That night, Luo Qi placed an order for planting equipment and a few packets of seeds for the boss. She didn’t bother asking for the boss’ address and instead had it delivered directly to her rental house. The name she put as recipient was: Suffering From The Same Disease.

She was suffering from the same disease as him, and they could only be cured by planting cucumbers.

Luo Qi thought back and calculated that October last year was the sixth year and eighth month since the boss had a secret love for that person; today was already the seventh year and fourth month.

Was that woman already married or was she perhaps still in a relationship?

… …

That weekend, Luo Yu and Chu Lin both came to Luo Qi’s house to play.

Chu Lin actually brought with her people to deliver a piano. She said that there were many pianos at home, but no one was playing them, so she was putting one in Luo Qi’s house and they could play music for the little cucumbers.

Luo Qi smiled. “You want to play for cucumbers?”

Chu Lin leaned on the balcony and looked out the window. “It’s mainly for my convenience. I can come here to play and not delay my piano practice.” She really liked this balcony of only  several square meters. The narrow space was unexpectedly full of green.

With the addition of an extra piano, the already crowded living room became even more crowded.

Luo Yu tore open a bag of potato chips and nestled on the sofa to listen to Chu Lin playing the piano. This was the most wonderful moment in her life: such a beautiful pianist playing for her alone.

“Beautiful sister, can you play a popular song?”

“No problem.” Chulin asked, “What do you want to hear?”

“’You’re So Cruel’.”

“…”

A call came in Luo Yu’s phone, and the request for the popular song was interrupted. 

The number was very familiar: it was Pei Shixiao’s mother’s secretary. She had contacted Luo Yu some time ago and asked to buy the video of Pei Shixiao cheating. She had immediately turned her down.

Luo Yu put on her shoes and walked outside the house to answer the call.

“Is this Luo Yu?”

Luo Yu was stunned. It wasn’t the secretary’s voice but rather the voice of Pei Shixiao’s mother.

But she wasn’t sure so she asked, “You are?”

“Li Jin, Pei Shixiao’s mother. We have met before.”

Luo Yu met Madam Pei at her cousin’s engagement banquet with Pei Shixiao. She had struck Luo Yu as a strong woman with means and courage.

“Before, you refused to sell the video to me because you didn’t want your cousin to be affected. You only wished to protect your cousin, so I didn’t force you. Otherwise, if I really wanted something, I would definitely find a way to get it.”

Even through the phone, Luo Yu could feel Madam Pei’s strength.

“But now, your cousin herself has already revealed the reason for the breakup in her ‘circle of friends’. Everyone now knows that it was caused by my son’s cheating, so even if you give me a copy of the video, it would no longer have any impact on her. This is not a buyout; it’s not to save my son’s face. I don’t plan to destroy the video. I actually want to use it to teach Cui Peng a lesson—in this matter, I don’t think you won’t support me.”

When she heard that, Luo Yu was no longer upset about the call. She would happily support anyone who wanted to teach Cui Peng a lesson, so long as it did not affect her cousin.

Luo Yu was in a good mood so she said, “No need to pay, I will send it to your secretary later.”

Madam Pei didn’t like to owe favors. After this call ends, she would ask her secretary to buy a platinum edition bag for Luo Yu. Matters could be considered even this way.

She has been busy recently paving the way for her election as Chair of the Board of Directors. She must win this battle. If she missed this opportunity, she would have to wait again. If Cui Peng hadn’t touched her bottom line, she really wouldn’t spare the time to worry about her son’s emotional affairs.

Luo sent the video. Madam Pei used her secretary’s phone to reply to Luo Yu: [Thank you.]

[You’re too polite.]

… … translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

Putting away her phone, Luo Yu re-entered the house.

Chu Lin was still playing the piano, and her cousin was talking on the phone.

Luo Qi had bought some planting equipment, and the courier was now waiting downstairs. He called to ask her if she was at home so he could deliver the items to her.

“No need to send it up, just wait for me downstairs for a few minutes.” Luo Qi ended the call and hurriedly changed clothes. 

“You guys have fun,” Luo Qi told them, “I’ll just head over to the boss’ house to bring something that got delivered here. Let me know what you want to eat tonight, I’ll get it on my way back.”

Chu Lin said, “Yubao said she wants to cook. Me, I love all of your Suzhou cuisine, so it’s up to you if you want to buy anything.”

“Ah? Older sister, did your boss buy something online?”

“Yeah. It’s cheaper online.” This was the boss’ private matter, so Luo Qi didn’t say much.

Chu Lin played the piano with one hand and said, “He does online shopping to spark joy.”

It’s not about sparking joy; it’s about healing himself.

However, Luo Qi didn’t explain anymore. Just let them misunderstand it. The boss’ journey to healing was a private matter.

Luo Yu was in a good mood and lay down on the sofa, gossiping, “Spark joy for whom?”

Chu Lin skillfully pushed the topic back, “I don’t know either. Otherwise, he is already so rich, why would he still be doing discounts and vouchers?”

Luo Yu was amused and laughed at this.

Amidst the melodious sound of the piano, Luo Qi took the car keys and headed downstairs.

While walking, she sent a message to Jiang Shenghe: [Chief Jiang, the planting equipment and seeds are already here. Are you free this afternoon? Or if someone is at home, I can bring the items over.]

… …

Jiang Shenghe was, in fact, at his old house; he had come to visit his mother.

He replied: [You can go to the villa first. Someone is at home.]

He was in the middle of the conversation with his mother. He stood up and prepared to go back.

“Mom, something came up, I’ll go ahead first.”

Liang Zhen didn’t know whether it was an excuse or if he really had something to deal with. Ever since her son told her in Suzhou that he didn’t want to choose between her and Luo Qi, she had never asked him anything about Luo Qi.

She didn’t tell her husband either.

But she knew that one day soon, she would be unable to hide this matter.

… …

Jiang Shenghe got into his car and asked Luo Qi: [“How much is it?”]

Luo Qi had bought the large planting equipment for her boss, and it was twice as expensive as hers. She sent a screenshot of the receipt.

It was a little over seven hundred yuan. Jiang Shenghe sent her eight hundred yuan: [That’s also for the gas fee, round trip to my house.]

Luo Qi: “…”

She accepted it anyway.

… …

It was nighttime when she went to the boss’ villa last time, and she only took a quick glance at the courtyard. Luo Qi could now fully experience its true appearance in the light of day. 

Why would there be any need to plant cucumbers to heal? This courtyard could cure any ailments of the heart.

Aunt Chai had opened the door for her and helped her carry the package out of the car.

“Xiao Luo, go to the living room to cool down. It’s hot outside.” Aunt Chai was as welcoming as before.

Luo Qi declined. The boss’ residence was his private place, and it was better that she not come in or out casually. She pointed at the planting equipment and said, “I’ll be helping Chief Jiang plant the cucumbers when I’m free.”

She looked around—every corner of the courtyard was carefully taken care of. She chose a place that would not tamper too much with the overall appearance and moved the equipment there.

The specific spot as to where this would be placed would have to be decided later once the boss was back.

Aunt Chai brought her a bottle of water, ice cold and refreshing. The sun was shining bright so Luo Qi stood under the umbrella by the swimming pool.

Jiang Shenghe’s car drove into the yard after a while. He slid down the window just as she happened to look over, and their eyes met.

“Why didn’t you go inside?”

“I wanted to get to work right away.” Luo Qi just took a sip of ice water and screwed the bottle cap back on.

Jiang Shenghe got out of the car, “I’ll watch you plant.”

Luo Qi: “…”

Well, maybe this was how the boss thought to do it: not to plant himself but just to watch the cucumbers grow.

“Chief Jiang, where do you want the equipment to be set up?”

“Right there.”

After all, it was fine to put it wherever she liked.

Seventh Year of My Secret Love for You translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

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