Chapter 424: Chapter 424: Time is Warm, Years Are Yet Old
A few young men in white shirts stood out in the crowd, as gazes frequently fixed upon them.

Among them was Xu Chaomu.

She turned her head and finally located that familiar figure within the crowd.

Lou Yanli, yes, it was Lou Yanli!

Having not seen him for five years, he had changed a lot!

Back in high school, he was already tall, and now he seemed to have grown a lot taller. He wore a clean white shirt, his face bearing a clear, cheerful smile.

Xu Chaomu slowly raised her head to meet his face.

With handsome brows and eyes, a gentle smile, he was lively and spirited.

His warm voice carried through the noisy crowd, with every word reaching Xu Chaomu’s ears.

Looking at him through the crowd, Xu Chaomu’s lips also curved into a sweet smile.

Time moved gently; the years were still young.

Many people came and went around them. Figures of men and women passed before her, but her gaze remained on Lou Yanli and never left.

She suddenly felt the urge to keep watching him, just as she had five years ago when she sat on the swing in spring, and he gently swayed it for her.

Then, with a gentle spring breeze and the warm, sunlight, she only needed to lift her head slightly while leaning on the swing frame to see his clear eyes and gentle smile.

The spring was florid as brocade, the sky at eighteen was azure and peaceful.

Who would have thought that five years later, he’d still be so standout, especially distinctive among the crowd.

“If we can finalize it today, we’ll have their president sign the contract.”

Lou Yanli flipped through the folder in his hands, furrowing his brows as he pondered thoroughly.

The elevator was still ascending, and Xu Chaomu decided to lean against the wall with a smile, holding her document bag and tilting her head to look at Lou Yanli.

God-like was god-like indeed, pleasing to the eye.

She was not far from him, but because there were too many people, Lou Yanli did not see Xu Chaomu.

When the elevator reached the top floor, it finally stopped and then, slowly descended.

Through the crowd, Xu Chaomu finally called out softly and gently, “Lou Yanli!”

Lou Yanli was discussing plans with a colleague, absorbed and did not hear Xu Chaomu’s voice.

Xu Chaomu then walked over, through the bustling crowd, and stood right in front of him.

“Lou Yanli.” She smiled and softly called his name again.

Lou Yanli paused, then suddenly looked up. That voice was too familiar, echoing in his ears many times before.

It had been five years since anyone had called him that way.

Lou Yanli froze in place, his gaze fixed on Xu Chaomu.

Yes, it was Xu Chaomu, it was her.

Now, there was only a two-step distance between him and her. He watched her quietly, her voice lingering in his ears.

Lou Yanli, Lou Yanli…

It had been a full five seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Xu Chaomu tilted her head and took another step forward, “God-like man, long time no see.”

Lou Yanli, holding the folder, came back to his senses, his face showing great surprise, “Chaomu, it’s you.”

“It’s me. ‘How much hatred does the west wind have, for it cannot scatter the brows arched,’” Xu Chaomu softly recited.

In those days, as the drizzle fell, she and he stood side by side outside the classroom. She held her language textbook, pestering him to recite the poem.

Lou Yanli had a pleasant voice, clear and well-pronounced, as he recited softly for her:

“Where do the flying fluff and petals belong, the harsh winterscape, a sparse tree shivers pre-dawn cold. Fond of the bright moon, yet careworn at heart it’s told.

After the intricate threads have fluttered down, they nudge memories of spring mountains profound. To continue dreams ripped apart, surely must be hard. How much hatred does the west wind have, for it cannot scatter the brows arched.”

Back then, the rain was heavy, a blur of white vapor rose, the air enshrouded in mist, the eyes brimming with indescribable sorrow and separation.

Most remembered are the days of youth.

At this moment, upon hearing her recite those lines, Lou Yanli smiled, his smile as gentle as the spring breeze, stretching across his lips.

Five years had passed; she still remembered.

In fact, he remembered too.

As their eyes met, memories surged like the tide…

Xu Chaomu took another small step forward, nearly standing right before him, “Yanli, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Lou Yanli too finally snapped out of it, yes, he’d never imagined he would meet her here.

Five years ago, he had thought whether he would never see her again in this lifetime, whether there would no longer be a girl with a radiant smile saying to him, “Lou, the genius, I can’t solve these problems.”

“Lou, the genius, the scenery is so beautiful, describe it for me.”

He said, “To be safe in this world, to have peaceful years.”

Just like now, she stood before him, truly to be safe in this world, to have peaceful years.

As long as it wasn’t the worst possible outcome, he felt that heaven was still kind.

In this lifetime, to meet again.

“Chaomu, you finally came back,” Lou Yanli’s lips curved upward.

“Yes.”

“You won’t leave again?”

“I won’t.”

Lou Yanli laughed, she still had the same old look, her smile radiant, her brows and eyes clear and elegant.

The green and sweet first love was like a sour candy, astringent when first tasted, and sweet as honey upon the second taste.

Right then, the elevator came down, and another large wave of people surged out.

“The elevator’s here,” Xu Chaomu said with a lifting gaze and a smile.

“May I buy you a coffee?” Lou Yanli asked.

“No need. You go on the elevator; we’ll do it another day.”

Xu Chaomu waved at him, just as Lou Yanli’s colleague also suggested, “Lou, take the elevator now or you’ll be late.”

Xu Chaomu imitated their tone, “Lou, go ahead, work is important, I won’t run away.”

Having said that, Xu Chaomu also gave him a series of phone numbers.

Only then did Lou Yanli wave his hand, “Wait for my call!”

“Sure,” she smiled sweetly, waving in return.

Alas, time was too short, she had yet to ask what he was doing now, which company he was with, and how he came to Shen’s.

She also didn’t know whether he had fared well over these five years, but such a kind and optimistic man surely wouldn’t do badly.

Perhaps he already had a girlfriend?

If so, nothing could be better.

Xu Chaomu kept waving until the elevator doors closed, then turned around with a laugh and left.

Feeling increasingly cheerful and bright, Xu Chaomu was very happy today.

She walked happily through the lobby on the first floor of Shen Group, playfully teasing the receptionist in passing.

“Miss, your makeup looks really good.”

“Thank you, you’ve applied your light makeup quite well too,” the receptionist answered politely.

“Your skin is so fair. Which skincare product have you been using lately?”

“Just randomly using whatever,” the receptionist answered with a smile.

Pregnant with Shen Chi’s child, Xu Chaomu was not allowed to wear makeup, and she could only use the most basic, pure natural skincare products, which made her feel somewhat frustrated.

After teasing the receptionist, she then went to jest with a handsome guy nearby.

Being in a good mood, she just couldn’t help it.

“Handsome, you’re so tall. I guess you’re 185 cm?”

The handsome man laughed, “Close, 186.”

“Your work badge looks very impressive. By the way, does Shen Group have any unspoken rules?” Xu Chaomu inquired, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at him.