Chapter 31 "Don't make it sound like we've gotten back together..."
These words were like a bolt from the blue, catching everyone present completely off guard. However, Liang Kongxiang, the person involved, remained calm and showed no emotion. She simply looked at Jiang Jiaoming opposite her, as if she were looking through him at someone else.
Zhang Bingjie opened his mouth but couldn't find the words to smooth things over. He touched his nose and simply shut up. He secretly raised his eyes and made eye contact with Cao Lengyu for a second. The two understood each other and remained silent.
There were only four men in the private room. Even if Wang Jianbai were mentally challenged, he would have been able to guess what Jiang Jiaoming was talking about. It was only now that he realized what was going on. It seemed that the side dish for tonight's meal wasn't social niceties, but a vat of pure vinegar.
He couldn't bring himself to say it outright; the two seemed to be arguing, but it looked more like they were flirting. He could only play dumb and say with a smile, "What a coincidence."
Wang Jianbai's words gave Jiang Jiaoming an opportunity. He turned the question to Liang Kongxiang and asked casually, "What do you think, Miss Liang?"
“President Jiang, tonight’s dinner is to thank Louis, so I won’t take the lead.” Liang Kongxiang evaded the question with two sentences, her eyes lowered.
Jiang Jiaoming caught the fleeting disappointment in Liang Kongxiang's eyes as she spoke, and paused, as if he were back on the night he fought with Ruan Min.
Cao Lengyu was initially worried for her, as no answer would be easy. However, hearing that she was deliberately avoiding the topic, she breathed a sigh of relief and ultimately helped Liang Kongxiang change the subject, not giving Jiang Jiaoming another chance to make things difficult for her.
She asked Louis, "Did you recognize us from the start?"
“Hmm,” Louis said, “you’re easy to recognize.”
Especially someone like Liang Kongxiang, with her looks and temperament.
She had long, black hair and fair skin. When she sat alone, she exuded a classical beauty, like a celadon porcelain vase placed in the drizzling rain. Being looked at by her, one could only feel oneself unconsciously becoming damp. Although she was slender, even in a sleeveless short top, the faint muscle lines on her delicate arms could be seen when she held the camera with a slight effort, giving her a resolute beauty.
Few people who have met Liang Kongxiang do not remember her, and few who have had contact with her do not love her.
"Have you and Brian both seen 'Yellow Flower'?" Liang Kongxiang asked, somewhat suddenly realizing. No wonder he had said last time, "I remember you were the female lead in 'Yellow Flower,' instead of calling her a bakery customer."
Upon hearing that their first film together was "Yellow Flower," Cao Lengyu immediately became interested and asked with a smile, "Really?"
Louis glanced at Liang Kongxiang, then hummed in agreement, his expression indifferent.
"Oh ho, a movie fan, huh?" Zhang San interjected appropriately; if they kept chatting like this, Jiang Jiaoming would probably vomit blood. Seeing that Louis's glass was almost empty, he thought to himself, "He really can drink," and reached for the bottle, asking, "Want some more, bro?"
Louis's cheeks were flushed with a faint blush, which didn't seem like someone with a high alcohol tolerance. Considering his age, Liang Kongxiang was worried that he might get drunk because he was too embarrassed to refuse Zhang San, and then be harassed by Jiang Jiaoming. She smiled and reminded Zhang Bingjie, "Let it go, he already looks a bit drunk."
"I'm not drunk," Louis said stubbornly, taking the bottle from Zhang Bingjie and refilling his own glass.
Since he chose to drink it himself, Liang Kongxiang didn't say anything more.
The empty glass gurgled loudly, and soon it was full again. Cao Lengyu teased Louis, "It's like he's finally let loose after being released from his shackles."
Just as Liang Kongxiang was about to respond to Cao Lengyu, she caught a glimpse of Jiang Jiaoming sitting opposite her suddenly raising his hand and reaching for a crab leg from the seafood platter.
What is he trying to do...? Doesn't he know he's allergic to seafood?
Liang Kongxiang frowned slightly, subtly slowing her chewing pace, her peripheral vision still fixed on the person opposite her.
Jiang Jiaoming looked indifferent, had already taken a bite, and poured a layer of crab shell sauce on the mashed potatoes. Halfway through, he looked up at Liang Kongxiang calmly for a second, then put the potato in his mouth and turned his head to look at the sea outside the glass.
The golden sunset has ended, and it's pitch black outside the window. The curtains are stuck to the half-open window, billowing like white sails in the wind.
As if he were addicted, Jiang Jiaoming reached out and picked up two more. Wang Jianbai noticed his actions and was about to say that he should order another serving, but before he could speak, he was unexpectedly interrupted by Liang Kongxiang's voice. He paused in his movement of turning his head.
"It seems Mr. Jiang is allergic to seafood," Liang Kongxiang casually reminded him. "Are you sure he can still eat seafood?"
Jiang Jiaoming held a scallop in his hand, glanced at her indifferently, and said, "You're concerned about the wrong person."
Everyone at the table froze for a moment, and the curtains slapped against the wall with a loud thud.
Wang Jianbo glanced at Jiang Jiaoming on the left and Liang Kongxiang on the right, then smiled and asked knowingly, "What's going on?"
"Sigh, I guess he's in a bad mood," Zhang San said. "It's my fault. On the way here, I jokingly sent him a post from a netizen making fun of him."
Jiang Jiaoming did not deny it, but silently lowered his head and gently poked the crab meat on the scallop with a silver spoon, then brought it close to his mouth.
Zhang San was becoming increasingly distraught, and when Wang Jianbai couldn't see him, he desperately poked Wang Jianbai's shin with the tip of his shoe. Brother, if you keep eating like this, you're really going to die...
As Cao Lengyu lowered her head to eat, her hair obscured her eyes. She secretly glanced at Liang Kongxiang and saw that her brows were relaxed, and she didn't seem to care about Jiang Jiaoming's words, taking a sip of water as if she hadn't heard them.
Seeing this atmosphere, no one could eat anymore. They dispersed after only a few words. Before leaving, Zhang San gave Jiang Jiaoming a warning look, telling him not to go crazy.
Liang Kongxiang was the last to leave. After the door to the private room closed, she slowly wiped the corner of her mouth, folded a tissue into a thick rectangle and placed it next to her fork, and looked up: "If something happens, it will also implicate the film crew. We'll eat our fill after the movie is released."
Jiang Jiaoming ignored her words and didn't say anything. He piled the crab shells on the plate and reached for a new one. Just as his hand touched the crab leg, it was stopped by a fork.
Liang Kongxiang pressed the sharp end of her silver fork against the back of his hand, her voice turning cold: "You're almost getting a rash, and you're still eating?"
Jiang Jiaoming pointed his finger upwards, pressed his fingertip against the sharp fork, and pushed it backwards with force, smashing the step that Liang Kongxiang had handed him to pieces.
"Go find him!" He suddenly raised his voice, tilted his head back and downed the wine in his hand in one gulp. The glass slammed heavily on the table with a "bang." His eyes were sharp as he stared at Liang Kongxiang, his tone full of sarcasm: "Why do you care about an ex who's been dead for eight hundred years? You'd love for me to be as far away from you as possible, wouldn't you!"
Liang Kongxiang stared at him quietly for a few seconds, waiting for him to finish his rant, then stood up and coldly interrupted his self-absorbed thoughts: "If you still can't learn it, I think we don't need to continue."
She stopped caring whether he was about to develop a rash and turned to walk out the door.
She closed the door behind her, then stood quietly with her back to the heavy, light-colored wooden door, letting out a slow breath. Staying any longer would only make her more agitated, and they might start arguing again. Besides, she wasn't eighteen anymore; she couldn't bring herself to do something like that.
The door to the balcony on the left was open. Two steps led to the small terrace. A salty, slightly cool breeze brushed against my left cheek, causing a slight, sharp pain, like a knife cutting into my skin.
She glanced at the small table on the terrace, unsure whether to turn left onto the terrace to enjoy the breeze or go back downstairs to her room. A tall, warm body pressed against her from behind, its arms wrapped tightly around her waist, its warm breath brushing against her right shoulder.
I was enveloped in a dry, pleasant smell.
What does this even mean?
"How could you just leave like that?" Jiang Jiaoming asked softly. "I hate you so much..."
Liang Kongxiang was silent for a second, then pushed his head away. "Don't you hate me? Why are you hugging me?"
Jiang Jiaoming buried his face in her shoulder, and the moment Liang Kongxiang's left hand touched him, he quickly grabbed it and pressed it tightly against his face. His chin rested on her shoulder, his jawline cold and sharp: "What did you say? How can that worthless fake compare to me? What makes you think you can compare him to me?"
“You’ve been making things up yourself,” Liang Kongxiang reminded him, refusing to take the blame.
"He's practically cheating on me, can't I even say something back to him?"
"Do I need to remind you? We've already broken up," Liang Kongxiang said. "Even if I get married after the breakup, it has nothing to do with you."
Jiang Jiaoming sneered, "It's just a marriage certificate, what's that?"
Completely unable to communicate.
Liang Kongxiang struggled with her arms, but they were held firmly in place: "Let go."
Jiang Jiaoming ignored him and instead hugged his arms even tighter, listing the issues one by one: "Why should you ask if he's a minor when he drinks? And if I drink myself to death, you won't even look at me?"
"Jiang Jiaoming, you're doing it again, aren't you?"
“I am jealous, so what?” he said righteously, getting more and more outrageous as he spoke: “Is the toast delicious? Watching the sunrise and chasing deer... I’m definitely happier without you, aren’t I? Louis is so young, obedient, and looks like me. You’re very satisfied with him, aren’t you?”
“You’re wrong,” Liang Kongxiang denied in a cold voice, “because I’m dissatisfied because I resemble you.”
After a while, the dimly lit stairwell fell silent, and the man who had been holding her suddenly stopped.
“I don’t want you to talk to me like this,” Jiang Jiaoming said, his voice a little hoarse. “Aren’t we going to start over? You can’t just give up on me like this. You never teach me how to do things, you always let your own ideas dictate the course of this relationship, and you’re just sentencing me to death… It’s not fair at all.”
Halfway through his sentence, his lips were suddenly pressed down by a pair of warm, large hands, forcing him to fall silent.
Jiang Jiaoming said in a low voice, "I don't want to hear you say these things. I don't like anyone else. Don't push me onto someone else."
Liang Kongxiang's chin was being forcefully covered by Jiang Jiaoming, her cheeks turning pale. She tried to open her mouth but found she couldn't, so she gave up. Suddenly, she heard Jiang Jiaoming apologize.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought up other people at the dinner table to upset you."
In high school, many girls confessed their feelings to him. He would be holding a basketball, drenched in sweat, his hair still damp with perspiration, yet he exuded a wonderful fragrance; being near him felt like entering a vibrant, scorching forest. He didn't accept love letters, but would say, "Study hard." After starting a relationship, he would immediately display his plain ring when faced with suitors. He would only lose his temper with persistent suitors, and become aggressive towards those who overestimated their abilities.
Liang Kongxiang suddenly recalled Jiang Jiaoming's insecure and anxious demeanor in relationships, and then began to doubt herself: Was she really suited to love someone? Perhaps Jiang Jiaoming was tormenting her, or perhaps it was her own personality that was tormenting Jiang Jiaoming. But mutual torment was not their original intention in being together.
Thinking of this, Liang Kongxiang felt a little weak. Her two legs, as thin as chopsticks, were straight on the ground, but she seemed unable to find a foothold. She forced herself to stand up and patted Jiang Jiaoming's hand that was covering her mouth, signaling him to let go.
It was as if a feather had drifted over to the back of Jiang Jiaoming's hand; he swept it away with a flick of his wrist. He slowly lowered his hand.
Liang Kongxiang said, "If we repeat the same mistakes, is it necessary to start all over again?"
"We will not repeat the same mistakes," Jiang Jiaoming said with a hint of certainty.
“You speak with such confidence,” Liang Kongxiang chuckled lightly, completely baffled by his air of certainty, and countered, “So what are we doing now? Role-playing?”
“I know you love me,” Jiang Jiaoming suddenly said.
No one answered.
Two seconds later, Liang Kongxiang said, "You're really confident. Relax."
The person behind her didn't move an inch, but instead held her tightly, their breath falling softly beside her ear.
She tilted her head, unsure of what Jiang Jiaoming was up to. She let out a weak sigh and tried to pry his hands off.
“Liang Kongxiang, we’ve known each other for so many years…” Jiang Jiaoming’s voice suddenly rang out.
He paused after speaking, and Liang Kongxiang heard him seem to swallow. After a few seconds, he continued, "We've been reunited for so long, why don't you ask me how I've been these past few years? Why don't you tell me what you've been through? Why do we always talk in opposites and beat around the bush every time we meet, like strangers... We're not strangers at all. We've watched the sunrise together, hiked together, celebrated New Year's Day together, and watched movies together in bed on a rainy day."
“I’ve baked bread for you before, you can’t just remember other people’s,” Liang Kongxiang interrupted Jiang Jiaoming as he spoke. Jiang Jiaoming didn’t speak again for a while, his voice still hoarse: “Kongxiang, we’re not just ordinary friends. I want to know how you’ve been these past few years. Were you ostracized by Tian Lei when you first entered the industry? Were you sad when you didn’t have any roles? Were you happy when you filmed your first movie? Were you relieved or happy when filming wrapped up? Were you scared when you were spied on by stalkers hiding under your bed after you became famous? What were you thinking when you won an award at an awards ceremony… You can tell me these things, but why haven’t we talked about a single thing?”
The moonlight shone softly into the narrow balcony entrance, casting two overlapping shadows diagonally onto the wall.
The night wind whistled through the crack in the door, and Liang Kongxiang, enveloped in the soft silver light, suddenly felt short of breath. Silently embraced by her former lover, who seemed like family to her, she began to pray that someone would answer for her.
From the moment he called out "Kong Xiang," Liang Kong Xiang's heart began to ache faintly, but at the same time it pounded wildly.
For them, "How are you doing?" is not just a polite and distant question. As Jiang Jiaoming said, Liang Kongxiang also wanted to know if Jiang Jiaoming was still anxious and sleepless at night. Had he found a better way of life after leaving her?
If this were a movie, would it be heading towards a disastrous ending, or would it be seeing a glimmer of hope? She wasn't sure.
“But Jiang Jiaoming,” Liang Kongxiang asked softly, “will you really change? I’m an actress, can you really accept my intimate scenes? I don’t want to have to deal with your imagination on top of my work. Thinking about the outcome, what else can it be but a lose-lose situation? Besides, there are bound to be conflicts of interest in the industry. I don’t want us to become enemies because of these things… Have you really thought it through?”
“You taught me to change slowly, you can’t give up on me so easily,” Jiang Jiaoming said, grabbing the handrail like someone who had missed a step on the stairs. “I’ve seen the films you’re going to be working on. I can’t guarantee I won’t care, but I’ll change slowly. After you finish those two films, you can take on a suspense film by a Beijing director. That’s a top-tier project. If you’re willing, I can show you the project proposal right away. Whether you take it or not is your choice. Isn’t it ridiculous to talk about turning against each other because of conflicting interests? After we get married, we’ll be a community of shared interests. What do I have to worry about?”
Hearing his confident tone, Liang Kongxiang sighed softly. After a while, she pushed away his head that was resting on her shoulder. This time, she pushed it away easily, but his chin moved back to the top of her head and rested there loosely, his hand still on her waist.
“Don’t talk like we’ve gotten back together,” Liang Kongxiang pulled her right hand out of her grasp, patted his strong arm across her waist, took a deep breath, as if giving in, “It depends on your performance. Let go.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Jiaoming immediately lowered one arm, and his waist instantly felt less entangled.
Liang Kongxiang was slightly moved... This time he was quite obedient.
But what she didn't know was...
Two seconds after Jiang Jiaoming lowered his hand, he slowly raised his hand towards the pair of green eyes that had been watching them from behind.
He gave me the middle finger.
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Author's Note: As you know, Jiang Jiaoming is really like a dog, and as the old saying goes, a dog can't change its nature. You know what I mean.
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