Love Finds Its Time - Chapter 21

The exchange meeting ended successfully, and the members of Yihan Law Firm, including Shi Qingqiu, left the day after the meeting.

On the plane, after taking a short nap, Shi Qingqiu saw that Wen Qinghan, sitting beside her, had also closed her eyes and leaned back slightly to rest. She gently adjusted Wen Qinghan’s coat, pulling it up a little higher for her.

This trip left Shi Qingqiu with the deepest impression of food. Normally, she was the one inviting Wen Qinghan to eat together, but this time it was Wen Qinghan who, with her extraordinary memory, made sure that Shi Qingqiu tried almost every dish mentioned by their companions.

After landing, a new round of work would soon begin. But perhaps these days of being arranged by others would not last much longer. Looking at the dense text on the documents in her hand, Shi Qingqiu’s eyes darkened with hidden meaning. She closed the file and leaned back again, closing her eyes to empty her thoughts.

Upon arriving in City B, everyone went home separately. Wen Qinghan first drove Shi Qingqiu back to the Shi family’s home.

On the way, Shi Qingqiu received a call from Pan Jiawen. She wasn’t surprised—she really did need a push.

“Qingqiu, have you decided who to bring yet?” Pan Jiawen asked as she spoke on the phone and looked at her computer. The other actors had already submitted their partner information, and only Shi Qingqiu hadn’t decided yet.

“Not yet. I haven’t told them.” Shi Qingqiu frowned, her gaze drifting to Wen Qinghan, who was driving, only to quickly look away.

“What?” Pan Jiawen was shocked. She let go of her mouse, sinking into her chair. “You still haven’t discussed who to go on the reality show with? You’re the only one left who hasn’t submitted a partner’s information. Do you even want to participate anymore?” Her tone was exasperated, almost amused and frustrated at once. Shi Qingqiu was known for her professionalism. So why was she dragging her feet this time?

Touching her seatbelt, Shi Qingqiu paused before replying, “I know, Wen-jie. I’ll talk it over tonight. If it doesn’t work, I’ll find someone else. Don’t worry.”

For such reality shows, it was best to bring someone familiar. After all, cameras would be filming constantly, and a partner who could cooperate smoothly was most suitable. For Shi Qingqiu now, the natural candidates were Wen Qinghan or Yao Rui. But Yao Rui was married, which made it inconvenient for her to be away for long, and her husband might not agree anyway. That left only Wen Qinghan. Since she and Wen Qinghan were now married, having her join the recording was more than appropriate.

“All right. I’ll wait for your call tonight. Don’t forget,” said Pan Jiawen, feeling half relieved. The rest of her worry would have to wait until she heard from Shi Qingqiu later.

After hanging up, Wen Qinghan finally asked, “What’s the matter?” From Shi Qingqiu’s tone earlier, it seemed she was troubled, like something needed to be settled soon.

Shi Qingqiu checked the family group chat on WeChat. Tang Honglang had just sent a message asking her to bring Wen Qinghan home for dinner. She smoothed her expression and said, “Nothing. By the way, stay for dinner at my house. I told my parents we’d be back today.”

Wen Qinghan turned to meet her gaze, then nodded lightly before looking back ahead. “Okay.”

***

Speaking of Shi Qingqiu’s parents, Tang Honglang and Shi Jinghui, when she had mentioned going out with Wen Qinghan, Shi Jinghui had immediately told her husband. The couple secretly discussed it: they decided not to inform the Wen elders yet, but to observe and gently push things along first. If it really looked promising, they would then share the good news and let the Wen family celebrate too.

So, when Wen Qinghan entered the house with Shi Qingqiu, Tang Honglang rose from the sofa with a broad smile, while Shi Jinghui, together with the housekeeper Aunt He, came forward to greet them.

The housekeeper took Shi Qingqiu’s luggage, while Shi Jinghui warmly held Wen Qinghan’s hand as they walked. “You’re finally back! Qinghan, I heard from Qingqiu that you attended an exchange meeting this time. How did it go?”

Allowing herself to be led, Wen Qinghan smiled politely and greeted them, “Auntie, Uncle, Aunt He. The meeting was smooth, just like before.”

With a helpless smile, Shi Qingqiu took Wen Qinghan’s other hand. “Mom, let’s talk after dinner. We’ll wash our hands first…” With that, she pulled Wen Qinghan toward the kitchen.

“Hey, you two—there’s a fish in the sink. Don’t drain all the water…” Shi Jinghui tried to stop them but could only call out from behind.

“Got it,” Shi Qingqiu answered.

Of course she knew what her mother was up to. No doubt she would try to subtly push her and Wen Qinghan together again. But she hadn’t yet figured out when to tell her parents that she and Wen Qinghan were already married. Telling friends and colleagues was one thing, telling her parents was another.

Dinner went smoothly. Toward the end, Aunt He brought out a plate of sliced, seedless watermelon. Everyone ate and chatted.

“Qingqiu, when does your vacation end?” Tang Honglang asked.

After finishing one slice, Shi Qingqiu picked up another with a toothpick. “It’s about over. The day after tomorrow I’ll shoot a commercial, and a few days later, a reality show will start filming.”

“Reality show?” Tang Honglang exchanged glances with Shi Jinghui. “Is that the kind of program where you follow a script to play games? You’ve done one before, right?”

Recently, news had exposed that many reality shows were scripted and not genuine. He and Shi Jinghui kept up with current events online, and of course followed their daughter’s news closely, so they had some idea.

Wen Qinghan pressed her lips together, a faint smile forming.

Shi Qingqiu chuckled. “You could put it that way. Not all are scripted, but there’s always some arrangement. If everything were left completely natural, unexpected situations could happen, and it would be harder to manage.”

There were plenty of industry secrets. It was no wonder her father had that impression. She herself had joined such shows before, where pre-arranged setups were indeed what he described as “playing games by script.”

Shi Jinghui asked, “How long will this one take? And after the reality show, what else is lined up?”

Nibbling her watermelon, Shi Qingqiu nodded. “This one won’t take long. It’s structured differently. One season is split into many episodes, and each episode features several actors, so it won’t drag on. But after that, I have a drama to film, which will take longer.” She had already accepted With You Till the End. Director Li Chengliang was famous for his strictness, so the shoot would take at least two or three months.

“You’ve taken on another role?” Shi Jinghui sounded a little reluctant. If her daughter wasn’t acting, then even while attending events she could still come home occasionally. But dramas meant long absences.

Understanding their feelings, Shi Qingqiu blinked mischievously and said ambiguously, “After this drama, I probably won’t be as busy as before. So please be patient, my dear parents.”

Not only Shi Jinghui and Tang Honglang, but even Wen Qinghan was puzzled by her words. Just as Tang Honglang was about to ask, Shi Qingqiu laughed it off. “It’s late. I’ll walk Qinghan out, then head straight to bed.”

She pulled Wen Qinghan’s hand and left the table. Wen Qinghan had to glance back with an apologetic smile at the elders before letting herself be led toward the door.

The sky was already dark, but still early in the evening. Since Wen Qinghan needed to sort through the meeting materials tomorrow, she would be returning to her own place.

The garage was still a short walk away. As they strolled leisurely in the night, Wen Qinghan said, “Qingqiu, I can get the car myself. You should go back.”

Shi Qingqiu turned to her. “Don’t you want to ask me about what I said earlier?” Someone as sharp as Wen Qinghan surely picked up the meaning—whether she chose to ask was another matter. That was why Shi Qingqiu deliberately hinted more.

But Wen Qinghan shook her head. “It’s fine. Tell me when you’re ready.” She was never one to pry, especially into Shi Qingqiu’s work. Most of the time she simply listened and then offered reasonable advice. If not for Shi Qingqiu’s odd tone on the phone earlier, she wouldn’t even have asked then.

“No wonder Little Rui calls you a closed gourd.” Shi Qingqiu teased. “I’m basically inviting you to ask, and you still won’t play along?”

Wen Qinghan tilted her head slightly, her eyes holding a faint smile. “All right, I’ll play along. Could you tell me what you meant when you spoke with Uncle and Aunt just now? I’m curious.”

It was such an obvious act that Shi Qingqiu laughed. “It’s nothing much. I just don’t plan to renew my contract. I want to start my own studio.”

“Oh?” Wen Qinghan stopped and turned slightly to face her.

Shi Qingqiu stopped as well, her expression serious. “You see, if I renew, no matter how generous the terms, I’ll always just be a money-making tool. Sure, now they give me a say in what projects I take, but there will always be forced ones too. After all, they signed me to make money. So, to some extent, I’ll always be under their control.”

“Mm. Go on.” Wen Qinghan nodded.

Shi Qingqiu thought for a moment, then continued, “So, I want to try going independent.” She frowned slightly, then relaxed, as if a weight had lifted. “If it works, great. If it doesn’t, I’ve earned enough over the years to live comfortably. And if I really get too idle, I’ll just join you in court cases.” Her mood lightened, the heaviness replaced by relief. She took Wen Qinghan’s arm and walked on. “What do you think, Qinghan?”

Glancing at her, Wen Qinghan’s lips curved faintly. “As long as you’re happy.”

If one’s choice was meant to live more fully, or to escape an unsustainable state, then even if it wasn’t a choice born out of passion, being willing to change or let go was still a good thing.

This path hadn’t been Shi Qingqiu’s dream. Wanting to shift course now—and even being ready to give it up—at least meant she no longer had to keep herself so busy she couldn’t think. That was good.

“Don’t you have anything you want to tell me?” Shi Qingqiu asked as they reached the garage.

Again, Wen Qinghan shook her head, but this time added, “Is there anything you need my help with?”

It wasn’t something Shi Qingqiu had been waiting for exactly, but the words hit the mark. She said frankly, “Yes. About the reality show—it’s a bit special.”

“Oh?”

“You have to bring at least one familiar person. Family or friends are fine. You…” She hesitated before asking, “Do you have time?”

Joining the filming meant not just time but also appearing on camera. So in what capacity would Wen Qinghan be going with her?

Wen Qinghan’s brow furrowed slightly, almost by habit. Just as Shi Qingqiu thought she might refuse, Wen Qinghan asked, “What do I need to pay attention to?”

Smiling, Shi Qingqiu shook her head. “Nothing. Just be yourself and stick with me. It won’t take long—about a week.”

Wen Qinghan had no bad habits, was camera-friendly, and had everything needed. The only real requirement was to follow Shi Qingqiu’s lead.

“No problem.” Wen Qinghan nodded after a thought.

Relieved of the worry of having to persuade Yao Rui and her husband, Shi Qingqiu felt her troubles vanish. Without thinking, she laughed. “Qinghan, thank you.”

Meeting her gaze, Wen Qinghan’s usually calm, distant face softened into the faintest of smiles.

Not long ago, they had already said it—they were married. This was only natural.

And yet, in the blink of an eye, Shi Qingqiu forgot again.