Cheng Yan felt as though something had been overlooked by her.
Chen Shuhua pushed the menu in front of her: “See if there’s anything you’d like to eat.”
Her train of thought interrupted, she went along with it and put aside her chaotic musings, lowering her head to look at the menu handed to her. The dishes were all handwritten, the strokes flowing like clouds and water. Holding the menu, she could almost smell the faint scent of ink.
Then she looked at the price of each dish.
Expectedly expensive.
She lowered her head and chose two. Chen Shuhua checked off a few more dishes and returned the menu to the service staff.
“What are you looking at me for?” Cheng Yan poured herself a cup of tea to drink. Surprised it was actually quite good, she took a few more sips, then looked up to see Chen Shuhua staring at her intently.
“This is Junshan Silver Needle. I heard their finished tea is graded according to the bud’s plumpness, shape, color, and luster. Judging by the golden hue of the buds in what we’re drinking now, it’s probably a very fine quality tea.” Seeing she seemed to like it, Chen Shuhua explained.
Cheng Yan looked down at the clear, bright yellow tea soup in her cup, then turned and opened the lid of the nearby teapot. The tea leaves floating inside indeed looked just as Chen Shuhua had described.
Chen Shuhua said, “I have some Junshan Silver Needle at home that was gifted to us. If you like it, I can bring you some tomorrow.”
“No need. I’m just trying it for the first time, so it’s a bit novel.” Cheng Yan smiled and refused.
Even the tea used to entertain guests before the meal was so refined and expensive. She was starting to look forward to the main courses to come.
Seeing her refusal, Chen Shuhua concealed the disappointment in her eyes and smiled along, then brought up the matter from before they entered.
“Actually, the person we met outside just now… you might have heard of her.”
Cheng Yan asked, “Is she particularly famous?”
Chen Shuhua nodded, rubbing the glass cup. “Right. You should know about Jun Group, right? The person just now was the current Family Head of Jun Group.”
Cheng Yan was very surprised.
She recalled, “She felt like someone very formidable, but I didn’t expect her to be that formidable.”
No wonder she had that aloof, arrogant air about her.
The current Family Head of Jun Group certainly had the capital for it.
Cheng Yan said, “There were rumors online that the current head of Jun Group was in poor health. I thought it just meant she was a bit weak, but I didn’t expect she’s also in a wheelchair every day?”
She had come across these rumors last year while scrolling online. Combined with the recent news about the passing of the previous Jun Group head, it was hard not to suspect that period might have been a white-hot phase of internal power struggle within the large conglomerate. “Every day” – Cheng Yan’s casual words hung in the air.
Chen Shuhua didn’t catch the significance of her phrasing, “every day”. She just said, “I’m not too clear on it either. Anyway, it’s not a case of truly being unable to walk.”
“Oh.” Cheng Yan nodded, then shrugged. “But why are you telling me all this? I think, given my status, there probably won’t be any situation where I cross paths with this President Jun in the future, right?”
Wait.
Cheng Yan suddenly realized.
Yeah, how could someone of her status cross paths with the Family Head of Jun Group time and time again?
The thoughts she’d been mulling over when she first sat down seemed to have found a conclusion.
Two people of such distinctly different statuses should naturally have no intersection.
The most normal thing would be: walking down a wide street, a chance encounter, she casting a curious glance at that pale, frail person. And the other party would be aloof and distant, keeping people at arm’s length. Even if their eyes accidentally met, she should be seen as insignificant as dust, her gaze carelessly shifting away without leaving a trace.
An answer was on the verge of bursting forth.
She was somewhat interested in her.
As for what kind? Hard to say.
Chen Shuhua paused at her words, then said, “Not necessarily, right?”
Perhaps because she had seen Jun Jianqing, she was reminded of the other’s blessings at her birthday banquet.
Chen Shuhua looked at the person sitting before her, the corners of her lips curving.
Cheng Yan saw that despite her smile, a thread of worry had crept between her brows. After a moment’s thought, she guessed what was troubling her.
“Things haven’t been going smoothly at the company recently?”
Chen Shuhua had a family company to inherit. She had heard that her family originally planned for her to go in and gain experience during the summer break, but for some reason, the plan changed last week. She started earlier than expected, and didn’t even go to the production department they’d originally talked about, but directly to another department.
Chen Shuhua smiled bitterly. “In the beginning, everything was very unfamiliar, but thankfully with help from some seniors, I’ve gradually gotten the hang of it.”
“It’s just seeing President Jun that suddenly made me think of my parents, and then of myself. This week’s work really made me feel that people are truly very different.”
She didn’t like doing business, but she had to do it.
Reluctantly doing it, yet increasingly feeling her own mediocrity.
Seeing the person standing at the pinnacle in the same field, besides looking up in admiration, a sense of defeat also rose in her heart.
Cheng Yan refilled her teacup, quietly acting as a listener.
Chen Shuhua suddenly grasped her hand, her eyes filled with self-doubt. “Junior, tell me, can I really do it?”
These heavy burdens in the future, could she really take them over from her parents’ hands and protect them well?
Cheng Yan didn’t pull away.
She thought for a moment, then said, “I haven’t been exposed to it and don’t understand it. But I think, for a diligent and dedicated person, the results are bound not to betray her efforts. Moreover, you’re still so young, with your parents’ support. On this path, you still have a very long time to learn, to experience and grow.”
Even if she lacked talent, in the commercial battlefield, with her diligence and character, being a mediocre maintainer of the status quo shouldn’t be a problem.
Cheng Yan didn’t spell out the latter part, because as the person involved, Chen Shuhua herself was clear on these things deep down.
The dishes arrived, and the two temporarily set aside this somewhat gloomy topic, concentrating on eating.
Every bite was exquisitely fresh on the tongue. Cheng Yan never put down her chopsticks throughout the meal, eating continuously until she was about eighty percent full. Only then did she set down her chopsticks and turned to ladle out the soup, which the server had reminded her was now at just the right temperature.
One sip, and she felt her entire soul had been elevated.
Stuffing her stomach full, Cheng Yan felt that this meal had truly satisfied her thoroughly.
“I haven’t eaten this much in a long time,” she said.
Chen Shuhua’s eyes and brows all carried a smile. “I’m so glad you liked it.”
She liked it, she really, really liked it.
Although from drinking the tea here, she had already had expectations for the food, she hadn’t expected that when she actually ate it, it would completely surpass expectations.
But Cheng Yan did a mental calculation of the price. Not cheap.
Even a rich second-generation like Chen Shuhua probably couldn’t afford to eat here every day.
This time, it was truly extravagant.
She calculated in her mind when she should return this favor.
After finishing the meal, Chen Shuhua looked at the time, realizing it was getting late. Holding her phone, she said to Cheng Yan, “Let me drive you back. Any later, and we might hit the curfew.”
Cheng Yan nodded. “Let’s go.”
The two went to the front desk together, but when it was time to pay, the server smiled and said, “Hello, your bills for two have already been taken care of by Ms. Jun.”
Cheng Yan and Chen Shuhua exchanged a glance, both guessing who it was immediately.
Chen Shuhua was a bit surprised. As they walked out, she hesitated and said, “President Jun settled our bill. Should I go up and say thanks?”
This feeling of being remembered by such a big figure left her slightly flattered and a little apprehensive.
The two of them ate in the main hall, while someone of Jun Jianqing’s status was likely dining in a private room offering more privacy.
Cheng Yan said, “No need. Just say hello if we run into each other next time.”
Given the caliber of this restaurant, they probably didn’t have the clearance to know the specific location of guests in the private rooms.
And if the other party was there to discuss business, their intrusion would be a disturbance.
Chen Shuhua had been somewhat surprised initially. After calming down, she also realized her question just now had been rather rash.
She covered her face and laughed. “Originally, this meal was my treat, but it ended up being President Jun’s expense.”
Cheng Yan hummed distractedly.
She had originally planned to return Chen Shuhua’s favor, but the one who actually paid the bill was that person.
To whom should she return this courtesy?
Just have something for both, then.
As for whether she’d even run into the other party again? They’d see.
…
Inside the laboratory.
Cheng Yan, dressed in sterile clothing, stood behind the professor, watching every single move of the professor’s operation without blinking.
“5ml pipette.”
“200ul pipette tip.”
“Aluminum cap.”
“Gauze cover.”
She handed over each tool the professor needed. By the time the experiment was finished, only when her full concentration relaxed did Cheng Yan feel her legs had gone somewhat numb.
“Tired?” The professor took off her mask and asked in a gentle voice.
Cheng Yan shook her head. “Not tired.”
She watched the professor before her smile at her reply.
The professor was a leading figure in the national biopharmaceutical field, her research direction focusing on aging-related diseases, specialized in this area. She possessed the most cutting-edge technology in the country and held numerous patents under her name – a truly formidable person.
“I saw your leg move secretly.”
“…”
Being teased by such a profoundly learned person, especially one she respected as her teacher, no matter how thick-skinned Cheng Yan was, she couldn’t help but blush a little.
“My physical stamina really can’t compare to yours, Teacher.”
The professor shook her head with a smile. The two walked out of the lab, changed out of their sterile suits, and returned to the office. She said, “You have talent. I’ve seen the assignments you submitted. You don’t know this, but your molecular biology teacher was so thrilled when she saw the homework you handed in.”
“The assignment content was originally a small trouble I ran into in my experiment, hitting a bottleneck. Your molecular biology teacher said she might as well give it to the students as an assignment to test you all. I agreed, originally not holding any expectations—”
At this point, she looked at the young woman before her with appreciation.
“But your novel experimental hypothesis, rigorous experimental plan, and procedures. Not only did they brighten your teacher’s eyes, they also gave me a flash of inspiration.”
Afterward, they experimented, and the experimental data proved that Cheng Yan’s proposed hypothesis was entirely feasible, only needing slight improvement in the procedures.
But this was harmless.
She was only a freshman, just starting to touch the field of biopharmaceuticals, and already she had given her teachers such a great surprise.
The professor said, “I also read the paper you submitted before your leave. Excellent. Clear structure, accurate data, a successful experiment.”
Cheng Yan’s eyes sparkled from the praise.
“But—”
The professor’s tone shifted, and her heart involuntarily lifted.
“You still have a major flaw.” The professor frowned. “When you experiment, your technique is simply too rough!”
So rough she truly couldn’t bear to watch.
How was it that all her reports and papers were impeccably rigorous, yet her hands-on ability was barely satisfactory?
What others could accomplish in one try, she needed two.
Cheng Yan: “…Too little practice?”
The professor glared at her fiercely. “So from now on, you need to frequent my lab often! Whenever you’re free after class, come here! Observe more, listen more, ponder more!”
She couldn’t let such a good seedling slip from her hands.
Thinking of her friend’s eager readiness, the professor was extra vigilant in her heart.
Cheng Yan: “Yes.”
Today, several seniors were unexpectedly absent. She followed the professor into the lab to help with an experiment, only to expose her flaw and earn extra practice as a result.
She lamented inwardly, but Cheng Yan had not a shred of dissatisfaction.
“Alright, you’ve been busy enough today. Go back and rest.”
Waving her hand, the professor dismissed her.
On her way back to the dorm, Cheng Yan detoured to the cafeteria to grab some food, carrying it back to her dorm room.
Only Jiang Luoying was in the dorm. Seeing her return so late, she immediately threw her a sympathetic look.
“Tired?”
Facing her roommate, Cheng Yan honestly said, “My brain hurts so much.”
Jiang Luoying tossed an apple her way.
Cheng Yan caught it in one hand, hearing her say, “Just washed, feel free to eat.”
She lowered her head and took a bite. Sweet and crisp, it was her favorite type of crisp apple.
“Thanks.”
Jiang Luoying was fiddling with the wig on her desk. Upon hearing this, she said, “You’re welcome. Oh, by the way, the other two aren’t coming back tonight.”
Cheng Yan gave an “ah”. “Just the two of us again.”
Jiang Luoying said, “Right? Jealous?”
The other two roommates were in relationships, always out enjoying their time as a couple. This four-person dorm had long since existed in name only.
Cheng Yan said, “It’s alright.”
Perhaps because she also liked women, she had sensed earlier that the atmosphere between her two roommates was a bit unusual.
Back then she thought it was just mutual fondness, but who knew they’d taken the path of love at first sight and confirmation at second meeting, dating for a long time before only recently telling them about it.
Jiang Luoying said, “I’m jealous. I’m dying of jealousy. When will an older woman come along for me to date? I’m dying of thirst!”
Ever since learning that Cheng Yan also liked girls, Jiang Luoying had completely let loose, yelling every day in the dorm for an older sister to come dote on her.
Cheng Yan: “…”
She finished the apple, lowered her head, and concentrated on eating.
Jiang Luoying also stopped fussing with her cosplay wig. Shifting her chair closer to her, she watched her eat with great relish. Lowering her head, her profile was fair. Though not a stunning beauty at first glance, it was difficult to tear one’s gaze away.
Why was that?
Being stared at like this, goosebumps inexplicably rose. Cheng Yan reached out and pushed her face away. “How am I supposed to eat like this?”
Jiang Luoying shifted her face back, propping her chin. “Don’t worry, I haven’t fallen for you.”
“I’m just suddenly curious. Cheng Yan, do you like Sister or younger women?”
Hearing the question, a face she hadn’t seen in a long time flashed through her mind.
Cheng Yan swallowed her last bite of noodles, wiped her mouth, and said flatly, “Why limit it to older women or younger women? I go more by feeling.”
Jiang Luoying: “Ah— feeling, that concept is so vague.”
“But I bet you probably prefer older women more.”
Cheng Yan said, “Why do you guess that?”
Jiang Luoying glanced at her, grinning mischievously. “Because of Senior Chen.”
She pointed at the unfinished items on Cheng Yan’s desk. “Isn’t this for Senior Chen?”
Cheng Yan looked in the direction she pointed. There were two unfinished items, just slightly different in style. She’d been a bit busy lately and hadn’t done the final touches.
“It’s not just for the senior,” she said.
“But Senior Chen is included.” Jiang Luoying said, “I don’t believe you haven’t sensed that Senior Chen likes you.”
In Jiang Luoying’s view, it was impossible not to perceive when someone liked you. Besides, Senior Chen didn’t hide it much either. Her special treatment at times was very easy to notice.
Her roommate Cheng Yan wasn’t slow; her mind was sharp as could be. She definitely knew.
“You reject others’ confessions bluntly and impersonally, but towards the senior’s overtures, you haven’t clearly refused. There must be some good feeling. Doesn’t that count as proof you like Sister?”
Cheng Yan: “Senior hasn’t directly confessed either.”
Jiang Luoying retorted, her eyes full of gossip: “If Senior confessed to you tomorrow, would you refuse?”
“Yes.”
“Huh?”
The certainty in Jiang Luoying’s eyes was shattered by this answer.
“Why?”
In her view, Cheng Yan and Senior Chen Shuhua had a very good relationship and mutual fondness. If someone confessed and clarified the relationship, it would be perfectly natural for them to get together.
Yet from Cheng Yan’s mouth came an unexpected answer.
Cheng Yan’s voice sounded somewhat faint in the night, with a drifting quality hard to grasp: “Having a good impression, but not enough. Isn’t that a reason?”
Jiang Luoying: “…”
A perfectly logical statement.
“Ah, well… that’s normal.” Jiang Luoying rubbed her chin, embarrassed. “I just didn’t react in time.”
It’s just that the two of them standing together looked quite compatible, and the atmosphere was quite good.
But if you thought about it carefully, it seemed like it was indeed not quite at that point yet?
When she saw them, she might tease, might detect that mutual fondness.
But she really couldn’t see a single glance between them that held that atmosphere of flowing ambiguity.
Cheng Yan: “Now that you’ve reacted, can you move away for a bit? I need to tidy up my desk.”
Jiang Luoying moved away accordingly, tilting her head to watch Cheng Yan tidy up. She asked, “So when will you accept her confession and get together?”
As if it was a certainty that Chen Shuhua would confess.
Without turning her head, Cheng Yan said: “Don’t know.”
She hadn’t thought about this question.
Jiang Luoying said, disappointed: “Okay.”
The gossip session over, she picked up her wig again, her face beaming with joy. “I can’t imagine how many pretty older women I’ll see at the comic convention in half a month!”
“I’m way too happy!”
With her back to her, Cheng Yan finished tidying her desk and took the items down from it.
These were two unfinished handmade fountain pens.
The material selection, shaping, and polishing—she had completed it all herself, borrowing the tools at a workshop. It had taken quite some effort. The subsequent lacquering and coloring had also consumed a lot of time. Coupled with how busy she’d been recently, after a month, she still hadn’t finished them completely.
But only the finishing touches remained.
Gazing at the two pens in her palm, Cheng Yan stared blankly, a rare occurrence.
