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At 6 p.m. sharp, Suning arrived at Tiantian Fishing Port on Zhapu Road.

This is a long-established Cantonese restaurant. The decor isn't luxurious, but the food is authentic and the prices aren't cheap.

When Suning arrived, there were already several people sitting in the private room.

Ma Jianguo was sitting in the main seat, looking at the menu.

Xu Taiping sat next to him, whispering something.

Zhao Boqian sat by the window, looking down at his phone.

Zhou Ming was busy pouring tea for everyone.

"Xiao Su is here!" Xu Taiping was the first to see him and immediately stood up and waved, "Come, come, sit here, I saved a seat for you."

He was referring to the position to Ma Jianguo's right.

Su Ning walked over and sat down: "President Ma, President Xu, Manager Zhao, Brother Ming, I'm sorry I'm late."

"It's not late, we just got here too." Ma Jianguo put down the menu and said with a smile, "I come to this restaurant often, the seafood is pretty good. Xiao Su, do you have any dietary restrictions?"

"No, I'm fine with anything."

"That's good." Ma Jianguo said to the waiter, "Bring it the usual, plus a lobster, steamed."

After ordering, Xu Taiping picked up the teapot and poured tea for Su Ning: "Xiao Su, how's your first day at work? Are you settling in well?"

"It's great, my colleagues are very considerate," Su Ning said politely.

"That's good." Ma Jianguo replied, "Although there aren't many people in our group, the atmosphere is great, and we're like family. If you need any help in the future, just let me know."

"Thank you, Mr. Ma, I will."

As they were talking, the dishes were served one after another.

Steamed grouper, boiled shrimp, lettuce with oyster sauce, steamed scallops with garlic and vermicelli, and the lobster we just ordered—the table was laden with food.

"Come on, let's toast first." Ma Jianguo raised his teacup. "Welcome Xiao Su to the energy team. Let's work together to improve our performance."

Everyone raised their glasses.

After clinking glasses, Ma Jianguo said, "Xiao Su, I know you're someone Director Qu values, so your abilities are definitely not a problem. In the future, you should participate more in the team's projects and offer more suggestions."

This was a very skillful way of putting it; it both flattered Suning and implied that he was "someone valued by President Qu," making the relationship clear to everyone present.

"Mr. Ma, you flatter me. I'm just a newcomer, and there's still a lot to learn," Su Ning said.

"You're being modest." Ma Jianguo placed a piece of fish into Su Ning's bowl. "By the way, I carefully reviewed the medical AI project you did during your internship. The business model analysis was very thorough, especially the phased approach, which was very pragmatic."

"Thank you for your recognition, Mr. Ma."

“So that’s why I think you can demonstrate this pragmatic spirit in energy projects as well.” Ma Jianguo changed the subject. “Our team has a project now, investing in a photovoltaic cell company. Take a look at the materials tomorrow and give me your opinions.”

"Ok."

Xu Taiping chimed in, "Mr. Ma, I visited that company again last week. Their capacity utilization rate is already at 85%, and they may be operating at full capacity next quarter. I think we can speed things up."

Ma Jianguo nodded: "Okay, Taiping, you keep an eye on the progress. Xiao Zhao, what do you think?"

Zhao Boqian, who had been silent until now, looked up and adjusted his glasses: "There's no problem with the technology. They're using the mainstream PERC process, and the conversion efficiency is above the industry average. But fluctuations in raw material prices are a risk; polysilicon prices have risen sharply recently."

“I know that,” Ma Jianguo said. “So we need to hurry and sign the investment agreement while the industry is booming. If we wait too long, we might miss this wave of opportunity.”

Zhao Boqian didn't say anything more, he just nodded.

Zhou Ming immediately chimed in, "Mr. Ma is right, timing is crucial. Our team seized the opportunity last year and invested in that energy storage company, and its valuation has now doubled."

"That's because Mr. Ma has a good eye," Xu Taiping said with a smile, flattering him.

Ma Jianguo waved his hand: "It's all thanks to everyone's hard work. Xiao Su, you should participate in these project discussions more often in the future. Young people have a fresh perspective, and they might be able to spot problems that we haven't noticed."

"I will do my best," Su Ning said.

After a few rounds of drinks, Xu Taiping immediately became lively and began to talk about the group's "glorious history," but his words were all about praising Ma Jianguo.

Ma Jianguo's face showed obvious enjoyment, as if the groveling of his subordinates had become his pleasure.

"Xiao Su, you might not know, but our General Manager Ma is a well-known figure in the energy industry," Xu Taiping said, beaming. "Two years ago, that wind power company was met with skepticism from the entire industry, but Director Ma went against the grain and invested. And what happened? It went public last year and its value increased fivefold!"

Zhou Ming exclaimed in surprise.

Zhao Boqian, however, simply ate his food in silence, seemingly uninterested in these topics.

Suning listened, nodding occasionally.

He knew that some of what Xu Taiping said was true, but some of it was definitely exaggerated.

Ma Jianguo smiled modestly, then suddenly turned to Su Ning and asked, "Little Su, what does your family do?"

The question came suddenly, and the dinner table fell silent for a moment.

Suning remained unfazed: "We come from an ordinary working-class family; both parents work."

"Oh." Ma Jianguo nodded and didn't ask any further questions, but there was obvious disbelief in his eyes.

Xu Taiping quickly smoothed things over: "No matter what you do at home, once you're in our group, you're family. Come on, Xiao Su, try this lobster, it's very fresh."

The meal took almost two hours.

Most of the time, Ma Jianguo and Xu Taiping were talking, Zhao Boqian would occasionally chime in with a few technical questions, Zhou Ming would chime in, and Su Ning would mainly listen.

As the event ended, Ma Jianguo patted Su Ning on the shoulder: "Little Su, keep up the good work. I have high hopes for you."

"Thank you, Mr. Ma."

As they left the restaurant, Xu Taiping offered to give Suning a ride, but Suning politely declined.

He said he lived not far away and could walk back.

Watching Ma Jianguo and Xu Taiping leave in a car, Zhao Boqian also took a taxi and left.

Only Zhou Ming remained standing next to Suning.

"Su Ning, how about I give you a ride?" Zhou Ming asked.

"No need, you can go back first. You've had a hard day too."

“Okay.” Zhou Ming took a few steps, then turned back. “Su Ning, if there’s anything the team needs help with in the future, feel free to contact me anytime.”

"it is good."

After everyone had left, Suning slowly walked forward along the street.

He understood a few things from tonight's dinner:

First, Ma Jianguo did want to find out his background, perhaps because of a task assigned to him by Qu Zhonghui.

Secondly, Xu Taiping is a competent "deputy," adept at reading people and good at flattery, but his abilities are average.

Third, Zhao Boqian is the only capable person in the group, but he seems to be trying to blend in with the crowd.

Fourth, Zhou Ming is just a lackey; he follows whoever is powerful, like a yes-man.

A typical office environment.

The phone rang. It was a message from Lan Qianyi: "We just finished here. President Wu treated us to dinner. Manager Lin drank too much and is crying in Sun Yiqiu's arms."

Suning couldn't help but laugh: "The fourth comprehensive group is still so lively."

"Yeah! How does it compare to your group?"

"On our side..." Su Ning thought for a moment, "we all have our own agendas."

“That’s normal, newcomers always need time to adjust,” Lan Qianyi replied. “Are you coming here again tonight?”

"Of course! We are ready for battle at any moment."

"Pah! You scoundrel."

……

When I received Lan Qianyi's WeChat message, "Are you coming again tonight?", it was already 8:30 p.m.

The dinner party for the energy team ended, and everyone had drunk quite a bit.

Su Ning smiled, and then called out a price, after all, not drinking and driving is the bottom line of being a decent human being.

While waiting for the designated driver, he sent Lan Qianyi a WeChat message: "I'll be there in half an hour."

"Okay, the access code is 0618."

The designated driver was a man in his forties, and his driving skills were very steady.

On the way, the middle-aged man casually asked, "Young man, going to see your girlfriend?"

"I guess so," Su Ning said without further explanation.

"Young people are so lucky," the uncle laughed. "My daughter is about your age and she's dating too. Your generation lives life with more clarity than we did."

Suning just smiled and didn't reply.

When the car arrived at the entrance of Lan Qianyi's residential area, Su Ning got out and said to the driver, "Sir, just park the car here. I'll drive it away myself tomorrow. I've already paid."

"Okay, thanks."

Enter the residential area, swipe your card, and go upstairs.

When he arrived at Lan Qianyi's door, he entered the password—0618—and the door opened. The living room was lit with warm yellow lights, and the television was on, playing a variety show, but the volume was turned down very low.

Lan Qianyi was curled up on the sofa looking at her phone when she heard the sound and looked up.

She changed into loungewear, a light gray cotton short-sleeved shirt and sweatpants, her hair loosely tied back, and she looked very relaxed without makeup.

"I'm here." She put down her phone.

"Hmm." Su Ning closed the door and changed her shoes. "Did your group have a lot of drinking tonight?"

"Manager Lin downed a whole bottle of baijiu by himself, and then hugged Sun Yiqiu and cried, saying that Yiqiu was the most hardworking intern he had ever mentored." Lan Qianyi said with a laugh, "President Wu looked disgusted on the side, but still helped call a car."

“Group Four is indeed different.” Su Ning walked to the sofa and sat down.

"What about your group? Is it really as you say, that everyone has their own agenda?"

"Pretty much." Su Ning briefly described the dinner party. "Ma Jianguo was trying to figure me out, Xu Taiping was sycophantic, Zhao Boqian was acting profound, and Zhou Ming was just echoing him. Typical office politics."

Lan Qianyi leaned closer and sniffed: "Have you been drinking?"

"Just a little bit, beer, not drunk."

"Shall we go take a shower?" Lan Qianyi said. "You reek of alcohol."

"Together?" Su Ning looked at her.

Lan Qianyi rolled her eyes at him: "Dream on. You go first, I'll get ready."

Suning didn't insist and got up to go to the bathroom.

After taking a shower, she changed into the T-shirt and shorts that Lan Qianyi had prepared for her.

At this moment, Lan Qianyi had already turned off the TV, and only a floor lamp was on in the living room.

She sat on the sofa, holding a glass of water, and slowly drank it.

Su Ning walked over and sat down next to her.

Neither of them spoke, but the atmosphere was very natural.

After a while, Lan Qianyi put down her water glass, turned to look at him, and asked, "How was your first day at work?"

"It's alright," Su Ning said. "It's just that we need to spend some time figuring out those people in the energy group."

“No rush, take your time.” Lan Qianyi paused. “But… why were you assigned to the Energy Group? Logically speaking, with your abilities, you would be more suited to the Technology Group or our Group Four.”

Suning did not answer directly, but only said, "Perhaps the company has other considerations."

Lan Qianyi glanced at him but didn't press the matter further; she wasn't the type to pry.

"And you? How's Group Four going?"

“It’s great.” Lan Qianyi’s eyes lit up. “Although President Wu looks serious, he’s actually quite caring. Manager Lin is even more so, almost too enthusiastic. Sun Yiqiu is still the same as always, down-to-earth and willing to learn. The atmosphere is better than I expected.”

"That's good."

Having said that, it seemed there was nothing more to say, but neither of them seemed inclined to end the conversation.

Su Ning looked at Lan Qianyi. Under the warm yellow light, her skin looked very delicate, and her lips were a natural pink.

Without makeup, she looked less sharp and more gentle than usual.

He reached out and gently touched her cheek.

Lan Qianyi didn't dodge, she just looked at Su Ning.

Then Su Ning leaned in and kissed her.

The kiss started very lightly, as if testing the waters.

But Lan Qianyi responded quickly.

She reached out and wrapped her arms around Su Ning's neck, pulling him closer.

The kiss deepened and became passionate.

The two slid from the sofa onto the carpet, neither of them noticing.

When they parted, both of them were filled with excitement.

Lan Qianyi's eyes were watery...

"To the bedroom?" Su Ning asked in a low voice.

"Ah."

Su Ning gave Lan Qianyi a princess carry and strode into the familiar bedroom.

……

The main lights in the bedroom were off, with only a small nightlight by the bedside.

The dim lighting made everything blurry and ambiguous.

As Lan Qianyi was pinned to the bed, she suddenly laughed: "You really are... coming right away."

"You don't like it?" Su Ning lowered his head and kissed her neck.

"I like it," Lan Qianyi said honestly, running her fingers through his hair. "But let's make it clear first, I have to go to work tomorrow, so don't go too far."

"Understood! I guarantee it will be finished before 1 a.m."

"Ugh... are you trying to kill us all?"

That's what they say, but once it starts, no one can control it.

Clothes were scattered all over the floor...

The mattress is being sent out...

Mixed with other sounds...

Lan Qianyi is becoming more and more open these days.

“You’re a little different today,” he whispered in her ear.

"How is it different?" Lan Qianyi asked breathlessly.

"More...proactive".

"dislike?"

"I like it." Su Ning kissed her. "I really like it."

The process lasted for an unknown amount of time. When it was over, both of them were covered in sweat and lay on the bed to catch their breath.

Lan Qianyi recovered first and turned to the side, saying, "You have good stamina."

"You're not bad either."

“That’s right, I work out every day.” Lan Qianyi said with a hint of pride. “But to be honest, this kind of thing… feels especially good when I’m with you.”

"What's a good idea?"

“It’s just…” Lan Qianyi thought for a moment, “No pretense, no affectation, just say what you want directly. Physically compatible, and mentally compatible too. That’s rare.”

Su Ning turned to look at her; in the dim light, her eyes were very bright.

“You too,” he said.

After lying down for a while, Lan Qianyi suddenly said, "By the way, my parents are coming to Shanghai next week."

Su Ning paused, "Here to inspect the work?"

"I guess so," Lan Qianyi smiled. "They were worried about me being here alone, so they insisted on coming to check on me. They might also want to meet my 'friends'."

She emphasized the word "friends" a bit.

"So?" Su Ning asked.

“So…” Lan Qianyi looked at him, “Do you want to meet them?”

The question came suddenly. Su Ning was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Do you want me to see you?"

“I hope you’re willing,” Lan Qianyi said earnestly, “but I won’t force you. With our current relationship, meeting the parents might be a bit early. It’s your decision.”

Suning did not answer immediately.

He really hadn't expected to meet Lan Qianyi's parents so soon, whether it was Lan Qianyi's parents or him introducing Lan Qianyi to his own.

"Let me think about it," he finally said.

"Okay, no rush." ​​Lan Qianyi rolled over and lay flat on her back. "Go to sleep, you have to go to work tomorrow."

The lights are off.

In the darkness, Su Ning felt Lan Qianyi's hand gently grasp his, as if letting go would mean losing Su Ning.

Recalling Lan Qianyi's suggestion to meet the parents earlier, Su Ning knew that she was truly sincere.

However, their relationship progressed too quickly, with almost no emotional foundation and only mutual attraction.

...(End of chapter)