Chapter Thirty-Seven
Shen Qianzhan shot him a reproachful glance.
Her gaze, with its slightly lowered outer corners and shimmering moisture, seemed more like a warning, yet it also carried a hint of "How dare you say that?"
Su Zan hadn’t thought much of it at first. In his daily interactions, he encountered all sorts—people who cracked dirty jokes, told risqué stories, or even openly groped women in front of him. He had even witnessed Shen Qianzhan’s legendary moments, like when she silenced those predatory investors with her sharp tongue, making them wish they could hand over their roles to her on the spot.
But this particular look from her made him feel an intrusive embarrassment, flushing with an almost innocent intensity from his neck all the way to the tips of his ears.
He mumbled awkwardly and shrank into the corner, trying to blend into the wall and reduce his presence.
Beyond the sliding door, the sizzle of hot oil and the aroma of fish wafted gently from the kitchen.
Old Shen pushed the door open and poked his head out to remind them, "Go wash your hands. Dinner’s almost ready."
Su Zan felt as if he’d been granted a reprieve. He dashed into the kitchen in two or three steps. "Uncle, let me help you."
Shen Qianzhan emptied the tea leaves, pushed herself up from the floor cushion with her palms, and gestured for Ji Qinghe to go first. She stayed behind to rinse all the cups in boiling water, arranging them neatly one by one.
The kitchen door slid open, releasing a wave of steam as Old Shen emerged with a dish. Seeing her dawdling, he urged, "Hurry up and wash your hands, then come help."
Shen Qianzhan acknowledged with a sound, set down the teacup, and went to arrange the dishes.
Old Shen’s cooking wasn’t particularly elaborate; it depended entirely on the ingredients.
From a bag of flour, he had steamed a tray of dumplings and also shaped round balls for fermented rice soup.
Shen’s Mother was even more dexterous. While busy preparing a table full of hearty dishes, she still found time to make papaya stewed with snow frog.
Shen Qianzhan sniffed the bowl of nourishing dessert and finally felt a sense of reality—that even the celestial palaces couldn’t compare to the warmth of earthly life.
She poured a small bowl for Ji Qinghe and placed it beside him. "Though this is a dessert for after the meal, I’ll allow you to have a taste first."
Ji Qinghe glanced at her but didn’t refuse.
His features were cool and aloof, and when he spoke little, he seemed distant and unapproachable.
Su Zan had been intimidated by him from the start. In Ji Qinghe’s presence, even his attempts to liven up the atmosphere were restrained and subdued. Since they had sat down at the table, Su Zan hadn’t moved unless Ji Qinghe did, not even making a sound with his bowl or chopsticks.
If even someone as naturally sociable as Su Zan was acting so reserved, it was easy to imagine how stiff the atmosphere at the table was.
Ji Qinghe clearly sensed the chill in the air. Not wanting to let Shen Qianzhan’s efforts to ease the tension go to waste, he took a spoonful of the snow frog and smoothly picked up the conversation. "Did Auntie specifically learn Cantonese cuisine? The sweetness and fragrance are perfectly preserved—even slightly better than what you’d find at Guangzhou Restaurant."
"I didn’t learn it formally," Shen’s Mother replied with a smile. "I just watched Qianzhan’s aunt make it a few times and picked it up. Qianzhan is a picky eater, but she’ll finish every last bit of this dessert no matter how much I make."
Ji Qinghe glanced briefly and said, "It really is excellent. If it weren’t for fear of being presumptuous, I’d have the chef at my home come learn from you."
Shen’s Mother was delighted by his praise. "There’s no need to worry about being presumptuous. I’m just glad you like it."
Shen Qianzhan had never paid much attention to the story behind the snow frog dessert before. Now, worried that this shameless man might actually send his chef over repeatedly, she quickly changed the subject. "My aunt? Which aunt?""Aunt Liangliang, you don't remember?" Shen's mother remained oblivious, continuing along the same line: "She grew up with me and was even there during your birth. Later, she got married and moved to Guangzhou with her husband's family, only returning a few years ago. We originally wanted you to recognize her as your godmother, but your grandmother said before she passed that godmothers shouldn't be chosen casually, so we dropped the idea. When you were little, you looked forward to her coming back every New Year the most. But now that you're grown up, you don't remember anything."
Shen Qianzhan, who had stepped on a landmine while trying to change the subject, silently took a sip of her papaya stewed with snow clam and said nothing.
But Shen's mother wouldn't let it go: "I was hoping that if you came home this year, I could take you to visit your aunt's house. Her daughter just had a baby earlier this year. You two were childhood friends, so it's only right to go see her."
Chastised, Shen Qianzhan angrily kicked Ji Qinghe under the table.
What she intended as venting frustration was interpreted by him as a request for backup. After a brief pause, he chimed in: "Auntie, you must have come to Beijing for Qianzhan's grandfather? How long do you plan to stay?"
Shen's mother softened her tone, speaking kindly to Ji Qinghe: "Probably until after the Lantern Festival. Qianzhan is the only girl in the family, so I wanted to spend more time with her while I'm here. I heard from Xiao Su that you two are collaborating on a project?"
Ji Qinghe nodded slightly: "My profession happens to align with Qianzhan's new project."
Shen's mother, keenly noticing the use of "Qianzhan," perked up, her expression growing even more amiable: "You look so young and already so accomplished."
Shen Qianzhan's internal alarm bells immediately went off. To prevent her mother from asking questions like "How old are you?", "Are you married?", "Do you have a girlfriend?", or "What do you think of our Qianzhan?", she quickly started placing dumplings into everyone's bowls: "Let's eat while we talk, they won't taste good once they're cold."
Shen's mother wasn't the type to chat inappropriately regardless of the setting. If Shen Qianzhan hadn't interrupted, she wouldn't have taken advantage of being the elder to ask such impolite questions. Seeing her daughter's nervousness now, she began weighing the situation carefully.
She gave the composed and reserved Ji Qinghe a thoughtful look, then smiled and urged the young people to eat more.
——
After several rounds of drinks and many dishes, Su Zan, having regained his unrestrained demeanor, no longer held back. He picked up the wine bottle and clinked glasses with Old Shen: "When I was a kid, I didn't like eating fish. Our housekeeper had to pick out all the bones before I'd eat it. When I grew up and understood better, I felt it wasn't right to have someone serve me like that, so I stopped eating fish."
He let out a tipsy burp and continued: "There have only been two times in my life when I thought fish was truly delicious. Once was in Miyun, right after I started working on projects with Sister Zhan. On the day we wrapped up filming, Sister Zhan took the whole crew out for fish. There was a fish stewing in a big iron pot, even bigger than the one today. The flesh was so tender it melted in your mouth. I actually cried while eating it."
Old Shen, feeling the effects of the alcohol, forgot that Ji Qinghe didn't drink and turned to ask if he wanted some.
Shen Qianzhan stepped in between them, meticulously scooping out her little papaya while shielding Ji Qinghe: "I already said he can't drink. Go brag with Su Zan instead."
Old Shen took the hint and poured another half-ounce into Su Zan's glass: "That fish you ate wasn't just fish—it was blood, sweat, and dreams."
Su Zan sobbed: "Exactly. I never knew the money I spent was so hard to earn. I went home and cried in my mom's arms all night, promising never to waste money again. If I do, I'll stay single for the rest of my life."Shen Qianzhan explained from the side: "Su Zan's promises have never been very reliable. Don't be fooled by the many admirers around him—he hasn't had a single dependable relationship."
She had eaten a bit too much tonight. After swallowing the last bite of snow clam, she patted her stomach and let out a deep sigh—damn it, wasn't I supposed to stop at seventy percent full?
But Ji Qinghe's focus wasn't on that: "Is it tough working on set?"
Shen Qianzhan narrowed her eyes and replied, "It's okay? I'm used to it. With film and TV projects, half the workload is in the preparation phase, and the other half is during shooting. Working on a project is like polishing a piece of art—who doesn't go through hardships?"
"The screenwriters constantly revise the script—that's tough. The actors memorize lines and shoot scene after scene under the scorching sun—that's tough. The crew setting up scenes and laying tracks—that's tough too. But these are all part of the job." Shen Qianzhan picked up her teacup and casually clinked it with his: "But don't worry, Mr. Ji, the contract is clear. I'll do my best to make sure you feel at home on set too."
Ji Qinghe chuckled softly: "I was asking about you."
Shen Qianzhan was taken aback for a moment. Only after processing his words did she let out an "oh" and replied dismissively: "The hardest part of my job is probably catering to you investors?"
Whether Ji Qinghe understood or not, he vaguely agreed: "Catering to me is indeed quite tough."
Su Zan, who was discussing which part of the second fish tasted best, overheard a snippet and chimed in: "Mr. Ji, you're definitely one of the easier ones to deal with. My sister Qianzhan once had an investor who forced our creative team to listen to his stories and insisted we rewrite the male lead based on him. You wouldn't believe it—that weirdo even made the screenwriter pull out their laptop and revise the script on the spot that night. If we'd actually changed it, could we even have filmed it?"
He kept talking without missing a beat, all while drinking with Old Shen: "Sister Qianzhan stepped up, closed the screenwriter's laptop, and told me to take the investor away first. After I sent the screenwriter off in the car and came back, she had already resolved the situation."
Shen Qianzhan smiled but didn't explain, only adding the outcome: "Later, the investment fell through, and for a whole month, I kept getting angry calls." This industry has all kinds of people, and nothing is too bizarre to happen.
She took the opportunity to push down Old Shen's wine bottle, frowning: "Dad, Su Zan's had too much to drink. Don't keep drinking with him. If he ends up staying here, you'll have to sleep on the floor."
Old Shen tried to regain control of the bottle: "He's not drunk yet."
Shen Qianzhan wouldn't let him.
As they were locked in a stalemate, Su Zan let out another drunken burp and asked Old Shen: "Old Shen, you drink so well. Your future son-in-law won't be able to keep up." His eyes were bleary as he glanced in Ji Qinghe's direction: "Like my Mr. Ji here—he doesn't touch a drop of alcohol."
Old Shen chuckled and said with a smile: "Xiao Ji isn't going to be my son-in-law, so it doesn't matter if he doesn't drink."
Su Zan let out a strange laugh, propped his chin on his hands, and slurred: "You'll have to ask my Mr. Ji about that. You don't get to decide."
Shen Qianzhan grew more and more anxious, afraid that Su Zan would spill everything if he got too drunk. She decisively insisted on sending him home: "It's getting late. I'll take Su Zan back first."
"No way," Su Zan protested. "I promised Uncle I'd stay up with him to see the New Year in."
Shen Qianzhan let out a cold laugh: "Since when do you get to decide? Get up, we're going home."
Seeing that stubbornness wouldn't work, Su Zan immediately switched tactics and started acting spoiled: "I'm glued to the chair."
Shen Qianzhan: "..."Shen's mother heard the commotion and came out from the kitchen. "I'll tidy up the guest room. Should we let Xiao Su stay the night?"
Before Shen Qianzhan could object, Ji Qinghe narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Qianzhan is a light sleeper. Su Zan gets rowdy when drunk, and if he causes a disturbance in the middle of the night, she probably won't sleep well. I'll take him with me."
Shen's mother thought it made sense. She had prepared a hangover soup and asked Shen Qianzhan to pour it into a thermos for Su Zan to take along.
As they saw him off at the door, Su Zan looked at her listlessly, pitifully saying, "Auntie, I'm no longer your beloved Xiao Susu."
Shen's mother couldn't help but laugh. "How did this child end up like this when drunk?"
Shen Qianzhan put on her coat, grabbed the car keys, and saw Ji Qinghe steadily supporting Su Zan. She went ahead to press the elevator button. "Mom, go back inside. I'll come back after dropping Su Zan off."
Shen's mother agreed, reminding the three to be careful on the road. She watched them enter the elevator before closing the door. Turning around, she saw Old Shen standing under the hallway light, deep in thought. "How does Xiao Ji know Dēngdeng is a light sleeper?"
—
After tossing Su Zan into the back seat, Shen Qianzhan was about to walk around to the driver's side when Ji Qinghe opened the passenger door, signaling her to get in first. "Give me the keys. I'll drive."
Shen Qianzhan handed him the car keys without hesitation and took the passenger seat.
On New Year's Eve, the streets of Beijing were unusually empty, unlike any other time.
Leaning against the window, she gazed at the night scenery for a while before suddenly remembering an unavoidable question. "Are you really taking Su Zan to your place?"
Ji Qinghe focused on driving, not even glancing her way. "What else? Leave him at your place?"
Shen Qianzhan fell silent.
She turned to look at Su Zan, who was dozing off with soft snores. "I'm afraid you won't be able to handle him."
Ji Qinghe didn't respond immediately. He glanced at her casually. "Didn't I take good care of you too?"
Shen Qianzhan looked puzzled. "When did I ever trouble you to take care of me?" As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized he was referring to that night in Xi'an. She couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "A princess carry, a shared bath? You have quite the taste."
"There was Meng Wangzhou." Ji Qinghe loosened his grip on the steering wheel slightly and adjusted the air vent. "Do you always have the air vent blowing directly at you when you drive?"
Shen Qianzhan: "Is there a problem?"
Ji Qinghe didn't mind her somewhat aggressive tone. "That night, the air conditioner was blowing on your back, and you whimpered so delicately."
Shen Qianzhan was speechless.
She turned to look at the buildings flashing by outside the window. In the distance, an office building had its exterior landscape lights arranged like a giant screen, displaying a message from a corporation wishing Beijing residents a Happy New Year.
The city's lights remained undimmed, still dazzling.
"I don't know how many years it's been," she sighed. "From having a stable job to hitting rock bottom, then rising from nothing to where I am now. I can't remember how long it took to pay off my debts. The year after clearing them, I bought a car. For a parking spot, I moved twice. The year Beijing's housing prices soared, I bought an apartment. It's been a long, long time since I've properly celebrated the New Year."
Ji Qinghe wasn't one to comfort others. Hearing her tone, it seemed like she was moved by the scenery, so he didn't respond."When I first came to Beijing, I didn't encounter the hardship of having to rent a basement and only eating one meal a day. When I could afford to live alone in a studio apartment, I never imagined I would later fall into destitution and desperation. Just when I thought I couldn't hold on any longer, things took a turn for the better, leading me to where I am now. Last year, I couldn't have foreseen meeting you, nor do I know where I'll be this time next year." Shen Qianzhan tugged at her sleeve and wiped the car window. She vaguely saw something flit past, but before she could focus, it vanished without a trace.
Outside the window, the night was deep and thick. Ji Qinghe slowed the car.
Those fleeting white shadows outside the window finally became clear. Under the glow of the streetlights, large snowflakes drifted down, dense and continuous.
Ji Qinghe stopped at a red light.
The street was empty, with only one car parked far away in the left-turn lane.
The car lights flickered. Against the backdrop of the heavy snow swirling outside the window, he turned to look at her, his eyes as deep as the night: "You can make a wish to me. It will be valid every year on this day."
Author's Note: Added a section.
You can make a wish to me. It will be valid every year on this day.
Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated me with nutrient solutions between 2020-03-10 19:08:58 and 2020-03-11 20:56:59~
Special thanks to the little angels who threw grenades: Wen Cun. (2); Green Mountain Blocks Me, Mu Hanhan's Little Shadow Mio, Ling Yan Luo Hua Ji, Yue Ban Ban, Wei Yi hhh (1 each).
Thanks to the little angels who threw landmines: Yue Ban Ban (3); One Grapefruit (2); 42381919, Yu~ Mo, Yan Zi's Golden Nest, Mao Mao's Nouveau Riche, Lion King Xiu Xiu 007, 2b Gege, Mrsw, Beng Ni Ge Ding Ding, Qing Mo, Zhang Yixing's Wife, Zui Ai Bei Qing's Jing Bai, Suasu, Bei Za's Little Fairy, Tang Xiao Nang's Little Amy, Ufuf, Pinki1y, Cathy, Zhang Zhang Zhang Zhang Ping, Wen Cun., 38630553, 25848462, Wen Wen Wen Wen, Taobao Big Crocodile, Fu Shen Ruo Meng, Hidden Strength Player, Yang Ju Zi, Bo Bo's Yi Ni, Ah Gun Gun, Cha Shao, Want to Meet You Ya·, Josie (1 each).Thank you to the little angels who irrigated nutrient solution: Hanhan Hanhan 7788, 54 bottles; Call Daddy, 33 bottles; Xiao Zan, Qinghe, 20 bottles each; Fanfan Little Treasure, 16 bottles; yijianbaby, vienna, Mo, Ji Liang^, 31337510, Weiwei, siytse, Jin Zhao Yao Sui Sui, 42669887, Dongxia, Gu Qingming, 10 bottles each; Rainbow Candy, 9 bottles; Orange Little Warm, 8 bottles; daisy?, Bixian, 7 bottles each; xigyus?, Naming Embarrassment Cancer, 6 bottles each; Purple Dream Fragrant Peace, Heart Has Wind Sound Passing, suasu, Love Books’ Tian Mama, crushh, A Sweet Jujube, gloriaaaaaa, 5 bottles each; Manman, Shalala, Xing Kaiyue, ly:-), Hidden Strength Player, Meow Meow., Dizzy Fufu, Southeast A Blade of Grass, Chi Chi Wei Liang, Cat Who Loves Lemons, 4 bottles each; Hug My Little Dried Tofu, 3 bottles; Lemon, Yi Big Shot Ya, 41033842, Little Treasure?, Sky’s Tofu Dregs Project, 40476378, Wandering Through Various Stories, Heji, karen, villkan, 2 bottles each; 29926195, makotov, Corgi Ah Corgi, Xie Bu Er Ah., What to Call It Is a Problem, Wen Zhuo, First Meeting, I Crave Jin Luyun Li Donghai, Aha, Peach Blossoms Flourishing, Li Zilan, Salty Fish Fish Doesn’t Want to Turn Over, Wood Pomelo, A Bend of Thin Water, Nuo, Perhaps., Asarum Not Over q, Chu Wuyan, Ge Ge Ge Ge Ge, Yueyue, 40904385, Cabbage, 1 bottle each;
Thank you all very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!
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