Times of Our Lives - Chapter 50

Generally, during Chinese New Year in Suzhou, people go to buy New Year’s flowers. On the afternoon of Little New Year’s Eve, Yin Jian’s office closed early. When Shen Luo called Xia Yiyang, the latter’s voice sounded noticeably guilty. Shen Luo raised an eyebrow, “Are you guys in a meeting?”

Xia Yiyang sighed, “The last one before the New Year. Director Chen has to give a speech.”

Shen Luo laughed, “What a strange habit he has.”

Xia Yiyang said, “That’s our leader’s only hobby. Are you heading to the supermarket?”

Shen Luo: “Are you leaving work at the usual time?”

Xia Yiyang thought for a moment, “I should be able to leave early today, at least I don’t have to work overtime.”

Shen Luo snorted, not showing much happiness. Just as Xia Yiyang was about to say something nice, he suddenly heard Shen Luo ask, “Did you get any chocolates today?”

For some reason, the Gregorian and lunar calendars often coincide, and many recent Valentine’s Days have been close to the lunar New Year. Although having two holidays in quick succession isn’t necessarily better, it does make one think more about how to celebrate.

Even at forty, Xia Yiyang was still quite popular. Recently, SZ Bank hired some interns, and a few were assigned to his department. Shen Luo had seen them once or twice. Young people have their own charm, especially those with good personalities and sweet mouths. Given Xia Yiyang’s position, he was an attractive, wealthy bachelor. Unlike Shen Luo’s nearly retired position at the banking regulatory commission, Xia Yiyang was surrounded by young, attractive people, which often caused Shen Luo sleepless nights.

“Of course no one sent me chocolates.” Xia Yiyang’s tone was calm, “At my age, who would be interested?”

Shen Luo didn’t respond. After a while, he said, “I’ll pick you up after work.”

Xia Yiyang: “…”

After hanging up, Xia Yiyang didn’t feel well. He glanced at the box of chocolates on his desk with a complex expression. Just then, Cai Cai walked in with a box of “White Lovers” chocolates.

Xia Yiyang groaned, “You too?”

Cai Cai: “This is just some chocolates from a subordinate, to save face.”

“Don’t bother saving face.” Xia Yiyang sighed, “I don’t know what to do with so many.”

Cai Cai looked at the chocolates and sighed, “Boss, you’re really popular…”

Xia Yiyang replied, “Thank you.”

Cai Cai suggested, “How about distributing some? You can’t give them to colleagues, but maybe to people outside the company?”

After some thought, Xia Yiyang clapped his hands and sneaked into the break room to send a secretive message.

When Xie Meng received a WeChat message from Xia Yiyang, he didn’t understand it at first and called back, “What do you want to give me?”

“Chocolates,” Xia Yiyang replied mysteriously. “It’s Valentine’s Day today.”

Xie Meng asked, “How many did you get?”

“A big box… I arrived at work to find my desk covered in them, and I don’t even know who sent what.”

“…” Xie Meng was speechless, “That many?”

Xia Yiyang was puzzled, “Didn’t you get any? You should have more than me!”

Xie Meng: “I have a separate office. Only my secretary and I have the keys, so no one else can send me any.”

Xia Yiyang: “…” Turns out I’m not high enough up the ladder!

Realizing his situation was different from Xia Yiyang’s, Xie Meng suggested, “How about you send some to me?”

Xia Yiyang was immensely grateful, “Really?! Won’t Mr. Ji mind?”

Since Ji Qinyang had won two Golden Eagle Awards for Best Music Producer, he was no longer an unknown. He received countless offers, with many companies hoping to bring him to the forefront. Since his last TV interview, he had stayed out of the public eye, making him a semi-mysterious figure. Everyone knew he was great at making music, and his songs were highly sought after. Out of respect, people started calling him “Mr. Ji.”

“As long as you don’t tell him,” Xie Meng thought simply, “He won’t be back from his flight to Hongqiao until late. Bring the chocolates over, and we’ll deal with them first.”

Of course, Xia Yiyang agreed, even asking for leave from Director Chen to “dispose of the evidence.” To be safe, Xie Meng sent Ji Qinyang a message to confirm when he would be back.

Unfortunately, these two men seemed to have forgotten that today was Valentine’s Day, and their partners were much more thoughtful and romantic.

Ji Qinyang, upon arriving at Hongqiao Airport, got a call from his agent confirming if he needed a ride.

“No need,” Ji Qinyang said, putting the call on speaker and checking if the flowers from the shop were ready, “I didn’t tell Xie Meng I was coming back early. I want to surprise him. I’ll drive to his office myself. You can take the day off.”

His agent chuckled, “Mr. Ji, you’re so romantic.”

Ji Qinyang adjusted his bangs in the mirror and said, “I think I’m pretty romantic too.”

Agent: “…”

The ordered Begonia flowers, being rare, took over a year for the shop to prepare. The shop owner’s wife, a beauty herself, would let regular, generous customers into the back room. As a notable figure, Ji Qinyang was no exception. However, he didn’t expect to see a familiar face in the back room.

Shen Luo had clearly been there for some time, sitting with crossed legs on a wide pearwood chair, right hand holding tea, reading the last newspaper of the year.

Both men were momentarily stunned upon seeing each other. Ji Qinyang took off his sunglasses and smiled, “Well, fancy meeting you here.”

“…” Shen Luo didn’t really want to see him. Encountering Ji Qinyang never brought good things. While Xie Meng and Xia Yiyang got along well, Shen Luo always felt his time with Xia Yiyang was in jeopardy whenever Ji Qinyang was around.

“When did you order the flowers?” Ji Qinyang sat naturally opposite Shen Luo, raising his cup of tea leisurely.

Shen Luo closed his newspaper, “Half a year ago… Did you order some too?”

Ji Qinyang: “The ‘Highland Flame’ here is so famous, of course, I ordered in advance.”

Shen Luo gave a perfunctory smile, “Good taste.”

Ji Qinyang, used to compliments, didn’t bother with humility. He glanced at Shen Luo and suddenly asked, “Are you sending them to Mr. Xia’s office?”

Shen Luo: “I ordered two plants. One for the office and one for home.”

Ji Qinyang pursed his lips, seeming to compare their plans and feeling neither superior nor inferior, which left him slightly displeased.

Shen Luo could guess what Ji Qinyang was thinking but didn’t bother with petty competition. Seeing Ji Qinyang momentarily defeated made him feel content, so he waited patiently for his flowers.

When the four pots of flowers were brought up, Ji Qinyang and Shen Luo were dumbfounded. The boss lady was followed by four burly men, with two men needed to carry each pot, making for an intimidating sight.

“Why don’t we help deliver them?” The boss lady was enthusiastic. “Just give me the addresses, and I can deliver any notes along with the flowers.”

What a joke, Shen Luo and Ji Qinyang would never let someone else take credit for a rare opportunity to be romantic. Moreover, both Xie Meng and Xia Yiyang worked in banks, and having notes delivered by someone else could cause unnecessary trouble. The safest way was to personally deliver the flowers as friends.

Since they didn’t want anyone else to deliver them, the husbands had to roll up their sleeves and help each other carry the large pots of begonia.

Ji Qinyang, concerned about his image, was fully equipped with a mask and sunglasses when they entered the SZ Bank lobby, almost getting stopped by security. Although Shen Luo exercised regularly, his style couldn’t match Ji Qinyang’s. If it weren’t for his status at the banking regulatory commission, all eyes in the bank would probably be on Ji Qinyang.

Cai Cai was shocked and nervous when she saw Shen Luo from afar. She quickly approached and heard Shen Luo ask, “Where’s your Manager Xia?”

Cai Cai stammered, “Ma-Manager Xia… is out on assignment!”

Shen Luo frowned, “At his level, he still has to go out on assignments?”

Cai Cai was silent for a moment before changing the subject, “Why are you here, Mr. Shen?”

Ji Qinyang peeked out from behind the begonia, pulling down his mask and saying, “Stop talking and put the flowers down first.”

After delivering the begonias and failing to find Xia Yiyang, Shen Luo was naturally unhappy as he had hoped to catch him unannounced. Ji Qinyang, however, was eager to head to Xie Meng’s place to deliver his flowers.

On the way, Shen Luo took over driving while Ji Qinyang fussed with his hair in the rearview mirror.

“Don’t be too strict. Men need some space,” Ji Qinyang said with the air of someone experienced. “I give Xie Meng plenty of freedom.”

Shen Luo sneered, turning the steering wheel, “Do you know how many people join banks every year?”

Ji Qinyang didn’t get the point.

Shen Luo continued, “Forget the new hires. SZ and DW Banks are known for having the most beautiful staff in Suzhou. DW’s New District branch is full of beautiful women, with high-ranking female leaders. Even if they aren’t interested, Xie Meng is always in that environment. Can you really be at ease?”

Ji Qinyang’s face gradually darkened, “Are there really that many?”

Shen Luo scoffed, “Wouldn’t I know as a banking regulator?”

Ji Qinyang frowned without replying.

Shen Luo glanced at him, adding fuel to the fire, “Recently, DW’s Park Branch and New District Branch have been collaborating on projects, working closely together. You deal with it.”

By now, Xia Yiyang was well-acquainted with the staff at DW Park Branch. While carrying a big box of chocolates upstairs, some young ladies greeted him. Xia Yiyang enthusiastically tried to distribute the chocolates, “Would you like some?”

The young ladies giggled, “We wanted to give some to Manager Xie, but he refused.”

Xia Yiyang suddenly realized, “You can refuse?!”

The young ladies laughed even harder.

Xie Meng was waiting for him downstairs, waving when he saw him, “Brother Yang.”

Despite looking young, Xia Yiyang had only recently been called ‘manager’ due to his position. He was usually called ‘kid’ by his superiors, so it was his first time being called ‘brother,’ especially by Xie Meng. Overjoyed, he replied with an elated “Hey,” his voice pitch higher than usual.

“Brother Yang,” Xie Meng called again, surprised at the large box of chocolates, “That much?”

Xia Yiyang felt embarrassed, “A lot… Do you want some?”

Xie Meng held back a laugh, “I don’t eat much sweet stuff. You don’t know who sent them?”

Xia Yiyang sighed, “Probably the young new hires. Young people are much more fashionable than an old guy like me.”

Xie Meng took the box, glanced at him, and suggested, “Why don’t you store some here? You can come over when you want some.”

Xia Yiyang had no better idea, “I can’t take them home… Shen Luo would be really upset.”

Xie Meng looked at the colorful wrappers, thinking about Ji Qinyang’s jealousy, and felt the box was too hot to handle. He exchanged a look with Xia Yiyang, seeing shared despair in each other’s eyes.

Xie Meng took a deep breath, “Let’s take them to my office. We can distribute or eat them there. If not, we’ll hide them for now.”

Xia Yiyang nodded eagerly. Xie Meng pressed the elevator button, preparing to take the chocolates to his office. They were chatting and laughing as the elevator doors opened, but stopped when they saw who was inside.

Ji Qinyang and Shen Luo stood on either side, each carrying a pot of Highland Flame almost as tall as a person, and turned their heads simultaneously.

Xia Yiyang: “…”

Xie Meng: “…”

Shen Luo quickly pressed the door open button, squinting, “What are you doing here?”

Xia Yiyang, unusually quick-witted, pointed at the box, “Delivering New Year’s gifts!”

Xie Meng: “…” He realized the depth of betrayal by his friend.

Ji Qinyang, with a cold tone, asked, “What are you delivering?”

Xie Meng, dropping any pretense of brotherhood, shoved the box back at Xia Yiyang, “I’ve decided not to accept it. It wouldn’t be right to take something meant for you.”

Xia Yiyang: “…”

Their camaraderie shattered instantly. There was no escaping. After delivering the flowers, Shen Luo and Ji Qinyang sat in Xie Meng’s office, eyeing the two like they were under interrogation.

Xie Meng felt wronged, having not received any chocolates himself and only trying to help a friend. Xia Yiyang, however, looked pitifully at Shen Luo, eventually offering a desperate, “Want to share some chocolates…?”

Shen Luo crossed his arms, expressionless, “Have you eaten any?”

Xia Yiyang: “Not yet… No time.”

Shen Luo sighed, lowering his head slightly, and brushed his fingers over his eyebrows. Finally, he took out a box of chocolates from his inner suit pocket.

“Eat mine first,” Shen Luo said, “Then you can eat others’.”

Xia Yiyang: “…”

Ji Qinyang, with a look of disbelief, felt half-defeated and turned to see Xie Meng unfazed.

Xie Meng took a box of chocolates from his desk drawer and handed it to Ji Qinyang, “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

“To you, my dear Mr. Ji,” Xie Meng said.

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