It was half an hour later when Meng Wanzhou finished cleaning up the long table.

He stood in the center of the courtyard, under the pretense of aiding digestion, and performed a knockoff tai chi routine. From shuffling the tiles, building the wall, to drawing and discarding tiles, Meng Wanzhou spent nearly ten minutes moving from the well in the center of the courtyard all the way to under the eaves of the front hall.

Silence.

Too silent.

After eavesdropping for a long time, Meng Wanzhou finally realized something was strange.

He turned around in place, suddenly had a flash of inspiration, drew a bucket of water from the well, and carried it to the front hall to change the fish tank water.

Time Hall’s front reception area was always used for entertaining guests. The visitors were special—either collector friends of timepieces or dealers trading second-hand watches. Therefore, the front hall environment was designed from the beginning as a semi-enclosed private tea seating area.

When Meng Wanzhou entered carrying the water bucket, the main light of the tea seating area wasn’t on. Only several ceiling lights had clear targets, shining directly down on the screen.

Ji Qinghe sat in the grand master’s chair near the screen side, waiting for water to boil.

Not yet adapted to the dim lighting, Meng Wanzhou nearly missed a step. He steadied the wooden bucket in his hand, looked around, and asked knowingly: “Producer Shen left?”

Ji Qinghe looked up but didn’t respond.

Beside him were gold-framed thin-rimmed glasses that had been removed at some point. The azure cup still held a shallow amount of brown tea, looking like someone had been drinking alone in contemplation for a long time.

Meng Wanzhou didn’t forget he came to change the fish tank water. He found the fine mesh net from under the tea seating area and skillfully scooped up all the goldfish from the tank, placing them beside the tea utensils.

“Didn’t you say you were old friends?” He glanced sideways at Ji Qinghe while efficiently changing water and cleaning the fish tank: “Looks more like a one-meeting acquaintanceship.”

The water in the kettle finally boiled, bubbling with several sounds of boiling gurgles.

Ji Qinghe lowered his gaze to look at the goldfish struggling and swaying their tails in the net, seemingly oblivious to what Meng Wanzhou said.

Seeing he wouldn’t engage, Meng Wanzhou simply changed the topic: “Are you two planning to collaborate on making a TV drama about the old master?”

He had been holding back this question all evening, itching so badly he was about to scratch his heart and liver: “You recently had me clean up the neighboring courtyard for you. You should be planning to live in Beijing long-term. If it’s not about this collaboration with Producer Shen, I can’t think of any reason you’d suddenly return to Beijing.”

Meng Wanzhou put the futilely struggling goldfish back in the tank and muttered to himself: “So your reluctance and deliberate airs—are you playing hard to get with Producer Shen?”

The man who thought he’d found the right answer clicked his tongue twice and complained: “Producer Shen was driven away by your anger, right? Ji Qinghe, let me tell you, you can’t pursue girls like this. It’s easy to end up in a crematorium.”

Ji Qinghe’s gaze met Meng Wanzhou’s through the azure cup in mid-air. His usually bland expression rarely showed a ripple that could be called astonishment: “Was I that obvious?”

Meng Wanzhou froze, then backpedaled: “Not really.”

“I just know you because I’ve spent so much time with you. I know your current behavior goes against your nature. When things are abnormal, there must be demons.” He tremblingly picked up the teacup and sipped some water, asking: “But don’t you usually focus on restoring timepieces year-round, taking pleasure in conquering time? Where did you meet Producer Shen?”

Seeing Ji Qinghe didn’t answer, Meng Wanzhou habitually began talking to himself again: “I must be blind. I always thought that if you got married in this lifetime, it would either be arranged by family or some girl would see through your defenses first, attack from above, and turn raw rice into cooked rice…”

Before he finished speaking, Ji Qinghe got up and left.

Meng Wanzhou was dumbfounded: “…”

What happened? Did he hit the mark?

Meanwhile, Shen Qianzhan, driven away by anger, drove directly out of the courtyard’s small alley.

Beijing’s evening rush hour had ended, but the city’s bustling prosperity hadn’t diminished at all.

Now alone, traveling against the flow in the gathered lights of human prosperity, she inevitably felt somewhat desolate and lonely.

She turned on the radio, tuned to the traffic channel, and under the guidance of countless traffic lights, stopped and started for forty minutes before reaching her residential complex’s underground garage.

After parking, Shen Qianzhan grabbed her coat and bag, hugging everything to her chest, and slammed the car door.

Just as the door closed, a document slipped from the gap between her bag and coat, falling dramatically at her feet like a scammer claiming injury.

Looking down, she saw it was Su Zan’s compiled Bu Zhong Sui chronology.

Remembering Ji Qinghe’s mention tonight of the romantic entanglement between Old Master Ji and Bu Zhong Sui’s founder, Shen Qianzhan crouched down, picked up the materials, and brought them back to her apartment.

Just as she stepped out of the elevator, she was shocked by the mountain of packages piled in front of her.

Her sluggish brain recalled after a few seconds—she had received a call from property management during the day saying they’d delivered all her packages to her door.

Shen Qianzhan had accumulated quite a fortune during her years of struggle in Beijing.

Besides a second-hand BMW X5, she also owned a 200-square-meter apartment. Except for the apartment still being under mortgage, she could truly say she was worry-free with no one else to feed.

She unlocked and entered her home, first organizing the packages in the entryway.

When she originally bought this apartment, Shen Qianzhan had the mindset of living there until death. Gritting her teeth, she had purchased this large 200-square-meter suite in one go to satisfy her living space needs.

One elevator per household, smart living.

After organizing the packages, she sat on the entryway carpet, panting like a dog.

Before she could catch her breath, Su Zan’s voice call came through.

Shen Qianzhan looked at the screen and answered on speaker.

Su Zan asked: “Sister Zhan, why did you just get home?”

Shen Qianzhan’s apartment door had a camera installed. Because she frequently traveled for business, the device was linked not only to Shen Qianzhan’s phone but also to Su Zan’s. Whenever there was any activity at the door, the device would immediately report the situation.

She didn’t answer directly but asked back: “What’s up?”

“Not really business.” Su Zan said: “I took Qianqian to a dinner party tonight and ran into Sister Ai.”

Shen Qianzhan raised an eyebrow, vaguely guessing that with Ai Yi, this shit-stirrer, present, Su Zan must have had a pretty bad evening.

Sure enough, Su Zan’s tone changed, sounding extremely aggrieved: “Our Qianqian has been having a hard enough time lately, and Sister Ai, I don’t know what drugs she’s on, spent the whole evening giving backhanded compliments and making insinuations. In the end, she even spread rumors, saying Qianqian’s chance for a comeback was only recent, saying Qiandeng recently connected with Bu Zhong Sui, and Qianqian’s fashion resources could finally soar.”

What did she think this was about…

Shen Qianzhan violently unpacked boxes while asking: “Didn’t you take the opportunity to help Xiang Qianqian secure a few more contracts?”

Qiandeng was famous in the industry for protecting their own. When Shen Qianzhan was managing Xiang Qianqian, she personally attended every drinking party and dinner, one cup and one rainbow fart, getting those financial backers who wanted to take advantage so drunk they couldn’t even stand up.

Su Zan learned by example. Unless it was an important occasion, he wouldn’t easily bring Xiang Qianqian along.

For Su Zan to bring Xiang Qianqian to tonight’s gathering with Ai Yi present, there must have been at least three golden thighs sitting at that table.

“Current investors aren’t stupid either.” Su Zan sighed, “Using tainted artists has risks. I think unless Qianqian can really get Bu Zhong Sui’s fashion resources, there’s no way to resolve this predicament.” After speaking, he muttered to himself: “Bu Zhong Sui’s China region brand ambassador is Chu Sisi, the one who’s always competing with our Qianqian in beauty contests. Brand endorsements usually change yearly. By my calculation, Chu Sisi’s endorsement should be expiring soon.”

“Hey, Sister Zhan. What do you think about us trying hard with Mr. Ji? Is there any possibility we could compete for it?” After Su Zan finished, he self-negated: “But I don’t even have Mr. Ji’s contact information…”

Shen Qianzhan’s hand paused while tearing plastic wrap, then she was overjoyed: “That’s simple. Qianqian doesn’t have any announcements recently, right? Have her come to the company tomorrow. I’ll take her to buy a watch.”

Early the next morning.

Su Zan carried an iced americano and waited early in Shen Qianzhan’s office, just waiting for her to arrive so he could inquire in detail about the “watch buying plan’s” battle objectives.

Unfortunately, even after waiting until the iced americano was warmed by the heating, he still didn’t see any sign of Shen Qianzhan.

Shen Qianzhan had gone to Miyun early in the morning.

Her recent search for a screenwriter to rewrite the script wasn’t a secret in the industry. Last night before bed, a director who had previously collaborated with Shen Qianzhan recommended a senior screenwriter.

Shen Qianzhan had long heard of this person’s reputation. After simple communication last night, learning that the other party was currently with a crew in Miyun, she drove there early in the morning for a face-to-face meeting.

When she returned, it was just near closing time.

Shen Qianzhan’s office chair hadn’t even warmed up before she led Xiang Qianqian straight to Time Hall. Only on the road did she have time to educate Su Zan about her strange encounter on the Hangjia app.

After listening, Su Zan had an expression like he’d eaten shit: “Sister Zhan, you could directly tell me you and Mr. Ji are having a secret affair and I wouldn’t blame you, but making up these stories is really pointless.”

Shen Qianzhan was admiring the manicure she’d just gotten in Miyun. Without looking up, she said: “Believe it or not.”

Only Xiang Qianqian, whose intelligence was online, felt somewhat anxious: “Sister Zhan, I think Mr. Ji should only have investment interest in the project. If you take me to discuss endorsement resources, won’t it backfire?”

Only then did Shen Qianzhan shift her infatuated gaze, glanced at Xiang Qianqian, and said: “Who said I’m taking you to discuss endorsement resources? I’m not your agent. Securing resources isn’t my responsibility.”

Xiang Qianqian froze and looked to Su Zan for help.

Su Zan, who knew Shen Qianzhan’s nature well, pursed his lips and answered: “She’s just simply taking you to buy a watch, to have a legitimate reason to see Mr. Ji.”

As for endorsements… Su Zan comforted himself that as long as the project investment could be secured, endorsement resources might also fall into their bowl.

Meng Wanzhou, who hadn’t expected to see Shen Qianzhan again so soon, was stunned for a full three seconds before greeting the group to sit down.

Compared to Meng Wanzhou’s awkwardness, Shen Qianzhan’s attitude was much more natural. She pointed to Xiang Qianqian, who was wearing sunglasses and surveying the surroundings, and said: “My friend is here to buy a watch. I’m here to repair a watch.”

Meng Wanzhou didn’t mention that he was usually the one who handled general watch problems.

He scratched his head, somewhat troubled: “Qinghe doesn’t take jobs. Why don’t you go find him directly? I’ll entertain your friend.”

Shen Qianzhan had exactly this intention. Carrying her bag, she skillfully pushed open the hidden door and walked toward Ji Qinghe’s workshop.

It was exactly sunset time, a misty and dim evening hour.

Ji Qinghe sat at his work table, listening intently to the sound of gears running after adjustment.

A gentle wind chime sounded by his ear, followed immediately by the light tapping of high heels that knew nothing of keeping a low profile. He frowned, turned to look, and saw Shen Qianzhan crossing the courtyard space, walking toward him with confident steps.

The tapping sound that had originally disturbed him now seemed like a watch’s minute hand, each step falling precisely on time markings.

Shen Qianzhan smiled sweetly, as if last night’s unpleasant parting had never happened. Her tone was natural and familiar: “Mr. Ji, we meet again.”

Ji Qinghe removed his glasses. Those pitch-black eyes looked at her steadily for several seconds, revealing a barely detectable light smile: “I’m not that surprised.”

Shen Qianzhan selectively ignored his comment, blinked, and looked at the watch mechanism in front of him that had been disassembled into parts beyond recognition: “Is Mr. Ji repairing a watch?”

This time Ji Qinghe simply didn’t respond. He leaned back, adopting a relaxed and casual posture as he waited to continue watching her performance.

Since he wouldn’t engage, Shen Qianzhan could only skip ahead in the progress bar. She took out three completely different watches from her bag: “I’m here to repair watches. Mr. Ji, which one interests you?”

Ji Qinghe looked down.

The three watches in front of him ranged from a children’s electronic watch to an automatic mechanical watch to a quartz watch.

His brow began to ache faintly.

He looked at the somewhat aged children’s electronic watch and silently raised his eyes.

Though he said nothing, that look seemed to ask: “Are you insulting me?”

Shen Qianzhan tugged at the corner of her mouth, propped her chin with one hand, and very maliciously winked at him: “Mr. Ji, noble people forget things easily. That night you practically wanted to give me your heart, and now you won’t even repair a watch?”

She advanced another step, hooked her little finger, and added: “I’m a particularly realistic and utilitarian person. If we can’t be business partners, we can only be enemies.”