Chapter 11

Translator: Amber.es

Editor: merahmapple 🍁

Although they didn’t go on, this apology seemed to slowly melt the estrangement that had accumulated between them over the years. The atmosphere between them softens.

Qu Zhengyan lightly put down the file in his hand, leaning on the sofa and looking at He Ziming.

Feeling his gaze, the other party raised his head, with a question in his eyes.

“We have dinner together tonight, okay?” Qu Zhengyan asked.

He Ziming tilted his head, slightly hesitating. “…At night?”

“If you have something to do, we can change it to tomorrow,” Qu Zhengyan said quickly. “Anyway, as long as I don’t work overtime, I have nothing on at night.”

“It’s not that.” He Ziming shook his head. “At night, I have to cook at home.”

“……”

Maybe he saw that Qu Zhengyan’s complicated expression, He Ziming pressed corners of his lips. Whether it was a smile or not, his voice was brisk. “The landlord of the place I rented for works late this month. We agreed that if I cook, the rent will be halved.”

Qu Zhengyan digested the meaning of his words. He thought about it and said, “You can cook?”

It’s really not that he wanted to suspect. The former Xiao Jin was the same person who couldn’t reach out to help even if the oil bottle fell. After living independently for a few years, his self-reliant skills may have improved but to have a superior cooking skill enough to cover the rent?

“It’s still alright…” He Ziming seemed to want to clarify but he swallowed his words once more.

Can I try it? Qu Zhengyan wanted to ask so much and then he thought about it. Better wait for a bit more. He remembered another thing. “You rented a house? The rent for the apartment on the Moon Lake is very high, right?”

He Ziming thought for a while, “It’s still okay.”

“Then… do you want to stay here in the future?” Of course, Qu Zhengyan could see his personnel information. He Ziming has never left this city since he went to university.

“En, this city is good.” He Ziming said calmly.

Qu Zhengyan lowered his head and considered carefully. According to Zhu Qiaoming, the company intended to vigorously develop its investment business here. The acquisition of a local security firm was actually just a preliminary step to enter the local market. It would not be difficult for him to put a stronghold and develop here.

After pondering, he looked up at He Ziming and unexpectedly met a pair of deep eyes. When their eyes collided, He Ziming turned his gaze away suddenly, looking a little nervous. “It will take a while to get it right.” Obviously, he found something to cover up his embarrassment.

Through the faint expression that Qu Zhengyan glimpsed past He Ziming’s mask, it gave his heart hope. Qu Zhengyan’s heart moved. What he feared the most was He Ziming’s calm face, making him completely unsure of what to say and do, not knowing where to begin.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry, take your time.” He smiled and waved his hand. “By the way, if you stay here for a long time, you can’t always rent a house.”

He Ziming’s tone became more natural, “En. I have to buy a house in the future. I’m saving a few years first.”

Qu Zhengyan agreed. “Yes, you have to save money. But why do you want to rent in Moon Lake 1 Remember it’s a residential place ? The rent in that lot is not cheap.”

He Ziming pressed his lips lightly and said in a low voice, “It’s fine.”

Qu Zhengyan was silent for a short while. Pretending to be nonchalant, he suggested, “Actually, you can move in with me.”

He Ziming raised his eyelids quickly, so fast that Qu Zhengyan couldn’t see the meaning at all. Biting the bullet, he continued, “I now live on Zhangquan Road. The location is good, the company has rental subsidies… You can save the rent… And the traffic there is more convenient than Moon Lake. If… If we go together, transportation costs can also be saved…”

When talking about this, He Ziming had to look up. The two people faced each other, not knowing why the air was a little sticky. Qu Zhengyan stared at the person who looked at him with a dull expression in his eyes. He asked in embarrassment, “What do you think?”

He Ziming’s lips turned a slight upward arc. He Ziming slowly considered. “I will talk about it when my rental contract expires.”

“When does the contract expire?”

“…There is still half a year.”

Qu Zhengyan tried his best to suppress his disappointed expression. It might have leaked out as He Ziming elaborated further, “The landlord is very kind to me now, and the rent… is actually not high.”

The key issue was not whether the rent was high or not. Qu Zhengyan smiled bitterly but said nothing. Dinner was refused, the invitation to live together… was also rejected. He was somewhat depressed.

He Ziming seemed to be a little apologetic, so he took the initiative to find a topic. “You have only been here for half a year and you seem to be very familiar with it. Do you often go out to play?”

“Not really. Where can a person go? Just driving around, getting familiar with the road. There are many one-way streets here, if not careful, it’s easy to violate the rules.”

He Ziming nodded. His eyes fell on the exquisite paper card placed on Qu Zhengyan’s desk.

Qu Zhengyan followed his gaze and looked at him, suddenly becoming happier. “By the way, the telecom expo will be held here at the end of the month. I have an invitation. Let’s go and see it together?”

Compared to the surrounding three, four neighboring cities, this area was gradually becoming an IT enterprise distribution center. It was reasonable for the International Computer Information Products Expo to be held here.

He Ziming looked quite interested. “Okay.” He paused at the invitation. Puzzled, he asked, “Why would it be sent to you? If it’s sent out, they should also send it to Director Sun and Boss Yu.”

Qu Zhengyan smiled, “It was given to me by Wang Bailu. Do you remember Wang Bailu? She is the planning manager of TBC and TBC is the organizer this time.”

He Ziming’s fingers on the mouse stiffened. After a while, he replied, “…Her, I remember.”

1

Remember it’s a residential place