7. Acting is not difficult
Feng Simiao kept her word and urged her boyfriend to have a dinner for four people.
"Why did you drag me along to have dinner with your beloved couple?" Vivian asked.
"We are together every day, staring at each other, and we are tired of it. Let's have a meal and a drink together, don't be shy." Feng Simiao was determined to bring the couple together.
Feng Simiao's life, which is too beautiful and uneventful, needs a little drama.
"Tsk, why are you being shy? That's nonsense." Vivian felt inexplicably guilty. She didn't want Feng Simiao to know that they had met in private, but she was also worried that she would think she was hiding it, as if she had ulterior motives.
Just as I was hesitating whether to pretend to mention it casually or to add a few words, Feng Simiao had already changed the subject.
*
The next morning, Feng Simiao informed Vivian that he had made an appointment with Lin Yang for dinner that night and asked her to come.
"It just so happens that Eric is in Beijing these two days. Isn't that a coincidence?" Feng Simiao said innocently.
She was just hesitating whether to find an excuse to decline when she heard Feng Simiao say, "You have to come. He's already agreed. He said we haven't seen each other since the last time in Shanghai, so he'll pay for tonight. Don't be shy."
She felt relieved.
The four of them met at a Spanish restaurant in a small courtyard, with a white and blue Mediterranean style. Restaurants in this area were not particularly expensive, nor were they luxurious, so people like Qiu Fang wouldn't go there. However, the restaurant was charming and elegant, making it a good date spot.
It was the evening rush hour, and Vivian was half an hour late. By then they had already opened a bottle of wine and were drinking it slowly while waiting for her.
After exchanging greetings and sitting down, Eric and Vivian quickly exchanged a knowing look.
The two actors have good acting skills. In front of the affectionate couple, their behavior is consistent and very natural. They are completely in the state of two people who have just met, with an extra politeness and empty enthusiasm.
Lin Yang had just returned from Hong Kong and brought Feng Simiao a new necklace. Vivian couldn't understand the design, even finding it a bit ugly, except for the familiar logo that signaled its high status. Lin Yang explained that it was a new limited edition model recommended by the saleswoman.
"You know what? The salesgirl loves stupid customers like you," Feng Simiao said, rolling her eyes at her boyfriend. "She'll recommend you those expensive, unsaleable, so-called limited edition items."
"You already have the classic one, and it's so boring." Lin Yang responded with a smile.
Vivian lowered her head and brushed her hair aside. She was wearing a pair of pearl earrings with a double-C logo, one of the few expensive items in her jewelry box.
Eric sat across from her and asked casually, "Ms. Fang, I see you guys are on vacation recently?"
Vivian felt a surge of gratitude. In all the occasions she was with Feng Simiao, few people paid any attention to her. Feng Simiao was the undisputed center of attention, and all the overt and covert praise was directed solely at her, and Feng Simiao would naturally accept all the praise and kindness.
But on the surface she remained calm:
"Ah, yes, with Si Miao."
"Yes, it's just the two of us. We abandoned our husbands and children and lived a carefree life. I don't know how happy we are." Feng Simiao said to Lin Yang with a smile.
Lin Yang complained: "That's right, they didn't even take me with them, leaving me and Coco alone at home, so pitiful."
Coco is the dog they raised together, a golden Shiba Inu.
Vivian pressed her right cheek: "Why is it so sour, like vinegar?"
The four of them burst into laughter.
Feng Simiao pinched her arm: "Why are you laughing at us, huh."
"That's exactly what happened. The young couple was flirting and insisted on using us as a light bulb."
Feng Simiao laughed out loud. This was exactly why she liked Vivian's company, because Vivian was willing to play a supporting role.
She and Lin Yang had always been surrounded by people who flattered and fawned over her since they were little. Who didn't like being the center of attention when they were little? But now she knew that behind those humble faces wasn't always sincerity, and some people's minds were so dirty they made her sick.
Feng Simiao naturally had many friends from the same social class—childhood playmates, grown-up best friends—most of whom came from similar backgrounds and now faced the crucial life events of inheriting the family business or finding a son-in-law. Everyone was busy, so they only saw each other a few times a year. More importantly, no matter how close those friends were, they couldn't always go along with her.
Vivian was just the right person. She was clever and could talk to him about anything. Most importantly, she was sensible and tactful, never trying to steal his limelight.
She was really trying to bring Vivian and Eric together. If they could be together, the four of them could spend more time together, and they would have another pair of people who knew each other well and shared the same interests.
Feng Simiao took Vivian and went to the bathroom hand in hand, like a pair of conjoined twins.
"Lao Lin told me that Eric asked him about you."
Weiwei's heart moved: "What are you asking?"
"It's almost the same as what you asked me." Feng Simiao smiled cunningly, "Don't think I can't see it."
Vivian washed her hands very carefully, saying nothing as the water gurgled.
Feng Simiao continued with a smile: "If you have no interest in him at all, why are you asking me in such a roundabout way? Are you still not admitting it?"
"Alright, alright, Miss, you're very smart."
"Don't worry, my old Lin is sensible and only says good things about you." Feng Simiao blinked, "My beautiful and intelligent sister Wei."
Returning to his seat, Feng Simiao deliberately changed the subject. "Eric, how's the money from Lao Lin?"
"We were lucky to catch a wave of market, and now our paper profit is about 40%."
"Wow, Old Lin has such a good eye, so amazing." Feng Simiao exaggerated intentionally, and Lin Yang also acted proudly.
This couple is so cute.
Vivian and Eric exchanged a quick glance, each smiling a tiny smile. She lowered her head, gazing at the ham and melon on her plate, as if the pattern were a mystery. She picked up a piece of melon with her fork and nibbled gently, slowly, as if this tiny piece of melon could last forever.
The phone screen lit up. She felt embarrassed to read messages on the table, so she took the phone under the table and opened it.
Eric: You won’t be full tonight
She raised her eyes, not looking at him, but turned to Feng Simiao and shook the wine glass in her hand. Feng Simiao hurriedly followed, "Come on, cheers!"
The four people's wine glasses clinked together, and the clinking sound echoed in the gentle night breeze.
*
Lin Yang was in high spirits that night, talking non-stop and refusing to stop. Weiweian was a little tired after a long day's work, but it was not easy to leave early. Only when the shop owner hinted that it was closing time did the four of them get up. Lin Yang's driver had been waiting nearby, waiting only for a call before appearing quickly.
Before getting in the car, Feng Simiao said to Eric: "Our Vivian is in your hands. Make sure she gets home safely." He turned around and winked at Vivian mischievously.
Their car drove away quietly, and Vivian burst out laughing.
Eric looked at her.
"Acting is difficult," she explained.
It was nearly midnight, and the streets were still crowded, but not as noisy as they had been during the day. Only the occasional drunk stumbled past, singing an indistinguishable tune. The two walked silently side by side for several hundred meters.
When two strangers are silent for a long time, it usually becomes awkward, and someone always has to break the silence and say something boring.
Vivian has a fragile heart and is often the one who can't stand the silence and speaks first.
This time, however, she felt nothing. She could only feel the swaying shadows of the trees and the hazy air. Even though she had only drunk two glasses of white wine, she felt light and leisurely, as if she were walking on clouds. She just wanted this to continue.
"Why do you want to act?"
"Aren't you the same?"
"I just understand what you mean and I'm just cooperating."
"That's a tacit understanding, a tacit understanding."
"Respect each other like guests, and treat each other with equal respect."
"Who taught you to use idioms like this? Your physical education teacher?" Vivian frowned seriously.
"Want another drink?" he invited.
"It's too late. I have to show up at the office at nine tomorrow and work like a slave."
"Then I'll take you there."
"No need. This place is close to my house and I was going to take a walk anyway."
"Sure?"
"I've learned Taekwondo. Don't worry." She nodded solemnly.
"Then remember to report back when you get home."
They were going in opposite directions, so they said goodbye.
*
Vivian was unusually calm that night. She didn't do anything suggestive.
Before this, she had always been somewhat fake in his presence, relaxed on the outside but tense on the inside. This was no different from her state in front of Qiu Fang. Because to her, although they were different types, they were both objects that required her to exert her charm to attract them.
Tonight she suddenly became so cold because just now, when they were standing silently side by side under the shadow of the tree, she suddenly heard her heart beating violently in her chest, like thunder. The sound was deafening, and she was even worried that it would penetrate her chest and be heard by him.
A heartbeat like a drum is not a good thing. Every time this feeling comes, the end result is very tragic.
This is no longer a light game.
It's not fun anymore, she wants to run away.
///
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