Chapter Twenty
Shen Qianzhan’s work hours had always been quite flexible.
While passing an expressway exit midway, she suddenly changed her mind and took the ramp early to get her car washed first.
The car wash was not far from Thousand Lights Entertainment, located in the underground parking garage of a shopping mall in the new business district.
When the mall first opened, the car wash and parking promotions were generous, so she had topped up several thousand yuan in one go, and the balance remained unused to this day.
After getting out of the car, she handed the keys to the car wash attendant and specifically instructed, “Please wipe the footprint off the passenger-side dashboard. If you have disinfectant, it’d be best to sanitize it too.” Lately, she had been feeling particularly unlucky.
The attendant glanced through the open window at the passenger seat. “No problem.”
He noted down the customer’s request and watched as Shen Qianzhan swayed her way into the elevator lobby before calling his assistant to hurry up with the wash.
Shen Qianzhan first went to a newly opened Cantonese-style tea restaurant for a brunch. After settling the bill, she headed straight for the luxury brand counters via the elevator, browsing through cosmetics and clothing boutiques.
Qiao Xin sent her a WeChat message just as she was fiddling with Gucci’s latest “Vagabond” bag.
Qiao Xin asked, “Are you stuck in traffic, Zhan-jie?”
“No,” Shen Qianzhan typed quickly with one hand. “Something urgent at the office?”
Qiao Xin replied, “Mr. Ji’s special assistant sent me the final version of the contract. There’s a clause I’d like to confirm with you?”
The little assistant cautiously added a question mark to test the waters.
Shen Qianzhan guessed exactly which clause it was. With a thick skin and an air of nonchalance, she replied, “I’ll be there after my car wash. Leave the contract on my desk for now.”
Qiao Xin agreed and added, “Mr. Ji’s side notified me that we can prepare the investment contract and bring it over this afternoon. Should I draft one based on our previous collaboration contract with Shiyue?”
Shen Qianzhan thought it was a good idea.
She was about to praise her highly capable assistant with a quick tap of her finger, but the words died on her lips as she inevitably recalled the embarrassing humiliation from the previous night, instantly dousing any such thoughts.
She glanced at the little bag still cradled in her arms and reluctantly let it go with a heavy heart.
Forget it. Today’s mom doesn’t deserve to reward you.
Seeing that there was work waiting for her at the office, Shen Qianzhan didn’t linger any longer. Familiar with the layout, she headed for the direct elevator to retrieve her car and leave.
Halfway back, Shen Qianzhan caught sight of the massive logo of the Endless Year watch boutique and, as if guided by some inexplicable impulse, changed her route and stepped inside.
The store’s main focus was the “Twilight Years” watch series, with posters and promotional materials featuring the brand’s endorsements.
She paused in front of the women’s watch counter, examining the few watches displayed under the glass, their surfaces illuminated by lights to exude an understated luxury.
Against a blue velvet backdrop, silver mechanical dials sparkled with scattered diamonds, dazzling and radiant.
There were minimalist designs with scattered diamonds, as well as low-key yet opulent Chinese-themed series, from “Crane’s Return” to “Magpie’s Song,” featuring three-dimensional relief designs and intricate craftsmanship.
Quite… stunning?
Why hadn’t she noticed before that Endless Year watches were this beautiful?
Seeing Shen Qianzhan linger for a while, the sales attendant followed her gaze and explained, “This ‘Magpie’s Song’ model was designed by Old Mr. Ji Qingzhen. It uses a gilded wire-drawing technique and an inlay artistry to present the art of the imperial court dial…”
Noticing Shen Qianzhan’s rapt attention, the saleswoman smiled slightly and added, “Old Mr. Ji Qingzhen is an imperial court watch restorer with profound expertise in the art of timepieces.”"She knows." A slightly cool voice sounded from behind, somewhat low and restrained.
Before Shen Qianzhan could react, several clerks behind the counter had already nodded and greeted softly, "Mr. Ji, Assistant Ming."
Shen Qianzhan turned around.
Ji Qinghe stood two steps behind her, dressed in a formal and understated dark gray suit. Behind him, besides the assistant she had met briefly last night, were several executives in a grand procession.
Such an unexpected encounter made Shen Qianzhan feel somewhat uneasy. Stiffening her neck, she forced a polite yet slightly exaggerated smile and said, "What a coincidence, Mr. Ji."
Ji Qinghe didn’t respond.
But his gaze clearly conveyed: "I’m at my own brand’s flagship store. What’s so coincidental about it?"
He strode leisurely toward the counter, glanced at the wristwatch in front of her, and then looked at her sideways. "Interested?"
He exuded a cool, aloof aura, as if he had just stepped out of a car and braved the biting cold wind, carrying a chill from head to toe.
This version of Ji Qinghe seemed somewhat unfamiliar.
But it was understandable.
She, too, had two different personas—one during work and another when drinking and playing games in private.
Shen Qianzhan quickly composed herself and explained, "I was getting my car washed downstairs and thought I’d take a look around." After a pause, she asked, "Are you here for an inspection?"
Ji Qinghe let out a soft chuckle, as if smiling. "You could say that."
Behind him, Ming Jue and the other executives couldn’t help but touch their noses.
Shen Qianzhan realized she probably hadn’t guessed correctly, but seeing that Ji Qinghe himself didn’t seem to mind, she felt at ease. Just as she was about to say, "I have work to attend to, so I won’t disturb you any longer," Ji Qinghe leaned slightly forward, scanning all the ladies’ watches in the display case.
As if unsatisfied, his gaze lingered on her wrist for a few seconds. He tapped the counter with a bent finger, then looked up and pointed to the store’s prized possession displayed behind the main poster. "Bring that over."
Shen Qianzhan blinked.
She watched as the saleswoman turned around, used the key hanging from her wrist to unlock the display case, and carefully retrieved a watch.
Shen Qianzhan’s first glance went to the price tag below.
Before she could count the string of zeros, Ji Qinghe had already taken the gloves handed to him by Ming Jue and meticulously picked up the ladies’ watch. "Try it on?"
Shen Qianzhan didn’t dare ask, "Do I have to buy it if I try it on?" Under the watchful eyes of the onlookers, she stood straight, her back tense, and extended her wrist.
Ji Qinghe looked up at her. Behind his glasses, his eyes held a faint smile, as if amused by her predicament.
"This ladies’ watch is the first model in the Time Key series. It only has a serial number and hasn’t been named yet." His slender fingers, clad in plain white gloves, gently grasped her wrist and lifted it. He loosened the brown checkered strap, placed the watch face-up on her wrist, then turned her hand over, adjusted the length precisely, and fastened it for her.
Her wrist was fair and slender, and the Time Key ladies’ watch, from its dial to the strap length, fit perfectly around it.
Shen Qianzhan instinctively felt that this watch held special significance for Ji Qinghe. After admiring it for a moment, she didn’t hesitate to lavish praise.
The watch’s design was simple, so she praised its sense of style, calling it trendy and fitting the modern aesthetic of high-end luxury.
The craftsmanship seemed somewhat ordinary, so she praised its materials, from the 18k gold to the crocodile leather strap.When she truly couldn't find anything else to praise, she began fabricating artistic sentiment and comfort of wear.
Ji Qinghe merely curved the corners of his lips at her assembly-line style of churning out flattery, waiting until she was parched and out of inspiration before appropriately interrupting: "You praise with such genuine emotion, I might think you want to buy this watch."
He tapped the price list, making a half-serious, half-joking remark: "Given our relationship, I'd struggle over how much of a discount to give you."
Shen Qianzhan resisted the urge to roll her eyes, shaking her wrist to signal him to remove it: "Better not give any discount. Even with two fewer zeros, I still couldn't afford it."
Ji Qinghe took off the watch for her and returned it to the counter. With his gloves half-removed, he glanced around the boutique and asked, "What do you think?"
His question was vague, lacking a clear subject. Yet Shen Qianzhan understood. She nodded slightly, offering a rare, earnest evaluation: "It's quite good. The value of Endless Year watches isn't just about brand prestige, but the rare, thoughtful craftsmanship."
With China's five-thousand-year history, although watchmaking only began in the Qing Dynasty, imperial craftsmanship is not merely a heritage of skill—it's a microcosm of an era.
The tribute drama Shen Qianzhan was working on shared an uncanny resonance with the story behind the Endless Year watch brand.
Perhaps feeling more relaxed, her boldness returned: "But Mr. Ji, when you said you were a professional freeloader and your family owned a general store that sold everything, didn't you feel a bit insincere?"
Shen Qianzhan tapped the glass display case containing a row of watches priced no lower than five figures, clicking her tongue twice.
Ji Qinghe's expression remained unchanged as he calmly replied, "Are you sure you want to settle old scores with me here? I don't mind much."
No, she wasn't sure.
Shen Qianzhan immediately fell silent.
Author's Note: Tomorrow begins the upgraded cooperation arc~
I'll do some homework tonight~! Today is another day I love you all more than yesterday~
Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated with nutrient solution between 2020-02-21 19:33:11 and 2020-02-22 18:04:20~
Special thanks to the little angel who threw a rocket launcher: Junjun who loves Bei Zha dearly, 1;
Thanks to the little angels who threw grenades: The Guy Named Time, Yue Banban, Yu~ Mo, It's Xi Zai Ya-, Weiyi hhh, 1 each;
Thanks to the little angels who threw landmines: *forever, 7; Yue Banban, 5; Weiyi hhh, 3; Heng Huohuo, Zhang Zhang Zhang Zhang Ping, 42437287, 25674577, Momo, Sky and Flying Birds, San Ye, Mu Hanhan's Little Shadow n, Zhang Yixing's Wife, Want to Meet You·, Gu Lin's Sake, Smiling Toward Warmth, Ah Gun Gun, Zui Ai Bei Qing's Jing Bai, Dudu's Mom, Starry-eyed Meng Sansui, 27314983, President of the Betel Nut Fan Club, Bei Rong Qing Yan, Wei Wei, It's Xi Zai Ya-, Mu Cheng, Floating Life, The Cute Ying Unknown to Others, Xi Xi Jelly Pudding, Bei Qinqin's Nongfu Spring, Lion King Xiuxiu 007, Constellation 1401, 1 each;Thank you to the little angels who irrigated with nutrient solution: 22835588, 18 bottles; Suiyu, Er'an, 16 bottles; Weiwei, 15 bottles; Huinai, 14 bottles; Tuche, 12 bottles; 36004747, Jie, Qingshan Bugai Jiuren Huan, Ruwangyao, Bujiahui de Mao, Sofiee, Maomao de Baofahu, Blinkblinku, Mengxing Shifen, Qingqing Zijin, Sumuzhe, Shicao de Shaonü, Kilenb, Xixia, Mlnh, 10 bottles; Zzzzz, 29613602, 6 bottles; Suasu, Jianghai Xingzhou, Juzi Chengzi Choubaguai, Kongcheng, Yuyun, Gloriaaaaaa, Xiao Batian, Hanlin, 5 bottles; 32691001, Sailai, 4 bottles; Baitao Shenxian, Villkan, Darry, Muyi, 3 bottles; Amelie, Okyoyocoo, Shalala, Tangmei, 1234567, 2 bottles; Cool-t, Xixin Buguo Q, 21221707, Farewell, Gulin de Qingjiu, Lianggua, 2333, Jiucheng‵ Liangxiang, Q, Chenhao, Louisa, Pipipi, Nuanyang Qingcheng , Xiao Tuzi, Chu Wuyan, Password Shi Ni Shengri Ya, 22605672, Dd Mama, 1 bottle;
Thank you all so much for your support, I will continue to work hard!
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