The car turned a corner and drove onto Nanjing West Road.
Jia He oh-ed without saying anything, just watching the scenery pass by the window.
“How did you get to know Ah Ze?” Wu Zhilun suddenly asked.
She honestly answered, “I’m one of the screenwriters for his current drama.”
“Screenwriter?” He rhythmically tapped the steering wheel. “Got to know him recently?”
Jia He mumbled yes. “Around two months.”
He smiled to himself, a indistinct emotion mixed in.
When they arrived at Qiao Qiao’s place, the two specially lingered downstairs for a bit until confirming it was safe before getting out of the car. Jia He walked ahead to call the elevator. After some time, Wu Zhilun came over with a hoodie covering his face. Under the suspicious eyes of the apartment security guard, he sauntered to the elevator with hands tucked into his pockets, winking at Jia He.
The look was exactly like his role last year as a flirtatious detective.
Jia He suddenly recalled Qiao Qiao praising Wu Zhilun’s acting when they were chatting in the dorms back in college. “My friend seems to have always liked you quite a bit.”
Wu Zhilun smiled, about to speak when the elevator dinged as the doors slid open.
Before the two of them even exited, someone barged in. At the same time, a woman’s hand pressed the elevator button. “I told you my friend was coming over. Why are you being like this? Are you leaving just because of that?” The usually made-up face of Qiao Qiao was now extremely pale from anger. Only after she finished speaking did she notice Jia He…and Wu Zhilun.
Jia He bit her lip staring at her then the star while thinking, this was a bloody mess now.
Qiao Qiao’s eyes lingered on Wu Zhilun’s face for three seconds before she let go with a smile to the other person. “Bye.”
Her switch from rage to polite farewell was flawless.
And so, the elevator left carrying that black-faced person while the remaining three smiled awkwardly at each other. Before Jia He could even introduce them, Qiao Qiao had already gracefully extended her hand with superb manners. “Hello, I’m Qiao Qiao.”
Wu Zhilun was equally gentlemanly. “Hello, Wu Zhilun.”
Qiao Qiao nodded with a slight smile. “Sorry, I should have called beforehand so I could come down to receive you.”
Wu Zhilun shrugged. “No worries. I only sent Jia He up and was about to leave immediately.”
Qiao Qiao was astonished. “Not staying for a bit?”
If not for the chilly hallway and Qiao Qiao still in her house clothes, Jia He would have suspected this was some luxury wine event. They kept exchanging pleasantries, from looking forward to collaborating for a long time all the way to discussing holiday box office. The final outcome was Wu Zhilun courteously insisting on following the two women and walking with them to the door, only to witness Qiao Qiao rendered completely speechless by the tightly shut door.
She had gone and locked herself outside wearing just slippers and pajamas.
“How about…” Jia He really wanted to slam her head dead. “Go to my place?”
If she knew things would get this chaotic, she wouldn’t have bothered. This could practically be called a century’s great migration. It started with her lone traffic accident, then somehow she dragged Wu Zhilun out as driver and even got Qiao Qiao locked out.
In contrast, Wu Zhilun was very composed. After looking at the sealed door then the drenched Jia He and sandal-wearing Qiao Qiao, he decisively walked to the other side of the hallway and smilingly made a call – certainly to Yi Wenze.
“So handsome.” Qiao Qiao still had the mood to appreciate beautiful men.
Jia He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “I thought you were unaffected.”
Qiao Qiao glanced sideways at her. “I’m very professional okay? Of course I have to pretend in front of him.”
Jia He was too lazy to tease her. “Later you drive and we’ll go to my place?”
Qiao Qiao pursed her lips at that back view. “What about him?”
“He must have returned already.”
Jia He didn’t expect her natural line of thought could turn into a definite no with Wu Zhilun. She had just reaffirmed wanting Qiao Qiao to drive her home when Wu Zhilun immediately said it wouldn’t be safe with just two women looking like this while traveling. Before Jia He could plan a countermeasure, Qiao Qiao surprisingly added fuel to the fire with claims that the security was awful in Jia He’s neighborhood while her parents were away in Hangzhou tonight with no extra key or such.
One thing led to another, singing in chorus. Their final decision was actually to collectively go to Yi Wenze’s.
The two in front chatted cheerfully the entire ride. Passing Yangpu Bridge, Qiao Qiao even pointed out the not-so-distant World Expo park, earnestly explaining the city’s future infrastructure plans. Wu Zhilun also listened, engrossed. Her Cantonese had always been pretty good so this was the perfect chance to use it. Jia He only half paid attention until she heard Tian Chu’s song come on which felt a bit off.
“Have you heard this song before?” Wu Zhilun looked at Jia He through the rear view mirror.
Jia He shook her head. “New song?”
“Actually not. It’s from two years ago.”
Jia He oh-ed.
“Ah Ze composed the music. I wrote the lyrics.”
Jia He saw he was still watching her so she could only nod. Surprisingly, he didn’t continue.
On the bridge were rows of steel cables stretched taut between lights, invisible yet clearly visible all the same.
Even Qiao Qiao was unsettled by the bizarre atmosphere and stopped talking.
The roads in Pudong were very wide, truly like two separate cities compared to the other shore of the river. They didn’t know how long they drove before finally turning into a small district, peaceful waterside surroundings.
Following Wu Zhilun, the few of them exited the car and entered the house. He was perfectly at ease, pushing the door open and immediately getting his assistant to prepare a mahjong table. His young helper was clearly stunned seeing the wet-haired Jia He and sandal-clad Qiao Qiao. No one could have guessed a woman could appear looking like this in such a place… Standing under the genkan’s wall lamp, Jia He awkwardly stood there until A Qing pulled her aside to quietly ask if she wanted a shower and change of clothes, finally allowing her an escape.
She used the first level bathroom. Warm water, billowing steam.
Halfway through her shower, she faintly heard mahjong tile clacking noises outside. She had originally worried she was being too forward for daring to freeload at her idol’s home. It turned out she was the most restrained one here by far. Soon, she swiftly finished the shower and put on A Qing’s athletic clothes. She was just thinking about how to dry her hair when knocking sounded on the door.
A Qing peeked in and passed in a hairdryer.
Jia He looked at her in surprise but still thanked her.
A Qing smiled. “You’d better properly thank me. I have short hair and never use a hair dryer. I went out to specially buy this just now.”
Jia He felt even more awkward and quickly thanked her some more.
A Qing hastily waved her hands. “Kidding, no need to thank me. Teacher Yi was the one who told me to buy it—” She was cut off by Wu Zhilun coughing twice from his side, signaling her to hurry back.
Jia He took the hairdryer and shut the door, plugging it in. The entire washroom instantly filled with the whirring drone.
There was a full wall mirror that had already fogged over thickly. As she dried her hair, she extended a hand to wipe a small area clean, reflecting back her flushed red face. Everything felt unreal.
A simple hot shower, lively mahjong, it was like an ordinary friend gathering. Just that the location was too staggering.
She patted her own face, squeezing out a more natural smile before tidying up and exiting the bathroom.
Downstairs had practically become an entertainment room.
Wu Zhilun meaningfully reminded, “Ah Ze is upstairs.”
Qiao Qiao went with the flow. “Jia He classmate, please help me convey thanks to him and say I’ll treat everyone out next time.”
A Qing immediately supplemented, “Screenwriter, Teacher Yi isn’t sleeping yet.”
Only Wu Zhilun’s assistant said nothing, evidently too discouraged by the game to even spare a glance their way.
Under the brightly lit living room and noisy gaming, she was shooed off just like that.
Jia He suppressed her frustration and lingered watching them play for a while but no one paid her any attention. Whatever, since she was already here, she should at least greet the owner. Steeling herself, she got up and went upstairs.
The wooden flooring, soft slippers, her steps made no sound at all, only increasing her unease.
Fortunately the second level was cleanly structured with only one room left half-ajar. She could vaguely hear Yi Wenze’s voice, sparing her the awkwardness of searching around. She stood still at the entrance. From this spot she could perfectly see the balcony outside where the rain showed no signs of stopping.
She knocked and called out, “Teacher Yi.”
Yi Wenze seemed to be on a call. He said to come in before immediately resuming his soft exchange with the other end.
She hesitated and pushed the door open.
The spacious study had several lamps turned on, the entire room bright. Bookcases lined half of the right wall while the other half held CD racks. He sat by the balcony with his body sunk into a black sofa, lightly massaging his brow. Glancing up to see Jia He, he put down his hand.
At this time, the music had just switched to Stratovarius’ “Forever.” The lead singer’s low voice resonated, permeating every corner of the study.
“Tian Chu,” Yi Wenze suddenly said into the phone. “My new song doesn’t suit you very well. Of course that’s only my opinion. If you insist, you can discuss it with Sister Mai. No need to specially call me.” After he finished, he quietly listened for a while longer, still kneading his brow. His expression hinted at some helplessness. “I’ve already said all I should. I have a guest here so I won’t chat more.”
Jia He awkwardly sat on the other single-seat sofa, concentrating on the song to distract herself.
Only after Yi Wenze hung up did she smile and ask, “You really like Stratovarius?”
She had racked her brains before finally finding this conversation topic to divert attention.
“Started listening to their songs very early. Gradually it became a habit,” Yi Wenze put down his phone on the tea table. Picking up the flower tea pot, he poured Jia He a cup. “Finland has gloomy weather but it’s precisely that type of atmosphere which birthed such pure power metal.”
Jia He asked, “Have you been to Finland?”
Yi Wenze nodded.
Jia He awkwardly said, “The suicide rate there is very high.”
He was silent for a bit. “Yes, usually peaking in spring because the winters are too harsh. Many people become deeply depressed after the long wait.”
It seemed…the topic was somewhat off.
Recalling the phone call he just hung up and his current words, all under the bleak and despairing background music, Jia He suddenly had an uneasy feeling.
Clutching her teacup, she was silent for a long time. “Actually, being betrayed isn’t a big deal. I’ve gone through it too.” Of course it couldn’t compare to divorce but the industry was so open, the nature was probably quite similar.
Yi Wenze’s brow quirked up. “Editor-in-chief Gu?”
Jia He lowered her head staring at her teacup. “Mm.”
She was practically sacrificing herself to console her idol. Her intention was to say some comforting words but everything that came to mind were trite platitudes on time dulling all. Voicing them aloud wouldn’t have any practical use.
Just as she was at a complete loss, Yi Wenze suddenly called her name.
She lifted her head to look at him in puzzlement.
Those eyes brimmed with fragmented smiles, gentle as they watched her. “Were you trying to comfort me?”
Listening to the sound of her own breathing, Jia He felt somewhat helpless. Her vision randomly swept past the flower tea pot. She immediately reached out to grab it and walked to the water dispenser to refill. “No, I just suddenly thought of it.”
Yi Wenze smiled without responding.
She placed the pot back on the candle stand and added more water to his cup. Turning back to hand it to him, she only then realized how close they were, close to the point of…excess.
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