Chapter 87, Ah Jin, I miss you

Qiao Hanye forced this diamond ring on her. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't take it off. What she did not know was that this diamond ring was a symbol of the Qiao family and that it could mobilize thousands of troops.

"This isn't from Lu Zifan," He Lanjin said. She pushed An Nuan out and locked the door.

He Lanjin returned to her desk, looked at the diamond ring, and tried to take it off. She gave up after a few seconds and devoted herself to her work instead. She wanted to develop the new software as soon as possible.

He Lanjin encountered a snag in her program and had to find a workaround. She holed up in the studio, staying up three nights in a row. She did not want any distractions so she set up her phone to not receive calls except from Shen Biqiong's number. Unknown to He Lanjin, Lu Zifan had been looking for her, anxious to know what she had been up to.

...

LATE AT NIGHT, THE SCENERY GARDEN.

It was a quiet night. The dim light enveloped the entire Scenery Garden, making it seem like a quiet, sleeping manor.

Coming home from a meeting, Qiao Hanye headed straight for his room. As he walked past He Lanjin's bedroom, he noticed—for the third night in a row—that it was pitch black inside. He stood looking at the door for some time before finally deciding to push it open and walk into the room. The room was spotless, and the bed showed no signs of being slept in.

"Master," Han Beicheng said from outside of He Lanjin's bedroom.

Without a word, Qiao Hanye walked out of the room and went to his study. He sat down and discussed business with Han Beicheng as usual, but the latter could not help notice how absent-minded his master was.

"Master?" Han Beicheng said in an effort to call Qiao Hanye's attention. Qiao Hanye, however, seemed to be totally lost in his thoughts. Taking the car keys, the master stood up and went out of the study without a word.

Han Beicheng immediately got up to follow his master, but Qiao Hanye quickly disappeared into the night.

"What is happening to my master?" Han Beicheng scratched his head. He felt confused; that Qiao Hanye's thoughts were getting more and more difficult to understand as the days went by.

There was nothing Han Beicheng could do but return to the study room. He wanted to make sure that all the information Qiao Hanye would need was correct and ready at all times.

...

MIDNIGHT, THE LOUNGE AT HE LANJIN'S STUDIO.

Having worked nonstop for three days and three nights, He Lanjin fell asleep on the desk she was working on. When she woke up, she was surprised to find herself on the sofa, covered in what seemed like a man's coat. It smelled comfortingly familiar.

Feeling her legs go numb from her sleeping position, she stretched and saw Qiao Hanye in the moonlight, leaning lazily on the window. She bolted upright, realizing that it was not just an illusion. 'Why was he here?' He Lanjin asked herself as she watched Qiao Hanye rest his eyes.

"Why does this good man have to be so handsome?" He Lanjin said in a low voice. She playfully reached out to touch his face.

But before she could lay her hand on him, He Lanjin was lifted into the air before falling into Qiao Hanye's arms. Qiao Hanye opened his eyes and looked straight into He Lanjin's.

"Ahem, how did you know I was here?" He Lanjin huffed, trying to cover up her naughtiness. "Qiao Hanye, you're trespassing. I have a mind to call the police."

"Ah Jin," Qiao Hanye said, his voice hoarse.

Hearing Qiao Hanye call her "Ah Jin," He Lanjin felt electricity run through her body. She sat in his arms, unable to move. This was the first time he had called her name affectionately since they met.

"What's wrong?" He Lanjin asked, recovering from the shock.

Qiao Hanye tightened his arms around He Lanjin, pulling her into his embrace. He lowered his head and pressed his face against hers. He remained in that position for several seconds, as if savoring the moment. "I think I miss you."

"Ah Jin." Qiao Hanye's voice was like a dream in the middle of the night, a precious sound that touched her heart. She turned her head to look at Qiao Hanye, and when their eyes met, the air seemed to ignite with the flames of love.

Qiao Hanye ran his fingers through He Lanjin's hair, stopping at the back of her head. "I miss you."

Love was a strong force to be reckoned with, difficult to resist and turn away from.

With that one look from He Lanjin, Qiao Hanye knew it was the life he wanted.