Joys and Sorrows
The next day, Li Lan didn’t let Zhu Qing go to kindergarten, because the variety show was about to start filming and Zhu Qing needed to get everything ready for the trip.
Li Lan ordered breakfast from the hotel, including Xiao Bao’s portion, and told Zhu Qing not to get up early.
“Are you sure I really don’t need to go?”
Before leaving, Zhu Qing stood in the entryway, staring at Li Lan as she put on a mask.
Li Lan’s mouth and nose were hidden beneath the soft fabric; the eyes visible above it held a trace of gentle amusement.
“No need.”
Zhu Qing lowered her head a little. Li Lan was dressed very low-key today; if you ignored her exceptional height and presence, she wouldn’t look out of place among the parents dropping off and picking up children at the kindergarten.
“You’re worried?” Li Lan asked softly.
Zhu Qing hesitated. “Not really. It’s just that I feel like I’m an employee of the kindergarten; taking you there would be more convenient… but then I think, what kind of employee am I? Whether I go or not doesn’t make much difference.”
She was only the most ordinary kind of contract worker, and almost the lowest-paid one at that. Going with Li Lan would not only fail to help; she’d probably drag them down.
Li Lan glanced at her twice. “Mm. Taking you along would make it look like we were there to collect a debt.”
Zhu Qing: ?
Li Lan said, “The parents of the little kid you saved have been making trouble at the kindergarten, saying the safety measures there weren’t good enough. The school could only bring out what you said: ‘Although even after our efforts we still couldn’t avoid all harm, our excellent teachers will, at the first moment harm occurs, sacrifice themselves to protect the children.’”
Zhu Qing’s mouth fell open. “That works too?”
“The other parent sneered and said you’re just an assistant teacher; when there’s glory, you’re ‘our teacher,’ and when something goes wrong, you’re a contract worker. Saving someone was your own personal act. When you actually start working at the kindergarten, they’ll send you a giant banner.”
Zhu Qing: …
“No, absolutely not. Will they also take photos then? Spare me.”
Xiao Bao was already waiting downstairs. Li Lan headed for the door and casually ruffled Zhu Qing’s hair. “Then stay home properly. Qian Chu will bring your clothes over; I’m leaving.”
Zhu Qing didn’t dare walk her out again. She raised a hand and waved. “Drive safely.”
After the door closed, Zhu Qing suddenly felt as if she had just seen her wife off to work.
Still embarrassed from having thrown herself into Li Lan’s arms the night before, Zhu Qing covered her face and tried hard to look completely unconcerned and cool, but her cheeks quietly turned red.
Qian Chu had always been excellent at her job. As soon as Li Lan left, she arrived with a whole team in tow.
“First clean everything, inside and out. The show crew will come tonight to film the packing segment. Anything with a visible brand has to be taken away. If something can’t be moved, cover it up. Don’t make post-production blur it; the audience’s attention gets pulled away by mosaics.”
“Manager Lan’s place doesn’t need to be tidied. I’ve already prepared her things. She’ll start filming from the airport; they won’t shoot her home.”
“The bathroom stuff can’t all be put away. It would look too fake on camera. Put the toiletries in the boxes I prepared.”
“The fridge just needs a little organizing; it should show that Zhu Qing often cooks and give her a homey image.”
Zhu Qing followed quietly behind Qian Chu as she assigned everyone their tasks. At the last line, she couldn’t help twitching an eyelid.
“I have an image too?”
Qian Chu said matter-of-factly, “Of course. Didn’t you see the promotional materials for the show? Manager Lan’s Weibo exploded yesterday too; everyone’s guessing who you are.”
Zhu Qing really hadn’t looked. She immediately pulled out her phone and opened Li Lan’s page.
Li Lan hadn’t posted anything herself; she had only reposted a teaser announcing that filming had begun. In the official lineup, Li Lan was listed third.
“Li Lan and her partner from outside the industry.”
Zhu Qing jumped into the comments. She had already seen how sharp Li Lan’s fans could be, and her heart climbed into her throat, afraid she’d see more attacks aimed at her.
[Lan Lan has posted her marriage certificate; it can’t get any more official than that, just so everyone knows]
[What exactly is the production team trying to do? Two same-sex couples, two heterosexual couples; why does it feel like storm clouds are about to roll in?]
[Looking forward to Li Lan! Looking forward to Li Lan’s darling little wife!]
At the last three words, Zhu Qing nearly choked.
She looked at Qian Chu in horror. “Little wife is my image?”
Qian Chu studied Zhu Qing for a long while with a thoughtful expression. “That suggestion isn’t bad.”
“No, no, absolutely not.” For the second time that day, Zhu Qing thrust out the universal stop gesture and said with deep pain, “I refuse. Tell me, what image have you people decided to give me?”
Qian Chu looked a little regretful. “Manager Lan says you can do whatever you want, but I hope you’ll keep your mouth shut.”
Zhu Qing: …
“You want me to talk less and do more, is that it?” Zhu Qing could feel the thick undercurrent of disdain.
Qian Chu said seriously, “This is for your protection. There are four couples in all, and Manager Lan’s own plan is to lower her presence and speak less too. She has excellent natural advantages; viewers are always more tolerant of good-looking people, so as long as Manager Lan completes the tasks earnestly and diligently, she can win favor. That’s very safe. But you…”
Zhu Qing stared at Qian Chu with a “＝＝” expression. She had already guessed what Qian Chu was going to say.
A good-looking person who didn’t talk was a quiet beauty; if they did talk, they became a lively, cute beauty. As for Zhu Qing, with her ordinary looks and as a regular person, if she talked too much she’d be seen as an ugly person making a fuss. On the other hand, if she stayed quiet, she could at least earn the reputation of a reliable, honest worker who didn’t say much and did a lot. At worst, people would only call her dull and boring.
Zhu Qing said, “I’ll try my best, but I can’t promise anything.”
Qian Chu looked at her again. Zhu Qing touched her face. “What else do you want to say?”
Qian Chu sighed. “I’m still worried. You’re an outsider, at the very bottom of the food chain. The production team probably won’t take special care of you, and the audience, especially Manager Lan’s fans, will naturally scrutinize you with a critical eye. You’ll know once you’re there; variety shows air one episode a day. They film during the day, edit that same night, and the next day it’s already broadcast. Every move you make will be watched by countless people.”
Zhu Qing was dragged into the anxiety too. “Then should I even go? Wasn’t it you who came to me talking about how much you’d feel bad for that six million?”
Qian Chu said speechlessly, “I’m not feeling bad for the six million. I’m thinking about Manager Lan’s career development… forget it. Maybe nothing will happen.”
“Right? You can’t go straight to catastrophizing every time and jump to the worst outcome,” Zhu Qing said, waving a hand to comfort her. “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful and watch what I say.”
The clothes prepared for Zhu Qing filled an entire twenty-four-inch suitcase.
“The shoot lasts twelve days total, and there are two travel locations. The first is a remote mountainous area in the southwest; the second is an African wildlife migration site. We’ve prepared all the clothes for you. Just remember to change according to the weather.”
Zhu Qing asked in confusion, “Traveling to a remote mountain area?”
“Yes. The scenery there is great, but you’ll have to solve food and water yourselves. The first stop is kind of like wilderness survival.”
Zhu Qing thought about it. Her self-care ability should be fine, and Li Lan wasn’t the sort to be spoiled and delicate either. No problem.
“Then what are we going to the African wildlife migration site for? To help the animals migrate?”
Qian Chu said, “To watch the migration. These months every year are the best time to see it. A great, mighty procession of animals passes through the grasslands; it’s magnificent and spectacular. I went once when I was in college, and you can really feel the awe of nature’s power.”
Zhu Qing’s curiosity was piqued by her words. “That sounds pretty nice.”
“Just be careful,” Qian Chu sighed. “The production team will probably remind you too. There’s malaria and cholera in Africa; anything you eat has to be boiled, your trouser legs need to be tied up, and you absolutely must keep any necessary medication in your bag.”
Zhu Qing opened the memo app on her phone and wrote down everything Qian Chu said.
Qian Chu, like a nagging old mother, gave her a long list of precautions. By the end, the others had finished packing too, and there was nothing else to tell her; it was time for her to leave.
Just before she went out, Qian Chu asked, “You’re alone at home; Qian Cancan isn’t keeping you company?”
Zhu Qing said blankly, “No, she lives at her own place.”
Qian Chu pressed her lips together. “I mean, she hasn’t contacted you these past few days?”
Zhu Qing thought for a moment, then shook her head. “No. She went to some gathering with a little celebrity. I think it was the night before yesterday? Or the day before that? Anyway, she hasn’t contacted me since. Were you looking for her?”
Qian Chu was silent for two seconds, then shook her head. “Nothing.”
Zhu Qing escorted them to the door. Just as she said goodbye, the elevator dinged and someone stepped out.
Zhu Qing took one look and laughed. “Speak of the devil; Qian Chu was just looking for you.”
Qian Chu looked at Qian Cancan and took a step forward. “You…”
Qian Cancan didn’t even glance at her; she walked straight past as if she hadn’t seen her.
“I bought some food,” Qian Cancan said, walking toward Zhu Qing and squeezing inside sideways. “There’s a puff pastry you like.”
Zhu Qing looked at Qian Cancan, then at Qian Chu, and gave the latter an awkward smile.
Qian Cancan reached back and shut the door.
With a bang, Qian Chu and the others were locked outside.
Zhu Qing clicked her tongue. “You’re being a little rude.”
Qian Cancan didn’t answer. She kicked off her shoes, carried the things into the living room, and sat cross-legged on the rug.
“Come eat.”
Zhu Qing glanced at the time. “It’s only eleven. I’m not hungry yet.”
“Then keep me company and have a drink.”
Zhu Qing declined politely. “I’ve quit drinking.”
“Drink,” Qian Cancan said, pulling out a 500-milliliter bottle of pineapple beer. “Stop dragging your feet.”
When Zhu Qing saw the packaging, she relaxed. Cantonese-style pineapple beer; it had “beer” in the name but no alcohol in it.
“This one’s okay.”
Qian Cancan sniffed. “You just love these pointless fruit drinks.”
Zhu Qing felt a trace of irritation. “…What’s wrong with you?”
Qian Cancan didn’t answer. Zhu Qing didn’t press further either. She drank her pointless fruit drink and helped Qian Cancan eat a few small seafood dishes.
Just when Zhu Qing thought Qian Cancan wouldn’t say anything else, she suddenly stood up.
Qian Cancan rummaged through her backpack, then took out a wristwatch and a necklace and held them up against Zhu Qing.
“What are you doing?” Zhu Qing quickly pulled her hands behind her back.
“Helping you look presentable,” Qian Cancan said. “The people you meet on a variety show are definitely rich. You’re a regular person; if you don’t wear anything, people will look down on you.”
Zhu Qing squinted at the watch. If she wasn’t mistaken, this was the eighteenth-birthday gift Qian Cancan had given her.
“No. I absolutely refuse to wear anything on my body worth more than seven digits. Besides, we’re going on a trip, a budget trip, and filming it for the audience. The production team definitely won’t let me wear something so ostentatiously expensive. The plainer I look, the more real I am, and the less likely I am to offend the audience.”
Qian Cancan’s entire face wrinkled up. “But I heard the people over there aren’t easy to deal with. Not the ones in front of the camera, but the crew behind it; the director, the staff, the leadership at the station. There are so many people who grovel up and trample down.”
Zhu Qing backed up another half-step. “Let Li Lan handle that. I’m not on some divorce variety show with her; husband and wife are one. Li Lan and I are tied together, so they won’t do anything to me separately.”
“Really?” Qian Cancan still looked doubtful. “You really don’t need to look more impressive?”
Zhu Qing was practically ready to swear; she opened her eyes wide so Qian Cancan could see how serious she was. “Really.”
Only then did Qian Cancan sit back down and give up on the forceful approach.
“Then I’m fine. I’m leaving.”
Zhu Qing blinked. “Leaving? You’re leaving just like that?”
Qian Cancan clapped her hands, swept the leftover seafood shells into the packaging bag, and drank the rest of the beer in one go.
“Mm.” She picked up the trash and said without looking back, “I called a ride; it’ll be here soon.”
Zhu Qing hurried after her. “You just drank alcohol. Stay a bit longer before you go.”
Qian Cancan ignored her. Zhu Qing simply snatched her phone away and canceled the order.
Qian Cancan flew into a rage. “My cancellation fee!”
“You talk crap all day long,” Zhu Qing said, pressing Qian Cancan down onto the sofa. “Sleep off the alcohol before you leave.”
Qian Cancan shot her a glare and muttered a few more words about the cancellation fee. The alcohol went to her head, and before long she fell asleep.
Zhu Qing lowered the sofa back, arranged her in a comfortable position, drew the curtains, and switched off the room lights.
Qian Cancan often had intermittent episodes of madness. Zhu Qing didn’t even need to guess; she knew she must have suffered some romantic setback again. But her dear little sisters were too many to count, and Zhu Qing had no idea which relationship she was grieving over. In any case, in a few days she’d be back to being a lively and unkillable hero again.
Zhu Qing took out her laptop and started doing homework for the variety show: what to pay attention to, what to remember, the schedule for each day, the local weather, culture, environment, and so on.
It wasn’t until two hours later that someone knocked on the door again.
“Li Lan?” Zhu Qing opened the door and asked hopefully.
Qian Chu was standing outside, her hand not quite lowered from knocking.
“Why is it you? Is there something else?” Zhu Qing stepped aside to let her in.
Qian Chu looked hesitant. “Manager Lan has to go meet someone this afternoon.”
Zhu Qing said “oh.” Li Lan had already texted her about that. She had thought Li Lan had finished early. “I know. Is that all you came to say?”
Qian Chu looked into the apartment. “May I come in?”
Before Zhu Qing could speak, Qian Cancan sat up from her lying position like a zombie.
“Who are you looking for?” Qian Cancan asked bluntly.
Qian Chu said nothing.
Qian Cancan got up, pushed past Zhu Qing, and lifted her chin. “Looking for me? Fine. Let’s talk outside.”
Only then did Zhu Qing belatedly realize she seemed to have stumbled into some subtle battle. She instinctively grabbed Qian Cancan’s arm. “If you have something to say, say it properly.”
Qian Cancan’s expression didn’t change. “There isn’t much to say. Are you leaving or not?”
Qian Chu’s gaze landed on Qian Cancan, from her slightly red, drunken face to her unsteady posture. After hesitating for two seconds, she said, “I’m leaving.”
That door was shut again by Qian Cancan from the outside.
Qian Cancan walked out without saying a word, got into the elevator, went down to the garage, and opened the sports car door; then she froze.
“Oh,” she said expressionlessly, “I can’t drink and drive. You drive.”
Qian Chu said in a low voice, “I drove here.”
“Really? I don’t want to sit in your car.”
Qian Chu frowned at her several times. “Can we talk properly?”
“I don’t think that’s very possible. How about you leave now? I just remembered I didn’t bring the trash down.”
After saying that, Qian Cancan turned to go back. Qian Chu stared at her back for two seconds, struggled for a moment, and then stopped her anyway.
“Zhu Qing is very busy today. Her variety show starts filming tomorrow. Don’t bother her at a time like this.”
Qian Cancan said coolly, “She wouldn’t think I was bothering her.”
Then she glanced at Qian Chu and sneered. “And she wouldn’t point at my nose and yell at me either.”
Qian Chu fell silent.
————————
Zhu Qing: Too many little sisters means Heaven will take you down.
Qian Cancan: …
Zhu Qing: If you keep walking by the river, you’re bound to drown.
Qian Cancan: …………
Zhu Qing: It’s best to be introverted.
Qian Cancan: [blocked]