Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Silent Synergy at the Gala

Three days before the industry gala, Lin Man called Su Wan into her office and handed her a gilded invitation card: "You'll attend this gala with Mr. Lu.""Huh?" Su Wan held the invitation, her fingertips growing warm. "Why the two of us?""Stellar Center is now the company's key project. As the core leaders, your joint appearance will show more clients our sincerity in cooperation," Lin Man smiled, patting her shoulder. "Besides, I heard Mr. Lu specifically mentioned to the organizers that he wants to partner with you for the opening speech."When Su Wan returned to her workstation, there was already a message from Lu Chengyu on her phone: "I've drafted a version of the gala speech. Take a look and see if any adjustments are needed. Shall we coordinate at the coffee shop downstairs at 7 p.m. tonight?"Looking at the message, she suddenly remembered how he'd helped her find an apartment—he always seemed to arrange everything in advance when it came to matters related to her.On the night of the gala, Su Wan stood at the banquet hall entrance in a lavender gown, clutching the hem nervously. Just then, familiar footsteps sounded behind her. She turned around to find Lu Chengyu in a black suit, a silver brooch pinned to his collar—its pattern exactly matching the architectural outline of Stellar Center."Nervous?" He walked over, his voice soft. "Don't worry, I'm here."When Su Wan looked up, she happened to meet his gaze—the lights reflected in his eyes, like twinkling stars. Her nerves suddenly melted away, and she even couldn't help asking: "Mr. Lu, this brooch...""I had a designer make it specially," Lu Chengyu touched the brooch lightly with his fingertip, the corner of his mouth lifting. "It goes well with your gown color, doesn't it?"As soon as they entered the banquet hall, a crowd of people surrounded them. During the toast, someone mentioned the underground landscape design of Stellar Center. Lu Chengyu instinctively stepped aside, giving the floor to Su Wan: "All the core ideas for this project come from Designer Su. She understands the space better than I do."Su Wan took over, talking from tourist experience to commercial value in a clear, logical manner. When she finished, she found Lu Chengyu looking at her with undisguised approval, even quietly handing her a glass of warm water: "You've been talking for a while—moisten your throat first."A senior designer beside them joked with a smile: "The synergy between you two is incredible. People who don't know you might think you've been collaborating for years."During the interactive segment in the middle of the gala, the host announced that partners would need to complete a mini architectural model. As soon as Su Wan drew her number, she saw Lu Chengyu walking over with the same number card, holding a small bag: "I guessed there might be a hands-on session, so I asked my assistant to bring a utility knife and glue."When they opened the material package, Su Wan looked at the cardboard, colored pens, and ribbons, suddenly suggesting: "Shall we make a simplified version of Stellar Center? Including the underground aquarium too."Lu Chengyu nodded immediately, picking up the utility knife to cut the cardboard with precise movements, as if he'd measured the dimensions in advance. Su Wan was in charge of decoration. Just as she glued the blue ribbon to the "aquarium" section, Lu Chengyu handed her a silver marker: "Add a few lines here, like the reflection on the glass curtain wall—it'll be more realistic."Ten minutes later, when the mini Stellar Center model was placed on the table, the entire hall fell silent—even the light holes for the underground landscape space had been dotted with a highlighter by Lu Chengyu, glowing like scattered stars when the lights dimmed.The host smiled and said: "What a perfect partnership! It's no wonder the Stellar Center project has been such a success."When the gala ended, a light drizzle was falling outside. Lu Chengyu draped his suit jacket over Su Wan's shoulders, leading her toward the parking lot: "Don't get the jacket dirty. I'll have my assistant send it to the cleaners tomorrow."Soft piano music played in the car. Wrapped in the cedar-scented jacket, Su Wan watched the streetlights flicker by outside the window. Lu Chengyu occasionally turned to ask: "Are you tired? Should I take you to get something to eat first?"She shook her head, but her heart felt warm as if soaked in warm water—from their tacit cooperation at the gala, to the warm water he handed her, and the jacket he draped over her shoulders, every detail told her that her feelings for Lu Chengyu were far more than just "gratitude."