5. What's yours?
Early on Saturday morning, Chen Li'er paid attention to the developments as usual.
Chen Li'er wouldn't have been able to see it originally. She has a thousand followers on Instagram, and only 40% of them view her Instagram stories. It's impossible for her to find Yao Ling among over 400 accounts. However, when she unfollowed Deng Shilang, she memorized their IDs, who had similar styles: one was called DChayden, the other RosalieYL.
Chen Li'er's heart suddenly raced, her ears burning. Sitting at the dining table, she pushed her coffee aside, letting the liquid slosh around in the cup. She immediately messaged Deng Shilang, telling him, "Your ex snooped on my Instagram story." She tried to calm down. After all, she was a talented woman from the University of Hong Kong, a woman who had seen the world. She couldn't afford to lose her mind over her boyfriend's ex.
Deng Shilang received the message as he went downstairs to retrieve his car. His first reaction was that Yao Ling was too proud to do such a thing, but he smiled, curious about her reaction. He figured she would pretend nothing had happened, stay away, and wait for others to get upset over her, as if to reap the benefits.
He ignored Yao Ling's actions and replied to Chen Li'er.
【DChayden】: If you don’t want her to see it, just block it.
[Gigi Chen]: I'm not blocking you. You have to come over tonight. I'll be happy to see you...
Deng Shilang felt a little soft-hearted when he read this.
Although Chen Li'er could get angry, she would become gentle and cuddle with him, and he felt needed. He knew comparing his exes to his current partner wasn't right, but the truth was, he learned something from each relationship and used it to make up for the regrets of previous failed relationships. For example, he didn't want to fight with his girlfriend anymore, and Chen Li'er was proactive and sweet. After making love at night, she would gently make him breakfast the next day. He wanted all of that.
Deng Shilang didn't want Chen Li'er to be disturbed and her work affected. She still had a busy schedule today, scouting locations for next week's filming. He simply agreed to accompany her tonight and then drove to his parents' house for a weekend meal.
Even on Saturdays, Hong Kong's 8 a.m. rush hour is the equivalent of world ping-pong. What does it mean to be busy? Look at Tsim Sha Tsui, where pedestrians cross the street diagonally, at Shibuya-style intersections, the green lights blare, pedestrians don't stop, and double-decker buses don't dare to move rashly.
Now back in Hong Kong, even if Yao Ling closes the blinds, she can't block out the noise of the busy life.
She certainly couldn't sleep in; she'd barely slept five hours when her parents woke her up for morning tea. Luckily, Milan had a Chinatown that satisfied their homesickness. Many Chinese people there had their ancestral roots in East China and the Sichuan and Chongqing regions of mainland China, and the Chinese food there ranged from spicy to light. But since they lived in Como, it wasn't as easy to get to Chinatown as she was, so now back in Hong Kong, they naturally ate as much as they could.
Yao Ling was not in a bad mood when she woke up. It was a rare occasion that her parents were happy. She had barbecued pork buns and puff pastry egg tarts, and could chat with relatives. She accompanied them, washed up, casually tied her hair, and bought some coffee to wake herself up.
Morning tea was still held at the same restaurant, with Liang Litang also present. The two families chatted amicably and ate in a very polite manner.
"What do you do for a living?" Yao Ling asked him while taking a sip of tea while eating Mala cake.
Liang Litang poured her some tea and saw her bend her fingers and tap the table in thanks. He replied, "Securities trading."
"That's right." Yao Ling had heard this, and suddenly pointed out clearly: "You work in Central."
"Yes, HKEX. Hayden actually also works in securities trading; we're in the same building." Liang Litang said this with amusement. "He came from HKU's collaborative graduate scheme, and after two years, he felt like everyone in this industry was cut from the same mold, boring. You know him, he's a maverick, so he works part-time bartending at a bar at night."
Yao Ling hadn't imagined Deng Shilang would develop to this point. He'd studied hard, and he genuinely enjoyed the art of cocktail making, having experimented with her so many times. It wasn't hard to understand. She stopped thinking about it and casually said, "I don't understand your line of work."
"I don't know much about your circle either. Does your photography fall under the fashion circle or the art circle?"
"Fashion and commercial work involve clients and filming according to the contract with the first party. As for art, it needs to be certified to stand out. After that, they will have independent agents to represent their works, and the styles of the works will be different." Yao Ling is still very professional when talking about her profession.
Liang Litang said in confusion, "Gigi is also fashionable, but I heard that she has very high standards and can create her own unique style. I think having a unique style is also a form of art."
Yao Ling recognized who Gigi was talking about, and she moved past him, continuing the previous topic. "At least in Europe, art is judged by authoritative institutions and academics, similar to peer review. The creative environment is probably better, there are channels to support emerging artists, and the public's tolerance and understanding of art is relatively high."
"It still needs to be judged, it's so rigid. What about Hong Kong? Commercial businesses are more profitable."
Yao Ling calmly countered, "Isn't it true that if I don't make money, I'll die? Producing work that the audience can't understand will only lead to starvation. It's better to shoot something the client likes." From a peer's perspective, she truly believes Chen Li'er is very courageous, but remains fair: "I think it's a good thing to maintain one's own unique style. A studio that produces a famous photographer has great commercial appeal, and there's also room for artistic expression."
Chen Yu saw that the two young people were chatting animatedly. At least there was a relative of similar age to talk to Yao Ling, so she didn't have to worry about her suddenly coming back to visit and getting bored alone.
When Yao Qiuping saw they had stopped chatting, she took the opportunity to check on her niece and asked, "Rosalie, are you used to it?"
"It's a habit." Yao Ling would smile at her elders.
"Then I feel relieved. I like the postcard you sent. It looks great on the wall of my tea restaurant." Yao Qiuping said with satisfaction.
Yao Ling felt her satisfaction and felt warm in her heart. "As long as you like it, Auntie, I'll send you other useful decorations next time."
"No rush, just stay a little longer and go to the mainland before coming to Hong Kong."
Yao Ling knew it was all just a gesture of kindness from her relatives, a way of expressing their appreciation for her and trying to keep her. She couldn't agree to it, as she had to consider her parents and the situation.
After a morning tea and pleasantries, the table was cleared of congee, noodles, and pastries. This day should have been a day off after a long flight, but Yao Ling's parents wanted to stroll along Nathan Road and asked her to come along. They tossed and turned until dusk, and from eight in the morning to eight in the evening, Yao Ling finally reached the Temple Street Night Market in Yau Ma Tei. Her parents were walking faster than she was, and when she called them, they were actually across the street from her.
Deng Shilang spent the whole day with his family. They live in Yau Ma Tei, near the Hang Fung Centre shopping mall. They were in the mood for a candlelight dinner with steak and red wine.
"I'm not staying home tonight. I'm going to accompany Gigi." Deng Shilang has perfect Western dining etiquette and took the knife to cut a small piece.
"Go." Jiang Si was wearing a red dress, her neck was slightly red, and she was wearing a pearl necklace. She looked very elegant and decent.
Deng Yonglian put down his knife and fork and asked, "Why don't you take her home for dinner?"
"She's tired from work and came to eat after resting."
Deng Yonglian nodded, speaking with the calm demeanor of a promising middle-aged man. "Next time, then." He frowned, remembering something important, and advised, "It's best to stop mixing drinks and stick to your job at HKEX. You've worked your way up from an intern to the listing department. You should cherish this opportunity and work hard until you reach the position of department head."
"I've grown up so much, and you still want to control me?" Deng Shilang sneered.
Jiang Si didn't want them to quarrel all the time, so he said gently, "Well, it's rare for us to have a meal together. Shi Lang has his own ideas and can handle it well."
"Easily distracted." Deng Yonglian wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and said, "Like in high school, dating was just for fun. Bartending is just for fun too. I'm afraid he'll end up not just distracted, but completely obsessed with everything. Don't tell me you're going to quit your job in the securities market to become a bartender."
"Don't bring up the past." Deng Shilang tried to remain calm.
"Hayden," Deng Yonglian said solemnly, "You have to know what you are doing. You are a man. Don't let Gigi look down on you."
Jiang Si made a stop gesture with his hand and suddenly stopped them from confronting each other sternly: "Don't talk too much, just eat."
The three of them eased the tense atmosphere and managed to engage in forced conversation and laughter. It was from the dinner table that Deng Shilang learned from his father not to get himself into trouble. This wasn't about compromise, but about forgiving others when you can, and being tolerant and open-minded. Only then could he be decisive and free-spirited.
After the ups and downs of the candlelight dinner, Deng Shilang hugged Jiang Si, dressed, and went downstairs. He drank a lot of red wine, so it was better not to drive. Sometimes he would take a double-decker bus, which was even better with an open-air one, so he could feel the wind from the Peninsula no matter day or night.
Hengfeng is located between Temple Street and Tsim Sha Tsui, so when Yao Ling was walking towards Tsim Sha Tsui, she happened to meet Deng Shilang who was going to the bus stop.
Yao Ling pretended not to see him. He just smiled at her, believing it was better not to meet. She simply didn't say hello and stood at the bus stop, making a phone call. She still saw him, the way he raised his phone. The filaments of the car's lights hit his watch, and he put one hand in his pocket, talking to the person on the other end of the phone.
After Deng Shilang finished talking to Chen Li'er, he noticed that Yao Ling looked a little tired. Subconsciously, he remembered that her legs were prone to weakness, so he hung up the phone, walked over to her, and asked, "Where are you going?"
Yao Ling stopped, unable to avoid it, and answered: "Tsim Sha Tsui."
"It's at least fifteen minutes' walk from here."
She was looking for the bus stop and said, "I'm taking the bus."
"Two stations."
The car arrived, and Deng Shilang raised his chin, "Get in, a car."
Yao Ling didn't react. He thought she was too tired to walk, so he pulled her hand up and wrapped his palm around her wrist, feeling her body heat. At that moment, both of them felt something was clearly wrong, but they both pretended not to care. As soon as he got up, he let go of her, swiped his Octopus card, and paid her in cash.
Hong Kong is a bustling city, and the 8:30 a.m. bus was swallowed up by the evening rush hour, packed with people, and every seat was occupied. Yao Ling was squeezed so hard that she could only lean against Deng Shilang. She could feel his breath on her head, and before her was his chest, his clothes made of fine material.
"You look so tired. Didn't you sleep well last night?" Deng Shilang thought of her watching Chen Li'er's Instagram story.
The double-decker bus made a sharp turn, creating a powerful centrifugal force that made it appear to tilt from outside, and the interior of the bus was also tilting. Yao Ling was forced to hastily hug Deng Shilang's neck, and he immediately put his arm around her waist, fearing she would fall. Her waist was still very thin, and her figure was getting taller and taller. Today, she was not wearing a leather jacket or lipstick. The bus tilted, and her casually tied hair loosened a little, a few strands falling around her ears, looking very simple and particularly relaxed.
"Thank you." Yao Ling realized that they were too intimate, so she withdrew her hands and said politely, "I'm very tired and didn't get enough sleep. I'm sorry."
"I didn't sleep well because of watching my girlfriend's Instagram story." Deng Shilang teased.
Yao Ling raised her head, her hair brushing his chin, and pretended calmly, "Yes."
She obviously saw him startled and chuckled, "Are you going to go find her now?"
Deng Shilang hummed, "Accompany her."
"Then we should keep our distance." Yao Ling was originally tired and bored, but now she wanted to tease him. "You should be thankful that I didn't wear perfume today, otherwise you wouldn't be able to wash it off even if you jumped into the Yellow River."
Deng Shilang could still kiss her even if he bent over. He said nonchalantly, "My mom squirts too, so what's yours?"
The two stops arrived quickly. Yao Ling didn't smile or argue. She said goodbye and squeezed through the crowd to get off the bus. From the window, he watched her remove her hair tie and let her hair loose. The bus drove away. Hong Kong's streets had never slowed down so much.
*
HKEX: Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited.
Graduate scheme: campus recruitment
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
