The person who arrived turned out to be Ling Yunfei.
After the initial surprise, Jiang Si's gaze quickly returned to its usual calm. "Director Ling, is there something you need?"
Compared to the smile on his face, Jiang Si's attitude was noticeably colder.
People tend to form first impressions, and she was no exception.
She had never held a favorable opinion of the Ling family, and after Zhang Yaqin's reminder, she wanted nothing to do with them.
Moreover, she was busy and had no time to entertain him.
Ling Yunfei seemed to have anticipated her reaction, so he wasn’t bothered.
Instead of answering immediately, he casually pulled up a chair and sat across from Jiang Si.
"I came to discuss work with you today."
"Work?"
Jiang Si remained indifferent. "Then you might be in the wrong place. The project team coordinating with the First Engineering Bureau is in the next room."
"I know."
Ling Yunfei got straight to the point. "The First Bureau's project team has finished their design drawings, but Deputy Minister Xu isn’t satisfied."
"So I suggested he ask for your input."
He was undoubtedly skilled at stirring emotions.
Jiang Si looked up at him. "What makes you think I’d agree?"
When she signed the contract, Jiang Si had made it clear that during her tenure, she would only handle the foreign affairs building project and nothing else.
Unexpectedly, Ling Yunfei nodded. "I know."
Deputy Minister Xu had already mentioned it to him.
But he had insisted on coming anyway.
Jiang Si couldn’t understand his reasoning, and her tone grew impatient.
"Get to the point. I’m busy and don’t have time for circles."
No sooner had she spoken than Ling Yunfei pulled something from his bag and placed it on the table.
"If we’re done discussing work, I won’t keep you, Comrade Jiang. These are wedding candies from me and my wife..."
He didn’t need to say more.
He knew Jiang Si was sharp enough to grasp the meaning behind his gesture.
As he expected, Jiang Si understood.
Her eyes lingered on the candies for a moment. "Congratulations, Director Ling."
Whether the rumors were wrong or he had simply chosen pragmatism, Jiang Si wasn’t interested in digging deeper.
She only knew that after this, someone could finally rest easy.
"Thank you." With that, Ling Yunfei stood and left the room.
His movements were brisk, and he even closed the door softly behind him.
The brief encounter didn’t affect Jiang Si’s mood. After working diligently for over two hours, she finally finished revising the blueprints.
Glancing at the time, it was almost five.
After coordinating with her colleagues, she handed the drawings to Assistant Qi.
"Get some rest. See you next week."
Assistant Qi waved with a smile. "Yeah, see you next week."
Noticing the teasing glint in her eyes, Jiang Si seemed to realize something.
Sure enough, as soon as she stepped out of the Construction Ministry building, she saw Huo Tingzhou.
He was leaning against the car door, wearing the clothes she had bought him a few days ago.
At the time, she’d thought the sizing was slightly off, so she’d asked a tailor to adjust it.
The result was even better than expected.
Jiang Si couldn’t help but stare a little longer.
Sensing her gaze, Huo Tingzhou looked up.
Seeing his wife watching him, a faint smile touched his eyes.
"Have you been waiting long?" Jiang Si asked.
"Just got here." As he spoke, Huo Tingzhou took her bag and naturally wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Tired?"
"Not too bad." Leaning against him, she rubbed her temples lightly. "Just strained my eyes from staring at blueprints for so long."
"I’ll give you a massage when we get home."
"Okay." Jiang Si smiled and nodded.
Once she was settled in the car, Huo Tingzhou leaned over to fasten her seatbelt.
Remembering something, Jiang Si pulled out the bag of wedding candies from her purse.
Before Huo Tingzhou could react, she popped a dark piece into his mouth.
"Have some candy," she said with a grin.
Only then did Huo Tingzhou notice the red double-happiness patterned bag in her hand.
"Someone at your workplace got married?"
"Yep." Jiang Si arched a brow, her smile playful. "Is it good?"
Truthfully, no.
The taste was neither bitter nor sweet, and Huo Tingzhou wasn’t fond of it.
But since his wife had hand-fed it to him, he nodded while steering.
"Pretty good."
"If it’s good, have another." She peeled another and held it to his lips.
After he took it, Jiang Si finally dropped the bombshell.
"It’s Ling Yunfei’s wedding candy."
"Ling Yunfei’s?"
Wedding candy?
Huo Tingzhou paused mid-chew. After a moment, he asked, "He came to see you this afternoon?"
"Mhm." Jiang Si hummed lightly and recounted the visit.
"I heard from colleagues that the First Engineering Bureau team is leaving for Longcheng tomorrow. The project won’t be done until the end of the year."
Knowing he’d worry, she had made sure to gather all the details.
It was ironic, really.
Even Jiang Si hadn’t expected this matter to begin and end with wedding candy.
"Still, the Ling family really went all out."
She glanced at the chocolate’s packaging. "This brand requires special vouchers, right? And it’s not cheap."
It wasn’t.
Ling Yunfei had really gone to great lengths.
Even his wedding candy carried subtle undertones.
Whether intentional or not, Huo Tingzhou wouldn’t give him any room to maneuver.
Watching him eat four or five pieces in quick succession, Jiang Si was both amused and exasperated.
"Alright, we’re having dinner soon."
She tucked the bag away. "If you like them, take the rest with you to Heilongjiang. You can enjoy them there."
Better he eat candy than silently stew in jealousy.
Huo Tingzhou didn’t reply, but the smile on his face showed his mood had improved.
Perhaps too much—he missed a turn.
At least, that was Jiang Si’s take.
Sighing at the wrong exit, she said, "Now we’ll have to take the long way."
The road ahead was clear, and Huo Tingzhou stole a glance at her.
"Didn’t miss it."
Jiang Si turned to him, puzzled. "?"
