Love Finds Its Time - Chapter 9

During dinner, it was mostly Shi Qingqiu and Yao Rui chatting about work and Yao Rui’s family. Wen Qinghan quietly ate, only speaking up now and then to answer questions they asked her.

Since Yao Rui had driven herself, after the meal Shi Qingqiu and Wen Qinghan walked her to the underground garage.

“Lawyer Wen, I’ll see you next time then. Don’t forget what you promised me: dinner with you two.” Yao Rui jingled her car keys and winked, reminding Wen Qinghan of the conversation they had had earlier in Shi Qingqiu’s room.

“Mm, I remember.” Wen Qinghan of course knew exactly what she had said. Her eyes were as cool as ever, like a rare refreshing breeze on a summer day.

“Alright, Little Rui, haven’t you had enough?” Shi Qingqiu couldn’t stand watching the two of them talk in riddles anymore. She turned Yao Rui around and nagged earnestly, “Hurry home and take care of business properly. I’m waiting for my godson and goddaughter, don’t keep me waiting too long.”

Yao Rui swatted her hand off her shoulder and said grumpily, “You’re the only one in a rush. The emperor’s not anxious, but the eunuch is.” With that, she finally got into her car.

The red car drove out of the Shi family garage. In the rearview mirror, Yao Rui glanced at the two still standing there. She sighed softly, then looked straight ahead again, the corners of her lips lifting faintly, as if some kind of expectation was sprouting in the wind.

Only after Yao Rui’s car disappeared from sight did Wen Qinghan turn to Shi Qingqiu. “Let’s go.”

Shi Qingqiu looked at the darkening sky, then suddenly had an idea. She grabbed Wen Qinghan’s wrist and said with a small smile, “Qinghan, let’s go for a walk. It’s Saturday, isn’t it?”

Wen Qinghan paused for a moment, then nodded. “Where do you want to go?”

Without thinking, Shi Qingqiu blurted out, “Times Square. Just to walk around, stroll a bit.”

Wen Qinghan looked at her face, and for a moment something seemed to soften her usually distant eyes. She nodded lightly. “Alright, let’s go.”

***

Times Square wasn’t very close to Phoenix City; driving there took about half an hour. Since they were already at the Shi family’s garage, Shi Qingqiu took the driver’s seat and drove them out.

Shi Qingqiu often got photographed on the streets by the media. She disliked letting her actress identity tie her down, so as long as nothing scandalous risked being caught, she occasionally allowed herself small freedoms.

Once they parked, Shi Qingqiu tied her long hair up and put on a pair of black-framed glasses. In an instant, her stunning starlet image softened into that of a fresh-faced college graduate. Walking side by side in the crowd, they were lucky as no one recognized Shi Qingqiu in this disguise, though she still drew curious glances now and then.

Up ahead, a child holding a balloon was staring upward as he walked, not watching where he was going.

Wen Qinghan’s brows tightened. She reached out, pulling Shi Qingqiu to her side. “Careful.” Her cool, steady voice sounded behind her just as Shi Qingqiu, who had been putting her phone into her jeans pocket, was pulled safely out of the way.

The child’s family rushed over, quickly taking his hand and apologizing to Wen Qinghan. She only gave a small nod before letting go of Shi Qingqiu’s arm. Turning back, Shi Qingqiu caught a glimpse of Wen Qinghan’s long hair lifting in the breeze—serene, untouchable, almost ethereal.

“Thanks.” Shi Qingqiu stepped back to her side and lightly held her wrist. She wasn’t sure if her palm was too warm or if Wen Qinghan’s skin was simply icy cool, but she thought she felt her stiffen slightly.

“Hey, Qinghan,” she tried to start a casual chat as they walked.

“Mm?”

“You haven’t been here in a long time, have you?” In her memory, Wen Qinghan had rarely gone out, whether during school or later while working. If Shi Qingqiu hadn’t dragged her along, she probably wouldn’t have gone even if she had free time. Well, she didn’t seem like the kind of person to stroll aimlessly anyway.

But Wen Qinghan’s answer surprised her. Her voice, softened by the evening breeze, brushed against Shi Qingqiu’s ear. 

“That’s not true.” Shi Qingqiu’s eyes widened a little. She turned to look at her. Wen Qinghan curved her lips slightly. “You’re thinking of cotton candy, aren’t you?”

As soon as she said it, Shi Qingqiu smiled too, her eyes narrowing with joy. She shook her hand gently and echoed, “Mm, you still remember? Back when my parents and your parents brought us here, they bought us loads of cotton candy. I ended up eating all of it while you didn’t touch a bite. And later, when classmates bought it, you still wouldn’t eat yours. I always ate your share. Remember that?”

She shook Wen Qinghan’s hand playfully a few times, the atmosphere suddenly warm again, washing away the awkwardness that had surfaced since their sudden marriage registration.

Looking up, Wen Qinghan noticed a cotton candy stall not far away, surrounded by parents and children. The vendor was winding strands of sugar around a bamboo stick, layer by layer, until it became a fluffy white ball.

“I remember. I don’t like eating childish things like that.” Wen Qinghan’s low voice held a hint of amusement as she watched a child receive the finished candy.

“Then what do you like?” Shi Qingqiu asked absently, checking her pocket for change.

Before she could pull anything out, Wen Qinghan called toward the stall, “Boss, one cotton candy, please.”

“Sure, just a moment!” the vendor replied, already starting another.

Shi Qingqiu froze mid-motion, confused. Before she could ask, Wen Qinghan quietly explained, “It’s for you.”

Amid the noisy crowd, no one else heard. By the time Shi Qingqiu realized, the vendor had already handed the cotton candy to her. Wen Qinghan paid, gave a polite thanks, and led her away.

The sky was now fully dark. Holding Wen Qinghan’s wrist with one hand and the fluffy candy with the other, Shi Qingqiu lifted her lips into a smile, her eyes shining behind the glasses.

“Qinghan, thank you.” She lowered the cotton candy slightly, turning to give thanks.

“You’re welcome. Children’s treats aren’t expensive.” Wen Qinghan brushed back a strand of her hair with her free hand, looking indifferent.

It wasn’t about the price. Shi Qingqiu thought back. She’d never seen Wen Qinghan outright dislike sweets, nor did she favor them. But why, all these years, had she refused to eat even a bite of cotton candy? In her life, only Qi Yue had ever truly shared emotions, food, and random thoughts with her. Back then, the two of them could finish one cotton candy larger than her own head together. Just like the milk tea Qi Yue used to make—she would drink, and Qi Yue would finish the rest without hesitation.

But that was the past. That person was gone.

Her steps slowed until she stopped before a long stone bench.

Sometimes you don’t even love someone anymore, can’t even clearly remember their face, but when small details tied to them resurface, you can’t help thinking of them.

“If you’re eating, then eat properly. Why so lost in thought?” Wen Qinghan stopped too, facing her with a faint crease between her brows. “You’ll get indigestion.”

She looked at Shi Qingqiu, concern hidden beneath her calm expression. The fountain’s colorful lights fell across her, tinting her aloof figure with a trace of earthly color.

Snapping out of it, Shi Qingqiu looked at her blank face and the shimmering lights on her body, then laughed aloud. She tugged her to sit down.

“I was just wondering how to coax you into taking a bite. I’ve never tried persuading someone to eat before.” She bit into the candy, then offered it to her. “Qinghan, try it. It’s delicious.”

For a goddess-like star, eating cotton candy was probably the most childish thing Shi Qingqiu had ever done. From the moment she brought it up, she no longer seemed like the poised, mature adult everyone knew.

But to Wen Qinghan, it was still beautiful.

“That’s not a very good way to coax someone.” She smiled suddenly, as if sunlight cracked through ice.

She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and leaned in, taking a small bite.

“Is it good?” Shi Qingqiu asked eagerly, assuming it was her first time eating it thanks to her.

“Barely edible.” Her tone carried faint disdain.

“Can’t you say something nicer?” Shi Qingqiu shot her a glare before resuming eating on her own.

“Why do you like cotton candy? Just because it’s sweet?” Wen Qinghan asked, fingers idly rubbing together in her lap.

Shi Qingqiu paused, then resumed chewing slowly. The sweetness spread through her mouth, slipped down her throat, and seemed to curve right into her heart. “Do you remember how I cried all the time as a kid?” she asked, glancing at Wen Qinghan’s calm face. “My parents tried all sorts of ways to comfort me, but this was the only one that worked. Maybe because it’s so sweet. Whenever I was upset, I’d eat it, and it made me forget to cry. Isn’t that silly?” She laughed at herself. It was silly, wasn’t it? Forgetting sadness just by eating something?

Wen Qinghan shook her head. In the darkness, she raised her trembling hand, then grasped Shi Qingqiu’s free hand. “Not silly. Not at all.” Her lips curved slightly as she said softly, “It may be childish, but if you want to eat it again, call me. I’ll eat it with you.” Her palm was damp with sweat.

Shi Qingqiu froze, then bit her lip. Her eyes stung as memories surged, but she forced a smile. “Lawyer Wen, don’t you realize how contradictory you sound? Calling it childish but still forcing yourself to eat it?”

The streetlight caught her expression. Wen Qinghan tightened her hold, smiling more fully. “No one’s watching. It doesn’t hurt to ruin my image once in a while.”

“Oh?” Shi Qingqiu raised a brow, then teased, “Then prove it. Have another bite.”

To her surprise, Wen Qinghan let go, leaned in, and took another bite. This time she chewed slowly, letting the sweetness linger.

As Shi Qingqiu watched, a couple walked past. A card slipped from one of their wallets and landed by her feet. She bent to pick it up and handed it back. “You dropped this.”

The woman accepted it with thanks, then looked more closely… and froze. “You’re Shi Qingqiu!”

Her partner and both women were startled. To run into such a famous star here of all places! And who was this woman by her side? The scene looked… unusual.

“Let’s go.” Wen Qinghan’s heart sank. She grabbed Shi Qingqiu’s hand and hurried off, their footsteps quickening into a run.

They dashed past the cotton candy stall, around a hedge, and finally back to the car, breathless.

The candy had long been tossed away. Leaning against the car, Shi Qingqiu watched Wen Qinghan scanning the area warily. She tugged at her wrist.

“Don’t worry. I’m not afraid. Even if something happens, I can handle it.” She was unfazed. After all, she wouldn’t have lasted this long in showbiz without PR skills. And she’d gone out with Yao Rui and Wen Qinghan before. She knew how to protect those with her.

Wen Qinghan finally looked back, and seeing her confidence, nodded.

“Qinghan, are you scared?”

Meeting her eyes, Wen Qinghan shook her head gently. “I’ll go where you go.” 

She’d said this before. But this time, the words brought profound comfort. There was no sentimentality in her expression, just quiet determination. 

Wherever you go, I’ll follow. If you advance, I advance. If you retreat, I retreat.