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Lingmei showcased the true professionalism of a dedicated team. From the attire and demeanor of the participants, they left a lasting impression.
Shang Zhitao, as the project leader, had previously visited government personnel individually and communicated with them multiple times online. Her diligence and responsibility left a good impression on them. Thus, they didn’t feel that Lingmei had sent inadequately qualified individuals; instead, they believed Lingmei had dispatched their best employees.
Behind every affirmation Shang Zhitao received was a tremendous amount of effort, and Luan Nian knew this. In his opening remarks, he said: “Today’s tripartite meeting is significant because it is the first formal meeting after the contract was finalized. Ms. Shang Zhitao has been entrusted by the company to come here for long-term deployment, and she was carefully selected. Allow me to introduce Shang Zhitao formally. She is already well-known in the industry as the project manager for several major business transformations at Lingmei. Our detailed introduction submitted to the government leaders also highlighted her contributions. Thank you, esteemed leaders, for recognizing Shang Zhitao and Lingmei. Additionally, today’s meeting agenda is primarily to deepen our creative ideas. We want to hear your suggestions and share our perspectives to determine subsequent action plans.”
“Thank you, Mr. Luan Nian,” the meeting host said. “Let us proceed to the main topics.”
Luan Nian’s presence at this occasion personally pleased the other two parties, making what should have been a serious negotiation more relaxed. The discussions proceeded methodically until the government leaders expressed a desire to reposition the project’s tone and presented new requirements.
Shang Zhitao wanted to voice her thoughts about the cultural heritage of the Longji people, supported by extensive historical facts and theories. She had done thorough research.
However, Luan Nian spoke first: “After receiving the request, we reconsidered. Let Song Ying represent our company to explain.” He then nodded at Song Ying: “Go ahead.”
Shang Zhitao remained silent as she heard Song Ying mention Longji, cultural depth, and the spirit of the northwest. Song Ying hadn’t plagiarized her since they hadn’t exchanged views. The biggest difference between Song Ying and her was that Luan Nian trusted Song Ying to have brilliant insights but didn’t think Shang Zhitao had such capabilities.
Perhaps Luan Nian never thought she had such abilities, not even occasional sparks of inspiration.
The government leaders were impressed that Lingmei had prepared a second strategy so quickly and praised them earnestly: “Indeed, a professional team.” After the meeting, they briefly reviewed in their office. Luan Nian swiftly arranged tasks: “Upon returning, Yilia will synchronize the new ideas with the team and select two people to come here for a week to deepen the creativity. Flora will coordinate the collection of materials. However, all work must follow one principle: adhere to the project manager’s instructions. The final creative decisions must be confirmed by Flora before proceeding to the next step. Flora is the primary person responsible for this project, and everyone must comply with her management.”
“Alright,” everyone nodded.
“Flora did an excellent job today, perfectly controlling the entire session. I trust the project in your hands. Thank you for your hard work.”
“Thank you. Also, thanks to Yilia for her creative support. Thank you.” Shang Zhitao didn’t know what else to say and specially thanked Yilia. But she felt a bit tired.
“I need to discuss the next steps privately with Flora.” The colleagues nodded and left, leaving only the two of them in the office.
Luan Nian stared at her for a long time, noticing a hint of melancholy in her eyes.
“Shang Zhitao,” Luan Nian pulled a chair and sat opposite her, turning her chair to face him. Shang Zhitao avoided his gaze but was gently turned back by Luan Nian holding her chin.
“The project manager’s responsibility is to oversee the entire project, not to create content. Leave specialized tasks to specialized people. Do you agree with my perspective?”
“Yes.”
“I saw that you seemed to have much to say when the government mentioned creativity. You can now show me your ideas.”
Shang Zhitao was contemplating whether it was the right time to speak.
Luan Nian squeezed her cheek again: “Are you going to talk or not?”
“I’ve actually thought about it,” Shang Zhitao finally spoke. “But I hope you won’t misunderstand. I don’t want to overshadow the creative colleagues. I’m merely speaking from the perspective of being responsible for the project.”
“Mm, I won’t misunderstand.”
Shang Zhitao stood up and took a stack of documents from the desk, the thick results of her team’s in-depth interviews. Sitting down, she explained to Luan Nian: “It must be said that Yilia is excellent. She grasped the core within less than two days of arriving here. Our conclusions are consistent. First, let me start with the topography here.”
Shang Zhitao presented their preparations to Luan Nian. On the last page was a printed version of the new cultural creativity, as government leaders preferred printed materials.
Luan Nian listened quietly, gradually smiling.
After Shang Zhitao finished, he asked her: “Why didn’t you add this during the meeting?”
“First, it wasn’t urgent to draw conclusions; presenting the core was sufficient. Secondly, regarding creativity and culture, the company has more specialized people who will aggregate data later without issues. Lastly, I believe Yilia needed recognition.”
“So why do you feel disappointed?”
“You think I believe you have no ideas, right?”
Shang Zhitao nodded, like a student being scolded by a teacher.
Luan Nian hadn’t slept all night, his thoughts more turbulent than ever. He had heard Shang Zhitao’s breakthroughs and concerns yesterday. Once again, he realized that he had treated her poorly. This was Shang Zhitao—slowly transforming him into someone unfamiliar.
“Shang Zhitao, I hope you understand that 80% of my decisions are correct, while 20% are wrong. Allowing Yilia to present the idea at the meeting today was likely a wrong decision because I hadn’t aligned information with you beforehand. However, you also made a mistake. During our afternoon meeting yesterday, you didn’t share this information. Were you trying to surprise me?”
Shang Zhitao blushed, suddenly feeling that she still hadn’t reached a high enough level.
“Alright, I received the surprise. It was indeed surprising.” Luan Nian touched her lips lightly.
“Our flight is in the afternoon. Please arrange a car to take us to the airport.” Luan Nian said.
“Let Shelly drive you.”
“Thank you.”
Luan Nian didn’t specifically bid farewell to Shang Zhitao, just gave her a faint look before leaving.
Shang Zhitao had no real experience arguing with Luan Nian. She wasn’t even sure if their interaction counted as an argument or reconciliation. She didn’t go to the airport to see him off but suddenly regretted it upon receiving Shelly’s call saying Luan Nian’s plane had taken off.
They had barely met, yet he left like this. What was there to argue about? They hadn’t seen each other for so long.
She turned on her phone to check Luke. He seemed a bit lonely; after the auntie walked him and made his food, he didn’t stand up as usual but continued lying there. Feeling heartbroken, Shang Zhitao called out: “Luke.”
Luke whimpered but didn’t move. Suddenly, Shang Zhitao thought perhaps she could bring Luke to the northwest. Though life was tough there, at least Luke would still have her. She took out her phone to check the self-driving route and considered renting a car to drive from Beijing, bringing Luke along to make him a traveling dog.
Late at night, Shang Zhitao saw him suddenly stand up and run to the door, tilting his head to listen carefully. Then he leaped into Luan Nian’s arms as he entered.
Luan Nian comforted him for a long time before he calmed down, pointing at the dog bowl and asking: “Were you on a hunger strike?”
Luke barked and ran to the bowl, burying his head in it. Seeing Luan Nian, his appetite returned. Shang Zhitao even heard the sound of his mouth slurping in the bowl and droplets falling to the ground, finally unable to resist stopping him: “Eat slowly!”
“Why are you meddling so much?” Luan Nian sat on the sofa, giving Shang Zhitao the back of his head, but she knew this comment was directed at her. She muttered softly: “This is my dog.”
Luan Nian turned around, looking at the camera: “Say that again?”
“It’s… our dog.”
Luan Nian turned away again, continuing to give her the back of his head. Shang Zhitao called him: “Luan Nian.”
“Hmm?”
“Is it okay if I return at the end of September?”
“To see which friend?”
“Boyfriend.” Shang Zhitao said, “Can I see you once before you go to the Netherlands? Is that okay?”
Every year, Luan Nian would travel with his friends one or two times without fail. This year, they had planned a trip to the Netherlands.
Luan Nian still didn’t speak, and Shang Zhitao waited for a long time. She hated it when he was like this.
“Luan Nian, after I return to the company next month to resume my duties, I want to rent a car and bring Luke to the northwest. That way, you won’t have to bother taking care of him anymore. It’s late; I’m going to sleep.”
Shang Zhitao turned off the surveillance and threw her phone aside, betting that Luan Nian would call her. Sure enough, Luan Nian’s call came. He asked her, “What do you mean?”
“I mean I’m going to bring Luke over to be with me. This way, you’ll have more free time in the future, not always thinking about taking care of him, and you can relax a bit.”
“I’ll throw him out right now, and you can come back and post a lost dog notice!”
“Fine.”
Shang Zhitao hung up the phone. Luan Nian called again, and she rejected the call; this went on many times.
She had become mischievous. She wanted Luan Nian to taste what it felt like, the feeling of being refused communication. She quietly opened the surveillance to watch Luan Nian make a call, but her phone didn’t ring. He was calling someone else. He put it on speakerphone, piercing straight to the heart.
Shang Zhitao heard him say, “Want to come out and sit for a while?”
“Where should we sit?”
“Anywhere. Does it matter?”
“It does. What I wear depends on where we’re sitting.”
It was blatant flirtation.
“Come over to your place. Send me the address.” Luan Nian hung up the phone and spoke to the air, “Shang Zhitao, I’m going to a friend’s house to sit for a while. We’re just ordinary friends, and nothing will happen tonight. Also, don’t call me. You know I won’t answer.”
“Luan Nian!” Shang Zhitao called out.
“What is it, Flora? Anything urgent? Are you picking up the dog now?”
“You are not allowed to go out!”
“On what grounds are you controlling me?”
“I am your girlfriend!” When Shang Zhitao was angry, her voice would tremble, and this time, the word “girlfriend” trembled especially hard. Suddenly, Luan Nian cooled down. He raised an eyebrow at Luke, who tilted his head and suddenly stuck out his tongue as if to say, “Dad is amazing.”
“You’ll fly back tomorrow morning to report for duty.” Luan Nian looked sternly into the camera, “Buy your ticket now.”
“Oh.”
When Shang Zhitao got home, she understood what he meant by “reporting for duty.” It meant both of them staying at home during weekdays. Luan Nian told his secretary that he had important matters and to call him three hours later if necessary.
His important matter was Shang Zhitao.
Neither of them had ever been so indulgent before, always respecting work more than each other. But because their previous fight had been so draining, they couldn’t work properly unless it was thoroughly resolved.
Luan Nian focused entirely on resolving things with Shang Zhitao. Her eyes sparkled with stars, making him feel flustered. He abruptly turned her body around, avoiding her gaze. With one hand, he teased her, asking in her ear, “Are you satisfied with my service the other day?”
“If only you hadn’t said that last sentence.”
“Double compensation today, and an apology for that sentence. Sorry, Shang Zhitao.” Luan Nian’s sweat dripped onto her back. He moved her hair away and kissed her cheek.
Shang Zhitao sank into the bedding, feeling full and tight, as if about to explode. She bit Luan Nian’s finger to keep from screaming too loudly, but her body trembled fiercely, as if she hadn’t experienced such intensity before.
“Shang Zhitao.”
“Hmm?”
“If you reject my call again, I’ll kill you.” Luan Nian pinched her face, “And if you hug another man again, I’ll kill you too.”
Shang Zhitao cupped his face, “If you ever have dinner alone with another woman again, I’ll let you have your way.”
After becoming an adult, Shang Zhitao often advised quarreling friends to make up quickly, saying, “A quarrel at the foot of the bed ends with harmony at its head,” though she didn’t understand the meaning fully. After reconciling with Luan Nian once in this way, she praised the wisdom of the ancients.
Neither of them mentioned their previous fight. Shang Zhitao diligently worked on her project, and Luan Nian earnestly managed his company. During this time, he flew to the northwest twice, spending two weekends with Shang Zhitao. They stayed in her rented small house, eating, sleeping, chatting, and making love. Luan Nian came late at night and left on the early flight, silently.
Lumi still sent Shang Zhitao updates about Luan Nian. She felt that her stubborn mule seemed to be in love because her mule appeared to be in a good mood; then, she thought her mule had broken up because her mule was sullen all day. Even though Shang Zhitao wasn’t by his side, she roughly knew the reasons for his joys and sorrows. On those two occasions when Lumi said he was unhappy, Shang Zhitao had argued with him. Once, when she tried to ask, Luan Nian said, “What? Is your mentor Lumi spying on me for you?”
Shang Zhitao immediately backed off, fearing for Lumi’s sake.
Although she didn’t go to the company, news about Luan Nian and Song Ying kept reaching her ears. The most outrageous thing she heard was that Luan Nian’s parents returned to China and had dinner with Song Ying’s parents.
Shang Zhitao thought, this was utterly ridiculous. Only she found it absurd; other colleagues didn’t think so. When Song Ying came again, the project team members suddenly showed her respect.
Privately, Shang Zhitao asked Shelly, “Why do you seem afraid of her?”
Shelly thought for a moment, “Maybe because she represents Luke.”
Shang Zhitao wanted to advise Shelly that rumors end with wise people, but she understood that they were far from Beijing, unaware of the situation there, and unfamiliar with Luan Nian. Their cautiousness was normal.
The moment Shang Zhitao truly realized that Song Ying was serious was one day when she was driving her back from a field trip. In the car, Song Ying suddenly said to her, “Flora-nee.”
Her tone was just like when Shang Zhitao called Grace—”Grace-nee,” intimate and natural. Just one “nee” clearly highlighted the age difference between them.
Shang Zhitao turned her face to see Song Ying’s twenty-two-year-old face, her inner feelings indescribable. She softly asked, “What is it, Yilia?”
Song Ying’s face slightly reddened, as if she had something difficult to say. Shang Zhitao silently waited for her to speak. It felt like a long time passed until their car crossed a mountain ridge, and Song Ying continued speaking, “You’ve been working with Luke for a very long time. I want to ask you, does Luke have a girlfriend?”
Shang Zhitao didn’t know how to respond and could only drive in silence as they crossed another ridge: “Luke probably doesn’t lack girlfriends, or women in general. Why do you ask?”
Song Ying’s face grew even redder, “Because I found out that I like him.”
Shang Zhitao felt placed on a moral high ground. She couldn’t remain silent after a girl confided in her about liking Luan Nian. But she also didn’t know what to say or could say anything. Unexpectedly, she said something she herself didn’t foresee, “You’re still young. If you like someone, give it a try.”
“Really?” Song Ying was obviously surprised.
“Really.”
“Then I’m going to pursue him! Do you know what Luke likes?”
“Sorry, Yilia, I don’t really know him.”
“It’s okay, I’ll figure it out myself.” Song Ying looked very happy, changing her posture in the seat and looking out the car window. After a while, she said, “I know the company doesn’t allow employees to date. If I succeed in pursuing him, I’ll definitely tell you secretly. I’ve liked Flora-nee since my first day at work. You look very gentle, sunny, and... your skin is so good.”
Shang Zhitao smiled and said to her, “Thank you. But please don’t tell me about your progress with Luke. I’m afraid I might blab and won’t be able to keep your secret.”
Song Ying giggled.
Several times that night when Luan Nian called her, she wanted to mention Song Ying’s matter but ultimately held her tongue. She felt it was somewhat despicable to confront someone with a girl’s confession of liking him. It would seem strange since nothing had happened yet.
Luan Nian finally noticed her distraction and asked, “Is something wrong?”
“No.”
“But you seem like you want to say something but stopped yourself.”
“I just forgot what I wanted to ask you earlier, but now I remember. I wanted to ask if it’s a good idea to travel to Southeast Asia in October? Visas for other places might not be ready in time.”
“That sounds good. Are you going with your friends again?” Luan Nian asked.
“Yes.”
Shang Zhitao thought this arrangement was excellent; neither of their life rhythms would be disrupted. It seemed they were both intentionally maintaining independence and personal space.
At the end of September, she returned to Beijing on a company-sponsored trip as required by her assignment.
She left in summer and returned in autumn. The road from the airport to Luan Nian’s place began to see a few scattered fallen leaves, which mesmerized Shang Zhitao.
The security guard at Luan Nian’s residential complex drove her to the entrance in a small vehicle. She entered his home after inputting the passcode on the lock. Luke was overjoyed, jumping more than ten times in front of her. She continuously patted his head to comfort him and then hugged him tightly: “Alright, alright, I know you missed me. I missed you too. I love you the most.”
Luan Nian coughed audibly from the side. When Shang Zhitao caught his sharp gaze, she quickly corrected herself: “I love you second most. I love Luke the most.”
Luke, naturally, didn’t understand, but Luke (Luan Nian) was satisfied.
He had packed a large and a small suitcase, already prepared.
“What time is your flight tomorrow?” Shang Zhitao asked.
“Two in the afternoon.”
“So you’ll leave around ten in the morning?”
“More or less.”
During dinner, Luan Nian mentioned that there was a new bun shop in a residential area five kilometers away from the complex, known for its delicious halal buns.
“How good are they?”
“I can eat five of them.” Luan Nian didn’t have a big appetite, so any bun he could eat five of must indeed be exceptionally good.
The two spent a peaceful night together. The next morning, when Shang Zhitao left with Luke, Luan Nian felt a tinge of loss, though he couldn’t quite explain why. He stood at the door watching Shang Zhitao walk away with Luke, feeling a slight tug in his heart.
After loading his luggage into the car and driving out of the residential complex, he received a call from Shang Zhitao: “You said the bun shop has a back door entrance, on the first floor, with a green signboard, right?”
“Yes.”
“I saw it. Shall I bring some back for breakfast? You won’t get to eat them while you’re abroad.”
Luan Nian felt a warmth wash over him, like a subtle stream of heat gently flowing in: “Sure. I’ll wait for you at the entrance of the complex.”
“Will we have enough time? Won’t it delay your flight?”
“We’ll make it.” Though in reality, they might not, he really wanted to eat those buns.
Shang Zhitao got out of the car with Luke and her luggage. Luan Nian took Luke’s leash and her bags, placing them by the car. Slowly, he ate all five buns.
Shang Zhitao wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin and handed him a bottle of water. After finishing the buns, Luan Nian suddenly asked:
“Shang Zhitao, do you want to go on a trip together?”
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