Chapter 36, Section 36: "I've always been there, I'll always be there."

Gu Lai's acting skills are certainly good.

Although she didn't graduate from a prestigious film school, she later took systematic courses and was mentored by renowned directors and excellent scripts. Now, when clips of her are pulled out online, netizens mostly use them to criticize up-and-coming idol actors.

But film set and real life are two different things.

Jiang Yi was taken aback, and at the same time, he keenly noticed the subtle, almost imperceptible change in Gu Lai's expression, as if... as if it had suddenly happened while she was looking at another place.

It all happened so fast that she didn't have time to tell.

What happened?

Jiang Yi wanted to ask, but for some reason, she subconsciously felt that it might make people uncomfortable, so she said, as if she hadn't noticed, "Thank you."

Gu Lai's mind was still on the meaning of white tulips, and it took her a moment to realize that Jiang Yixie was referring to her earlier metaphor.

She had intended to say something lighthearted and without any implications, but she suddenly remembered Jiang Yi's requirement to "say whatever comes to mind."

This "saying whatever comes to mind" shouldn't be limited to the bad things Jiang Yi mentioned.

Gu Lai looked at her again and said seriously, "I've always felt that way, maybe I just haven't said it."

“…Ah.” Jiang Yi didn’t know what to say this time. “Thank you.”

Why are you thanking me?

"Hmm..."

"Why should I thank you? I didn't thank you when you said I was a good match for the white tulip." Rather than complaining, Gu Lai said in a coquettish tone, "You're so polite. I feel like I'm your business partner."

Jiang Yi stared at her for a while, then suddenly smiled and sighed, "You really... really don't let it go tonight."

Gu Lai's eyes widened suddenly.

“It’s a good thing,” Jiang Yi said immediately and frankly. “I’m very happy.”

It's better than letting one small thing after another weigh on you, only to drop a bombshell on her with "Do you still love me?" at the end.

And since you said there's no need to be polite...

"Can you give me roses?"

Jiang Yi spoke in a soft, intoxicating tone, like a sweet, decadent white wine. She leaned forward, and Gu Lai suddenly realized that her angle perfectly framed her exquisite curves, and that her meticulously buttoned sweater was incredibly, incredibly form-fitting. Jiang Yi's captivating peach blossom eyes remained fixed on her, as if trying to observe her every move, yet, as if hinting, she slowly winked at her as she spoke.

But what Jiang Yi said was reasonable and well-founded, and sounded very serious.

"Look, I said I'd send it to you, and you said it wasn't necessary, but actually I kind of want it now. So, if you agree, I still want someone to go to Arabia to select royal roses, and you can just send them to me in the end."

Gu Lai listened in a daze, probably still confused, and her question was still not tactful enough: "Ah, so are you pursuing me or am I pursuing you?"

Of course, I'm the one pursuing him.

In any case, you'll remember today's proposal, and if you do agree, no matter how you send it, you should keep me in mind. That's much better than me acting unilaterally.

Aside from the fact that I used this behavior before to deliberately get closer to others in order to take advantage of them, I think it's pretty perfect.

Jiang Yi didn't answer directly: "How about it? I'll just treat it as a Valentine's Day gift from the past."

“I will give it to you,” Gu Lai said slowly, “but… I have already prepared a gift for you.”

Jiang Yi was taken aback.

Gu Lai pursed her lips, her voice becoming even softer: "Not only Valentine's Day gifts in February, but also... New Year's Day and Spring Festival in January, I've prepared all of those for you."

“You…you prepared something too, didn’t you? You just didn’t give it to me, otherwise you wouldn’t say that…no,” Gu Lai paused and said, “I should say, it has nothing to do with your question, I just feel that you prepared something.”

“...Yes,” Jiang Yi said.

Gu Lai left the window slightly ajar for ventilation. Unlike other parts of southern China, the temperature difference between day and night was significant here, and the evening breeze in early spring was still somewhat chilly. At this moment, the damp, moisture-laden air seeped in through the gap, carrying the delicate fragrance of white tulips, and faintly mingled with the sounds of Dong folk songs.

What Gu Lai didn't say was, "Jiang Yi, you are not only my rose, but also my radiant sun."

I can accept the yacht you once bought with a fortune without much thought. Although I was shocked and helpless, what remains for a long time is the simple and ordinary joy.

But this bouquet of white tulips was different; her happiness ended the moment she saw the meaning of the flowers, but the pain it evoked lingered for a long time.

...I still long to see the bold and sharp version of you, someone I can be absolutely confident of accepting your invitation and spending the night with you the moment we meet.

But it seems I've lost you as you are now.

Gu Lai said gently, "You see, you can actually trust me a little bit. Back then... when we were arguing, I said a lot of hurtful things, but actually I can't live without you, otherwise I wouldn't have agreed so easily."

Jiang Yi lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable: "I know."

"Really? That's wonderful." Gu Lai said softly, her voice like a flower bud blooming. "I'm easy to pursue. I've always been there; all that's left to pursue is..."

She paused for a moment and couldn't continue, but Jiang Yi picked up the conversation for her.

“It’s just the same old way of getting along,” Jiang Yi said. “I know.”

—I know what you mean.

Jiang Yi hid the last four words.

Gu Lai viewed love and living together as separate concepts: we still love each other, the rift lies in how we live together.

But even flowers that bloom on the same plant last year and this year will be different. Will people be the same?

The Gu Lai of yesteryear, driven only by resolute idealism, is quite different from the one of today. Their love, however, remained stagnant, barely burning until it turned to ashes.

Jiang Yi stared into Gu Lai's eyes.

Gu Lai's name perfectly describes her; her eyes are her most beautiful feature. So much so that Jiang Yi was captivated by her gaze the moment they first met. Even now, looking at her on screen, those eyes are still beautiful. Although she's over thirty, they're like clear, lustrous glass.

A faint voice seemed to be telling Jiang Yi to trust A Lai, that she was right. But there was always a follow-up question: Was that really the case?

Jiang Yi sighed silently: "Then... what gift did you originally prepare? When can you give it to me?"

Gu Lai suddenly fell silent, her eyes lowered, seemingly lost in thought.

Jiang Yi's suspicions grew: "A-Lai?"

“Oh, well…” Gu Lai’s expression remained calm, but Jiang Yi keenly noticed that she seemed to be trying to hide her embarrassment. “I guess I can only give you a birthday present.”

Jiang Yi wasn't exactly disappointed, but he hadn't had a chance to look forward to it: "It's alright..."

"It's not what you think!" Gu Lai suddenly interrupted, her raised voice suddenly dropping as she explained haltingly, "I thought before... I wouldn't be able to give them away, so some of them... I started preparing them that day, and they're still not finished. For New Year's Day, I wanted to write a piece of music for you, and on the day of the Lunar New Year, I went to the temple early in the morning to light lamps, one for you and one for me. For Valentine's Day... you know I came here and looked around, and found that some middle schools in certain areas still have only average conditions, so I donated money to build several middle schools in your name."

Jiang Yi was silent for a moment before asking, "What piece of music is it? May I hear it?"

Gu Lai blushed and rubbed her cheeks: "I haven't finished writing it yet."

"Oh... I heard you have a concert in the middle of the year."

"Oh, do you want me to announce in public that I'm going to sing for you? Ugh, this is an anniversary concert with my fans."

Jiang Yi looked at her with a smile: "You've misunderstood. What I meant was, will you let me hear it before then?"

Gu Lai's ears turned bright red, but she still calmly looked at Jiang Yi and said, "So what did you prepare for me? It wasn't that you bought some fixed assets to preserve their value for me, and then... and then did some charity work?"

Jiang Yixin thought, "Is this the stereotype of a rich, naive guy? I'll start watching romantic movies tonight to cultivate my romantic side."

She chuckled awkwardly and said, "Yes, we're really on the same wavelength. You've checked your assets?"

No need. Just based on your previous attitude of "I guarantee you'll have a comfortable life, so let's forget each other amicably," I can guess what you're planning.

Gu Lai offered a vague reassurance: "Well, I'm not entirely sure either. I think I saw it before."

Jiang Yi wasn't really comforted. She sighed and said, "When can I come visit the set?"

Gu Lai was a little surprised: "Sure, but this place is a bit remote, and I'm not acting, so there might not be much to see."

“I came here to see you,” Jiang Yi emphasized the last word, “I didn’t come to observe Teacher Gu’s acting class.”

Gu Lai smiled and said, "You don't need to watch. Your acting is already very good."

Jiang Yi asked, "Are you busy? You're not going to be working the night shift, are you?"

"I'm not busy. I'm not a paid assistant director."

Jiang Yi looked at her thoughtfully.

"What are you thinking?" Gu Lai suddenly became alert. "I don't need anything."

Jiang Yi revealed a charming smile: "How will you know if you don't try? Maybe you'll accept it."

Gu Lai confirmed that she understood what she meant, and she also felt that Jiang Yi would not do anything like arranging various caregivers for her just because she thought it was necessary.

What else could it be?

It was already late at night after the video call ended, but Gu Lai was still somewhat excited, even though she hadn't said anything provocative.

Gu Lai stood up, paced by the window for a moment, and finally stopped in front of the flowers.

The assistant had already arranged the flowers and placed them in the water. The tulips hadn't fully bloomed when they were delivered, but now they were slowly opening. In a daze, Gu Lai felt as if she could hear the sound of them blooming, a cautious and slight "pop," like the bubbles exhaled by a fish sinking into the deep sea, gently bursting as it surfaced.

Once they've all bloomed sufficiently, let's make them into dried flowers, Gu Lai thought. Since Jiang Yi wanted roses, perhaps we could make her a floral journal using tulips and roses.

How could Jiang Yi really have bought it and she had it as a gift?

That being said, it's really difficult to give a gift to someone who has a lot of assets.

Thinking of this, Gu Lai immediately went to get her tablet, intending to jot it down. Unexpectedly, as soon as she opened it, she saw Jiang Yi's message in the notification bar.

Jiang Yi: [Actually, there's one more thing, which I planned to give you last year during the New Year's Eve celebration.]

Jiang Yi: [First Time.MP4]

Jiang Yi: [Goodnight, Alai, get some rest.]

Gu Lai stared at "Get some rest" for a while, then downloaded the short video file with the strange name.

The internet speed here is so-so, the download speed is slow. For some reason, as Gu Lai watched the progress bar slowly move forward, a strong premonition gripped her heart.

Gu Lai walked to the bedside and sat down, then clicked on the short film called "The First Time".

The subtitles appeared along with voices, and Gu Lai recognized that it was herself speaking.

"The seven-year itch? I don't believe in the seven-year itch."

Jiang Yi asked stubbornly, "What if I get pregnant?"

"As long as you turn around and look at me calmly, I will always be there."

The camera panned, the rumbling sound of the plane cutting through the clouds amplified, and Gu Lai, wearing goggles, appeared on the screen. Jiang Yi spoke behind the camera; her tone wasn't as steady and low as it is now. She raised her voice and shouted brightly, "Ready?"

Gu Lai's voice was loud and trembling slightly: "No! I'm just a little nervous this is my first time!"

Subtitles appear line by line:

This is the first time I've ever fallen in love with someone.

I want to send you off into the new year with snippets of these past ten years.

Happy Anniversary, Alai.