Chapter 4 Tire Blowout: Are You Trying to Scam Me Out of a Meal?

More than a month has quietly passed since the grand Spring Festival Gala.

Chai Yundu has no scheduled activities recently. On Friday night, he put on a hat and mask, fully armed, and drove to the Shanghai Grand Theatre to watch the play "The Endgame," in which Chen Yixi made a special appearance.

For him, Teacher Chen Yixi is a crucial mentor and father figure on his acting career path.

Back then, I had all the kung fu skills I needed to make it in Hengdian, but I didn't know how to act in front of the camera, let alone express the complex emotions in the script.

It was Teacher Chen who introduced him to opportunities through his connections and taught him acting in his spare time after filming.

He was taught how to unleash his true nature, how to control his emotions, and how to manage his facial expressions; he was given everything he knew.

Chai Yundu has always kept in mind this kindness and support.

When we arrived at the Shanghai Grand Theatre, the city lights were just coming on.

A huge electronic display screen at the theater entrance is showing information about the theater's upcoming performances.

Chai Yundu stopped, wanting to see the poster for Teacher Chen's play.

The screen switched, and the next image showed the performances for today and tomorrow—the Haicheng Song and Dance Troupe's large-scale original dance drama "Chang'an Flower".

The lead actress's name was clearly written as: Zhu Qingting.

Yes, it's the "Vermilion Bird" that amazed everyone on the Spring Festival Gala stage.

Since becoming WeChat friends that day, their chat interface has remained at the initial two polite compliments, and there has been no further interaction.

Two people with completely different life trajectories and neither of them being particularly proactive seem to have no reason to naturally start a conversation.

However, although they never spoke, Zhu Qingting's WeChat Moments were like a window, allowing him to inadvertently glimpse a part of her life offstage.

Her WeChat Moments are only visible for one month. During that month, she didn't post frequently, but her posts were lively enough.

On New Year's Day, she wore a soft red coral fleece loungewear set, sat in her cozy and comfortable home, holding several thick red envelopes in her hands, and smiled broadly at the camera. She shed her aloof and cold stage persona, revealing herself as a little girl pampered by her family.

On the third day of the Spring Festival, in an empty practice room, she wore a simple black practice outfit and did difficult stretches in front of a full wall of mirrors. Her posture was relaxed, recording her daily routine of "not relaxing even during the holiday".

On the seventh day of the Spring Festival, after the dance troupe resumed work, a group of stylish young girls had a meal together in a high-end Western restaurant. She was sitting in the middle left, without makeup, making a playful peace sign at the camera, with a bright and infectious smile.

Through these photos, Chai Yundu got to know Zhu Qingting after she removed her heavy stage makeup.

Her bare face was clean, with fair skin and delicate, gentle features, like a fresh and warm girl next door.

He learned that in her private life she would wear soft loungewear, would giggle like a greedy little devil when faced with red envelopes, would persist in practicing her martial arts even on holidays, and would also have lively gatherings with friends. A three-dimensional and vivid Zhu Qingting gradually became clear in his mind.

——————

Teacher Chen's play was as wonderful as ever, and the audience applauded continuously.

After the performance, Chai Yundu went to the backstage dressing room to visit his teacher.

When Teacher Chen saw him, a pleased smile immediately appeared on her face. She warmly introduced him to the play's director and several well-known veteran actors in the industry, making no attempt to hide her praise and pride for this apprentice.

Chai Yundu chatted with his teacher and several seniors for about half an hour, mostly listening humbly to their discussions on performing arts and industry insights, occasionally chiming in with a few words, always maintaining a respectful attitude.

Seeing that it was getting late and fearing that he might disturb their dinner, he got up to say goodbye.

I went down to the theater parking lot alone. Unlike the crowded scene when I arrived, where it was hard to find a seat, the parking lot was now empty and quiet, with only a few cars left.

He walked toward where he had parked his car, his footsteps echoing clearly in the silence.

Not far ahead, a tall figure wearing a long black down jacket was seen standing next to a white Porsche Macan, making a phone call.

The reason I took a special look was because of the other person's hairstyle. Her hair was piled high at the back of her head in a full and perfectly styled bun, with her sideburns neatly combed.

This is a typical dancer's hairstyle, clearly it hasn't been taken off yet after a performance.

The girl's voice sounded particularly clear in the empty parking lot, tinged with a hint of helplessness:

"...Yes, the front left tire is completely flat...Um, it needs to be towed to the 4S shop for repair or replacement...Are they closed at this time?...It can only be towed tomorrow morning?...Okay, I'll come back here at 10 am tomorrow to wait for your tow truck. Okay, thank you."

As she spoke, she hung up the phone, then turned and walked towards the elevator, intending to go up to the first floor and then hail a taxi home.

As she turned around, her face was fully exposed to the dim light.

Chai Yundu paused slightly.

This was the first time he had seen her in real life without makeup.

Zhu Qingting.

At the same time, Zhu Qingting also saw the man walking towards her.

At first, she didn't pay much attention, her mind still preoccupied with the troublesome matter of getting a tire changed the next day. It wasn't until the distance closed that she casually glanced up and saw the other person's face clearly.

Chaiyundu!

My mind went completely blank for a moment.

What should I do? Should I say hello?

Should I just say, "Hello, Professor Chai, I'm your fan"?

Wouldn't that be too abrupt?

Does he feel that his private life has been disturbed?

Or should I pretend I don't know you and just walk past with my head down?

But wouldn't that seem very impolite?

Help! She's a socially awkward person!

He was torn between his inner conflict and his own, and his steps unconsciously slowed down, almost dragging on the ground, as the two were about to pass each other by.

"Hello, Professor Zhu."

A deep male voice broke the suffocating silence beside him.

"!" Zhu Qingting suddenly raised her plain face, her eyes filled with disbelief, and blurted out, "You...know me?"

Chai Yundu looked at her wide, surprised eyes and smiled. "Yes, don't you have a friend? I saw your photos on WeChat Moments. I also saw the big screen outside the theater and knew you had a performance today, so I tried to confirm." His explanation was clear, logical, and reasonable.

Zhu Qingting was astonished by this logically rigorous "reasoning".

So he not only remembered that she was his WeChat friend, but he also looked at her Moments and remembered what she looked like?

"Is your car broken down?" Chai Yundu's gaze swept over the white Porsche behind her. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Oh, yes," Zhu Qingting snapped out of her daze and quickly explained, "My tire is flat. I called roadside assistance, and they said they'd tow it over when the dealership opens tomorrow. So I'm planning to take a taxi home first." She pointed in the direction of the elevator.

Chai Yundu glanced at his watch; it was nearly 11 p.m. He spoke almost without hesitation, “Where do you live? I can give you a ride if it’s on my way. It’s not safe for a girl like you to take a taxi alone this late.”

Zhu Qingting was stunned.

Give it to her?

In her view, their relationship was no different from that of strangers.

Why would he extend kindness to a girl who is practically a stranger to him?

Is it just because we appeared on the Spring Festival Gala together, and because of that WeChat friend who is practically non-existent?

A hint of doubt crossed her mind, but looking into his open eyes, and with the trust she had built up from his standing up for her when she was young, she chose to tell him the truth.

“I live in Huafu Tiandi, next to the airport.”

A hint of surprise flashed across Chai Yundu's eyes. "What a coincidence, I live in the Panlong No. 1 community next to yours. Come on, my car is just ahead." As he spoke, he naturally pointed to his car, gesturing for her to follow.

Panlong No. 1 and Huafu Tiandi are indeed adjacent high-end residential areas.

"Well... thank you, Teacher Chai." Zhu Qingting stopped hesitating and thanked her softly.

"No trouble at all, it's just on my way."

Zhu Qingting followed half a step behind him, watching his tall and straight back. His well-tailored black coat accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

She took a deep breath quietly, trying to suppress the uncontrollable pounding of her heart.

Tonight's experience felt like a dream.

First, I had a flat tire; then I ran into him; and now, I'm riding in his car...

The gears of fate seemed to have started turning out of control from the day of the Spring Festival Gala rehearsal.

The atmosphere in the car was awkward, as neither of them were good at initiating conversations.

Chai Yundu drove intently, his gaze fixed straight ahead. Zhu Qingting sat properly in the passenger seat, her hands on her knees, her eyes drifting to the dazzling lights rushing past the window, her mind racing as she tried to think of something to break the suffocating silence.

Finally, she mustered her courage and said, "Teacher Chai, thank you. I have a performance tomorrow. If you happen to be free tomorrow, I'd like to invite you to come." She took out two beautifully printed tickets from her Goyard bag. "Consider it as a thank you for the fare to take me home."

She was too embarrassed to make any polite offer to invite him to dinner. After all, she didn't have the courage to go out to eat with a top celebrity, in case they got photographed by paparazzi. Her cooking skills were limited to salads and fried eggs, and she couldn't possibly invite him to her home.

“Sure, I don’t go to Hengdian to start filming for a few months yet, so I’m free lately. I’ll definitely be there tomorrow, but one ticket is enough.” Chai Yundu readily accepted, revealing that he was quite free recently. “I thought you would say you’d treat me to dinner to thank me.”

Zhu Qingting couldn't understand the purpose of his words and was a little dissatisfied. "Teacher Chai, are you joking... or do you often help women like this and then use this method to get a meal?"

As soon as she said it, she regretted it, which sounded like a malicious speculation.

Chai Yundu chuckled softly, his laughter sounding particularly magnetic and pleasant in the enclosed carriage.

“No,” he said, his smile fading and his tone becoming serious. Just then, the light turned red, and he stopped the car, turning his gaze to Zhu Qingting. “You are the first one.”

"The first one?" Zhu Qingting asked subconsciously, her heart skipping a beat for no reason. "Then... why are you so special to me?" After asking the question, she wanted to bury herself in her seat. What was wrong with her today, asking such bold and stupid questions.

"Perhaps it's because your dance was amazing."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was like a feather, gently tickling the most sensitive spot in my heart.

When the green light came on, he focused on driving again, as if his almost flirtatious remark from just moments before was nothing more than a casual remark.

Zhu Qingting's heart was completely thrown into turmoil by his words.

She dared not look at him anymore, and could only turn her burning cheeks to the car window, pretending to admire the night view rushing past outside.

During the rest of the journey, the two occasionally exchanged pleasantries about trivial matters: Mr. Chen's plays, recent performances, Shanghai's traffic, and the property management services in their respective neighborhoods...

The car eventually drove smoothly into the Huafu Tiandi residential complex and stopped in front of the building she specified.

"Thank you for tonight, Teacher Chai." Zhu Qingting unbuckled her seatbelt and thanked her again solemnly. "I'll go up now, take care on the way."

"Okay, get some rest. See you tomorrow."

Zhu Qingting pushed open the car door and hurried towards the building entrance.

As the elevator slowly ascended, Zhu Qingting leaned against the cold elevator wall and let out a long, deep breath.