Chapter 56: Who Is More Beautiful

Du Qiu put down his phone and took out his laptop from his backpack. After powering it on, he inserted the memory card and copied the atomic map photos of the crystal pillow into the computer.

He then began to slowly study the patterns within the photos.

Time flew by and when it was one minute short of three o’clock, Du Qiu closed his laptop and turned his head to look towards the door.

At that moment, a lady with short hair and an attractive figure just walked in.

Du Qiu stood up, took a few steps outward, and waved his hand towards Ning Shuangshuang.

Ning Shuangshuang nodded slightly and walked inside. When she sat down opposite Du Qiu, at least two or three pained yelps from men could be heard coming from the direction of the window.

Du Qiu sat back down and chuckled, “The charm of Officer Ning truly is invincible. I’m feeling quite pressured here.”

“Really? I didn’t notice that at all,” Ning Shuangshuang answered as she gestured to call the server over.

Noticing the bottle of pure water in front of Du Qiu, she slightly frowned and asked, “Don’t you like to drink coffee?”

“It’s not that. I didn’t feel it was right to start without you, so I was just waiting,” Du Qiu shook his head and replied.

Ning Shuangshuang’s eyes sparkled with intrigue as she asked, “Then what kind of coffee do you like?”

With that, she took the menu from the server and handed it to Du Qiu.

“Oh, I’m not really knowledgeable about coffee. Whatever you’re having, I’ll have the same,” he said.

Du Qiu generally preferred to drink sodas, but he exercised regularly and had not gained weight.

“Then let’s get two cups of macchiatos,” said Ning Shuangshuang as she handed the menu back to the server.

After the server left, she explained, “I like espresso when I’m busy and macchiatos when I’m relaxing.

This coffee shop is a frequent spot for me; they serve quite authentic Italian coffee here.”

Du Qiu nodded, “Looks like you’re in a relaxed mood now, whereas I am quite nervous.”

Ning Shuangshuang raised her eyes to look at him.

Du Qiu rubbed his temples habitually, “I didn’t expect to meet like this, as if on a blind date.”

“And how would you have preferred to meet?” Ning Shuangshuang’s lips curved slightly.

“I’m not sure. I couldn’t imagine it since we are unlikely to cross paths, or maybe just by chance like that time on the street,” he said.

Right then, the server brought over their coffee. Looking at the sun-shaped pattern on the surface of the coffee, he commented, “So this is the macchiato. It’s quite fun.”

“Yes, I also like the patterns they create. They make you feel relaxed just by seeing them,” she responded.

“Is your job very stressful and… dangerous?” he inquired.

“It’s okay for now,” she replied casually with four simple words, yet Du Qiu felt an invisible pressure.

He had just noticed that Ning Shuangshuang’s hands, partial areas were marked with obvious calluses, indicating her job wasn’t simply a desk job gained through connections.

Additionally, it was already late April in Magic City, and the temperature had risen, with many girls eagerly donning skirts or short sleeves.

However, Ning Shuangshuang was still in long sleeves, which Du Qiu concluded wasn’t due to her being cold.

Considering his grandfather and father had both fallen in the line of duty, Du Qiu was aware of the weight of responsibility shouldered by police officers, let alone someone from the Security Bureau like Ning Shuangshuang.

“I understand you,” Du Qiu replied with the same brevity.

Ning Shuangshuang’s gaze hardened for a few seconds as she looked at him, then she softly asked, “And you? Any recent progress with your company?”

Du Qiu briefly outlined the significant supply agreement reached with Tianqi Company and the current state of his company.

“It seems your company is on track now. There aren’t many domestic companies working on high-end CNC software. With import software being dominant, you must strive for our nation’s pride,” she commended.

“The leader is indeed visionary. In fact, in the last two years, the central data systems have been rising, that’s the national team. My company is more like a guerrilla force, just secured a small base,” he explained.

Ning Shuangshuang covered her mouth and gave Du Qiu a reproachful glance, mentioning, “The enterprise managed by my second uncle primarily uses imported equipment. I often hear him lament the absence of domestic alternatives.”

“Oh? Then your second uncle must be working at a major state enterprise.”

“Why can’t it be a private enterprise?” she queried.

Du Qiu chuckled, “If it were a private enterprise, your second uncle wouldn’t sigh like that; after all, he’s not the boss.”

“How do you know he isn’t the boss?” Ning Shuangshuang casually asked, then quickly realized, “You listen very carefully.”

“When a leader speaks, I must indeed listen carefully,” he replied.

“I’m not your leader. By the way, shouldn’t managers at private enterprises also express such concerns?” she asked.

Du Qiu explained, “Those in private enterprises who talk like this are not the bosses, but purely managers, generally professional managers. They just need to meet the performance targets set by their bosses.

State enterprise managers are different, especially those at state enterprises with substantial high-end imported equipment, which are likely to be central enterprises.

Given the nature of central enterprises, good management could lead to a transition to politics. So those in these positions naturally adopt a mindset of higher-ups.”

“That’s not quite right. Aren’t ordinary citizens concerned about their country and its people too?” Ning Shuangshuang was slightly offended.

“Ordinary citizens may well be concerned about their country and people, but unfortunately, it’s often ineffectual, so most are preoccupied with their own livelihoods,” he replied.

Du Qiu noticed Ning Shuangshuang wanted to argue further, so he quickly changed the subject, “By the way, does your second uncle’s enterprise have high requirements for processing precision?”

Ning Shuangshuang confirmed, “Yes, they’re in the aerospace system; you think they can afford not to?”

“Well, if you get a chance, introduce me to your second uncle. My software can help improve the processing precision of existing machining centers,” he offered.

“Really? Is it that remarkable?” Ning Shuangshuang was skeptical but intrigued, having forgotten her desire to argue.

Du Qiu took a large sip of his coffee before replying, “Officer Ning, are you doubting my professional capabilities? Have you forgotten the favor I did for you the other day?”

“Can you really compare these two things?”

“It’s proof of my expertise. Think about it, if my system can detect such an advanced form of eavesdropping, doesn’t that show my capabilities are top-notch?”

Ning Shuangshuang blinked, “But the equipment at my second uncle’s company is already very high-end.”

“Are you suggesting my software is low-end?” Du Qiu asked, somewhat offended.

Ning Shuangshuang shook her head, seemingly recalling something, then covered her mouth, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

“You’re quite beautiful; you should smile more often,” he told her.

Releasing her hand, Ning Shuangshuang’s clear eyes twinkled, “Really? Then between me and your ex-girlfriend, who is more beautiful?”

“Of course, you are more beautiful,” Du Qiu replied, though he found it strange that Ning Shuangshuang seemed overly interested in his ex-girlfriend. However, he honestly expressed his feelings.

“Then you would like me?”

Du Qiu suddenly felt an odd sensation. This was strange; even if the two had just had an amiable conversation, it wasn’t typical to ask such a question so soon.

Though he found Ning Shuangshuang appealing, he replied, “I probably would…”

“Du Qiu!” A familiar voice suddenly called out from behind him.