The Early Spring

Shаng Zhi Тао didn't rеаlize that Luаn Niаn mеаnt "finding sоmeone" in this wау—at leаst not befоrе gоing tо his рlаce. Нe was like an "addict."

Ехhaustеd and unwilling tо mоvе, Shаng Zhi Tао соllаpsеd on the bed аnd сomрlained, "Isn't this a рower-fоr-sex dеаl?"

Luаn Niаn glаnсеd at her: "Whеrе's the—sех—?"

"Нmph!"

Shаng Zhi Tао turned her bасk in defiаnce. Thоugh soft-spokеn bу nаture, shе was a girl from Iсе Сity, саrrуing а bit оf thаt Icе Сity girl's vibе. Tаll, with smooth linеs, she wаs асtuallу quitе gооd-looking. But thеre was still a slight gap frоm the kind of beаuty that wоuld makе Luаn Nian's еyes light up.

After all, Luan Nian was blind.

That's what Shang Zhi Tao thought.

But her mind was still preoccupied with the promotion competition, so she sat up, hugged her knees, and smiled at Luan Nian: "So, will you give me the green light for this promotion competition?" she asked him.

"No."

"...Then why did you ask me to find someone?"

Luan Nian shrugged: "I won't give you the green light, but from a fairness perspective, you'll succeed. I'll pass you."

"Why?"

"Because you've indeed achieved a lot, have an excellent work attitude, and your mind is sharper than before."

Shang Zhi Tao giggled, hooking her finger around Luan Nian's: "You're praising me."

"Didn't you ask me to praise you occasionally?"

Time truly was a strange thing. Shang Zhi Tao felt that time had changed them, shaped them, and even shaped their relationship. Though that relationship was something not to be spoken of openly due to its unfavorable nature, in Shang Zhi Tao's heart, it was a comfortable one. Though Luan Nian remained a sharp person, the occasional softness he showed fascinated her.

Shang Zhi Tao had no grand ambitions; she felt the present was just fine.

Luan Nian really did help Sun Yu arrange a meeting with an investor.

On the day they met, Sun Yu asked Shang Zhi Tao if she wanted to go. She shook her head and said to Sun Yu, "Can you pretend not to know about my relationship with him?"

"Why?"

"Because no one else knows besides you."

Sun Yu looked at Shang Zhi Tao for a long moment and sighed: "You mean, you want me to be polite to him, right? You're afraid I might say something inappropriate and anger him, leading to both of us losing out."

Shang Zhi Tao nodded: "Yes. I'm afraid you won't get the investment, and I'm afraid he'll get angry." Her thoughtfulness made Sun Yu's heart ache.

"Don't worry, I won't say anything."

"Then I wish you success." Shang Zhi Tao hugged her and said to Luke, "Quick, bark twice for Sister Sun Yu! Sister's luck today will definitely be booming!"

Luke: Woof! Woof!

They met at Luan Nian's bar. Sun Yu drove her newly bought second-hand Geely up the mountain. Pushing open the bar door, she saw a man standing behind the counter mixing drinks, his face cold and aloof—it must be Luan Nian. Shang Zhi Tao had mentioned him countless times.

She walked up to the bar and greeted him: "Hello, Luan Nian. I'm Sun Yu."

"Sit." Luan Nian gestured toward the barstool with his chin. "What would you like to drink?"

"Alcohol."

Luan Nian looked up at Sun Yu. He had seen her from afar once—the day Shang Zhi Tao reported Dony, she had come to pick her up. Other than that, she was the Guizhou beauty Shang Zhi Tao never stopped talking about—an independent, clear-minded, intelligent, and righteous rare gem.Does Shang Zhi Tao even know what "a rare beauty" means? Luan Nian thinks Shang Zhi Tao has questionable taste. Once, while in the car, she suddenly pointed at a girl in a down jacket on the roadside and said, "Wow, she's so pretty." Luan Nian looked over but couldn't find anything "wow"-worthy about her.

Sun Yu was a bit better than that "wow"—at least she was fair-skinned and clean-looking.

He slid the mixed drink toward Sun Yu. "Take your time. The other party will be here in about half an hour."

"Well, at least they're not late. I arrived too early." Sun Yu didn't mention that Shang Zhi Tao had told her the mountain road was far and winding, advising her to leave early. She simply didn't bring up Shang Zhi Tao.

"Did Shang Zhi Tao exaggerate about this mountain road?" Luan Nian took a sip of water, his clean hands resting lightly on the bar as he tapped them. It was hard to describe the feeling, but it gave the impression that he was definitely not easy to get along with.

Before heading out, Shang Zhi Tao had reminded Sun Yu not to mention her, but Luan Nian immediately broke the rule Shang Zhi Tao had set. Sun Yu smiled at him. "She said the mountain road is difficult to drive on."

"True, for road hazards, it is difficult."

"..."

Sun Yu had heard from Shang Zhi Tao that Luan Nian had a sharp tongue, so she was mentally prepared. Still, upon hearing his sarcastic remark, she felt like punching him.

Luan Nian was doing it on purpose.

Sun Yu’s activities were such a mess that just thinking about them made Luan Nian angry.

Neither of them spoke. Sun Yu thought to herself that a man like Luan Nian only had his looks going for him. If she were with him, she’d probably cut out his tongue first to shut him up. Without being able to speak, he might actually be more tolerable.

She wondered how Tao Tao could stand him.

The two remained silent until the investment banker arrived.

He was a young man around thirty, wearing glasses and a thick wool coat. After taking it off, he revealed a sharp suit. Upon seeing Luan Nian, he extended his hand. "Hello, Master Luke."

Luan Nian was amused by the title. "Did Song Qiu Han tell you to say that?"

The investor, named Xin Ji, shook his head. "No, I’ve seen your award-winning work and really liked it."

"That’s all in the past." Luan Nian was uncharacteristically modest. "Let me introduce you. This is Ms. Sun Yu, a partner at this startup, overseeing sales and operations. This is Xin Ji, a project manager at a top-tier investment bank. Xin Ji, what would you like to drink?"

"Wine." Xin Ji was easygoing. "I heard Luke mixes great drinks, and since I’m already here..."

"Then I’ll give it a try. Shall we chat at the bar?"

"Sure."

Sun Yu hadn’t spoken the entire time. Luan Nian had directly covered everything she needed to say, even transforming into a different person—suddenly amiable. So she simply kept quiet, wanting to see how far Luan Nian would go to help her.

Sun Yu never expected Luan Nian to put in so much effort. He had actually figured out their business model and even optimized it for them. From start to finish, she hardly said a word. Luan Nian had spoken for her.

Shang Zhi Tao said Luan Nian didn’t talk much, like a silent gourd.

Shang Zhi Tao also said Luan Nian had a bad temper, often turning cold after just a few words, flipping moods faster than turning a page.

Shang Zhi Tao also said Luan Nian had particularly low emotional intelligence, never paying attention to others’ reactions when he spoke. He said whatever he wanted, regardless of whether it pleased anyone.

The Luan Nian described by Shang Zhi Tao didn’t match the Luan Nian Sun Yu had met at all. She even wondered if Shang Zhi Tao had some prejudice against him.Finally, Luan Nian patted Xin Ji’s shoulder and said, “Better make a decision quickly. We have two other companies lined up.”

Sun Yu nearly dropped to her knees before Luan Nian. We can’t get any better companies than this! If we don’t secure funding for this project, we’re finished!

But Xin Ji nodded. “I have no issues on my end. I’ll go back and start the evaluation right away.”

“When can we expect results?”

“Within a week.”

“That’s a bit long.”

“Within three days.”

“Good.”

And just like that, it was over. Sun Yu and Luan Nian saw Xin Ji out, watched him get into his car, and watched as the driver drove him away.

Luan Nian reverted to his usual lifeless demeanor. Talking was exhausting, and he had been talking nonstop for Shang Zhi Tao and her sister’s project. He didn’t even know what he was getting out of it.

Sun Yu said to him, “Thanks for helping me answer all those questions earlier.” Though I didn’t need it—that was the subtext. I come from a sales background; talking is the last thing I’m afraid of.

“Get the investment sooner, so you can afford to hire extras for those weird offline events of yours.”

Luan Nian inexplicably said this, leaving Sun Yu utterly confused.

“How are you going to drive back after drinking?” Luan Nian suddenly asked her. The dog Shang Zhi Tao raised was just like her, and the friends she made were just like her too—coming in and asking for alcohol, forgetting they drove here. He couldn’t be bothered to remind her; it was none of his business.

…Damn. Sun Yu only then remembered she had driven here today. She glanced at her car, then at Luan Nian. He hadn’t been drinking; maybe he could give her a ride.

But Luan Nian put on a good-guy act. “I’ll take you home then. You can have someone pick up your car another day.”

“Thanks, then.”

Luan Nian dropped Sun Yu off at the entrance of her neighborhood. Feeling a bit guilty, she offered politely, “I really caused you trouble today. Let me treat you to a meal.”

“Didn’t your company run out of funds?”

Sun Yu thought, this man really has a sharp tongue. “I can still afford a meal on my own.”

“Then go ahead and treat me.” Luan Nian took out his phone and called Shang Zhi Tao. “Come out.”

Sun Yu felt the relationship between Shang Zhi Tao and Luan Nian was peculiar. Even though they weren’t speaking, there was a strange tension between them, making the air feel ambiguous and the Japanese restaurant a little too warm. Luan Nian ordered sake, and Sun Yu kindly reminded him, “You drove here.”

“I have a driver.” Luan Nian gave a half-smile that looked rather punchable.

Sun Yu glanced at Shang Zhi Tao. Is this the man who has you so infatuated? Shang Zhi Tao pursed her lips. You haven’t seen Lumi yet—she’s practically gone crazy over him. Then she beamed. Isn’t he great? I really like him. I think he’s perfect in every way.

The three of them drank together. Shang Zhi Tao had built up a bit of tolerance by now. Three sake bottles sat in front of her, and her face was flushed from drinking. She even took the initiative to clink glasses with Sun Yu. “This year is almost over. Even though it’s been as terrible as ever, at least, as it’s about to end, you might secure some investment, and I’ll be moving to the planning department I’ve always dreamed of. Consider this a little reward for our otherwise mundane lives.”The two suddenly remembered that around this time every year, they always seemed to encounter unfortunate events. So they encouraged each other, saying that everything would be better next year—they would usher in their own joyful era. Yet the following year remained as cruel as ever. Life was inherently bitter; bitterness was one of its essential medicines.

Sun Yu took a sip of wine and suddenly cursed, "Fuck, who knows when this goddamn life will get better."

"Sooner or later."

Luan Nian had been sitting beside them without speaking. He had once thought that perhaps Shang Zhi Tao was not living well—glimpses of her broken life she unintentionally revealed: illness, shady agents, workplace sexual harassment. But there were many other struggles he couldn’t see, which she and her friends had endured on their own. Yet Shang Zhi Tao, every time she appeared at his home, brought with her a radiant energy, even like the line from the poem: "Laughter brightens the four winds," like the misty clouds of April, a true early spring clarity.

The two girls drank merrily. Shang Zhi Tao took off her sweater, revealing the delicate skin at her waist and her smooth curves, which were quite eye-catching. Luan Nian quietly wrapped the sweater around her waist. Seeing his gesture, Sun Yu thought to herself: Someone’s already in the game without even realizing it.

After drinking, Luan Nian walked them downstairs. Sun Yu excused herself and went upstairs first. Shang Zhi Tao kicked at the leftover snow on the roadside with her toes, her words slightly slurred from the alcohol: "If we could hug before parting, that would be even better."

Luan Nian smiled. He didn’t actually know how good-looking his smile was—the kind of vibrant, flourishing beauty of April in the human world. He pulled Shang Zhi Tao into his arms, but his words were far from gentle: "If you drink with others, I’ll kill you." And taking off your clothes so casually—what are you even wearing underneath?

Shang Zhi Tao giggled in his arms, teasing him further: "Do you want to take me and Luke to your place?"

They were about to face another long separation, and Shang Zhi Tao didn’t like it.

"I’ll call a designated driver."

Sake had a strong aftereffect. Shang Zhi Tao fussed about opening the window in the car, letting the wind blow all the way. By the time they reached Luan Nian’s home, she was already vomiting.

Fuck. Luan Nian cursed inwardly.

Suppressing the urge to kill her, he cleaned up the mess, thinking to himself: You and your dog are both terrible. Your dog shits in my house, you vomit in my house—you both deserve to be drawn and quartered.

After cleaning up, he helped Shang Zhi Tao brush her teeth, rinse her mouth, and take a shower, not settling down until well past midnight. Luan Nian pinched Shang Zhi Tao’s face and said fiercely, "A little alcohol and you cause so much trouble. Will you still drink like this in the future?"

In her sleep, Shang Zhi Tao impatiently pushed his hand away and burrowed into his arms, murmuring his name over and over again: "Luan Nian, Luan Nian, Luan Nian..."

This name was like a spell, firmly trapping Shang Zhi Tao within the territory of his influence. She couldn’t escape, nor did she want to. She loved the fortress he had built—everything was there except the freedom to love.

Another year passed like this. Shang Zhi Tao returned to Bingcheng with Luke, while Luan Nian went to the United States.

Dr. Liang was also petty, remembering how Luan Nian had lied to her about having a girlfriend. She followed him around, saying, "I checked, that dating website isn’t bad either. There are quite a few decent girls on it. Mom thinks their profiles look good, so I went ahead and registered an account for you too."

Luan Nian stopped packing his luggage and saw Dr. Liang take out her phone to show him: "Take a look, how did Mom fill out the information?"Luan Nian took the phone and saw the profile description: Winner of world-class advertising awards, teenage prodigy, executive at a renowned foreign company, annual salary in the tens of millions. Oh, and from a well-off family. Dating criteria: none. Dr. Liang had even carefully selected photos, sourcing a few pictures of handsome men from who knows where—utterly fake.

Dr. Liang looked rather pleased with herself. "To avoid affecting your company's stock price, I changed your name and photos. You wouldn't believe it, but a lot of girls took a liking to you and even sent private messages."

Seeing the confusion on Luan Nian's face, Dr. Liang thought, Trying to outsmart your mom? You're still too green. She smiled and added, "Guess what? It's a small world. Among those private messages, there was one from a girl who happens to be the actual owner of the random photo you used. She also sent a message."

Hearing this, Luan Nian frowned, his mood souring. He opened the private messages and saw an account under Shang Zhi Tao's name had sent: "Hello, I also work in Beijing. Want to get to know each other?"

...

The surroundings were quiet, and Luan Nian wanted to strangle Shang Zhi Tao. Sensing his anger, Dr. Liang took back her phone, still taunting him. "This girl seems quite cute. I said, why not meet up? She replied, 'Meeting alone might be a bit awkward. How about signing up for the website's offline event together?'"

After saying this, Dr. Liang walked out, barely holding back her laughter, her stomach aching from the effort. For the first time, she realized how much fun it was to mess with her own son.

Luan Nian hadn't expected to be so infuriated by Shang Zhi Tao on New Year's Day that it gave him a stomachache. He took some stomach medicine and chatted with Song Qiu Han and Chen Kuan Nian. To Song Qiu Han, he said, "I've been thinking about that lousy dating project. It doesn't seem very reliable. There are too many marriage scammers on there. Maybe we should halt your investment and reassess the risks."

Naturally, Song Qiu Han had no idea why he was saying this and replied earnestly, "I've already assessed the risks with our domestic colleagues. Real-name verification can mitigate some issues, so it shouldn't be a big problem. This project is good—it creates a spring for single people."

... Spring my ass! Shang Zhi Tao, that idiot, is practically becoming the spokesperson for that website!

Far away in Ice City, Shang Zhi Tao sneezed, unaware of who was cursing her. Old Shang and Da Zhai were busy in the kitchen, while Luke sat by the kitchen door, waiting for them to occasionally toss him a piece of meat.

Shang Zhi Tao protested, "Don't feed him so much meat! It's not good for him!"

Luke barked at Shang Zhi Tao: Woof! I have a whole drawer of meat at the bar! I eat it every day!

Shang Zhi Tao didn't understand and thought Luke was challenging her. She picked up a slipper and chased after him. "You dare growl at me when I tell you not to eat? I'll hit you!"

Old Shang wasn't having it and snatched the slipper from her hand. "You dare hit Luke and I'll kick you out of the house!"

"Huh? I'm your daughter!"

"Don't talk nonsense. Luke is more important than you."

Hmph!

Firecrackers crackled outside. As usual, Shang Zhi Tao sent Luan Nian an email: "Happy New Year! May everything go well in the new year."

Luan Nian replied, "Happy New Year. Stop being a marriage scammer!"