The next day, Wei Zhi sensed a subtle, unsettling shift in the air.
First, when she went to the director’s office to deliver documents, Ji Qikun did not keep her for a moment of intimacy as he usually did. Second, he summoned Xiao Cai to his office for a report that Wei Zhi could have easily handled herself.
Finally, during the lunch hour, she took the initiative to go to his office to invite him to eat. The door was locked from the inside. Xiao Cai, passing by, told her in a gloating tone that Director Ji had left immediately after the briefing.
Wei Zhi gripped her phone and considered it for a moment, but ultimately decided against making the call. She turned and headed for the company’s small canteen.
The cramped canteen was packed with gallery employees having their meal. Because she arrived late, there weren't many good dishes left. She lowered her head to inspect the remaining options, planning to just grab whatever was available, when a familiar voice rang out from above.
"Late, aren't you? They’ve picked all the ribs clean."
Wei Zhi looked up. Standing across from her was Zheng Tianxin, holding a large iron ladle stained with a bit of tomato and scrambled eggs. She was smiling at Wei Zhi, a grimy white apron tied around her waist. The smile lines at the corners of her eyes were buried in folds of fat, and a wider, thicker chin pressed out from behind her actual one, as if it too were greeting Wei Zhi.
In the year or so she had worked at the gallery, Zheng Tianxin was the only canteen employee Wei Zhi knew well.
The reason was simple: though Zheng Tianxin’s bloated, aging appearance had nothing to do with the word "sweetheart," her personality was famously warm and friendly. She remembered everyone’s name in the gallery and would proactively greet them whenever they met.
While not everyone liked her, at least no one disliked her.
Wei Zhi didn't dislike her either. "It’s fine. Just some vegetables will do," Wei Zhi said with a smile.
"Follow me," Zheng Tianxin said mysteriously, gesturing with her ladle for Wei Zhi to come along.
Wei Zhi carried her tray and followed her into the back kitchen, an area restricted to staff. Zheng Tianxin took the tray from her and disappeared inside. When she returned, the tray was piled high with potato-stewed ribs and tomato scrambled eggs—dishes that were no longer in the public serving bins.
Zheng Tianxin didn't hand the tray back immediately; instead, she carried it for Wei Zhi as she helped her find an empty seat in the dining area.
"What brings you to the canteen today? Did you have a spat with Director Ji?" Zheng Tianxin asked, her face full of teasing and gossip.
"No fight," Wei Zhi said. "He just seemed busy this morning."
"Aiya, men are all like that. No man stays passionate forever; they run hot and cold. My old man is the same—one way when he’s happy, another when he’s not," Zheng Tianxin rambled on. "A prize catch like Director Ji... you have to hold on tight. There are plenty of people looking to snatch him away!"
Wei Zhi was amused. "Who wants to snatch him?"
"Can’t say, can’t say." Zheng Tianxin waved her hand, then continued sharing her 'husband-taming manual.' "With men, you can't always give them a good face, but you can't always give them a bad one either. You have to keep them dangling. Once they're hooked, then you give them a sweet treat. It works much better than just giving it to them directly."
"No wonder you and your husband have such a good relationship, Sister Tianxin. You have a secret method," Wei Zhi teased.
"Heh, after being married all these years, how could I not have some insights?"
As they spoke, they reached a table that had just been vacated. Zheng Tianxin set the tray down and said with a wide smile, "Eat slowly. I’m heading back to the kitchen. Call me if you need anything else!"
"Okay, thank you," Wei Zhi replied with a smile.
After Zheng Tianxin left, Wei Zhi sat down. As she ate, she reflected on what the woman had just said.
*Dangle it first, then give the treat... it’s better than giving it directly...*
She abandoned the idea of calling Ji Qikun later.
Over the next two days, Ji Qikun did not contact her, and she did not contact him. He acted as usual in the office, and she did the same.
The third day was Sunday—the day Wei Shan had invited Ji Qikun to their home for dinner.
Although it was a day off, Wei Zhi usually spent it delivering food. Today, however, to welcome Ji Qikun’s arrival, everyone—herself included—had to be at their stations.
At ten in the morning, the habitually lazy Wei Shan had already returned from "treasure hunting" at the second-hand market. Not only had he brought back "antiques" and "famous paintings" rented by the day, but he had also surreptitiously clipped a bunch of blooming pink roses from the park. These were thrust into a long-vacant vase and placed ceremoniously in the center of the small square dining table.
Even Wei Lai, with the bandage still on his head, was forced to dress neatly and perk up to welcome the impending "money tree."
Wang Lin went without saying; she had been busy in the kitchen since seven in the morning.
At exactly eleven o'clock, Wei Shan produced the air conditioner remote—which only he was allowed to handle—and finally put the long-dormant unit to work.
Half an hour later, Ji Qikun hadn't called yet, but the engine roar of the Bentayga was like a dinner bell unique to Wei Shan; one shake and he knew it was time to eat. Wei Shan hurriedly shoved his stinking feet into brown faux-leather shoes and rushed out the door to lead his "golden goose" inside.
A few minutes later, Wei Shan pushed open the wooden door, ushering Ji Qikun, who was laden with gifts, into the cramped interior.
Upon entering, the first thing one saw was the 1.2-meter-wide balcony. However, Wei Shan had already made Wei Zhi put away the folding bed.
Thus, the balcony was just a balcony.
"Aiya, the place is small, don't mind it. If it weren't for the neighbors relying on our little shop for convenience, I would have moved into one of those elevator apartments long ago!" Wei Shan said loudly.
"How could I mind?" Ji Qikun smiled. "Where’s Xiao Zhi?"
Wei Zhi, who was helping in the kitchen, walked out. Acting as if she had only just realized he had arrived, she offered a perfectly timed smile. "You're here?"
Her gaze swept over the gift boxes in his hands.
"Why did you bring so much? It’s not your first time here, you’re being too polite..."
"Exactly, too polite," Wei Shan said, snatching the bottles of Moutai and cartons of Chunghwa cigarettes from Ji Qikun’s hands, his face unable to hide his delight. "Wei Zhi, stop working. Come out and talk to Qikun."
Wei Zhi took off her apron and invited Ji Qikun to sit on the short, dark green velvet sofa, then brewed him a cup of tea. By the time she returned with the cup, Wei Lai had already plopped down next to Ji Qikun, eagerly sucking up to him.
"...My friends are so jealous when they hear my brother-in-law is the son of Ji Zhongyong, one of Jiangdu City’s Top Ten Entrepreneurs! My sister really hit the jackpot meeting someone as great as you!"
"Nephew," Ji Qikun corrected with a smile.
"Aiya, why be so humble with me? In your uncle's heart, you're surely just like a son—maybe even closer than a son!" Wei Lai said with a fawning expression.
"What happened to your head?" Ji Qikun asked, smiling.
"Ah... this? A few days ago on my way home from the internet cafe, I didn't notice a hole and took a tumble. Cracked my head open. Damn it." Wei Lai shot a glance at Wei Zhi.
"You and your sister are both too careless," Ji Qikun said. "You should be more careful when walking next time."
Before long, Wang Lin began bringing dishes to the small wooden table. Once everything was served, she called everyone to the table with a gratified expression.
Five people squeezed around the tiny wooden table, packed as tightly as the plates that had to be shifted constantly to find a gap. Wei Shan insisted that the cumbersome vase remain in the center.
The pink roses, still holding the morning dew from the park, had been forced into a light blue plastic vase. Fake paintings hung temporarily on the walls, and fake antiques were strategically placed in the entryway behind the wooden door.
Everything felt farcical.
Just like the five people forced together at the dining table.
Throughout the meal, Wei Shan was the most excited. He talked incessantly about the "Great Project" that every member of the Wei family had heard about until their ears were calloused.
"...Once construction starts, the whole of Jiangdu City will be shaken! It’s a project the likes of which hasn't been seen in decades!"
"It’s not my turn to enter the field yet, but I heard some people have already started. I’ve got everything lined up! As soon as it kicks off, three million will hit my account immediately!"
"What’s three million? That’s just my small cut. This is a project worth hundreds of millions. Three million? Just a drop in the bucket!"
"The project is absolutely real. I’ve seen the documents—black and white, with official stamps. How could it be fake? I’ve even had dinner with the [redacted]!"
Wei Zhi had been mentally prepared, but it didn't stop her from feeling like she was sitting on a bed of nails.
The shame the Wei family lacked seemed to have all manifested on Wei Zhi’s own face.
Wei Shan went without saying, but even Wei Lai seemed unfazed, acting as if this were perfectly normal, occasionally serving Ji Qikun a choice morsel of food with great fawning.
Wang Lin remained silent, but her head, bowing lower and lower, betrayed a sense of awkwardness.
The long meal finally came to an end.
Finding a gap in the conversation, Wang Lin finally spoke up, her voice cautious and slightly pleading. "Xiao Ji, have you and Xiao Zhi set a date for the wedding?"
"We have. We plan to marry next spring," Ji Qikun replied with a polite smile.
"That’s good... that’s good." Wang Lin breathed a sigh of relief, nodding repeatedly. "Regarding the wedding, if there’s anything we can help with, don't be a stranger... We’re just country folk, used to hard work and exhaustion. If you need labor, just call on us."
"Don't worry, Auntie."
The cramped, impoverished Wei household offered little reason for a guest to linger. They didn't even have a television that could be shown in public; what was there to stay for?
Both sides tacitly avoided the usual custom of staying for a chat after the meal.
Instead, Wei Shan pushed Wei Zhi forward as a return gift, suggesting that "the two youngsters go see a movie and have a date; we old folks won't get in the way."
Wei Zhi followed Ji Qikun out the door. His clothes were always the latest styles from the current season’s fashion week. Beneath those expensive garments was a lean, fit physique maintained through years of exercise—a stark contrast to this unadorned alleyway that laid its poverty bare.
He stopped and turned back to look at Wei Zhi, who had also come to a halt. His eyes crinkled into a smile.
"Why are you walking so slowly?"
Wei Zhi walked slowly up to him and looked up at his face.
"I'm sorry... my dad is always like that."
"Your dad is quite interesting," Ji Qikun said with a half-smile.
Seeing her lower her head in silence, he took the initiative to take both her hands in his. Looking into her eyes as she raised them again, he said, "I know you value your relationships, but some things that bring you no benefit should be cut off when necessary. Don't forget, you have me."
He used his index finger to gently brush away a tear seeping from the corner of Wei Zhi’s eye.
"Compared to those who hurt and exploit you in the name of family—Wei Zhi, you chose me, and I chose you. We are the real family."
Ji Qikun saw Wei Zhi bite her lip; that was her stubborn pride. But her sense of grievance, and her voice that sounded as if she were about to cry, finally broke through that pride.
"I thought you didn't want me anymore," she said. "You avoided me for days."
"When did I avoid you?" Ji Qikun laughed.
The doubt in Ji Qikun’s heart vanished. It wasn't that she was indifferent; she had simply been stubbornly hiding her anxiety and fear.
"Did you really not avoid me?" Wei Zhi pressed.
"Of course not. I’ve just been a bit busy these past few days and didn't have time to check on you." Ji Qikun led her by the hand toward where the car was parked. "Let’s not waste your parents' good intentions. Shall we go see a movie?"
***
Thanks to Ji Qikun, Wei Zhi had a completely relaxing Sunday.
However, she couldn't help but think that it would have been better to spend that time delivering food.
At ten in the evening, Ji Qikun dropped her home. It was too late now to go to the delivery station, pick up her electric scooter, and change clothes for just a short shift. Wei Zhi decided to give herself a full day off. She would take a shower and go to bed early.
The house was as hot as a steamer. Both bedrooms had pedestal fans, but by Wei Zhi’s folding bed, there was only a small desk fan struggling to cut through the muggy, viscous air.
Wei Zhi grabbed a change of clothes, entered the narrow bathroom, hung her clothes behind the door, and began to undress.
Steam gradually filled the small room.
This was a rare moment of relaxation in her day.
She was enjoying this brief peace when her gaze suddenly caught a faint glint behind the blades of the exhaust fan above her head.
The warm water continued to wash over her body, but the heart in her chest was suddenly drenched in ice water.
Wei Zhi turned off the water. Stepping onto the storage rack in the corner, she reached up to the exhaust fan.
Her fingers felt around behind the fan, which was coated in years of dust.
She felt something that was not part of the fan—something smooth and brand new.
A pinhole camera.
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