Chapter One: Now - One

Huang Daheng said: "Isn't it true? Every time I make a phone call, it's to rush the manuscript. What difference does it make to rush it for one less day? It's still He Cai's reputation that matters. Otherwise, if we had to treat the screenwriter Gu Da to a meal, I really wouldn't know when we would be able to schedule it."

He Cai thought for a moment, drank the water in her cup, laid Gu Yunsheng's cup flat, and took the wine bottle to pour wine. The two cups were filled just as the bottle was emptied. Seeing Gu Yunsheng staring at her in slight surprise, He Cai also smiled and said, "I suddenly remembered that we haven't had a drink together this year, let's have a cup."

He was taken aback and turned his head

He does not smoke much; in fact, he does not even have a lighter in his pocket at the moment. The so-called cigarette is merely a tool for a game of seduction.

To Nicole, you must be happy and strong

The atmosphere at the table suddenly shifted. Just a few minutes ago, Huang Daheng, who had exuded an air of authority, became awkward, a mix of being somewhat accustomed yet also at a loss. Observing this, He Cai raised an eyebrow and pointed at him, saying to Gu Yunsheng: "You have no idea how verbose he has become; he can't eat this, can't move that. It's rare for him to come out for a meal, yet he won't let us eat this or order that. With this in his stomach, I might as well be dead..."

Gu Yunsheng showed no signs of intoxication; instead, he smiled and said, "You are clearly the best drinker, so you should know the joy of pouring and drinking for yourself. Moreover, there is still half a bottle left, what a pity it would be to waste it"

It is indeed a good thing: He Cai is pregnant

He Cai and Gu Yunsheng are of the same age, both thirty-two, which is already considered advanced maternal age. In her youth, she was strong-willed and continued to take on projects even at four months pregnant, resulting in a miscarriage. Since then, she has experienced habitual miscarriages. This time, after much difficulty, she has become pregnant again, and neither of them is willing to take it lightly. It is entirely reasonable for them to resign from the responsibility of guiding the ancient architecture of "Yongning".

Indeed, just as he had just lit a cigarette and was about to ask the bartender for a match, a lighter was promptly and courteously presented to him. Taking advantage of the dim light at the bar and the flickering flame, Gu Yunsheng turned his face to take a glance. The alcohol made all the scenes dance slowly along with the light, including the face of the man beside him. He lowered his eyelids and smiled gently, leaned in, took that hand, and lit the cigarette at his lips

The woman leaped forward with an uncanny agility, and the iron gate crashed down.

He held a large bouquet of roses in his arms, which was quite eye-catching in the hall during a non-peak period, quickly attracting the attention of many young and not-so-young women—not necessarily for the flowers. Gu Yunsheng remained very calm about this, focusing on replying to emails and occasionally glancing at the waiter leading him to the private room.

Gu Yunsheng, in a tone similar to He Cai's, did not take it seriously. He Cai pretended to glance at him and said: "With such insincerity, you still have so much to say about inviting you out for a meal. In a moment, you will have to drink three cups as punishment."

After he finished speaking, the room suddenly fell silent. The three individuals simultaneously set down their chopsticks, ceased their conversation, and quietly watched television. With the expansion of the city, the temple, which was originally located in the suburbs, has increasingly approached the urban area. In recent years, City T has developed rapidly, with land becoming extremely valuable, leading to the gradual encroachment of the land that originally belonged to the temple by various developers. What remains is only the group of buildings within the walls, a small vegetable garden and two acres of tea plantation that have been preserved within the walls, and a small park in front of the temple that can only serve as a landscape feature, standing abruptly yet resiliently amidst the towering new concrete forest.

He Cai was slowly dealing with the fish while answering some questions posed by Gu Yunsheng. Unintentionally, she caught a glimpse of the program being broadcast on the television in front of her, and immediately set aside what she was doing to signal the waiter to turn off the mute. Gu Yunsheng was engrossed in listening when the sudden sound from the television left him somewhat bewildered. However, Huang Daheng listened for a few moments, then laughed, pointing at the television screen and said: "Do you know about the Qing'an Temple project? Many people from our institute are involved in this project. If He Cai were not pregnant, she would have been responsible for the landscape design of the garden." Gu Yunsheng was engrossed in listening when the sudden sound from the television left him somewhat bewildered. However, Huang Daheng listened for a few moments, then laughed, pointing at the television screen and said: "Do you know about the Qing'an Temple project? Many people from our institute are involved in this project. If He Cai were not pregnant, she would have been responsible for the landscape design of the garden."

That scent lingered on, as if an invisible veil enveloped his head and face, from the moment he left the bar, then the hotel, and all the way home. As soon as he entered the door, Gu Yunsheng uncontrollably collapsed onto the sofa, the humidity thickening around him

At the farewell, Gu Yunsheng resolutely declined Huang Daheng's offer to drive him back, opting instead to take a taxi heading in the opposite direction. Once inside the vehicle, he caught a whiff of a certain scent, reminiscent of the damp aroma released by the earth and plants after a heavy rain. He glanced out the window; the light pollution in this city had become increasingly severe, the sky bathed in a fiery red hue, devoid of the moon, let alone the luxury of seeing stars. Gu Yunsheng felt thirsty, so he signaled the driver to make a U-turn at the next intersection, as he needed to have another drink. He glanced out the window again; the light pollution in this city had become increasingly severe, the sky bathed in a fiery red hue, devoid of the moon, let alone the luxury of seeing stars. Gu Yunsheng felt thirsty, so he signaled the driver to make a U-turn at the next intersection, as he needed to have another drink.

He was pouring wine into the cup when He Cai's question caused him to pause momentarily. He slowly raised his eyes and shook his head calmly and earnestly: "What is he coming back for? Why are you asking me?"

He spoke with a light-hearted tone, and Gu Yunsheng smiled as he looked at the couple in front of him, who increasingly resembled a married pair. First, he pulled out a chair for He Cai to sit down before saying: "Old Huang, He Cai, although you are now receiving good news, you must speak with integrity. If it weren't for your sudden decision to quit and resign as consultants for the project, why would I need one person to do the work of several? He Cai, please weigh in on this matter."

Just as I settled into the private room, people arrived shortly after. Gu Yunsheng hurriedly put down the half-finished email and smiled as he stood up. The petite woman said: "He Cai, you are truly the most beautiful pregnant woman I have ever seen"

The topics at the dining table naturally revolved around He Cai and the children. In terms of parenting, Gu Yunsheng had neither experience nor interest; he simply enjoyed listening to his friends share updates about their work and lives during the gathering. The various discussions between Huang Daheng and He Cai had no relation to Gu Yunsheng's professional circle, and he was pleased to listen to their casual chatter. When he finally had the opportunity to speak, he took the chance to ask He Cai, who was in the field of landscape design, some questions about the Buddhist pagodas and temples from the Northern Dynasties, which left He Cai momentarily stunned.

At first glance, this statement seems quite straightforward, but upon deeper reflection, it is not quite so. Huang Daheng and He Cai exchanged a questioning glance, yet neither received a response from the other. He Cai smiled and said, "If he returns just in time, isn't Director Bai looking for a consultant in ancient architecture? Who could be more suitable than Jiang Tian? Tang Jian is an expert in this field, and with the Northern Dynasties not far off, he is far superior to someone like me, who is only half-competent. Speaking of which, it has been a long time since I last saw him; the last time was two years ago, no, three years ago, at a conference in Japan. At that time, I heard he was getting married, but what happened that he didn't?" Tang Jian is an expert in this field, and with the Northern Dynasties not far off, he is far superior to someone like me, who is only half-competent. Speaking of which, it has been a long time since I last saw him; the last time was two years ago, no, three years ago, at a conference in Japan. At that time, I heard he was getting married, but what happened that he didn't?

Gu Yunsheng tugged at the corners of his mouth, forming a faintly reluctant yet cold smile, though his expression remained sincere: "I have been busy working on the script lately and haven't been in touch with my family. Besides, if he really comes back, he might contact you first. At that time, I might even be counting on you to let me know."

He Cai glanced left and right, finally unable to contain his laughter. He waved his hand to call over the astonished waiter: "Let's have the sea bass steamed, and add some wood ear mushrooms, with less MSG."

Huang Daheng Interface: "Well, a major overhaul is necessary. The project has been established at both the national and municipal levels. In addition to personnel from the ministries and several schools, individuals from Japan and the United States are also expected to participate. It is uncertain whether it can be completed within three to five years."

Vaguely, he saw a colorful bar on the television screen, displaying the words "Goodbye." He wondered what time it was, as the scene resembled one he had seen in his childhood. A sweet taste gradually emerged in his mouth, likely from candy. In this sweetness, he slowly floated up, walking along a path visible by the river, discussing a calculus problem with others. As the sun set in the west, many people were fishing by the river. They walked too close, and a fishhook caught the sleeve of a person nearby. Gu Yunsheng laughed heartily and helped him remove it. In the sweetness, he slowly floated up, walking along a path visible by the river, discussing a calculus problem with others. As the sun set in the west, many people were fishing by the river. They walked too close, and a fishhook caught the sleeve of a person nearby. Gu Yunsheng laughed heartily and helped him remove it

He Cai, however, maintained a stern expression while accepting his compliments. It was not until Gu Yunsheng stood in front of her, holding flowers and sincerely waiting for quite a while, that she smiled and took the flowers, as well as the compliments: "Now you know to sweeten your words. Inviting you to dinner took quite a bit of effort, look how busy you are, while we are so free. Old Huang had to put in a lot of work to get you out."

As He Cai expressed her complaints and anger, the two men in the room exchanged glances, neither daring to speak, silently adhering to the guiding principle of "pregnant women are the most important." Once she had finished speaking, Gu Yunsheng gently remarked, "The dishes ordered by this lady earlier have all been served, please cancel the later orders," while Huang Daheng quietly poured a glass of water and pushed it over.

He smiled and repeatedly pleaded for mercy, instantly lightening the atmosphere. The three of them exchanged pleasantries and began to order. Seeing He Cai order one dish only to have it rejected, Gu Yunsheng couldn't help but chuckle. He Cai raised her eyebrows in protest: "I can't order just because I don't eat it? Gu Yunsheng can eat it. Come, waiter, we also want two bottles of Wuliangye, the high-proof one..."

Gu Yunsheng looked at her, wanting to speak but unable to make a sound, so anxious that sweat was about to break out, his exam paper crumpled in his hand. Suddenly, someone beside him shouted, "Auntie, come forward!"

It seems that you have indeed done quite a bit of homework Huang Daheng was delighted to observe from the sidelines and couldn't help but interject with jokes when he heard something interesting

Gu Yunsheng, with an expression as usual, finished the wine in his cup. As he effortlessly continued to pour more, He Cai suddenly grabbed him and said, "Gu Yunsheng, a person can drink half a jin, isn't that enough?"

Huang Daheng grabbed her raised hand and, with a frown, forced a smile: "I don't drink alcohol, and you can't drink either. Yunsheng still has to drive back. Who are you ordering this for?"

Gu Yunsheng, upon returning to City T years ago, had visited Qing'an Temple alone, which was the only time in the past decade. Watching the scenes on the television, he found them almost entirely unfamiliar. However, at this moment, he turned his head to glance at He Cai beside him, who was looking at Huang Daheng. Upon noticing, Huang Daheng also sent her a smile. Everything then became soft and hazy, and Gu Yunsheng knew that just moments ago, they had recalled the same thing, the same place. But at this moment, he turned his head to glance at He Cai beside him, who was looking at Huang Daheng. Upon noticing, Huang Daheng also sent her a smile. Everything then became soft and hazy, and Gu Yunsheng knew that just moments ago, they had recalled the same thing, the same place

Later, I walked past a grand house, the sign was unclear under the glare, perhaps it was a bank. In front of the door stood a woman dressed in a black suit, yet paired with a pair of brightly shining high heels. The iron gate above her slowly descended, but she remained oblivious, gazing at the distant river surface

Of course, it will be Gu Yunsheng and me who will be drinking; you just need to drive at that time

The main hall and the scripture repository of the temple are well-preserved early Ming architecture. Although the Heavenly King Hall and the adjacent auxiliary halls have undergone numerous renovations, they have been passed down to the present day and each has a history of several hundred years. After years of exposure to the elements and various calamities, the vermilion railings have faded and the painted decorations have become dusty, with some buildings having turned into dangerous structures, struggling to hold on.

The smell of alcohol and smoke in the bar could not mask the dampness he had always felt. Gu Yunsheng sat down at the bar, ordered a drink, and took out a cigarette from his pocket

He saw Jiang Tian's face illuminated by the rays of the setting sun, casting a twisted and intricate glow.

Gu Yunsheng continued to stare at her, his expression of surprise fading away, replaced by a flawless smile: "Then let's save it for next time. I'll drink your family's full moon wine. This cup will be on credit for now"

Yet He Cai was the first to break the subtle silence: "The film is quite well done. By the way, Gu Yunsheng, I just remembered something I wanted to ask you. I heard someone say that Jiang Tian is coming back. Is there any truth to this?"

I heard that he is involved in the renovation of Qing'an Temple. I have always heard that our school and the city are both trying to bring him back. " He Cai looked at him in surprise, "Aren't you cousins? If you plan to return to the country, you would surely inform your family first, right? It can't be that there is absolutely no news at all.

The long-standing friendship compelled Gu Yunsheng, despite his hangover, to tactfully convey the wishes of the Huang Daheng couple to the formidable Director Bai Han, who resembled the King of Hell. Thus, he inexplicably found himself tasked with rewriting the script. The past month had been a relentless struggle, shrouded in darkness and devoid of light. It was only a few days ago, while trapped in the hell of deadline pressure, that he received a call from Huang Daheng inviting him out. Thanks to the significant favor owed to him by the expectant mother, Gu Yunsheng finally managed to escape for a few hours, allowing him to sit down for this meal and meet with an old friend he had not seen in a long time.

Huang Daheng has been beaming ever since his wife became pregnant, and he still smiled with his eyes sparkling when he heard Gu Yunsheng say this. He touched the back of his head and said, "This is a very special event, a very special event indeed. Moreover, as I mentioned in our last phone call, since He Cai is no longer working, it would be inappropriate to hold a nominal position. However, if Director Bai cannot find a suitable candidate, we will certainly do our utmost to recommend and scout for you. I cannot guarantee that we will be able to get things done, but if it is merely a matter of holding a title, we can certainly find someone."

When Gu Yunsheng arrived at the agreed-upon restaurant, the scheduled time had not yet arrived, and the host had not yet come.

The couple Huang Daheng, who work in the architecture department at T University, can be considered the longest-standing friends of Gu Yunsheng in T City. Since he officially moved to T City for work, they have taken care of him over the years, and they have become quite familiar with each other. Therefore, when he received a phone call from Huang Daheng a month ago, filled with urgency and excitement, indicating that he wanted to resign from his role as an ancient architecture consultant for a film he was writing, Gu Yunsheng immediately knew that something must have gone wrong.

Gu Yunsheng's thoughts stirred, and he also turned his gaze to the television screen—indeed, it was a follow-up report on the maintenance of Qing'an Temple, which he had inadvertently seen a month ago when Bai Han took him to be reprimanded. He steadied his mind, yet his eyes remained fixed on the television: "Well, I know a little, which is that on the day you called to resign as a consultant, Bai Han almost immediately found me. There was also a news report that day about it. So, is that temple going to be repaired?"