Chapter 60: I Want to Learn the Beijing Dialect

“Daddy.”

The little boy looked as if he had been carved from jade. He seemed to be five or six years old, with jet-black hair, glassy eyes, and the same cool, pale complexion as Zhou Jingchuan.

The two bore a certain resemblance, especially in the high bridge of their noses, sharp and imposing as a mountain peak.

“Why aren’t you asleep yet?” Zhou Jingchuan walked over, his gaze softening as it settled on the boy’s face. “Didn’t Grandma Xiang tell you I’d be home late tonight?”

“I just wanted to wait for you.” Zhou Chengze pulled a drawing from the desk drawer and held it up to him like a precious treasure. “Daddy, look. Doesn’t it look like you?”

The boy spoke in a soft, sweet Cantonese.

Zhou Jingchuan studied the drawing, whose features had all dissolved into an unrecognizable human shape, and rubbed his brow helplessly.

It wasn’t merely that it looked nothing like him. It had absolutely nothing to do with him.

He put the drawing away. “I love it. Have you washed up?”

The little boy nodded readily, then asked in somewhat halting Mandarin, “Daddy, can you sleep with me tonight?”

Perhaps because he had been ill lately, his once-round face had grown noticeably thin. When he looked up at Zhou Jingchuan with those wide, blinking eyes, it was hard to refuse him.

Zhou Jingchuan picked up a book from the desk and handed it to him. “Read for a little while. I’ll take a bath, then come keep you company.”

By the time Zhou Jingchuan returned, the little fellow was already tucked obediently beneath the covers, reading.

He reached over with his long arm and took the book away. “All right. Give your eyes a rest.”

Zhou Chengze immediately wriggled into his arms like a little eel. “Daddy, I want to learn Mandarin.”

“Why do you suddenly want to learn Mandarin? Don’t you have lessons at school?”

“My teacher isn’t very good.” Zhou Chengze tipped up his small face. “Daddy, when can I go to the capital you told me about? I heard everyone there speaks Beijing dialect. I don’t want to be unable to understand them when they talk to me.”

Zhou Jingchuan rubbed his head. “Get well first. You’ll have plenty of chances later.”

“Daddy, were you born in the capital?”

“Yes.” Zhou Jingchuan’s memories seemed to pass through the child’s tender face and fly far away. “Not just Daddy. Your uncle, Grandpa, and Grandma were all born there too.”

“Will Uncle come back?”

With the bedside lamp behind him, Zhou Jingchuan’s shadow seemed to spread across his face, dark and gloomy. “He went somewhere very far away. Maybe for ten years, maybe twenty… You’ll understand when you’re older.”

Zhou Chengze blinked his innocent eyes. At last, he seemed to be growing sleepy. “Daddy, can you find me a Mandarin teacher? Someone who speaks Beijing dialect would be best.”

“I can teach you.”

Zhou Chengze shook his head, thoroughly unimpressed. “Daddy’s so busy. I don’t want Daddy to teach me.”

Zhou Jingchuan patted his back. “Then I’ll find someone for you.”

He suddenly remembered that he had once said he would teach her Cantonese, too. At the time, her reaction had made it clear she didn’t believe him.

One wanted to learn Cantonese, the other Mandarin…

The light in the man’s eyes seemed to brighten as he thought of something amusing.

~

After working late for several days in a row, Tang Xi had finally finished the costume designs for the male lead.

The director had told her that the male lead was about to wrap up his current production and would move straight into this one as soon as filming ended.

As for who he was, the production team was keeping it under wraps until the contract was officially signed and the announcement made.

The male lead was a thousand-household commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Building on the familiar flying-fish robe, Tang Xi had added a few ideas of her own. She used embroidery instead of printed patterns to bring the python motifs vividly to life, and designed the inner robe beneath the outer garment with side panels, bringing the costume closer to its historical form.

Before she knew it, Sunday had arrived.

Tang Xi had made plans to have dinner with the big shot. Not wanting to be late, she went downstairs early to catch a car.

The elevator doors had barely opened when she spotted a familiar figure at the reception desk, apparently speaking to a hotel employee.

Tang Xi hurriedly stepped back into the elevator and pressed the button for her floor.

As the doors closed, she heard Gu Yu’s anxious voice. “Could you please check for me? She’s my wife. I’m desperate to find her.”

Gu Yu had come to Hong Kong—and was searching for her in hotel after hotel?

This was Hong Kong, not the capital. Gu Yu didn’t have that much influence here, so he wouldn’t be able to find out where she was staying right away.

But if he kept searching like this, he would find her sooner or later.

Tang Xi didn’t want anything more to do with Gu Yu, so she messaged Tong Jiayi and asked her to find a real estate agent. She wanted to rent a place for a short while.

Tong Jiayi was probably on a plane and didn’t reply.

Tang Xi called the front desk. They told her Gu Yu had already left, and assured her repeatedly that they hadn’t disclosed any of her personal information.

She waited another ten minutes before taking the elevator downstairs again. The doors opened, and she came face-to-face with someone outside.

“Going out?” Bo Xuyao was holding a bag.

“Mm.” Tang Xi stepped out of the elevator. “I’m going to dinner.”

“This is for you.” Bo Xuyao handed her the bag. “Dessert for after your meal.”

“It’ll be inconvenient to carry.”

“All right, then. Remember to come by my room and get it when you’re back. I’ll put it in the fridge.” Bo Xuyao drew his hand back. “Do you want me to take you?”

“No, thanks. It’s not far.” Tang Xi didn’t want to linger here in case Gu Yu suddenly doubled back.

She took a cab to Tianfang Court and checked the time. Good—she was twenty minutes early.

When she gave the manager the private room number, his eyes flickered, and his manner grew a little more deferential than before. “This way, Miss Tang.”

At the door to the private room, the manager knocked politely.

Only then did Tang Xi realize that Zhou Jingchuan had arrived before her.

After someone inside said, “Come in,” the manager opened the door and bowed slightly. “Mr. Zhou, Miss Tang is here.”

Zhou Jingchuan sat on a black sofa, its broad frame almost blending into his black shirt.

He lounged with an air of easy indolence. His brows were sharply defined, his lips beautifully shaped, and the prominent Adam’s apple beneath his collar was both sensual and unrestrained.

Though Tang Xi had seen him many times, his stunning looks still struck her afresh each time. She needed a moment to recover.

“Sorry I’m late.”

“You’re not. I got here too early.” Zhou Jingchuan pulled out the chair beside him. “Come sit.”

The private room was spacious, with more than just a dining table; it had other entertainment facilities as well.

The dining table was round, with eight seats.

Tang Xi had intended to take the chair opposite him, but he had already pulled out the one beside him. She couldn’t very well refuse the gesture.

As she sat down, the faint scent of sandalwood drifted toward her.

She had always been sensitive to smells, and there was something distinctive about his. It wasn’t perfume. She couldn’t tell what antique object he might be wearing.

She had always been fascinated by antiques, and the scent made her feel calm and at ease, driving away some of her nerves without her quite knowing why.

“See what you’d like to eat.” Zhou Jingchuan handed her the menu.

“I’m treating you. You should order.” Tang Xi pushed it back to him.

Zhou Jingchuan smiled. Without even opening the menu, he casually named several dishes, all house specialties at Tianfang Court.

They were light and not greasy, just to her taste.

While they waited for the food, Tang Xi took out her phone. “Mr. Zhou, are there any lots you’re interested in this time?”

“I forgot.”

She held the phone out to him, leaning slightly toward his side so he could see the screen more clearly.