His physiological preference

"Zhiyan, pack your things tomorrow and go to S City for me."

Teacher Mu's voice came from the other end, crisp and clear, without any pleasantries.

This matter is indeed urgent, otherwise Teacher Mu wouldn't have called Yang Zhiyan so late.

"There's a problem with the batch of Nanjing brocade we ordered. The manufacturer said there's been too much rain and production can't keep up, so they can't deliver. Go over and see what's going on. Try to coordinate something if you can, and if you can't, find another source of supply."

Yang Zhiyan held her phone, her expression shifting from languid to serious. "When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning. I'll send you the flight details to your phone. You'll go alone; I'm too old to travel."

Teacher Mu paused for a moment, her voice filled with encouragement and recognition.

"Zhiyan, this batch of Yun brocade is for the most important custom order this year, so there can't be any mistakes. After you get there, talk what needs to be discussed, and place what needs to be placed. Don't be afraid. Call me if anything happens."

"I understand, Master." Yang Zhiyan hung up the phone, stood by the coffee table, and looked at the darkened phone screen.

Qin Yuzheng leaned against the wall in the entryway, his hands in his pockets, watching her.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Yang Zhiyan relayed Teacher Mu's words. There was a problem with Yun Jin in S City, and she was going to fly there early tomorrow morning. She would be gone for about three or four days and would come back after finishing her business.

Qin Yuzheng's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes changed.

He was unhappy; he had just gotten a girlfriend, hadn't even had a chance to eat meat, and now he didn't even have the chance to drink soup.

Qin Yuzheng walked over, stood in front of her, and looked down at her.

"If it were the weekend, I could go with you," he said, his voice tinged with helplessness.

"It's Monday, you definitely can't get away." Yang Zhiyan reached out and patted his chest, as if soothing a rather unhappy big dog. "You'll only be gone for three or four days, and you'll be back after you've finished your business."

Qin Yuzheng reached out and grasped her hand, which was patting his chest, his fingers weaving between hers. "I'll take you to the airport tomorrow."

Yang Zhiyan nodded.

After Qin Yuzheng left, Yang Zhiyan began packing her luggage.

She spread her suitcase on the bedroom floor, took out a few changes of clothes from the closet, folded them, and put them in.

The weather in August is pretty much the same, so there's no need to bring warm clothes. She packed her toiletries into a waterproof bag and rolled up her phone charger, stuffing it into a side pocket.

As she closed her suitcase, she squatted down, placed her hand on the lid, and paused for a moment. This was her first business trip alone.

She used to follow Teacher Mu. Teacher Mu would walk in front, and she would follow behind. She would do whatever Teacher Mu told her to do.

She didn't need to make decisions; she just needed to get things done. This time was different; this time, she was the one making the decisions.

She stood up, propped her suitcase against the wall, glanced at the flight information on her phone: 9 a.m. tomorrow.

She set her alarm for 6:30, put her phone on the bedside table, and turned off the light.

The next morning, Qin Yuzheng came over to help Yang Zhiyan with her luggage and brought her breakfast.

Qin Yuzheng helped her put her suitcase in the trunk and opened the passenger door.

As Yang Zhiyan got in and fastened her seatbelt, she noticed that he didn't start the car; instead, he turned around and looked at her.

His gaze was deep, like the waters of a lake in late autumn, calm on the surface but with undercurrents surging beneath.

He reached out, cupped her chin with his fingertips, turned her face toward him, and kissed her.

His lips pressed against hers, his tongue tracing between her lips, carrying the coolness of mint.

Yang Zhiyan leaned back as he kissed her, her back pressed against the car door. His hand was between the back of her head and the car window, his palm warm and steady against her scalp through her hair.

When he released her, they were both slightly out of breath.

"Be careful," he said, gently rubbing his thumb against her cheekbone. "Call me if anything happens."

He took his phone out of his pocket, scrolled through it a few times, and handed the screen to her.

"This is Zhou Zhanyu's phone number. He has a company in S City. If you encounter any emergencies, contact him and he will help you solve them."

Yang Zhiyan looked at the number on the screen, took out her phone, and saved it. "Okay."

Qin Yuzheng started the car and drove out of the parking lot. On the way to the airport, neither of them spoke much.

His hand remained in hers, their fingers intertwined, resting on the center armrest.

The car stereo wasn't on; the only sounds in the cabin were the air conditioning vents and the tires rolling over the road.

Upon arriving at the airport departure level, Qin Yuzheng parked the car on the side of the road, got out, and helped her take her suitcase from the trunk and push it onto the trolley.

The two people stood by the car, looking at each other.

The airport departure level was bustling with people, dragging luggage, holding signs, hugging goodbye, and rushing to their destinations. It was as noisy as a huge market, but in the small space where they stood, it was as quiet as another world.

"Message me when you arrive," Qin Yuzheng said.

"Um."

"I've booked the hotel for you, and I've sent the location to your phone. It's close to where you want to go."

Yang Zhiyan was taken aback. She had checked hotels in S City last night but hadn't booked one yet. When did he book it? How did he know where she wanted to stay?

"Did you check it last night?" she asked.

Qin Yuzheng didn't answer, but reached out and pulled her into his arms, giving her a hug.

"Go ahead." He released her.

Yang Zhiyan pushed her suitcase into the departure hall. She didn't turn around because she knew he was standing there watching her, and if she did, she was afraid she wouldn't want to leave.

After passing through security, she stood in front of the glass wall of the waiting area, looking at the tarmac outside. A plane was taxiing, its silver-white fuselage gleaming in the morning light.

She took out her phone, snapped a photo, and sent it to Qin Yuzheng. "Security check is done, now waiting for the plane."

Qin Yuzheng replied instantly: "Okay. Message me when you arrive."

Then came a voice message. She clicked on it, and his voice came from the other end, low and with a tone she couldn't quite make out:

"Baby, I will miss you."

Yang Zhiyan stood in the bustling waiting hall, her ears burning hot enough to fry an egg. She held her phone to her chest, lowered her head for a few seconds, then listened to the voice message again and saved it.

The plane landed in S City at noon. Yang Zhiyan collected her luggage and took a taxi to the hotel that Qin Yuzheng had booked for her.

The hotel is located in the old town of S City, not far from the Yunjin factory, and is a five-star hotel.

The facade is a Shikumen building in the style of the Republic of China, with blue brick exterior walls, black iron gate, and blurry carvings on the lintel.

When checking in at the front desk, the clerk told Yang Zhiyan the room type and price. She was stunned for a moment. This price, in this city, in this location, in this hotel.

She looked at the room key handed to her by the waiter, and felt a wonderful sense of being cared for and remembered.

Even in an unfamiliar city, he would give him the utmost care and attention.

He is both eloquent and capable, exuding charm despite his age.

There are two osmanthus trees planted in front of the hotel. They haven't bloomed yet this season, and their leaves are dark green.

Yang Zhiyan opened her suitcase, hung her clothes in the closet, put her toiletries in the bathroom, and then sat on the bed for a while.

The bed was soft, the blankets were white and neatly folded, and they had a faint lavender scent.