Qin Shu spent the morning at the Chess and Card Association with her grandfather.
Old men argued over chess moves like they were negotiating international treaties.
The air smelled of tea, winter coats, and stubborn pride.
At noon, there was a lunch gathering.
But Grandpa Qin worried she'd be bored eating with elders, so he told her to go home first.
Before she left, many people invited her to stay for dinner.
Especially Grandpa Han.
He was enthusiastic — almost too enthusiastic.
He taught her chess moves, but also spoke to her about business, investments, and the way the world really worked.
His eyes were sharp.
His smile was kind.
Grandpa Qin politely declined on her behalf, saying she already had plans with a friend.
On the way out, Grandpa Qin asked, "What do you want to eat? I'll tell the chef when we get home."
Qin Shu shook her head. "No need. I'm going back to my apartment."
"Does your good friend know you're back today?" Grandpa asked.
He meant Yan Yan.
Qin Shu nodded. "Yeah. She didn't go to work overtime today. She cooked for me."
Grandpa Qin's expression softened.
Then, suddenly, he said earnestly, "You're not young anymore. Find a boyfriend. Otherwise you won't even have someone to spend Christmas with."
He added suspiciously, "Look at Bu Yi. He didn't come back. He must be with his girlfriend."
Qin Shu: "..."
Her grandfather was conservative about clothes and curfews.
But sometimes, he was shockingly open-minded.
A contradictory old man.
Back at the apartment, Yan Yan had cooked a full table of food.
All Qin Shu's favorites.
Qin Shu stared. "Can we finish all this?"
Yan Yan pulled off her apron confidently. "Don't worry. I'm here. It won't be wasted."
Qin Shu looked her up and down. "Didn't you keep saying you wanted to lose weight?"
Yan Yan smiled. "I'm skipping dinner. I need to lose weight so I can find a handsome man next spring."
Qin Shu didn't believe her for a second.
Yan Yan's eyes landed on the bright red socks.
"Tsk. Rare. You actually know how to keep warm. But couldn't you pick a more understated color? It doesn't match your clothes."
"My grandpa forced me," Qin Shu said, and immediately peeled the socks off.
Yan Yan nagged, "You don't need socks at home, but wear them when you go out. You always wear low shoes. Your ankles will freeze. When you're old, you'll regret it."
Then she sighed dramatically.
"With your stubborn personality, you need to find a man who can handle you."
Qin Shu scoffed. "No one can control me."
Yan Yan laughed. "Don't say that too soon. Haven't you heard? One thing subdues
another. Like brine curdling tofu."
Outside, snow began falling around 2 p.m.
And it didn't stop.
By evening, Beijing was swallowed in white.
Traffic became a disaster.
He Jingnan arrived at Wanhe Group's building, snow dusting his shoulders.
His car had been stuck in traffic.
He'd arranged to meet Han Pei at 7:30.
In the end, he had no choice but to get out and walk.
He was still late.
Upstairs, in Han Pei's office, the air was warm.
After shaking hands, He Jingnan said apologetically, "Mr. Han, sorry to take up your time."
Han Pei smiled faintly. "You're too kind."
Han Pei brewed tea personally.
Poured warm water.
He congratulated He Jingnan on becoming Haina's head of China, then said, "I didn't expect you to return."
He Jingnan answered smoothly. "My parents are getting old. If I come back, I can spend more time with them."
Then they turned to business.
He Jingnan asked, "Which company are you looking at this time?"
Han Pei took a sip of warm water.
"This time it's not an acquisition. It's a sale. A company we co-invested in."
He Jingnan guessed immediately.
"AC Company?"
Han Pei nodded.
As the meeting ended, He Jingnan offered a cigarette.
Han Pei waved him off, touching his throat. "Not feeling well these days."
He Jingnan smiled. "I thought Mr. Han had a girlfriend and was keeping quiet about smoking."
Han Pei laughed. "I'm afraid of being controlled. I never dared to find one."
He Jingnan teased, "Then smoke secretly."
Han Pei's voice turned unusually serious.
"If I meet the right person… and she doesn't like the smell, I'll quit."
He Jingnan was about to reply when Han Pei's phone rang.
Grandpa.
Han Pei stepped into the break room.
"Grandfather."
On the other end, Grandpa Han sounded tired but stubborn.
"Han Pei, what time does your interview start airing? I've been waiting and it still hasn't started! Are you getting senile?!"
Han Pei's chest tightened slightly.
"It starts in fifteen minutes."
Grandpa Han grumbled but didn't move away from the TV.
Han Pei chatted with him a few minutes.
Lately, Grandpa had become more talkative.
Before, Grandpa Han was dignified and quiet.
Now…
He was truly old.
Han Pei listened without impatience.
One hand in his pocket, he stood by the window.
Hot inside.
Cold outside.
A thin fog formed on the glass.
Outside, snow fell heavily.
That night, Han Pei went to his grandfather's home.
Grandpa Han was watching the replay of Han Pei's interview.
On TV, Han Pei sat calmly, hands clasped, talking about the financial market.
"What's so interesting about this?" Han Pei poured warm water and sat down.
Grandpa Han took off his glasses. "Otherwise I'd be bored."
Then he stared at Han Pei.
"Why are you back so early? It's only ten."
Han Pei rubbed his temples. "Tired."
Grandpa Han scolded him, then suddenly asked:
"Tell Grandpa the truth. Do you have a girlfriend?"
Han Pei replied flatly, "I'll show you when I get pregnant."
Grandpa Han nodded like that made sense.
Then he sighed.
"You should find someone. If you had a wife, someone would care when you're sick. I'd feel at ease."
His voice lowered.
"But I'm old. My health isn't what it used to be. I'm getting closer to death."
Han Pei fell silent.
He could buy anything.
But he couldn't buy his grandfather time.
To avoid the heaviness, he asked, "How was the Chess and Card Association today?"
Grandpa Han brightened.
He started talking excitedly.
Then suddenly remembered something.
"Wait for me."
He stood up with his cane and walked unsteadily to the study.
Han Pei watched his back.
Old.
Fragile.
A few minutes later, Grandpa Han returned holding a small note.
"I ran into Old Qin at the association this morning."
Han Pei nodded. "We've worked with the Qin family."
Grandpa Han smiled, eyes gleaming.
"Old Qin brought his granddaughter."
He emphasized each word.
"She came back to China today."
"And she's good at chess."
"And—" Grandpa Han leaned closer. "Old Qin said she doesn't have a boyfriend yet."
Han Pei: "..."
So this was the real point.
Grandpa Han handed him the note.
Han Pei glanced down.
A nickname written neatly:
Qiqi.
And a phone number.
Han Pei looked up.
"Grandpa… are you setting me up on a blind date?"
Grandpa Han waved his hand. "Blind dates are old-fashioned."
Han Pei frowned. "Then what is this?"
Grandpa Han said, very naturally:
"You're a man. Take the initiative."
Han Pei's expression changed. "?"
Grandpa Han smiled.
"Go after her."
Han Pei laughed in disbelief. "Grandpa, who taught you this nonsense?"
Grandpa Han got offended. "How can you call it nonsense? This is wisdom!"
Then he revealed the mastermind.
"It was Cen Cen."
Han Pei's eyes darkened slightly.
Han Cen really wanted to get beaten.
Grandpa Han softened.
"If you don't want to, give me the note back. I won't force you."
Then he added smoothly, playing the emotional card:
"At worst, Old Qin will lecture me."
"He didn't even agree at first. He said you're more than seven years apart."
"I swallowed my pride and begged just to get this number."
Han Pei: "..."
Retreat to advance.
And it worked on him every time.
Han Pei put the note away.
"I'll do my best."
Upstairs, Han Pei took off his coat.
He was about to shower when he remembered the note in his pocket.
He paused.
Then turned back.
He saved the number.
His fingers moved quickly.
But his mind was elsewhere.
He meant to save it.
But his thumb moved out of habit—
And he dialed.
The call went out.
The phone rang once.
Twice—
Han Pei's eyes widened.
He snapped out of it and hung up instantly.
Silence.
The room was quiet.
Only snow outside.
Only the screen showing:
Call Ended — Qiqi
Han Pei stared at the name.
Then, slowly—
His thumb hovered again.
As if even for him, there were some things more dangerous than business.
At that exact moment—
In another part of Beijing, Qin Shu's phone lit up.
A strange number.
One missed call.
And the contact name hadn't been saved.
But for some reason…
Her heart jumped anyway.