Chapter 21

Sister Song’s phone footage wasn’t the best quality, but with that video, this shoot gained a touch of genuine warmth.

The pre-New Year filming had come to a close; deliverables would follow after the New Year.

Post-production was mainly Yu Sisi’s work; Lin Xuqing revised on the basis of the earlier video script, planning each shot’s content, framing, lines, and duration, striving to finish a first draft before the New Year.

As for the interviews, Ning Rou had brought along a young writer and came by in the afternoon specifically to discuss.

After discussing the writing direction, Ning Rou instructed her subordinate, “Little Xu, get that organized quickly. I still have things to do here—you head back first.”

Jiang Min asked, “What’s wrong? Is the direction still unclear?”

“You—work is all that’s ever in your heart,” Ning Rou complained, half in jest. “You’re free tonight, right?”

“Is this your way of reminding me it’s your birthday today?”

Ning Rou looked a little abashed. “That obvious?”

“So what’s the plan tonight? I’ll keep you company for dinner.”

“I don’t much feel like a restaurant. Dinner at my place? We can invite Little Lin too.”

Jiang Min thought for a moment. “Then ask her whether she’d like to.”

Ning Rou said okay, then fell silent, as if burdened by some worry.

“What’s wrong?”

“Grandpa called again last night. About my engagement.”

Ning Rou was several years younger than Jiang Min, but past thirty all the same.

By rights, this engagement should have long since been either fulfilled or broken. Yet for certain reasons, it had dragged on until now.

“It’s your birthday today. Be happy. Set the unpleasant things aside for now.”

“Mm. I know.”

It was nearing six.

Jiang Xuezi was discussing the video script with Lin Xuqing, and greeted Ning Rou as she approached.

Ning Rou’s smile was gentle and gracious. “Sister Xuezi, Little Lin—are you free tonight? Come to my place for dinner.”

Jiang Xuezi glanced at Jiang Min and didn’t refuse. “Sure.”

Lin Xuqing didn’t answer right away, and Ning Rou asked again, “Little Lin?”

Jiang Min looked over too.

As if waiting to hear her answer.

Lin Xuqing lowered her eyes. “Who else is going?”

“I’ll go ask Mi Wei in the meeting room in a bit. Oh right—and Wen Jun. He insists on coming over to give me a gift.”

Lin Xuqing said nothing, just nodded.

Once Ning Rou had gone to find Mi Wei, Lin Xuqing asked Jiang Xuezi, “Is today some special day?”

“You didn’t know?” Jiang Xuezi was a little amused. “It’s Eldest Miss Ning’s birthday, of course.”

“I haven’t prepared a gift.”

“No matter. We’ll buy something on the way.”

The moment quitting time arrived, Jiang Xuezi tossed out that she was driving too, grabbed Lin Xuqing, and left.

Once in the car, Lin Xuqing let out a breath of relief. “Thank you.”

“No need for thanks,” Jiang Xuezi said, glancing at her. “Do you want to go?”

Lin Xuqing paused. “No.”

Today was Ning Rou’s birthday—she was the absolute star of the show. But Lin Xuqing hardly knew Ning Rou. What would her presence even amount to?

“Then why go at all?”

Lin Xuqing looked out the window. “I don’t know.”

Beneath the sound of the engine, her voice was soft as a murmur to herself… Maybe… she wants me to go.

Jiang Min had prepared her gift a month ago.

She’d set her sights on a set of porcelain cups, quite valuable. Ning Rou had always loved exquisite, beautiful things.

Not long ago, Pei Ruyi had come by with hand-knitted sweaters and scarves—every stitch carrying the old lady’s care—and instructed her to be sure to deliver them on the birthday itself.

The underground garage was full; Jiang Min parked on the street, and within a few steps ran into Jiang Xuezi and Lin Xuqing.

Lin Xuqing carried a tote bag and a cake—she seemed to have quite a lot in hand.

“Little Lin, you didn’t need to buy anything special. You’re too polite.”

“It’s only right.”

By the time they’d gone inside and set down their gifts, Wen Jun had arrived as well.

Ning Rou showed him in; Jiang Min greeted him.

“Been in Mingchuan this whole time lately?”

“That’s right. You big busybody—you never spare me a thought.”

Wen Jun looked at Lin Xuqing. “This is Little Lin, isn’t it? Long time no see—I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Lin Xuqing replied politely, “Hello. It has been a long time.”

Jiang Min shot him a sidelong glance.

Did this man not know he wasn’t welcome? So much empty talk.

Ning Rou tied on an apron, all smiles. “Auntie has made several dishes already. I’ll try my hand too—give me a moment.”

Wen Jun rolled up his sleeves and went to help of his own accord.

Mi Wei exclaimed, “Sister Ning Rou, you can cook?”

Jiang Min: “Her cooking has always been excellent.”

A faint mockery laced her words. The Ning family’s philosophy of raising daughters had always been thus: schooling and careers were neither here nor there, but a girl must above all be gentle and keep a good home.

Ning Rou cooked quickly—done in about twenty minutes.

Twelve dishes covered the table, beautifully presented, their fragrance filling the air.

At the long table seating eight, Ning Rou sat in the middle, with Jiang Min and Wen Jun on either side of her.

Mi Wei pulled out the chair opposite Jiang Min and was just about to sit when Jiang Xuezi spoke up: “Take the middle seat—it’s easier to reach the dishes.”

Mi Wei nodded sheepishly and sat across from Ning Rou.

Jiang Xuezi took the seat opposite Wen Jun and smiled at him. “Dr. Wen—stationed in Mingchuan permanently now?”

Wen Jun waved his hands quickly. “You’ve picked up A-Min’s bad habits. Stop with the ‘Dr. Wen’ every other breath—it gives me the creeps.”

The seat left for Lin Xuqing was opposite Jiang Min. She silently pulled out the chair and sat.

“Cheers—to Sister Ning Rou, happy birthday!”

“Oh dear, my glass is empty…”

“Sorry, I forgot to prepare. There’s red wine at home…”

Just as Ning Rou was about to ask whether anyone wanted a drink, a video call popped up on her phone. She smiled at Jiang Min. “It’s Auntie.”

She answered, and an affectionate voice came through: “Little Rou, happy birthday! I haven’t seen you in ages.”

“I’ve missed you too. It’s my fault—I haven’t come to see you in so long.”

“We’ll see each other at New Year. Have you had anything nice to eat today? A-Min is with you, isn’t she?”

“Mm, she’s here,” Ning Rou said, smiling, her eyes brimming with sweetness, turning the camera. “Right here.”

Jiang Min, resigned, waved at the camera. “Mom, we’re eating.”

“At home? Who else is there?”

“Let me show you.”

Mi Wei and Jiang Xuezi greeted her in turn. When it came to Lin Xuqing, she was slightly stiff. Pei Ruyi also went quiet for two seconds before giving a flat “Mm. Little Lin…”

The atmosphere inexplicably cooled.

Seeing the camera about to turn to Wen Jun, Jiang Min spoke up. “Go downstairs and buy some drinks.”

Wen Jun: “What? But Auntie and I…”

“There’s a convenience store in the complex,” Ning Rou caught on and chimed in. “We’re going to eat now. Enjoy the rest of your trip.”

Once the call ended, Wen Jun looked utterly baffled. “I didn’t even get to say hello. How rude of me.”

Jiang Min was impatient. “I told you to buy drinks. Where’s all this chatter coming from?”

“Fine, fine, fine. Whatever you say, Your Eminence. I’m going.”

Once Wen Jun had gone downstairs, Jiang Min remembered her mother’s instructions. “Let’s give you your gifts first—we have to wait for him to get back before dinner anyway.”

She took out the hand-knitted sweater and scarf. “My mother, bless her, wore her reading glasses and worked on these for over two months.”

Ning Rou accepted them happily. “I know. Auntie keeps me in her thoughts.”

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rang.

Jiang Xuezi went to answer it. “Back already?”

Outside stood a drunken man, his hair streaked wine-red, two empty bottles in hand. Seeing her, he asked displeasedly, “Who are you? Where’s Ning Rou?”

At the sound of that voice, Ning Rou trembled uncontrollably, instinctively looking toward Jiang Min.

Jiang Min put an arm around her shoulders. “It’s nothing. I’ll handle it.”

Jiang Xuezi moved to block the way, but Jiang Min held her back, voice lowered. “Go to the balcony. Call security.”

“Zhao Yan. It’s Ning Rou’s birthday today. What are you here for?”

“Oh, I wondered who it was,” Zhao Yan said, tapping his bottle against the doorframe. “Why, it’s Sister Jiang Min. It’s Little Rou’s birthday—I’m here to celebrate with her, of course.”

Ning Rou looked at him. “I…”

“Ning Rou, get over here!” Zhao Yan suddenly shoved past Jiang Min, seized Ning Rou’s shoulder, grabbed half her hair, and tried to drag her over.

Ning Rou let out an involuntary scream, tears falling instantly. Jiang Min, startled, recovered and moved to block him. “Zhao Yan! Hands off! Let’s talk this out properly!”

Zhao Yan sneered, the alcohol taking hold. He kicked over the clutter in the entryway and raised the bottle high, about to bring it down on Jiang Min.

The move was too sudden—only Lin Xuqing reacted in time, shoving him with an outstretched hand, only to be thrown to the floor by his counter-push. The bottle’s aim went wide, glass shards scattering everywhere.

Mi Wei hurried to pull her up; Lin Xuqing shook her head, signaling she was fine.

In the midst of that chaos, Wen Jun returned carrying two bottles of cola and shoved Zhao Yan away. “Zhao, what kind of drunken fit is this!”

Just then security arrived upstairs and together they restrained him. Jiang Min said quickly, “Officer, please take him away!”

“What gives you the right to make me leave?”

Jiang Min looked at him coldly. “If there’s a next time, I’m calling the police.”

Zhao Yan gave a lazy, insolent grin. “Call the cops and say I broke into a private home? Get your facts straight—I’m her fiancé. Let’s see if the police bother with a little family matter like this.”

With every word he spoke, Ning Rou’s face grew a shade paler, and she stammered, “Let him go…”

“Wen Jun, you and this officer—get him out of here, now.”

“All right. Don’t worry.”

Jiang Min thanked the guard and shut the door with a bang.

Ning Rou covered the spot where her hair had been pulled, tears rolling down. Jiang Min soothed her with a few gentle words, then asked Lin Xuqing, “How about you? Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. Stay with Sister Ning Rou.”

Lin Xuqing’s tone was flat, her emotions perfectly calm.

Jiang Min studied her a moment, then turned to help Ning Rou into her room to rest.

Mi Wei swept up the glass shards, bagged them, sealed the bag, and took the trash downstairs.

Seeing Lin Xuqing still standing in place, Jiang Xuezi sighed softly. “You charged in because of A-Min, didn’t you?”

Lin Xuqing said nothing.

“You don’t actually like Ning Rou, do you?”

“Sister Xuezi,” Lin Xuqing cut her off, “all this time, I’ve been truly grateful to Sister Ning Rou.”

From the room came the faint sound of suppressed sobs and soft murmurs.

It sounded like Ning Rou was crying, and Jiang Min comforting her.

Lin Xuqing picked up the scarf, draped it over her right arm. “I’ll be going first.”

“Won’t you stay a while?”

“No.”

Lin Xuqing shook her head, a faint weariness surfacing on her fair cheeks. “I’m leaving first.”

Outside, night had fully fallen, the cold wind howling.

Lin Xuqing went downstairs and ran into Mi Wei, fresh from dumping the trash.

Mi Wei wanted to chat a little, but Lin Xuqing didn’t slow her steps, waving a hand and walking on.

“Lin Xuqing!”

Near the complex gate, Lin Xuqing heard someone call her name. She stopped and turned.

In the darkness, a figure came hurrying over; only under the streetlight did she see who it was.

Jiang Min’s breathing was rapid and uneven; she steadied herself before speaking. “Why are you walking so fast?”

“There are things to do at home.”

“How is it, just now?” Jiang Min looked at her doubtfully. “Let me see.”

Lin Xuqing gave a faint smile. “Nothing to see.”

In that instant, Jiang Min saw grievance in her eyes.

“Lin Xuqing…”

“It’s nothing. I’m going home.”

“I wasn’t finished talking. What’s the rush?”

“I have things to do. I really have to go.”

As she turned to go, Jiang Min hurriedly reached out and caught her—and accidentally touched her right hand. Lin Xuqing frowned, instinctively pulling back.

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

“It’s nothing…”

Lin Xuqing turned her head away, an imperceptible nasality in her voice.

Jiang Min took her hand in both of hers and saw, on the fair palm, red abrasions and the tiny cuts left by scattered glass shards.

“You call this nothing?” Jiang Min didn’t know where the anger had come from. “Lin Xuqing, can you stop throwing yourself into danger regardless of the situation?”

Lin Xuqing looked into her eyes, hers curving bit by bit, as if smiling. “If Sister Ning Rou were hurt, you’d be very worried.”

Jiang Min froze. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Did she think she cared only for Ning Rou, and not at all for her?

“Nothing at all,” Lin Xuqing said, withdrawing her hand. Jiang Min, afraid of touching her injury, had no choice but to let go.

“I… I’m thick-skinned and tough. Sister Ning Rou’s health is poor—it’s only right that everyone looks after her a bit more.”

Jiang Min frowned. “Right? What do you mean, right?”

She didn’t like seeing her treat herself as if she didn’t matter.

“If you walk away today, don’t ever appear in front of me again.”

“I…”

Lin Xuqing lost to her after all, cheeks puffing out, looking almost aggrieved. “Then what are we standing here for?”

Jiang Min avoided her injured spots and took her fingertips. “I’ll treat your wounds. Come.”