HYAT - 15

It was late when she arrived in Beijing.

Shen Qianzhan was accustomed to working late nights with film crews, often reversing her days and nights. For her, it wasn’t late until after midnight.

She politely declined Su Zan’s offer to send a car, and after exiting the station, she and Qiao Xin each took a taxi, heading home to freshen up first.

Upon arriving home, Shen Qianzhan suddenly remembered she had forgotten to ask Ji Qinghe for the time of tomorrow’s association event.

She scrolled her phone screen, sitting on her bedroom floor, pondering for a few seconds.

Since Ji Qinghe initiated the friend request, other than the “Not a dog, but bit you” message, the chat box only contained the standard “You have added Ji. You can now start chatting” template.

Ji Qinghe’s only contact with her had been that phone call at noon. He neither chatted nor kept in touch, and she had no idea why he had asked Su Zan for her WeChat.

She pinched her eyebrows, tossed her phone aside, and went to shower and sleep.

________________________________________

The next morning.

The Shen Qianzhan whom Qiao Xin claimed couldn’t wake up before ten, after a fierce battle with her bed for half an hour, dragging her uncooperative body, got up to wash.

To look radiant and outshine everyone today, Shen Qianzhan woke up early, first putting on a face mask, then meticulously doing her makeup. When opening her wardrobe to choose her “battle attire,” she very rigorously followed the almanac’s instructions and picked today’s lucky color—white.

A woman’s best combat state might be the confidence she exudes when looking in the mirror and feeling beautiful enough to conquer anything and everything.

After admiring herself in the mirror for a few seconds, Shen Qianzhan picked up her bag, full of energy and fighting spirit, ready to depart.

________________________________________

Shen Qianzhan first went to Time Hall to try her luck.

This was her reasoning: the clock collection association’s base was at Time Hall. Since it was an association event, they would definitely move as a group. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be simpler for collectors to meet directly at the Forbidden City entrance if they were just going in small groups?

Moreover, Meng Wangzhou was very proud that the association was a second-tier certified organization and cherished his identity as deputy director like a jewel. It was rare for him to organize an event, and he would definitely want to use his authority to enjoy himself.

Therefore, Shen Qianzhan had zeroed in on two locations from the start.

One was Time Hall, the other was the Clock Exhibition Hall.

Facts proved that Shen Qianzhan’s IQ, except when facing Ji Qinghe where it would habitually go haywire, was basically online.

When she arrived, it was as if she had timed her appearance perfectly. Under everyone’s gaze, she lowered her car window and waved gracefully yet charmingly at Meng Wangzhou.

Meng Wangzhou initially didn’t see clearly. Only after pushing his baseball cap up did he recognize the stunning woman in the car as Shen Qianzhan, whom he had just blocked not long ago.

His eyes lit up with surprise, and he quickly stepped forward to greet her: “Producer Shen, you’re here! Qinghe said you were on a business trip, I thought you couldn’t make it this time.”

Shen Qianzhan parked her car nearby, her attitude so approachable that it was as if she had never been angry with Ji Qinghe and blocked Meng Wangzhou: “I was supposed to fly back to Beijing this afternoon, but when I heard about the event, I rushed back on the high-speed train last night.”

She smiled, surveying the whole scene, trying to ask in a very natural tone: “Mr. Ji said he would be giving the explanation today. Where is he?”

Meng Wangzhou was an adult, an adult who had browsed countless Korean dramas and soft-core films with script outlines.

How could he not know that Shen Qianzhan wasn’t there for his association’s event but was aiming to conquer Ji Qinghe? But in the world after turning eighteen, there were no taboos. Adults not only loved excitement but were also skilled at setting up elaborate pretenses for social occasions.

“Next door,” Meng Wangzhou pointed to the courtyard next to Time Hall, a compound with dense, tall walls: “He probably won’t come out until we’re about to leave.”

Confirming Ji Qinghe was indeed there, Shen Qianzhan felt a slight calm.

She raised her wrist and glanced at the time. Hmm, still early.

________________________________________

The Palace Museum opened at 8 AM.

Around 10 AM, all the collectors Meng Wangzhou had gathered arrived. He registered them and handed out small badges with the “Beijing Clock Collection Association” logo.

Even Shen Qianzhan, who wasn’t a member of the association but simply took a spot as a visitor, received one.

Ji Qinghe appeared at this moment.

He had a solid-colored long coat draped over his arm. He was wearing a cool gray sweater over a pure white twill shirt, making him look refined and gentlemanly. The black denim pant legs were casually and loosely cuffed, highlighting his height and long legs, making him appear tall and elegant.

Shen Qianzhan couldn’t look away at first glance.

Ji Qinghe was mostly composed and refined, dressed in suits.

His demeanor was cool and aloof, and whenever he wore cool-toned, textured shirts and jackets, he always managed to appear harmless.

As she took a second look, Ji Qinghe seemed to sense it, turning slightly to meet her gaze.

His eyes were calm and unruffled, as if he was not at all surprised to see Shen Qianzhan there.

Shen Qianzhan quickly took a third look.

This look was quite deliberate; she focused on scanning Ji Qinghe’s slender, lean waist and perfectly rounded derriere. She wondered what kind of feed the Ji family gave Ji Qinghe since he was young; his waist-to-hip ratio was like it had been measured with a ruler, perfectly impeccable.

She inwardly clicked her tongue with some lingering wistfulness, recalling the feel of Ji Qinghe’s body in those areas, and her gaze couldn’t help but carry an undisguised hint of lust.

Ji Qinghe seemed oblivious.

Though his appearance was silent and quite low-key, his presence didn’t allow it. The moment he appeared, everyone, whether idly chatting or fiddling with their phones, seemed to have radars installed, precisely focusing their attention on him.

Meng Wangzhou was also startled. After regaining his composure, he greeted them and led the team out.

________________________________________

Time Hall was not far from the Palace Museum, so everyone walked.

Meng Wangzhou was in high spirits, enthusiastically encouraging collectors to travel green and taking the lead in giving explanations along the way. His demeanor looked like that of a free tour guide, powered by love for his hobby.

Shen Qianzhan hadn’t expected such a cruel punishment as walking. Her high heels made her movements inconvenient, and she walked exceptionally slowly.

She had been worried that Ji Qinghe would hold a grudge, which had somehow deepened between them, and intentionally ignore her. But surprisingly, the scoundrel, having changed his outfit today, also changed his conscience and unexpectedly slowed his pace to walk alongside her.

Perhaps influenced by the invisible rule that attractive people walk slowly and unattractive people walk fast, the group Meng Wangzhou led was spread out, occupying half the street.

________________________________________

It was already noon by the time they reached the Clock Exhibition Hall.

Meng Wangzhou was excited. Upon entering, he immediately began to organize the group and start his explanation.

Shen Qianzhan, realizing that reality was quite different from what she had been told, turned around and stared intently at Ji Qinghe, whose aura had become incredibly gentle and pure since they entered: “Didn’t you say you’d explain?”

Ji Qinghe withdrew his gaze from the hard-wood carved clock tower-style self-striking clock and looked down at her: “Yes.”

Shen Qianzhan subtly raised her chin, pointing to Meng Wangzhou, who was gesticulating wildly in front: “Then what’s he doing?” Her face showed the heartbroken indignation of someone who had been deceived.

Ji Qinghe smiled faintly, unhurriedly glancing at the scattered tourists around them, then gestured with his eyes for her to look at the large clock he had been gazing at.

“The hard-wood carved clock tower-style self-striking clock, the largest self-striking clock remaining in the palace. It tells the quarter-hours and the hours, and the clock is made of three interlocking bronze gear transmission systems for timekeeping, quarter-hour striking, and hour striking. It was manufactured by the Imperial Workshop during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. Not only is the manufacturing technique complex, but the materials used are also extravagant.” He paused slightly when he saw Shen Qianzhan looking somewhat confused as he turned his head, then said: “Do you need a more detailed explanation of the clockmaking process or the operating principles of the three systems of this clock?”

Shen Qianzhan turned to look at him.

His expression was neutral, but his tone clearly implied, “I don’t think you’ll understand.”

Shen Qianzhan was rather superficial; her fondness for clocks stemmed from their expensive value and their ability to capture a young girl’s heart with their aesthetics. As for the principles of clockmaking and the art of watchmaking and restoration, she understood her research on clock brands more thoroughly.

Seeing her not respond, Ji Qinghe stood in front of the self-striking clock’s railing, leaning slightly forward to look at her at eye level: “Just like before, I’ll only explain for you today.”

Shen Qianzhan wanted to be touched, but recalling the scene from their first meeting where the explanation led to the bed, she really couldn’t feel touched.

Actually, Su Zan had always had some misunderstandings about her.

That time with Ji Qinghe, their passionate encounter was consensual; there was no “scamming into bed” involved, nor the heartbreaking, kidney-draining drama of who was more of a scumbag that he later imagined.

It was just that she always liked to talk big and gain a verbal advantage without distorting the facts.

Now, thinking back, although she had a suspicion of seduction, the dominant party was definitely that scoundrel, Ji Qinghe.

She was silent for a moment, then compromised: “Alright, then you’ll have to work a bit harder today.”

Afraid his implication meant something else, Shen Qianzhan thought for a moment and added: “Finish explaining quickly, and then we’ll discuss serious matters.”

They were all adults; they understood each other perfectly.

This clock association event was merely a convenient stepping stone for them to meet without directly facing the naked reality.

No wonder it’s said that this society is a mix of humans and beasts. With a fig leaf, no one knows whether the person opposite is a human or a dog.

________________________________________

After touring the Clock Exhibition Hall, Meng Wangzhou dismissed the group on the spot. He didn’t interfere with the collectors’ choices of whether to continue touring the Treasure Gallery or the Grand Council or to leave for home.

Shen Qianzhan hadn’t walked so much at once in a year. She looked at Ji Qinghe, seeking his opinion: “Chat outside, or find a random place?”

Ji Qinghe looked at her reddened insteps, then unhurriedly said: “There’s a tea lounge ahead. Let’s have some coffee.”

Shen Qianzhan had no objections.

The afternoon sun was just right. The outdoor tea lounge had a sun umbrella, and with the lush greenery of the garden, it almost felt like summer again.

Shen Qianzhan hesitated for three seconds at the corridor, just three seconds.

She glanced at the sunlight filtering through the umbrella’s gaps, thought about the immense damage UV rays could do to her skin, and righteously declared: “Inside, it’s quieter.”

Ji Qinghe seemed to know what she was thinking, curved his lips, and readily complied.

Upon entering, Shen Qianzhan chose a quiet corner and ordered a coffee.

Ji Qinghe didn’t look at the menu, simply asking for a cup of tea.

Seeing this, Shen Qianzhan couldn’t help but extend her restless little paw again, lightly teasing: “Mr. Ji, you’re starting to focus on health preservation at such a young age?”

Ji Qinghe was accustomed to Shen Qianzhan’s behavior and attitude, as if he were her natural enemy, always being sweet-talked with hidden daggers upon meeting. In fact, he even felt a sense of familiarity and naturalness because of it.

He said effortlessly: “I’m raising a peony in my backyard. If I don’t take care of my health, I’m afraid I won’t be able to water it later.”

Shen Qianzhan, having brought discomfort upon herself: “...”

She cleared her throat, quickly adjusting her state, and asked: “So, can we start discussing cooperation now?”

Ji Qinghe originally wanted to say, “It depends on your sincerity,” but when the words reached his lips, he changed his approach and asked: “If the premise of cooperation is for Producer Shen to be that peony, are you willing?”