Meng Fuyuan held that cup, looking carefully before saying: “The glaze color effect is indeed richer.”

“Yeah… the direction of the wood kiln’s fire and the falling ash both affect the firing results, and it’s random. Wood kilns have a kind of mystery box opening happiness.” Chen Qingwu gathered her thoughts, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible.

“What should we name this one…” Chen Qingwu pondered.

“You name each one?” Meng Fuyuan asked.

“I only name what I feel can be called works.” Chen Qingwu reached out to take back that cup, “…Huh, there’s also a touch of gray-purple here, look.”

Meng Fuyuan glanced at it. Thinking of the “half the river rustling, half the river red” she’d mentioned earlier, inspired by it, he casually said the first ancient poem that came to mind: “Should be like wild geese treading on snowy mud?”

“So fitting!” Chen Qingwu’s eyes lit up, “Then let’s just use poetry to name this whole tea set.”

For the remaining four tea cups and teapot, the two also quickly came up with names.

Chen Qingwu had Meng Fuyuan watch over things while she went to the car to get the packing materials.

Because of the wood kiln’s randomness, not daring to completely gamble on luck, Chen Qingwu had fired three pieces each of the same form and glaze color, only selecting the best one of each style.

The complete set was placed in a soft leather case lined with sponge and cushioned with a layer of soft silk—probably a case from another tea set, borrowed temporarily. The hollowed-out sections of the sponge didn’t perfectly fit, but could barely accommodate everything.

The remaining pieces from the saggars were wrapped in several layers of foam paper and placed sequentially into cardboard boxes.

While packing these eliminated backup ceramics, Chen Qingwu said: “If it were Teacher Zhai, he would smash all the remaining pieces. He’s an extreme perfectionist—if it’s not one hundred points, it equals failing. And because these are custom orders for clients, he ensures each piece is unique.”

Meng Fuyuan looked at her, “You can’t bear to.”

“I can’t bear to for now. So I generally take them back, and when my skills advance another level, when looking back at these flawed pieces reveals nothing worthy anymore, then I’ll consider smashing them.”

After returning the saggars, Chen Qingwu carried the leather case while Meng Fuyuan held the cardboard box for her as they walked back to the studio.

Placing the items on the work table, Chen Qingwu said: “After cleaning and packing, I can deliver them to Sister An.”

Meng Fuyuan said: “Let me know when you’re ready, I’ll contact Sister An.”

Chen Qingwu said “okay.”

Meng Fuyuan raised his wrist to check his watch, “I’ll head out first, Qingwu. Contact me on WeChat if anything comes up.”

“I took up your time today.”

“It’s fine.”

Two days later, Chen Qingwu brought the tea set and went with Meng Fuyuan to deliver it to Sister An.

The weather was fine. That bamboo grove tea house presented yet another vista.

Though it was already summer, the mountains were cool.

Right under the tree shade, Sister An set up tables and chairs to boil water and brew tea for them.

While waiting for the water on the small stove to boil, Chen Qingwu handed the leather case to Sister An.

When Chen Qingwu had gotten in the car earlier, Meng Fuyuan had noticed this leather case wasn’t the same one from last time—it was probably specially custom-made.

Sister An took it, saying with a smile: “Then I’ll open it?”

“Please do.”

Opening the leather case revealed one pot and six cups, seamlessly fitted into sponge padding lined with black silk cloth.

Sister An exclaimed in admiration, first taking out the cup with fire iridescence on the outside and pooled glaze inside, “This color is really special.”

“This one is ‘half the river rustling, half the river red.'”

“It has a name?”

“They all do.”

Chen Qingwu introduced them one by one—the remaining “Rouge from the frontier congeals purple at night,” “Inn green with fresh willow color,” “Deep alley tomorrow selling apricot blossoms,” “Thousand miles of Xiaoxiang crushing blue rushes.”

Finally, she took out that ash-white glazed cup, saying: “You mentioned not liking white porcelain, but I still presumed to make this white pottery cup. See if you might like it.”

Sister An took it, turning it in circles to examine carefully: “The white is quite rich… looking closely it seems to have some gray too…”

Her previous reactions had been ordinary, until her fingers paused and she said excitedly: “How did you fire this touch of gray-purple?”

“It’s a random effect from the wood kiln’s natural ash fall reacting with the glaze—unique. Do you like it?”

“Originally I just thought it was okay, but this touch of gray-purple is truly a stroke of genius. It has a name too, right?”

Chen Qingwu smiled: “Should be like wild geese treading on snowy mud.”

“You thought of this? Incredible, how did you come up with such an apt name?”

“It was Yuan—Meng Fuyuan who thought of it.”

She didn’t know why, but felt calling him “Yuan-gege” in front of outsiders was somewhat difficult to say aloud.

Sister An looked toward Meng Fuyuan, saying with a smile: “Aren’t you from a STEM background? So cultured.”

Meng Fuyuan didn’t even lift an eyelid, completely ignoring Sister An’s teasing.

Chen Qingwu took out the last remaining pottery pot from the leather case, black glaze extending into deep blue, “This one is ‘a pool of seawater poured into the cup.'”

Sister An touched that teapot, then touched each of those differently shaped cups in turn, saying with a smile: “Little Sister Qingwu, you really know how to give people delightful surprises.”

The entire set of six cups each had different shapes—some resembled sunflower-mouth cups, some resembled Jian ware, some resembled palace bowls… combined with subtle yet varied natural glaze colors, they were highly playable.

Even Sister An, a person who detested boredom, was won over, “You put in quite a bit of thought, didn’t you?”

“It was okay. If you like it, everything was worth it.” Chen Qingwu said with a smile.

“Then let’s rinse the cups and use them to drink tea today.”

Sister An called a server to have the cups sent for a quick wash.

After they were returned, the water had also boiled.

Sister An opened a small drawer to get tea leaves, asking Chen Qingwu: “Will Qingwu still have black tea?”

“I want to try oolong tea with this ‘Rouge from the frontier congeals purple at night.'”

“Won’t the deep cup color make it look murky?”

Chen Qingwu said with a smile: “Don’t know, just want to try.”

Sister An clearly wasn’t rigid either, really did take Phoenix Dancong to brew for her.

Then turned to look at Meng Fuyuan, “What about you, still drinking…”

“Longjing.” Meng Fuyuan cut off her words.

Chen Qingwu had been sniffing the fragrance of Phoenix Dancong becoming even more pronounced in the dark-colored tea cup when she paused at these words.

She didn’t know if she was being overly sensitive, but always felt Meng Fuyuan’s answer had a somewhat deliberate feel to it.

Did he not want her to know that he’d heard he only drinks Mist Green?

“Which cup would you like to use?”

Meng Fuyuan’s gaze settled on that “Should be like wild geese treading on snowy mud” for an instant, but he raised his hand to point at “Inn green with fresh willow color.”

The gray-green cup brewed with green tea made the tea liquor’s color exactly like that touch of pale green of fresh willows in the rain.

Sister An herself took “Should be like wild geese treading on snowy mud” to brew pu’er—very deep tea color with a kind of austere severity bitter to the core.

“The permutations and combinations of your tea set offer so many ways to play.” Sister An said with a smile.

She drank two sips of tea, put down the cup, “Haven’t talked price with you yet, Little Sister Qingwu. Just quote me a price directly.”

Chen Qingwu glanced at Meng Fuyuan.

Sister An said: “Free was me joking with Director Meng. For such beautiful things, how could I really not pay a cent?”

Chen Qingwu said with a smile: “What was agreed as free is free. This is my first opening order—I should be giving a discount anyway. Sister An, you should have friends in the same industry, right? I’ll be completely satisfied if you introduce business to me.”

Sister An laughed heartily, looking at Meng Fuyuan, “Should I take advantage of your young friend or not?”

Meng Fuyuan said: “Qingwu has a straightforward personality. Just go with her wishes.”

“Then how about this—I’ll send you a red envelope of 188 yuan, consider it an auspicious start for your opening. When you bring friends over for tea in the future, I’ll waive the bill. I’ll definitely introduce business to you, but you can’t make any sets better than mine, or I’ll be unhappy.”

Chen Qingwu smiled.

Sister An took an unused cup and looked at the bottom of the foot ring, “No maker’s mark?”

“Haven’t thought of one yet.”

“You need to think of one quickly, otherwise how can I help promote your work?”

Chen Qingwu said with a smile: “I’ll think about it when I get back.”

After more casual chatting, Chen Qingwu and Meng Fuyuan prepared to take their leave.

He still drove to send her back.

Meng Fuyuan glanced at Chen Qingwu in the passenger seat. She was deeply immersed in happiness, the upward curve of her lips never falling.

Chen Qingwu noticed Meng Fuyuan’s gaze, feeling somewhat embarrassed, “I didn’t expect Sister An to like it so much.”

Meng Fuyuan said: “You’re far more talented and capable than you think you are.”

No one would dislike being praised, especially by someone they recognized and respected in their heart.

Chen Qingwu said with a smile: “Then I must guard against arrogance and rashness, and continue working hard?”

The corner of Meng Fuyuan’s mouth lifted slightly, “What are you planning to do next?”

“First think of the studio name, organize past works, get Little Red Book and such platforms running…” Chen Qingwu yawned, “Enough to keep me busy for a while.”

“Going home for Dragon Boat Festival?”

“Yes.”

Meng Fuyuan’s fingers resting on the steering wheel tightened slightly, “Qiran will also go back for Dragon Boat Festival.”

“I can’t avoid seeing my parents just because of him.” Chen Qingwu smiled faintly, “Yuan-gege, are you going back? I remember you mentioned last time you were going abroad on a business trip.”

“That’s the current plan.”

“Then I wish you a smooth business trip.”

Meng Fuyuan nodded.

Then both temporarily stopped talking.

Having made the trip to the studio many times, no navigation was needed—he could even accurately judge there were still a few minutes until arrival.

Right now, there were still twenty minutes before they should arrive.

Sister An’s order was already complete. It seemed he had also lost the reasonable justification to go to the studio to find her.

Unless…

His chest grew restless.

He secretly took a deep breath.

The destination arrived in the blink of an eye.

Chen Qingwu said thanks and pulled open the car door.

“Qingwu.”

Chen Qingwu paused, turning to look at Meng Fuyuan.

He looked at her with an obvious expression of wanting to speak but hesitating. But after an instant he shook his head, saying: “Never mind. Rest well.”

A somewhat inexplicable reminder.

Chen Qingwu nodded.

Meng Fuyuan didn’t immediately start the car. Watching Chen Qingwu’s back as she walked through the main entrance, he raised his hand to press the tail ring on his little finger.

He had thought he absolutely had no delusions.

But when a glimmer of hope suddenly appeared at a dead end, he also couldn’t help falling into the common trap of wanting to fight for it.

During the Dragon Boat Festival season, Chen Qingwu paused her current work and drove home by herself.

The two families gathered for a meal at the Meng house as usual.

Chen Qingwu parked the car and went forward to knock on the door.

After two knocks, she heard footsteps from inside.

When the door opened, it was actually Meng Qiran.

It had been a while since they’d seen each other. He wore a black loose T-shirt and shorts. Compared to before, he seemed somewhat more somber, and also seemed to have lost some weight.

Chen Qingwu paused briefly, greeting him with a normal expression.

Meng Qiran’s gaze stopped on her face, “You drove back yourself?”

“Yeah.”

“Was traffic bad on the road?”

“Not too bad.”

Probably hearing the commotion, a series of footsteps came from the kitchen—it was Chen’s mother Liao Shuman and Auntie Qi, Qilin.

Qilin walked over in two steps, affectionately putting her arm around Chen Qingwu’s shoulders: “Haven’t seen you in so long, Qingwu.”

Chen Qingwu said with a smile: “The studio just opened, there’s been quite a lot to do, so I haven’t had much time to come home.”

“Next time I visit East City, can I come see your place?”

“Of course, I’ll accompany you shopping then.”

Qilin raised her hand as if to pinch her face. Chen Qingwu unobtrusively turned around, pretending to greet Meng Chengyong, smoothly dodging it.

“Uncle Meng, you didn’t play cards today?”

Meng Chengyong said with a smile: “Played all morning, tired. We’re about to eat soon, having tea to rest a bit first—Qingwu, how many days off?”

“Leaving the day after tomorrow morning.”

“Now that you’re your own boss, you should have more flexible time, right?”

Chen Qingwu said with a smile: “I’m still a one-person operation right now, have to do everything myself.”

After chatting briefly, Liao Shuman told her to go wash her hands—they’d eat soon.

During this meal the parents temporarily didn’t tease her and Meng Qiran anymore, probably knowing the two were currently in a “disagreement” period.

After eating, Chen Qingwu was called to the mahjong table by Meng Chengyong, and reluctantly accompanied them for a few rounds, losing every single one.

Meng Qiran, who had been sitting in the corner sofa playing a handheld game the whole time, now spoke up: “Dad, aren’t you embarrassed making Wuwu keep losing?”

Meng Chengyong said with a smile: “Alright, alright Qingwu, I won’t force you anymore. How about uncle sends you back the money you lost in a red envelope?”

Chen Qingwu said with a smile: “I won’t accept that—willing gambler, gracious loser.”

Meng Qiran looked up at Meng Chengyong, “Why don’t you transfer the money to me instead, and I’ll take Wuwu shopping.”

Meng Chengyong immediately took out his phone and transferred a sum to Meng Qiran, saying with a smile: “I want to see the receipts—this money is for Qingwu, you can’t misappropriate it.”

Meng Qiran tossed aside the handheld game, stood up, walked to Chen Qingwu’s side, braced his palm on the edge of the mahjong table, lowered his head, and said in a low voice: “Want to go? Go shopping.”

“I don’t really…”

Qilin said with a smile: “Qingwu, don’t be polite with Qiran. I notice your clothes seem to still be from last year—go buy a few new outfits. Just use his card, he doesn’t use it himself anyway.”

Liao Shuman also said: “Go and help me pick up a lipstick while you’re at it. My usual one—I ran out and haven’t had time to replenish.”

This situation made it difficult for Chen Qingwu to refuse directly in front of everyone. She had no choice but to push away the tiles in front of her and stand up with a smile.

Walking out of the card room, Chen Qingwu quickened her pace.

Meng Qiran followed behind her.

Reaching the living room sofa area, Chen Qingwu stopped and turned around, her tone unavoidably carrying two degrees of coolness: “Qiran, you know I hate most when people force me.”

Meng Qiran looked down at her, “Didn’t mean to force you, just wanted to say something to you alone.”

“We already made things clear last time.”

“Wuwu.” The young man’s gaze falling on her face carried a sharp persistence, his voice also rarely serious: “…I want to pursue you starting from zero.”

Chen Qingwu’s emotions remained unmoved. She understood Qiran too well—someone too proud could only accept things beginning and ending by his own decision.

Of course, there was certainly also consideration for not wanting her to be upset. They had such a deep emotional foundation after all.

She secretly sighed, about to speak when she suddenly heard footsteps from the entrance.

Both looked over simultaneously.

Someone turned the corner and walked out.

White shirt, black pants, upright form, the gaze behind his lenses calm and cool. Though bright sunlight blazed outside at this moment, he gave off a wintry coolness.

“Bro?” Meng Qiran was surprised, “Didn’t you go on a business trip?”

“Something came up, came back temporarily.” Meng Fuyuan explained simply, then his gaze turned to Chen Qingwu, “Just as well you’re here, Qingwu. We have something urgent regarding that classmate of yours. Would it be convenient for you to help set up a conference call?”

Chen Qingwu quickly said: “Convenient—but I need to ask first if she’s available.”

Meng Fuyuan walked toward the staircase, “Come to my study to discuss it.”