The news actually came from Cuixi to Hu Xiu. The moment Hu Xiu forwarded it to Zhao Xiaorou, Zhao Xiaorou’s call came through, demanding sharply, “What happened? Was it solicitation, fraud, or did someone’s husband turn him in?”
“You already knew?”
“What else is there to say about a man like that? Are there any other ways for him to get caught?”
Zhao Xiaorou drove straight to Hu Xiu’s place to hear the gossip. It had only been three days since Ma Liang was taken away by the economic crime investigation unit, but the fact that his legendary story had ended this way still left them utterly shocked.
The last update Hu Xiu had heard was that Darcy, deeply in love, had taken him to a friend’s cocktail party, to a rural resort to watch a bonfire, and even flown north to go skiing. Ma Liang had posted numerous updates on his social media—finally, he no longer had to steal others’ photos to boast.
Zhao Xiaorou had long complained privately that this woman, even if she lived in a villa in the western suburbs, wasn’t exactly high-class—at least, the places she took Ma Liang didn’t sound particularly upscale.
After meeting so many of her friends, Ma Liang had begun to think he had attained a certain social status. He told everyone he was Darcy’s fiancé—they had even attended a Tofu Rice Feast together, which, by his logic, practically counted as meeting the parents.
It was said that during the peak of their romance, he had even cleared all his likes on Douyin and Weibo posts featuring busty Internet celebrities. On the day of the Tofu Rice Feast, he presented himself as utterly pure and above reproach.
If people knew when to stop and quit while they were ahead, there probably wouldn’t be so many sudden downfalls.
As the man of a wealthy woman, he couldn’t just settle for being a junior executive at Ogilvy, doing odd jobs that were too exhausting—having to read English emails daily, look up words to reply, and even ask Hu Xiu for edits. It was a constant struggle.
When someone is incompetent at their job and too lazy to improve or adapt, the best solution is to resign.
And with Darcy being such a perfect match, sharing the same tastes and loving him so deeply, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to be a little greedier.
This time, he didn’t ask for a watch. Instead, during a tender moment at the ski resort, he said affectionately, “Darcy, advertising is just too exhausting. I thought I could balance work and being with you, but lately, the overtime has been overwhelming. I hardly have any time to spend with you.”
“If only I could be self-employed, it would be so much better. I could wake up with you every day, hold you as we fall asleep, and manage a small business. I’m diligent—I’m sure I’d make a wonderful homemaker.”
“Most importantly, I love you. I want to be with you always. After all, you’re the woman I love most in this lifetime.”
Darcy actually went ahead and opened an esports arena for him, with her and her best friend each investing a million yuan. Out of love, she put the business under Ma Liang’s name.
The shop was located in the central area of Old Minhang. On opening day, Ma Liang posted a photo of himself standing at the entrance of the esports arena, both thumbs pointing to his chest, with the caption: “At 25, through my own hard work, I’ve gained both a career and the love of my life. Truly something to celebrate.”
“Take the long view and measure things broadly; the true path in life is ever-changing. Hard work pays off.”
He also included a selfie of Darcy—a woman in her early thirties with single eyelids, pouting lips, and 10mm thick false eyelashes. No signs of fillers, truly natural and unadorned. Not particularly beautiful, but brimming with confidence.
It was the first time Ma Liang had posted a photo of his girlfriend on social media. From this, it seemed Darcy had officially become the endpoint of his romantic journey in his eyes.
“So, how did he end up getting caught in the end?”"Darcy had a falling out with her best friend. Rumor has it that Darcy couldn't keep her mouth shut and spilled the beans about her friend meeting a prince at a Suzhou club, which eventually reached the friend's husband.
The friend's supplementary credit card got frozen, and she was so furious she decided to pull her investment from the esports arena. Darcy firmly denied being loose-lipped and refused to pay up, so the friend sued her—with Ma Liang listed as the legal representative.
The verdict is due soon. Cuixi says Ma Liang won't go to jail but will have to pay compensation. Meanwhile, Darcy dumped him as soon as he was detained, dismantled and sold off parts of the esports arena, leaving an empty shell for Ma Liang to cover the losses himself. The latest update is that Darcy is now passionately involved with the very club prince her friend was seeing."
After listening to Hu Xiu's final segment, Zhao Xiaorou blew a smoke ring: "This Darcy is something else. It's possible she orchestrated this whole mess just for that prince—she must have had quite the grudge against her friend.
Never underestimate a woman's cunning. They'll put on acts and set traps for love, each more sophisticated than the last.
Ha! I thought Ma Liang, after all his rough-and-tumble struggles, would have climbed to some position, but a small esports arena brought him down. He's never seen real money before.
All his exes were sisters earning seven-figure annual incomes! I almost feel... sorry for him."
The silly, simple man who once slept on the Escape Room sofa had now fallen to such a state. Neither woman could fully revel in his misfortune.
Hu Xiu frowned: "Did you drive all the way here just to gossip?"
"Of course. Hearing this over the phone would be so boring. Where's Diao Zhiyu?"
"He didn't come today."
"You still aren't living together? My god, Hu Xiu, paying two rents for a dump—if you combined them, you could at least afford a two-bedroom elevator apartment.
It's not that I'm calculating, but there's no need to keep running back and forth. With your relationship so good, making that incredibly handsome guy travel so far to see you is such a waste."
"Alright, I get it." Hu Xiu recalled the night she stood holding hands with Diao Zhiyu under a Nanjing building: "It's not that I don't want to live with him. Since he returned, he's been rehearsing for the drama troupe audition and working weekends as an Non-Player Character. We can only see each other once a week..."
Zhao Xiaorou leaned close to her eyes: "If you don't keep a tight leash on a handsome man, you'll lose him. Don't treat men like loyal dogs."
"I'm quite charming too!" Hu Xiu tossed her hair: "Enough talk, I need to go volunteer."
The first psychological reconstruction forum Hu Xiu participated in had more attendees than she expected.
Shen Zhimin had mentioned before that no matter what the event in Shanghai, participation and interaction were always better than in other cities, which was why he chose to develop his career here after returning to China.
With no Simultaneous interpretation booth to hide in, this time she needed to do interactive interpretation. Sitting in her seat waiting for the event to start, Shen Zhimin was in the host's position, with Pei Zhen seated beside him as the case presenter. The two didn't speak, each preparing separately.
As it was a volunteer event, while reviewing materials and seeing before-and-after photos of reconstructive surgery, she already felt deep sorrow and compassion.
These patients and their families had endured more gossip and ostracism during this period than she had imagined;
What little encouragement they received came from fellow patients in the same ward and young people online—
The former, sharing the depths of illness, supporting each other was akin to cheering themselves on;The latter's compassion and kindness were also unexpected. Though she had assumed he lived indifferently, he had offered blessings and assistance to a stranger. Just thinking about this made her feel that participating in this event was somewhat of an inescapable duty.
Shen Zhimin continued introducing to the audience: "Today's cases are all quite special. On the screen, you can see a girl born with midface defects who came to our hospital two months ago seeking facial reconstruction.
She brought 20,000 yuan in cash, savings from working in factories since she was twelve. Medically speaking, she's a patient without nasal septum or columella, making the entire reconstruction extremely difficult and requiring multiple surgeries.
But her determination is very strong - over a decade of mockery and discrimination has left her with profound insecurities.
After four surgeries, we used rib cartilage grafts beneath the scalp, gradually performing the reconstruction..."
Pei Zhen had been speaking nonstop throughout this entire segment when he suddenly realized he'd been talking for too long.
Hu Xiu continued interpreting with a smile, without a single error - handling long segments was her specialty, with her personal record being seven minutes.
She suddenly felt grateful for this environment. Compared to studying at home, this intensity of interpretation provided the best training.
Especially sitting facing the audience with her back to the large screen - appearing in public with straight posture and full confidence, receiving genuine eye contact and thoughtful engagement - she shone brighter than in any previous assignment.
Far more enjoyable than being in the simultaneous interpretation booth.
When the event concluded, Shen Zhimin stood up to express thanks, specifically pointing toward her: "Thank you to our interpreting guest today, Professor Hu Xiu."
She stood and bowed, lifting her head to see Pei Zhen smiling not far away.
Though the event had ended, consultations continued. Several young doctors were surrounded by people asking questions. As Hu Xiu packed her things to leave, Shen Zhimin squeezed through the crowd: "Professor Hu, thank you for today. Having you volunteer to help us connect with international colleagues means our event will receive more support."
He spoke with a translated-foreign-language cadence: "If possible, could we ask you to regularly participate in our future events?"
"Of course..." Though there was no payment, the sincerity was enough for her to agree.
Shen Zhimin suddenly asked: "Are you working full-time as an interpreter now?"
"Yes. Also preparing for exams."
"Really impressive..."
"Hmm?"
"To be so steady at your age." Shen Zhimin couldn't resist lighting a cigarette: "I'm so much older than you, but my anxiety is probably ten times worse."
Hu Xiu thought to herself that interpreters probably appeared as steady as the mythical sea-calming needle. Professional influence on personality was indeed significant - back in advertising, being challenged by clients daily, having to revise copy dozens of times while also having one's character, capability, reading comprehension, and even hormone levels questioned...
With interpretation, at least after the devil training, whatever came through the ears was definite.
She took pride in having become a seasoned interpreter.
"During your several appearances, I haven't seen your boyfriend around."
"He works as an actor in immersive theaters on weekends. We both have our own busy schedules."
"I heard he's younger?"
"Yes. Though he often doesn't act like it."
Shen Zhimin took the opportunity during their conversation to smoke: "Sorry, the craving hit. I can't smoke around Pei Zhen - he doesn't allow it.""He'll be a good father." Hu Xiu glanced back, where the tall Pei Zhen stood out conspicuously in the crowd, answering questions while maintaining focused eye contact with patients' families, his explanations meticulous and patient.
"Who knows. A few days ago, he didn't go home during his scheduled time off, drinking alone in his office. He told me that people are inherently selfish - what appears as heartache over unattainable love is mostly just playing the tragic hero, ultimately still choosing whoever satisfies their own needs."
Hu Xiu remained silent as her phone rang. Diao Zhiyu's hurried report came through: "Finished dinner, the second half of the evening show is starting." He had grown quite accustomed to reporting his every move.
"Your boyfriend being an actor, he must be very handsome." Shen Zhimin stubbed out her cigarette, ending with gossipy curiosity.
"Of course..."
It was time to leave. The journey to Shanghai Bund in the suburbs would take two hours by subway and bus combined.
Hu Xiu maneuvered through the chairs, bypassing the aunties still eagerly chatting and asking questions, bent down to retrieve her bag, and looked up to meet Pei Zhen's gaze.
While patiently listening to questions, his eyes found her through the crowd. Those were eyes that, whenever they rested on her, seemed to spill forth untold stories. Whenever their gazes met, the narrative thread would turn tender and lingering, as if to be continued.
Hu Xiu smiled and turned away, knowing his gaze would follow her out the door, though she wouldn't look back again.
Standing outside Shanghai Bund, the venue stood quiet. She wore a dress bare-legged, her knees aching from the cold.
She walked deeper into the film studio. Near the train station, a film crew was eating meals, extras squatting on the ground with lunch boxes while those with tables and chairs appeared slightly better treated, steam still rising from soup pots.
A steam whistle sounded - much louder than Snowpiercer's whistle, the steam startling her - a film production was underway at the station.
Watching from afar, she found it magical, as if she had stepped into a fictional story, merely observing everything as a spectator.
These actors before her must have visited more scripts and stories than she had, yet none became memorable roles. Life is like theater, but not everyone gets to be the protagonist.
The show ended. Players and actors emerged behind her. Hu Xiu approached, looking at these familiar characters: Du Mingquan, Shen Ling, Xia Xue, Dai Li, Chen Mingzhang...
She too had left real stories in parallel timelines, during their regular performances in fixed time slots. Stored in those timelines were memories from some day in April 1941 - when a mafia underling pleaded in Han Yiqiu's room to marry Du Mingquan; and killing Shen Ling to become the gang leader's wife...
She smiled at the thought. It wasn't about obsession with any particular actor, but rather - the memories gifted by the Immersive Theater were dreams where she felt like the genuine female lead.
"What brings you here?" Diao Zhiyu, still dressed as Han Yiqiu, approached excitedly: "I was just about to get my phone to message you."
"Because I wanted to see you." Looking at Diao Zhiyu, she couldn't help feeling shy. In this costume, he seemed to possess an additional identity, and the way he looked at her always felt like being overshadowed by Director Han in the play.Director Han's burden had vanished: "Wait for me to go upstairs and change. Are we taking the shuttle back? Should we go to your place or mine today? I don't think there's any food at my place, we'll have to buy sandwiches downstairs..."
"Let's go apartment hunting together tomorrow," Hu Xiu said with a laugh. "Let's find one with a kitchen - I'm tired of sandwiches."
Before she could finish speaking, Diao Zhiyu picked her up and spun her around several times. Hu Xiu felt the world spinning, her brains nearly shaken loose—
How could there be a boy so fond of showing off affection? Had he forgotten he was the most popular male actor in Shanghai Bund? Did he not want the first prize bonus anymore?
Some players shouted at them: "Director Han, you're a wife-spoiling maniac both on and off stage! So twisted!"
Another player carried over a box of fireworks—romance in the outer rings, where fireworks were permitted.
A young female player handed some to Hu Xiu and said innocently: "Sister, you're so beautiful! In the game, we all cried our hearts out because Director Han didn't end up with Shen Ling."
"Never thought he'd have such a beautiful girlfriend in real life. We won't feel sorry for him anymore!"
"You can still feel a little sorry—after all, I really did cry," Diao Zhiyu grinned. The players cheered even more enthusiastically: "Sister, your boyfriend never smiles like this! He's usually an iceberg!"
Diao Zhiyu whispered in her ear: "These are all veteran players on their twentieth playthrough, barely in their teens."
As they waved sparklers and blew bubbles together, Hu Xiu noticed Du Mingquan and Shen Ling being teased into standing close, Dai Li holding Xia Xue, and Chen Mingzhang secretly watching Du Mingquan.
Against the backdrop of fireworks and bubbles, everyone's eyes sparkled with different lights.
Live Action Role Playing Game players were so innocent—if they liked the actors in the game, they'd extend that affection to their family members too.
The jealousy and conflicts she'd heard about before, the endless arguments among wealthy ladies, all formed this magical player universe.
Thinking back to the painful real-life cases she'd seen that afternoon, she suddenly understood why those withdrawn, silent players stayed here. Hiding in the turbulent world of 1941 might be their paradise.
In the intense light, Hu Xiu watched Diao Zhiyu drawing pictures for her in the air with fireworks.
Even if the sparks lasted only a moment, what remained in her eyes was the shape of a heart. Diao Zhiyu smiled at her, his handsome face so joyful. She thought, the feeling of creating memories with someone you love was wonderful.
The fireworks witnessed standing beside you are like a brilliant starry sky scattered before us.
You know? In every realm of illusion and reality among the falling fireworks, I want to be with you forever.
But saying it now would interrupt your innocent smile.
On the ride back, Diao Zhiyu kept happily shaking his head. Hu Xiu grew carsick from his movements: "Diao Zhiyu, have you gone crazy?"
He didn't answer, just continued smiling. Probably the joy of moving in together outweighed everything else at that moment.
Unable to contain himself, Diao Zhiyu texted her in the car: "Can't announce it publicly, but I've received an invitation from a very famous experimental theater studio."
"So I might really be rehearsing for plays soon. If I become a contracted actor, I won't be able to perform in Live Action Role Playing Games on weekends anymore."
"Oh my..." Hu Xiu glanced around and quietly replied: "Without you, Du Mingquan would be so lonely."Diao Zhiyu rolled his eyes: "I'm straight. New actors will always come along, everyone has to move forward. My departure also gives opportunities to new actors, and I have stages I want to go to too."
"On the day of the audition, I realized how inadequate I was. My physical condition and acting skills were just average there. The only thing I was grateful for at the time was my ten years of classical dance training - that was their entry ticket."
"But you're handsome," Hu Xiu thought competitively, how could her boyfriend be considered ordinary?
"Over there, good-looking guys are the cheapest."
Hu Xiu followed Diao Zhiyu to the experimental theater - the same Yihai Theater on Jiangning Road they'd visited before. The play was adapted from a classic script with modern elements integrated, absurd in both language and performance style.
Diao Zhiyu looked extremely serious during rehearsals, yet ridiculous: pounding his chest like a gorilla, doing ballet, standing up only to fall down, then getting up again, singing those annoying viral internet songs he usually hated...
After rehearsal, drenched in sweat, Diao Zhiyu would sometimes ask confusedly: "Isn't this very different from what I used to perform?"
"A bit..." Hu Xiu rubbed her nose: "You used to be a charming handsome guy, now you don't look quite normal."
"Starting with small Roles," the long-lashed camel smelling of medicinal patches glared at Hu Xiu: "Don't say those things about idols and TV actors anymore. I'm honing my acting skills now."
His dark, bright eyes were filled with pride and excitement - he genuinely loved theater.
Hu Xiu raised both hands: "I didn't say anything. Besides, I can totally support you now - I'm an interpreter."
"After your exam ends, let's go to Snowpiercer."
Hu Xiu froze: "What did you say?"
"Don't overthink it. They asked me to go as a player, said it's been a while since I visited. Now there are only inexperienced young actors there who slack off without guidance, so they want me to give some advice."
"Oh..." Hu Xiu sounded somewhat disappointed: "I thought you were going back to being Qin Xiaoyi."
"I'm a theater actor now, why would I play Qin Xiaoyi? But—" Diao Zhiyu stroked his chin: "Now that you mention it, I could get a Marriage Certificate to propose."
Hu Xiu hissed through her teeth, squinting at him: "You pervert, why are you so obsessed with getting married in plays?"
During the two-day interpretation exam, Hu Xiu stayed near Shanghai International Studies University, completely focused on the test.
Diao Zhiyu always said she could pass even without preparation, but it wasn't that easy at all.
Everyone taking the exam was well-prepared. All she had extra was just a bit more experience.
Submitted with her application was Pei Zhen's recommendation letter. To be thorough, she also included her record of nearly one hundred medical interpretations and her current regular schedule for public welfare lectures.
Even now, her mindset as an interpreter didn't seem entirely about making a living. Passing the interpreter program seemed more about wanting to do something meaningful.
After completing the final interpretation segment, Hu Xiu put down her headphones and walked out of the school gate, catching the last rays of sunset sinking between skyscrapers. She used to hate Shanghai so much, hiding in power-outaged houses in the suburbs, where she'd seen similar colors before.
Back then, she feared the coming of night - along with the darkness came despair for this world.Zhao Xiaorou's call came just in time: "Finished your exam? Don't forget about the 6:30 Snowpiercer tonight. Li Ai and I are about to head out."
On the subway, she checked her Bilibili account for a while. The comments and bullet chats were as entertaining as ever. Whenever she mentioned her boyfriend's recent updates toward the end of her videos, the bullet chat count would double, once even completely obscuring her face.
In Zhao Xiaorou's own words, niche channels like interpretation content creators attracted pitifully few followers since they weren't essential viewing. Half of her subscribers were actually drawn by her famously handsome boyfriend. Such channels, she declared, weren't worthy of being included in her personal traffic matrix.
Oh well...
Li Ai and Zhao Xiaorou arrived early. The ever-busy Li Ai was dozing off on the sofa.
It was rare to gather everyone for a session of Snowpiercer. Zhao Xiaorou brought her own cheongsam and deliberately drew the dancer role from before: "Stay true to the original aspiration, persist in being the most beautiful dancer on Snowpiercer."
Hu Xiu curled her lips and glanced at the Quest card in her bag. It seemed the plot had indeed undergone some changes.
Without a Marriage Certificate and Diao Zhiyu lacking a Behind-the-scenes role, could it be that his Role Package contained one?
Familiar with the plot, he wouldn’t be so childish as to draw roles for Snowpiercer. Most importantly, the game was supposed to start at six-thirty, but it was already seven o’clock—where was he?
Players arrived one after another. Hu Xiu took a closer look and realized the cast of Shanghai Bund had all come.
Du Mingquan, Shen Ling, Dai Li, Chen Mingzhang... all the main actors from the storyline were here—exactly sixteen people. This session was booked by Diao Zhiyu.
Such a grand setup! Could it be to get back at her for last time when she had someone witness her marriage? She had only asked someone in Shanghai Bund to witness her marriage with Du Mingquan to indulge her fantasy of being the gang leader's wife. Was Diao Zhiyu really that petty, making everyone witness his marriage on Snowpiercer?
The protagonist still hadn’t arrived.
At seven-oh-five, Hu Xiu anxiously asked the staff, "Isn’t it about to start? There’s still one person missing."
"No problem, you can go in first. When your friend arrives, I’ll have an actor bring him in."
So it was true—once you become a theater actor, your status rises. Hu Xiu looked at the distant train and iron gate, her heart calm and unruffled. She told Zhao Xiaorou that whoever came out of that gate definitely wouldn’t be Diao Zhiyu.
I can keep a straight face, or even laugh recklessly. Although that was once a place I yearned for day and night, I’ve grown now. The only thing that angers me is why Diao Zhiyu is late.
The Steam whistle sounded. Hu Xiu’s grip on Zhao Xiaorou’s hand noticeably tightened for a second—a conditioned reflex from the past. She steadied herself: "Alright, let me see what the new actor looks like."
The lock on the iron gate opened, and the sound was unusually familiar. Out walked someone in a white shirt and a suit vest—Diao Zhiyu.
Hu Xiu was completely stunned.
Qin Xiaoyi walked up to the players, followed by a butler, his expression still aloof and cold, but with a touch more confidence: "Everyone, I am Qin Xiaoyi, the Minister of Finance of Rong City. Please bring your Invitations and follow me this way."
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