I Live in Your Time

Chapter Twenty-Six

By a quarter past seven, Ming Jue tactfully reminded Ji Qinghe that it was time to leave.

At that moment, Shen Qianzhan was competing with Su Zan to see who could handle more wasabi. Glancing over, she saw Ming Jue leaning close to Ji Qinghe, whispering something, and the latter instinctively checking his watch.

This combination of moves was something she and Su Zan had often used to help each other escape when one of them had had too much to drink.

She immediately understood. Stuffing a piece of abalone slathered with half a tube of wasabi into her mouth, she chewed hastily twice and swallowed it quickly.

Just as Ji Qinghe was about to say his goodbyes, he looked up to see her eyes glistening, as if she had just been wronged. She gazed at him with a look that seemed to hold unspoken words, appearing utterly pitiful.

He was well aware of the childish bet between these two, but seeing Shen Qianzhan like this, his blood surged, his eyes darkened, and his tone turned slightly teasing: "Don’t want me to leave?"

Shen Qianzhan was half-choked by the wasabi, her soul nearly leaving her body. She downed a full glass of water before barely suppressing the spicy sensation that made her soul tremble.

Evading the question, she said lightly, "Who would willingly let a god of wealth walk away?" With that, she pushed herself up from the table and personally escorted him out. "Mr. Ji must be very busy. Su Zan and I have already taken up too much of your time."

Ji Qinghe saved his breath, stood up leisurely, put on his coat, and walked downstairs with her.

—

Seven in the evening was peak dining hours.

The main hall of Kunshan Cottage was fully occupied, with waiters constantly weaving through the tables, taking orders and serving dishes.

Shen Qianzhan led the way, but noticing the narrow wooden staircase that only allowed one person to pass at a time, she quickened her pace and descended to the foot of the stairs. She waited there for Ji Qinghe to come down.

She walked quickly, failing to notice a waiter behind a potted fake flower who was carrying used dishes and hurrying toward the kitchen.

Amid the noisy chatter, a warning cry mixed with exclamations rose.

Shen Qianzhan couldn’t make out the words clearly but instinctively searched for the source of the sound. By the time her eyes locked onto the waiter who remained oblivious to the "obstacle" ahead, there was little time left to avoid a collision.

Just as a crash seemed unavoidable, a strong arm wrapped around her waist. The man, who had been casually buttoning his suit jacket a moment ago with his gaze elsewhere, reacted swiftly, pulling her into his embrace and narrowly averting disaster.

Startled, Shen Qianzhan looked up and met Ji Qinghe’s dark, cool eyes, his lips pressed into a thin line.

He didn’t release her immediately, his gaze lingering on the spilled water at the foot of the stairs for a few seconds. Then, with a long stride, he carried her across the narrow passageway before finally letting her go.

The waiter, finally realizing the near-accident, kept apologizing profusely.

Shen Qianzhan’s mind went blank for a moment, and she thanked Ji Qinghe with a complicated expression.

"No need," Ji Qinghe said, turning his head and instructing the waiter in a less-than-pleasant tone to place a "Caution: Wet Floor" sign at the stairs and clean it up quickly.

His features were handsome, yet even under the warm lighting, he seemed shrouded in an unfathomable chill, as if carrying an abyss within him—deep, cold, and inscrutable.

Seeing her dazed, Ji Qinghe was about to speak when the owner, noticing the commotion in the corner, hurried over and calmly directed the waiters to handle the aftermath.

After apologizing, the owner noticed Shen Qianzhan seemed ready to leave and asked softly, "We just got a fresh batch of fish slices today. Wait a moment, and I’ll pack some for you to take?"

"I also saved a tin of tea bags for you, blended to your taste..." The owner seemed to notice Ji Qinghe behind Shen Qianzhan only then, smiling briefly before not daring to delay her further, murmuring, "I’ll leave them at the counter. You can pick them up later."

Again...

Shen Qianzhan felt a headache coming on. She wanted to decline politely but, mindful of Ji Qinghe’s presence, took a couple of steps to catch up with the owner.

Su Zan stood behind Ji Qinghe and sighed quietly, his tone wistful, as if speaking to no one in particular: "Every time my Sister Qianzhan comes here, she eats and takes. Last time it was peach blossom wine and osmanthus wine, this time it’s raw fish slices and tea bags... All handmade by the owner, limited gifts for regulars, priceless treasures."

Ji Qinghe glanced back at him and asked, "Every time?"

Su Zan had guessed Ji Qinghe would bite, grinning slyly. "Yes, every time. But my Sister Qianzhan never lacks people trying to curry favor with her. Just offering food won’t cut it."

Ji Qinghe curved his lips slightly but said nothing.

He stood there, his posture and expression unchanged, yet Su Zan distinctly felt the aura around the big shot shift dramatically. If before it was merely aloof and cool, keeping others at a distance, now it felt like standing in a battlefield of swords and shadows.

He shivered, suddenly realizing he might have guessed wrong and made a misstep.

Just as Su Zan tried to shrink into the corner like a mushroom, Ji Qinghe glanced sideways, his eyes sweeping over Su Zan’s face. "Do you remember the favor of Endless Year dropping the lawsuit, Young Master Su?"

Su Zan nodded vigorously. "I remember, I remember. I wouldn’t dare forget."

Last time, when Xiang Qianqian trended on social media, Ji Qinghe had taken a firm stance, immediately threatening legal action. Su Zan, fearing the mess would spiral out of control, had pleaded until Ji Qinghe agreed to drop the lawsuit in exchange for a favor owed.

Ji Qinghe gave a light scoff and said softly, "Then start repaying it now."

—

After watching Ji Qinghe’s car drive away, Shen Qianzhan turned and eyed Su Zan, who had been acting strangely since earlier. "Are you hiding something from me?"

Su Zan shook his head.

Didn’t dare say, didn’t dare say.

Shen Qianzhan asked, "Then why do you look so guilty, like you’re having an affair behind my back?"

Su Zan’s face turned green. "Would I need to have an affair behind your back?" He stared at her for a few seconds with an offended expression, then abruptly changed the subject. "What’s next?"

Seeing his resistance, Shen Qianzhan, though suspicious, didn’t press further.

She waved her phone, sounding somewhat resigned. "Accompany me to Time Hall? Just half an hour."

Su Zan was puzzled. "Why are you going to Time Hall?"

He gestured with his chin in the direction Ji Qinghe had left. "Doesn’t Mr. Ji have a business dinner tonight?"

"I’m not going to see him," Shen Qianzhan said impatiently. "I’ll explain in the car."

Meng Wangzhou had invited her a while ago to attend their watch association’s matchmaking event on the 31st. After Shen Qianzhan coldly declined, Meng Wangzhou seemed to have given up, but in reality, he had been subtly trying to persuade her these past few days.

He promised to work as free labor for her production crew and even swore to lend all the watch props she needed for her drama for free. All she had to do was show up, even if just for ten minutes.

Shen Qianzhan thought the deal sounded quite profitable. "Look at Meng Wangzhou’s build. Not putting him to work carrying cameras, setting up outdoor scenes, or doing manual labor is such a waste."

Su Zan wanted to roll his eyes. "Is this how you save money?"

Shen Qianzhan took advantage of a red light to reapply her lipstick. The light was too dim, so she applied it carefully, going over it two or three times. "Do you think I’m that shallow?"

She pressed her lips together, wiping off excess lipstick with her fingertip, her voice muffled. "What I want is the antique clock he borrowed from Old Master Ji. The kind worth a fortune, where touching it could bankrupt you."

Su Zan didn’t understand. "Couldn’t you just borrow it from Mr. Ji, too?"

Shen Qianzhan looked at Su Zan as if he were an idiot. "Is getting something for free the same as paying for it?"

Su Zan: "..."

That made perfect, irrefutable sense.

—

Given Meng Wangzhou’s personality, Shen Qianzhan wasn’t at all surprised that he had gotten himself into a difficult situation.

The association event was held in a cultural center in the back alley of Time Hall. Meng Wangzhou rented a hall, not only hanging a banner but also very formally setting up an event sign at the entrance.

Of course, he wasn’t foolish enough to write "Watch Association Singles Matchmaking Event" outright. Events funded by organizations always came with lofty themes and purposes.

He disguised the matchmaking event as a "Watch Association Collectors’ Exchange," limited to young participants.

The event’s theme, promoting the inheritance of classics and exploring the mysteries of time, attracted a group of young men and women.

Su Zan swaggered into the venue, swinging his car keys, and commented, "Meng Wangzhou really knows how to stir things up, huh? The venue looks quite impressive."

As soon as he finished speaking, Meng Wangzhou emerged from some corner, wiping sweat as he chimed in, "Naturally."

He pointed to the backdrop on the stage for Shen Qianzhan. "I even made a PowerPoint presentation introducing the association members attending tonight. It’s called a matchmaking event, but it’s actually a proper, formal exchange, mainly to recruit like-minded new members into the association. Matchmaking isn’t the main goal—it’s just to help everyone make friends."

Shen Qianzhan had heard him mention the association’s annual quota for recruiting new members. She wasn’t particularly interested in whether it was a talent exchange or a matchmaking banquet; she only cared about one thing: "I’m here, so our deal stands. If Boss Meng goes back on his word later..." She left the threat hanging, smiling as she found an empty seat and sat down.

Meng Wangzhou broke out in a cold sweat at her words and quickly found an excuse to slip away.

—

Su Zan sat down beside her, looking around at the venue and the guests.

At exactly eight o’clock, the event officially began.

As the event organizer, Meng Wangzhou took the stage and read a passionate opening speech he had copied from somewhere. After his remarks, he warmly invited the director of the Watch Association to speak.

The director was the only elderly gentleman present with graying hair. Compared to the unreliable Meng Wangzhou, the director’s impromptu speech was polished and official. He first affirmed the significance of the event, then praised Meng Wangzhou’s efforts in recruiting new members for the association, while also commending the younger generation for their active contributions. Finally, he recounted the challenges the Watch Association had faced since its establishment and wished for the event’s success and fruitful outcomes for all attendees.

After the formalities, Meng Wangzhou began hosting the PowerPoint presentation.

It covered the association’s founding history, all the important events and behind-the-scenes photos since its establishment, and introductions of individual members.

Su Zan watched, clicking his tongue and commenting, then finally raised a question: "If they’re just exchanging ideas within their association, why drag you here to make up the numbers?"

Shen Qianzhan shot him a warning look. "You’re the one making up the numbers. I’m just muddling through."

Su Zan wore an expression that said, "Whatever you say, I can’t argue with you anyway, and I don’t dare talk back."

After all the segments ended and the free exchange began, Su Zan finally understood why Meng Wangzhou had been so desperate to get Shen Qianzhan to attend...

He had only stepped out to relieve himself, but when he returned, he saw a crowd of young talents gathered around Shen Qianzhan, forming layers around her.

Stunned, he didn’t forget to take out his phone and send Ji Qinghe a thrilling photo of the scene.

—

Far away at another dinner engagement, Ji Qinghe was listening to someone discuss next year’s international situation and development prospects.

His phone vibrated slightly.

He unlocked it casually to check.

When he saw the photo Su Zan had sent, the unperturbed expression on his face cracked slightly.

He lowered his gaze, calmly put away his phone, and gestured for Ming Jue to come over.

A moment later, Ji Qinghe excused himself early from the banquet.

The roomful of financial bigwigs looked at him in surprise, waiting for an explanation.

Ji Qinghe maintained a humble posture, but his tone held little apology. "Sorry, there’s a fire in the backyard. I need to go put it out."

Author’s Note: Sister Qianzhan is in trouble. Laughing mercilessly.

Thank you to everyone who voted for me or nourished me with nutrient solutions between 2020-02-27 17:54:52 and 2020-02-28 18:33:08~

Special thanks to the little angels who launched rockets: 24159018, Ye Qianlan;

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Thank you all so much for your support. I will continue to work hard!