Chapter 03
*
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That day, after finishing work, Ouyang returned to the company. As he was about to enter the garage, his driver informed him that his usual parking spot was taken by a large, unfamiliar vehicle.
The security guard apologized profusely for the oversight and wanted to have the car towed. But Ouyang stopped him and told the driver to find another spot.
Upon returning to the office, the secretary informed him that Mr. Jiang from Yifan Studio had already been waiting for him for an hour.
This time, Jiang Yi had come prepared. Having confirmed that the Green Sound Pavilion villa was just a test case—the real goal was to evaluate each company’s capabilities through high-end model homes and landscape design—he immediately gathered the entire Yifan team and, in record time, produced a complete set of planning proposals to seize the initiative. He knew that in terms of planning and design alone, Yifan had an absolute advantage.
“I know several architecture firms are competing for this project, but please believe that Yifan is the most sincere among them.”
Ouyang Jinghui looked at the handsome, calm, and composed man before him and found it hard to reconcile this image with the “mysterious” persona he’d encountered before. After a moment of thoughtful silence, Ouyang asked, “How do you plan to further demonstrate your sincerity?”
“I will personally oversee this project from start to finish. If necessary, I’ll set up a temporary studio at Yunxi to supervise the progress in real time and ensure maximum efficiency.”
“But aren’t you also responsible for the second phase of Fang Enterprises’ Zhonghao Hotel?”
“The mid-term work is already completed. It won’t require my attention anymore.”
“Your achievements speak for themselves.” Ouyang Jinghui smiled and stood up, extending his hand. “Then let’s work together, Jiang Yi.”
“Let’s work together.” This meeting, it seemed, had been highly effective.
“By the way…” Ouyang suddenly asked, “That CRV SUV in the garage—is it yours?”
Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow. “Yes. Is there a problem?”
Ouyang silently lamented his own intuition. “It’s a great car.”
“Thank you.” Jiang Yi nodded casually. “In three days, I’ll finalize the list of staff for the temporary studio.”
“If you don’t mind, you can stay at the Xiaozhu Courtyard, Building A, in Yunxi. I live there myself, but the first floor is mostly unused. Feel free to use it as you like.” As he spoke, Ouyang took a key from his drawer and tossed it to Jiang Yi. “You won’t need to stay in a hotel apartment until the project is finished.”
Jiang Yi had never imagined meeting a businessman even more direct than himself—this was completely unexpected.
He shook the spare key in his hand but hesitated. “Won’t that be inconvenient?”
“No, I’m rarely there. Other than the cleaning staff who come every morning, there’s no one else.”
“So you’re saying I can move the temporary studio to your—residence?” Jiang Yi tilted his head, amused.
“Yes, the house has everything you need. It’ll be convenient for your work.”
Jiang Yi couldn’t help but be pleased. “Thank you, Mr. Ouyang.”
“Just call me Ouyang. The house is yours for the next six months.” Ouyang flipped through the proposal again. “You seem very familiar with the Yunxi site.”
“I’ve visited the site often, and the information isn’t hard to find. But trustworthy clients are rare.”
“Well, Jiang Yi, you’ve found one now.” Ouyang tapped the table with a masculine air. “I’ll study this proposal carefully. Next week, we’ll gather the team for an integration meeting to discuss the feasibility and finalize the contract.”
“No problem.”
Jiang Yi had to admit—even as he stepped out of Longtai’s elevator, he was still smiling. It seemed he’d found the right person; opportunity truly was indispensable.
The next day, he began the move to the temporary studio. The core design team—Ali, the copywriter Anda, and the planner Mira—followed Jiang Yi to oversee the planning and development of the Yunxi wetlands. They also contacted the strongest model-making company in the province to prepare for the next steps.
Everything was proceeding at a rapid pace. Jiang Yi didn’t want to let this opportunity slip away. He knew that seizing this chance would lead to more collaborations. Longtai was a giant—this was Yifan Studio’s chance to establish itself firmly in Asia. He wouldn’t let this opportunity pass him by. Jiang Yi’s path to success was to hold onto every resource he had.
After Yifan moved into the first floor of Xiaozhu Courtyard, Building A, Ouyang Jinghui indeed never returned, so Jiang Yi began to think he might never come back at all.
After a week of preparation, Yifan’s design director met with Longtai’s senior management. Jiang Yi used slides and detailed documents to explain the planning concept, and his flawless presentation—backed by extensive research and reports—won widespread approval. The proposal smoothly entered the review and submission phase, and Jiang Yi was quite satisfied with his work.
But when his gaze swept over the head of the long table—the seat that should have been Ouyang Jinghui’s—and found it empty, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. How could he miss such an important occasion?
He heard that Ouyang had gone to Australia on business three days earlier, so even if the meeting was important, he hadn’t been able to return. And today, Jiang Yi made a remarkably unprofessional mistake—he zoned out during Ali’s closing remarks, wondering what Ouyang Jinghui would think of his proposal. If Ouyang had been present, the meeting wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. At the very least, there would have been a lively debate, and everyone present seemed to be waiting for the boss’s final decision.
After that, aside from throwing himself into work, there was nothing else to share Jiang Yi’s precious time. During the day, Yifan’s team took turns at Xiaozhu Courtyard, but their boss was on duty 24/7. Occasionally, there were visitors.
“Hey, does no one here ever want to leave work?” Liang Menghai walked into Xiaozhu Courtyard at 6 p.m. to pay a visit.
Ali, who had previously found this beautiful woman difficult to deal with, was now surprised by her friendliness. Those who didn’t know about Menghai and Jiang Yi’s ongoing connection would be shocked by the change. Ali stammered, “Uh… we’re just about to pack up.”
Menghai handed him a basket of fruit. “Save it for tomorrow.”
“Oh, thank you.” Ali was flattered and went upstairs to the storage room to call Jiang Yi. As he followed Jiang Yi downstairs, he whispered, “Are all female painters this unpredictable? Her attitude today is… weird. It’s like she’s a completely different person.”
“Weird?” Jiang Yi chuckled. “I like that word.”
He greeted Menghai first. “Ms. Liang, it’s good to see you.”
“It hasn’t been that long. Why am I ‘Ms. Liang’ now?” she pretended to be unhappy.
“Okay, Menghai, you absolutely deserve to be called ‘Ms. Liang.’”
“I was passing by and thought I’d drop in. How’s the progress?” Menghai glanced around the room. “I like this loft. It’s much more charming than the original furnishings.”
“It just needs a bit more color on the ceiling. Maybe you could paint it.”
“Sure, I’m thinking of switching careers to painting walls.” Menghai laughed, then asked after a moment, “Has Jinghui come by to visit?”
Jiang Yi went to the side to pour her a glass of freshly squeezed juice. “If you mean this temporary studio, the answer is no.”
“Hmm, that’s just like him. You can never find him in the same place twice.”
Not even you? Jiang Yi wanted to ask, but he held back. “Businessmen are always on the move.”
“Tell me, Jiang Yi, are you a businessman?”
Jiang Yi picked up a drawing from the table and answered in English, “Absolutely, without a doubt.”
“Jiang Yi, you’re a beautiful and witty man.”
“Sorry, you should say ‘handsome.’”
“Oh.” Menghai couldn’t help but laugh. “I always get carried away with adjectives.”
“I forgive you. That’s what people call an artist’s intuition.”
Menghai stood up. “Jiang Yi, Longtai’s collaboration with you is a wonderful beginning.”
“That sounds like official talk.”
“No, just artistic intuition.” She took a fragrant invitation from her bag. “A week from now, I’m holding a private exhibition on Qishi Road. I hope you’ll come.”
Jiang Yi accepted the invitation with surprise. “Of course, I’ll definitely be there. But I’m sure you won’t be short of flowers that day.”
“It’s a deal. I’ll be waiting.” Menghai smiled and said goodbye.
Jiang Yi saw her to the door. “Will there be price tags at the exhibition?”
“The pre-sale period is already over, sir.”
“Next time, I’ll remember to get there early.”
“There’s a charity auction after the exhibition. Jinghui is back today. I think you’ll be seeing him soon.”
Menghai said goodbye and drove off smoothly, but Jiang Yi, for some reason, stood there lost in thought for a long time.
It wasn’t until Ali called him that he snapped out of it and went back inside.
“Mike from Hong Kong left a message for you earlier, asking when you’ll be back.”
“I’ll call him back. I probably won’t be able to make it for a while.” Jiang Yi rubbed his forehead and went upstairs. “You can head out now.”
“Okay. Anda will be here tomorrow to discuss the project’s key requirements so the copywriting can hit the mark. I’ll get going, then.” Ali closed the door behind him, leaving Jiang Yi alone in the house.
Jiang Yi didn’t consider solitude to be loneliness. His mind was full—filled with plans, schedules, meetings, and drawings—so he enjoyed his personal space.
In the evenings, he would make himself two sandwiches and a cup of freshly brewed coffee, then return to the spacious loft. He would turn on only the hallway light and select a Brahms record from the shelf to play on the high-quality turntable. The only thing he had to thank for was the generosity of the house’s owner, who allowed him to share his CDs, books, and—most importantly—the soft beige sofa Jiang Yi loved. In some ways, Ouyang Jinghui had excellent taste, free from the crassness typical of businessmen. At least he knew how to set the mood with Bach.
Jiang Yi smiled wryly and lay back on the sofa, closing his eyes and relaxing. He had to make sure he felt good—that was a prerequisite for any successful man.
Suddenly, Jiang Yi felt as if something was pulling him down, leaving only a weak, habitual sense of competition. Slowly, he lost track of where he was, and drowsiness overtook him…
Until something pressed against his body, and the faint scent of lemon aftershave filled his nose. Jiang Yi opened his eyes to find Ouyang Jinghui leaning over him, tucking a blanket over his shoulders. Both men were startled. Through those calm, dark eyes, Jiang Yi saw his own surprised reflection and suddenly felt disoriented. Fortunately, Ouyang spoke first, apologetically: “I didn’t realize you were such a light sleeper.”
The music was still playing, and an extra light had been turned on, but the room remained dim. Jiang Yi sat up abruptly, half the blanket slipping to the floor. He felt a pang of annoyance—he didn’t want his business partner to see him so vulnerable, especially not Ouyang Jinghui.
“Hmm… I actually fell asleep.” Jiang Yi glanced at the clock, embarrassed. It was already 9:30.
“Yes, and you should keep sleeping.” Ouyang walked over and turned off the stereo. “I’ll be staying here for a few days to discuss the proposal with you.”
Jiang Yi suddenly felt relieved. Ouyang was exactly as he’d imagined—nothing could be more fortunate. He immediately played the role of host and joked, “Feel free to pick any room with a bed.”
Ouyang was equally witty. “Thank you for your hospitality. I’ll take care of myself.”
Jiang Yi suddenly remembered that the bedroom he’d been using was Ouyang’s. He called out to the man, who was heading to the bathroom: “Hey, I’ll move to the guest room. The master bedroom is all yours. I changed the sheets yesterday.”
Ouyang stopped and turned back, his expression playful. “It seems I have a polite and tidy tenant who knows how to change sheets.”
“Definitely better than the people you met in the dorms.” Jiang Yi picked up the blanket and headed to the guest room. “I don’t want to overshadow the host. Did I use that idiom correctly?”
Ouyang Jinghui smiled but didn’t answer. He always felt that Jiang Yi had a hidden edge—but that thought stayed in his heart, unspoken
It would have been perfectly normal for them to meet at the residence, but things are different when both men are used to marking their own territory and never mix business with personal matters—and aren’t good at keeping up appearances in private. For example, the chairman of Longtai might tuck a blanket over someone, and a top designer might fall fast asleep on someone else’s couch, reading their books. Fundamentally, they are two kinds of people, but at their core, they are similar.
Jiang Yi had a hunch: aside from work, it would be best if he and Ouyang Jinghui had no further, deeper contact. Even living under the same roof, he still found it uncomfortable to actively show closeness to someone he barely knew, especially since he had such an unusual feeling toward Ouyang.
Whenever he had something on his mind, Jiang Yi would suffer from insomnia. Tonight, having switched beds, he felt even more unsettled. In the dark, he went downstairs for a glass of whiskey, but halfway down the stairs, he saw that someone was already there. The dim yellow light fell on the right side of Ouyang Jinghui’s face, casting a mysterious shadow under his eyes and leaving a perfect silhouette on the wall. Wrapped in a dark cotton shirt, he sat alone at the bar, staring at his laptop. Jiang Yi suddenly felt a pang in his chest—an old anxiety, like a flood washing away his usual clarity and sharp judgment.
Ouyang, obviously sensing the footsteps, looked up. Jiang Yi had no choice but to walk over. “Am I interrupting?”
“Just admiring your performance at the meeting,” Ouyang said with an exaggerated turn of his head. Even though his eyes seemed sincere, a man like him always had a deeper motive behind any gesture—it was impossible to tell if he was being genuine.
“Oh?” Jiang Yi, puzzled, walked closer and burst out laughing when he saw the laptop screen. “I didn’t realize I was so photogenic.”
“My secretary sent me the meeting footage. I thought I should pay attention to every development.”
“So—any suggestions for improvement? I mean, regarding the project.”
Ouyang gave Jiang Yi a meaningful look, then abruptly changed the subject. “Want a drink to wake you up?”
Jiang Yi noticed another difference between them: Ouyang was adept at subtle detours, while he himself preferred to go straight to the point.
For the next hour, they exchanged ideas about the meeting, highlighting key points for further review. As Jiang Yi pondered one suggestion, Ouyang suddenly closed his laptop and explained, “This is already an exception—discussing work in private time.”
Jiang Yi realized this wasn’t his style either. “Right, but I’ll take your suggestions seriously and make the necessary changes.”
“I think we’re of the same mind.”
Jiang Yi’s heart swelled. Fatigue flickered in his clear eyes as he prepared to go upstairs, away from the inexplicable restlessness. “I—should get some rest.”
“I’m still jet-lagged. I’ll stay up a bit longer. You go ahead.” Ouyang patted Jiang Yi’s shoulder, picked up his glass, and headed to the kitchen. As Jiang Yi climbed the stairs, Ouyang popped his head out and asked, “Want a midnight snack?”
“No, thanks.”
Honestly, Jiang Yi never would have imagined that he and Ouyang Jinghui—two people from opposite ends—would have a heart-to-heart in the middle of the night, even if it was about work. The situation was remarkable.
The security guard apologized profusely for the oversight and wanted to have the car towed. But Ouyang stopped him and told the driver to find another spot.
Upon returning to the office, the secretary informed him that Mr. Jiang from Yifan Studio had already been waiting for him for an hour.
This time, Jiang Yi had come prepared. Having confirmed that the Green Sound Pavilion villa was just a test case—the real goal was to evaluate each company’s capabilities through high-end model homes and landscape design—he immediately gathered the entire Yifan team and, in record time, produced a complete set of planning proposals to seize the initiative. He knew that in terms of planning and design alone, Yifan had an absolute advantage.
“I know several architecture firms are competing for this project, but please believe that Yifan is the most sincere among them.”
Ouyang Jinghui looked at the handsome, calm, and composed man before him and found it hard to reconcile this image with the “mysterious” persona he’d encountered before. After a moment of thoughtful silence, Ouyang asked, “How do you plan to further demonstrate your sincerity?”
“I will personally oversee this project from start to finish. If necessary, I’ll set up a temporary studio at Yunxi to supervise the progress in real time and ensure maximum efficiency.”
“But aren’t you also responsible for the second phase of Fang Enterprises’ Zhonghao Hotel?”
“The mid-term work is already completed. It won’t require my attention anymore.”
“Your achievements speak for themselves.” Ouyang Jinghui smiled and stood up, extending his hand. “Then let’s work together, Jiang Yi.”
“Let’s work together.” This meeting, it seemed, had been highly effective.
“By the way…” Ouyang suddenly asked, “That CRV SUV in the garage—is it yours?”
Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow. “Yes. Is there a problem?”
Ouyang silently lamented his own intuition. “It’s a great car.”
“Thank you.” Jiang Yi nodded casually. “In three days, I’ll finalize the list of staff for the temporary studio.”
“If you don’t mind, you can stay at the Xiaozhu Courtyard, Building A, in Yunxi. I live there myself, but the first floor is mostly unused. Feel free to use it as you like.” As he spoke, Ouyang took a key from his drawer and tossed it to Jiang Yi. “You won’t need to stay in a hotel apartment until the project is finished.”
Jiang Yi had never imagined meeting a businessman even more direct than himself—this was completely unexpected.
He shook the spare key in his hand but hesitated. “Won’t that be inconvenient?”
“No, I’m rarely there. Other than the cleaning staff who come every morning, there’s no one else.”
“So you’re saying I can move the temporary studio to your—residence?” Jiang Yi tilted his head, amused.
“Yes, the house has everything you need. It’ll be convenient for your work.”
Jiang Yi couldn’t help but be pleased. “Thank you, Mr. Ouyang.”
“Just call me Ouyang. The house is yours for the next six months.” Ouyang flipped through the proposal again. “You seem very familiar with the Yunxi site.”
“I’ve visited the site often, and the information isn’t hard to find. But trustworthy clients are rare.”
“Well, Jiang Yi, you’ve found one now.” Ouyang tapped the table with a masculine air. “I’ll study this proposal carefully. Next week, we’ll gather the team for an integration meeting to discuss the feasibility and finalize the contract.”
“No problem.”
Jiang Yi had to admit—even as he stepped out of Longtai’s elevator, he was still smiling. It seemed he’d found the right person; opportunity truly was indispensable.
The next day, he began the move to the temporary studio. The core design team—Ali, the copywriter Anda, and the planner Mira—followed Jiang Yi to oversee the planning and development of the Yunxi wetlands. They also contacted the strongest model-making company in the province to prepare for the next steps.
Everything was proceeding at a rapid pace. Jiang Yi didn’t want to let this opportunity slip away. He knew that seizing this chance would lead to more collaborations. Longtai was a giant—this was Yifan Studio’s chance to establish itself firmly in Asia. He wouldn’t let this opportunity pass him by. Jiang Yi’s path to success was to hold onto every resource he had.
After Yifan moved into the first floor of Xiaozhu Courtyard, Building A, Ouyang Jinghui indeed never returned, so Jiang Yi began to think he might never come back at all.
After a week of preparation, Yifan’s design director met with Longtai’s senior management. Jiang Yi used slides and detailed documents to explain the planning concept, and his flawless presentation—backed by extensive research and reports—won widespread approval. The proposal smoothly entered the review and submission phase, and Jiang Yi was quite satisfied with his work.
But when his gaze swept over the head of the long table—the seat that should have been Ouyang Jinghui’s—and found it empty, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. How could he miss such an important occasion?
He heard that Ouyang had gone to Australia on business three days earlier, so even if the meeting was important, he hadn’t been able to return. And today, Jiang Yi made a remarkably unprofessional mistake—he zoned out during Ali’s closing remarks, wondering what Ouyang Jinghui would think of his proposal. If Ouyang had been present, the meeting wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. At the very least, there would have been a lively debate, and everyone present seemed to be waiting for the boss’s final decision.
After that, aside from throwing himself into work, there was nothing else to share Jiang Yi’s precious time. During the day, Yifan’s team took turns at Xiaozhu Courtyard, but their boss was on duty 24/7. Occasionally, there were visitors.
“Hey, does no one here ever want to leave work?” Liang Menghai walked into Xiaozhu Courtyard at 6 p.m. to pay a visit.
Ali, who had previously found this beautiful woman difficult to deal with, was now surprised by her friendliness. Those who didn’t know about Menghai and Jiang Yi’s ongoing connection would be shocked by the change. Ali stammered, “Uh… we’re just about to pack up.”
Menghai handed him a basket of fruit. “Save it for tomorrow.”
“Oh, thank you.” Ali was flattered and went upstairs to the storage room to call Jiang Yi. As he followed Jiang Yi downstairs, he whispered, “Are all female painters this unpredictable? Her attitude today is… weird. It’s like she’s a completely different person.”
“Weird?” Jiang Yi chuckled. “I like that word.”
He greeted Menghai first. “Ms. Liang, it’s good to see you.”
“It hasn’t been that long. Why am I ‘Ms. Liang’ now?” she pretended to be unhappy.
“Okay, Menghai, you absolutely deserve to be called ‘Ms. Liang.’”
“I was passing by and thought I’d drop in. How’s the progress?” Menghai glanced around the room. “I like this loft. It’s much more charming than the original furnishings.”
“It just needs a bit more color on the ceiling. Maybe you could paint it.”
“Sure, I’m thinking of switching careers to painting walls.” Menghai laughed, then asked after a moment, “Has Jinghui come by to visit?”
Jiang Yi went to the side to pour her a glass of freshly squeezed juice. “If you mean this temporary studio, the answer is no.”
“Hmm, that’s just like him. You can never find him in the same place twice.”
Not even you? Jiang Yi wanted to ask, but he held back. “Businessmen are always on the move.”
“Tell me, Jiang Yi, are you a businessman?”
Jiang Yi picked up a drawing from the table and answered in English, “Absolutely, without a doubt.”
“Jiang Yi, you’re a beautiful and witty man.”
“Sorry, you should say ‘handsome.’”
“Oh.” Menghai couldn’t help but laugh. “I always get carried away with adjectives.”
“I forgive you. That’s what people call an artist’s intuition.”
Menghai stood up. “Jiang Yi, Longtai’s collaboration with you is a wonderful beginning.”
“That sounds like official talk.”
“No, just artistic intuition.” She took a fragrant invitation from her bag. “A week from now, I’m holding a private exhibition on Qishi Road. I hope you’ll come.”
Jiang Yi accepted the invitation with surprise. “Of course, I’ll definitely be there. But I’m sure you won’t be short of flowers that day.”
“It’s a deal. I’ll be waiting.” Menghai smiled and said goodbye.
Jiang Yi saw her to the door. “Will there be price tags at the exhibition?”
“The pre-sale period is already over, sir.”
“Next time, I’ll remember to get there early.”
“There’s a charity auction after the exhibition. Jinghui is back today. I think you’ll be seeing him soon.”
Menghai said goodbye and drove off smoothly, but Jiang Yi, for some reason, stood there lost in thought for a long time.
It wasn’t until Ali called him that he snapped out of it and went back inside.
“Mike from Hong Kong left a message for you earlier, asking when you’ll be back.”
“I’ll call him back. I probably won’t be able to make it for a while.” Jiang Yi rubbed his forehead and went upstairs. “You can head out now.”
“Okay. Anda will be here tomorrow to discuss the project’s key requirements so the copywriting can hit the mark. I’ll get going, then.” Ali closed the door behind him, leaving Jiang Yi alone in the house.
Jiang Yi didn’t consider solitude to be loneliness. His mind was full—filled with plans, schedules, meetings, and drawings—so he enjoyed his personal space.
In the evenings, he would make himself two sandwiches and a cup of freshly brewed coffee, then return to the spacious loft. He would turn on only the hallway light and select a Brahms record from the shelf to play on the high-quality turntable. The only thing he had to thank for was the generosity of the house’s owner, who allowed him to share his CDs, books, and—most importantly—the soft beige sofa Jiang Yi loved. In some ways, Ouyang Jinghui had excellent taste, free from the crassness typical of businessmen. At least he knew how to set the mood with Bach.
Jiang Yi smiled wryly and lay back on the sofa, closing his eyes and relaxing. He had to make sure he felt good—that was a prerequisite for any successful man.
Suddenly, Jiang Yi felt as if something was pulling him down, leaving only a weak, habitual sense of competition. Slowly, he lost track of where he was, and drowsiness overtook him…
Until something pressed against his body, and the faint scent of lemon aftershave filled his nose. Jiang Yi opened his eyes to find Ouyang Jinghui leaning over him, tucking a blanket over his shoulders. Both men were startled. Through those calm, dark eyes, Jiang Yi saw his own surprised reflection and suddenly felt disoriented. Fortunately, Ouyang spoke first, apologetically: “I didn’t realize you were such a light sleeper.”
The music was still playing, and an extra light had been turned on, but the room remained dim. Jiang Yi sat up abruptly, half the blanket slipping to the floor. He felt a pang of annoyance—he didn’t want his business partner to see him so vulnerable, especially not Ouyang Jinghui.
“Hmm… I actually fell asleep.” Jiang Yi glanced at the clock, embarrassed. It was already 9:30.
“Yes, and you should keep sleeping.” Ouyang walked over and turned off the stereo. “I’ll be staying here for a few days to discuss the proposal with you.”
Jiang Yi suddenly felt relieved. Ouyang was exactly as he’d imagined—nothing could be more fortunate. He immediately played the role of host and joked, “Feel free to pick any room with a bed.”
Ouyang was equally witty. “Thank you for your hospitality. I’ll take care of myself.”
Jiang Yi suddenly remembered that the bedroom he’d been using was Ouyang’s. He called out to the man, who was heading to the bathroom: “Hey, I’ll move to the guest room. The master bedroom is all yours. I changed the sheets yesterday.”
Ouyang stopped and turned back, his expression playful. “It seems I have a polite and tidy tenant who knows how to change sheets.”
“Definitely better than the people you met in the dorms.” Jiang Yi picked up the blanket and headed to the guest room. “I don’t want to overshadow the host. Did I use that idiom correctly?”
Ouyang Jinghui smiled but didn’t answer. He always felt that Jiang Yi had a hidden edge—but that thought stayed in his heart, unspoken
It would have been perfectly normal for them to meet at the residence, but things are different when both men are used to marking their own territory and never mix business with personal matters—and aren’t good at keeping up appearances in private. For example, the chairman of Longtai might tuck a blanket over someone, and a top designer might fall fast asleep on someone else’s couch, reading their books. Fundamentally, they are two kinds of people, but at their core, they are similar.
Jiang Yi had a hunch: aside from work, it would be best if he and Ouyang Jinghui had no further, deeper contact. Even living under the same roof, he still found it uncomfortable to actively show closeness to someone he barely knew, especially since he had such an unusual feeling toward Ouyang.
Whenever he had something on his mind, Jiang Yi would suffer from insomnia. Tonight, having switched beds, he felt even more unsettled. In the dark, he went downstairs for a glass of whiskey, but halfway down the stairs, he saw that someone was already there. The dim yellow light fell on the right side of Ouyang Jinghui’s face, casting a mysterious shadow under his eyes and leaving a perfect silhouette on the wall. Wrapped in a dark cotton shirt, he sat alone at the bar, staring at his laptop. Jiang Yi suddenly felt a pang in his chest—an old anxiety, like a flood washing away his usual clarity and sharp judgment.
Ouyang, obviously sensing the footsteps, looked up. Jiang Yi had no choice but to walk over. “Am I interrupting?”
“Just admiring your performance at the meeting,” Ouyang said with an exaggerated turn of his head. Even though his eyes seemed sincere, a man like him always had a deeper motive behind any gesture—it was impossible to tell if he was being genuine.
“Oh?” Jiang Yi, puzzled, walked closer and burst out laughing when he saw the laptop screen. “I didn’t realize I was so photogenic.”
“My secretary sent me the meeting footage. I thought I should pay attention to every development.”
“So—any suggestions for improvement? I mean, regarding the project.”
Ouyang gave Jiang Yi a meaningful look, then abruptly changed the subject. “Want a drink to wake you up?”
Jiang Yi noticed another difference between them: Ouyang was adept at subtle detours, while he himself preferred to go straight to the point.
For the next hour, they exchanged ideas about the meeting, highlighting key points for further review. As Jiang Yi pondered one suggestion, Ouyang suddenly closed his laptop and explained, “This is already an exception—discussing work in private time.”
Jiang Yi realized this wasn’t his style either. “Right, but I’ll take your suggestions seriously and make the necessary changes.”
“I think we’re of the same mind.”
Jiang Yi’s heart swelled. Fatigue flickered in his clear eyes as he prepared to go upstairs, away from the inexplicable restlessness. “I—should get some rest.”
“I’m still jet-lagged. I’ll stay up a bit longer. You go ahead.” Ouyang patted Jiang Yi’s shoulder, picked up his glass, and headed to the kitchen. As Jiang Yi climbed the stairs, Ouyang popped his head out and asked, “Want a midnight snack?”
“No, thanks.”
Honestly, Jiang Yi never would have imagined that he and Ouyang Jinghui—two people from opposite ends—would have a heart-to-heart in the middle of the night, even if it was about work. The situation was remarkable.