Wilderness Vegetation Chapter 41

Chapter 41

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In January of the new year, Xu Yan met Lin Mian in Los Angeles. She had stayed in the United States after graduating with her doctorate. Sitting in a café by the street, Xu Yan glanced at the diamond ring on her ring finger and smiled as he asked, "Married?"

"Not yet, he just proposed last month." It had been a long time since they'd seen each other, and Lin Mian seemed much more mature now. Xu Yan could no longer associate the person before him with the little princess who had once threatened to jump off a building.

"Then congratulations in advance," Xu Yan said. "Happy wedding."

Lin Mian laughed. "Don't congratulate me in advance. When I return to China for the wedding, won't the great photographer Xu be coming?"

"I'll come," Xu Yan replied straightforwardly. "No matter how busy I am, I'll come." He didn't know who Lin Mian's fiancé was, but it certainly wouldn't be the person who had run into the hospital drenched in cold rain that year.

"Time really flies, everyone is so busy now." Lin Mian looked out of the window and suddenly asked, "Are you still in touch with Shen Zhi?"

Xu Yan couldn't remember how long it had been since he'd heard that name from someone else's mouth. Xu Nian and Ji Huai would never mention it, and his conversations with Tang Yunyan were limited to work and matters within their circle. Everyone was more or less deliberately avoiding it, and Xu Yan was aware of this.

He stirred his cup with a spoon and smiled as he said, "No."

"Shen Zhi is now in his second year of postgraduate studies," Lin Mian said. "I never knew he wanted to study law."

She didn't know, and neither did Xu Yan. Shen Zhi had never mentioned it. It was a university friend who had once sighed while chatting with Xu Yan, saying that Shen Zhi had directly left the company and immediately passed the entrance exam for one of the top five law schools. Truly impressive.

Indeed impressive. Xu Yan also found Lin Mian quite impressive. These second-generation rich kids were pursuing doctorates and further studies, each embarking on a path of self-improvement, proving that they all had ambitions. People with ambitions who took action to realise them were indeed remarkable.

But that was all Xu Yan thought, nothing more.

Seeing Xu Yan remain silent, Lin Mian asked again, "Will you return to China, or stay in Paris?"

"I will return," Xu Yan replied after taking a sip of coffee.

Xu Yan stopped accepting contracts at the end of January. It took him nearly half a year to completely finish all his work and film contracts. In mid-June, exactly three years and one month after leaving the country, Xu Yan closed his apartment door and set off on his journey back home.

During the three years, he had returned home a few times, but only because he was on business trips in neighbouring countries and had managed to squeeze in time. Each visit lasted less than two days. Fang Hui, seeing his exhaustion, told him to stop rushing around. Xu Shen, seeing his exhaustion, told him to take care of his health. Xu Nian, seeing his exhaustion, asked him to get an autograph from a certain superstar, preferably a personalised one.

Xu Yan told him to buzz off.

When he got off the plane, it was just after ten in the morning. Fang Hui, Xu Shen, Xu Nian, and Ji Huai were all standing in the arrival hall, waiting for him. Xu Yan walked over, pushed his suitcase towards Xu Nian's feet, took off his hat, and hugged Fang Hui.

"You've lost some weight." Fang Hui scrutinised Xu Yan's face, her eyes slightly red.

"I missed you, Ge." Xu Nian rummaged through Xu Yan's backpack as he declared his affection insincerely.

Xu Yan glanced at him. "There's an autograph, and it's personalised." Xu Nian's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he rummaged even more eagerly, repeatedly asking, "Where is it? Quickly, take it out." But Xu Yan continued, "But it's not from her, it's from her boyfriend. Do you want it?"

Xu Nian stepped back in disbelief. "You're too much! Xu Yan, you're too much!"

They walked out of the hall. Ji Huai had to return to the company and left after chatting briefly with Xu Yan. The weather was particularly good today, with the early summer sun shining brightly. Xu Yan sat in the car, eating the pastries Fang Hui had made by hand, listening to Xu Nian chattering in his ear.

He looked out of the window. Everything hadn't changed much, after all, it had only been three years, not long.

Vehicles continuously stopping and starting, people hurrying, welcoming or seeing off, leaving or returning. Xu Yan watched for a while, then turned his gaze back into the car. But just as his sight was about to withdraw, he felt he caught a glimpse of a figure from the corner of his eye.

Xu Yan paused and turned his head to look – Still the same stream of unfamiliar people, nothing special.

"Ge, what are you looking at?"

Xu Yan turned back and smiled, "Nothing."

Outside the hall, Shen Zhi stood in the shadow of a pillar, watching the business car drive away and disappear into the traffic.

Three years was indeed a long time. So long that he couldn't imagine what he should say if he could talk to Xu Yan again, what the first sentence should be.

The phone rang sharply, and Shen Zhi answered. The person on the other end shouted, "Mr Shen, I've already passed security, why haven't you arrived yet?!"

"I’m on my way," Shen Zhi glanced at his watch and said calmly, "Don't worry, there’s still time."

"You have to make it on time. If you don’t, I’m not getting on the plane either!"

"Understood."

Xu Yan had barely rested three days before he was back at work. He had a chat with Lu Sen, who had advised him to consider TIDE, despite several prestigious magazines inviting him before his return.

“If you’re sure you want to develop your career in the fashion industry, you need a company that matches your level, and TIDE is the best choice.”

Xu Yan sincerely replied, “I think your studio is the better option.”

“Xu Yan Yan!” Lu Sen was finally irritated, “You didn’t come when you were supposed to, and now you’re playing games with me?”

“No, no,” Xu Yan chuckled, “I’m being honest.”

“Forget it, you don’t know how anxious the editor-in-chief is, she’s been told to ensure you’re hired back. I don’t have time to deal with TIDE right now, it would be a miracle if I could visit them once a week. You’re the only one who can fill in.”

“Got it.”

“You’ve just returned to the country, and after years of shooting scenic landscapes, if anyone doubts your abilities and puts on airs, remember to keep your head high,” Lu Sen said, “There are plenty of superficial people in this industry. Don’t waste your energy; we’re not here to placate anyone, understand?”

“Understood.”

In his first week back at the company, Xu Yan and his team were busy working on a perfume advertisement. The fragrance was scheduled for release in early autumn, and the final cut needed to be confirmed as soon as possible. Following that, they needed to shoot promotional images, videos, and interviews with the new spokesperson. Xu Yan planned to follow the process closely and handle the post-production to integrate quickly into the work.

The company had assigned Xu Yan an assistant named Wang Wen'an, a sharp and diligent young woman. She worked efficiently and, when free, would gossip with Xu Yan to alleviate boredom. Xu Yan learned from her that the company was being sued because of a wording issue in a recent article, which had angered a female celebrity. A lawyer's letter had already been sent yesterday, but the lawsuit had not yet been formally filed, it was in the private mediation stage.

“The editor-in-chief’s lips are blistered from stress, no one dares to go near that office area these days,” Wang Wen'an whispered. “I just went to deliver something and saw Yixin’s lawyer arriving... so handsome!”

Xu Yan was unaware of this, as he would go to the studio as soon as he arrived every day, or go to the location shooting, and then come back to work on post-production, with no time to follow company gossip. But it seemed unlikely that they would actually file a lawsuit; after all, TIDE was no ordinary magazine, and subsequent cooperation needed careful consideration. It was probably just a way for the other party to vent some frustration, which was understandable.

“Be careful yourself,” Xu Yan said, taking a sip of water and smiling, “Don’t let the editor-in-chief take it out on you.”

“Yes, sir!” Wang Wen'an saluted.

“The studio is off-limits to anyone other than the company staff and the artist’s team,” Tang Yunyan said slowly, “But who told you to wear the badge of a lawyer from the legal department?”

“Thanks,” Shen Zhi replied.

“Tell me the truth,” Tang Yunyan turned to him, “You came on your own request this time, right?”

“Yes,” Shen Zhi answered.

Tang Yunyan smiled, “Well, Yixin’s lawyers are indeed diligent and hard-working to voluntarily take on even small cases like this.”

Shen Zhi lowered his gaze and said nothing. He had started interning at Yixin at the end of his second year of graduate school. Yixin was a prominent firm, and although he didn’t have a law degree, being from a 211 university and having access to case sources gave him an edge in this resource-dependent industry. (Angel: Project 211 is a policy for the development of higher education. Multiple educational institutions are in the project.)

TIDE's legal department had long had Yixin's lawyers involved. Shen Zhi, part of Yixin's capital markets team, had high IELTS scores, passed the second-level CATTI, and had an undergraduate degree in economics. He had always been heading towards a non-litigation, foreign affairs direction, which had nothing to do with TIDE's daily needs, as they were completely separate fields. Having him handle such a case was a bit like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut – but Shen Zhi had insisted on taking it.

As a result, upon hearing the news, the workgroup chat exploded with a series of "?"s.

: Shen Zhi is going?

: Shen Zhi is going?

: Shen Zhi is going?

: Shen Zhi, come over here, I have a few IPO projects I'd like to share with you.

: Shen Zhi, does this case have anything to do with us? If TIDE has kidnapped you, blink twice.

: Shen Zhi, if you want a holiday, just say so, don't hide behind a small task like this.

......

Tang Yunyan unlocked the door with her fingerprint, and various conversations and continuous camera shutter sounds filled the air. The studio was brightly lit, and despite the air conditioning, the temperature was still high. Shen Zhi instinctively tried to roll up his shirt sleeves, only to find they were already rolled up – he seemed somewhat dazed and confused.

Moving a bit closer, his gaze passed through the bustling staff. Shen Zhi tilted his head slightly and saw Xu Yan.

Xu Yan was holding a DSLR, kneeling in front of an exquisite perfume display. He was wearing a loose vest that a designer had given him, and although Xu Yan didn't understand the pattern on it, he thought it looked cool. Most of his clothes, shoes, bags, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings over the past two years had been gifts from brands – Speaking of earrings, Xu Yan hadn't originally planned to get them, but he received so many ear accessories that it felt wasteful not to use them, so he bit the bullet and got his ears pierced. He even had an infection that hurt so much he thought he'd lose his earlobes.

The bright light illuminated Xu Yan's profile and arms, making them look fair. He was thin but not frail. Shedding his former weary corporate attire, his current look suited him better – sharp, bold, and vibrant, exuding a striking and spirited brilliance.

People shine when they are in their element.

After finishing a set of shots, Xu Yan stood up to check the images on the computer, while his assistant handed him water and wiped his sweat. Shen Zhi watched Xu Yan intently. Tang Yunyan gently pushed his back and whispered, "You know what I feel like right now?"

"I feel like I'm leading a stray dog to find its owner."

Shen Zhi didn't really catch what she was saying. As they approached the display, Wang Wen'an was the first to notice them and immediately smiled at Tang Yunyan, "Chloe!"

The others turned their heads and greeted Tang Yunyan. Xu Yan was so engrossed in reviewing the photos that he didn't hear them at first. Only after Wang Wen'an prompted him did he respond. He put down his water cup, his other hand still on the mouse, turned his head, and smiled, "How do you have time to visit the studio..."

His gaze passed over Tang Yunyan and stopped on Shen Zhi's face, meeting his eyes, and his unfinished sentence came to a halt.

That moment of eye contact spanned three years. Xu Yan experienced a brief moment of tinnitus, with all surrounding sounds blurring and the lights becoming overly bright, making the person before him seem somewhat unfamiliar.

Shen Zhi stood there with a calm and focused gaze, looking at him intently. After a few seconds, he spoke a few short words in a low voice, not loud but audible to Xu Yan.

"Long time no see."

———

The author has something to say:

Xiao Zhi: So happy, I finally have a legitimate reason to appear. Long time no see, wife, can I kiss you?

[It's definitely challenging to get into one of the five top law schools without a law degree, but Shen Zhi must succeed (main character halo shining). The law firm and the school are fictional; I wouldn't dare to challenge real top law schools and red-circle firms. All related content serves the plot, so please don't scrutinise too deeply.]

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

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Translator Notes

Please feel free to comment any mistakes I made so I can improve and do better as I go through the book.

Translated: July 26, 2024 by Angel

Edited: September 21, 2024 by Angel