Chapter 44: Where You Are, I Will Be

The light on the screen was very bright, reflecting the faint smile in Lu Zhiqiao's eyes. Her lips with the straw in her mouth were curled into a small circle, she pursed slightly, and moved from time to time, as if she was biting.

Qi Yan watched without blinking, her bright eyes were like stars flashing by, she was flattered, and something flowed from her heart...

It turned out that Lu Zhiqiao didn't dislike her.

So, can she regard this as a further development of their relationship? This flashed through her mind, instantly lighting up her chaotic thoughts, but within a few seconds, the light of expectation was suddenly extinguished.

Maybe she spoke too bluntly just now, how could a seasoned professional like Lu Zhiqiao not be able to read her? To be able to reach her current position as director, she must've perfected the skills to observe and adapt to the situation, and even play tricks on occasion.

Shamelessly thinking that since they have a life and death experience together, Lu Zhiqiao will definitely think of her, give her some warmth, and accommodate her.

This is already satisfying. She should not have any other high expectations or too many ideas, so that she would not fall into the abyss of despair.

Ah, she's always so optimistic.

In the second half of the movie, Qi Yan had lost interest in watching it seriously, and her eyes were full of Lu Zhiqiao holding a straw in her mouth. The screen brightened for a while and then went dark for a while, and her heart also flickered.

That cup of milk tea was completely drunk by Lu Zhiqiao.

At the end of the screening, the two tacitly didn't get up immediately, stood up one after another after the crowd had almost dispersed. Lu Zhiqiao put the empty cup into the empty popcorn bucket, and was taken aback for a moment, realizing that she had eaten so many high-calorie things this night, and suddenly regretted it.

She walked forward slowly, accidentally tripped over her foot, and swayed, Qi Yan quickly supported her, and firmly held her in her arms.

"Are you okay?"

"...yes." Lu Zhiqiao's ears felt hot, she quickly broke away, and continued walking at a faster pace.

Soon, there was a small distance between the two.

Lu Zhiqiao lowered her eyes and saw that the milk tea straw was bitten and deformed, feeling embarrassed and regretful. She was fascinated by the movie, and she didn't realize at all that there was Qi Yan's saliva on the straw, as well as her own saliva, not because she thought it was dirty, but——

Not only did they kiss indirectly, but she also took the initiative to deepen this "kiss", with endless aftertaste.

The deformed straw is the evidence.

Can't let Qi Yan see it.

Walking out of the theater, Lu Zhiqiao saw the trash can, quickly threw the things in her hand into it, and then walked towards the bathroom as if nothing had happened... When she came out again, she saw Qi Yan standing outside waiting. She tried her best to maintain a calm expression, and said softly: "Let's go back."

Qi Yan raised her brows and smiled, took her hand naturally, and asked as she walked towards the exit, "Would you like to go shopping?" After speaking, she added, "Tomorrow is the weekend, anyway."

Lu Zhiqiao curled her fingers, "...okay."

The floor below the theater is a shopping mall. Many people stroll around, mostly young ones, there are young couples everywhere, the two walked around hand in hand, Lu Zhiqiao didn't buy anything for herself, but bought a lot of things for her daughter, clothes, shoes, snacks, etc., Qi Yan didn't buy anything, just watched from the side and helped her carry things.

On the first floor, there is a creative gift shop with a rather large facade. There are all kinds of night lights on the shelves next to the glass windows. Qi Yan stopped in her tracks, when they passed the shop.

Lu Zhiqiao wasn't paying attention, and her hand Qi Yan was holding was pulled. She stopped, turned her head, and saw Qi Yan staring at the colorful and shining lights by the window, colors reflected in her eyes, revealing a trace of strong interest.

Suddenly, Qi Yan turned her head to meet her suspicious gaze, "Are you afraid of the dark?"

"...yes." Lu Zhiqiao was baffled by the question. She thought about it, recalling a scene of sleeping at night. It's not to the point of fear but darkness represents the unknown, and people have instinctive fear and vigilance towards unknown things.

She gave a compromised answer.

Is she a three-year-old child? How could it be possible to be afraid of the dark?

But in the next second, she was pulled into the gift shop by Qi Yan. Standing in front of the shelf next to the window, Qi Yan pointed to the small eggshell-shaped lamp above, "Does this look good?"

The small lamp exudes warm yellow light. The upper part is a dorky chick, and the lower part is a round eggshell. It is not small, and it takes two hands to hold it. Lu Zhiqiao looked at it twice, and nodded honestly: "It looks good."

"I'll give it to you." Qi Yan narrowed her eyes and smiled, "When you go to bed at night, you put it on the bedside."

Lu Zhiqiao was taken aback, opened her mouth, and just wanted to say no, but the woman already turned around and called a clerk to take the eggshell lamp to the counter.

"..."

Beside the counter, there were more than a dozen people waiting in line for packaging and engraving. Qi Yan paid the money and went to line up with the eggshell lamp in her arms. The team moved slowly, and she turned her head to look at Lu Zhiqiao from time to time. The latter was looking her way, their eyes met and communicated silently with their eyes.

Lu Zhiqiao looked a bit helpless, but there was a shallow smile on her lips. Qi Yan didn't seem to like cute little things but she still thought the woman wanted to buy it for herself. However, in a flash, she was caught off guard.

Although the dark nights are scary, they are far less than the human heart. You can light a small lamp at night, but what is there to do with a human heart?

And she, who lives in a dark corner, is not afraid at all.

After waiting for a while, Qi Yan carried a beautifully wrapped gift box over and handed it to her like a treasure, and then leaned to her ear and whispered: "For the time being, let it spend every night with you, in my stead.

Thin soft lips accidentally touched her ears, and the ambiguous breath lingered, Lu Zhiqiao's body trembled, and the tips of her sensitive ears were immediately stained with crimson. She let out a soft sigh of relief.

For the time being?

Could it be...

She was thinking crookedly.

"Come on, let's go home." Qi Yan was also afraid of attracting attention and making Lu Zhiqiao uncomfortable, so she took her hand and walked out.

As it was approaching ten o'clock, there were fewer pedestrians on the road, and the red sports car was speeding in the night, and all the things they bought were put in the trunk, except for the gift box containing the eggshell lamp, which was hugged by Lu Zhiqiao. She turned her head to look at the person beside her who was focused on driving, and asked for some reason, "Why did you invite me to watch a movie all of a sudden?"

She regretted it right after the words fell.

She received Qi Yan's invitation within half an hour after reposting that Moments post. At the time, she was surprised at the speed of the other party, but later thought it might just be a coincidence. After all, since they met, so many coincidences have happened in succession.

Did Qi Yan see through what she's thinking?

Being seen through and not knowing it yourself is like lynching

The speed of the car was obviously slower. Qi Yan glanced sideways at Lu Zhiqiao, the corners of her mouth deepened, and said shyly: "I saw your Moments post. You rarely have content that has nothing to do with work..."

As she was talking, Qi Yan's voice gradually became quieter, and then she was taken aback for a moment, as if realizing something, she stopped talking.

How could she say that?

It's the same as telling Lu Zhiqiao straight out that she's spying on her Moments. Moreover, based on their ambiguous relationship, things like inviting to see a movie, should come from the desire and willingness of the heart, rather than being influenced by relevant information.

If Qiao Qiao doesn't post anymore...

Qi Yan frowned slightly, secretly annoyed, and gripped the steering wheel with her fingers.

Beside her, Lu Zhiqiao turned her face sideways, facing the window, and the bright lights on the street reflected her deep eyes, illuminating an imperceptible smile...

Back in the complex, the two of them took the elevator upstairs together. Lu Zhiqiao was carrying the eggshell lamp gift box alone, and Qi Yan was holding the rest of the shopping bags in her hands. She was about to take out the key to open the door, but Qi Yan stood in front of her and refused to let her go and then cornered her to the wall step by step.

"You…?"

"Kiss me." Qi Yan stared at her face, raised her chin slightly, her smile showed a playful request, and her narrow and sharp eyes were as deep as the sea.

The distance between the two is so close that each other can only inhale the breath exhaled by the other, the breath with body temperature and fragrance.

Lu Zhiqiao leaned against the cold wall with her back against the cold wall, her lips and nose were full of Qi Yan's smell. Her heart was beating violently, and she was caught by Qi Yan's eyes all of a sudden, she turned her face away uncomfortably, and hugged the eggshell in her arms tightly.

"Let your kiss accompany me tonight, okay?" Qi Yan's voice lingers and her scorching breath rushes over, completely surrounding her.

Lu Zhiqiao took a breath, her feet were a little weak, her cheeks were red and hot from the heat, her heart softened all of a sudden. She turned her face back, looked into the other person's eyes, full of longing. Then, stretched her neck hesitantly, her lips lightly touching Qi Yan's face.

She only stayed for about two seconds, it was soft and hot, then she quickly moved away, turning her head to leave.

A slight force pulled her wrist and Lu Zhiqiao raised her eyes blankly, thinking that Qi Yan wasn't satisfied, and wanted to push her luck. But unexpectedly, Qi Yan just looked at her, as if she was hesitating to speak.

"...what, what's wrong?"

Just now, the two were so close that they could almost see the fine pores on each other's faces. Qi Yan suddenly remembered the photo frame she saw that day, and guesses popped up in her mind again. She wanted to know the relationship between Lu Zhiqiao and the man in the photo.

Lu Zhiqiao once said that she had never been married, but that man is Lu Wei's father. Coincidentally, his facial features were a bit like Lu Zhiqiao's.

Among the many guesses, only one possibility is the most likely.

She thought she had enough patience to wait slowly until the day Lu Zhiqiao willingly opens her heart and be honest with her, but tonight, she seemed to be unable to wait any longer, not even a second.

"The last time Niu Niu went through the cabinet, the photo frame she found—" Qi Yan gripped Lu Zhiqiao's wrist tightly, and half of her words got stuck in her throat.

They haven't reached the point where they can talk about this, right?

Tonight's Lu Zhiqiao gave her an illusion of perfect happiness, and she was so happy that she was dizzy, thinking that the two of them would be able to confirm their relationship in the next second, and that Lu Zhiqiao would confess her whole past without reservation.

But the past has nothing to do with her.

Qi Yan regretted it, and wanted to take back what she said. If this crossed the line and offended Lu Zhiqiao, and the relationship that had finally progressed returned to the original place, she would not know what to do.

Under the bright light, Lu Zhiqiao's dazed eyes gradually regained their clarity, and were gradually covered with shadows. She was silent for a while, then said in a low voice, "That's Niu Niu's father."

"I know, Niu Niu told me." Qi Yan became nervous, but still wanted to continue asking, but what Lu Zhiqiao said next completely wiped out all her thoughts.

Lu Zhiqiao: "Other than that, I don't want to talk about it for now."

"..."

"Good night." Lu Zhiqiao gently broke away from her hand, took the large and small paper bags, opened the door and entered the room without raising her gaze.

The light was on in the living room, and the house was quiet. Lu Zhiqiao put the things on the coffee table, walked lightly to the second bedroom, and pushed the door open. The curtains inside were not drawn, and a little light came in from the outside, and one could clearly see her daughter lying on her side on the bed, sleeping soundly.

She went in quietly, drew the curtains, then went to the head of the bed, bent down and kissed her daughter's face, and exited carefully.

The bathroom was filled with steam, and Lu Zhiqiao's graceful figure was looming in the mist. The warm water flowed down her spine, flushing her conflicts and anxieties into the sewer.

Her fingertips slowly stopped on the lips for a long time.

She actually took the initiative to kiss Qi Yan without much hesitation or restraint. She couldn't help herself if she let the woman tease her with a few words. Could it be that she has feelings for Qi Yan? The reason why she breaks her bottom line again and again.

How can it be?

She... just reposted a movie recommendation casually, and expressed her feelings casually, without asking for anything from the beginning to the end.

But seeing Qi Yan's delighted smile and fiery eyes, her heart throbbed violently as if it had been scratched by countless insects and ants. Even if Qi Yan took the initiative, she couldn't think of anything, so what if she was fed popcorn, so what if she used a straw, she had done more intimate things than this, but they also cannot represent everything.

Tonight was just a coincidence.

Lu Zhiqiao moved the fingers on her lips, shook her head, and drove away the messy thoughts.

After taking a shower, she threw her clothes into the basin and left them for washing tomorrow. Then, she turned around to tidy up the things she bought earlier. They are all for her daughter, she'll let Lu Wei disassemble it by herself tomorrow, so the child will be more surprised. She just took out the eggshell lamp, wiped it carefully with a damp soft cloth, and carried it back to her bedroom.

The instructions say that the lights can be activated by sound.

Lu Zhiqiao put it on the bedside, and tried to clap twice, the eggshell suddenly lit up, the light was soft but not glaring, and there was a row of small characters engraved on the base.

——Where you are, I will be.

                              ~Yan Yan

….

The new week is busy, Lu Zhiqiao works overtime almost every day. No time to spare even for her daughter. Even eating and bathing is a race against time. She will be going on a business trip to Northern Europe on Thursday. This time it will take about a week, and she will bring a lot of people. In addition to a few outstanding key employees in the department, there is also the regional manager Chi Nian.

Lu Zhiqiao prepared the food for Lu Wei in advance, added enough daily necessities, and paid the water, electricity and gas bills, and then asked Qi Yan to help her take care of her daughter.

Qi Yan was initially happy, until she heard that she was going out for a week, then asked for kisses on the phone.

At that time, Lu Zhiqiao was in the office, and it happened that Chi Nian knocked on the door and came in. At this point, she refused Qi Yan, and casually said a few words, and hung up the phone.

"What's wrong?" She looked at Chi Nian.

Ever since she found out that Chi Nian was Qi Yan's friend, Lu Zhiqiao felt extremely uncomfortable in the company. She always felt that this person was like a pinhole camera, with Qi Yan connected at the other end, and her appearance would be completely peeped on.

After thinking about it, she still has a clear distinction between public and private.

Chi Nian's complexion was not very good, she tried to force herself, and walked to the desk, gave Lu Zhiqiao a wry smile, and said hesitantly, "Director, can I...can I take two days off?"

"Are you feeling unwell?" Lu Zhiqiao frowned slightly, looking at her carefully.

"……Um."

She didn't need to say it herself, anyone with a discerning eye could tell that she doesn't feel well and her face was ashen. Lu Zhiqiao would definitely approve without hesitation, but she was going on a business trip tomorrow, and Chi Nian was an indispensable member of the team, so at such a critical moment, it was inevitable to have concerns.

Seeing the boss's hesitation, Chi Nian also understood a little bit, felt guilty, and said: "I discussed it with Manager Sun. During this period of time, his current work has been arranged. He can replace me. Do you think it's okay? If so, I'll go talk to him now."

"It's not impossible." Lu Zhiqiao pondered, "But are you really willing to give up this opportunity?"

The company has a multinational cooperation project in the beginning of the year, which was progressing smoothly, and the negotiation was almost done. This business trip is for on-site inspection and further connection. Completing the task is an opportunity for promotion, which many people wished for.

It is indeed a pity to give this up.

Chi Nian sighed, nodded helplessly, her eyelids drooped, and muttered: "There is really no way..."

Asking for leave at a critical moment is still a very important job. What will happen to the temporary replacement of staff? Lu Zhiqiao was somewhat unhappy, but didn't make it difficult for her. She just responded lightly: "Okay, go write a leave note."

….

By six o' clock, night has already fallen 

Lu Zhiqiao made an appointment to have dinner at Shu Minxi's place tonight, and she drove there after work. The city was a bit congested, and Ninghu Villa was quite far away, so she hurried to arrive before seven o'clock.

Non-resident vehicles are not allowed in, so she can only park the car outside and walk in.

The single-family villas inside have red walls and warm tiles, and are far apart from each other. It takes seven or eight minutes to walk from one house to another. The private space is absolutely guaranteed and very secluded.  Lu Zhiqiao really likes this kind of house. It's like small-scale seclusion, but not completely isolated from the world.

She just thought of it.

The building where Shu Minxi lived was in the deep part of the villa. Since she couldn't drive, she had to walk at least half an hour. By the time Lu Zhiqiao arrives, the food will probably be cold.

She is not stupid, she just called and asked someone to pick her up.

On the phone, Shu Minxi seemed to be in a good mood, her voice was soft and cheerful, and her tone was full of laughter, saying that the driver was not here today, and she would come right away.

After hanging up the phone, Lu Zhiqiao stood by the lawn and waited.

After a while, voices could be faintly heard from behind, a slight movement, getting closer and closer, and two of the voices were particularly familiar...

She turned sharply.

Three people came towards her from the path ahead, their figures were clear under the bright yellow light, a middle-aged man, a young woman, and a little girl in a ponytail.

The young woman was tall with long black hair hanging down in front of her body. She was holding the man's arm in one hand and the girl in the other. When she looked up, she saw Lu Zhiqiao who was in a daze, and her footsteps paused slightly.

It's Qi Yan.

The little girl next to her is Niu Niu.

The middle-aged man on the other side is——

Lu Zhiqiao's eyes wide, took two steps forward, and said in amazement, "Boss Qi?"

Author's Note:

Yan Yan: What should I do, I am so panicked!

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