Love Finds Its Time - Chapter 12

The party was held at Wen Qinghan’s apartment. It couldn’t compare to her parents’ villa, but being in such a prime neighborhood, it was the kind of place many white-collar workers dreamed of living.

Shi Qingqiu rarely came over. Only once before, for a firm gathering. Now, sitting in the passenger seat and watching Wen Qinghan’s profile as she drove, she noticed again that cold, almost ruthless beauty of hers. A face that seemed untouched by sentiment, as though she could abandon even the deepest bond without hesitation. Or maybe she was simply aloof, and that alone gave the illusion.

Despite Wen Qinghan’s reminder not to bring anything, since everyone else had prepared, Shi Qingqiu still bought some fruit.

Downstairs, the group erupted when she arrived.

“Hey, look, the goddess is here!”

“Goddess, over here, look at me!”

The loudest cheers came from two of the firm’s male lawyers, Chen Yi and Li Wenxiao, each lugging big bags of hotpot ingredients while greeting her.

Nearby stood Jian Yizhi with Fu Anran. The other women were more restrained, greeting Shi Qingqiu politely, then turning to call the just-arrived Wen Qinghan. “Boss Wen.”

Shi Qingqiu smiled in return and then turned to Jian Yizhi. “Yizhi, long time no see.”

“Long time indeed.” Jian Yizhi laughed, before introducing the girl at her side, “This is my neighbor, also our schoolmate—graduated a couple of years ago—Fu Anran. She’s just here to hang out today. Goddess, be gentle with her.”

Flustered, cheeks pink, Fu Anran bowed her head slightly toward Shi Qingqiu. “Hello.” 

She’d been startled in the car when she heard Shi Qingqiu would be coming. After all, Shi Qingqiu was a star. Her news usually only appeared in tabloids or on film posters. To Fu Anran, she was like a distant constellation, suddenly here in front of her.

“Fu Anran, is it?” Shi Qingqiu stepped closer and lowered her voice kindly. “Don’t be nervous, I know everyone here.”

From the side, Wen Qinghan calmly checked off the bags people carried. “Alright, let’s head up.”

***

The group reached the eighth floor, and Wen Qinghan unlocked the door. Bags were set aside, and she began assigning roles with her usual clarity.

“Siqi, Liu Yi, Shao Qing—kitchen, with me. Yizhi, the rest is yours: get the broth and sauces ready.”

The Liu Yi she mentioned was Jian Yizhi’s assistant, while Shao Qing was a junior associate at the firm. That left Shi Qingqiu, Jian Yizhi, Fu Anran, and the two loud male lawyers.

“No problem, leave it to us.” Jian Yizhi shrugged with a grin—it was fine, and Fu Anran only needed to stick with her; she hadn’t planned on making the girl do anything anyway.

At that moment, Shi Qingqiu asked in puzzlement, “Qinghan, what about me? What should I do?”

She had thought Wen Qinghan simply didn’t have the habit of assigning her a task during gatherings, since she rarely came. But when Wen Qinghan gave her a brief glance, she realized she was wrong.

Because Wen Qinghan said, “See if there’s anything you can do.”

The room fell into sudden silence. The women covered their lips and giggled, while the two male lawyers burst out laughing. The taller one, Chen Yi, laughed so hard he nearly choked, “Boss… Boss, how can you underestimate my goddess like that? My goddess can do anything!” 

The words were ambiguous, almost as if Wen Qinghan was implying Shi Qingqiu couldn’t do anything. In truth, though, Wen Qinghan was simply being selfish, unwilling to assign her any work.

Who knew Shi Qingqiu would ruin it by asking outright.

The laughter even softened Wen Qinghan’s usual icy expression into a faint smile. Jian Yizhi shook her head, smiling, and waved a hand. “Enough, go do your work. Leave Qingqiu with me. These two men are hopeless with the delicate tasks anyway.”

“Mm.” Wen Qinghan gathered her composure again and said to the ones she had named earlier, “You three, come with me.”

Once Wen Qinghan was gone, the two men finally dared to sidle up to Shi Qingqiu. Though tall, Chen Yi had fair skin and fine features, almost boyish in a delicate way. He beamed enthusiastically and started chattering. “Goddess, do you have any films releasing soon? I’ll take my whole family to support your box office!”

Accepting the sauces that Jian Yizhi asked Fu Anran to pass to her, Shi Qingqiu raised an eyebrow. “Yes. As for which one, you’ll see when the time comes. For now, focus on the task.”

“Then, goddess, could you sign an autograph for me later? My mom adores you, and so does my grandmother.” Chen Yi handed her a pair of scissors eagerly, rubbing his palms together in anticipation.

“Sure.”

“Oh wow! My goodness! Hey—what the…” Chen Yi had barely cheered before Jian Yizhi tossed a bag into his arms.

“Do your work properly. Keep pestering the goddess and if Boss Wen comes out, you’ll be in real trouble.” Jian Yizhi sighed at them, then glanced at the faintly smiling Shi Qingqiu, secretly thinking that for Wen Qinghan, getting what she wanted wouldn’t be so easy.

Shi Qingqiu herself seemed unaware of the implications in what she’d just said. If Wen Qinghan saw her being crowded like this, what would upset her wouldn’t be the lack of work getting done, but some other unspoken feeling.

From the kitchen came the sounds of footsteps, running water, and chopping.

Volunteering, Shi Qingqiu went to fetch the hotpot pot. When she reached the doorway, she saw Wen Qinghan chopping vegetables, with a freshly washed divided pot already set beside her.

She didn’t go in immediately, but stood for a moment, listening to the sounds of bustling work inside.

Her eyes traveled upward, from the cutting board to Wen Qinghan herself, lips pressed lightly together, long straight hair falling neatly, her soft white silk blouse tucked into slim jeans, sleeves rolled to her elbows, framing her slender yet striking figure. She looked both professional and elegant.

Shi Qingqiu let out a small laugh, then stepped into the kitchen to take the pot. Leaning close, she murmured, “Thanks, boss, I’ll take this.”

Drawn from her focus, Wen Qinghan glanced back, but by then Shi Qingqiu had already left with the pot. Her lips curved faintly, then she lowered her head to continue chopping.

With everyone working efficiently, the hotpot was soon bubbling.

They took their seats. As partners in the firm, Wen Qinghan and Jian Yizhi sat at the head. Fu Anran, being close to Jian Yizhi, sat by her side, while Shi Qingqiu sat next to Wen Qinghan. The others filled the remaining spots.

A male voice sighed in mock complaint. “Too bad Old Li isn’t here. All he does these days is work cases and accompany his wife. Skipping even the anniversary… he’s completely henpecked!”

There were three partners at the firm. The “Old Li” he meant was the third one, a senior from their university days who had helped them establish the firm, but who rarely joined group events.

Jian Yizhi clicked her tongue. “Careful, I’ll tattle to Old Li tomorrow.”

Lifting her glass, Wen Qinghan spoke with a gentler smile than she ever wore at work. “Today marks our firm’s second anniversary. I hope in the days ahead, everyone continues to work hard, grow the firm, and gain more experience.”

“Ah, with Boss Wen’s blessing, cheers, cheers!” Li Wenxiao called out first, clinking glasses eagerly.

“Cheers!”

Smiling, everyone clinked their glasses together. Wen Qinghan added, “Tonight, just relax and enjoy yourselves. Don’t worry about me.”

No sooner had she said this than Jian Yizhi clapped her on the shoulder. “Listen to her. She said the exact same words at the opening and at the first anniversary. Now it’s the second. Aren’t you all tired of hearing it?”

She wasn’t wrong. Wen Qinghan had recycled this speech three times already, changing only the anniversary number.

Wen Qinghan ignored her, instead fishing a slice of beef from the hotpot and placing two pieces in Shi Qingqiu’s bowl, keeping one for herself.

“Exactly, it’s the same every year. Boss Wen, dare you switch it up next time?” Liu Yi teased as well. Having spent much time with Jian Yizhi, she’d seen enough of Wen Qinghan in private to dare a playful jab.

Someone else chimed in, “Yeah, Boss Wen, that’s too stale. If you can’t, let Boss Jian do it next year. Or maybe even Old Li!”

Fu Anran was amused, tugging at Jian Yizhi’s sleeve. When Jian Yizhi leaned in, she whispered with a smile, “Senior, won’t teasing Senior Wen like that make her mad?”

Jian Yizhi smiled. “No, don’t worry.” Then, eyeing the dishes on the table, she added, “Eat whatever you like, or just call me, alright?”

“Mm.” Fu Anran nodded obediently—just in time to see Shi Qingqiu looking at Wen Qinghan as she dipped beef into the broth. There was hesitation in her eyes, just as Shi Qingqiu looked back.

Guessing her thoughts, Shi Qingqiu smiled. “Anran, you can call me the way you call Yizhi. We’re from the same class, after all.”

So they not only knew each other, but were old acquaintances. Thinking this, Fu Anran nodded. “Senior Shi.” She had instinctively added the surname, to distinguish from how she addressed Jian Yizhi.

The table conversation grew lively with talk of work and life. Jian Yizhi chimed in now and then, while Shi Qingqiu smiled in response from time to time.

Then, as she lowered her head again, a spoonful of freshly cooked beef landed in her bowl, steam rising. She looked up along the spoon’s path. 

Wen Qinghan had just set it down, her long fingers steady on the bowl, her thumb resting on the rim, even as she casually ate a piece of vegetable.

Sensing her gaze, Wen Qinghan turned slightly, her voice low. “What is it?”

Shi Qingqiu shook her head with a smile. “Nothing. You’re so thin, you should eat more. I’ve got work soon, so I can’t eat too freely.” With that, she placed some of her beef into Wen Qinghan’s bowl.

Because Shi Qingqiu loved beef, Wen Qinghan had asked for extra when buying supplies. Though she knew Shi Qingqiu couldn’t eat too much now, receiving that beef from her brought a faint smile to her lips. “Mm.”

The meal carried on warmly. Shi Qingqiu, saying she had to drive later, refused more alcohol, while Wen Qinghan was pressured into several drinks and would clearly be unable to drive afterward.

After three rounds of drinks, Shi Qingqiu excused herself to the restroom.

When she came out, she lingered in the hallway. The noise from the dining room was muffled in the distance. Almost without realizing, she drifted toward Wen Qinghan’s bedroom and slowed her steps. In her mind, images resurfaced. 

Wen Qinghan slicing vegetables, biting into greens, the spoonful of beef in her bowl. She knew about her habit of drinking milk, knew she liked beef. But what else? Perhaps there was much more. Or perhaps it was just a coincidence?

Staring at Wen Qinghan’s closed door, Shi Qingqiu stood for a long time. Those fleeting images urged her to ask herself: Shi Qingqiu, you two are married—yet what do you really know about her? Not even the things a friend ought to know. All you know is this: many people have come and gone in your life. Even those who promised to stay, left. Only she—Wen Qinghan—only with her will you never part. Because there is no reason for you to part.