Chapter 04 Oulei Coffee

She quickly shook her head to thank him, took the subway to Xinhua Bookstore, and selected several textbooks on tourist attractions. She believed that she had a strength, which was that the greater the pressure and the tighter the schedule, the more she could force herself to carve out time to work hard.

Han Ziyang held a wine glass, leaning against the sofa, with a faint smile: "Good."

In fact, Jun Mo is correct; Han Ziyang merely encountered General Xu and did not make an appointment to have a meal together. He agreed with Jun Mo's suggestion and smiled, saying: "Not at all, General Xu is the busy one"

As Xu was about to nod, Junmo noticed Han Ziyang slightly pursing his lips. With a quick thought, she immediately smiled and said, "Xu, why not go for the buffet? Our buffet is also a flagship product of our catering service. Moreover, for a busy person like Mr. Han, it wouldn't be good to waste his time." Her words were light and gentle, like a boat gliding past on the lakeside. Han Ziyang looked at her with a smile; although she spoke in clear and standard Mandarin, it reminded him of a term—Wu Nong soft language. What was rare was that it felt very natural and did not come across as the coquettishness of a young girl.

"Go away!" She fiercely threw the stress ball at Enping, startling Enping into immediately retreating.

She wrote hurriedly on the paper, causing several colleagues who usually had a very good relationship to be so frightened that they did not even dare to greet her, but instead desperately checked their own attire and appearance, fearing that they would be the next one called upon

She did not raise her head, unconsciously gazing out the window. Her eyes were slightly round, and when she smiled or squinted, they always resembled small crescent moons—she naturally had a doll-like face, which only made her appear even younger. Han Ziyang slightly raised the corners of his eyes; her gaze was always clear and penetrating, yet she would deliberately avoid it or blink her eyes. He also knew that she would never behave this way while working; she would look directly and sincerely into the eyes of her clients, making them feel warm, yet it also gave the impression that this was not her true self. Han Ziyang slightly raised the corners of his eyes; her gaze was always clear and penetrating, yet she would deliberately avoid it or blink her eyes. He also knew that she would never behave this way while working; she would look directly and sincerely into the eyes of her clients, making them feel warm, yet it also gave the impression that this was not her true self.

Fei Xinran. Han Ziyang pointed to the man sitting in the corner. Jun Mo suddenly remembered that it was the man she had encountered during a meal that day, possessing a familiar aura—was it that the memory had been dormant in the corner for too long, or was it the hidden fatigue reminding her? She suddenly felt that this room was stifling, and she could hardly breathe.

Ma Chujing was somewhat intoxicated, speaking without thinking. Jun Mo, feeling pleased, chose not to take it to heart, as they were acquaintances, thus avoiding any awkwardness.

She followed behind him and, at the moment of entering, gave a wry smile to the head waiter standing on the stairs—clearly reluctant. Several waiters saw this and some even chuckled.

"You two come over here," Mr. Xu greeted, "We are no strangers now, let's have lunch together."

"It is not just the people of Hong Kong, but also that uncle from Northeast China and the young lady from Shanghai, as well as the report on the promotion of Ruiming products." Jun Mo coldly said, "What exactly are you here for?"

Enping smiled awkwardly and said, "You are incredibly efficient!"

Han Ziyang listened quietly and happened to catch a remark: "The scenery of Nandai is indeed suitable for holding a historical forum"

Newspaper, bread, mocha pot. Both hands encircle the large cup, the warmth of the entire day begins with that cup of coffee-colored liquid in the morning. This is the routine every day.

Having signed the attendance sheet, Jun Mo Long flew and danced as he signed four names in a row, then stood up and was about to leave. A boy beside him spoke up: "Classmate..."

Have you dealt with the complaint from that person in Hong Kong? Enping tapped on Junmo's desk, who was listlessly slumped over it, appearing to have no appetite

Do not listen to him mention the forum, a hint of a smile flickers in her eyes, like glimmering floating ice in the dim light: "It's about time, the collection of related papers has arrived. Is Mr. Han interested? Should I send a copy over?" She asked with a smile, "Is Mr. Han also interested in dedicating himself to Chinese culture?"

Has he returned? You are merely mocking yourself in your heart. After a year as a visiting scholar, he should have returned long ago. Yet, deep down, you would rather believe he is still abroad. The words 'break up' are more heart-wrenching than the most poisonous wine in this world.

"Our hotel is about to host a historical academic forum, and of course, there is no problem with that," said General Manager Xu with a smile.

The morning reading attendance for four people in the dormitory has always been managed solely by Jun Mo, as no one else wakes up as early as she does. Coming out of the cafeteria, with a very large backpack on her back and a big thermos cup in her hands, she saw from a distance that only the supervisor was standing at the attendance spot, probably indicating that she was the first to arrive again

You should not smile: "I am not his fan, does it matter where I sit to attend the class?"

It is again Jun Mo's turn to be on duty on Thursday night

You should treat us. The boss has entrusted you with such important reception tasks twice; next time, you will have an advantage in the manager recruitment process. Enping spoke with certainty

The bell signaling the end of the first class rang, and Jun Mo lifted his sore neck. He was startled and noticed that Lin, the teacher, was casually leaning against the desk next to him. Feeling somewhat uncomfortable, he averted his gaze, but then heard her gently ask, "Are you studying English?"

I will go to the airport to pick you up

It is my habit to sit at the back. Jun Mo also smiled.

This is how one gradually immerses oneself, yet you should not shake your head, as if trying hard to cast aside memories

She then turned around and warned him in a low voice, "Hey, don't make me drink!" She spoke softly and urgently, and Han Ziyang couldn't help but smile at her.

When Lin Xiejun entered, the noisy sounds in the classroom suddenly quieted down, followed by a burst of applause. However, what caught his eye was the girl sitting in the last row, who was reading with her head down, making her stand out particularly in the surrounding emptiness

She adjusted her expression: "It's nothing, nothing at all"

Han Ziyang noticed her gaze and smiled apologetically, saying, "I’m sorry." He casually extinguished his cigarette and asked, "Why are you still working so late?"

Jun Mo was pulling En Ping towards the staff canteen when suddenly En Ping stopped him and pointed ahead: "Look."

Dining and socializing are common occurrences; you need only sit there, smile at the appropriate moments, or engage in conversation. General Xu and Enping are also seasoned in social gatherings; such conversations resemble rich and smooth instant coffee, with polite words gliding comfortably down the throat, leaving nothing behind— even the usually carefree Enping sits gracefully and demurely.

The secret to lifting oneself up when feeling unhappy is to work hard, while the secret to despising work is to speed up the pace—this creates a virtuous cycle. Now, none of this is effective anymore. You should not lean on the table; your nose begins to feel sour. The computer beeps, indicating a new email.

Do not turn around and leave. She felt that the routine morning inspection was particularly unsuccessful; in the past, she had turned a blind eye to certain issues, but this time she acted without mercy: the foreman of Building 5 was penalized for the inconspicuous cobwebs on the ceiling of the lobby; Building 3 fared even worse, as the standing service was one minute late according to the monitor, and he was immediately reprimanded harshly

Thus, the topic was set aside, and the meal was finished in a bland and indifferent manner

He raised an eyebrow at her, appearing somewhat interested: "Actually, I don't quite understand, just indulging in a bit of elegance. Consider it a contribution to society." He said half-jokingly: "Manager Li, don't smile like that, I know you see through it—aren't you just seizing the opportunity to advertise?"

Mr. Xu said, "Is that so?" and was taken aback, "When did that happen?"

Haven't you heard? Other classes have already inquired about it, and they will definitely come to audit the class

Then someone responded: "I also think there is a problem"

The doorman has already driven the car to the entrance of the banquet hall. The four of them got out together. Han Ziyang stepped aside to open the car door, greeted them, and then turned to leave.

Do not smile at her: "Is today fully booked?"

Each and every one of them was young and full of vitality, politely exchanging pleasantries with one another. In the words of Enping, this could be described as the "finest of matchmaking." Except for the last one—"Hehe, Junmo, you have indeed fallen into a den of wolves."

Han Ziyang raised his gaze to look at her and smiled lightly, "Is that so?"

Manager Li, who has always been mild-mannered, unexpectedly spoke with such harshness, yet only Junmo herself knows that this is merely a facade of strength hiding her inner weakness. She used to have this habit—whenever she encountered something unpleasant, she would always vent her anger on others, indiscriminately directing her ire towards them. Eventually, she managed to restrain herself over time, but now, even before reuniting with anyone, her temper has returned.

You did not arrive at the classroom, and after choosing a seat in the last row, you remembered that you needed to reserve a seat for your classmate. You stood up and placed five books on the first row, recalling the conversation among classmates from last night

Oh, then forget it. "Mingwen sighed helplessly, "Are you also going to sit in the last row for Teacher Lin's class?"

Hmm. Is this your last stop?" She sighed enviously, "I am just getting started."

"I am feeling down." Jun nodded impatiently and asked, "May I ask, do you have something to discuss or not?"

The two individuals involuntarily slowed their pace, but it was Mr. Xu who noticed them and stopped to wave at the two.

President Xu laughed heartily and said, "I have mentioned it before." He patted Jun Mo's shoulder as if presenting a treasure, "No need to look any further, Manager Li is a top student in history." At this moment, Jun Mo remembered this clearly and turned his face away in frustration, wanting to say that he had almost returned everything he learned in university back to the books over the past three years. However, under President Xu's eager gaze, he could only nod in agreement.

The foreign dignitaries under Han Ziyang's care have been conducting inspections outside these past few days, so there is no need to rush. The next day, news came from that side, stating that they had found new sponsorship, which was basically confirmed. Jun Mo just happened to free up his hands to handle the academic forum matters. Soon after, a call came from the Ruiming Secretary's Office, and after going around in circles, it turned out that Ruiming was the sponsor.

The sound behind her was no longer audible, and she suddenly felt a sense of dread. The last time there was a teacher supervising the attendance, several typical cases of proxy signing were caught, and everyone received a warning. She tried hard to recall the appearance of the boy at the attendance station, but it remained vague. With a long sigh, she instantly lost the motivation to memorize vocabulary.

Then I heard someone in front laughing softly: "Today, Teacher Lin is the supervisor for attendance. The boy in front of me signed ten names in one go before realizing that a teacher was watching, and his legs went weak.

Do not raise your wrist to check the watch, slightly frowning: "Mr. Han, I still have work to do, enjoy yourselves. I will take my leave now"

Both she and he felt a sense of peace within, as if it were flowing quietly

You should remove the list of names from the report due to the deductions made this morning, let out a heavy sigh, and send an email to several employees explaining that the morning's incident will only be considered a warning

Jun Mo did not even glance at him, fearing that he might obstruct her, and casually replied, "Good morning." She flicked her ponytail and walked away. The supervisors were also students, most of whom turned a blind eye to such cheating behavior. Jun Mo was indifferent to it as well.

Han Ziyang sat down beside her and noticed that she seemed somewhat at a loss. After all, she was a young girl who suddenly found herself among a group of young men, and she truly did not know how to behave. For a moment, he felt a twinge of regret, thinking that he should not have brought her in.

The roommates were all smiles, and Mingwen put her arm around her shoulder and said: "Junmo, I want to sit next to you."

She opened the email, her hands trembling

I will arrive on Friday, can we meet

Do not sigh, rise and pick up that egg-shaped stress ball—purchased from a night market stall. Then, take up that notice regarding the hosting of the National Historical Academic Forum. She is truly distressed: the list is already in her hands—his name glaringly stands out. The memories she so desperately wants to escape, the mental refuge she has numbed with her busy work, the wounds she has yet to heal. It is truly amusing that just the possibility of seeing him could ruin everything. The memories she so desperately wants to escape, the mental refuge she has numbed with her busy work, the wounds she has yet to heal. It is truly amusing that just the possibility of seeing him could ruin everything. Ironically, none of this seems to have a right or wrong. She inexplicably recalls a saying: having done all that is humanly possible, fate may still not be on your side.

Many of the names and faces he mentioned seem somewhat familiar to you, all of them are executives from Ruiming, and they are all young people, which makes it feel like a gathering of single men

As soon as she stepped out, Ma Chujing's gaze immediately became clearer, fixating motionlessly on Han Ziyang: "There is indeed a problem." His voice was extremely loud, with a drawn-out tone, causing everyone to fall silent in an instant

Do you want to sit in the last row? Jun Mo was somewhat surprised

Upon returning home, she sat quietly, reciting vocabulary words. The peculiar names of buildings, bronze artifacts, the Stone Age—until her eyes began to glaze over—yet when she put down the book, she found herself sleepless once more. She chuckled at herself, feeling like a dying drug addict, sensing that despair was about to arrive, with no escape in sight, yet it still felt irresistibly tempting. Three years ago, she could neither love nor hate; three years later, she remained in a dilemma—having lived for so long, she finally understood that distinguishing right from wrong is the simplest thing in the world. Sensing that despair was about to arrive, with no escape in sight, yet it still felt irresistibly tempting. Three years ago, she could neither love nor hate; three years later, she remained in a dilemma—having lived for so long, she finally understood that distinguishing right from wrong is the simplest thing in the world. But no matter how clearly she discerned in her heart who was right and who was wrong, what use was it?

At that time, Junmo was referred to by her roommates as "a vibrant and diligent student". She studied earnestly and had clear goals. For long-term planning courses, such as English, she made sure to dedicate time every day; for courses that could be crammed for before exams, she would definitely sit in the last row, murmuring English words to herself. She had always been a well-behaved girl since childhood. Initially, her parents did not agree to let her study far away, but after much effort, she finally came, so she really should study hard—this is what she always told herself.

Jun Mo smiled: "Where would that be? In a few days, I will send you a few books." She paused, her eyes unconsciously drifting to the tabletop, her tone somewhat melancholic, as if recalling something: "Many of them were written by my former teachers."

You must remind him: "Mr. Xu, we just received news that there are some issues with the sponsors, and it may not be held after all."

Han Ziyang smiled and then said to Jun Mo, "Come, let me introduce you."

Fortunately, others were also engaged in conversation, and the soft, melodic music playing in the private room provided a sense of comfort. Jun Mo found herself at a loss for words, while Han Ziyang's gaze seemed to be directed at her, though it might have just been focused on the wine glass in front of her, leaving one to wonder if he had heard her words.

The foreman had already gone upstairs to attend to matters, so Jun Mo put down his pen and paper and smiled, saying, "Alright"

In fact, I just casually placed the vocabulary book beside me earlier—one must not consider oneself a picky student, yet it can only be acknowledged that he excels in his classes. Thus, I felt a slight warmth on my face

She conducted inspections building by building, and finally arrived at the entertainment department of the hotel, which consisted of a two-story bar. In comparison, the bar was the quietest, with dim blue lighting and a few sparse figures. There were only three private rooms, and the supervisor hurried out: "Manager Li."

But I still want to ask you, I heard that Mr. Han asked you for your phone number a few days ago? Enping couldn't help but ask as he poked his head in from outside the door

Oh dear, this time it is not like last semester when it was an open selection for the entire school, where we had to reserve seats two hours in advance. In a small class, there should always be a seat available, right

Han Ziyang remained silent for a while, frowning as he scrutinized her: "Are you still on a diet?" With a smile that seemed to hold deeper meaning, he added, "It would be better if you gained some weight." Jun Mo was taken aback, but all she saw was him walking away with a smile.

Time never waits for anyone—whether in anticipation or aversion, it always moves forward bit by bit, beyond our control and contemplation.

Jun Mo smiled silently, mouthing the words: "Dreams come true!" She slightly tilted her head to look at Han Ziyang, who was walking ahead. That feeling, Jun Mo thought to herself, was truly flawless and impeccable—though young, he exuded a sense of composure, his handsomeness making him seem beyond reproach.

In the early morning, my roommate was still groggily mumbling: "Don't forget to check us in." She replied cheerfully, "Got it," and then quietly closed the door.

Compared to the V-shaped gesture: "I am going to the lounge to tell them who I just had lunch with." As soon as she turned around, she ran off, leaving Jun Mo alone, unable to contain his laughter

In the diagonal front, General Xu and Han Ziyang were walking towards the banquet hall, with Han Ziyang's black coat being lifted by the wind, exuding an elegant demeanor

No, no. Enping was so frightened that he forgot his purpose for coming, "I came to see you. This is considered a breach of duty. I am leaving."

Well

Do not raise your head to look at the young man on the podium, who is intently rehearsing the PPT. She has told her roommate countless times: "To be fair, he really looks quite ordinary." Yet it seems that no one supports her opinion, and she can only choose to remain silent.

He held a phone in his hand, probably having come out to take a call, but at that moment he put the phone back in his pocket and said slowly, "Would you like to come in and sit for a while?"

Still accommodating her, if she is unwilling, then let it be that we do not meet

"Why are you sitting so far back? Can you see those slides?" Lin Xiejun asked, "Do you still think my teaching is not good?"

Do not sigh: "I just received a phone call"

"Do not bully the elderly," she replied with a frown, feeling puzzled all of a sudden. "Why do you look so cheerful?"

"Mr. Xu, there is one more thing. Has my secretary spoken to you about it? Our American guest, Mr. Powell, who is staying at your hotel, has always been a history enthusiast. Could we request a companion for him? He wishes to visit the museum and some historical sites nearby in a few days." Han Ziyang pondered for a moment, "It is not enough to just be proficient in English; it would be best if the person has a good understanding of historical matters as well."

This young teacher is dressed neatly and cleanly, with short hair, exuding the same calmness and gentleness as he does in class. His demeanor resembles that of the university students of the May Fourth era, walking down the streets with clear eyes, abundant talent, and a fervent ideal of saving the nation and helping the world, speaking with independence and freedom

Hello, Mr. Han. Jun greeted with a smile, "Have fun."

On the way home, I passed by Building 4 and encountered Han Ziyang's young assistant, who was driving the car that Han Ziyang usually drives and was just taking out a stack of documents. She greeted him, and the young man smiled back: "Manager Li, would you like a ride?"

Fortunately, Ma Chujing can be considered a very talkative person. Having not seen Jun Mo for a long time, he pulled her down to sit and began to speak some irrelevant words. Jun Mo couldn't help but glance to the side; this was the first time she had seen him smoke. A small flame ignited between his fingers, and the shape of his lips was exquisite, appearing sharp like a blade when pressed together.

"I am on duty," Jun said simply, while Ma Chujing was busy calling the waitress to bring a wine glass.

However, this time she forgot to avoid it, and Han Ziyang was taken aback. Such complex emotions rippled through her crystal-clear, sparkling eyes.

Then several gazes focused on Jun Mo, who slowly said, "Alright, I will take the lead."

The four individuals arrived at the entrance of the banquet hall, and a service attendant approached and asked, "Mr. Xu, shall we go to the Lotus Hall again?"

Someone laughed again: "The laughter was very gentle"

Who can help me reserve a seat for Teacher Lin's class tomorrow

Jun Mo did not think much of it, merely considering it a business transaction, and continued to work methodically

Enough, I am currently on a diet

On that day, I was simply sitting in the library reading. Then, when I looked up, I saw Lin Xiejun standing not far away, looking at me. At that moment, I was taken aback and, for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to say "Hello, Teacher." He smiled at me, as refined and composed as ever, and slowly sat down beside me, quietly reading as well

The leadership places great importance on this meeting: "We need to adopt a dual approach—on one hand, we must secure major clients like Ruiming in our business endeavors, while on the other hand, hosting academic conferences can enhance the hotel's prestige and culture. That said, since the sponsor of this forum is Ruiming, we are essentially providing a comprehensive service to them, and we must ensure that we execute it well."

At noon, the weather warms up, and the sunlight is dazzling. One cannot help but recall childhood memories, when at this time, one was always held by grandfather, sitting in a rattan chair by the small river, with a thick cushion laid out, basking warmly in the sun. I would always hold a cup of scented bean tea, eagerly picking the red cloves and green scented beans from the cup to eat. Even the air was filled with a sweet and salty aroma

Do not rub your eyes, open them. Suddenly, I was stunned; such a familiar name, after three years—so long without thinking of it, I thought I had long forgotten his appearance. But now, it clearly emerges from my mind.

Han Ziyang turned to look at her, his eyes filled with laughter: "What is it?"

In just six short words, it seems as though all energy has been expended, leaving one utterly exhausted, yet still carrying a faint hope of rebirth

Enping whispered beside Jun Mo'er: "I really want to have lunch with a handsome guy"

Lin Xiejun looked thoughtfully at the girl's back, shook his head, smiled slightly, and lowered his gaze to her class.

Did you finish the call so quickly

However, even Lian Junmo cannot deny that his composed demeanor and gentle, warm voice while standing on the podium can indeed captivate a large number of girls. As for myself, I have given up on the plan to memorize vocabulary, and my notes are densely packed, which has made me suddenly realize how quickly time flies

I had thought that once I entered, it would surely be a lively scene filled with beautiful women and vibrant flowers, where I could have a few drinks and mingle before making my exit. However, in the spacious private room, there were only seven or eight men seated. The lighting was not particularly bright, but it was better than outside. Jun Mo took a glance around, remained silent, and cast a sidelong glance at Han Ziyang beside him

Rising to get some self-service food, Jun Mo frowned for quite a while while choosing. Although the variety was dazzling and the colors were so vibrant that they made one salivate, she had clearly been very hungry just moments ago. However, after a long time of deliberation, she only took a bowl of fried rice with eggs and casually selected some vegetables. Han Ziyang quietly stood beside her and asked, "Are you only having this little?"

She almost couldn't help but stand up, but he was one step ahead: "Is everything ready for the forum?"

General Xu also left in a hurry, looking extremely busy. Enping chuckled and said: "Look at General Xu in such a rush, he must be going for a nap."

Ma Chujing smiled broadly: "The boss is bringing a girl to the singles party for the first time, we must have a drink."

As it approached eleven o'clock, Jun Mo glanced at the only private room on the first floor, the Mingyue Hall. The door was quite solid, isolating the revelry and extravagant debauchery within. She nodded, intending to leave after completing the report, when the door happened to open. She was taken aback; under the dim light, the man had very pronounced facial features. He raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised to encounter her here

Only Han Ziyang remained unmoved and composed as he lit another cigarette, his eyes slightly squinting, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding noise and laughter

By the time she had finished memorizing the words for a unit, the small classroom was already filled with heat. Except for the last few rows where she sat, the front was packed with heads. A few girls glared at the five seats in the center of the first row with resentment, while Jun Mo lowered her head, feeling a bit guilty.

What is meant to come will always find a way to arrive

How could Mr. Xu not perceive the underlying meaning? He quickly said, "Young people just love simplicity and convenience." Jun Mo hastily arranged the table by the floor-to-ceiling window in the hall, and she was the last to settle down. Han Ziyang slowed his pace, while Enping keenly glanced at him, wanting to say something to Jun Mo but hesitating, her gaze carrying a hint of ambiguity.