Chapter Thirty-Three: Shall We Go See the Sea Together?

Lin Ye’s hand instinctively wrapped around Su Qing’s slender waist, a tingling sensation like an electric current coursing from his lips through his entire body.

So, this is what a kiss feels like?

He didn't pay attention to the passage of time; he only noticed that the hand supporting her waist felt increasingly heavy, as if all her strength had been drained from her body by this simple kiss.

Startled, Lin Ye feared she might be unwell and hurriedly helped her back into her chair. Su Qing’s face was flushed a deep, vibrant red, and her chest rose and fell with rapid, shallow breaths.

Lin Ye sat back in his own seat, his mind wandering. He reached up to touch his lips, as if savoring the lingering sensation of the kiss they had just shared.

Ten minutes later, the two had regained their composure and sat upright in their chairs, though their eyes were unfocused, darting away whenever they happened to meet.

It wasn't until Lin Ye caught his reflection in the glass and saw the black suit he was wearing that a bolt of lightning flashed through his mind.

He finally remembered why he had come to this coffee shop. Yet, even now, there was no one here but him, Su Qing, and the waiter behind the counter—only three people in total.

Could it be that his direct superior was actually…?

Lin Ye quietly pulled out his phone, intending to call the number of "General Manager Su" to confirm his suspicions.

The phone screen lit up, showing a notification from the General Manager sent over half an hour ago: *Something urgent has come up. The meeting is postponed; I will notify you of the details later.*

Lin Ye raised an eyebrow. He felt it was impossible for such a coincidence to occur, and he made up his mind to dial the number.

Could it be her? Would her phone ring?

The call connected on the fifth ring.

"Hello? Is that Lin Ye? I believe I sent you a message. Is there something else you need?" The General Manager’s voice held the same hint of a smile as before, though this time, it seemed even more pronounced.

"It’s nothing, General Manager. I just wanted to ask if there’s anything you need my help with," Lin Ye said, feeling an inexplicable sense of relief.

"Oh, is that so? I thought… you might have had some other reason for calling?"

Lin Ye found it even stranger, as he could have sworn he heard the General Manager actually laughing. Perhaps it was just his imagination.

***

After hanging up, Lin Ye felt a wave of relief. Now he had even more time to spend with Su Qing. Even if they didn't say a word and just sat there quietly, he would be perfectly content.

If he had to put it into words, he had already held her and kissed her—things he hadn't even dared to do while they were at the hospital. More importantly, from Su Qing’s behavior, he could feel that she reciprocated his feelings.

His thoughts were a chaotic jumble, but overall, there was a sense of joy.

"Why did you come here? Surely it wasn't just to drink coffee?" Su Qing composed herself, took a sip of her now half-cold coffee, and asked softly.

Lin Ye was slightly taken aback. Thinking it wasn't a secret, he adjusted his posture and took off his suit jacket, draping it over the back of the chair.

"I came to meet a leader from my company. She had scheduled a meeting here at ten, but she just sent a message saying she couldn't make it."

He found the situation quite strange.

A glint of craftiness flashed in Su Qing’s eyes, though she feigned an expression of realization. "So, why did you run away when you saw me at the hospital that day?"

Su Qing leaned forward, resting her chin on her right hand, staring at Lin Ye with keen interest.

Lin Ye’s face twitched uncontrollably. His brain raced to find a way out, but he maintained a look of feigned ignorance.

"What? When? Did you mistake me for someone else?"

Su Qing arched an eyebrow, wearing an "I knew you'd say that" expression, and dropped the bomb: "Stop acting! The head nurse told me the person sitting on the bench was you."

Lin Ye abandoned all logic. As the saying goes: *The mole is exposed, abort the mission.* He had calculated everything—the disguise, the location, the newspaper—but he hadn't accounted for running into the head nurse that morning. He raised his hands in surrender, chin tilted up, looking as if he were ready to face his fate.

Su Qing burst into laughter at his comical expression, a sight that left Lin Ye momentarily dazed.

"What about you? Why are you here today?" Lin Ye squinted, seizing the chance to ask.

***

"Me? I'm just here waiting… waiting to have some coffee, of course. Have you forgotten? I told you just now that I used to come here often before I was hospitalized."

Su Qing, caught off guard, nearly revealed her true purpose. Fortunately, she caught herself in time and used a reason that aligned with what she had previously said.

"Now that I’ve finished my coffee, I suppose I should be going." She reached up to smooth a stray lock of hair from her forehead, tucked a strand behind her ear, and slowly stood up.

Things were at a critical point, and it was indeed time for her to leave to avoid further slips. Despite Lin Ye’s seemingly carefree nature, he was unexpectedly sharp in certain areas, and she feared complications if she stayed longer.

"Where are you going? Let me give you a ride." Seeing her stand up to leave, Lin Ye hurriedly rose and pulled his car keys from his pocket.

"Oh? You bought a car?" A hint of curiosity colored Su Qing’s voice. This was news to her; back at the hospital, Lin Ye had told her he didn't own a car and was driving a Mercedes lent to him by Li Dehua.

Lin Ye scratched his head, smiling sheepishly as he shook the Mercedes keys. "It’s a company car. My position at the company changed to become the executive secretary."

After a pause, he looked into her eyes and continued, "This car belonged to the previous secretary; it’s been handed over to me."

Upon hearing this, Su Qing frowned almost imperceptibly. She waved her hand and said, "No need, I… uh… my best friend is arriving soon. You should go attend to your business."

A visible trace of disappointment flickered in Lin Ye’s eyes. As he reached the cafe door and pushed it open, he seemed to reach a decision. He turned back to look at the girl bathed in sunlight.

"Next time… shall we go see the sea together?"

A smile tugged at the corners of Su Qing’s lips as she replied, "A tampered agreement carries no legal weight."