HYAT - 26

When it was 7:15, Ming Jue subtly reminded Ji Qinghe that it was time to leave.

At that moment, Shen Qianzhan was in a mustard-eating contest with Su Zan. She glanced over and saw Ming Jue whispering to Ji Qinghe, who then instinctively checked his watch.

This combined maneuver was one Shen Qianzhan and Su Zan had often used together when she wanted to escape a drinking session.

She immediately understood, quickly chewed and swallowed a mouthful of snail meat dipped in half a tube of mustard.

Ji Qinghe was about to bid farewell, but as he looked up, her eyes were teary, as if she had just been bullied, looking at him as if about to speak but holding back, utterly pitiful.

He wasn’t unaware that these two childish people were having a contest, but seeing Shen Qianzhan like this, his blood surged, his eyes deepened, and when he spoke, his tone was already tinged with playfulness: “You don’t want me to leave?”

Shen Qianzhan was half out of her mind from the mustard, gulping down a cup of water before she could barely suppress the burning sensation that made her soul tremble.

She deflected, deliberately avoiding the main point: “Who would bear to let the God of Wealth leave?” After speaking, she pushed herself up from the table and personally escorted him: “Mr. Ji is busy with important matters. Su Zan and I have already taken up too much of your time.”

Ji Qinghe saved his breath, gracefully stood up, put on his overcoat, and descended the stairs with her.

________________________________________

At 7 PM, it was peak dining hour.

Kunshan Cottage’s main hall was completely packed, with waiters constantly moving through, taking orders and serving dishes.

Shen Qianzhan led the way. Seeing the wooden staircase was narrow, only allowing one person at a time, she quickly walked two steps down to the bottom of the stairs. She stopped there, waiting for Ji Qinghe to come down.

She walked fast, not noticing the waiter behind the artificial potted plants, who was collecting dishes and heading to the kitchen with their head down.

Amidst the noisy commotion, exclamations mixed with warnings rang out.

Shen Qianzhan didn’t hear clearly, but instinctively sought the source of the sound. By the time her gaze locked onto the waiter who was still unaware of the “obstacle” in front of them, she had little time left to dodge.

Just as the two were about to collide, unavoidable, Shen Qianzhan felt a tightening around her waist. The man, who had just been buttoning his suit jacket with one hand and whose gaze was elsewhere, reacted incredibly quickly, pulling her into his arms, barely dodging a disaster.

Shen Qianzhan was startled. When she looked up, she met Ji Qinghe’s slightly pursed lips and his dark, cool gaze.

He didn’t immediately let go. His eyes lingered on the spilled water on the stair landing for a few seconds. With a long stride, he carried her across the narrow passage before finally letting her go.

The waiter, finally realizing they had almost caused trouble, apologized profusely, terrified.

Shen Qianzhan’s mind went blank for a moment, and she thanked Ji Qinghe with a complex expression.

“No need,” Ji Qinghe turned his head, instructing the other party in a less than warm tone to place a “caution wet floor” sign at the staircase entrance and deal with it quickly.

His features were clear and handsome. Even under the warm lights, he exuded an impenetrable cold mist, like he carried an abyss within him, perpetually cold and unfathomable.

Seeing her frozen, Ji Qinghe was about to speak when the boss, noticing the situation in the corner, quickly came over, calmly directing the waiters to clean up.

After apologizing, he saw Shen Qianzhan seemed about to leave and quietly asked, “The restaurant just received a fresh batch of fish slices today. Could you wait a moment? I’ll pack some for you to take home?”

“I also left a can of tea bags for you, blended to your preferred flavor...” The boss seemed to just notice Ji Qinghe behind Shen Qianzhan. He pursed his lips and smiled, not daring to delay her important business, only softly adding: “I’ll put it at the cashier, you can pick it up later.”

Here we go again...

Shen Qianzhan’s head throbbed. She wanted to decline but was mindful that Ji Qinghe was still there, so she followed two steps to catch up with the boss.

Su Zan stood behind Ji Qinghe. Seeing this, he sighed softly, his tone melancholic, not knowing who he was talking to: “Sister Zhan always comes and leaves with something. Last time it was peach blossom wine and osmanthus wine, this time it’s sashimi and tea bags... All made by the boss himself, only given to regulars in limited quantities, priceless.”

Ji Qinghe turned to look at him and asked, “Every time?”

Su Zan guessed Ji Qinghe would follow up and smirked mischievously: “Yes, every time. But Sister Zhan is never short of admirers trying to curry favor. Just offering food isn’t enough.”

Ji Qinghe curved his lips, saying nothing.

He just stood there, his posture and expression unchanged, yet Su Zan distinctly felt the aura around the big boss shift dramatically. If it was previously just aloof and unapproachable, now it was like being in a battlefield, with flashing swords and shadows.

He shivered, suddenly realizing he seemed to have made a mistake, trying to be clever.

Just as Su Zan tried to shrink into a corner and become a mushroom, Ji Qinghe turned his head, glanced at his face, and asked, “Little Boss Su, do you still remember the favor of Buzhongshui withdrawing the lawsuit?”

Su Zan nodded profusely: “I remember, I remember, wouldn’t dare to forget.”

Last time Xiang Qianqian was on the trending topics, Ji Qinghe was unyielding and immediately wanted to send a lawyer’s letter. Su Zan, fearing things would get out of hand, sweet-talked him into dropping the lawsuit in exchange for a favor.

Ji Qinghe chuckled softly, “Then start paying it back now.”

________________________________________

After watching Ji Qinghe get into his car and leave, Shen Qianzhan turned to stare at Su Zan, who had been acting a bit strange since earlier: “Are you hiding something from me?”

Su Zan shook his head.

I dare not say, I dare not say.

Shen Qianzhan asked, “Then why do you look guilty, like you’re having a secret affair behind my back?”

Su Zan’s face turned green: “Do I need to have a secret affair behind your back?” He looked offended, staring at her for a few seconds, then very stiffly changed the subject: “What are we doing next?”

Seeing his reluctance, Shen Qianzhan, though suspicious, didn’t press for details.

She shook her phone, sounding quite helpless: “Come with me to the Hall of Time? Just for half an hour.”

Su Zan wondered: “What are you going to the Hall of Time for?”

He pursed his lips, pointing in the direction Ji Qinghe had left: “Didn’t Mr. Ji have an engagement tonight?”

“I’m not going to see him,” Shen Qianzhan said impatiently: “I’ll explain once we’re in the car.”

Meng Wangzhou had invited her to their watch association’s blind date event on the thirty-first a while ago. After Shen Qianzhan mercilessly declined, Meng Wangzhou seemingly gave up, but in fact, he had been secretly and persistently lobbying her these past few days.

He promised to be her free production assistant, carrying cameras and setting up outdoor scenes, and even swore to lend her all the watch props needed for her drama for free. As long as she just showed up, even for ten minutes.

Shen Qianzhan thought this deal was quite profitable: “Look at Meng Wangzhou’s physique. It would be a waste of good material if he didn’t carry cameras, set up outdoor scenes, and do hard labor.”

Su Zan wanted to roll his eyes: “Is that how you save money?”

Shen Qianzhan touched up her lipstick during a red light. The lighting was too dim, so she was afraid of applying too much and went back and forth two or three times: “Am I that shallow?”

She pursed her lips, wiping away excess lipstick with her thumb, her voice muffled: “What I want are the antique clocks he borrowed from Old Master Ji. Real gold and silver, the kind that would bankrupt you if you touched them.”

Su Zan didn’t understand: “Wouldn’t it be the same if you borrowed them from Mr. Ji?”

Shen Qianzhan looked at Su Zan as if he were an idiot: “Can getting something for free and paying for it be the same?”

Su Zan: “...”

So reasonable, virtually unassailable.

________________________________________

Given Meng Wangzhou’s personality, Shen Qianzhan wasn’t at all surprised that he would do something that put himself in a difficult position.

The association event was held in a cultural center in the alley behind the Hall of Time. Meng Wangzhou rented a hall, not only putting up banners but also formally placing an event stand at the entrance.

Of course, he wasn’t so foolish as to directly write “Watch Association Single Men and Women Blind Date Event.” Activities funded by organizations usually had lofty event concepts and spirits.

He disguised the blind date event as a “Watch Association Collector Exchange Event,” limited to young people.

The main purpose of the event was also branded under the banner of “inheriting classics and exploring the mysteries of time,” attracting a group of young men and women.

When Su Zan swaggered into the venue, swinging his car keys, he commented: “Meng Wangzhou is quite capable of stirring things up, isn’t he? This venue is well set up.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Meng Wangzhou emerged from some corner, wiping sweat as he agreed: “Naturally.”

He pointed to the screen in the center of the stage for Shen Qianzhan: “I even made a PPT, detailing the association members attending tonight. It’s called a blind date event, but it’s actually a formal and proper exchange event, mainly to attract like-minded new members to the association. Blind dating isn’t the main purpose, it’s just to help everyone make friends.”

Shen Qianzhan had heard him say that the association had annual targets for recruiting new members. She wasn’t interested in whether it was a talent exchange meeting or a blind date event. She only cared about one thing: “I came, so the deal is done. If Boss Meng goes back on his word later...” She left the sentence unfinished, smiling as she found an empty seat and sat down.

Meng Wangzhou was startled into a cold sweat by her words and quickly found an excuse to slip away.

________________________________________

Su Zan sat down with her, looking around at the venue and the guests.

At exactly 8 PM, the event officially began.

Meng Wangzhou, as the initiator of the event, held a script and recited an opening speech for the evening, which was copied from somewhere, with great emotion. After his speech, he cordially invited the director of the Watch Association to come on stage and speak.

The director was the only white-haired elder present. Compared to the unreliable Meng Wangzhou, the director’s impromptu speech was incredibly polished and official. He first affirmed the significance of the event, then praised Meng Wangzhou’s efforts in recruiting new members for the Watch Association, and also encouraged and commended the active contributions of the association’s younger generation. Finally, he described the many difficulties the Watch Association had faced since its establishment, wishing the evening’s event a smooth progression and that all attendees would gain something.

After the formalities, Meng Wangzhou began to present the PPT.

From the founding history of the Watch Association, all important events and behind-the-scenes photos held since its establishment, to individual introductions of association members.

Su Zan commented with clucks of approval as he watched, eventually asking, “If their association is for mutual exchange, what are you, a mere pretender, doing here?”

Shen Qianzhan shot him a warning glance: “You’re the mere pretender. At most, I’m just taking advantage of the chaos.”

Su Zan’s expression clearly conveyed, “Say whatever you want, I can’t argue with you, and I wouldn’t dare to.”

After all the segments were over and free mingling began.

Su Zan finally understood Meng Wangzhou’s desperate reason for inviting Shen Qianzhan...

He had only gone out to relieve himself and came back to find young talents three layers deep around Shen Qianzhan, with her as the center.

While dumbfounded, he didn’t forget to take out his phone and send a thrilling live photo to Ji Qinghe.

________________________________________

Far away at another dinner engagement, Ji Qinghe was listening to the other party discuss next year’s international situation and development prospects.

His phone vibrated slightly.

He nonchalantly unlocked it to check.

When he saw the photo sent by Su Zan, his normally unperturbed expression subtly showed a crack.

He lowered his gaze, discreetly put away his phone, and raised a hand to beckon Ming Jue.

A moment later, Ji Qinghe left the table early.

The table full of financial magnates waited in surprise for him to say something.

Ji Qinghe’s posture was humble, but his tone held little apology: “My apologies, there’s a fire in my backyard. I’ll go deal with it first.”