He had only deposited the money for the house and one semester’s living expenses for Sheng Weixia, plus another thousand yuan for emergencies.

After a long silence, he finally came up with a retort: “She’s just so focused on buying the house, can’t she go to your brother’s place when she’s on break from school? That house is cold and empty!”

Jiang Xiuhou looked up at Gu Desheng: “Let’s transfer some more money to her, just say it’s for renovating the house. I’ll ask my elder brother to do the work!”

“You’ve already discussed it with your brother, what are you asking me for?!” Gu Desheng said with displeasure, turning his face away.

But the next day, he still instructed the finance department to transfer money from his private account to Beijing.

Sheng Weixia received the pager while she was on her way to the place Luo Qiaorong had made the appointment, a restaurant in the alley.

The exterior of the restaurant looked like an ordinary residential building, but once you went inside, you realized that all the fixtures had been restored to their former glory.

A traditional antique revolving lantern hung from the eaves, and the roses climbing up the wall also looked aged.

Even the waiters inside who served the dishes wore old-fashioned long-sleeved shirts and loose trousers.

It made people feel like they had traveled back to decades ago.

Luo Qiaorong pointed to the private room facing the garden: “Can we have that one?”

The waiter bowed and said: “I’m sorry, that’s our reserved private room, it’s already been booked for today.”

From afar, you could hear the sound of string music coming from that room.

Through the glass-paneled flower window, you could vaguely see a tall man sitting there with his back straight.

“Forget it, the important thing is to have a quiet conversation, not to look at the scenery.” Cao Yi, the head of the Department of Drama and Film Literature, who she had invited, said.

As soon as Cao Yi saw Sheng Weixia, she was immediately impressed by her speech and appearance. After chatting for a few sentences, her satisfaction turned into surprise.

“Qiaorong said you helped translate Ayanfu’s science fiction novel?”

Sheng Weixia confirmed with Luo Qiaorong before saying: “Just a rough translation.”

Actually, she had hardly read any novels in her previous life.

Before the age of eighteen, she was busy studying and doing farm work, and the occasional books she borrowed from the school library were all related to her studies. After she went to the United States, her life could be described as a race against time, where would she have the time and energy to read novels?

She simply translated in the most concise and accurate way, her Chinese was all self-taught.

“It’s the best translation of Ayanfu’s science fiction I’ve seen.” Cao Yi praised generously, “The writing is concise, the translation is authentic and accurate, studying accounting is a waste of your talent.”

She smiled, and facing a satisfied student, she was frank: “To be honest, our Department of Drama and Film Literature is newly opened this year, and we actually didn’t fill all the spots, and future employment may not be as stable as accounting, are you sure you want to transfer?”

“Sure.” Sheng Weixia didn’t need to think about this question anymore.

She thought it was interesting, that’s all.

As for making a living, she could earn enough to spend with a little bit of effort, besides –

She suddenly remembered Yu Shi’s words, the Gu family wouldn’t be able to support you.

“Okay, I’ll go back and get your file today, fill out this transfer application.”

Cao Yi took out paper and pen and handed it to her.

Luo Qiaorong chuckled: “Sister Yi, can’t you be a little more reserved?”

“Reserved about what?” She raised an eyebrow, “I made up my mind after reading the draft you faxed me, I’m going to get this student even if I have to offend those old fogeys in the School of Economics and Management!”

After saying that, she explained to Sheng Weixia: “Our major is newly opened, so most of the textbooks and teaching methods are based on, or even copied from, the foreign system, those who are not good at English may not be able to keep up.”

So that’s how it is.

During the conversation, she learned that Cao Yi had obtained her doctorate in drama and literature from Columbia University.

It was a strange coincidence that she was an alum of the same school as her in another timeline, which made her feel even closer to her.

“Hollywood’s commercialized operation model, of course, can’t be copied in China, but if film is to become an industry, commercialization is definitely the direction of development. We also need to learn from Hong Kong’s experience, many of the films that have emerged in recent years are very good.” Cao Yi looked at Sheng Weixia, “I don’t want to train bookish screenwriters, I hope you can have a global perspective and judgment in the future, but always maintain a passion for creation and a commitment to universal values.”

Cao Yi’s words, based on Sheng Weixia’s experience in film investment, were completely agreed upon.

Luo Qiaorong was very satisfied with the matchmaking she had done for this meeting, the three of them chatted happily until Luo Qiaorong and Cao Yi’s pagers rang one after another, they reluctantly called the waiter to settle the bill.

She stared at Sheng Weixia’s hand reaching into her bag: “With two teachers here today, how can you pay?”

But the waiter quickly bent down and said: “The bill for this table has already been settled.”

The three of them looked at each other, Luo Qiaorong asked: “Who settled it?”

“Your family settled it when they left.” The waiter smiled, “So this table doesn’t need to pay.”

Luo Qiaorong’s brows furrowed, then relaxed: “Okay then.”

“I’ll treat you next time.” Cao Yi wiped her mouth, paid for the waiter to pack three portions of the beef sock-bottom pastries from today’s dessert platter, “I’m the oldest, I have to buy you some snacks, I like this one.”

Sheng Weixia asked: “Is there any of the osmanthus pastry left?”

The waiter glanced at her, his expression changed for a moment, then lowered his head: “That one is sold out today.”

Luo Qiaorong smiled: “You like that osmanthus lotus seed paste roll? It’s indeed the signature dish of this restaurant, they only sell a few every day. Next time I come to eat, I’ll buy some and bring it to you at school.”

Sheng Weixia rarely craved a pastry, so she accepted the kindness.

On the way back, Luo Qiaorong’s car, as usual, took the two of them home separately.

She returned to the courtyard, as soon as she entered, she saw Yu Shulan slam the door open: “You’re finally back! You’re busier than me every day!”

Then, a series of hurried footsteps came from the backyard, the tall and strong Wu Biao stuck out his tongue, and ran towards Sheng Weixia aggressively.

With a bang, Yu Shulan closed the door again, leaving a small gap to watch the huge dog rush in front of Sheng Weixia, its dog head rubbing against her hand, licking it.

“You, you, you, take this thing away!” Yu Shulan was still afraid of Wu Biao.

“How did Wu Biao get here?” Sheng Weixia’s palm was itchy from being licked, she finally dodged, the other hand holding the pastry box was caught, and was washed inside and out with saliva.

Yu Shulan said through the door: “My brother sent it with A Jiu, he said it’s to guard the house.” Then she whispered, “But look at it! What kind of house is it guarding, I don’t even dare to go out!”

She looked like she had been scared by the dog.

Wu Biao licked while rubbing against Sheng Weixia’s legs, she was surprised: “You’re afraid of it?”

“How can I not be afraid?” Yu Shulan slammed the door shut, “I don’t care, you take it away quickly!”

In the meantime, Wu Biao had already smelled the scent of the pastry in her hand, he squatted down, drooling and staring at her.

Sheng Weixia looked at him: “Yu Shulan hasn’t tasted it yet! You have a good nose.”

“What is it?” Yu Shulan asked through the door.

“Beef sock-bottom pastries. Do you want some?”

“Yes!” Yu Shulan opened a crack in the door, one hand holding the edge of the door, the other hand reached out, “Oh, it’s from Loujia Xiaoguan, I heard it’s delicious, but I haven’t tried it.”

She took one, the dog’s eyes were fixed on the pastry, until it was in Yu Shulan’s hand, it bared its teeth and drooled even more.

“Bang!” Yu Shulan quickly closed the door: “Okay, take it away quickly!”

After the box was opened, the meaty aroma was even stronger, Wu Biao’s drool flowed like a tidal wave.

Sheng Weixia took a piece and fed it to him, it was swallowed in three bites as if it had no throat.

After eating, the dog tugged at her pants, looked back at her, as if to say, come with me.

Wu Biao led the way to the back room.

In the dining room, there was also a lunch box lying there.

The maid who was cleaning up was startled when she saw her come in with the dog, she stood against the wall: “Oh, why are you here! A Jiu said it doesn’t bite, but it’s scary looking…”

But Sheng Weixia’s eyes were on the lunch box.

She looked at the box in her hand, then at the box on the table.

The maid saw the dog next to Sheng Weixia, although it looked scary, it was well-behaved, she became bolder and followed her gaze to the lunch box: “Oh, what a coincidence, this is the osmanthus roll that A Jiu brought back, he said it was for you and Miss Shulan as a late-night snack, I was just about to put it in the refrigerator.”

Didn’t it sell out, how come there’s some here?

Did A Jiu go to Loujia Xiaoguan today? Or did Yu Shi go?

No.

He doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would pack pastries.

In her previous life, she was an intern at an investment bank, when the team took on Yu Shi’s project, the project manager arranged a dinner party.

Yu Shi went, he ate very little, when he left, the project manager ordered a dessert that was famous and limited-edition at that restaurant to take away for him.

But Yu Shi refused.

So, this must be A Jiu who brought it back.

Then, she felt that it was a bit far-fetched to associate it with Yu Shi.

Wu Biao probably didn’t have enough exercise, he was clinging to her and running around happily, Sheng Weixia changed into light clothes and shoes, and took him out for a run.