Chapter 75

Her gaze on Lin Yuewei shifted from wavering to firm.

Gu Yanqiu thought: I’ve followed the rules for so long; it’s time to be willful once.

She was just about to press her advantage...

But Lin Yuewei lowered her head and dodged her touch, saying with an awkward smile, “You’re acting kind of like my mom.”

Gu Yanqiu: “...”

Lin Yuewei went on, “I have an uncle too. Ever since I was little, he’s loved tugging my hair or pinching my face. Every New Year when we go to my grandparents’ place, he’s the one I fear most. I’m already in my twenties, and he still comes up and starts messing up my hair without caring how I feel at all. I know he means well, but it’s really annoying.”

Before Gu Yanqiu could carry her confession into a second round, the momentum had already gone out of it; the ambiguous atmosphere vanished without a trace. “It is a bit annoying. But I don’t have an uncle.”

Her mother’s side had no relatives at all, so she naturally had no way to relate to that feeling.

Lin Yuewei patted her on the shoulder and said with a smile, “It’s fine. From now on, my uncle is your uncle too. If you can help share a little of the suffering from pinched cheeks and yanked hair, I’d be more than happy.”

This way of comforting someone was rather unique.

Gu Yanqiu gave her a strange look. Lin Yuewei kept her usual smile, while the hand hidden under the blanket clenched tightly around the bedsheet.

Gu Yanqiu’s confession had been interrupted, so she could only set it aside for now.

The conversation had gone this far; Gu Yanqiu casually said a few more things to her before ending with, “Go to sleep early. Good night.”

“Good night,” Lin Yuewei said.

Gu Yanqiu still went to bed very early that night and barely read. She seemed to be in a bad mood. Lin Yuewei put on her headphones and studied for a long time before finally remembering the expression on Gu Yanqiu’s face when she had rubbed her head. Had Gu Yanqiu been about to say something just now? It looked like something important.

Lin Yuewei frowned so hard her brows practically knotted, but she still couldn’t figure out what Gu Yanqiu had meant by that expression. There was a bit of restrained eagerness, a bit of resolve to throw caution to the wind, and a little of something else; her instinct told her that was probably the key point.

Lin Yuewei clenched her fist in the air; she was one punch away from traveling back half an hour and beating herself up. So quick with your mouth.

What exactly had Gu Yanqiu wanted to say to her?

Would it be what she was thinking?

***

“Good morning.”

Gu Yanqiu woke her when she got out of Lin Yuewei’s arms. Lin Yuewei glared at her through half-open eyes for a while before answering, “Good morning.”

“Didn’t sleep well last night?” Gu Yanqiu asked when she saw how sleepy she looked, as if she might pass out at any moment.

“A little.”

“Then sleep. I’ll wake you when breakfast is ready.” Gu Yanqiu tapped her on the forehead. Lin Yuewei closed her eyes in an instant, as if struck by a sleep spell, and went still.

Gu Yanqiu smiled, put on her shoes, opened the door, and went downstairs to make breakfast.

She went to bed early and woke early too, so she had time to make something a little more elaborate.

While making breakfast, Gu Yanqiu kept thinking about things, especially the confession that had been interrupted last night. She didn’t know what Lin Yuewei was thinking, but if her own feelings weren’t wrong, Lin Yuewei should at least have some fondness for her. She didn’t think using someone else’s spoon to eat counted as something between ordinary friends; even if she were to back up a hundred steps, even without fondness, they were at the very least very close friends.

By that measure, their feelings had already progressed rather quickly. Maybe she had been a little too eager.

Gu Yanqiu sighed at the sink in front of her.

“Are you going to the company today? What time do you have to be there?” Gu Yanqiu placed a heated cup of milk in front of Lin Yuewei.

Lin Yuewei had been sitting blankly at the table for a while. She rubbed her face to wake herself up and said, “Around nine. Normal working hours. Chen Xuan said nine o’clock.”

“Want me to drive you there?”

“Huh.” Lin Yuewei said, setting down the cup of milk; a white ring of foam clung to her lips.

“Is that a yes or a no?”

“No need.” Lin Yuewei reached for a tissue, but her hand brushed Gu Yanqiu’s just as Gu Yanqiu extended hers. Gu Yanqiu was faster by a step; she pulled the tissue out and placed it in her hand. Lin Yuewei wiped her mouth with it and said, “Your car is too noticeable.”

“I can drive your Volkswagen,” Gu Yanqiu said.

“You drive my Volkswagen to send me off; how are you getting to work?” Lin Yuewei asked, amused.

“I can take a taxi.”

“...” Lin Yuewei said. “Come on, don’t. You’re a proper company big boss... no, a proper manager. What would it look like if you took a taxi to work? Besides, how are you coming back at night?”

“You can pick me up.”

“I never know when I’ll be free at night. I don’t know how the company will arrange things. What if Chen Xuan suddenly sends me somewhere else? It’s not impossible.”

“...” Gu Yanqiu looked a little wronged when she stayed silent.

Lin Yuewei’s heart softened. “How about this: you drive my Volkswagen to drop me off. If I end up going somewhere else, I won’t need the car. If I don’t have to go, I’ll take a taxi back.”

Gu Yanqiu asked, “Why can you take a taxi but I can’t?”

Lin Yuewei was talking nonsense by now. “You’re prettier than I am.”

Gu Yanqiu said, “Then let’s compare in the mirror?”

Lin Yuewei gave her a look. “Just the two of us? With all that filter boost we give each other, how are we supposed to tell?”

“Then what do you suggest?”

Lin Yuewei felt that Gu Yanqiu had decided to argue with her today. She thought this was such a tiny little matter; how had it turned into such a whole thing? So she said, “Then don’t send me off. You drive your car to work, I drive mine to the company; no interference.”

“Oh,” Gu Yanqiu looked at the milk in her cup and said, “That’s good too.”

“Ah.” Lin Yuewei answered again.

The two of them went to the garage together to get their cars. Lin Yuewei got into her Volkswagen and, from the lowered window, met Gu Yanqiu’s eyes from inside the Maserati. “See you tonight.”

“See you tonight.” Gu Yanqiu didn’t smile.

Lin Yuewei said, “Smile a little.”

Gu Yanqiu lifted the corners of her mouth, then came to herself and said, “Are you teasing a dog?”

Lin Yuewei laughed. “You found me out. If everything goes smoothly today, I’ll treat you to dinner tonight.”

Gu Yanqiu looked at her for a moment, then smiled too. “Alright, go on. You drive first.”

Lin Yuewei drove the Volkswagen like it was a Lamborghini, full of high spirits. Gu Yanqiu followed behind like an old lady out for a stroll, practically turning a sports car into a toddler’s walker.

They hadn’t even left the neighborhood when Lin Yuewei glanced in the rearview mirror and saw that Gu Yanqiu’s car was almost out of sight.

She sent Gu Yanqiu a voice message: “What are you doing?”

Gu Yanqiu said, “I’m admiring the scenery along the way. Just drive.”

Lin Yuewei: “...”

Gu Yanqiu had taken this road more than a hundred times since moving here, not counting round trips; why had she only just remembered to admire the scenery today?

Lin Yuewei said, “I’m heading out first. Let me know when you get to the company.”

Gu Yanqiu pressed her lips together and nodded, then remembered Lin Yuewei couldn’t see her. She cleared her throat and replied, “Okay; you too.”

Gu Yanqiu realized she had been too optimistic. Reality simply wouldn’t follow the way she had imagined it. The seed of confession from last night had already taken root and sprouted; in her heart it was flapping in the wind, about to grow into a towering tree.

What slow and steady progress? She couldn’t wait anymore.

What admiring the scenery along the way? Right now, she only wanted to see the end of the road and know whether Lin Yuewei would be waiting there.

***

Lin Yuewei arrived at the company a quarter of an hour early as usual. When she reached Chen Xuan’s office door, she heard the secretary outside say that Chen Xuan had already arrived. Lin Yuewei knocked, and Chen Xuan called from inside, “Come in.”

Lin Yuewei closed the door behind her and turned around, only to find that Chen Xuan wasn’t sitting behind the office desk that looked so businesslike and detached; instead, she was standing in the middle of the office with a warm smile on her face. “You’re here. Sit down. What would you like to drink?”

Even though Lin Yuewei didn’t know what had happened in between, Chen Xuan’s entirely different attitude from before undoubtedly let half her heart settle.

“Just water, thanks.”

Lin Yuewei glanced around. Chen Xuan had her back to her; then she looked back and said, “Sit on the sofa. Your contract is on the coffee table. You can take a look first.”

“Thanks, Sister Chen.”

Lin Yuewei put on the perfect look of a newbie who had been hit by a pie from the sky, a little secretly pleased but not daring to show it too plainly. She sat on the sofa with her knees together and both hands nervously folded in front of her, awkward and restrained, and didn’t dare touch the contract.

Chen Xuan placed the water in front of her, then got up to pour herself a cup of coffee. Smiling, she said, “It’s fine, have a look. Director Yang is very interested in you.”

Only then did Lin Yuewei carefully pick up the contract.

Mist City, the new film and also Lin Yuewei’s first television drama, was a typical urban crime-investigation series. Crime-investigation dramas had once been hugely popular in mainland China in the late last century and early this one; they had even sparked a wave of fashion. In recent years they had mostly declined, and by now, aside from the occasional excellent title from Hong Kong, there was basically no outstanding crime drama left in the mainland.

The director of Mist City was named Yang Xiao, the same director who had previously auditioned Lin Yuewei alongside others. He was past fifty, a veteran director who had always made serious-style television dramas. More than ten years ago, he had shot a very famous historical drama that swept across the country. These past few years his career had been on the downswing, and netizens had mocked him for having “run out of talent.” Yang Xiao wanted to use this production to make a comeback. It was a chance for the actors to break out, and also Yang Xiao’s own gamble with his reputation, so from casting to production, he checked every layer himself and aimed for nothing less than perfection.

Whether this drama would become a hit or not was another matter entirely; many people didn’t hold out hope. The current market was full of the bad driving out the good, with no shortage of those who merely filled space. People’s minds were restless. Fewer and fewer people were able to settle down and make quality serious dramas, and fewer and fewer viewers were willing to sit and think through a series that required that kind of attention. Any serious drama that did become popular had essentially seized all the right timing, place, and people.

Either way, having a role to play was good. Lin Yuewei wasn’t at the stage where she could be picky. Besides, she wasn’t someone eager for quick success; she sincerely hoped to achieve something on this path, and she had a lifetime to do it. She was very satisfied with the production team, and even more satisfied with the role; it wasn’t easy for a newcomer to find a part that suited her.

There weren’t any harsh clauses in the contract. Even if there had been, Lin Yuewei could have signed it.

Without much unnecessary talk, Lin Yuewei readily signed her name on the contract. The coffee in Chen Xuan’s cup had run dry; she interlaced her fingers and glanced at Lin Yuewei, then suddenly said, “Some time ago, the way I treated you—I hope you don’t mind.”

Lin Yuewei looked at her blankly.

Chen Xuan narrowed her eyes. Had Lin Yuewei really not noticed that she’d been cold toward her before?

Lin Yuewei blinked in confusion, then seemed to understand what she meant and hurriedly said, “I don’t mind, Sister Chen. New people all come through this way; I know that.”

“What I mean is, from now on we’re partners. I hope we won’t harbor any grudges against each other.”

“I never did,” Lin Yuewei said quickly, clearly afraid Chen Xuan might misunderstand her. Chen Xuan had not taken on a newbie in a long time; watching someone who knew nothing transform into a big star under her hands was, for an agent, another kind of ‘raising them up.’ Chen Xuan couldn’t help laughing. “I’m not some monster. You don’t need to be this afraid of me. If you don’t believe me, ask your senior brothers and senior sisters—oh, I mean the other artists who came to me before you. They’re all very close to me; when they’re feeling bold, they even call me Mom.”

Lin Yuewei smiled, though the smile still looked a little restrained.

Chen Xuan didn’t take it to heart. In the end, they were just unfamiliar. Once they got closer, wouldn’t they all become increasingly unruly and climb all over her head? Sigh, Chen Xuan thought; cherish her while she’s still a little white rabbit.

Chen Xuan handed Lin Yuewei Director Yang Xiao’s business card and told her the start date of filming, adding that she would personally accompany Lin Yuewei there when the time came. Lin Yuewei was a newcomer; if no one stood behind her on her first day at the set, she would inevitably feel timid.

Chen Xuan still showed no sign of letting Lin Yuewei leave. Just as Lin Yuewei was guessing what else Chen Xuan might want to say to her, Chen Xuan called her assistant Wang Yuanyuan over with a phone call.

Chen Xuan said, “All of Fang Xiaoxiao’s bookings have been canceled. Some of them were already agreed on, and we have to send one of our artists. There’s a brand appearance tomorrow; are you free?”

Lin Yuewei didn’t want to refuse, and she couldn’t refuse either. Chen Xuan had even called Wang Yuanyuan over; clearly “refusal” wasn’t one of the options she had in mind.

Lin Yuewei asked, “Where is it?”

Chen Xuan said, “In S City.”

“Okay,” Lin Yuewei said.

Chen Xuan turned to Wang Yuanyuan beside her. “Book three tickets to S City for tonight.”

Wang Yuanyuan nodded and made a note in her notebook.

Feeling a little flattered, Lin Yuewei asked, “Are you going with me?”

Chen Xuan raised an eyebrow. “Of course. It’s your first time attending this event; if I don’t go with you, do you even know what to do?”

Lin Yuewei actually did know; she had already participated in this kind of event on Actor Trainees. Not long ago, when she shot commercials, she hadn’t seen Chen Xuan caring so much about her first ad shoot either.

What was it, exactly? Chen Xuan’s attitude had done a complete one-eighty toward her.

Before coming to the company, Lin Yuewei had already assumed Chen Xuan would just do what she had done last time: hand over the contract, let her sign it, and then send her off to follow the crew’s arrangements. But this setup now made it seem as if they were going to groom her as a direct disciple. Could it be because the war with the agent next door, Liu, had reached a fever pitch, and Chen Xuan had placed her last chip on Lin Yuewei?

Whether it was or not, Lin Yuewei was delighted to see it.

Chen Xuan took out a new folder from behind her as well. Inside were the resources she had sorted out that Fang Xiaoxiao had originally held. Fang Xiaoxiao had been on a hot streak, with bookings lined up all the way into the second half of next year, but after her scandal spread across the internet and she was shelved, most of those resources were basically finished. A portion of the remainder had been snatched away by the Liu next door, and what was left that matched Lin Yuewei was only a little; still, it was enough for a newcomer to digest.

Brand promotions, magazine shoots, event appearances, and endorsements still under negotiation—enough to keep Lin Yuewei busy. She flipped through the black-on-white documents, almost unable to believe that this was falling into her lap. When she first debuted, she had imagined all of these things. Later events shattered every fantasy she had; she had already prepared herself for a very slow climb. She hadn’t expected the dream to come true. No, to use Gu Yanqiu’s words, she had finally taken the first step on a journey of ten thousand miles, and it was a very good step indeed.

Lin Yuewei talked with Chen Xuan all morning. At noon Chen Xuan treated her to lunch, and Lin Yuewei secretly sent Gu Yanqiu a message to report the good news:

[Two Wood: Ahhhhhhhh, literacy-level happiness]

[Xi Gu: Congratulations. This time it’s my turn to treat you to dinner, right? What do you want to eat tonight? At home or out?]

Gu Yanqiu had already made up her mind. No matter what happened tonight, she was going to open a bottle of wine to give herself courage and say everything that needed to be said. Unless Lin Yuewei flatly refused her, then she would...

What she would do if that happened, she hadn’t figured out yet. The boat would straighten itself when it reached the bridge.

Gu Yanqiu had never been this hesitant in her life.

[Two Wood: [pout]]

Gu Yanqiu’s heart gave a small jolt.

[Xi Gu: ???]

[Two Wood: I have to fly to S City tonight. There’s a booking tomorrow, and my agent is going with me]

[Xi Gu: ...]

[Two Wood: You’re unhappy again?]

Gu Yanqiu thought: Strange. Why had she used “again”? Had her unhappiness been that obvious today?

[Xi Gu: I was planning to celebrate with you, but you’re flying out of town.]

[Two Wood: We can celebrate next time too.]

[Xi Gu: Then tomorrow night.]

She had already waited through so many days; one more day made no difference. Gu Yanqiu thought, I’m not anxious at all.

Gu Yanqiu took a deep breath; her hand suddenly tightened.

On the side Lin Yuewei couldn’t see, Gu Yanqiu finally bent yet another, she didn’t even know which number it was, pen nib.

[Two Wood: Tomorrow night probably won’t work either. I’m coming back in three days.]

[Xi Gu: At this rate, you’re very easy to lose me.]

Lin Yuewei: “???”

The next second.

[System message: Xi Gu retracted a message]

Lin Yuewei lowered her voice and sent her a voice message: “I was wrong. I really didn’t mean it. The schedule ended up like this; I can’t exactly refuse her.”

“Who are you talking to?” Chen Xuan had gone back downstairs and remembered she had left something behind. She returned, opened the door to the chauffeur-driven van, and heard the notification sound of a WeChat voice message being sent.

“A friend.”

“Boyfriend or girlfriend?” Chen Xuan asked.

“Neither.” It’s my wife, Lin Yuewei added silently.

“Good. It’s better if there isn’t one. You’re in a career-rising period; I don’t recommend dating, especially when you’re this young. Stabilize your footing first.”

“I know.” Lin Yuewei answered obediently.

“Oh, right.” Chen Xuan asked, “Where are you living?”

Lin Yuewei hesitated.

Chen Xuan’s eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong?”

If this had been before, Lin Yuewei might have rented a place that fit her current level of spending in order to maintain her ordinary-person image. But the neighborhood she was living in now was one of the most expensive in the entire city. With her current status, there was no way she could afford it. Besides, Gu Yanqiu lived there, and Lin Yuewei wasn’t going to move out either.

Lin Yuewei gave Chen Xuan the name of the neighborhood; as expected, Chen Xuan showed some suspicion.

Lin Yuewei said, “I’m staying at a friend’s place for now.”

Chen Xuan sighed. “Tell me honestly; are you dating? Don’t hide it.”

On this one, Lin Yuewei could swear to heaven: “Really no. We just have a really good relationship.” They had even written their names on the marriage certificate together; it couldn’t get better than that. They were first-order heirs to each other’s estates. Was there any more intimate relationship in the world than that?

Chen Xuan looked at her suspiciously. “Really?”

Lin Yuewei said, “She’s not my girlfriend. Otherwise let me be struck by lightning!”

Such a child, Chen Xuan thought helplessly, and said with a laugh, “Alright, say less of that kind of thing in the future. What if the heavens don’t hear clearly and only catch the second half?”

Lin Yuewei hadn’t expected Chen Xuan to have a sense of humor, and she laughed too. Then she tentatively shook Chen Xuan’s arm and asked, “Sister Chen, what’s so bad about me staying at a friend’s place?”

It was even more unbearable when a cold-looking person acted spoiled. Chen Xuan felt maternal tenderness flooding over her from the shaking, and while laughing she peeled Lin Yuewei’s arm off hers and answered, “It’s alright, I guess. You’re not famous yet anyway.”

Lin Yuewei said, “That hit right in the heart.”

Chen Xuan continued, “If you become famous, that would be even better. Your neighborhood has very strict security, and quite a few stars and big names live there too. No need to find another place; it’ll save trouble.”

Lin Yuewei immediately said, “Then I’ll keep living there.”

Chen Xuan said, “Live there then. Just tell me and Yuanyuan the exact address. If you need a car or anything at ordinary times, Yuanyuan will have to call it for you.”

Wang Yuanyuan was sitting nearby, seemingly not paying much attention, but as soon as she heard Chen Xuan call her name, she immediately turned her head and listened to instructions.

Lin Yuewei didn’t fully trust Wang Yuanyuan yet, so she only told her the neighborhood and the exit closest to the villa she lived in.

Chen Xuan said, “Alright, let’s go eat.”

Wang Yuanyuan pressed the intercom and called to the driver in front: “Brother Liang, drive.”

Gu Yanqiu waited about half an hour before receiving a message from Lin Yuewei: [I’m going to eat. Remember to eat lunch too.]

Gu Yanqiu hadn’t gone out for her lunch break at noon. She had Lin Zhi casually bring her a lunch box, while Lin Zhi ate in the cafeteria and then ran two streets out from the company building to buy Gu Yanqiu a meal that looked, smelled, and tasted all excellent.

“Miss Gu, your lunch.”

“How much?”

“No need to pay. Consider it my treat.” Lin Zhi waved it off.

Gu Yanqiu frowned. “I asked you to bring me lunch; I wasn’t trying to squeeze you. If I don’t pay this time, how am I supposed to ask you next time?”

Lin Zhi smiled brightly. “This time is different. You can treat me next time.”

“Reason.”

Lin Zhi glanced at her, then suddenly lowered his head shyly.

Gu Yanqiu: “???”

Lin Zhi looked at her again, grinned, then took a step forward and said mysteriously, “I proposed to my girlfriend. She said yes.”

Gu Yanqiu immediately smiled. “Congratulations.”

Lin Zhi said, “I have you to thank for that too. Remember last time there was that... client? You took the ring out and put it on your hand, and wow, you really stunned the other side. I thought about it; my girlfriend is so pretty, she’s bound to get harassed outside too. So I hurriedly bought a ring and proposed. Next time some sleazy guy bothers her, maybe the ring will actually come in handy.”

“Of course, my main goal is marriage,” Lin Zhi raised a hand to swear. “It’s to spend my life with her.”

Gu Yanqiu couldn’t help laughing. “Your girlfriend isn’t here right now; you don’t need to be this serious about survival instincts.”

Lin Zhi said, “You don’t get it. This is genuine emotion. The more I say it to myself, the firmer my resolve becomes.”

Gu Yanqiu didn’t really understand that logic, but that didn’t stop her from being happy for Lin Zhi. “When you get married, I’ll give you a huge red envelope.”

Lin Zhi said, “No rush. We’ve only just gotten engaged; the official wedding still has to wait two years. Her mother says her daughter is still too young and can’t bear to give her away.”

Gu Yanqiu inevitably thought of Lin Yuewei. Lin Yuewei was younger than Lin Zhi’s girlfriend, and she was already married to her.

Lin Zhi looked up at the ceiling and suddenly couldn’t hold back a hee-hee-hee laugh. “But now I can call her wife openly. Ah, after dating for so many years, it’s finally come to fruition. I’m going to call my wife now; you hurry up and eat.”

Lin Zhi bounced out of the office.

Gu Yanqiu sat alone in her office and felt miserable. She and Lin Yuewei had been married for so long, and they still hadn’t even managed to date.

She also wanted to call her wife. Her wife was eating with her agent.

She sighed.

***

Late at night, Lin Yuewei checked into a hotel in S City. At last she had gotten rid of the shadow-like Chen Xuan and Wang Yuanyuan, and she hurriedly called Gu Yanqiu.

“Have you fallen asleep?” The moment the call connected, Lin Yuewei asked anxiously. She and Gu Yanqiu had been staying together lately; now that she suddenly couldn’t see her at night, she found herself missing her terribly.

“...” Gu Yanqiu was silent for a moment, then said, “If I was asleep, who answered your call?”

“I mean, did I wake you, or are you already very sleepy, or things like that...” Lin Yuewei flopped onto the bed and groaned upward. “I’m already talking nonsense. I don’t even know what I’m saying.”

Lin Yuewei’s blunt, bold behavior, practically shouting “I miss you” out loud, somehow pleased Gu Yanqiu. The resentment that had lingered in her heart all day just vanished like that.

Gu Yanqiu smiled. “If your fans saw you like this, would that count as collapsing your image?”

Lin Yuewei pressed the phone to her ear with one finger. “They won’t see it. Only you can see it.”

Whether or not Lin Yuewei could see it, Gu Yanqiu gave a standard gentleman’s bow to the empty air in front of her and said with a smile, “My honor.”

Hearing her voice made Lin Yuewei’s heart itch fiercely. She hadn’t noticed it before, but now it sounded especially seductive over the phone.

“Gu Yanqiu.” Maybe it was the sudden distance; maybe it was the quiet around her. Lin Yuewei felt something entirely different. Her heart seemed ready to leap out of her chest against her will; some emotion, with a vitality she had never felt before, grew wildly like untamed grass, spreading across mountains and fields in an instant and forcefully occupying her heart without leaving even a sliver of space.

Lin Yuewei cleared her throat. She didn’t know why she needed to clear her throat.

She cleared her throat, pressed a hand over the spot where her heart was pounding, and said, “Gu Yanqiu, I have something very important to tell you. Wait until I get home.”

“Okay.” Gu Yanqiu paused for a long time, then smiled and said, “I have something to tell you too.”

“What is it?”

“Wait until you come back.”

“Then wait for me to get back.”

“Okay.”

“I...” Lin Yuewei almost couldn’t hold it in right then and there. She hurriedly covered her mouth, cleared her throat again, and said, “Watch a comedy before bed tonight; be a little happier. Don’t tie your own hands.”

“Okay.”

“Wait for me.”

“Okay.” Gu Yanqiu’s answers grew firmer with each word.

The thing Lin Yuewei would regret most was not telling Gu Yanqiu that sentence before leaving, so that for the next three days she would have to exert all her effort just to keep from blurting it out.

After those three days that felt longer than a year, Lin Yuewei arrived at Yanning Airport and ran straight in the wrong direction; Wang Yuanyuan chased after her from behind but still couldn’t catch up, and it took quite a while before she managed to turn her around.

The van dropped Lin Yuewei off. She ran like the wind, practically slamming the door open, and then leaned against it, panting.

After finally catching her breath, she bent down to change shoes and tidied herself up in the mirror. It was just past three in the afternoon; Gu Yanqiu still hadn’t gotten off work. Lin Yuewei sat on the sofa waiting for her and finished three or four cups of water in no time, her hands and feet trembling nervously without stopping.

Look at you, such a useless thing, Lin Yuewei scolded herself in her heart, then continued trembling disgracefully.

Gu Yanqiu got off work right on time; luckily she didn’t run into any traffic, or else the cultured and proper Miss Gu would probably have been driven to curse in the street for the first time in her life.

At five-fifty in the afternoon, Gu Yanqiu came home. She opened the door and saw no one; the suitcase was leaning by the entrance, and on her second glance she only saw a pair of bare feet. Those feet were better than average too.

Gu Yanqiu walked around to the sofa and took in the sight of the beautiful young woman sleeping there. She crouched down and called softly, “Weiwei.”

Lin Yuewei hadn’t slept much these past three days. When her back hurt from sitting too long, she lay down for a while; who knew she’d fall asleep, and in her dream there was nothing but Gu Yanqiu. The real Gu Yanqiu’s call made her eyelashes flutter as she opened her eyes.

Gu Yanqiu stood against the light; her stunning face couldn’t be seen clearly. The intimate way she called her name felt even more like another beautiful dream.

Lin Yuewei raised a hand to shield her forehead and murmured, “Gu Yanqiu...”

Gu Yanqiu bent down and kissed her.

Author’s Note: I’d imagined many ways for them to get together, including dramatic ones and slightly funny ones; in the end I still chose this version. It happens naturally, just like that.