An Unexpected Moment of Warmth
Astra sat at her desk, her eyes darting between trading reports and market analyses. Sunlight filtered through the glass windows, casting a soft glow on her face, making her look serene yet focused. After a tense morning, she was about to take a brief respite when the phone on her desk rang abruptly.
"Miss Astra, someone is here to see you in the lobby," the security guard's polite voice informed her.
Her brows furrowed slightly, curiosity piqued. She stood, smoothing her blazer, and headed for the elevator. When the doors slid open, she stepped into the lobby and stopped in her tracks.
A small cart, packed to the brim with rustic packages, was the first thing she saw. Bags of smoked meats, handmade noodles, freshly milled buckwheat flour, and a large box of carefully wrapped dumplings filled the cart. Beside it stood a middle-aged couple, their faces weary but bright with gratitude.
"Xiaoyu's parents?" Astra blinked in surprise, taking in their familiar faces.
"Miss Astra, thank you for using your powers and energy to save our child," Xiaoyu's mother said, her voice trembling with emotion, eyes glistening with tears. "We don't have much, but these are specialties from our hometown — cured meat, noodles, buckwheat flour, and dumplings we made ourselves. You've helped us so much; please, you have to accept these."
Warmth flooded Astra's chest, a sting of emotion tightening her throat. She opened her mouth to decline, but the hopeful, stubborn look in their eyes made her pause. If she refused, it would only hurt their pride.
Whispers from Colleagues
At that moment, a group of colleagues returning from their afternoon tea break noticed the scene. Their eyes drifted to the cart, derision curling their lips.
"Seriously? Someone brought that to our company? How embarrassing."
"Yeah, this is a top-tier investment firm. What a pathetic sight."
"A cart full of goods worth, what, a few hundred bucks? Not even enough for afternoon tea at the Bulgari Hotel."
"Looks like our new consultant isn't that impressive. Her relatives sure know how to 'show off.'"
The biting words were like needles piercing Astra's heart. Her fingers curled into fists, anger flashing in her eyes. She was just about to retort when a familiar, low voice cut through the air.
Jiang Ting's Intervention
"These are all my favorites," Jiang Ting announced, his voice cold yet carrying a hint of warmth that brooked no argument.
All heads turned, eyes widening in shock. Jiang Ting strode forward, his gaze sweeping over the whispering colleagues, calm but imposing.
"Secretary, take all of this to my house," he said, then turned to Astra, his eyes softening just a fraction. "Astra, tonight I'll make cured meat and noodles for you. Just for you."
The lobby fell into a stunned silence, the air practically crackling with disbelief.
"The CEO… cooks?"
"The CEO is cooking for a consultant?!"
"What's their relationship?"
"Did she use her looks to climb up? But the boss never shows interest in women."
"She's beautiful, sure, but compared to those celebrities who pursued him and got turned down? Doesn't add up…"
The gossip buzzed like cold wind, but Astra barely noticed. Her gaze met Jiang Ting's deep, unreadable eyes, and a gentle warmth bloomed in her chest, tinged with confusion.
Warmth and Doubt
Before she could respond, Jiang Ting had already turned away, his tall figure disappearing down the hallway. Astra looked down at the cart of hometown gifts, a complex wave of emotions washing over her. His words hadn't just silenced the cruel whispers — they had ignited an unspoken flutter in her heart.
"Is he… protecting me?" she thought, biting her lip softly, a hint of a smile curling at the corners of her mouth.
The Afternoon in the Trading Room
Back in the trading room, Astra's presence was calm and composed. The ripples of what had happened in the lobby were still there, but she knew her role demanded focus and restraint.
The atmosphere in the trading room was unexpectedly relaxed. The flashing red and green numbers on the screens continued their relentless dance, but the oppressive tension had eased.
Traders moved with renewed focus. Wang Jun's face no longer showed panic, only quiet determination. Chen Li's brow had smoothed, her gaze sharp once more. Even Li Xiao, usually wound tight as a spring, seemed less like he was on the verge of snapping.
Jiang Ting's Approval
After lunch, the door to the trading room opened. Jiang Ting entered, his cool presence freezing the room into silence. His gaze swept across the team, a subtle satisfaction glinting in his eyes. He walked straight to Astra.
"I know what you've done," he said, his voice low and uncharacteristically gentle.
Astra blinked, her heart skipping a beat. She looked into his deep eyes, searching for something, but finding nothing she could pin down.
Jiang Ting gave a brief nod, then turned sharply. "Li Xiao, get Zhao Mingyuan from Real Estate and Jason from HR. Conference room. Now."
He left without another word, the air thawing slightly in his wake.
Speculations
As soon as he was gone, the traders let out a collective sigh of relief, glancing at each other.
Wang Jun whispered, "What's her deal? She's been here all morning and hasn't given a single order. I don't get it."
Chen Li shook her head, a thoughtful look in her eyes. "Don't be fooled by appearances. When she's here, I feel… calmer. Like the air clears up and my thoughts get sharper."
"Yeah, I felt that too," Li Xiao chimed in, a hint of wonder in his voice. "It was chaos this morning, but somehow things smoothed out. She didn't give orders, but her presence… it made a difference."
Others nodded, understanding replacing confusion.
"Well, whatever she did, the results speak for themselves," Wang Jun said with a shrug and a rare smile.
A Quiet Satisfaction
Astra sat quietly, listening to the murmurs around her, a soft smile playing on her lips. She didn't feel the need to explain herself. Silent contributions were her way, and that was enough.
Sunlight poured through the windows, the trading floor humming with renewed purpose. And deep in her heart, a delicate thread of sweetness unfurled, gentle and unspoken.