Chapter 87
Time passed unhurriedly, like water through a sieve, flowing silently.
The film crew repeated the same routine each day: starting work, filming, wrapping up, holding meetings, reviewing accounts, and checking calculations.
In the blink of an eye, the filming schedule for Time in Wuxi had passed the halfway mark and was nearing its end.
—
August, the beginning of autumn.
It happened to coincide with Shao Chouxi’s birthday.
To celebrate the director’s birthday and reward the hardworking crew who had toiled for months, the team wrapped up early for a barbecue dinner.
They happened to be filming on location that day, so the outdoor lighting and equipment were readily available.
The crew’s enthusiasm for the gathering was unprecedented. In no time, they set up a grill by the lake. Some skewered the meat, others washed the vegetables, and before long, the charcoal was glowing, and the sizzling sound of grilling filled the air.
Shen Qianzhan had always been one to enjoy the fruits of others’ labor.
She settled comfortably into a small folding chair, listening to the conversation between the two men next to her.
Over the past month, Ji Qinghe had rarely traveled for business except for essential meetings.
With Ming Jue representing him in Beijing to oversee the company, he stayed contentedly in Wuxi as a leisurely behind-the-scenes boss.
Life on set was monotonous.
For the actors, immersing themselves in their roles felt like living another life each day. But for the rest of the crew, the filming cycle was long and repetitive. If not for their phones connecting them to the outside world, it would have felt like being isolated in a primitive society.
In such a close-knit working environment, it was inevitable that friendships, romances, and flings would blossom.
Ji Qinghe and Fu Xi fell into the first category.
Fu Xi had a deep interest in timepieces. Moreover, his older brother, Fu Xun, was involved in antiques and cultural relics year-round, and through this exposure, Fu Xi had developed a keen fascination with Tibetan clocks from the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty.
During breaks in filming, he would often ask Ji Qinghe how to assess the collection value of antique clocks.
Shen Qianzhan was particularly tolerant of good-looking men. With Fu Xi’s looks standing alongside Ji Qinghe, even if the view before them wasn’t the misty lakeside but a “fragrant” and foul-smelling ditch, she would still find it pleasing to the eye.
In the world of those who appreciate beauty, things were just that simple and pure.
—
Not long after Shen Qianzhan started enjoying the barbecue, Su Zan, who had disappeared all afternoon to prepare a birthday surprise for Shao Chouxi, finally reappeared.
In addition to a cake and flowers, he had also lined up a row of fireworks along the riverbank on the embankment.
As Shao Chouxi closed his eyes to make a wish and blew out the candles, fireworks erupted across the river, dazzling and brilliant. For a moment, everyone felt as if they were in a dream, with cascades of fireworks streaming down like tassels, shimmering and enchanting.
Cheers and exclamations erupted along the riverbank, transitioning abruptly from day to night and plunging into the boisterous revelry of a summer celebration.
Shen Qianzhan watched the scene before her with a smile. For a moment, she thought it wouldn’t be so bad if her career as a producer ended right here—the atmosphere tonight was no less spectacular than any awards stage.
But as soon as the thought crossed her mind, she remembered the mortgage on her spacious apartment that was still unpaid and the new Mercedes she had been longing to replace for so long.
Perhaps it would be more worthwhile to freeze that moment on an awards stage after all...
If she truly stopped here, who would fund her extravagant pursuits?
Just as she was lost in her daydream, she caught sight of the investor sitting nearby out of the corner of her eye. Shen Qianzhan immediately straightened up, eager to clear herself of any suspicion of frivolous spending: “The cake and flowers were covered by the production budget, but the fireworks were paid for by Su Zan himself. I didn’t approve the expense.”Su Zan heard his name and, thinking Shen Qianzhan was calling him, trotted over with a skewer of barbecue in his mouth: "Sis Zhan, you called me?"
Shen Qianzhan found him as endearing as a little puppy and was just about to reach out to pat his head when her hand was interrupted by Ji Qinghe's ill-timed light cough.
The two had been dating under the watchful eyes of the entire crew for so long that they had developed a poetic, almost telepathic understanding.
Usually, a cough meant "not allowed," clearing the throat signaled "mind your manners," flipping hair meant "I need rescuing," and touching the nose indicated "time to retreat."
Beyond these performative gestures, there were countless subtle cues in their glances and words.
Neither had deliberately established these signals—they had simply emerged naturally, perfected through familiarity, becoming a secret code known only to them.
Feeling a bit awkward, Shen Qianzhan turned to glance at him.
In the eyes of someone as unromantic as Su Zan, this exchange of looks was nothing short of blatant "husband-fearing."
Swallowing a piece of half-cooked beef, he remarked sourly, "Sis Zhan, ever since you got together with Mr. Ji, your status has plummeted. You can't even chat with me for a few extra words without checking his expression."
There was no way to keep Shen Qianzhan and Ji Qinghe's relationship hidden from Su Zan.
After the New Year, when Wuxi was hit by heavy snow and Ji Qinghe and Ming Jue braved the storm to deliver supplies, Su Zan had already concluded on his own that the two were involved. And that was before moving into the crew's accommodations, where he lived next door to Shen Qianzhan and was forced to overhear countless inappropriate sounds through the walls...
With such undeniable evidence, Shen Qianzhan didn't even need to admit it to him word for word.
As soon as Su Zan finished speaking, Ji Qinghe shot him a cool, indifferent glance.
His intimidation over Su Zan was like an eagle chasing a rabbit—a natural dominance of the strong, while Su Zan's fear and reverence stemmed from the innate submission of the weak.
Without Ji Qinghe even needing to speak, Su Zan immediately fell silent and obediently returned to eating his barbecue skewer.
It was only after being with Ji Qinghe that Shen Qianzhan began to enjoy the feeling of being protected. Seeing this, and not wanting to leave an indelible scar on Su Zan's young heart, she casually changed the subject, asking him how smoothly the afternoon preparations had gone.
"What could possibly go wrong?" Su Zan chuckled. "The fireworks were a bit of a hassle, but if your birthday didn't only come around once every four years, I'd definitely make it grand and spectacular every time. Director Shao's efforts are nothing in comparison." With that, he finished his skewer and hurried back to ask Qiao Xin for more barbecue.
In the distance, someone lit sparklers.
A small cluster of sparks flew, like stars plucked from the sky, shimmering and bright.
Shen Qianzhan paused to watch for a moment.
The liveliness here felt so real that it instead gave her a sense of unreality, as if her feet weren't quite touching solid ground.
She turned to look at Ji Qinghe, who happened to be looking back at her.
Their eyes met, and with a shared understanding, they quietly slipped away from the bustling scene by the riverbank.
—
By Linjiang Lake, there was an open-air parking lot where the crew's prop trucks and business vehicles were all parked. The drivers who had been guarding the vehicles had been called by the production assistants to join the barbecue and cake.
Once the people left, the lively atmosphere dissipated.
The livelier the long beach became, the quieter and more desolate this place felt.
The two walked along the boardwalk of the long beach for a while.
As evening set in, a breeze picked up. Under the glow of two or three streetlights, the wind rustled through the leaves of the roadside trees, creating a soft, whispering sound."In one more week, filming here in Wuxi will wrap up, and the crew will move back to Beijing." Shen Qianzhan walked under the shade of the trees, reaching out to hook his pinky finger. "The ancient bell of the Eight Immortals Presenting Treasures from Penglai and the copper-gilt four-horse gold cup enamel relief ancient bell—I want to arrange for them to be sent back to Xi'an tomorrow."
Ji Qinghe had no objections. "I'll handle it."
He took her hand into his palm. "Once we're back in Beijing, will you still stay with the crew?"
"You don't have to." Shen Qianzhan glanced at him twice and said, "I can't get away."
This time back, besides submitting her resignation and handling the handover, she also needed to formally plan her next steps.
Although she had been considering whether to switch to another film company or become an independent producer whenever she had free time lately, the distance made it impossible to meet with the heads of other companies, so she hadn't been able to make a final decision.
"Back when the crew could return to Beijing for filming, I was especially happy." Shen Qianzhan looked up at the night sky.
The weather tonight was poor. Through the gaps in the leaves, only dark clouds covering the moon could be seen. The sky above the city was like an opened steamer basket, with heat lingering and a hazy mist.
Summer in Wuxi was hot and rainy.
Having grown up here, Shen Qianzhan didn’t find the climate uncomfortable at all. Instead, the daily thunderstorms left the air fresh and clear afterward, incredibly pleasant and perfect for enjoying the coolness late at night.
Once the topic turned to returning to Beijing, some issues could no longer be ignored.
Hearing this, Ji Qinghe asked, "Have you made any plans?"
Although he was with the crew every day, spending most of his time with her, their own private moments were scarce, usually only in the late hours of the night. If he hadn’t fallen asleep yet, he would visit her room, or if Shen Qianzhan finished her work early, she would knock on his door.
Most of the time, they were either intimate or affectionate, lost in passion night after night, forgetting everything else.
They rarely discussed her career plans or the next steps in their relationship.
"Before returning to Beijing, I want to talk to Zan Zan first." What troubled Shen Qianzhan the most was Su Zan.
He was loyal and devoted, and over the years, he had given her his all. As long as it didn’t involve conflicting principles, Su Zan would remain her best friend for life. But if she were to leave Thousand Lights, their relationship might not remain as pure as it was now.
Thinking of this, Shen Qianzhan suddenly felt a pang of regret. "I’ll be able to celebrate my birthday next February. It’s a shame Zan Zan won’t be able to fulfill his promise and organize a grand and spectacular thirty-first birthday for me."
Ji Qinghe suddenly chuckled, his tone dangerous. "Do you think I’m dead?"
"My girlfriend’s birthday—should I let another man organize a grand and spectacular celebration for her?"
Raindrops began to fall, cold and refreshing.
At first, Shen Qianzhan didn’t realize it was raining. Feeling a coolness on her face, she thought it was lake water splashed up by the wind. As she wiped it away, she silently criticized him for being petty.
"Not even allowed to mention it? Are you going to control my dreams too?"
Ji Qinghe glanced at her lazily and tossed out a remark. "Song Yan’s birthday is coming up soon. Since Shao Chouxi already had his birthday celebration, before the crew wraps up, I’ll set aside some funds to organize a birthday banquet for her, inviting all the top celebrities. What do you think?"
"Not a good idea." When it came to her own situation, Shen Qianzhan reacted more strongly than anyone. "Why do you remember Song Yan’s birthday? What does Song Yan’s birthday have to do with you? Does she not have a boyfriend or a talent agency that you have to worry about it?"Having achieved his goal, Ji Qinghe's eyes sparkled with amusement, his lips curving into a teasing smile. "Song Yan is the brand ambassador for Endless Year. As the brand's representative, is it wrong for me to celebrate her birthday and maintain a good working relationship?"
The upward lilt at the end of his sentence carried an unmistakably provocative tone.
Shen Qianzhan knew full well that Ji Qinghe was deliberately trying to provoke her, so she didn’t let it get to her. However, his argument was so logically airtight, without a single flaw, that she couldn’t find even the slightest opening to counter it.
Slightly annoyed, she tightened her grip on his fingers and replied insincerely, "Of course it’s fine. In fact, you should invite all the celebrities and stars, so everyone can see just how much Endless Year values its ambassador."
Ji Qinghe didn’t dare push her too far, afraid that if she truly got angry, he’d end up spending the night alone.
He lowered his gaze, using his thumb to wipe away a raindrop that had landed on her forehead. Then, tracing the curve of her cheek, he lifted her chin and leaned in to kiss her. "I understand. It’s not allowed."
"You want to celebrate your birthday," Ji Qinghe murmured against her lips, then kissed her eyelids. Amidst the curtain of falling rain, he whispered softly, "Then I’ll just turn time forward a little faster."
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