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

Chapter 329 The Quick-witted Hu Lianxin

Just after 6:30 in the morning, Jiang Qing's biological clock had already forced him to open his eyes.

A faint gray-blue light shone through the gaps in the curtains, and the room was quiet.

He habitually turned his head to the side, where Zhou Ye's quiet face was nestled beside him, half of her cheek buried in the soft pillow, her breathing even and deep.

Holding his breath, he moved slowly and carefully, gradually removing his arm, lifting the blanket, and getting out of bed without disturbing her in the slightest.

After changing into sportswear and running shoes, Jiang Qing quietly left the house.

In the early spring mornings in Beijing, the air carries a refreshing coolness.

The trees in the neighborhood are just beginning to sprout new buds, and the morning light is faint.

Jiang Qing jogged along a familiar route, soothing piano music playing in her headphones, and her mind became increasingly clear.

Forty minutes later, he returned home, bringing with him a breath of fresh air.

Pushing open the entryway door, I was surprised to hear the sound of running water and faint humming coming from the master bathroom.

Jiang Qing changed into slippers with some surprise and walked over, pushing open the slightly ajar door.

In the mirror, Zhou Ye was squinting, his hair a messy, wet mess. He was drowsily brushing his teeth back and forth in his mouth, with a little white foam still stuck to the corner of his mouth. He looked both confused and cute.

"woke up?"

Jiang Qing leaned against the door frame, her voice clearly filled with surprise.

"Did the sun rise in the west today? So early?"

Startled by his voice, Zhou Ye struggled to open his heavy eyelids and answered vaguely.

"Universal...it's huge...if we don't go early, the lines will be so long...we won't be able to experience many rides..."

As he spoke, he was still fiddling with the toothbrush in his mouth.

She spat out the foam, gargled, and roughly wiped her face with a towel. Water droplets slid down her cheeks, and she finally felt a little more awake.

"You're done running?"

"Ah."

Jiang Qing found it both funny and a little pitiful to see her forcibly turning on the device.

"Don't rush, safety first."

"Know it!"

Zhou Ye shook his head, trying to clear his head, and pushed him to walk outside.

"Go take a shower, I'm going to change! I'm starving!"

Jiang Qing smiled and readily agreed, going to the guest bathroom.

By the time he finished showering quickly, changed into clean pajamas, and walked into the kitchen, Zhou Ye had already tidied himself up with lightning speed.

The kitchen was filled with the aroma of fried eggs.

Jiang Qing worked quickly, and the bacon in the frying pan sizzled, its edges curling and turning golden brown.

In the small pot next to it, milk was bubbling with tiny bubbles.

He had just put two slices of toast into the toaster when he heard light footsteps behind him.

Turning around and seeing Zhou Ye's appearance, Jiang Qing raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of amazement flashing in her eyes.

The girl before him seemed to have just appeared in a phantom form from the fireplace at Hogwarts.

She wore a large, black robe-style coat with dark red piping at the collar, over which she wore a gray knit sweater, and the hem of the robe revealed two long, straight legs.

Her long, wavy hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, and she wore a light green headband on her head, with a few wisps of hair falling playfully down her forehead.

Her face was adorned with only very light makeup, which highlighted her bright eyes and slightly upturned lips, giving her an aura of a lively and mysterious magical girl.

"How about it?"

Zhou Ye twirled gracefully in front of him, her skirt fluttering slightly, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him with a hint of smugness.

"Doesn't he look like a little wizard going to Hogsmeade Village to do some shopping?"

Jiang Qing put down the spatula, his smile deepening. He deliberately looked her up and down before slowly offering his evaluation.

"Hmm... Magical girls also need to eat breakfast first, otherwise they won't have enough magic power to even wave their wands."

"Hey!"

Zhou Ye immediately puffed out his cheeks, like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on, and pounced to punch him.

"Jiang Qing! Can't you say something nice?"

Jiang Qing smiled and easily caught her small fist as it swung at him. He then pulled her into his arms and quickly kissed her smooth forehead.

"It's beautiful, incredibly beautiful. Magical Girl Zhou Xiaoye, dinner is ready."

Zhou Ye was both embarrassed and amused by his teasing, and two blushes rose on her face. She gently pushed him away.

"Ugh! Hurry up and cook!"

The breakfast was simple yet nutritious: perfectly fried soft-boiled eggs and caramelized bacon, crispy toast with blueberry jam, and warm milk.

The two sat in the restaurant bathed in morning light. Zhou Ye ate quickly, clearly full of anticipation for the upcoming round-the-world trip.

"Eat slowly, don't choke."

Jiang Qing pushed the milk cup toward her.

"Okay! We're in a hurry!"

With his mouth full of toast, Zhou Ye mumbled incoherently.

"Has Brother Zhou arrived yet?"

"Okay, I'll be waiting downstairs."

"Uh-huh."

The girl squinted her eyes happily.

Just after eight o'clock, Zhou Zhengkai's car had already come to a smooth stop in the temporary drop-off area near the entrance of Universal Studios Resort.

Looking out the car window, the huge globe sculpture was already packed with people, and the noise was deafening.

"My God, so many people!"

Zhou Ye leaned against the car window in amazement, then took out his phone.

"Let me ask Xiao Hu where he is."

She dialed the number, her eyes searching for the other person among the bustling crowd.

Soon, her eyes lit up, and she pointed to a figure by the roadside.

"I see it! Over there! Brother Zhou, could you please pull over to the side of the road?"

"Yes, Miss Zhou."

Zhou Zhengkai responded in a low, humming voice.

The car slowly glided to the side of the road.

Hu Lianxin was standing at the edge of the crowd, looking down at her phone.

She wore a well-tailored black coat over a beige undershirt, paired with slim-fitting dark blue jeans and black ankle boots.

What's most eye-catching are the two little pigtails on either side of her head, which are very cute.

Unlike Zhou Ye's cool yet charming beauty, Hu Lianxin's features are extremely three-dimensional and deep, with a high nose bridge, slightly deep-set eyes, and full lips. Even with only light makeup, she has a strong presence in a crowd and is a strikingly beautiful woman with striking features.

Zhou Ye excitedly rolled down the car window, leaned out halfway, and waved vigorously.

"Xiao Hu! Over here!"

Hearing the sound, Hu Lianxin looked up and saw Zhou Ye. Her face immediately lit up with a bright smile, and she waved back vigorously.

She walked briskly towards the car.

However, as she approached and her gaze passed over Zhou Ye, when she saw the man sitting next to her through the car window, her steps faltered almost imperceptibly, and the smile on her face froze for a moment before quickly turning into surprise.

"Mr. Jiang?"

Hu Lianxin bowed slightly, her voice much clearer than before, tinged with a hint of nervousness.

"Hello, I really didn't expect it was you who brought Yezi over."

Jiang Qing turned her head and nodded slightly to her through the car window, a gentle smile on her lips as usual.

"Nice to meet you, hello, it's just in my way."

His gaze lingered politely on her face for a moment before shifting away.

"Ah, that's right."

Hu Lianxin quickly replied, her smile somewhat awkward.

At this moment, Zhou Ye pushed open the car door and jumped out, happily grabbing Hu Lianxin's hand.

"Xiao Hu, have you been waiting long?"

"No, no, I just arrived a little while ago."

Hu Lianxin quickly shook her head, but couldn't help glancing quickly into the car again.

Jiang Qing had already turned his head away, leaving her with only his profile.

"Then let's go in!"

Zhou Ye couldn't wait to pull her away, but then turned back and waved to the car.

"Jiang Qing, let's go! See you tonight!"

"Be careful and have fun."

Jiang Qing waved to her and nodded slightly to Hu Lianxin.

The car window slowly rolled up, shutting out the noise outside and also blocking Hu Lianxin's view.

Zhou Zhengkai started the car and merged into the traffic.

Hu Lianxin stood there, her gaze following the understated yet luxurious car as it drove away until it disappeared into the traffic before she slowly looked away.

My heart felt like it had been gently bumped by something; it felt a little stuffy, yet also strangely agitated.

It really is Jiang Qing!
He actually brought Zhou Ye here himself?
They... are really together?

That man who stands at the top of science and technology circles, a world-renowned tech genius, and also enjoys immense popularity in the entertainment industry... actually got together with Zhou Ye?

A profound sense of envy, mixed with an indescribable jealousy, crept into her heart like tiny vines.

That brief encounter, Jiang Qing's calm and reserved aura, and his handsome face, left an extremely deep impression on her.

This was completely different from the male celebrities or rich kids she had met before.

"Little Hu? What are you thinking about? Let's go!"

Zhou Ye tugged at her hand, looking at her with a puzzled expression as she seemed somewhat lost in thought.

"Huh? Oh! No, it's nothing!"

Hu Lianxin snapped back to her senses, quickly suppressed the strange feeling surging in her heart, put on an affectionate smile again, and took Zhou Ye's arm.

"I didn't expect President Jiang to bring you here, it's a bit of a surprise! He's so good to you!"

Her tone was deliberately teasing, but her gaze was fixed on Zhou Ye's expression.

Zhou Ye's cheeks quickly flushed red, and he smiled shyly, his eyes filled with undisguised sweetness. However, he did not admit it directly, but vaguely changed the subject.

"Hey, let's hurry up! Look how long the line is! We're going to have to explore the whole Harry Potter area today!"

Looking at Zhou Ye's shy yet happy appearance, Hu Lianxin felt even more jealous and was almost certain of their relationship.

She smiled and agreed.

"Alright! Charge!"

But his mind was racing with calculations.

Zhou Ye... he really is a fool who has good luck.

It seems that her relationship with Jiang Qing is a done deal.

If she could get to know Jiang Qing through Zhou Ye... even if it was just to become familiar with him... Once this thought arose, it was like a seed that quickly took root in her heart.

A day at Universal Studios flew by amidst the screams of roller coasters, the sweetness of butterbeer, the wonder of the magic shop, and the long queues for countless rides.

As the sun sets and the city lights begin to twinkle, the park comes alive with dazzling lights.

At 8:30 p.m., Zhou Zhengkai's car stopped on time at the drop-off area from that morning.

Jiang Qing remained seated in the passenger seat, her gaze searching for Zhou Ye's figure among the bustling crowd leaving the venue through the car window.

Soon, two figures, supporting each other and with noticeably unsteady steps, came into view.

It was Zhou Ye and Hu Lianxin.

Both of them looked visibly tired, their hair was a little messy from the wind, Zhou Ye's magic robe was casually draped over his arm, and Hu Lianxin had also taken off her coat, wearing only her undershirt.

"Jiang Qing!"

Zhou Ye's eyes lit up when he saw the familiar license plate in the distance. He pulled Hu Lianxin along and quickened his pace, his voice hoarse from playing.

"Have you been waiting for a long time?"

As the car window rolled down, Jiang Qing's gaze swept over Zhou Ye's slightly tired but still excited face.

"Are you exhausted?"

"Ugh! My legs are about to break!"

Zhou Ye nodded exaggeratedly, then remembered Hu Lianxin beside him and turned to ask her.

"Xiao Hu, are you hungry? Want to grab something to eat before Brother Zhou takes you home?"

Hu Lianxin's heart skipped a beat.

opportunity!

She subconsciously glanced at Jiang Qing in the passenger seat, quickly putting on a perfectly timed, slightly reserved smile.

"Is this... convenient? Won't it be too much of a bother for you?"

Her gaze fell on Jiang Qing's face, carrying a hint of barely perceptible expectation.

Zhou Ye waved his hand casually.

"Oh, what's inconvenient about it! Jiang Qing, don't you think so?"

She put her hands on her hips and looked directly at Jiang Qing.

Jiang Qing's gaze swept over Hu Lianxin.

"Since you're Ono's friend, you're naturally welcome. Get in the car."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Jiang."

Hu Lianxin immediately flashed a bright smile, gracefully opened the back door, let Zhou Ye get in first, and then sat down in the back herself.

The car started and quickly merged into the nighttime traffic.

As soon as Zhou Ye got in the car, he slumped into the back seat, closed his eyes, and rubbed his calves.

"I'm exhausted... but it was so much fun! That roller coaster was so thrilling..."

Hu Lianxin sat relatively upright, her gaze seemingly unintentionally peering at Jiang Qing's profile in the passenger seat through the rearview mirror.

The light cast deep shadows on his sharply defined face, making him appear even more serene and unapproachable.

"Xiao Hu, are you feeling alright?"

Zhou Ye opened his eyes and asked Hu Lianxin, who also looked very tired, with concern.

"I'm fine, just a little hungry."

Hu Lianxin quietly withdrew her gaze, smiled at Zhou Ye, and deliberately softened her voice.

"Thanks to you for playing with me today, otherwise I definitely wouldn't have been able to handle it by myself."

"Hehe, let's meet up again next time!"

Zhou Ye smiled innocently.

Hu Lianxin smiled, but her mind was already racing.

She slightly adjusted her posture to make herself look more elegant and poised, and her voice carried just the right amount of sweetness.

"President Jiang, thank you so much for coming today. I didn't expect you to be so busy and still make a special trip to pick up Yezi. You're so kind to her."

Jiang Qing glanced at her through the rearview mirror and simply smiled.

"It should."

Those three simple words, polite yet distant, effectively shut down Hu Lianxin's prepared greeting.

Her smile froze for a moment, then quickly returned to normal, though she felt a little defeated inside.

This man doesn't seem so easy to approach.

Jiang Qing chose a Cantonese restaurant that wasn't far from Universal Studios and had a quiet atmosphere.

The private room wasn't large, but it was elegantly decorated.

After ordering, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward while waiting for the food to arrive.

Zhou Ye was truly exhausted. Leaning back in his chair, he chatted idly with Hu Lianxin about which activity was the most fun and which doll was the cutest.

Jiang Qing took out her phone and occasionally replied to Xiao Tian's messages. Most of the time, she just listened quietly to their conversation and occasionally added some warm water to Zhou Ye's cup.

Hu Lianxin appeared to be listening to Zhou Ye, but her gaze kept drifting towards Jiang Qing.

Watching him hold the teacup, watching his calm profile, watching the indulgent yet helpless look he occasionally gave Zhou Ye... the envy in my heart and the desire to get closer grew stronger and stronger.

If I can win over Jiang Qing right in front of me, how could I lack resources?
Look at Zhou Ye, look at Meng Ziyi, and then look at Tian Xiwei.

She didn't think she was inferior to Zhou Ye.

The dishes were served quickly: delicate pastries, light soups, and delicious roasted meats.

"President Jiang, thank you so much for your hospitality today."

Hu Lianxin picked up the teacup beside her, a flawless sweet smile on her face, and looked at Jiang Qing with brimming eyes.

"I'd like to offer you a toast with tea instead of wine. And thank you for taking care of my daughter, Yezi; she always praises you to me."

She deliberately emphasized the words "our Yezi" in an attempt to create a closer connection.

Jiang Qing raised her eyes to meet her gaze, but did not immediately raise her glass; she simply nodded slightly.

"You are welcome."

He then picked up his teacup, casually gestured across the table, took a small sip, and put it down.

Hu Lianxin's hand holding the teacup paused in mid-air for a moment, her smile froze, and she had no choice but to drink the tea in the cup to cover up the embarrassment of that instant.

Zhou Ye was engrossed in eating a glistening shrimp dumpling and was completely unaware of this brief undercurrent.

"Xiao Hu, you're too kind! Eat up, these shrimp dumplings are delicious!"

Hu Lianxin put down her teacup, picked up her chopsticks, and took a piece of roast goose with elegant and graceful movements.

She glanced at Jiang Qing seemingly casually, her tone carrying just the right amount of admiration.

"President Jiang, I recently watched your performance in 'The Beginning,' and it was truly excellent! It didn't feel like your first time acting at all. How do you manage such a large company while also juggling acting? You're amazing!"

Jiang Qing put down her chopsticks and picked up a napkin to wipe the corner of her mouth.

"It's not a matter of trying to do everything, I was just lucky."

His gaze swept past her, then fell upon Zhou Ye, who was happily eating, his expression suggestive.

"That's why I really admire you professional actors."

Hu Lianxin's heart sank slightly, but her smile became even brighter.

"President Jiang, you are too modest! Your performance was so good for your first time, which shows that you are exceptionally talented!"

She paused, leaned forward slightly, and her eyes became even more focused and eager.

"I've always been very interested in artificial intelligence; I find it incredibly fascinating. I wonder if I'd have the honor of asking you some questions about it in the future?"

She cast her carefully prepared hook, her eyes fixed on Jiang Qing's reaction.

Jiang Qing's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.

He picked up the teacup again, his fingers gently stroking the rim, his gaze fixed on Hu Lianxin with a deep intensity, his eyes calm yet seemingly able to penetrate the depths of her soul.

However, he did not answer immediately.

The private room fell silent instantly, with only the soft sound of Zhou Ye chewing his food remaining.

A few seconds later, Jiang Qing slowly spoke, her voice still gentle, but carrying a faint sense of distance.

"Ms. Hu, you're too kind. Everyone has their own expertise. I'm just a coder, and acting is just a hobby. As for artificial intelligence, there are plenty of popular science articles and open courses online that explain it much better than I can."

He casually deflected her "question," then naturally turned to Zhou Ye, his tone instantly softening.

"This crab roe xiaolongbao doesn't taste good when it's cold, so eat it while it's hot."

He picked up a small steamed bun and placed it on the plate in front of Zhou Ye.

"Uh-huh!"

Zhou Ye was enjoying his meal and hadn't paid any attention to the conversation. When he saw the xiaolongbao, he immediately picked it up, took a bite, and squinted his eyes in satisfaction.

"good to eat!"

Hu Lianxin's smile froze completely.

Looking at Jiang Qing's natural tenderness and consideration for Zhou Ye, and then at the cold tea in front of her, a huge sense of embarrassment welled up in her heart.

This man is incredibly perceptive!
He saw through her little scheme and, without hesitation, subtly drew a line between them.

That seemingly gentle gaze was actually filled with estrangement and scrutiny.

She quietly clenched her fist under the table.

Zhou Ye... what makes her so special?
Based on her naiveté?
Given her lack of vigilance?

Looking at the girl opposite her who was completely oblivious and still engrossed in the food, Hu Lianxin felt a surge of intense resentment.

But soon, she forced herself to calm down.

No, we can't rush it.

At least, she's Zhou Ye's friend now, and that connection can't be broken.

She took a deep breath and tried to put on a smile again, but the smile looked somewhat forced.

"Yes, Yezi is right, the food is getting cold, everyone should eat quickly."

She picked up her chopsticks, lowered her head to hide the turbulent emotions in her eyes, and listlessly picked up a piece of green vegetable.

Dinner ended in a subtle atmosphere that was outwardly calm but inwardly turbulent.

Zhou Zhengkai first took Hu Lianxin back to her residence.

When she got out of the car, Hu Lianxin had regained her polite smile and thanked Jiang Qing and Zhou Ye again, as if nothing had happened at the dinner table.

The car restarted and drove towards Panhai World.

Only the two of them remained in the back seat. Zhou Ye finally relaxed, like a tired kitten, and leaned softly into Jiang Qing's arms, yawning widely and acting coquettishly with a heavy nasal tone.

"I'm so tired, Jiang Qing..."

Jiang Qing reached out and put his arm around her shoulder to make her more comfortable, gently brushing away the stray hairs that had fallen across her cheek with his fingers.

"Have fun. Take a nap, I'll wake you up when we get home."

"Um……"

Zhou Ye responded vaguely, closed his eyes, and soon his breathing became even as he drifted off to sleep.

Jiang Qing looked down at the unguarded face of the girl in his arms, his expression becoming even more tender.

After a moment, he raised his eyes, his gaze fixed on the dazzling night view outside the car window. His eyes reflected the city lights and also the lingering aftertaste of the silent exchange at the dinner table.

He didn't say anything, but simply tightened his grip on her arm.

This silly girl.

(End of this chapter)