As long as she closed her eyes and breathed that scent, it felt as though he was right beside her.

His face – with that kind of half-smiling, mocking expression that no one could see through – repeatedly appearing within the recesses of her mind. There was also his kiss and the scene of him making himself comfortable on her bed.

Song Yu felt her lips heat up. She tossed and turned from sheer irritation and could not fall asleep even though she closed her eyes. Hence, she made a mental note that she ought to wash the bedsheet and blanket at the soonest available opportunity.

…

…

When Friday came, Song Yu told Director Zhao about Qi Chengzhi's decision. Director Zhao was filled with regret because if it were not for Wang Liwei, the project would have been Chengshi's and all these inconveniences would not have occurred.

Song Yu brought luggage with her to work. It was only a simple holdall as she will only be away for a weekend; she did not bring too many things. After she got off work, she brought it with her to Qilin.

"Song Song!" Just before she reached Qilin's entrance, she saw Guan Xiaolin waving at her. Guan Xiaolin smiled and walked to her, then both of them walked together to the entrance.

"Why did you come here personally?" Song Yu asked.

"My father is worried. He wanted me to come so I could help if necessary." With a nose-scrunching smile, Guan Xiaolin wrapped her arm around Song Yu. "My father is really anxious about this business. He refused to accept defeat when Qilin announced that the project was given to Chengshi. But after the deal fell through and Qilin began to consider Guanyu, my father said that this time, he wouldn't lose."

All of a sudden, Guan Xiaolin stopped talking. She explained nervously, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to bring it up on purpose.

"It's nothing." Song Yu smiled and did not take the matter to heart.

"Why did you go back to Chengshi?" Guan Xiaolin frowned. "Why go back to this kind of company? Aren't you afraid that the same thing's gonna happen again?"

"If I didn't come back, I would have lost the chance to design a seven-star hotel." Song Yu understood that fact. The wind had messed up her hair, so she brushed the stray strands aside. "You said that I could go to Guanyu, but one of Guanyu's employees was in charge of this undertaking from the very beginning. A newcomer like me wouldn't have had the power to take that assignment away now, would I? Even if you're there, you wouldn't be supportive of me doing that, right? Not to mention that your boss is your father. And I cannot possibly be offending a new colleague on the first day. So, other than going back to Chengshi, there's no other choice left for me."

"Okay, no more talking about this. Since you've already made your decision, all I can do is support you. But we're competing against each other now, so I won't be going easy on you!" Guan Xiaolin smiled.

"I'll give it my best too." Song Yu nodded.

"Mm, but no matter the outcome, we mustn't let matters at work affect our friendship," Guan Xiaolin remarked. However, her expression betrayed her confidence that she would come out victorious in the end.

When they entered Qilin's lounge, there was already a woman sitting on the sofa. She presented herself in an astute and experienced manner; she looked like she was older than Song Yu by about two years.

Upon seeing the both of them, the woman welcomed them over and listened as Guan Xiaolin introduced her to Song Yu. "This is Fu Junya, our company's architect. She'll be tasked with designing the hotel."