The Early Spring - Chapter 116

Chapter 116 - Looking Back

Lingmei’s standards for conferences had always been top-tier.

The reason a trilingual host was required was that their clients spanned the globe, with many attendees being industry heavyweights. Furthermore, the conference was slated for a live global broadcast across all branch offices—making it an exceptional test of capability.

Shang Zhitao had searched the market for host candidates. While finding a bilingual English-Chinese host was easy, adding French into the mix made it immensely difficult. After a great deal of effort, she finally tracked down a top student from a foreign language institute who was exceptionally attractive. The asking price was twenty thousand yuan, excluding round-trip travel expenses and tax points.

Shang Zhitao ran a small-scale business, and for those twenty thousand yuan, she was forced to bow to reality.

She brought her own black formal dress, had the makeup artist style her hair into a capable, sleek look, wore rented diamond earrings, stepped into a pair of high heels, and took the stage. The poise she had cultivated since childhood came to her aid today; as she made her entrance, she carried a commanding presence blended with an aura of intellectual elegance.

Positioning herself, commanding the room, and smiling—she had practiced countless times just to make clients feel they were getting their money's worth. After practicing for so long, it almost gave her the illusion that she truly possessed an innate talent for it.

Song Qiuhan, sitting next to Luan Nian, tapped the armrest of his chair, telling him to look up and stop replying to messages. Luan Nian offered a faint response, raised his head, and saw the radiant Shang Zhitao. She was just uttering her very first sentence: "Good afternoon, everyone."

The hosting script was brilliantly written, avoiding any cliché.

She said: "The northern land is draped in snow, yet our hearts burn with warmth. Lingmei thanks everyone for joining us for this icy appointment."

This was followed by the English and French translations.

Luan Nian had never known that Shang Zhitao knew English and French. He didn't know that during those weekends when she vanished from his home, she would return to her own place, pick up her books, and shuttle across Beijing to study languages and acquire knowledge.

Nearly all personal growth occurs silently. It demands enduring patience and restraint. Those days were lonely and painful, yet they also held a touch of warmth. Shang Zhitao remembered the gentle night breeze at Houhai, the golden autumn leaves of Beijing, and the hurried passersby in the subway. Time was chopped into tiny segments, encircled into small dots, scattered throughout her body, melted into her marrow and blood, and ultimately reshaped her into who she was now.

When Luan Nian took the stage to deliver his speech, he crossed paths with Shang Zhitao. Her smiling eyes and brows carried the quiet certainty of a thirty-year-old woman.

Gone was the panic and uncertainty of her past.

As he gave his speech, she stood offstage; their positions swapped once more. Yet in another sense, their positions hadn't changed at all. Luan Nian had always liked her gaze fixed on him, ever since the very first event they had worked on together.

During the forum section, Shang Zhitao sat right next to Luan Nian.

Several guests sat in sequence, discussing the future of digital advertising. When it came to Jiang Lan’s section, she spoke about the impact of associations and alliances on industry companies and practitioners, causing a thought to stir in Shang Zhitao’s mind.

If she wanted to enter ad representation, she had to step into the circle and become an insider. After the summit concluded, Jiang Lan was chatting with Luan Nian. Seeing Shang Zhitao, she called out to her: "Flora, come chat for a bit."

Shang Zhitao walked up to her.

"I didn't know before that you spoke French," Jiang Lan praised her. "Your accent is pure and authentic—one can tell you trained diligently."

"I learned it in my spare time a few years ago."

"Lingmei was so busy; you actually had time to study in your spare time?"

"Yes. Weekends weren't too busy, so I hired a teacher to learn."

Luan Nian suddenly realized the truth. All those early weekends when she had disappeared weren't entirely spent working as a marriage bait, but rather studying—quietly, unobtrusively, and never once brought up over those six years.

"Director Jiang," Shang Zhitao smiled at Jiang Lan. "I would like to ask for your advice on something: listening to you discuss industry alliances and associations just now, I wanted to inquire about how much in membership fees a newly established ad representation company needs to pay if it wants to join?"

"The membership fee is secondary. What matters most is the guarantor. Do you have one?"

"What kind of person can serve as a guarantor?"

Jiang Lan pointed at Luan Nian: "Someone like your Mr. Luan."

Shang Zhitao glanced at Luan Nian, who stood to the side without saying a word, and nodded: "Understood, Director Jiang."

"You can ask your Mr. Luan to act as your guarantor. After all, you used to work at Lingmei, so you two have a superior-subordinate relationship." Interest glinted brightly in Jiang Lan’s eyes, purely finding the dynamic amusing.

Shang Zhitao didn't want to bring it up. She didn't even have the startup capital yet, so what was there to guarantee? Her mind was currently filled with nothing but money.

If the company wanted to grow, its business model needed to diversify. Entering ad representation was a completely new line of business, and she needed to solve the issues of funding and personnel.

When everyone was tidying up the venue, she chatted with Fu Dong. Fu Dong mentioned that he had a female college classmate who studied advertising and had joined an agency in Harbin after graduation. She was currently working as an ad optimizer and leading a small team.

"Could I meet her?" Shang Zhitao asked him.

"Of course. I brag in our alumni group chat every day, and a lot of my old classmates want to meet you," Fu Dong chuckled.

"Then once we get back, find a time to invite her out. How about we go learn a bit from her?"

"Sure thing! And then?"

"And then, we find a way to secure the funding. If your classmate is willing and suitable, we'll poach her, assemble a team for the agency, and add an extra layer of security to our company's business."

"Sounds good!"

The two carried out the work while discussing their plans. Shang Zhitao instructed Fu Dong: "The clients are going skiing tomorrow, so you must ensure their safety above all else. For the snow-viewing event the day after tomorrow, guarantee the quality of the meals. The main event is over, so don't let any mishaps happen right at the finish line."

"Got it."

"Once we return to Harbin, give the team a few days off. Staying up late like this continuously is going to kill someone—namely me."

Shang Zhitao was suffering from an endocrine imbalance. She needed to go back and drink traditional Chinese medicine to restore her health, taking advantage of the New Year's holiday to recover. This was also why she wanted to develop another line of business.

Lumi walked over and said to her, "My treat tonight—let's grab a bite together at the hotel buffet."

"Sure."

"Luke, Will, and Mr. Song will be joining us too. Mr. Song is heading back early tomorrow morning and won't participate in the rest of the itinerary, so consider this a send-off."

"Then maybe I shouldn't go? It's your internal matter."

"Will specifically said to invite you."

"Oh. Then how about I arrange to treat all the bosses to a drink at a bar tonight? The hotel bar is decent. I have a friend who sings there."

It was the singer she had met back when she visited Dali. He had later wandered here and stayed for two years. Every time Shang Zhitao came, she would sit with him for a bit, listen to him sing, and chat.

"Alright. It depends on Luke. His personality has grown weirder and weirder these past few years, so I don't know if he'll be willing to go."

"Wouldn't it be better if he doesn't go?" Shang Zhitao shot back at Lumi.

Lumi raised her eyebrows slightly and remained silent. She could tell that to Shang Zhitao, Luan Nian was like a formidable enemy, a venomous snake or viper. She didn't know what had actually transpired between the two of them. Lumi wanted to chat with Shang Zhitao about it, but since Shang Zhitao didn't bring it up, it wasn't her place to pry.

Friendship required a sense of propriety. Though Lumi was boisterous and carefree, she knew where the boundaries lay.

When they finished eating, Luan Nian arrived, and he accompanied them to the bar as well.

Lingmei's clients were sitting around in groups of twos and threes inside the bar. Luan Nian glanced around and asked Lumi, "Are there any arrangements for tonight?"

"No."

"Then I'll cover the tab for the clients."

"Alright."

Lumi walked up to the stage, took the microphone, and announced: "Mr. Luan just mentioned that he's treating all our client friends present to drinks tonight. It was our oversight not to realize everyone might want to drop by the bar this evening."

Everyone applauded.

Luan Nian stood up to offer a toast: "Drink to your heart's content."

Lumi asked Shang Zhitao, "Are you still advancing the funds for this?"

Shang Zhitao nodded: "Yes."

This hotel was linked to Xing Yi's connections, so Shang Zhitao had only paid a minimal deposit. Thus, she walked to the side and dialed Xing Yi's number: "Friend."

"What's up?"

"I have another extra expense on my tab..."

"Settle it later, right?"

"Yes."

"Fine. Then buy me a glass of wine later as payback."

Shang Zhitao turned around and saw Xing Yi sitting with a few people. They were likely his colleagues from the government bureau. Smiling, she walked over to greet them. Xing Yi draped an arm over her shoulder: "Let me introduce you. These are the leaders from our unit; they're holding a business seminar here tomorrow."

Xing Yi introduced each of them to Shang Zhitao. She pulled business cards from her card holder and presented them with both hands one by one.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xing Yi walked to the side with Shang Zhitao and asked her, "Going smoothly?"

"Smoothly."

"As long as it's smooth. I'll go find their boss later to act as your guarantor. Don't feel pressured."

"Alright, I'll treat you to a drink later."

"Drinks are fine, but bring Shang Zhishu along."

"...You guys broke up, why are you calling her?"

"Can't I call her if we broke up? Bring her out so I can hash things out with her."

"What is there to hash out? You want to get back together, don't you?"

Xing Yi smiled: "I've already finished renovating our marital home."

The two stood to the side chatting intimately. Song Qiuhan looked at Luan Nian's expression, finding him completely impassive. He typed in the group chat: There's one thing I don't understand.

What?

Does Mr. Luan actually like his little Taozi or not? He snapped a photo of Luan Nian and dropped it into the group chat. As friends, they loved to mock each other cheerfully: Can't tell if he's lost his soul or just completely numb.

"To be honest, I always feel like I've seen this girl somewhere before," Tan Mian said.

"You probably have—she used to be with Lingmei," Song Qiuhan said, having pieced together the situation between Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao over the past two days.

?

"Missed the chance to get to know the owner of Mr. Luan's dead number, didn't you?" Chen Kuannian poked fun at them: "None of you are any good. How about this: I'll go ahead and do some reconnaissance."

While the group chat was filled with joking banter, Luan Nian didn't even look at his phone, focusing instead on listening to the music.

Shang Zhitao walked back over to sit down. The others had only left her room on one side of the two-seater sofa where Luan Nian was sitting. Without making a fuss, she sat down beside Luan Nian. The sofa sank slightly as she sat, and Shang Zhitao shifted to one side, pulling some distance between herself and Luan Nian.

"I still remember Luke singing at the annual gala many years ago! So handsome! Back then, I said I'd never seen such a handsome guy! How about another song tonight to liven things up for everyone!" Lumi cheered. Luan Nian remained motionless, pretending not to hear.

"It feels like I haven't sung in a long time either. Come on." Song Qiuhan stood up: "Let's perform one together." He invited Luan Nian.

"No." Luan Nian didn't want to move. The gala performance back then had been done under pressure; right now, he wasn't in that kind of mood.

Song Qiuhan made a gesturing motion. Only the few of them dared to treat Luan Nian this way. Chen Kuannian had just created a separate group chat, saying they needed to coach Luan Nian on how to turn that dead number into an active contact. He gave Song Qiuhan the task of helping Luan Nian display his charm.

Tan Mian said, "A guy like Luan Nian—his tools haven't been used in years. What if they've rusted?"

Luan Nian took the stage and picked up a guitar, while Song Qiuhan picked up another. When the friends hung out together normally, they practiced many songs.

"What are we singing?" Song Qiuhan asked him.

"Whatever."

"'You're Beautiful'?"

"Alright."

"Dedicated to all the client friends present tonight," Luan Nian said.

I saw your face in a crowded place~ As he sang this line, Luan Nian's gaze collided with Shang Zhitao's. Just for that single moment, before she shifted her eyes away.

Over the past few years, whenever Luan Nian felt particularly miserable, he would fly to Harbin. Sometimes he would just sit at an arbitrary street corner before flying back. He didn't claim to be a deeply devoted person, but the years he spent with Shang Zhitao hadn't been particularly intense; rather, that emotion had seeped in gradually. Just when he felt his mind and body belonged entirely to Shang Zhitao, she pulled away and left.

Luan Nian felt that he had hurt her, but he had also been hurt by her.

It was the following evening when they stayed at Snow Village. Ah, Snow Village—snow was everywhere, pristine, cold, and biting. He sent Shang Zhitao a message: Come out. I'm waiting for you on the path ahead.

Shang Zhitao saw the text message, but she made no move for a long time. She knew this chance encounter was unavoidable, and she knew that with Luan Nian's personality, he would definitely want to talk to her. He would be confused about why she had sold off the gifts he gave her, and he would be angry at her departure without saying goodbye.

Shang Zhitao knew with absolute clarity that over those six years, Luan Nian had also given his heart genuinely. She remembered the fight he had gotten into for her, remembered their spontaneous trip together, and remembered his kindness toward Luke.

Yet that was the nature of their time together. Even with such fleeting moments of sweetness, for the vast majority of the time, they had not been happy. During those years, Shang Zhitao had constantly been lost in a fog—hesitant, timid, holding back in the relationship, constantly pouring cold water on herself while filled with anticipation. She never wanted to return to those days of being endlessly pulled back and forth.

Looking through the window to the end of the path, Luan Nian stood under a lantern. Snow Village was already freezing, yet his posture was even colder.

Shang Zhitao let out a sigh, finally put on her heavy clothes, and walked outside.

Her feet crunched against the snow. The frigid air of Snow Village was so intense it made it hard to even open one's mouth to speak. There were no birds or sounds around; it was far too cold, the freezing temperatures preserving everything in ice.

Including all that lay in the past.