Fortune Across the World

Chapter 100: Unlocking the Wooden Lock, Touching the Heart's Lock

As the original assessment day arrived, Fu Ruqing sat at her desk, reviewing the compiled reports from Chengzhou. She felt weary, and the familiar anticipation crept back in, only to be replaced by a subtle disappointment when she remembered that the assessments had ended. This sense of loss distracted her, and what usually took no time to read now took twice as long, with little progress made.

Despite the end of their formal "assessment agreement," Ding Qiyu, mindful of the previous night's resolution, decided to craft a little something for Fu Ruqing, knowing the young lady's fondness for her creations.

...

That evening, Ding Qiyu returned from delivering rice sorting machines to the western granary. The journey was long, and she spent additional time training the workers, causing her to leave the granary late. On her way back to Qingliu Garden, she remembered the new creation meant for Fu Ruqing. Hurrying to retrieve it from the west courtyard, she arrived at Fumeng Courtyard just as Yinsuo was leaving to fetch some incense.

Panting slightly, Qiyu greeted Yinsuo, "Hi, Yinsuo, is the young lady in the study?"

Noticing the package in Qiyu's arms, Yinsuo thought it might be more beneficial to her mistress than incense. Nodding, she replied, "Mr. Ding, the young lady is inside. Go ahead and knock."

"Great! Thanks!" Eager not to miss the timing, Qiyu quickly made her way to the study, knocking softly to compose herself.

"Who is it?" Fu Ruqing asked, puzzled—Yinsuo wouldn’t return so soon, nor would she knock without speaking. Who else would visit at this hour?

"It's me, Ding Qiyu," came the breathless reply from outside.

Why is she here? Fu Ruqing wondered, feeling a mix of curiosity and the repressed anticipation she had set aside. Calming her emotions, she replied, "Come in."

Entering, Qiyu felt different from before—less anxious, more mischievous. She wondered how the young lady would react today.

Noticing what Qiyu held, Fu Ruqing's anticipation turned to a hint of delight, though she asked, "What brings you here?"

Qiyu, knowing it was a rhetorical question, played along, nodding with a grin, "Yes, something very important." She set her package on Fu Ruqing's desk, "Open it."

Fu Ruqing, intrigued by Qiyu's unusual demeanor, indulged her curiosity and unwrapped the bundle.

Inside was a peculiar wooden object, an assembly of interlocking wooden strips forming a geometric shape neither square nor round. Each piece fit perfectly, creating a seamless whole.

Qiyu watched Fu Ruqing's eyes, finally catching a glimpse of her confusion, and introduced, "Young lady, this is a 'Bagua Lock.' Though it looks inseparable, it's made of twelve interlocking wooden pieces without nails. You're clever—try taking it apart."

Intrigued, Fu Ruqing examined the Bagua Lock, selecting a piece to test. As Qiyu said, the mortise and tenon joints were flawless, requiring the correct approach to disassemble.

Seeing her struggle, Qiyu, feeling a bit mischievous, pulled a chair opposite her to watch. He teased, "No rush, it's not easy, hehe." Though comforting, he secretly enjoyed watching her attempt.

Despite the pressure, Fu Ruqing was adept at controlling her emotions. Business challenges never fazed her, so she wouldn’t let Qiyu's presence deter her. She focused on the task, determined to solve the puzzle.

The intricate Bagua Lock proved challenging. Without prior mechanical experience, finding the solution quickly was tough. Unwilling to concede, Fu Ruqing persisted, her competitive nature driving her.

Reaching his goal, Qiyu, though amused, remained considerate. Despite their past encounters, he didn’t want the serene young lady to struggle. Casually, he suggested, "People have many sides; appearances can be deceiving. You might find a side that’s quite different from what's typical." Hinting, he added, "Like how the young lady can also be a little girl."

Fu Ruqing's initial gratitude for the hint vanished with his teasing. Little girl? She’d never been called that! Steeling herself, she aimed to solve the puzzle and address Qiyu's cheekiness later. Observing the lock, she noticed two pieces aligned differently. Turning them, she easily freed the "cross lock core."

"Wow, impressive! You found the cross lock core so quickly!" Qiyu genuinely praised her. Though he hinted, discerning the core wasn’t straightforward. Fu Ruqing's swift solution highlighted her intelligence.

With the core removed, the rest fell into place. Fu Ruqing swiftly disassembled the lock. As the last pieces separated, a rare sense of accomplishment filled her—something even major business deals hadn’t evoked. She subconsciously pushed the pieces toward Qiyu, "It's done."

Her unguarded delight touched Qiyu, confirming her playful side. Folding his arms, he nodded, "Impressive for a first try." Then, shifting tone, "But can you reassemble it?"

Catching her momentary frozen expression, Qiyu chuckled, softly offering, "It’s tricky alone; I'll help."

Agreeing, Fu Ruqing relaxed. Qiyu moved his chair beside hers, the subtle cool fragrance barely noticeable. Taking a piece, he guided her through reassembling the lock.

The room was quiet, with occasional instructions and queries. Their teamwork rebuilt the lock piece by piece.

Yinsuo entered to witness this harmonious scene. Surprised by her mistress's openness with a man, she recalled the young lady's recent changes. Since Qiyu’s arrival, Fu Ruqing found interest in his creations, her expressions more animated than in over a decade. Could Qiyu and his inventions unlock her heart?

Focused on their task, neither acknowledged Yinsuo. After she replenished the incense, they completed the lock. Rising, Qiyu returned the chair and remarked, "Wasn't that fun? Bagua Locks come in many forms; I can make more for you."

More? Would she continue bringing new creations? Fu Ruqing hoped so but didn't voice it.

Noting the time, Qiyu prepared to leave. Though unsure if the young lady anticipated her creations, she said, "I found your assessments quite skill-sharpening, so I’ll keep bringing things for your feedback." If she appreciated them, it was reassurance. If not, it was practice.

Fu Ruqing felt a wave of joy, but before she could respond, Qiyu teasingly added, "Don’t worry, little girl, I'll keep making fun things for you~" Unwittingly, he set a playful trap for himself...