Driving up the mountain, they stopped at an open area at the peak. As soon as the car door opened, fine rain-laden wind blew in from all directions, feeling as if both body and soul were being forcefully cleansed.

The surrounding low railings offered little sense of security. This wasn't a scenic spot, so it hadn't been developed much. Because of this, both trees and scattered rocks grew and piled naturally and freely.

Shen Duoyi hadn't changed clothes before leaving, and now he was shivering slightly from the cold, though he maintained a casual expression, saying: "This spot isn't easy to find. Have you been here before for drives?"

Qi Shi'an took off his long coat and with a swish draped it over Shen Duoyi: "Still cold? Want to go back to the car?"

The coat's lining was warm, carrying Qi Shi'an's body heat. Shen Duoyi instantly felt revived and said: "Not cold anymore. There's a stone bench over there, let's sit for a while."

They moved to the stone bench. Looking out, all they could see were green hills and roads. Only then did Qi Shi'an answer: "Actually, I come here to catch the wind almost every year on this day. Sometimes alone, sometimes with Zhang Yiming and a couple bottles of wine."

Shen Duoyi understood: "So you're in a bad mood every year on this day?"

"Not exactly bad, just a bit gloomy." Qi Shi'an paused briefly, unsure if the other wanted to hear him ramble. Shen Duoyi took the initiative: "You and Mr. Zhang are good friends, and I assume you come with him to confide. Since you brought me this time, tell me about it."

Qi Shi'an appreciated Shen Duoyi's thoughtfulness and said: "You've met my mom from the military retirement home - straightforward and passionate, tells me and my brother everything. But my birth mother isn't like that. She never raises her voice, never laughs or shows anger. Everything she does is like food without salt - completely bland."

Shen Duoyi couldn't help laughing: "First time I've heard that kind of description."

"Really, she was also very strict. When I was sick and needed to take leave as a child, she wouldn't first ask if I was feeling unwell - her first concern was always whether it would affect my studies." Qi Shi'an's T-shirt fluttered in the wind. "Take today's birthday for example. I hadn't seen her for a year and missed her, but she treated it like a chore - answering work calls while the candles were still burning, leaving me hanging."

As Qi Shi'an rambled on, he would frown one moment and glare slightly the next, like a child complaining. While Shen Duoyi didn't need to share his indignation, he should at least agree with a few criticisms, but Shen Duoyi found it all rather amusing.

"Are you even listening to me?" Qi Shi'an snapped his fingers. "Do you think my mom is right?"

Instead of answering, Shen Duoyi asked: "Is your mother a career woman?"

Qi Shi'an replied: "Yes, she and my dad met while doing their PhDs. Their divorce wasn't because of any conflict either - like celebrities, they split up because their busy work kept them apart."

Before Shen Duoyi could respond, he continued analyzing: "Actually, it was just incompatible personalities. My dad was a scholarly type, also quiet. They could both go three days and nights without saying a word. Later my dad married my current mom and is happy every day. My mom found a writer, more romantic, and she's happier than when she was with my dad."

After thinking for a moment, Shen Duoyi asked: "Pardon me for asking, but is your mother rather proud?"

Qi Shi'an said: "Rather proud? My mom's pride breaks through the stratosphere. Why do you ask? You could tell from just those few words?"

"No," Shen Duoyi said, wrapped in the coat. "Xiao Chuan's personality is quite different from yours. He's like your stepmom, lively. You're more steady, but also self-important, so I guessed you take after your birth mother."

Qi Shi'an protested: "I'm self-important?"

A leaf blew from some nearby tree and landed right on Qi Shi'an's hair. Shen Duoyi reached out to remove it, and after tossing it away, noticed the fine raindrops on the other's face.

He couldn't help himself and gently wiped Qi Shi'an's cheek with the back of his hand, speaking as if to a child: "You're not just self-important, sometimes you even have an air of superiority."

The slightly cool hand brushed against his face, and Qi Shi'an remained perfectly still, letting Shen Duoyi do as he pleased. He asked uncertainly: "Have I offended you? If I have, I apologize."

Shen Duoyi burst out laughing: "What are you thinking? I was talking about how you call people 'useless pastries.'"

They had warmed up the stone bench. Qi Shi'an talked about whether the birthday cake was good, Shen Duoyi talked about buying too few flowers for the cemetery visit. They chatted like old friends on the mountaintop, and despite the continuous rain, their moods grew increasingly bright.

Later, as the drizzle showed signs of intensifying and Qi Shi'an's T-shirt was almost soaked through, they decided to leave. Remembering Shen Duoyi's request, Qi Shi'an asked before getting in the car: "Want to drive down?"

But Shen Duoyi hesitated: "Better not. With the rain and going downhill, it seems a bit risky."

"Then let's come out again next week, and you can drive me then," Qi Shi'an set the plan directly. The car started, and they left along the mountain road. The rain grew heavier, gradually blurring their vision.

When they reached the entrance of Wenhu Apartments, the raindrops had become so dense they formed continuous lines, with umbrellas offering little protection. Shen Duoyi lingered at the car door, looking awkward before finally saying: "I'll keep you company a bit longer."

Qi Shi'an readily agreed: "The rain's so heavy, stay for a while."

This downpour came quickly and left just as fast, soon becoming lighter. As evening approached, the wind grew damper and colder. Shen Duoyi prepared to head home, had opened the car door a crack, but then stopped.

Qi Shi'an asked: "What is it? Keep wearing the coat, don't catch cold on your way back."

Shen Duoyi asked: "Mr. Zhang is usually very busy, right?"

"Mm... busy with work and dating." Qi Shi'an was momentarily confused. "Why are you asking about him?"

Shen Duoyi said: "Then in the future, when you're feeling down and need to go up the mountain for some air, call me."

The car door opened and closed, letting in a gust of wind before shutting it out again. Shen Duoyi, wearing the coat, quickly ran into the apartment building's entrance, while Qi Shi'an remained in a daze. After a while, he raised his hand to touch his cheek, remembering how Shen Duoyi had wiped away the raindrops from his face.

Night had fallen, and lights were coming on in homes everywhere. A sports car remained parked outside Wenhu Apartments, its occupant sitting alone feeling happy, then blushing for nearly half an hour before finally leaving.

The previous week, all departments at Ming'an had been tortured by meetings. Finally able to catch their breath in the new week, however, the battle between the Consulting and Investment departments was just beginning.

The Investment Department needed to constantly observe market data and produce materials, while the Consulting Department had to promptly receive and integrate the Investment Department's work into solutions. For convenience, several departments were concentrated on the meeting floor, separated by transparent glass doors and walls, like being in a large reception hall.

With five minutes until work started, some were still eating breakfast. Shen Duoyi sat in the front row, also saving a seat for Team Leader Qi who hadn't arrived yet.

"Mr. Zhang, good morning!"

"Good morning! Dressed so nicely today - trying to distract me during my presentation?"

Hearing this, Shen Duoyi looked up to see Zhang Yiming walking to the front in his suit and tie, then instinctively glanced next door, seeing through the glass that Qi Shi'an had also arrived.

The Foreign Exchange Department colleagues were greeting Qi Shi'an, who sat down in front carrying a large bag of breakfast. Then came his familiar pre-meeting routine - undoing his cuffs, rolling up his sleeves, looking like he wanted to pull off his tie too.

"Mr. Qi, your notebook."

Annie had run up to the thirtieth floor. Qi Shi'an took it, flipped to the newest page and began reading and writing, using the last few minutes to fill two pages.

After finishing and capping his pen, he casually glanced next door, only to meet Shen Duoyi's gaze.

Qi Shi'an's heart tightened, and he picked up his notebook and waved it. Shen Duoyi started, then picked up his fountain pen from the table and waved it back.

The meeting began, with Zhang Yiming formally training the Consulting Department while Qi Shi'an was already lecturing in the Investment Department. The seat beside him was still empty, and Shen Duoyi asked his supervisor in a low voice: "Supervisor Tang, why hasn't Team Leader Qi arrived yet?"

The director replied quietly: "Took leave to take wedding photos."

"Oh, I see." Shen Duoyi sat properly, surprised at how quickly Team Leader Qi was moving things along - it seemed he'd be attending a wedding soon. Thinking of this made him worry about when Meng Liang would find a girlfriend.

"Team Leader Shen, you're quick at drawing - please sketch out last quarter's marketing sector proportions, and calculate the basic data and net rates too."

Shen Duoyi suddenly realized he had been daydreaming and hurriedly picked up his pen: "Give me two minutes."

His employee ID card served as a ruler. Shen Duoyi's speed and quality in producing charts and estimates had become famous across several departments - whenever meetings needed them, he'd grab his pen and ID card and get to work.