positive and negative electrodes

He glanced at the camera with a slightly disrespectful and flippant smile.

Her eyes were all flamboyant, making people inexplicably associate her with Xi Ai.

They are like two extremes.

One enters with the gentle demeanor of a Jiangnan water town, but behind him lies an arrogant and unrestrained frenzy, a madness that both seeks survival and anticipates death.

A triumphant spring breeze, carrying the air of freedom, conceals a nameless loneliness and a body covered in cold thorns.

Xi Ai suddenly remembered that year when Chu Yiqi grasped her outstretched hand, used it as leverage to leap, and her body was enveloped in a fragrant breeze mixed with the dampness of sea salt.

As the wave crashed in, before her senses faded, Xi Ai saw a strange mix of anticipation and desperate madness in the other person's remarkably calm eyes.

Amidst the muffled sounds around her, she only clearly heard Chu Yiqi say, "See, I told you long ago, neither of us are normal people."

Yes, anyone with a modicum of sense would instinctively reach out and grab Xi Ai the moment she slipped on the cliff.

Without any lingering fear, he firmly tied the rope around himself to Xi Ai, and even after returning to the mountain trail, he did not let go, but instead walked hand in hand.

An excessive protective instinct took root at this moment.

Xi Ai did not participate in the group chat discussion because she was busy meeting the person in person and having lunch together.

Chu Yiqi's assistant came to pick her up in a car, so Chu Yiqi packed her things in a tense but orderly manner.

Originally, all that was needed was to pack the clothes she brought, but Shen Lanjin dragged out Xi Ai's suitcase and put the gift for Chu Yiqi inside as a matter of course.

Xi Ai was on a work call, listening more than speaking, but glancing at Chu Yiqi every now and then. Then she went over and put a bunch of snacks in, whether out of mischief or good intentions, it was hard to tell.

Chu Yiqi remained silent for a long time, and not wanting to disturb Xi Ai's work, he quietly arranged the snacks. Seeing the corners of Xi Ai's mouth turn up, he knew that the young lady would not make a sound for at least half a minute.

Xi Ai put some of Chu Yiqi's pretty jewelry, along with the jewelry box, inside. Chu Yiqi quietly made room for them, then picked out a hair clip and put it on Xi Ai.

After not seeing each other for a few days, Xi Ai and Chu Yiqi actually started chatting more.

Xi Ai De has a circle of friends who attend gatherings, but she never participates in nightclubs; she just says hello and leaves.

The driver came to pick her up, so Xi Ai propped her head up and looked at work messages in the back seat.

Actually, she can only sleep for three hours at most when she gets back to the film set, but Xi Ai asked her aunt to save some iced tofu pudding.

How could anyone order such terrible food?

Chu Yiqi had finished her activities for the day and was on her way back to the hotel when she saw the message and smiled.

Xi Ai is actually quite conflicted about food.

He could drag Chu Yiqi to the old town, just wanting to eat barbecue, but sometimes he would find all the dishes unappetizing, especially at social gatherings, where he would become even more picky about food.

I don't know where this problem came from.

I thought everyone who came back from abroad would be very tolerant of different foods.

Chu Yiqi thought for a moment and read the random reply.

[I don't know, anyway, a few of us went to Yanlanlou for Zhejiang cuisine after work today.]

[This is not a question.]

Xi Ai snorted coldly, as if she was angry.

Chu Yiqi called.

"If you're going to describe the dishes, I'm going to hang up."

"Okay, okay," Chu Yiqi said. "I just really want to know, do you forbid office romances?"

Xi Ai guessed what Chu Yiqi wanted to ask, but deliberately avoided the question: "According to the current laws of our country, I cannot interfere with other people's freedom to love."

After a moment of silence, Chu Yiqi lowered his voice, which sounded both helpless and threatening: "Xi Ai, I'm serious."

Okay, Xi Ai sat up straight without realizing it and looked out the window.

“If you’re talking about Xu Zhaoshi and Gu Yu, then I can only say that Gu Yu submitted her resignation letter herself, it’s in my email and I don’t really want to approve it,” Xi Ai sighed.

She gave Gu Yu three days off, and she hasn't seen him in the past few days.

I don't know how Chu Yiqi found out.

"ah?"

"The first and second assistant positions are very sensitive, sister," Xi Ai sighed.

She really didn't want to talk to Chu Yiqi about this before they made up.

He's always been a suspicious person.

Xu Zhaoshi had been intentionally or unintentionally avoiding meeting Gu Yu for some time, and Xi Ai also intended to elevate both of their positions, so Xu Zhaoshi took the opportunity to go on a business trip to another city.

Chu Yiqi said, "I saw Xu Zhaoshi; his complexion was so-so."

"How good can it get?"

Chu Yiqi abruptly changed the subject: "By the way, is Auntie here?"

"Okay, I'll go back and have something to eat."

"That's fine then."

There was no further communication, but Chu Yiqi sent a music listening invitation.

Xi Ai agreed.

The moment the two profile pictures were next to each other, Xi Ai received a weather forecast reminder.

It was a light rain at night.

Before the call ended, Xi Ai spoke softly, saying, "Chu Yiqi."

"What's wrong?" Chu Yiqi hummed a tune as she selected a song.

"Check the weather forecast."

"Perfect for stargazing."

"Um."

Chu Yiqi didn't play any songs, but stated in a descriptive tone: "They said it's raining where you are."

“Right?” Xi Ai said, “The part we filmed happened to be on a rainy day.”

"Hang up, you probably still have work to do."

"You click, I'm editing the message." Actually, Xi Ai was taking screenshots of the call and the music she was listening to.

Chu Yiqi casually asked, "Looking back at what I have?"

"No, Xu Zhaoshi."

Chu Yiqi hung up the phone and pressed play.

News of Xi Ai arrived immediately.

[Do you know how eerie it feels when your own voice suddenly comes through those headphones?]

[That's not my perspective.]

Xi Ai immediately switched screens and added a song by Chu Yiqi to her playlist.

If you delete the songs, I'll keep adding them.

Chu Yiqi quickly deleted the songs by the two ladies that followed in the playlist, leaving only one duet song between the two of them. He then casually found some songs that the two of them had collected together in the favorites list.

Actually, there's not much need to "search" for them. Long ago, the two of them basically shared all their accounts and their favorites lists.

Even after two years, nothing has changed.

They listened to music peacefully until Xi Ai unknowingly fell asleep on the desk. Chu Yiqi, estimating the time, did not stop listening to the music, but simply adjusted the volume.

It was half a month later when Chu Yiqi returned to Beicheng, on a sunny day. Fans were there to greet him at the airport, something Chu Yiqi had anticipated, and he distributed the two bags of local specialties he was carrying.

It's truly a dish that follows in the footsteps of Xi Ai.

— "Sprinkling rice".

Finally exiting the airport, the driver was already waiting. As soon as he opened the car door, Chu Yiqi saw the empty back seat. He wondered what was bothering him again. His fingertips, dragging the suitcase, were slightly white.

"What's wrong?"

Chu Yiqi shook his head, adjusted his sunglasses, and said in a voice so faint it was almost lost in the wind: "It's nothing, I just remembered something."

The assistant didn't ask what was wrong; he simply helped the driver put the suitcase away.

What could it be?

However, it was a long time ago, and many times it was like this: when Chu Yiqi walked out of the airport, someone would always suddenly appear.

The driver's side window rolled down, and Xi Ai's alluring face smiled as she placed one hand on the window and waved to her.

The car door opened, and Chu Yiqi saw a bouquet of preserved flowers on the passenger seat. Xi Ai leaned over, hooked off Chu Yiqi's sunglasses, and said, "Aren't you leaving yet?"

Aren't you leaving yet?

Chu Yiqi suddenly came to his senses, got into the car and said, "Let's go to Luzhou Island."

"Didn't you say yesterday that you were going to see Attorney Teng tonight?"

"Um."

I just suddenly felt like going back to visit.

"Just leave me there and go eat. I'll reimburse you."

"Then I'm going to Yujinlou."

Chu Yiqi smiled and said, "Go."

In fact, Chu Yiqi not only had to see Teng Yan today, but also attend Fu Jingchu's birthday party.

She sent a message to Xi Ai at noon.

[Are you in the North City?]

Xi Ai didn't reply immediately. This had been the case for the past few days. She seemed very busy and couldn't always see the messages in time.

Chu Yiqi held his phone, switching between screens several times, seemingly lost in thought and worrying about something.

Chu Yiqi thought she could wait patiently, just like when she first discovered that Xi Ai wasn't paying attention to her. She also thought she could be less dependent on Xi Ai and less concerned.

Perhaps because he was looking forward to seeing Xi Ai that evening, he couldn't bear being neglected for even a moment.

After a long while, the dialog box finally became active.

[Um. ]

After a moment of silence, Xi Ai explained that she was in a conference call.

Chu Yiqi glanced at the side of her phone, then sent a voice message: "Are you free? I brought you some Puli chocolates."

"We probably won't run into each other right now, let's do it later."

"Um."

The Fu family owns a villa nestled against the mountains and beside the water.

Xi Ai stood on the terrace, where fireworks were being set off outside. It was said that Xuan Yanyue had participated in the design, and that the materials used were ones that the Fu family had not officially disclosed.

"Xuan Yanyue hasn't returned yet?" Xi Ai adjusted her coat, her tone indifferent.

Fu Jingchu glanced at her: "On its way."

Fu Jingchu originally wanted to be sweet and affectionate with Xuan Yanyue, but Xuan Yanyue insisted on setting off fireworks herself and even made a video call for her to see the scene.

"Hasn't he arrived yet?"

"The troops haven't arrived yet, but the gifts are already out in the open." Xi Ai shrugged, but her fingers unconsciously touched her phone.

Actually, Chu Yiqi had sent her a request to listen to music in the evening. At that time, the party had not yet started, so Xi Ai was working in her room, but Xi Ai refused Chu Yiqi's request.

Fu Jingchu fiddled with a string of green sandalwood beads in her hand, her tone somewhat flat, making it difficult to discern whether it was a question or a statement: "You two are still getting along in this awkward way."

"Pretty much the same."

Fu Jingchu chuckled softly and picked up her phone, which was lying to the side: "Which investment honed your patience? I'll join in too."

"..."

After replying to Xuan Yanyue's message, Fu Jingchu said, "Xuanxuan met Yiqi on the road."

Xi Ai replied to her previous statement: "You know her too well."

"Yes, but objectively speaking, if you don't push this kind of person, they can keep going around in circles with you forever."

Xi Ai: "Exaggeration is not allowed."

"Whatever."

"I've always been curious about how Qin Siyao suddenly ran into that person a few days ago."

"have no idea."

Fu Jingchu did it on purpose; she just likes to cause trouble. So today, she not only invited Qin Siyao, but also that director.

"Really?" Xi Ai raised her chin and said, "They've arrived."

"Together?"

"Let's go."

Xi Ai placed her coat on the chair, her dark green cheongsam swaying gently. With a few words, she blocked the people who wanted to make connections and walked straight towards the group that had just entered.

Chu Yiqi stepped forward and stood in front of Xi Ai, asking her, "Can we talk somewhere else?"

"Um."

Xi Ai exchanged glances with Fu Jingchu for a moment, then went outside with Chu Yiqi.

Xi Ai's coat was brought out, but she asked Chu Yiqi, "Are you cold?"

"It's nothing." Chu Yiqi shook her head, her long hair loose, her face exceptionally beautiful, her gaze never leaving Xi Ai's face for a moment.

Xi Ai took the coat, said "thank you," and the person left on their own, leaving behind silence.

"Have you been very busy lately?"

Xi Ai understood Chu Yiqi's implied meaning, but still avoided the main point: "There's no other way to wrap things up at Silin Bay."

"oh."

Xi Ai stopped walking, her tone was gentle, and her question was excessively calm.

"Chu Yiqi, don't you think our current situation is strange?"

Chu Yiqi's heart trembled, as if something was collapsing, as if a sudden cold rain had fallen. He spoke cautiously, almost tentatively, "Xi Ai, could you...?"

Before she could finish speaking, Qin Siyao rushed out in a panic, bumping right next to Chu Yiqi and Xi Ai.

Their eyes met, and Chu Yiqi suddenly felt that something had been missed.

They always do this: they discuss problems when both of them are in a bad mood, and it always ends without a solution.

The only time they could talk calmly and peacefully was when they broke up.