Chapter 21 : Interview

The summer rain arrived abruptly. Near noon, the rain poured down in torrents, striking the leaves with a crackling sound. The living room window had been left open, allowing the rain, carried by the wind, to drift in diagonally, quickly soaking the floor.

Xu Shuping hurried to close the window and called a housemaid to dry the wet floor.

Recently, after attending an embroidery exhibition, Grandma Fu had taken an interest in learning embroidery. At the moment, Jiang Yunshu was sitting on the sofa, accompanying Grandma Fu in embroidering a sachet.

By the end of the morning, Jiang Yunshu had completed a sachet in the shape of a “peace lock.” Grandma Fu put down her unfinished piece, picked up the sachet Jiang Yunshu had made, and called Aunt Luo and Xu Shuping over.

“Come and take a look at what Yunshu has embroidered! Her hands are quick, and her work is so detailed.”

Aunt Luo looked amazed. “Yunshu, this is excellent! Have you studied embroidery before?”

“I haven’t, but I’ve looked into it a little,” Jiang Yunshu replied modestly. “It’s not that great, just barely passable.”

Xu Shuping chimed in with praise, “Yunshu is so talented and smart, she picks things up so quickly.”

“It’s much better than mine,” Grandma Fu said. “I think we could attach three little bells to the bottom of the sachet.”

With that, she instructed Aunt Luo to fetch a gold necklace from her bedroom.

The pendant of the necklace was a small gold bell engraved with auspicious cloud patterns. It was exquisitely crafted, petite, and emitted a crisp jingling sound when moved.

Grandma Fu compared the sachet and the necklace, nodding with satisfaction.

“This bell would go perfectly with the sachet. Later, I’ll have two more gold bells made and attach them alongside this one.”

Jiang Yunshu couldn’t help but laugh. “Grandma, I just made this sachet for fun. Why use something so valuable to decorate it?”

Grandma Fu placed the necklace back into its jewelry box.

“A single gold bell isn’t anything precious. What matters is the sentiment. Consider it a gift for the baby.”

Aunt Luo agreed, “That’s right, Yunshu. This is the first sachet you’ve embroidered, and it’s shaped like a peace lock. How meaningful!”

“Alright, thank you, Grandma,” Jiang Yunshu said with a smile.

Grandma Fu gently placed her hand on Jiang Yunshu’s belly. “With the bells, we wish for blessings, peace, and joy , a good omen for the baby.”

Jiang Yunshu nodded and looked at Xu Shuping.

“Mom, the sachet still needs a cord attached. Could you help with that? When it’s done, this will be a gift from the great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother to the baby.”

Hearing this, Xu Shuping’s eyes crinkled into a smile. “Oh dear, I’m so clumsy. Do you think I can manage it?”

Her tone conveyed hesitation, but her expression revealed excitement.

“No worries, I’ll teach you,” Jiang Yunshu responded.

Xu Shuping sat down on the sofa. “How about adding a red agate bead to the cord? Red agate is a lucky talisman.”

Jiang Yunshu nodded in agreement.

Xu Shuping immediately went upstairs and returned with a box of agate beads, carefully selecting the finest and smoothest one.

Grandma Fu put away the sachet with its attached cord. “Yunshu, I’ll keep the sachet for now. Once the bells are added, I’ll give it back to you.”

Jiang Yunshu smiled. “Alright.”

—

After lunch, the rain had cleared, and the air was filled with a refreshing fragrance.

While Grandma Fu rested, Jiang Yunshu changed her clothes and went out.

She had an exclusive interview with Gong Yan scheduled for 3 p.m., with the photoshoot taking place in a modern tea house with traditional elements.

The location was less than a 30-minute drive away. When Jiang Yunshu arrived, Gong Yan was discussing the setup with the crew and the lighting technician. Spotting Jiang Yunshu entering, Gong Yan hurried over.

“Ms. Jiang, it’s been a while.”

“It has,” Jiang Yunshu replied. “No need to be so formal, just call me Yunshu.”

Gong Yan smiled. “Alright, Yunshu. Please have a seat. The setup will be ready soon.”

As Jiang Yunshu sat down, the host of the interview and the head of the production team greeted her warmly, walking over to exchange pleasantries.

While they were chatting, Jiang Yunshu received a call from Gu Jingyan.

“Excuse me, I need to take this call,” she said.

“Go ahead, Ms. Jiang,” the host replied.

Jiang Yunshu stood up and walked over to a carved wooden window to answer the phone.

“Yunshu, where are you?” Gu Jingyan asked.

“I’m out, waiting for an interview,” she replied.

“An interview?” Gu Jingyan asked. “Don’t tell me you’re accompanying Fu Chengze for some business interview?”

“No, it’s an exclusive with ‘Tea Rhythm World’ magazine. I came by myself.”

Gu Jingyan hummed in acknowledgment. “Send me the location on WeChat. I have something to give you.”

“Are you in Beicheng now?” Jiang Yunshu asked.

“I arrived early this morning to submit some documents for review,” Gu Jingyan explained. “Send me the address, and I’ll drop by to join the fun.”

“It’s just an interview, what kind of fun could there be?” Jiang Yunshu chuckled. “What is it you’re bringing me?”

“You’ll find out when I get there,” Gu Jingyan teased.

Halfway through the interview, Gu Jingyan arrived at the tea house.

Jiang Yunshu had already informed the staff, so they promptly greeted him, led him to a seat, and served him tea and snacks.

The interview went smoothly, with all the questions previously agreed upon. Jiang Yunshu had reviewed them in advance and prepared thoughtful, articulate answers.

As the interview neared its end, the host added an impromptu question.

“Thank you so much, Ms. Jiang. As everyone knows, you also hold the title of Mrs. Fu. May I ask, has your career been affected by your marriage? How did you and Mr. Fu meet, and what prompted you to take that step into marriage?”

Faced with these prying personal questions, Jiang Yunshu responded calmly.

“There has been no impact. My husband is very supportive of my career. As for the rest, perhaps you can hear the story from him in a future interview.”

After the interview concluded, the head of the production team repeatedly thanked Jiang Yunshu. Noticing Gu Jingyan approaching, they asked, “And who might this be?”

Before Jiang Yunshu could reply, Gu Jingyan interjected, his tone less than friendly, “Her cousin.”

The host’s gossipy final question hinted at potential rumors, and Gu Jingyan wasn’t about to let it slide.

Jiang Yunshu understood his intent and said nothing more.

Outside the tea house, Gu Jingyan opened his car and retrieved several boxes of snacks. “I brought these from Yunjiang for you and Ran Yi.”

“Just give them all to Ran Yi,” Jiang Yunshu said. “I’m heading back to Yunjiang tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? You’re going back to Yunjiang?” Gu Jingyan asked, surprised.

Jiang Yunshu nodded. “The day after tomorrow is my mother’s death anniversary.”

“Ah, my memory is terrible,” Gu Jingyan said, slapping his forehead. He then asked, “Is Fu Chengze going with you?”

Jiang Yunshu nodded softly.

Gu Jingyan scoffed lightly. “At least he has a shred of decency.”