HYAT - 20

Shen Qianzhan’s work hours were usually flexible.

Midway through, as she passed an elevated road exit, her mind shifted, and she took the ramp off to go to a car wash first.

The car wash was not far from Qianzhan Entertainment, located in the underground parking garage of a mall in the business new district.

When the mall first opened, there were great promotions for car washing and parking. She had topped up a few thousand in one go and still hadn’t used it all up.

After getting out of the car, she handed the car keys to the car wash attendant, specifically instructing: “Please wipe off the footprint on the passenger dashboard, and if you have disinfectant, it’s best to disinfect it too.” Things had been really unlucky lately.

The attendant peered into the passenger seat through the open car window: “No problem.”

He jotted down the owner’s requests, watched Shen Qianzhan gracefully sway into the elevator lobby, and then called over his junior staff to quickly wash the car.

Shen Qianzhan first went to a newly opened Cantonese dim sum restaurant for brunch. After paying, she had a clear destination in mind, heading straight down the escalator to the luxury goods counters to browse cosmetics and explore her wardrobe options.

When Qiao Xin sent her a WeChat message, she was playing with Gucci’s new hobo bag.

Qiao Xin asked her: “Sister Zhan, was there traffic on the way?”

“No,” Shen Qianzhan replied quickly, typing with one hand: “Something at the company?”

Qiao Xin: “Mr. Ji’s special assistant sent me the final version of the contract. There’s a clause I’d like to confirm with you?”

The little assistant cautiously added a question mark to probe.

Shen Qianzhan immediately guessed which clause it was. With a thick skin, she replied nonchalantly: “I’ll be there as soon as I finish washing the car. Leave the contract on my desk for now.”

Qiao Xin assented, then added: “Mr. Ji’s side informed me that we can prepare the investment contract to bring over this afternoon. Should I draft a copy based on our last collaboration with Shiyue?”

Shen Qianzhan thought it was feasible.

She was about to give her excellent assistant a little praise with her fingers, but the words died on her lips as she inevitably recalled the embarrassing loss of face from last night. All her intentions vanished instantly.

She turned to look at the little hobo bag she was still cradling, then released it with a heavy heart.

Never mind, today’s mom doesn’t deserve to be rewarded by you.

Seeing that there were matters waiting for her to handle at the company, Shen Qianzhan didn’t linger. She expertly found the direct elevator, ready to pick up her car and leave.

Halfway back, Shen Qianzhan saw the huge logo of the “Eternal Time” watch counter and, as if by some strange impulse, changed her route and stepped into the store.

The store’s featured watches were from the “Years End” collection, with posters and display cards showcasing various watch endorsements.

She paused in front of the ladies’ watch display, scrutinizing several watches in the glass cabinet, illuminated by lights to appear subtly luxurious.

Beneath the blue velvet lining, silver mechanical dials sparkled with碎钻 (tiny diamond fragments), dazzlingly radiant.

There were fashionable, minimalist designs with tiny diamonds, as well as low-key luxurious Chinese-style collections, ranging from “Crane’s Return” to “Magpie’s Chirp,” featuring both three-dimensional relief designs and intricate craftsmanship.

Quite... stunning?

Why didn’t she ever think “Eternal Time” watches were this beautiful before?

Seeing Shen Qianzhan linger for a long time, the sales associate at the counter noticed her gaze and began to explain: “This ‘Magpie’s Chirp’ model was designed by Mr. Ji Qingzhen, and it uses a hot-stamping wire drawing manual technique, presenting the art of a palace dial with intricate inlay work...”

The sales associate smiled slightly, seeing her listening intently, and said: “Old Mr. Ji Qingzhen is a royal clock restorer and has a very deep understanding of the art of clockmaking.”

“She knows.” A slightly cold voice sounded from behind her, deep and reserved.

Shen Qianzhan hadn’t even fully registered it when several sales associates behind the counter had already nodded and softly greeted: “Mr. Ji, Assistant Ming.”

Shen Qianzhan turned around.

Ji Qinghe stood two steps behind her, impeccably dressed in a solemn, understated dark gray suit. Behind him, besides the assistant she had met last night, a large group of senior executives followed.

This unexpected encounter made Shen Qianzhan feel somewhat uneasy. Her neck stiffened, and she forced a shocked, overly polite smile: “What a coincidence, Mr. Ji.”

Ji Qinghe didn’t respond.

But his gaze clearly conveyed: “I’m at my brand’s store. What’s so coincidental about that?”

He strode towards the counter, glanced at the watches in front of her, then turned to look at her: “Interested?”

He exuded a cool aura, as if he had just gotten out of his car and rushed through the biting cold wind, radiating chill from inside out.

This Ji Qinghe seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

But it was understandable.

She also had two different personas: one for work and one for private drinking games.

Shen Qianzhan quickly composed herself and explained: “I was washing my car downstairs and decided to drop by.” She paused, then asked: “Are you here for a store inspection?”

Ji Qinghe let out a faint chuckle, as if smiling: “Something like that.”

Ming Jue and the other executives behind him couldn’t help but touch their noses.

Shen Qianzhan realized she probably hadn’t guessed correctly, but seeing that Ji Qinghe himself didn’t seem to mind, she felt at ease. The words “I have something to do at the company, so I won’t bother you anymore” were just about to leave her lips when Ji Qinghe leaned down slightly, scanning all the ladies’ watches in the display cabinet.

As if none satisfied him, his gaze lingered on her wrist for a few seconds. He tapped the counter with a curved finger, then lifted his eyes slightly, pointing to the store’s prized possession, displayed behind the main counter poster for exhibition purposes only: “Bring it over.”

Shen Qianzhan blinked.

She watched as the sales associate turned, used a key hanging from her wrist to unlock the cabinet, and carefully took out a watch.

Shen Qianzhan’s first glance was at the price tag below.

Before she could count the string of zeros clearly, Ji Qinghe had already taken the gloves handed to him by Ming Jue and meticulously took the ladies’ watch. “Try it on?”

Shen Qianzhan didn’t dare to ask, “Do I have to buy it if I wear it?” Several curious gazes around her made her feel like she had daggers in her back. She stood perfectly straight, her back rigid, and extended her wrist.

Ji Qinghe looked up and glanced at her. The eyes behind his glasses held a faint smile, as if there was a touch of malicious amusement at her current predicament.

“This ladies’ watch is the first timepiece released in the ‘Key to Time’ series. It has only one serial number and is yet to be named.” His slender fingers, covered by a plain white glove, gently took her wrist and lifted it. He loosened the brown, diamond-patterned strap and put the watch face on. Then he turned her wrist over, precisely adjusted the length, and fastened it for her.

Her wrist was fair and slender. The “Key to Time” ladies’ watch, from its dial to its strap length, fit perfectly around her wrist.

Shen Qianzhan instinctively felt that this watch held extraordinary significance for Ji Qinghe. After admiring it for a couple of seconds, she didn’t hold back in showering it with extravagant compliments.

If the watch looked simple, she praised its design, calling it trendy and luxuriously minimalist.

If the watchmaking technique seemed ordinary, she praised the material, from 18K gold to the crocodile strap.

When she couldn’t find anything else to praise, she just made up things about its artistic sentiment and wearing comfort.

Ji Qinghe merely curved his lips at her assembly-line-like torrent of flattery. Only when she was parched and her inspiration ran dry did he appropriately interrupt: “You’re praising it so genuinely, I’d think you actually want to buy this watch.”

He tapped the price tag, making a half-serious, half-joking remark: “Given our relationship, I’d have to deliberate what discount to give you.”

Shen Qianzhan resisted the urge to roll her eyes, shook her wrist, and motioned for him to take it off: “Better not give a discount then. Even with two more zeros off, I still couldn’t afford it.”

Ji Qinghe took the watch off her and handed it back to the counter. With his gloves half-removed, he looked around the counter and asked: “What do you think?”

His question was vague, without a clear subject. Yet, Shen Qianzhan understood. She nodded, giving a rare, meticulous evaluation: “It’s very good. The value of an Eternal Time watch isn’t just the brand’s endorsement, but the rare and dedicated craftsmanship.”

China’s history spans five thousand years. Although clock manufacturing only began in the Qing Dynasty, the imperial craftsmanship is not just a legacy of skill but also a microcosm of an era.

The tribute drama Shen Qianzhan wanted to produce and the story behind the Eternal Time watch brand shared an uncanny synchronicity.

Perhaps with her mind relaxed, her courage grew bolder: “But Mr. Ji, when you said you were a full-time ‘ne’er-do-well’ living off your family and that your family owned a general store that sold everything, didn’t you feel you were being disingenuous?”

Shen Qianzhan pointed to the row of watches in the glass cabinet, none priced below five figures, and clicked her tongue twice.

Ji Qinghe’s expression remained normal, and he calmly retorted: “Are you sure you want to bring up old scores here with me? I don’t really mind.”

No, she wasn’t sure.

Shen Qianzhan immediately shut up.