Love Finds Its Time - Chapter 51

Until the door gave a soft sound, the person who had been about to walk away stopped, and a pair of feet in fluffy slippers appeared before Shi Qingqiu, who had slightly lowered her head.

Shi Qingqiu heard a quiet sigh, then the fruit platter in her hands was taken by a slender hand, and at the same time, her wrist was caught.

Pulling Shi Qingqiu into the room, closing the door and setting down the fruit platter, Wen Qinghan turned her head and softly asked, “Why didn’t you call me when you came? Wasn’t it tiring to just stand outside?”

Shi Qingqiu bit her lip, then curved them into a faint smile. “I was just about to knock when you came out.”

Wen Qinghan’s lips lifted slightly as her warm voice asked, “Do you think I believe that?”

“What if you don’t? I’m not going to argue with you about this.” A trace of laughter lingered in Shi Qingqiu’s eyes as she looked around the room, refusing to meet Wen Qinghan’s gaze again.

Wen Qinghan’s room was spacious, even furnished with a bookshelf and a desk. Probably because she sometimes didn’t want to go to the study, it was arranged like this. After all, her father often went to the study as well.

Shi Qingqiu had meant to walk toward the sofa, but her eyes strayed and caught sight of the trophies and certificates displayed on the bookshelf. She couldn’t help but walk over.

When young, Wen Qinghan had been the one her classmates could admire but never reach. For as long as Shi Qingqiu could remember, Wen Qinghan had always been the one surrounded by admiring eyes and words of praise.

Looking at the rows of open certificates, Shi Qingqiu pressed her fingers against the glass of the cabinet, tracing over Wen Qinghan’s name.

“Want to open it and have a look?” Wen Qinghan’s gaze softened as her eyes met Shi Qingqiu’s reflection in the glass.

Shi Qingqiu shook her head, then suddenly recalled something. “What about your elementary school certificates?”

“They’re in the study. Too many to fit here.”

Shi Qingqiu’s eyes and brows curved with laughter, tinged with a hint of regretful memory. “I remember, by the time you were in college, I hardly ever went to any of your award ceremonies. Either the timing didn’t work out, or something came up at the last minute. By the time I realized you hadn’t called me in a long while, I didn’t even know how many I’d already missed.”

She turned around. Wen Qinghan’s inky-black hair still held a trace of dampness, her tall figure wrapped neatly in a light silk robe. She looked ethereal, with an indescribable softness.

“Then come from now on. There will definitely be more in the future.” Wen Qinghan lifted her hand, tucking back a strand of hair that had fallen beside Shi Qingqiu’s cheek.

“Should I call you narcissistic? How do you know there’ll be more?” Shi Qingqiu asked with a light laugh.

“Do you think I won’t have the chance to win anymore?” Wen Qinghan raised her brows, her usually cool face showing an unusual hint of seriousness.

It was hard to tell whether Wen Qinghan had spoken with double meaning, or if it was just that Shi Qingqiu was overly sensitive now, twisting every word back to the matter between them. It was as though she were saying, How do you know I won’t win you?

Shi Qingqiu felt a pang in her chest. When had she become like this? If she truly didn’t want it, why hold back the answer from Wen Qinghan? But if she agreed, could the two of them really bear the consequences?

“Of course not.” She sniffled lightly and forced a smile. Her gaze shifted toward Wen Qinghan’s desk. There lay an open notebook, with a fountain pen beside it, as if she had been writing. “Qinghan, were you working just now? What is this?”

Wen Qinghan, as if suddenly reminded, quickly strode over, shut the white-covered notebook, and slipped it into the drawer. The motion wasn’t frantic, but it was fast. Then she said calmly, “Nothing, just some notes.”

Shi Qingqiu chuckled, walked a few steps closer, and stood by the desk. “Why so nervous? I usually don’t even look at your work stuff. Acting so guarded will only make me think it’s something that could ruin your image. Like…”

She blinked playfully, her mischievous look making Wen Qinghan’s throat go dry, tension surfacing more clearly than ever before.

“No, it’s just normal work records…” Wen Qinghan averted her eyes, her fingers lightly picking at the edge of the desk.

The teasing in Shi Qingqiu’s smile softened. She tugged at Wen Qinghan’s sleeve. “Alright, I won’t look. Everyone should have a few secrets. It’s not like I have to see.”

Secrets.

Wen Qinghan clasped the hand tugging at her sleeve, her warm palm carrying the familiar heat that Shi Qingqiu had come to know these days. Emotions rose and churned in her chest, nearly spilling over.

My secret has always been you.

Her lips pressed into a thin line as she asked quietly, “Qingqiu, have you packed your luggage?”

The morning after tomorrow she would be leaving. Shi Qingqiu felt the heaviness in Wen Qinghan’s mood. The balance in her heart tilted a little more toward Wen Qinghan. She loosened her hand slightly, letting Wen Qinghan’s fingers slip between hers, their hands interlocking.

“All packed, don’t worry.” Her lips curved faintly as she spoke softly, “I’ll be back soon. Maybe it won’t even take months. The director is dedicated, and the actor I’m working with is very skilled, so it should go quickly…”

Her words trailed off, blocked in her throat, her vision blurred.

Because Wen Qinghan, after letting go, had pulled her into an embrace. What she saw was the dark hair falling against Wen Qinghan’s neck. What she breathed in was the fresh fragrance of her shower gel. What all her senses felt was this silent reluctance.

At that moment, it was as if every defense in Shi Qingqiu’s heart had been bombed away, leaving only a fragile shell. In her ears was nothing but Wen Qinghan’s breathing, even her heartbeat.

Shi Qingqiu had never once been so afraid—afraid that Wen Qinghan was too persistent, too gentle. Who was it that once said? That when indifferent people fall in love, they are the most tender of all.

Wen Qinghan’s lips brushed against Shi Qingqiu’s ear. Her usually even tone carried extra care, melodious like the sound of a fine instrument. “I never gave you too many reminders before, but now it’s different. We’re married. I’ll be here at home waiting for you. Remember, it’s hot now—bring an umbrella when you go out. On set, you can control your diet, but don’t starve yourself. At night you can read scripts before bed, but don’t stay up too late. I know your assistant will look after you, but I still want you to remember.”

“Qinghan…” Shi Qingqiu opened her mouth, yet didn’t know what to say. Time seemed to freeze, pausing right at this moment of their embrace.

No one knew how much time passed. Shi Qingqiu’s hands had already relaxed, circling around Wen Qinghan’s waist, her heart full of lingering emotions that occupied all her thoughts.

She bit her lip and whispered, “Qinghan, I should go…”

A soft sigh sounded by her ear, and Wen Qinghan murmured, “Wait for me to change clothes, I’ll send you back.”

Whether to refuse or agree, the words dissolved between Shi Qingqiu’s lips.

She held Wen Qinghan’s waist and shook her head, then pulled away slightly from the warm embrace, speaking softly, “You’ve already taken a shower, don’t go out again. It’s hot outside, I can go back on my own.”

Wen Qinghan hesitated, not letting go. It was Shi Qingqiu who bit her lip, leaned close to her ear, and said, “Come find me tomorrow night. I’ll go to bed early tomorrow, so I won’t be going out.”

Warmth suddenly brushed against Wen Qinghan’s ear, Shi Qingqiu’s breath lightly tickling her skin.

She gently held Shi Qingqiu’s shoulder, words almost spilling out, but then the memory of what Shi Qingqiu had said last night flashed through her mind. She swallowed them back down and only whispered, “Alright, send me a message when you get home. I’ll be waiting.”

Shi Qingqiu froze for a moment, her cheeks steadily warming. Smiling softly, she said, “Okay. Don’t see me off. I’ll go myself. Remember to eat the fruit Auntie peeled for you.”

She slowly pulled free from Wen Qinghan’s arms, staring deeply at her for a moment before turning away. At that instant, she couldn’t think of anything else—only that in just one more day, she and Wen Qinghan would be separated by distance.

After the door closed, Wen Qinghan quietly opened it again, slippers padding softly as she walked down the corridor, approaching the stairwell.

She listened to the sound of Shi Qingqiu’s heels fading farther away, listened as she bid farewell to her parents. Finally, the hand that had been intertwined with Shi Qingqiu’s just now seemed to close around empty air, a faint, gentle smile touching her lips.

***

It was the heat of summer, that time when people rushed home after work or school, or else sought an air-conditioned place to rest and sip on something cold.

Yet at just this hour, Jian Yizhi was heading to an appointment—one she had agreed to last night while having supper.

From what she knew, the other party was a man around her age, a graduate of a prestigious university, currently working at a well-known company. Because he had some legal issues he wished to consult about, he had asked her mother for an introduction.

Out of courtesy after that lunch earlier today, Fu Anran had happily agreed to accompany Jian Yizhi. Since the meeting was for legal consultation, bringing an assistant or colleague along was perfectly reasonable.

After parking the car, Jian Yizhi and Fu Anran headed toward the hotel’s double glass doors.

Jian Yizhi herself had no particular thoughts on the way there, but Fu Anran, thinking it over, suddenly said, “Senior, don’t you think this might be a blind date? It feels like one.”

Jian Yizhi touched her watch, her expression doubtful. “Is that possible? My parents always tie me to you. For them to suddenly change people, I don’t think so.”

“Or maybe it’s the roundabout way—different approach, same goal?” Fu Anran muttered. The whole thing felt strange to her. Without her tagging along, it would look exactly like the usual matchmaking setup parents arranged.

“Could it be that your parents saw us having supper last night?”

If it really was the roundabout method, perhaps their late-night meal had been discovered by both families, giving the elders an excuse to push things in another direction.

“Shouldn’t be. When I came home, Dad was watching the news and Mom was watching a movie. If they’d known, they would’ve blown up long ago.” Fu Anran shook her head, dismissing the guess.

“Then why think so much about it? We’re already here. Even if it turns out disappointing, we’ll just treat it as dinner.” Jian Yizhi smiled carelessly, leading Fu Anran into the hotel.

Following the private room number sent by the man, they easily found the place. Since he was waiting for Jian Yizhi, the man hadn’t closed the door.

When someone entered, a man in his thirties wearing a crisp suit stood up, greeting them with a polite smile. “Lawyer Jian.”

“Hello.” Jian Yizhi responded politely, then, seeing the man’s glance at Fu Anran, she introduced, “This is my colleague. Since today’s mainly about legal matters, I thought bringing her along might offer another perspective.”

Fu Anran chimed in with her self-introduction. “Hello, my surname is Fu.”

The man was clearly surprised by the extra person, but quickly recovered and maintained his composure. “Please, sit. We’ll talk while seated.”

The three found seats. Fu Anran naturally sat beside Jian Yizhi, staying quiet since this meeting was led by her senior. She planned to observe and step in only when needed.

“You’re very young, Lawyer Jian. I didn’t expect you to have accomplished so much already. Truly admirable.” The man stood, one hand brushing his suit button while the other lifted the teapot to pour for them. His handsome features and easy smile lent him a graceful air.

Jian Yizhi smiled modestly. “You flatter me, Mr. Liang. I’m only doing my duty.”

After Mr. Liang sat down, his gaze lingered on Jian Yizhi’s face, though never in a rude way. His warm demeanor naturally left a good impression.

In fact, it was precisely his courtesy that made Jian Yizhi feel no aversion to this meeting—for the time being.