Chapter 15

“I hope this drama breaks record ratings, and that all of us can enjoy smooth sailing from here on out!

Hearing Director Zhang speak so openly from the heart, Jiang Lai was in a pretty good mood too. She picked up the red wine beside her and was about to pour herself a glass when someone stopped her.

“Aunt Cheng?

“Have less. This wine is strong; you probably can’t handle it.

The pressure on her hand eased. Jiang Lai hesitated for a moment, then set the bottle aside and reached for the juice in front of her instead.

Seeing that, Cheng Shuyang couldn’t help laughing. Resting her cheek in one hand, she teased her without holding back: “Why aren’t you drinking now?

Jiang Lai leaned toward her slowly and blinked. “I’m someone who listens to advice. Whatever Aunt Cheng says goes.

The girl’s words burst in Cheng Shuyang’s heart like a brilliant firework; it was like a pebble suddenly dropped into a calm lake. Though the ripples vanished quickly, they had been there…

After dinner, Jiang Lai took the initiative to wash the dishes. Xu Zhiyi and Lin Wanqiu stayed with her. Jiang Lai didn’t mind Xu Zhiyi; it was Lin Wanqiu’s spoiled young-lady temper that gave her a headache.

After watching several bowls meet their end in Lin Wanqiu’s hands, Jiang Lai still couldn’t help saying, “Wanqiu, why don’t you go rest? I’ll handle this side.

At that, Lin Wanqiu tossed the cup in her hand down and said angrily, “Fine! Then I’m leaving all this to you. This young lady would never do this kind of thing!

Watching Lin Wanqiu’s retreating back, Jiang Lai shook her head helplessly. She picked up the bowls and chopsticks Lin Wanqiu had left behind and kept working. In this way, only she and Xu Zhiyi remained in the kitchen.

This was the first time the two of them had been alone in the same space. Given Xu Zhiyi’s bold remarks on the variety show last time, Jiang Lai felt awkward now. She just wanted to finish quickly and get back to her room early; however, Xu Zhiyi didn’t seem to feel the same…

Having watched the whole thing from the side, Xu Zhiyi curved her lips in an almost imperceptible smile. Leaning lazily against the wall, she said carelessly, “You drove her away. Who’s going to do the rest of the work?

The sudden voice made Jiang Lai start, but she quickly collected herself. Her voice was soft. “Keeping her here would mean I’d still have to worry about whether she might hurt herself. On the other hand, if she leaves, it’s easier for me to work alone. The workload may go up, but at least I’m in a good mood.

“But you don’t look like someone who does housework.

“Then Teacher Xu is really underestimating me.

Jiang Lai looked up, her tone flat. “I’ve lived alone since I was little, so I’m very good at taking care of myself. Teacher Xu can rest assured.

Xu Zhiyi hadn’t expected Jiang Lai to answer like that, and for a moment she stood there, frozen, not knowing what to say.

Seeing her expression, Jiang Lai softened a little. “Let me make one thing clear first: I’m not some pitiful child with neither father nor mother. I have parents!

At that, the smile on Xu Zhiyi’s face twitched. She couldn’t help tapping Jiang Lai on the head. “Oh, so now you’re even daring to joke with me!

Seeing that there was no trace of anger on Xu Zhiyi’s face, Jiang Lai went on, “It’s just that my parents were busy with work back then and didn’t have time to take care of me, so I learned to take care of myself.

This time, Xu Zhiyi didn’t answer. Instead, she stood quietly to the side and watched her.

After finishing everything and putting the utensils away, Jiang Lai asked politely, “I’m making breakfast tomorrow morning. Teacher Xu, is there anything you can’t eat?

Xu Zhiyi’s lips curved. “No.

“Then I’ll just make something simple.

Jiang Lai looked up at the clock on the wall. “It’s already very late. Teacher Xu, you should go back to your room and rest.

“Okay.

Xu Zhiyi lifted a foot and headed upstairs, but after taking a few steps, she stopped and turned back to look at Jiang Lai.

Jiang Lai: “...Do you need something else?

Xu Zhiyi suddenly smiled. “Jiang Lai, I’m really getting more and more interested in you…

Jiang Lai looked at her, her expression calm but faintly helpless. “Teacher Xu, that’s not a good sign…

Xu Zhiyi only smiled and said nothing, turning to go back to her room.

Just as the sky began to lighten, Jiang Lai opened her eyes. She picked up her phone and lit the screen, glancing at the time. It was barely past six, yet she was already wide awake.

Getting out of bed, she pulled open the curtains and looked out toward the distant sea. The weather here was excellent, with clear skies almost every day and perfect visibility.

After quickly freshening up, Jiang Lai quietly left the room, careful not to wake anyone else.

Although it was summer, the morning by the sea was still a little cold. Jiang Lai wrapped herself in a blanket and walked along the beach. She remembered seeing it when she first joined the production: if she followed this road all the way, there would be a row of lounge chairs at the best viewing spot, where the sunrise could be seen at a glance.

She had thought she would be the first one there, but unexpectedly, someone was already there; it was Qin Huaicheng.

Hearing footsteps, he turned back, and the two of them froze for a moment.

Jiang Lai raised an eyebrow, her expression natural. “Why are you up so early today? Don’t tell me you couldn’t sleep again.

Qin Huaicheng lowered his eyes. “Mm. What about you? You couldn’t sleep either?

Jiang Lai smiled but said nothing. Qin Huaicheng patted the seat beside him, signaling for her to sit. “Sit and rest for a while. The sun will be up soon…

Sensing his mood, Jiang Lai didn’t hesitate. She sat down beside him naturally, her tone like an old friend they hadn’t seen in years. “I told you a long time ago to pay attention to your health in everyday life, but you never listened. Now you’re the one suffering for it.

Qin Huaicheng looked toward the distance, his voice hoarse. “I’m used to it…

For a while, neither of them spoke. The atmosphere was pleasant enough, even harmonious. No one would have guessed that the two of them had only recently been lovers…

“Cold?

The sudden question made Qin Huaicheng feel a little dazed. He turned to look at her. “It’s okay…

Before he could finish, a warm blanket was draped over his legs. Jiang Lai carefully tucked it around him. “You’re getting older; you need to know how to take care of your body…

At that moment, his nose suddenly stung. “Jiang Lai…

“Mm? What is it?

Jiang Lai lifted her head, but when she saw the emotions surging in his eyes, she fell silent.

“You said… if I had agreed to you back then, what would we be like now?

Understanding what he meant, Jiang Lai simply leaned back in the chair and said slowly, “Then maybe we would’ve gotten married. After marriage, maybe we would’ve had a child, or maybe more than one. Maybe we would’ve argued, but… we would also have been the ones keeping each other company to the very end.

As if she knew what Qin Huaicheng would say next, Jiang Lai looked at him, her tone gentle. “Don’t say you regret it. The Qin Huaicheng I know would never say he regrets anything…

“You’re right. I’ve never regretted any decision I’ve made…

Qin Huaicheng forced himself to sound easygoing, but inside, a voice kept reminding him that when it came to how he had handled Jiang Lai, he truly had regretted it…

“Look, the sun’s up!

Jiang Lai’s voice, bright with excitement, came from beside him. Qin Huaicheng followed her gaze and looked into the distance. On the boundless surface of the sea, a sliver of sunrise slowly rose, dyeing the entire water’s surface orange-red. For Jiang Lai, who had always lived in a big city surrounded by towering buildings, it was a sight she had never seen before.

Sunrise marked the beginning of a new day…

The two of them sat side by side, their shadows stretching long in the rising sun…

“After we broke up, we actually ended up doing all the things we didn’t do when we were dating.

Jiang Lai tilted her head and smiled at Qin Huaicheng.

“At the time, I was sorry. I didn’t keep you company enough.

Jiang Lai’s tone was relaxed. “It’s fine. Next time… if you have another girlfriend, you’d better keep her company properly.

“I will…

Along with the sound of the waves, sleepiness suddenly swept over her, and Jiang Lai fell asleep without realizing it.

She didn’t know how long had passed before Qin Huaicheng’s voice suddenly sounded in her ear. “Ah Lai…

“Mm?

Jiang Lai opened her eyes groggily. Only after seeing the scene clearly did she react belatedly. “Sorry, I fell asleep by accident…

“It’s fine.

Qin Huaicheng pointed not far away. “It’s getting late. They’ve all gotten up. Let’s head back?

“Okay…

The two of them walked back on foot. By the time they returned to the guesthouse, everyone else was awake too. Seeing the pair walking side by side, their expressions were all different.

Xu Zhiyi raised her brows at her. “I really didn’t expect the two of you to show up together.

“We just happened to run into each other.

Qin Huaicheng helped Jiang Lai out of the situation at once, while also blocking Lin Wanqiu’s gaze toward her.

Cheng Shuyang stood to the side, her expression unreadable. She simply handed Jiang Lai the steaming coffee in her hand. “The temperature difference by the sea is big in the morning and evening. Have some coffee and warm yourself up.

“Oh, okay…

Jiang Lai took the cup carefully.

“Hey, Teacher Cheng, this was personally made by you…

Feeling Cheng Shuyang’s gaze, the assistant immediately clamped her mouth shut, not daring to say another word.

“Ah Lai.

“What is it?

At that moment, Gu Xizhou’s call sounded to Jiang Lai like salvation.

When the two got closer, Gu Xizhou nudged her with a look. “What’s going on between you and Qin Huaicheng?

“I already said it; we just happened to run into each other…

Jiang Lai fiddled with the sandwich in her hand, her tone indifferent.

“Jiang Lai, I hope you understand your own situation.

“I know.

She set the plate in her hand on the table and began calling everyone to eat. After habitually sitting down beside Cheng Shuyang, she only then realized it wasn’t appropriate. Just as she was about to get up, Cheng Shuyang pressed her palm down.

“Aunt Cheng…

“Just sit there.

Xu Zhiyi looked over at her, amusement glinting in her eyes.

“But Teacher Xu…

“Your Teacher Xu won’t mind, right?

“Of course.

Xu Zhiyi sat across from Jiang Lai. “Relax and sit. I won’t be angry with you.

Breakfast ended in this strange atmosphere. Jiang Lai didn’t need to go to the set today. Since Xia Wanwan had come to visit the production, she came to the dock early to pick her up.

But behind Xia Wanwan, she saw someone completely unexpected…

Author’s Note:

Jiang Lai: “(awkwardly) Someone come save me!

Cheng Shuyang: “(gritting her teeth) I heard you went to watch the sunrise with Qin Huaicheng?!”