“Give a bowl?” Su Yayi winked.
“How is a bowl romantic?” Ji Chen asked, confused.
Su Yayi smiled, “In my hometown, giving a bowl means ‘I love you.’ And bowls and chopsticks are only gifted to a newlywed couple symbolizing happiness in daily meals.”
Ji Chen was speechless.
Su Yayi looked around: “But we need chopsticks too.”
Wei Yuanju laughed, “Then we’ll make a pair of bottles for safety and peace.”
Su Yayi shook her head, “No, bowls are better they’re used three times a day. Bottles are just symbolic.”
Wei Yuanju stroked his chin: “Then cups? They’re used daily and mean lasting forever.”
Ji Chen couldn’t take it. He pulled Wei away: “Stop overthinking. Hurry! They’ve finished three tasks, and we haven’t solved even one!”
Su Yayi corrected proudly: “Three and a half my embroidery will finish soon.”
Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu were busy crafting the bowls while Su Yayi, having finished an hour of embroidery study, started her own template. She treated chatting as a study break. Wu Luo sat across, tidying her threads. When Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu approached, she protested, demanding they rest.
“Let us finish one thing alone we’re strong too.”
She looked around, whispering: “I don’t want to be called a slacker by viewers.”
Yu Shiqing gave in and stepped aside to draw the design for Wei Yuanju. Jiang Yu stood next to him, and after Yu penned it down, Jiang Yu recognized the image: sky before and after rain echoing “After the Rain” on the bowls, but there was no rain only bright skies and eight silhouettes at the shore (one for each guest), topped with a poem.
Yu Shiqing paused his brush, glancing at Jiang Yu: “Not tired? Why not sit?”
“I’m fine,” Jiang Yu replied.
“Is this for Mr. Wei?” Jiang Yu asked.
“Yes,” Yu Shiqing nodded.
Wei Yuanju had examined the bowls all morning and clearly liked them. A drawing would be perfect as a gift and more detailed than painting on ceramic. The art teacher framed it once they heard it was a gift.
At lunch, Yu Shiqing gave the framed drawing to Wei. Wei was surprised and happily showed everyone. Jiang Yu watched Ji Chen react sourly. The livestream chat exploded with praise:
“Yu Shiqing’s so talented even watching him draw and seeing the result is stunning!”
“He’s a hidden treasure every episode reveals a new talent!”
“An actor at his peak and on variety show too! It’s insane he’s only famous now!”
“Stop my tears are flowing. If anyone sees this, they’ll curse that company to bankruptcy!”
While fans gushed, Wei finished showing off and joined everyone for lunch. After finishing their work around seven, the team moved to the town’s lively night market. Every Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., locals and tourists gathered. The production team took a booth and displayed two unsigned works by 7:30, lifting the cloth at 8 for voting. A sign forbade viewers to vote. To avoid crowd crushes, only a hidden cameraman recorded live for the studio and a screen at their villa.
During dinner at the garden house, Ji Chen began announcing votes:
“Yu’s team one vote! Two votes! Three votes! Our team, one vote!”
Later he switched to eating commentary: “Yu’s eating! Jiang’s eating! Wei, what are you doing, start eating!”
The voting tubes showed Yu’s team surpassed half the votes in thirty minutes. Ji Chen’s team got almost none. He looked pale.
The director brought another envelope. Ji Chen grumbled, “There must be a rig. Are you and Yu in on it? He’s winning easily every episode!”
The director rolled her eyes: “We just set challenges. Yu is just talented in everything that’s all.”
Suddenly Su Yayi’s voice floated by: “Stop whining you all learned rowing together.”
Ji Chen flipped topics: “Well then, who knows tomorrow’s mission?”
Wei Yuanju frowned: “I have a bad feeling.”
Zhu Yulan nodded, “Me too.”
Ji Chen opened the envelope and read, turning green: “No way!” Before anyone asked, he explained:
Tomorrow’s tasks split winners and losers. Winners go sightseeing in the morning, have a big lunch, then continue and end with a play. Losers must plan the route for winners, prepare their feast, and learn a folk opera to perform for them.
Wei groaned in misery: “Why do I always get the short straw?”
But no matter how upset, they have to do it. Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu enjoyed the evening until sunset livestream ended, then returned to the villa. Lin Shuang was already asleep in the quiet house. The two washed up and slept early.
Next morning, Ren Bai reminded them breakfast chat had been wild in the “Doomsday Rescue” group all night. Yan Hongyun announced the movie had earned nominations from one of China’s earliest national film festivals a big deal.
When Jiang Yu checked the list, he saw Yu Shiqing had a Best Supporting Actor nod. He sent a few red packets in the group chat on two phones and moved on. The festival was a month away and only a nomination not big news. Besides, Yu Shiqing already had five Best Actor awards; a supporting nomination wasn’t huge to him.
Yu Shiqing looked at Jiang Yu: “You’re nominated for Best Actor. Your skills are getting recognized.”
Jiang Yu’s lips curved: “Thanks to your teaching.”
Yu Shiqing laughed: “Only because you learned well.”
Ren Bai thought: Really? Sounds like a setup! He looked at Lin Shuang, who seemed unfazed. Have they been together so long it’s soaked in? Why isn’t she surprised?
Lin Shuang brought him a bowl and said: “Bo, look this bowl was handmade by Jiang Yu and Yu.”
Ren Bai replied dryly: “I know.” He’d watched them make it two days ago.
She presented a second bowl: “And this one’s his. They each have one great, right?”
Ren Bai felt uneasy: Is being matched-striped better?
Lin Shuang didn’t sense anything wrong. As she served porridge, she said, “‘Rain past’ is Yu’s bowl.” She paused and added another bowl: “‘Clear sky’ is Jiang Yu’s.”
Jiang Yu politely accepted: “Thanks, Aunt.”
Lin Shuang smiled: “We’re family no need for courtesy.”
Ren Bai thought, Shouldn’t I be considered family too? Why is she closer to Jiang Yu? He didn’t get the answer.
After breakfast, the three accompanied Lin Shuang to the lawyers’ office. A week before court, she added evidence, especially videos of Gao Fan slandering her. The court, in light of public concern, ruled in her favor. They granted the divorce, dividing custody by Gao Fan’s and Lin Shuang’s wishes. The whole internet celebrated Yu Shiqing. Gao Fan didn’t appeal.
When Lin Shuang heard the result, she stood in the living room, unable to calm herself.
“Shiqing…” she whispered, “Did I really succeed?”
Yu Shiqing pulled her into an embrace.
Her tears soaked his collar: “It’s my fault you suffered so much. I’ll never do that again.”
Ren Bai stood nearby, also moist-eyed. “It’s good you won. And Yuanting will be discharged next week. Aren’t you happy?”
Lin Shuang snapped out of it: “Yes, you’re right.” Jiang Yu handed her a tissue. She wiped her tears and said: “This is double happiness I should feel happy.”
Ren Bai redirected: “There’s more good news can you guess?”
Lin Shuang shook her head.
“It’s about the house! We’ve settled it. It’s move-in ready once the papers are done.”
Ren Bai beamed at Jiang Yu and Yu Shiqing: “Pretty efficient, right?”
Jiang Yu looked flat: “House?”
A cold breeze hit Ren Bai’s neck. What now? He scratched his head. Something felt off.
Author’s note:
Jiang Yu: Not sure about being efficient, but my blood pressure definitely spiked 😂
