HYAT - 10

It was half an hour later when Meng Wangzhou finished tidying the long table.

He stood in the center of the courtyard, pretending to aid digestion, and performed a makeshift set of Tai Chi. From shuffling cards and building “Great Walls” to drawing and displaying winning hands, Meng Wangzhou spent almost ten minutes moving from the patio in the center of the courtyard to the eaves of the front hall.

Quiet.

Too quiet.

Meng Wangzhou had been eavesdropping for half the evening and finally realized something was amiss.

He spun around in place, then a sudden idea struck him. He fetched a bucket of water from the patio and carried it to the front hall to change the fish tank water.

The front hall of Time Hall was always used to receive guests, and the guests were special, either clock collectors or dealers of second-hand clocks. Therefore, the environment of the front hall was designed as a semi-enclosed private tea lounge from the beginning.

When Meng Wangzhou entered with the bucket, the main light in the tea lounge was off. Only a few spotlights were precisely aimed at the screen.

Ji Qinghe sat on a grand armchair near the screen, waiting for the water to boil.

Meng Wangzhou, not yet accustomed to the dim light, almost stumbled. He steadied the wooden bucket in his hand, looked around, and asked knowingly: “Producer Shen left, then?”

Ji Qinghe looked up but didn’t respond.

Next to him were his gold-rimmed, thin-framed glasses, taken off at some point. There was still a shallow pool of brown tea in the celadon cup, looking like it had been sat and drunk by one person for a long time.

Meng Wangzhou didn’t forget he was there to change the fish tank water. He found a fine mesh net under the tea lounge, skillfully scooped all the goldfish into it, and placed them by the tea set.

“Didn’t you say she was an old friend?” He squinted at Ji Qinghe, swiftly changing the water and cleaning the fish tank: “Looks like they’ve only met once.”

The water in the kettle finally boiled, bubbling with several gurgling sounds.

Ji Qinghe lowered his gaze to the struggling goldfish in the net, seemingly oblivious to what Meng Wangzhou was saying.

Seeing that he didn’t respond, Meng Wangzhou simply changed the subject: “Are you two planning to collaborate on a TV series for the old man?”

He had been holding this question in all evening, itching to ask: “You recently asked me to clean up the courtyard next door for you, so you must be planning to live in Beijing long-term. If it weren’t for Producer Shen and your collaboration, I can’t think of any reason for you to suddenly come back to Beijing.”

Meng Wangzhou put the futilely struggling goldfish back into the fish tank, muttering to himself: “So, you’re reluctant and putting on airs, is that your way of playing hard to get with Producer Shen?”

The man, convinced he had found the correct answer, clicked his tongue twice and complained: “Producer Shen probably ran off because you pissed her off. Ji Qinghe, let me tell you, you can’t pursue a girl like that, it’ll end in a cremation.”

Ji Qinghe’s gaze met Meng Wangzhou’s in mid-air through the celadon teacup. His placid expression rarely showed a ripple of what could be called surprise: “I was that obvious?”

Meng Wangzhou froze, then quickly retorted: “Not really.”

“It’s just that I’ve spent a long time with you, so I know your current behavior goes against your nature. When something is abnormal, there must be a reason.” He shakily lifted his teacup and took a sip of water, asking: “But haven’t you always been engrossed in repairing clocks, amusing yourself by conquering time? Where did you meet Producer Shen?”

Seeing Ji Qinghe didn’t answer, Meng Wangzhou, quite accustomed to it, started muttering to himself again: “I must have been blind. I always thought if you ever got married, it would either be an arranged marriage, or some girl would seize the opportunity, attack you physically, and make it a fait accompli...”

Before he finished speaking, Ji Qinghe stood up and left.

Meng Wangzhou was dumbfounded: “...”

What’s wrong? Did I hit a nerve?

________________________________________

Meanwhile, Shen Qianzhan, angered, drove directly out of the courtyard’s small alley.

Beijing’s evening rush hour had ended, but the city’s lively bustle showed no signs of diminishing.

Now alone, driving against the flow of traffic in the bustling city, she couldn’t help but feel a touch of desolation and loneliness.

She turned on the radio, tuned to the traffic channel, and stopped and started according to countless traffic lights, arriving at her apartment’s underground parking garage forty minutes later.

After parking, Shen Qianzhan gathered her coat and backpack into her arms and slammed the car door shut.

As soon as the door closed, a document slipped from between her backpack and coat, landing theatrically at her feet.

She looked down and saw it was Su Zan’s compiled “Buzhong Sui Chronology.”

Shen Qianzhan remembered the emotional entanglement between Master Ji and the founder of Buzhong Sui that Ji Qinghe had mentioned tonight. She squatted down, picked up the document, and brought it back to her apartment.

As soon as she exited the elevator, she was shocked by the mountain of packages piled up outside her door.

It took her sluggish brain a few seconds to recall—she had received a call from property management earlier today, saying they had delivered all her packages to her door.

Shen Qianzhan had accumulated a considerable fortune during her years of struggle in Beijing.

Aside from a used BMW X5, she also owned a 200-square-meter apartment. Besides the apartment still being under mortgage, she was essentially free from financial worries.

She unlocked the door and placed the packages into the entryway.

When she bought this apartment, Shen Qianzhan, with the intention of living there until she died, bit the bullet and bought a spacious 200-square-meter suite that met all her living space needs.

One apartment per floor, smart home security.

After organizing the packages, she sat on the entryway rug, panting like a dog.

Before she could even catch her breath, Su Zan’s voice call came through.

Shen Qianzhan glanced at the screen, then answered on speaker.

Su Zan asked: “Sister Zhan, why are you just getting home?”

Shen Qianzhan’s apartment door was equipped with a camera. Since she traveled frequently, the device was not only linked to Shen Qianzhan’s phone but also to Su Zan’s. Any movement at the door would immediately be reported.

She didn’t answer directly, instead asking: “Something up?”

“Not really anything important,” Su Zan said: “I took Qianqian to a dinner party tonight and ran into Sister Ai.”

Shen Qianzhan raised an eyebrow, vaguely guessing that with Ai Yi, that troublemaker, present, Su Zan must have had a rather unpleasant evening.

Sure enough, Su Zan’s tone changed, full of grievances: “Our Qianqian has been having a hard enough time lately, and Sister Ai, I don’t know what got into her, she was praising her subtly but undermining her, implying things all evening. Finally, she spread rumors, saying Qianqian’s chance for a comeback was only recently, and that Qianzhan Film had recently connected with Buzhong Sui, so Qianqian’s fashion resources could finally soar.”

Is that all?

Shen Qianzhan continued to violently tear open boxes, asking: “Then didn’t you take the opportunity to snatch a few more contracts for Xiang Qianqian?”

Qianzhan Film was famously protective of its own in the industry. When Shen Qianzhan was managing Xiang Qianqian, she would personally attend all dinner parties and drinking gatherings, showering compliments with every sip, making it impossible for those “sugar daddies” who wanted to take advantage to even lift their glasses.

Su Zan followed suit; unless it was a crucial event, he wouldn’t easily bring Xiang Qianqian along.

For Su Zan to bring Xiang Qianqian to a gathering tonight, with Ai Yi present, meant there were at least three major benefactors at that table.

“Investors aren’t stupid these days,” Su Zan sighed. “Using artists with scandals carries risks. I think unless Qianqian can truly get Buzhong Sui’s fashion resources, she won’t be able to break free from this predicament.” After saying this, he muttered to himself again: “Buzhong Sui China’s brand ambassador is Chu Sisi, the one who always competes with our Qianqian in beauty. Brand endorsements usually change annually. Counting on my fingers, Chu Sisi’s endorsement should be expiring soon.”

“Hey, Sister Zhan. Do you think if we put some pressure on Mr. Ji, there’s a chance we could争取 (fight for) it?” Su Zan finished, then immediately negated himself: “But I don’t even have Mr. Ji’s contact information...”

Shen Qianzhan’s hand, tearing open plastic wrap, paused, then her heart bloomed with joy: “That’s simple. Qianqian doesn’t have any announcements recently, right? Tell her to come to the company tomorrow. I’ll take her to buy a watch.”

________________________________________

The next morning.

Su Zan, holding an iced Americano, waited early at Shen Qianzhan’s office, just waiting for her to arrive to inquire in detail about the “watch buying plan’s” strategic objectives.

Unfortunately, he waited until his iced Americano turned lukewarm from the heating, but still no sign of Shen Qianzhan.

Shen Qianzhan had gone to Miyun early in the morning.

The news that she was looking for a screenwriter to rewrite a script was no secret in the industry. Last night, before bed, a director who had previously worked with Shen Qianzhan recommended a major screenwriter to her.

Shen Qianzhan had heard of the other party’s reputation before, so after a brief communication last night, learning that the other party was with a film crew in Miyun, she drove there early in the morning for a face-to-face meeting.

By the time she returned, it was almost quitting time.

Shen Qianzhan barely had time to warm her office chair before leading Xiang Qianqian directly to Time Hall. It wasn’t until they were on the way that she had time to tell Su Zan about her extraordinary encounter on the Hangjia app.

After listening, Su Zan had a disgusted expression: “Sister Zhan, I wouldn’t blame you if you just told me you and Mr. Ji were secretly having an affair, but making up these stories is just boring.”

Shen Qianzhan was admiring her freshly done nails from Miyun. Hearing this, she didn’t even lift her head: “Believe it or not.”

Only the more intelligent Xiang Qianqian seemed a bit uneasy: “Sister Zhan, I think Mr. Ji is probably only interested in investing in the project. Will taking me to discuss endorsement resources backfire?”

Shen Qianzhan finally shifted her fascinated gaze, glancing at Xiang Qianqian, and said: “Who said I’m taking you to discuss endorsement resources? I’m not your agent; getting resources isn’t my job.”

Xiang Qianqian was startled and looked to Su Zan for help.

Su Zan, knowing Shen Qianzhan’s habits well, pursed his lips and replied: “She’s just taking you to buy a watch, so she has a legitimate reason to see Mr. Ji.”

As for the endorsement... Su Zan comforted himself, as long as the project investment was secured, the endorsement resources might just fall into their lap too.

________________________________________

Meng Wangzhou, who hadn’t expected to see Shen Qianzhan again so soon, was stunned for a full three seconds before inviting the group to sit down.

Compared to Meng Wangzhou’s awkwardness, Shen Qianzhan’s attitude was much more natural. She pointed to Xiang Qianqian, who was wearing sunglasses and looking around, saying: “My friend is here to buy a watch, and I’m here to get one repaired.”

Meng Wangzhou didn’t mention that he usually handled routine watch repairs.

He scratched his head, looking a bit troubled: “Qinghe doesn’t take on general repair work. Why don’t you go directly to him? I’ll take care of your friend.”

Shen Qianzhan had exactly that in mind. She grabbed her bag and, familiar with the layout, pushed open the hidden door, walking towards Ji Qinghe’s studio.

It was late afternoon, with the sun setting and a faint mist settling in.

Ji Qinghe was sitting at his workbench, tilting his head to listen to the sound of gears after adjustment.

A soft chime of wind bells rang out, followed by the light tap of high heels, utterly devoid of any sense of discretion. He frowned, turned to look, and saw Shen Qianzhan stepping across the central courtyard, walking towards him.

The incessant tapping sound that had been disturbing him now sounded like the minute hand of a clock, each step landing precisely on a time mark.

Shen Qianzhan smiled, as if last night’s unpleasant departure had never happened, her tone natural and familiar: “Mr. Ji, we meet again.”

Ji Qinghe took off his glasses, his dark eyes fixed on her for a few seconds, revealing a barely perceptible soft laugh: “I’m not that surprised.”

Shen Qianzhan selectively ignored his remark, blinked, and looked at the clock face on his table, which was disassembled into parts and no longer recognizable: “Mr. Ji is repairing a watch?”

Ji Qinghe simply didn’t respond this time. He leaned back, his posture relaxed and casual, waiting to see what she would do next.

Since he didn’t engage, Shen Qianzhan had to skip ahead. She pulled three completely different watches from her bag: “I’m here to repair a watch. Mr. Ji, which one are you interested in?”

Ji Qinghe lowered his gaze.

The three watches laid out before him ranged from a children’s electronic watch, to an automatic mechanical watch, and then a quartz watch.

His brow began to subtly throb.

He glanced at the somewhat aged children’s electronic watch, then silently looked up.

Though he said nothing, his gaze seemed to be asking: “Are you insulting me?”

Shen Qianzhan twitched her lips, resting her chin on one hand, and gave him a rather malicious wink: “Mr. Ji, you forget easily. That night you were practically baring your heart to me, and now you’re not even willing to repair a watch?”

She took a small step forward, hooked her pinky, and added: “I’m a very pragmatic and utilitarian person. If we can’t be partners, we can only be rivals.”