By probability, they had been coming as much as a pink site visitors mild. Yi Wenze introduced the automotive to a gentle cease after which, tilting his head to the aspect, checked out her in silence for some time. “ ‘The yr that Jia He was fifteen years previous, I noticed her. So, you’re the one who is just too late.’ ”

This sentence ought to be too straightforward to know. Each phrase was spoken clearly, however after they had been all linked up collectively, she didn’t perceive them.

The yr she was fifteen years previous, she was nonetheless in her first yr in Beijing No. 4 Excessive Faculty[1], day and night time taking supplementary and remedial lessons, and didn’t even actually know anybody from different faculties. And plus, she had by no means as soon as left Beijing earlier than that, so in fact it was not attainable that she had beforehand been to Hong Kong both. How, then, may she probably have seen him?

May it’s…? Jia He checked out him.

It was a line from some type of movie? Touching and mawkish sufficient, appropriate for a seckill.

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A cellphone name occurred to return in presently. Jia He may solely stare on the site visitors mild because it modified from pink to inexperienced, tugging at his sleeve to sign that he may hold driving. With one hand on the steering wheel, Yi Wenze placed on his headset and commenced talking. Primarily based on the content material of the dialog, it ought to be Wu Zhilun, who, from the sound of issues, was driving now and chasing after them. Within the area of some phrases, the identify “Tian Chu” additionally popped up.

These two phrases quietly slipped into her ear. She really didn’t need to hear in, however Yi Wenze really was not making an attempt in any respect to maintain something from her.

As soon as he hung up, she instantly placed on a glance of nice curiosity and continued with the query from earlier. “Why did you say that?”

“Immediately considered it.” Yi Wenze appeared as if he had no intentions of explaining something and as an alternative very nonchalantly modified the topic. “It has already been confirmed that Tian Chu will sing the theme tune for that movie of mine. You might even see her on this journey to Tianjin.”

Jia He had not anticipated that he would change the subject over to this, and she or he paused in shock for a second earlier than answering with a smile, “She’s at the moment actually sizzling. The 2 of you will be thought of a collaboration of two sturdy forces. From a promotional perspective, there ought to be some fairly good outcomes.”

Far more than simply “fairly good.” Two individuals who had simply divorced had been collaborating once more—a tidal wave of stories tales was as soon as extra going to be sweeping in.

Enthusiastic about the truth that she can be seeing Tian Chu out of the blue made her a bit uncomfortable.

The incident from two, three months in the past in Hengdian was nonetheless contemporary in her thoughts. On the time, she had emphatically declared that there was completely nothing between her and him. However now… Whereas she was not fearful of Tian Chu, there was an inexplicable feeling in her, like she had lied. She may roughly guess what Tian Chu had been pondering on the time: She nonetheless had emotions and couldn’t let go of them? She needed to revive the love they as soon as had and proceed the place they left off?

She stole a peek at Yi Wenze. Ought to she ask or not? If she requested, to what extent wouldn’t it be acceptable?

Yi Wenze began once more taking cellphone name after cellphone name and therefore didn’t even give her a chance to ask. It was solely after they’d pushed onto the expressway that he lastly was free to speak. “We’re on the expressway now. Buckle your seat belt.”

“Oh, okay,” Jia He answered, reaching behind her and pulling on the seat belt.

Because it fixed with a click on, he spoke once more. “Tian Chu is somebody who has too sturdy a way of delight. If she says something to you, you don’t really want to pay an excessive amount of consideration to it.”

Jia He nodded, however realizing that he was driving and shouldn’t be in a position to see her, she swiftly additionally added an “mm-hmm.”

“She and I signed the papers one yr in the past to divorce. That complete matter has nothing to do with anybody and was merely due to the friction in our relationship.” His phrases had been succinct. “In the event you see something written within the information, simply deal with it such as you’re studying a narrative. There’s no have to take it too severely.”

Yi Wenze was too forthright, to the purpose that she really felt a bit sheepish. “I perceive. That’s all prior to now. I gained’t be so petty as to fuss over it.” She paused, then tentatively probed, “I sense… that she appears to need to get again collectively.”

As soon as she stated this, she felt even her tooth ache with the bitterness of jealousy.

Between boyfriend and girlfriend, it didn’t cross the road to ask this, proper? She noticed Yi Wenze apprehensively. Seeing that he didn’t seem to point out any expression of being turned off, her thoughts was considerably set comfortable. Yi Wenze gave the impression to be considering how he ought to categorical what he needed to say, and after some time he lastly replied, “She talked about it in Hengdian.”

Their automotive’s driving velocity wouldn’t be thought of quick; there regularly had been autos flying previous them. For a second, each of them had been fairly quiet.

Once they stopped to refuel, he finally, earlier than getting out of the automotive, supplemented with one other sentence. “She ought to know that I presently have a girlfriend.”

Jia He gave an “oh.” Though she nonetheless had many extra questions and issues puzzling her, she nonetheless held them again. If she continued asking, it really would appear as if she was grilling him. In actuality, all this time he had finished every little thing so effectively already. Their relationship was nonetheless in its infancy; she should not make herself appear too petty.

Site visitors was fairly good at present. It took solely a bit greater than an hour for the 2 of them to reach in Tianjin.

As they entered Tianjin’s city core, she lastly began feeling hungry. Looking on the varied eating places and fast-food eateries whizzing by every now and then on both aspect of the highway, she instinctively needed to counsel that they discover a place to have dinner. Nevertheless, when the phrases had been at her lips, she remembered that he couldn’t simply so casually present his face in public, and so she may solely console herself that there must be sacrifices with a purpose to be together with her idol, for instance, proper now.

Hungry. So hungry her abdomen was cramping. She secretly massaged it, silently praying that they might get to the lodge quickly.

“Hungry?”

She rapidly pulled her hand away. “I’m okay.”

“We’ll be there actually quickly.” He stretched a hand over and gave Jia He’s head a bit rub, telling her with a smile, “Maintain out for only a bit longer.”

Yi Wenze’s phrases had been on the mark, for, certain sufficient, inside 5 minutes they had been in a tall constructing. When the 2 had been within the underground parking storage ready for the elevator, there have been 5 or 6 different younger folks beside them, additionally ready. The moment they noticed Yi Wenze, they started whispering amongst themselves, and some braver ones even pulled out their cellphones, intending on snapping a couple of photographs. He merely smiled, telling them it was okay to take pictures with him however they might not secretly snap any footage.

Jia He hurriedly placed on a guise of not figuring out him and stood in a nook off to the aspect, watching as he took pictures with these folks. After they stepped into the elevator, she nonetheless intentionally selected to face within the furthermost spot from him. Fortuitously, they had been going as much as a excessive flooring, and earlier than lengthy the final individual had exited the elevator. When the doorways slid closed, she out of the blue felt her hand being enveloped into one other one—one which was very heat and filled with energy.

She turned her head. Yi Wenze, wanting down and smiling at her, requested in a barely apologetic tone, “Is it awkward having a boyfriend like me?”

Jia He deliberately contemplated for a short second, then out of the blue broke into a smile. “Is it inconvenient having a girlfriend like me?”

His smile was resigned. “Certainly.”

“Huh?” Jia He checked out him, downcast.

Leaning in near her ear, he stated, “I at all times want to consider what I have to do with a purpose to provide you with assurance.”

The heat by her ear stirred a slight restlessness in her coronary heart. Hastily, there was a light-weight ding, after which the elevator doorways had been already sliding open.

Rapidly yanking her hand again, she motioned to him to go first.

After they stepped into the restaurant, the hostess, recognizing Yi Wenze, directly very keenly led the way in which. “Mr. Yi, this manner, please.” Once they arrived on the door of the non-public eating room and he was about to increase his arm to push it open, Jia He unexpectedly tugged on his sleeve cuff.

Bemused, he turned to her.

Her expression was solemn as she gazed at him. “Each one who is simply starting a relationship will fear, fear about whether or not what she has is actual and fear that she is going to lose it. It’ll slowly get higher. You don’t want be too involved about it.” She halted for a second earlier than stating the central considered what she actually needed to precise. “It doesn’t matter what, you’ve my complete belief.”

It was very energetic contained in the non-public eating room, and based mostly on the sounds that may very well be heard, there have been lots of people.

As soon as the phrases had been out, she felt that she was being overly corny and melodramatic; on high of that, Yi Wenze was not saying something both. Proper when issues had been feeling awkward, the door was pulled open from the within and Wu Zhilun, his head bowed whereas he talked on the cellphone, strode out swiftly, practically working into her.

Jia He was given a shock at this. Wu Zhilun, as effectively, reflexively took half a step backwards, however then the subsequent prompt a smug grin of “Aha! I caught you guys!” unfold throughout his face. “How is it that I bought right here first?” Saying that, he rapidly hung up the cellphone and lifted his head to take a look at his watch. “You guys had been ‘held up’ for half an hour.”

He brushed his eyes over Jia He, then swept them over to Yi Wenze, then again to Jia He, as if he was afraid they might not perceive the connotation of his phrases.

Yi Wenze gave his shoulder a pat, his tone calm. “Belief me, half an hour is just too quick. It’s not sufficient to do something.” His voice was neither loud nor gentle, nevertheless it was simply sufficient for the three of them to obviously hear.

Then, taking the hand of an completely dumbstruck Jia He, he walked within the door.

There have been many individuals inside that personal room. She took a fast scan round and immediately noticed Tian Chu in addition to the lady beside her. Over these years, although she had by no means seen her in individual earlier than, Jia He had watched lots of her interviews and rapidly acknowledged that lady to be Mai Jie.

As a result of Yi Wenze was holding her hand, Jia He was a bit bashful. She gave a light-weight nod. “Mai Jie.”

Mai Jie’s smile was very amicable. “You have to be Jia He, proper? Tune of Yong’an’s press convention is in a few days. I watched the trailer. If I haven’t misjudged, your value and price ticket are going to be going method up.”

In such a setting, this was thought of a really appropriate dialog starter.

Jia He’s coronary heart warmed barely, and her nervousness eased considerably. “Thanks, Mai Jie.”

Mai Jie smiled and patted her on the shoulder. Then, she lastly turned barely to take a look at Yi Wenze. “Once I known as you the day earlier than yesterday, it doesn’t matter what you wouldn’t come right here at present. Now you’ve out of the blue modified your thoughts?”

Yi Wenze had Jia He sit by his aspect earlier than he eliminated his cap and offhandedly set it on the desk. “One thing got here up on the final minute, so I got here right here sooner than initially deliberate.”

This was a routine enterprise dinner. As Yi Wenze had proven up hand in hand together with her, everybody, no matter whether or not she knew the individual or not, instantly grew to become effectively conscious of their relationship. Regardless of the purposely placed on pure smiles and informal dialog, Jia He may clearly see the prying curiosity in every pair of eyes.

By the second half of the dinner, Tian Chu had already had fairly a bit to drink, having downed glass after glass.

Jia He watched this considerably disconcertedly. She had seen the sort of state of affairs many occasions earlier than, however as soon as she grew to become the protagonist of such a scene—and with so many individuals intently watching at that—she nonetheless felt a bit discomfited. Furthermore, the folks right here had been from the corporate that Yi Wenze was part of and had labored with Tian Chu for a few years. Irrespective of how Jia He checked out it, she appeared extra just like the outsider.

Nevertheless, she seemed to be the one one who held these kinds of sentiments. Yi Wenze, in distinction, was very a lot unruffled. Earlier than lengthy, dinner was completed and he requested her in a low voice, “Would you want to return to the lodge to relaxation?”

Directly feeling as if a burden had been lifted from her, Jia He softly requested, “You don’t should be right here? How about you inform me the identify of the lodge and I’ll simply take a taxi there myself?”

He didn’t appear involved. “No, it’s okay. I’m actually drained, too.”

Deliberating for a second, Jia He felt as effectively that the longer they sat right here, the extra awkward issues can be, and so she was trustworthy and acknowledged her want. Then let’s go.”

After the 2 reached this consensus, Yi Wenze started tokenly clinking his glass with a number of folks, saying that he had arrived from Shanghai and had not had an opportunity to get a superb relaxation but so was drained and wouldn’t keep to maintain them firm. Nobody tried to make issues troublesome for him; they solely smiled and exchanged a few sentences of social niceties with him. There have been additionally a couple of individuals who had had an excessive amount of to drink and, with tactless appears at Jia He, tossed out a couple of jabs and heckling phrases at him.

Lisening to them, Jia He felt much more self-conscious, however because it was not becoming to let herself be bothered by drunkards, she solely gave the excuse that she wanted to make use of the washroom after which, getting up, fled from there. Simply exterior of the non-public room was a separate, devoted washroom for the room, and naturally it was very quiet. Pulling out her cellphone, she despatched a textual content message to Yi Wenze: If you’re prepared, simply let me know. I’ll look ahead to you on the door.

His reply arrived shortly: All proper. Don’t fear, it will likely be very fast.

She had solely simply set down her cellphone when a hand pushed open the washroom door. Tian Chu, barely tipsy, stepped inside. When she noticed Jia He, she was considerably greatly surprised. “You’re leaving now?”

Jia He watched as she locked the door behind her. Considerably unable to determine what this was about, Jia He merely smiled. “We drove all the way in which right here and are a bit drained now, so we need to head again to get some relaxation.”

Tian Chu’s eyes had been shrouded barely by a mist of drunkenness and likewise one thing else. She was quiet for amoment earlier than lastly asking, “How lengthy have you ever and him been collectively?”

Jia He initially had not needed to say something, however seeing her like this, her coronary heart softened a bit. “Not very lengthy.”

Smirking, Tian Chu turned to take a look at herself within the mirror and wiped at a smudge beneath her eye. “The prince and Cinderella? The gap between you two is fairly vital.”

Eventually, with this random remark that had come so abruptly, Jia He sniffed out the scent of gunpowder that got here with a battle declaration.

It appeared it was inevitable that they might cross paths once more, after which she would as soon as extra must cope with such a state of affairs… A little bit of frustration rose in her from feeling like her fingers had been tied, however nonetheless she replied, “In a sure sense, he’s certainly like a prince to me. However I don’t suppose I’m a Cinderella who comes from an atypical background and has solely a sort coronary heart to talk of.” She tried as a lot as attainable to maintain her tone mild and gentle in order to not provoke this one who was greater than half drunk. “In the event you decide based mostly on regular requirements, I’ve a harmonious household and likewise a fairly good profession, and I even have the flexibility to pay a home mortgage and purchase a automotive. Maybe we could have variations in our household environments or variations in our cultures, and positively friction and conflicts will come up, however none of these are massive issues.”

These phrases had been just too severe and correct. After saying them, even she may herself couldn’t hold to the temper, so as an alternative she merely heaved a sigh and stated in a half-joking tone, “Life is filled with uncertainties and ups and downs. Simply have a look at these couple of years when Hong Kong had its monetary disaster. Numerous artistes took a loss within the properties they purchased. If in the future sooner or later he, too, goes bankrupt from funding failure, I would even have to assist the household and pay again the money owed.”

This has at all times been the case, you understand. A screenwriter is a profession the place you’ll nonetheless be wanted even when you find yourself previous. That’s not the case for actors; too many have ended up poor and in abject straits of their older age.

Jia He crammed in these phrases in her thoughts. After which, she gave herself a rating of ninety for her efficiency right here…

Nonetheless going through the mirror, Tian Chu didn’t converse once more. Jia He additionally felt that there was no level to staying right here any longer, so shortly after, she opened the door and escaped from there.

Solely when the door had shut did she set free a prolonged breath. As she pulled out her cellphone, able to ship a textual content to Yi Wenze, she noticed Wu Zhilun leaning in opposition to the aspect of the sink, his smile cryptic. “There’s no soundproofing right here. I didn’t eavesdrop on function.”

[1] Beijing No. 4 Excessive Faculty (Beijing Shi Disi Zhongxue) is usually known as “Sizhong.” It was based in 1907 as Shuntian Secondary Faculty, and its present identify has been used since 1949. It’s thought of a prestigious faculty, with many graduates being accepted into key universities.