Chapter Eighty-Nine: Could You Not Call Me Master’s Wife?

There had actually been a few more visitors from India, and in Liu Qingshan’s memory they were of a much rougher sort. This time, the ones sent over were clearly intended as key prospects.

The four of them chatted and got into the cars. Both vehicles were Japanese off-roaders, roomy enough inside.

The idea of going to the restaurant called Bliss Gate to meet Kim Hee-seon had been Liu Qingshan’s. He had been there many times before and knew that in the little courtyard behind the restaurant there was a private room, and the food was quite good as well.

There was to be a banquet for the crew before filming, and that place was attracting attention, so it would be inconvenient for Kim Hee-seon to appear there.

Though he did not fear their relationship being exposed, it might still cause her trouble, and a little caution could do no harm.

When he saw Kim Hee-seon, Liu Qingshan felt an inexplicable surge of excitement for quite a while. She seemed to feel the same; her complexion was faintly flushed.

But then Kim Hee-seon was startled by the tall figures entering after them. Covering her mouth with her slender hand, she cried softly, “Good heavens, you block out all the light as soon as you come in!”

Kunal flattered her with a call of “Mistress,” and immediately Kim Hee-seon’s cheeks turned red again. She reached out and pinched Liu Qingshan hard at the waist.

Kunal had no trace of self-consciousness at all. He busied himself courteously by pulling out her chair, then bent over to arrange the things on the table.

Samir and the other two were also extremely polite. They had been following the Chen Family Troupe’s crew in Hong Kong all this time, and apparently their understanding of Liu Qingshan’s fighting strength had deepened even further, so they were similarly respectful toward Kim Hee-seon.

“After the three years are up and they go back, they’ll surely be given special responsibility. Look at the four of them—every one of them has the look of someone who can be a leading man!”

With just a few words, Liu Qingshan made Kim Hee-seon understand their background.

Kim Hee-seon gave a thumbs-up. “Much more handsome than our Shanzi. They look like born stars.”

That fellow named Lamb said awkwardly in halting Chinese, “Miss Kim is just like she is in the news. Truly beautiful!”

Just as Kim Hee-seon was feeling proud, Liu Qingshan was struck by surprise at her Chinese. “We’ve only been apart a few months, and your Chinese has improved a lot!”

“At first it was really hard to get used to. The script was full of semi-classical language, and thanks to Director Kan assigning me a Chinese teacher.”

“Wasn’t the contract for later dubbing?”

“Director Kan thought my Chinese voice sounded very nice. I also wanted to persist in reciting my own lines; afterward, if needed, I could always polish them up.”

“That must have been hard on you, filming during the day and practicing pronunciation at night.”

“Exactly!” Unconsciously, Kim Hee-seon’s tone took on a hint of coquettishness, and her whole body almost leaned against Liu Qingshan. “I’ve really suffered for it—I only sleep four or five hours a day!”

Liu Qingshan was not quite used to such open displays of affection, so he cleared his throat. “Then keep the dubbing plan as a backup. For the next film, using the original voice will be the same.”

Kim Hee-seon clearly realized something too, and her face turned even redder. “No, I have to start somewhere. Next time I may not meet such an easygoing director.”

Thinking about it, that made sense. She had come alone to a foreign land to make her way, and with her language still imperfect, she would indeed run into many awkward situations.

So Liu Qingshan decisively tapped the table. “Then work a little harder and aim to succeed this time. I’ve listened to your accent now—it really has improved a great deal.”

Kim Hee-seon happily poured Liu Qingshan a cup of tea, her eyes full of tenderness.

The tea leaves had been brought out by Kunal. Indian people were not nearly as adaptable when it came to tea as they were with food, so he carried tea leaves with him, among them Indian black tea, though not the curry-infused sort.

Traditional Indian tea-drinking customs were rather unusual. They would pour the tea into a saucer and lap it with the tongue; moreover, they absolutely never used the left hand.

Now that they were in China, Kunal and the others no longer used saucers, but their manner of drinking and their habit of handing over tea ware were still quite noticeable.

Seeing the surprise in Kim Hee-seon’s eyes, Kunal explained, “High-caste people in India are very particular about drinking tea. This is already the simplified version. You should know that in all kinds of companies back home, large and small, there are specially assigned tea brewers.”

Kim Hee-seon stuck out her little tongue in admiration. “Is it hard to get used to things here? Korea is the same; many customs are different from here.”

“I’m a bit better off, since I lived here for three years before. The three of them still find it awkward even now. Fortunately, Chinese food is so varied and tastes so good that being able to eat well is already enough for me!”

Kunal looked again at Liu Qingshan. “My master’s cooking is excellent. I’ve almost forgotten what curry tastes like.”

“Eh? How come I never knew?” Kim Hee-seon looked even more astonished. “Shanzi can cook?”

“Mistress, it’s really delicious. We’ve been eating at his house these past few days, and I liked the braised spare ribs the most. I didn’t use to eat much pork, even though I had once stayed in China before!”

“Um, Kunal, could you not call me Mistress? I’m not quite used to it!”

“But that’s what Master instructed us to do before. We must call you Mistress!”

Kim Hee-seon turned to look at Liu Qingshan, but even in her feigned anger she could not hide the delight in her face. “Why do you teach him like that? We don’t have any kind of relationship yet! And you—how do you know how to cook? Why have you never told me?”

Liu Qingshan replied with a grin, “There are plenty of things you don’t know. Once filming is done, we’ll go home, and I’ll cook for you every day!”

For some reason, a hint of intimacy suddenly surfaced in Kim Hee-seon’s expression. “Go home? Our home?”

“Whose else could it be if not ours? Sister Hye-jin already had it decorated, didn’t she send you photos?”

Kunal hurried to flatter them. “Those photos were taken by me. It’s different now too—Master laid down a lot of Indian carpets, pure cashmere ones. Step on them and your foot nearly sinks in.”

As he spoke, he took out his phone and pointed to the first few pictures. “Look, these were taken just last night!”

Liu Qingshan, too, slowly felt a warmth rising in his heart, and he could not help but rest a hand on her shoulder. “As long as you like it. It’s just that the custom-made overall kitchen still hasn’t been installed. I expect by the time filming is finished, everything will be in place.”

Kim Hee-seon leaned lightly into his embrace. “I really want to go back and look at it now.”

“Wait a little longer. How much filming do you still have left?”

“Another month or so, I think—at least until the beginning of September.”

“I’ll hurry up on my side too. In October, I have to head to Hong Kong. In our line of work, we’re often apart more than we’re together, so you’ll have to be prepared for that.”

“Yes, and your next film is still waiting for you. We can only stay for about half a month at most!”

“You still have a chance to go home early and take a look, don’t you? Aren’t the notices with Jackie Chan in Kyoto?”

“Yes, it seems like next week! No, I have to call Director Kan!”

As she spoke, Kim Hee-seon was about to rise. At this moment, Park Hyeon-ji was discussing the matter of renewing the contract with Park Hye-jin at the hotel and was not at her side.

Liu Qingshan stopped her with a smile. “We’re going to host him these next few days anyway. We can tell him the same thing then!”