Chapter Fifteen
It was late at night when they arrived in Beijing.
Shen Qianzhan, accustomed to long nights on set and irregular schedules, considered any time before midnight as still early. She politely declined Su Zan's offer to send a car, and after exiting the station, she and Qiao Xin each took a taxi home to rest.
Only after arriving home did Shen Qianzhan remember she had forgotten to ask Ji Qinghe about the time of tomorrow's association event.
Sitting on the floor of her bedroom, she scrolled through her phone screen, lost in thought for a few seconds.
Since Ji Qinghe had sent the friend request, the chat window contained nothing but the flirtatious remark "Not a dog, but I've bitten you" as a note, along with the default message: "You have added Ji. You can now start chatting." Their only contact had been the phone call at noon—no chatting, no further communication. She had no idea why he had asked Su Zan for her WeChat in the first place.
Rubbing her temples, she tossed her phone aside and went to shower and sleep.
—
Early the next morning.
Shen Qianzhan, whom Qiao Xin claimed could never wake up before ten, battled fiercely with her bed for half an hour through sheer willpower. Dragging her uncooperative body out of bed, she washed up.
To shine brightly and outshine everyone today, Shen Qianzhan started her morning with a face mask and carefully applied her makeup. When selecting her "battle attire" from the wardrobe, she meticulously followed the almanac's guidance and chose the day's lucky color—white.
A woman's best fighting spirit likely emerges when she looks in the mirror and feels so beautiful she could conquer the heavens, the earth, and all that is intangible.
After admiring herself in the mirror for a few seconds, Shen Qianzhan picked up her bag, brimming with energy and determination, ready to set off.
—
Shen Qianzhan first went to Time Hall to try her luck.
She reasoned that since the Clock Collectors Association was based at Time Hall, the event would likely involve the group gathering there before heading out together. Otherwise, if friends simply wanted to meet up, wouldn't it be easier to gather directly at the entrance of the Forbidden City?
Moreover, Meng Wangzhou took great pride in the association being a second-tier certified organization and cherished his position as deputy director. Given the rare opportunity to organize an event, he would undoubtedly want to exercise his authority and indulge in some self-amusement.
Thus, Shen Qianzhan had narrowed it down to two locations from the start: Time Hall and the Clock Gallery.
As it turned out, Shen Qianzhan's intelligence, which tended to falter only when dealing with Ji Qinghe, was still largely intact.
She arrived as if she had timed it perfectly. Under the gaze of the crowd, she rolled down her car window and waved gracefully and charmingly at Meng Wangzhou.
At first, Meng Wangzhou didn't see clearly. After adjusting his baseball cap, he realized the stunningly beautiful woman in the car was none other than Shen Qianzhan, who had recently blocked him.
His eyes lit up with surprise, and he hurried over to greet her. "Producer Shen, you're here! Qinghe said you were on a business trip. I thought you wouldn't be able to make it this time."
Shen Qianzhan parked nearby, her demeanor so friendly it was as if she had never blocked Meng Wangzhou out of anger toward Ji Qinghe. "Originally, I was scheduled to fly back to Beijing this afternoon, but when I heard about the event, I rushed back on the high-speed train last night."
Smiling, she scanned the area and casually inquired, "Mr. Ji mentioned he'd be giving a guided tour today. Where is he?"
Meng Wangzhou was an adult—one who had read countless Korean drama scripts and watched plenty of romantic films.He knew perfectly well that Shen Qianzhan wasn’t here for his association’s event at all—she had come solely to pursue Ji Qinghe. But the world after turning eighteen was one without taboos; adults not only loved playing with heartbeats but were also adept at setting up the pretense of putting on a show.
“Next door.” Meng Wangzhou pointed to the other courtyard house next to Time Hall, separated by towering walls. “He probably won’t come out until it’s time to leave.”
Confirming that Ji Qinghe was indeed here, Shen Qianzhan felt a slight sense of relief.
She glanced at her wristwatch. Well, there was still plenty of time.
—
The Palace Museum opened at eight o’clock.
By nearly ten, all the collectors Meng Wangzhou had gathered had arrived. As he checked names on the register, he handed out small badges bearing the emblem of the “Beijing Clock and Watch Collectors Association.”
Even Shen Qianzhan, who wasn’t on the association’s membership list and was merely occupying a spot as a tourist, received one.
It was at this moment that Ji Qinghe appeared.
He had a solid-colored long coat draped over his arm, wore a cold smoke-colored sweater over a pure white twill shirt, looking refined and gentlemanly. The cuffs of his black jeans were casually and loosely rolled up, accentuating his tall stature and long legs, giving him an elegant and poised presence.
Shen Qianzhan couldn’t look away at first glance.
Ji Qinghe was usually steady and polished, dressed in suits and formal attire.
His demeanor was cool and aloof, but whenever he wore shirts or jackets in cool-toned fabrics, he could effortlessly disguise himself as harmless.
As she admired him for a second time, Ji Qinghe seemed to sense it. He glanced slightly to the side and met her gaze.
His expression was calm and unruffled, as if it were no surprise at all to see Shen Qianzhan here.
Shen Qianzhan seized the moment for a third look.
This glance was quite deliberate—she focused on scanning Ji Qinghe’s slender, lean waist and his perfectly proportioned, well-defined hips. She wondered what kind of upbringing the Ji family had given him; his waist-to-hip ratio was as if measured with a ruler, flawless and beyond reproach.
She clicked her tongue inwardly with a hint of lingering appreciation, recalling the feel of those areas on Ji Qinghe. Her gaze couldn’t help but carry a touch of unconcealed desire.
Ji Qinghe acted as if he hadn’t noticed.
Although his appearance was quiet and low-key, his presence didn’t allow it. Almost the moment he showed up, whether people were chatting in groups or fiddling with their phones, everyone seemed to have installed a radar, turning their attention precisely toward him.
Meng Wangzhou was also taken aback for a moment. Once he regained his composure, he called out to the group, leading the way as they set off.
—
Time Hall wasn’t far from the Palace Museum, so the group walked there.
Meng Wangzhou was in high spirits, encouraging the collectors to travel green along the way while taking the lead in giving explanations. His demeanor made him seem like a volunteer tour guide working purely out of passion.
Shen Qianzhan hadn’t expected walking to be such a cruel punishment. In her high heels, she moved with difficulty and walked exceptionally slowly.
She had initially worried that Ji Qinghe might remember the grudges between them—grudges that had only deepened over time—and deliberately ignore her. But today, the scoundrel had not only changed his style but also seemed to have grown a conscience, unexpectedly slowing his pace to walk side by side with her.
Perhaps influenced by the invisible rule that good-looking people walk slowly while less attractive ones walk quickly, the group led by Meng Wangzhou stretched out sparsely, occupying half the street.
—
By the time they reached the Clock and Watch Gallery, it was already noon.
Meng Wangzhou, full of enthusiasm, began organizing the group as soon as they entered and started his explanations.Shen Qianzhan, noticing the discrepancy between reality and what had been said, turned around and fixed her gaze on Ji Qinghe, whose demeanor had settled into an exceptionally gentle and pure state since entering. "Didn't you say you'd be the one explaining?"
Ji Qinghe withdrew his gaze from the hardwood carved pagoda-style chiming clock and looked down at her. "Yes."
Shen Qianzhan slightly raised her chin, gesturing toward the enthusiastic Meng Wangzhou, who was speaking animatedly ahead. "Then what is he doing?" Her expression was one of pained indignation, as if she had been deceived.
Ji Qinghe gave a faint, unhurried smile and glanced at the sparse tourists around them, signaling with his eyes for her to look at the large clock he had just been admiring.
"This is a hardwood carved pagoda-style chiming clock, the largest chiming clock preserved in the palace. It reports the quarter-hour above and the hour below, with three interconnected sets of copper gear transmission systems for timekeeping, quarter-hour chiming, and hour chiming. It was manufactured by the Qing Palace Workshops during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty. Not only is its production technique complex, but the materials used are also extravagant." He glanced sideways at Shen Qianzhan, who seemed only partially understanding, and paused briefly before asking, "Do you need a more detailed explanation of the watchmaking process or the operational principles of the three systems in this clock?"
Shen Qianzhan turned to look at him.
His expression remained neutral, but his tone clearly implied, "I don't think you’d understand."
Shen Qianzhan was rather superficial in her appreciation of clocks. Her fondness for them stemmed from their high value and their ability to capture a young woman’s heart with their aesthetics. As for the principles of clockmaking or the art of restoration, she was far more knowledgeable about watch brands.
Seeing her remain silent, Ji Qinghe stood before the railing of the chiming clock, leaning slightly forward to meet her eye level. "Just like before, today I’ll only explain for you."
Shen Qianzhan wanted to feel moved, but recalling the scene from their first encounter where the "explanation" ended up in bed, she found it hard to muster any genuine emotion.
In truth, Su Zan had always harbored some misunderstandings about her.
That one-night stand with Ji Qinghe had been entirely consensual. There was no deception or the kind of heart-wrenching, melodramatic scenarios Su Zan later imagined about who was more at fault.
It was just that Shen Qianzhan had always enjoyed playful banter, taking verbal liberties without distorting the facts.
Looking back carefully now, although she might have been somewhat provocative, the one who undoubtedly took the lead was that scoundrel Ji Qinghe.
After a moment of silence, she conceded, "Alright then, you’ll have to put in a bit more effort today."
Worried that his words might carry hidden implications, Shen Qianzhan thought for a moment and added, "Hurry up and finish explaining, so we can get to the real business."
They were both adults, and they understood each other perfectly.
This event organized by the Clock and Watch Association was merely a convenient pretext for them to meet, allowing both sides to avoid confronting the stark reality directly.
It just goes to show how society is a mix of humans and beasts. With a fig leaf in place, no one can tell whether the person across from them is human or a dog.
—
After touring the Clock and Watch Gallery, Meng Wangzhou disbanded the group on the spot. He didn’t interfere with whether the collectors chose to continue exploring the Treasure Gallery, the Military Affairs Office, or simply leave and go home.
Shen Qianzhan hadn’t walked so much in a single day all year. She looked at Ji Qinghe, seeking his opinion. "Should we talk outside or just find a random spot?"
Ji Qinghe glanced at her reddened feet, rubbed raw from walking, and replied unhurriedly, "There’s a tea house ahead. Let’s have a cup of coffee."
Shen Qianzhan had no objections.
The afternoon sun was just right. The outdoor tea house was shaded by a sun umbrella, and with the lush greenery all around, it faintly felt like summer had returned.
Shen Qianzhan hesitated for three seconds at the corridor—just three seconds.She gazed at the sunlight filtering through the gaps in the umbrella, thought about the immense damage UV rays could do to her skin, and declared with righteous conviction, "Inside. It's quieter."
Ji Qinghe seemed to know exactly what she was thinking, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips as he readily agreed.
Once inside, Shen Qianzhan chose a quiet corner and ordered a cup of coffee.
Ji Qinghe didn't even glance at the menu, casually requesting a pot of tea.
Seeing this, Shen Qianzhan couldn't resist extending her restless little claws for a light scratch: "Mr. Ji, starting to focus on health and wellness at such a young age?"
Ji Qinghe was no stranger to Shen Qianzhan's behavior and attitude—as if he were her natural enemy, all sweet words and hidden daggers whenever they met. In fact, he even felt a sense of familiarity and ease because of it.
He replied with perfect smoothness, "I'm nurturing a peony in the backyard. If I don't take care of my health, I'm afraid I won't be able to afford to water it in the future."
Shen Qianzhan, having brought this upon herself: "..."
She cleared her throat, quickly regaining her composure, and asked, "So, can we start discussing the collaboration now?"
Ji Qinghe had initially intended to say, "That depends on your sincerity," but as the words reached his lips, he changed his approach and asked instead, "If the prerequisite for this collaboration is for Producer Shen to become that peony, would you be willing?"
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