Chi Shuo couldn’t help but feel that He Lindi was quite the flirt. She didn’t know if she was naturally this romantic, or if… it came from experience.
He Lindi had quite a few exes, Chi Shuo knew that clearly; after all, she had basically witnessed it.
From the first year of high school to university graduation, just counting the exes Chi Shuo knew about, they could indeed form a complete soccer team.
There were many, and she did care, but it didn’t seem to make her that unhappy.
Because He Lindi liking her was already the happiest thing she could imagine. Nothing else could cause major ripples in her heart.
So many years had passed. Chi Shuo hadn’t been single the whole time. She even clearly remembered that her feelings for Shen Qu weren’t fake, and the tears shed during the breakup were even less so.
But Chi Shuo herself hadn’t expected that after going around in circles, she would fall for the girl she had crushed on for two years during her teenage years again.
If the youthful crush was fiery yet unspoken, then the current liking was steady and undisguised.
As age increased, so did one’s mindset. Although Chi Shuo occasionally still felt somewhat inferior in front of He Lindi, the fact that He Lindi liked her seemed like a game bug, making Chi Shuo’s joy outweigh her inferiority, even doubling her liking for He Lindi.
Her thoughts turned a hundred times. She bit her lip desperately, but couldn’t stop the smile escaping from the corners of her mouth.
Seeing the content of He Lindi’s picture, Chi Shuo grinned foolishly for who knows how long, even forgetting to reply.
Only when the bus announcement indicated her stop did she hurriedly reply: 【Work hard.】
He Lindi didn’t reply again after that; she was likely busy.
Chi Shuo wasn’t anxious or sad. She went home, took a shower, then opened her iPad and started drawing.
She wanted to draw too many things, but only when she put pen to paper did she decide on the content.
Tomorrow was New Year’s Eve. He Lindi was extremely busy in Beijing.
Because she wasn’t a permanently stationed Beijing photographer, and wasn’t in the same circle as most of the photographers who came this time, even though they basically all knew each other, and she had always been popular and well-liked, she didn’t have major worries or concerns, just that she was really too busy.
Some photographers would ask her for advice on questions they didn’t understand. Although everyone knew He Lindi, the popular photographer, was only 23, she was experienced. Major events like New Year’s Eve posed no great difficulty for her. Plus, she was approachable; everyone liked her.
As a result, He Lindi was often tied up and couldn’t get away. Only after the final rehearsal on the 30th ended did she feel slightly better and return to the hotel.
Song Qin’s studio trusted her skills and only hired her as the photographer. But He Lindi had her own assistant and brought them along for this business trip. Just out of habit, she didn’t stay in the same room as her assistant, instead getting a king-size bed room for herself.
It was already 11 PM when she arrived at the hotel. The wind in Beijing was fierce. Her down jacket felt like it was about to be torn apart, forcing her to quicken her pace.
Fortunately, the hotel had heating. After arriving, she didn’t have to wait for the air conditioning to warm up. She took off her down jacket first, then went to the bathroom to wash her hands.
Before she could dry her hands, her phone rang on the bed. He Lindi walked over and saw it was Shen Qu calling.
“It’s already so late, still calling?” He Lindi applied hand cream while answering the phone.
Shen Qu replied, “Meet up tomorrow?” She said, “You came all the way to Beijing, and I haven’t treated you to a meal yet. That’s not right, sister.”
He Lindi chuckled. “Don’t call me sister, it feels weird.”
“Just say if you’re meeting or not.”
“Alright.”
“Song Qin goes on stage around 9:30. After shooting him, I can leave.”
“Just need to attend the rehearsal during the day.”
Shen Qu sighed. “Being a photographer is really hard. With your conditions, why not really consider switching careers to become an actress? At least the money earned matches the hardship.”
He Lindi lay down, looked at the ceiling, and replied, “I don’t lack money.”
Shen Qu: “……”
Shen Qu said irritably, “Dinner together tomorrow, I’ll beat you up then.”
He Lindi curved her lips and agreed, “You pick the place tomorrow, I’ll come find you.”
“Okay.”
After hanging up, He Lindi turned over, placing her sore arms on the blanket.
The workload these past few days had been immense. She had taken countless photos for Song Qin. DSLRs weren’t light; holding them for long easily made one’s arms and wrists sore. Only rest and massage could alleviate it slightly.
But now, it wasn’t just her limbs that were tired; her whole body felt sore, even her head felt somewhat heavy.
After a while, He Lindi moved her hand, picked up her phone again, and opened the chat history with Chi Shuo.
Actually, their message history wasn’t long, but she had scrolled through it countless times, almost memorizing the conversation content.
This time was no exception. She scrolled through it again and wanted to send Chi Shuo a message, but looking at the time, she gave up.
It was already very late.
He Lindi forced herself up, got her pajamas from the bed, and went into the bathroom to shower.
The New Year’s Eve concert was a live broadcast; no mistakes could happen. All the TV platforms attached great importance to it, fearing any broadcast accidents.
From the director to the lighting crew, from the guests to the backup dancers, everyone involved was extremely serious and focused.
This was the annual New Year’s Eve live broadcast facing the entire nation. If one was captured by the camera in a less-than-ideal moment, it might follow them for life.
In the afternoon, He Lindi finished taking high-definition suit photos for Song Qin, then rushed to the live broadcast site to wait.
At 10 PM, He Lindi appeared outside a Chinese restaurant. It was freezing here. The breath she exhaled instantly turned into a puff of mist, particularly noticeable under the lights.
The streets and alleys were bustling. He Lindi glanced around, took out her phone, and called Shen Qu: “I’m at the entrance.”
Many people came and went here. He Lindi stood aside to avoid bumping into anyone.
“Let the server bring you over, I won’t show my face.”
“Okay.”
After all, Shen Qu was a popular A-list actress; her status was somewhat special. Moreover, she hadn’t made a public appearance since the harassment incident. Everyone wanting to photograph her wasn’t easy, so this meeting was like guerilla warfare.
He Lindi gave the private room number, followed the server to the door, then the server smiled slightly and left on their own.
He Lindi twisted the doorknob and entered the room.
Shen Qu was already seated. This private room wasn’t large, but the decor was very exquisite. From the table to the windows, everything practically screamed “expensive.”
He Lindi had just closed the door when she heard Shen Qu’s voice: “You’re here.”
He Lindi’s lips curved upwards as she walked over. “Why did you start eating already? I thought you’d wait for me.”
Shen Qu looked innocent. “These are candied hawthorns I bought outside. We just met, why accuse me right away?”
He Lindi sat down and placed her bag aside. “Ordered yet?”
“Ordered.”
The two had met through collaboration half a year ago. Not long, not short, but making friends really was metaphysics. At least now, their relationship wasn’t bad.
After sitting down, they started chatting casually. The dishes arrived one after another.
After the server left with another dish, He Lindi frowned slightly, expressing her concern: “What? Resting for two years?”
Shen Qu’s expression and tone were light. “No choice. Don’t really want to stay in the circle anymore, but the company wouldn’t agree to immediate retirement, so they let me rest and recover for two years first.”
“Depression?” He Lindi asked directly.
Shen Qu didn’t hide it either. “Mm.” Her eyelashes fluttered. “Might go abroad for treatment, somewhere no one recognizes me.”
“Okay.” He Lindi didn’t offer any extra opinions. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to say anything, but right now, nodding seemed the best answer.
Comforting words now would be superfluous.
Shen Qu added some food to her bowl. Before eating, she let out a sigh. “Seems like I don’t have any unfulfilled wishes. In these three years, I bought a new house for my family, in Lucheng’s first ring road area. Paying in full hurt my heart.” She paused, the corners of her lips turning down slightly. “My family had an accident in my third year of university. Only my mom and grandma survived. But Grandma couldn’t accept the news for a while and became paralyzed. Mom took care of her.”
He Lindi didn’t speak, listening quietly. She faintly saw Shen Qu’s eyes redden slightly.
“My dad used to be the pillar of the family. Without him, the family collapsed.”
“That’s what Mom said, but I felt it couldn’t collapse. Just then, Chenyue was recruiting, so I went.”
He Lindi swallowed the rice in her mouth and finally said something: “You’re very successful.”
“Yeah.”
“No one ever praises me for being unsuccessful.”
A tear finally rolled down Shen Qu’s cheek, not falling into the bowl. She looked at the tear and chuckled, somewhat bitterly. “2018 is almost over. Looking back at the past three years, I feel like I still gained nothing.”
He Lindi pressed her lips together lightly, then heard her say, “I even lost the person I liked the most.”
He Lindi’s eyes flickered. “The ex-boyfriend mentioned in your interviews?”
“No.”
“How could it be.”
“That cannon fodder.”
“He wasn’t even my ex-boyfriend.”
“Just someone the company arranged for my career development. Otherwise, during interviews later, if I didn’t even have a relationship history, people wouldn’t believe it, right?”
“Then…” He Lindi didn’t continue asking. “Maybe you shouldn’t talk about it. You didn’t even drink, why so talkative?”
Shen Qu slapped the table and snorted lightly. “I’m giving you face by telling you these things, yet you say I’m talkative.”
He Lindi didn’t know who Shen Qu’s ‘most liked person’ was, nor did it seem necessary to know. The topic shifted just like that, lest Shen Qu grew sadder the more she spoke.
It was past 11:50 PM. The restaurant was still open, but the two should part ways.
A large LCD TV hung in the middle of the restaurant. As the two passed by, they saw this year’s most popular girl group performing.
Shen Qu wore a mask and hat, covering herself tightly. Walking outside with He Lindi, she sighed, “Compared to boy groups, I prefer girl groups. Pretty older sisters and younger sisters are better to look at. Watching them dance and sing is pleasing to the eye. I even wanted to help vote for them before, but my manager wouldn’t let me, saying I was giving them free advertising without getting paid, a total loss.”
He Lindi chuckled lightly. “Might as well have you go up there.”
“Can’t, I sing off-key.” Already outside the shop, Shen Qu stopped walking. She tilted her head up slightly, looked at the dark sky, the corners of her lips hooking up. “My ex sang very well.”
He Lindi didn’t respond. Shen Qu’s mouth didn’t stop either. “Back in university, there was a Top Ten Singers competition. She was too lazy to participate. I secretly signed her up. She went to the audition reluctantly, but performed very well, passed all the rounds, and finally won first place.”
“Shen Qu,” He Lindi called out to her. She faintly felt the ‘most liked person’ Shen Qu mentioned was her ex, and this ex was a girl. “Have you thought about finding her again?”
The light in Shen Qu’s eyes dimmed slightly. “Thought about it.” She tugged at her mask, glanced at the time on her watch, turned her head towards He Lindi, her eyes curving. “Happy New Year, Didi Mei Mei.”
He Lindi replied, “Happy New Year.”
Just as she finished speaking, she saw her phone screen light up. Shen Qu saw it too and chuckled. “Then I’ll find you next time I’m in Yuncheng. Thanks for listening to me tonight.”
Chi Shuo had hesitated for a long time, wondering whether to wish He Lindi a Happy New Year at midnight. Finally, as the countdown began, she decided to send He Lindi a message.
Perhaps ten seconds later, her phone rang. Chi Shuo looked happily at the caller ID, only to find it was Shen Qu calling.
Chi Shuo: “……”
She answered. Shen Qu said, “Happy New Year, Shuo Shuo.”
Shen Qu’s voice was gentle. It was somewhat noisy on her end; she must have been attending a lively gathering.
Chi Shuo lowered her head slightly. “Happy New Year.”
“Did you hear the fireworks?”
“No.” Yuncheng banned fireworks and firecrackers. Beijing surely did too.
Shen Qu immediately replied, “Boom boom boom!” She said, “Your young actress, performing online for you.”
Chi Shuo chuckled, then heard the WeChat notification sound from her iPad. She quickly opened it and saw He Lindi had replied with a photo. Zooming in, the content changed to “See Chi Shuo, today.”
Chi Shuo smiled again. Shen Qu’s voice came through the phone: “What did I just say, did you hear?”
Only then did Chi Shuo realize she was still on the phone. She hummed an “Eh?” “What? Was just looking at messages.”
Shen Qu sighed lightly. “Nothing, come find you for hot pot in a few days.”
“Okay.”
After hanging up, Chi Shuo hugged her phone and rolled around on the bed several times. She repeatedly looked at the picture He Lindi sent, her grinning mouth aching.
He Lindi was coming back today. Chi Shuo really wanted to pull a banner and go pick her up at the airport, but that was just a thought.
But this news still made Chi Shuo very excited. Yet she couldn’t show it too obviously. Only those slightly familiar with her could see her happiness, her joy, her various good emotions.
Xia Zhou was shocked watching her. “Shuo Shuo, first day of 2019, so happy?”
In the break room, Chi Shuo looked at her phone, the upward curve of her lips never settling down.
Hearing Xia Zhou, she looked up at her. “Am I?”
Zeng Guai propped up her chin, counting down her prediction: “About two more months left, Shuo Shuo. Whether I can switch careers to become a fortune teller depends on you.”
Chi Shuo waved her hand. “Go away.” She paused. “I got out of singledom by my own ability, do I need your online spells?”
Zeng Guai “pah”-ed. “Why wouldn’t you…” She reacted, her volume instantly rising. “Holy crap! Chi Shuo! You…”
Some colleagues nearby looked over. Xia Zhou frowned slightly, interrupted her, signaling her to lower her voice. “Quiet down.”
Zeng Guai found it hard to suppress her excitement. She stared intently at Chi Shuo, leaning her head closer slightly. “Shuo Shuo, seriously? Got out of singledom?! How so fast!”
Chi Shuo blinked. “No.”
“Then what did you mean just now?”
“Just… meaning I might find a partner in the future.”
“Scared me to death, thought you were already dating.” Zeng Guai patted her chest.
Xia Zhou raised an eyebrow, teasing her, “Then only you will be parched.”
Zeng Guai wasn’t concerned about this now; she was more interested in something else. “Shuo Shuo, then your future partner, do we know them? From our company? What’s their profession?”
Her string of questions made Chi Shuo somewhat unable to cope. “Wait, Sister Zeng, stop talking for now.” Chi Shuo sighed. “Haven’t even broken through the paper window yet.”
“Just one step away from breaking through, right?”
Chi Shuo thought carefully. “Sort of?”
“…Maybe don’t break it yet. That moment when the paper window is about to break but hasn’t, that’s the most delightful.”
“……”
Xia Zhou couldn’t watch anymore. “Your thinking is dangerous. No wonder you can’t find a partner. Ambiguity for too long gets tiring.” She looked at Chi Shuo. “Right? Shuo Shuo.”
Chi Shuo looked at her chat dialogue with He Lindi, neither nodding nor shaking her head, just saying, “Indeed can’t be too long.”
Did her relationship with He Lindi count as the ambiguous stage? Chi Shuo was a bit confused. Between them, there seemed to be not a single hint of flirtatious intent.
He Lindi was still on the plane now, landing in about an hour. Their chat messages currently stopped at “I’m boarding” and “Waiting for you.”
“Waiting for you” was naturally sent by Chi Shuo, yet it made Chi Shuo daze until now. She felt her meaning wasn’t enough; just those two words seemed a bit too reserved.
Xia Zhou glanced in Chi Shuo’s direction, picked up her phone, and sent Chi Shuo a private message: 【Didi?】
Chi Shuo paused: 【What?】
【Sister-in-law, huh.】 Xia Zhou sent it and chuckled herself, leaving Zeng Guai looking bewildered.
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