Ji Fei instructed Xiao Tao to take the purchases back, but she herself squeezed into the crowd for some fun. 

At the elegant seating area, opposite to them were three researchers eagerly waiting for the gossip. 

And on their bench sat Chu Xinyue, Ji Fei, and Qin Zhao. 

Ji Fei rather impolitely took the middle seat, which was exactly what Chu Xinyue had wanted.

“Hello, everyone,” Ji Fei greeted with warmth. “Got tired from shopping and was about to have a coffee, but what a surprise run-in. Even more unexpected is that you're here too.”

Ji Fei grinned at Qin Zhao, her words full of implications.

[The thrilling wife chase, ohoho!]

Qin Zhao’s face hardened.

Yet, thanks to Ji Fei’s interruption, he was given a reprieve just when he was about to be dismissed. For this, he was grateful to Ji Fei.

Chu Xinyue, however, still held a favorable attitude towards Ji Fei.

“So, didn’t you two come together?” Chu Xinyue asked, puzzled.

Understanding her confusion, Ji Fei clarified, “I sent you a message. You probably didn't see it. I am here as a new artist from Qin Zhao’s studio for this industry event. As for why Qin Zhao is here, that's his story. He refused to accompany his sister-in-law to this event, but he’s here nonetheless.”

With a tone of complaint in her voice, Ji Fei's words made the three sitting opposite exchange glances.

Seeing Qin Zhao remain helpless without a word of defense, the three grew even more curious. Wasn't this an admission that he was here for Chu Xinyue?

Ignoring the latter half of the conversation, Chu Xinyue reached into her bag for her phone at the mention of a message from Ji Fei.

“Sorry, I have been in silent mode because of the meeting. I forgot to turn the volume back on.”

As she was speaking, Chu Xinyue's face suddenly changed. Ji Fei nonchalantly sipped her coffee, unsurprised by Chu Xinyue's reaction. 

Even with a limited view, Qin Zhao, who had been stealing glances at Chu Xinyue, was the first to notice.

“What’s wrong?”

Chu Xinyue looked at Ji Fei with a slight frown.

Ji Fei gave a light laugh, then turned to whisper to Qin Zhao, “Oh, nothing really, only that we ran into Chu Xueqi at the event. I reminded Xinyue to be careful.”

Although she tried to keep her voice down, everyone was able to hear her. The atmosphere became eerily quiet. 

Qin Zhao’s face paled, his look of concern quickly shifting towards Chu Xinyue, “I didn’t know she was here. I have already blocked her everywhere.”

However, Chu Xinyue pulled her gaze back impassively, “Your problems with her don't concern me.” 

Ji Fei, ever the seeker of excitement, interjected, “She came to see you, but was temporarily hoodwinked by Gao Hao. Maybe you should go and sort things out?” 

Annoyed, Qin Zhao cast Ji Fei a look, then immediately texted Gao Hao, "No need for me. Gao Hao knows I will never see her again; he will find a way to send her away."

[Well, it’s about time he started acting like a man!]

Casting a secret glance at Chu Xinyue, Qin Zhao found her expression unwavering, his heart sank. 

Ji Fei, on the other hand, took an interest in asking about their meeting details. 

Upon learning about Qin Zhao’s actions, she looked visibly surprised.

[Who would have thought that Qin Zhao, who has always been an annoyance, also dabbles in investments? Is he going to risk it all for his unrequited love?]

When Chu Xinyue noticed Ji Fei's apparent knowledge of the situation, she suddenly stated, "Our project won't be able to profit in the short term, it has nothing to do with the direction of Qin Corporation. Qin Xian manages Qin Corporation, if Mr. Qin is genuinely interested, we can speak with Mr. Qin directly. We don't need to bother Qin Zhao."

Ji Fei instantly felt compassion for the poor soul next to her.

Qin Zhao's face was wrought with anger.

[Indeed, Chu Xinyue's cold response was not meant to torment Zhao. She's not playing the cat-and-mouse game of her running and him chasing. She's really let go and doesn't want to be troubled anymore."

Qin Zhao was already hurt, and Ji Fei's thoughts were like daggers piercing his body.

But Qin Zhao was determined, subtly pulling at Ji Fei's dress, desperately trying to communicate through eye contact.]

[What's wrong? Is your eye twitching?]

Qin Zhao said, "I have a favor to ask, I'll endure!"

“If my older brother were to listen to your report, it would have to follow the company's procedure. But if I listen first and validate the situation, I can internal refer it, which would save a lot of time. After all, I'm on the Board of Directors and aren't you guys in a hurry?”

Chu Xinyue looked uncertainly at Ji Fei, the only person who could confirm this. "Is this true?”

What Ji Fei hadn't expected was that the drama would commence with her. Gossiping is risky, especially when it could potentially backfire.

“Your phone seems to be vibrating. Perhaps someone is trying to reach you." Qin Zhao suddenly interrupted, with an urgent tone.

Ji Fei was surprised, as she didn't feel anything. Wait? There really is a vibration.

Seeing the message, Ji Fei's eyes lit up.

Transfer message: 500,000!

Note: Don't interfere!

Ji Fei put down the phone, with a serious face, “I don't know...”

Qin Zhao sighed with relief only to hear suppressed laughter from Ji Fei.

[Heaven does give pies! I don’t know anything anyway! Qin Xian and I are only a couple on paper. If I knew anything about their internal procedures that would be weird. Qin Zhao is really a big fool.]

Qin Zhao suddenly understood and his breath hitched. Finally, he realized that he had unwittingly accepted that Ji Fei and his brother had a harmonious marital relationship.

In fact, what he said was true, he was just fearful of Ji Fei meddling in the situation, eagerly connecting dots and making efforts with their current attitude towards Ji Fei, who would likely make an exception for her recommendation and internally push the proposal, which is why he tried to stop her.

Far away in the corporation office, the diligent and studious Qin Xian, who was earning money for the family, felt his ears heating up for no apparent reason.

Hearing this, Chu Xinyue had no choice but to let it go.

She wasn't curious about why Qin Zhao was persistently bothering her now. She just didn't want to have any more contact with him, but it seemed to be hard.

Just as hard as it was for her to approach him before.

Qin Zhao feared that Chu Xinyue would ask him to talk to the professor, so he immediately asked the three people across from him.

"I don't need to meet the professor, I'm sure I won't understand what he's saying. Just give me a rough idea of your prospects and future plans. I understand you're going abroad? How much funding will that require?"

Qin Zhao was most concerned about going abroad.

Hearing the words ‘going abroad’, Chu Xinyue visibly relaxed. Clearly, she believed that no matter how hard things are now, she would soon be gone.

The three opposite them honestly gave some details.

Hearing the vital information, Qin Zhao expressed his anxiety: "So, all of you, the professor and your entire research team, are going abroad for a research project that will last at least five years?"

[It's more than five years! Chu Xinyue is prepared to permanently settle abroad and never return.]

Qin Zhao took a strangled breath.

[Worth the wait, waiting for your return.]

As the off-key singing accompanied Ji Fei's words, Qin Zhao felt a chill envelop him.

Probably detecting Qin Zhao's distressing aura,

One of the females in the trio could not bear it and added, "The three of us had always been determined to go. Chu Xinyue was initially hesitant, but now she's decided. Another one yet to decide."

Qin Zhao's eyes flickered, the sorrow in his eyes more evident.

It was his fault!

What the female teammate meant was that Chu Xinyue might have decided to go abroad after her quarrel with him, so there is a high chance to woo her back.

After all, feelers and healers often punctuated their romance in their team.

Chu Xinyue knew what her well-meaning teammates intended but could only give a helpless hint with her eyes.

Catching a glimpse of Qin Zhao's distressed expression,

She was slightly taken aback; she didn't expect Qin Zhao to show such an expression.

But Qin Zhao quickly recovered; he's not someone who gives up easily.

He abruptly turned back to look at Chu Xinyue, his eyes ablaze, as if he had a lot to say.

Chu Xinyue was momentarily stunned, it seemed this was the shining Qin Zhao she knew.

Qin Zhao then asked some specific questions, actually looking to bring the foreign research team back home.

However, as the conversation progressed, he found the hope increasingly bleak and had to think of other methods.

While talking, someone suddenly walked over, accompanied by a surprised female voice.

"Ah? You are...you are!"

The voice seemed to recognize Qin Zhao, he'd removed his sunglasses and mask for politeness, leaving only the cap on.

At this moment, Qin Zhao instinctively wanted to pull down the brim of his cap, but he saw the researcher across the table hastily getting up to sit the newcomer down.

"Don't shout, you'll give us away, we're discussing important matters!"

"But, this is Qin Zhao...how..."

"Hello." Qin Zhao greeted politely.

Just as Ji Fei had finished her last sweet, she looked up and nearly choked on the chocolate still melting in her mouth.

She blinked her eyes in disbelief. What a coincidence?

"Little Ya, you went to get a document, why did it take you so long?"

"Why is your face wet and your eyes red, what's wrong?"

The worried inquiries of her companions failed to catch Cao Ya's attention.

Naturally, Ji Fei, sitting to one side, said nothing.

On the other hand, Chu Xinyue, sitting next to Ji Fei, caught this unsettling atmosphere and looked at Ji Fei in a strange way.