Chapter 21: Just Like Your First Makeup (1)
Shi Yi had changed her flight to the evening at the last minute, and Zhou Shengchen accompanied her to the airport.
He dismissed his entourage, leaving just the two of them standing by the security checkpoint, unusually quiet.
"I remember the first time I met you," Shi Yi glanced toward the security gates, "you were carrying just a laptop and your documents, nothing else, yet you were asked to go through security again."
"That was the first time," he said, "the first time I was ever asked for a recheck."
The first time? She recalled the way he had looked at her then.
It was because she had been staring at him so openly.
He checked his watch.
She knew it was almost time to go. Hooking her index finger lightly around his hand, she said, "I should go now."
She didn’t want to leave him, but she had to be sensible and walk away.
Zhou Shengchen gave a quiet hum, studying her for a moment before suddenly asking, "Are you thirsty?"
"A little." She licked her lips, which felt slightly dry.
During the ride here, she had been so engrossed in talking to him that she’d forgotten to drink anything.
She was about to say it didn’t matter—she could just buy something after passing through security—but before she could speak, Zhou Shengchen motioned for her to wait and turned to buy a bottle of water. He unscrewed the cap and handed it to her. Shi Yi was surprised. After taking a couple of sips, she felt it was wasteful. "I could’ve bought one inside. Now that I’ve only had a few sips, I can’t take it through, so it’s just going to waste."
"It’s fine. I’ll take it with me and drink it on the way."
Their final exchange ended up being about not wasting half a bottle of water.
Later, after boarding the plane, Shi Yi still found the whole thing amusing.
The night flight was quiet.
She soon grew drowsy, her thoughts drifting back to the intimate moment that had barely begun before it ended. She remembered how he had helped her dress again and asked her why she had suddenly become so anxious. Someone as perceptive as him had easily noticed her unusual behavior—her urgency to solidify their relationship, her fear that something might go wrong.
She hadn’t answered him.
If she had said, "I was afraid I’d never see you again," it would have sounded too dramatic, even melodramatic.
Or it might have struck him as absurd.
Lost in thought, she overheard two people nearby whispering about the gunfight earlier that day. Their account aligned with Zhou Shengchen’s explanation, though from the perspective of two Westerners, it took on a different tone—something about the building being part of a Chinese market, often reported by locals as housing "Chinese mafia" or "Fujian gangs." The way they described it made it sound as though the Chinese were the most unstable element in the city...
The narrators spoke with conviction, though their claims were unverified.
Amid the murmurs of English, Shi Yi thought of Zhou Shengchen and his friend Mei Hang. Both men, shaped by centuries of family tradition, had the same unfathomably calm, dark eyes. But Mei Hang seemed more like someone from the Wei-Jin era—free-spirited, following his heart wherever it led. As for Zhou Shengchen... just thinking of him softened her heart.
She couldn’t describe him with just a word, a phrase, or the traits of any single era.
Once her vacation ended, she immediately plunged back into high-pressure work.
Meilin had scheduled the finals of the competition in the newly developed Xizha area of Wuzhen, a collaboration with the newly built scenic district. Compared to the older Dongzha area, everything here was fresh and pristine, though the commercial undertones were unmistakable.
Fortunately, the scenic area hadn’t officially opened to the public yet.As part of the organizing team, she had the privilege of early access. When Hong Xiaoyu heard about it, she naturally seized the opportunity to come stay for leisure. These Jiangnan water towns were breathtakingly beautiful at night, and without the usual crowds of tourists, such chances were truly rare.
Over the phone, Hong Xiaoyu vaguely mentioned her new boyfriend.
Shi Yi didn’t think much of it and asked Meilin to reserve an extra room for them.
The two arrived late, only making it there by evening.
Shi Yi waited for them at the scenic area entrance. From a distance, she saw Hong Xiaoyu walking beside a man, chatting and laughing, her camera slung over her shoulder. The man had a dignified appearance, with sharp, heroic features.
Shi Yi’s gaze briefly swept over his face before Hong Xiaoyu spotted her and hurried over. “Honestly, seeing you is no easy feat,” she said. “We both live in Shanghai, yet you’ve been so elusive these past two months. Who’d have thought we’d finally meet up in the outskirts? Seriously, Shi Yi, your talent for prioritizing romance over friendship could go down in history.”
“You can wait a couple more days—I’ll be back in Shanghai soon,” Shi Yi replied, brushing off her teasing. “Don’t think I don’t know you’re just using me as an excuse to come here and take things further with him.”
Hong Xiaoyu shot her a glance and quickly introduced the two.
The man’s profession was similar to Hong Xiaoyu’s—while she was a news reporter, he was a photojournalist.
Yet Shi Yi couldn’t shake the feeling that there was an underlying sharpness to him.
Her intuition had always been sharp, so as the three strolled through the scenic area, she discreetly studied him a few times during their casual conversation. However, when Hong Xiaoyu later mentioned his background as a war correspondent, it all made sense.
She noted his name: Du Feng.
Some colleagues from the company had also arrived, all with exceptionally beautiful voices.
Hong Xiaoyu rarely had the chance to meet them, but thanks to Shi Yi, she finally got the opportunity. Everyone was easygoing, so Shi Yi kept the introductions casual, mostly pointing out who narrated which documentary or starred in which hit drama.
Hong Xiaoyu kept reacting with surprise and sudden realizations.
Du Feng, however, often chuckled, mostly at Hong Xiaoyu’s exaggerated reactions.
“Most of these water towns have their own stories,” Meilin said, holding a snail shell and smiling at D Wang. “Remember that tale you told me about Xitang? How people who stay there often go missing for hours before returning…?”
D Wang shook his head, cutting her off. “Shi Yi’s easily spooked. Don’t bring this up at night.”
He said it naturally.
But since many here knew about his relationship with Shi Yi, some smiled knowingly while others teased them. These lighthearted jokes were harmless and common.
To spare him further embarrassment, Shi Yi simply laughed without protest.
Hong Xiaoyu, who had never met D Wang before, was curious and whispered, “How does he know you’re easily scared?”
Shi Yi replied softly, “I often record late at night and never dare to take the elevator down alone. Anyone who’s worked with me long enough knows that. It’s normal.”
“No, it’s not,” Hong Xiaoyu narrowed her eyes. “It’s very much not normal.”
Shi Yi lightly pinched the back of her hand. “No more gossip.”"That last part," Hong Xiaoyu asked curiously, "does your husband know someone likes you? Would he get jealous?"
Would he get jealous?
Shi Yi actually felt quite uncertain about this question.
She thought Zhou Shengchen did like her, but how much? She wasn't sure.
Was that why she felt anxious? Just like in Bremen.
"You don't even have that much confidence?" Hong Xiaoyu frowned. "This is why I say when marrying, you should love yourself more. I've watched how you fell for him, how it all began, even how you inexplicably got married without any ceremony. You're too invested—clearly a priceless treasure, yet treating yourself like a market pearl..."
Shi Yi couldn't help laughing. "What kind of analogy is that?"
"It's the truth..."
"Shh," Shi Yi picked up her phone and whispered, "I need to step out to take this call."
She stood up and walked out.
This was an old wooden building by the river where they were dining on the second floor with about seven or eight tables. Their group occupied two tables on the east side, so she walked over to the west windows.
Zhou Shengchen called right on time.
Leaning against the wooden window frame, she lowered her voice to talk with him.
Zhou Shengchen had been well-trained by now, meticulously reporting his entire schedule starting from dinner dishes. It helped that he genuinely had an excellent memory, even recalling specific timings. By the end, Shi Yi was in such good spirits that she casually mentioned, "Recently... it seems someone's been pursuing me."
Zhou Shengchen paused slightly. "That D Wang?"
"Mmm... how did you know?"
"I've always known."
Shi Yi realized he had access to all her information, suddenly feeling the awkwardness of being exposed.
She fell silent.
Zhou Shengchen noticed. "Want to know if I'd mind?"
Too embarrassed to admit it, she didn't deny it either.
Zhou Shengchen chuckled. "You could think of it this way—I keep tabs on you precisely because I would mind."
"Really?"
"Really," he added softly after a pause, "absolutely true."
She laughed aloud. In the distance across the water, several moored wooden boats with hanging lanterns were visible.
The scenic area had no tourists—only the event organizers, media, and final competition participants—so these pleasure boats remained docked at night, becoming part of the scenery.
After Zhou Shengchen said a few more words, the call ended.
Post-dinner, the scenic area manager arranged activities—boat rides or listening to Pingtan opera at the grand theater.
Uncomfortable with nighttime riverside atmospheres, Shi Yi chose Pingtan. The theater was half-full as sultry summer breezes drifted in. Half-listening, she absently twirled the prayer beads around her wrist.
The sweltering night wasn't exactly pleasant.
Yet inexplicably, it stirred long-faded memories from another lifetime.
In that existence, having studied Tang history since childhood, she'd been fascinated by Emperor Xuanzong's "Rainbow Skirt, Feathered Dress" melody—lost during the An Lushan Rebellion. When she later heard Southern Tang's last ruler Li Yu and Queen Zhou had reconstructed most of it, she desperately wanted to hear it. Indulging her, Zhou Shengchen had the score acquired.
But that day she'd made a mistake and missed the performance—all because of a cup of tea. A lifelong tea enthusiast, Zhou Shengchen had collected rare teas for her. That day she'd tried brewing his favorite, but kept discarding attempts due to water quality issues.Precious tea worth a fortune was squandered by her without a second thought.
That was the first time he reprimanded her, his brows furrowed with restrained anger.
He simply forbade her from watching the song and dance performances, keeping her in the study instead, standing with a brush in hand, writing down the names of famous teas from past dynasties. By the time she reached the Tang Dynasty, her eyes had reddened with grievance. The distant melodies of music and dance teased her ears, yet she had no choice but to continue gripping the brush, writing character by character: Mengding, Zisun… Shenquan Xiaotuan, Bijian Mingyue, Fangshan Luya, Yonghu Hangaoshan, Xishan Bailu, Huoshan Huangya…
She blinked hard, trying to hold back her tears, but they still fell onto the paper, smudging the ink.
"Shi Yi," he leaned slightly forward, examining the densely written page before finally speaking. "A single cup of tea you pour out could feed common folk for days, even an entire month. You have a taste for fine tea, so I buy it for you. But I won’t tolerate you growing spoiled, oblivious to the hardships of the people."
She clenched the brush and gave a slight nod.
"You are the future Crown Princess…" Zhou Shengchen continued.
But she suddenly looked up, her eyes brimming with tears.
She didn’t want to remember these things just because she was the Crown Princess. She was simply his disciple, willingly accepting his discipline.
Her tear-filled eyes were full of defiance.
Zhou Shengchen hesitated, then couldn’t help but smile faintly before straightening up. "Keep writing."
A night breeze drifted in.
The sound of storytelling still lingered. Shi Yi leaned against the wooden bench, unable to pull her thoughts back.
Before her eyes, she could almost see the densely written rice paper again.
And in the corner of her vision—only him.
The place they stayed that night was not particularly refined.
It was more like an ordinary home.
Perhaps it was the storytelling she had listened to after dinner, or perhaps it was the atmosphere here, but it reminded her of the days they had spent in Zhenjiang before he left. Brief yet surreal. At the time, she had only been nervous about interacting with his peculiar family. Now, looking back, she felt increasingly wistful.
Was it destined for him to exist in such a family?
A noble house, hidden from the world.
She tossed and turned until past three in the morning, the scene of copying tea names replaying in her mind. After much hesitation, she finally dialed his number, nearly hanging up several times during the long ringing tone.
Was he taking a short break? Still in the lab? Or in a meeting?
She lifted the phone to her eyes, staring at the "unanswered" prompt, her thumb hovering over the "end call" option. Suddenly, the call connected… Shi Yi immediately pressed the phone to her ear.
"Why are you still awake so late?" Zhou Shengchen’s voice carried a note of confusion.
"I had a dream," she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep. "The same dream, repeating over and over. I knew I was dreaming, but I couldn’t wake up—I could only watch."
"A nightmare?"
"Yes, a nightmare."
"Those water towns all have their stories," Zhou Shengchen said, his voice carrying a faint echo, as if he were somewhere with high ceilings. "I’ve heard a few, most involving some kind of supernatural influence. But I don’t really believe in that. Maybe you didn’t rest well during the day?"
"Mm… maybe."
The dream was the same—always him and her. Shi Yi didn’t find it frightening. So when she woke, the only impulse she had was to hear his voice, as if to confirm that he truly existed, in the same time and space as her.
"What did you dream about?" he asked.
"I dreamed I was copying the names of famous teas from past dynasties," she said softly. "Can you recite them? The teas from the Tang Dynasty?""Pretty much, I know a little about everything."
"For example?"
"For example?" He chuckled. "You want me to recite tea names to lull you to sleep?"
"Mmm..." She had been lying flat but now turned onto her side, finding a more comfortable position. "I'd like that."
"I believe my wife is one of the 'Four Great Voices'?" he teased. "I'm just a researcher—my voice is nothing special. I'm afraid you might grow tired of it."
"I wouldn't..." She smiled. "I'd never grow tired of it, not in a lifetime."
There was a brief silence before he called her name.
"Yes?"
Shi Yi thought he wanted to say something.
Unexpectedly, he actually began reciting the names of teas for her: Mengding, Purple Bamboo Shoots, Divine Spring Small Cake, Moonlight Over Emerald Stream, Dew Buds from Fang Mountain, Yong Lake's Essence, White Dew from Western Hills, Yellow Sprouts from Huo Mountain...
Some might have discrepancies due to historical records, but she didn't correct him.
She sat up, leaning against the wooden headboard, gazing at the sparse lights outside the window. The architectural design here had a vintage feel. In that past life, the Cui family of Qinghe and Chang'an were both north of the Yangtze River—what was the Jiangnan region like? She had little impression, only learning from Li Bai and Du Fu's poems that Jiangnan had "women fair as snow."
Centuries later, she sat here listening to Zhou Shengchen, far across the ocean, reciting what might seem like mundane tea names.
His voice wasn't particularly distinctive.
He spoke slowly but with patience. She realized Zhou Shengchen's greatest virtue was his patience—she didn't know if he was like this with everyone, but from their first meeting until now, he had always been this way with her.
"Wuzhou East White, Qimen Square Tea, Qujiang Thin Slice, Qimen Round Yellow, Yashan Horizontal Stripe, Tianzhu Tea, Small River Cake, Jiukeng Tea, Riding Fire Tea, Cornelian Arbor..." He paused briefly. "That's about it. Do you want to hear more from other dynasties?"
"Mmm..." Shi Yi hesitated, wanting to ask if he was too busy.
Suddenly, a faint sound came from outside the door.
Like metal hitting the ground—she'd heard it earlier too, but she'd been too engrossed in listening to him to notice. "Shi Yi?" Zhou Shengchen suddenly called her again. "What's wrong?"
"I think I heard a strange noise..." she whispered, trying to reassure herself. "It couldn't be what you mentioned... 'this place has its stories,' could it?"
He chuckled lightly, teasing her. "You believe in Buddhism and do no evil—why would you fear ghosts and spirits?"
"I don't know. Maybe it's innate?"
On reflection, someone who had experienced reincarnation really shouldn't be afraid of the dark or supernatural beings.
Zhou Shengchen continued speaking.
Shi Yi rarely called him so proactively, and he, surprisingly, took the initiative to chat about his experiments. Listening intently, she walked over to close the window tightly. As she checked the door lock, she heard faint footsteps.
(End of Chapter)
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