Love in 50th century

The morning in Stellaris Tech unfolded with its usual orchestrated efficiency. Qin Feng, having spent the early hours immersed in a critical AI development meeting, was now reviewing holographic reports in his spacious office, the panoramic view of Neo-Shanghai a silent backdrop to his intense concentration. The city below pulsed with technological life, a testament to the empire he had meticulously built. Yet, despite the outward appearance of unwavering focus, a subtle undercurrent of something akin to weariness flickered beneath his composed exterior. The weight of leadership, the constant pressure of innovation, and the lingering, unresolved complexities of his interactions with Lin Wei – they all contributed to a subtle tension he rarely allowed to surface.

Meanwhile, on the fifteenth floor, Lin Wei was deeply engrossed in the intricate schematics of the Skybloom Residences' next phase, her brow furrowed in concentration as she collaborated with Chen Li on optimizing the integration of vertical hydroponic systems with the building's AI-controlled environmental regulators. The work was challenging and intellectually stimulating, a welcome distraction from the unsettling revelation about Qin Feng's landlord status and the brief, charged moment they had shared at the innovation summit. She found a certain satisfaction in the tangible nature of architectural design, a grounding force in a world increasingly dominated by the intangible realm of artificial intelligence.

Suddenly, a ripple of unusual activity spread through the Design Department. A hushed murmur of curiosity followed a distinguished elderly woman who had entered the floor, her movements slow but deliberate, her bearing radiating an unexpected air of quiet authority amidst the youthful energy of the office. She leaned slightly on an intricately carved walking stick, her silver hair pulled back in a neat bun, her eyes sharp and observant as they scanned the bustling workspace. She wore a traditional, yet elegantly tailored, silk tunic in a muted shade of jade, a stark contrast to the sleek, modern attire of the Stellaris Tech employees.

A young intern, visibly flustered, approached her hesitantly. "Madam, may I help you?"

The elderly woman's voice, though soft, carried a surprising resonance. "I am looking for my grandson, Qin Feng. I believe he works here."

A collective ripple of surprise went through the nearby workstations. The name Qin Feng, spoken with such familial intimacy by this unexpected visitor, hung in the air. While everyone knew the CEO's name, few had ever encountered anyone claiming a personal connection to the notoriously private leader.

The intern stammered, "CEO Qin? Yes, Madam, he… his office is on the top floor."

The elderly woman nodded slowly. "The top floor. Of course. And how does one get there?" Her gaze swept over the complex array of elevators and access control panels, a hint of unfamiliarity in her expression.

Before the flustered intern could offer further assistance, Lin Wei, noticing the woman's slight air of confusion, approached her with a polite smile. "Excuse me, Madam. I can help you. I'm heading towards the executive floors myself."

The elderly woman turned her sharp gaze towards Lin Wei, her eyes assessing her with a keen intensity. After a moment, a faint smile touched her lips. "That would be most kind of you, young lady."

As they walked towards the executive elevators, Lin Wei offered her arm as support. The elderly woman accepted it with a gentle nod. "My name is Lin Wei," she introduced herself.

"Mei," the elderly woman replied simply, her eyes twinkling slightly. "Mei Qin."

The name resonated within Lin Wei, a subtle echo of the powerful CEO she now worked for. Could this be…? The thought was both surprising and strangely logical. Qin Feng had always seemed fiercely independent, a lone figure at the top. The idea of him having family hadn't really crossed her mind.

The elevator ascended swiftly and silently. As they reached the executive floor, the atmosphere shifted, the open-plan bustle replaced by an air of quiet, high-level authority. Lin Wei guided Mei Qin towards Qin Feng's office suite. The outer office was manned by his efficient personal assistant, Xiao Li.

Xiao Li, upon seeing the elderly woman accompanied by Lin Wei, looked momentarily surprised but quickly regained her professional composure. "Madam Mei? CEO Qin is currently in a meeting. Did he expect you?"

Mei Qin's eyes held a hint of mischievousness. "Did he? Perhaps he forgot I was coming to check up on my wayward grandson."

Xiao Li, clearly recognizing the familial connection, offered a respectful bow. "Of course, Madam. Please have a seat. I will inform CEO Qin immediately."

As Xiao Li disappeared into Qin Feng's inner office, Mei Qin turned to Lin Wei, her gaze filled with a warmth that belied her sharp initial assessment. "Thank you again, young Lin Wei. You have been most helpful."

"It was no trouble at all, Madam Mei," Lin Wei replied, a sense of unexpected connection forming between them.

A moment later, the inner office door opened, and Qin Feng emerged, his usual composed expression momentarily replaced by one of surprise, quickly followed by a look of genuine affection as his eyes landed on his grandmother.

"Nai Nai!" he exclaimed, a hint of undisguised warmth in his voice. He moved quickly to embrace her, a rare display of personal emotion that Lin Wei found surprisingly… humanizing.

Mei Qin patted his arm affectionately. "Feng'er, you are as buried in your work as always. I had to come and see for myself if you were still alive."

Qin Feng chuckled, a genuine, unguarded sound that Lin Wei had never heard before. "Nai Nai, you worry too much. But it's good to see you." He then turned his attention to Lin Wei, a flicker of surprise in his eyes at her presence. "Lin Wei? What brings you to this floor?"

Before Lin Wei could formulate a reply, Mei Qin interjected, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "This kind young lady was kind enough to guide this old woman up here. She is a very helpful employee you have, Feng'er."

A strange look passed between Qin Feng and Lin Wei, a silent acknowledgment of their shared, and now slightly more complicated, reality. The warmth in Qin Feng's voice when addressing his grandmother, the unexpected familial connection – it painted a different picture of the enigmatic CEO, a picture that Lin Wei found herself unexpectedly intrigued by. The awkward tension that usually defined their interactions seemed to soften slightly in the presence of this new element, this unexpected glimpse into Qin Feng's personal world. The seeds of a different kind of connection, one rooted in an unexpected shared moment, had been subtly sown.