CHAPTER 27: CHAPTER 27 DIFFERENT CHANGES

After a somewhat dull lunch, the four of them went back to the company together. When they reached the company’s main entrance, they were unsurprised to see several reporters, who snapped a flurry of photos and then ran off without waiting for Su Yanyi to say anything. Su Yanyi and Qin Jiran, along with the others, all had a hint of annoyance on their faces.

Journalists nowadays really have mastered the essence of guerrilla warfare, knowing to hit and run.

"Should we deal with them?" asked Jiang Xiaobin. After all, it was most suitable for him as a junior assistant to handle this kind of matter. However, it was uncertain whether he would be able to catch up to them now.

"No need." They were public with their relationship now, so why fear being photographed? Su Yanyi merely glanced and then walked into the company with confidence. Qin Jiran hesitated for a moment, then quickened his pace to catch up to Su Yanyi. Nonetheless, he still maintained a small distance, making them appear close but not intimately so.

This was Qin Jiran’s setting for their relationship. Now that it was public, it couldn’t be as detached and indifferent as before, as if they were strangers; otherwise, all sorts of strange rumors might emerge, including speculations about divorce.

But they couldn’t be too intimate either. This was mainly out of consideration for Su Yanyi’s feelings. He definitely did not want any of his actions to make Su Yanyi uncomfortable, as if taking advantage of the situation to get too close.

As for the people in the company, although they were still a little surprised to see the couple together, it seemed they had gotten used to it. The image of the husband and wife entering and leaving together truly induced envy, jealousy, and bitterness.

With the couple seen together more frequently, whether it was on television, newspapers, magazines, or the internet, news about the two of them also became more prevalent. Mother Su, aside from guiding the direction of these news items, no longer controlled the quantity. Instead, there was a feeling of adding fuel to the fire, as if images of the couple could be seen everywhere. Phrases like "a talented man and a beautiful woman" and "a talented woman and a handsome man" were widespread, and even divided into two factions arguing online numerous times. However, this was just a minority; the general public was more interested in discussing the couple’s marriage, who pursued whom, and whether they were happy or not. Qin Jiran’s official website was even flooded with fan messages.

However, facing these discussions, Su Yanyi and Qin Jiran did not respond publicly anymore, which led to the ubiquitous tracking by reporters. Yet the journalists had become savvy, no longer asking too many questions, just taking a few photos and then leaving quickly, which actually proved to be more efficient.

Su Yanyi and Qin Jiran parted ways in the elevator. Su Yanyi watched as Qin Jiran exited the elevator and said just before the doors closed, "Let’s have dinner together tonight."

Even if work was busy, meals were still necessary. Even if not cooking for her, having dinner together was always possible, right? Perhaps because the few times she had earned points were related to eating meals, Su Yanyi had become particularly obstinate about dining. She felt this might be the best way to improve her relationship with Qin Jiran.

After returning to the office, the three of them, including Qin Jiran, Guo Zekai winked at Qin Jiran, causing Qin to frown and ask in a chilly voice, "If you have something to say, just say it."

"Tsk tsk, Queen Su, ah. She joins you for lunch now, and is waiting to have dinner with you. To make your relationship public, she appears in the media. Oh, such displays of affection, truly enviable," Guo Zekai said sincerely, but Qin Jiran found it slightly awkward.

Affectionate? Although he didn’t know why Su Yanyi wanted to have meals with him, there wasn’t anything affectionate about their interactions. They hardly spoke more than five times throughout lunch, and many times he felt that Su Yanyi didn’t even want to dine with him—a necessity created by some reason. Thinking it over, Qin Jiran found the promotion angle plausible, especially after seeing media photographers upon their return which seemed to confirm his guess.

Could it be that Su Yanyi needed to show affection with him because of some reason? Qin Jiran felt this was probably the closest guess to the truth.

Throughout the afternoon, Qin Jiran and Guo Zekai had finalized most of the main actors, and now it all depended on whether these people were available. As dinner time approached, Qin Jiran’s attention increasingly wandered, frequently glancing at his watch and then at the door, in a very obvious display of waiting for Su Yanyi’s appearance, prompting Guo Zekai and Jiang Xiaobin to roll their eyes in secret.

"Alright, alright, I’m heading out first. I’ll take care of contacting these actors and will get in touch with you if there’s any news," said Guo Zekai, unable to watch any longer and making a quick exit.

"Brother Qin, I’ll head out too. Hope you and sister-in-law have a pleasant dinner," Jiang Xiaobin also didn’t want to stay and be a third wheel, so he hurriedly followed suit.

Qin Jiran was a bit taken aback, the term "sister-in-law" causing an involuntary sweetness to spread through him. Even though there was no tangible change in his relationship with Su Yanyi, after they went public, there indeed seemed to be something different between them, like people’s attitudes and various looks that inadvertently made Qin Jiran feel as if they might truly be a loving couple. Of course, such illusions were fleeting, but the momentary happiness and sweetness were enough to keep him happy for a long time.

How wonderful it would be if one day, they could be together just like any other loving couple.

Although he thought it might be too much to hope for, Qin Jiran couldn’t help but think this way. It seemed to have become the greatest wish of his life.

Su Yanyi still walked in by simply pushing the door open, and what she saw was Qin Jiran lost in thought.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked, perplexed by his hopeful yet slightly conflicted expression.

"You’re here, let’s go eat. Or shall we go home for dinner?" Qin Jiran was clearly trying to change the subject. What he was thinking was something he really didn’t dare share with Su Yanyi.

Qin Jiran occasionally wondered what would happen if he confessed his feelings to Su Yanyi, but every time he thought it through, the outcome was never pleasing. Based on his understanding of Su Yanyi, the result would likely be disgust, followed by even more exclusion, which was the reason for his reluctance to move forward.

It wasn’t that he lacked the courage to confess his feelings, but rather that he lacked the courage to accept an even worse treatment. Even without love, he didn’t want to be despised even more.

Su Yanyi, observing the still complex expression on Qin Jiran’s face, chose not to ask further and simply nodded, "Let’s go home, what you cook is delicious."

This man was quite pensive, and not very good at expressing himself. Now it seemed he was unwilling to share his troubles with her. It really wasn’t a good habit, and she wondered if there was any effective way to change this?

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