Chapter 69
Time slipped quietly through a busy schedule, like quicksand slipping through fingers. In the blink of an eye, Ling Yao's group had released their second album, which was still a resounding success. His position in the entertainment industry was becoming increasingly solid, and his popularity remained high. Meanwhile, Su Rui had also firmly established herself in fashion magazines, becoming a moderately famous photographer, and her work schedule was becoming increasingly busy.
They still kept in touch, but their communication seemed to have fallen into a rut. Ling Yao's downtime remained scarce and irregular, often taking place late at night or early in the morning, often accompanied by the background noise of moving baby vans or the din of the airport. Conversations became brief, revolving around basic concerns like "Are you tired?", "Have you eaten?", and "Get some rest?" Sharing daily details became increasingly difficult, as their lives diverged, and the topics they could resonate with dwindled.
The location of their secret rendezvous was almost always the same, at that heavily guarded hotel. The process was also almost unchanging: Xiao Chen would pick them up and provide cover, Ling Yao would rush over during a rare break, the two would spend a few hours or a night in the suite, and then Ling Yao would hurriedly leave to embark on his next trip.
This luxurious suite became their only safe house where they could find a moment's respite. Here, Ling Yao could shed his idol mask and collapse on the sofa, too exhausted to say a word; Su Rui could quietly accompany him, massaging his aching shoulders, or they could simply go about their own business, sharing the tranquility of the room.
However, outside the safe house, the gap between them was silently widening. Ling Yao's name was increasingly linked to popular actresses, brand endorsements, and top-tier resources, appearing in the headlines of major media outlets. Meanwhile, Su Rui was deeply immersed in his professional field, interacting with various models, designers, and artists, leading a fulfilling and independent life.
Being together less often than they were apart was the norm. Often, just as Su Rui had gotten used to Ling Yao's presence, the moment of separation loomed. Sometimes, even scheduled meetings were abruptly canceled due to Ling Yao's unexpected schedule changes. The initial sense of loss and grievance gradually gave way to a resigned habit. Su Rui learned to stop expecting, to treat every encounter as an extra gift.
They still hugged, still kissed, still reluctant to part. But that passionate love, through repeated separations and waiting, seemed to slowly settle into a deeper, yet more exhausting bond. Like a rubber band stretched too long and too tight, it lost some of its elasticity but still stubbornly connected its two ends.
They still knew each other best, sharing secrets and pressures they couldn't share with outsiders. But sometimes, after hanging up the phone late at night, looking out the window at the unfamiliar city lights, a subtle question would flash through their minds: Can this really go on?
The future seemed shrouded in mist, unrecognizable. All they could grasp was the fleeting yet real warmth of this safe house. This cycle would repeat itself until their next reunion, which would arrive at an unknown time.
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