Lin Yu gently set down the tall wine glass in her hand, the rim still bearing a faint mark of red wine. A subtle smile graced her lips, one that was relaxed yet carried a hint of deeper meaning.
“Jiang Chen, I really owe you this time. If it weren't for you, I would have been at my wit's end, unsure of how to wrap things up,” she said.
Jiang Chen smiled slightly, his expression warm like the gentle sunlight of spring, bright yet not blinding. He raised his glass to lightly clink it against Lin Yu's, the sound crisp and pleasant. “President Lin, you’re being too modest. We are partners; it’s only natural for us to work together and achieve mutual success.”
They exchanged smiles, and in that moment of shared gaze, it felt as if a thousand unspoken words flowed between them, yet they chose to leave it at that, understanding everything without needing to say more. This feeling was truly indescribable.
The company crisis had been like a sudden storm, but now that the rain had passed and the clouds had cleared, Lin Yu felt a sense of relief wash over her. Having fought side by side through the turmoil made her appreciate the strength of teamwork even more. To reward the employees for their hard work during this challenging time, she decided to host a grand celebration banquet, allowing everyone to relax and enjoy the hard-earned fruits of their victory.
The banquet was ablaze with lights and filled with lively chatter. Waiters moved gracefully through the crowd with trays in hand, the glasses sparkling enticingly under the illumination. The air was rich with the aroma of delicious food mingled with the robust scent of red wine, intoxicating all who breathed it in. Laughter, conversation, and the clinking of glasses intertwined to create a joyful symphony.
Dressed elegantly in a formal evening gown and holding a glass of red wine, Lin Yu approached Jiang Chen with graceful steps that resembled a fairy gliding through flowers. “President Jiang, I truly want to thank you for your help; it has been like a timely gift in our time of need.”
Jiang Chen accepted the glass Lin Yu offered and lightly tapped it against hers, producing a clear and melodious sound as if infused with magic. “President Lin, you are too kind. It’s our duty to assist you. It’s an honor for us to help you and your company.”
“No, I really owe you this one,” Lin Yu replied sincerely, her eyes filled with gratitude. “Without your strong support, I might not have made it through this crisis; it has made me deeply aware of how difficult it is to stand alone.”
Jiang Chen looked at her, his deep-set eyes revealing a hint of gentle warmth—like a tranquil pool hiding endless emotions beneath its surface. “President Lin, you are too humble. Your capabilities and determination are evident to everyone. You are like the helmsman of this great ship; no matter how fierce the storms may be, you can guide us through them and lead us forward.”
Lin Yu felt a bit shy from his praise; she smiled—a beautiful bloom unfolding—and said nothing more but took a delicate sip from her glass.
They continued chatting for a while about the company’s future, industry trends, and some light-hearted topics before they each turned to greet other guests since they needed to attend to every attendee as hosts.
As laughter echoed throughout the banquet hall came to an end and guests began to leave one by one, Lin Yu and Jiang Chen stepped out of the hotel together. They stood at the entrance, feeling the gentle night breeze brush against their faces.
“President Jiang, it’s getting late; let me see you off,” Lin Yu suggested softly, her voice delicate like feathers gliding across Jiang Chen’s heart.
“No need, President Lin, I can go back by myself. You don’t have to trouble yourself,” Jiang Chen declined, his tone carrying a hint of distance, as if he was deliberately keeping a barrier between them.
“Oh, it’s no trouble at all. It’s just on my way, so don’t be so polite,” Lin Yu insisted, her voice laced with an undeniable firmness.
Seeing her so persistent, Jiang Chen had no choice but to relent. “Well then… okay, I appreciate it, President Lin.”
Once in the car, Lin Yu started the engine, and the vehicle smoothly drove forward. Inside the cabin, the two engaged in light conversation, the atmosphere relaxed and pleasant.
“President Jiang, this collaboration has been so enjoyable. Have you ever thought that we could continue working together in the future to create even broader horizons?” Lin Yu suddenly said, her tone tinged with both a hint of testing and anticipation.
Jiang Chen was taken aback; he hadn’t expected Lin Yu to bring this up so suddenly. He chuckled, “Are you extending an invitation to me, President Lin? Does this mean you’re considering a long-term partnership?”
Lin Yu smiled back at him, her expression playful. “What? Are you not willing, President Jiang? This is an opportunity that many dream of.”
“Of course I’m willing! I couldn’t ask for more,” Jiang Chen replied without hesitation. “It’s an honor to collaborate with a business genius like you, President Lin. How could I refuse? It’s like a pie falling from the sky.”
“Then it’s settled! We’ll be long-term partners from now on,” Lin Yu said as she extended her hand. Her hand was fair and slender, resembling exquisite jade.
Jiang Chen reached out as well and gently shook her hand. His palm was large and warm, exuding a reassuring strength that enveloped Lin Yu's hand. An unusual sensation surged through her, like an electric current spreading from her fingertips throughout her body, making her heart skip a beat.
She quickly withdrew her hand and forced a smile to mask her flustered state.
Jiang Chen noticed her unease but said nothing, merely smiling back with a knowing look.
As they arrived at Jiang Chen’s building, Lin Yu slowly brought the car to a stop. The streetlights outside cast a warm yellow glow, shrouding everything in a layer of soft haze.
“President Jiang, we’ve arrived. Please step out.”
Jiang Chen nodded, unfastened his seatbelt, and prepared to get out of the car.
"President Jiang, wait a moment," Lin Yu suddenly called out to him, her voice tinged with hesitation.
Jiang Chen turned his head, looking at her in confusion as he awaited her next words.
Lin Yu hesitated for a moment before saying, "President Jiang, I truly appreciate your tremendous support during this time. You not only helped me resolve the company's crisis but also taught me so much. You are truly my benefactor."
Jiang Chen smiled, his expression warm like a spring breeze: "President Lin, you are too kind. This is what I should do. We are partners and should help each other and progress together."
"No, I really need to thank you properly this time," Lin Yu said sincerely, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Without you, I might not have been able to hold on. You gave me hope and strength."
Jiang Chen looked at her, a subtle tenderness flickering in his deep eyes, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples. "President Lin, you are too modest. In fact, you are much stronger than you realize. Your abilities, determination, and charm are evident to everyone. I believe that even without me, you can lead the company out of its difficulties and achieve greatness again."
Lin Yu smiled but said nothing more; she simply gazed at him quietly.
Jiang Chen exited the car, turned back to wave at Lin Yu, and then walked steadily into the building. His tall and upright figure gave off a sense of reliability.
As Lin Yu watched him leave, an inexplicable feeling of loss surged within her, as if she had lost something important—an emptiness settled in her heart.
She did not understand where this feeling came from, but she sensed that her feelings for Jiang Chen had evolved beyond a mere partnership. It was as if a seed had quietly taken root in her heart, waiting for the day it would break through the soil.
Lin Yu started her car and slowly drove away from Jiang Chen's building, disappearing into the vast night.
Unbeknownst to her, after she left, Jiang Chen stepped out of the building and stood by the roadside, quietly watching her car vanish into the darkness ahead, as if bidding farewell to an old friend.
His eyes were filled with complex emotions—admiration, gratitude, and something he couldn't quite articulate. These feelings intertwined like a tangled mess, leaving him momentarily unable to untangle them.
The next day, Lin Yu arrived at the company to find a thick atmosphere of gossip hanging in the air. Everyone was whispering among themselves, occasionally stealing glances at her, their eyes filled with curiosity and scrutiny.
"Did you hear? After the celebration banquet yesterday, President Lin personally drove President Jiang home," a female employee whispered, lowering her voice as if afraid of being overheard.
"Is that true? No way! Could it be that they..." another female employee exclaimed, her eyes wide in disbelief.
"What's so impossible about it? President Lin and President Jiang are a perfect match—handsome and beautiful, it's like they were made for each other," another chimed in.
"Exactly! I've felt there was something between them for a while now. Did you see how they were at the banquet? The way they exchanged glances was so intimate," another added.
"And did you notice? The way President Jiang looks at President Lin is different; it's so gentle it could melt anyone's heart."
Hearing these discussions, Lin Yu couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation. She never expected that her polite gesture of driving Jiang Chen home would lead to such a huge misunderstanding—this was even more dramatic than a plot twist in a soap opera.
Just as she was about to explain herself, her assistant, Xiao Zhang, hurried over.
"President Lin, President Jiang is here and waiting for you in the meeting room."
Lin Yu paused for a moment before realizing that Jiang Chen must be there to discuss their collaboration, as they had agreed to continue discussing the details today.
She quickly adjusted her outfit to look more presentable and then briskly walked out of her office.
Jiang Chen was standing at the door of her office. When he saw her come out, a faint smile appeared on his face, bright as sunshine, dispelling the gloom in her heart.
"President Lin, good morning! Did you sleep well last night?"
"President Jiang, good morning! I slept quite well. How about you?" Lin Yu replied with a smile, her voice clear and melodious like the song of a lark.
The two of them walked into the office together, starting a new day of work.
"President Lin, regarding our collaboration, I've thought of a new proposal. Please let me know if it's feasible..." Jiang Chen began, but Lin Yu interrupted him, feeling it was better to clarify some things first.
"President Jiang, about what happened yesterday... I think there might be a misunderstanding between us."
"What happened yesterday?" Jiang Chen looked at her in confusion, seemingly unsure of what she was referring to.
"It's about me taking you home," Lin Yu explained. "Everyone in the company is saying we're dating and that it's more than just an act. I think it's necessary to clarify that we are simply business partners with no other intentions—certainly not in a romantic sense, right?"
Hearing this, Jiang Chen couldn't help but laugh; he found Lin Yu's demeanor utterly charming. "President Lin, you don't need to explain. The innocent will clear themselves; the guilty will reveal their true nature. Besides, the eyes of the public are sharp; they will eventually see the truth."
Lin Yu smiled as well, agreeing with Jiang Chen's reasoning. Why should she worry unnecessarily? "President Jiang, hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. I was genuinely concerned that this misunderstanding might affect our collaboration."
"How could it? We are professional businesspeople; there's no way something trivial like this could impact our partnership. If this got out, it would just make people laugh," Jiang Chen skillfully redirected the conversation. "President Lin, let's get back to business and discuss the details of our collaboration..."
"Sure, go ahead. I'm listening," Lin Yu nodded in agreement.
They began discussing the specifics of their cooperation, exchanging ideas in a lively and harmonious atmosphere.
Before they knew it, time had passed significantly, and the sunlight outside had softened, signaling that the day was coming to an end.
"President Lin, I have a few matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now," Jiang Chen stood up, preparing to depart with a hint of regret on his face.
"President Jiang, let me see you off; I also need to step out for some errands," Lin Yu stood up as well, speaking warmly.
"No need for that, President Lin. You're incredibly busy; I'm sure you're much busier than I am. I can head back on my own—please stay," Jiang Chen politely declined again, his tone carrying a hint of insistence.
"Ah, it's no problem, it's just on the way. Don't be so polite, let's go," Lin Yu said as she pulled Jiang Chen out of the office without giving him a chance to respond.
Jiang Chen had no choice but to comply, and the two walked side by side out of the office.
The employees in the company watched this scene unfold, their chatter growing louder, almost like a pot boiling over.
"See? I told you there was definitely something going on between them. Now do you believe me?"
"Oh my, President Lin and President Jiang really are a match made in heaven. They look even better together than the leads in a drama."
"I really hope they end up together and walk down the aisle soon. Then we can have some wedding candies!"
Hearing these comments, Lin Yu felt a mix of helplessness and sweetness in her heart; it was an incredibly complex feeling. She knew that she and Jiang Chen had a long road ahead, filled with uncertainties and challenges, yet her heart brimmed with anticipation.
She didn't know how her future with Jiang Chen would unfold—whether they would become an enviable couple or eventually part ways as mere passersby in each other's lives. But one thing was certain: her feelings for Jiang Chen were deepening, like an aged wine that becomes richer and more fragrant with time.
Jiang Chen, what do you really feel about me? Is our relationship truly just a simple partnership?
Lin Yu silently questioned herself, her eyes filled with confusion and hope.
Perhaps only time could provide the answer to this question, only time could unveil this layer of mystery and reveal the truth. For now, all she needed to do was wait patiently for fate to unfold, waiting for her share of happiness to knock on her door.
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