Chapter 7: Night Encounter, First Love

Wen Nuan went about her Sunday routine at home, preparing a variety of dishes with care. She meticulously arranged them on the dining table, setting each one in delicate white porcelain with blue floral patterns. The sight was pleasing to the eye. By noon, she had finished her preparations.

Unexpectedly, Wen Rou arrived without a word of greeting.

Wen Rou’s eyes widened in surprise. "Why are there so many dishes? What’s the occasion? Or did you somehow know I was coming?"

Wen Nuan added an extra set of tableware for her. After all, they were sisters—what grudges could be left unresolved?

Wen Rou glanced at the spread on the table, then looked at Wen Nuan. "Are you lonely?"

Wen Nuan smiled. "Of course not. I’d definitely be lonely if you hadn’t come. Cooking is like picking plums in ancient times—it needs an appreciative audience. Otherwise, even if you pick a branch, it’s a fruit without a purpose, and it leaves you feeling isolated."

"If I were in your place, I wouldn’t be a plum picker; I’d be the one enjoying the plums. I’d buy one, two, or even five handsome men to cook for me every day. If one wasn’t good enough, I’d move on to the next. That way, I’d never have to worry about loneliness."

Wen Nuan laughed. "It seems I’ve done quite well recently. Maybe I could support one, two, or even five handsome men myself."

"Indeed, it’s a good time. Even if the market falls by hundreds of points at the opening, it often recovers before closing."

"I’ve heard that it’s not just you; all retail investors are making money."

"Yes, those who lose in such a trend should probably avoid stocks altogether."

"Since everyone is winning, who’s losing?"

"Naturally, it’s those who buy at the peak."

"I see."

The losers are those who purchased at the highest prices.

"Across the globe—from the U.S. to Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore—the stock markets have seen incredible surges. This phenomenon is a dangerous mix of the bold getting richer, the timid starving, and the greedy being destroyed."

No one knows when the daily increases of hundreds of points and new highs will end. It could be a few thousand points, tens of thousands, or just a hundred. It could be tomorrow. There’s always an end. There will be a day when some people buy at the highest price, only to see the market suddenly plummet. Even if stocks were bought at the lowest price, they may still fall faster than one can react. The system may collapse under the strain of excessive use. The numbers on the trading screens flash so quickly that it’s impossible to keep up. Hesitate for a moment, and the previous price is gone. Stocks can fall to their limit in no time.

Most people cling to the hope of a market rebound in a few days. However, after two or three days of declining further, they must face the grim reality—the bear market has arrived. The value of their assets has plummeted, making it pointless to close positions amid a sea of red numbers.

What was once worth hundreds of millions or tens of thousands is now less valuable than the discarded refuse collected by homeless people. Some people become wealthy overnight, while others face financial ruin or even suicide. There was a woman in Taiwan who turned 500,000 into 80 million in stock index futures, only to lose it all in a few days. This is the thrilling yet terrifying nature of the stock market.

Wen Nuan paused, remembering something. She turned to Wen Rou. "A female colleague recently left the company. Do you have any openings? She’s very smart. With the right guidance, she might achieve something."

Wen Rou didn’t even look up. "The one fired by Zhan Nanxian?"

Wen Nuan was surprised. "How did you know?"

"See, you don’t share everything with me. Even if she was framed, you didn’t say a word. Does it mean I can only share in your successes, but not your struggles? Even if I can’t help, it’s still worth mentioning."

Wen Nuan was silent, realizing that Wen Rou was upset. She felt a sudden relief.

Wen Nuan continued, "I didn’t know at first, but no wall is impenetrable. Recently, Pan Weian mentioned that Qianyu wasn’t honest. A contact of mine knew I was your sister and informed me. When I looked into it, I found Zhan Nanxian was astute. So, I didn’t mention it."

"Since you’re aware, no need for further explanation. If possible, please help her."

"Even if she had no ill intentions, you two aren’t exactly friends. I don’t understand why you want to play the role of a saint. But if you’re determined to involve yourself in worldly matters, let her contact me tomorrow. And, I’m not criticizing you, but try to get out more on weekends. Don’t stay home cooking every weekend or you might find yourself in menopause before you’re married."

"Alright, when you find one, two, or five handsome men, remember to invite me over to appreciate them with you."

Wen Rou smiled.

They enjoyed their meal together for over an hour. Wen Nuan wanted to ask about the Singaporean issue but decided against it. They were no longer reckless teenagers. Wen Rou had her reasons for not mentioning it, and Wen Nuan respected that.

After Wen Rou left, Wen Nuan cleaned up. She remembered the song she’d heard in the car and searched online. It turned out to be "Ten Thousand Reasons." The deep, magnetic voice reminded her of someone.

She recalled how she had once forced him to learn every song she liked. Initially, it took him a while to meet her demands, but he eventually became so skilled that he could sing any song with just a few tries.

She couldn’t remember how many songs he had sung for her, but she remembered how every lyric was full of emotion, touching her deeply. His voice was unmatched.

As night fell, Wen Nuan lounged on the sofa, watching the news. The Art Channel reported on a new film with a significant investment, while the International Channel covered various global events—hostage situations, ship collisions, and international sanctions. The Science Channel discussed the frenzy over moon landings, and the Life Channel announced a temporary suspension of its broadcasts.

The latest scientific simulations predicted that global warming would drastically alter weather patterns by 2100, leading to the disappearance of ice belts and the emergence of new climate zones near the equator.

Wen Nuan wondered if the Earth had undergone such changes in ancient times. 

In the beginning, there were only a few creatures. Over time, creatures reproduced, spread, and evolved, with humans emerging as the dominant species—arguably the most destructive and malevolent beings on Earth. Humans have overexploited natural resources, causing severe environmental damage through over-mining, over-hunting, and warfare. 

When nature could no longer counteract human destruction, the consequences began to rebound after 5,000 years. Diseases and natural disasters grew more severe and frequent.

Here I stand with stars twinkling in the sky. Are they shining over and beyond? Wen Nuan opened her eyes sleepily. The TV displayed a flurry of snowflakes. Her mind was so foggy that she couldn’t recall the legend. The music that had awakened her continued to play on repeat. 

Finally, she spotted her phone, shining on the floor. She picked it up and said, "Hello?"

"Open the door," came the response.

Wen Nuan cracked open the door, and Zhu Linlu hurried inside. She glanced at her phone—it was three o'clock in the morning. "I thought only the Ox-Headed and Horse-Faced Demons appeared at this hour," she mumbled. It was indeed a prime time for misfortune, when even the soul might yawn and be easily captured. She settled back onto the sofa.

Zhu Linlu frowned. "Wake up."

She pushed his hand away and buried her face in the pillow. "What’s going on?"

"Nothing much. I was just passing by and thought I’d stop in."

"Well, now that you’ve stopped by, please go home. And remember to close the door."

He yanked the pillow away, refusing to let her continue dreaming. "If you don’t get up, I’ll lie down too."

Reluctantly, she sat up. "What’s the matter?"

"Let’s get married."

Her eyes flew open in shock, shaking off her sleepiness. She touched his forehead. "You don’t have a fever."

Even if he did, it didn’t matter. Though it was a bit early for such proposals, hospitals always have an emergency room.

Annoyed, he insisted, "Are you going to marry me or not?" His tousled hair fell over his eyes, and frustration was evident in his expression.

She pulled him to sit on the sofa and rested her head on his lap. "Which girl upset you?"

He fell silent.

She looked up at him. "How long are you going to keep this up?"

"What’s the difference between stopping and not stopping?" He cupped her face in his hands and pleaded softly, "Wen Nuan, marry me."

Wen Nuan had never encountered anyone like Zhu Linlu, whose mood was as unpredictable as changing weather. One moment he was sunny, the next, it was raining. His actions were always a surprise.

She smiled faintly. "Don’t get too caught up in this act. Be careful that one day, I won’t give you another chance."

He stopped moving and looked down at her. "What’s wrong with you?"

"Which eye of yours sees that I’m unhappy?"

He took her hand and placed it on his chest. "It’s not about the eyes, but the heart."

She gazed at him and suddenly said, "Linlu."

"Yes?"

"Let’s get married."

He was taken aback, then saw the mischief on her face. In a moment of frustration, he grabbed her by the neck and said, "I’ll strangle you to death!"

She coughed and begged for mercy.

He didn’t let go, but a playful glint appeared in his eyes. "Do you love me?"

"I do," she replied, laughing. "I only love you in this world."

Just then, she noticed the door, which hadn’t been closed properly, slowly creaking open. Her first thought was whether it was a Ghost Festival, as visitors seemed to appear in the dead of night. The next moment, she saw Zhan Nanxian standing at the door, observing her and Zhu Linlu’s playful quarrel on the sofa.

Wen Nuan was stunned. Zhan Nanxian’s face was partially obscured by the corridor light, making it difficult to read his expression.

Zhu Linlu abruptly embraced her and, with exaggerated cheerfulness, said, "Zhan, you’re here so early? You’re not just passing by like me, are you?"

"Linlu," Wen Nuan interrupted, "Let me go."

Reluctantly, Zhu Linlu released her. She stood up, went outside, and closed the door behind her, greeting Zhan Nanxian with a smile. "What’s the matter?"

His lips were pressed into a thin line, and his jaw was clenched tightly. Even the orange corridor light couldn’t warm the cold glint in his eyes.

She knew this was a sign he was about to lose his temper, but it seemed odd for him to be so upset in the middle of the night. It didn’t make sense.

"How many years has it been?" he suddenly asked.

"What?"

"How many years have we been broken up?"

She was at a loss for words.

Finally, she remembered that Wen Rou had mentioned that the night Zhan Nanxian was downstairs while she was listening to "Nothing Compares to You," and the night he returned but didn’t speak to her before leaving—it marked the anniversary of their breakup. The Dragon Boat Festival ten years ago, when she was fifteen and he was eighteen, was when they had broken up outside her old house.

She smiled almost cynically. "Did you come here in the middle of the night just to reminisce?"

"Of course not." His lips curled into a cold, crescent-shaped smile. "I came to clarify one thing."

"What is it?"

"I don’t understand why you seduced Long Benshan so skillfully at the Fujisue Club. I wanted to experience your tactics firsthand to solve the mystery in my heart, but it seems you already have a lover tonight."

His contemptuous words wiped the faint smile from her face. She silently asked herself if she felt sad. The answer was no; his opinions didn’t matter. 

"I’m sorry for the intrusion, but I thought the person you truly wanted to seduce wasn’t Long Benshan but me," he continued aggressively. "So I have another question: why are you fooling around here before trying to seduce me? Is it really as you said—that he and I are top-tier lovers? So when he’s not around, you can choose me, and when I’m not around, you choose him?"

She lowered her eyes. "When did I seduce you?"

He suddenly grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. The grip was painful. His eyes were like icy blades, and his words were frosty.

"Don’t you know how to hide your emotions? Aren’t you always calm and composed? But why do you constantly reveal your unintentional feelings in front of me? You try so hard to stand out at work—the songs you listen to, the tears you shed, the pillow you rest on my arm, the way you flirt with me—are all these coincidences? They don’t seem intentional or unintentional on your part?"

Wen Nuan stared at him, feeling speechless. His accusations pierced through her, chilling her to the bone.

"You have such a pitiful expression. Is this your weapon to defeat any man? Come on, tell me directly—you never came to Qianyu for me. The games you played were never meant to make me care about you again. You never showed me that you couldn’t let me go, and you never gave me a hint that you were still waiting. You certainly never hoped I would come back to you. Just tell me in person that none of this was ever true."

She almost forgot how meticulous and eloquent his thinking could be. For a moment, she was nearly convinced by him and almost agreed with the accusations he leveled against her. Each one, she realized, was something she might have done, either unconsciously or intentionally.

He gripped her chin tightly, his sharp questions piercing her chest like a thousand arrows.

"Why aren’t you speaking? Or are you simply unable to deny it? Explain why, if you recently hinted at wanting me, there is another man in the room now? Do you really enjoy having both of us around at the same time? Is your wanton heart satisfied only this way?!"

She struggled to free herself from his grasp, her jaw feeling as if it were being crushed and her chin likely bruised. But it didn't matter. No matter how deep the wound, it would eventually heal. Scars would fade. Time would pass. Memories would diminish.

Even if a heart were torn apart and salted, it would heal in time. She had experienced this before.

Trying to keep her tone steady, she asked, "Are you done?"

His anger was still palpable, the fiery intensity in his eyes suffocating her. "Tell me clearly: in this world, do you only love him?!"

She forced a smile. For that single sentence, he had insulted her from head to toe.

"Nan Xian," she said, the name feeling foreign on her tongue after so many years. She felt a pang of sadness. "Linlu and I are already talking about marriage."

Without a word, he turned and walked away.

She watched as the door closed, separating them and leaving her with his stiff back.

Zhu Linlu opened the door and pulled her inside, scrutinizing her closely. "When has he ever seen your tears? I’ve only ever seen you smile. I’ve never seen you cry."

She clutched his arm. "Linlu, let’s get married." It seemed the only way to resolve everything.

Zhu Linlu’s expression was a mix of depression and sarcasm. "He hit the nail on the head. You just can’t forget him, can you? Is that why you’re angry and embarrassed?"

"Let’s get married, okay?" she pleaded sincerely. "Marry me."

There is no one more suited to be her partner than Zhu Linlu. They wouldn’t hurt each other. Together, they would only find happiness, without jealousy, quarrels, sadness, or long separations that turn them into strangers.

Zhu Linlu took her hand and kissed it deeply.

"When you cry for me one day, remember to tell me. Maybe then I’ll consider marrying you. Also, keep a necessary distance from your boss, or I’ll be very, very angry."

He quietly closed the door and left.

Wen Nuan returned to her room and collapsed onto her bed, sinking into the darkness. She couldn’t understand why she felt like such a failure. Two first-class men had left her without hesitation.

She met Zhan Nanxian when she was thirteen and just started high school. He was sixteen and in the same class as Wen Rou.

It was a weekend, and she had followed Wen Rou to watch a basketball game at school. Zhan Nanxian was the standout player, scoring more than half the points and leading his team to victory.

The basketball court was crowded with spectators, all eyes on him. His impressive moves, accurate shots, and forceful layups drew cheers from the girls.

After the game, as he rested, surrounded by admiring fans, Wen Nuan realized Wen Rou was missing. A basketball rolled to her feet, and she picked it up, deciding to stay put. It would be more troublesome if Wen Rou returned and couldn’t find her. So, she began playing by herself.

She attempted a three-step layup, then a hook shot from the baseline—missed! She leapt to grab the rebound, pulled back from the three-point line, and took another shot—bingo! As she went for another shot, a strong arm blocked it mid-air.

Startled, she saw Zhan Nanxian, the top player, glaring at her with intense eyes, as if he ruled the court.

She smirked, thinking he was being overly arrogant. As if reading her thoughts, he smirked and said, "If you can beat me, I’ll buy you some ice cream." He tossed the ball back to her.

A competitive spirit sparked within her. Having played basketball with her neighbor, a professional coach, she believed she could score against him in a one-on-one.

In the first round, she underestimated him, and he swiftly stole the ball, causing the watching girls to laugh. Annoyed, she became more vigilant, and when she tried again, he jumped and blocked her shot effortlessly, his athleticism drawing cheers from the spectators.

He threw the ball back to her with a smirk, as if she was a mere plaything.

Frustrated, she cursed him silently. She dribbled the ball slowly, waiting for him to relax. When his posture softened, she made a face at him, catching him off guard. She dribbled towards him, and as he raised his hands to block, she switched the ball to her other hand and made a clean shot.

The crowd erupted in cheers. She grinned at his stunned expression, laughed, and ran towards Wen Rou, who was coming back.

That was their first meeting. A week later, he visited her home. After just one encounter, this charming boy won over her kind and lovely father.

At that time, she was young and naive, not yet developing romantic feelings but lively and eager to explore. She spent weekends participating in various activities with him. He taught her sports, took her to jazz concerts, movies, painting classes, and piano lessons.

She forced him to learn every song she liked, dragging him to karaoke sessions until she was satisfied.

This continued until her fourteenth birthday, which fell on a Saturday.

She had just finished her morning bath when she heard her father call, "Little Wen Nuan! Little Nan Xian is here!"

She rushed downstairs, towel in hand, "Why so early? Didn’t I say I’d be out shopping and eating with classmates until evening? Dad, didn’t you say you’d invite him for dinner tonight?"

Her father shrugged, "I’m going grocery shopping; you can ask Xiao Nanxian yourself."

She looked up at him, noticing how he seemed taller and his eyes more intense.

"Showering so early again?" Zhan Nanxian approached and took the towel from her.

She lowered her head to his chest, enjoying his warm touch as he dried her hair. She loved the comfort of his gentle care, though she had to leave soon. "I have to go out in a while."

"What time are you meeting them?"

"Eleven o’clock."

"It’s only ten now, still early. Play a couple of chess games with me first. I’ll take you there later."

She set up the chessboard and immediately captured one of his pieces, making him laugh.

She taunted him playfully, "Take that!"

"Move the horse," he said.

"Checkmate!"

He looked at her with amusement, "Why are you so naïve?"

"What do you mean?"

"Same moves every time." He shook his head, amused.

She leaned over and playfully hit him, "That shows I’m loyal! Don’t you understand?!"

He grabbed her hand, his gaze taking on a strange intensity. “Really?”

“What do you mean?”

He spoke slowly, “You’re loyal?”

For some reason, her heart felt a strange, sour numbness, as if something had struck it. She had just finished showering, and her ears suddenly felt hot. Subconsciously, she pulled her hand away, and though she usually feared nothing, she didn’t dare to look back at him.

He fell silent, pushing a chess piece with his fingertips.

She made a move and glanced at him quickly. His long eyelashes fluttered, catching her eye. She felt her neck heat up.

He remained silent, but her restlessness grew. She felt an inexplicable urge to leave, yet she also wanted to stay with him. Her thoughts were a confusing tangle of desire and hesitation.

“Warm,” he said lazily.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt an unexpected hope. “What?”

“You’re out of chess pieces.”

She looked at the board in shock. His chariot was on the left, a cannon behind the horse on the right, and her red general was completely gone.

In frustration, she said, “I don’t want to play anymore!”

“Come on, let’s play again.”

“No!” She glared at him.

He smiled and reset the chessboard. “Be good. If you last fifteen minutes, I’ll give you a birthday present.”

She hesitated, her hand hovering above the pieces. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

She glanced at him, noticing his smile that seemed more playful than genuine. Quickly, she picked up one of his chariots, horses, and cannons, and tossed them away.

He seemed pleased and reached for her. “You little rascal!”

She dodged his hand and laughed. “Hit the cannon!”

“Move up the horse.”

“I’ll move the horse too!”

“I’ll put out the pawn.”

She focused on the game, carefully considering each move. Despite her efforts, she soon found herself ambushed, losing a chariot. She saw that she had an extra horse and cannon, so she decided to use them strategically. Even if she couldn’t win, she wouldn’t lose easily.

After a few moves, she saw his smile widening. She knew she had made the right move and declared, “I told you not to bully me!”

“Yes, it’s a draw.”

“No, I win!” She insisted. “Give me the gift!”

“Save it for the evening. It won’t be a surprise if I give it to you now.”

“No, no!” She jumped onto the table, reaching into his pockets.

He grabbed her hands, his eyes both hesitant and enticing. “Do you really want it?”

“Hurry!”

“Okay, close your eyes.”

She closed her eyes eagerly. A warm hand touched the back of her head. She instinctively said, “My hair is dry—” but her words were cut off by something soft and warm pressing against her lips. Her thoughts ceased abruptly as she opened her eyes to find his black eyes full of tenderness.

Her heart raced uncontrollably, pounding so loudly she could almost hear it. She instinctively tried to push him away, but he held her close. The pleasant scent of him enveloped her. It felt natural to be in his arms, and the indescribable warmth transferred from his lips to hers, making her feel as if she was melting.

“Ring, ring, ring...”

“Phone...” she murmured softly.

“Be loyal...” He breathed into her lips, letting her absorb his warmth.

“Ahem, ahem—”

“Someone...”

“I said I’d be loyal...” They both sprang up from the sofa.

Wen He stood at the door with a frown, carrying several bags of groceries.

“Xiao Nanxian.”

“Ahem—yes.” The young man’s face was redder than the tomatoes Wen He had just bought.

“Don’t let me see this again,” Wen He said, tilting his head in confusion. “It will be very difficult for me—why don’t you go to Wen Nuan’s room upstairs?”

“Dad!” Wen Nuan yelled, grabbing a handful of chess pieces and hurling them at him.

Wen He quickly turned and fled to the kitchen. “Xiao Nanxian, remember not to accidentally fire the chess pieces. Otherwise, I’ll castrate you and make soup for Xiao Wen Nuan!”

“Damn dad! Stop!” Wen Nuan ran after him. “How disrespectful!”

“Wow! Little Wen Nuan, it’s none of dad’s business. Ouch! If you want to settle scores, find Xiao Nanxian. He’s the one who’s devious!”

She stopped and glared at him. “You’re talking nonsense!”

Wen He looked aggrieved. “How could such a clever dad have such a foolish daughter? Little Wen Nuan, were you adopted?”

“Damn old man!” She was so angry she could almost use her fingers as claws. “Keep talking nonsense and I’ll be furious!”

“Alas, idiot, idiot. Xiao Nanxian deliberately taught you chess. Every weekend when you have a date, he arrives early to play with you. You always forget your plans. How could you not see this? Xiao Wen Nuan, are you sure you’re my child?”

Ring, ring, ring. She turned around abruptly.

Zhan Nanxian leaned against the kitchen door, holding their cordless phone. “Dad Wen, you don’t understand. Wen Nuan is loyal.” He pressed the call button and spoke softly with a smile to the caller. “Wen Nuan isn’t feeling well. She won’t be coming out. You can go shopping by yourself and come to dinner afterward. Dad Wen has bought the vegetables and is waiting for everyone—”

She snatched the kitchen knife from Wen He’s hand. “Zhan Nanxian, don’t run!”

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