Yu An paused, then lifted her feet again.
Wu Yang said of Xi Jia: "She seems aloof, but she's actually very easy to get along with. Don't let me affect your relationship. She doesn't know who you are. In the future, please take good care of Xi Jia."
Yu An turned around and looked at Wu Yang, puzzled.
Wu Yang: "Xi Jia can't ride a horse now, she's sick. It's a strange illness; she's lost her memory. No matter what happened, she won't remember anything the next day. She relies on her notes to know who's who. She's very strong-willed and doesn't want anyone's pity, she's been enduring it all by herself. If one day she doesn't remember you and doesn't greet you, don't be angry. It's not because of me that she's ignoring you. This illness can also cause hearing and vision loss. I shouldn't be telling you all this, but I'm afraid you'll misunderstand."
Even after returning to the film set, Yu An still hadn't processed Wu Yang's words.
She would glance at Xi Jia from time to time.
Xi Jia just finished discussing with Teacher Shang, and now she's starting to take notes again.
She always felt that she was unfortunate.
I don't know where I came from, or where I will be in the future.
Seeing Xi Jia like this, she felt how fortunate it was to be alive and healthy.
——
As the year draws to a close, Ye Qiu's scenes on the Beijing set have wrapped up, and her next scenes will take place in the mountains.
Xi Jia and Teacher Shang worked overtime until midnight last night, going through all the scripts from the past two days. Zhou Mingqian's side is also fine, so she'll take a day off.
Tonight marks the one-year anniversary of her meeting with Mo Yushen. Last year on this night, they met for the first time.
There was a knock on the door.
Xi Jia was packing her suitcase when she went to open the door.
"I have to go now. I have company plans for tomorrow." Ye Qiu came over to say goodbye to Xi Jia. The company car had already arrived downstairs at the resort hotel.
Xi Jia gently hugged her, "After I'm done with my work, let's go on a trip." During her time on set, she and Ye Qiuye hadn't had a proper conversation; either she was busy or Ye Qiuye was busy.
Ye Qiu glanced at her suitcase, "Going home tonight?"
"Okay, you don't need to come to the set tomorrow. Take a day off." Xi Jia continued tidying up.
Ye Qiuming is going to attend a charity auction tomorrow night. All the proceeds will be donated to the children in the welfare home. With the Spring Festival coming soon, she will buy them New Year's gifts and school supplies.
Ye Qiu asked Xi Jia if she wanted to come over and play.
Xi Jia thought of Yu An and agreed without hesitation. However, this meant she would have to spend another evening with the jealous little devil.
We finished work late today; it was already dark outside.
Xi Jia's car is now driven by a professional driver, and Mo Yushen forbids her from driving at night.
With only five days left until the Lunar New Year, the streets and alleys are filled with a strong festive atmosphere.
Xi Jia leaned against the car window, watching the crowds. Lost in thought, she received a call from her mother.
Xi Yelan is still abroad and will arrive in Beijing on the 29th of the Lunar New Year. "Baby, Mom will come to the film set to spend the New Year with you then."
Xi Jia hesitated, "If you go there, won't my identity be exposed?"
Xi Yelan: "You're not going to infiltrate."
"..."
“It’s been almost a month, and they must have seen all your efforts. There’s no need to hide it anymore; Mom can’t bear to see you spending the New Year away from home.”
Xi Jia declined again: "The crew is very lively, and everyone is staying. I'm actually looking forward to spending New Year's Eve with them."
Xi Yelan disagreed; she insisted on going to the film set no matter what.
Unable to resist her mother's coaxing, Xi Jia had no choice but to agree.
The car passed by a cake shop, the sign flashing past.
Xi Jia remembered: "Mom, when you visit the set on New Year's Eve, remember to order a big cake, five layers, okay?"
"What kind of cake do you eat for Chinese New Year? Mom will make dumplings for you by hand."
“In our film crew, there’s a beautiful young woman celebrating her birthday. She’s an orphan with no parents. I’m afraid I’ll forget, so I’m remembering her birthday every day now.”
Xi Yelan felt a pang of sadness. "Mom has remembered for you. Is five floors enough?"
“That’s enough. Let’s buy her some more gifts.” Xi Jia thought for a moment, “Let’s buy her a bag, a backpack, she carries a lot of things every day. And a skincare set, a complete set.”
Xi Yelan asked if she wanted to buy makeup.
Xi Jia: "Her skin is naturally good; even if others apply several layers of foundation, they can't match her bare face. Just buy her moisturizing skincare products and face masks. Oh, and you can buy a few more lipsticks; she uses lipstick."
Yu An would apply a little lipstick, a very light mauve color.
Xi Yelan wrote them down one by one.
The mother and daughter chatted all the way, and before they knew it, the car turned into the villa. Mo Yushen's car was also there.
Xi Jia ended her call with her mother and went into the villa. She didn't rush upstairs but went to the kitchen to find the chef.
"Is my little cake ready yet?" she asked softly.
Chef: "I guarantee it will be ready before 10 o'clock."
Xi Jia thanked him and went upstairs to find Mo Yushen.
"Husband!" she called out before she even reached the second floor.
"Study." Mo Yushen was practicing calligraphy, and hurriedly put away his paper and pen in the drawer. These days, he practiced calligraphy whenever he had free time, and he kept practicing the same sentence over and over again.
He showed it to Secretary Ding, who said that his handwriting was about 90% similar to Xi Jia's.
Footsteps approached the door, and Xi Jia pushed the door open and came in.
Mo Yushen was looking at his computer screen as if nothing had happened. He looked up and asked, "Do you still remember who I am?"
“My husband, Mo Yushen.” Xi Jia walked around behind him and leaned against him.
I've been busy on set every day lately and have neglected him.
She coaxed him softly, "I won't go to the film set tomorrow; I'll stay home with you."
Mo Yushen thought about his plans for tomorrow. He was free in the evening. "Shall I accompany you to a musical?" he suggested, while she could still hear him.
Xi Jia kept looking at him apologetically.
Mo Yushen knew she had other plans. "Going back to the film set tonight?"
Xi Jia shook her head. "No, I'm going to the auction with Ye Qiu." After saying that, she kept observing Mo Yushen's expression. He had no expression and she couldn't tell whether he was happy or angry.
Mo Yushen stood up, took out his wallet from his trench coat, and handed her a card.
Xi Jia didn't stand on ceremony at all and quickly put the money in her wallet. "This is the right way to be a good husband."
She had Mo Yushen's cards; he'd given her two before, but she'd never used them. Tomorrow night she'd go to the auction and spend them all, to let him know how much she needed him.
Mo Yushen turned off the computer and went back to the bedroom with Xi Jia.
Xi Jia opened her laptop and computer, and took out her voice recorder. She hadn't finished recording this afternoon's notes yet, and since she didn't have to go to the film set tomorrow, she could finally relax for a day.
"Honey, I'll spend time with you as soon as I'm done with my work."
Mo Yushen didn't care what she was busy with, as long as she was in his sight.
Xi Jia was busy taking notes, while Mo Yushen was reading the book his grandfather had given him before, a book about family and forgiveness. Perhaps it was meant to encourage him to try to forgive his mother.
I stared blankly at the last page when my phone vibrated.
Mother Qin Sulan: [Was Jiajia spending the Lunar New Year on set this year?]
He hadn't been in contact with his mother for several days, and after she went to his office that day, he didn't call her again.
Mo Yushen: [Hmm.]
I heard from Xi Jia before that there would be heavy snow during the Spring Festival, and they had a scene in the snow. Zhou Mingqian wanted natural snow.
Qin Sulan: [Mom just got back from abroad and visited your grandparents. I don't have much to do during the New Year, so I'll go with you to visit them on set and spend New Year's Eve with Jiajia.]
Mo Yushen politely declined, saying, "No one on the set knows that she and I are a couple."
Qin Sulan: [Then let's go visit Jiang Qin on set, same thing.]
After struggling for a while, Mo Yushen replied: "I had lunch with my grandparents that day, and I'll pick you up in the afternoon."
After sending the message, he inexplicably felt a sense of relief.
Xi Jia's phone vibrated; it was the alarm. It was already 9:55.
She closed her laptop. "Honey, let's go downstairs to the restaurant."
Mo Yushen: "Hungry?"
Xi Jia nodded, "I rushed back from the film set without having dinner."
"Then why didn't you say so earlier?" Mo Yushen put down his book and accompanied her downstairs.
The lights in the downstairs living room were all off, except for the dim yellow light from the wall lamps in the dining room. The dining table was laden with a sumptuous meal, including a delicate six-inch cake.
The entire first floor was deserted.
Mo Yushen looked at Xi Jia: "What day is it today?" It wasn't her or his birthday, nor was it their marriage certificate anniversary. He couldn't think of anything else.
Xi Jia led him to the dining table, where she lit a candle—the number one.
In the warm light, her features appeared even more alluring and captivating.
Mo Yushen almost lost himself in thought. "What anniversary is it today?"
Xi Jia smiled faintly, “It’s an anniversary to appease the little jealous one.”
Mo Yushen: "..."
Xi Jia put away her joke and said seriously, "Last year tonight at ten o'clock, I had just met you at my second brother's restaurant. I don't remember anything about what we ate or talked about that night, I can only rely on my notes, but it doesn't matter, it doesn't affect anything."
She pointed to the candles: "Our bond has lasted a year. Come and blow out the candles and make a wish."
Mo Yushen didn't rush to blow out the candles, but instead held her in his arms.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Mo Yushen had never made a wish before, not even on his birthday; he didn't believe in such things.