The day after seeing off the agent, Shang Zhitao truly began to leverage her resources.

She opened her contact list and made calls one after another: “Hello, this is Shang Zhitao.”

“You’re asking if the pandemic has affected our company? It’s complicated. Although there is an impact, we’re still conducting business as usual.”

“Not only are we continuing business, but we’ve also obtained an internet advertising license. So, Manager Wang, would you like to shift some of your budget to try our services?”

She repeated these words tirelessly, again and again. Some agreed, some refused. It didn’t matter—as long as someone agreed, it was a good start.

She didn’t know that while she was making calls, Luan Nian was also making calls at his home.

He had always disdained networking with others, accustomed to his arrogance. Yet today, he humbled himself to make calls, first to Jiang Lan.

Jiang Lan answered and asked: “What’s up? It’s rare for you to call me proactively.”

“Are advertising budgets for your branch companies calculated separately?”

“Yes, they’re allocated to each location to use at their discretion.”

“A friend of mine has opened an agency in Ice City. Would you like to allocate some budget there to try it out?” Luan Nian didn’t bother with pleasantries: “Let me put it this way—I’m introducing you to the most professional internet advertising team in the industry.”

Jiang Lan laughed: “Say no more, I understand. Shang Zhitao, right? Fine, you owe me a favor.”

“I’ll treat you to a meal.”

“Deal.”

Luan Nian made calls one after another. He gave Fu Dong’s contact information to clients and friends, letting Fu Dong handle the connections. Fu Dong gratefully said, “I must tell the boss about this.”

“No need,” Luan Nian told him. “No need to tell her. I’m just making connections; whether it works out depends on your negotiation skills. If you succeed, it’s the result of your efforts. No need to tell Shang Zhitao. It’s unnecessary.”

Though he said this, the dozen or so contacts he provided to Fu Dong were all certain to transfer their budgets.

Shang Zhitao’s internet advertising agency business officially launched.

She had entered a new track and needed to study new business logic. There were many things she didn’t understand. She asked the channel manager to stay in Ice City instead of going back. She arranged an office for him at the company and sought him out eight hundred times a day. She was humble, sincere, and practical in her approach to business. The channel manager was willing to teach her, and within a month, Shang Zhitao had brought on more than twenty clients. She was like someone possessed, scrolling through advertisements on her phone app every day, discussing ad displays with her employees. They practiced refined operations, tracking details down to which minutes had higher traffic volume. After just one month, they set the benchmark for supermarket advertising.

In his report, the channel manager said: “The newly opened agency in Ice City is very professional. I think we can give them licenses for other tracks as well.”

Thus, through her efforts and those of all her employees, Shang Zhitao won the initial battle and earned respect.

While she was meeting clients day and night, handling ad placements, Luan Nian came three times, but they never met. During these three visits, Shang Zhitao happened to be out of town—once leading a team-building activity, and twice meeting clients. It seemed like she was deliberately avoiding Luan Nian, but he didn’t mind. He still stayed in Shang Zhitao’s second bedroom, buying many groceries from the supermarket each time to fill her refrigerator. He would spend two days earnestly accompanying Luke, and before leaving, he would prepare food for Luke to store in the refrigerator. On two occasions, he cooked several dishes that Shang Zhitao could simply heat when she returned.

They still communicated minimally. Luan Nian maintained an appropriate distance, staying within reasonable boundaries so as not to trouble her.

Sometimes friends teased him: “Running to Ice City every week, any progress? She still ignores you, doesn’t she?” Despite such mockery, they were also anxious for him. Chen Kuannian said, “Do you think the iron tree can bloom? Can Luan Nian kiss his little peach sister?”

“Luan Nian might as well castrate himself,” Tan Mian said. “It’s not like he’s using it anyway.”

When they spoke this way, Luan Nian remained silent, sitting there lost in thought. He had asked Fu Dong: “Does your boss date often?”

“Our boss? She gets off work after ten o’clock—where would she go on dates?”

Sometimes they would exchange a few words.

When Shang Zhitao couldn’t understand certain logic and the channel manager couldn’t explain clearly, she would anxiously call Luan Nian: “I’d like to ask you something.”

“Go ahead.”

“Our fast-moving consumer goods track model doesn’t seem right.”

“How so?”

“I just feel the ad placement logic isn’t correct.”

“Send it to me.”

Shang Zhitao would send him the entire case and data. He would glance at it and say: “Shang Zhitao, are you exhausted and confused? Look at your audience and product—are they compatible?”

“If your brain is too tired, take occasional breaks. Don’t end up damaging your brain.”

“Oh, I see.” Shang Zhitao would examine the product information and realize the error was at the source. Solving one problem made her a bit happy, so she told Luan Nian: “Thank you. I didn’t expect that as you approach forty, your brain still works well.”

Then she hung up.

Shang Zhitao had mocked his age twice in succession, as if reminding him that his youth was gone. Luan Nian wasn’t bothered. But one day, while flipping through a magazine, he saw a creative text piece—simple content on a white background with black text: “Who doesn’t like younger guys?”

Luan Nian stared at the image for a long time, then cursed: “What the hell kind of ad is this?”

He called Shang Zhitao: “Let me ask you, do you like younger guys?”

“Huh?” Shang Zhitao was stunned by his question.

“Young, handsome younger guys.”

Shang Zhitao finally understood: “Who doesn’t like younger guys?”

“Are you sick?” Luan Nian snapped and hung up.

Shang Zhitao held the phone in a daze, then after a moment realized what had happened and burst into laughter.

“Boss, what are you doing?” Fu Dong asked her.

“Someone’s being weird.”

The next day, Luan Nian’s permanently empty social media feed suddenly featured a photo—a magazine cover shot of him in a black shirt, lounging on a sofa, collar slightly open, partially revealing his chest muscles and attractive body contours.

The comments were brilliant.

Song Qiuhan: Social media dating profile?

Tan Mian: Middle-aged lonely empty-nester?

Chen Kuannian: @Shang Zhitao

Since Shang Zhitao was friends with Chen Kuannian and Song Qiuhan, she could naturally see the replies to Luan Nian’s post. She opened the full image to look at it, thinking that Luan Nian would probably always be like this. At twenty-something, he was a troublesome young man; at thirty or forty, a troublesome middle-aged man; and even at seventy or eighty, he would be a troublesome old geezer. How could heaven favor him so much?

She thought that was the end of it, but Chen Kuannian sent a message directly to her, asking: “What do you think? Could you possibly sleep with him?”

Shang Zhitao was amused to death: “I wouldn’t dare.”

“What’s there to be afraid of? It’s not like you haven’t slept with him before.” He was truly anxious for his brother. If this continued, Luan Nian would truly end up alone. And being the kind of person he was, never willing to lower his head, going to Ice City every week to see a dog—seeing a dog was fine, but he couldn’t even meet the person. People who didn’t know better might think he truly only loved the dog!

“By the way, you’ve opened an advertising company, right?” Chen Kuannian asked her.

“Yes.”

“I have a friend in Ice City who deals in jewelry. I’m going there soon—let’s meet and talk.”

“Sure, thank you, Manager Chen. I’ll treat you to a meal.”

“Deal.”

The friends figured that relying on Luan Nian alone wasn’t working, so they devised a strategy to take turns accompanying Luan Nian to Ice City under the pretext of introducing clients. Now Shang Zhitao couldn’t avoid meeting them!

When Chen Kuannian said he would go, he truly took action, first contacting his friend, then booking tickets. He casually booked two tickets and posted in the group chat: “Brothers going to support Luan’s wife-chasing mission. At my own expense. Hope Luan remembers this kindness and buys me some drinks in the future.”

“Nonsense,” Luan Nian quipped.

Despite saying that, he still went along.

Clients did command respect—Shang Zhitao didn’t go anywhere and even came to the airport to meet Chen Kuannian. Luan Nian walked beside Chen Kuannian and saw Shang Zhitao, whom he hadn’t seen for some time, wearing large sunglasses.

When she took off her sunglasses, he saw eyes that had stayed up too many nights.

“Sorry, our business just launched not long ago, and many things aren’t sorted out yet. I’ve pulled several all-nighters and look a bit disheveled,” Shang Zhitao apologized. Sometimes she lamented that she was no longer in her early twenties. Back then, she could stay up several nights in a row, get up early, brush her teeth, wash her face, apply a bit of foundation, and still look radiant.

Luan Nian felt a pang of distress. But he wouldn’t say again, “What are you doing this for? Is it for money? I have money!” He wouldn’t say such things anymore. Shang Zhitao was pursuing her life’s value, which was itself a wonderful thing.

When they got in the car, Chen Kuannian pretended to sit in the front passenger seat, but Luan Nian swatted his hand away from the door handle. He chuckled and obediently went to sit in the back.

This time, everyone dispensed with the formalities of their first meeting. Shang Zhitao directly took Chen Kuannian and Luan Nian to an old tavern for drinks, with Fu Dong accompanying them. Da Zhai saw Luan Nian and turned to go to the kitchen: “Taotao’s ex-boyfriend is here.”

Old Shang heard this and walked out to finally see Luan Nian.

Then he turned and went back in, actually smiling.

Da Zhai was puzzled and asked him: “What are you smiling about?”

“I’m smiling because Taotao kissed him so many times for nothing.” He nodded toward the outside: “He looks decent enough. Apart from being a bit older, everything else seems fine, right?”

Shang Zhitao came in to greet them and overheard the old couple’s whispers. She coughed: “Get to work! In a few days, they’ll make you close again for pandemic prevention! You’ll lose your shirt!”

Da Zhai tapped her forehead: “You talk too much. Your father’s been so stressed lately he can’t sleep well.”

“Are you joking? What’s there to be stressed about? If we don’t make money, we don’t make money. Worst case, we quit!”

“No way. I can’t stay idle. Business has been better recently.”

Shang Zhitao brought out a plate of peanuts and placed it in front of Luan Nian: “Here, Manager Luan likes these.”

“Your company’s hospitality gets worse each time.”

“Even the General Secretary advocates frugality!” Shang Zhitao retorted, not giving an inch.

Chen Kuannian watched Luan Nian being put in his place and smirked, live-blogging their verbal sparring in the group chat, adding: “They’re truly relentless with each other—no wonder he’s doomed to be alone.”

Luan Nian’s friends were reliable—when they said they’d handle something, they would. While they were still drinking, the other party sent them the time and place, arranging all the meeting details.

“Won’t you have a drink?” Chen Kuannian asked her. “Are you still taking medicine?”

“Two men aren’t enough drinking company for you?” Luan Nian chided him. “Always clamoring for drinks—no wonder Xiao Mei makes you sleep in the guest room.” How could someone who stays up late drink alcohol? Wasn’t that racing toward sudden death? What business was worth risking one’s life?

Chen Kuannian chuckled.

As they were eating, Luan Nian stood up to pay the bill. Da Zhai placed a QR code on the table: “Taotao’s treating, no need to pay.”

Luan Nian picked it up, scanned the code, and asked Da Zhai: “How much is it?”

“No need to be so formal.” Da Zhai took his phone and closed the payment page: “Go eat. Drink less alcohol in the future.”

“Alright,” Luan Nian agreed, adding: “Thank you.”

After dinner, they walked out.

Chen Kuannian asked Luan Nian: “Do you have urgent business again?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, let’s go!”

Luan Nian walked beside Shang Zhitao. He had drunk some alcohol, and his face was slightly flushed.

“How’s your business?” he asked Shang Zhitao.

“Not bad.” Shang Zhitao said to him: “Fu Dong told me that many of our recently onboarded clients were introduced by you.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

After going inside, Shang Zhitao curled up on the sofa while Luan Nian took Luke out for a walk. He walked for a bit longer and ran into Shang Zhitao’s neighbor. They had greeted each other several times, so the neighbor felt somewhat familiar with Luan Nian. While waiting for the elevator, she asked him: “When are you getting married?”

“Next year,” Luan Nian lied casually.

“Next year… that’s soon, isn’t it? Very good, very good. What do you do?”

“Advertising company.”

“Oh, advertising sales. I understand, I understand.”

Luan Nian smiled at her, quite resistant to this inexplicable enthusiasm. When he went inside, he saw Shang Zhitao curled up asleep on the sofa. She was so tired that she didn’t even wake when Luke nuzzled against her.

Luan Nian walked over, bent down, and picked her up. Shang Zhitao opened her eyes slightly and heard Luan Nian say: “Go sleep in bed.” She closed her eyes again.

Luan Nian placed her on the bed, then went to the second bedroom.

Later that night, Chen Kuannian asked him: “You didn’t go back to the hotel—did you succeed?”

“?”

“Did the little brother get to serve his purpose?”

“Get lost.”

The next day, Shang Zhitao opened her eyes, heard noises from the kitchen, and pushed open the door to see Luan Nian making breakfast in the morning light. The multi-grain porridge in the rice cooker emitted a fragrant aroma, and he was frying an egg roll with bell peppers and onions—exactly what Shang Zhitao especially loved to eat.

She stood there watching him for a while, feeling that waking up to the aroma of food in the morning was truly blissful.

But it was just a fleeting thought.

Days passed like this.

By November, Shang Zhitao saw a female awakening project. She was shocked by the stories in the project and moved by the lofty ideals of its initiators. So, she said to Luan Nian: “I want to donate the money from selling the bag.”

“Donate to whom?”

“A female awakening project.”

“Is Lin Chuner the person in charge?”

“Yes, why does that name sound familiar?”

“Because the person in charge is Song Qiuhan’s girlfriend. I’ll have her contact you.”

The day Lin Chuner called Shang Zhitao, Ice City had its first snow of the year. Shang Zhitao had just left the company and squeezed onto a bus. She answered the phone and heard a gentle voice say: “Is this Shang Zhitao?”

“Yes, who is this?”

“I’m Lin Chuner. Luan Nian said you have some money you’d like to donate.”

“Yes. A total of one million.” Shang Zhitao had added some to make it a round number.

Lin Chuner heard the bus stop announcement in the background and said to her: “Thank you, Shang Zhitao. I’ll add you as a friend and send you the donation details later.”

“Great, I’ll arrange it as soon as I review them.”

For some reason, the two women felt especially compatible after just a few words. Shang Zhitao said: “Come to my place for a drink sometime!”

“I’m not one to stand on ceremony—I’ll come in December!”

And so, that money became an act of kindness, going where it should go. If it could help someone, that would be even better.

Shang Zhitao wrote in her donation message: “May you live a life free from worry. May you always have the courage to break through deadlocks.”

It seemed that after turning thirty, days began to pass with the speed of a hundred-meter sprint. Shang Zhitao was constantly busy, with endless work waiting for her.

One early morning when she woke up, she found that Luke didn’t come to greet her.

After searching around, she saw Luke lying by the window, eyes tightly closed, seemingly in great discomfort. Shang Zhitao ran over and cradled his head: “What’s wrong? Luke?”

Luke stood up, retched several times, and vomited.

Shang Zhitao had never seen Luke like this before. She was extremely frightened and called Luan Nian: “Luan Nian, Luke seems to be sick. He threw up, and he won’t get up when I call him.” Shang Zhitao was terrified; she hadn’t even realized she was crying.

“Don’t cry,” Luan Nian told her. “Take him to the pet hospital. I’ll head to the airport right away.”

By the time Luan Nian arrived in the afternoon, Luke was receiving an IV at the pet hospital. Shang Zhitao sat beside him, pressing her lips tightly together, very upset.

Luan Nian sat down next to her and asked: “What happened?”

“They said it’s gastroenteritis.” Shang Zhitao felt extremely guilty. She had been too busy lately and had neglected Luke. Last night, when he had been anxiously pacing back and forth, she hadn’t even thought he might be sick.

Luan Nian crouched in front of Luke and pinched his muzzle: “Look at you! You even know how to get sick now!”

Luke whimpered and rested his head in Luan Nian’s palm. When Luan Nian withdrew his hand, Luke bit it back, insisting on using it as a pillow.

Luan Nian pulled a chair over and sat down in front of him, extending one hand for Luke to rest on while using his other hand to take out his phone and call Dr. Liang: “Mm, it’s nothing. I might return the day after tomorrow.”

“That’s fine. Where are you?” Dr. Liang asked.

“I’m in Ice City.”

“Are you at Shang Zhitao’s?” Dr. Liang felt suddenly energized.

Luan Nian glanced at Shang Zhitao and softly answered, “Mm.”

“Can I talk to her?” Dr. Liang asked.

“No. I have to go.” Luan Nian hung up and messaged Dr. Liang: “We’re not dating, so you can’t talk to her.”

“It’s fine, I won’t say anything. Go ahead, stay a few more days.”

He chuckled and hung up.

“If you have something to do…” Shang Zhitao began.

“I don’t,” Luan Nian interrupted her. “Aren’t you very busy? Go to the company.”

“I brought my laptop.”

“Then you can handle your work.”

“Okay.”

Shang Zhitao truly had countless tasks piled up. Having received her license less than half a year ago, she had to achieve the conversions her clients demanded—otherwise, where would she find repeat investments? So she opened her laptop and began typing away. Luan Nian watched her for a long time before finally speaking:

“Shang Zhitao, how about I help you take care of Luke?”