Chapter 32: The Signed Inkstone And Se

Three days later, it was exactly January 16th.

The lawyer called early in the morning, saying that the old lady wanted to settle with her.

The other party had also hired a lawyer. They had probably been advised that taking the case to court wouldn’t end well for them, so they wisely backed down.

When signing the mediation agreement, the old lady, who had previously been arrogant and domineering, now wore a pitiful expression and complained bitterly, “Miss Jiang, you’re so wealthy. Why do I still have to pay for the lawyer’s fees?”

Jiang Se held the fountain pen and smiled warmly. “This is your only chance for mediation. If you’re not willing, we can proceed with the lawsuit.”

The old lady had recently been educated on the law and knew that going head-to-head with Jiang Se would only lead to greater losses. Reluctantly, she signed the agreement.

The mediation covered not only the painting that had been destroyed but also the initial ownership dispute over the “Zhang Embroidery.”

Jiang Se took the agreement and went to find Zhang Yue.

Before coming to Tongcheng, she had already looked into Zhang Yue’s background. Her past was never a secret to Jiang Se, including her current address.

When Zhang Yue saw Jiang Se suddenly appear at her door, she wasn’t surprised. She simply said indifferently, “Miss Jiang, if you need something from me, you don’t have to come in person. A phone call would suffice.”

Jiang Se raised the agreement in her hand, nodded toward the interior, and smiled. “Not inviting me in? Some things are better discussed in person than over the phone.”

Zhang Yue glanced at her and stepped aside to make way.

Jiang Se entered but remained in the entryway, quietly observing the space.

It was a simply decorated two-bedroom apartment. Though not large, it was warm and cozy. Everything inside was arranged in pairs, including a pair of men’s indoor slippers in the shoe cabinet.

The slippers looked brand new, clearly never worn.

Seeing Jiang Se lowering her head to remove her shoes, Zhang Yue said, “No need to change. No one usually visits, so I don’t have extra slippers for you.”

Jiang Se still took off her short boots and walked in with just her socks.

The two sat on the fabric sofa in the living room. Zhang Yue poured Jiang Se a cup of warm water and said, “Just say what you need to say, Miss Jiang. Is there news about the qipao shop?”

Zhang Yue was very thin. The hand she used to pass the cup was so pale it seemed to have never seen sunlight.

Jiang Se accepted the cup. “Thank you. Yes, it’s about the qipao shop. Those people who were harassing you won’t bother you again. This is the notarized mediation agreement.”

“Mediation?” Zhang Yue was slightly surprised. “Xiao Miao said you weren’t planning to settle with them.”

“I changed my mind,” Jiang Se said casually. “The lawsuit process would take several more months, or even longer, and I don’t want to waste time on that.”

She handed the mediation agreement to Zhang Yue. Zhang Yue took it and began to read through it, saying, “What about the old district redevelopment? This project is one of the major projects in Tongcheng in recent years. How will you help me protect ‘Zhang Xiu?”

“I’ve seen the redevelopment project plan. After the renovation, Lian’an Old District will be redesigned into Jinxiu Alley. There will still be a Jinxiu Alley, and the address ‘No. 38 Jinxiu Alley’ will still exist,” Jiang Se explained.

Zhang Yue understood. “So, you can help me secure ‘No. 38 Jinxiu Alley’ after the redevelopment.”

Jiang Se nodded. “I can get it. It’s not difficult. All we need is to add a clause to the relocation agreement.”

Zhang Yue had no doubts about what Jiang Se said. In her eyes, Jiang Se was like the clouds in the sky, and she was just dirt on the ground. What reason would someone like Jiang Se have to deceive her?

She sighed in relief. “Miss Jiang, thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Boss Zhang,” Jiang Se smiled gently. “Now that the qipao shop matter is settled, perhaps you can tell me the story about you and that flightless bird?”

Zhang Yue was momentarily stunned. “But Miss Jiang, you haven’t returned the qipao shop to me, and the relocation agreement hasn’t been signed yet.”

“A qipao isn’t something that can be made in a day,” Jiang Se replied. “Why don’t you make a prototype today and tell me about the last time you met Zhao Zhicheng? Consider it a trade for this mediation agreement.”

When Zhang Yue heard the name “Zhao Zhicheng,” a momentary flash of confusion and hesitation crossed her face.

Jiang Se observed her expression thoughtfully. “So, he doesn’t go by Zhao Zhicheng in front of you, right?”

Jiang Se took out her phone, unlocked it with her fingerprint, and turned the screen toward Zhang Yue. “Is this the person you’ve been waiting for? What do you call him?”

On the phone screen was a photo of a man—an ordinary face, one that you could see in a crowd and forget in an instant.

However, when Zhang Yue saw the photo, her face turned pale, and her eyes instantly reddened.

She murmured, “He never takes photos. How do you have his photo? Where… where is he?”

Tears welled up in the woman’s eyes, a mixture of longing, missing, confusion, and worry blending into a complex and sorrowful emotion.

She looked at Jiang Se and repeated, “Where is he?”

Jiang Se lowered her phone and glanced around the room, her expression unchanging. “Eight years ago, when you returned to Tongcheng, you used a large sum of cash to buy No. 38 Jinxiu Alley and the place you’re living in now. That money came from him, didn’t it? If you want to know where he is and get back the qipao shop, tell me first—what did he say to you the last time you met? And where did that money he gave you come from?”

Tears slid down Zhang Yue’s face as she looked at Jiang Se, trembling. Her lips quivered as she said, “Jinxiu Alley No. 38. When you return No. 38 Jinxiu Alley to me, I’ll tell you about him.”

---

Tongcheng in January was even colder than December. It wasn’t until Jiang Se got into the car that she realized how cold her hands had become.

Fortunately, it was a sunny day, and the sunlight was everywhere, warming the small electric car.

Jiang Se sat in the car for a while, waiting until she could feel the warmth before picking up her phone again. She opened Zhao Zhicheng’s photo once more.

Through the photo, she calmly stared back at Zhao Zhicheng.

“She cried, Zhao Zhicheng. To protect you, she refused to say anything. I must have been too impatient.”

“She said the qipao shop was her lighthouse, but in reality, her lighthouse was you, wasn’t it? Did you promise her you’d come back to No. 38 Jinxiu Alley someday? Is that where you, the flightless bird, were going to settle?”

“If she knew you were dead, knew you’d never come back, do you think she’d be able to live?”

Jiang Se paused slightly at this point, smiling faintly at the photo. Looking at Zhao Zhicheng, she said, “Are you afraid? Worried? If there is a hell, then in that place, you’d better repent properly for me!”

---

In the quiet car, Jiang Se closed her eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, then turned off the screen, started the engine, and drove toward Han Mountain Temple.

Han Yin had invited her to dinner at Bamboo Cottage tonight.

Lu Huaiyan’s flight was this afternoon. Calculating the time, he should be arriving soon.

Sure enough, halfway through the drive, a new message appeared in her WeChat.

Lu Huaiyan: [See you soon.]

Jiang Se didn’t reply, pressing the gas pedal all the way to the parking lot of Qi Han Mountain.

The person who came to open the door was Han Yin. She looked particularly good today. As soon as she saw Jiang Se, she smiled warmly and said, “Ah Yan just arrived. He’s tidying up in his room right now. He told us to drink tea first, no need to wait for him.”

The bamboo forest was touched by the white snow, everywhere gleaming under the sunlight with frosty colors.

There was almost no snow on the ground, which meant someone must have been cleaning the snow every day.

Jiang Se withdrew her gaze from the clean ground and responded softly, “Okay.”

Inside Han Yin’s house, the fragrance of incense filled the air, a light and delicate plum blossom scent.

The two of them sat by the incense burner and drank tea. Han Yin was particularly talkative today, and she chatted on about various things. Jiang Se listened with a smile, then said, “Did something good happen? You seem particularly happy today.”

Upon reflection, it had been over half a month since she’d last seen her son. How could she not be happy when he came to visit her?

“Is it because of Young Master Lu?”

Han Yin smiled and said, “It is indeed because of Ah Yan. As for the specific reason, you’ll know in a moment.”

Just as her words fell, a deep voice came from the hallway.

“What will I know?”

Han Yin and Jiang Se both turned their gazes toward the man who was taking off his coat. He must have just taken a shower, as his hair was still a bit damp, and a few strands of hair fell on his forehead.

Han Yin said, “Se Se said I looked especially happy today, so I played a little tease and said she’d find out the reason in a moment.”

Lu Huaiyan, following her words, raised his eyebrows at Jiang Se. Their eyes met for a moment, but Jiang Se was the first to look away.

Lu Huaiyan averted his gaze, hung his coat aside, and while walking inward, he casually revealed the answer, “Today is my birthday.”

Jiang Se paused, and in a daze, she remembered that January 16th was indeed his birthday.

She had known it, but after not paying attention to his affairs for so long, she had completely forgotten when the day actually arrived.

He revealed the answer so quickly, and Han Yin scolded him, “You really can’t be trusted to keep a secret.”

Lu Huaiyan smiled, sitting down next to Jiang Se, naturally taking on the task of pouring the tea. “Didn’t you give me longevity buns this year? When that basket of longevity buns was brought out, do you think Jiang Se could guess the answer?”

Han Yin chuckled, “Then those longevity buns couldn’t have been for my birthday?”

Jiang Se smoothly responded, “Aunt Han, your birthday is in July. I remember. I didn’t attend your birthday party for nothing in the past.”

After speaking, she looked toward Lu Huaiyan and said, “Happy birthday.”

Lu Huaiyan was in the middle of changing the tea leaves. Upon hearing her words, he glanced at her and responded, “Thank you.”

Once he finished changing the tea leaves, he looked at her and asked, “Tonight, we’re having vegetarian food. Are there any vegetarian dishes you particularly like?”

Jiang Se replied, “Anything’s fine. I’ll go with the flow.”

She had come empty-handed, not even bringing a birthday gift. If she had to rely on others to order the dishes, it would be quite impolite.

Lu Huaiyan didn’t say anything further, and after preparing the tea, he placed new cups of tea on the tea trays for both Han Yin and Jiang Se.

Han Yin took a sip of tea and praised, “Your tea is still the best.”

She then asked, “Why didn’t your grandfather ask you to stay at the old house to celebrate your birthday this year?”

In previous years, Lu Huaiyan would have to run back and forth. He would have lunch with Han Yin to celebrate, then rush to the north city to have another birthday meal at the old house.

“He probably got tired of my strictness with his eating and drinking, so he took the opportunity to send me away,” Lu Huaiyan said casually. “My grandfather and I are now at a point where we can’t stand each other.”

Old Master Lu loved to drink, and as he aged, he needed to be more cautious about his health. But aside from Lu Huaiyan, no one else in the Lu family could control him, and during his recovery period, he had been strictly managed.

Han Yin chuckled, and even Jiang Se curved the corners of her lips into a smile.

In the past, Cen Li often said that Lu Huaiyan was cold and that he never spared anyone’s feelings. He could make any situation uncomfortable, but if he wanted to, there was no place he couldn’t warm up.

Before the vegetarian meal arrived, Jiang Se’s smile never faded from the corners of her lips.

The vegetarian dishes were mild in flavor, and Jiang Se generally didn’t enjoy them. However, tonight, there were a few dishes that she found unexpectedly to her taste. For example, the gluten made to resemble squirrel fish, which surprisingly tasted quite similar to real squirrel fish, was sweet and sour and very delicious.

Han Yin picked up a large portion with the chopsticks and smiled, “This is something Ah Yan specifically ordered for you. Eat more, he and I can’t handle the sourness.”

Jiang Se glanced at Lu Huaiyan. The man was holding a bowl, half the size of his palm, his eyelids lowered as he quietly sipped his soup.

The meal was warm and cozy. Han Yin clearly enjoyed serving dishes, and Jiang Se’s bowl never lacked for food. Although it was always filled with her favorite dishes, her small appetite couldn’t keep up.

Seeing Han Yin scoop a spoonful of crab roe tofu into her bowl, Jiang Se was about to politely refuse, but a hand, with defined joints, suddenly intervened.

“Give it to me. She can’t finish it.”

Jiang Se froze for a moment.

It was a habit they developed from a young age to follow proper manners during meals, keeping their eyes on their own plates and not wandering around.

Jiang Se didn’t know how he figured out she couldn’t eat any more.

Lu Huaiyan picked up the bowl and took the spoonful of tofu, telling her, “If you can’t eat the longevity buns later, don’t force yourself.”

Indeed, Jiang Se couldn’t eat any more. There were three longevity buns brought to the table, and Lu Huaiyan ended up finishing her portion for her.

Han Yin had a regular routine, and after dinner, she quickly became drowsy.

Jiang Se, following the flow, got up to leave.

Han Yin didn’t try to keep her and, after quietly exchanging a glance with her son, smiled and said, “Ah Yan won’t stay here tonight. You two can go down the mountain together, and he’ll give you a ride.”

Lu Huaiyan turned his eyes toward her. “Let’s go.”

He said this as he went to the entrance to get their coats and scarves. Jiang Se followed him, and once they were both dressed, they began their slow descent down the mountain.

Even though today was sunny, the mountain grew cold as soon as night fell, like an ice cellar.

Jiang Se pulled her scarf up to cover her chin. Lu Huaiyan glanced at her and suddenly spoke, “Take your hands out.”

She had left her gloves in the car when they came up the mountain, and ever since, her hands had been tucked in her coat pockets. At his words, she instinctively looked at him.

He was already lowering his head to remove his own gloves. Seeing that she hadn’t moved, he glanced at her. Jiang Se lowered her gaze, taking her hands out of her pockets.

Lu Huaiyan glanced at her right hand for a moment, noticing the scabbed-over wound in her palm, and then slowly put the gloves on her hands.

The black leather gloves still held his warmth. She quietly felt the warmth his touch brought, and the next moment, she heard him ask, “Are you full from dinner?”

Lu Huaiyan gave a slight smile and said, “I didn’t eat well.” He was quite candid. “The flavor was too mild.”

Jiang Se chuckled. “Still able to eat something? I’ll treat you to longevity noodles. In November, when Xiao Ye celebrated his birthday, they specifically took me to a noodle shop for longevity noodles. The taste was pretty good.”

In the Jiang family, birthdays weren’t celebrated with cake but with longevity noodles. No matter whose birthday it was, the whole family would go to a noodle shop together, lively and cheerful.

Lu Huaiyan gazed at the smile on her lips, his black eyes softening with a hint of amusement. “Alright, lead the way.”

The noodle shop was located in an old alley near the financial district. They arrived by Jiang Se’s little electric car. Lu Huaiyan sat in the passenger seat, his long legs forced to bend, and it was clear he wasn’t comfortable, but surprisingly, he didn’t complain.

Several times, when Jiang Se stopped at traffic lights, she would glance at him. Every time, Lu Huaiyan seemed to catch her gaze. Though his limbs couldn’t fully stretch, he didn’t seem awkward, lazily leaning against the back of the seat. When she looked at him, he’d casually say, “If you want to laugh, just laugh. You don’t have to hold it in.”

Jiang Se didn’t hold back, smiling as she drove them to the noodle shop.

When they arrived, her smile faded as soon as she saw the red sign on the door of the shop.

【The shop is closed for a day due to a happy event.】

The characters on the red paper were written in a lively, flowing style, making it easy to sense the owner’s joy.

Moreover, there was a red table outside the shop, with a few red plastic bags scattered on it.

Inside the plastic bags were rolls of handmade noodles from the shop and two pieces of wedding candy. A note on the table read: 【666 lucky bags, thanking the neighbors for their blessings for my daughter’s marriage.】

Lu Huaiyan chuckled, “Choosing today for a wedding banquet, they really know how to pick a date.”

The man glanced around, his gaze stopping at the convenience store across the street. “I’ll go buy something. Wait for me here.”

He walked over to the shop and returned holding an empty red envelope. Then, he pulled out his wallet and placed a stack of bills into the envelope.

Jiang Se asked, “Is this for the shop owner?”

Lu Huaiyan nodded. “I happened to encounter a wedding banquet on my birthday, so it’s fate.”

“How much did you put in?”

“1800. I wanted to make it 1314, but I didn’t have the right change, so I had to settle for this.”

Jiang Se then said, “I have some change in the car.”

Jiang Se quickly returned to the car within two minutes, holding a ten yuan bill and four one yuan coins.

This way, she managed to make it 1314.

Lu Huaiyan hadn’t intended to leave a message on the red envelope, but now he changed his mind. He pulled a pen from the inner pocket of his coat and wrote on the back of the envelope: “Wishing you a hundred years of happiness together.”

The signature was “Yan, Se.”

In this small, randomly encountered noodle shop, a red envelope given on a whim now had their names written together.

After finishing, he bent down and slid the red envelope under the roll-up door of the shop. Passing the red table, he casually grabbed one of the red plastic bags, walked over to Jiang Se, and smiled as he asked, “Since the shop owner is celebrating, how about we cook these longevity noodles ourselves? Is that alright?”

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