Chapter 87: Rejection

Lu Yan said nothing else, only uttering calmly, “Let’s go, then.”

Wang Sisi felt a little frustrated—she hadn’t even managed to say much to him. Usually, he was nowhere to be seen; whether it was Su Yang or their colleagues from the department, none would give her the opportunity to meet Lu Yan.

A simple, “Don’t disturb him, he needs to focus,” was all it took to send her away.

After Lu Yan appeared, he was invited onto the stage that had been set up.

Those in the front rows began to murmur among themselves. “He looks even better in person than on TV.”

“His looks are one thing, but thanks to him choosing our Lin City for the site, our city’s profile has skyrocketed—made the papers several times already.”

“Who would have thought he’d be so compassionate, actually agreeing to be a guest at a charity drive.”

The host finished introducing Lu Yan and handed him the microphone. “Engineer Lu, would you say a few words?”

“Lin City is a place filled with great love,” Lu Yan said simply. “Several counties under Lin City have suffered severe floods this time, with heavy losses to crops. I hope everyone can lend a helping hand.”

After this brief remark, Lu Yan handed the microphone back to the host.

The host beamed, “Well said! Looks like Engineer Lu chose to build the observatory here because Lin City is such a loving place, isn’t that right?”

Lu Yan smiled, saying nothing, and everyone took it as acquiescence, shouting out loud in his stead, “Yes!”

After that, Lu Yan and Su Yang were invited off the stage. Su Yang chuckled, “The host’s words had no scientific basis at all.”

Lu Yan replied, “It’s an emotional statement. No one can prove it’s right, nor prove it’s wrong. People like to hear it, so let her say it.”

With that, the two walked over to the donation boxes.

Some people, not even waiting for the performances to finish, had already come forward to donate. Lu Yan repeatedly thanked them.

Before the performances had ended, all three donation boxes on Lu Yan’s side were full. He and Su Yang handed the boxes over to those in charge, bid farewell to the organizers, and only then went off to the car.

Lu Yan wasn’t the only guest for the fundraising—there were entrepreneurs, local role models, and principals from schools. But only Lu Yan’s group finished their task the fastest.

Wang Sisi, after finishing her performance and coming off the stage, realized Lu Yan had already left, her face turning almost green with frustration.

That afternoon, she went to Lu Yan’s canteen for lunch. She saw Lu Yan and Su Yang sitting together, along with two other staff at the table. She strode straight over and stood in front of Lu Yan. “Comrade Lu Yan, are you deliberately avoiding me?”

Lu Yan nodded. “Yes.”

“Why?”

“You’re interfering with my work. Besides, I’m a married man.” He didn’t say more. Unless he was sure she harbored romantic feelings for him, he would never embarrass anyone in public.

But her coming over with such words was a clear attempt to get close. If it were just regular work matters, his tasks were already done—there’d be no need to seek him out again.

Now she was questioning him to his face, asking why he avoided her; that was a reproach for his lack of response.

He wasn’t particularly sensitive in such matters, but after many past experiences of confusion and careful observation, he could generally tell when someone had romantic intentions toward him.

This wasn’t the first or second time Lu Yan had handled female colleagues this way; everyone was used to it by now.

But Wang Sisi couldn’t hide her embarrassment, biting her lip and running off aggrieved.

Once she was gone, the others at the table turned their eyes to Lu Yan again. Someone couldn’t help but say, “Couldn’t you have been a bit more tactful?”

“The cost of being tactful is wasting both people’s time and energy. Besides, isn’t that doing her a disservice?” Lu Yan replied bluntly.

Su Yang shook his head, “I wonder if you’ll ever get your comeuppance in this area—then we’ll see if you can still speak so frankly.”

Lu Yan lowered his head and kept eating, paying the matter no further heed.

His wife had instructed him never to discuss anything unrelated to work with women like that.

At that moment, Shen Qingyi was sitting in Xia Xiyue’s car, her mind muddled. This was her first time traveling such a long distance away from the capital.

Xia Xiyue glanced at her through the rearview mirror, offering comfort. “Half an hour more, then I’ll book us a hotel and we’ll eat.”

“All right,” Shen Qingyi replied weakly, suppressing the nausea rising in her chest.

When Shen Qingyi felt she could endure no more, the car pulled over.

Xia Xiyue got out, came around to open the back door. “Qingyi, we’re here.”

Though weak, Shen Qingyi frowned. “I’ve told you before—call me ‘sister.’ Don’t use my name so familiarly just because you’re my boss.”

The way he said ‘Qingyi’ always sounded too intimate and gentle, easily misunderstood.

Xia Xiyue paid no mind and reached out to support her.

Shen Qingyi steadied herself. “I’m fine. I’ll follow you.”

She was always so measured. Xia Xiyue withdrew his hand and led her into a hotel.

It was only at the entrance that Shen Qingyi realized, “This place must be expensive. I came all this way to earn money, not spend it.”

A hotel of this level in the capital would easily cost thirty or forty at minimum.

She couldn’t even be sure how much profit her small business would bring in.

“My treat,” Xia Xiyue said, heading to the front desk.

The receptionist seemed to recognize him. “Mr. Xia, we've reserved the best room for you as usual.”

“I’ll need two rooms.”

Xia Xiyue was a regular at this hotel, familiar with the staff.

“Of course, just a moment.”

Soon, the keys and cards were handed to him, and Xia Xiyue paid a hundred.

Shen Qingyi broke out in a cold sweat. She tended to spend money, but compared to Xia Xiyue, she was a mere amateur.

If she stayed another night on the way back, that would be another hundred.

Xia Xiyue ignored her expression, led her upstairs, and handed her the key and card. “Rest for a while. I’ll take you out to eat later.”

Thinking of his generosity, Shen Qingyi said, “You go ahead. I don’t have an appetite right now.”

She planned to go downstairs later to buy some pastries or cakes to fill her stomach.

Xia Xiyue would never broach the subject of money, but too many such favors would become hard to account for.

He just glanced at her, said nothing, and returned to his own room.

About an hour later, there was a knock at her door.

“Who is it?” Shen Qingyi called.

“It’s me.”

Shen Qingyi opened the door to see Xia Xiyue entering with a cloth bag in hand.

When he opened the bag, he took out a large round container.

Shen Qingyi recognized it—it was a thermal lunchbox.

Xia Xiyue opened the lid and laid out the several stacked dishes inside on the table: spare ribs, chicken, steamed fish cut into pieces, and a plate of stir-fried greens.

“Come eat.”

Shen Qingyi felt a little embarrassed. “Did you buy the thermal lunchbox?”

“It’s from my car.” He’d brought this lunchbox back from abroad and always kept it with him in case he needed to pack meals when busy.

The aroma made Shen Qingyi’s stomach rumble, and she asked cautiously, “Have you eaten?”

“No. With so much food, could you finish it all by yourself?”