gazed at the sleeping girl in his arms.

Her breathing was even and shallow, her cheeks still flushed, her thick eyelashes cast delicate fan-like shadows under her eyes, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, as if she were having a sweet dream.

He carefully removed her arms from his waist, afraid of waking her.

Having just escaped the warm embrace, Zhou Ye grumbled in his sleep, unconsciously rubbing against the direction he had left, like a small animal searching for a source of heat.

Jiang Qing chuckled, leaned down and planted a feather-like kiss on her smooth forehead before quietly getting up.

Barefoot on the slightly cool floor, Jiang Qing walked into the master bedroom's bathroom.

The warm water washed over his body, washing away the lingering passion and bringing him completely sober.

Thinking of the girl sleeping peacefully outside the door, a soft smile crept onto his lips.

He quickly dried himself off and changed into comfortable loungewear.

He's been up and about all morning, so he really needs to replenish his energy.

Upon entering the kitchen, Jiang Qing skillfully took out eggs, milk, and toast from the double-door refrigerator.

The frying pan was heating on the stove, making a slight sizzling sound.

He cracked the egg open with one hand, and the transparent egg white, enveloping the golden yolk, slid into the pan, instantly solidifying with an enticing golden-brown hue around the edges.

The bread machine popped out perfectly toasted bread, emitting a wonderful aroma of wheat.

He was concentrating on flipping the fried egg when a muffled call suddenly came from the living room.

"Jiang Qing..."

"I'm in the kitchen."

He responded loudly, his voice carrying the gentle warmth of early morning.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end, as if they were confirming his location, and then the sound of footsteps could be heard.

Zhou Ye appeared, rubbing his eyes, his hair a mess from sleeping.

She was wearing a white shirt by Jiang Qing, the hem of which barely covered her mid-thighs, revealing a pair of straight and shapely legs that were dazzlingly white in the morning light.

She exuded a dazed, newly awakened air and an unconsciously languid charm.

"Are you hungry?"

Jiang Qing shoveled the perfectly fried sunny-side-up egg onto the toasted bread, drizzled some ketchup on it, and poured a glass of warm milk, placing them on the island counter.

"Fill your stomach first."

Zhou Ye didn't move, but leaned against the door frame, staring straight at him, his cheeks starting to flush slightly again.

Fragments of memories from the morning flooded into my mind: the intimate entanglement, the warmth of skin touching skin, his deep, suppressed breathing, and my own uncontrollable murmurs...

A wave of overwhelming shyness belatedly washed over her, almost drowning her.

At the same time, a deeper and more solid sense of security also enveloped her, as if she had finally found the most suitable harbor, and there was no longer any unease.

She now belongs completely to him.

And so did he.

"Why are you standing there stupidly?"

Jiang Qing wiped his hands and walked towards her, carrying the smell of cooking fires from the kitchen.

He reached out to ruffle her hair.

But the moment Zhou Ye got close, he was like a startled yet mischievous little deer, suddenly tiptoeing and quickly pecking him on the lips!
Then she immediately pulled her head back, staring at him with bright eyes, a hint of smugness at having pulled off a prank, and a touch of shyness.

Jiang Qing was clearly taken aback for a moment, then the smile in her eyes spread out like ripples on a lake after a pebble was thrown in, carrying a sense of understanding and indulgence.

He deliberately put on a stern face and reached out as if to grab her.

"Sneak attack?"

"what!"

Zhou Ye laughed and exclaimed in surprise, turning around to run away, but Jiang Qing easily pulled him back with her long arm, trapping him between the island platform and his body.

He lowered his head, his warm breath brushing against her lips, his voice deepening and carrying a dangerous undertone.

"Flirt and then run?"

Zhou Ye was held in his arms and could clearly feel the changes in his body. The tight heat transmitted through the thin fabric made her heartbeat suddenly become disordered.

Her face flushed even more, but it was no longer just shyness; instead, a bold courage arose within her—the natural intimacy and possessiveness that came after their relationship had broken through a barrier.

Instead of backing down, she reached out and gently poked his firm chest with her finger, tilted her head up, her eyes filled with cunning provocation, and spoke in a soft, deliberately drawn-out tone.

"President Jiang, you seem to lack self-control?"

Her charming yet slightly wicked words, coupled with her alluring attire and gaze, were like a dance on Jiang Qing's already restless nerves.

His eyes darkened instantly, and the arms around her waist tightened abruptly, almost as if he wanted to meld her into his body.

He lowered his head and punished her by sucking hard on her slightly swollen lips, a sound tinged with gritted teeth.

"Ono, did you do this on purpose?"

"Ouch, that hurts!"

Zhou Ye feigned pain, but his eyes were full of undisguised laughter.

It's like it's filled with tiny diamonds, and it shines amazingly.

She squirmed, trying to break free, but it was more like she was rubbing against him, adding fuel to the fire.

"Let me go! I need to wash up. I feel so sticky and uncomfortable."

Jiang Qing took a deep breath, suppressing the surging heat, and pressed his forehead against hers, his voice hoarse.

"Hurry up, if you dawdle any longer, breakfast will turn into lunch, and you can forget about getting to the airport on time."

He finally let go, gently patting her pert buttocks with a force that carried a loving warning.

Like a cat that had successfully stolen some fish, Zhou Ye hopped away with a grin, running barefoot back to the master bathroom with a "pat-pat" sound.

Soon, the sound of rushing water and out-of-tune humming could be heard from inside.

Jiang Qing shook her head helplessly and put the slightly cold breakfast into the microwave to heat it up.

Listening to the sounds coming from the bathroom, the restlessness in my heart slowly subsided, gradually replaced by a feeling of warmth and contentment.

He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room and opened the laptop that was on the coffee table.

The screen lights up, and the interface of Wuwen Technology's internal encryption system immediately appears.

He quickly scanned the project progress report.

The smart home system has received positive feedback from pilot programs in several high-end residential areas, with users praising the natural, command-free interaction.

The development of the autonomous driving perception module, in collaboration with several major automakers, has entered a critical stage of real-vehicle road testing, and the email included the latest test data charts.

On the other hand, Fosun sent several emails seeking cooperation, with earnest words.

This reminded him of that celebrity fan who had left a deep impression on him. He wondered if she had taken on any new projects after turning down "My Human Fireworks".

Last time I heard her say that she received a lot of offers, but I don't know if her decision not to cooperate with Fosun will affect her.

However, I doubt that the people at Fosun would be so thoughtless, since nothing is finalized yet.

He doesn't want to get involved in the medical field for the time being, as it's relatively sensitive.

The entertainment industry is enough for him to use as a testing ground.

I'll ask that girl again when I have some free time.

He quickly swiped his fingers across the touchpad to view other emails, occasionally typing brief replies or questions on the keyboard, demonstrating extremely high processing efficiency.

Time slipped away quietly amidst the soft clicks of the keyboard and the sound of running water in the bathroom.

As noon approached, the sunlight outside the window became somewhat dazzling.

Jiang Qing closed her laptop, rubbed her temples, and turned her gaze to the closed door of the master bedroom.

The sound of water had long since stopped, and the inside was completely silent.

He got up and walked over, gently pushing the door open a crack.

Zhou Ye was curled up in the soft blanket, with only half of his face showing. He was breathing heavily and had fallen asleep again.

Perhaps the "double exhaustion" from last night and this morning was too great, coupled with the sense of relief from complete relaxation, which made her drift off to sleep again.

A gentle smile appeared in Jiang Qing's eyes as she gently closed the door.

Looks like I need to prepare lunch properly.

He went back into the kitchen and put on an apron.

The refrigerator is well-stocked.

He took out fresh chicken wings, washed and drained them, and made a few slits with a knife to help them absorb the flavor.

Soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, minced garlic, ginger slices, cooking wine... all kinds of seasonings are mixed into a rich marinade under his hands, and the chicken wings are carefully mixed and marinated.

Next, prepare the broccoli by breaking it into small florets and soaking it.

Then I took out a few plump tomatoes, made a cross-shaped cut on the top, and scalded them with boiling water to remove the skin.

Rinse the rice, add water, put it into the smart rice cooker, and press the cook button.

The movements were fluid and orderly, and the aroma of food gradually filled the kitchen.

As the tomatoes were cooked in the pot to create a rich, creamy sauce, boiling water was added and stirred, and then tender tofu cubes were added, the master bedroom door was finally pushed open again.

Zhou Ye walked out with his hair half-dry, fluffy, and smooth, his face glowing with the rosy radiance of someone who had just had a good night's sleep.

She was still wearing Jiang Qing's white shirt, the length of which just covered her hips, and her two long, fair legs swayed back and forth like a newborn fawn.

She shuffled closer in Jiang Qing's men's slippers, like a little dog drawn by a scent.

"It's delicious!"

She moved closer to the counter, took a deep breath, and stared intently at the bubbling tomato and tofu soup in the pot, then glanced at the marinated chicken wings next to it.

"Is it cola chicken wings? I smell honey!"

"The puppy has a really good nose."

Jiang Qing turned her head to look at her, her gaze lingering on her swaying legs for a moment before casually looking away.

He picked up a golden, glistening chicken wing with his chopsticks, blew on it, and held it to her lips. "Try it, be careful it's hot."

Zhou Ye took a small bite from his hand.

The outer layer is crispy, while the inside is tender and juicy. The sweet aroma of honey mixed with the salty and savory flavor of soy sauce explodes on the tongue.

"Mmm! Delicious!"

She squinted her eyes contentedly, like a dog being stroked, and praised him generously, a little bit of glistening sauce on the corner of her mouth.

Jiang Qing took a tissue and wiped away the traces from the corner of her mouth, the action as practiced as if she had done it a thousand times.

Zhou Ye tilted his head back and let him wipe his face, looking at him with his eyes crinkling, inexplicably recalling the time he spent in Peach Blossom Village.

"More more!"

She swallowed the meat in her mouth and opened it again, like a fledgling bird waiting to be fed.

"Little greedy cat."

Jiang Qing chuckled and scolded her, then picked up another piece for her. Seeing how satisfied she was with the food, her heart was filled with joy.

Lunch was served in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

They didn't go to the dining table; they ate directly at the island counter.

The tomato and tofu soup is tangy and appetizing, the cola chicken wings are sweet and savory, and the stir-fried broccoli is bright green and crisp.

Zhou Ye ate until his cheeks were bulging, swinging his legs that were dangling under the bar stool, occasionally directing Jiang Qing to put some food far away in his bowl, or stuffing the half-eaten chicken skin that he thought was too fatty into his bowl.

Jiang Qing accepted it all, occasionally amused by her childish behavior, his eyes filled with unwavering doting affection.

There is a tacit understanding between the two that needs no words; it is a natural relaxation that only comes when an intimate relationship has naturally developed.

After the meal, Zhou Ye volunteered to wash the dishes.

It's just a matter of putting the dishes into the dishwasher and pressing the start button.

Jiang Qing packed the remaining food into a food storage container and put it in the refrigerator. After tidying up, the two of them tacitly snuggled together into the large, soft sofa in the living room.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows is a clear blue sky in the afternoon and a shimmering artificial lake.

Tuanzi wandered over from somewhere, lightly jumped onto Sueno's lap, found a comfortable spot, curled up, and started purring contentedly.

Zhou Ye gently stroked the ball's smooth fur with one hand, while his other hand was enveloped by Jiang Qing's warm, large hand, their fingers intertwined.

They didn't try to find topics to talk about; they just quietly snuggled together.

Zhou Ye rested his head on Jiang Qing's shoulder, feeling his steady heartbeat and reassuring body temperature.

She picked up the remote and randomly selected a lighthearted old movie.

Light and shadow danced across their faces. The plot wasn't important; what mattered was the person beside them.

Zhou Ye would occasionally point to a funny scene on the screen and chuckle, or bury his face in Jiang Qing's neck and nuzzle her when he saw a touching moment.

Jiang Qing smiled back when she laughed, tightened his arms around her when she needed comfort, and occasionally whispered a few comments about the plot in her ear, his warm breath making her ears itch.

The entire afternoon seemed to stretch out and stand still.

They were like two puzzle pieces that had finally found each other, enjoying this hard-won, lazy time with only each other.

Zhou Ye felt incredibly at ease.

She can unabashedly display all her naivety, dependence, and even her little bit of willfulness, because she knows that the person in front of her will steadily catch everything she has.

As dusk settles, the artificial lake outside the window reflects the city's dazzling lights, like a pool of scattered diamonds.

Only a few ambient lights were on in the living room, casting a warm and hazy glow.

Zhou Ye leaned against Jiang Qing's chest. The movie had long since ended, and the end credits song echoed in the quiet space.

She was feeling drowsy, her fingers unconsciously twirling around the buttons on Jiang Qing's clothes.

"what time is it?"

Her voice was filled with weariness and longing, like a fledgling bird unwilling to leave its warm nest.

Jiang Qing raised her hand and glanced at her watch.

"It'll be eight o'clock soon, time to head to the airport."

His voice was soft, carrying a hint of barely perceptible reluctance.

Zhou Ye immediately sobered up a bit, tightened her arms around his waist, rubbed her face against his chest, and let out a dissatisfied hum.

"I don't want to leave..."

His tone revealed an undisguised longing.

"Then we won't leave."

Jiang Qing gently patted the top of her head, his voice low and tender.

"I'll put in a good word for you."

"Forget it... let's finish filming as soon as possible! That way we'll have more time to spend with you."

Zhou Ye knew he had to leave, but the tenderness was too wonderful and he couldn't bear to leave.

She clenched her little fists to cheer herself up, got up reluctantly, and then went to the bedroom to change her clothes, looking back every few steps.

When she changed into the clothes she had worn when she arrived and came out pulling her small suitcase, Jiang Qing had also changed into her outdoor clothes.

He wore a simple black turtleneck sweater, layered under a well-tailored dark gray cashmere coat, which accentuated his tall and straight figure.

He stepped forward and took the suitcase from her hands.

"Let's go."

"Ah."

Zhou Ye put his arm around his and obediently responded.

A moment later, the car was driving smoothly on the highway leading to the airport, with neon lights flashing past the window and casting ever-changing light and shadow inside the car.

Zhou Ye sat in the passenger seat, tilting his head to examine Jiang Qing's profile as she focused on driving.

The streetlights illuminated his deep-set eyes and high nose bridge, highlighting the beautiful curve of his jawline.

She reached out and gently placed her hand on his right hand.

Jiang Qing wrapped her hand completely around his, gently stroking the back of her hand with his thumb, offering silent comfort.

The airport departure hall was brightly lit and bustling with activity.

Jiang Qing parked the car, took out her suitcase, and naturally took Zhou Ye's hand.

The two walked side by side through the automatic doors toward the check-in counter.

Zhang Wen, accompanied by another assistant, waved to them from afar and jogged over to join them.

Zhou Ye put on a mask and hat, revealing only his bright eyes, but his outstanding temperament and the tall and upright Jiang Qing beside him still attracted the attention of many passersby.

Fortunately, everyone was in a hurry, and no one was particularly gossipy enough to take out their phone to take pictures.

After checking in my luggage and getting my boarding pass, I'm getting closer and closer to the security checkpoint.

Zhou Ye's pace slowed noticeably, his fingers gripping Jiang Qing's sleeve tightly, like a small animal anxiously about to leave its nest.

"Message me when you arrive."

Jiang Qing stopped and turned to face her, his voice gentle, and reached out to tidy up the stray hairs on her forehead.

"Ah."

Zhou Ye responded sullenly, head down, his toes unconsciously rubbing against the shiny floor.

"Be careful while filming, eat on time, drink less milk tea and more hot water."

Jiang Qing continued to give instructions, like a parent sending their child off on a long journey.

"Know it."

Zhou Ye looked up, his eyes, visible above his mask, were watery and filled with deep reluctance.

She suddenly reached out and hugged Jiang Qing tightly around the waist, burying her face in his warm coat, her voice muffled.

"Jiang Qing, I will miss you... I miss you so much. Please remember to send me messages or video call me whenever you have time. I will reply to you as soon as I see your message."

Jiang Qing's heart melted instantly.

He hugged her tightly, his chin resting on the top of her head, feeling the lingering affection emanating from her slender body.

People came and went, and the noise was deafening, but at this moment, it seemed that only their heartbeats remained in their world.

"Me too."

He responded in a low voice, his tone carrying the weight of a promise.

I think about it every day.

The announcement began urging passengers on her flight to go through security and board the plane as soon as possible.

Zhang Wen, along with another assistant, had already left ahead of time, sensing the danger.

Zhou Ye had no choice but to let go, looking back every few steps.

After taking a few steps, she suddenly turned around and ran back. Before Jiang Qing could react, she quickly pulled down her mask, stood on tiptoe, and planted a cool kiss on his lips.

Then she quickly pulled her mask back, leaving only a pair of eyes full of smiles and shyness.

"Let's go! I'll go in after you count to three!"

Before Jiang Qing could react, she turned around, grabbed her small bag, and ran swiftly towards the security checkpoint entrance like a light-footed deer.

She stopped at the entrance, turned around, and waved vigorously in Jiang Qing's direction.

Jiang Qing stood there watching her slender figure merge into the flow of people at the security checkpoint until she was completely out of sight.

The softness of her touch still lingered on my lips, and a corner of my heart felt empty, but it was filled again by her last bright smile.

He raised his hand and waved gently in the direction she had disappeared.

Under the airport's enormous dome, the lights shone brightly, and people came and went.

He stood there for a while before turning around and walking alone toward the parking lot.

Looking forward to seeing you again, Zhou Ye.

(End of this chapter)