Chapter 167: Chapter 167

After six o’clock, the car stopped at the Bai Family’s carving workshop.

The workshop was piled with many precious jade stones, some were raw materials for cutting, and others were half-finished or finished carved products. Therefore, those who entered the place had to undergo strict checks. Since they were brought in by Bai Changxia, the gatekeepers did not make it difficult for them. After asking a couple of questions, they were let in.

The sound of the machines running was slightly piercing. Bai Changxia rubbed her earlobe; she was not interested in the family’s jade business and didn’t visit the workshop often. However, the craftsmen in the workshop all recognized her.

Seeing her, one of the craftsmen stopped the machine and greeted warmly, "Miss Bai, you’re here?"

"Master Qin, you go ahead with your work. I’m bringing a friend to look around," Bai Changxia smiled.

Shen Jianian scanned the surroundings. Not far away was a jade stone the size of a tabletop, with many circles of varying sizes drawn on it in pencil—probably meant for making bracelets.

The table was piled high with scraps of various shapes, while some finished products were displayed in locked glass cabinets. The light shone on them, showing transparent hues of emerald green, mulberry purple, vine yellow, lotus pink...

Among them was a statue of Maitreya Buddha, about three feet tall, carved vividly with lifelike details, even the folds of the robe were incredibly realistic, testing the craftsman’s skill.

Bai Changxia took Shen Jianian on a quick tour. The place wasn’t large; it took only a few minutes to see everything.

"How is it?" Bai Changxia picked up a piece of scrap from the table and weighed it in her hand, speaking generously, "Have you found any material you like? I’ll give it to you."

After saying that, she chuckled and added, "As long as it’s not a customer’s material, you can take whatever you want."

Some materials were brought by customers who requested specific designs or objects to be carved by the craftsmen. Such materials couldn’t be taken casually, not even leftover scraps, which had to be given back to them.

Looking at Bai Changxia’s generous demeanor, Shen Jianian couldn’t help but laugh, "No need, I’ve brought my jade material. Just ask a craftsman to guide me through the operation, and the rest, you don’t need to worry about."

While speaking, she took out a palm-sized piece of jade material from her crossbody bag.

If Fu Jichen were here, he would surely find it familiar.

This jade material was a thank-you gift given by Zhou Zhizhen to Fu Jichen after leaving the Fu Family’s old house when they congratulated the elder on his birthday. Fu Jichen then passed it to her.

Shen Jianian stroked the cool and smooth jade stone, feeling a sense of awe in her heart. Unexpectedly, after so many twists and turns, this piece of jade ultimately ended up back in Fu Jichen’s hands.

Bai Changxia glanced at the jade material in her palm, took it and examined it repeatedly, inspecting it with a flashlight. Although she had little interest, she was not ignorant due to growing up surrounded by it. She remarked, "This jade is easily in the million-level class; it’s a good material."

Shen Jianian did not deny it, her smile somewhat ethereal, "It was given to me by Fu Jichen."

"Sis, you’re returning what Boss Fu gave you as a gift?" Bai Changxia teased, "I don’t think that’s how gifts are supposed to be given. When my mom visits relatives during the New Year, she remembers not to return the gifts unchanged. They typically swap them around."

Listening to her analogy, Shen Jianian amusedly replied, "I have no choice; I don’t have any jadeite worthy of his status, so this will have to do."

Bai Changxia was jesting, not to be taken seriously. She quickly changed her tone, saying, "The heart behind a gift is most important. You’re planning to carve it yourself; even if he were the Jade Emperor, Fu Jichen would have to be grateful!"

While they were talking, Master Qin finished his work.

Bai Changxia went over to converse with him. Master Qin turned his gaze to the elegantly poised Shen Jianian beside her and said with some surprise, "Hands-on work, huh? This stuff can be dangerous if mishandled; I’m not trying to scare you."

Bai Changxia knew Shen Jianian was firm in her decision and would not back down due to a little difficulty: "I would appreciate it if you could guide and assist my friend; she’s incredibly smart and surely won’t have a problem."

After several hesitations, Master Qin reluctantly agreed, out of respect for Bai Changxia. Having seen the jade Shen Jianian brought, he also acknowledged it as good material.

Shen Jianian expressed her desire to carve a handheld piece and asked Master Qin if it was suitable.

Master Qin noted that the size was just right and asked what design she had in mind.

Shen Jianian remained silent for a long time, having not thought it through before. But just now, in an instant, she decided she hoped Fu Jichen would be happy and prosperous. Even if they were apart, never to meet again in this lifetime, she sincerely wished him a match made in heaven.

The thought brought a subtle ache to her heart, unable to stop herself from envisioning him walking down the aisle with another woman.

Perhaps, he would be just as gentle and patient with another woman, holding an umbrella for her on rainy days, worrying her shoes would get wet, and carrying her home...

Shen Jianian closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, trying hard to suppress the surging thoughts.

Once decided, Shen Jianian sat at the workbench, sketching a general outline on the jade with a pencil.

Bai Changxia, with nothing to do, leaned against an idle counter, plugged in earphones to listen to symphonies, occasionally glancing at Shen Jianian’s progress. Seeing she had drawn the design for carving, going to the machine with Master Qin, Bai Changxia felt nothing more could be done for now and didn’t move to disturb her.

Coming out of the carving workshop, it was already past eleven.

Having arrived around six, five hours had slipped by. Sitting in the moving car, Bai Changxia saw that jade piece again, now transformed immensely.

Initially, it was egg-shaped; now it resembled a plump lotus root, with two sections—a large and a small one—and the lotus node between the sections was exquisitely crafted. At the tail end was a rounded hole, threaded with a smooth and textured black string, with a jade bead at the knot, made from the leftover jade scrap.

Bai Changxia didn’t understand, her expression somewhat at a loss: "I see other men playing with things like Pixiu or gourds. Pixiu symbolizes wealth accumulation, while the sound of ’hulu’ is similar to ’fulu,’ meaning prosperity too. What’s the meaning of this lotus? I only know the joke about eating lotus is ugly."

Shen Jianian gave a light smile, staying silent.

Bai Changxia handed back the handheld piece, growing more curious seeing Shen’s reluctance to share, nudging her arm playfully, "Try as I might, I can’t figure it out. Tell me, would you?"

After a moment’s pause, Shen Jianian revealed to her, "Lotus, sounding like ’ou,’ symbolizes a perfect match."

Bai Changxia was momentarily stunned, then a meaningful smile crept onto her lips, as if seeing through her little secret, she drawled, "I get it; you’re saying you and Boss Fu are a perfect match."

Shen Jianian’s face showed calm; she didn’t explain, for the perfect match wasn’t meant for her and Fu Jichen.

The driver first took Bai Changxia back to the hospital.

When Bai Changxia got out, Shen Jianian followed, standing by the car to hug Bai Changxia.

The hospital entrance wasn’t as quiet late at night, with the sound of ambulances whizzing by, rushing to save a patient. Shen Jianian’s voice was soft, like the wind passing through the treetops: "Take good care of yourself and stop worrying about me. I will take care of myself."

Bai Changxia felt warmth around her eyes for no reason, lifted her hand to pat Shen Jianian’s back a couple of times, speaking with a nasal accent, "What’s up with this sudden sentimental display?"

Shen Jianian didn’t want her to notice anything strange, quickly letting go, taking a gentle breath, and smiling, "Go inside, rest early."

After speaking, Shen Jianian turned to get back in the car, quickly closing the door, blocking Bai Changxia’s view.

The car didn’t rush off immediately, remaining stationary. Shen Jianian watched her friend’s figure disappear into the hospital entrance before telling the driver, "Let’s go."

The vehicle started, turning to head towards Yunding Palace.

On the road, Shen Jianian gathered her thoughts, resting a hand on her leg, touching the edge of the leather bag, casually asking Xiao Zheng, the driver, "Besides you, are there any other bodyguards following me all the time?"

She referred to hidden ones.

Previously, Fu Jichen had hired three bodyguards for her, one to drive—Xiao Zheng, the current driver—and two others to keep watch. Shen Jianian had mentioned to Fu Jichen earlier that having several bodyguards wherever she went was too conspicuous; she felt uneasy.

Fu Jichen considered this and withdrew two of the bodyguards, leaving only Xiao Zheng responsible for her daily travel and safety affairs.

But Shen Jianian wasn’t sure if there were any guards protecting her secretly.

Xiao Zheng likely knew about it.

"Sir instructed only me; there are no other people," Xiao Zheng replied.

Mr. Fu’s exact words were that Miss Shen had to be within his sight whenever she went to places outside of Yunding Palace, so he could act swiftly if anything happened.