Wen Yuhan leaned his back against the wall, took another deep drag of his cigarette, and slowly exhaled, the light in his eyes flickering with the burning tobacco.
A cigarette turned to ash in the blink of an eye. He wiped his still-damp hair with a towel and whispered to Pei Shaocheng, "I'm tired." He seemed to be repeating this sentence all these years.
Immediately, Pei Shaocheng's voice, filled with undisguised heartache, came from the other end of the phone: "Okay, go to sleep."
Wen Yuhan turned his head to look downstairs again, only to see that the other person had maintained the same posture the whole time, staring intently at his window.
Countless emotions swirled in Pei Shaocheng's heart, but in the end, they all condensed into a single, gentle "Goodnight."
Wen Yuhan hung up the phone and reached out to close the curtains tightly.
He stood there lost in thought for a while, and just as he was about to go back to the bathroom to dry his hair, Xiao Yang made a tentative knock on the door.
"Teacher Wen, are you asleep?"
Wen Yuhan opened the door and met Xiao Yang's hesitant gaze. He smiled at Xiao Yang and stepped aside to gesture for him to come in.
As soon as Xiao Yang entered the room, he smelled the strong smell of smoke. He sighed helplessly, "Didn't I tell you to smoke less?"
"Just one." Wen Yuhan sat back on the bed, looked up and asked Xiaoyang, "What's wrong?"
Xiao Yang hesitated for a moment, then slowly sat down next to Wen Yuhan and gestured with her chin towards the window: "Um... he hasn't left yet."
"Okay," Wen Yuhan replied. "Never mind him."
Xiao Yang's lips moved, and finally, as if she had made up her mind, she gritted her teeth and said to Wen Yuhan, "Teacher, I think you absolutely shouldn't go back to Wancheng alone again during this period! It's not safe there!"
Wen Yuhan remained silent, waiting for Xiao Yang to continue.
Xiao Yang's pupils contracted and trembled. His hands, which were clasped at his sides, clenched and unclenched several times. Finally, he sighed heavily, picked up the cigarette box that Wen Yuhan had tossed aside, and lit one for himself.
I smoked two or three cigarettes in a row.
"Teacher, what I actually meant was... what I meant was... why don't you... why don't you..." Xiao Yang's voice was barely audible.
"Let's go back with Pei Shaocheng." Wen Yuhan looked at Xiao Yang and casually uttered his thoughts.
Xiao Yang's face flushed red instantly. His nostrils twitched, and he looked like he was about to cry: "Teacher, I'm really so unwilling..."
As he spoke, he grabbed Wen Yuhan and buried his head in her neck.
Xiao Yang, after all, is a tall man of 1.8 meters, yet at this moment he looked as aggrieved as a child who had done something wrong.
Wen Yuhan's hands stiffened for a moment, and her gaze gradually softened after a brief moment of distraction.
He slowly wrapped his arms around Xiaoyang from behind, gently patting her back as he said softly, "It's okay, I understand, you're doing this for my own good."
Xiao Yang hugged Wen Yuhan tightly, sobbing uncontrollably: "If I could be like Pei Shaocheng or Lu Yanheng, I would have the ability to protect our teacher from harm, but I... I... I can only watch helplessly as our teacher is bullied every time, and I can't do anything about it... What kind of man am I!"
Wen Yuhan let Xiao Yang vent her emotions freely on his shoulder. This was the first time Xiao Yang had told him all the resentment and humiliation in her heart.
He actually understood Xiaoyang very well, because he often felt the same way himself. He was always acting against his will, always passively making one decision after another.
"I secretly contacted President Lu before, but I haven't been able to get through." Xiao Yang's eyes were red, and ash from the cigarette in her mouth fell down. "Right now, the only one capable of competing with Han Shu and the others is Pei Shaocheng..."
At this point, Xiao Yang gave an awkward smile: "Although I really don't want to admit it, he has indeed always deeply loved his teacher."
Wen Yuhan paused slightly, lowered her eyes, and said softly, "I know."
Xiao Yang looked up at Wen Yuhan and said, word by word, "And Teacher, you have never stopped loving Pei Shaocheng."
...
"Know."
A note from the author:
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 81
When Wen Yuhan returned to the old apartment near the drama academy, she had a strange feeling of overlapping and intersecting time and space. The past seemed to have happened just yesterday, yet it also felt like a lifetime had passed, spanning a hundred years.
After learning that Wen Yuhan had agreed to move back in with him, Pei Shaocheng quickly bought the house that held countless memories for the two of them. He then hired a top-notch renovation company to renovate it inside and out using the best environmentally friendly materials.
He was wearing an apron, holding a spatula in one hand while waiting for the tomato and beef brisket stewing in the pot to reach its perfect texture. The high-quality loungewear he wore somehow made the ordinary cooking look like he was shooting a kitchen commercial.
Wen Yuhan sat on the sofa in the living room, a popular TV series playing on the television. He held a cigarette between his fingers, positioned perfectly where the sunlight shone. His half-closed eyes held a hint of laziness, but his somewhat distant gaze betrayed that his attention was not actually on the television.
"Meow—" After licking its fur, the little kitten jumped onto Wen Yuhan's lap, curled up into a ball, and yawned.
Wen Yuhan snapped out of her daze, flicked the half-burnt cigarette ash into the ashtray, and scratched Xiaomi's chin.
"Xiao Han, dinner is ready." Pei Shaocheng walked out of the kitchen carrying a pot of tomato and beef brisket that had been placed in a small white porcelain casserole. There were already quite a few dishes on the table.
Wen Yuhan responded indifferently, stubbed out her cigarette, and sat down at the dining table. Pei Shaocheng lifted the lid of the casserole, and a rich aroma wafted out along with the rising white smoke.
He served Wen Yuhan a bowl of rice and then put a piece of beef brisket into it. His barely concealed joy made his originally deep features appear much softer.
"Try it and see how it tastes." Pei Shaocheng sat down next to Wen Yuhan, watching him put the beef into his mouth with eager eyes. The usually mature and composed man now showed a hint of boyish trepidation and anticipation.
"tasty."
Wen Yuhan's approval made his eyes shine even brighter. He quickly added another bowl of winter melon and pork rib soup for him and used a spoon to help Wen Yuhan cool down.
In countless midnight dreams, Pei Shaocheng would see this scene, stubbornly refusing to wake up even as his consciousness gradually cleared.
Now, with this kind of life suddenly and unpredictably returning, he could hardly believe it. A lump formed in his throat, and he felt utterly helpless and pathetic.
"You should get some sleep first. I'll take care of some work I have on hand," Pei Shaocheng said gently. "I'll stay in the study. When you wake up, we can go for a walk. If you don't want to go, we can watch a movie together at home tonight."
When the word "home" was mentioned, Pei Shaocheng felt a warmth in his heart. In the years without Wen Yuhan, even the biggest house was just a place to sleep for him. Whenever the word was mentioned, the little house in front of him would always come to mind.
"I just heard you push out another announcement on the phone." Wen Yuhan put down her chopsticks and sighed softly. "The beginning of the year is when all the projects are starting up, and you always do this..."
“It’s alright,” Pei Shaocheng interrupted casually. “It’s not an occasion that I have to attend.”
"If that's the case, I think I'd better move out."
Pei Shaocheng couldn't bear to hear Wen Yuhan say he was moving out, so he hurriedly said, "I didn't turn down those things because of you."
Wen Yuhan raised her eyes and quietly looked at Pei Shaocheng.
Pei Shaocheng paused, then served him another bowl of soup and said in a deep voice, "Actually, I have more important plans right now." He got up and went to his study, returning shortly with a thick stack of scripts, which he placed on the table in front of Wen Yuhan.
"Our company invested in a stage play this year, and we plan to start a national tour after its premiere in Yancheng. Ideally, we would eventually go to Europe. The tentative stops are Florence, Venice, and Paris. Switzerland and Germany are also under consideration, and we are currently communicating with local theaters."
As Wen Yuhan listened to Pei Shaocheng speak, she picked up the stack of scripts, her gaze darkening slightly.
Pei Shaocheng continued, "To be honest, the investment cost this time is quite large. Shen Wei from Huacan has also invested. In other words, this is not just a matter for my company, so we must treat it with caution."
At this point, Pei Shaocheng looked intently at Wen Yuhan and said, "Xiaohan, can you help me?"
After that, a long silence filled the small living room. The lighter made a faint sound, and after the tobacco had burned out, it was tossed aside.
Wen Yuhan had a cigarette dangling from his lips, his head slightly lowered, obscuring his expression. The gentle sunlight softly enveloped him, casting a thin layer of golden light over the wisps of hair on his forehead.
His silence gave Pei Shaocheng a clear understanding of the situation. He immediately reached out and took Wen Yuhan's somewhat cold hand, softening his voice: "It's okay. I said I would never force you again. Leave the rest to me."
"Why does it have to be this show?" Wen Yuhan's lips twitched slightly, but her eyes were unfathomable.
On the script Pei Shaocheng handed him, he almost immediately spotted the male lead's name: Andrew. A few ordinary English letters arranged together formed the image that had both made and destroyed him, coldly scrutinizing his soul.
“Because he belongs to me too.” Pei Shaocheng’s deep, magnetic voice struck Wen Yuhan’s heart with a gentle yet powerful force. “That is the most precious role you gave me, and I will not allow anyone to tarnish it.”
“He’s just a fictional character,” Wen Yuhan said softly, closing her eyes.
“But I am real.” Pei Shaocheng’s words echoed in the spring afternoon. “The one who created him is also real.”
...
Later, Wen Yuhan learned that Xiao Yang had also resolutely joined the creative team that adapted the play, working together with Pei Shaocheng, with whom he had always been at odds, to create the plot and characters.
The reason is simple: like Pei Shaocheng, he believes that the most effective way to help Wen Yuhan get rid of Han Shu and Liu Zhengju's harassment is to confront them head-on. Starting with this drama, it should also end with it, so that those who have slandered, hurt, and insulted Wen Yuhan can be completely driven back to the underworld.
At the same time, Wen Yuhan also received another piece of information. The largest investment company behind Han Shu was none other than Rusheng Media, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lu Group.
Legal representative: Lu Yanheng.
At this point, more than a month had passed since Lu Yanheng went missing.
...
"It can't be Yanheng." Wen Yuhan was certain of this almost instantly.
Pei Shaocheng paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "Hmm, it shouldn't be him." Even though he was secretly jealous of Lu Yanheng to the point of almost going crazy, Pei Shaocheng still wouldn't make a judgment without distinguishing right from wrong. "I've already tried to investigate. Although Lu Yanheng is the legal representative and general manager of Rusheng, the actual power in the company is currently in the hands of Lu Yanchen."
Wen Yuhan frowned and murmured, "Based on my understanding of Yanheng, he is first-rate in both his interpersonal skills and his insightful views, how could he..."
“Ever since Old Master Lu passed away, the Lu family has been in chaos. The struggle between the two Lu brothers has never stopped.” Pei Shaocheng leaned back on the leather sofa in his study and lightly tapped the table. “With the support of my side and Hua Can, Lu Yanheng’s chances of winning should have been greater. But Lu Yanchen is a ruthless man; he can be said to be willing to do anything to achieve his goals, even betraying his own family. In this respect, Lu Yanheng was ultimately merciful. But, no businessman is without cunning. In the business world, mercy can easily become a deadly weapon.”
A hint of worry flashed across Wen Yuhan's eyes: "I haven't been able to get in touch with him. The last time we spoke was when he was in Lucerne."
Seeing the other person's expression, Pei Shaocheng felt a pang of jealousy well up inside him again. He took a deep breath and forced it down, stood up, walked over to Wen Yuhan, reached out and wrapped his arms around his waist from behind, and comforted him in a deep voice: "Lu Yanheng has never been an easy character to deal with, you know that, right?"
Wen Yuhan stiffened, but ultimately let Pei Shaocheng hold him without breaking free of his embrace. Pei Shaocheng immediately moved closer, resting his chin on Wen Yuhan's shoulder, and whispered in his ear in a deep, soothing voice, "I have to go to the drama academy tonight. I've been looking for a few actors, and we'll have a intensive audition tonight."
Seeing that Wen Yuhan didn't speak, she tried asking again, "Xiao Yang will be there too. He said he's never been to the drama academy before... Do you want to go back and take a look together?"
"I'm not going." Wen Yuhan looked out the window at the lush ivy outside the academy.
Seeing this, Pei Shaocheng didn't press the matter further. He tightened his grip on Wen Yuhan's waist and gently instructed, "Okay, I'll try to come back as soon as possible. Take good care of yourself at home and try not to go out. Don't open the door if someone knocks, and contact me anytime."
"good."
...
A note from the author:
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 82
After Pei Shaocheng left, Wen Yuhan took another short nap. When he opened his eyes again, he saw the sunset glow outside the window.
It was an extremely romantic blue-purple, like a Renoir painting. The lights outside the window gradually came on, and he remained in his waking state, lost in thought for a moment, then habitually reached for his cigarette case from the bedside table to light a cigarette.
All I got was a piece of chewing gum, lemon mint flavored.
Wen Yuhan paused, then sighed helplessly. His shirt was hanging to the side, perfectly ironed without a single wrinkle. He picked it up, changed out of his pajamas, and went to the bathroom to wash up quickly.