One and Only

Chapter 19: How to Untangle Love (1)

While alone in the hotel, Shi Yi had already noticed that Zhou Shengchen's daily necessities and clothes were also in the suite. In other words, he had no intention of staying in separate rooms again. During the day, it hadn’t seemed like much, but after the two returned to the hotel after dinner, her thoughts began to wander. Fortunately, it was still early, and with Mei Hang and the assistant present, she wasn’t immediately forced to think about being alone with him tonight.

The conversation between the men was somewhat serious.

Only half-understanding, she whispered to him, "Should I make tea for you?"

Zhou Shengchen smiled. "Are you bored listening to us?"

She pressed her lips together. "No, I just noticed you like tea, and I happen to know how to brew it."

Her voice was soft, light, and even carried a subtle, implicit emotion—she wanted to make him happy. Zhou Shengchen had initially intended to ask her to wait a moment so he could finish up and brew tea for her himself, but hearing her words, he swallowed his response. "Have you studied tea ceremony?"

She smiled without confirming or denying.

Their exchange caught Mei Hang’s attention, and he looked at Shi Yi with interest. "I’d wager, Zhou Sheng, that your wife doesn’t just know how to brew tea—she might even have more surprising talents."

Zhou Shengchen, worried he might tease her, raised a finger at Mei Hang. "Enough. Don’t joke about her."

"I’m not! I just think your wife might really enjoy tea culture," Mei Hang said, turning to Shi Yi. "Shi Yi, I also love tea, and I have all the necessary tools for any method you can perform."

Shi Yi understood—he was referring to the various historical tea-brewing techniques.

This was hardly a challenge for her.

She wasn’t one to show off, but tonight, with Zhou Shengchen beside her and facing his closest friend, she didn’t want to back down. "I’ve read Lu Yu’s The Classic of Tea and enjoy studying these methods. If you’d like to try, Mei Hang, it wouldn’t be difficult."

Mei Hang was delighted. "How about boiled tea?"

Shi Yi couldn’t help but laugh. "Let’s not. With scallions, ginger, jujubes, tangerine peel, dogwood, mint, and other seasonings, boiled to a hundred bubbles—I could make it, but I doubt you’d be able to drink it."

Mei Hang chuckled, urging her on. "Just try it. What’s the harm?"

As Shi Yi hesitated, recalling the taste, Zhou Shengchen patted her arm. "Ignore him. Just brew tea normally."

"Hey?" Mei Hang waved his hand. "With an expert here, how can we waste the opportunity? If boiled tea is too much, I’ll have someone fetch compressed tea and the tools—let’s try your wife’s jiancha method."

Mei Hang quickly sent his assistant to retrieve the tea and utensils.

Thanks to this unexpected suggestion, their conversation shifted to tea. Sitting properly, Shi Yi listened to their quiet chatter about past tea-related experiences, and the images in her mind grew clearer.

Once, he had sat leisurely in his study, skillfully brewing tea with his bare hands.

Preparing the tools, selecting the water, lighting the fire, waiting for the water to boil, roasting the tea leaves, grinding them, sifting them, brewing, and serving—she had watched carefully, unwilling to miss a single movement, if only to pass the time. Watching him do it had never bored her.

Now, as she performed the steps herself, she felt no impatience.

She even enjoyed the lengthy process—returning to him what he had once taught her.Mei Hang was a tea enthusiast, even owning four complete tea sets. But Shi Yi was a true connoisseur—from selecting the tea utensils to controlling the water temperature and roasting the tea leaves, her every movement resembled an artistic performance. At first, Mei Hang exchanged a few words with Zhou Shengchen, but eventually both men found themselves watching Shi Yi.

The woman in this picturesque scene remained entirely focused on her task.

The fragrance of tea wafted through the air, serving merely as an embellishment that enhanced the serene beauty of the moment, like glaze enriching porcelain.

Zhou Shengchen watched her with equal concentration.

He didn't understand women's hearts, much less Shi Yi's—even though she had become his wife. How could someone like her reach twenty-six without any romantic experience? He didn't believe in vague explanations like fate or destined connections, yet now he could only use such terms to describe her feelings for him.

And what about his own feelings for her?

Before leaving, Mei Hang made no secret of his admiration for Shi Yi.

Flustered by the praise, she kept casting pleading glances at Zhou Shengchen, who understood perfectly and wordlessly patted Mei Hang's shoulder. Between men, some communications required no words—this was one such moment.

With a faint smile, Mei Hang picked up his suit jacket and left without looking back.

The click of the door lock signaled their newfound privacy.

"You two really are in sync," Shi Yi remarked, glancing at him.

"I've known him since I was five or six," Zhou Shengchen chuckled. "He's always been like this—can't help chatting up pretty girls. Don't take it to heart."

Pretty girls?

The phrasing struck Shi Yi as odd. Technically, she wasn't just any pretty girl—she was his wife, though their relationship still felt more like dating.

As he walked toward the bedroom to fetch clean clothes, he habitually undid a few shirt buttons before abruptly remembering something and hastily rebuttoning two as he entered the bathroom. The sound of running water reminded Shi Yi that tonight, they would be sharing not just a room but a bed.

Unsure what to do, she settled on the living room sofa.

If they were sleeping together... then surely... would they...?

She exhaled softly.

He emerged from the bathroom sooner than expected, fully dressed as if preparing to go out. "Wait a bit before showering—I'll have someone clean up first," he said, already heading back into the bedroom.

"That's not necessary..." Shi Yi stood to retrieve her own clothes, only to see him reappear wearing a black jacket. Puzzled, she asked, "Are you going out?"

"Yes," Zhou Shengchen replied briskly, checking his watch. "There's an issue at the lab requiring a lengthy conference call."

"Will you be back tonight?"

"I will, but very late." He smiled faintly. "The tea should keep me awake."

After brief instructions, he left the hotel.

Her relief outweighed the disappointment. Despite mental preparation, she felt something essential was missing between them. For intimacy to occur naturally, shouldn't there first be the harmonious connection of fish and water?

Fatigue from her long journey and their Bremen exploration washed over her in the shower. Sitting on the bed in pajamas, she noticed the bedding—unlike standard hotel linens—was exceptionally soft.She fell asleep shortly after lying down.

Since she was subconsciously waiting for him, her sleep was light. At the faintest sound in the room, she stirred awake. Still groggy, she opened her eyes to find the sky dimly lit with dawn. Zhou Shengchen was leaning against the sofa, about to rest there for a while. The room was too dark to make out his face.

"What time is it?" Shi Yi suddenly spoke.

He paused, glancing at his wrist. "Five forty-seven."

"Then come to bed for a while..." she said softly. "Sleeping on the sofa will be uncomfortable."

Zhou Shengchen hesitated for a few more seconds before setting his suit jacket aside and walking to the other side of the bed. He lay down beside her. The bed was spacious, and she could sense his restraint as he settled in. Unable to help herself, she smiled slightly before turning over and draping the blanket over him, her hand resting lightly on his waist. Still drowsy, she was more casual than usual, teasing him a little. "Zhou Shengchen, is sharing a bed with your wife that difficult?"

"No," he replied in a low voice. "I just didn’t want to wake you earlier."

"I’m already awake."

He chuckled. "Not sleeping anymore?"

"I am," Shi Yi admitted. "I didn’t sleep well because you weren’t back. My head still feels heavy—I want to sleep a little longer."

"Then sleep," he said, pulling her into his arms. "My meeting isn’t until the afternoon. I can stay with you a while."

Her cheek pressed against his chest, separated only by the thin fabric of his shirt. His words were matter-of-fact, but her thoughts wandered. This was the first time she had slept in his embrace. He was still in his shirt and trousers, while she was in her nightwear...

After a moment of quiet, she felt her heartbeat grow unsteady and couldn’t help shifting slightly.

"Can’t sleep?" Zhou Shengchen noticed, looking down at her. "Or are you used to sleeping alone?"

She decided to change the subject.

"Today... your friend praised me a lot. You haven’t said anything yet."

Her voice carried a hint of disappointment.

Zhou Shengchen was briefly puzzled before understanding. "I’m not good at compliments, but you always surprise me—so much that sometimes I don’t know what to say."

The corners of her lips lifted slightly. "Then how will you make it up to me?"

"Make it up?" He thought for a moment. "Tell me, what’s on your mind?"

"You’re responsible for helping me fall asleep."

"Alright," he agreed easily. "What usually helps you sleep?"

"Listening to songs... or poetry. If I hear them slowly, I drift off."

Zhou Shengchen fell silent for a moment.

She closed her eyes, waiting for his surprise.

"Let’s go with poetry, then. I’ll recite some verses about tea, slowly."

Shi Yi hummed in agreement. "Can I request something? You don’t have to recite the whole thing—just a line or two is fine."

"Sure." It was the first time Zhou Shengchen had noticed Shi Yi’s mischievous side, but he found it rather endearing.

"Bai Juyi?"

"He left behind over two thousand poems, nearly sixty of which are about tea..."

She laughed, cutting him off. "Just pick something at random."

So serious—just a slight lapse, and his scientific mind took over. Really...

Zhou Shengchen didn’t dwell on it further and casually obliged:

*"White porcelain cups so pure, red stove’s embers aglow.

Foam drifts with fragrant dust, bubbles rise like fish eyes.

Poured forth in finest hue, its lingering scent stays sweet."*

When Shi Yi didn’t respond, he recited three or four more."Hmm..." She seemed satisfied and continued, "Su Shi."

"To brew fresh tea, one must draw fresh water from the deep, clear pool by the fishing rock. A large ladle scoops up the moonlight into the spring jar, while a small spoon divides the river into the night bottle. The frothy milk has already churned at the boiling spot, and the pine wind suddenly sings as it pours. My parched belly cannot easily withstand three bowls, so I lie listening to the varying night watches of the mountain town..."

At first, she would mention names, but as she grew tired, he began selecting poems at random to recite to her.

From Li Bai to Liu Yuxi, and even those lesser-known poets, he recalled and recited without difficulty. It was the first time he discovered that his excellent memory could be used for something so delightful.

Shi Yi listened contentedly and stopped speaking.

She knew he didn’t understand the deeper meaning of these verses, though the poems were different, she had once been lulled to sleep this way too. Gradually, in Zhou Shengchen’s deliberately slowed and softened voice, her consciousness began to blur. He closed his eyes as he recited, slowing his pace until he finally stopped.

The room fell silent.

Because they were so close, he could almost hear her steady breathing.

Zhou Shengchen opened his eyes and watched her patiently for a while, confirming she had truly fallen asleep, before closing his eyes again and allowing himself to drift off.

He slept for about two hours, waking naturally at half past seven.

Shi Yi was still deep in slumber. From Zhou Shengchen’s angle, he could see the curve of her profile, down to her neck, even catching a glimpse of the delicate skin beneath her collar. He gazed at her like this for a while, an indescribable feeling stirring in his chest. Shi Yi shifted slightly, her grip on his shirt loosening momentarily before tightening again.

He propped himself up slightly and called softly, "Shi Yi?"

Whether in a dream or half-asleep, she murmured in response.

After a brief hesitation, he finally chose to lower his head, letting the stubble from the previous night lightly brush against her neck. Shi Yi instinctively turned away.

"Zhou Shengchen..." she murmured, half-awake.

"Hmm."

"Have you ever read 'Rhapsody on the Imperial Park'?" he asked.

Shi Yi let out a faint hum.

She had never mentioned 'Rhapsody on the Imperial Park' to him before, never expecting he would bring it up first.

"The first time I saw you, I thought of 'Rhapsody on the Imperial Park,' the lines describing women," Zhou Shengchen found it unexpectedly difficult to let her go and could only speak softly, "'Unparalleled and transcendent, enchanting yet refined.' They suit you perfectly."

This was the first time he spoke of their first meeting.

And the first time he said something akin to sweet nothings to her.

Shi Yi closed her eyes and smiled.

She reached out, trying to touch his face. Zhou Shengchen obligingly fell silent, letting her fingers trace his brow, eyes, and nose. Shi Yi’s touch was incredibly gentle, carrying an emotion he couldn’t quite comprehend.

"The fairest appearance will fade with age, but to me, you are the best," she whispered. "The bones of a beauty are rare in this world. Some have the bones but not the appearance, others the appearance but not the bones. Most people are shallow, seeing only the surface, never the essence. I can feel your beauty in your bones."

Such delicate contours—the bridge of his nose, the arch of his brow—unchanged in every detail.

The schedule for the International Space Research Committee’s conference was packed. Though it lasted a full week, their time together was limited. Shi Yi, however, knew how to amuse herself. After learning his detailed timetable, she would disappear on her own, wandering leisurely around Bremen.It happened to be the Bundesliga season, and she even took great interest in attending a live football match.

She had never had a boyfriend before, but her friend Hong Xiaoyu was a die-hard German football fan who constantly bombarded her with knowledge about the sport. As a result, sitting in the stadium stands, she could even recognize some of the famous defenders, forwards, and midfielders.

When she told Hong Xiaoyu she was at the match, Hong immediately called, insisting on experiencing the live atmosphere through the phone. Fortunately, the seats around her were empty, so she wouldn’t disturb anyone.

"Shi Yi, Shi Yi, take me with you next time, okay?" Hong Xiaoyu whined over the phone. "You found yourself a rich second-generation guy and abandoned me. I’ll pay for my own plane ticket—just cover my food and lodging, alright~?"

"Fine, fine, next time I’ll cover your food and lodging," Shi Yi replied, amused. After a pause, she added, "But next time might not necessarily be in Germany."

Hong Xiaoyu grumbled and continued complaining.

As Shi Yi listened, she absentmindedly reached for her bottle of water beside her, only to find someone had already picked it up and handed it to her. She looked up and was surprised to see Zhou Wenchuan.

"What a coincidence," she remarked.

"Not really," Zhou Wenchuan said, sitting down next to her. "I’ve been in Bremen for a week and wanted to see you."

Shi Yi was puzzled but didn’t press further. She took the water bottle from him. "You’re in Bremen too? Your brother never mentioned it."

"He didn’t tell you?"

"No."

Zhou Wenchuan smiled knowingly. "Maybe he was afraid you’d misunderstand."

"Misunderstand?"

"Misunderstand about him and my wife," Zhou Wenchuan said frankly. "You might not know this, but my wife, Tong Jiaren, was once engaged to him when they were very young. Because of this, she basically followed in his footsteps during her studies, always his junior—in other words, they grew up together."

Shi Yi had sensed Tong Jiaren’s lingering attachment to Zhou Shengchen during their previous encounters, but she hadn’t realized the depth of their history. Had most of his early life been spent with Tong Jiaren?

Zhou Wenchuan continued, "Later, due to certain reasons, the engagement was called off. And then… due to other reasons, I married her." He chuckled at his own vagueness. "There’s a lot of complicated backstory. If you get the chance, you might want to ask my brother about it."

She nodded, guessing that what Zhou Wenchuan wasn’t saying likely involved many gray areas. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to hear Zhou Shengchen explain the Zhou family’s background, so she didn’t press further.

"So, since you’re here, did your wife come too?" she asked, recalling his earlier remark about "misunderstanding."

"Like my brother, she’s devoted to science," Zhou Wenchuan said with a light shrug. "Honestly, I don’t really understand what they do. This time, it was just a coincidence—they were both invited here."

Zhou Wenchuan chatted a bit more, mostly about trivial matters.

(End of Chapter)