Chapter 82 "It's alright, you don't need to worry about me."
Wanhua Garden and Beishan Villa are not far apart. After moving into her new home, Zhuang Liuyue often brought her son, Zhuang Xi, to visit.
Qu He learned during a chat with Zhuang Liuyue that Zhuang Bieyan's birthday was approaching.
August 7th, there's a little over a week left.
This was Zhuang Bieyan's first birthday celebration after their marriage, and it was also his thirtieth birthday, making it especially meaningful.
Choosing a gift is a big problem, and Qu He is a little worried.
Remembering Si Yue's "secret weapon" from last time, she absolutely dared not consult this cunning strategist again this time.
Qu He had no choice but to frantically search online for various birthday gift guides:
What kind of gift would surprise my husband on his birthday?
What's a good birthday gift for a man with very low material desires?
What gift can I give my husband for his 30th birthday that he can brag about for three days and three nights?
But after browsing for a while, the recommendations were mostly ties, cufflinks, lighters, and other video game products, none of which matched Zhuang Bieyan's temperament.
The more I scrolled, the more chaotic it became. Not only did I fail to find inspiration, but I also made myself anxious.
She was just about to put down her phone and take a break when a video popped up on her homepage.
The headline is eye-catching: [Young oil painter Yan Shu quietly returned to China to participate in the kiln opening festival, and may collaborate with domestic ceramic masters].
Upon seeing the words "Kiln Opening Festival," Qu He subconsciously clicked on it.
I thought it was a video introducing the kiln opening festival, but it turned out to be a fan filming them at the airport.
A woman surrounded by fans answers questions softly, smiling gently at the camera.
The fans were very enthusiastic, asking, "Sister Yanshu, how long will you stay in China this time? Will you go back to England immediately after attending the kiln opening ceremony?"
The woman named Yan Shu smiled and said, "I'll probably be staying longer this time. Besides attending the kiln opening ceremony, I'm also in talks with several teachers about collaborations. You can look forward to it."
"Wow! I can't wait!" the fans cheered.
Qu He's gaze fell on Yan Shu in the video.
She wore her long, straight black hair down, a beret, a white embroidered top, and a brown oil painting-patterned long skirt. A long silk scarf was loosely tied around her neck, making her look elegant and classy.
A fan nearby exclaimed excitedly, "Now we can finally see more of her!"
Yan Shu said in a friendly tone, "Thank you for your support. Actually, I've been discussing with the team recently about gradually shifting some of our work focus back to China. We should have more opportunities to meet in the future."
These words elicited excited screams from the fans.
Someone boldly asked, "Is it because good news is coming soon, sister?"
Yan Shu's smile deepened, and she smiled mysteriously: "If there is any good news, I will definitely tell everyone as soon as possible."
"Wow! It seems like my sister and Mr. Z are finally going to get married!" some fans cheered.
Yan Shu neither admitted nor denied it. After signing autographs for a few fans outside the airport, she bent down and got into a black car.
"Goodbye everyone, be careful on your way back. I'm having dinner with friends tonight, I'll send you all photos later."
"Goodbye, sister."
The camera finally freezes on the moment the car door closes.
Qu He looked at the car in the video and felt it looked familiar. Just as she was about to take a closer look, Zhuang Bieyan suddenly called.
He said he had an unexpected social engagement that evening and would be back late, so there was no need to wait for him.
After hanging up the phone, Qu He wanted to go back and find the video, but the page had already refreshed automatically.
She had some doubts, so she decided to search for the name "Yan Shu" online.
Yan Shu is a young oil painter who studied oil painting in the UK. After graduating, she joined a very famous studio in the UK, and her outstanding talent combined with her beauty has earned her many fans on social media.
Besides sharing updates on her artwork on her account, she occasionally mentions a mysterious "Mr. Z," her words filled with girlish sentiments, and many fans are fans of the two as a couple.
Qu He browsed the page casually for a while, but quickly lost interest and exited.
Over the next few days, Qu He was busy preparing a birthday gift for Zhuang Bieyan while also struggling with whether or not to attend the kiln opening ceremony.
Phoenix Mountain, located on the outskirts of the northern city, is famous for its ancient kiln sites. Twenty years ago, a torrential rain in August washed away the mountainside, leading archaeologists to discover three kiln sites there, dating from the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Western Jin Dynasty, and the Three Kingdoms period.
The discovery of three kiln sites from different dynasties at the same location is extremely rare, and therefore it has been listed as a key cultural heritage site.
Later, the Beicheng Culture and Tourism Bureau built a modern wood-fired kiln at the foot of the mountain, retaining the name "Phoenix Kiln".
Later, a kiln opening festival was held here every August to promote ceramic culture.
Every year, a selection of outstanding contemporary ceramic works are chosen and fired together with the works of masters in the kiln for three days and three nights under the supervision of experienced master craftsmen.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the completion of the Phoenix Kiln, and the opening ceremony was held more grandly than in previous years. It is said that many renowned ceramic artists from home and abroad were specially invited.
Since graduating, Qu He has never participated in the kiln opening festival.
Without any outstanding works to show for it, going there would only make you an ordinary tourist, squeezed into the crowd, watching others shine, which would only stir up a sense of regret in your heart.
I received Zhou Shi'an's call the following evening.
Qu He had just finished showering when Zhuang Bieyan handed her her phone and said meaningfully, "Your neighbor just called."
Qu He didn't detect the jealousy hidden in his words; she was just wondering why Zhou Shi'an was calling so late.
She took the phone, ready to call back.
"Did you answer it for me?" she asked casually.
"Hmm. I said... you're taking a shower."
Qu He: "..."
Just as I was about to say something to him, the call was already connected.
She had no choice but to answer the call and walk to the living room with her phone so as not to disturb his rest.
In the bedroom, Zhuang Bieyan watched her walk and answer the phone as she walked, his eyes narrowing slightly, his gaze deepening.
Qu He walked to the living room sofa and sat down. "Hello? Brother Shi An? Is there something you need?"
Zhou Shi'an: "It's nothing serious. My teacher will also be attending the kiln opening festival that I mentioned to you last time. If you go, I can help you with the introduction."
Qu He's heart skipped a beat, and just as she was about to say something, she saw Zhuang Bieyan walk out.
He took a glass and walked towards the kitchen, as if to get some water.
Seeing her looking over, he raised his chin and said in a natural tone, "It's okay, you go about your business, I'll get some water, don't worry about me."
Qu He hummed in agreement.
Just as I was about to speak, I heard a crisp "clang".
At the kitchen doorway, Zhuang Bieyan's glass fell to the ground, water stains mixed with glass shards splashing everywhere.
Qu He was startled and covered the receiver, asking him, "Are you alright?"
"It's okay, you can keep making the call. I'll take care of it. You don't need to worry about me."
He bent down to pick up the broken pieces, then went to the balcony to get a broom and began sweeping the floor at a leisurely pace.
Seeing that he was alright, Qu He continued talking to Zhou Shi'an, "...It's alright, it's alright, I'm listening, Brother Shi'an, please continue..."
She was talking, but the rustling sound of sweeping was too loud in the living room.
As he swept, he moved from the kitchen to the living room.
"Lift your foot."
"oh."
"I'm just sweeping the floor, it's nothing, you don't need to worry about me."
"..."
After finally finishing sweeping the floor, I could finally have some peace and quiet.
But Zhuang Bieyan suddenly walked over and sat down next to her.
Qu He gave him a look that said, "What are you going to do?"
Zhuang Bieyan: "It's nothing, I'm just looking for something, you don't need to worry about me."
As he spoke, he bent down and began rummaging through the storage cabinet under the coffee table in front of the sofa.
I don't know what he was looking for, but he took everything out of the locker.
Zhuang Bieyan's movements were quite exaggerated; two buttons on his pajamas had been undone at some point, and the neckline was wide open, revealing his taut muscles that rose and fell gently with his breathing.
The warm light shone on the "spring light" on his chest, and Qu He's gaze was uncontrollably drawn to it.
She only felt her face getting hot, and she didn't hear a word of what Zhou Shi'an said on the other end of the phone.
Zhuang Bieyan seemed to have found what he was looking for. He slightly adjusted his posture, exposing his "springtime" even more completely.
At this moment, he suddenly looked at Qu He, and after seeing the blush on her face, he curled his lips.
He leaned towards her, his voice deep, "Honey, why does your face look a little red? Are you hot? Should I turn the air conditioning down for you?"
Qu He: "..."
His voice wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for the person on the other end of the phone to hear clearly.
On the other end of the phone, Zhou Shi'an paused for a moment and asked, "Qu He, is anyone next to you?"
Qu He hurriedly said into the microphone, "Brother Shi An, something suddenly came up here, I have to hang up now."
Then she quickly hung up the phone.
Zhuang Bieyan asked slowly, "Why did you hang up? Want to chat a little longer?"
Qu He glared at him, annoyed: "Zhuang Bieyan! What are you doing!"
Zhuang Bieyan said innocently, "What's wrong? I was just worried you were hot."
Qu He: "...You..."
Zhuang Bieyan slowly leaned down, trapping her between the sofa and his embrace, and poked her burning face with his finger. "Look how red your face is, isn't it because you're hot?"
Qu He lowered her head and squeezed out from the other side through a gap. "Don't talk nonsense."
He walked towards her step by step, admitting frankly, "Okay, actually I just wanted to see what you and your neighbor had to talk about for so long."
His frank admission left Qu He completely bewildered.
She opened her mouth, but after seeing the burning passion in his eyes, she couldn't utter a single word...
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