Lan Yan did not look at her father’s momentarily surprised expression. She only lowered her head to drink tea.
Warm tea vapor rose toward her eyes. She asked softly, “…When do you want to get the certificate?”
“April. April 16th.”
Lan Yan knew this was the day they had confirmed their relationship.
“Um… That’s pretty good.”
Lan Junwen smiled bashfully.
Lan Yan could not hold on any longer. She took out her phone and pretended to send a message to avoid further conversation.
Fortunately, it was not long before Liang Xiaoxia came up from downstairs.
“Have you ordered the dishes?” Liang Xiaoxia asked with a smile. “I’ll call the server to place the order. There are a lot of people today, so the kitchen is slow with the food.”
“Jingchuan hasn’t arrived yet.”
“He’s not picky. Whatever we order, he’ll eat.”
Lan Junwen smiled and said, “Then let’s still order a few dishes he likes.”
The server took away the menus and refilled their hot tea.
Lan Yan was absent-minded and did not remember what she chatted about with Liang Xiaoxia.
Her mind was truly in chaos. She needed some time alone to sort it out, so she stood up and said she was going to the restroom.
She had only been here once, but somehow still remembered the layout. The end of the corridor was the restroom.
She vaguely remembered that there had been a curtain at the door back then, but now the curtain was gone. The entrance had been renovated: first came the sinks, with passages on either side leading to separate sections for men and women.
It was cleaned very thoroughly, and there was even a flameless incense diffuser on the sink counter.
Lan Yan stayed for quite a while before turning to leave.
She had just taken a step when she suddenly stopped short.
Liang Jingchuan’s hand rested on the wooden handrail as he climbed the last step. He had taken off his black trench coat and draped it over his arm.
Bathed in the dim glow of the wall lamps, he truly had an elegant poise.
His figure blurred for a moment. Lan Yan blinked, making him clear again.
She joked nonchalantly, “You’re just arriving? We’ve already finished eating.”
But Liang Jingchuan was stunned. He stepped up the stairs and walked right up to her.
The not-so-spacious corridor suddenly felt cramped, and the ceiling light’s glow was mostly blocked by him.
Her whole person seemed to nestle in his aura and shadow.
“…Did you cry?” Liang Jingchuan asked in a low voice. He was somewhat dazed, unsure if he was asking her or the her from back then.
“No, I just washed my face.” Lan Yan rolled her eyes at him. “Do I have so many things to cry about?”
Liang Jingchuan said nothing. His gaze lingered on her face, as if judging whether her words were true or false.
“…Someone’s coming out.” Lan Yan suddenly said in a low voice.
Liang Jingchuan immediately turned his head. Lan Yan raised her hand and pushed him, brushing past his arm as she walked out.
Of course, there was no one. All’s fair in deception. Liang Jingchuan chuckled and followed behind her, asking in a low voice, “What are you afraid of? I wasn’t planning to do anything.”
“Then why did you turn around?”
“Next time, I absolutely won’t.”
The private room door grew closer, and they both stopped talking.
Pausing at the door, Liang Jingchuan looked up at the plaque reading “Kirin Pavilion” and could not help sighing inwardly.
In the private room, cold dishes had already been served, clustered around a pot of butterfly orchids in the center of the round table, giving a festive air for the holiday.
Eating this meal required Lan Yan to put on the performance of her lifetime, especially since Liang Jingchuan knew her inside out. Not the slightest bit of abnormality could escape his eyes.
Toward the end of the meal, glutinous rice balls were served as the main dish. Liang Jingchuan had only eaten two bites when he received a phone call, seemingly from the person on duty at the company lab.
After he finished the call, Liang Xiaoxia asked, “Is something wrong?”
“No. Just a small issue.”
“Then you go ahead. We’ve pretty much finished eating anyway.”
Liang Jingchuan nodded, picked up his coat, and left. Before going out, his gaze swept over Lan Yan’s face.
A moment later, Liang Xiaoxia called the server to pack up the leftovers. After paying the bill, they left the restaurant.
Lan Yan did not go home. She hailed a cab herself and returned to her rental place.
In the car, she received a message from Liang Jingchuan.
【ljc: What are your plans the day after tomorrow?】
【blueblue: Work. Nothing much.】
【ljc: Dinner together in the evening?】
【blueblue: I have plans with Lu Ying.】
After a while, Liang Jingchuan replied with a single “Okay” and sent nothing else.
Lan Yan rested her forehead against the car window glass. The streets were adorned with lanterns and decorations, full of flowing lights, yet she seemed to always be—and would forever be—isolated from such liveliness.
/
The next two days, she went to Mend Orchid Studio for work as usual.
At noon, Lan Yan ate with Zhou Wenshu and Xue Mengqiu, then returned to the small building.
Xiao Yue came up to her at the front desk, speaking mysteriously. “Senior Sister Lan Yan, there’s a handsome client waiting for you in the reception room.”
“…Who?” Lan Yan’s heart skipped a beat.
“I don’t know. And there are two of them, both super handsome.”
Alarm lifted. Xiao Yue had seen Liang Jingchuan and Chen Boyu before and would recognize them.
“…You’re sure it’s my client?” From her description, it sounded like someone had ordered male models for her.
“Yes, Master is personally receiving them.”
Lan Yan was utterly confused and immediately headed to the reception room.
Just before reaching the door, she heard a familiar, coquettish voice.
She felt a surge of delight and stepped in. Sure enough, it was Liang Manxi. Sitting on the sofa with her were her twin brother Lou Jinxue and Yu Wancheng.
Liang Manxi spoke first. “We’re here to play with you!”
Lan Yan smiled. “Welcome.”
Chu Lansun beckoned to Lan Yan. “Come over quick. Mr. Yu was just saying he wants you or Wenshu to show him around Mend Orchid Studio.”
Yu Wancheng nodded at that moment. “Miss Lan Yan, long time no see.”
Lan Yan smiled and greeted him. “Long time no see.”
Liang Manxi probably could not sit still any longer. She stood up and linked arms with Lan Yan. “Sister, I want to see where you work.”
“Sure. We’ll chat while touring.”
Lan Yan led the way ahead, with Yu Wancheng and the other two following behind. Liang Manxi chattered on about the reason: this time, her parents had also come to China. On Lantern Festival the day before yesterday, she had gone to Zhejiang to visit ancestors. Her parents wanted to stay a few more days in Zhejiang before heading to Fujian.
Lan Yan asked, “What brings Mr. Yu here this time?”
Liang Manxi answered, “He’s a businessman, so he’s definitely here to check out the business environment.”
Yu Wancheng smiled. “Exactly.”
They reached the mounting room upstairs, where Yu Wancheng sighed with feeling. Compared to here, One Corner Pavilion was so rudimentary; he truly had not hosted them well back then.
Yu Wancheng was too polite. Lan Yan found interacting with him tiring, full of endless pleasantries. Fortunately, Liang Manxi livened up the atmosphere.
They had not toured for long when Zhou Wenshu arrived too. With him to keep things flowing, there was no worry of awkward silences.
After touring Mend Orchid Studio, Lan Yan went with Zhou Wenshu to take them to the city museum.
The city museum was vast, with rich collections. Three hours allowed only a cursory look.
As mealtime approached, Lan Yan fulfilled her promise as host and booked a private room, treating them to the most authentic local dishes.
They left the museum and went straight to the restaurant.
Perhaps having anticipated the travel needs, Yu Wancheng had rented a business van. Wherever they went, a car picked them up and dropped them off.
The restaurant had a serene environment and good flavors. Liang Manxi was especially satisfied, saying she wanted to stay long-term. “A place with summer all year round—I’m so sick of it.”
Lan Yan smiled and said, “How many days are you staying in South City?”
“Three days.”
“Then I’ll take tomorrow off and show you around the city.”
“Can we avoid places with too many people?”
“No problem, I’ll arrange it.”
After the meal, since they had rushed in the morning and walked all afternoon, Liang Manxi was tired and wanted to go straight back to the hotel to rest and recharge for tomorrow.
The hotel was roughly on the way to Lan Yan’s place. Yu Wancheng had the car drop off Liang Manxi and her brother at the hotel first, then take Lan Yan home alone.
In the second row, the seats were separated, so they did not sit together.
Lan Yan noticed Yu Wancheng glancing at her repeatedly, but as long as he did not make a move, she pretended not to notice.
After a long silence, Yu Wancheng said, “Your hometown is very beautiful.”
Lan Yan smiled faintly. “As long as you like it, Mr. Yu.”
Yu Wancheng paused again. “It’s still early. Could I invite you to sit in a café?”
“Sorry, I don’t have the habit of drinking coffee so late. It keeps me awake.”
Yu Wancheng naturally would not press further.
The car drove in silence to the entrance of her neighborhood.
Yu Wancheng got out and opened the door for her. After she alighted, he asked her to wait a moment.
Lan Yan stood by the roadside and saw Yu Wancheng go to the back of the car. A moment later, he came over holding a bouquet of flowers.
Sunflowers, a brilliant gold like sunlight.
Yu Wancheng smiled and said, “Thank you for hosting us today. Happy holiday.”
Holiday? Lan Yan then realized it was February 14th.
She smiled but did not reach for it.
“It’s just sunflowers. Manxi picked them with me. She bought her own flowers and forgot to take them.”
Only then did Lan Yan accept it and smile. “May our friendship last forever. Happy holiday to you too, Mr. Yu.”
Yu Wancheng nodded.
He was a steady and courteous man. After giving the flowers, he should have gotten back in the car, but he hesitated, as if he had more to say and needed to choose his words carefully.
Lan Yan was wondering whether to brush him off with a couple of polite remarks when she heard footsteps behind her.
She turned abruptly. Before she could be surprised, her arm was seized and she was yanked backward.
She stumbled slightly but steadied her feet. A hand landed on her shoulder, pulling her toward him with irresistible force.
He then looked at Yu Wancheng with a half-smile. “Thank you, Mr. Yu, for seeing my sister home. If you want to spend the holiday with her, I won’t keep you from your time.”
Yu Wancheng looked surprised. His gaze swept over Liang Jingchuan’s hand on Lan Yan’s shoulder but said nothing. He nodded, took a step back, got in the car. “See you tomorrow, Miss Lan.”
“…” Lan Yan fell silent, feeling the fingers on her shoulder tighten further.
She knew this was just Yu Wancheng’s courtesy, but it was probably adding fuel to the fire right now.
At least the car door closed. Liang Jingchuan did not care if the car had driven off yet. He lowered his head and asked coldly, “You said you had plans with Lu Ying tonight.”
“…I said that offhand back then. I didn’t dine alone with Mr. Yu. There were many others too.”
“Why brush me off casually? Afraid to spend the holiday with me?” Liang Jingchuan’s gaze darkened further.
If she said she had not even realized his “day after tomorrow” meant Valentine’s Day, he probably would not believe it.
Explaining any of this was pointless anyway.
After a moment of silence, Lan Yan was about to speak when she noticed Liang Jingchuan was only wearing a thin black high-neck sweater. It was still chilly in early spring, and this was a windy spot.
Lan Yan turned around. “…Let’s go upstairs. I have something to say to you.”