Chapter 77: Meeting the Parents?

This was Du Qiu’s first time witnessing Zhang Mingliu in work mode, her entire being radiated with fighting spirit and passion, embodying a modern, strong woman.

Zhang Mingliu’s interview focused predominantly on the exceptional performance of the software, as well as the effort Du Qiu put into it.

Of course, during the interview with Rein Leinar, the comparison between their software and Siemens’ software was emphasized.

After completing the interview, Zhang Mingliu hurried off.

She was on a tight schedule to meet the deadline for tonight’s news publication.

“Du, you and Zhang are, how should I say it, rekindling… an old dream?”

Rein Leinar knew Zhang Mingliu and was aware of the love and subsequent breakup between her and Du Qiu.

Naturally, he had these thoughts after seeing Zhang Mingliu again.

“We’re just ordinary friends,” Du Qiu responded.

“Is that so? Zhang looks great though… Oh my god, I see someone even better!”

While Rein Leinar was speaking, he suddenly pointed behind Du Qiu and exclaimed.

Turning around, Du Qiu saw Ning Shuangshuang approaching steadily from the workshop entrance.

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows above the workshop and fell directly onto Ning Shuangshuang.

Her wheat-colored skin glowed, her short hair fluttered slightly as she moved, and there was an indescribable beauty to her light steps.

“Do you need something from me?”

“Can’t I come without a reason?” Ning Shuangshuang’s eyes danced as she stood in front of Du Qiu, looking at him.

Du Qiu scratched his head and said, “Of course you can. Come sit in my office.”

“No, come with me. I’m taking you to meet someone,” she replied.

Du Qiu was taken aback and said, “Okay.”

Then, turning to Rein Leinar, who was somewhat absent-minded, he said, “I have to step out. Tell Yuan Minhua that the new employees’ meet and greet is postponed until tomorrow.”

After finishing his words, Du Qiu quickly caught up with Ning Shuangshuang, who was already heading out.

At the financial department entrance on the office building floor, Qin Yun watched the retreating figures of Du Qiu and Ning Shuangshuang and sighed inwardly.

It seemed her sister-in-law’s hopes of getting back together were likely to be dashed.

…

Upon entering Ning Shuangshuang’s car, Du Qiu looked around curiously.

It was a domestically made BYD sedan with simple interior design and no personal feminine items indicating it wasn’t Ning Shuangshuang’s personal vehicle.

“This is a car from the bureau,” Ning Shuangshuang explained. “Now, I’m taking you to meet my second uncle.”

“Ah?!” Du Qiu was surprised. Was this already the point of meeting the parents?

“What’s wrong? Don’t you want to?”

“No, it’s not that. Shouldn’t I prepare some gifts? It seems a bit rude to just go like this.”

“What are you thinking about?” Ning Shuangshuang reproached gently. “I’m taking you to meet my second uncle because he needs your help.”

“Oh, I thought…”

Ning Shuangshuang interrupted, “When I came over, it seemed like your ex-girlfriend had just left.”

“Oh, she was conducting an interview with me. Their evening paper needs to publish the issue tonight.”

“It seems your Heavenly System has been quite a success.”

Du Qiu asked in surprise, “You’ve noticed those reports?”

“Not really,” she replied.

Du Qiu paused, having thought Ning Shuangshuang was paying attention to the reports because she cared about him.

“My second uncle mentioned your Heavenly System software. His company has run into a problem, and I think you could help.”

“What’s the problem?”

“The production line for a national key project component has issues. I heard from my uncle it’s a software problem, and he kept mentioning if the developer of the Heavenly System could help. Then I came looking for you.”

“You’re so concerned about your uncle’s company affairs?”

“Yeah, their Feiyu Technology is responsible for producing components for the Mars exploration project, and nothing can go wrong, so of course, we have to prioritize its protection.”

Du Qiu was surprised and chuckled, “Isn’t this classified information?”

“My second uncle has agreed to seek your help. You will be involved in resolving the issues with the machining center, so partial declassification is permissible for you. But when we reach Feiyu Technology, you’ll need to sign a confidentiality agreement.”

“Is it too late to back out now?”

“Don’t you still want to sell your software to my uncle’s company? This could be a good opportunity.”

Du Qiu looked at Ning Shuangshuang’s side profile and fell silent.

“What’s wrong? Why are you staring at me like that?” Ning Shuangshuang, feeling self-conscious under Du Qiu’s gaze, blushed slightly.

“You’re so beautiful and intelligent. Whoever marries you is really blessed.”

Ning Shuangshuang’s face turned even redder at his words, but she didn’t know how to respond.

Choosing to remain silent, she kept her eyes on the road, though the car’s speed increased a bit.

++++++++

At the chairman’s office of Feiyu Technology, Du Qiu met Ning Shuangshuang’s second uncle, Ning Yuzhe.

He was in his forties, fair-skinned with thick brows and big eyes, a square face, and a bit of an old-school handsome aura.

Standing at 1.78 meters tall, he kept himself in shape without the potbelly often found among middle-aged men.

Overall, he was an elegant, charming middle-aged man.

“So you’re Du Qiu? Quite young and talented. I’ve seen the reports on the Heavenly System and two academicians endorse it; it must be quite something.”

Ning Yuzhe shook Du Qiu’s hand with a smile.

“I have full confidence in the Heavenly System. What problems has my second uncle encountered here?”

Following Ning Shuangshuang’s form of address for her uncle, Du Qiu also called him ‘second uncle’, which took Ning Yuzhe aback and made him look deeply at Ning Shuangshuang for a moment.

Ning Yuzhe said with a laugh, “Seems you and Shuangshuang are quite close, so I’ll be direct.”

Du Qiu was suspicious. Had Ning Shuangshuang not told her second uncle about their arranged meeting? Wasn’t this her close relative?

Maybe Ning Shuangshuang had no feelings for him, hence not telling her family about their arranged date?

This thought cast a shadow over Du Qiu’s mood.

Hearing Ning Yuzhe’s words, his smile was somewhat forced. “Shuangshuang and I are… good friends. Just let me know anything you need, second uncle.”

“Du Qiu is my backup boyfriend. I am still evaluating him,” Ning Shuangshuang suddenly interjected.

Du Qiu was pleasantly surprised by her words—happy that Ning Shuangshuang acknowledged him as her potential boyfriend, but shocked that he was still only ‘potential.’

Ning Yuzhe laughed heartily, saying, “A backup boyfriend is still a boyfriend. Finally, someone meets your standards. My brother will finally be able to relax now.”

Continuing, Ning Yuzhe patted Du Qiu’s shoulder and added, “You have to work hard to become official and not let our Shuangshuang slip away.”

Du Qiu rubbed his temple as he replied, “Don’t worry, second uncle, I will try my best.”

“Come along then; let’s go to the workshop. There should still be experts there trying to solve the problem.”

Taking Du Qiu from the office, Ning Yuzhe asked his secretary on the way out, “Secretary Zhang, are Vice President Zhao and Chief Engineer Tang in the second workshop dealing with the CNC machining center software failure?”

“Yes, Chief Engineer Tang has invited Dr. Ye Haibin from the Machine Tool Research Institute. They are there trying to solve the problem with Zhao’s assistance,” the secretary answered.