Chapter 514: Do You Want Me to Get Married?

When Lu Cheng arrived again at the office doorway, the few people queued behind him had also finished their approvals.

Obviously, the approval speed this time was extremely fast.

The last person who came out even nodded at Lu Cheng.

After confirming that no one else was entering, Lu Cheng pushed the door open; Lin Qingyan was sorting the documents on the desk.

When Lu Cheng entered, Lin Qingyan's movement halted there, and the two locked eyes.

"Oh, I... the handcuffs fell here."

Lin Qingyan said nothing and got up to pour water.

At that moment, Lu Cheng took the handcuffs, looking at the curved back; compared with the thinness of the past few years, it was surprisingly a bit fuller.

But not fat—the flesh had grown where it should, making the figure more delicate and curvy, adding a sense of mature womanhood.

Lu Cheng thought maybe because the family was reunited, she ate well and slept well, and now held the position of Section Chief, her demeanor had naturally changed.

"Don't trouble yourself, I'm just here to thank you. Earlier I was afraid Factory Director Zheng would misunderstand, didn't want him to think there's any relationship between us that might affect your future work... so I'll leave now."

Lin Qingyan, carrying the water, paused for a moment, her back still.

"Don't you have anything you want to say to me?"

Lu Cheng's steps faltered; it had been over two years since they'd last met, and he hadn't expected to see each other here today.

As for what to say, all Lu Cheng could think of was the usual small talk between long‑unseen friends: How have you been? How's life lately? Is work busy?

Countless words swirled, but when he took the cup Lin Qingyan handed him, the first thing that slipped out was simply "Thank you."

A wry smile tugged at Lin Qingyan's face: "Why does it feel like we're strangers?"

Lu Cheng sat down: "Of course I don't consider you a stranger. No matter what, we're still friends. The reason I haven't kept in touch is because I met your mother before..."

Lin Qingyan understood: "Then my mother must have said something unpleasant to you, right? Actually, you can't blame her; she said it because..."

Lu Cheng listened quietly; he had always found it odd why Yu Wanrong's attitude was so poor at the time and why she said inexplicable things, even though they had divorced according to Yu Wanrong's wishes.

He expected Lin Qingyan to give a clear answer, but halfway through her words she seemed to have some reservation and stopped.

"Forget it, it's all in the past, no need to bring it up," Lin Qingyan said, seeming immersed in a huge inner conflict, looking very distressed.

That made Lu Cheng a little worried: "What's wrong with you? Is there anything you can tell me?"

This time Lin Qingyan didn't hesitate, taking a slight breath to steady herself.

"It's really nothing, you don't need to worry about me... By the way, are you married?"

Lu Cheng pulled out a cigarette and lit it: "No, you know me—I'm used to being free and carefree, never thought about marriage. My mother nags me every day about it, not only me but also my sister."

Lu Cheng exhaled a puff of smoke; as the haze swirled, he didn't notice Lin Qingyan's expression, which had visibly relaxed.

"How's Ying Ying now? Since she came to Ha City, I haven't been in touch with her at all."

"My sister's fine, she's busier than a head of state every day, but that's good; otherwise she'd have idle time and think about beating me up."

Lin Qingyan nodded: "Hmm, as long as you all are well, I can rest easy."

After a brief silence, Lu Cheng also wanted to ask something.

"You seem to have put on some weight since before; did you get married?"

It seems that once a person gets married, they quickly gain weight.

It was just a normal question, but Lin Qingyan replied with, "Do you want me to get married?"

That single sentence left Lu Cheng at a loss for how to answer.

"Why ask that? Of course I hope you have a good life."

Lin Qingyan remained silent for a while, then lifted her head, her gaze blazing.

"Lu Cheng, I'm not someone who seeks novelty. Once I firmly choose a person, even if a year, ten years, a hundred years pass, no matter how many times you ask me, that choice will never change..."

Lin Qingyan's words tugged at Lu Cheng's heart; he had thought that after more than two years, both sides could calmly let go of the past.

"Qing Yan, about your mother..."

Lin Qingyan shook her head slightly: "I understand; I'm not saying this to demand anything from you. I know you're a person who loves freedom—like a bird soaring in a vast sky—and I also wish you a wonderful future."

When Lin Qingyan reached this point, she suddenly seemed to have summoned great courage.

"So no matter what happens in the future, I will never trap you in the name of love."

Lu Cheng nodded, as if he understood, yet perhaps he didn't.

But it seemed there was no need to ask further; Lin Qingyan's attitude was already clear.

She isn't someone who likes entanglement; that wouldn't fit her proud nature.

Lu Cheng forced a smile as he said goodbye: "Qing Yan, I wish you a bright future."

After speaking, Lu Cheng turned and left, watching the broad silhouette slowly fade into the doorway; Lin Qingyan seemed to lose all strength, collapsing into the chair.

Lu Cheng, since I chose to like you, it's not that easy to let go.

My love for you will only grow deeper.

…

When the doorway opened again slowly, Lin Qingyan suddenly felt joy rise again.

But when the person who barged in was Lao Fang, Lin Qingyan's delighted expression abruptly halted.

Seeing Lin Section Chief's stern face, Lao Fang was momentarily startled.

Recalling what Factory Director Zheng had said earlier, he forced himself to gather courage, straightened up, and said in a very forceful tone.

"Lin Section Chief, you just approved too little for me; I'm very dissatisfied. I now command you to approve at least another twenty tons."

Yes, that's the tone, that's the attitude.

Earlier, Factory Director Zheng explained how to get a thirty‑ton approval: you must not be gentle. It seems Lin Section Chief doesn't respond to that, but a tougher stance can secure the approval.

Lao Fang, clutching his briefcase, stood there with his hands on his stomach, wearing a crisp Zhongshan suit that gave him a rather imposing presence.

But inside he felt a little uneasy; he had already tried to display a tough attitude as Factory Director Zheng advised.

However, Lin Section Chief merely gave him a cold stare and made no move.

Lao Fang suddenly remembered something; the Approval Form was still in his briefcase, and without taking it out, how could they sign?

So Lao Fang hurriedly fished out the Approval Form and slammed it onto the table.

"Sign it, quickly sign it. I'm busy over here and don't have time to wait here forever."

Right, that sentence is also crucial; Zheng Changzhang said it, and only after he said that did Lin Section Chief put his signature.

Glancing at the Approval Form on the table, Lin Qingyan said, "Sorry, Director Fang, all the iron ore has already been allocated; maybe next time."

Lao Fang blinked; why does that differ from what Zheng Changzhang said? Isn't this just another evasion like before?

Is it because the attitude isn't firm enough?

Lao Fang thumped the table with a bang.

"What next time! I can't wait! Hand over what others have reserved for me, otherwise today... today I'm going to beat you."

Since Lin Section Chief holds the approval authority, Lao Fang had always been very polite to get more iron ore, never as forceful as today.

He even voiced the threat of laying a hand on Lin Section Chief.

Lin Qingyan's expression grew colder, and she immediately lost her good temper: "Director Fang, I've said what needed to be said; now please leave!"

"Hey, you little shrew, you insist on refusing a toast and taking a penalty drink, right? I'm telling you, if you don't approve today, just watch how I deal with you..."

Lao Fang brushed his sleeve with his arm, then suddenly stopped, and saw Lin Qingyan pick up the telephone on the table.

"Security Department? There's a disturbance here; please send someone..."