Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 830: Congee

"I will seriously consider it." In response to Song Ying's question, Luo Qiu gave this answer. Of course, Song Ying didn’t expect to get the answer she anticipated—because this guy was too calm... so calm that it was a little frightening. No matter how strong a person is, or how indifferent they are to life and death, or even if they are just trying to put on a facade of calm, there are always signs to follow. He felt no pity for the white man who cheated at cards, nor was he moved by the sight of the man’s severed hand. As for the final scene of feeding the crocodile, it felt more like watching a circus act—one that wasn’t very exciting. He was either completely cold-blooded or inherently emotionally flawed—or perhaps, to him, such things were merely child’s play. "What exactly are you?" Song Ying fixed her gaze on Luo Qiu, trying hard to catch any subtle change in his expression. "For you, I am Luo Qiu," he said after a moment of thought. "For us?" Song Ying frowned. "What does that mean? Who are you, then?" "Miss Song doesn't need to worry too much," Luo Qiu smiled slightly. "In fact, I won’t stay long. Perhaps a few days, or maybe a week, and then I’ll leave." "You’re leaving?" Song Ying was surprised by this unexpected answer. "Depends on the situation. If there are more interesting things happening here, I might stay a few extra days," Luo Qiu replied nonchalantly. "Really?" Song Ying raised her eyebrows and scoffed, "Good. I'll make sure you feel unprecedented boredom." With that, Song Ying said no more and ignored Luo Qiu as she left the hotel’s independent villa suite with Ottas accompanying her. She made no arrangements for Luo Qiu's hospitality and didn’t speak to him again, treating him almost as if he were invisible—despite that, the hotel staff didn’t dare to act that way. Although Miss Song seemed to have had a disagreement with Mr. Luo... she didn’t actually kick him out, did she? Heaven knows if Miss Song would suddenly say, "You don’t need to come to work tomorrow." Thus, the hotel’s general manager, Ottas, didn’t dare to show any neglect towards this young man. "Um... Miss Song is actually a very nice person. Why don’t you go and smooth things over?" "We're not in the kind of relationship you think," Luo Qiu shook his head with a smile. "You don’t need to worry about me. Mr. Ottas, you must be busy too; I’m fine on my own." Since Song Ying gave no indication of her feelings, Luo Qiu followed her until they arrived in a spacious office. At this moment, General Manager Ottas glanced at Song Ying, who was silently reading documents at her desk, and could only smile wryly before lowering his voice. "Alright, Mr. Luo, if you need anything, just let someone know. There’s a secretary on duty outside; you can tell her, and I’ll make arrangements." "Thank you." ___ After Ottas left, Song Ying suddenly looked up and glanced at Luo Qiu. Sensing her gaze, Luo Qiu curiously asked, "Is something wrong?" Unexpectedly, Song Ying just stared intently at him. After a while, it seemed like she had figured something out and placed her hands on the keyboard to start typing. Luo Qiu smiled and casually raised the air conditioning temperature by two degrees. He then tiptoed over to the office bookshelf and picked up a book. "If you’re tired, feel free to find a room to sleep in," Song Ying said without looking up. At some point, her typing had turned from writing to drawing on a document. "The service at this hotel is pretty good. If you have any special needs, they can accommodate you. Although I don’t have any good feelings towards you, you are still part of the Song family, so I can’t treat you poorly." "I’m fine just reading," Luo Qiu replied, pointing at the book he had taken from the shelf. The Classic of Tea. "Suit yourself," Song Ying said, lowering her head to get back to work. "Would you like me to get you a glass of water?" Luo Qiu glanced at the cup next to Song Ying, which was almost empty. "Don't disturb me," Song Ying replied without looking up. "And turn the air conditioning back to how it was; I’m afraid of the heat." Luo Qiu nodded and walked over to the wall control panel to reset the air conditioning to its original temperature. He then returned to the sofa, this time walking even more quietly. Reading an e-book would be more convenient and comprehensive. But nothing beats the feel of a physical book. Luo Qiu enjoyed reading, and before long, he was absorbed in the content of The Classic of Tea. The minute and second hands of the white clock on the wall moved slowly. Two o'clock… two-thirty… three-fifteen… Occasionally, Song Ying would look up to check on Luo Qiu, who was reading, before lowering her head to continue working. At four o'clock… four-thirty-eight… Song Ying stood up with a document in hand, twirling her pen and completely immersed in her work. She barely felt the presence of another person in the office apart from herself. She almost... no, she had completely ignored Luo Qiu’s existence. In the early morning, at 6:23 AM, Song Ying threw down her pen, stretched, and massaged her shoulders. "Has he left?" Song Ying looked at the spot where Luo Qiu had been sitting, but he was gone… she didn’t even know when he had left. Song Ying then directly called the secretary outside the office, "Where's that guy with the last name Luo? Did he find a room to sleep in?" The secretary replied, "No, Miss Song. This morning, a few gentlemen came and took Mr. Luo away." "Took him away? Who?" Song Ying frowned. "It was young Master Song who came personally," the secretary hurriedly explained. "They left more than twenty minutes ago." "Alright, I understand." Song Ying relaxed a bit—apparently, Luo Qiu hadn’t returned overnight. Even her uncle, Song Haoran, couldn’t sit still, so he came in person to fetch him. Song Ying shook her head; she didn’t like how her grandfather and uncle treated this guy like a treasure. "Does Mr. Song have anything to say?" "Mr. Song said he’s going to take someone back to have breakfast with the chairman. He said the chairman hasn’t woken up yet, so there’s still time..." “Mind your own business...” Song Ying muttered and then shook her head. “Bring me something to eat; I’m a bit hungry.” Before long, the secretary came in carrying a tray. On the tray was just a porcelain bowl, and what was inside surprised Song Ying: "Plain congee?" The secretary nodded and said, “Miss Ying, you’ve pulled an all-nighter, so it’s better to eat something light.” Song Ying shook her head and said, “Take it away; I’m not eating this. It’s too bland, and I don’t like tasteless things. Have you forgotten?” The secretary looked a bit disappointed and anxious, then gritted her teeth and said, “Miss Ying, you should try it; I actually cooked it for a long time. And it’s not tasteless; I added ginkgo.” Song Ying glanced at the secretary, causing the little secretary’s back to feel a chill, but she suddenly picked up the spoon and took a bite. Soft and sticky, though bland, it had the sweet aftertaste of ginkgo that spread in her mouth, as if it washed away her fatigue in an instant. Song Ying’s appetite suddenly opened up, and she began eating spoonful after spoonful. “Not bad; I can eat this,” Song Ying nodded. The little secretary’s spirits lifted immediately, and she hurriedly said, “There’s more in the kitchen. If Miss Ying likes it, shall I get you some more?” Song Ying nodded. --- The little secretary happily left the office holding the bowl, but she suddenly glanced at her own position—about an hour and a half earlier. That Mr. Luo had suddenly come out and asked her, “Do you want Miss Song to praise you for smiling?” “But…” “Your lady is the kind of person who wouldn’t refuse someone’s kindness.”