Chen Yi snapped back to reality, turned his head to look at her, his brow furrowed. His dark gaze swept over her face with impatience as he pulled Tu Li's hand away.
"Go back to your own place."
"What's wrong with you?" Tu Li pressed close, her breath warm against his ear as she smiled coyly. "Gone vegetarian?"
His eyes chilled for an instant, eyelids drooping slightly. His voice was low and hoarse, not angry but clearly impatient, with no trace of tenderness. "Get lost."
"What's really going on?" She coaxed patiently in a sugary tone. "Something on your mind? Let me help you sort it out."
"Shut your mouth."
Tu Li shot him a silent, coquettish glare before lowering her head to pick at her manicured nails.
Lately, Chen Yi had been constantly irritable, as if preoccupied. Though he had never been particularly warm toward her before, there were still moments of playful recklessness. She had never seen him so sullen—usually, even if the sky were falling, he would lazily prop it up with his shoulders straight and back erect.
She had a faint intuition but couldn't quite figure it out no matter how much she pondered.
They each went their separate ways, Tu Li secretly fuming. Eventually, she messaged Miao Jing, who replied that she wasn't home—she was on a business trip and unaware of the situation.
Early the next morning, Chen Yi went to Miao Jing's workplace, hoping to see her and clear things up face-to-face. Besides, what about all her stuff at home? Was she just going to leave it there? If she was really staying at the company, he could deliver it to her.
He called several times, but Miao Jing didn't answer.
The factory area didn't allow visitors freely. The security guard accepted a pack of cigarettes from Chen Yi and helped him make an internal call. No one picked up Miao Jing's line—she probably wasn't at her desk. After asking around, the guard reported that Engineer Miao wasn't in the company; she was on a business trip.
"On a business trip?" Chen Yi planted his hands on his hips, frowning. "When did she leave?"
"She's been away for a few days."
Chen Yi froze, his expression unreadable and grim. "Alright, thanks for your help."
It was a wasted trip. Driving back, the long stretch of road in the development zone was empty, not a single car in sight. A wild restlessness stirred in his bones, and the car suddenly picked up speed. A muttered curse drifted out the window: "Damn girl!"
If she left just because he told her to, then she wouldn't be Miao Jing.
That girl had a sly, stubborn streak—sneaking in and living there while he was away. Did she even know how to write "usurping someone's place"?
Miao Jing really was on a business trip. She had gone with her supervisor to inspect equipment at a supplier's site, bringing along several automotive body stampings. The thirty-pound airline box was too heavy for her to carry easily, so she had asked Lu Zhengsi to join her on this trip.
Their destination was a heavy industrial city in the north, with a tightly packed schedule. The supervisor, intending to groom the newcomers, handed the project over to Miao Jing. During the day, she followed the project manager and the supplier's engineers into the workshop, operating machinery. The north was known for its drinking culture, so evenings were filled with dinners and networking. Back at the hotel, she had to write reports. Lu Zhengsi, being less experienced, assisted her with the work. Both of them were usually busy until one or two in the morning before they could rest.After just a few days on this business trip, every single engineer who interacted with Miao Jing proactively added her on WeChat—a rare female engineer with delicate features and impeccable expertise, almost unreal in her perfection. At the dinner table, she was the only woman, a refreshing sight in every way. The project manager enthusiastically promoted his engineers to Miao Jing, suggesting they could provide on-site technical support after project delivery, even mentioning the possibility of settling in Tengcheng. Miao Jing’s supervisor, surnamed Tan, shielded her from toasts, adamantly declaring that "valuable resources shouldn’t flow to outsiders." As the department’s sole female engineer, she was to be treasured, and no one’s envy would change that.
Miao Jing had entered the field because she appreciated the work environment, not the special treatment. Surrounded by male engineering colleagues in technical roles, most conversations revolved around work and projects, free from the scheming and rivalry common in business settings.
After the dinner, she returned to the hotel to continue working. Upon entering her room, she noticed Chen Yi’s missed call from the morning and dialed him back.
"Hey." His voice came through the receiver, raspy and magnetic.
Miao Jing tapped on her keyboard, phone on speaker beside her, her tone cool. "Did you need something?"
"Nothing much."
"Mm."
The call seemed poised to end, but after a stretch of silence, his lazy drawl returned.
"Where’d you go for this trip?"
"Jincheng."
"When are you coming back?"
"I’ll be home Friday."
She said home.
Chen Yi fell quiet for a moment, his voice distant. "Didn’t you say… you’d never come back in this lifetime? Why return?"
Her tone was as light as mist. "Didn’t you tell me to get lost, to disappear completely? Why’d you come looking for me at the company then?"
He scoffed, sounding nonchalant. "Aren’t you going to clear out your things from the room? I’ll toss them sooner or later."
"You said the same thing when I was in college. Did you ever throw them out?"
"…"
Chen Yi rubbed his face, lips pressed shut.
After another pause, Miao Jing asked, "Where are you?"
"Billiards hall. I’m watching the shop tonight."
"Really? It sounds quiet on your end." A faint smile touched her lips.
Chen Yi retorted, "How lively did you expect?"
Before she could answer, a knock came at her hotel room door. Miao Jing stood, slipping on her jacket. "Hang up. My colleague’s here—we have some work to discuss."
"This late? What kind of work?" His voice held a trace of discontent. "Male or female?"
"Lu Zhengsi. Work talk."
It was indeed Lu Zhengsi at the door, holding his laptop bag and smiling in the hallway. "Engineer Miao, did you see the email?"
"Yes, and I found the drawings. A few positioning holes need revisions. Let’s hurry and update the designs to send to the supplier for mold adjustments." She turned to gather her things. "Give me a moment to grab my laptop. There’s a small lounge downstairs—we can work there."
"Sure." Lu Zhengsi waved his phone. "You barely ate at dinner. Jincheng’s barbecue is famous—their lamb skewers and grilled ribs have great reviews. Should I order some late-night snacks delivered to the hotel?"
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