"Then what about Yinan? He's not coming with us?"

"He won't be able to make it…" Qin Yinan stopped at bedroom door as Cheng Qingchong answered on his behalf. Through the half-open door, he could see Cheng Qingchong turn toward Mrs. Cheng apologetically, "Mum, Yinan told me, he's really sorry that he can't accompany you daily because of work."

Mrs. Cheng smiled understandingly. "Yinan, that child sure is a good person. I came to Beijing to visit the both of you, not to create unnecessary trouble. He should focus on his work. As long as you accompany me, it's fine."

Cheng Qingchong smiled in response. She took the empty glass from her mother and said, "It's getting late, Mom, rest well."

As the pair of mother and daughter got up from the sofa, Qin Yinan lowered his head and left in a hurry.

…

After Mrs. Cheng got into bed, Cheng Qingchong turned off her light, exited the room, and closed the door as lightly as she could. She unconsciously glanced toward the study; the door was open, and the lights were on. Qin Yinan was probably still working within. Cheng Qingchong hesitated for a moment, but she didn't walk toward it lest she disturbed Qin Yinan. Instead, she turned silently toward the main bedroom.

As she pushed open the door, Cheng Qingchong saw Qin Yinan lying against the headboard, reading some documents.

Cheng Qingchong, who thought he was in the study, was shocked. She stood at the door for a few seconds, but the man was so caught up in his work that he didn't seem to have noticed her. She took a stealthy step into the room, closed the door, and rushed to the bathroom with her head lowered.

When she came out after taking a warm bath, Qin Yinan had already put down the document. He stood before the window, holding a cup of hot tea in his hands, sipping it leisurely.

Qin Yinan was facing away from Cheng Qingchong, so she gathered her courage to study the man. They had just parted from each other for a few months, but the man had gotten more mature than she remembered. Amid his usual kindness and warmth, there was an indescribable vigor, one that added to his charm.

Even though she was no longer working at ST Empire, she still had contacts in the business field, and she would receive occasional updates on him through her social contacts.

Even though his company had just started, it was developing well. In one or two years, he would be one of the shiniest stars in Beijing's business circle. Then, he would no longer be in the same world as her; she would need to admire him from afar like how she did with her former Big Boss…

Qin Yinan suddenly turned, and his eyes met Cheng Qingchong's gaze, which had been studying him. Cheng Qingchong shook from shock and lowered her head in a hurry to focus her eyes on her knees. Did he realize I've been watching him?

Cheng Qingchong gripped the edge of her shirt anxiously when she heard the man's footsteps slowly moving toward her and finally stopping before her.

Cheng Qingchong was so nervous that her breathing stopped. The man bent over slightly to place the cup in his hands on the coffee table before her. Then he straightened himself up. However, he didn't walk away from her side.

Cheng Qingchong's palms were wet with sweat. She rubbed some of them off on her sleeves and snuck a glance at Qin Yinan out of the corner of her eyes.

Qin Yinan, who was actually playing on his phone, just so happened to turn his head when Cheng Qingchong glanced at him, and their eyes met perfectly.