"Let's get another cup, there are two of us," Li Yue said, pointing to Xiao Qiqi.
Xiao Qiqi ate the tripe, "No more, I really can't drink anymore, I'm allergic to alcohol, he knows that. Back when Chen Yuanxing and I lived on this street, Erhu always regarded Chen Yuanxing as his idol! Unless you can beat him in video games, he won't listen to you."
Li Yue raised his eyebrows exaggeratedly, "Young Master Chen is young, rich, handsome, and charming. Xiao Qiqi, you really don't know how to enjoy life."
“Yes, I’m just unlucky by nature.” Xiao Qiqi drank water frantically.
The two chatted for a while, and their conversation grew longer and longer.
As they broke up, Li Yue patted Xiao Qiqi on the shoulder and said, "Qiqi, if you can't make it in this world, just stick with me! I have a house and a car, and my income is decent. Supporting a wife won't be a problem. How about it, think it over?"
Xiao Qiqi nodded seriously, "I've agreed to your request twice today. How come I didn't realize you were so interesting a few years ago?"
"Ha, back then you had your eyes on Xia Xuan."
"So you've taken a liking to Xu Chun."
The two laughed heartily again. Perhaps there is nothing more delightful than such a reunion of old friends.
Sitting in Chen Yuanxing's car, with soft music playing, Cui Xiao watched the torrential rain rage outside. Only after confirming that Chen Yuanxing was no longer beside her did she quietly lower her hand from her chest, exhaling, "That was terrifying! But also thrilling." Cui Xiao thought of Chen Yuanxing's playful smile as he sped along, and his gentle and considerate manner when speaking to her. Her heart pounded like a deer's. Her father hadn't lied to her; Chen Yuanxing was indeed a rare find. But that woman on the mountain seemed to have said Yuanxing was gay. No, no, it must be her jealousy; she was just saying it on purpose. Her parents both said that someone as handsome as Chen Yuanxing would be a blessing for the Cui family if they married into his family, and that she must behave well and not upset him. But why did he suddenly leave? Had she upset him?
Cui Xiao blushed, her heart pounded, she shook her head, and she was filled with doubt. After what seemed like an eternity, the car door slammed open. Cui Xiao opened her mouth wide and looked up. Wow, the sky had cleared up, and the golden sunset shone on Chen Yuanxing's silent face. Cui Xiao forgot to close her mouth. What an alluring charm this was! So cool.
Chen Yuanxing suddenly turned his head and looked at Cui Xiao seriously. "Miss Cui, there are taxis over there. Please take one back."
Cui Xiao was puzzled, "...Why...do you hate me?"
"No, you're very good." Chen Yuanxing looked at Cui Xiao's flushed face and innocent, rabbit-like expression, and smiled wryly. "How old are you this year? Eighteen? Twenty?"
“I’m already nineteen years old.” Cui Xiao’s voice was a little louder, afraid that Chen Yuanxing would think she was underage.
“I was nineteen once too, I understand what a young girl like you is thinking.” Chen Yuanxing reached for a cigarette, only to realize he’d left it at the hotel. “We’re not a good match, you know what I mean?”
Cui Xiao shook her head, bewildered, "My dad said..."
Chen Yuanxing raised his hand, "Stop, stop! Don't worry about what your dad says..." Chen Yuanxing hesitated for a moment, "How about this, is it okay to go home a little late tonight?"
Cui Xiao was delighted, nodded shyly, and lowered her voice again, "Mom knows I'm with you."
Chen Yuanxing's face remained silent. He turned the steering wheel, and the car headed towards the edge of the city, bathed in the setting sun.
9. Dark Night
Su Yan tugged at her collar again, asking her roommate Gu Lian for the hundredth time, "Do I really have to dress like this?"
Gu Lian applied her lipstick without turning around, her husky voice carrying a languid charm, "I'm already being very conservative." After finishing applying her dark red lipstick, she tossed her waist-length wavy hair and turned to scrutinize Su Yan, "A bare face, are you really going to go like this?"
Su Yan sat on the bed, somewhat annoyed. "What else do you want? Do you want me to dress up like a peacock?" She realized she had gone too far with the analogy and chuckled, her bright eyes sparkling like stars. "No matter how I dress up, I'm still not in the same league as you!"
Gu Lian's real name was Gu Lian, but because studying acting required not only a beautiful appearance but also a pleasant-looking and melodious name, she changed it to Gu Lian. True to her name, she was stunningly beautiful, delicate and alluring, a sight to behold. She played a small role in her sophomore year and later appeared with several renowned directors, gaining some minor fame within her film academy. However, compared to her female classmates who had already found their way into the lives of famous directors or wealthy families, she was far behind.
Su Yan and Gu Lian shared a dorm room. Su Yan was tall and thin, with a small frame, giving her an ethereal air. She was pretty, but her eyes, bright as cold stars, added to her aloof and cold demeanor. However, she was clearly unlucky; even in her junior year, she hadn't played a single role, making her an anomaly in a place teeming with beautiful women and handsome men who relied on their youth for a living. She was also somewhat aloof and arrogant, disdaining underhanded tactics, and thus, by her junior year, she was still a failure.
Gu Lian, who had always been on good terms with her, repeatedly instilled in her the survival philosophy of modern female college students. This time, she finally succeeded and Su Yan agreed to go out with Gu Lian to broaden her horizons.
Su Yan ultimately refused to let Gu Lian paint her face with Peking Opera makeup. She simply drew her eyebrows lightly, applied light pink lip gloss, and her fair skin and short hair made her look playful and cute.
"Gu Lian, where is that place? It's so far." Sitting in the taxi, Su Yan glanced at her low-cut black dress and sighed. "Once you enter this industry, you should understand the rules," Gu Lian often said. Her family background was average, and in this college full of beauties, she was only considered to have a better temperament. What was there to be reserved about?
"That place is in the suburbs, it's the most famous bar in the industry, it's members-only. Everyone who goes in and out is a rich kid, if we could just hook up with one of them we wouldn't have to be so stressed and working so hard."
Su Yan glanced at the taxi driver, feeling a little embarrassed, and whispered, "Gu Lian, keep your voice down."
Gu Lian chuckled and pinched Su Yan's cheek. "Are you still shy? There aren't many people in this industry as pure and innocent as you. You should have known what would happen if you had chosen this profession."
Su Yan sighed inwardly and fell silent. Her parents had worked hard all their lives in a small city, struggling to make ends meet. Her father had painstakingly researched various options to find her a lucrative but easy major, ultimately settling on acting—a seemingly glamorous and lucrative profession. Despite her objections, she was pushed onto this path. For three years, she had been well aware of the connections of her classmates at the film academy, who lived glamorous lives, drove luxury cars, and spent lavishly. She simply couldn't bring herself to do something like marrying into wealth. Now, thinking of her father lying in his hospital bed, Su Yan sighed once more.
Su Yan was in a bad mood, and her expression remained indifferent. Gu Lian knew that this was the first time she had made such a decision, and she must be filled with worries, so she ignored her.
The luxuriously decorated and opulent "Dark Night" had just opened for business. Da Mi, the bartender, slowly wiped the glasses, while Da Peng, a part-time waiter, sat to the side smoking. Da Mi glanced at the door and nudged Da Peng with his elbow, "Go to the restroom if you want to smoke. Customers are coming. What if Brother Jing sees you? You'll be in trouble!" Da Peng chuckled and stubbed out his cigarette, "It's still early. There won't be any customers. Besides, Brother Jing won't be here until after midnight."
Da Mi smacked his lips, and the door was already pushed open. "Wow, a beautiful woman!" Da Peng exclaimed dramatically as he rushed over, then stopped in his tracks. "Hey, it's someone I know!"
Gu Lian and Su Yan sat on high stools beside the bar, their faces turned towards the door, able to see people coming and going with a single glance. Night deepened, and the bar gradually filled up.
Da Peng was mixing drinks with rice, wiping the glasses as he chatted with Gu Lian and Su Yan. Su Yan asked Da Peng in confusion, "You work as a waiter here? I was wondering why I haven't seen you around." They were in the same class, and Su Yan was a little reserved at first, since she had run into an acquaintance as soon as she entered.
Da Peng was quite casual. "A friend introduced me to it. It's a part-time job." Gu Lian twirled her curly hair with her fingers. "A friend? What friend? That rich woman who caused such a stir a while ago, right?" Gu Lian was quite familiar with Da Peng, so she spoke without restraint. Da Peng didn't mind either, only raising his delicate eyebrows and deliberately saying in a coquettish voice, "I broke up with her a long time ago, boohoo." Gu Lian laughed and patted Da Peng, and Su Yan also relaxed, a few smiles appearing on her face.
Da Peng suddenly glanced towards the door, smirking, "Gu Lian, since you're my best friend, I'll introduce you to a nice girl." Gu Lian, who had been eyeing the silent bartender Da Mi, didn't look at the door. Su Yan, however, followed Da Peng's gaze and saw a man with messy hair, a tall, slender figure, and a wrinkled floral shirt walk in. The bar was dimly lit, making it difficult to see his face clearly, but from the blurry outline, he seemed quite attractive. This man really has questionable taste. That shirt... Su Yan couldn't help but chuckle. Where did he buy it from? It's so wrinkled!
Da Peng nudged Gu Lian, raising his chin slightly. "Young Master Chen, it's a pity you brought a pretty girl with you." Gu Lian turned her head. Chen Yuanxing was walking to the wall lamp, his distinct eyebrows and eyes enveloped in the hazy light. He casually put his hands in his pockets, walked with his head turned to the side, and a smile played on his lips. Gu Lian couldn't help but widen her eyes. "He really is a top-notch beauty! Is this the legendary Young Master Chen?"
"Young Master Chen, I love mature women like you the most. So, are you confident you can oust that green apple next to him and sit in that seat?" Da Peng blinked. At this moment, Chen Yuanxing led Cui Xiao toward the circular sofa in the middle of the bar, which was reserved for VIPs. Jing Ge, who was rumored to never appear before midnight, also popped out from backstage at the right time. "Jing Ge's ears are really long; he even runs faster than Young Master Chen."
Su Yan couldn't help but interject, "Does having long ears have anything to do with running fast?" Da Peng looked at Su Yan as if she were an alien, while Da Mi couldn't help but glance at this clean-looking and playful girl.
Gu Lian had long since forgotten about their bickering. She grabbed Da Peng's arm and said, "Tell me quickly, what kind of woman does he like? I heard that Young Master Chen is also a playboy, but why did he bring such a slutty girl with him today? Has he changed his taste?"
Da Peng glanced at it a few times and laughed, "No way, look!"
Su Yan also looked curiously at the young master Chen who had Gu Lian so excited. The waitress who brought the wine menu had just squatted down when she was pinched on the butt. Su Yan frowned; he really was a playboy, with bad taste and bad character. "Gu Lian, I don't think that guy is anything special. Why are you like that?" Su Yan nudged Gu Lian, who was beaming with a charming smile. "Are you really that infatuated? Didn't you see what he just did?"
Gu Lian didn't care at all. "You see? People like them are just putting on an act everywhere they go."
Su Yan asked curiously, "Is this considered just playing along?" They were so far away, yet they could see the terrified look on the girl's face next to him. Didn't he take it seriously at all?
Gu Lian tapped the bar counter, pondered for a while, and nudged Da Peng, "Can you tell? The young master is in a bad mood tonight. It seems like he's trying to drive that pretty girl away. Do you think he'll be grateful if I help him with this?"
Da Peng wiped the cup. "You can give it a try. If you succeed, you might be able to become the female lead at Huatian Film and Television Group tomorrow."
Su Yan asked curiously, "Huatian Film and Television? Could this young master have a big connection with Huatian?" Gu Lian was a little excited, "I've come here so many times, hoping to meet Young Master Chen. I finally got to see him tonight. Su Yan, don't be so ignorant, okay? Do you know what the boss of Huatian is called? Chen Yifan! Young Master Chen's biological father! But it's no wonder you don't know. Young Master Chen isn't involved in the film and television industry and rarely appears in public. Only a few people in the industry know about his relationship with Huatian."
"Really?" Su Yan was still puzzled. "His clothes are so... shabby! Where did he find that shirt?"
Da Peng pretended to fall over and chimed in, "Hey lady, do you know where that shirt is from? It's Versace, the latest limited edition this summer. You might not be able to buy it even if you have the money!"
Su Yan didn't believe it. "You knew that from so far away?"
“I saw it in a magazine yesterday, I can’t be wrong. Although… his clothes are indeed a bit strange.”
It was still early, and the bar wasn't crowded. Da Peng wasn't busy and had time to chat with Su Yan and Gu Lian. Hearing this, the bartender, Da Mi, smiled wryly. "Young Master Chen got his comeuppance today, didn't he? But what about that little girl?"
Gu Lian jumped off the bar stool and patted Su Yan's hand. "I'll go take a look." Su Yan was about to stop her when Da Peng laughed, "Go ahead and be brave. If I were a mature woman, I definitely wouldn't let this opportunity pass. Look at how impatient Young Master Chen is. He doesn't even glance at Little Apple next to him. There must be something going on."
Gu Lian glanced at the voluptuous waitress who had been flirting with Young Master Chen and was now pouring him wine. She put on a charming smile, pulled down the already large opening of her dress, and walked seductively toward the armchair.
Jing Ge, who was drinking with Chen Yuanxing, had noticed Gu Lian glancing over from the bar. Seeing Gu Lian swaying gracefully as she approached, he nudged Chen Yuanxing, "Young Master, isn't that one nice?" He then glanced at Cui Xiao, who had been anxiously looking pale, and said, "Don't like her? Let her handle this trouble for you?"
Chen Yuanxing leaned back on the sofa, swirling a glass in one hand and resting the other on the sofa. His messy hair covered his slightly squinted eyes. He wiggled a finger and said lazily, "Great, she's hot. Much better than your scumbag." Brother Jing laughed, "Film school girls. How can we vulgar people compare?"
Jing Ge beckoned, and a waiter came over. He whispered a few instructions, and soon Gu Lian sat down between Chen Yuanxing and Jing Ge. Jing Ge watched as Chen Yuanxing finally opened his eyes, hooked his arm around Gu Lian's slender waist, and finally revealed a knowing smile. He stood up, "Young Master, have fun. I'll go greet the others." Chen Yuanxing's lazy demeanor vanished, replaced by a hint of annoyance. "Jing Ge, you're busy. Oh, and get me a pack of cigarettes."
The waiter ran to the bar and held out his hand to Da Peng, "Da Peng, get me a bag of 520s." Da Peng shook his head, "We only have alcohol here, go to the back." The waiter hurried away. Da Peng sighed, "I've never seen a man like to smoke women's cigarettes, I don't know what kind of fetish that is!"
At this moment, a middle-aged man sat next to Su Yan, occasionally striking up a conversation with her. She had never encountered such a situation before and felt somewhat awkward, constantly winking at Da Peng. Da Peng only secretly nodded back without interrupting. Not knowing what to do, she simply ignored the man. The middle-aged man, equally bored, heard Da Peng's words and asked, "You're not gay, are you?" Da Peng smirked, "Gay? I wish he were!" Su Yan also asked, "Who?"
"Who else but Young Master Chen!" Da Peng replied with a sigh. "But for someone like him, even smoking a 1.9 yuan Qianmen cigarette is considered tasteful. We're just pathetic!"
At this moment, Su Yan also became curious about that young master Chen. He wore a wrinkled designer shirt, took his girlfriend to pick up beautiful women, smoked women's cigarettes, and had a lazy demeanor, but he didn't have the frivolous air of others. He was quite interesting to look at.
Gu Lian hadn't expected her luck to be so good tonight. Young Master Chen was very flirtatious and considerate, pouring her drinks and speaking softly. He listened quietly to her without showing any impatience. The girl beside him, however, seemed to be shivering slightly, as if the bar's air conditioning was too low. When Young Master Chen, with a gentle expression, "accidentally" touched Gu Lian's ample bosom for the third time, Cui Xiao couldn't hold back any longer. Summoning courage from who-knows-where, she smashed her glass with a crash, her tearful eyes flashing with the pitiful sorrow of a little rabbit, "Chen Yuanxing, you...you...you're bullying me!"
Chen Yuanxing seemed to have gotten interested, so he put his hand on Gu Lian's shoulder and gently rubbed it, looking at Cui Xiao with a half-smile, "Tell me, where did I bully you? You were the one who wanted to follow me, weren't you? Besides, I didn't touch you!"
"I...I'll go back and tell my dad!" Cui Xiao had been too well protected by her parents since she was a child, and she had attended all-girls schools in Hong Kong. She had never seen such a wanton live performance or such blatant teasing. At this moment, she didn't know what to say, so she could only hold back her tears and say this.
Chen Yuanxing laughed heartily, almost burying his head in Gu Lian's arms. "Xiao Cui, you're so cute. I've realized I'm starting to like you."
"You scoundrel, who wants you to like me!" Cui Xiao's courage was commendable, and his voice became much louder. Many people in the bar who knew Chen Yuanxing started to laugh, and some even raised their glasses to Chen Yuanxing in celebration.
Chen Yuanxing wasn't annoyed. He looked up at Cui Xiao with interest and said, "Sit down, little Cui, let's talk properly!"
"I hate you!" Cui Xiao looked around and saw unrestrained laughter everywhere. Men and women were huddled together drinking, smoking, and flirting. Although it wasn't exactly filthy or blatant, it was still extremely exaggerated in Cui Xiao's innocent eyes. Finally, she turned and ran away.
"Young Master, aren't you going to chase after it? The little white rabbit has run away." Zhou Zijian, holding a wine glass, had already walked over with Brother Jing. Zhou Zijian sat down and mouthed a whistle to Chen Yuanxing.
Chen Yuanxing ignored him, released his hand from Gu Lian's shoulder, and poured wine. "Brother Jing, please find a familiar taxi." Brother Jing had expected this, and waved to give the order.
Zhou Zijian scrutinized Gu Lian. "What's your surname, Miss? You look familiar." It was a very old-fashioned way of striking up a conversation, but Gu Lian was very excited. Someone who was so familiar with Young Master Chen must be of high status.
Su Yan pulled Da Peng aside, "Da Peng, that girl ran away! Isn't Gu Lian being a bit...that?" Da Peng chuckled and shook his head, "Su Yan, I really didn't expect you to come here. Didn't Gu Lian tell you that the girls who come here all have some background? Of course, not everyone who already has a background is here to find one." Su Yan was somewhat annoyed by Da Peng's sharp words, but she couldn't lash out. Hadn't she come to this place full of wealthy and powerful people with the same intentions as Gu Lian? Su Yan looked around the dimly lit bar, at the scattered people standing or sitting, some young, some elegant. The girls around her were all outstanding, some beautiful, some gentle, each with their own unique charm. On the stage in the middle of the bar, a woman in a cheongsam was softly singing "Woman Flower." The soothing music and low laughter lacked the chaotic noise of a typical bar, instead possessing a gentle tranquility. Perhaps this was the taste of the wealthy. Had she really come to the wrong place? Su Yan gripped the stemmed glass as if she wanted to crush it.
“Perhaps you could give it a try,” Da Mi, who had been silent all along, suddenly said to Su Yan. Su Yan looked around; the middle-aged man was gone, and she was the only one left. “Me?” Da Mi nodded and looked at Chen Yuanxing. Chen Yuanxing was still leaning back on the sofa, drinking glass after glass of wine, ignoring everyone. Gu Lian, on the other hand, was chatting happily with Zhou Zijian.
Da Mi raised a glass of grass and waved it at Chen Yuanxing. Chen Yuanxing looked at it, a nonchalant smile playing on his lips. He greeted Gu Lian and Zhou Zijian beside him, then lazily walked over and casually sat down opposite Da Mi, crossing his long legs. "Whiskey is more to my liking. Can you change your taste, Da Mi?"
Da Mi poured a glass of ice water and handed it to Chen Yuanxing, pointing to Su Yan beside him, "Su Yan, a student at XX Film and Television University." Chen Yuanxing tilted his head, scrutinizing Su Yan, his smile deepening, "Da Mi Worm, you've had a change of heart and are introducing me to a woman?"
Su Yan frowned as she listened to the man's magnetic yet gentle voice, which was now quite teasing. Unexpectedly, Chen Yuanxing's expression changed, and after a long while, he nodded and said, "You rice weevil, you still have ulterior motives!"
After speaking, he stood up and sat down next to Su Yan, politely saying, "My name is Chen Yuanxing, hello Miss Su." Su Yan didn't like him and only nodded indifferently. Chen Yuanxing didn't care about her coldness; on the contrary, he became even more interested. "It's not good for girls to drink alcohol at night. Da Mi, have an iced mocha gin." He seemed very considerate, and his eyes were very gentle.
Su Yan wavered slightly. This man certainly had the qualities to be charming: a handsome face, a gentle voice, and appropriate words that gently seeped into her heart like a spring.
Chen Yuanxing took out a cigarette, a slender 520. Su Yan's guard had already relaxed, and her curiosity, like most little girls, was uncontrollable. "...Why do you like to smoke women's cigarettes?"
Chen Yuanxing laughed, but there seemed to be a hint of coldness in his eyes. If you weren't paying attention, you wouldn't be able to see it clearly. Su Yan couldn't help but feel a little regretful. She could tell that this boyish man was not as frivolous and cold-hearted as they said. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
“It’s alright. I won’t mind telling you.” Chen Yuanxing lit a cigarette and blew a nice smoke ring. “But don’t laugh at me when I tell you.” Su Yan smiled, revealing pearly white teeth. Chen Yuanxing was taken aback for a moment, then quickly laughed and said, “You look very beautiful when you smile.” Su Yan lowered her head.
“I used to not smoke, and those guys always laughed at me, but I didn’t care. Then I met a woman who liked to sit on the balcony at midnight and smoke, one cigarette after another as easily as drinking water. I always wondered what cigarettes tasted like. So one day, I tried one of her cigarettes. Turns out, it didn’t taste good at all.”
"It tastes bad, why do you keep smoking it?"
Chen Yuanxing pondered for a moment, then rested his chin on his hand, his eyes crinkling into a smile. "I'm used to it." Su Yan was somewhat captivated by his clean and pure smile. "There's a restaurant across the street that makes really good boiled fish. Shall we go eat there?" Su Yan nodded in response to his sincere invitation.
While Zhou Zijian went to the restroom, Gu Lian ran to the bar and asked Dami, "Did Su Yan really leave with Young Master Chen?" Her eyes were full of disappointment.
Da Mi nodded. "Young Master Chen's fastest record for seducing women is 14 minutes and 37 seconds. This time, he broke the record again with 10 minutes and 58 seconds." His calm voice was like a clock. After speaking, he didn't even look at Gu Lian. "Zhou Zijian is Young Master Chen's childhood friend and his benefactor in his early years."
Gu Lian was left looking bewildered.
10. Reunion
Xiao Qiqi continued her routine of going to work, being busy, working overtime, and leaving get off work as usual. Occasionally, she would go out to eat with Li Yue and listen to her mother's increasingly heavy sighs; that was all. However, Xiao Ning had become awkward ever since that day. She would either stare blankly at the computer or make frequent mistakes. Even worse, she wouldn't look Xiao Qiqi in the eye, and her answers were strange and unpleasant.
That day, Xiao Qiqi, holding the document riddled with typos, could no longer contain herself. She slammed it on the table with a "bang," and shouted, "Ning Ruiming, come in with me and close the door!"
Xiao Ning paused for a moment, then came in as instructed. Standing there, Xiao Qiqi rubbed her forehead, ignoring Wang Pingru's curious gaze outside, stood up, slammed the door shut, and threw the document in front of Xiao Ning. "Ning Ruiming, haven't you even read this document?"