Chapter 13

The time Jiang Lai spent on set passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, half a month had gone by. Perhaps because Gu Xizhou was about the same age as her, Jiang Lai had relaxed a great deal over those two weeks. She found she had more and more in common with Gu Xizhou, and the two of them had become almost inseparable.

“Here, your breakfast.”

She handed the soy milk and scallion pancake in her hand to the person beside her, then sat down on a nearby chair as well. Lowering her voice, she asked, “Why are there so many people here today? Is there a big scene to shoot?”

Gu Xizhou was eating as she answered, her words a little muffled. “Oh, it’s because of that scene last time when Teacher Xu and Teacher Cheng were acting opposite each other. A lot of people didn’t get to see it. So when they heard there’d be a scene today, everyone rushed over.”

At the reason, Jiang Lai curled her lip. “What a boring reason... Hey, don’t get oil on me!”

The noise was a little loud, enough to draw some attention. Combined with the intimate posture between the two of them, people’s expressions varied. Cheng Shuyang’s gaze paused on their clasped hands for a moment before moving away again. Xu Zhiyi looked at them with obvious interest. Qin Huaicheng made no expression at all, but the hand he had clenched tightly betrayed him.

Jiang Lai only felt awkward. She shot Gu Xizhou a fierce glare, then walked over to Cheng Shuyang’s side and asked carefully, “Aunt Cheng, does this outfit fit you okay?”

Cheng Shuyang slowly lifted her head and stood naturally, a smile on her face. “Isn’t that something your costume designer eye is supposed to judge?”

Jiang Lai touched the frame of her glasses a little self-consciously, her face faintly red. “Then pardon me.”

With both hands, she gently circled Cheng Shuyang’s waist, concentrating on checking whether the measurements were right. The girl’s sudden closeness made Cheng Shuyang lose focus for an instant; then, just as quickly, she returned to calm.

A soft voice sounded beside Jiang Lai’s ear, but Jiang Lai couldn’t take in a single word. All she wanted was to finish quickly. Yet when she withdrew, her lips accidentally brushed Cheng Shuyang’s neck, leaving behind a faint lipstick mark.

She only felt the person in her arms shiver. Jiang Lai grew a little timid, looking up at the woman before her with wet eyes. She opened her mouth, but only managed to say a few words: “Aunt Cheng, I...”

Cheng Shuyang suppressed the storm in her heart and kept her expression composed. She turned slightly to glance at herself in the mirror. Jiang Lai had no idea whether she was angry. She could only stand there awkwardly and take the tissues Xiaoman handed over, wiping carefully. After a moment, the mark was gone, as though it had never been there.

“The shade suits you well,” Cheng Shuyang said, her eyes and brows carrying a smile, as always. “The lipstick’s smudged. Remember to touch it up.”

“Oh... okay.”

Seeing Jiang Lai like this, Cheng Shuyang passed by her shoulder and gave it a light pat, her voice soft. “You little fool, next time don’t be so careless.”

The scent of flowers gradually faded. Jiang Lai lowered her head, the corners of her mouth lifting and refusing to come down. “Aunt Cheng is really so gentle...”

Ring, ring, ring.

The phone ringing broke her reverie. She picked it up and looked closely at the screen; her smile instantly stiffened. After a long while, she answered as though surrendering.

“Hello...”

“I’m outside your crew. Come out and see me. I’m waiting at the café.”

“I’m right now...”

“Don’t tell me you don’t have time. Alai, you know that if I can’t see you, I’ll keep waiting here.”

Jiang Lai sighed, a little worn out. “Wait for me. Five minutes.”

After hanging up, filming had already started inside the set. Jiang Lai carefully crouched in front of Gu Xizhou and said in a low voice, “Xizhou?”

“Mm? What is it?”

“A friend came to see me. I might have to step out for a bit. I’ve put Teacher Xu’s and Aunt Cheng’s clothes for the next scene in different cabinets. Just take them to them later.”

“Want me to go with you?”

“No need. I’ll be back soon.”

After making sure everything was arranged, Jiang Lai left the set and went to an open-air café not far from there. Looking at the woman’s back in front of her, it felt as if her legs had been filled with lead; no matter what, she couldn’t lift them.

The woman seemed to sense her gaze and slowly turned around. At just one look, her eyes turned red.

Jiang Lai forced herself to look easygoing and held out a hand toward her. “You...”

Before she could finish, the woman quickly stepped forward and threw herself into Jiang Lai’s arms, clutching her tightly, her voice filled with emotions she could no longer suppress. “Long time no see...”

Jiang Lai’s hand froze in midair. After a long moment, it settled on the woman’s back. “Long time no see...”

Soft, soothing music played from an old record player. The two sat facing each other. Jiang Lai only stared at the coffee in front of her and said nothing. The woman across from her gave a bitter smile, her voice hoarse. “...I’m starting to wonder now whether you still remember who I am.”

At that, Jiang Lai raised her head, her eyes full of regret and reluctance. “A-Yuan, how could I not remember you...”

Jiang Lai had a secret, a secret even her longtime best friend Xia Wanwan didn’t know...

When young love was brought up, it always carried regret; Jiang Lai was no exception. Everyone thought Qin Huaicheng had been her first love, but that wasn’t true. Song Shiyuan, the person no one knew, was Jiang Lai’s real first love...

A single glance in university had planted the dream in the girl’s heart. Countless chance encounters, morning snacks suddenly appearing on her desk, the girl who always showed up beside her whenever she was struggling—there was no resisting falling in.

They had gotten together because of love; they broke up because of love too, unwilling to let the other give up the hard-won career she had fought so hard for, even less willing to see her abandon everything she had now...

In the end, it was Song Shiyuan who broke the deadlock first and spoke. “It’s been five years since we broke up, Jiang Lai. I miss you very much...”

Jiang Lai’s hand, holding the coffee, paused. Her expression remained faintly smiling. “Trying to win me over again?”

“I’m not.”

Song Shiyuan hurried to explain, but didn’t know where to begin.

“I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you yet. You finally achieved your dream and stood on the world’s biggest stage, holding a concert of your own.”

“...Jiang Lai, I regret it.”

Jiang Lai set down her cup and avoided answering the question directly. “By the way, does your waist still hurt? I remember back in school, you used to have back pain a lot. Concert rehearsals must be really intense...”

“Jiang Lai!”

Apparently unable to stand Jiang Lai’s evasiveness any longer, Song Shiyuan slammed her cup onto the table. Her eyes were red. “Are you even listening to what I’m saying?”

Jiang Lai put a hand over hers, her tone gentle. “You’re a public figure now. Can you pay a little attention? Do you want to be trending tomorrow?”

“I...”

“Concerts are tiring, aren’t they? Go back and rest early. I’m heading back too.”

“Alai...”

Song Shiyuan stood up and caught at a small piece of Jiang Lai’s sleeve, pleading in a low voice. “...I waited so long, just to wait until you and Qin Huaicheng broke up. I don’t believe you really have no feelings left for me at all...”

“Why do you have to bring up the past...”

“Jiang Lai, the whole world is getting back together. Why can’t we?”

Jiang Lai slowly turned around. “A-Yuan, don’t you remember why we broke up in the first place?”

“You...”

“A-Yuan, wait until you’re qualified to protect someone else before talking about feelings, okay?”

She pried Song Shiyuan’s hand loose and left without looking back. Just as she was about to pull the door open, she heard the words coming from behind her.

“Jiang Lai, I won’t give up.”

At those words, the tears Jiang Lai had been holding back finally fell. The resolve she had been clinging to collapsed at once. She turned back; sunlight fell across her face as she said softly, “Song Shiyuan, may you get what you wish for.”

Author’s Note:

Xia Wanwan: “(starry eyes) I heard someone kissed my mom on set today?”

Jiang Lai: “......” (awkward, too embarrassed to speak)

Cheng Shuyang: “(raising an eyebrow) Wanwan, are you not busy? Should I call Yin Zheng for you?”

Xia Wanwan: “Mom, I was wrong!”