‘SEE YOU MORNING’ 017 Tilling

Li Haojun’s persistence and execution always reemerged after his brief naps. Each morning, his top priority was arranging his computer-based learning data before handling company tasks. Only then would he have flexible time for leisure. During this period, he wanted to improve the landscape of his backyard—the newly ordered lilacs had arrived. After completing his mental work, engaging in some physical labor like tilling soil and planting flowers was clearly a good adjustment.

The backyard had previously only featured herbaceous plants. Due to limited sunlight from the house’s shadow, Li Haojun decided to transform it into a secluded atmosphere. He planted a lilac living fence along the perimeter of the yard, with a redwood bench inside facing the rear door of the house. The bench had dark wooden planks and cast-iron armrests and legs. Sparse cast-iron antique-style courtyard lamps were placed along the garden path and beside the seating area.

Qin Wenjing often came to the backyard to see what he was doing. Whenever she felt lonely or desolate, she would step out the back door and stand there watching Li Haojun. Today, she pushed open the rear door and stood gazing at him.
“When will your project be finished, Li Haojun?”
“Oh, does the boss have a deadline for me?” Li Haojun replied with a smile.
“Heh,” Qin Wenjing said, her eyes crinkling. “Big boss, then when do you plan to wrap this up?”
“Oh, this bench feels unstable—it’s no good. I plan to build a foundation for it, otherwise it’ll wobble when someone sits down,” Li Haojun answered seriously, always meticulous about details.
"Then wouldn't it be good if I sat on it and wobbled with you?" Qin Wenjing teased Li Haojun while secretly chuckling.
“Haha, you little rascal, you’re learning bad habits too…” Li Haojun chuckled, briefly recalling their morning intimacy. But being serious by nature, he soon continued explaining, “No—if there’s no foundation, the legs might sink during the rainy season. The soil here is too loose, offering no support. It could even tip backward when sat on…”
Qin Wenjing didn’t reply, simply smiling as she watched him. She loved how he approached everything in life with such seriousness—including his willingness to love her wholeheartedly.

After Li Haojun finished explaining, Qin Wenjing turned to business.
“The company has a new assignment for you. You probably won’t have this much free time for side projects anymore.”
“What?” Li Haojun felt surprised.
“It’s a fresh notice—come see,” Qin Wenjing added.
A flicker of resistance stirred within him—not toward Qin Wenjing, but against further constraints on his freedom. Returning indoors, he confirmed it: he’d been appointed Operations Manager of the Yakima Elegant Charm Hall experience store. Though under Talaski BioGen Innovations’ affiliated group specializing in product experiences, his background had been strictly technical—factory production management or related tech roles. This position, while tied to their products, was fundamentally service-oriented retail operations.

Curious why he’d been chosen, Li Haojun glanced at Qin Wenjing.
“Can I decline? It’s not quite my field—and it’ll eat into my time.”
“You could. Just raise it with your direct supervisor,” Qin Wenjing said with a knowing smile, familiar with his lifelong independence.
“I’ll try it first,” Li Haojun said after a pause, forcing a small smile. “But it might mean less time with you. How can I fly solo after just waking up? Besides, this role is already generous—the company kept my position open even after I slept so long.”
“Ah, maybe they did it for my sake. I should thank you more,” Li Haojun joked, playfully nuzzling into her.
“Stop fooling around—you need to prepare. You’re heading over this afternoon,” Qin Wenjing dodged while reminding him.
“Will you come too?” Li Haojun asked earnestly, halting his teasing. He knew her emotional dependence and aversion to solitude.
“The notice is clear—it’s only for you, not me to Yakima. Wouldn’t it be awkward?” Qin Wenjing explained.
“What will you do alone at home?” Li Haojun pressed, already resolved to keep her close. He’d realized her growing significance in his life since regaining consciousness. Her answer mattered less than his decision.
Qin Wenjing pondered. “Me? I’ll find something to do.”
Li Haojun pulled her waist toward him. “You’re coming with me.”
Qin Wenjing’s eyes widened in surprise. Then, meeting his steady gaze, a slow smile spread across her face. Sweetly, she pushed him away. “I’ll prepare lunch—it’s getting late.”
“Good. I’ll get ready too,” Li Haojun said, giving her backside a playful squeeze. She glanced back with a smile before heading to the kitchen. He turned to study local store operations and industry data, reviewing remote analytics, customer feedback, and visit records. Though their branded stores prioritized experience over profits, management gaps in data correlation seemed evident.

Despite the unfamiliar industry, Li Haojun’s curiosity and sharp insight drove him to understand and solve problems. Just as students with identical AI tutors achieved different results, details determined success. After grasping industry nuances, he adapted his factory management AI model for the fashion-beauty experience store’s operational feedback system.

After lunch, Li Haojun and Qin Wenjing prepared to leave. Afternoon sunlight brightened the courtyard, though only faintly reached the living room window. With summer’s peak, the midday sun now hung higher, leaving the house cool while the yard radiated direct heat.

Exiting the yard, the company’s aerial taxi waited at the north end. Li Haojun helped Qin Wenjing into the rear seat before taking the front. The route mirrored their trip to Ellensburg, except this time Qin Wenjing accompanied him. As the craft ascended, the landscape below appeared lusher than days prior—vibrant and thriving, much like his own career with consecutive new appointments. Still, glancing back at Qin Wenjing, she remained his greatest concern.
“Another adventure?” Li Haojun asked in English, turning to her.
Qin Wenjing didn’t answer immediately, smiling to herself before murmuring, “Okay.”
Li Haojun felt deeply grateful for such a companion—easily content simply by his side. Stronger sunlight flooded the cabin, making everything shimmer, and her sweet smile rendered the journey dreamlike.

The aerial taxi veered south before reaching Ellensburg, heading straight for Yakima. Mountains and valleys unfolded below until a flat alluvial plain emerged ahead—Yakima.

The taxi landed in the parking lot opposite the store. Li Haojun led Qin Wenjing inside. Two young women greeted them at the front desk, initially mistaking them for customers. One bowed frequently with warm smiles—Li Haojun wondered if she was Japanese. The other, wearing a headscarf with fair skin, seemed Southeast Asian or Filipino, quiet and reserved.

After introducing himself and his purpose, their surprise prompted them to fetch the store manager. Moments later, a tall, striking woman approached—wavy brown hair, bronzed skin, sharp cheekbones, a broad jawline, and full lips.
“Hello, I’m Ethan Li, the newly appointed Operations Manager. The company sent me to meet you and the team today,” Li Haojun said, extending his hand.
“Welcome. I’m Laura Cross, the store manager,” she replied.
Li Haojun introduced Qin Wenjing. “This is Emily Qin, my colleague. We oversee the production plant together.” Expecting her to shake hands, he was taken aback when she merely nodded with a smile, then stood gazing up at him.
Laura shot him a knowing look. Li Haojun instantly understood: Qin Wenjing had no intention of playing along. Her lack of professionalism made their personal relationship obvious. Since she truly had no role here, he’d treat her as invisible.

In the meeting room, Li Haojun and Laura exchanged roles, experiences, and improvement ideas—not to solve issues immediately, but to build rapport. Crucially, they configured his access in the store’s IT management system for remote data analysis.

The afternoon passed swiftly. Exiting the store at sunset, they boarded the waiting aerial taxi. To the left, the sun dipped behind mountain ridges, painting the undulating slopes in contrasting hues of emerald and crimson. The sky’s left side glowed amber with twilight, while the right deepened into star-speckled indigo.
“Quite a full afternoon,” Li Haojun remarked to Qin Wenjing in the rear seat—a veiled apology for dragging her along.
“Hmph, no kidding! You met so many gorgeous women today,” she teased pointedly.
“Heh heh… Jealous? I brought you to keep me from getting tempted,” Li Haojun joked.
“Hah! Arrogant,” Qin Wenjing huffed, turning away.
Silent, Li Haojun swiveled his seat, unfolded the side table, and revealed a pre-ordered dinner.
“Look—one side, stars,” he gestured upward. “The other, the ocean. Dinner’s simple, but this restaurant has no interruptions. Just you and me. Like it?”
Qin Wenjing gazed at him wordlessly for a long moment. Softly, she said, “Mmm. I like it.”
Pulling on gloves, Li Haojun plucked a chicken leg from the box and offered it to her lips.
A mountain gust jostled the craft. Qin Wenjing laughed. “Stop fooling around—let’s eat properly.” Face-to-face, they shared the airborne meal.

The sun had vanished, leaving only a crimson streak on the horizon. Stars glittered across the night sky as Li Haojun and Qin Wenjing sat opposite each other in the teardrop-shaped panoramic cabin. The taxi’s red and green strobe lights played across their faces. Gazing into each other’s eyes, they saw only their own universes reflected there.