Chapter 35: Shen Yuqiu’s Troubles.

Yan Qingxin froze for a moment, flashing a stiff smile. “Senior.”

Though Mei Zi had mentioned Yun Shuiyao had a boyfriend, Yan Qingxin still felt something off about her.

A faint hostility stirred in her chest. She knew it was irrational, wrong, but she couldn’t help it.

Yun Shuiyao nodded in response, a stark contrast to her reaction to Lu Zhao, then walked into the dorm without lingering.

Yan Qingxin didn’t mind the coldness.

From what she’d heard, this senior was like that with everyone, even her mentor, Mei Zi.

Stepping out, she saw Lu Zhao waiting, and her unease vanished instantly.

“Baby, been waiting long?”

She smiled, taking the textbooks from his hand.

Lu Zhao handed them over naturally, growing used to letting his girlfriend handle the heavy lifting.

Gotta admit, it felt kinda nice.

Back at his place, Yan Qingxin went straight to knock on the neighbor’s door.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Auntie Yu, you home? It’s Qingxin!”

Lu Zhao wanted to say she wasn’t there but held back to avoid revealing they were in contact.

Seeing no answer, Yan Qingxin pouted and returned.

“Auntie Yu’s not home. Why’s she still out?”

Lu Zhao was sorting textbooks. “Probably school stuff, like onboarding paperwork.”

“Oh… I forgot to get her contact last time. Guess we’ll wait.”

“Why not check the class group? The teacher might’ve added her.”

Her eyes lit up. “Right! Let me see.”

Soon, Yu Baowei passed Yan Qingxin’s friend request and said she’d be back later.

“Auntie Yu’s coming back late. It’s not even noon—what should we do this afternoon?”

She flopped onto the couch, sounding lazy.

During summer break, she’d have dragged Lu Zhao shopping. Now, with classes starting tomorrow, a sudden exhaustion hit.

Seeing her like this, Lu Zhao chuckled and shook his head.

“How about we eat and catch a movie?”

He was curious about this world’s entertainment—nothing reflected societal differences better.

“Hm?” She sat up. “A movie? Sure! Any new releases? I’ll check.”

“Baby, how’s this one? A romance, perfect for us.”

She hugged him from behind, her not-so-small chest pressed against his back.

“Sounds good. You pick.”

“Then I’m buying tickets and booking a restaurant nearby.”

“No restaurant. I’ll cook lunch.”

She blinked, excited. “Okay, but make more this time. I wasn’t full last time.”

He recalled the first time she ate at his place, early in their relationship.

She hadn’t revealed her foodie side yet. He’d invited her over and cooked, scaling up slightly from his own portion.

Predictably, she was still hungry but too shy to say so, and it passed.

Now, they usually ate out, so she hadn’t tasted his cooking since.

He patted her head. “Got it. Should’ve said so last time. Who knew you ate that much?”

“I was shy back then.”

“You…”

He also had another motive: use up his ingredients.

Since he could eat at Yu Baowei’s, his own stock would go to waste. Better feed it all to this foodie today.

Resource optimization.

At the kitchen door, Yan Qingxin watched Lu Zhao, apron on, at the stove. Her mind drifted to a future where they were married.

Her heart raced, a soft smile spreading.

Feeling her hug, Lu Zhao, mid-cooking, laughed helplessly. “What now?”

Nestled in his hair, she mumbled, “Baby, you’re so domestic. I think I love you more.”

“Domestic, huh? Yeah, I guess so.”

The term felt weird on him, but… it fit.

“Alright, set the table. Food’s almost ready.”

“Okay~”

She ate her fill this time, and he was pleased to clear his stock. A weird win-win.

*

At the mall’s fifth-floor theater, two women exited a movie.

Their appearances didn’t betray an age gap, but their demeanor and attire hinted at it.

The younger one was relaxed, in a khaki backless dress, hair loose, bare legs in chunky sandals—sexy yet youthful.

The older one looked troubled, hair neatly pinned, in a knee-length yellow floral dress, nude stockings, and warm-toned heels—poised yet slightly indulgent.

“Jade Autumn, don’t keep that sour face. You’re ruining your pretty looks.”

The younger girl tugged her arm.

Shen Yuqiu sighed, unchanged. “Qingqing, easier said than done. I haven’t finished the task Boss Yan gave me—how can I smile?”

They were Yan Ruyue’s employees in Goose City: Shen Yuqiu and Han Qingqing.

Shen Yuqiu was diligent, meticulous. Han Qingqing, ambitious and eager, was her protégé, making them close.

Seeing her senior and sister figure stressed, Han Qingqing had invited her to shop and unwind during a break.

“Jade Autumn, things will work out. Frowning won’t help. Smile—you might figure it out.”

As Yan Ruyue’s nominal secretary, Han Qingqing knew bits of company matters, including the PR department’s recent struggles.

The issue? Their male operatives were all exposed, unable to get close to Ling Chenxi’s executives.

At galas or gatherings, they got nothing.

“We could recruit new blood. Fresh faces might work wonders.”

“I hope so. But where do we find a young, handsome, skilled, and sharp guy now?”

Han Qingqing fell silent—those qualities were indeed rare.

Then she spotted someone. “Jade Autumn, all three might be tough, but a handsome young guy—would that do?”

“Huh?” Shen Yuqiu, dejected, looked at her junior, confused.

Han Qingqing nodded toward someone. Following her gaze, Shen Yuqiu’s eyes lit up with delight.