Beijing-Hong Kong Rosemary

Chapter 76: Weak constitution, needs more nourishment.

Shen Guining typed a reply: [I'm fine, how are you?]

Jin Yuhan: [I beat up Su Yuchen.]

Shen Guining: [So, have you two made up?]

Jin Yuhan: [No! There's no way we'll get back together! Men are all unreliable!]

Jin Yuhan: [If I may ask, I've heard that the Qu family and the Cui family have always intended to form a marriage alliance. The two families have been friends for many years. If that's true, what will you do?]

Shen Guining stared at the screen for a moment, then said, "I hadn't thought that far ahead."

Let’s talk about what happens next.

Even if Mr. Qu does not marry into the Cui family, he may still marry into other families of similar social standing in the future.

Not just anyone can easily set foot in a prestigious household.

Jin Yuhan: [It's good that you think this way. Just live in the moment and don't worry about so much.]
-
The last show of the tour before the new year was on Hong Kong Island.

Compared to the sub-zero temperatures in Beijing, the temperature on Hong Kong Island is relatively mild.

After the successful performance, most of the colleagues in the troupe chose to stay here for a couple more days.

With the Spring Festival approaching, the streets and alleys are filled with a festive atmosphere.

Red lanterns and colorful ribbons line both sides of the street, and shop windows display a dazzling array of decorations.

In the evening, several colleagues asked Shen Guining to act as their tour guide and take them out shopping.

The group traveled together, having a lively and joyful time.

"Please help me grab some tickets! Tickets for before the Spring Festival are so hard to get!"

"I was right to have foresight; I bought it last month."

"Guining, are you not going back to Beijing and just going straight home?"

Shen Guining held a cup of milk tea in her hands to warm them. "Hmm, I should go back to Beijing after the New Year."

She hadn't planned to go back to the Shen family, but a few days ago Shen Yue called her and said that some of her mother's belongings had been sorted out at home, so she had to go back.

Topic shift.

"Gui Ning, your skin looks especially good lately, it's so radiant and glowing."

"Her skin has always been very good, like a peeled lychee, so tender that you could squeeze water out of it."

"No, I mean my blood and energy seem better than before."

"Now that you mention it, it's true. Your face is glowing. Have you been taking some tonics?"

Several people stared at Shen Guining at the same time.

She bit the straw sheepishly, then said, "I probably ate fish maw."

The cook stews a bowl of bird's nest or fish maw for her every day, as Mr. Qu instructed, saying that she was weak and needed to nourish herself.

What do you mean by physical weakness? It's clearly because his needs are too high; he drags her to do it twice every night.

After shopping, Shen Guining didn't go back to the hotel with her colleagues. Instead, she took a taxi to find Zhu Sixuan.

We arranged to sleep together tonight.

When I arrived at her house, she was still drawing.

Shen Guining brought her snacks and fruit tea, all of which were Zhu Sixuan's favorites.

"You're so wonderful, Ningbao, I love you."

When she hugged her, Shen Guining noticed several bright red hickeys on her shoulder. "Sixuan, are you and your boss... still together?"

"Hmm." Zhu Sixuan didn't mince words. "If it's free, why not take advantage of it? During the day I work like a slave for him at the company, and at night he's my slave. It's pretty enjoyable."

"Most importantly, it also gives my comics some inspiration," she added.

Shen Guining understood and respected, saying, "Whatever makes you happy."

Zhu Sixuan took her arm and asked gossipily, "How about you? Are you happy in bed?"

Shen Guining could tell from her teasing look that this "xìngfú" probably didn't mean what it seemed on the surface.

Zhu Sixuan blinked and smiled, "Alright, you don't need to say anything. I can tell from your appearance that you've been well nourished."

"..." Shen Guining had brought a change of underwear in her bag and borrowed a set of Zhu Sixuan's pajamas to wear while taking a shower.

The two slept in the same bed and chatted that night.

Zhu Sixuan asked her, "How long did you book the hotel room? Why don't you cancel the reservation and stay at my place instead, so you don't waste your money?"

"No need, I've already paid." Shen Guining lay on her side, a smile playing on her lips. "Besides, it's not convenient for me to stay here, what if someone comes looking for you at night..."

Zhu Sixuan retorted jokingly, "I think you're just worried it'll be inconvenient if your boyfriend comes."

Shen Guining denied it, saying, "Qu Yanci is on a business trip abroad and doesn't have time to come see me."

Zhu Sixuan nudged her lightly with her elbow and teased, "Oh, you used to call him Mr. Qu all the time, but now you're calling him by his first name. It seems your relationship has really progressed by leaps and bounds."

Shen Guining was slightly embarrassed and couldn't argue with her.
-
With the Spring Festival just a few days away, cartoons and animations celebrating the New Year are scrolling across the LED screens outside the New World Building.

One of the short films was produced by Zhu Sixuan, and her name is in the bottom right corner.

Shen Guining took a picture when she passed by.

She made an appointment with Ji Shih-han for lunch today, and booked a private room at a Western restaurant.

Shen Guining arrived first, and Ji Shihan arrived ten minutes later.

"Sorry, there was a bit of traffic on the way."

"It's nothing, I just arrived early." Shen Guining pushed the menu in front of her. "Senior, take a look and see what you'd like to eat."

Ji Shihan took off her coat and draped it over the back of the chair. "Okay."

Shen Guining picked up the glass pitcher on the table and poured her some water. "Senior, thank you for telling me about my friend's situation last time."

Ji Shihan smiled slightly, "It's nothing, just a small favor, but you insisted on treating me to a meal."

Shen Guining smiled and said, "Of course."

Ji Shih-han suddenly remembered something, "Did you leave Hong Kong Island for Beijing because of Zhou Shih-lin?"

Shen Guining nodded gently, "Mm."

“I heard he was sent abroad by his family to take over a branch company. If you’re not comfortable in Beijing, you can come back.”

"I'll see after my internship ends."

“That works too.” Ji Shihan said while looking at the menu, “You can come back to the dance troupe to visit us when you have time. Everyone misses you, especially Teacher Yuan, who often talks about you.”

Director Ms. Yuan was Shen Guining's tutor in university. Because of this relationship, Shen Guining can be considered an unofficial member of the Hong Kong Island Dance Theatre.

"I'll go back after the New Year when I have time."

"Well, wait for you."

After lunch, Shen Guining returned to the hotel.

Ruby was still waiting for her in the room. The little one had just arrived yesterday, and Mr. Qu had arranged for someone to personally deliver her.

There was a park near the hotel, and Shen Guining took it out for a walk in the afternoon.

The little guy ran excitedly along the cobblestone path, with Shen Guining following behind, holding the leash. "Ruby, don't run so fast, who's walking whom here?"

After running for ten minutes, Shen Guining's forehead was covered in sweat. "Let's take a break, I can't run anymore."

Ruby then stopped.

There were other people walking their dogs and children in the park, and several passing children gathered around to tease Ruby.

The little guy is quite aloof in front of strangers, doesn't like to talk to people, and has the air of a noble dog.

After playing for an hour, the weather suddenly turned cloudy, dark clouds gathered, and raindrops quickly began to fall.

Shen Guining didn't know it would rain and didn't bring an umbrella, so she quickly took Ruby back to the hotel.

Just as I reached the roadside, my cell phone rang in my pocket.

She freed one hand to answer the phone.

A deep, resonant voice came through, "Where are you?"

The raindrops grew denser, pelting Shen Guining haphazardly.

She carefully led Ruby across the street, saying, "I took Ruby out to play, and now we're heading back to the hotel."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, then a voice said, "I see you. Look up."