Ling Mei demonstrated the true caliber of a professional team to the government clients. Whether it was the attire of the participants or their manner of speaking, everything was impressive.

As the project manager, Shang Zhitao had already visited the government personnel separately and communicated with them online multiple times. She was conscientious and responsible, leaving a good impression on them. So they didn’t feel that the staff sent by Ling Mei were of unequal standing; rather, they felt that Ling Mei had arranged for its best employees to come.

Luan Nian knew that behind every affirmation Shang Zhitao received was her tremendous effort. In his opening remarks, he said: “Today’s three-party meeting is very meaningful because it’s the first formal meeting after finalizing the contract. Ms. Shang Zhitao has been entrusted by the company to come here for a long-term assignment, after our careful selection. I want to properly introduce Shang Zhitao—she is already quite renowned in the industry and has been the project manager for several important business transformations at Ling Mei. We’ve also provided detailed descriptions in the profiles submitted to government leaders. Thank you all for recognizing Shang Zhitao and Ling Mei. Also, our meeting today is mainly arranged to deepen our creative approach. We want to hear the leaders’ suggestions, share our thoughts, and thereby determine the subsequent action plan.”

“Thank you, Mr. Luan Nian,” said the meeting host. “Let’s proceed to our next topic.”

For today’s occasion, Luan Nian had personally attended, an attitude that pleased the other two parties.

What should have been serious negotiations became more relaxed. The discussions proceeded step by step until the government leaders said they wanted to reposition the project’s tone and raised new requirements.

Shang Zhitao wanted to share her thoughts, her reflections on the cultural heritage and perseverance of the Dragon Ridge people, reflections supported by a wealth of historical facts and theoretical backing. She had done a lot of homework.

However, Luan Nian spoke first: “After receiving the requirements, we also conducted secondary thinking. Please let Song Ying represent our company in discussing this.” Then he nodded to Song Ying: “Begin.”

Shang Zhitao remained silent as she heard Song Ying talk about Dragon Ridge, cultural foundations, and the Northwest spirit. Song Ying hadn’t plagiarized her, as they hadn’t exchanged views. The biggest difference between Song Ying and her was that Luan Nian trusted Song Ying, knew she would have great perspectives, and didn’t believe Shang Zhitao had such capabilities.

Perhaps Luan Nian never thought she had such capabilities, not even occasional bursts of inspiration.

The government leaders were surprised that Ling Mei had prepared a second strategy so quickly, and such an excellent one. They sincerely praised: “Truly a professional team.” After the meeting ended, they returned to the office for a brief review. Luan Nian quickly arranged work: “When you go back, Yilia will synchronize the new ideas with the team and select two people to come here with you for a week to deepen the creative concept. Flora will help arrange material collection. But all work must follow one principle: listen to the project manager’s work arrangements. The approved creative ideas must also be confirmed by Flora first before proceeding to the next stage. Flora is the primary person responsible for this project, and everyone must comply with her management.”

“Understood,” everyone nodded.

“Flora did very well today, perfectly controlling the entire scene. I’m confident entrusting the project to you; thank you for your hard work.”

“Thank you. Also, thank you for Yilia’s creative support. Thank you.” Shang Zhitao didn’t know what else to say and specifically thanked Yilia. But she felt a bit tired.

“I need to communicate privately with Flora about the upcoming work.” The colleagues nodded and left, leaving only the two of them in the office.

Luan Nian looked at her for a long time. He saw a hint of melancholy in her eyes.

“Shang Zhitao.” Luan Nian pulled a chair and sat next to her, turning her chair to face him. The two sat face to face. Shang Zhitao avoided his gaze, but Luan Nian pinched her cheek and turned her toward him.

“A project manager’s responsibility is to be accountable for the overall project, not to create the content. Leave professional tasks to professionals—do you agree with my view?”

“I agree.”

“I noticed when the government mentioned the creative aspect, you seemed to have a lot to say. You can show me your ideas now.”

Shang Zhitao was considering whether now was the appropriate time to speak.

Luan Nian pinched her face again: “Will you tell me or not?”

“I did think about it,” Shang Zhitao finally said. “But I hope you don’t misunderstand. I don’t want to steal the spotlight from the creative colleagues. It’s purely from the perspective of being responsible for the project.”

“Hmm, I won’t misunderstand.”

Shang Zhitao stood up and took a thick stack of materials from the desk—the results of her team’s in-depth research. She sat down and explained to Luan Nian: “I have to say Yilia is excellent. She grasped the core in less than two days of being here. Our conclusions are consistent. First, let me start with the local topography.”

Shang Zhitao presented their preparations for Luan Nian to see. On the last page was a printed new cultural creative concept, as government leaders preferred printed materials.

Luan Nian listened quietly, gradually developing a smile in his eyes.

After Shang Zhitao finished, he asked her: “Why didn’t you add this during the meeting?”

“First, there was no rush to make conclusions; highlighting the core was good enough. Second, for creative and cultural aspects, the company has more professional people, and materials can be consolidated later without any issues. Lastly, I felt Yilia also needed recognition.”

“Then why do you feel disappointed?”

“You thought I had no ideas, right?”

Shang Zhitao nodded, like a student being lectured by a teacher.

Luan Nian hadn’t slept all night yesterday. His thoughts had never been so chaotic. He had listened to what Shang Zhitao said yesterday about her breakthrough and concerns. He realized once again that he was quite awful to her. Shang Zhitao was like this, slowly turning him into someone he didn’t recognize.

“Shang Zhitao, I hope you understand that some of my decisions are 80% correct and 20% incorrect. Letting Yilia present the creative ideas in today’s meeting was probably an incorrect decision. Before this, I didn’t align information with you, but you also have a problem—yesterday, during our afternoon meeting, you didn’t synchronize this information. Wanted to surprise me, right?”

Shang Zhitao blushed, suddenly feeling she still wasn’t standing high enough.

“Well, I received the surprise. Indeed very surprising.” Luan Nian touched her lips.

“We have a flight this afternoon. Please arrange a car to take us to the airport,” Luan Nian said.

“Let Shelly drive you,” she replied.

“Thank you.”

Luan Nian didn’t specifically say goodbye to Shang Zhitao, just glanced at her faintly before leaving.

Shang Zhitao had no real experience arguing with Luan Nian. She didn’t even know if what they had counted as an argument, nor did she know if they had made up. She didn’t see him off at the airport but regretted it when she received Shelly’s call saying Luan Nian’s plane had taken off.

They had finally met after so long, yet parted like this. What was there to argue about when they hadn’t seen each other for so long?

She turned on her phone to check on Luke. Luke seemed a bit lonely; the aunt had walked him and made his dog food, but he didn’t even stand up like before, just lay there. Shang Zhitao felt heartbroken and called out to him: “Luke.”

Luke whimpered once but still didn’t move. Shang Zhitao suddenly thought that perhaps she could bring Luke to the Northwest. Although her life in the Northwest was difficult, at least Luke would have her. She took out her phone to check the self-driving route, also calculating renting a car to drive from Beijing to here, bringing Luke along to make him a traveling dog.

Late at night, Shang Zhitao saw Luke suddenly stand up and run to the door, tilting his head to listen carefully, then pouncing into the arms of Luan Nian as he entered.

Luan Nian comforted him for a long time before he calmed down. Pointing at the dog bowl, he asked: “On a hunger strike?”

Luke barked once, ran to the edge of his bowl, and buried his head in it. Seeing Luan Nian, his appetite returned. Shang Zhitao could even hear the smacking sound of his mouth in the bowl and the sound of drool hitting the ground. She finally couldn’t help but stop him: “Eat slower!”

“Why do you care so much?” Luan Nian sat on the sofa, giving Shang Zhitao the back of his head, but Shang Zhitao knew he was talking to her. She muttered quietly: “This is my dog.”

Luan Nian turned his head to look at the camera: “Say that again?”

“Our… dog.”

Luan Nian turned back around, continuing to show her the back of his head. Shang Zhitao called out to him: “Luan Nian.”

“Hmm?”

“Can I come back at the end of September?”

“Meeting which friend of yours?”

“My boyfriend.” Shang Zhitao said: “To see you once before you go to Holland, okay?”

Luan Nian would go play with his friends once or twice every year without fail; this year, they had decided on Holland.

Luan Nian still didn’t speak. Shang Zhitao waited for a long time; she hated when he was like this.

“Luan Nian, after I return to the company next month, I want to rent a car and bring Luke to the Northwest. You won’t have to take care of him anymore. It’s late; I’m going to sleep.”

Shang Zhitao turned off the monitoring and tossed her phone aside. She was betting Luan Nian would call her. Sure enough, Luan Nian’s call came. He asked her: “What do you mean?”

“I mean, I want to bring Luke to my side so you can be free with your time in the future, not always thinking about taking care of him, and you can be more relaxed.”

“I’ll throw him out right now, and you can come back to post lost dog notices!”

“Fine.”

Shang Zhitao hung up. Luan Nian called back; she refused. Back and forth many times.

She had learned to be bad. She wanted Luan Nian to taste that feeling too, the feeling of being refused communication. She quietly turned on the monitoring to see Luan Nian making a call, but her phone wasn’t ringing. He was calling someone else. He put it on speaker, being deliberately cruel.

Shang Zhitao heard him say: “Want to hang out?”

“Where shall we hang out?”

“Anywhere. Does it matter?”

“It matters. What I wear depends on where we’re going.”

This was naked flirtation.

“Let’s hang out at your place. Send me your address.” Luan Nian hung up the phone and said to the air: “Shang Zhitao, I’m going to hang out at a friend’s place now. We’re just ordinary friends; nothing will happen tonight. Also, don’t call me. You know I won’t answer.”

“Luan Nian!” Shang Zhitao called out to him.

“What’s wrong, Flora? Need something? Want to pick up the dog? Now?”

“You’re not allowed to go out!”

“What right do you have to control me?”

“I’m your girlfriend!” Shang Zhitao’s voice trembled when she was angry. This “girlfriend” shook particularly severely. Luan Nian suddenly lost his anger. He raised an eyebrow at Luke. Luke tilted his head, suddenly sticking out his tongue, as if to say: “Dad is amazing.”

“You fly back tomorrow morning for a work report.” Luan Nian looked sternly at the camera: “Buy the ticket now.”

“Oh.”

Shang Zhitao only realized what he meant by “work report” when she got home—it meant the two of them cuddling at home on a workday. Luan Nian told his secretary he had something important and to call back in three hours if there was anything.

His important matter was Shang Zhitao.

Neither had ever been so willful before, always respecting work over each other. But that argument was so mentally draining that if they didn’t resolve it thoroughly, they couldn’t work.

Luan Nian wholeheartedly focused on Shang Zhitao. Her eyes sparkled with stars; he looked at her and felt uneasy, suddenly turning her body around so he wouldn’t see her eyes. One hand teased her as he asked in her ear: “Satisfied with my service that day?”

“If you hadn’t said that last sentence.”

“Double compensation today, and I apologize for that sentence. I’m sorry, Shang Zhitao.” Luan Nian’s sweat dripped onto her back as he moved her hair aside and kissed her cheek.

Shang Zhitao fell into the bedding, feeling everything was full, without gaps, about to explode. She bit Luan Nian’s finger to keep from making too much noise, but her body trembled violently, as if she had never experienced such intensity.

“Shang Zhitao.”

“Hmm?”

“Next time you don’t answer my call, I’ll kill you.” Luan Nian pinched her face: “Also, if you ever hug another man again, I’ll kill you too.”

Shang Zhitao held his face: “If you have dinner alone with another woman again, I’ll help you be with her.”

After reaching adulthood, whenever Shang Zhitao mediated friends’ arguments, she always said quarrels at the head of the bed are reconciled at the foot of the bed, but she didn’t understand what it meant. After reconciling with Luan Nian at the foot of the bed once, she highly praised the wisdom of the ancients.

Neither of them mentioned the argument they had. Shang Zhitao diligently worked on her project; Luan Nian seriously managed his company. During this time, he flew to the Northwest twice, spending two weekends with Shang Zhitao. They nestled in the small house Shang Zhitao had rented, eating, sleeping, chatting, making love. Luan Nian would arrive late at night and leave on an early flight, silently.

Lumi still sent Shang Zhitao various updates about Luan Nian. She felt her stubborn mule seemed to be in love, because her stubborn mule appeared to be in a good mood; she also felt her stubborn mule had been dumped, because her stubborn mule frowned all day. Though Shang Zhitao wasn’t by his side, she roughly knew the reasons behind his happiness and sadness. Lumi said the two times he was unhappy were when Shang Zhitao had argued with him. After trying to ask about it once, Luan Nian said: “What? Is your mentor Lumi monitoring me for you?”

Shang Zhitao immediately backed down, afraid of implicating Lumi.

Although she wasn’t at the company, news about Luan Nian and Song Ying continuously reached her ears. The most outrageous thing she heard was that Luan Nian’s parents had returned to the country and had a meal with Song Ying’s parents.

Shang Zhitao thought this was absurd. Only she thought it was absurd; other colleagues didn’t think so. When Song Ying came again, the project team suddenly became more respectful toward her.

Shang Zhitao privately asked Shelly: “Why do I feel like you’re afraid of her?”

Shelly thought for a moment: “Maybe because she represents Luke.”

Shang Zhitao wanted to advise Shelly that rumors end with the wise, but she understood they were far from Beijing and didn’t know the situation in Beijing, nor did they understand Luan Nian. Their trepidation was normal.

Shang Zhitao truly realized Song Ying was getting serious that day. She was driving her back from a field trip. In the car, Song Ying suddenly said to her: “Flora Jie.”

The tone was just like how Shang Zhitao called Grace—Grace Jie, intimate and natural. The word “Jie” brought their age difference clearly to paper. Crystal clear.

Shang Zhitao turned her face to see Song Ying’s twenty-two-year-old face, feeling indescribable inside. She softly asked: “What is it, Yilia?”

Song Ying’s face reddened slightly; she seemed to have something difficult to say. Shang Zhitao waited silently for her to speak. It seemed like a long time passed; their car crossed over a mountain ridge before Song Ying continued: “You’ve worked with Luke for a long time. I wanted to ask, does Luke have a girlfriend?”

Shang Zhitao didn’t know how to answer her and could only drive in silence as they crossed another mountain ridge: “Luke probably doesn’t lack girlfriends, right? Or someone like him probably doesn’t lack women. Why do you ask?”

Song Ying’s face grew even redder: “Because I realized I’ve fallen for him.”

Shang Zhitao felt she had been placed on a moral high ground. She couldn’t say anything after a girl confessed her feelings for Luan Nian. But she didn’t know what to say or what she could say. She said something she never expected from herself: “You’re still young. If you like someone, go try.”

“Really?” Song Ying was delighted.

“Really.”

“Then I’ll pursue him! Do you know what Luke likes?”

“Sorry, Yilia, I don’t know him.”

“It’s okay, I’ll discover for myself.” Song Ying looked very happy, changing her position in the seat and looking out the car window. A little later, she said: “I know the company doesn’t allow employees to date. If I win him over, I’ll secretly tell you. I’ve liked Flora Jie since my first day at work; you look very gentle, bright, and… your skin is so good.”

Shang Zhitao smiled and said to her: “Thank you. But please don’t tell me about your progress with Luke. I’m afraid I have a big mouth and can’t help you keep secrets.”

Song Ying giggled.

When Luan Nian called her that night, she had several impulses to bring up Song Ying’s matter, but ultimately kept quiet. She felt it would be a bit despicable—a girl confides in her about liking someone, and then she turns around and confronts the person being liked with this information. It seemed very strange, especially since nothing had happened yet.

Luan Nian finally noticed her distraction and asked: “Something wrong?”

“No.”

“But you seem to have something to say.”

“I just forgot what I wanted to ask you, but now I remember. I wanted to ask, I want to travel during the October holiday. How about Southeast Asia? It’s too late for visas to other places.”

“Sounds good. Still with your friends?” Luan Nian asked her.

“Yes.”

Shang Zhitao felt this arrangement was good. Neither of their life rhythms had been disrupted. They both seemed deliberately trying to maintain independence and privacy.

At the end of September, as required by the company’s assignment policy, she returned to Beijing at company expense.

When she left, it was summer; when she returned, it was autumn. The road from the airport to Luan Nian’s home had begun to show a few fallen leaves. Shang Zhitao gazed at them absently.

The security guard from Luan Nian’s community drove her in a small car to the entrance. She entered the door code and went into his home. Luke was overjoyed, jumping over a dozen times in front of her. She continuously patted his head to comfort him, then held him in her arms: “Alright, alright, I know you missed me. I missed you too. I love you the most.”

Luan Nian coughed from the side. Seeing his fierce glance, Shang Zhitao corrected herself: “I love you second most. I love Luke the most.”

Luke couldn’t understand anyway, but Luke was very satisfied.

His large and small suitcases were in the living room, already packed.

“What time is your flight tomorrow?” Shang Zhitao asked him.

“Two in the afternoon.”

“Then you’ll have to leave at ten in the morning.”

“About that time.”

During dinner, Luan Nian mentioned a dumpling shop that had opened in a residential area five kilometers from the community, saying the halal dumplings there were delicious.

“How delicious?”

“I can eat five.” Luan Nian’s appetite wasn’t large; dumplings that could make him eat five must be very good.

The two spent a peaceful evening together. The next morning, when Shang Zhitao was leaving, Luan Nian felt a bit lost, unable to explain why. He stood at the door watching Shang Zhitao leave with Luke, feeling a tug in his heart.

Just as he had loaded the luggage into the car and was driving out of the community, he received a call from Shang Zhitao: “The dumplings you mentioned—is it the place with a back door, first floor, green sign?”

“Yes.”

“I see it. Can I bring some back to make breakfast for you? You won’t be able to eat them while you’re abroad.”

Luan Nian felt a warmth in his heart, like a subtle warm current flowing in: “Okay. I’ll wait for you at the community entrance.”

“Will there be enough time? Won’t it delay your flight?”

“There’s enough time.” Luan Nian said this, though it might not be true, but he wanted the dumplings.

Shang Zhitao got out of the car with Luke and the luggage. Luan Nian took Luke’s leash and her luggage, placing them by the car. He slowly ate all five dumplings.

Shang Zhitao took a tissue to wipe the corner of his mouth, then handed him a bottle of water. After finishing the dumplings, Luan Nian suddenly asked her:

“Shang Zhitao, want to travel together?”