Spring arrived with vines creeping and tendrils stretching.
As the last traces of winter chill dissipated, tender buds eagerly pushed through.
For Sang Lu, this also marked the beginning of her busiest period.
The annual investment conference of Jing City Television Station was just around the corner.
This year, the station planned to increase its in-house variety show productions, aiming to appeal more to the younger audience. Every project team had been working overtime for a week, rushing to finalize new show proposals.
All the promotional materials—posters, display boards, and miscellaneous items—were to be prepared by the assistant producers of each team.
Time was tight, and the workload was heavy.
Lately, Sang Lu had been hauling bags of materials home every night to work.
Sorting documents was manageable—just organizing them by category.
But assembling display boards was trickier, with all the small components taking up too much space.
So, she set up her workspace in the more spacious living room.
Truthfully, Sang Lu had another motive.
She noticed that Feng Yan had also been buried in work lately, often staying up late in his study, staring at his computer or flipping through documents.
Both were occupied with their own tasks, and the only time they could exchange a few words was during the occasional shared dinner.
It wasn’t enough.
Not nearly enough.
Though as days passed, Sang Lu no longer worried as much about losing herself to the story’s control again.
Still, out of the promise she had made to Feng Yan, she believed that companionship was another way to assist in his treatment for selective mutism.
From the living room, she could simply turn her head and see Feng Yan working in his study.
Companionship effectiveness: 100 points~
Back when she still lived with her parents, she often saw them like this.
Ms. Lin soaking her feet while watching TV.
Old Sang sprawled on the couch, playing mobile games of Landlords or chess.
Sharing the same space without disturbing each other.
And so, every day now,
whenever Feng Yan lifted his gaze, he would see Sang Lu’s lively figure.
Her presence was impossible to ignore.
She always wore brightly colored loungewear in various styles.
One moment, she’d be sitting cross-legged on the carpet, the next, circling the display boards to inspect them.
That splash of vivid color lingered in the corner of his vision,
swaying,
impossible to overlook.
He didn’t understand how she could pour so much energy into such tedious tasks—sorting documents, assembling props—yet she always seemed to be in high spirits.
Her face perpetually lit with a smile, as if her energy was boundless.
Just as Feng Yan finished reviewing a contract, he pinched the bridge of his nose.
His gaze drifted.
In the living room, Sang Lu grabbed the remote and pressed a few buttons.
The TV screen flickered to life, but she didn’t spare it a single glance before returning to her props.
Feng Yan: "…"
This was the part he found most baffling.
She never actually watched, yet she turned the TV on every day.
…
By the coffee table,
Sang Lu folded a prop when she noticed—
Feng Yan had looked up at the living room again.
Sang Lu: ?
Odd.
This was the fifth time tonight.
What was he looking at?
Surely not her?
As she puzzled over it, she saw him calmly avert his gaze.
Sang Lu: ??
From the TV, an actor’s voice rang out—
"Let’s address each other separately—I’ll call you ‘bro,’ you call me ‘dad.’"
Sang Lu burst into laughter, nearly doubling over.
Even though she’d seen this skit countless times, it still cracked her up.
Right then,
Feng Yan looked up for the sixth time.
Sang Lu caught it in her peripheral vision. After a few seconds,
she glanced at the TV, then back at the man’s impassive face.
Suddenly, it clicked.
Feng Yan wasn’t looking at her—he was watching the TV!
Sang Lu grabbed the remote.
Click… click…
She turned up the volume a few notches.
Now, he should be able to hear it better from his study.
After making the adjustment, she turned to meet Feng Yan’s calm gaze.
She raised a brow, flashing him a bright smile,
and gave him a thumbs-up.
Her expression clearly said, "I got you."
Where else would he find such a flawless wife?
On a night when her husband was suffering through overtime, she had keenly sensed his needs, offering him a bit of entertainment amidst the grind.
Tsk tsk~
She was nearly moved to tears by her own thoughtfulness.
Behind the glass partition of the study,
the stoic-faced man paused,
momentarily lost on how to follow her train of thought.
After a long silence, he withdrew his puzzled gaze and returned to work.
…
Over the next few days,
he involuntarily listened to eight episodes of My Own Swordsman and six episodes of iPartment during work hours.
Feng Yan: "…"
---
The day before the investment conference,
Sang Lu and her team moved the props to the venue in advance.
Unexpectedly, she ran into someone she’d rather not see.
"Sang Lu! It really is you?"
Guan Shiqing’s face lit up with exaggerated delight and grievance as she rushed forward, looping her arm through Sang Lu’s.
"I was just wondering if I’d run into you today! Why did you delete me on WeChat? Was it a mistake? I called you, but you never answered. I have so much to tell you!"
Sang Lu recoiled, pulling her arm free.
"What are you doing here?"
As far as she knew, the TV station had booked the venue for three consecutive days.
Only station staff should have access.
How did Guan Shiqing get in?
Before she could process it, Director Wang approached.
As the lead organizer of the conference, he introduced them—
"Ah, Sang Lu, perfect timing. This is Ms. Guan from Feng Corporation’s secretarial department—"
(Unaware they knew each other, he continued)
"—Sang Lu, could you show Ms. Guan around? Familiarize her with the venue and tomorrow’s schedule."
Sang Lu’s mind flooded with question marks: "?"
Director Wang, noticing her confusion, explained,
"You didn’t hear? Tomorrow, Feng Corporation’s CEO, Mr. Feng, will be attending the conference. Our top brass pulled a lot of strings to get him here. Though he’s only staying for half an hour, we can’t afford any slip-ups. The secretarial department sent Ms. Guan ahead to go over the arrangements."
Sang Lu was stunned: "…"
The information overload left her momentarily speechless.
Investment conferences were, by nature, events to pitch new shows and programs to potential sponsors.
In previous years, the station had invited prominent CEOs for prestige, hoping to attract more investors.
But this year—they actually got Feng Yan?
Feng Corporation’s investment division rarely ventured into entertainment.
Despite every streaming platform and local TV station vying for their attention,
none had managed to crack Feng Corporation’s doors.
Yet somehow, the station’s director succeeded?
And not just with an investment manager—they landed the CEO himself.
Sang Lu’s work-oriented mind quickly shifted focus.
Beyond the shock of Feng Yan’s attendance, she realized—his presence would draw other investors’ eyes to their projects.
Her eyes sparkled.
All those late nights polishing proposals might finally pay off!
Meanwhile,
Guan Shiqing had been quietly observing.
Seeing Sang Lu’s genuine surprise, she smirked inwardly.
Just as she thought.
Sang Lu had no idea Feng Yan was coming—hence the shock.
All her earlier worries about Sang Lu ignoring her calls now seemed unnecessary.
Clearly, Sang Lu and Feng Yan were still estranged.
She still had a chance.
Heh.
Guan Shiqing's eyes flickered with a knowing glint.
She didn’t press further about why Sang Lu had blocked her on WeChat.
"Sang Lu, why don’t you show me around?"
Sang Lu snapped out of her thoughts and paused for a few silent seconds.
Since it was a request from a superior, she couldn’t refuse.
Sang Lu replied, "Alright, follow me."
She led Guan Shiqing to the VIP section of the venue, adopting a professional tone as she pointed out the exits and lounge areas.
Guan Shiqing could tell Sang Lu wasn’t keen on engaging with her, so she stopped pushing her luck.
"Got it, I have a good grasp of the basics now. I’ll head back to the office first—see you tomorrow."
After a few polite exchanges, they parted ways.
The moment Sang Lu turned to leave, Guan Shiqing crossed her arms and smirked coldly.
A sly gleam flickered in her eyes.
She didn’t know why Sang Lu had suddenly grown distant, but as long as Sang Lu and Feng Yan’s relationship remained strained, she felt a twisted sense of satisfaction.
She hadn’t volunteered to attend this investment conference just to see Sang Lu—there was more to her agenda.
Tomorrow, she would seize this rare opportunity.
She’d make sure Feng Yan remembered her.
All it took was the right outfit—something unforgettable at first glance.
