Act 36
After a few seconds of serious consideration, Shen Qianzhan, the hypocritical green tea, proposed, "When would you be free, Mr. Ji? Su Zan and I would like to treat you to a meal."
She turned her head slightly and added, "My grandfather's family is very grateful to you."
Ji Qinghe was not an insensitive person. Although what he had done was merely a small effort and not particularly troublesome, if Shen Qianzhan insisted on believing he had gone out of his way, he wouldn't argue. "I'm quite busy lately," he replied.
At the entrance of the inpatient department, with people coming and going, he reached out and gently guided her left shoulder, moving her to the inner side of the flower bed. "To free up time on the third day of the Lunar New Year, Ming Jue has compressed all my work into the period before the New Year."
Shen Qianzhan was somewhat surprised. "Aren't you going back to Xi'an for the New Year?"
Ji Qinghe gave her a deep look. "Are you hoping I'll be running back and forth between two places?"
No?
With his phrasing, whether she nodded or shook her head would be inappropriate.
Feeling a bit awkward, Shen Qianzhan avoided meeting his gaze. "If you're too busy with work, you can have Ming Jue let me know, and I'll adjust the timing."
Ji Qinghe asked, "Afraid of tiring me out?"
His tone was somewhat elusive. Before Shen Qianzhan could fully grasp its meaning, he added the second half of the sentence hanging in his heart with a hint of mischief, "If we're not doing anything else, I won't get tired."
Shen Qianzhan scoffed but didn't respond.
She understood.
In this regard, Ji Qinghe was far from a gentleman. He particularly enjoyed taking verbal liberties with her. However, his jokes were always subtle and sophisticated, never vulgar.
Coupled with his appearance, even when he spoke suggestively, it felt like flirting.
In public, he appeared refined and aloof, as serene as a cold bamboo grove in a pine forest. Only Shen Qianzhan knew what kind of seductive male fox would emerge once Ji Qinghe was ignited.
Shen Qianzhan escorted Ji Qinghe to the entrance of the inpatient department. After watching him get into the car, she knocked on the passenger window.
Ming Jue lowered the window in response.
Shen Qianzhan tossed a pack of cigarettes into the car, squinting slightly as she negotiated, "Give your boss more work to do. Keep him busy before the New Year, and I'll give you a big red envelope for the holidays." After saying this, she took a step back and provocatively raised an eyebrow at Ji Qinghe, who was vaguely visible through the rear window.
See, you can tease me, and I can tease you too.
—
After seeing Ji Qinghe off, Shen Qianzhan returned to the ward to get an update from Old Shen.
After she left, Doctor Fei had discussed the surgical risks and precautions with Grandfather's family.
Shen Qianzhan hadn't done her homework, so she found Old Shen's explanation a bit difficult to follow. Turning around, she saw Shen's Mother comforting Grandfather, her heart sinking like still well water, undisturbed even by the wind.
On the way home, she was unusually silent.
The fluctuating melodies and accompaniments in the car, whether light or energetic, only accentuated the cold and stiff atmosphere among the three.
Old Shen thought she was bothered by Su Zan's help. After stewing over it the entire ride, he finally broke the silence just before they reached home. "I'll thank Su Zan's father properly."
Shen Qianzhan snapped out of her thoughts and glanced at Old Shen through the rearview mirror. "I wasn't thinking about that," she said.
Finding the music too loud, she turned down the volume. "How were your and Mom's physical exam results before the New Year?"
Old Shen replied, "Your mom's blood pressure is a bit high, but everything else is normal."
Shen Qianzhan hummed in acknowledgment and asked, "Where did you have a cyst before? Did you follow the doctor's advice and get a follow-up check after six months?""Keeping an eye on things, your mom and I are in good health. Don't go to the hospital once and start overthinking." Old Shen spoke with a tone of disdain, but his eyes held a hint of a smile. "Your dad was neglectful of family when he was young, but now in old age, I've had a sudden awakening. I can't help you much in other areas, but I've been quite effective at managing the household these past years. Rest assured in Beijing, I'll definitely take good care of your mom, making sure she never misses a meal."
Shen's Mother spat out a sound of contempt and immediately retorted, "Never miss a meal? How many days have you actually managed my meals?"
Old Shen also stubbornly insisted, "How have I not managed? It's you who complains my cooking isn't tasty."
Shen's Mother: "Eating fish every meal, who could stand that?"
Shen Qianzhan smiled without intervening.
As the car passed the guard post and entered the underground parking lot, the view darkened momentarily.
The warm ginger-colored headlights cast a straight beam, illuminating the last stretch of time before the New Year in a kaleidoscope of colors.
—
Three days before Lunar New Year's Eve, Thousand Lights officially began its holiday break.
With no work shifts, Shen Qianzhan idled at home.
Mornings were spent accompanying her mother to the supermarket, afternoons watching movies. Evenings were either spent shopping at the mall or being forced by Old Shen to play Landlord, losing a small fortune.
This went on for several days until Lunar New Year's Eve.
That afternoon, Shen Qianzhan woke up groggily and habitually checked Weibo—the nation was prosperous and peaceful, the weather favorable, and the neighbor's celebrity was still spending money to trend on hot searches.
Uninterested, she yawned and switched to her Moments feed.
Compared to Weibo, the New Year atmosphere was stronger in Moments. The flowers and grasses within the circle were either diligently preparing for New Year's Eve galas or diligently idling while getting ready for the holiday.
Su Lanyi chose to vacation abroad again this year, posting a bikini photo by an infinity pool while reminiscing about drinking ice-cold beer with heating in Beijing.
Xiang Qianqian, entangled in lawsuits and missing the New Year's Eve gala, posted a photo waiting for dinner with her dog, harmonious and warm.
Lin Qiao's Moments never strayed far from her computer amidst eating, drinking, and having fun. She posted a picture of her computer set up on the bay window in work mode, miserably complaining about still studying materials on New Year's Eve.
Su Zan...
Wait?
What was that dog Su Zan doing?
Shen Qianzhan instinctively sat up and zoomed in on the photo he had just posted to Moments.
Su Zan was holding a fish as long as his forearm, grinning from ear to ear. But that wasn't the main point; the main point was the background in the photo identical to her family's kitchen.
Damn!
So this was how Old Shen meant to thank Su Zan when he mentioned it a couple of days ago?
She scrambled out of bed and headed to the dining room.
In the dining room, Su Zan was sandwiched between Mr. and Mrs. Shen, happily making dumplings together. Seeing Shen Qianzhan, he showed no sign of panic, wiped his hands clean, and went to fetch a gift for her.
Shen Qianzhan shot a questioning look at Old Shen, silently asking: What's going on?
Old Shen understood, calmly continuing to wrap dumplings while directing her to fetch the steamer rack from the kitchen: "What are you glaring at? You scheduled Xiao Su to work overtime on the third day of the New Year, leaving him alone in Beijing this year, ordering takeout even on New Year's Eve."
Shen Qianzhan, completely unaware of Su Zan having to work overtime on the third day of the New Year: "..."
Given Su Zan's status as the crown prince of Thousand Lights, if he wanted to vacation abroad, would she dare to schedule him for overtime?
Unable to defend herself, Shen Qianzhan glared furiously at Su Zan, who was trying to bribe her with gifts. The latter trembled, urging her to open it and see if she liked it while stammering an additional sentence: "Mr. Ji will be here later."
Shen Qianzhan: "...You're dead, you little traitor."Old Shen, seeing her lack of manners, scolded, "How are you speaking? Is this how I taught you to behave?"
"Little Su is here because I invited him, and Mr. Ji is also my guest. If you're upset, take it out on me." Old Shen wore a faint layer of anger, as if genuinely provoked. "Who spoiled you with this temper?"
The wronged Shen Qianzhan said nothing, turning around and heading back to her room.
Su Zan looked worried. "It's my fault. I should have asked Sister Zhan before coming. She really seems angry."
Shen's Mother, who knew her daughter well, said calmly, "She's just a paper tiger putting on a show. Do you think I can't tell if she's actually angry? She probably went back to put on makeup. She always says her face is the foundation of her life and can't resist a mirror when she sees one."
Su Zan: "..." Fair enough.
—
Exactly as predicted, Shen Qianzhan was applying foundation to her face. She had gotten up early that morning, applied a hydrating sheet mask, and indulged in a midday nap to refresh herself—all to look beautiful for the New Year and preserve her youth.
She applied light makeup, enhancing her features from her brows and eyes to her contours, making her face appear gentle and radiant.
Thinking that Ji Qinghe would arrive soon, Shen Qianzhan felt awkward. She hesitated for nearly ten minutes between staying in her pajamas or changing, finally putting on a sullen expression as she changed into a sweater and a long skirt.
Her vanity was truly a reflection of reality.
When Shen Qianzhan went out again, Shen's Mother was already steaming dumplings, and Su Zan was changing his shoes at the entrance, preparing to go downstairs.
She asked, "Has Ji Qinghe arrived?"
Su Zan, having just slipped on his shoes, nodded. "I'm going to pick up Mr. Ji."
A guest is a guest.
Shen Qianzhan didn't put on airs. She grabbed a coat and silently changed into her leather boots. "I'll go too."
In the elevator, Su Zan pressed the floor button. Seeing she was in a decent mood, he explained proactively, "Uncle enthusiastically invited me."
Shen Qianzhan glanced at him. "I didn't know you were staying in Beijing alone this year." If she had known, she would have done the same as Old Shen. Her earlier reaction was only because Su Zan had brought her too many surprises lately, and subconsciously, seeing Su Zan meant trouble.
"Mr. Ji was also warmly invited by Old Shen," Su Zan said, raising a finger to swear. "If I'm lying by even one word, I won't get a girlfriend next year!"
Shen Qianzhan retorted, "You didn't get a girlfriend this year either."
As they spoke, the elevator reached the basement level. Ji Qinghe stood at the entrance. As the elevator doors slid open, he looked up, his gaze deepening as it settled on Shen Qianzhan.
He held gifts in both hands, his head slightly tilted as he listened to a phone call. Whatever the person on the other end said brought a faint smile to his eyes—gentle, like a feather lightly brushing against her heart.
Su Zan quickly stepped forward to help with the gifts.
Freed up, Ji Qinghe took the phone and said in a low, deep voice, "Let's leave it at that for now?"
Shen Qianzhan nodded to him in greeting.
As the elevator ascended, he occasionally smiled and spoke gently. Only when it reached the twenty-seventh floor did he interrupt, "I have to hang up now."
Unable to resist her curiosity, Shen Qianzhan glanced at him. Noticing her gaze, Ji Qinghe calmly added, "Ji Lin, do you want to say hello to the sister from the spider cave?"
Shen Qianzhan's curiosity shattered instantly. She looked at Ji Qinghe with clear resistance, as if the words "No, I don't want to" were carved on her forehead.
That child from the Ji family was practically her life's nightmare.
She opened the door, stepping aside to let Su Zan enter first. She lingered a step behind, waiting for Ji Qinghe to finish his call so she could hand him slippers.The aroma of a prepared meal welcoming guests drifted out through the crack in the door. Shen Qianzhan waited for Ji Qinghe to change his shoes before entering the house together.
Mr. and Mrs. Shen set down their utensils to first welcome their guest. Ji Qinghe had briefly met the couple at the hospital, so this reunion felt familiar. After a short exchange of pleasantries, Shen Qianzhan took charge of entertaining the guest while the elder Shens returned to the kitchen to continue preparing the feast.
Shen Qianzhan’s little doghouse hadn’t been visited by anyone other than herself in years. Recalling the proper etiquette, she half-heartedly led Ji Qinghe on a tour of the apartment layout. Perhaps her hosting gestures weren’t quite up to par, because as they passed the balcony, Ji Qinghe caught her wrist just as she was about to switch on the ceiling light. “No need to turn it on,” he said. “I’m not here to see the apartment anyway.”
His palm was warm, and as he gripped her wrist, he pressed down on the clasp of her watchband, sending a sharp pain shooting through her wrist bone.
Grimacing, she pulled free from his grasp and walked a few steps away to close the window.
The weather today wasn’t great. Wind whistled between the high-rise floors, bringing with it a damp, oppressive chill.
“I haven’t brought anyone home before, so I’m not very good at hosting,” she said, shutting the window and gesturing toward the living room. “Want to sit on the sofa for a bit?”
Ji Qinghe neither agreed nor disagreed, simply following her back to the living room.
Su Zan had brought out the tea set and was brewing tea. Seeing Shen Qianzhan return with Ji Qinghe, he tactfully shifted to a single-seater sofa. “Mr. Ji, you probably haven’t spent many New Year’s Eves away from home, right?”
“On the contrary,” Ji Qinghe replied. Lately, he had taken a liking to Su Zan, and his attitude toward him had softened considerably. “The Ji family doesn’t make a big deal of the New Year. It’s the same wherever I spend it.” Seizing the opportunity, he added a polite, socially appropriate remark: “I hope I’m not intruding too much?”
“Not at all,” Shen Qianzhan replied with a half-smile, shooting him a meaningful glance. “The first installment of funding hasn’t arrived yet. Would I dare say you’re intruding?”
As the kettle boiled, she knelt on a soft cushion, brewing and pouring the tea. “I haven’t thanked you yet for introducing a doctor for my grandfather last time. Today’s the perfect chance to return the favor, so I won’t have to keep thinking about it.”
A stray strand of hair fell by her temple, and she casually tucked it behind her ear. As she slid the teacup toward him, she looked up and asked, “What did that kid say to you afterward?”
Shen Qianzhan’s topic shift was too abrupt, but Ji Qinghe still managed to deduce from the phrase “that kid” that she was referring to Ji Lin.
He rubbed the cup’s handle, his gaze lingering briefly on her naturally rosy lips before replying, “I’d like to apologize on Ji Lin’s behalf.”
Although Shen Qianzhan didn’t have a favorable impression of Ji Lin, she understood the circumstances and had never blamed him. She couldn’t fathom why Ji Qinghe was apologizing on his behalf. “Children say things without thinking. I didn’t take it to heart. Your apology makes it seem like I’m petty, holding a grudge against a child.”
Ji Qinghe lowered his eyes slightly, his gaze resting on her face as he gave a faint, amused smile. “That’s what he said in the end.”
Shen Qianzhan was baffled. “Said what?”
Ji Qinghe replied, “Ji Lin said he misjudged you back then and offended his aunt. He asked me to apologize on his behalf. He also said that if you ever want his Transformers or Marvel Heroes, he’s willing to give them to you as compensation.”
Shen Qianzhan felt a headache coming on again. “Where did this baseless rumor come from?”
Ji Qinghe stroked his chin with his long fingers, answering vaguely, “Baseless? I distinctly remember it being quite… filled.”
Author’s Note: Such filthy talk!Thanks to the little angels who threw overlord tickets or irrigated nutrient solution for me from 2020-03-09 20:18:31 to 2020-03-10 19:08:58~
Thanks to the little angels who threw grenades: Yue Banban, Weiwei, Wenwenwenwen 1 each;
Thanks to the little angels who threw landmines: Yue Banban, Bei Za's Little Fairy 3 each; Tea Shao, Wencun., Zhao Xiaoxiaoqi 2 each; ?Timid Clumsy Bear, Bobo's Yini, Weiyi hhh, 42381919, Want to Meet You·, Zhang Zhang Zhang Zhang Ping, Zui Ai Bei Qing's Jingbai, Fuchen Ruomeng, Hidden Strength Player, awzay, Yu~Mo, One Grapefruit, Mu Hanhan's Little Shadow mio, Clear Water Floating Fish, Dudu's Mom, Blood Rain Exploring Flowers, Ah Gun Gun, Qiao Yi Qiao Qiao Qiao Ah Qiao, Nanbei, Tila Misu, Lion King Xiuxiu 007, Mu Yan daily, Miaoyin lovely 1 each;
Thanks to the little angels who irrigated nutrient solution: Qingmu Weixiang 19 bottles; Aishu's Tian Mama 15 bottles; Bu Wang Benxin 7777, He Yuan, darry, Rainbow Candy, Wandering in Various Stories, yiru 9 bottles; Tom Honks cc 6 bottles; Pingping kyukou, Ruo Ru Chujian, ll, Yang Ruijie Jie, Jing Yan Tong, wuli wind, Kim Taehyung's Wife 5 bottles; Wanfeng 4 bottles; Manman 3 bottles; Next Door Lu Ge?, Coconut Circle, villkan, karen, Jade Smoke, Mousse ds 2 bottles; a-Ma Qian, ~~Bailu Weishuang, Gegegegege, Yueyue,, Jiucheng‵Liangxiang, Liuyuan's Wife, Cabbage, Chu Wuyan, Yue Qian Deng Shen, Momo, Xixin Buguo q, Chujian, Can't Wait for Updates Can't Stay Up All Night, Salty Fish Fish Doesn't Want to Turn Over, 36363697, Dortmund Quietly, Pomelo 1 bottle;
Thank you all very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!
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