The weight of their public engagement settled upon Lin Wei like an invisible cloak, subtly altering the dynamics of her professional life at Stellaris Tech. Colleagues who had once treated her with straightforward professional respect now offered curious glances, their conversations occasionally punctuated by hushed whispers and knowing smiles. The carefully crafted narrative of her blossoming romance with the formidable CEO was out there, a digital wildfire spreading through news outlets and social media feeds, a stark and often jarring contrast to the pragmatic contract gathering digital dust on Qin Feng's impeccably organized desk. Their interactions at work remained strictly professional, a carefully maintained facade of polite colleagues, but the undercurrent of their impending "union" colored every shared meeting, every exchanged glance.
The following morning, Qin Feng informed Lin Wei, via a brief, impersonal comm message, that his grandmother, Mei Qin, was eager to meet with them both to hear the "story" of their relationship. He conveyed this with the same detached politeness he might use to schedule a crucial project review, a stark reminder of the transactional nature of their agreement. Lin Wei, however, felt a surge of nervous anticipation bordering on panic. This was it – the first real, personal test of their fabricated romance, a performance for the one person whose genuine happiness was the catalyst for this entire charade.
They found Mei Qin ensconced in the sun-drenched living room of Qin Feng's penthouse, a haven of traditional elegance amidst the sleek modernity of the skyscraper. She looked frail, her silver hair a delicate halo around her face, but her eyes held a keen, expectant gleam, a warmth that belied her physical fragility. She greeted Lin Wei with genuine affection, her hand surprisingly strong as she clasped hers, her touch conveying a heartfelt sincerity that made Lin Wei's conscience twinge. Qin Feng stood beside them, a picture of quiet attentiveness, his usual air of command softened by a familial tenderness.
"So, my dears," Mei Qin began, her gaze shifting between them, a gentle smile playing on her lips that held a hint of playful curiosity. "Tell me how this wonderful thing happened. How did my workaholic grandson finally find such a lovely young woman? I confess, I had almost given up hope."
A wave of near-paralyzing panic momentarily washed over Lin Wei. They had invested all their planning in the public announcement, neglecting the crucial details of their personal "love story." She glanced at Qin Feng, her eyes a silent plea for guidance, a desperate SOS in the face of Mei Qin's innocent inquiry.
Qin Feng, ever the composed strategist, stepped smoothly into the breach. "Nai Nai, as you know, Lin Wei is an exceptionally talented architect here at Stellaris Tech. Her vision and dedication are truly remarkable. We have worked closely on several significant projects, and through that shared professional endeavor, I have always admired her intellect and her unwavering commitment." He turned to Lin Wei, offering a small, almost imperceptible nod, a silent cue to play her part.
Lin Wei picked up the thread, her mind racing to weave a believable narrative from the barest of threads. "And I have always been deeply impressed by CEO Qin's… innovative leadership and his profound commitment to pushing the boundaries of technological advancement," she added, carefully injecting a note of professional admiration into her tone, hoping it sounded vaguely romantic. "His… passion for his work is truly inspiring."
Mei Qin listened intently, her sharp, perceptive eyes missing nothing. "But admiration is not love, my dears. Tell me about the spark. The moment you knew there was something more."
Qin Feng's arm moved with an almost instinctive grace, resting lightly on the small of Lin Wei's back, a possessive gesture for his grandmother's benefit. The unexpected touch sent a jolt of awareness through Lin Wei, a strange and disconcerting mix of surprise and a fleeting, unfamiliar warmth. "It grew gradually, Nai Nai," he said, his voice surprisingly warm, a convincing timbre of affection she hadn't heard before. "Working together, facing challenges, sharing a common passion for creating a better future for Neo-Shanghai… we found a deeper connection, a mutual understanding that transcended professional respect."
Lin Wei, feeling the subtle pressure of his hand, elaborated, improvising with a surprising degree of fluency. "We discovered a shared sense of humor, surprisingly enough," she said, recalling a few late-night work sessions punctuated by dry, sarcastic remarks that had elicited unexpected smiles from Qin Feng. "And… a mutual appreciation for the simple things, like the breathtaking beauty of the city skyline at dawn, when the holographic advertisements haven't fully awakened." She even managed a small, genuine smile, remembering the few times she had shared that quiet moment with him, their focus usually on project deadlines rather than romantic musings. She dared to reach out and briefly touch Qin Feng's hand, a small, deliberate gesture for Mei Qin's benefit. The contact felt surprisingly… natural, a disconcerting mirroring of the public facade they were now so deeply enmeshed in.
Mei Qin watched them, her expression softening with evident satisfaction, a visible weight lifting from her frail shoulders. "It warms my old heart to hear it, Feng'er. You have always been so utterly consumed by your work. It is good, truly good, to see that you have finally found someone who understands your passions and can share the quiet moments of your life."
Just as a fragile sense of relief began to wash over Lin Wei, Qin Feng's personal comm chimed, a jarring intrusion into their carefully constructed tableau. He glanced at the notification, his composed expression momentarily fracturing with a hint of concern. "Excuse me for a moment, Nai Nai, Lin Wei. It seems I have an urgent message from the research division."
He stepped away to take the call, his voice low and serious as he spoke, leaving Lin Wei alone under the intense scrutiny of Mei Qin's gaze. The elderly woman's smile had faded, replaced by a sharp, almost piercing intensity.
"Lin Wei, my dear," she said, her voice losing some of its earlier softness, taking on a more probing, assessing tone. "You seem like a very intelligent and capable young woman. My Feng'er has always had an eye for talent."
"Thank you, Madam Mei," Lin Wei replied, a sudden knot of unease tightening in her stomach. The warmth of the moment had dissipated, replaced by a palpable sense of being examined, judged.
"My grandson… he is a good man, despite his sometimes… singular focus," Mei Qin continued, her gaze unwavering, her eyes seeming to peer directly into Lin Wei's soul. "But he carries a great weight, a deep sense of responsibility for his company, for the legacy of his parents. My only wish is his happiness, to know that he will not face the future entirely on his own." She paused, her eyes searching Lin Wei's with an almost desperate plea. "Your feelings for him… they are genuine, aren't they, my dear?"
Lin Wei hesitated, the carefully constructed lie feeling suddenly flimsy and transparent under Mei Qin's perceptive gaze. How could she possibly convey the truth without shattering the fragile peace this charade was meant to provide, without causing the elderly woman undue distress?
Before she could formulate a convincing answer, a lifeline appeared. Qin Feng returned, his expression neutral once more. "Apologies. A minor issue with a prototype. Everything is under control." He turned to them, his arm instinctively going around Lin Wei's shoulders, a possessive gesture that felt both practiced and strangely… protective.
Just then, Lin Wei's own personal comm chimed, the insistent tone cutting through the tense atmosphere. The caller ID displayed an unfamiliar number. Frowning slightly, she accepted the call.
"Lin Wei? Is that you?" A familiar, slightly anxious voice echoed in her ear, a voice that instantly transported her back to her childhood home. It was her mother.
"Mom? What's wrong?" Lin Wei asked, a sudden spike of worry eclipsing her earlier unease.
"Nothing is wrong, dear," her mother replied, her tone a little too bright, too cheerful. "We just… well, we saw the news. About you and… CEO Qin."
Lin Wei's heart sank like a stone. The carefully controlled narrative had reached the people who mattered most.
"Your father and I… we were so surprised, but also… very happy for you, dear," her mother continued, a palpable wave of hopeful anticipation washing through the comm. "We always wanted you to find someone… settled. And a CEO! That's… quite something, Wei'er!"
Before Lin Wei could formulate a carefully worded explanation, her father's voice chimed in, booming with unexpected enthusiasm. "We're so proud of you, Wei'er! This is… quite unexpected, but absolutely wonderful news! Your mother and I… we've booked our travel. We're coming to Neo-Shanghai to celebrate and finally meet this Qin Feng!"
Lin Wei's eyes widened in alarm, her carefully constructed facade threatening to crumble. "You're… you're coming here?"
"Yes, dear! We booked our transport this morning. We'll be there in a couple of days. We can't wait to meet this… fiancé of yours!" her mother exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement and anticipation.
Lin Wei's carefully constructed lie had just collided headfirst with reality. Her parents were en route to Neo-Shanghai, eager to celebrate a romance that was nothing more than a carefully orchestrated deception, a grand deception that was about to become a very real, and very complicated, family affair, played out under the watchful eyes of both Mei Qin and her own eager parents. The carefully crafted tale was about to face its most challenging audience yet.