Along the way, Wen Tingli’s mind kept bubbling with all sorts of happy thoughts. Passing by a wine shop, she stopped the car and went in to buy two bottles of fine red wine, along with some fresh flowers, silver lamps, and Western candles, preparing for Thursday’s housewarming feast.

At noon on Wednesday, Huang Yuanshan sent someone to find Wen Tingli at school. It turned out Huang Yuanshan had stayed up all night writing the final part of the script for Graceful Detective 2, and that morning had eagerly gone to the company to discuss it with Liu Menglin, only to find that Liu Menglin had unexpectedly gone to Suzhou to negotiate business with a local cinema. Huang Yuanshan then urged Wen Tingli to come to her house as soon as possible to revise the script.

By the time Wen Tingli arrived at the Huang residence, Gao Xiaowen and Dong Qinfang happened to be there too, the two of them in the living room discussing how mysterious Miss Ge’s birthday banquet was today.

Dong Qinfang’s social circle was second to none in Shanghai, yet this time, not a single one of her friends had received an invitation from Miss Ge.

Gao Xiaowen said that Miss Ge had called that morning to book an exquisite banquet table at the Jindong Hotel. Besides ordering the food and wine, Miss Ge had also asked the hotel to prepare two sets of drinking vessels to be delivered to her residence at seven o’clock that evening.

No one else was supposed to know about this, but Gao Xiaowen happened to know the female proprietor of the Jindong Hotel and coincidentally went to the hotel that very day to see her about some business, and so happened to overhear that phone call.

There was no reason for one person dining alone to need two sets of drinking vessels — clearly Miss Ge had invited a guest. Both women were speculating about who could possibly have such great standing.

Wen Tingli forced herself to hold her tongue and not join in. She stayed at the Huang residence for over an hour; Huang Yuanshan was busy the whole time discussing with Dong Qinfang the matter of helping film the Xinxin Department Store advertisement. Seeing that she couldn’t get a word in, Wen Tingli simply arranged with Huang Yuanshan to come to her own home at seven-thirty that evening to talk instead.

She hadn’t asked Gao Xiaowen about that phone call — she was rather pleased with her own self-restraint.

But someone just wouldn’t let her be.

At six in the evening, Meng Qiguang suddenly had someone deliver a letter. The letter said nothing at all, only an address and a string of phone numbers.

Wen Tingli closed her eyes and took a deep breath. No need to ask — this must be Miss Ge’s address and phone number.

Meng Qiguang hadn’t forgotten their wager. He was reminding her: the bet had begun.

Wen Tingli felt as though she could see straight through the paper to Meng Qiguang’s smiling face.

That consistent, thoroughgoing scoundrel! Irritated, she crumpled the paper into a ball and tossed it into the wastebasket.

But she had underestimated Meng Qiguang’s grasp of human nature, and overestimated her own self-control. The letter was in the trash, but that string of numbers was nailed into her brain like a spike.

After that, no matter what she did, she couldn’t quite focus. Watching the clock hands point to exactly seven, her thoughts grew even more chaotic. Now that she had the number, all she had to do was pick up the phone and dial it, and she’d instantly know whether Miss Ge was with Lu Shicheng.

Xiao Taozi had noticed early on that her big sister seemed off tonight. After thinking it over, she volunteered, climbing onto the sofa and pulling down the receiver: “Xiao Taozi will dial for big sister.”

Wen Tingli, startled, quickly scooped Xiao Taozi down: “Big sister isn’t calling anyone. Come on, let’s go out and buy some things.”

The two sisters went out and bought some fruit and pastries, returning at seven-forty. Huang Yuanshan was a very punctual person and by rights should have arrived long before — and just then, they heard a knock at the door.

“Sorry, sorry, I’m late.” The moment Huang Yuanshan stepped inside, she handed the newly bought toy to Zhou Sao, then crouched down to pat Xiao Taozi’s head. “Tsk tsk, Xiao Taozi grows more and more like a real little peach every day.”

Xiao Taozi looked a bit put out: “My proper name is Kuang Weihang.”

Huang Yuanshan slapped her forehead: “Sorry, Sister Huang forgot — I should say our little classmate Kuang Weihang grows more and more like a real peach.”

Wen Tingli came out of the kitchen with tea: “Coming from the company?”

“Coming from home.” Huang Yuanshan took the tea and sipped it. “I got delayed before leaving because of a call from Boss Liu from Suzhou, and just when I finally got out the door, my car broke down halfway here.”

She then let out a relieved sigh. “Fortunately I ran into Kuang Zhilin on the way — he said one of his attendants was quite good with cars, so I had that person check under the hood. Just a couple of adjustments and the car started right up again.”

“Where did you run into Kuang Zhilin?” Wen Tingli asked, curious.

“Rue Petain.”

Wen Tingli asked without changing expression: “Building seventy on Rue Petain?”

“I didn’t notice — why do you ask? Have you read today’s Hujiang Evening News? That’s just tabloid nonsense, no need to take it seriously.”

Wen Tingli’s face showed clear astonishment. Huang Yuanshan realized she’d said something wrong; knowing Wen Tingli’s temperament, she’d surely press for more, so Huang Yuanshan had no choice but to press on: “The paper said that old master Lu had returned from Nanyang, and that the Ge family from Guangdong happens to be in Shanghai around this time too. Everyone’s speculating that Old Master Lu came back specifically to — to arrange a match for his eldest grandson. No wonder Lu Shicheng ran off to Suzhou today.”

“What?” Wen Tingli fixed her eyes intently on Huang Yuanshan’s face.

“Old Master Lu came back from Nanyang…”

“Not that part — the last sentence.”

Huang Yuanshan scratched her head, thinking: “I said Lu Shicheng went to Suzhou.”

“He went to Suzhou? How do you know?”

“I heard it from Liu Menglin on the phone. Hey, hey, don’t grip so tight — this evening he went to Daguanlou for dinner with the owner of Guangmeng Cinema in Suzhou, and as luck would have it, he ran into Lu Shicheng right in front of the restaurant. Lu Shicheng also seemed to be there on business, surrounded by a few local cotton mill owners. From what he could tell, Lu Shicheng had arrived early that morning. Liu Menglin was quite surprised to run into him in Suzhou and went over to greet him. There was a foreign trading firm right next to the restaurant — they’d apparently been inside for quite a while, and Lu Shicheng was still standing in front of the shop window, looking at the things inside, as if he was about to buy someone a gift.”

Wen Tingli smiled with understanding.

He had taken her words to heart. He had gone to Suzhou; he didn’t want her to feel even the slightest bit uneasy. When it came to their feelings, he never played games of ambiguity.

“What are you smiling like a fool about? Have you seen Lu Shicheng lately?” Huang Yuanshan nudged Wen Tingli with her elbow.

Wen Tingli just smiled without answering, got up, and went to the kitchen to cut fruit.

“Have you met that old master Lu? Does he know about the two of you?”

Wen Tingli shrugged, unconcerned. She only needed to know that Lu Shicheng wasn’t in Shanghai today — that was enough. As for how Old Master Lu felt about the Ge family or about her, she had never cared.

The next morning, Wen Tingli got up and called someone to arrange the move. The moving workers had been arranged in advance, their wages already paid. With everything settled, she drove to the company. Because she was in such an especially good mood, she hummed a dozen or so tunes along the way. Passing by a department store, she was surprised to spot someone by the roadside — the Lu residence’s Steward Xu.

Steward Xu seemed to be waiting there specifically for her to pass, yet even though he clearly saw her car, he didn’t wave to her.

Wen Tingli took the initiative and stepped on the brake. “Steward Xu.”

Steward Xu walked over to the car window with a broad smile. “I saw this car coming from far away — never imagined the driver would be Miss Wen. You really cut a fine figure driving. Heading to the film company so early?”

“That’s right.” Wen Tingli said with a smile, though she vaguely felt Steward Xu’s smile today seemed a bit forced. “What are you doing here?”

Steward Xu lifted a gift box in his hand to show her.

“Young Master Cheng is entertaining guests at home tonight, so he specially sent me to the Lu family trading firm’s wine cellar to fetch a few bottles that young ladies favor, to set things up properly.”

Wen Tingli’s smile faltered slightly. “Mr. Lu is dining at home tonight?”

Steward Xu nodded without hesitation. “Our old master has returned from Nanyang. Tonight he and Young Master Cheng will be entertaining some distinguished guests from the Ge family of Guangdong. The old master hasn’t personally hosted guests in a long while, and I was worried others might not be careful enough, so I drove out here myself specially.”

Wen Tingli nodded reluctantly and drove on.

Steward Xu must be lying, she told herself.

But she hadn’t forgotten that Steward Xu was Lu Shicheng’s trusted confidant. Without Lu Shicheng’s consent, who would have the nerve to force Steward Xu to lie?

Was it possible that note had never even reached Lu Shicheng’s hands?

She deeply regretted not staying to confirm it with her own eyes that night before leaving.

But then she recalled that the hotel boy, after delivering the items, had nodded to her on his way out. People who did this sort of thing for a living — how could something this simple go wrong?

No, something must have gone wrong somewhere along the line. Knowing Lu Shicheng’s character, if he weren’t coming, he’d surely tell her to her face.

Full of doubt, the moment she arrived at the company she wrote a letter and had someone deliver it to Kuang Zhilin.

That evening, returning home, the moment she stepped into the kitchen she saw Zhou Sao about to put a plate of ribs into the pot. She hurried to intervene: “Let me do it.”

After an hour of fumbling chaos in the kitchen, Wen Tingli formally declared that she had no talent for cooking.

“My hair’s practically singed off. Even when entertaining guests, there’s no need to cook the meal myself personally, right?”

She spoke with great conviction, resolving never to set foot in the kitchen again for the rest of her life.

Zhou Sao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The moment Wen Tingli left the kitchen, she went looking for the number of Guangyaju restaurant, calling the owner to send over some hot dishes as soon as possible.

“Zhou Sao, I’m going upstairs to bathe and change. Please listen for the doorbell.”

However, by the time Wen Tingli had bathed and finished her makeup and come back down, Lu Shicheng still hadn’t shown up. When the doorbell finally rang, it was only Guangyaju delivering the hot dishes.

“Sister…” Xiao Taozi hugged Wen Tingli’s leg and looked up at her. “Baby’s hungry. When is your important guest coming?”

“Soon, soon.” Just then she heard a ringing sound and, without thinking, ran toward the front door — only to suddenly realize it was the telephone ringing. She turned back to answer it.

“Miss Wen.” It was Kuang Zhilin, sounding somewhat embarrassed. “The moment Young Master Cheng got back from Suzhou, the old master called him to the Lu residence. I never had the chance to hand that letter to Young Master Cheng.”

Lu Shicheng straightened his tie in front of the mirror, then pulled open his bedroom door and went out.

The moment he stepped out, Old Master Lu happened to be coming upstairs. Lu Shicheng gave an indifferent nod: “Grandfather.”

Seeing his eldest grandson about to walk past him, Old Master Lu barked in a low voice: “Stop right there!”

Lu Shicheng halted his steps, but he did not turn around.

“I believe I already gave you advance notice: the Ge family has people coming tonight. The guests will be arriving any moment now — where do you think you’re going?”

Lu Shicheng stared straight ahead. “I thought we’d already reached an understanding last time: you have no right to interfere in my affairs.”

Old Master Lu suppressed his anger. “Don’t think that because you’ve managed the family’s affairs for two years, you can decide everything on your own! You’re too young — you still don’t understand what marriage means for a man. The Ge family is a rare match — I hope you won’t be foolish about this!”

Lu Shicheng paid him no heed and started down the stairs.

“I’m not finished speaking — stand still!” Old Master Lu said sternly, but this time, Lu Shicheng showed no sign of stopping at all.

Old Master Lu narrowed his eyes. “Even if you rush over there now, she may not still be waiting for you.”

Lu Shicheng’s expression shifted slightly; he turned a sharp gaze on Old Master Lu. “You sent someone to find her?”

Old Master Lu, long accustomed to being cold and domineering, faced his grandson’s interrogation without a trace of guilt, giving a cold snort through his nose. “I had Steward Xu tell her that tonight you’d be entertaining Miss Ge at home, so she wouldn’t hold onto any more unrealistic fantasies! Let me remind you of one thing: you are the head of the Lu family — who you should and shouldn’t associate with is something you ought to know clearly in your own mind.”

Lu Shicheng stared fixedly at Old Master Lu, and said, steady, certain, and slow: “Then I hope you’ll also remember one thing: if you don’t want me to touch Lu Kejian, you’d best not touch anyone close to me — especially her!”

Old Master Lu narrowed his eyes; Lu Shicheng’s gaze was so sharp it seemed to give off a cold light, forcing him to suppress his fury in his chest and instead switch to a more conciliatory tone. “In the past, perhaps your grandfather could let it go — but it’s different now. You know very well why you suddenly broke things off with her last year. That girl’s background is far from simple. Your grandfather cannot stand by and watch you make a fool of yourself.”

Lu Shicheng had already turned and was walking swiftly downstairs.

Old Master Lu roared furiously behind him: “You were fooled once — you should know exactly what kind of person she is! Aren’t you afraid of falling into another trap she’s set for you?! I know full well she’s used every trick in the book on you — you’re her stepping stone upward, of course she’ll cling to you and never let go! Do you believe you might one day die at her hands?!”

Lu Shicheng continued to stare straight ahead, but laughed with bitter irony. “I don’t believe, Grandfather, you have any right to say such things to me!”

“You—” Old Master Lu’s face darkened; in his agitation, just as he was about to shout further reprimands, a sudden tightness gripped his chest, and he began coughing violently, clutching at his chest. The attendants beside him hurried forward to support him.

Wen Tingli sat at the table, chin propped on her hand.

The dishes on the table had already been reheated twice, and Lu Shicheng was still nowhere to be seen. In front of her, Xiao Taozi was whining about being hungry; Zhou Sao fed her biscuits while occasionally glancing toward the door with flickering, hesitant eyes.

Past seven now — however delayed he might be, he should have arrived by this point.

She’d thought about calling Kuang Zhilin again, but if Lu Shicheng himself hadn’t made any move, repeatedly using outsiders to fish for news seemed pointless.

Then she heard Zhou Sao say: “Xiao Taozi’s getting restless — I’ll take her out for a walk on the street.”

Once the two of them left, the house grew even quieter. Wen Tingli idly toyed with the flowers in the vase on the table, when suddenly she heard footsteps faintly approaching from the front garden. She glanced out the window, then hurried happily toward the front door, moving so fast she nearly tripped over the hem of her skirt.

Finally reaching the door, she stopped and waited for him to ring the bell. “Ding-dong,” “ding-dong” — never had she found the sound of a doorbell so pleasant. She opened the door and gazed fixedly at the tall figure before her.

“You’ve come.” She meant to keep a straight face, but she couldn’t control her eyes shining like stars, nor could she stop the corners of her mouth from breaking into her most delighted smile.

Lu Shicheng probably hadn’t expected her to open the door so quickly, and withdrew his hand from the doorbell with a look of mild surprise.

His manner was still somewhat reserved; he looked at her deeply, then handed her the gift box he was carrying.

“Sorry, I was delayed on the way.”

Wen Tingli pulled him inside without ceremony. “You’re only a little late — I don’t mind at all. Is this a gift for my housewarming? What beautiful crystal glasses!”

She’d seen this kind of handmade crystal glass at Dong Qinfang’s house before — quite valuable, and supposedly every glass had a unique pattern.

She laughed sweetly. “How did you know I liked these? When did you buy them? I happen to have two bottles of wine ready — can I use them to pour drinks right now? Zhou Sao and Xiao Taozi just went out — did you run into them outside? Let me show you around our new house first.”

Before Lu Shicheng could respond, she pulled him forward without another word.

“Look, this is the living room,” she said with great enthusiasm, gesturing for him to look into the room on the left. “The window faces the back garden. I’m planning to entertain friends here — what do you think?”

As she spoke, she looked so joyful. He followed her gesture and glanced ahead, nodding steadily: “It’s lovely.”

Wen Tingli grew even happier, pulling him along toward another room.

“This is the study — though as you can see, my collection of books isn’t nearly enough to fill such a tall, grand bookcase yet, so many shelves are still empty… Over there is Zhou Sao’s bedroom, with two large floor-to-ceiling windows you can push open and step straight into the garden. Don’t you think the view from here is lovely?”

He nodded again: “Mm.”

She led him upstairs with extraordinary delight. “My room and Xiao Taozi’s are up here.”

Upstairs, she generously threw open the door to her own bedroom to let him see.

“This is my room.” But she didn’t invite him in, only saying from the doorway, “There’s a big wardrobe inside, and a large terrace outside. I had the wallpaper changed — what do you think?”

Lu Shicheng had already noticed the rose-colored silk wallpaper. She had always loved such vivid colors, and indeed, such colors suited her well.

Seeing her watching him with such expectation, he could only say: “It’s lovely.”

Wen Tingli couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “Is ‘lovely’ the only thing you plan to say tonight? This is Xiao Taozi’s room, but she still won’t sleep by herself yet, so for now it’s just piled with some of her picture books and toys.”

Lu Shicheng thought to himself that she still took such good care of everyone around her, just as before — the only difference now was that this house was so much more spacious and comfortable than her old apartment.

Everything here she had earned through her own hard work. She had every right to feel proud of it.

“What are you thinking about?” Wen Tingli leaned her face close to his.

Lu Shicheng composed his expression. “I’m thinking that your new home is beautiful — only, I’m a little hungry. When can we eat?”

Wen Tingli was startled for a moment, then laughed. “Sorry, I got so carried away I forgot myself. We can eat right away.”

As the two came downstairs, Zhou Sao and Xiao Taozi happened to return from outside. Zhou Sao must have spotted Lu Shicheng’s car out front, because the instant the door opened, cheerful laughter poured in.

“Mr. Lu is here.”

Xiao Taozi bounced up and down: “Wonderful, Mr. Lu’s finally here, now big sister won’t have to be a giraffe anymore—”

“Xiao Taozi!” Wen Tingli stamped her foot. “Don’t say nonsense.”

She stole a glance to her side. Lu Shicheng composed himself and solemnly took out two small boxes from his coat pocket, crouching down to hand one to Xiao Taozi, then rising to give the other to Zhou Sao.

Opening them, one contained a child’s handkerchief; the other held a pair of soft lambskin gloves — both dainty in size yet exquisitely made.

Zhou Sao beamed from ear to ear. “Mr. Lu, you’re always so thoughtful whenever you come.”

Wen Tingli was delighted inside but kept her face composed, leading Lu Shicheng to the dining room and formally pulling out the seat at the head of the table.

“Please, sit.”