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The day after seeing off the agents, Shang Zhitao truly began to consolidate her resources.
She opened her contact list and started making calls one by one: “Hello, this is Shang Zhitao.”
“Are you asking if the pandemic has affected our company? It’s complicated. Though there was some impact, we’re still conducting business as usual.”
“Not only are we continuing business as usual, but we’ve also obtained an internet advertising license. So, President Wang, would you consider shifting some of your budget over to give it a try?”
She tirelessly repeated these words over and over again. Some agreed, some declined. It didn’t matter; as long as someone agreed, it was a good start.
What she didn’t know was that at the same time she was making calls, Luan Nian was also making calls from home.
This man had always disdained forming relationships with others, accustomed to his pride. But today, he humbled himself to make calls, starting with Jiang Lan.
Jiang Lan picked up the phone and asked, “What’s up? It’s rare for you to call me proactively.”
“Is the advertising budget for your branches in various regions calculated separately?”
“Yes, allocated to each region for independent use.”
“I have a friend who opened an agency in Ice City. Would you consider allocating some of the budget over to try them out?” Luan Nian skipped the formalities. “Let me put it this way—I’m introducing you to the most professional internet advertising team in the industry.”
Jiang Lan laughed, “No need to say more, I understand. Shang Zhitao, right? Alright, you owe me one favor.”
“I’ll treat you to dinner.”
“Alright.”
Luan Nian made call after call, sending Fu Dong’s number to clients and friends, letting Fu Dong handle the coordination. Fu Dong expressed his gratitude, saying, “I must tell the boss.”
“No need,” Luan Nian told him. “There’s no need to inform her. I’m just making introductions. Whether it succeeds or not depends on your negotiation skills. If it succeeds, it’s the result of your own hard work. No need to tell Shang Zhitao. It’s unnecessary.”
Though he spoke like that, the dozen or so contacts he referred to Fu Dong were all certain to transfer their budgets.
Shang Zhitao’s internet advertising agency business officially launched.
She entered a new track, needing to study new business logic. There was so much she didn’t understand. She requested that the channel manager stay in Ice City and not return. She arranged an office for the channel manager in the company and visited him eight hundred times a day. She was humble, sincere, and genuinely focused on the business. The channel manager was willing to teach her, and within a month, Shang Zhitao had onboarded more than twenty clients. She was possessed, constantly scrolling through ads on her phone app while discussing ad placements with her employees. They conducted meticulous operations, even tracking traffic surges down to specific minutes, and within just one month, they had established a benchmark for supermarkets.
In his report, the channel manager said, “This new agency in Ice City is very professional. I think we can assign them other licensed tracks.”
In this way, Shang Zhitao, along with all her employees’ efforts, won the initial battle and earned respect.
While she was meeting clients day and night, managing ad placements, Luan Nian came three times, but they never met. Each of those times, Shang Zhitao happened to be out of town—once for a team-building event, and twice for client meetings. It seemed like she was deliberately avoiding Luan Nian, but he didn’t mind. He still stayed in the guest room of Shang Zhitao’s house, filling her fridge with groceries every time he came, earnestly spending two days with Luke. Before leaving, he prepared food for Luke to store in the fridge, and a couple of times, he cooked a few dishes that Shang Zhitao could simply heat up when she returned.
Their communication remained minimal. Luan Nian maintained that balance, staying within reasonable bounds and not causing her any distress.
Sometimes, his friends teased him: “Running back and forth to Ice City every week, any results? Still ignoring you, isn’t she?” Despite the mockery, they were also worried for him. Chen Kuannian said, “Do you think an iron tree can bloom? Can Luan Nian ever kiss his Peach Sister?”
“Luan Nian might as well castrate himself,” Tan Mian joked. “It’s not like he needs it anyway.”
When Luan Nian heard these remarks, he remained silent, sitting there lost in thought. He once asked Fu Dong, “Does your boss go on dates often?”
“Our boss? After work, it’s already past ten o’clock. Where else does she have time to date?”
Sometimes, they exchanged a few words.
There were moments when Shang Zhitao encountered logic she couldn’t grasp, and the channel manager couldn’t explain it clearly either. In her urgency, she called Luan Nian: “I want to ask you a question.”
“Go ahead.”
“The fast-moving consumer goods track model we’re running is incorrect.”
“How so?”
“I feel like the ad placement logic isn’t right.”
“Send it over, let me take a look.”
Shang Zhitao sent him the entire case and data. After glancing at it, he said, “Shang Zhitao, are you overworked and confused? Look at whether your target audience aligns with your product.”
“If your brain is too tired, take a break occasionally. Don’t end up exhausting yourself.”
“Oh, I see.” Shang Zhitao pulled out the product information and realized the issue stemmed from the very beginning. Solving a problem brought her a bit of joy, so she thanked Luan Nian: “Thank you. I didn’t expect that even nearing forty, your mind is still sharp.”
With that, she hung up.
Shang Zhitao mocked his age twice in a row, as if reminding him that his youth had passed. Luan Nian paid no heed. However, one day, while flipping through a magazine, he came across a creative piece. It was simple—a black text on a white background: “Who doesn’t like younger brothers?”
?
Luan Nian stared at the picture for a long time and cursed, “What the hell kind of crappy ad is this!”
He called Shang Zhitao: “Let me ask you something. Do you like younger brothers?”
“Huh?” Shang Zhitao was taken aback by his question.
“Young, handsome brothers.”
Shang Zhitao finally caught on: “Who doesn’t like younger brothers?”
“You’re sick!” Luan Nian snapped before hanging up.
Shang Zhitao held the phone in a daze, then burst out laughing after a moment.
“Boss, what are you doing?” Fu Dong asked her.
“Someone’s being weird.”
The next day, Luan Nian’s perpetually inactive social media suddenly posted a photo—a magazine cover shoot of him. Dressed in a black shirt, he lounged on a sofa, his collar slightly open, revealing part of his chest muscles and a handsome physique.
The comments were lively.
Song Qiuhán: A matrimonial ad on social media?
Tan Mian: Middle-aged lonely bachelor?
Chen Kuannian: @Shang Zhitao
Since Shang Zhitao was friends with Chen Kuannian and Song Qiuhán, she naturally saw the replies to Luan Nian’s post. Opening the enlarged image, she thought that Luan Nian would probably always be like this. In his twenties, he was a troublesome youth; in his thirties and forties, a bothersome middle-aged man; even in his seventies and eighties, he’d likely remain an annoying old geezer. How did fate favor him so?
She thought that was the end of it, but to her surprise, Chen Kuannian privately messaged her, asking, “What do you think? Could you bear sleeping with him?”
Shang Zhitao was almost amused to death: “No way, no way.”
“What’s there to be afraid of? It’s not like you haven’t slept together before.” Truly worried for his buddy, Chen Kuannian lamented that if this continued, Luan Nian would indeed end up a lonely bachelor. And he was such a person, never willing to lower his head, traveling to Ice City every week to see the dog. At least he was seeing the dog, but he hadn’t even managed to meet the person. Those unaware might think he truly loved that dog!
“By the way, you started an advertising company, right?” Chen Kuannian asked her.
“Yes.”
“I have a friend in Ice City who deals in jewelry. I’ll visit soon. Let’s meet up and chat.”
“Sure, thank you, President Chen. I’ll treat you to dinner.”
“Deal.”
His friends figured that relying on Luan Nian alone wouldn’t work, so they devised a plan. Under the guise of introducing clients, they would take turns bringing Luan Nian to Ice City. Surely, Shang Zhitao couldn’t keep avoiding them now!
Chen Kuannian said he’d go and actually began preparations. He first contacted his friend and, when booking tickets, casually booked two and sent them to the group chat: “Bro’s going to help President Luan chase his wife. Self-funded. Hope President Luan remembers my kindness and treats me to drinks in the future.”
“Nonsense,” Luan Nian commented.
Despite his words, he still went along.
Clients had face, so Shang Zhitao didn’t go anywhere else and even went to the airport to pick up Chen Kuannian. Walking beside him was Luan Nian, who hadn’t seen Shang Zhitao for a while, wearing large sunglasses.
She took off her sunglasses, revealing eyes that had endured many sleepless nights.
“Sorry about that. The business just launched, and there’s still a lot to sort out. I’ve pulled a few all-nighters and look a bit disheveled,” Shang Zhitao apologized. Sometimes, she couldn’t help but lament that she was no longer in her early twenties. Back then, even after several sleepless nights, brushing her teeth, washing her face, and applying a bit of foundation would leave her radiant and refreshed.
Luan Nian felt a pang of pity. But he wouldn’t ask again what she was striving for. Was it money? He had it! He wouldn’t say such things anymore. Shang Zhitao was pursuing her life’s value, which was an admirable endeavor in itself.
When getting into the car, Chen Kuannian pretended to sit in the front passenger seat, but Luan Nian slapped his hand away from the door handle. Chen Kuannian chuckled and obediently moved to the backseat.
This time, there were no formalities from their first meeting. Shang Zhitao directly took Chen Kuannian and Luan Nian to the old tavern for drinks, with Fu Dong accompanying them. When Da Zhai saw Luan Nian, he turned and went to the kitchen: “Peach Peach’s ex-boyfriend is here.”
Old Shang heard this and came out, finally seeing Luan Nian.
He turned back inside and actually smiled.
Da Zhai didn’t understand, asking him, “What are you laughing at?”
“I’m laughing because Peach Peach has been on so many blind dates for nothing.” He pointed his chin outside: “He looks decent enough. Besides being a bit older, he seems acceptable.”
Shang Zhitao came in to greet them and overheard the couple’s whispering. She coughed and said, “Hurry up and get to work! In a few days, they’ll shut us down for epidemic prevention again, and we’ll be left with nothing!”
Da Zhai tapped her forehead: “You talk too much. Your father hasn’t slept well lately because of stress.”
“Just joking around! What stress? If we don’t make money, we won’t make money. Worst case, we’ll quit!”
“No. I can’t stay idle. Business has picked up recently.”
Shang Zhitao brought out a plate of peanuts and placed it in front of Luan Nian: “Here, President Luan likes these.”
“The hospitality level of your company keeps dropping.”
“The General Secretary also advocates frugality!” Shang Zhitao retorted.
Seeing Luan Nian taken aback, Chen Kuannian smirked and live-streamed their banter in the group chat, adding: “Neither gives an inch. Serves you right to remain single.”
Luan Nian’s friends were reliable; if they promised something, they delivered. While they were still drinking, the other party sent over the time and place, arranging the meeting details.
“Another drink?” Chen Kuannian asked her.
“Are you still taking medicine?”
“Is drinking with two men not satisfying enough for you?” Luan Nian responded: “Always talking about drinking, no wonder Xiaomei makes you sleep on the couch.” Drinking after staying up late was courting death. What business was worth risking one’s life?
Chen Kuannian chuckled.
As they ate, Luan Nian stood up to settle the bill. Da Zhai placed the QR code on the table: “Peach Peach is hosting, no need to pay.”
Luan Nian flipped it over, scanned the code, and asked Da Zhai, “How much is it?”
“No need for such formalities.” Da Zhai took his phone and closed the payment page: “Go eat. Drink less in the future.”
“Alright,” Luan Nian replied and added, “Thank you.”
After eating, they stepped outside.
Chen Kuannian asked Luan Nian, “Do you have another urgent matter?”
“Yes.”
“Alright, go ahead!”
Luan Nian walked beside Shang Zhitao. He had drunk a little, and his face was slightly flushed.
“How’s your business doing?” he asked Shang Zhitao.
“Not bad.” Shang Zhitao told him: “Fu Dong told me that many of our recent clients were referred by you.”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
After entering the house, Shang Zhitao nestled into the sofa. Luan Nian went out to walk Luke. He walked a bit longer and bumped into Shang Zhitao’s neighbor again. They had greeted each other a few times before, so the neighbor felt somewhat familiar with Luan Nian. While waiting for the elevator, she asked him, “When are you getting married?”
“Next year,” Luan Nian lied casually.
“Next year… isn’t that soon? Great, great. What do you do?”
“In advertising.”
“Oh, oh, sales in advertising. I see, I see.”
Luan Nian smiled at her, highly resistant to this unexpected warmth. When he entered the house and saw Shang Zhitao curled up asleep on the sofa, even Luke nudging her didn’t wake her. She was truly exhausted.
Luan Nian walked over, bent down, and lifted her up. Shang Zhitao opened her eyes slightly, heard Luan Nian say, “Go to bed,” and closed her eyes again.
Luan Nian put her on the bed and went to the guest room.
Later that night, Chen Kuannian asked him, “You didn’t return to the hotel. Did you succeed?”
“?”
“Did the young brother come in handy?”
“Get lost.”
The next morning, Shang Zhitao woke up to hear noises from the kitchen. She pushed open the door and saw Luan Nian standing in the morning light making breakfast. The aroma of multigrain porridge filled the air from the rice cooker. He was making rolled omelets filled with bell peppers and onions—Shang Zhitao’s absolute favorite.
She stood there watching him for a while, feeling incredibly happy waking up to the smell of breakfast in the morning.
It was just a fleeting thought.
Life goes on like this.
By November, Shang Zhitao saw a women’s awakening initiative. She was shocked by the stories within the initiative and moved by the noble sentiments of its founders. So she told Luan Nian, “I want to donate that money from selling the bag.”
“To whom?”
“A women’s awakening initiative.”
“Is the organizer Lin Chun’er?”
“Yes. Why does that name sound familiar?”
“Because the organizer is Song Qiuhán’s girlfriend. I’ll have her contact you.”
On the day Lin Chun’er called Shang Zhitao, Ice City experienced its first snowfall of the year. Shang Zhitao had just left the office and squeezed onto the bus. She answered the call and heard a very gentle voice say, “Is this Shang Zhitao?”
“Yes, who is this?”
“This is Lin Chun’er. Luan Nian said you wanted to make a donation.”
“Yes, a total of one million yuan.” Shang Zhitao added some more to round it off.
Lin Chun’er heard the bus station announcement on Shang Zhitao’s end and said, “Thank you, Shang Zhitao. I’ll add you as a friend and send you the donation instructions later.”
“Alright, I’ll arrange it as soon as I read them.”
For some reason, they both felt an instant connection after just a few words. Shang Zhitao said, “Come over to my place for drinks when you have a chance!”
“I’m not a formal person. I’ll come in December!”
And so, that sum of money became a good intention and went where it was meant to go. If it could help someone, that would be wonderful.
In the donation message, Shang Zhitao wrote, “May you live a carefree life. May you always have the courage to break through stalemates.”
It seemed that after turning thirty, life sped up like a hundred-meter dash. Shang Zhitao was always busy, with endless work awaiting her.
One morning, she woke up and discovered that Luke hadn’t greeted her.
After searching around, she found Luke lying in front of the window, eyes tightly closed, seemingly in distress. Shang Zhitao rushed over and held his head: “What’s wrong, Luke?”
Luke stood up, gagged a few times, and vomited.
Shang Zhitao had never seen Luke like this before. She was terrified and called Luan Nian: “Luan Nian, Luke seems sick. It threw up, and it doesn’t respond when I call it.” Scared out of her wits, she didn’t even realize she was crying.
“Don’t cry,” Luan Nian told her. “Take it to the pet hospital. I’ll head to the airport right now.”
By the time Luan Nian arrived, it was already afternoon. Luke was receiving intravenous fluids at the pet hospital, and Shang Zhitao sat beside it, lips tightly pressed, deeply saddened.
Luan Nian sat beside her and asked, “What happened?”
“It’s gastroenteritis,” Shang Zhitao said guiltily. She had been so busy lately that she neglected Luke. Last night, when it seemed anxious and paced around, she didn’t even consider that it might be sick.
Luan Nian squatted in front of Luke and pinched its mouth: “Look at you, knowing how to get sick!”
Luke whimpered and rested its head on his palm. When he pulled his hand back, it bit his hand gently, insisting on resting its head there.
Luan Nian pulled a chair over, sat down, and let it rest its head on his hand. With the other hand, he called Dr. Liang on the phone: “Yes, it’s fine. I might return the day after tomorrow.”
“No problem. Where are you?” Dr. Liang asked.
“I’m in Ice City.”
“At Shang Zhitao’s place?” Dr. Liang suddenly felt invigorated.
Luan Nian glanced at Shang Zhitao and softly confirmed.
“Can I talk to her?” Dr. Liang asked.
“No. I’ll hang up first.” Luan Nian ended the call and messaged Dr. Liang: “We’re not dating, so you can’t talk to her.”
“It’s okay, I won’t say anything. Go ahead, stay a few more days.”
He laughed and hung up.
“If you have something to attend to…”
“I don’t.” Luan Nian interrupted Shang Zhitao: “Aren’t you very busy? Go to the office.”
“I brought my laptop.”
“You can work on it.”
“Okay.”
Shang Zhitao indeed had a mountain of work piled up. It had been less than six months since she obtained the license, and she had to meet the conversion rates required by clients, or else they wouldn’t reinvest. She opened her computer and started typing furiously. Luan Nian watched her for a long time before finally speaking:
“Shang Zhitao, how about I take care of Luke with you?”
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