Chapter 21: I'm taking this home after filming wraps up.
A week ago, Song Huai had just arranged a time to meet Jiang Xinglan when he called Zhou Cuo.
The phone rang for a long time before being answered, and Zhou Cuo's slightly impatient voice came through, "Speak quickly if you have something to say!"
"Tsk, I finally remembered to call you, and this is your attitude!" Song Huai teased.
"Dude, do you want to check what time it is?" Zhou Cuo's tone softened slightly, and he seemed a bit more sober. "What's up?"
"I'm sorry, I forgot about the time difference!" Song Huai's tone was devoid of any apology. "I'm going back to China in a couple of days."
"Yeah, I know, you finally figured it out?"
"There was a collaborative project that had been dragging on for ages, and who would have thought it would take this long!" Song Huai pursed his lips. "The project just finished, and I already booked my flight. You wouldn't believe it..."
"Stop," Zhou Cuo yawned, "You already told me what happened next last time, don't tell me you called me just for this?"
“Oh, no,” Song Huai said ambiguously, “I have another blind date to arrange after I go back this time.”
“Oh,” Zhou Cuo said indifferently, “This is nothing unusual. Cheng Rui has already been pressured by his mother to go on a round of blind dates recently.”
"It's Jiang Xinglan."
"Oh, it's her—what?" Zhou Cuo suddenly snapped out of his daze, somewhat incredulous. "No way, are you crazy? You went on a blind date with her?"
“Men should marry when they are of age, and women should marry when they are of age,” Song Huai said matter-of-factly. “What’s wrong with that?”
"Why can't you say it is?" Zhou Cuo sat up in bed. "He's always treated you like an older brother, and now you want to go on a blind date with him?"
“So what? She doesn’t have a boyfriend,” Song Huai said matter-of-factly. “Besides, we’re childhood sweethearts, you could say we grew up together!”
"Childhood sweethearts?" Zhou Cuo scoffed. "What kind of childhood sweethearts are you? When have I ever not been there when you went out to play?"
If I had to say, then we were childhood sweethearts! This thought flashed through Zhou Cuo's mind.
"You don't even like her, so what's the point of talking about childhood sweethearts?"
"No?" Zhou Cuo rubbed his messy hair. "Are you serious?"
"Of course! I'm going on a blind date with her, how could I not be serious!"
Zhou Cuo listened to Song Huai's voice and thought, "I can't detect a trace of seriousness in your voice. She agreed?"
"Yes, the time is set, next Thursday, at Shiguang Restaurant. I remember she really liked the food there."
“She likes the three-dish platter, pigeon soup, and charcoal-grilled pork tenderloin from this restaurant,” Zhou Cuo added.
"Tsk, you said you didn't like her, but you remember it so clearly!" Song Huai said quietly.
"I already told you I treat her like a younger sister!" After saying that, Zhou Cuo hung up the phone, threw it aside, and collapsed onto the bed.
Song Huai must be out of his mind; how could he possibly like Jiang Xinglan!
Zhou Cuo grabbed the blanket and pulled it over his head, as if that would allow him to ignore his irritable emotions.
---
On Thursday afternoon, Song Huai, who had recently returned to China, dialed Jiang Xinglan's number directly.
When the call was connected, there was some noise coming from the other end.
"Is it convenient for you to take a call?" Song Huai asked.
Jiang Xinglan nodded to Director Sun and the others, then took two steps to the side and said, "It's ready now."
"It's almost 5:30 now. Set a time, and I'll pick you up then," Song Huai said, outlining his plans.
"No need, my own past is fine," Jiang Xinglan politely declined.
"That won't do. Putting aside your brother, if Zhou Cuo finds out, he'll beat me up!" Song Huai quickly said.
"Six o'clock, south gate of the research institute." Jiang Xinglan was too lazy to argue with him and simply set the time.
"Okay, see you at six," Song Huai said.
"See you at six." Jiang Xinglan's voice wasn't loud, but it was enough to reach Director Liu and Shen Yuheng's ears.
“Since Teacher Jiang has plans for tonight, let’s see if we can get together again next time, when the movie is released,” Director Liu said as Jiang Xinglan approached.
"Alright, I'll be going now. I need to go to the lab," Jiang Xinglan said with her usual polite smile. "I wish everyone a happy wrap-up and great box office success for the film."
Shen Yuheng stood quietly to the side, staring intently at Jiang Xinglan.
I always felt that this way, I could spend more time with her.
"Teacher Jiang, why don't we take a picture?" Director Liu suggested.
"Okay." Jiang Xinglan hesitated, but still agreed.
While Director Liu was gathering everyone for a photo shoot, Shen Yuheng walked over to Jiang Xinglan and said, "Teacher Jiang, thank you for everything you've done these past few days."
"Happy wrap-up, Teacher Shen," Jiang Xinglan said gently.
"When we take photos later, may I stand to Mr. Jiang's left?"
Perhaps it was Shen Yuheng's idea, rather than anyone else's;
Or perhaps it was the sincerity in Shen Yuheng's eyes, and the hint of concern within them, that made Jiang Xinglan agree after only a moment's thought.
Therefore, in the final group photo, Shen Yuheng firmly occupied the position to the left and behind Jiang Xinglan.
After Jiang Xinglan left, the crew took a few more photos before packing up and heading off for a meal.
Shen Yuheng carried the flowers back to his car, first putting them in the trunk before getting in.
When the car door opened, Wei Yu was already sitting inside, holding a bunch of sunflowers in his arms.
"Why weren't you here when we were taking pictures?" Shen Yuheng asked as he sat down.
"I picked something up." Wei Yu stuffed the flowers in his hand into Shen Yuheng's arms. "They were a gift from Teacher Jiang."
Shen Yuheng's hand froze. His gaze fell on the greeting card among the flowers. He quickly took it down and carefully swiped it.
"Happy wrap-up, Teacher Shen!"
as well as,
Congratulations on your successful experiment!
Jiang Xinglan
Shen Yuheng's gaze lingered on the final signature. "Were you just talking about this with her?"
“Yes,” Wei Yu nodded, “Teacher Jiang felt that there were too many people around and she didn’t want to attract attention, so she asked me to give it to you.”
"Thank you for your hard work, Brother Wei." Shen Yuheng thanked Wei Yu, but his fingertips lightly brushed over the three words "Jiang Xinglan".
But just before touching it, he pulled his hand back—what if he accidentally scratched it?
"As is customary, bouquets received are usually taken to the office and arranged in a vase or something, but this bouquet from Teacher Jiang..."
Before Wei Yu could finish speaking, Jiang Xinglan said directly, "I'll take him home."
Wei Yu gave Shen Yuheng a teasing look, but still reminded him, "It's wrapping up filming today, don't forget to post an update."
"rest assured."
---
Song Huai, with his sharp eyes, spotted Jiang Xinglan at the South Gate and got out of the car to greet her.
"Xinglan, it's been a long time!" Song Huai opened his arms and went to greet her.
"Stop!" Jiang Xinglan raised her right hand. "Get in the car first."
Song Huai clicked his tongue, opened the car door for Jiang Xinglan, and reached out to protect her. "She's really grown up. She's not as cute as she was when she was little."
"You too." Jiang Xinglan's gaze swept over Song Huai indifferently as she calmly said.
"It's starting to look a bit like it used to be," Song Huai said with a helpless smile as he got into the car.
As Song Huai started the car, he said, "These are all gifts I brought you from abroad. I haven't been back for so many years, and I've missed your birthday celebrations. Now I'm making up for it all for you."
Jiang Xinglan glanced at the back seat; the familiar wrapping paper, the familiar packaging style. "No need, the blessings are enough."
While waiting at a red light, Song Huai quickly glanced at Jiang Xinglan and sighed silently.
"The light is about to turn green," Jiang Xinglan reminded him.
"Oh." Song Huai snapped out of his daze and started the vehicle.
The two remained silent until they arrived at the Time Capsule Restaurant.
Led by the waiter, the two arrived at their reserved table.
After sitting down, Jiang Xinglan's gaze shifted to the bouquet on the table, silently questioning Song Huai.
"I thought it would be nice to buy a bouquet of flowers to express my apologies since we haven't seen each other for so long," Song Huai said matter-of-factly. "Besides, it's a blind date after all, so I should at least offer something!"
Jiang Xinglan sighed and shook her head helplessly.
"Miss Jiang, Mr. Song, here are the menus." The waiter said, placing two menus in front of them.
“Before we came, I specifically asked Zhou Cuo, and he said you like the three-flavor dish, pigeon soup, and charcoal-grilled pork tenderloin,” Song Huai said before even opening the menu. “Let’s have one of these three dishes first.”
"Mr. Song, the Three Flavors Platter has been cancelled." The waiter's voice was apologetic.
"Uh..." Song Huai was a little dumbfounded, "What about the other two?"
"We do have aged pigeon and grilled pork tenderloin," the waiter replied.
"Then let's order these two things first." Song Huai breathed a sigh of relief.
But clearly, he breathed a sigh of relief too soon.
"I don't like it anymore," Jiang Xinglan said.
"What?" Song Huai looked up at Jiang Xinglan.
Jiang Xinglan didn't answer him, but just looked down at the menu and ordered her food on her own.
"Slow-cooked Angus beef short ribs and truffle Wagyu fried rice," she said, closing the menu. "I've ordered. What about you?"
"Just bring two or three of your signature dishes." Song Huai didn't open the menu at all.
"Okay, please wait a moment." The waiter took the menus and left.
A moment of silence fell between the two.
"How have you been these past few years?" Song Huai asked, breaking the silence.
“That’s good,” Jiang Xinglan said, looking at Song Huai. “But what about you? Why did you suddenly switch to the field of medical devices?”
"Oh, Zhou Cuo's mother was sick a few years ago, right?" Song Huai asked.
Jiang Xinglan hummed in agreement.
“At that time, Zhou Cuo asked me to inquire about information abroad,” Song Huai recalled, “and I came into contact with some people in the medical device industry.”
“As you know, my dad’s requirement for me is to find something to do,” Song Huai leaned back in his chair and spread his hands. “So, after Zhou Cuo’s mother’s surgery was successful, I gave it a try, and luckily, I achieved some results.”
"Congratulations."
“I can’t compare to you,” Song Huai said with a hint of pride. “Since I started working in this field, I’ve paid more or less attention to the relevant academic frontiers.”
"I was so shocked when I first saw your speech!" Song Huai's expression became quite varied.
"When I told my men, 'You're my sister,' they didn't believe me!" Song Huai said, sounding somewhat resentful. "Don't you think they went too far?"
"Actually, I think it's pretty normal." Only then did Jiang Xinglan regain her usual composure, her tone became relaxed, and she smiled more often.
“Xinglan…” Song Huai stared intently at the person opposite him.
"Okay, let's take a picture now, and you can show it to them when you get back."
"That's why I said you could do scientific research! Film it now! When I get back, I'll project it onto the screen in the company lobby!"
"If that's your plan, you should probably give up on it!" Jiang Xinglan said with obvious disapproval.
"I don't care!" Song Huai left his seat, called over a waiter, sat to Jiang Xinglan's right, and took a picture.
The moment the waiter pressed the shutter, it not only left a mark on Song Huai's phone, but also on the eyes of Producer Sun who was passing by.
-----------------------
The author has something to say: I need to clarify that the female lead's junior sister Song Yu, her mentor Song Yanqing, and her "blind date" Song Huai are not related. If we have to say they are related, then there is only one thing—they all have the surname Song.
I'd still like to get some comments!
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