'SEE YOU MORNING' 021 The Great World 《晓欣卿》021大千世界
Waking to broad daylight, Li Haojun found Qin Wenjing gone. Clean underwear lay prepared for him on the bedside table. He changed quickly, stepped out, turned left, and saw her figure in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
一觉睡到天大亮，李皓珺发现覃文静不见了，床头放着给他准备好的干净内衣。他换上急忙出房门左转，看到厨房里正是那个身影，在准备早餐。
Li Haojun approached, gently wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, touching her skin, feeling her tangible presence. Qin Wenjing merely glanced back with a smile, silent as she continued her tasks.
李皓珺走过去，从身后轻轻搂着她的腰，抚摸她的肌肤，感受着切切实实的她的存在。覃文静只是回头看了看他，一笑，并没有说话，忙着手头的事情。
Soon, fried eggs and quick burgers were ready, set on the dining table. Qin Wenjing then carried hot orange juice toward it.
没一会，煎鸡蛋和快速汉堡好了，摆上了餐桌，接着覃文静捧着热橙汁走向餐桌。
Her uplifted hands accentuated the familiar curve of her waist and the rhythm of her stride. She still wore the same strapless nightgown, hanging naturally at her hips, swaying with each step. Li Haojun couldn’t resist pulling her closer, slowing her pace, matching her stride as he once had, tenderly keeping pace.
端起的双手，更显露她那熟悉的腰肢线条与行走步伐的韵律。依然是那件吊带睡衣，自然下垂在腰间，随着她的步伐，展现腰胯的摇摆。李皓珺忍不住再次搂住她的腰，拉慢她的脚步，如最初一样，追逐她的步伐，温柔陪伴。
“Hey, don’t tease,” she said softly, carefully placing the hot drink on the table before turning. Her hands brushed his chest, feeling his warmth, his rising breath, even his heartbeat—where she resided.
“哎呀，别闹，”边说着，覃文静小心翼翼地把热饮放在桌上，然后转身双手轻抚李皓珺前胸，感受他温暖的体温，起伏的气息，甚至可以感觉到他的心跳，而自己就住在那里。
Before breakfast could begin, their lingering gaze refused to part. Outside, the whir of an aerial taxi’s motor and propellers landing on the road cut through the quiet.
还没来得及吃早餐，四目相视的温柔以待还不想告一段落，窗外已经传来了空中出租车在公路降落时电机与桨叶的噪音。
A faint smile played on Qin Wenjing’s lips.
覃文静嘴角轻挑微微一笑，
“You’re a busy man now,” she murmured, still nestled in Li Haojun’s arms.
“你现在是大忙人啦，”说完依然在李皓珺怀中没动。
“I’ll head out again. Back in two days.”
“我又得出发了，过两天就回来。”
“Mm. Rest tonight. Don’t exhaust yourself.”
“嗯，今晚就别折腾了，别把自己弄得那么累。”
As they spoke, Li Haojun held her tighter, breathing in the scent of her hair.
交谈着，李皓珺把覃文静搂紧，缠绵间呼吸着她秀发的气息。
“Alright, go prepare. I’ll pack your breakfast for the road.” With that, Qin Wenjing gently pushed him away…
“好啦，你快去准备一下，我把早餐给你打个包带路上吃吧。”说完，覃文静轻轻推开李皓珺……
Riding the vehicle arranged by Malaya, Li Haojun arrived at the Spokane branch of Elegant Charm Hall. Unusual—it stood in a remote spot by Newman Lake. Smaller and simpler than others, the wooden building resembled a private residence in scale.
乘坐着玛莱雅预定的交通工具，李皓珺来到了斯波坎雅姿丽颜堂体验店。很不同，这个体验店地址有些偏僻，在纽曼湖畔。体验店也比其它的更小，简朴的高纬度木制房屋，只有一个私人大住宅的尺寸规模。
Past the entrance lay a reception hall with a compact front desk. Malaya chatted with a local employee. Seeing Li Haojun, she rose to greet him.
走进大门就是一个迎宾大厅，一个小的前台桌椅，又是玛莱雅和一名当地员工在闲聊。见李皓珺来到，她起身相迎，
“Fully recharged?”
“你又充满电了吗？”
Caught off guard by the blunt question, Li Haojun hesitated. Since scheduling relied on her, he decided honesty was best and shared every detail.
被一个小姑娘这么劈头盖脸一问，李皓珺竟不知该如何回答，迟疑了一下，心想，反正将来要靠安排行程，自己也不客气了，便直接道出所有细节，
“Sorry, not really. Got home late yesterday—she was already asleep. I was exhausted too. This morning I overslept.” He lifted the takeout bag for her to see. Breakfast had been eaten midair.
“抱歉，没有，昨天到家已经很晚了，她已经睡了，我也很累，今天早上我起来晚了，”说着，用手提起食物打包袋，给玛莱雅看，早饭都是在天上吃的。
“Hmm, the schedule’s tight,” Malaya nodded thoughtfully.
“哦，行程有一些紧张了，” 玛莱雅边点头表示收到信息，边思索着说，
Li Haojun softened. Why burden a girl? He added, “But mentally, I’m eighty percent charged.” To ease her discomfort.
李皓珺见状，心想自己何苦为难一个小姑娘呢，便补充说，“不过精神上已经充满80%了。”，以便让她不至于尴尬。
Malaya rarely smiled. “Love’s power is mighty, huh? Today and tomorrow: Seattle and Portland. Seattle this afternoon or tonight, then Portland tomorrow?”
玛莱雅罕见地笑了，“看来爱的力量很伟大啊。今天明天是西雅图和波特兰，下午西雅图还是晚上回家明天西雅图？”
“Ha, thanks for the hassle. Still afternoon Seattle, morning Portland tomorrow. I want to head home early.”
“哈哈，让你费心啦。还是下午西雅图明天上午波特兰，明天我想早点回家。”
“Got it,” Malaya replied, already working efficiently—a trait that had impressed Li Haojun from the start.
“好的，”玛莱雅一边回答一边手里开始忙碌上了，她的效率一开始就让李皓珺印象深刻。
A woman emerged from the hallway. Dim vintage lighting obscured her face, but her silhouette was striking: tall, unnaturally thin. Li Haojun wondered if she’d over-restricted her diet. Dressed in a loose T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers, her elbows and knees jutted sharply; thighs and arms seemed skin stretched over bone, like a frame holding up clothes. He guessed she might be a model. She walked slowly, the hallway lights tracing her form—shoulders and hips swaying gently with each step. Her chin-length hair fluffed at its ends, its triangular front profile harmonizing with her proportions.
这时从走廊里面走来一位女士，昏暗的老式电灯，看不清她的面容。但是身材轮廓很清晰，她的个子很高，但是太瘦了，李皓珺惊讶她是不是过度节食。她穿了宽松的T恤，短裤，和运动鞋，肘膝关节瘦得只见骨骼外形，大腿和胳膊似乎也只有皮肤包裹着骨骼，就像骨架撑着衣衫，李皓珺不由猜测她是不是模特。她走得较慢，走廊背景的灯光衬托出她身材的轮廓，肩，胯随着步伐轻摆扭动，齐颈短发下端蓬松，正三角的正面投影与身材比例很和谐。
Watching, Li Haojun saw her exit the hallway into the living room. Now visible, she was an older woman: pale skin, black bangs, bold crimson lips contrasting her snow-white complexion, dramatic dark eyeshadow. Deep-set, large brown eyes, wider-set than average, high cheekbones tapering to a narrow, pointed jaw. A small mouth with thin lips, a petite nose with a slender bridge.
注视着，她走出走廊，来到客厅，李皓珺这才看清楚她是一位年长女士，皮肤很白，黑发前额齐刘海，大红色嘴唇，对比雪白的脸色，深色眼影强烈。深深的眼窝，一双深棕色大眼睛，比常人大许多，并且眼距也较宽，颧骨稍高然后脸颊狭窄尖下颌，下颌骨尖且长，但是嘴较小，薄嘴唇，鼻子也小，鼻梁狭长。
“Hello, Ethan. I’m Emma Gyllen, the store manager.” She extended her hand.
“你好伊森，我是艾玛·吉伦，这里的店长。”说着，她伸手与李皓珺，
“Hello, a pleasure. I’m Ethan Li.” Flustered by his earlier staring, Li Haojun bowed slightly and brushed her fingers with his lips.
“你好，幸会，我是伊森·李。” 李皓珺自知刚才被她的相貌吸引了太多注意力，有点失态，见对方是年长女士，便顺势鞠躬致意，并轻吻了对方的手指。
“Haha,” Emma’s voice was warm, elegant. “Malaya mentioned your recent amnesia. Seems you remember certain courtesies—flattering older ladies.”
“哈哈哈，”艾玛笑了几声，声音温婉柔和，颇有年长女士的优雅，“玛莱雅说你不久之前失忆了，看来你还记得一些事情，比如说恭维老年女士。”
“Oh, it’s only right. You’re very graceful.” Li Haojun thought: She’s right—I never considered this before. Without past memories, some habits remain. Strange.
“啊，应该的，您很优雅。” 李皓珺回应着，心想她说的有道理啊，我怎么之前没想过，我没有了过去的记忆，但是我的一些行为习惯还在，这有点奇怪。
“We women discuss everything. Don’t mind us.” Emma pulled a chair, joining him.
“我们女人在一起，什么八卦都会讨论，你别介意。” 艾玛继续解释着，也拉了椅子，坐在一起。
Seated, her height made her limbs appear even more delicate. Li Haojun struggled not to stare. Noticing his discomfort, she smiled indulgently, chatting about daily work and life.
艾玛个子很高，坐下以后她那纤细的四肢尤为突出，李皓珺尽量控制自己不要把视线或者注意力落在她的肢体上，艾玛似乎注意到了他的尴尬，但是并不在意，只是微笑着和他聊日常工作与生活。
Only two other staff worked here. Li Haojun sent Kesiya to brief them while Malaya stayed with him and Emma. The store seemed less about customer feedback, more like a retirement haven for Emma. He didn’t pry. Soon, business concluded, they took their leave.
这个体验店只有另外两名店员，李皓珺安排凯西娅去与她们了解情况，履行工作职责，身边只剩玛莱雅一起陪着艾玛。从经营情况来看，这家店铺似乎不是为了反馈用户情况，似乎更像是给这位女士养老的，所以李皓珺也并未深究细节。很快，相应事务处理完毕，告别离开。
Before boarding the car, Li Haojun glanced back from the parking lot’s far side. Emma sat on a sunlit bench outside, sunglasses hiding her eyes. So thin. May this elegant lady live long and well. Though he couldn’t see her eyes, he sensed her smile. He nodded in return before driving off.
在出门上车之前，李皓珺从停车场另一侧回望这栋简朴的木质建筑，发现艾玛正坐在门外长椅上晒太阳，墨镜遮住了她的眼睛。她太瘦了，但愿这位优雅的女士健康长寿，心想着，虽然看不见她的眼神，但是李皓珺似乎觉得她在微笑，于是自己也点头致意，然后乘车离开。
At Spokane’s outer airport, Malaya chose a biodiesel-powered fixed-wing plane—her preferred transport, flying direct to Seattle. Reaching cruising altitude, Li Haojun ignored the view, reviewing new data on his work laptop. Spokane’s metrics showed slight deviations, likely from small sample sizes. He skimmed production management logs, gathering items to delegate to Kesiya—a chance for her growth.
来到斯波坎外机场，玛莱雅又选择了生物柴油动力的固定翼飞机，似乎她比较钟情于这种交通工具，从斯波坎直飞西雅图。很快到达巡航高度，近期的奔波也无心查看窗外风景了。李皓珺拿出工作电脑查看了新上线的数据，斯波坎体验店的数据略有偏差，可能是样本太少的缘故吧，也没太在意。又查看了生产管理数据，找了一些内容，准备和凯西娅交代一下，这样她就能接手自己部分工作，对于她来说也是锻炼与成长。
Unaware, the plane neared Moses Lake. Li Haojun peered out, but the window angle blocked the ground below.
不知不觉，飞机已经到达摩西莱克上空，李皓珺向外张望了一下，但是飞机舷窗的角度无法看到机腹下方。
Behind him, the girls’ chatter resumed. He ignored it, texting Qin Wenjing instead:
这时后座又传来嘁嘁喳喳的交谈声，李皓珺也懒得去了解姑娘们的聊天内容，自己用工作电脑给覃文静发了消息，
“What are you doing? Flying to Seattle now.”
“你在做什么？我正飞往西雅图。”
“Working. No worry—Don’t let your new assistant charm you.” Qin Wenjing replied instantly.
“工作啊，你不用惦记，倒是你自己别被你的新助理迷惑了哦。”，覃文静秒回，
“No chance. Not my type. Relax.”
“不会的，她们不是我喜欢的类型，你放心吧。”
“Good. Focus on your work.”
“好啊，忙你的吧，不用分心。”
“Yeah, back tomorrow evening.”
“嗯，差不多明天晚间就回家了。”
“Okay.”
“好，就这样。”
“Okay.”
“好。”
After sending, Li Haojun felt lighter. He looked out: noon sun blazed on white clouds, the deep sky vividly blue.
打完了几条信息，李皓珺如有所释，抬头望向舷窗外，快到正午了，强烈的阳光照耀在白云之上，有些刺眼，深空更显得湛蓝。
“Thinking of her?” Kesiya’s voice, soft and slow. She rarely spoke, never gossiped. Her question surprised him. He turned, smiling.
“你是在想她吗？” 凯西娅的声音，缓缓地问，她平时话不多，更没见她与别人聊什么八卦，今天她开口问这个问题李皓珺有点意外。他回头看着她，一笑，
“Yes.” Better answer when a lady speaks.
“是啊，”心想，大小姐开尊口，怎么能不回答，
“What’s it like?” Kesiya asked calmly, her measured tone making Li Haojun wonder if she lacked Malaya’s sharpness—though he’d never say so. Malaya nudged her side, giggling like a drumroll.
“你想她是什么感觉？” 凯西娅很平静地问，她总是话少，语速平缓柔和，以至于李皓珺觉得她的智商可能不如玛莱雅，虽然他没说，也没有什么轻视之意。这时玛莱雅就是在一边好像敲催阵鼓一样，又是肢体捅咕凯西娅又是嘻嘻嘻一旁偷笑。
“Wondering what she’s doing right now. How she’s faring. If she feels lonely without me.”
“就是，想知道同一时刻，她在做什么，她过得怎么样，会不会没有我的陪伴而心情失落。”
“And do you feel lonely without her?” Malaya jumped in eagerly.
“那你会不会没有她的陪伴而感到心情失落？” 玛莱雅急不可耐地追问，
“Depends. If I’d never met her, alone by nature, I wouldn’t care. If I loved her but she didn’t love me back—I wouldn’t expect miracles. But now? Sometimes I wish she were here, sharing my experiences.”
“那的看不同情况，如果我不认识她，本身就孤身一人，我不会在意有没有人陪伴我，我做我想做的事。如果我喜欢她，但是她不喜欢我，我也不会期待会有什么奇迹发生。但是我俩现在的情况，有时候我会希望她在身边，与我分享我的经历。”
“Why sometimes? So when we’re with you, you don’t need her?” Malaya’s sharp tongue struck again.
“为什么会是有时候呢？就是说有时候不需要她陪伴你喽？是不是我俩陪着你的时候你就不需要她陪你了？” 玛莱雅总是会有一些刁钻的问题和言语，
“Yeah, you want us to flaunt our romance in front of you?” Li Haojun shot back, joking.
“是啊，难道我俩秀恩爱给你俩看吗？” 李皓珺玩笑般地怼了回去，
Kesiya smiled at him, pushing Malaya’s shoulder. Malaya swayed, pouting.
凯西娅看着李皓珺微笑着，推了玛莱雅一把，玛莱雅被推得摇晃着上身，委屈地说，
“Sis, didn’t you pick this internship because you like him?”
“姐姐，你不是喜欢他才选择跟他实习的吗？”
Flushed, Kesiya lowered her head. When she looked up, her cheeks were crimson. To ease the tension, Li Haojun offered his hand.
凯西娅被玛莱雅一句话羞得低下了头，等她再抬起头双眼看向李皓珺已经脸颊绯红。李皓珺为了缓解尴尬，急忙伸手与凯西娅握手，说，
“My honor.”
“承蒙厚爱，”
Kesiya’s fingertips barely touched his. “I reviewed your and Qin Wenjing’s past company records. You seemed stable, reliable—that’s why I chose this internship.” Her voice stayed gentle despite her blush.
而凯西娅只是用手指和他握了一下，说，“我只是查过你和覃文静过去在公司的经历，觉得你可能是那种稳定可靠的人，所以选择到这里实习。”虽然红着脸，她的声音依然是轻柔婉转，
“Earlier, Malaya said… Are you two sisters?” Li Haojun deftly changed the subject.
“刚才玛莱雅说……？你们是亲姐妹吗？” 李皓珺适时转移了话题，
“Yes.”
“是的，”
“But…” He glanced at Malaya. “Your appearances differ so much?”
“但是，”说着，李皓珺又看了看玛莱雅，“你们的相貌差异……？”
“Half-sisters. DNA tested when we were adopted into the same public welfare institution. That’s how we reunited.”
“我们是同父异母的姐妹，在公共福利机构收养时测DNA发现的，所以就团聚到一起了。”
“Oh, I see.” Li Haojun looked away, touched. Two radiant girls, raised alone without parents, now stepping into the world.
“哦，是这样，” 李皓珺回答着，不再看她们，心中暗自感慨，看起来阳光灿烂的两位姑娘，居然没见过自己的生身父母，就这么孤单长大，现在步入了社会。
When he turned back to comfort them, he caught Malaya flashing Kesiya a mischievous grin.
等李皓珺再次抬头看向她们，想安慰她们点什么，正好看见玛莱雅朝着凯西娅一笑，不知道这小丫头又有什么鬼主意。
“Your lives are just beginning. Both beautiful—you’ll have many suitors, people who’ll cherish you.”
“你们的人生才刚刚开始，两位又是美女，将来会有很多追求者，会有人爱护你们的。”
After this platitude, Li Haojun saw Kesiya nod gratefully. Malaya stared blankly, eyes darting between them, as if reading every thought.
说完几句心灵鸡汤，李皓珺看见凯西娅微笑着朝自己点了点头，玛莱雅则面无表情，翻着大眼睛，看看姐姐，又看看李皓珺，似乎她能猜出所有人的心思。
Awkward silence drifted away with the clouds outside. The plane landed at Paine Field. A taxi awaited. Malaya outlined the next itinerary—her efficiency still impressive.
尴尬的平静随着舷窗外飘过的白云，被逐渐甩掉，飞机降落在了佩恩机场，随后便有出租车接机，一路上玛莱雅向李皓珺介绍了接下来的行程安排，玛莱雅在这方面的干练从一开始就令李皓珺惊叹，
“Why become a private assistant? With your talent, you could excel elsewhere,” Li Haojun asked the Malaya facing him. She’d chosen a business-class taxi; he sat facing backward, offering the forward seats to the women.
“你为什么会选择做私人助理这个职业，我觉得以你的才华完全可以在其它行业做得更好？” 李皓珺忍不住问坐在对面的玛莱雅，她给一行人选择了商务型出租车，上车时李皓珺坐在了背对行驶方向的座位上，把对面座位让给了两位女士。
“I like it,” Malaya replied absently, locking eyes with him. Li Haojun turned to Kesiya for confirmation.
“我喜欢，”玛莱雅似乎心不在焉地回答，然后双眼看着李皓珺。李皓珺只好把目光转向凯西娅来印证，
“That’s just her,” Kesiya said gently.
“她是这样的，” 凯西娅看着李皓珺说，
“Hmm. She’s young. Could explore other paths…” He hesitated—too unfamiliar to probe deeper, hoping Kesiya would guide her sister. Maybe she truly loves it. With her will, no one could sway her.
“嗯，我只是觉得，她年纪还小，她还可以选择不同的机会……”毕竟不熟，李皓珺觉得也不好深说什么，只是希望年纪大的姐姐能在这方面多替妹妹考虑。转念又一想，也许是她真的喜欢吧，以她的个性，自己想做什么别人也无法阻止或者动摇。
Paine Field was remote; reaching downtown required more travel. Western Washington’s coast, spared major quakes, retained its original residents. With declining populations and improved welfare, people clustered by shared values. Basic housing and income were guaranteed, allowing free movement between communities.
佩恩机场相对较偏僻，去往市中心还需要走一段路程。美国的西海岸中北部没受到大地震影响，大都市基本还是原来的居民，但是随着人口的减少与社会福利的提高，不同价值观和行为习惯的的人可以选择聚居在相同社区，对于普通居民，公民，基本的住宅和生活资金是福利的，所以有意愿的人可以在不同社区间自由迁徙。
For nearly two centuries, technological and regional disparities had widened social stages. Governing this fast-evolving society demanded higher citizen literacy—you couldn’t expect those unversed in tech, economics, or critical judgment to steer societal progress. Many lived under the “tech-age pacifier,” content as residents. Some citizens lived among them to prevent societal fracture.
近两个世纪以来，科技的发展和地域的差别，已经造成了不同人群达到的社会阶段极大差异，而管理这个高速发展的社会对公民的要求也越来越高。你不可能指望不懂科技，经济，以及缺乏判断力的人来决策社会前沿的发展方向，所以有更多的人生活在了科技时代的奶嘴儿之下，成为居民，当然也有公民为了防止社会割裂，与他们成为邻居。
Beyond urban residential edges lay zones for those unwilling or unable to abide by resident/citizen rules: freedom under natural law, no representation, taxation, or welfare, barred from external tech—only federal enforcement preventing large-scale humanitarian crises.
而通常大都市居民区的边缘再外围会有划定区域留给不愿或者不能遵守公民，居民规则的人，他们可以在那里自由生活，自然法则的自由区，没有代表，没有征税，也没有社会福利，不享受本区域外科技成果，只有基本联邦执法防止发生大规模人道灾难。
Li Haojun’s group headed downtown: a quasi-interstellar tech free zone, where biological or human modification tech, restricted elsewhere, flourished.
而李皓珺一行人前往的是市中心，准星际科技的自由区，有些生物或者人类改造的技术在别处都是受限的。
Humanity learned from history: advanced civilizations must restrain interference with less developed ones. Initially grasped through interstellar contact, Earth’s own journey revealed similar errors—North American pioneers overwhelming Native Americans with firearms, African tribal genocides from imported blades and guns, Israel’s state machinery crushing Palestinian militias, Third World conflicts with Eastern intervention. Each a product of jungle law—but jungle law wasn’t civilization’s path. Nor was reverse selection. Balance was key.
人类会从历史中汲取教训，更高级的文明需要克制自己对低等文明的干扰，最初这是与星际文明交互时了解到的概念，但是当地球的进程发展，人类终于意识到自己也曾经犯过类似的错误，比如掌握了火器的北美大陆拓荒者对土著印第安人的碾压，枪支甚至片刀这种冷兵器流入非洲造成的种族大屠杀，以色列对巴勒斯坦的国家机器对民间武装的碾压，三战西方与中东的冲突以及东方的介入，每一次都是丛林法则之下的结果，然而丛林法则不是文明发展的方向，但是逆淘汰也是不可取的，需要平衡。
The world had grown more tolerant, granting soil to every social diversity. Li Haojun’s work advanced one such path. As they neared downtown, buildings and streets grew vibrant. Seattle’s Space Needle district hosted quasi-interstellar services. Elegant Charm Hall’s branch stood here, radiating urban energy: ivory curved eaves, semi-transparent steel-glass frames echoing a spaceport, harmonizing with the distant Space Needle.
这个世界更加宽容，给每种社会多样性一块土壤，李皓珺一行人所努力的，正是其中一支的发展方向。随着接近市中心，建筑，街道也更加繁华，西雅图的太空针塔周边区域是提供准星际服务的集中区域，雅姿丽颜堂体验店也位于此地，并且非常有大都市的气息，乳白色的弧形飞檐屋顶，半透明的钢结构玻璃构架，颇有太空港的风格，与不远处的太空针塔遥相呼应。
Malaya guided them past the bustling lobby—guests entering, chatting, or making new connections. Co-owned by Paris Splendide, the store attracted models, performers, and politicians—a social hub.
玛莱雅引领李皓珺一行人直接穿过大厅，去联系接待人员了。大厅很繁华，有客人进出，也有客人在大厅闲坐和朋友分享经验，或者结识新的朋友。由于这个体验店是瑰丽巴黎参股经营，所以很多顾客是来源于其相关经营领域，比如模特，演艺人员，政客公众人物等，似乎这里是个拓展交际的好去处。
Malaya excelled: the manager was too busy, so she coordinated with staff, shared a working lunch, and delegated tasks efficiently. By sunset, they boarded the Portland flight.
玛莱雅做了很好的联络工作，体验店的店长自己的行程太忙了，她联系了相关负责工作人员，顺便共进中午工作餐，然后分头落实了自己的工作，效率很高，夕阳西下之前，一行人已经登上前往波特兰的飞机。
Cramped but manageable, dinner finished as the right window framed sunset over ocean, the left revealing sky and stars. Li Haojun thought of Qin Wenjing. Not a workaholic, he cherished twilight’s peace—but missed her.
虽然空间局促，但是完成晚餐还不是问题，右侧舷窗又是落日与大海，左侧是天空与星辰，李皓珺不由又想起了与覃文静一起的时光。他不是工作狂，只想在晚饭后的残阳里享受这一天的美好，只是心中惦记的人不在身边。
“You’re thinking of her again?” Malaya’s youthful voice broke the quiet. She always disrupted his calm—a very personal assistant. Yet he couldn’t complain; only closeness enabled true support.
“你又想她了吗？”那个青涩的声音又打破了平静，玛莱雅，似乎她总是喜欢打断李皓珺的平静，这个私人助理非常的私人。可是他又能抱怨什么呢，只有这个人更加了解自己才能更好的帮助自己。
Li Haojun turned, catching Kesiya nudging Malaya, who giggled unbothered.
李皓珺回头，正好看见凯西娅又在摇晃着玛莱雅，玛莱雅则是毫不在乎地被摇晃着笑嘻嘻的。
He smiled but didn’t answer. Young girls relished such topics—understandable. Their lives, just beginning, brimmed with hopeful uncertainty.
李皓珺看着她们笑了笑，没有回答，似乎年轻女孩子们热衷于这一类话题，也难怪，她们的人生才刚开始，充满了对各种不确定性的憧憬。
Night had fallen in Portland. Entering his hotel room, Li Haojun collapsed onto the bed, easing fatigue. His body wasn’t high-energy—more steady flow. Hope that means longevity. Longer to stay with Qin Wenjing. He couldn’t imagine her life without him.
落地波特兰已经入夜，一行人直接入住旅店，李皓珺进了自己的房间，懒沓沓地往床上一躺，缓解一下疲劳。似乎自己的身体不是那种能量充足的类型，也许是细水长流类型吧，希望能活得长久一些，就可以更长久地陪伴覃文静了，真不敢想象她没有自己的陪伴会是怎样的生活。
A knock at the door.
这时门外有敲门声，
“Come in,” he called from bed.
“请进，”，李皓珺躺在床上，面对房门说，
Malaya pulled Kesiya inside. Kesiya carried her work laptop.
玛莱雅拉着凯西娅走了进来，凯西娅手捧着工作电脑，
“Haha, no need to push so hard,” Li Haojun said.
“哈哈，你不用这么努力，” 李皓珺见状说，
“Sorry—I couldn’t read today’s data correctly.” Kesiya handed him the laptop, sitting beside him. He caught her breathing rhythm, the scent of youth—distracting. Malaya wandered the room, lost in thought.
“抱歉，今天的数据我不能正确读取，”说着，凯西娅把电脑递了过来，人也坐在了旁边，一起看着屏幕。李皓珺甚至能够听到她呼吸的节奏，闻到她青春的气息，确实令人分神。玛莱雅则悠闲地在房间里晃来晃去，不知道她的脑子里又在想些什么。
“Sorry for the late intrusion. Didn’t want to delay tomorrow’s work,” Kesiya apologized again.
“抱歉这么晚打扰你，我怕耽误明天的工作，” 凯西娅又一次表达了歉意，
“No problem.” Li Haojun scanned the screen.
“没关系，我看一下，”，李皓珺查看着情况，
“See? These figures seem off.” Kesiya leaned in, pointing. Her bangs swayed, revealing flushed cheeks. Fighting distraction, Li Haojun analyzed the pattern: cyclical errors, periodic.
“你看，这里的数据好像不对，” 凯西娅探身指出了一些看起来不太对劲的地方，秀发刘海随着她的动作晃动，时而显现她略有绯红的脸颊。顶着注意力被分散的压力，李皓珺的大脑迅速分析着发生状况的可能性，错误的发生有些规律，它是循环出现的，有一定的周期性，