Act Seven

Her level of improvisation, which is based on fate, can still be considered as the Chinese Little Library in the film production industry

After a long struggle with self-blame, resentment, and the incessant effort of psychological reconstruction, Producer Shen arrived at the Hall of Time in the final minute before a potential mental breakdown

In terms of emotions, she is accustomed to taking one step while considering ten steps ahead, contemplating all unstable factors even before she has set foot down.

The indoor lighting is not particularly good, with a play of light and shadow. The place he is in resembles a natural stage, illuminated by light streaming in from the window sill, absorbing all the light sources.

Ji Qinghe sat at the workstation by the window, her head slightly lowered, leaving only a silhouette.

Let's continue the discussion; it's still the same issue—she does not want to mix personal feelings with work

The watch strap and the back cover have just been removed, revealing the intricately intertwined mechanical movement inside.

Shen Qianzhan raised an eyebrow, immediately grasping the key point: "Since childhood?"

On the long table, there is a tea set made of celadon, with a transparent fish tank at the center, where three goldfish are leisurely swaying their tails and floating

On the way to the Hall of Time, Shen Qianzhan regretted more than once how he had been completely blank at that moment, unable to come up with even a single word of rebuttal, and had been taken advantage of verbally by that scoundrel!

Just now, the shameless producer Shen was reasoning that Ji Qinghe was only after her body and beauty, wanting to rekindle their past affair

Ji Qinghe was not surprised by her reaction. He switched the phone to his other hand, his tone still languid and relaxed, but upon closer listening, one could detect a slight rise in his pitch indicating pleasure: "So, can we continue our previous conversation that ended on a sour note?"

He stepped over the stone threshold and pointed to the open room next door: "Qinghe is in there, you can go in first. I will make you a pot of tea. Do you prefer Oolong or Pu-erh?"

In that moment, she even felt that she would willingly accept his death at that instant, as if it were a sweet indulgence.

Shen Qianzhan watched him leave, steeled her courage, and stepped into the house

This is a bottom cover knife, used for opening the case. Ji Qinghe pointed at the back cover placed on the leather mat, not feeling that this description was particularly bloody or violent, nor did it violate the review standards: "Anti-magnetic tweezers and grinding stones. Used to pick up parts to avoid magnetization, with varying models, usually requiring three to five pieces as a backup"

Meng Wangzhou waved his hand and turned to leave

Twenty minutes ago

Meng Wangzhou came over halfway to deliver some Pu'er tea. Upon seeing Shen Qianzhan standing there, he began to complain about Ji Qinghe's lack of consideration for others, remarking that he didn't even possess the basic etiquette of hospitality, while smiling and telling Shen Qianzhan not to take it to heart: "When Qinghe starts repairing watches, he becomes so transcendent and detached from the mundane world, it's been like this since he was a child."

He is using tweezers to grasp the shaft, his long fingers deftly controlling the seemingly miniature watchmaking tools with unexpected lightness and agility

The child Shen Qianzhan suddenly felt that his intelligence had been insulted, so angry that his three souls soared to the heavens and his six spirits left his body: "You are the child!" After saying this, he realized... Oh no, he fell into the trap again

Shen Qianzhan immediately said: "Give me the address"

Everything is elegant, resembling a private tea room for friends to gather

Beside the tea set, there is an artistic incense holder, which should have been lit not long ago. The scent of sandalwood is faint, and white smoke drifts down from the rocks, enveloping the elk on the cliff in a light mist that is indistinguishable as either morning or evening.

The coordinates of the Time Hall are located within the ancient architectural protection zone of the Second Ring Road in Beijing, adjacent to a small alley behind the walls of the Forbidden City

Before she could ponder the matter, Ji Qing, resembling a prophet, took the initiative: "Only children harbor a passionate hatred for evil, while adults rationally consider what is most advantageous for themselves"

This is a case of old grievances compounded by new ones, and all will be settled in due course: "Mr. Ji, sexual harassment is not limited to physical contact; suggestive language harassment is also considered a form of it"

The facade is quite narrow, and it has a low presence among the tightly closed residential buildings in the area.

She touched her nose and quietly approached.

The two were already sitting close to each other, and his hand rested on the armrest of the chair. Leaning in to speak, he looked down at her from a higher position, adopting a somewhat intimate and ambiguous posture, and exchanged a glance with her: "Given Director Shen's level of disdain for me, if I were under eighteen, should we meet in court?"

Mother, could you please be quiet

Looking good, but it's quite troublesome

Shen Qianzhan was somewhat hesitant

She touched her delicate little face in the rearview mirror, her heart in a state of conflict, bubbling like boiling water with small bubbles rising.

Shen Qianzhan followed his words with some brief recollections, shamefully misinterpreting his serious tone.

One | Night | Affair is a common occurrence in the entertainment industry, not elevating to the level of personal morality. However, she is well aware that this physical relationship, whether it has been consummated or not, is ultimately different.

"Needle holder, needle pusher, machine oil, automatic oil pen." He paused, raised his hand, and pointed to the magnifying glass clamped on the lens: "And the eyepiece, which can be equipped with magnifying glasses of three to twelve times magnification as needed, with low magnification for disassembling parts and high magnification for adjusting the hairspring and inspecting the pivot of the balance wheel." After finishing his words, Ji Qinghe's gaze shifted from the workbench to her face and lingered for a few seconds, adding: "For example, it can magnify every flaw on your face."

In front stands a four-sided brocade screen, with a base of black and white tones, depicting an ink painting of cranes returning and magpies chirping in a landscape. The ceiling is low, adorned with a Chinese-style chandelier, its soft light perfectly enveloping the set of square, round-table chairs beneath it.

Shen Qianzhan nodded proudly, gently grasping Meng Wangzhou's fingertips with a light hold: "What about Ji Qinghe?"

Half of her mind was sentimentally recalling the weightless sensation of that night when he blew gently on her earlobe, while the other half was rationally contemplating what she could say to utterly humiliate his male dignity and pride

This is a strap support base, quite common. He handed the strap support base to her and said: "This is used to secure the strap; it is used to disassemble and adjust the length of the strap. Every watch counter has it, nothing unusual."

He enthusiastically led her through the corridor and into the courtyard: "This is the base of the Beijing Clock Collection Association"

Meng Wangzhou glanced at her and muttered, "Your question is quite sharp right from the start. My secondary institution is certified. Throughout the year, there are numerous field trips and training exchange activities, all organized, disciplined, and with a sense of belief"

There must be a contribution to meet a demand

He pushed open the dark door and stepped aside to let Shen Qianzhan enter: "The entrance leads to the reception hall, where unfamiliar guests are usually entertained."

Ji Qing let out a light scoff at the appropriate moment, interrupting: "I can hear you."

No, wait

Meng Wangzhou had evidently gained a one-sided understanding in the past hour that Shen Qianzhan and Ji Qinghe were old acquaintances, and turned to lead her, saying: "Follow me."

Ji Qinghe is repairing a watch

Shen Qianzhan suspected that he was trying to gloss over the situation, attempting to cover up his recent sexual harassment of a mature and attractive woman. However, strangely, she did not feel offended; instead, her ears flushed, and a wave of heat spread from the back of her neck to her earlobes

Last night, when she was decisively launching indiscriminate attacks, she did not think about the possibility of saying goodbye to Ji Qinghe again. Now, she finds herself in a difficult situation, and whether to step down from this ready-made platform or not is quite awkward.

She parked the car and walked in leisurely

Shen Qianzhan increasingly felt that the latter possibility was greater

Shen Qianzhan: "... ..." Then they might not be familiar enough to discuss this yet

Shen Qianzhan was contemplating whether to make a phone call to assert her presence when a light sound of wind chimes came from behind the door. A young man in his thirties burst in energetically. Upon seeing Shen Qianzhan, who was standing in the most prominent position, he paused for a moment before greeting her: "Hello, Miss Shen Qianzhan, right"

Did he not tell you? Meng Wangzhou said: "I am cousins with Ji Qinghe."

Shen Qianzhan followed the direction of his finger and saw, beneath the corridor pillars, several wooden square stools. Behind the corners of the stools hung a vertical sign with a white background and black characters, elegantly inscribed with "Beijing Clock and Watch Collectors Association"

He released his grip on the screwdriver, then grasped Shen Qianzhan's chair and pulled it towards him, bringing both her and the chair to the front of the workbench

Hearing the footsteps, he slightly turned his head and glanced with just the corner of his eye

Pu'er tea, thank you

Her contemplation took too long. Ji Qinghe glanced at the call duration and threw out the final trump card: "I happen to be repairing a watch over here, would you like to come and take a look?"

He turned around and glanced back, somewhat awkwardly extending his hand: "I am Meng Wangzhou, the one you have been in contact with at the industry, the founder of the Time Hall."

Shen Qianzhan is an outsider

If it weren't for the potted lucky bamboo, small pine, and the ubiquitous fortune cat figurine from a certain online store in the corner... one would hardly recognize this as a place of business.

In the event that Ji Qing and the other party engage in an ambiguous relationship to demand resources, property, or any unethical behavior; and in the event that Ji Qing approaches her with ulterior motives, coveting her beauty, and seeking to rekindle a romantic liaison

Rationally, Shen Qianzhan does not believe that Ji Qinghe would use this as leverage to threaten her personally, but given Ji Qinghe's questionable identity at the moment, she knows nothing about this man.

She asked: "Studio? Or non-profit organization?"

If it weren't for Shen Qianzhan following the navigation to find this place, one would never have discovered that there is a watch shop here

After all, Ji Qing's gaze that night was particularly clear to her, like a raging wildfire, three parts awake and seven parts immersed. It howls in the wind and burns when it encounters fire

Sigh

Ji Qinghe's expression has always been lacking. Upon hearing this, he merely responded with a perfunctory smile, retorting, "Then what does Producer Shen's insult to my character last night count as?"

It is not impossible either. Ji Qinghe smiled lightly, implying: "Besides speaking, the mouth can also do other things"

How has it become a personal insult

Shen Qianzhan: "... ..."

Ji Qing chuckled softly and said, "The sound of breathing seems a bit familiar," before quickly asking, "Are you looking for a watchmaker?"

Shen Qianzhan bit her lip and glanced at the navigation system that was incessantly prompting her to turn right ahead, a wave of frustrated helplessness surged within her

Shen Qianzhan was originally fully focused on listening to his explanation, but suddenly hearing such a remark made her brow twitch. She coldly lifted the corner of her lips, revealing a sarcastic smile: "I do not accept any imposed flaws; if you cannot engage in conversation, then do not speak."

The watch repair tools on his table, apart from the screwdriver, were all unrecognizable to her, and she had no idea of their functions. As she watched Ji Qing intently disassembling the watch components, he quickly cleaned the numerous intricate parts within the watch movement one by one, and she wisely refrained from interrupting him at that moment