Love Finds Its Time - Chapter 16

After briefly explaining the plans for the next few days to Shi Qingqiu, Wen Qinghan took Meng Siqi and two other male lawyers by car to the venue of the exchange conference.

For lawyer exchange conferences like this, Wen Qinghan and Jian Yizhi usually took turns representing the firm. This time, it happened to be Wen Qinghan’s turn. She knew well that the event would occupy quite a lot of her time, but the moment the thought of bringing Shi Qingqiu along crossed her mind, she decided on it without hesitation. She was willing to take any chance to spend more time together. Even now, sitting in the car and thinking about Shi Qingqiu waiting for her back at the hotel, the coolness in her brows and eyes softened with a trace of warmth.

***

It had been a long time since Shi Qingqiu last went out simply to relax. Her current status often had her traveling all over the country, and even going abroad was nothing unusual. But going on a trip with such a light heart, without work, without obligations, just going where she pleased—this was perhaps the first time in years. Since there were no prior plans, she wasn’t in a rush to go out. She spent the afternoon reading scripts at the hotel.

Wen Qinghan sent her a message saying she had a social dinner after the meeting, so they couldn’t eat together. Shi Qingqiu ordered low-calorie food from the hotel staff for dinner. Afterward, she received a phone call from Pan Jiawen. Her tone was cheerful, but Shi Qingqiu knew that if it weren’t about business, Pan Jiawen would usually just chat with her over WeChat.

“All right, Wen-jie, get to the point. I don’t believe you’d call just to chat.” Shi Qingqiu was leaning straight against the wall as she spoke, pressing her body against it as much as possible. Her tall, slender figure was the result of years of such discipline, presented flawlessly before the public.

“Am I that obvious?” Pan Jiawen asked on the other end, sounding a little disbelieving at being seen through so easily.

“Otherwise? Do you think you’d have so much free time to chat with me?” Shi Qingqiu’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“Fine.” Pan Jiawen sighed, and from the sound of it, leaned back against her chair. “Resting is good, but don’t forget the commercial shoot we scheduled. Also, the slot for Inside and Outside the Drama has been finalized. No problem with those, right?”

Though Shi Qingqiu’s work was supposed to be arranged by Pan Jiawen, her position in the industry was no longer like that of a newcomer who had to depend entirely on the company for survival. Many times, Pan Jiawen would consult her on the specifics. If the company wanted her to take something on, Pan Jiawen would highlight it for her.

“This variety show really is…” Shi Qingqiu tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her expression tinged with concern. “It’s so unconventional, and the filming cycle isn’t long, yet they’ve invited so many actors in one season.”

Most current variety shows only invited entertainers, but Inside and Outside the Drama had a unique rule: invited actors had to bring someone along—a spouse, a best friend, or at least one close companion.

Odd as it seemed, audiences loved it.

After all, reality shows already offered a glimpse into things other programs didn’t, and watching idols interact with people close to them in daily life was even more appealing. For that reason, every season of Inside and Outside the Drama topped ratings among similar shows. The concept was simply too eye-catching.

Pan Jiawen laughed. “So what? It only takes a few days to film. Maybe some rich second-generation kid is just doing it for fun. We’ll just record it properly and use it to help promote your new drama.”

Shi Qingqiu smiled faintly. “I understand.”

Neither of them mentioned contract renewal. Shi Qingqiu certainly wouldn’t bring it up herself. Anyway, she still had enough time left to film Inside and Outside the Drama and another drama, With You Till the End. The big boss at Xingye Entertainment was clearly waiting to see how she would weigh these prime resources before deciding on renewal.

Not long after hanging up with Pan Jiawen, as she was about to go out for a walk, Shi Qingqiu received a message from Wen Qinghan: I’m in the hotel lobby. Want to go out?

Having just tied up her hair and put on her glasses, Shi Qingqiu typed back quickly: Yes. Wait for me.

When she came downstairs, dressed and ready, there was no one in the lobby except Wen Qinghan and the front desk staff. Her figure stood tall and straight like bamboo in the rain, her black hair smooth as ink trailing neatly down her back. At the sound of footsteps behind her, she turned slowly.

“Have you eaten?” Wen Qinghan asked as Shi Qingqiu came up beside her.

“Yes.” They walked out of the hotel side by side. Shi Qingqiu looked up at the darkening sky and asked, “You came back alone?”

“Mhm, the others went for some midnight snack.” Wen Qinghan glanced at her. “Are you hungry? Want something to eat?”

By then, they were already standing on the hotel’s front steps, where taxis passed by. Wen Qinghan lifted her hand to signal one.

Shi Qingqiu shot her a glance, teasing, “When we get back, I have a commercial shoot. What do you think? Should I eat or not?”

The words carried a subtle grievance. Wen Qinghan turned to look at her, the corners of her lips faintly curved. “Then eat with me. I’m hungry.”

Couldn’t she have just eaten with the others? Why bother coming back just to fetch her? Shi Qingqiu lowered her gaze to Wen Qinghan’s pale, slender fingers resting at her side—white and delicate, carrying the same faint chill as the woman herself.

Smiling, Shi Qingqiu hesitated only briefly before reaching out to hold her hand. “All right. It’s my honor to share supper with the great Lawyer Wen.”

Wen Qinghan said nothing, her expression calm as she let Shi Qingqiu hold her hand and followed her into the cab.

Their destination was a nearby night market. The crowd was mostly young people, but Shi Qingqiu looked completely different from her on-screen self. Back at Times Square, if that passerby hadn’t stared at her for so long, the chance of her being recognized would have been slim.

Just a few steps into the night market, the delicious aromas made Shi Qingqiu’s cravings flare. Because of her job, she rarely ate high-calorie foods, and late-night snacks were strictly off-limits. Even when dieting wasn’t mandatory, she usually kept her eating under control for safety’s sake.

Sensing it, Wen Qinghan turned to her with a voice low but tinged with amusement. “Qingqiu, I’m not meeting anyone else. It’s just us two. What do you want to eat?” Amid the noisy night market, her voice was like a clear breeze, soft and refreshing at her ear.

It was rare to have time off, rare to go out like this. Even with her self-control, Shi Qingqiu couldn’t resist the aromas wafting around. She turned toward Wen Qinghan, her eyes filled with a trace of annoyance and blame.

“Hm?” Wen Qinghan waited patiently.

“Well, since we’re here, you decide. I don’t mind.” Shi Qingqiu pouted, giving in.

“Then…” Wen Qinghan glanced around before choosing a small eatery up ahead. She squeezed Shi Qingqiu’s hand, still linked with her own, and said, “That one. Let’s go.” She picked a table in the corner, seating Shi Qingqiu facing away from the entrance while she sat facing it, shielding her from prying eyes as best she could.

They ordered two bowls of sweet rice and two servings of glutinous rice balls in syrup. Soon, steaming dishes arrived. The sweet rice, shaped like an inverted bowl, glistened with each plump grain, its fragrance enticing.

Wen Qinghan handed her a pair of chopsticks. “Try it. The local lawyers recommended this place to me earlier. They say it’s really good.” As she spoke, she slid the sweet rice closer to Shi Qingqiu. The sweet aroma was irresistible to anyone with a sweet tooth.

With no choice, Shi Qingqiu scooped up a small bite. A sweetness different from cotton candy instantly filled her mouth.

“How is it?” Wen Qinghan took a bite herself, her lips curving slightly as she watched Shi Qingqiu’s brows relax at the taste. Everyone knew Shi Qingqiu loved sweets, though she often restrained herself despite not being prone to weight gain.

“It’s pretty good. You try some too.” The sweetness had lifted her mood, sweeping away the last trace of resistance toward eating supper.

As she bent down for another bite, she didn’t notice Wen Qinghan’s usually cool features softening, only heard her quiet murmur, “As long as you like it.”

With her ponytail tied back, Shi Qingqiu looked so fresh and youthful that Wen Qinghan felt a pang of nostalgia, as if transported back to their university days.

Back then, already admired by many, Shi Qingqiu would sometimes tie her hair up, revealing her delicate features. Amid the envious gazes of classmates, she displayed her beauty and excellence with ease.

“How was today’s conference, Qinghan?” Shi Qingqiu’s question pulled Wen Qinghan from her memories. She took a sip of the syrup from her rice balls before glancing at her.

“The same as always. Nothing special.” Wen Qinghan looked down and blew on a round rice ball before eating it.

Shi Qingqiu chuckled. “Won’t they mind that you slipped away to find me?”

Of course, some might. People often wanted a relaxed environment to connect after such meetings.

Wen Qinghan handed her a napkin, her gaze light. “That doesn’t matter. Eat up before it gets cold.”

Shi Qingqiu was used to how lightly Wen Qinghan treated everything. Looking at the plump rice balls floating in her bowl, her lips quirked as she scooped several into Wen Qinghan’s bowl. The latter frowned and looked up.

“I can’t finish. You take more. And don’t give them back—just eat.” Shi Qingqiu held her hand over her bowl to stop her.

In truth, Wen Qinghan hadn’t planned to give them back. Seeing the playful glimmer in Shi Qingqiu’s eyes, her frown smoothed. Pale fingers gripped her spoon as she picked up the rice balls and blew on them gently.

The little eatery was bustling and noisy with customers, yet at their small table, it felt as though the world had quieted; warmth flowing softly between them.