"have no idea."
Song Jin smiled with her head down: "Many reporters have asked me this question before, and my answer has always been that I want to challenge myself in different fields and see what I can do. But actually, I just want you to see me."
Qi Xiaoyan's brows twitched, and Song Jin looked at him and chuckled, "Surprised? I was surprised myself. When I was in school, I always wanted to catch up with you. I thought that as long as I was good enough, you would definitely notice me. But after I got into graduate school, I felt more and more pressure. When I saw your paper published in a well-known journal in China, I realized that I might never reach your level in my entire life."
Qi laughed and said, "You don't need to do that at all."
Song Jin looked into his eyes and curled her lips slightly: "You know, every time you look at me, your eyes are empty. Even though you're looking at me, it's no different from looking at anything else. Later I realized that only when I ask you some difficult math questions does my image become clearer in your eyes."
Qi Xiaoyan didn't speak, and Song Jin continued, "But I can't go any further in mathematics. I know where my limit is. When I graduated with my master's degree, I received a few good offers. I thought to myself, 'Ah, this is how my life is going to be.' Then, not long after, I saw the news that 'Painting Soul' was publicly recruiting for the female lead."
Song Jin paused for a moment: "I suddenly had this idea. If I were a celebrity, you would have many opportunities to see me, right? Maybe on a billboard on the street, maybe on a TV in the subway, maybe in a newspaper when you get up in the morning..." She chuckled as she said this, "So I signed up, and I didn't expect that I would be so suitable for this industry."
Qi Xiaoyan remained silent. Song Jin took a sip of coffee, the taste somewhat bitter. "Sometimes I don't even know why I like you. Maybe it's the focused look on your face when you explain problems to me? Or the concern you showed when you carried me to the school clinic when I was injured? Sometimes I also feel that what I like might not be you, but just your talent..." She looked up at Qi Xiaoyan, a strange emotion in her eyes. "I've finished speaking. Is there anything else you want to say to me?"
Qi smiled and said, "Mm."
Song Jin lowered her eyes and chuckled softly, "Alright, I'm all ears."
Qi Xiaoyan leaned forward, her voice as cold as ever: "I hope you will stop harassing Yang Wei."
Song Jin paused for a moment, then scoffed, "Harassment? Is that what she told you?"
Qi Xiaoyan looked at her, her expression unwavering: "I don't know what you said to her, but it's a fact that you made her very unhappy."
"She's unhappy?" Song Jin found it truly amusing. "You should know very well how sharp-tongued she is, right? Do you think she makes me happy?"
Qi Xiaoyan didn't answer. After a moment of silence, Song Jin became somewhat agitated: "Since you like her so much, why did you divorce her? If you don't divorce her, I won't have any more illusions!"
Her words contained both resentment and anger. Qi Xiaoyan waited for her to calm down before asking, "Have you seen Yang Wei's paintings? Her graduation project was a work called 'Girl in the Tropical Rainforest'."
As if recalling something, he described slowly: "The azure sky, colorful flowers, lush plants, and the girl's flowing white dress, large patches of color like colorful dandelions, filled the whole picture."
Song Jin chuckled: "So what? You divorced her because this painting was too vibrant?"
“If you’ve seen her paintings, you’ll understand that she’s full of romance and loves bright colors, but my life is completely different from that. I agreed to divorce her because I knew that there were indeed problems between us, and if we let them develop, they could lead to irreparable consequences, which is the last thing I want to see.”
Song Jin paused for a moment, then looked at Qi Xiaoyan and said, "Your tone right now is like that of a forgiving husband talking about his wife who longs for the glamorous world. You believe that after she experiences some things outside, she will come back to your side."
Qi smiled and said, "It should be said that we both need some space to grow. Yang Wei had no dating experience before we got married. I never pursued her, and I didn't even propose to her. This is indeed her regret, and I am willing to fill this void for her."
"Have you ever considered the possibility that she was pursued by someone else?"
Qi Xiaoyan was silent for a while before saying, "I won't let that happen. Even if she still has eyes for others now, one day I will make her only see me."
Song Jin pursed her lips and remained silent. Qi Xiaoyan stood up from her chair, looked at her, and said, "I think I've made myself clear. I hope you won't bother her anymore."
He opened the door and walked out without a trace of hesitation.
In the following days, Qi Xiaoyan called Yang Wei several times, but Yang Wei immediately hung up when she saw the words "rolling up her paper." That week, she worked tirelessly on her artwork, submitting it before Friday. The publisher was very satisfied with her painting and efficiently transferred the remaining payment to her.
Yang Wei was overjoyed after receiving the money. She sent a message to Sheng Lei and Jian Shuang, inviting them to dinner that evening. Jian Shuang said she had to go to work that night and couldn't come out, but Sheng Lei readily agreed.
After getting off work, Yang Wei first went to see a movie with Sheng Lei, and then they went to a barbecue restaurant they often frequented, where they ordered a few bottles of beer and a bunch of meat.
Sheng Lei watched Yang Wei drinking and eating meat, then blinked quickly: "You've been acting a little strange lately, are you in a bad mood?"
Yang Wei immediately denied it, saying, "Who said that? I'm so happy to have received my payment for my writing today!"
Sheng Lei took a bite of a pork rib and scrutinized her expression: "Didn't you stop drinking under Professor Qi's supervision? You've really let your true nature shine through?"
Yang Wei tilted her chin up and snorted coldly: "He won't let me drink just because he doesn't want me to? Who does he think he is?"
Sheng Lei nodded slightly, leaned closer to her, and asked, "Is it related to Qi Xiaoyan?"
Yang Wei narrowed her eyes: "Don't mention him to me, or you'll have to pay the bill yourself later."
Sheng Lei, feeling threatened, started pouring wine for Yang Wei. She knew Yang Wei's low alcohol tolerance all too well; after a few drinks, she could get all sorts of things out of her.
“Song Jin…you know her, right?” Yang Wei patted Sheng Lei’s shoulder, her cheeks already flushed.
Sheng Lei nodded.
Yang Wei exclaimed in surprise, "She's Qi Xiaoyan's first love!"
Sheng Lei said, "I know this. It's been published in the magazine. It's obviously about Qi Xiaoyan. Give me some real information."
Yang Wei hooked her arm around her neck and said mysteriously, "The night I was robbed, Qi Xiaoyan was at her house! Hehe, later I called Qi Xiaoyan away, and Song Jin was so angry that her face turned green. She came to the school gate to block me!"
This statement was so information-heavy that Sheng Lei took a moment to process it before saying, "When were you robbed?! Didn't you say you were robbed?"
Yang Wei said with an indifferent expression, "That was just a lie, hiccup. You don't know, I was terrified. He was holding a knife, it was... this long." Yang Wei gestured to show it to her.
Sheng Lei's anger flared up instantly, and she slammed her hand on the table with a loud bang: "You were robbed and he's still at another woman's house, and that woman still has the nerve to go to the school to confront you? Does she really think she's above everyone else and can bully you like that?!"
Yang Wei nodded: "She also said that someone like me is not good enough for Qi Xiaoyan."
"Then who is good enough for her? Her?" Sheng Lei grabbed Yang Wei's shoulders and asked, "And what about you? Are you just going to let her go like that?"
"No, I bit her hard!"
Sheng Lei's lips twitched: "What about Qi Xiaoyan? Did he mock him mercilessly?"
Yang Wei hiccuped again: "I don't want to talk to him. I hang up on him whenever he calls."
"How can this be! I won't be satisfied until I give him a good scolding!" Sheng Lei took out Yang Wei's phone and dialed Qi Xiaoyan's number.
Qi Xiaoyan had just finished showering and came out of the bathroom when she saw the word "Baby" lit up on her phone screen. She quickly walked over and answered the phone: "Baby?"
"Who's your baby!" Sheng Lei yelled into the microphone, "Qi Xiaoyan, you're something else! You've only been divorced for a short time and you're already hooking up with a female celebrity, and you even dare to show off in front of Yang Wei? Have you no shame!"
Qi Xiaoyan was taken aback for a moment before asking, "Are you Sheng Lei? Where's Yang Wei? I need to talk to her."
"She has nothing to say to you."
Yang Wei took a bite of her lamb skewer, then turned to look at Sheng Lei: "You're talking to Qi Xiaoyan? Let me handle this!" She snatched the phone from Sheng Lei's hand, mimicking her tone, "Qi Xiaoyan, you're not human! You're an egg! A bastard! An idiot! A bald egg!"
Sheng Lei: "..."
Yang Wei truly lives up to her art background; even her insults are executed with artistry.
Qi Xiaoyan on the other end of the phone frowned deeply: "You've been drinking? Didn't I tell you not to drink outside?"
"You won't let me drink it, but I'll drink it anyway, just to spite you!"
Qi Xiaoyan's eyes darkened slightly: "Where are you now?"
I won't tell you!
Qi Xiaoyan tilted her head back slightly and exhaled: "Yang Wei, tell me right now where you are."
Yang Wei hung up the phone. She took Sheng Lei's arm and raised the wine glass on the table: "Come on, let's keep drinking."
Sheng Lei was now somewhat regretful; she shouldn't have forced Yang Wei to drink. She took the glass from Yang Wei's hand and put it aside: "Alright, it's getting late, let's go back first."
"No, I want to keep drinking!"
Sheng Lei had a bit of a headache: "How about we go home and continue drinking?"
"No, I want to drink here!"
As Yang Wei reached for her wine glass, her phone, which was on the table, suddenly rang. Yang Wei glanced at Juanjuanzi's name on the screen, then dismissively dialed the number. Sheng Lei was also looking at her phone; neither of them answered. The call automatically ended, then rang again shortly after; the caller was still Juanjuanzi.
After repeating this three times, Sheng Lei answered the phone: "What exactly do you want?"
Where are you now?
Qi Xiaoyan's already cold voice seemed to take on an even chiller tone in the night. Sheng Lei held her phone for a moment, then told him the address.
The call was disconnected almost instantly. Sheng Lei put the phone back in Yang Wei's bag and snatched the wine glass from her hand: "What's the point of just drinking? Eat more meat."
Yang Wei seemed to think it made sense, and picked up another skewer of mutton to eat.
Not long after, Sheng Lei also had the opportunity to witness Initial D-level racing skills. The Audi sped across the road and came to a stop with a screeching sound of brakes.
Qi Xiaoyan saw Yang Wei slumped over the table and frowned as she asked Sheng Lei, "How much alcohol did you give her?"
Sheng Lei said, "You make it sound like I have ulterior motives towards her. Oh, but speaking of which, sir, who are you?"
Qi Xiaoyan ignored her sarcasm, bent down and picked up the limp Yang Wei: "I'll take her home." After he finished speaking, he walked across the street. It wasn't until the black Audi carrying Yang Wei drove away that Sheng Lei suddenly remembered, "Damn, I haven't paid yet."
Author's Note: Special thanks to: Xiaoyu Tang (thrown a landmine, time: 2015-04-14 21:53:27), Jerair (thrown a grenade, time: 2015-04-15 08:05:01), Su Tan (thrown a grenade, time: 2015-04-15 18:26:03), and Diego (thrown a landmine, time: 2015-04-15 18:58:45). Thank you, little angels, for the landmines! Professor Qi will be unleashing his ultimate move tomorrow night :)
32
Qi Xiaoyan parked the car and picked Yang Wei up from it.
Yang Wei leaned on Qi Xiaoyan's shoulder, mumbling incoherently, "Qi Xiaoyan, you're not human, you're a bastard..."
Qi Xiaoyan ignored her and continued carrying her forward. Yang Wei swung her bag at him, yelling, "Why can't I drink? Huh? I'm going to drink anyway! What's wrong with putting the toothbrush head to the left? Will the sun fall down?!"
Qi Xiaoyan turned his head away to dodge the bag she threw at him. Yang Wei angrily pulled a tuft of curly hair from his head: "You actually went to Song Jin's house! I'll cut you off, I'll cut you off!"
Qi Xiaoyan: "..."
He looked down at Yang Wei, a slight smile playing on his lips: "What will you do if you cut me off?"
Yang Wei was stunned for a moment, then angrily hit him with her handbag: "Just because you're a little pretty, you've become so arrogant? Did you seduce Song Jin like this too?"
Qi Xiaoyan's arm was hit by her, and she frowned slightly: "Stop fooling around, or you'll fall."
Yang Wei continued her drunken rampage as if she hadn't heard a word: "So what if you have a first love? You actually have to publish it in the newspaper to show off your love! I'll burn you all to death!"
Qi Xiaoyan exhaled from his chest, but his arms tightened around her even more.
When they got home, he tossed Yang Wei onto the sofa, took two oranges from the fruit basket, went into the kitchen, squeezed a glass of orange juice for Yang Wei, and said, "Drink this; it will help you sober up."
Yang Wei rolled over impatiently and lay refusing to move on the sofa: "I'm not drinking. I'm going to rely on my amazing willpower to get through this!"
Qi Xiaoyan: "..."
He exhaled again, raised the glass, and downed the orange juice in one gulp. Setting the glass down, he picked up Yang Wei and carried her towards the bedroom. Yang Wei squirmed restlessly in his arms, saying, "Put me down, I don't want to drink!"
Qi Xiaoyan threw her onto the bed and loosened his tie: "Yang Wei, if you dare to go out and drink this much again, you're dead."
Yang Wei grabbed a pillow and threw it at Qi Xiaoyan's face: "Qi Xiaoyan, you little thief, you stole my pillow! Tell me, what did you do to my pillow!"
Qi Xiaoyan ignored her, took off his coat, and went into the bathroom. Although he had just taken a shower before leaving, carrying Yang Wei back had made him all sweaty again.
Yang Wei seemed to have exhausted herself and finally quieted down. When Qi Xiaoyan came out after taking a shower, Yang Wei was lying on the bed, sleeping peacefully. Qi Xiaoyan walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed.
Yang Wei's eyelashes were long, casting a faint shadow on her eye sockets. Qi Xiaoyan stared at her for a while, then curled the corners of his lips and touched her eyelashes with his hand. Yang Wei's brows twitched uneasily, and she opened her eyes to look at the person who had disturbed her peaceful sleep.
Qi Xiaoyan still had a smile on her lips, and the lingering scent of shower gel acted like a drug, catalyzing the effects of the alcohol on Yang Wei's body.