Sally: "?"
A few seconds later, Sally said blankly, "Did Blanche stand us up?"
"Otherwise?" Lin Luoxi replied expressionlessly, "She's currently enjoying the glow of love."
Sally: "..."
Lin Luoxi didn't even look at her and walked away on her own.
It took Sally a moment to realize what was happening, and she jogged over to catch up, "Wait..."
Liang Shi waited for Xu Qingzhu's reply without looking up.
Noticing a focused gaze directed at her, she slowly raised her head and met Xu Qingzhu's eyes.
Xu Qingzhu looked at her, her eyes slowly curving into a smile.
A smile spread across her face.
Liang Shi stood there and smiled along with her.
She does nothing; just standing there is a painting, completely different from the noisy background of this world.
Or rather, the people coming and going are just the background.
Liang Shi could only see her.
When they met again a few days later, neither of them spoke.
It was Liang Shi who stepped forward first and handed her the flowers he was holding.
"Is it a special day?" Xu Qingzhu asked.
Liang Shi thought for a moment and shook his head: "Nothing special."
The conversation thus began.
There was no awkwardness, no estrangement from not seeing each other for a few days; it was just like when they used to spend every day together.
A strand of Xu Qingzhu's hair was ruffled by the wind. Liang Shi reached out and tucked it behind her ear. His hand landed on her cheek, and his fingertips gently caressed the edge of her ear. He said softly, "Xu Qingzhu, did you not eat properly?"
"You're just imagining things." Xu Qingzhu looked down and took out the greeting card, seeing the blessing on it.
She asked very perceptively, "Have you seen Chen Mian?"
Liang Shi: "..."
The comfort of being with Xu Qingzhu lies in the fact that she understands you even when you don't say anything.
I just don't know if she's smart or if she's just willing to speculate about things related to you.
I don't know if this applies to her or to everyone.
Liang Shi smiled helplessly and lowered his hand, "Nothing can be hidden from you."
Xu Qingzhu re-inserted the greeting card into the baby's breath, leaned forward, and hugged Liang Shi through the bouquet.
Xu Qingzhu didn't ask her about what she saw and heard when she met Chen Mian, but only asked her, "Teacher Liang, what would you like to eat for lunch today?"
Just like she said—Xu Qingzhu, did you not eat properly?
His tone was familiar, with a touch of gentleness.
Amidst the hustle and bustle, my restless and lonely heart was instantly soothed.
Liang Shi smiled and said in a doting tone, "I'll eat whatever you eat."
Xu Qingzhu thought for half a second, "How about roast duck?"
Liang Shi nodded: "Okay."
The cold sun shone on the earth, and the late autumn wind blew inappropriately.
But it doesn't make people feel cold.
The roast duck restaurant isn't far away; it's just around the corner, no need to drive.
Xu Qingzhu held a purple baby's breath in her arms. She encountered employees from her company on the way, but she kept a cold face the whole time.
After walking a few steps, it was unclear who approached first or who reached out their hand first.
Liang Shi's fingers hooked onto Xu Qingzhu's fingers.
Their fingers are intertwined.
Even her back view is exceptionally beautiful.
This scene, however, was particularly jarring to Chen Liuying, who was not far away.
Chen Liuying has been here for a while.
She hadn't been out for a long time, but today she went out for a walk on a whim and unknowingly ended up downstairs at Minghui Jewelry Building.
Since she was already here, she wanted to meet Xu Qingzhu.
I just wanted to talk to Xu Qingzhu, but I didn't know what to talk about.
Generally speaking, all beautiful things have thorns, like roses.
Xu Qingzhu is at the top of the food chain of the rose.
No one could have imagined that she would keep audio recordings as evidence.
In the past month or so, Chen Liuying has lost her endorsements, acting opportunities, and girlfriend, and several companies are threatening to sue her for breach of contract.
He went to court three times and was burdened with tens of millions of yuan in debt.
It should have had a bright future, but now it's all ruined.
It was ruined by Xu Qingzhu's recording.
They were ruined by their meticulously planned public relations campaign.
If I was naive back then, I don't know why I lost so badly, or why I ended up in that situation.
So, when we review the proceedings later, is there anything you still don't understand?
It was clearly a scheme to lure her out and make her face public condemnation, which is why they set the trap step by step.
Until she thought she was confident enough to win.
Unexpectedly, all their efforts were in vain, and they suffered a humiliating defeat.
Blame Bai Weiwei for being stupid without realizing it, blame Bai Weiwei for being too jealous.
It's also her fault for being so impatient.
Chen Liuying loved beautiful things, and when she first saw Xu Qingzhu, she thought she was beautiful.
It's so beautiful that you'd want to take a bite.
She has been trying to make a comeback these days, but every attempt has ended in failure.
They gained nothing but infamy.
But on what grounds?
She worked so hard to get to where she is now, what do those rich girls who are born with everything know?
They don't understand anything.
Chen Liuying's clothes were out of season, long pants and long sleeves, making her look particularly simple.
You can't tell at all that she's a female celebrity.
Those glorious days are gone, and she can no longer stand under the spotlight and be the center of attention.
Her life was miserable, wretched, and covered in filth.
But those people are clean and honest, live happily, live in the sunshine, and live in love.
It looks so beautiful.
What's there to envy?
A shadow crossed Chen Liuying's eyes.
She thought: If I can't have it, I'll just destroy it.
Isn't the purpose of beautiful things to be destroyed?
What is more beautiful than the beauty that exists is the beauty that is destroyed.
//
Liang Shi and Xu Qingzhu ate a meal in a hurry.
After dinner, Liang Shi drove back to the film set, and Xu Qingzhu stood downstairs watching her go.
Employees kept passing by outside, and some who recognized Xu Qingzhu greeted her, but she just nodded and responded with a cold face.
Liang Shi rolled down the car window and said gently to her, "Then I'm leaving."
Xu Qingzhu nodded.
Liang Shi looked at her with a mixture of longing and tenderness, while the car window slowly rolled up.
Liang Shi sighed silently, feeling suffocated.
We'll definitely see each other again, but I'm a little reluctant to part.
Just as the car window slowly closed, the passenger door was opened, and the sudden sound of the door closing startled Liang Shi.
Xu Qingzhu, who had been so serious and solemn in front of the employees, was now staring at her profile.
Those beautiful eyes stared straight at her, and whether it was Liang Shi's imagination or not, she actually saw a hint of tears in them.
Liang Shi asked gently, "What's wrong?"
Xu Qingzhu licked her lips, then leaned forward and kissed him directly.
Liang Shi: "..."
This wasn't exactly a lingering kiss.
Liang Shi's hand, which had been hanging at his side, fell on her back a moment later. Their bodies were separated by flowers and the worktable, but they closed their eyes, their lips touched, and their breaths mingled in the small space.
A moment later, the two stopped at the same time, forehead to forehead.