Shen Qianzhan tossed her phone aside, about to grumble and enumerate the ten great crimes of that damn man Ji Qinghe. Looking up, she saw Su Zan staring at her expectantly.

After a few seconds of standoff, she resignedly picked up her phone and got straight to the point: “I wonder if President Ji is free tonight? I’d like to invite you to dinner at Kunshan Lodge.”

Ji Qinghe didn’t reply.

Shen Qianzhan pondered Ji Qinghe’s instant response from earlier, guessing he shouldn’t be in a busy state right now. After thinking, she added her purpose: “This afternoon my assistant inquired about Xiang Qianqian’s endorsement matter. To be honest, our company encountered some small problems. If you don’t have time, I can also directly explain the issue without delaying you.”

After sending the first half, she diligently continued with the second half: “Mainly, after signing the contract, I haven’t had a chance to thank President Ji in person. This happens to be an opportunity to make a request while gathering with you to express my sincerity.”

Those in high positions usually had their time fragmented.

Ji Qinghe was no exception.

After approving documents Ming Jue handed over, he spared a glance at WeChat and replied: “Very urgent?”

Shen Qianzhan figured this meant he agreed. Her eyebrows lifted with a pleasant mood: “Depends on your schedule.”

Ji Qinghe said: “Tomorrow evening at six.”

Putting down his phone, he spun the pen in his fingers, the fountain pen switching head to tail between his two fingers, the cap falling on documents with a muffled light sound.

He looked up at Ming Jue, those eyes behind the lenses deep and clear, like reflecting a well of water—initially appearing bone-chillingly cold, but unfathomably deep upon closer inspection: “Go look into the endorsement matter, and postpone tomorrow evening’s dinner by two hours. Someone’s cutting in line.”

Ming Jue observed with eyes, nose, and heart, pretending not to know the line-cutter was Shen Qianzhan, very seriously nodding in agreement.

—

The next afternoon, just past four o’clock, Shen Qianzhan, who had been wishing upon stars and moon for early departure, grabbed Su Zan and brazenly left work early.

Kunshan Lodge Japanese restaurant was close to Bu Zhong Sui’s Beijing branch office—a standalone, exquisitely decorated two-story courtyard.

Two cherry blossom trees were planted in the yard. Though not in bloom, the ground under the trees was still covered with artificial petals specifically for diners to photograph for social media.

When Shen Qianzhan arrived, young girls in rented kimonos were posing on tiptoes under the trees.

Slanting evening light fell into the small pond beside, bathing the entire courtyard in warm ambiance, as if time had reached afternoon with the clock hands stopped, the rhythm of time instantly slowing.

Shen Qianzhan glanced once, immediately concerned about those little treasures for wealth and fortune in the pond: “Boss, let me catch two of your koi to take away—they look quite profitable.”

The guiding boss’s face turned pale: “Every visit you think about my koi, where’s your humanity? No discount today.”

Shen Qianzhan smiled sweetly, completely unbothered.

Today she wasn’t paying anyway—discount or not, she never felt bad about money from other people’s pockets.

—

Upstairs in the private room, there was still half an hour before the appointed time.

The boss personally brought several small plates of snacks to keep her entertained.

Shen Qianzhan was a regular at Kunshan Lodge, the kind who received personal service from the boss whenever he was in the restaurant.

When Kunshan Lodge first opened, it was deserted—not only was promotion inadequate, but the location was too remote. Despite the good dining environment, it couldn’t overcome being deep in the alley where diners couldn’t smell the wine’s aroma.

During Shen Qianzhan’s crew year, the life producer had ordered lunch boxes from the boss. Due to reasonable prices, conscientious ingredients, and good taste, they eventually signed long-term cooperation.

Later when the boss opened Kunshan Lodge for Japanese cuisine, Shen Qianzhan brought a whole department to support the business.

Unfortunately, the restaurant was poorly managed and gradually lost customers. When facing closure, Shen Qianzhan frequently brought Xiang Qianqian and industry friends to dine, single-handedly reviving the restaurant with soft articles and turning Kunshan Lodge into an internet-famous check-in spot.

A true walking god of wealth.

—

Dusk was approaching.

Light in the courtyard gradually dimmed as star lights wound around tree branches and walls lit up one by one.

Shen Qianzhan sat cross-legged by the floor-to-ceiling window, elbows propped on her legs, long hair cascading with her slightly leaning body, revealing one side of her slender, fair swan neck.

Seeming somewhat bored from waiting, she pressed her index finger against the window, counting the ambient lights under the trees one by one. Her expression was melancholy, as if incompatible with this world.

This was the Shen Qianzhan Ji Qinghe saw when he arrived.

He stood at the doorway, surroundings seemingly silenced, quiet to the point of desolation.

Shen Qianzhan, having heard no movement for a while, turned to look.

Her pinned-up hair swirled in an arc with her turning motion, her profile half-revealed, bright eyes and white teeth embellished by lamplight like a fairy from a painting, eyebrows and eyes like art, radiant with every glance.

Ji Qinghe’s gaze deepened, his heart stirring.

His profound gaze lingered on Shen Qianzhan’s face for several seconds, only showing slight restraint and control when meeting her eyes.

He stepped forward, removing shoes to step onto the tatami, his demeanor as composed as if nothing had happened.

The coat carrying cold air was hung on the rack by Ming Jue, leaving him in only a deep black suit as he sat across from her.

Just after sitting down, he saw her troubled expression, as if she had something difficult to express.

Ji Qinghe slightly raised an eyebrow, silently inquiring with his gaze.

His sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes were truly handsome. Shen Qianzhan looked a few more times before saying in a muffled voice: “My leg’s numb.”

Ji Qinghe’s gaze lowered slightly.

Across the table, he actually couldn’t see the situation underneath clearly. But Shen Qianzhan’s legs left a deep impression—he could imagine them just from memory.

He calmly unbuttoned his suit jacket, asking: “Need help?”

Shen Qianzhan glanced at him without answering.

But her expression was unmistakably clear—clear enough to see her undisguised silent disdain at first glance.

Ji Qinghe chuckled softly. The private room’s heating was sufficient, making his eyes appear clear and cool, like rippling well water—initially bone-chillingly cold at first sight, but unfathomably deep upon exploration, impossible to fathom.

He said: “If I’m not serious, I might be accused of poor taste.”

Shen Qianzhan was selfish and narcissistic, usually prone to flights of fancy, with daily daydreams of being the most beautiful in the universe. When Ji Qinghe looked at her and said this meaningfully, her thoughts wandered even further.

This little daisy of hers was always just armchair strategizing—brave in theory but cowardly in practice. Though not quite like a beautiful salted fish with no response, her thoughts were as yellow as her reality was weak.

Yet this could still make someone unforgettable, savoring for long?

Shen Qianzhan felt there wasn’t much to be proud of about this, but being so remembered and constantly protected by Ji Qinghe, this pile-driving machine, actually gave her quite a sense of achievement?