See You Again (Time Already Knows) - Chapter 25
Chapter 25 - Could It Be That Yi Pei Didn’t Know How To Date?
Gossip from the Yi Mao Real Estate break room: the Yi Mao annual celebration would be held together with Forefather Yi’s birthday banquet.
Together? Then the space would definitely be huge.
As employees of Yi Mao, everyone could pretty much guess the reason why they were being held together. Because of the current circumstances of the Yi family, there would definitely be a shaking up in the near future. It was a matter of it being sooner or later. Only, the company was huge, and the relationships were complex. A small change could impact the entire thing.
Forefather Yi was already an old man. He could pass away at any time, let alone talk about how many more birthday parties he would be able to have.
Forefather Yi was tough for his whole life. Now that he was elderly, the Yi family would really start the internal battles. This old man was also helpless and couldn’t change anything. Not to mention the fact that this internal battle was completely unavoidable. Maybe Forefather Yi also understood this, so he wanted to specifically hold this year’s banquet, and then he wanted to make a flourishing and grand “if the family is harmonious, all affairs will prosper” spectacle.
There was already a lot of change to the economic structure in the financial report published by the Yi family in the first half of the year. Yi Mao Apparel’s net profits had shrunk substantially compared to the past two years. Right now, in the entirety of Yi Mao’s trade profits, 70% had been dependent on Yi Mao Real Estate’s properties and stock earnings.
Shi Jian recalled the words that Forefather Yi had said last time at the Yi Mao men’s apparel flagship store: You all deal in real estate, speculate and profiteer in the stock market. Have you all forgotten what trade Yi Mao developed and expanded from?
Had the Yi family all forgotten? Probably not. Only, chickens will all fight over grains of rice, let alone the members of the Yi family who were in the center of the benefits.
As employees of Yi Mao Real Estate, everyone cared more about Yi Pei’s current situation in the Yi family. Yi Pei originally wasn’t a Yi, but Yi Mao was the brand established by Yi Pei’s close maternal grandmother and Forefather Yi, so how Yi Pei’s identity related to his future actions was a main point that people paid attention to.
Last week, a tabloid about Yi Pei and Zhao Wenwen’s date came out. There were truths and an image. The image was a large photo of them holding hands and occupied a large portion of the page. In the photo, Zhao Wenwen was leading Yi Pei out of a high class restaurant with their hands clasped together. The headline was also written like a Hong Kong style weekly tabloid, “In the Cold Windy Night, Yi Family’s Yi Pei Dated Huayi Zhao Family’s Daughter Vivi, Their Relationship? The Yi and Zhao Family Expects to Tie the Knot!”
The news of Yi Pei and Zhao Wenwen’s date didn’t come out sooner or later, but stubbornly came out at this time. The reason and effect of it didn’t need to be said aloud. So this year’s annual celebration, other than Forefather Yi’s birthday banquet, it would also probably be Yi Pei and Zhao Wenwen’s first time in public together, with official media reports on their relationship.
Think, it truly was quite exciting.
Shi Jian held her chin as she listened to Emily, and thought that she was satisfied with herself. She prevented Zhao Wenwen from going out of the country and into that skiing accident, similar to as if she saved Zhao Wenwen’s life, and inadvertently helped Yi Pei out big time. To Yi Pei, having the Zhao family’s support was like a tiger growing wings.1 Yi Pei basically had to stand against the whole Yi family. Madam Guo had given birth to three sons for Forefather Yi. Oh, and a daughter.
Today was Tuesday, the day Zhao Wenwen had a date with Yi Pei. Zhao Wenwen had already sent her a text: “I’m going to get my hair done.”
Zhao Wenwen was really looking forward to the surprise plans she’d arranged. Shi Jian had even more pressure on her.
In the general office, Emily had last week’s tabloid in hand. She didn’t dare discuss the relationship between Yi Pei and Zhao Wenwen too much, but there was no problem making fun of Zhang Kai a little bit. Besides, Zhang Kai wasn’t back in the office yet.
Other than Zhao Wenwen and Yi Pei holding hands, Zhang Kai, who was following behind them, had also been captured in the photo taken by the tabloid’s journalist. Emily pointed at the rage-inducing smile Zhang Kai had in the photo, and asked for confirmation: “It seems like every time Yi Pei goes on a date with Zhao Wenwen, he brings Zhang Kai along?”
Shi Jian looked up and glanced in the direction of Yi Pei’s office. She didn’t dare confirm it, and replied to Emily quietly: “Seems like it.”
“Oh, oh.” Emily nodded repeatedly. Some strange expression flitted across her face, as if she was confused by a fun yet embarrassing question. After a pause, she also glanced in the direction of Yi Pei’s office and whispered to Shi Jian: “Do you think Yi Pei and Zhao Wenwen want…… For example, when they kiss, is Zhang Kai also there? How does Zhang Kai arrange himself? He can’t hide away?”
Haha! This speculation was simply absurd! Shi Jian leaned behind her desk and laughed. Recalling that the one who planned tonight’s date was herself, she couldn’t help but cough out: “Let’s ask Zhang Kai this question when he comes back.”
“Oh my……” Emily waved her off, “I wouldn’t dare.”
Shi Jian tilted her head. Who would believe that?
Right at that moment, the internal network telephone rang. It was Yi Pei calling. Shi Jian was a bit diffident. She hurriedly composed her amusement, and calmly picked up the call: “President Yi, this is Shi Jian.”
When Shi Jian got to Yi Pei’s office, Yi Pei said to her: “Help me shift my meeting with He Yi’s Manager Yang earlier. We will chat and have dinner tonight.”
What! Then…… What about his date with Zhao Wenwen tonight? She’d even prepared the surprise already!
Yi Pei looked up. At seeing Shi Jian’s hesitation, his brows knit slightly.
Things were made difficult for Shi Jian. She reminded: “President Yi, what about your date with Vivi tonight? The reservation was already arranged at Zhuang Yuan.”
Shi Jian hadn’t feared arranging Yi Pei and Zhao Wenwen’s date. She only worried that if Yi Pei didn’t go on the date, Zhao Wenwen would be hurt, and she would still fly out of the country to go skiing. She understood women, being a woman herself.
“Oh.” Yi Pei nodded, but it seemed he didn’t forget about the date. He leaned back, silent. His mood couldn’t be discerned.
“President Yi, how about I reschedule the meeting with He Yi’s Manager Yang for tomorrow?” Shi Jian softly said, feeling like she was heartbroken herself. She tried to change Yi pei’s decision, “Vivi is really looking forward to tonight’s date. She just sent me a text saying that she’s getting her hair done right now……”
Yi Pei didn’t say anything. It was unknown whether he would go or not. It was currently four in the afternoon. The setting sun shone in from Yi Pei’s left, directly hitting Yi Pei’s left hand that was on the desk. The twilight reflected off the tip of the pen that Yi Pei held, leaving a smudge of light on the tabletop.
The smudge of light swayed. Yi Pei smiled as if he remembered something, and said: “Oh, I have dinner with Vivi tonight. I nearly forgot.”
Shi Jian relaxed. She nodded.
Yi pei lowered his head, opened his document, and continued to work.
“Shi Jian, is your relationship with Vivi very good now?”
Eh? Shi Jian turned, and replied with a smile: “It’s only because of President Yi that I can make a friend as passionate and cute as Vivi.”
“Ah.” Yi Pei didn’t look up, and let out a short laugh, “You can go. Pick up Vivi in a bit.”
“Okay!”
Zhao Wenwen’s new hairstyle was the currently trending debutante hair. Curls paired with a fringe, and secured by a delicate glittery hairpin by the ear. Of course, this hairstyle looked a bit outdated when seen by people nowadays.
[Please read on jeytranslations.blogspot.com | Do not repost to other sites. ]
When Shi Jian arrived at Zhao Wenwen’s favorite salon, Zhao Wenwen was fixing her clothes. She pulled at her inner blouse in front of the mirror, then turned towards Shi Jian: “Shi Jian, is this pale pink good looking?”
Shi Jian looked at it, and nodded approvingly: “Good, fitting for a date.”
“Actually, I like the black one more. It’s from EY.2” Vivi pulled in her abs, and said in a helpless tone, “But Yi Pei likes pink! Men.”
Cough cough. Zhao Wenwen said this delightedly and a feeling that made people fantasize seeped through her tone. Shi JIan pursed her lips, restraining her inner giddiness.
Yi Pei liked pink? Why did she have the feeling that Yi Pei didn’t like pink? The last time she wore her pink down jacket, Yi Pei very bluntly told her: “Shi Jian, you’re at work. Can you dress a bit more maturely?”
Maybe men’s requirements towards their girlfriends were different.
Shi Jian drove Zhao Wenwen to Zhuang Yuan. A high class restaurant featuring Jiangnan cuisine3, Zhuang Yuan’s decor was strongly and purely Republic of China inspired from inside to out, as if it was a residence during the Republic of China. It was a harmonious combination of western and chinese elements, with hinged blue-green window panes, red roofs, and yellow walls. The colors were gaudy, making the place feel sophisticated and luxurious.
Shi Jian didn’t know how Zhang Kai arranged himself when Zhao Wenwen and Yi Pei had their meal. For this reason, she specifically asked Zhang Kai. Zhang Kai replied to her from a thousand miles away: “Of course we eat together, trying to make as much conversation as possible. Otherwise, President Yi and Zhao Wenwen wouldn’t have much interaction at all.”
Shi Jian: “……” It turned out Yi Pei brought Zhang Kai along every time so that there wouldn’t be awkward silences. Could it be that Yi Pei didn’t know how to date?
Sure enough, Zhao Wenwen was also used to three people eating together. The second floor of Zhuang Yuan had a seat by the window. Yi Pei sat on the outside, and Zhao Wenwen naturally sat across from Yi Pei, so Shi Jian sat on the inside.
Shi Jian lowered her head, took out her phone, and contacted that university student she’d found that could play a saxophone . She told him that he could come over and cooly serenade them with a romantic performance.
The university student energetically replied to her: “!”
Shi Jian put her phone away, reassured. If WeChat Moments existed right now, she would post, “Followed the boss to a dinner, followed the boss to a date.”
At the dining table, Zhao Wenwen and Yi Pei sat across from each other. Just like Zhang Kai said, there wasn’t much interaction. Shi Jian glanced at them using her peripheral vision, and felt that Yi Pei and Zhao Wenwen were at most like a couple when they first met and hugged each other. Zhang Kai said that whenever President Yi and Vivi had a meal together, the most tired one was him. He really wasn’t lying.
Zhang Kai, quickly, teach her how to be a good third wheel for the boss.
“A-Pei, do I look pretty today?” Zhao Wenwen asked Yi Pei, probably because she knew that there would be a surprise planned. Zhao Wenwen’s tone and expression, in addition to her bouncing curls, all expressed a deep affection.
“Very pretty.” Yi Pei replied.
Cough. There was still some interaction. Shi Jian let her head droop.
“Hi, Jian Jian.” Zhao Wenwen suddenly turned towards her, and asked with a naughty wink, “Have you gifted the present that we bought together last time yet?”
Oh? She didn’t expect Zhao Wenwen to be concerned about this. Shi Jian shook her head: “Not yet……”
“Oh.” Zhao Wenwen recalled, “Sorry, I’d forgotten what you said to me last time.”
Shi Jian: “……”
“But I think that since you’ve already bought the present, you can still try to give it to him.” Zhao Wenwen advised her, as if she was an expert in emotions. She even asked Yi Pei, “A-Pei, don’t you think so?”
“En?” Yi Pei prodded at the utensils. They emitted a distinct “clang”. Evidently, he didn’t want to discuss this topic, and said, “Vivi, everyone has their own way of dealing with their feelings.”
“Oh. I was only caring about her.” Zhao Wenwen nodded twice, stuck out her tongue, and looked at Shi Jian again, “Shi Jian, you don’t mind, right?”
Of course she minded! If these two didn’t have anything to talk about, why would you chat about her?! Shi Jian inwardly ridiculed them, but shook her head: “How could I mind your concern——”
“A-Pei, Shi Jian doesn’t mind.” Zhao Wenwen grimaced, and continued, “I feel like there’s nothing wrong with giving the present. After all, it's a gift, right?”
Yi Pei didn’t reply. He was like a statue and had no interest.
Not able to get a response, Zhao Wenwen asked another question: “A-Pei, if you were that man, would you accept it?”
Shi Jian: “……”
Shi Jian silently turned her head and pretended to be invisible. It seemed that girls all liked to ask questions that they already knew the answer to. If Zhao Wenwen asked like this, then Yi Pei’s answer certainly must be to not accept it. Then Zhao Wenwen would ask, “Why?!” And then Yi Pei would say……
When a couple interacted, people on the sidelines would naturally want to cringe, but the couple would think it sweet.
At Zhao Wenwen’s setup, Yi Pei gently smiled. Compared to his previous expression, his whole face changed. He replied to Zhao Wenwen in a light tone.
“I would……” Yi Pei said.
Shi Jian continued to be silent: “……” Who said Yi Pei didn't know how to interact?!
“A-Pei, you’re so annoying!” Zhao Wenwen looked at Yi Pei’s expression and her mood changed.
Unbeknownst to all, they were already halfway through dinner. The surprise still hadn’t appeared, and Zhao Wenwen became a bit restless. Shi Jian repeatedly took out her cellphone, also anxious.
Finally, the saxophone guy called her.
Zhao Wenwen perceived something, and looked towards her. Had the surprise arrived yet?
Shi Jian raised an eyebrow at her. Then she hinted at Yi Pei, asking whether she could leave for a moment.
Yi Pei nodded and agreed.
Shi Jian was nervous. It was her first time planning something romantic for other people. Her heart beat rapidly, as if there was a jumpy bird in the pit of her stomach, and afraid that it would fly away.
“Hello……” Shi Jian found a corner and answered the call. She’d found this student on B-University’s music department forum. He could play the saxophone well, and most importantly, looked pretty handsome. After all, it was a surprise, and finding someone ugly would make it seem insincere.
“Sorry.” This was the first thing that the student started with.
Shi Jian suddenly had a bad premonition, and sure enough——
She silently listened to the student’s explanation: something came up and couldn’t come anymore. The reason was that his girlfriend inexplicably wanted to break up, so he couldn’t make it there in time.
Couldn’t come anymore?! This was too late to tell her this! Wasn’t this deserting her?! What would she do about the surprise she’d promised Zhao Wenwen……
Shi Jian fell apart, unable to control her emotions: “Then you should break up quickly, hurry up. After you’re done breaking up, rush over here, there’s…… still time!”
“……”
The male student mercilessly hung up.
TN: Oml 😭 this is a trash fire of a date.
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