#89: Qin Xing & Chu Ran - Two Flowers

Chu Ran didn’t treat herself as an outsider; she understood Qin Xing. If she didn’t actively insist on buying flowers, he would probably handle it coldly. She had a slight understanding of that subtle male ego. The fact that he was willing to get out of the car and accompany her to the flower shop meant he would likely fulfill her request, as long as it wasn’t too excessive.

Chu Ran tugged at his sleeve, “I want roses, just one is enough.” Her pleading gaze, however, left him no room for refusal. Qin Xing wore sunglasses, so she couldn’t tell if he was looking at her or contemplating whether to give her roses. “I don’t like other flowers,” Chu Ran blocked his retreat, leaving him no other option.

Qin Xing asked her, “Just one?” Chu Ran understood his hidden meaning; perhaps she had a chance to receive ninety-nine roses today, or at least starting from eleven. She heard that Young Master Qin was always generous. She smiled, not directly answering him, but kicking the ball back to him instead, “Don’t you also think giving just one is a bit stingy?”

Qin Xing nodded. “It is a bit unpresentable.” He turned his head to the staff, “Give me two roses, no wrapping needed. Thank you.”

Chu Ran: “...”

Qin Xing scanned the payment code with his phone, asking the staff how much it was. He specifically emphasized: “Just two roses, the other bouquet was paid for by her.” As he spoke, he gestured towards Chu Ran with his chin.

Chu Ran held the two roses and directly blocked his sunglasses. Qin Xing’s vision instantly went black; he couldn’t see anything. “What are you doing?” He gently pushed the roses away.

The next second, Chu Ran poked the flowers onto his sunglasses again. Qin Xing was in the middle of entering the payment amount, and with her teasing, he couldn’t see anything. More words were useless. Qin Xing grabbed her wrist and pulled her aside. Chu Ran suddenly quieted down. He looked down at his phone, never letting go of her. Qin Xing paid the money, put away his phone, and then finally let go. The warmth of his palm lingered on her wrist. The atmosphere was strangely awkward.

Qin Xing had his sunglasses as a disguise and didn’t deliberately turn his face away. Chu Ran held the two roses in one hand, freeing her other hand to grab his wrist. Once she had it, she squeezed tightly. Qin Xing looked at her, his subconscious reaction was to pull back.

“You held my hand for over forty seconds just now, and I never let myself be at a disadvantage, so I have to get it back.” Chu Ran spoke confidently, holding his hand tightly without letting go. “49, 48, 47...” She whispered a countdown. Deliberately counting for him to hear. Even though Qin Xing wore sunglasses, he silently turned his face, pretending to check if the staff had finished wrapping the balloon flower bouquet Chu Ran bought. He didn’t know Chu Ran was so good at flirting. Yet, as if bewitched, he actually let her, not shaking off her hand.

He didn’t know how long it had been. But it was definitely over fifty seconds. Qin Xing, taking advantage of the nearby staff member attending to other customers, tried to withdraw his hand again, “That’s enough, right?” Chu Ran didn’t respond, still counting down, “19, 18...” Qin Xing looked at her helplessly, but still good-naturedly let her keep counting randomly. Until the balloon flower bouquet was wrapped, Chu Ran was still counting: “6, 5...” She reluctantly let go, “Today, for Valentine’s Day, I’ll count four seconds less for you.”

Qin Xing was speechless. He held the bouquet given to him and turned to leave. More than three minutes had passed since her countdown began. Chu Ran paid and chased him out of the flower shop with a smile. “Wait for me.” Her tone was cheerful, seeming to carry a hint of taking advantage.

Getting into the car, Chu Ran leaned the flowers against Qin Xing’s arm. “Don’t move, I’m just getting a shot.” She was treating him like a background, and only his arm was showing. In the last photo, Chu Ran moved the camera up, and the flowers became a prop, with Qin Xing himself filling the frame.

“The drama I’m currently filming wraps up at the end of the month,” Chu Ran said, exiting camera mode and settling down, initiating conversation. “Sister Li said there will be a company dinner after filming wraps.” This was supposed to be a happy occasion, but Sister Li had told her that Qin Xing was busy and might not be available. She knew Sister Li was being subtle to spare her feelings. In reality, Qin Xing’s refusal to attend the dinner was because he didn’t want to see her.

“Aren’t you going?” Chu Ran, unwilling to give up, asked again herself. After today’s thawing of relations, perhaps he had changed his mind. He had refused so decisively before, but now she was willing to give him an out. She misjudged; Qin Xing’s tone was still as firm as ever: “You guys gather, I’m busy.”

Chu Ran brushed her nose with a flower, the faint scent of roses subtly filling her nostrils. “If you, the boss, don’t go, the dinner will be so boring.”

Qin Xing: “If I’m not there, isn’t it the perfect chance for you to complain about me like crazy, and everything will taste extra good?”

Chu Ran looked at him. “If you were purely my boss, I honestly wouldn’t want to see you even for a second, hoping you’d be as far away as possible. But it’s different now; I’d prefer to see you twenty-four hours a day.”

Qin Xing met her gaze for a few seconds. Her directness left him momentarily speechless. Chu Ran pressed her advantage: “Go, otherwise, with you missing, it just won’t feel right. Don’t worry, in public, I’ll be sensible; I won’t deliberately seek you out to talk.”

Qin Xing changed his tone: “I’ll be on a business trip at the end of the month, so I might not make it.”

“Where to?”

“Paris.”

“Then I’ll discuss it with Sister Li and Boss Shen to see if we can postpone the dinner. It’s not like it has to be on that specific day.”

This time, Qin Xing didn’t explicitly refuse her again, seemingly acquiescing to her suggestion. Chu Ran’s mood brightened considerably, and she immediately messaged Sister Li, briefly explaining the situation.

Exiting the chat, Chu Ran suddenly remembered something from a few days ago. “Mr. Qin, I’m planning to learn English. Do you have any good suggestions?”

Qin Xing glanced at her, saying nothing. Chu Ran’s fiery temper had been gradually softened by Qin Xing. Her sharp and unfriendly edges were no longer as wild as before. She declared, “I’m genuinely asking for your advice.”

Yuan Yuan had recently started learning Spanish, and apparently, she found it agonizing. Every time she opened her newly bought textbook, Yuan Yuan would start thinking about giving up. Chu Ran didn’t plan to torment herself. She would choose something she was good at and then surprise everyone.

“I still have some foundation; my English was decent in high school. Give me some advice.” Qin Xing stared at her. She seemed genuinely sincere in seeking advice, not just looking for something to do. He asked her, “To what extent do you want to learn?”

Chu Ran: “Fluent in English communication.”

Qin Xing gave her no quarter. “Two years ago, you participated in a variety show, and one episode was filmed abroad. You asked for directions and chatted with people on the street. I didn’t notice any communication barriers in your English.”

Chu Ran wasn’t embarrassed by having her lie exposed. She always managed to find the part that pleased her, and she was slightly excited: “You also like watching that variety show? Did you watch every episode? Or just the one where I was a guest?”

Qin Xing’s expression remained unchanged, and he countered, “What do you think?”

Chu Ran smiled slightly. “Then you definitely only watched the episode with me in it!” She held the rose to his lips. “No talking, no contradicting. Whatever I say, that’s what it is.” Qin Xing pushed her hand away, moving the flower further. He didn’t know what other pitfalls Chu Ran might unintentionally lead him into. To be safe, he opened his phone’s music player, seeking some peace and quiet for himself. The music’s intro began; it was “Liang Liang (Cold)” the song he once used to help Jiang Chengyu out of a bind.

Chu Ran asked him, “You like this song?”

Qin Xing hummed in affirmation, saying nothing more. Chu Ran said, “I suddenly remembered a song too.” With that, she opened her music player, with the volume set higher than Qin Xing’s phone. In contrast to “Liang Liang (Cold),” it was “Nuan Nuan (Warm).” Qin Xing was about to shut down. He pressed pause and turned to look out the window. Chu Ran laughed. She leaned against her car window, listening to the cheerful melody.

After two loops of the song, the car stopped in front of the restaurant. Chu Ran ate little and had never been particular about food, but she preferred a quiet dining environment, ideally undisturbed by anyone. Qin Xing understood her, so he booked this particular restaurant. Today was Valentine’s Day, and every restaurant was packed, all tables fully booked. He still had to ask a friend for help to secure a reservation. His friend asked him who he was spending Valentine’s Day with—an ex-girlfriend or a new one. He replied with two words: “Chu Ran.” His friend “tsk-tsk’ed” several times, teasing, “Who was it that said they don’t go back to old flames? I see you’ve broken your leash and are eagerly running back to eat it.” He didn’t bother with his friend’s taunts and hung up the phone.

Chu Ran now completely disregarded the dishes, and even her usually meticulous dining environment, focusing solely on the man in front of her. The private room was empty except for them. Her posture was relaxed, her hands cupping her chin, her gaze fixed intently on Qin Xing sitting opposite her. Only when acting did she have such focus.

“Order whatever you want.” Qin Xing handed her the menu. Chu Ran didn’t take it. “Whatever, I’ll eat what you eat.” Mr. Qin knew her taste and ordered a few dishes. She was still looking at him, her gaze so intense it was completely undisguised. Qin Xing raised his eyelids to look at her, remaining silent.

“I never properly talked to you before,” Chu Ran said apologetically. “Nor did I take your words to heart.” He himself wasn’t even in her eyes, let alone anything he said. Some things, no matter how many times he reminded her, she’d simply ignore, and by the second time he said it, she’d already be annoyed. How could she possibly talk to him properly?

Qin Xing poured her half a glass of red wine. He didn’t say a single word about the past. Chu Ran called him by his name directly, “Qin Xing, look at me.” Qin Xing instinctively looked up. Chu Ran widened her eyes, “Look into my eyes, all you see is you.” Qin Xing, usually eloquent, found himself at a loss for words several times when facing her today.

During the meal, the two chatted desultorily. It was mostly Chu Ran talking, with Qin Xing occasionally agreeing. Chu Ran clinked glasses with him. “I want to receive a huge bouquet of roses next year.” After saying that, she insisted Qin Xing also make a statement. “Say a few words, just guess if my wish will come true next year. It’s okay if it doesn’t; then I’ll pray I receive more flowers the year after that.” Qin Xing just drank his wine, not responding to her boring question.

After the meal, they paid the bill and left. Qin Xing had a company meeting in the afternoon. “Should I drop you off at the hotel, or come with me to the company?” Chu Ran, of course, chose the latter.

Halfway there, Chu Ran felt thirsty and asked Qin Xing if he had any water in the car for her. There was some, but not the brand she liked. Qin Xing replied, “No more.” He told the driver to stop at a convenience store. Chu Ran was bored in the car, so she got out with him to the convenience store. Qin Xing went to buy water, while Chu Ran browsed the snack section.

He took two bottles of water and went to find her. “Don’t you eat snacks?”

“That’s right, I don’t.” Chu Ran pointed to a shelf full of snacks. “Do you want any? I’ll buy them all for you.”

Qin Xing: “...”