Colleagues from various departments of the company all participated in the site survey of the Yangcheng project.
More than a dozen people piled into the company minibus, bumping along the road from five in the morning until ten in the morning, before finally arriving at the entrance of an old amusement park in the North District of Yangcheng.
Lin Yanbei knew this amusement park; she used to play here often when she was a child. It covered a large area and had a good location, not far from the main city area. Later, due to poor management and the impact of major viral holiday resorts, it gradually fell into decline and had been out of business for nearly a year.
Getting off the bus, Lin Yanbei saw Jiang Ran’s luxury car parked not far away. She and Lin Shiyu were stepping out of the vehicle, joining the crowd from the company.
Lin Shiyu walked straight over to Lin Yanbei, reaching out to stroke her head and asking affectionately, “Did you sleep on the bus?”
Lin Yanbei smoothed her hair herself with a slight sense of bashfulness. “When did you get back?”
“Just off the plane. I came back early for this project. Thinking we would meet today anyway, I didn’t tell you in advance. My luggage is in Jiang Ran’s car, so you should put your luggage there too. When things wrap up here, we can stop by home on the way.”
Lin Shiyu did not hide her affection for Lin Yanbei in front of everyone. At this moment, it had already attracted the quiet side-glances of quite a few colleagues, especially Sun Wen, who had just stepped off the bus, her expression shifting several times.
“Okay, I’ll go get my bag from the vehicle.” Lin Yanbei turned around to head back to the bus to retrieve her backpack.
Yet, she heard colleagues who were getting equipment out of the luggage compartment under the bus gossiping about her.
“See that? What did I tell you? She really is someone with connections. Director Lin from the Marketing Department is so affectionate with her.”
“I was wondering how a fresh graduate could have the capability to serve as Engineer Jiang’s assistant. Turns out they just found Engineer Jiang a deadweight.”
“Looks like she doesn’t have any ability at all, and she doesn’t even like talking to people. She’s just a rich young lady coming here to experience real life.”
The whispering reached the bus, but Lin Yanbei acted as if she hadn’t heard a word. Gathering her backpack and composure, she put on her baseball cap, pulled the brim down low, and walked quickly off the bus.
Not far away, a tall man in a crisp shirt was conversing with Jiang Ran.
Lin Shiyu said to Lin Yanbei, “Follow us for now. The colleagues from the Surveying and Mapping Department are adjusting the drones here, which will take a little while longer.”
Lin Yanbei obediently nodded and walked over to Jiang Ran alongside Lin Shiyu.
Seeing Jiang Ran look toward them, she took the initiative to greet her, “Engineer Jiang, good morning.”
The climate in Yangcheng was pleasant; even in the heat of midsummer, a gentle breeze blew. It felt like a young person’s greeting: comfortable and refreshing.
“Good morning.”
Jiang Ran nodded slightly to her. The cuffs of her wide-collared shirt were rolled up, exposing her smooth neck and forearms, her fair skin favored by the sunshine.
Lin Yanbei looked at the blazing sun overhead; the ultraviolet rays were not subtle at all.
She pulled an umbrella out of her bag, wanting to shade Jiang Ran from the sun. But remembering that Jiang Ran disliked people doing unnecessary things, she intended to put it back.
“Why are you putting it away? Being outside all day today will definitely make us two shades darker. Quick, give it to me.” Lin Shiyu’s sharp eyes caught her, and she took the umbrella to pop it open herself.
Once Lin Shiyu opened the umbrella, Jiang Ran introduced her to the young man beside them, “This is our Marketing Department Director, Lin Shiyu.”
“Hello, Director Lin. I am President Nie’s assistant, Xiao Chen.”
Xiao Chen had a tall, well-built physique and looked more like a bodyguard than an assistant. He bowed politely, reached out to shake Lin Shiyu’s hand, and said, “Our President Nie is already waiting for everyone inside.”
Lin Shiyu naturally shared half of the shade with Jiang Ran and followed Xiao Chen’s footsteps to lead the way into the amusement park.
The park’s entry road was exceptionally broad and clean. Looking at the cute decorations and fresh, lush flowers and plants on both sides, Lin Shiyu remarked in surprise, “The facilities here have been spruced up. I remember they weren’t like this before.”
Xiao Chen explained, “The previous park went bankrupt due to poor management. When President Nie heard about it, she bought it and kept staff on hand to maintain it. Hearing that you seem quite familiar with this place, have you been here before, Director Lin?”
“I’m a native of Yangcheng and brought the kids in my family here a few times.” Lin Shiyu glanced smilingly at Lin Yanbei. “Since President Nie treasures this place so much and frequently sends people to maintain it, is she also a native of Yangcheng?”
“President Nie isn’t from Yangcheng, but she was involved in the ‘Yangcheng University of Technology Research Building Project’ that was previously entrusted to your firm for design.”
Lin Shiyu said, “I know about that project. I’ve met President Nie, Nie Chenyang.”
Xiao Chen gave a light smile and replied, “It’s not President Nie Chenyang this time. It’s our Little President Nie…”
Before his words even landed, everyone heard crisp, lively laughter from not far away.
“Be careful! I’m driving over!”
“Nie Weixi, that’s enough of you!”
“Duang!”
“Are you crazy?!”
“Turn the steering wheel! Not like that, turn it all the way to one direction, don’t step on the brakes!”
“It’s stuck! Stop shouting!”
Drawn by the shouts, everyone saw an old bumper car arena fenced off, surrounded by four or five people dressed like Xiao Chen, standing neatly with their backs to the court. Inside the arena, two colliding cars each had a person sitting inside.
To be precise, one stuck red car was being repeatedly rammed into a corner by another yellow car that was zooming all over the arena.
The yellow car sped through the arena; sparks ignited from the top of the car, crackling all along the path, aimed squarely at viciously bumping the tail end of that red car that had just struggled out of the corner.
“Nie Weixi!” The girl in the red car let out a shrill scream.
The group from D&A looked on in utter dumbfoundment. Wasn’t it closed for business? How were there guests playing here?
“President Nie, Teacher Gu, the guests from the D&A firm have arrived,” Xiao Chen called out directly to the arena.
The yellow car screeched to a halt, the person inside waved toward the outside, and with a clack, the equipment was shut off.
The person stepped out of the car, casually removed the helmet from her head, and flipped her shoulder-length hair backward, revealing a somewhat youthful girl’s face.
The girl had amazingly sharp facial features; her brow bone and nose bridge were exceptionally sculpted, with a hint of exotic flare visible. She looked to be around the same age as Lin Yanbei.
“Engineer Jiang?” The person tilted her head toward the crowd to confirm.
“Yes, President Nie,” Xiao Chen replied.
“Give me a second, I’ll be right there.” The girl addressed as President Nie ran to the side of the red car and attentively helped the woman inside step down.
The woman was not wearing a helmet and had a much more composed aura; her thin spine held straight, conveying a strong academic air. Only after stepping out of the car, her lips pursed, and the sharp sweep of her eyes toward President Nie instantly wiped away that academic calm.
The two walked out of the arena side by side. President Nie stepped forward, reached out to shake Jiang Ran’s hand, and said happily, “We meet again. I wonder if Engineer Jiang still remembers me?”
Jiang Ran responded with a faint smile, “Little President Nie, long time no see.”
“It really has been a long time. It’s been almost five years since the research building was completed. Last time, my brother invited you in the name of the group. This time, the amusement park reconstruction is my personal investment project, so I’ll need your extra help.”
“As it should be.” Jiang Ran nodded, turned, and introduced, “This is our D&A Marketing Department Director, Lin Shiyu.”
“Hello, President Nie.” Lin Shiyu politely extended her hand.
“Hello, Director Lin. I am Nie Weixi.” Nie Weixi shook Lin Shiyu’s hand and let go. Shifting her body slightly, she pulled the woman with the academic aura over to introduce her: “My girlfriend, Gu Jingyu.”
Lin Yanbei was taken aback; they were actually a couple? Looking at the two of them again, one was youthful and passionate, while the other was elegant and steady; they really were a very handsome match.
Nie Weixi keenly noticed the gaze from the side. She turned her eyes toward the source, involuntarily pausing for a moment before asking, “I haven’t seen this one before?”
Just as Lin Shiyu was about to speak, Jiang Ran stepped up beside Lin Yanbei and spoke first, “She is my assistant, Lin Yanbei.”
She had spoken up ahead of Lin Shiyu because she felt that introducing a professional title in a workplace setting was more professional than introducing a family relationship.
Yet she heard Nie Weixi exclaim in a decidedly unprofessional manner, “Wow, your assistant’s eyes are so clear and bright! Must be a college student, right?”