News from Taiwan

Chapter 8 Why is it you?
The next day, when Jiang Guier got up, she saw her slightly noticeable dark circles under her eyes in the mirror and sighed helplessly. She had been too engrossed in cramming last night, and when she looked up again, she realized it was almost 1:30 a.m.

The last-minute cramming drained her energy!

The main problem is that it was useless. She discovered that she hadn't remembered even 10% of what she had learned last night; she only remembered a few scattered names.

When Qian Xin came to find her, Jiang Guier had already finished her makeup and changed into "108" outfits in the dressing room.

Seeing Qian Xin was like seeing a savior. "Xiao Xin, please help me decide what to wear. I don't know what to wear."

Looking at the mountain of clothes piled up in the walk-in closet, Qian Xin's lips twitched, and she immediately said, "Sister Gui'er, you look good in anything."

Finally, Jiang Guier put on the so-called classic "little white flower" look, a modified cheongsam with lace and embroidered fabric in the same color as the upper body and a white gauze skirt that reached her ankles, elegant yet lively.

Because the place was notoriously difficult to park, Jiang Guier didn't drive this time and took Qian Xin by taxi.

When she and Qian Xin stood in front of an ordinary studio, their faces flushed, and they both saw disbelief in each other's eyes.

If it were someone else's recommendation, she definitely wouldn't have come in. The antique-style decorations at the entrance look so fake; they're obviously made of plastic, and of very poor quality.

That doesn't seem reliable at all!
According to Lin Wan, the owner here is a legend in the industry, specializing in the restoration of Republican-era documents. He has even restored many precious manuscripts that were considered "unrepairable." Looking at it now, she felt a little uneasy. She took out her phone to call Lin Wan.

"Gui'er!" Lin Wan greeted her from inside the door, dressed in a smart suit dress, with a bright smile. "Come in quickly!"

Jiang Guier smiled ingratiatingly, "Coming, coming." Seeing Lin Wan come out from inside, she finally felt relieved. Lin Wan was still reliable, so there shouldn't be any problems. She said sweetly, "Lin Xiaowan, I can't live without you. I love you."

“If you love me, treat me to a nice meal.” Lin Wan took her arm. “But I have to tell you in advance, this boss has a bit of a strange temper, so you’ll have to be patient with him later.”

Jiang Guier nodded and followed her into the studio. The studio was filled with ancient books and restoration tools, and the air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood and paper.

Looks like we've come to the right place.

"Teacher Shen, my sister is here," Lin Wan said softly.

Teacher Shen!

Jiang Gui'er's heart jumped instantly. Could it be...?

A middle-aged man wearing reading glasses emerged from behind the screen, his sharp gaze sweeping over Jiang Guier with intense scrutiny. "Is this the one you want to repair that letter from 1953?"

Jiang Guier nodded quickly and took out a sealed bag from her bag. "Yes, this is it. It's been soaked in water and it's torn..."

Shen Lu took the bag, examined it carefully under the light, and his brows furrowed deeper and deeper. "Mulberry paper, the extent of the damage..."

Jiang Guier's heart sank little by little.

"It is indeed difficult, but it is not entirely impossible."

"Really? Teacher Shen can fix it?" Jiang Guier asked cautiously, a little excited.

Shen Lu took off his glasses, rubbed the bridge of his nose, and said unhurriedly, "I don't know, but since I'm not the one fixing it, I'd guess it's pretty close to the truth."

"Huh? You're not the one to fix it?" Jiang Guier couldn't help but turn her gaze to Lin Wan.

Bestie, is this the reliable person you introduced?
Are you messing with me?
Lin Wan glared at her, "What are you looking at? When did I say that this Teacher Shen fixed it for you?" Jiang Guier pouted, "You didn't say it wasn't you either."

"They should be here soon, let's wait a bit." After saying that, Shen Lu ignored the three of them and sat down in the wicker chair, picking up a book to read.

Taking advantage of this moment, Jiang Guier learned the whole story from Lin Wan. It turned out that this Mr. Shen Lu was not the restoration teacher she had found, but her matchmaker. The real restoration teacher had not yet arrived.

The waiting time was always long and agonizing. Jiang Guier was on tenterhooks. She could feel her heart rate was very high, probably above 90.

Shen Huaizhou entered the room carrying the heat of the outside air. He first neatly placed the things he was carrying at the doorway.

Jiang Guier was standing to one side in a daze, listening to Lin Wan's rambling. The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the glass, casting a soft golden hue on her profile.

When his gaze met Jiang Guier's, the Huawei watch on his wrist suddenly lit up with a heart rate indicator—112 beats per minute.

"Xiao Shen is here."

Jiang Guier turned around and her gaze fell on him. It was him!
"It's you!!"

She stared in shock, her eyes wide. She hadn't expected that the person Lin Wan had helped her find was him! He wasn't wearing a shirt today, but a dark gray polo shirt, which made him look much more approachable, and the teeth marks on his wrist were no longer visible.

Will he reject me because of what happened yesterday?
Shen Huaizhou nodded calmly. He knew from the beginning that he would run into Jiang Guier today. He didn't know why, but when he saw her, the spot on his arm where she had bitten him yesterday seemed to be slightly itchy.

Last night, after returning home, he organized the test data he had obtained and sent it to his junior colleague before going to wash up.

Just as he finished getting ready for bed, he received a photo from his uncle. He immediately recognized the letter and the image that flashed through his mind was Jiang Guier's bright eyes. He was usually very meticulous and would always see the actual item on-site before accepting a repair order, discuss the success rate with both parties, and sign a waiver of liability before officially accepting the order. However, last night he accepted the order without thinking.

Lin Wan glanced at the two of them and raised an eyebrow: "You two know each other?" She narrowed her eyes and scrutinized Jiang Guier.

"I guess so," Jiang Guier said with an awkward smile.

Shen Huaizhou said calmly, "I saw him yesterday."

Jiang Guier pursed her lips, smiled awkwardly, and suddenly stepped forward, extending her hand: "Hello Mr. Shen, I didn't have time to introduce myself yesterday. My name is Jiang Guier, and I am a lifestyle vlog blogger."

Shen Huaizhou paused for a moment, then smiled slightly and took her hand: "Shen Huaizhou, graduated from the History Department of Peking University, works part-time in paper restoration, and is now a freelancer."

Their hands touched briefly before quickly separating.

Shen Lu, watching from the sidelines with amusement, said, "Alright, now that we've all met, let's begin."

He put down his book and walked behind Shen Huaizhou.

Jiang Guier pursed her lips and looked at Shen Huaizhou.

Shen Huaizhou extended his hand to her; his large palm revealed clear lines.

She took a deep breath and solemnly handed over the letter she had been holding with both hands, saying, "Thank you for your help, Teacher Shen."

Shen Huaizhou accepted it with both hands, his gaze firm. "Okay."

(End of this chapter)