Chapter 5 (3)
Yu Jia stood in the cold wind for nearly twenty minutes before returning to the hotel. The waiter was packing up; it was almost closing time. The lights in the private room were still on.
Yu Jia took a deep breath and walked in with her head held high, as if she was the one who had done something wrong - she had indeed done something wrong, she shouldn't have come to get any food, she regretted going to the bathroom, and she regretted coming to this dinner!
She had imagined and heard about that bathroom scene, but she had never seen it. This time, she was truly open-minded, witnessing something foreign, especially since it happened to her good friend, Yu Meng. Her passion doubled.
Yu Jia walked in. Yu Meng quickly stood up, calling her "Jia Jie," with her head lowered and her eyes submissive. Yu Jia didn't look at her, as if looking any longer would be dirtying her eyes. She was a decent woman, but Yu Meng didn't want to be a decent woman. It was done... it was done... Yu Jia didn't want to think about it.
Yu Meng had originally thought it was nothing; the man and woman were unmarried, just friends, surrounded by no one, and unable to help themselves... She didn't think it was a crime. Yu Jia was making a fuss.
Today's banquet was held for Liangcai to see, to stimulate him and push him forward, and it seemed to be working well so far. However, looking at Yu Jia's embarrassed face, Yu Meng couldn't help but feel guilty.
Yu Jia walked quickly and grabbed her bag.
Yu Meng hurriedly said: "Dish!"
"No."
"Take it, take it." He picked it up and handed it to Yu Jia.
Yu Jia had no choice but to hold on. She sighed.
"Sister Jia—" Yu Meng had no choice but to play the emotional card. She believed Yu Jia wouldn't tell anyone. Even if she did, she wasn't afraid.
"Is it windy outside?" Yu Meng said, "Put on your coat."
Finally, Yu Jia looked at Yu Meng and said earnestly, "I don't object to you having a boyfriend. I came here today to support you."
"Yes." Yu Meng nodded.
"But at least..." Yu Jia's tongue was a little tied, "At least... there must be a bed!"
I don’t know if it was because of the alcohol or what, but Yu Meng’s face felt hot after hearing what he said.
There has to be a bed...it's deafening!
Before the decent women, she lost her moral composure and could only bow her head and confess. Deep down, she couldn't help but feel that Yu Jia was too pretentious. Had she never imagined such a scenario? Fresh and exciting! It was indeed a life experience. Yu Meng had accidentally put her own dream into practice, leaving the decent women with only their fantasies. And it was just a goodbye kiss, more innocent than a Jacky Cheung song, without any real breakthrough.
Yu Meng learned her lesson and looked gloomy. After Yu Jia left, she felt that this person was boring. No wonder Li Ren had no interest in her.
After sitting for a while, Yu Meng finally calmed down and called a taxi home. When she reached the door, a large bouquet of roses was leaning against it. A card was tucked into the flowers, addressed simply to "Miss Yu Meng."
Bees and butterflies fluttered around. She unceremoniously picked up the flowers, opened the door, entered the house, took off her shoes, ran the water, and took a bath. Then, she fell into a sweet sleep. Tomorrow's affairs, tomorrow, tomorrow. It was still her birthday. She was the most important.
For days, Yu Jia was restless. The scene that night was too jarring. She didn't want to think about it, but it kept popping up, forcing her to revisit it.
Liren and she hadn't had sex for a long time. It was a dull life. Yu Meng's life was something she couldn't even imagine. Yu Jia thought, maybe this was just what big cities were like. But then she thought, maybe she was being narrow-minded. Couldn't such things happen in small cities? As long as there were men and women, there would be thieves and prostitutes.
She shouldn't make a fuss.
Sisi noticed her mother's abnormality and teased her with her father, "She's been playing so hard that she's lost all her soul!"
Liren declined to comment. He'd been worried these days. Following the new boss, he'd felt like he'd joined the clique, but then came personnel changes. Rumor had it that his new boss was being transferred west.
This is not good news for the opposition.
Everyone knew he was close to the boss. He had initially tried to keep a low profile, but the boss's appreciation for him was unbearable. Many people were jealous. Now that the boss was gone, Li Ren's situation was precarious. The new leader would certainly not use him; he was a direct descendant of the "previous dynasty," and they were unsure if he was employed. He was essentially trapped in an endless wait.
But Di Liren didn't tell Yu Jia any of this. It was pointless. Even if he told her, she wouldn't be able to do anything about it. He and she were now husband and wife in name only. And ever since that incident, Liren had suddenly felt bored. It was as if a little secret, once discovered, had lost its thrill.
He understood that Yu Jia's repetitive instructions about her departure and return times were meant to give him some space, to make things easier for him. But after seeing through it, Li Ren felt it was pointless. Did he need her to be so pitiful? Was she deliberately going out to give him some time to relax and unwind? He, Di Li Ren, was very popular, okay? If he wanted to, he could easily turn his life around through marriage. Having an affair was easy to do? What was the big deal?!
The weather has been unusual lately, fluctuating between hot and cold.
Huang Qi returned, and Yu Rui asked him to meet her. Huang Qi suggested meeting him downtown, but Yu Rui insisted on going to Huang Qi's rental apartment. This was her first time there since he rented the place.
It is an urban village with winding roads lined with small barber shops and restaurants. The roadsides are dirty and you can see some middle-aged people with rustic faces coming in and out from time to time.
Huang Qi's room was ten square meters. It had a single bed, a pillow, and a thin quilt. It looked like he lived alone.
A pair of dumbbells sat against the wall next to the bed, and next to them was a pull-up bar. There was an air conditioner on the wall, a low-end brand. By the window stood a long table, covered in skincare products. In the corner, a bag of carrots lay shrunken and shriveled. Yu Rui was curious why they hadn't grown mold.
Huang Qi went out to film for several months, even during the Chinese New Year. This time he played the fourth male lead and died in the sixteenth episode, but he still had to stay with the crew throughout the whole process.
Huang Qi excitedly chatted about the crew. Yu Rui listened quietly, like a mother listening to her son's academic report. Huang Qi was defenseless in front of Yu Rui. And vice versa. They were college classmates, childhood sweethearts, exes, and colleagues, so many things were tacitly understood.
When Yu Rui arrived in Huangqi, she felt like she was home, relaxed and at ease.
She had another talk with Shi Tongguang about opening a shop, this time without beating around the bush but speaking frankly. Shi Tongguang then frankly told her that the company was having financial difficulties and that the investment might not pay off, and objectively advised her to be cautious.
It's just a waste of time.
She knew Shi Tongguang had started dating a woman named Liu. She had seen it on his phone and could guess his unlock code.
He has already started looking for a way out.
This is considered cheating. He rarely comes home now, and when he does, he doesn't even eat, always saying he's busy with business. Yu Rui wanted to argue with him, but when she thought about it, what was the point?
She felt that he was insincere, and he also felt that she was insincere. They were not only in appearance but also in spirit.
It's just a matter of officially breaking up.
Yu Rui could feel that Shi Tongguang was waiting for her to speak, so that he could pretend to be a victim and get away with it.
Yu Rui couldn't help but lament. She finally understood why the husbands of those stunningly beautiful actresses were so often found cheating. How long could physical attraction alone sustain a relationship? It took mutual support and companionship to finally develop a respectful relationship. Marriage isn't simply an upgraded version of love; it's a blend of love, family, friendship, gratitude, and so much more. Marriage is a hodgepodge; it requires debts, a shared pot of rotten meat.
She and Shi Tongguang were destined to be impossible.
You can't lose both your money and your life.
This month, Shi Tongguang was still not able to transfer money to her card. Yu Rui realized that she had to cut the Gordian knot.
At this critical moment, Yu Rui discovered that she was pregnant.
It was Old Shi's seed. Years ago, there were a few times when Old Shi went crazy and wanted to practice some "Jade Girl Heart Sutra"—at that time, she had rashly agreed to it in order to meet his parents and please him... She had warned him that he had to ejaculate outside of her body... In a panic...
It was too late to regret. All she could do was look forward and resolve the issue. Honestly, Yu Rui had never considered using a child as a pretext for forcing marriage, not even when she most wanted it. It was just that things were different. In the past, she would have definitely discussed it with Old Shi. They might have the child, and they might get married.
But now, even if he wanted to get married, she would not agree.
She wanted his money, but the way he was hesitant about paying made her look down on him. She couldn't have this man. And she couldn't bear children with him, as they would be entangled for life. But the thought of having an abortion made Yu Rui panic. In this industry, there were legends everywhere, like the actress who had a miscarriage at home and bled to death, or the actor who had too many miscarriages in his early years and whose fertility was affected... Yu Rui also thought of Peggy in "Mad Men," who had just started working and had an affair with a man and had a child, only to have to give the child away in the end. She didn't want that. Better to die than to be separated in life. She touched her belly, it was flat and smooth, the little seed hadn't sprouted yet. She chanted the Great Compassion Mantra for three days, hoping to find relief for the child.
Asking for money and having an abortion were both serious matters. She wanted to consult with someone who was reliable, dependable, and wouldn't betray her.
Yu Qi? No, she was too young. And Yu Rui didn't want her image to be tarnished in her sister's eyes.
Yu Jia was also unsuitable. She was a decent woman and could not accept such a "messy" thing. It was hard to explain.
Shuang is even more inappropriate, she is the bomb.
Huang Qi just came back, okay, he is the most suitable person.
Yu Rui sat on the edge of the bed.
Huang Qi rarely spoke so much. He talked about the crew, how beautiful the lead actress was, how he'd had a great time drinking with the lead actor, how he'd finally learned how to act, how his pay had increased significantly, and how the assistant director said he'd introduce him to other roles if there were any.
The gap between words.
Yu Rui interjected, "I'm pregnant."
The yellow flag stayed there.
Yu Rui said it again.
"Whose?" he asked.
"Whose else could it be, Shi?"
"He doesn't want to take responsibility?"
"I don't want it."
"Do you need me to come forward?"
Yu Rui was a little touched and smiled bitterly, "Why? Hit him?"
"You have no feelings for him." He judged.
"I can't explain it clearly." Yu Rui still wanted to cover it up.
"Make him bleed! Ask for more!" Huang Qi was direct. He wasn't surprised. He'd even spent a night with a certain woman to get a role. They each got what they wanted. He didn't consider it a serious crime.
Huang Qi's words pierced through Yu Rui's inner timidity. Initially, she'd instinctively avoided the question—even though she'd already made up her mind. She had to admit that aborting the child, taking the money, and leaving was the best option. Huang Qi simply gave her confidence, making her more certain of her decision.
Judging from the previous negotiations, it would have been difficult to make Shi Tongguang bleed. The child's sudden appearance was a powerful bargaining chip. He arrived at the perfect time. However, as a woman, Yu Rui felt deeply guilty. In a sense, this child was born at the wrong time. She felt that she had exploited the child, no, the embryo, as a bargaining chip, a gamble. All for a mere one million. Absurd, wasn't it?
What if he wants this child?
She can't give birth even if she wants!
Nine times out of ten he won't want it.
After leaving the urban village, Yu Rui sat alone in a taxi, weeping for a long time. The driver was panicked and almost couldn't drive. Yu Rui had to comfort him, saying, "It's okay, it's okay, I'm fine." She had just agreed with Huang Qi that if she had surgery, he would accompany her and pretend to be the child's father.
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