My time isn't free

S city at this time of the year was beginning to get hot and humid. Many women out on the street put on shorter dresses that had been at rest for most of the year. It was the same for Ying Yue, who was dressed in a sleeveless baby blue dress that ended right above her knees, and a long, white, unbuttoned sleeveless waist coat to seem more formal.

The temperature that day was about 27 degrees Celsius. People in the restaurant and even out on the street were dressed lightly for the weather. Even Su Jianjun ditched his usual vest and tie, settling instead for a plain blue button-down shirt under a linen blazer.

That was why, when a man walked in the restaurant wearing a red turtleneck under a black suit jacket, that person stuck out like a sore thumb, immediately earning a few stares and whispers as he made his way across the room.

As Ying Yue's seat was facing the wall, she didn't notice his arrival.

The three of them were already finishing up their meal when this man caught Su Jianjun's eye. With a smirk, he held up a hand to signal the man over. "My COO just arrived."

Fei Haocheng had a bored look on his face as he took a glance at his watch. "I hope your COO could discuss things quickly, Director Su. I'm a busy man."

"Well, if you need to go, perhaps Miss Ying could stay with us, instead."

She eyed him carefully and frowned. "My time isn't free, Director Su. I assure you, I also have things to do."

Just then, a tall shadow loomed over their table as the man they were waiting for arrived. Su Jianjun was the only one who seemed pleased to see him. "Mr. Song, you've made our guests wait. Please do apologize to Miss Ying and the Vice President."

The man lowered his head in apology the moment he drew near. However, it wasn't his over-dressed self nor his willingness to apologize that caught Ying Yue's attention. It was his voice that was enigmatic and somewhat familiar. "Director Su, Vice President Fei, Miss Ying, please accept my apology for my tardiness."

His head was still lowered when Ying Yue glanced at him, but his familiar stature caused her to crane her neck to get a good look.

It was Fei Haocheng who nodded in reply. "Please introduce yourself and take a seat."

The man lifted his head and nodded politely, and the sight of him made Ying Yue gasp and drop the fork she was holding up -- making a loud clatter on her plate and causing the nearby waiters to turn their heads over. How could he be here? Her chest felt like it was about to explode any moment now when he focused his gaze on her. It was cold and detached, much unlike the man she once knew. Her mouth opened and closed, opening again only for no sound to come out.

"Sister-in-law, are you alright?" Fei Hoacheng whispered, his voice laced with concern.

This shook her back to reality, making her blink several times as she struggled to set her plate aside with shaking hands. "Yes. Sorry," she gulped, making furtive glances at the man.

That face… that height… that voice… these all belonged to Ying Shen!

"My name is Song Yinan. I am the new COO of Changsu, and I am pleased to make your acquaintance." The man took his seat opposite Ying Yue, who now had her hands fisted on her lap to keep them from shaking.

She needed to keep her composure. If this man was really Ying Shen, he would recognize her, right?

Su Jianjun watched her with amusement, like he was watching a certain television drama unfold in front of his very eyes. He had to press his lips together to keep himself from laughing. "Song Yinan, before you arrived, Vice President Fei and Miss Ying had just told me that we would need to send in our proposal should we want to apply for a renewal of our cooperation with them again."

The man took a sip from the glass of water before him. "That's understandable. We have no right to bypass their procedures. I would personally be willing to hand in a proposal from Changsu; however, I hope Vice President Fei and Miss Ying would allow me to discuss what we have to offer in light of the recent changes in the company."

Ying Yue took a long complicated look at him before glancing away again. He looked too much like Ying Shen -- exactly like Ying Shen.