Chapter Thirty-Five
Unfortunately, plans could never keep up with changes.
Three days later, Shen Qianzhan received a call from Shen's Mother: "Dengdeng, Old Shen and I have come to Beijing."
Caught completely off guard by Mr. and Mrs. Shen's fait accompli, Shen Qianzhan was instantly dumbfounded.
At that moment, Shen Qianzhan was in a small conference room, deploying work plans. After a brief moment of speechlessness, she asked for details and learned that the elderly couple had already arrived in Beijing. She immediately ended the meeting to pick them up from the airport.
Su Zan was overjoyed. Driven by a desire to stir up some drama, he volunteered: "Sister Zhan, shall I go with you?"
Shen Qianzhan put on her coat and glanced at him sideways: "Why are you butting in?"
Su Zan picked up her bag for her: "Butting in? I still owe Uncle a meal."
Two years ago during the New Year, Thousand Lights had a youth sports project scheduled for satellite broadcast that was rushing to meet deadlines. The entire crew, from producers and directors down to set assistants and lighting technicians, was working overtime—Su Zan was no exception.
That year happened to be convenient, as the filming location was in Jiangsu, not far from Shen Qianzhan's hometown. Mr. and Mrs. Shen drove to the set and made dumplings for all the staff. At the time, Su Zan was essentially the half-time life producer, mainly responsible for the crew's three daily meals. Because of this, he bonded with Old Shen, cooking together and forming a brief but profound week-long friendship.
Thinking of this, Shen Qianzhan no longer stopped him and tacitly allowed Su Zan to accompany her.
—
An hour later, Shen Qianzhan arrived at the airport and picked up Mr. and Mrs. Shen at the domestic arrivals exit.
Mr. and Mrs. Shen had initially been a bit uneasy, but upon seeing that Shen Qianzhan, though her expression was stiff, spoke gently and only complained about their fait accompli without disliking their sudden visit, they finally relaxed.
"Isn't it because you've been calling less lately, so we thought you were busy? When we asked if you were coming back for the New Year, you never gave a definite answer," Shen's Mother said. "In the past, whenever your dad and I wanted to visit you during holidays, you either complained about the hassle of booking tickets or said you had no time. Wasn't I just afraid you wouldn’t want me to come?"
Shen Qianzhan was left speechless.
She had drifted in Beijing for too long, throwing herself entirely into her career. In the first few years of her time in Beijing, she often missed home. Later, after overcoming the low points and becoming so busy that even three regular meals became a luxury, her contact with home gradually decreased. She often only remembered to check in once every half month.
She was indeed at fault.
Su Zan glanced at Shen Qianzhan's deflated expression in the back seat, secretly amused but maintaining a serious demeanor: "Auntie, don’t blame Sister Zhan. In our line of work, project cycles are long, and there are many uncertainties. She’s the backbone of the entire project, with everything demanding her attention. She really is busy. If you and Uncle don’t understand her, she’d probably feel terribly wronged."
After speaking, he subtly changed the subject: "Auntie, did you come this time specifically to spend the New Year with Sister Zhan?"
"Sort of," Shen's Mother smiled. "Dengdeng has a grandfather who came to Beijing for treatment at the end of last year. I thought the timing was convenient, so Old Shen and I came together."
Su Zan had some recollection of this and chimed in: "Sister Zhan, when you asked me to find a hospital and arrange a bed before your business trip last year, was it for your grandfather?"
Shen Qianzhan had almost completely forgotten about this. It was something that happened at the end of November last year, just before her business trip for an inspection. The grandfather wasn’t particularly close—they were separated by a generation, more like a distant relative.
At the time, Shen's Mother had asked if she could help arrange a hospital in Beijing. She handed the task to Su Zan and, upon learning it was settled, put it out of her mind and went on her business trip. Now that the old matter was brought up again, her conscience finally kicked in, and she felt at fault. She took the initiative to say: "Once you and Dad are settled, I’ll go with you."Su Zan took them to a private Beijing cuisine restaurant near Shen Qianzhan's residential complex.
This was a place they often visited for private gatherings—tranquil environment, authentic flavors, and, even more rare, offering both lamb spine hotpot and sliced roast duck in one go.
Su Zan had a natural talent for winning over elders, charming Old Shen to the point where he was nearly ready to pat Su Zan on the shoulder and call him "brother."
Su Zan, for his part, didn’t act like an outsider either. After arranging with Old Shen to take him fishing and visit the museum the next day, he finally left satisfied.
Back home, as Shen Qianzhan stood in the elevator lobby about to open the door, she gave her mother a heads-up: "Madam Old Shen, once we step inside, no matter what you see, stay calm and keep your composure, understood?"
Shen’s Mother grew slightly panicked. "Did you take in a man?"
Shen Qianzhan fell silent for a few seconds before swiftly opening the door, presenting to her mother the "living standard even worse than a street performer’s bedding setup" that Su Zan often taunted her about.
Three seconds later, Shen’s Mother let out a horrified scream at the shocking sight before her.
When Su Zan received the notification from the video system and checked the details, he burst into pig-like laughter right after hearing that scream.
—
Shen Qianzhan’s 200-square-meter luxury apartment had cost nearly a million in renovation, but the value of that renovation became utterly worthless within three months of her moving in.
Piles of unplanned express deliveries; scattered clothes and miscellaneous items everywhere; haphazardly placed objects—the entire space, with the sole exception of Shen Qianzhan herself being impeccably dressed, resembled a graveyard for luxury goods.
At first, Shen Qianzhan would hire hourly cleaners to tidy up, but after several instances of being unable to find things, she gave up entirely and simply let the mess persist.
One year during a gathering, the still-uninformed Xiang Qianqian suggested holding a get-together at Shen Qianzhan’s place, only to be firmly vetoed by both Su Zan and Qiao Xin. Even back when Shen Qianzhan decided to install surveillance cameras at the elevator entrance, Su Zan had cheekily remarked, "With the layout of your home, wouldn’t a thief get lost inside?"
Thus, it was clear that beneath Shen Qianzhan’s polished exterior lay a soul best left unexamined.
—
After spending an evening tidying up, Shen’s Mother barely managed to settle in.
Exhausted, she fell into a deep sleep without even getting to ask about the relationship matters she cared most about.
The next day, Su Zan took time off.
Knowing that Su Zan had taken Old Shen fishing, Shen Qianzhan turned a blind eye and continued the meeting from the previous day that hadn’t been finished.
With the Spring Festival approaching, the employees’ work enthusiasm had significantly waned.
Shen Qianzhan didn’t assign them any additional tasks. After finalizing the post-holiday work plan, she took over the responsibilities of Qiao Xin, who had returned home early, and contacted Ming Jue to confirm when Ji Qinghe would resume work after the holiday.
While waiting for Ming Jue’s response, Shen Qianzhan sent Lin Qiao a project confidentiality agreement.
For the sake of the script’s progress, after careful consideration, Shen Qianzhan decided to sign Lin Qiao to collaborate with Jiang Juanshan on the script. However, implementation would depend on whether Jiang Juanshan agreed.
Not wanting to relay messages back and forth, Shen Qianzhan simply had Lin Qiao sign the confidentiality agreement, planning to discuss everything face-to-face once the first script meeting was scheduled.
Just before leaving work in the afternoon, Ming Jue replied: "Mr. Ji says he can accommodate your schedule."
Afraid she might have misunderstood, Shen Qianzhan cautiously asked again, "Any time is fine?"
Ming Jue took a moment to respond: "Once Producer Shen confirms the time, please inform me in advance, and I’ll arrange it for Mr. Ji."The workaholic and seemingly unfeeling producer Shen immediately coordinated the schedules of all three parties and set the first script meeting for the third day of the Lunar New Year.
Su Zan, who had gone fishing with his much older friend, missed the chance to voice his opposition in time, leaving him utterly despondent.
——
On the last weekend before the New Year, Shen Qianzhan accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Shen to the hospital to visit her grandfather.
Just before they left, Su Zan sent her a WeChat message: "Sis, I asked a friend to help connect Grandfather with an expert in coronary artery bypass surgery. Please be nice to my friend."
Shen Qianzhan had already heard from Old Shen that Su Zan had helped introduce a cardiac surgery authority, so she didn’t suspect anything: "Thanks."
Normally, someone like Su Zan, who would take an inch if given a mile, would have immediately seized the opportunity to boast. But today, he was unusually quiet and composed, appearing quite steady.
So, on the way to the ward, Shen Qianzhan cautiously asked Old Shen, "Do you know who the doctor Su Zan introduced for Grandfather is?"
"His surname is Fei," Old Shen recalled. "Seems like he’s not from Beijing."
Shen Qianzhan frowned, confirming she had no impression of the name, and asked, "How did Su Zan think to introduce a doctor for Grandfather?"
Old Shen, worried she might think he had overstepped, explained, "The other day, fishing wasn’t going well, so Xiao Su asked me to go again this weekend. I said I had to visit Grandfather at the hospital. Xiao Su knew about Grandfather’s heart condition from when he helped you arrange the hospital and ward, so he asked for details. I mentioned that Grandfather’s family was waiting until after the New Year for bypass surgery. The next day, he said a friend’s father had also undergone the surgery quite successfully and introduced the doctor to me."
Hearing this, Shen Qianzhan felt half-relieved.
Old Shen wasn’t the type to overstep or trouble friends unnecessarily, so it seemed Su Zan was just genuinely helpful.
Just as Shen Qianzhan began to feel a twinge of guilt for misjudging Su Zan, she looked up and saw Ji Qinghe standing at the end of the hallway, conversing with a middle-aged man.
His expression was calm, his profile softened by the light as he slightly lowered his head, listening intently to the other person.
Shen Qianzhan paused mid-step, vaguely sensing… Su Zan had gone and gotten her indebted to someone again.
This suspicion was fully confirmed the moment Ji Qinghe and the middle-aged man appeared in Grandfather’s ward.
Shen Qianzhan felt like killing Su Zan and burying him in an unmarked grave. She forced a stiff smile and greeted Ji Qinghe, who stood at the doorway, feigning surprise: "Mr. Ji, what brings you here?"
In front of elders, Ji Qinghe was noticeably more restrained.
He raised a finger to his lips, signaling her to listen to the doctors first.
Grandfather’s attending physician and Doctor Fei were discussing the condition. In front of the patient, they didn’t delve too deeply, only briefly aligning their perspectives.
Once the family and doctors stepped out of the ward, Shen Qianzhan excused herself from Old Shen and walked Ji Qinghe out.
The hospital’s inpatient department was quieter than the outpatient area. Shen Qianzhan walked beside Ji Qinghe, waiting until they descended the stairs and left the lobby before carefully speaking up: "I’ve troubled you again. I didn’t know Su Zan…"
Ji Qinghe cut her off: "No trouble."
The sunlight was chilly, and Beijing’s wind was as biting as ever.
"My father underwent coronary artery bypass surgery a few years ago and recovered well," Ji Qinghe glanced at her, his tone casual and somewhat indifferent. "Doctor Fei is a cardiac surgery expert. You can rest assured if he’s performing the surgery."
Shen Qianzhan felt a flush of embarrassment. Even with her sharp wit, she couldn’t find the right words to say.No sooner had she rejected him, cutting all ties cleanly, than she found herself having to trouble him again. Though it wasn't her intention, she had indeed incurred a debt of gratitude. No matter how you looked at it, it seemed hypocritical and manipulative, like playing both sides.
Author's Note: Feeling a bit down, made many revisions, but this will do for now.
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me with overlord tickets or irrigated with nutrient solution from 2020-03-08 18:02:33 to 2020-03-09 20:18:31~
Thank you to the little angel who threw a rocket launcher: Ye Qianlan, 1;
Thank you to the little angels who threw grenades: Wen Wen Wen Wen, Jing Yu, Mu Hanhan's Little Shadow Mio, 1 each;
Thank you to the little angels who threw landmines: Wencun., Yue Banban, 3 each; Yang Juzi, Yi Ke Youzi, Weiyi hhh, 2 each; Gezhe Yinhe Yuzhou, A Liang Jia Nai Bu Jia Tang, 42541583, Ai Tu Paopao De Lan Pangzi, Fan Xian, Zui Ai Bei Qing De Jing Bai, Mu Yi, Qiao Yi Qiao Qiao Qiao A Qiao, Meiyan Rusi, Miao Yin lovely, Cha Shao, Zhang Zhang Zhang Zhang Ping, Xiang Yu Jian Ni Ya, A Gun Gun, siytse, Manman Ni Feng Chun Ku, Jiu Jiu, Bobo De Yi Ni, josie, fkpavil, Mu Cheng, Zhang Yixing Laopo, Hu Bei Yi, Ji Yanxin Hui Qu Wo Ma, Duote Mengde Jing Qiaoqiao, whisper, Buding Taotao Jun, Yu~ Mo, Yu Yue, Xing Fu, 1 each;
Thank you to the little angels who irrigated with nutrient solution: Jiao Baba, 33 bottles; Jiang Guo Tao Zhou, 32 bottles; Xiao Xiao, 30 bottles; Gui Qiu Su Su Geng Xin De Xiao Chen, 16 bottles; 24182114, 15 bottles; xigyus?, 12 bottles; Qi, Wang Xiaojie Ya, Bu Wang Ben Xin 7777, Miao, siytse, A Liang Jia Nai Bu Jia Tang, 10 bottles; Yue Banban, 9 bottles; Xiao Ba Tian, Ming Jian, 7 bottles; Wencun., Gou Dan De Mi Mei, 6 bottles; Dang Dai Tian Shi, Ai Chi Rou Rou De Xiao Rou Rou, Qing Mo, biubiu, 5 bottles; oneday, Lvtu de Meihao, Xiao Kai Jiao Qi., Jiao Shenme Shi Ge Wenti, 3 bottles; villkan, Chen Hao, elaine, harper, okyoyocoo, Sima Xiaobai, Ning Meng, karen, Ge Bi Lu Ge?, 2 bottles; Ai Ya, makotov, liquor., You, Xi Xin Bu Guo q, Xie Bu Er A., ~~ Bai Lu Wei Shuang, Bai Cai, Jiucheng‵ Liang Xiang, Er Fu, Yu Ni, farewell, Chu Wu Yan, 1 bottle;
Thank you all very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!
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