Chapter 39

Shu Shiran had just replied to two emails when Ji Xi finished his phone call and emerged, radiating an air of domestic comfort.

"How long have you been waiting?"

"I just got off work myself," Shu Shiran said. "Aunt Dou said she was going to do some square dancing, so she left early."

Ji Xi nodded. "Let's eat."

The two sat down at the dining table. That evening, Aunt Dou had prepared braised pork belly, stir-fried water dropwort, oil-popped shrimp, and chicken soup. While eating, Shu Shiran brought up the Zhao family.

"I heard you declined the partnership with the Zhao family?"

Ji Xi didn't pause his movements as he picked up some food. "If I know someone is my wife's arch-nemesis and I still associate with them, wouldn't that make me incredibly oblivious?"

His tone was nonchalant, the rhetorical question laced with a hint of roguishness that left Shu Shiran unsure of how to respond. Noticing her gaze, Ji Xi glanced up. "They aren't the only ones seeking me out, and the funds I manage aren't dependent on them."

His attitude was one of indifference. Shu Shiran, who had been somewhat uncertain about the reason for his refusal, finally understood. She murmured an "Mm," her heart beating a little faster.

Ji Xi seemed to recall something suddenly and chuckled. "If I offended the Zhao family because of this, Shu Shiran, you'll have to shield me. After all, I’m alone and unsupported in Nancheng, with plenty of enemies and only you as my backer."

He said it lightly, without a hint of genuine worry. If he were truly afraid of offending people, he wouldn't have targeted the Ji family so high-profilely before returning to Nancheng last year. As far as Shu Shiran knew, many wanted to partner with him; his every move was under scrutiny, and the slightest action could stir waves in Nancheng's financial circles. He was, currently, a red-hot figure.

Shu Shiran was in a good mood. For once, she played along with his teasing, replying with elegant pride, "Then I suppose I shall let you lean on me."

Meeting Ji Xi’s smiling gaze immediately after, her face grew hot, and she felt a touch of regret. Ji Xi was the type who could run with any remark, and he called out, "My great backer."

"..." Shu Shiran’s ears burned.

Ji Xi continued, "My friend Luke is coming the day after tomorrow. We’ll need to host him."

At the mention of Luke, Shu Shiran couldn't help but recall the absurd phone call she had overheard before the new year. Ji Xi seemed to guess her thoughts and chuckled softly, earning a glare from her. He laughed even more brazenly, his manner light and dashing.

The atmosphere shifted; the warmth of the floor heating seemed to intensify. There was something dense and airy flowing in the room, intangible yet present. Shu Shiran lowered her head to sip her soup.

Watching her, Ji Xi added, "Luke thinks we are a normal married couple."

Shu Shiran asked, "He doesn't know about our situation?"

"No. He is—" Ji Xi paused slightly, "—a bit of a blabbermouth."

Shu Shiran nodded. It was indeed better if he didn't know. Xue Fu was acquainted with Luke now; if Xue Fu found out, her uncle would soon follow. Therefore, they had to act like a normal couple in front of Luke, just as they had back in Lu Bei. Shu Shiran had no objections to this. He had already played along in front of her family; it was only fair she did the same in front of his friend.

The conversation turned to Luke, and Shu Shiran asked how they met.

"We were classmates," Ji Xi explained. They had been classmates at Harvard, both studying mathematics. Smart people are often arrogant, and at first, they despised each other. Luke, in particular, couldn't stand Ji Xi’s habit of ignoring everyone as if they were idiots. Ji Xi, for his part, felt that if Luke ever died, it would surely be from a kidney deficiency.

They only became friends later. Both were sensitive to numbers and enjoyed adventure and risk; before they even graduated from their master's programs, they were trading stocks and futures together, earning a significant amount, and eventually founded a company together after graduation.

As for familiarity with Nancheng, Shu Shiran was certainly more knowledgeable, given that Ji Xi had been away for over a decade and had only been back for less than six months. She arranged a driver for Luke and served as his local guide.

On the second day of Luke’s visit, a Monday, there was a lively event in Nancheng. The former Wenguang Art Museum had reopened, unveiling its new name: "Er Qi" (Two Seven). Most people were unaware of the backstory behind the name change; those who knew a little were only aware that the management behind the museum had swapped hands.

The opening ceremony for the museum's first exhibition was held that day, with many artists invited as guests. These were famous contemporary domestic and international artists, some visiting the country for the first time. Many in the industry came just for them. Several announced they would collaborate with Er Qi Art Museum in the future.

Neither Ji Xi nor Shu Shiran attended the opening. However, Luke, having recovered from his jet lag, went to join the excitement as a guest.

After the ceremony, Luke toured the museum, got into his car, and called Ji Xi. As soon as the call connected, he teased, "Jaziel, you are so sappy."

"What?" Ji Xi asked.

"The museum's name," Luke said. "If I remember correctly, you two registered your marriage on the 27th of last November, right?"

"No," Ji Xi replied flatly.

"Impossible, my memory is excellent," Luke insisted. "If you want to deny it, we can check the chat logs; it was the 27th. I never expected you to use that date as a name."

"I assumed you didn't recognize those characters," Ji Xi retorted.

"How could that be? My Chinese is excellent; I've been WeChatting with my grandparents since I was a kid."

The characters for "Er Qi" were not commonly used. In truth, he hadn't recognized them at first, but understood once he heard others mention them.

Luke clicked his tongue. "Jaziel, oh Jaziel, I never knew you were so sappy. I can't wait for tonight; I’ll get to see R." His tone was lighthearted. They had agreed to have dinner together that night.

"Keep a lid on it when you see her," Ji Xi warned. "She doesn't like your type."

"What's wrong with my type?" Luke countered. "How could any woman not like me? Impossible."

***

Every Monday, the Chunxiang Firm held meetings. After the general staff meeting, each project team held smaller, separate sessions. During a break, Wu Tianqi approached Shu Shiran with his phone and whispered, "Sister Ran, why is the museum called that?"

When Wenguang Art Museum was forced to change its name, it became the talk of their circle. Before the New Year, Ji Wenguang had reached out to many artists, asking them not to support the renamed museum, hoping it would become a laughingstock upon reopening. However, the Ji family's scheme fell through the moment the guest list leaked a few days prior; they had been thoroughly humiliated.

Wu Tianqi heard that Ji Yang had gotten drunk at a bar the previous night, ranting and cursing Ji Xi. Others in the circle were watching the drama unfold, which made the museum's reopening especially high-profile today.

Upon learning the name, Wu Tianqi remembered a small bet he had made with Feng Kuan. At the time, everyone except Wu had been drinking, and someone suggested a pool on what the new name would be. As a man who planned to become a monk, Wu didn't want to participate, but Feng Kuan forced him into it. People had guessed everything from using Ji Xi’s own name to insulting names like "Ji Wenguang is an idiot."

Wu Tianqi, distracted by his work, had guessed it might be related to Ji Xi’s birthday. Feng Kuan had mocked him for lacking imagination. As it turned out, "Er Qi" was indeed related to a number. Only Wu Tianqi’s guess was even remotely close.

Wu Tianqi felt smug, thinking he might have been right. But Feng Kuan replied: "Bullshit, I checked. His birthday isn't the 27th."

The name "Er Qi" seemed strange to everyone; they couldn't grasp its meaning. So, Wu Tianqi decided to ask Ji Xi’s wife, his boss.

Wu Tianqi wasn't the first to ask. Shu Shiran had several similar messages in her WeChat. They could never have guessed that the name was something Ji Xi had blurted out on a whim as they walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Her standard reply was: "I don't know, he probably just picked it at random."

Wu Tianqi messaged Feng Kuan again.
-Wu: My boss says she doesn't know.
-Feng: Ji Xi didn't tell her?
-Feng: Divorce! Divorce!
-Feng: You can't keep a man like that.
-Wu: ...
-Feng: Are you working overtime today, you busybody?
-Wu: Probably not.
-Feng: Perfect, let's have dinner. I'll pick you up on my way.

Around the time for leaving work, Feng Kuan arrived at Chunxiang. He was a bit early, hoping to run into Shu Shiran. Several cars were parked outside the building. He pulled up behind one and checked his phone, then looked up, feeling that the car in front of him looked familiar.

He pulled up alongside it and rolled down his window. The window of the black Cullinan also rolled down.

"Ji Xi?" Feng Kuan said.

Ji Xi glanced over. "Feng Kuan? What are you doing here?"

Seeing Ji Xi, Feng Kuan recalled the time during Wu Tianqi’s birthday when Shu Shiran had come, and he had been dragged away to drink, never getting a chance to speak to her. After they went public, he realized that while Ji Xi hadn't been the one dragging him to drink, he had certainly been stoking the fire. And Ji Xi had left right after Shu Shiran left.

The more Feng Kuan thought about it, the angrier he got, harboring a grudge as if Ji Xi had stolen his wife. If he had only acted sooner, he might have had a chance.

Refusing to lose face, Feng Kuan tapped his fingers on the steering wheel and lifted his chin. "I'm a client of Chunxiang. It's perfectly normal for me to be here."

Ji Xi’s eyelids flickered. "Oh. I'm here to pick up my wife."

Feng Kuan: "..."

*Damn it.*

Who asked you? Who on earth asked you?!