Still Waters Run Deep (Continued)

Days passed in this tranquil yet sweetly puzzling atmosphere.

A month flew by in the blink of an eye.

The net around Li Xiujian had tightened completely.

Mo Qingli had mobilized all her connections in Europe's financial world.

Over a dozen top-tier banks formed a joint investigation team.

Accusing him of "suspected market manipulation and unfair competition," they launched the strictest financial scrutiny into dozens of his offshore accounts.

Li Xiujian's overseas funds were frozen entirely—severing his most vital lifeline.

Now a cornered beast, Li Xiujian grew desperate.

He frantically sought help domestically, but there was only one person he could turn to:

Wang Chen, deputy director of the Financial Regulatory Bureau.

Yet every move Wang Chen made unfolded under the surveillance of Lu Chenyuan and Zhang Qi’s meticulously laid trap.

Every call, every suspicious transaction—all meticulously documented.

The evidence compiled for the highest authorities grew thicker, more irrefutable.

The time to close the net was near.

...

That afternoon, Lu Chenyuan finally had the cast on his leg removed.

After an examination, the doctor confirmed his bones had healed well—he could try walking again.

Leaning on a crutch with Zhang Qi’s support, he rose from the wheelchair.

His left foot touched the floor.

The long-lost sensation of standing grounded him, leaving him momentarily dazed.

He took a tentative step forward.

It was laborious, but steady.

Another step.

Gradually, he released Zhang Qi’s hand, relying solely on the crutch as he paced slowly around the living room.

"Mr. Lu, take it easy," Zhang Qi urged, watching nervously.

"I’m fine," Lu Chenyuan paused, a faint sheen of sweat on his forehead.

Outside the window, the sunset blazed.

Soon, the familiar chime of the doorbell would ring.

He wanted to surprise her.

"Is it ready?" Zhang Qi asked, eyeing the embroidery frame still draped with velvet in the corner.

Over the past month, every time he came to report, he’d seen Lu Chenyuan working on it.

He couldn’t fathom what his boss was crafting.

"Yes," Lu Chenyuan nodded.

He walked over and lifted the velvet cover himself.

Zhang Qi’s eyes widened instantly.

On the frame sat a completed masterpiece—no, even "masterpiece" felt inadequate.

It was a palm-sized pendant.

At its center bloomed a lotus, its petals meticulously embroidered with layers of fine silver thread, shimmering under the light with a soft, moonlit glow.

The stamen was crafted from delicately hammered tin foil, forming a three-dimensional core that gleamed brilliantly, refracting light like scattered gems.

The entire piece was exquisitely designed, its craftsmanship intricate—blending the opulence of metal with the gentleness of embroidery.

It was breathtaking.

"You... made this?" Zhang Qi stammered, unable to reconcile this dazzling artwork with his ruthless, decisive boss.

"Yes."

Lu Chenyuan carefully detached the pendant from the frame.

Beneath it dangled a polished sandalwood plaque, inlaid with two silver characters:

Qingli.

Zhang Qi understood immediately.

His gaze toward Lu Chenyuan was filled with admiration... and a hint of pity.

His boss had truly gone all out to win a woman’s heart.

This level of skill was unreal.

"You can head back now," Lu Chenyuan said.

"Understood." Zhang Qi took his leave.

Not long after, the doorbell chimed right on schedule.

Ding-dong—

Lu Chenyuan took a deep breath, slipping the pendant into his pocket.

Then, he set aside the crutch and walked—slowly, unsteadily, but unaided—toward the door.

His steps were halting, but his posture remained upright.

He opened the door.

Mo Qingli stood outside, holding a food container, her usual smile in place.

"I made—"

Her words died mid-sentence.

She stared, stunned, at Lu Chenyuan standing before her—no wheelchair, no crutch.

Just him, solid and real, right there.

Though his stance was still unsteady, his tall, straight figure was exactly as she remembered from a month ago.

"You..." Her voice trembled.

"I’m healed," Lu Chenyuan smiled.

Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind him, gilding his silhouette in gold.

Mo Qingli’s eyes reddened abruptly, without warning.

All the worry, all the longing of the past month surged into overwhelming relief and joy.

But she didn’t cry.

Instead, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him.

The food container hit the ground with a thud, its contents spilling across the floor.

Neither cared.

Lu Chenyuan stiffened momentarily at her sudden embrace, then relaxed, returning it.

Her body was soft, carrying her familiar fragrance.

His chest was firm, radiating a warmth that steadied her.

No words were needed.

This embrace said everything.

After a long moment, Mo Qingli finally pulled back, cheeks faintly flushed.

"Sorry, I got carried away," she murmured, glancing at the mess on the floor. "What a waste of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall."

Lu Chenyuan chuckled.

"It’s fine. Next time, I’ll cook for you."

Mo Qingli’s head snapped up in shock.

"You can cook?"

"A little," he admitted.

In his past life, living in the village had forced him to learn.

While no gourmet chef, he could handle homely dishes well enough.

Her astonished expression sent a wave of satisfaction through him.

He loved seeing her react to him—her usual composure replaced by vivid, unguarded emotion.

He stepped aside.

"Come in. Don’t just stand there."

"Mm."

Mo Qingli entered, her smile irrepressible as she watched his slow but independent strides.

Lu Chenyuan stopped in the living room and turned.

From his pocket, he retrieved the tin-embroidered pendant.

Holding it out to her, he said simply:

"For you."

Mo Qingli’s gaze landed on the pendant.

When she saw the radiant silver lotus and the engraved Qingli on the sandalwood below, she froze.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she took it.

The metal was cool to the touch, the wood smooth and warm.

It had weight—substance.

"This... is..." She looked up at him.

"The culprit behind all those bandages on my hands this month," Lu Chenyuan said, amusement threading his voice.

Mo Qingli’s heart clenched.

So...

All this time, he’d been making this for her.

Every day.

And all her teasing remarks—how must they have sounded to him?

A bittersweet ache swelled in her chest.

She stared at him, speechless.

Seeing the earnestness in his eyes—and a trace of barely concealed anticipation—she spoke each word deliberately.

"I love it."

"Truly, deeply love it."

This was the most precious gift she had ever received in her life.

Lu Chenyuan watched her genuine smile, and the last flicker of unease in his heart finally settled.

Just then, his phone rang. It was Lin Yuan.

Lu Chenyuan answered the call.

"Speak."

"President Lu, the fish is in the net." Lin Yuan's voice brimmed with barely restrained excitement.

"Wang Chen just used his highest-level clearance to alter a core parameter in the 'Future City' data center."

"Every action he took has been recorded, leaving irrefutable evidence."

"At the same time, Li Xiujian's domestic account just transferred a massive sum to an affiliate company of 'Ocean Data.'"

"The entire chain of evidence is airtight."

"Time to close the net."

"Understood!"