Chapter 11

Early Thursday morning, Jiang Xuezi came knocking.

Jiang Min looked up. “Come in.”

Jiang Xuezi began mysteriously, “Good Samaritan Jiang — guess what I brought you?”

Jiang Min looked her over. “Smiling that brightly… the project funds came through?”

“No fun at all — how did you guess so fast?” Jiang Xuezi clicked her tongue and set the financial vouchers on her desk. “There. See for yourself.”

“Wasn’t guessing hard. What was I supposed to think — that you brought me shaobing? Or KFC?”

“Yes, yes, whatever you say goes.”

Jiang Min leafed through the documents. “Let’s call the meeting. You Hui says the detailed plan is ready too.”

Jiang Xuezi: “Huihui says she wants to make a little show of it later.”

“Let her.”

At ten the meeting convened. The moment Jiang Min entered the conference room, You Hui winked at her; she gave the smallest of nods.

Once Mi Wei had distributed the meeting materials, Jiang Xuezi cleared her throat and opened. “First, some good news: thanks to Team Leader You’s efforts, the preliminary funding for the year-end project has landed.”

The room exhaled in relief.

“About time! Otherwise we couldn’t even do the equipment’s year-end maintenance.”

“So does that mean the year-end bonuses are back on the table?”

“We get the remaining forty percent of funding after we deliver, right? Then let’s shoot, fast!”

Everyone was in high spirits, discussing the work ahead.

Only Jian Ming sat in silence, his face gone iron-dark.

The corporate funding stream had originally been his line. He’d struck his pose precisely because he’d calculated the year-end cash crunch — waiting for Jiang Min to come begging.

That Su bastard had promised him, hadn’t he — that the money would only move if Jian Ming personally stepped in? And now the funds had landed without a word from him!

He was seething inside but couldn’t erupt, so he settled for one barbed remark. “Team Leader You really is capable.”

You Hui was nobody’s pushover. Beaming, she said, “Naturally. It’s just a shame I wasn’t born with a good father, and don’t happen to be surnamed ‘Jian’ — otherwise I’d love to spend my days clutching my phone and sipping coffee too.”

On the surface the words were mild; on reflection, they cut to the bone.

Jian Ming lost face completely and exploded at once. “What is that supposed to mean?!”

You Hui, the picture of innocence: “Hm? Did I say something?”

“Enough!” Jiang Min’s voice went cold, cutting in at precisely the right moment. “We’re here to discuss work.”

She spoke with weight and worked hands-on herself; her authority was long established. Jian Ming drew a deep breath and swallowed it, not pushing further.

Jiang Min ignored his livid face and gestured to You Hui. “Go ahead.”

You Hui had her assistant Xu Yang bring up the projection. “Per the feedback from last meeting, our group spent these past few days refining the plan. I’ll present now — please raise any objections.”

You Hui spoke with remarkable concision and structure; the moment she opened her mouth, she had everyone’s attention.

Since last weekend, she had taken Xu Yang and Zhang Lan to the barbecue stall several times. The owner was warm and forthright, told them the homeless men came by every weekend to trade cardboard for beer and her unsold grilled oysters, and agreed on the spot to ask whether anyone would take part in filming. That very morning, the answer had come: four or five were willing.

Having covered the groundwork, You Hui moved on to the group assignments — three teams in all, with personnel, timing, and themes all laid out.

When she finished, the room applauded.

“Sister Hui’s execution is something else — the plan is so detailed!”

“And she even settled things with the owner. As a social anxiety case, I’m in awe.”

“Ha ha, let’s get started, get started! Done early, sleep early!”

Lin Xuqing noted down the plan’s details. She was paired with Jiang Xuezi. Unlike the others’ excitement, her expression was calm, thoughtful.

Jiang Min’s face was mild too. “We’ll proceed on this plan, then. Everyone prepare. First shoot this Saturday.”

She noticed Lin Xuqing’s state, watched her a few moments, then said, “That’s all for today. Dismissed.”

As the others filed out, Jiang Xuezi walked last with Jiang Min and said in a low voice, “Wen Heng called me this morning. Her mother’s condition is stable for now — she’ll finish the discharge paperwork this afternoon and be back at work.”

Jiang Min nodded. “She mentioned it to me before. Once she’s back, we still need to introduce her to Little Lin.”

“I have a feeling…” Jiang Xuezi sighed softly. “Sister Heng’s personality isn’t the easiest either. Once she’s back, Little Lin may be under even more pressure.”

Wen Heng was meticulous in her work, but her nature was deeply cold; she didn’t like engaging with people. Her mother’s recent relapse had put her on long leave.

“What is there to worry about?” Jiang Min smiled faintly. “If anything, I’m more curious to see how she handles things now.”

Lin Xuqing wouldn’t let her down… would she?

…

The time crept toward six in the evening.

Just before end of day, someone knocked on the office door.

Jiang Min opened it and saw who it was. “Sister Heng. It’s been a while.”

Her tone was reasonably warm, but Wen Heng answered in pure business form. “Thank you, President Jiang. I’ll familiarize myself with the next phase of work as quickly as possible.”

“Little Chu resigned a while back. We have a new colleague.”

“Mm. I’ve already met her.”

A few more pleasantries, and Wen Heng left.

Jiang Min didn’t leave right away — the work plan due to Jian Yanping still needed revising. It was nearly seven by the time she rose and went downstairs.

“Still here?” You Hui was packing up to leave and spotted her. “I saw Xuezi introduce Little Lin to Sister Heng just now. I’ll say this — the other young ones are all a bit scared of Sister Heng, but Little Lin was neither servile nor arrogant.”

Jiang Min laughed. “They’re all just people. What’s to be scared of?”

The two walked along, chatting and laughing, all the way to the entrance.

A white Ferrari was parked at the curb with maximum swagger — thank goodness it was after hours and the street was nearly empty, or it would have blocked the way.

Standing in front of the car was a young woman of twenty-five or twenty-six, in a cream-white fur coat over a pale pink sweater, sweet-faced and gentle-looking, hanging gaily on Lin Xuqing’s arm, saying who knew what.

Jiang Min stopped in her tracks.

That friend coming to pick her up, the one she’d mentioned at dinner with Ning Rou — was it her?

Or was it that co-renting roommate?

“You’d really cold-heartedly turn away your gorgeous roommate just like that?”

“‘Gorgeous.'” Lin Xuqing gave her two expressionless once-overs, a thread of disdain threading through her even tone. “Do you have any claim to those two words?”

“I can’t stand you! How does a thirty-seven-degree mouth produce words this freezing? And after your exalted daddy just opened a back door for you two days ago!”

“Then there’s nothing to be done — your exalted daddy condescended to volunteer for the favor. Why not go confirm it with him?”

Hearing the second half, You Hui laughed out loud. “Little Lin, all these years of not talking, and who knew you had quite the tongue on you.”

Lin Xuqing turned and smacked away the hand Tang Xiaoyu had hooked through her arm.

Tang Xiaoyu cried out, about to lecture Lin Xuqing on her failure to “cherish beauty” — then turned, saw You Hui, and momentarily lost her words.

You Hui, finding her staring, smiled and took another step forward. “What’s wrong? Did I scare you, talking all of a sudden?”

Her chestnut hair spilled over her shoulders, lips a flame red, bright eyes brimming with laughter, her tone a good-natured tease.

Faced with that vivid, beautiful face so suddenly close, Tang Xiaoyu felt, inexplicably, a flush rise. “N-no, nothing.”

“All right, don’t actually frighten the girl.” Jiang Min spoke up. “You’d be Miss Tang, I take it?”

The moment Tang Xiaoyu saw her, her eyes lit up. “I am! And you are?”

Jiang Min extended her hand. “Hello, I’m Jiang Min. We spoke on the phone once.”

“Sister Jiang, I said last time — just call me Tang Xiaoyu!” Tang Xiaoyu hurried to shake her hand, instantly familiar. “Oh, right — can I call you Sister Jiang?”

Jiang Min found it a little funny and agreed readily. “You may.”

Lin Xuqing pressed her lips together and gave Tang Xiaoyu a flat sidelong glance — the message in it unmistakably: nothing’s wrong, now scram.

Tang Xiaoyu, however, seemed entirely deaf to the signal, and stood her ground.

“We did agree I’d treat you to a meal sometime, but I’ve got work this weekend. Sorry — it may be another week or two.”

“No problem at all! Sister Jiang, whenever you invite me, I’ll come running!”

“Good, then.” Jiang Min turned her head. “You Hui — you come too, when the time comes.”

You Hui said, all smiles, “If I come, will Miss Tang feel awkward?”

Tang Xiaoyu somehow didn’t quite dare meet her eyes, only shaking her head hard. “Of course not! Having — having Sister You Hui along is the best!”

You Hui arched a brow.

This girl — ‘Sister’ this, ‘Sister’ that. What a sweet little mouth.

“All right, we’re off. You and Little Lin take your time.”

Jiang Min said her goodbyes and walked on with You Hui at her side.

You Hui lowered her voice. “That girl seems very close to Little Lin.”

Jiang Min thought of the moment before — Tang Xiaoyu hanging on Lin Xuqing’s arm, the faintly wheedling way of it — and smiled a little. “Mm. For all we know, our going to dinner was just in the way.”

You Hui: “Is that so…”

The voices faded.

Tang Xiaoyu stood where she was, watching their retreating figures, and sighed in admiration. “So that’s what your Sister Jiang Min is like… such a classy, beautiful older sister. Just cold. She must be pretty fierce when she’s angry, huh?”

Lin Xuqing’s gaze was cool. “That’s enough. What are you still looking at?”

“Tch, stingy.” Tang Xiaoyu wasn’t scared of her in the slightest. “I only looked a few times. It’s not like she’d become mine. I don’t even like that type.”

Lin Xuqing’s face changed. “Nonsense.”

What liking-not-liking. Where had that come from?

Seeing her expression shift, Tang Xiaoyu obligingly changed the subject, tugging her sleeve. “Fine, fine, fine, dropping it. Seriously — you’re really not coming shopping with me tonight?”

Lin Xuqing brushed her hand off. “No. I said I have things to do.”

Ignoring Tang Xiaoyu’s protests, Lin Xuqing turned with great aplomb and left her standing there.

…

Dinner was beef pies bought off a street cart — crisp outside, soft within, the beef well marinated, numbing-spicy and fragrant. Quite good, actually.

Only after finishing dinner did Lin Xuqing step into the pottery studio by the roadside.

The owner, mid-lesson with a customer, smiled before speaking. “Little Lin! It’s been ages.”

Lin Xuqing smiled back. “Just wandering after work. Sister Tao Man, don’t mind me — carry on.”

“How could I? You’re here, so of course this sister keeps you company.” Tao Man set down her work, washed her hands, and brewed a pot of osmanthus oolong. “Sit, sit. Let’s talk.”

Lin Xuqing didn’t refuse. She sat at the little round table by the window and drank her tea.

Outside the window—

Pedestrians flowed past in an endless stream.

“See? Didn’t I tell you the barbecue stall owner would be glad to help?” You Hui yawned. She’d been running nonstop lately and was genuinely exhausted.

Jiang Min: “Mm. Let’s hope Saturday’s shoot goes smoothly.”

On the drive home, a sudden whim had struck Jiang Min, and she’d decided to visit this shop and talk with the owner face to face. You Hui, without a second’s protest, had come along.

The inner-street lanes were no good for driving; they’d parked far off and strolled a good while to get here.

“Oh — isn’t that Little Lin? What a coincidence.”

You Hui looked across the road at the pottery studio, and her gaze caught. The woman in the half-tied hair and apron smiled with her whole face; and the slender, graceful figure sitting across from her was, unmistakably, Lin Xuqing.

You Hui said, joking, “This shop’s popularity is all thanks to that beautiful owner. My, my — pretty girls do seem to gather around Little Lin.”

Jiang Min watched the two laughing figures through the window, her tone unreadable. “Yes. She’s always been well liked.”