Shen Qianzhan rarely pondered questions like “when did she fall in love with Ji Qinghe” or “what exactly did she see in Ji Qinghe.” Adult romance races against time – every moment cannot be wasted.

Throughout this relationship, she had always loved him with calm restraint, passionately yet soberly.

In giving and surrendering, she remained reserved, stingy and miserly.

Until tonight, standing by the window, watching him hurry through the night toward her.

Though it was an ordinary scene, her heart raced uncontrollably. Her heart felt full like a drawn bowstring – the arrow already released, yet the string continued vibrating, its lingering resonance echoing endlessly.

——

Old Shen talked for ages without getting any response from Shen Qianzhan, suddenly feeling deflated: “Fine, her heart’s gone, her soul’s flown away too. Alright, alright, your old father knows when he’s not wanted – I’ll hang up first.”

After saying this, he hung up himself.

As the screen went dark, he gazed at the empty garden and sighed deeply.

No matter how much his future son-in-law pleased him, it couldn’t compete with the bittersweet ache of his daughter having someone she loved.

Old Shen clasped his hands behind his back, repeatedly caressing his heated phone.

Just thinking about how Shen Qianzhan would soon marry and leave home made his chest feel sour and numb, as if soaked in aged vinegar, painfully acidic.

After a long while, he rubbed his swollen eyes and turned to go inside.

——

At the same time.

Having ended the call with Old Shen, Shen Qianzhan threw on a coat and waited by the door.

She leaned against the wall, head slightly bowed, listening intently to sounds from outside.

Soon, familiar footsteps approached from far to near.

Ji Qinghe’s footsteps were easily recognizable.

With his long legs, his strides were always steady and firm. His gait was decisive without dragging, with a fixed rhythm – crisp and clear.

He walked straight to the door.

Shen Qianzhan timed it perfectly, gripping the door handle and opening it just as he was about to swipe his card.

Ji Qinghe was slightly startled.

Still maintaining his leaning posture, suddenly seeing the door open with her standing behind it, his eyes narrowed slightly. He stepped forward, wrapped his arm around her waist, backed into the doorway, and pressed her against the corner.

His gaze unwavering, he looked down at her for a moment, then reached back to close the door with one hand while bending down to kiss her.

Mindful that the crew had just experienced an incident, he wasn’t too bold, only gently kissing her forehead and lips.

“You saw me?”

Shen Qianzhan hugged him back, nuzzling his neck: “I was on the phone with Old Shen. He said you were back, then I saw you.”

She rarely showed such a feminine side, and Ji Qinghe savored it, holding her in the entryway for a while before asking: “Is everything resolved?”

Though unspecified, she knew he was asking about Old Chen.

Shen Qianzhan nodded, reporting like work: “Su Zan took Mrs. Chen to the police station to get the death certificate. We met this afternoon – I thought it would take some effort to handle things. But Mrs. Chen is quite reasonable, very understanding toward us, and calmly accepted Old Chen’s accidental death.”

“As for compensation, when I negotiated with her, I only mentioned that Old Chen’s accidental sudden death would be covered by insurance, and she had no objections. But tonight Su Zan and I discussed giving Mrs. Chen additional consolation money in Qiandeng’s name, though we haven’t told her yet – we’ll find another time.”

Seeing things resolved smoothly, Ji Qinghe nodded, then lowered his head to nuzzle her nose: “You have a cold?”

Shen Qianzhan was amazed by his attention to detail and instinctively asked: “How did you know?”

“I heard the nasal quality in your voice during our lunch phone call, but couldn’t confirm then.” He gripped her chin and tilted it up slightly, like teasing a cat, touching her nose tip with his fingertip: “Dry, unhealthy.”

Shen Qianzhan, with her mind full of inappropriate thoughts, was exceptionally sensitive to certain words.

Her eyes sparkled mischievously as her restless fingertip traced from his Adam’s apple downward, following the center line of his shirt like traversing mountains and bridges, landing on his waistband. She lightly hooked his belt with her finger and said in a low voice: “Then why don’t you make it wet?”

As she spoke, she raised her eyes slightly to meet his gaze.

Shen Qianzhan’s allure was carved into her very bones. She was skilled at seductive little tricks, occasionally using her eyes to flirt. Though not particularly sophisticated, every gesture and movement carried just the right amount of charm, able to tickle one’s heart and itch into one’s soul.

Ji Qinghe’s breathing deepened, and his hand that had been braced against the wall fell to grasp her fingers.

He gripped firmly, his eyes gazing at her like deep seas – profound and dark, filled with abyssal depths.

This reminded Shen Qianzhan of the dream she had last night.

Her fingers curled in Ji Qinghe’s palm as she said softly: “I dreamed about you last night, the same beginning as the morning before yesterday, except you weren’t there.”

She usually forgot dreams quickly and cleanly. After carefully recalling for a moment, Shen Qianzhan continued: “I had forgotten you. I dreamed I was following a maritime rescue team to find Old Shen. Halfway through, we encountered a storm. When I thought I would die searching for Old Shen, you appeared. The moment I saw you, you felt so familiar and precious.”

“You stood in the sea, saying you came to get me. Seeing me standing motionless at the bow, you asked if I didn’t trust you. I didn’t hesitate for a moment – I leaped down and you caught me.”

Ji Qinghe hummed softly, amusement flickering in his eyes: “So you caught a cold?”

“From jumping into the sea in your dream?” His focus wasn’t on her dream at all. “Seems like it’s my fault?”

Shen Qianzhan’s carefully built emotional atmosphere instantly dissipated.

She bit him hard and said angrily: “I wasn’t talking to you about the cold.”

Ji Qinghe’s attention was entirely on her pinkish earlobes, his mind wandering: “Then continue.”

His response was perfunctory. Shen Qianzhan paused before restraining her emotions and saying: “When I saw you, I suddenly felt…” She paused for a few seconds, somewhat awkward and embarrassed: “I felt like I had found the other half of myself in this world.”

Ji Qinghe looked back at her.

She averted her gaze slightly, perhaps feeling her evasion was inexplicable. She adjusted her emotions and tried to appear nonchalant as she met his eyes again.

“The other half of yourself?” He repeated this several times, then suddenly laughed softly, his low laughter causing his chest to vibrate slightly.

“After all this time, you’ve finally made some progress emotionally.” His tone was pleased as he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it like a reward: “When you’re ready for marriage, make sure to hint at it – no matter how subtle, I’ll understand.”

How did this suddenly turn to… marriage?

Progress was one thing, but marriage was still a bit early.

Shen Qianzhan glanced at him and poked his chest with her fingertip, turning to business: “There’s something I want to discuss with you.”

“Go ahead.”

“Weren’t we supposed to take you home before the crew left Wuxi?” Shen Qianzhan’s gaze lowered to his shirt collar, using her peripheral vision to gauge his reaction: “But then Old Shen went missing, and the crew had some accidents. I was thinking since Old Shen and the others have met you, maybe we should wait until next time?”

“After you resign would work too, as long as you have time.”

Ji Qinghe had anticipated she would bring this up and nodded in agreement: “I also think the timing isn’t quite right now.” He touched Shen Qianzhan’s earlobe and asked: “What gave you the impression that I’m not an understanding person?”

As if knowing she would answer “it’s not an impression,” he raised an eyebrow before she could speak and added: “I’m not in a hurry – you’ll be mine eventually, so why should I rush?”

Given Shen Qianzhan’s understanding of him, even if she hadn’t mentioned it, they had enough mutual understanding to temporarily postpone this matter after these accidents.

What she actually wanted to discuss was something else.

Meeting the parents was at most an opening topic.

“The second thing.” She deliberated for several seconds, carefully probing: “Has Ming Jue been pressuring you to return to Beijing?”

Ji Qinghe paused in playing with her hand and looked down at her.

Shen Qianzhan felt a chill down her spine under his stare and couldn’t help clearing her throat: “I was considering that it might be inconvenient for you to stay here.”

The morning before yesterday, the situation arose suddenly, and Shen Qianzhan couldn’t worry about avoiding suspicion.

But now, the crew was delayed in Wuxi for several days due to Old Chen’s accidental death.

During this sensitive period of troubles, Ji Qinghe’s presence on set made him as obvious as a target. Coming and going, countless eyes would be watching.

At such times, neither spreading romantic gossip nor acknowledging their relationship would be optimal timing.

According to Shen Qianzhan’s plan, after returning to Beijing, most of “Time” wouldn’t need Ji Qinghe’s guidance anymore. By then, no one would care whether they were dating or if there was any impropriety.

Once she resigned from Qiandeng and left the project, no one could say anything more.

In the future, she would be an independent producer, he would be the executive president of Bu Zhong Sui. When their past connection came up, it would only add luster.

She had calculated everything perfectly, but the key was whether Ji Qinghe would cooperate.

Having a legally pursued girlfriend but constantly denying her status and sending him back to Beijing… no matter how she put it, Shen Qianzhan felt quite guilty.

Ji Qinghe narrowed his eyes and asked: “You want me to return to Beijing first?”

His breathing slowed, and though his tone was calm, careful listening revealed his hidden displeasure.

Shen Qianzhan steeled herself and hummed in agreement, explaining: “Not first.”

“On schedule.”

The difference was significant.

She hesitated for several seconds before saying: “Afraid Mrs. Chen might be overwhelmed with grief, I didn’t discuss details about Old Chen’s funeral arrangements today. The body definitely needs to be taken home for burial, so the crew will probably be delayed in Wuxi for several days.”

“Qiao Xin was rebooking flights tonight, and I took the liberty of keeping your reservation.” Shen Qianzhan feared her explanation wasn’t thorough enough and might cause misunderstanding: “Of course, if you think this arrangement isn’t suitable, we can discuss it further.”

Given Shen Qianzhan’s usual style, explaining this clearly was already quite considerate.

With circumstances warranting it, schedule changes were common. With their combined experience, they had weathered countless storms – if they had to argue over such minor details, how could they continue down the long road ahead?

What Ji Qinghe minded wasn’t this.

He braced one hand against the wall beside her face and leaned down slightly to meet her eyes.

Under the entryway’s wall sconce, his eyes were like gems infused with light – so dark they seemed almost burning.

His gaze held undisguised possession and predation, revealing his claws to her with a feral intensity.

Shen Qianzhan saw him smile briefly – a fleeting expression that was three parts mockery and seven parts sneer. His voice dropped extremely low as he asked word by word: “What about later? When will you give me an answer?”

When he was domineering and aggressively intense, even his features seemed to become more seductive: “Are you planning to hide me?”

Shen Qianzhan’s heart skipped a beat, her mind filled with one thought: Damn! This bastard is killing me again.