Chapter 37: Fate brought them together, though their paths were fraught with difficulties, they ultimately became a couple.
In the afternoon, Shen Jingni looked at Chu You's initial design draft and offered some suggestions for revision.
Qin Muhuan came over arrogantly again, acting as if she were no outsider, and sat down directly in Shen Jingni's office.
She raised her hand to cover her mouth, smiling in an affected manner, "Oh dear, I'm so sorry, but if nothing unexpected happens, I'll be the exclusive title sponsor of the Youth Fashion Design Competition."
Shen Jingni sat in her office chair looking at the reports and materials, not even lifting her eyelids, and said in a very perfunctory manner: "Then congratulations."
Qin Muhuan felt that Shen Jingni's reaction was wrong.
How can you be so calm?
Was he so angry that he lost his mind because he didn't get the sponsorship and naming rights?
"I told you long ago, you're no match for me, yet you insist on competing with me."
"If you had been nicer to me before, I might have considered co-sponsoring with you. Sigh... Look at this mess, someone got nothing in the end."
Sometimes Shen Jingni was very curious about where Qin Muhuan's mysterious confidence came from.
The matter hasn't been finalized yet, and she's already come here to show off.
Shen Jingni twirled the pen in her hand. "I don't care. Take it if you want."
Whether or not we can get it is another matter entirely.
When Qin Muhuan heard her say that, she immediately felt a sense of powerlessness, as if she were punching cotton.
"You really don't care about the naming rights?"
Has Shen Jingni really gone mad? Does she not even want this kind of exposure?
What a great way to promote!
Shen Jingni shrugged and said meaningfully, "What's mine will come to me, and what's not mine can't be forced."
"Tch." Qin Muhuan snorted coldly, "You've really gone mad, you've even started to dabble in philosophy."
"Don't show off, you were terrible at Chinese when you were in school."
Shen Jingni: "..."
-
On Saturday morning, Xu Ningwan took Shen Jingni to Fuze Temple to burn incense.
Fukuzawa-ji Temple is located south of the capital and is famous far and wide, with a thriving incense offering tradition.
Many worshippers come on weekends, mostly seeking marriage partners.
It is said that the marriage fortune slips here are very accurate.
Shen Jingni's older brother, Shen Qingyan, is 29 years old this year. He lives in Los Angeles and has never been in a relationship.
Xu Ningwan was very anxious, so she came today to pray for a good marriage for Shen Qingyan.
“My brother’s mind is all on overseas projects right now. He doesn’t have time to date. You’ve begged him so many times, but it’s all in vain.”
Shen Jingni doesn't really believe in marriage, but she does believe in the God of Wealth.
She couldn't understand Ms. Xu's actions.
Xu Ningwan sighed heavily, "Let's beg him one more time. What if he brings me back a blonde, blue-eyed foreign wife next year?"
Shen Jingni wanted to say that her brother wasn't interested in foreign beauties, but she was afraid of upsetting Ms. Xu, so she said, "Whatever makes you happy."
While her mother was drawing lots for her brother's marriage, Shen Jingni wandered around the temple, thinking of going to the main hall to offer incense.
Inside the main hall, worshippers came in an endless stream, their chanting, prayers, and footsteps mingling together, while the Buddha's image stood solemnly.
Shen Jingni wore a white knitted long dress today, her long black hair was tied up, and her delicate face was free of makeup, exuding gentle elegance and beautiful features.
She lit incense, then knelt on the prayer mat, clasped her hands together in prayer, and made a devout wish.
Just as she got up, an elegant old lady entered through the door. She was quite old and moved slowly, and was being helped by a servant.
He's obviously no ordinary person.
The old lady was dressed in a dark purple cheongsam, her full head of silver hair was neatly combed, and she looked at Shen Jingni with a gentle and kind gaze.
She casually asked, "Young lady, are you also here to seek a marriage partner?"
Shen Jingni shook her head and smiled, "No, I'm here to pray for good fortune."
"We young people don't like to seek marriage."
These words made the old lady laugh. "She's quite a straightforward girl."
Her gaze lingered on Shen Jingni for a moment, a rare look of amazement in her eyes, and she exclaimed, "But with your natural beauty and talent, why would you need to deliberately seek a marriage partner? Buddha will surely bless and protect you."
Shen Jingni was somewhat flattered, never expecting to receive such high praise from the old man.
She smiled brightly and generously, "Thank you for your kind words."
Outside the main hall, Ms. Xu was waving at her, presumably having finished interpreting the divination and was about to leave.
Shen Jingni nodded slightly to the old man in farewell, "I have to go now. I hope you are in good health and have a long and blessed life."
Watching Shen Jingni's departing figure, Old Mrs. Zhao said to Aunt Ruan beside her, "This young girl reminds me of when Zong Lan first returned to the country. She was so young, yet she had no interest in romance and only cared about profit."
Aunt Ruan lit some incense and handed it to the old lady. "Fifth Master has no interest in romance these days, otherwise you wouldn't be worrying about his marriage every day."
Grandma Zhao gave her a reproachful look, "You, you're always poking at my heart."
"By the way, ask Chang An where Zong Lan is now?"
Aunt Ruan: "I asked, and Fifth Master has already arrived at the foot of the mountain. Miss Rong is currently discussing the matter of reshaping the Buddha's golden statue with the abbot. She will be here soon."
The old lady said nothing more, closed her eyes, and devoutly prayed to Buddha.
-
Xu Ningwan just drew a very unlucky fortune slip, and the more she thought about it, the more ominous it seemed.
Shen Qingyan is already twenty-nine years old, not nineteen. If the Bodhisattva doesn't protect him, he'll be an old bachelor in a few more years.
She pulled Shen Jingni along, pondering how to ask again.
“Miaomiao, this time you plead for your brother.”
Shen Jingni was speechless. "Mom, if this is considered cheating, what if I draw the worst possible lot again?"
Xu Ningwan: "Then let your brother come back for a blind date."
Fortunately, Shen Jingni won the lottery this time.
[Destined for each other, though fraught with difficulties, they finally became a couple.]
It's easy to understand; the gist is that the two people need to go through some setbacks before they can get married.
Ms. Xu was very satisfied with the fortune slip.
"As long as he can find a partner, it doesn't matter if your brother suffers a little more in love. Fortunately, the Buddha didn't abandon him."
That's insane.
The pressure from elders to get married these days is terrifying.
Shen Jingni was somewhat relieved that she was only twenty-two years old, otherwise she would also be pressured to stay young.
“Let’s go back, I’m starving.” She took Ms. Xu’s hand, trying to secure her own interests, “You have to treat me to a French meal.”
"Okay, you can eat whatever you want, but don't overeat, you need to take good care of your stomach..."
Ms. Xu started another round of nagging, and Shen Jingni responded absentmindedly, not wanting to listen, and turned her gaze to the other side.
The vast Fukuzawa Temple was bustling with people.
Her gaze inadvertently swept over the cypress tree outside the main hall.
The old lady who had spoken to her earlier was leaning on her cane, still wearing a gentle smile, while a young couple stood beside her.
She was all too familiar with that neat and upright figure.
It was Zhao Zonglan.
The man had a stern profile with a high nose bridge. He wore a black suit with a matching cashmere overcoat, exuding a cool and composed demeanor.
Standing on the other side was Rong Zaiyi.
She was talking to the old lady in a friendly and natural manner.
A mountain breeze brushed against the stray hairs on her forehead, and Shen Jingni felt a little cold.
She looked away and pulled Ms. Xu along, walking even faster.
At this moment, the temple bell rang, its lingering sound heavy and somber.
Zhao Zonglan suddenly stopped in his tracks.
As if sensing something, he suddenly turned around.
But all that could be seen was a surging crowd, blurry and unfamiliar.
A subtle sense of loss settled in my heart and lingered for a long time.
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