novelraw Chapter 1248: March and April
Chapter 1248: March and April
If one looked closely, Jimmy had a hint of European features. His pupils weren’t the color typical of Asians—clearly, he was of mixed heritage.
Handsome, charming, and witty, he was the type who easily drew the attention of socialites—exuding the confident aura of a business elite.
“Do you believe in fate?” Jimmy smiled, showing his white, even teeth. He said this while looking at Luo Qiu.
Since Luo Qiu entered the room, Jimmy’s gaze had lingered mostly on him. Though his eyes still burned when he looked at Song Ying, there was a certain restraint—a distance that made him seem neither presumptuous nor overly aggressive.
Boss Luo, at the moment, was gently pushing some peas with the back of his knife and poking a few with his fork. Before putting them into his mouth, he heard the question—and found the topic quite interesting.
Naturally, Boss Luo appreciated fate more than most people.
He thought for a moment and said, “Mr. Jimmy, what kind of thing do you think fate is?”
Seeing Song Ying glance his way, Jimmy picked up his glass, took a sip of water, and said slowly, “Someone once said that in our lifetime, we might meet around 29.2 million people. But the chance of two people falling in love is only 0.000049%—that’s forty-nine in a million. Between men and women—or even between people of the same sex—the odds of meeting and falling in love are that low. Yet love happens all around us every day. Don’t you think that’s fate?”
“That’s more like romantic talk than probability,” Song Ying interrupted bluntly. “And where did the 29.3 million come from? Was it actually based on research?”
Jimmy froze for a second, then smiled bitterly and raised his glass toward them. “Ah, the line that always worked before becomes nonsense in front of Miss Song. Miss Song, please forgive my ignorance.”The assistant, Ziyun, sighed inwardly. Her Miss Song? Romantic? Not a chance. The only numbers in her mind were probably stock codes.
For someone who didn’t even have a copy of Pride and Prejudice in her bookshelf, talking about romance was like playing music to a cow. This young man clearly chose the wrong approach—but Ziyun would never say that aloud.
After all, her real boss was sitting right there. She sneaked a look at Young Master Qiu, her thoughts wandering to the mysterious designer Astaroth—and feeling more and more puzzled.
She had studied business and social etiquette at Song family village’s academy. Wasn’t this Young Master Qiu supposed to have grown up in an ordinary family? Yet his every gesture carried a refined grace—an old-world European elegance only found among ancient noble families.
Miss Song couldn’t tell—she barely scraped by in her social dance classes. And Jimmy, though impressive, couldn’t see it either.
For all his charm, Jimmy’s polish couldn’t hide certain innate things. During the meal, his humor kept the conversation going, but Ziyun found herself more drawn to Young Master Qiu’s occasional simple remarks.
In her academy’s moral teachings, that was called concealing brilliance and biding one’s time.
As she was thinking this, Young Master Qiu suddenly glanced her way. He smiled faintly and lightly tapped the corner of his lips.
Ziyun froze—then realized she had a bit of sauce there. Just then, Luo Qiu spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention. Seizing the moment, she quickly wiped her lips with a napkin, saving herself from embarrassment.
“I actually think Mr. Jimmy’s way of speaking is quite interesting,” Luo Qiu said calmly, but his voice carried a subtle gravity that made people want to listen.
Song Ying couldn’t help but notice it. When this guy was silent, he seemed almost invisible—but once he spoke, even the dullest words drew attention.
And she had to admit, it was infuriating… not to mention, that faint perfume scent again!
“Why do you say that?” Song Ying asked with a straight face.
Luo Qiu looked at her. “Let’s put it another way. As long as people exist in this world, there will always be chances for them to meet and care for each other. Probability, after all, also believes in possibilities—doesn’t it?”
At the first half of his sentence, Song Ying’s heart skipped involuntarily. By the second half, she rolled her eyes—so annoying!
Do you even know why I brought you here? What’s with that line?!
“Excuse me,” Jimmy stood up politely. “I’ll just go to the restroom for a moment.”
Sensing the odd tension, Ziyun quickly added, “Miss, Young Master, I’ll go touch up my makeup too. You two keep chatting—haha…”
With the waiters stationed outside, the private room was left with just the two of them.
Song Ying wore a black dress today. She had taken off her coat, and though the heater was on, the early spring chill still lingered. Tiny goosebumps rose on her pale skin, and she folded her arms, rubbing them lightly.
But the legendary “take off his coat and drape it over her shoulders” moment didn’t happen. Luo Qiu simply adjusted the thermostat and asked the waiter to bring fresh tea.
Feeling even more irritated, Song Ying said dryly, “Nice outfit. Your girlfriend picked it?”
“Yeah,” Luo Qiu nodded.
She rolled her eyes, feeling oddly uncomfortable. “You’re honest, I’ll give you that. You should learn from Jimmy—he’d never admit it.”
“Have you been feeling unwell lately?”
Having hit a wall again and again, she sighed. “Still fine. It’s just the startup phase, so it’s busy. Thanks for asking… Wait, are you actually worried about me?”
Luo Qiu nodded. “I think I should be. Don’t you like that?”
“Like… Like your head!” she muttered, pressing her forehead as if to ward him off.
Then something light fell over her shoulders. Startled, she looked up—it was just her own coat, the one hanging on the chair.
Luo Qiu had gone to the window, gazing outside. Somehow, that casual gesture made it seem like he did it without even thinking. She sighed helplessly.
He opened the window slightly, letting in a cool draft. The fresh air swept away the room’s heavy atmosphere.
“Spring’s here,” Luo Qiu said.
March and April—springtime.
Song Ying looked up, surprised. Through the newly opened curtain, she saw the courtyard beyond, where cherry trees were in bloom. The petals were falling like soft pink snow—so beautiful, yet fleeting. She found herself entranced, her posture relaxing unconsciously.
“March and April… and the cherry blossoms,” she murmured. Then suddenly, “Hey, do you think I should dye my hair back?”
……
“Yeah… a young man surnamed Luo. Seems like he was raised by an old, established family, but there’s very little data on him,” Jimmy said into his phone, standing in the restroom.
“Song Ying doesn’t seem to be taking orders from him, but she definitely respects him. Their exact relationship is unclear.”
But the voice on the other end—Mr. House—didn’t seem particularly interested. He said a few indifferent words before ending the call.
Jimmy stared at the phone, smiling faintly. Mr. House was an old man near retirement; his enthusiasm had long waned. But Jimmy was still young, ambitious, and full of drive—the business meant far more to him.
He hung up, then sneered coldly at his reflection in the mirror. The expression vanished as quickly as it came, replaced by his usual polished smile.
Just then, someone entered the restroom—a figure in a trench coat and hat, the brim pulled low to hide most of their face.
Jimmy glanced at the stranger in the mirror, watching as the figure walked up behind him. The moment the person stopped, Jimmy turned sharply.
At the same instant, the stranger lifted their head.
Jimmy’s eyes widened, his mouth fell open, and he stumbled back, hitting the sink. “You…”
……
Ziyun finished fixing her makeup early and returned to the private room door—but didn’t go in right away.
After confirming with the waiters that Jimmy hadn’t returned, she decided to wait outside. Soon, she received a text message from him saying he had to leave early and had already paid the bill.
Though puzzled, she didn’t think too much of it.
After waiting about half an hour, she finally pushed the door open.
Inside, Song Ying was leaning on the table while Luo Qiu stood by the window, both gazing at the view outside.
Ziyun covered her mouth, chuckling softly. “Miss, Young Master, sorry! Took a call, so I’m late.”
Song Ying slowly returned from her relaxed daze and responded with a simple “Oh.”
Ziyun continued, “Just now, Mr. Jimmy left a message—said something came up and he had to go. He asked me to apologize on his behalf and said he’ll treat you next time.”
Miss Ying waved her hand grandly. “If he invites us again next time, just turn him down. That slick-tongued guy—deal with him for me. Since that Mr. House only sent his assistant, you can represent me. You’re a good match for him anyway.”
Luo Qiu chuckled softly.
“What are you laughing at? Did I say something wrong?” Song Ying glared at him.
Ziyun stepped forward and whispered, “Miss… ‘a good match’ isn’t used that way. It’s for arranged marriages, meaning the two families are of equal standing.”
“Oh, your Chinese is so amazing now!” Song Ying bristled instantly. “That Jimmy looks decent enough—careful, or I really will marry you off to him!”
Unlike Young Master Song, who was well-versed in traditional studies, Song Ying had spent most of her education abroad. If not for the Song family’s adherence to Chinese traditions, she probably would’ve been completely westernized by now.
“Miss, that’s not what I meant…” Ziyun said pitifully, casting a pleading look toward Young Master Qiu for help.
“Could you get me a plate of fried rice?” Luo Qiu said casually. “I think I didn’t eat enough… and check what Song Ying might like too. She barely ate anything earlier.”
“Yes, right away!” Ziyun replied with relief and hurried out the door.
Song Ying shot Luo Qiu an annoyed glance. He smiled and said, “By the way, how have the old man and Song Haoran been lately? Tell me how they’re doing.”
Song Ying shook her head, half pouting, half teasing. “You’re really a master at changing the subject, you know that?”
Then she sighed. “Forget it. I’ll let you off this time. Come on, I’ll tell you about Grandpa and Song Haoran.”
Lunch stretched on for more than an hour before they finally left the club. Song Ying had wanted to give Luo Qiu a ride, but he declined.
So Miss Ying’s bottled-up annoyance finally exploded in the car. She turned to Ziyun and said, “Ziyun, starting today, you’re banned from watching dramas!”
“Miss, you might as well just marry me off…”
…
Night, Auston Pharmaceuticals.
Jimmy walked briskly down the corridor. Every security guard he passed greeted him respectfully. He finally arrived at Mr. House’s office.
Inside, besides Mr. House, there were two doctors and three nurses. An IV hung from Mr. House’s arm.
He seemed to have been waiting for quite some time and was resting with his eyes closed.
Jimmy glanced around the office before stepping forward and lowering his voice. “Sorry, Boss, something delayed me.”
Mr. House slowly opened his eyes, gave Jimmy a surprised look, then nodded and gestured for the doctor to remove the IV needle.
Once the medical staff had quietly packed up and left, Jimmy said, “Boss, your health—”
Mr. House shook his head, stood with the help of his cane, and told Jimmy to lock the office door. As Jimmy did, a strange sound came from behind him.
One of the display cabinets along the wall split open—it was actually hiding a secret room.
Jimmy’s expression remained calm as he moved to Mr. House’s side.
Mr. House exhaled softly. “Come with me and check the progress.”
Once the two entered the passage, the cabinet slid shut again. But moments later, the locked office door glowed faintly with a dark red mark.
The mark flickered and vanished—and the lock clicked open on its own.
A woman in leather clothes and pants, wearing a silver mask that covered the upper half of her face, strode into the room.
She looked around suspiciously before fixing her gaze on the cabinet. After a moment’s thought, she traced her finger along its edge, sketching a dark red symbol similar to the one that had appeared on the lock.
“Open,” she whispered.
…
The passage wasn’t long, ending in an iron staircase. Jimmy supported Mr. House as they descended into a wide chamber.
It was as large as a basketball court. Dozens of armed men guarded various entry points, while researchers in white coats bustled between machines and instruments.
At the center stood a massive cylindrical container on a raised base.
A middle-aged foreign man approached with a man and a woman, greeting Mr. House respectfully.
“I’ll take a look at him,” Mr. House said directly.
The man nodded, then gestured politely to Jimmy before taking his place beside Mr. House, helping him walk toward the container.
“When will it be finished?” Mr. House asked as they neared.
“Soon,” the man replied. “That equation you sent over was indeed the missing piece we needed. We can run the final test tomorrow.”
Mr. House’s face suddenly lit up with energy. He quickened his pace, even tossing aside his cane.
A young technician at the console pressed a button, and the front of the sealed container slowly opened a narrow window.
Jimmy’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Through the glass, he saw a faint green liquid—and within it, a human face.
It resembled Mr. House’s—six or seven parts identical.
The figure inside appeared to be asleep, breathing through a life-support mask.
Mr. House’s trembling hand reached out, caressing the glass as if it were a precious treasure. “Soon… very soon…”
Just then, a piercing alarm blared through the entire facility.
“Someone’s broken in!”
It was a guard’s shout from the entrance.
(End of Chapter)