Zao Chun Qing Lang | Extra Chap 8: Missing Tao: An Old Flame's Text and Luan Nian's Price for Jealousy

During Shang Zhitao's first year of high school, the class held a New Year's Day celebration, and the entertainment committee member organized performances. That year's rule was that everyone had to have an act, even if it meant playing a tree.

The class had a lot of artistically inclined students, so the singing and dancing slots filled up immediately. The homeroom teacher said they shouldn't all sing and dance, or it would make the class look like it lacked talent. So one of the boys stayed up all night learning magic tricks. Shang Zhitao and He Yun looked at each other, both suddenly out of ideas.

They volunteered to be a tree or hold up signs for other acts, but the classroom was too small. There was no room for a tree to stand around while people sang and danced.

In the end, Shang Zhitao said to the entertainment committee member, "How about I do calligraphy? He Yun can grind the ink."

"Sure! Once you're done, we'll mount it and hang it at the back of the classroom. Very meaningful."

The classmates Shang Zhitao knew back then were all quite fun. There were troublemakers in the class too, but they were all good to her, probably because she always wished others well sincerely.

Shang Zhitao and He Yun really did perform their calligraphy act. There was a small table set up in the classroom, and they began partway through the celebration. The host announced, "Next, Shang Zhitao and He Yun will perform calligraphy together while the other acts continue, and the finished piece will be displayed at the end."

Every class was holding its own celebration, and the smell of ink hung in the air of Shang Zhitao's classroom. The moment the school leaders walked in, they caught the scent and laughed. "Even calligraphy can be a performance. Not bad."

And that was that.

Shang Zhitao and He Yun both let out a breath of relief. School let out early that day, and after packing up their writing tools, they left the classroom. Some upperclassmen saw Shang Zhitao and asked each other, "Is that the one who did the calligraphy?"

That was her.

A couple of days later, someone shoved a love letter into Shang Zhitao's hands in the hallway. She asked, "Who's this for?"

"I don't know!" The boy blushed and hurried off. Shang Zhitao had no idea who it was meant for. She was sure it wasn't for her, so she figured she'd ask him again if she ran into him. But she forgot what he looked like, and the matter was simply dropped. She really was rather dense.

Shang Zhitao had always assumed that during her school years, Xin Zhaozhou was the only one who had liked her, because his feelings had been so obvious. The first time he saw her, he told his classmates, "From now on, whenever we have lectures in the big classroom, grab me the seat next to Shang Zhitao."

"Also, when we're getting food in the cafeteria, get in line right behind her for me."

"And save me the seat across from her in the library."

"Wherever you see her, tell me right away."

It was quite the production. At first, the girls in class told Shang Zhitao, "That heartthrob Xin Zhaozhou likes you."

"Why would he like me?" Shang Zhitao refused to believe it. She just thought it was a bit of a coincidence that Xin Zhaozhou sat across from her in the library and stood behind her at meals. A week or two later, during lectures, the girls started saving her a seat, and before long, Xin Zhaozhou was the one sitting in it.

Still oblivious, she watched him stand in front of her one day, his face flushed, and say, "Shang Zhitao, I like you."

In the winter of Nanjing, he held flowers against his chest, and gave them to you.

So he really did like me.

She really was insensitive to such things. Only genuine favoritism could ever make her notice. Now, she could feel that Luan Nian loved her, because his favoritism toward her was too obvious to miss.

By the time Shang Zhitao opened her eyes, it was already broad daylight.

It seemed like she hadn't slept this well in a long time. She pulled back the curtains and saw the sky outside was dim and gray. Even through the window she could sense the dampness in the air. It was about to rain.

Luan Nian threw an arm over his eyes. "Shang Zhitao! Close the curtains!"

"No!"

Luan Nian jumped out of bed, yanked the curtains shut, scooped her up, and dropped her back onto the mattress. "Close your eyes! Sleep!"

He locked her against his chest, his tone none too pleasant. "Hurry up!"

"Okay."

Shang Zhitao closed her eyes. She really did want to go back to sleep. She wrapped an arm around Luan Nian's waist, tucked a leg between his, and drifted off again. The two best nights of sleep she got each week were whenever Luan Nian was around. This little tyrant wouldn't let her get up early. As long as he was there, they slept until the sun was high in the sky.

That sleep lasted well into the afternoon.

When they finally opened their eyes, it really was raining outside, a downpour heavy enough to drown the whole city.

"The forecast says it'll rain for two or three days. The Monday morning flight is going to be delayed."

"Monday's meetings run all day anyway. I can join remotely. Let's leave Tuesday."

The past two years had trained everyone in the habits and skills of remote work. Lumi said to Shang Zhitao, "I really wish you could beam your husband, my stubborn mule, the head of Lingmei China, back to Beijing on schedule every Sunday."

"Why's that?"

"Because when he's out of the office, the rest of us have it so much harder."

With fewer distractions working remotely, Luan Nian's mind worked even better. He'd go through department after department, and by the time he finished, there'd be a mountain of action items waiting. When he was in the office, he was too busy meeting one person after another to generate as many, so everyone else had it a bit easier.

The two of them lay in bed watching the rain outside. Luan Nian put on his "lazy day" playlist, and neither of them spoke. Shang Zhitao traced a finger along his chin, the stubble prickling faintly against her skin.

Her phone rang. She picked it up and glanced at the screen, and to her surprise, it was Xin Zhaozhou. "How have you been lately? I heard you got married."

Shang Zhitao glanced at Luan Nian and set the phone aside. She didn't want to reply to Xin Zhaozhou in front of him, because Luan Nian was a "petty man."

Luan Nian wasn't a perfect partner. He had as many flaws as virtues, and possessiveness was his biggest flaw, as Shang Zhitao well knew. The name "Xin Zhaozhou" alone was enough to irritate him.

"Not going to reply?"

"Huh?"

"You're not answering the message?" Luan Nian asked. He didn't even need to look closely to know she was feeling guilty.

"...It's nothing urgent."

"Xin Zhaozhou?"

"...?"

He'd seen it when she unlocked her phone. The man really was sly.

"He's asking how you've been! Not going to answer?" Luan Nian gave her a sidelong look, the kind that said he was curious to see what she was up to.

"Fine, I'll answer." Shang Zhitao picked up her phone and typed back to Xin Zhaozhou. "Yeah, I got married. Doing pretty well."

"That's it?" Luan Nian was clearly unsatisfied. "Doing pretty well" wasn't specific enough for him. He wanted her to be more detailed, something like my husband is especially handsome and treats me especially well. Only then would "pretty well" have any real shape to it.

Speaking of husband, Shang Zhitao never actually called him that.

As if the word "husband" were somehow strange to say.

"You want me to add more detail? That would look like I'm showing off. No need." She tossed the phone aside again. "I'm hungry."

"Then go cook."

"My cooking isn't good."

"I'm six years older than you. Chances are I'll die before you do. If you can't cook, are you going to starve after I'm gone?"

"..."

Shang Zhitao clicked her tongue, threw on some clothes, and hopped out of bed. After a quick wash-up, she went into the kitchen. It had everything she could need, but standing there looking at it all, she had no idea where to start. Luan Nian watched her flail about until she finally gave up and turned to look at him pitifully, asking for help.

"Say husband."

"What?"

"Call me husband, and I'll cook for you."

Luan Nian wanted to know what it felt like to hear her say the word. What kind of marriage was it if he'd never once heard her call him that? Had he married a wife or a brother?

Shang Zhitao held out for a long moment before finally forcing out, awkwardly, "Husband."

Luan Nian's mouth drooped. It felt genuinely strange. "Never mind, don't call me that again."

He pushed her out of the kitchen. Lately Shang Zhitao had developed a taste for gnawing on bones, like a dog, so Luan Nian had pressure-cooked a pot of lamb spine the night before. Now he lit the stove and had her wash vegetables. Then he put on a raincoat, dressed Luke in one too, and took him downstairs to relieve himself. Luke was getting on in years and wasn't as boisterous as he used to be. The grass was slick, and he stumbled. Luan Nian laughed in the rain and teased him. "Not much use anymore, huh?"

Luke probably understood, because he barked once at Luan Nian.

"Nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone gets old someday." He made a point of saying exactly what Luke didn't want to hear.

The rain came down hard, and both man and dog were soaked through. Luan Nian hung the raincoats by the door, pulled Luke over to towel him dry, then blow-dried his fur, worried he might get sick. They said that once a dog got old, illness took an extra toll each time, so the whole family treated Luke like a treasure. Even Dr. Liang, whenever she happened to see him, practically fussed over him like he was precious, giving him a proper checkup every time.

Luan Nian teased her about it. "You didn't study to be a vet."

"Medicine is medicine, don't you get it?" Dr. Liang finished examining Luke and said, "Our Luke is doing great, perfectly healthy. He'll live to be a long-lived dog."

After all that fuss, the lamb spine was finally ready. The two of them sat down at the table to eat. Shang Zhitao suggested having a drink. Luan Nian refused. "I'm not drinking."

Luan Nian had quit smoking and drinking. Dr. Liang had mentioned to him once, in passing, that since he wasn't young anymore, if he still planned on having a child, he ought to give up both. He hadn't smoked much to begin with, just two or three cigarettes a day, sometimes none at all, but he used to drink a fair amount. Ever since Dr. Liang said that, he hadn't touched a drop.

"I think it's fine to have a little, husband." Shang Zhitao teased him on purpose, and when she saw goosebumps rise on his neck, she burst out laughing. "Say wife to me, let's see it!"

"Wife."

Shang Zhitao considered the feeling carefully. Not bad.

"Can I have a little?" She wanted just a sip. Luan Nian handed her a soda water instead. "You're not allowed either."

"Didn't you used to say there were no rules between us?" she protested.

"Try drinking one and see what happens." Luan Nian couldn't be bothered arguing with her and just fixed her with a look.

Shang Zhitao obediently took a sip of soda water, then put on disposable gloves and dug into the lamb spine. She loved gnawing on bones, and Luan Nian had made a whole pot of lamb spine and shank bones for her, which left her thoroughly content.

"So Xin Zhaozhou just wanted to catch up with you?" Luan Nian asked. The man was so petty. An hour had passed, and he still hadn't let it go.

"No."

"No?"

"He transferred me five thousand yuan, said it was to wish me a happy marriage. I didn't accept it."

Luan Nian glanced at her. Shang Zhitao really did know where the line was.

"Why would he transfer you money?" he asked again.

"...Because when he got married, I..." She'd given him a wedding gift of cash. It had been so many years, and they'd never see each other again anyway. It was just the customary gift between old classmates. There was still that bond of friendship, after all.

"Take it."

"What?"

"The gift money he sent you. Keep it."

"And then what?"

"I've had my eye on a hat. Buy it for me."

"..."

Shang Zhitao still couldn't quite read Luan Nian. She'd assumed he'd be jealous, but it turned out he just didn't want to be out of pocket. So she picked up her phone, accepted the transfer, and thanked Xin Zhaozhou.

"Transfer the money to me."

Luan Nian wanted to see what it felt like to spend her ex-boyfriend's money. He accepted the transfer, then went and ordered the hat, in two colors. Not bad.

Once he'd finished, he said to her, "So what if he's an ex? No need to hide it from me. I've had exes too, you know a bit about that already. But I think I've got you beat, because I don't keep in touch with mine."

Having said his piece, Luan Nian raised an eyebrow at Shang Zhitao, waiting for her response.

Shang Zhitao wasn't going to give him one. She was determined to make him furious instead. She just kept gnawing on her own bone, eating away happily.

By refusing to respond, she was only bringing trouble on herself.

That afternoon, while she wasn't paying attention, Luan Nian scooped her up from her chair and set her down on the cold table.

The chill of the surface against her skin made her shiver.

"I'm cold."

"You'll warm up soon." Luan Nian wrapped her into his arms, resting his forehead against hers, and asked, "Do you feel how much I favor you now?"

Shang Zhitao tipped her head back and bit his lip, which was answer enough.

"There's more favoring to come."

"Just take it as it comes."

Luan Nian thought to himself, new Zhaozhou or old Zhaozhou, it didn't matter, they could all step aside. This woman was his, right here beside him. He would take good care of her himself. Everyone else could just clear out.

If they could have a child too, that would make things even better.