For a few seconds, Ruan Yu was completely petrified.
Her body was frozen, but her heart was racing like a stampede of wolves and tigers, with waves crashing violently inside her. —Why ask such a question? How is anyone supposed to answer that? Why not just go for it directly?
She opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again. After repeating this three times, she steeled herself and shut her eyes, wearing an expression of grim determination.
Then she heard Xu Huaisong chuckle.
Ruan Yu was so annoyed she choked, opening her eyes to glare. "What do you—"
Her words were cut off.
Because Xu Huaisong kissed her.
The suddenness of it caught her off guard, and she instinctively clenched her teeth in shock. At the same time, she clearly sensed his pause.
He halted his originally intended movement, pulling back slightly. Instead, he cradled the back of her head with his palm, his thumb gently stroking her earlobe over and over again.
It felt like coaxing, yet also like comfort.
A wave of electrifying softness instantly overwhelmed Ruan Yu, making her obediently tilt her head back, close her eyes, and part her lips.
When Xu Huaisong kissed her again, there was no resistance.
His invasion was like a spring breeze sweeping across the land, bringing a fine, drizzling rain that lingered and receded, painting the vast greenery with vivid strokes.
It made her want to drown in this warm, humid tenderness.
When they parted, he lingered on her lips with a sense of ceremony, pressing one last light kiss.
Ruan Yu opened her eyes, her gaze hazy with a layer of moisture.
Xu Huaisong looked into her eyes, his voice hoarse as he said, "I'm leaving."
She nodded, watching him go. The moment the door clicked shut, her legs gave way, and she leaned back against it.
On the other side of the door, Xu Huaisong also leaned against it, touching his lower lip with his index finger before smiling.
For the next dozen or so hours of radio silence, neither of them could fully shake off the lingering sensation of that kiss.
It wasn’t until noon the next day, while absentmindedly revising her script, that Ruan Yu received a message from Xu Huaisong: "Landed. Can video call in two hours."
Attached was a photo of his finished airplane meal.
Ruan Yu replied with a simple "Okay," calculated the time, and an hour later went to the kitchen to make lunch. Before she could finish, the sound of a WeChat video call invitation came from her computer in the living room.
Holding a spatula, she hurried out and saw it was Xu Huaisong. Answering breathlessly, she said, "Didn’t you say two hours?!"
The video background showed the backseat of a car—Xu Huaisong clearly hadn’t made it home yet. "Just got a call. I have an impromptu meeting at the firm later, so this is the only time I have," he explained. Noticing the sauce on her spatula, he added, "Cooking?"
She nodded, placing the spatula on a clean plate before sitting down. "Just braised some chicken wings. They’re reducing now."
Xu Huaisong glanced toward the kitchen through the screen. "Keep an eye on the time. Don’t let them burn."
The brief separation seemed to amplify their sweet talk. Ruan Yu nearly blurted out, "So what if they burn? A few chicken wings aren’t as important as you."
Xu Huaisong was clearly pleased but restrained his expression because of the driver in front. He only allowed a slight smile as he said, "If they really burn dry, it might not just be your problem."
"What do you mean?"
"Look up."
Ruan Yu tilted her head and saw a white smoke detector installed on the ceiling. "I’ve lived here so long and never even noticed," she marveled."I've confirmed with the landlord about the security and fire systems in the community. Once this smoke alarm is triggered, the alarms for your entire building will go off."
Ruan Yu imagined the scene and felt it would be too embarrassing. She quickly got up with the spatula: "I'd better go check on my chicken wings."
Xu Huaisong watched with a smile as she rushed into the kitchen, then heard his phone vibrate.
He opened it to see a message from Xu Huaishi: "Bro, I saw the news..."
Xu Huaisong knew the truth couldn't be hidden forever. He hadn't wanted to affect her studies while the matter was unresolved, but now that external news had been suppressed and there was a "bully" at school protecting her, it didn't matter much anymore.
He replied: "Mm."
What followed was a long string of messages from Xu Huaishi.
Poetry Maniac: "You guys always treat me like a kid. What's the point of hiding this from me?!"
Poetry Maniac: "But bro, you really moved me this time..."
Poetry Maniac: "No, I can't keep this from you any longer. I have to tell you this major threat! Bro, do you know why Shican Gege and I got photographed that day?"
Xu Huaisong: "?"
Poetry Maniac: "On the way back, he kept calling friends, worried about sis. Actually, I noticed something off at the hotel entrance and asked him, but he didn't even hear me. I thought I was just overreacting."
Xu Huaisong remained silent, not replying.
Poetry Maniac: "I think he likes sis."
Poetry Maniac: "Bro, don't worry too much. Even though the rival is strong, at least you're still the official boyfriend for now!"
"..." Could she not phrase it better?
Ruan Yu soon came out with a plate of chicken wings and a bowl of rice. Xu Huaisong put down his phone, ignoring his sister, and said to the camera: "Eat."
"I'm eating. What about you?"
"Watching you eat."
Ruan Yu was about to say, "What's so interesting about that?" when she noticed his gaze fixed heavily on her lips.
Her face nearly burned through the camera, so she quickly buried herself in her food.
Xu Huaisong rested his elbow on the car window frame and sighed.
Having tasted the forbidden fruit, he regretted exercising his right to that kiss so soon.
Xu Huaisong had been busy with cases, squeezing in video calls with Ruan Yu, who was also occupied with script revisions. Day and night, both were like soldiers in battle.
About half a month later, Ruan Yu was invited to Huanshi for another script meeting. As she stepped out of her building, she ran into a familiar face—Sun Miaohan from upstairs, dressed in a sea-blue uniform skirt, looking like a high school student.
Ruan Yu greeted her: "Where are you off to so early?"
Sun Miaohan smiled mysteriously: "Going to Huanshi to meet a big shot." Then she shook her head. "No, actually, to be met by a big shot."
Ruan Yu was surprised: "Didn't you already pass the audition?"
"Several girls passed last time. This time, Director Wei from Huanshi is personally selecting roles for the new movie. Whether I'll get it is still uncertain."
Director Wei? Wasn't he the producer of her movie?
A strange thought flashed through Ruan Yu's mind. After a pause, she asked: "Is this outfit required by Huanshi?"
Sun Miaohan shook her head: "It's insider info I heard. They're preparing a new movie set in a high school."
Ruan Yu laughed incredulously.
"What's wrong?" Sun Miaohan looked down at herself. "Does it not look good?"
Ruan Yu shook her head to indicate otherwise, then after a moment said: "Try a ponytail. It might have a magical effect."Sun Miaohan happily accepted her suggestion and tied her hair into a ponytail, ready to "set off on her campaign."
Ruan Yu didn’t go with her.
After all, if her guess was correct—that Sun Miaohan was going to audition for the female lead in her movie—then the two of them appearing together at Huanshi’s entrance might seem a little suspicious to certain people.
So she deliberately avoided her and entered Huanshi through a side door. Just as she stepped out of the taxi, she happened to see a celebrity van slowly driving in.
Ruan Yu didn’t pay much attention at first, since spotting a celebrity van at a film company was nothing unusual. But when she entered the lobby and jogged toward an elevator that was about to close, she saw Li Shican standing inside.
His assistant quickly pressed the door-open button so Ruan Yu could catch the elevator.
Li Shican greeted her with a smile, "Senior." He didn’t seem the least bit surprised to see her here.
But on second thought, Ruan Yu shouldn’t have been surprised either.
If Director Wei was personally coming to select actors, how could Li Shican, who was pre-selected for the male lead, not show up?
She smiled at him and stepped inside, making small talk. "What a coincidence."
Li Shican asked, "Which floor?"
"Seventh."
His assistant pressed the button for the seventh floor.
Silence settled in the elevator. After a few seconds, Li Shican said, "I’m going to the nineteenth floor to discuss the contract with Director Wei. If I don’t have other arrangements this afternoon, I’ll drop by the seventh floor to check out your script."
Ruan Yu nodded. Maybe because he had caught her sitting on Xu Huaisong’s lap last time, the quiet atmosphere felt slightly awkward.
When the elevator dinged and stopped at the seventh floor, she gave him and his assistant a quick nod and hurried out. But as she turned the corner, she nearly collided with a man in a tailored suit.
She braked to a stop and quickly apologized, "Sorry."
Looking up, she met a pair of hawk-like eyes that were somewhat intimidating.
The man, who appeared to be in his early thirties, nodded at her and curled his lips. "No problem." Then he brushed past her and entered the elevator.
Not long after, Ruan Yu’s phone buzzed.
Li Shican: That was Director Wei just now. Be careful not to get too close to him.
Ruan Yu typed as she walked toward the meeting room: Close?
Li Shican: Meaning, don’t be alone with him. You’re not a celebrity, so there’s not much at stake between you two. Avoid him if you can, but if you can’t, stay alert. You get what I mean, right?
His wording was subtle, but Ruan Yu understood. She replied: Yeah, got it. Then she turned and entered the meeting room.
Author’s Note: If you ever feel scared, just shout "Director Gu is the best!" three times, and your heart will settle.
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