Shen Qianzhan truly didn’t know.

Ji Qinghe hadn’t mentioned acquiring “Time’s” copyright to her. Even when she initially proposed temporarily dissolving the crew to return to Beijing for investigation, he hadn’t revealed half a word about this matter.

When occasionally discussing the situation’s progress, after confirming Shen Qianzhan had sufficient capability to handle it, he only made simple inquiries. As long as Shen Qianzhan didn’t actively bring it up, he could remain completely silent.

She didn’t feel that being boyfriend and girlfriend gave her the right to demand Ji Qinghe do anything for her.

No one was obligated to sacrifice limitlessly for another.

It was just that his recent consecutive actions were all directed toward helping her.

Ji Qinghe hadn’t directly told her what he’d done for her, but in areas beyond her capabilities, he’d paved the way in advance.

Moreover, what he gave was exactly what she needed.

Without any imposition or subjective assumptions.

Shen Qianzhan could no longer deceive herself that Ji Qinghe’s actions were purely for Bu Zhong Sui’s benefit.

His so-called rationality had long been completely biased toward her.

She didn’t continue deep conversation with Su Lanyi—at this moment, she urgently wanted to hear him confirm this matter.

——

When Ji Qinghe received her call, he was in a meeting with several executives.

He paused the meeting and retreated to the rest room to take her call.

Shen Qianzhan didn’t ask directly. She always hid her curiosity well, not easily letting people notice.

Sitting in her BMW, she first asked softly: “Are you busy?”

“I always have time to take my girlfriend’s calls.” Ji Qinghe closed the door, sat on the sofa by the window, and poured himself tea: “Finished your handover?”

Shen Qianzhan hummed lightly and started the engine: “Want to have dinner together tonight?”

Hearing her start the car, Ji Qinghe guessed she was just preparing to leave Qiandeng. He smiled slightly, unable to refuse: “It’ll be a bit late. If you’re free this afternoon, come sit in my office?”

Only then did Shen Qianzhan remember he’d mentioned last night that he’d be very busy today, telling her if she encountered trouble she could contact Ming Jue directly for him to relay, and he’d handle everything for her.

But at that moment, her entire consciousness was flowing with his rhythm—how could she listen…

She grinned, saying: “I won’t come check up on you—I’m very confident. I’ll wait for you then.”

Ji Qinghe noticed her unusually proactive attitude today. Though he couldn’t guess what she wanted to discuss, his mood immediately brightened considerably.

He pinched his brow, but his lips unconsciously curved slightly, joking: “My office has a floor-to-ceiling window viewing platform. Don’t want to experience it?”

“No, no.” Shen Qianzhan was now afraid whenever she heard him use that coaxing tone: “I want to go home and get some things.”

Ji Qinghe still had lingering fears about being surrounded by reporters at the airport the day before yesterday. Worried she might encounter trouble, he instructed Shen Qianzhan to have Meng Wanzhou accompany her.

Shen Qianzhan agreed verbally, but after hanging up, she went directly from Qiandeng back home.

Since Time Hall housed not only Ji Qinghe but also Meng Wanzhou, Shen Qianzhan felt it inappropriate to be shameless under someone else’s nose. She planned to tidy up her house so she could move in anytime.

But in fact, besides dusting furniture, there wasn’t much else to organize.

When the elderly Shen couple visited for New Year, they spent every day tirelessly renovating her “dog house.” Later, after sending the elders back to Wuxi, Shen Qianzhan had been busy with the crew and rarely lived at home.

Compared to Shen Qianzhan’s previous living environment, comfort had obviously improved.

Thinking of the elderly Shen couple inevitably brought up the phone call from Old Shen a couple days ago.

The crew’s storm had grown too large—many news stations were broadcasting it, with such wide coverage that not only mainstream media was updating reports, but several major social platforms were constantly pushing the trending topic.

This indirectly led to the elderly Shen couple learning about Shen Qianzhan’s deep involvement in controversy through various channels.

Old Shen asked with particular distress: “Did you really owe others tens of millions before and didn’t tell your family?”

Shen Qianzhan felt the matter was over, laughing casually: “Yeah, quite capable, right? Too bad it went to debt repayment, or I could have bought you and your Shen wife a custom villa with a small elevator.”

After several seconds of silence, Old Shen choked up and cried.

This directly scared Shen Qianzhan silly. She hurriedly comforted him for half an hour before barely explaining the whole story. But Comrade Old Shen became even angrier after hearing everything: “That bastard, that scoundrel—still haven’t found him?”

“It’s all over. I’ve let it go—you shouldn’t worry about it anymore.”

So Shen Qianzhan spent another half hour discussing the crew controversy with Old Shen.

She comforted this worried elder: “Don’t worry—in a few days, after police issue their statement, everything will be fine.”

Old Shen’s trust in her had dropped to dust level. He confirmed twice with disbelief: “Are you telling the truth, not just brushing me off? Though our family isn’t wealthy, I, Old Shen, still have the ability to support my daughter’s food, drink, and entertainment. If you’re unhappy with work, come home—Dad wouldn’t despise you.”

Shen Qianzhan was deeply moved. Before she could voice sentimental words, Old Shen asked again: “That… Qinghe isn’t someone you hired to fool me and your mother into feeling secure, is he?”

Shen Qianzhan: “…”

Would she really need to lie about that?

Annoyed, she directly handed her phone to Ji Qinghe, who was quietly laughing beside her, and watched him chat happily with Old Shen for half an hour as if no one else existed.

What did they talk about?

She didn’t understand.

But the result was that Old Shen finally figured out one thing—Ji Qinghe being Shen Qianzhan’s boyfriend was real, not fake.

His dream of having a future son-in-law had come true.

——

After completing her “future work planning” at home, Shen Qianzhan returned to Time Hall before Beijing’s evening rush hour.

Meng Wanzhou was mysteriously busy today, unclear what he was occupied with. Time Hall’s doors opened and closed intermittently, depending on whether he sat honestly in the shop.

But as a “reserve family member” whose intimacy level wasn’t maxed out, Shen Qianzhan didn’t feel comfortable being overly concerned or interfering in Meng Wanzhou’s private affairs. She watched him enthusiastically rush out and rush back, wondering what had him so passionate.

Shen Qianzhan arrived at just the right time today—she’d just returned when she encountered Meng Wanzhou preparing to go out.

He proactively greeted her: “Producer Shen, you and Qinghe don’t need to wait for me for dinner tonight. I have business and will return late.”

Shen Qianzhan agreed, seeing his happiness and casually asking: “Boss Meng encountered something good?”

“Not really.” He smiled without showing teeth, mouth corners curved: “I changed to a new job!”

Shen Qianzhan raised an eyebrow, surprised that the universe’s number one idle person, Meng Wanzhou, actually had a day of diligent work.

——

With no one home, Shen Qianzhan openly waited for Ji Qinghe to get off work in the courtyard’s living room.

Her plan was to first keep a low profile for a year, systematically learning how to be a producer while also studying directing arts to cultivate her directing abilities.

In case someday she couldn’t continue as a producer, she could still direct…

Shen Qianzhan had this idea because of Shao Chouxie. During her time with the crew, she’d learned several camera techniques from Shao Chouxie and found camera control quite interesting.

Plus, during regular meetings between producers and the directing team to discuss what kind of film effects to achieve, she often personally demonstrated explanations. This made her quite interested in actors’ physical artistry.

Shen Qianzhan was action-oriented—she did what she said.

After determining her direction in the afternoon and researching materials, she conveniently registered.

Her future planning was very clear.

She knew what she wanted, what to prioritize, which direction to develop, and what goals to achieve.

After this string of analysis.

Shen Qianzhan thought she might be a petrel fighting ocean waves, gradually losing fighting spirit.

She wanted to return to the nest.

Not only to compensate for years of missing companionship and family affection with the elderly Shen couple, but also because she had someone who made her want to live slowly and gradually stop.

——

That evening, when Ji Qinghe returned from work and just entered the entryway, he was embraced from behind by Shen Qianzhan waiting by the door.

He changed shoes, first turning to hug her: “Been waiting downstairs for me the whole time?”

Shen Qianzhan first nodded, then shook her head: “Meng Wanzhou came back just now, so I went upstairs first.”

Ji Qinghe lowered his head to kiss her, from nose tip to lip corner, bit by bit, kissing wetly: “Come to the company with me tomorrow?”

Shen Qianzhan looked up at him: “I want to chat with you.”

Her tone was formal, like she had serious business to discuss.

He became slightly solemn, countless thoughts flashing through his mind before settling on her face, gently focusing like all dust in the universe had instantly stilled.

He nodded, inquiring: “Upstairs or right here?”

“Upstairs.” Though Meng Wanzhou lived alone in a small courtyard, he often came to the open kitchen here for meals, or to raid the refrigerator for fresh fruit and snacks, or to transport ingredients for cooking.

Clearly having a proper independent kitchen outside, he preferred coming here to visit.

Once, he temporarily forgot Shen Qianzhan also lived here and thought thieves had entered. Taking a baseball bat to catch thieves, he was embarrassed to see Ji Qinghe pressing Shen Qianzhan against the refrigerator in intimate behavior.

His face immediately turned red as a monkey’s bottom, seeming more embarrassed than the two parties involved, and he fled through the door, disappearing.

Upstairs, Shen Qianzhan first handed Ji Qinghe her future plans.

She’d made it detailed—not only printing all steps but dividing them into three or four points, making a booklet, compressing it into a thin planning case.

Ji Qinghe glanced at her and silently began reading.

Part of Shen Qianzhan’s future planning included counterattack steps against this public opinion storm.

First was waiting for police to announce Old Chen’s death report and the true situation of Chen Yan’s detention.

Second was releasing the complete video from Chen Yan’s troublemaking day. Her installed recording device could record not only images but also sound, making it extremely easy to restore who was the victim and who was the aggressor on scene.

Third, she still held an audio recording—a precautionary recording of her final negotiation with Aunt Chen. In the audio file, Aunt Chen clearly provided clarification for Shen Qianzhan.

The above were methods to resolve public opinion.

Additionally, she’d engaged lawyers to prepare suing Xiao Sheng. This improper, unhealthy competitive behavior constituted serious reputation rights infringement and could be prosecuted once materials were complete.

But this move had suspicions of “killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred,” so Shen Qianzhan put a question mark after this plan, apparently hesitating whether to execute it.

Besides this were her future plans.

He finished reading silently, asking quietly: “Decided?”

Shen Qianzhan nodded. She’d just showered and changed into a long nightgown. When she sat on the carpet using Ji Qinghe’s knee for support, the long skirt’s hem swept the floor, creating a beautiful arc on the carpet.

She looked up slightly, asking: “I heard from Su Lanyi that you bought ‘Time’s’ copyright?”

Ji Qinghe didn’t deny it.

His consistent attitude toward concealing things from Shen Qianzhan was—if she didn’t actively ask, he wouldn’t create trouble. But once Shen Qianzhan asked, he absolutely wouldn’t lie to cover up, consuming their mutual trust.

“I bought it.” After several seconds of consideration, Ji Qinghe said: “After the crew had problems, this copyright wasn’t so precious anymore. Not too difficult.”

Shen Qianzhan countered: “Don’t believe it.”

Shen Qianzhan had always known about Bai Xuan’s designs on him. An old fox like Jiang Yecheng, refined through years of experience, would never let himself suffer losses—he definitely squeezed considerable value from him.

“Qiandeng first had ‘Spring River’ as emergency relief, draining their capital chain. Later, Xiao Sheng’s treachery led to ‘Time’s’ reputation being destroyed, causing Qiandeng’s entire capital chain to break. Though Qiandeng wouldn’t slash you badly, they definitely wouldn’t willingly hand over this big piece of pie.”

Just like Su Lanyi’s consistent style.

When trouble arose, find someone capable to handle it. If they couldn’t handle it, push out an obedient person as a scapegoat.

This time Shen Qianzhan’s crew had problems and public opinion fermented like this. Su Lanyi withstood pressure for so long before finally choosing to push her out alone to preserve Qiandeng—this could be considered remembering old friendship.

“She didn’t make any demands and agreed very readily.” Mentioning this, Ji Qinghe was also somewhat surprised: “I originally thought it would take some effort.”

“She didn’t make demands?” Shen Qianzhan was astonished.

Handing it over willingly wasn’t like the Su Lanyi she knew.

Thinking this way, the stocks she’d transferred out… weren’t really a loss?

Ji Qinghe stroked her hair: “Including Su Zan—that day he thought you planned to completely dissolve the crew. He said he’d definitely find evidence of Xiao Sheng and Penglai Chenguang’s private dealings to clear your name. He said you didn’t need to return to Qiandeng, but absolutely couldn’t leave with such a tainted reputation.”

She looked up under his palm, somewhat moved: “He never told me these things.”

Even that day sending them to Wuxi airport, after clearly leaving, he returned in the rain, silently like an abandoned family dog, looking pitiful.

“He said you’d definitely tell him you didn’t care and ask him not to take it to heart either.” Ji Qinghe willingly served as this messenger, his voice low like telling a story: “The entertainment industry best knows what’s real and what’s fake. Everyone’s watching your drama, but no one stands from God’s perspective to judge whether you’re right or wrong. Smart people know you were calculated against. Your future remains—changing companies, you could easily sit in this position again.”

Yes.

She knew how to turn the tide.

She’d done nothing wrong—this was the most powerful rebuttal.

As for how to use public opinion to reverse the situation.

This was what she’d been planning and calculating recently.

But before she figured out the key, he’d already presented the most handy weapon.

“Can’t have all those irrelevant people going through fire and water for you while I do nothing, watching you sink into the depths.” Ji Qinghe held her hand, pulling her up to sit on his knee, saying quietly: “I can also be your subject, braving fire and flood for you.”

——

Two days later.

Wuxi police published an announcement.

The announcement’s content was exactly as Shen Qianzhan expected, besides clarifying that Old Chen’s death was due to his own reasons. Surprisingly, they also announced another major factor indirectly causing Old Chen’s death—his long-term multiple job-holding, lack of sleep, and already poor physical condition.

This even specifically named individual crews employing Old Chen, giving warnings one by one.

This announcement came two days later than Shen Qianzhan expected, but the police investigation’s thoroughness far exceeded her expectations.

After official results were announced, crew investigation results soon followed.

The two major departments seemed coordinated, releasing on the same day.

The crew investigation results further confirmed the crew had no fault.

Simultaneously.

Using her marketing accounts, Shen Qianzhan wrote several essays titled “Qiandeng Secrets: Two Tigers Fighting,” clearly explaining the grievances between Shen Qianzhan and Xiao Sheng.

The internet was in uproar.

The fierce controversy from days before now seemed like a joke, full of absurdity and grotesqueness.

Under Shen Qianzhan’s last Weibo post, countless apologetic comments and reposts instantly flooded in.

Everything proceeded as Shen Qianzhan predicted, heading toward backlash against Xiao Sheng.

But this alone wasn’t enough.

Public opinion storms that intensely attract onlookers usually only last a week. Everyone was busy with their own lives, careers, and families. Most lacked patience, which is why they were too lazy to learn more facts initially, rushing forward in crowds.

As if whichever side seemed weaker, standing with that side would make them appear noble and righteous.

But facing facts, soon those they’d defended would be easily abandoned by them.

Like Xiao Sheng.

After Su Zan finished crew affairs, he returned to Old Chen’s hometown.

He found considerable evidence for Shen Qianzhan. Rather than rashly speaking out, he first transferred this evidence to Shen Qianzhan.

Days later, Shen Qianzhan’s Weibo posted a lawyer’s letter, demanding Xiao Sheng clarify facts to the public and publicly apologize to Shen Qianzhan within seven days.

Subsequently, several official Weibos representing certain trends entered the scene, promoting the dangers of cyberbullying.

During these seven days, some supposed dirt on Shen Qianzhan briefly emerged in small circles. But soon, netizens who were angry but gradually awakening under proper guidance saw through it.

Any dirt involving Shen Qianzhan’s private life was collectively refuted by netizens with a stitched-together long image.

This long image was from Ji Qinghe’s private interview at Bu Zhong Sui’s recent watch product launch.

Reporter’s question: “Mr. Ji, you’ve been deeply involved in scandal recently. Do you acknowledge your romantic relationship with Shen Qianzhan?”

Ji Qinghe smiled and answered: “Qianzhan is my girlfriend whom I’m dating and plan to marry. My family also likes her very much.”

The reporter’s tone rose slightly, somewhat excited: “Both sides have met parents? This is good news approaching.”

Ji Qinghe didn’t answer this, smiling and nodding as if acknowledging, not avoiding that Shen Qianzhan was currently deeply involved in controversy, boycotted by the entire internet, and might even harm Bu Zhong Sui’s reputation.

The reporter asked again: “What’s your view on Shen Qianzhan’s recent involvement in controversy?”

Ji Qinghe paused, slightly raising an eyebrow: “I’m a consultant for the ‘Time’ crew and also an investor. It’s inappropriate to answer this question from either a public figure’s height or her personal relationship perspective. But I trust her.”

The reporter nodded, hesitated, then asked: “Are you aware of news about Shen Qianzhan’s personal reputation? Do you mind?”

Ji Qinghe feigned ignorance. When the reporter struggled to mention each item, his gaze became deep and seemingly powerful, tightly locking onto the questioning reporter. He counter-asked: “These contents you find difficult to voice, forced upon a young woman—don’t you find them absurd and malicious?”

He paused slightly, saying quietly: “My world is very lonely, filled with fast or slow white noise. In youth, my world was the white noise of turning pages and taking notes in libraries; in young adulthood, it was clock hands and gears moving in museums; as an adult, in my world, only she remains unforgettable.”

“You might not know how boring a watch repairer’s profession is—even occasional rain feels fresh. She’s the hour hand holding a red umbrella, walking back and forth in my world.”

“Making me want to hide both her and time away.”

——

When Shen Qianzhan saw this long Weibo post, it was already a week later.

On the eighth day of Xiao Sheng playing dead, she handed all rights protection matters to lawyers.

The lawyer was still borrowed from Ji Qinghe, making Shen Qianzhan feel extremely guilty when discussing cases with this elite lawyer who helped Ji Qinghe handle countless hundred-million contracts.

What was this called?

Overkill!

Waste of talent resources!

Also.

General Ji, have you heard of the story about lighting beacon fires to amuse a beauty?

——

The entire incident, due to wave after wave of reversals and climaxes, remained lively online for a full month.

This day, an entertainment gossip marketing account posted: “You’ve ruined the entire crew, now celebrating support for rights protection here. Don’t know if your consciences can handle it.”

One stone stirred up a thousand waves.

Just when the entire internet planned to crowdfund hiring Shen Qianzhan as producer, Bu Zhong Sui made an official announcement—

“Both you and ‘Time’ are mine.”

News that Bu Zhong Sui bought “Time’s” copyright and would continue filming quickly swept the internet.

Online was filled with sour grapes falling over in servers—

“Truly wealthy and powerful.”

“Great, no need to crowdfund. Can still buy handbags—sisters, happy?”

“Such sweet love, I want it too.”

However, as the party involved who’d been caught in public opinion storms and dominated trending topics as a producer for nearly a month, after her reputation officially reversed, she completely disappeared and never appeared again.

Even Ji Qinghe, who’d been high-profile about their relationship recently, disappeared thoroughly.

Amid online calls for them to appear, Shen Qianzhan was busy rebuilding the crew, revising scripts, catching up on progress, and returning to filming.

Meng Wanzhou’s new job was as production assistant, mainly handling miscellaneous tasks.

Su Zan remained “Time’s” supervisor, daily chattering around the crew.

After completing her handover a month later, Qiao Xin left Qiandeng, signed with Shen Qianzhan’s studio and got promoted to executive producer.

Qiandeng also recovered from crisis and was reborn under Su Lanyi’s strong intervention.

However, Qiandeng’s behavior during the Shen Qianzhan incident—pandering to netizens rather than protecting their own employee—was quite hateful, causing their reputation to plummet irreversibly.

Seeing everything had completely concluded, but Shen Qianzhan’s silence made this carnival seem to lack something, losing interest.

Some attracted fans gradually relied on blurry behind-the-scenes photos from marketing accounts to obsess over appearances and relationships.

Look, what a divine crew this was.

In the main creative team, the producer and watch repairer, male and female leads, and both main and deputy screenwriters all had sweet romances.

Simply breathtaking.

——

Half a year later.

“Time’s” official blog renamed to “Want to Hide You and Time Away” and officially premiered.

This divine drama—with high attention since filming began but constant controversies—finally reached its broadcast slot.

Even more exciting for netizens was the Beijing Television Festival days later.

“Want to Hide You and Time Away” won Best Television Drama, while Shen Qianzhan swept Best Producer.

She and Ji Qinghe appeared hand-in-hand on the red carpet.

The same day, Bu Zhong Sui released their 2020 watch series—the Time Series.

The copy’s title was—”Stories that happen after meeting you are called love.”

As a hot favorite, after the television festival ended, Shen Qianzhan was soon surrounded by reporters for interviews.

A reporter asked: “Finally able to interview you once—Producer Shen, can you say whether Bu Zhong Sui’s Time Series choosing to launch today has suspicions of bundled hype?”

Shen Qianzhan glanced at the reporter’s press card—it was still the New Entertainment Express she disliked.

She looked straight ahead, completely ignoring the other party’s deliberately targeting question, instead answering another reporter’s question: “Producer Shen, after winning this major award, what filming plans do you have for the next six months?”

Shen Qianzhan shook her trophy, laughing: “I have three goals as a producer. First, produce a hit drama—I did it. Second, win Best Producer award—I did that too. Third, after gaining fame and fortune, become a lazy fish lying around counting money. The third might require my lifetime’s effort.”

Shen Qianzhan’s speaking style was humorous and witty, showing more composure than previous media interactions.

After answering several work-related questions, just when all reporters thought they’d have no chance hearing her mention Ji Qinghe today, she suddenly raised her hand, adjusting a camera pointing directly at her.

She smiled at the camera—that brilliant radiance instantly burst through screens, mesmerizing all livestream viewers.

Amid screens full of “Ahhhhh she’s so beautiful why doesn’t she act, I struggle fanning her, living on blurry crew photos daily and often can’t even catch those ahhhhh. Envying those idol stars who have works for unlimited face-licking,” she smiled slightly, suddenly somewhat shy.

“He said, as long as I’m ready and give a little hint, he’ll propose to me.”

“I’ve thought for half a year and don’t know how to hint. If you see him, please tell him for me—I’m ready.”