"How do you know who sent it? It might be Miss Duan," Mary said mischievously. "Is it engraved with a name? Or are you just making up a story that it's her gift?"
Huaiyu was so embarrassed that she could only stammer and remain speechless.
"What's wrong? If you're talking about Mr. Tang's own Miss Duan, then..."
"...I'm not going."
“Just kidding. How dare you refuse? Don’t keep Miss waiting.” Mary laughed.
Huaiyu thought about it again and realized it wasn't necessary. Why accompany the young lady for a late-night snack? It was just for show. The point was to avoid any incident—an incident? Like an illusion, dazzling before his eyes, but burning hot to reach out to. He had a clear conscience. Should he let go or refuse?
"Sorry, I have to get up early for rehearsal tomorrow, and I'm having a get-together with my classmates later. I can't go. I'm sorry to have troubled you." It seems he really wasn't joking.
A moment later, the car outside drove away dejectedly. Who had brushed her off?
A newcomer, unaware of right and wrong, was like a fledgling beast, inexperienced in the ways of the world. He wouldn't give them the time of day, and couldn't even withstand the indifference of a metal car, so he sped away. The rest of the class was oblivious to the whole story, not even Huaiyu.
After they removed their makeup, the people in the industry took them out for a late-night snack. They were very happy the whole way because the restaurant was packed.
You can enjoy chicken porridge, tea eggs, and the famous hearty pork rib rice cake by the roadside. A door panel with "Pork Rib King" written in red ink stands there, and the place is always bustling with customers. The pork ribs are made from pork from Changzhou and Wuxi, and the rice cakes are made from Songjiang rice. The rice cakes are pounded repeatedly in a stone field with a wooden mallet, then slowly simmered over a low flame until tender and sweet. The distinctive five-spice powder makes it irresistible.
"Here, Huaiyu, eat more. You worked so hard just now." Li Shengtian placed a large, crispy pork rib on his plate and chuckled, "—And you're even skipping your date with the young lady."
Huaiyu spoke vaguely and fluently;
"It's still the most enjoyable late-night snack to eat like this."
The second night was just as spectacular.
Those who are skilled usually listen to the second performance. Because they are familiar with the stage, have corrected their mistakes, their voices are warmed up, they are strong and energetic, and their skills are high and bold. Mr. Jin, seeing that the first performance was a big hit, sat in the private box with a cup of strong tea in front of him, a cigar in his hand, and a beautiful woman beside him.
"Okay! Let's go to Da Hong Yun Yu Ye tonight."
Since Mr. Jin had treated us to a late-night snack, no one dared to refuse. Two tables were set up, and the dishes ordered included mustard greens with chili sauce, coin-shaped peach blossoms, birds returning to their nests, spicy prawns, sour and fresh bamboo shoots, and a large fish head and vermicelli casserole. All of them were Da Hong Yun's specialties.
Jin Xiaofeng asked;
"Mr. Li is a professionally trained actor, and his name belongs to the 'Sheng' generation. And Mr. Tang? Is that his real name?"
"He was just a novice monk."
Huaiyu replied, "Huaiyu is my real name."
“It’s a good name.” Mr. Jin raised his glass; “It seems like it was changed just to become famous.”
"Thank you for your help, Mr. Xie Jin," Huaiyu said immediately. Such polite words were nothing more than that.
After drinking two or three more cups, Jin Xiaofeng asked Duan Haopin, "What is Miss Duan's real name?"
"I won't say." He pouted and glanced at her. "It's too vulgar, I won't say."
"Tell me, the more I want to know, the more I want to know."
What's the benefit of telling them?
"You can have whatever you want."
"I don't care. I have everything."
"Consider this a small request of mine?" Jin Xiaofeng stared intently at her. "I also have a secret to exchange."
"Alright. My original name was 'Qiuping,' pretty corny, right?"
One of the students at the table, upon hearing this, immediately exclaimed, "Ha, it really is a name from a brothel!"
Duan Bi, her eyebrows twitching from the fall, then began to whine and act coquettishly towards Jin Xiaofeng:
"Mr. Jin, what kind of talk is this?"
"Hey, you little idiot, I'm definitely docking your pay. How did Miss Duan get involved with brothels? Don't take your fun out on her."
The other party was so intimidated that they busied themselves with apologizing, while Duan Pingting was busy feigning anger. Shi Zhongming, sensing the situation, asked, "Does everyone know that Mr. Jin has another alias?"
"Zhongming, look at you—"
"Mr. Jin's nickname is... well, that's strange. He calls himself 'Wen Teng,' I heard that someone gave it to him."
"Who is it?" Duan Pingting asked.
"Anyway, it's a woman. Wasn't it Miss Duan who changed it? Hahaha!" The whole room burst into laughter.
The laughter from everyone present was ambiguous yet forceful. It made Duan Pingting's almond-shaped cheeks flush with unease, her features almost spilling out of the room. A rosy blush spread across her face, vibrant and luscious, like a piece of tender meat waiting to be steamed.
Seeing the open flirting, Huaiyu became quite shy. Duan Pingting glanced sideways at Huaiyu, this man who had rejected her, and couldn't help but play along, curving her lips downwards:
"Who has such free time? It's probably the immortal god at the City God Temple who changed it, telling you to have good luck and not to stir up trouble."
"You can offend anyone, but you're the one I can't."
Duan Pingting remained calm, but she knew that under the table, Jin Xiaofeng's hand was in a place he shouldn't be. She wanted Huaiyu to understand that she was no pushover either, and had never made a mistake before.
"Mr. Jin, I received your invitation a few days ago, saying it was your birthday and inviting me to a birthday banquet. Wow, you sent the invitation more than a month ago. Are you trying to scam me?"
"I'm afraid I won't be able to get you to come."
I won't come for the birthday celebration; I'll arrive on the actual day.
"Okay, okay."