Chapter 1353
Unrequited Love 7
Chapter 1353 Unrequited Love 7
Chu Qian was working in his office, but the more he worked, the more restless he became. He calculated that Xu Yanzhen should have arrived by now, but why hadn't she come yet? Unable to sit still any longer, he got up and headed for the elevator.
As he walked out of the office, he encountered Mr. Song, a partner at the law firm, who looked hurried.
"Song Lu, what's going on?"
Song Lu nodded slightly and hurried out: "President Zhou from Shiyun and another lady encountered an elevator malfunction. I'm going to take a look."
"Madam?" Chu Qian's scalp tingled. Could it be Xu Yanzhen? He subconsciously called Xu Yanzhen, but no one answered the phone. Chu Qian knew something was wrong.
He opened the fire escape door and hurried downstairs. Song Lu followed closely behind, and the two of them ran every two floors to check the elevator. They didn't stop until they reached the 26th floor.
Xu Yanzhen's face was pale, and she was no longer in the mood for jokes. As the elevator descended floor by floor, she felt as if her heart was about to jump out of her throat.
If Tan You hadn't been there, she would probably have been cowering on the ground in fear. A self-deprecating smile played on Xu Yanzhen's lips as she moved her phone. The next second, the light dimmed; her phone had run out of battery and shut down.
Xu Yanzhen took a breath, sweat breaking out on her back. She looked in Zhou Jinxu's direction and said, "Hello, if it's convenient, could you turn on the light with your phone? I'm a little nervous."
Zhou Jinxu silently turned on his phone's light and saw that the woman, who had been so calm just moments before, was now almost pressed against the elevator car, her fingers gripping the handrail turning white.
Zhou Jinxu raised his eyebrows slightly. Was it fear of the dark? Or claustrophobia?
"The elevator has stopped, and the maintenance personnel will be here soon." Zhou Jinxu changed the subject to reassure Xu Yanzhen.
With the light, Xu Yanzhen relaxed a bit. She took a deep breath and said, "I hope so. I've already counted to 258. It'll be almost over."
Just as she was about to continue counting silently, a shout came from outside.
"Teacher Xu? Teacher Xu, are you inside?"
"Mr. Zhou, the repairmen will be here soon. Are you alright?"
Hearing Chu Qian's voice and knowing that someone was waiting for her outside, Xu Yanzhen finally felt like she was still truly alive. She called out, "Lawyer Chu, I'm inside."
Chu Qian panicked even more. He knew that Xu Yanzhen had claustrophobia. He raised his voice and said, "Are you alright? Don't be afraid, I'm right outside."
"I know, I'm not afraid." Xu Yanzhen glanced at Zhou Jinxu beside her and tried to comfort Chu Qian.
Hearing Song Lu's voice outside, Zhou Jinxu also spoke up: "I'm here, everything's fine for now."
Hearing that the two were alright, the people outside gradually relaxed. At that moment, the elevator maintenance personnel arrived, and the elevator finally opened.
Seeing the light again, Xu Yanzhen truly felt like she had survived a catastrophe. She gripped the elevator door, her legs trembling. Upon seeing Chu Qian, Xu Yanzhen even managed a smile.
"Pretending to be tough," Zhou Jinxu commented casually.
She pointed to the cake in the elevator, which was no longer recognizable: "Chu Lu, the sentiment that Yuexin asked me to convey has been completely wasted. I'll have to apologize to Yuexin later."
Chu Qian grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the elevator: "At a time like this, you're still thinking about these things? Are you really alright?"
“It’s really nothing,” Xu Yanzhen shook her head, then turned to thank Zhou Jinxu, “Thank you so much for today.” Zhou Jinxu followed her out of the elevator, “It’s nothing, it was a novel experience for me too.”
Chu Qian carefully supported her: "Your whole body is shaking, can you still walk?"
"It's okay, I'll be fine after a bit." Xu Yanzhen waved her hand: "Go ahead and attend your social engagements, don't let it affect your work."
After confirming that Xu Yanzhen was indeed alright, Chu Qian went to talk to Zhou Jinxu. He had met Zhou Jinxu before, but they were only nodding acquaintances. Now that they had met, they were bound to exchange a few words.
Zhou Jinxu looked at Xu Yanzhen, who was leaning against the wall and drinking coffee. Her right hand was trembling slightly. Her eyelashes were lowered, and she was no longer the strong-willed person she had been just now.
“Professor Xu is a friend of Attorney Chu; they’ve known each other for several years.” Lawyers are all shrewd people, and when Zhou Jinxu’s gaze fell on Xu Yanzhen, Attorney Song gleaned a few clues.
“Every year, no matter what holiday it is, Teacher Xu will send Chu Lu a cake, as a favor.”
Zhou Jinxu raised an eyebrow slightly. "Entrusted by someone? Is it that Yuexin? So, Xu Yanzhen and Chu Qian aren't a couple?"
Seeing the change in his expression, Song Lu knew he had guessed correctly. He smiled and said, "Teacher Xu is very conscientious and responsible."
Zhou Jinxu didn't ask any more questions; he would find out the rest himself when he got back. He patted Song Lu on the shoulder: "It's rare for me to come all this way, I didn't expect there to be such an unexpected situation."
Song Luyi solemnly assured, "I will complain to the property management company, and this situation must never happen again."
As he spoke, he glanced at Xu Yanzhen leaning against the wall, then looked at Zhou Jinxu, who was exuding an imposing aura, and suddenly wondered if he had stumbled into the scene of an idol drama.
If this were a scene from a Korean drama, it would be the perfect first encounter between the male and female leads—how romantic! But how come Ms. Xu is getting younger and more beautiful? She doesn't look like she's in her thirties at all.
After downing half a cup of coffee, Xu Yanzhen managed to calm herself down. She watched Chu Qian, Song Lu, and the unknown man converse, then quietly moved further away to make sure she wasn't bothering anyone.
They talked for about five minutes before Chu Qian came over. "I came out in a hurry, and the office hasn't been tidied up yet. Would you like to come upstairs with me, Teacher Xu?"
He glanced at the elevator next to him and said, "That elevator is working well."
Xu Yanzhen nodded: "Then I'll go upstairs and wait. I came in a hurry, I hope I didn't disturb your work?"
"Just a few finishing touches left, after all, it's the last day of work before the New Year." Chu Qian pressed the elevator button, and the four of them entered the elevator. This time, the elevator ran smoothly and arrived at the 32nd floor without any problems.
When they arrived at the law firm, the receptionist was already preparing to leave. But upon seeing Attorney Song and Attorney Chu enter, the receptionist straightened her face and bowed, saying, "Attorney Song, Attorney Chu."
Song Lu nodded slightly: "President Zhou, would you like to sit in my office for a while? I recently acquired some fine tea."
Zhou Jinxu followed him silently, glancing out of the corner of his eye to see Xu Yanzhen go in another direction, while Chu Qian went to his office. Judging by this, Xu Yanzhen seemed quite familiar with the place?
Thinking of this guess, Zhou Jinxu felt inexplicably depressed.
In the restroom, after calming herself down and connecting her phone to the power bank, Xu Yanzhen called Shi Yuexin. Shi Yuexin's energetic voice came through: "Merry Christmas! Teacher! Did Brother Chu Qian receive my gift?"
Xu Yanzhen said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Yuexin. I encountered an elevator malfunction on my way to deliver this gift, and the cake was accidentally knocked over. I'll buy a new one when I get out."