As the Lunar New Year approached, the affairs of two major groups became as daunting as mountains. Tan Zheng could not stay at home forever. To make his commute more convenient, they moved back to Lanting. Lanting Mansion was significantly larger than Song Ni's riverside apartment, making it more comfortable for the two of them. After all, it was their marital home, and as they moved in, Song Ni even arranged a small ceremony and planned to invite a few friends over for a dinner party.
Song Ni's impulse to invite Su Jingxi was purely accidental. She somehow started talking to Tan Zheng about the kidnapping incident and, when the topic turned to supermarkets, she remembered Su Jingxi. If she remembered correctly, Su Jingxi also had an apartment nearby, and they had another connection. She hadn't paid any attention to the drama "Jun Qi" after finishing filming, and she hadn't logged into Weibo for a long time. Song Ni directly sent Su Jingxi a WeChat message and learned that after she left, Director Jiang became even more unreasonable, forcing the male and female leads to finish their scenes through overtime work overnight. Although it was immensely difficult, everyone in the crew had no complaints, thinking about being able to return home early for the New Year.
Su Jingxi happened to return to his riverside apartment around midnight. He received Song Ni's WeChat message just as he woke up. He asked with interest, "When?"
Song Ni: Tonight.
Su Jingxi: ... You're so insincere. Shouldn't you tell me a few days in advance if you're inviting me to dinner? How can I possibly free up my time on such short notice?
Song Ni: Oh, if you don't have time, then don't come.
Su Jingxi: ... I've returned to Xingcheng and am also staying in the riverside apartment. It's convenient and I have time. Primarily, I just returned and there's nothing in the fridge to eat. I'm exhausted and really don't want to go grocery shopping. As for takeout... why wouldn't I go if someone is treating me to a meal?
Song Ni: I heard Li Jing is still in Xingcheng lately, why don't you bring him along? More people make it more fun.
Su Jingxi: ... Hahahaha, clearly you want to see him. Aren't you afraid your husband will get jealous?
Song Ni: If you're here, what would he have to be jealous about?
Su Jingxi: ... My husband doesn't know about our relationship. Besides, your husband was jealous of me before. Wouldn't your husband be furious if I brought him along?
Song Ni: ... You might be overthinking it.
Su Jingxi: Fine, don't expect me to explain to you later.
Song Ni: ...
Song Ni couldn't cook, and although Tan Zheng could, Song Ni, out of concern, didn't have the heart to let him take charge. Instead, she arranged for an aunt from the Song family to cook. Originally, there weren't many people, but Tang Tang arrived with Song Jing right behind her. Qin Yang came with Qin Dang following him. Tang Qinyun brought a younger cousin from his family who was spending the New Year in Xingcheng. Cheng Ling came with a senior fellow disciple who had returned from America. Lu Fang, upon learning that Song Ni had invited Su Jingxi, pleaded with her to invite Liang Qian. With great difficulty, Liang Qian agreed to come, but he was accompanied by his agent.
Fortunately, Lanting Mansion was spacious, and the courtyard was large enough that even with so many people, it didn't feel crowded. After initially speaking a few words in her capacity as the hostess, Song Ni let everyone mingle freely. Everyone present had experienced significant events before, so they wouldn't feel awkward in such a gathering.
Song Ni had originally intended to have a good chat with Li Qiao, but there was a guest at today's party whom she hadn't expected. It was Chang Li, Xi Jinjiang's psychologist from America. Song Ni's feelings towards Xi Jinjiang were complex. From an outsider's perspective, the former famous race car driver, reduced to crippled legs and abandoned by his fiancée, was indeed pitiable. However, she was not an outsider; she was Tan Zheng's wife. She was selfish. After hearing from Tan Zheng's friends and elders how Tan Zheng had endured the past five years, she couldn't simply pity Xi Jinjiang. Her Tan Zheng was clearly not at fault back then.
Song Ni found Cheng Ling, who was watching Qin Yang, who had been inexplicably distant towards him since his return to China. Cheng Ling did not turn to look at Song Ni but stared at Qin Yang as he drank. "You want to ask about my time in America?" Their last phone call hadn't been very detailed, so Cheng Ling's assumption was understandable. Song Ni followed his gaze and asked, "Are you regretting making Yang Yang understand your feelings?" Cheng Ling chuckled. "Regret what?" He felt that their current situation was at least better than remaining friends and brothers. Moreover, "Isn't her reaction proof enough that she has feelings for me too?" Song Ni smiled faintly. If she hadn't also sensed that Qin Yang had different feelings for Cheng Ling, she wouldn't have spoken up. "Take me to meet your senior fellow disciple."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Ling finally turned to look at Song Ni and raised an eyebrow, asking, "Didn't Tan Zheng tell you yet?" Song Ni pursed her lips. "I know about what happened five years ago." Cheng Ling's expression shifted slightly, and he leaned on the counter in a different pose. "Then why are you looking for Chang Li?" Song Ni couldn't be bothered to explain. She watched Qin Yang, who was playing with the younger boys like Sheng Jiang. "Aren't you afraid she'll be snatched away by those little boys?" Cheng Ling followed her gaze, narrowed his eyes, and smiled. "She's just playing. Siblings, you can't have deep conversations."
Perhaps sensing their gaze, Qin Yang suddenly looked towards them. He blinked, then nervously avoided Cheng Ling's eyes. "Without me, who knows how long it will take for you and Yang Yang to become a couple." The smile on Cheng Ling's lips froze. Indeed, without Song Ni, he and Qin Yang... were too familiar, making it even more difficult to change their relationship. "His name is Chang Li, and he's gay." Song Ni's expression shifted slightly. No wonder he and Su Jingxi had become acquainted so quickly; it was a case of "like attracts like." "Alright, just take me to meet him. I'll handle the rest myself." Cheng Ling stopped talking, led Song Ni to Chang Li, said a few words, and then returned to his previous position. Although Qin Yang was just playing with the children, he couldn't be as relaxed as he claimed if he wasn't watching them.
Chang Li seemed very curious about Song Ni. As soon as he approached, he unceremoniously dropped Su Jingxi. "You're Tan Zheng's wife?" Song Ni carefully examined the man in front of her. Unlike Su Jingxi's androgynous good looks, Chang Li was purely and delicately handsome in a masculine way. He was somewhere between a youthful boy and a gentle man, yet there was a hint of harshness in his eyes that didn't quite match his demeanor. Song Ni felt that it must be the influence of the person he liked.
"Dr. Chang." Song Ni smiled faintly and greeted him. Chang Li, however, didn't seem to like being addressed that way. "Tsk, there's no need to be so formal on our first meeting. Just call me by my name. This isn't a hospital either."
Song Ni: ... When is a good time to be informal if not on the first meeting?
Song Ni was a straightforward person and, seeing that Chang Li wasn't concerned with such matters, she got straight to the point. "I'd like to know about Xi Jinjiang's condition, if possible. Of course, I know doctors are obligated to protect their patients' privacy, so just tell me what I'm allowed to know."