Chapter 27: Admiration Unending

As they shook hands, Qi Zhengchen’s mind was elsewhere.

They hadn’t seen each other in two years, but he had seen her—more than once. Earlier this year, his longing had driven him to Manhattan, and after visiting her, he had made a solo trip to Boston, a city filled with their shared memories.

He even went to her favorite seafood restaurant, where she used to rave about the lobster noodles. But they didn’t taste the same anymore.

They used to talk on the phone for hours at a time.

Now, she didn’t even reply to his messages.

For a fleeting moment, Qi wanted to ask her again, face-to-face: Zhiyi, can’t you forgive me just once? Don’t you remember what you said back when you were 20, in that hotel next to your grandmother’s house?

You said no matter what, you’d always forgive me.

That no matter what, you’d always be on my side.

But Shang Yun stood beside her, and Qi forced down the urge. He couldn’t ruin her blind date.

Zhiyi greeted Qi’s wife, Zhong Yanyue, with a polite hello.

Zhong knew all too well who Xu Zhiyi was—the woman who had haunted Qi Zhengchen’s thoughts, keeping him awake at night.

She glanced at her husband. The way a man loves a woman—every ounce of that emotion was hidden in his restrained yet deeply intense gaze.

Before they had gotten married, Qi Zhengchen had confessed to her that he loved someone else and hadn’t planned on forgetting her.

They had met for just one date before rushing to register their marriage. The day they tied the knot was a Monday. She had skipped work to go to the registry office, and afterward, she had hurried back to the office. More than a month had passed since they got married, and only now had they found time to celebrate. There was no love, but a little ceremony never hurt.

She had chosen this private dining spot, never expecting to run into Xu Zhiyi here.

Shang Yun extended a courteous invitation, “Why don’t you join us?”

Qi Zhengchen said calmly, “I won’t disturb you. Enjoy your meal.”

His reserved private dining room was just next door.

The short corridor felt like a twenty-year journey.

Once inside, Zhong Yanyue motioned for the waiter to leave, and the elegant, quiet room became even more serene after the lattice windows were closed.

Whether before or after marriage, Qi Zhengchen was never much of a talker, and during meals, he became even more silent.

“Can’t figure out why she’d rather go on a blind date with a stranger than be with you, can you?”

He handed her the menu, saying just two words, “Order.”

There were too many things he couldn’t understand, but what baffled him the most was how she could simply walk away from their twenty-plus years of affection.

Twenty years—how could she let go so easily?

Qi Zhengchen opened the chat window on his phone, hesitating before typing: He’s not right for you.

In the room next door, Xu Zhiyi’s phone buzzed. Her second brother had messaged: He’s not right for you.

She glanced at the screen and then placed the phone face down on the table without replying.

Her parents had no idea she liked Jiang Sixun and had even confessed her feelings to him. She didn’t want them to know, and since this blind date had already been arranged, she figured she might as well go through the motions. She had no real intention of pursuing anything with Shang Yun.

“Message from Qi Zhengchen?” Shang Yun asked after finishing his order and handing the menu to the waiter. “Close the door, please.”

He turned back to her slowly and said with a teasing tone, “Did he say we’re not a good match?”

Xu Zhiyi was taken aback. “…”

How did he figure that out?

Shang Yun chuckled. “When I saw neither of you was eager to greet the other, I had no choice but to introduce you, as if you were strangers.”

He habitually took a cigarette from the box on the table but, after glancing at her, slid it back.

Zhiyi quickly regained her composure. “Thank you, Mr. Shang.”

“Don’t mention it,” he replied with a smile. “Qi has someone in his heart. I’m not sure who she is, but the way he looked at you earlier gave him away. Since he’s shown me respect, I should return the favor, don’t you think?”

With a gentlemanly gesture, he placed her teacup in front of her. “Their tea is pretty good. Give it a try.”

Zhiyi studied the man in front of her. In some ways, he reminded her of someone else.

Shang Yun removed his suit jacket, casually draping it over a nearby chair. “Are you trying to see through me?” he asked, his words sharp and direct.

His bluntness caught Zhiyi off guard.

The way she had been looking at him—almost as if she was searching for something.

With a playful smile, he teased, “Did you mistake me for someone else?”

Zhiyi smiled faintly. “No, you don’t resemble him at all.”

No one could be him.

She had only been reminded of Jiang Sixun, who always placed her water cup beside her. Lost in thought for a moment, she picked up the teacup to avoid further conversation.

After all, they were here for a blind date, and no matter what, the subject of marriage was unavoidable.

Shang Yun cut to the chase, “What are your expectations for marriage?”

Zhiyi replied, “Aren’t we just here to have a meal?”

Shang Yun laughed. “Fair enough.”

The next second, he tactfully changed the subject. “It seems you have a strong interest in 3D printing. You’ve been expanding in this industry both domestically and abroad, covering all aspects of the supply chain.”

Zhiyi smiled. “Blame my adoptive father for that influence.” Of course, there was another reason: Shen Qingfeng.

“You seem to have some collaborations with the Lu family from Hong Kong in the medical field?” she asked.

Shang Yun nodded. “Yes, I’m in charge of the medical division. That’s how I know you’ve been making moves in that area.” He added with a smile, “Don’t worry, our businesses don’t overlap. We’re not competitors.”

Zhiyi chuckled. “Even if we were, it’s not a problem. Know your enemy, know yourself.” She shifted gears. “Why is Lu Jianliang suddenly interested in medicine?”

“It’s not his interest—it’s his wife, Shen Qingfeng. She’s the ambitious one.”

After the food arrived, Shang Yun kept to the earlier sentiment of “just having a meal” and didn’t say much more.

Though it was a meal, Zhiyi had little appetite. Qi Zhengchen was in the next room, and Jiang Sixun was on his way to pick her up. It had been less than two weeks since they last saw each other, and although her confession had sent him back to Manhattan the next day to handle an urgent matter, she hadn’t expected him to return so soon.

Midway through their meal, Qi Zhengchen and his companions settled their bill next door. The silhouettes of people passing by the lattice windows cast fleeting shadows in Zhiyi’s room, and one of those shadows paused briefly at the window.

Qi Zhengchen glanced at her door, but before Zhong Yanyue could turn to see what he was looking at, he shifted his gaze away.

As they left the courtyard, walking through the alley covered in fallen locust blossoms, he found himself wanting to look back.

When they reached the car, he told the others, “You go ahead. I’ll have a smoke.”

Zhong Yanyue didn’t look back, giving him a casual ‘OK’ sign.

Standing beneath a locust tree, Qi lit a cigarette just as a black car pulled up in front of him. He stood on the curb, recognizing the license plate, and made no move to step aside.

The car stopped half a meter away. Jiang Sixun stepped out from the back seat.

Qi tossed him a cigarette from a distance. “When did you get back?”

“Six this morning.”

“Zhiyi’s on a blind date at the restaurant up ahead.”

“I know. I’m here to pick her up.”

Jiang Sixun fiddled with the cigarette in his hand but didn’t light it.

Qi Zhengchen exhaled a puff of smoke forcefully. “Did Uncle Xu send you to keep an eye on her blind date?”

Jiang Sixun didn’t respond, simply reaching out for a lighter.

“Shang Yun is just like you—there’s no way Zhiyi can handle him. They’re a terrible match,” Qi Zhengchen grumbled. “And here you are, not only not helping, but pushing her into the fire at Uncle Xu’s request.”

Jiang Sixun twisted the cigarette in his fingers, a few stray tobacco strands falling onto the ground.

From inside the car, the bodyguard, noticing that his boss’s hand was still waiting for a lighter, quickly handed his own over.

Qi Zhengchen finally realized he had only given the cigarette and forgot the lighter. He tossed it over, and Jiang Sixun found himself holding two lighters.

Qi’s phone chimed with a message from Zhong Yanyue: I have to head back to the office for work. You can catch a ride with Mr. Jiang.

He replied: Okay.

Even though he was married now, his thoughts were constantly on Zhiyi. Zhong Yanyue had her own romantic interests as well. Their marriage was a haphazard arrangement, and their days passed in a blur.

“I’ll ride with you,” Qi Zhengchen told Jiang Sixun.

“I can’t take you. I’m here to pick up Zhiyi.”

“That’s exactly why I want to join.”

“You’re married,” Jiang Sixun reminded him, a brutal fact.

“They’ll be more than just the two of us in the car,” Qi said, stubbing out his cigarette. “We’ve shared over twenty years of family ties—no one can replace that, not even Uncle and Aunt Xu. I just want to see her again. It’s been too long. Drop me off at any intersection, that’s all.”

Without waiting for a response, he opened the back door and sat in the seat behind the front passenger side.

Jiang stood outside for a moment, then got into the backseat as well. He tossed his jacket onto the armrest and asked, “You said earlier that Shang Yun and I are alike? How’s that?”

Qi Zhengchen closed his eyes, relaxing. “You’ve barely interacted with him, so you might not have noticed. But you two are practically the same—your approach, your temperament. It’s eerie how similar you are. If that doesn’t make you alike, I don’t know what does. I’ve never been able to fully figure out Shang Yun, so how could Zhiyi?”

Jiang Sixun stared out the window, saying nothing, pondering the claim that he and Shang Yun shared such similarities.

Twenty minutes passed, and Zhiyi still hadn’t appeared.

Jiang messaged her: Still not done?

After a long pause, Zhiyi replied: Talking about projects.

Jiang: What kind of project could you have with Shang Yun?

Zhiyi: Just chatting. You never know, there could be future opportunities.

In truth, she had been heavily involved in various projects behind the scenes, particularly those led by Shen Qingfeng. Over the past few years, she had taken part in almost every major initiative under Shen’s name, both domestically and internationally.

Just recently, after her conversation with Shang Yun, she made up her mind to resign from her position at FarView’s Manhattan branch and officially transfer back to Beijing. From their discussion, she gathered that Shen Qingfeng was now focusing investments on domestic medical and biopharmaceutical sectors.

She suspected Shen’s public reason for advising Lu Jianliang to expand into healthcare was merely a cover. In reality, it seemed Shen was leveraging the Lu family’s influence to build valuable connections, quietly paving the way for KEWE Technologies to break into the Chinese market.

KEWE Technologies was Shen’s lifelong endeavor, built through two marriages. It was the thing she valued most.

Zhiyi had personal reasons for resigning as well. There was no future between her and Jiang Sixun, and staying in the same environment would only add to his burdens.

Shang Yun checked the time and gracefully ended the meal. “This wasn’t the most formal setting. Perhaps next time, we can meet somewhere less businesslike and chat more freely.”

Zhiyi smiled. “Next time, I’ll treat.”

Shang Yun, assuming it was mere politeness, smiled back in return.

They parted ways at the courtyard gate—he heading north, she south.

Zhiyi spotted Jiang Sixun’s car and walked straight to the front passenger side. In the past, Jiang would have stopped her from sitting in the front, but today, he didn’t.

After fastening her seat belt, she slightly turned her head and thanked him. “Thank you, Mr. Jiang,” she said, completely unaware of the person sitting behind her.

“It’s no trouble,” Jiang replied, watching her.

Zhiyi quickly faced forward, adopting the same professional demeanor she’d used since her confession. She treated him as just her boss, even in private.

In reality, their relationship had grown distant years ago. He no longer took her to bars while on business trips, nor did he invite her out for meals alone.

Once, she had texted him: When are you free? I’ll treat you to dinner.

It took him six hours to respond, a delay unheard of before: I’m busy lately. In Hong Kong.

Realizing there was a time difference, she followed up: When will you be back?

His reply: Not sure. Maybe two or three months.

Curious, she asked: You have a girlfriend now?

His response: No. I’m not getting married. If you need anything, feel free to ask me for help.

“Should I drop you off up ahead?” Jiang’s voice interrupted her thoughts, asking if she wanted to get out.

Just as she was about to turn, a familiar voice from the backseat startled her. “Wherever’s fine.”

She froze—Qi Zhengchen was in the car?

He stared straight ahead, not expecting her to look back, though a part of him hoped she might.

The car came to a stop.

This might be his last chance to share a ride with her. Qi raised his hand, intending to tap her shoulder and speak, but in the end, his hand merely grasped the back of the front seat.

All the things he wanted to ask—he said none of them.

“Take care of yourself.”

Xu Zhiyi bit her lip hard, then heard the sound of the car door closing.

Six years ago, when she had returned to visit her grandparents, he picked her up at the airport. Back then, they sat in the same arrangement—him leaning on her seat, chatting, lightly tapping her glass to remind her to drink slower and not gulp down cold water.

He got out of the car, and the driver followed. Jiang Sixun moved from the back seat to the driver’s seat.

Zhiyi watched Qi Zhengchen through the rearview mirror as the car started again, seeing him grow smaller in the distance.

When she used to ride the school bus, she’d always press herself against the window, waving goodbye to him. If he happened to be at his grandmother’s house on those Sunday afternoons, he would drive her to the bus stop.

Through the closed window, she’d wave and mouth the words, “Second Brother, call me!”

He would respond from outside, “I will.”

He even memorized the number of her dorm supervisor.

As the car turned a corner, Qi Zhengchen disappeared completely from the mirror.

Jiang Sixun handed her a tissue box. “Qi Zhengchen just wants to be family with you again.”

“Thanks.” Zhiyi pulled out a few tissues, then added, “Tell him that’s no longer possible.”

No woman would want her husband to remain close to his first love, after all. She certainly couldn’t accept it.

She could imagine herself in someone else’s shoes. One day, Qi would move on, build his own life, and forget about her.

Now that Jiang knew she liked him, Zhiyi felt awkward and started looking for something to say. “Are you back to visit Aunt Jiang?”

Jiang kept his eyes on the car in front. “No.”

He glanced at her. “Did you chat with Shang Yun?”

“Yeah.”

“I thought it was just supposed to be one meal?”

“…Well, I couldn’t just eat in silence.”

“How did it go with him?”

Zhiyi fiddled with the tissue she had used to dry her tears, folding and unfolding it, over and over, repeating the motion mindlessly.

After a long pause, she finally responded, “Did my dad ask you to check in on me?”

Jiang sighed. “Why do you think everything I do is because of your dad?”

Another long silence followed.

“It went well. He’s outstanding in many ways.”

Her parents had carefully chosen him as a match for her. There was no way Shang Yun wouldn’t be outstanding.

After a brief pause, Zhiyi added, “Putting aside love, he’s a good candidate for marriage. He’s the type of man I admire. We’ve already agreed to meet again.” She didn’t want Jiang feeling guilty for turning her down.

Jiang pulled the car over and unbuckled his seatbelt. “Find a chance and ask Xu Heng yourself. Before we knew about the mix-up, how did I treat Ningwei? That was at your father’s request. But with you, it’s different.”