Chapter 60
The shop assistant who had come downstairs earlier hung a "Closed" sign on the glass door downstairs and brought up two cups of brewed tea.
The shop was quiet, with only a lamp overhead, casting a faint white light on the surface of the water in the cup.
Seeing the somewhat formal demeanor, Xu Qingzhou suddenly felt a little nervous.
As if sensing her unease, Chen Mi picked up her teacup with one hand, took a sip, and gently placed her other hand on the back of Chen Mi's hand.
"Don't be nervous, we're just chatting casually like friends."
Her fingers were fair and slender, with soft, delicate skin that had the lustrous sheen of a pampered pearl.
In stark contrast to the worn and yellowed cuffs of his delivery uniform, Xu Qingzhou felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment, his fingers, stiff and red from the cold wind, unconsciously pulled back.
"Qingzhou, have you seen any of my dramas?"
Clearly, Chen Mi chose the most approachable and easiest topic to discuss.
Unfortunately, Xu Qingzhou never saw it.
She shook her head awkwardly, but the next moment, she added on the paper: "[But many of my classmates have seen your TV shows, and they often mention you.]"
"Yeah."
Chen Mi smiled, her eyes sparkling, showing no sign of displeasure.
"Actually, I don't dare to watch the dramas I acted in. I always feel a little embarrassed."
She winked playfully, her lips curving upwards, adding a touch of girlish cuteness and naivety to her sexy aura.
Xu Qingzhou didn't know what to say, so he pursed his lips awkwardly and looked at the brown tea leaves that had settled in the cup.
Chen Mi is clearly the kind of girl who is generous and has a good personality. She gently and naturally developed the topic, first politely asking Xu Qingzhou if he was still studying and how his grades were. She then went on to mention that her own grades were not good and she did terribly in the college entrance examination. Just when she was about to give up her studies and her future was bleak, she was fortunately discovered by her agent, Sister Rolly, and entered the entertainment industry as a star.
“Otherwise, I really don’t know what I would be doing right now, but I would probably be living a very difficult life,” Chen Mi picked up her water glass and took a small sip of tea. “So I am really grateful to my agent.”
Xu Qingzhou has never been good at communicating with people, especially strangers.
She nodded politely in response, without saying anything.
Chen Mi stared at her quietly with her eyes.
The girl in front of me was without makeup and even wore a rather shabby yellow delivery uniform with dirty cuffs and hem. However, even so, her straight hair was gently tied back, and paired with her clean and gentle face, she silently lowered her eyelashes, and a quiet and gentle scholarly air could not be resisted.
—It's a scholarly and ethereal quality that wouldn't be easily overlooked even in the star-studded entertainment industry.
But what's most deadly is the submissive feeling she exudes.
Even girls find it hard to resist, let alone boys.
Chen Mi suddenly understood why Chi Jun had abandoned everyone else at the gathering that day, and why he had even flown in to personally check out Rolly.
She lowered her eyes and smiled again:
"Rolly was also at the gathering a few days ago. Unlike us who just came to have fun, Rolly came with a purpose."
She paused for a moment, then continued:
"She came to see Chi Jun."
Xu Qingzhou's hand, hanging by his side, trembled slightly involuntarily.
A premonition prompted her to look up at Chen Mi.
Sure enough, the next second, Chen Mi spoke slowly and deliberately, her tone gentle yet her pronunciation clear:
"She wants to sign Chi Jun."
After he finished speaking, the small milk tea shop seemed even quieter than before, and even the sound of the wind chimes at the door was so faint that it was almost inaudible.
Xu Qingzhou pictured Chi Jun's face.
His handsomeness, his carefree attitude, his humor, his effortless social skills...
He... is indeed very suitable to be an artist.
Chen Mi gently blew on the water in the glass and said to herself:
"The profession of entertainer should be the most lucrative. As a star, you are adored by thousands, enjoy immense fame and fortune, and your lifestyle is beyond the reach of most people."
At this point, she smiled and suddenly looked at Xu Qingzhou.
"Have I ever told you that my family is actually very poor?"
Xu Qingzhou paused for a moment, then shook his head.
“I lost both my parents when I was young and grew up relying on my grandfather. My grandfather worked in a plywood factory. It was very hard work. His hands were always blistered and bleeding. He couldn’t even afford to buy band-aids. He would just wrap them in a cloth and continue working.”
"But I'm not a sensible granddaughter. It's one thing that I don't study hard, but I've also started dating at a young age."
"Love during youth is always so pure. Even now, thinking about it still makes me feel sweet, but also a little bittersweet. But the day I entered the entertainment industry was the day I broke up with him."
“I refused to break up with him at the time, and even refused to sign a contract with Sister Rolly for his sake. In the end, he was heartless and broke up with me unilaterally.”
"Actually, I really hated him back then. I felt that all those vows of eternal love and affection were fake. But looking back now, all I feel for him is gratitude. If it weren't for him, I would definitely be living a terrible life now. After all, it's tiring and doesn't pay much. And with new models popping up one after another, how many more years can I rely on this kind of youth-oriented job?"
"Later, I often wondered, even if we were still together, would I still like him after being stuck in the swamp of life? Would love gradually turn into hatred as the daily grind wears down? Would I regret not entering the entertainment industry for love? I don't know, and I'm not sure."
At this point, Chen Mi lowered her head and chuckled, seemingly finding it somewhat ironic.
"People's feelings can change, but money is something that can give people a better experience."
"He knows this better than I do."
Xu Qingzhou is not a fool.
She could tell why Chen Mi was saying all this, even revealing the emotional secrets that celebrities have to keep to themselves.
As they parted, Chen Mi indeed took her hand and said sincerely:
"Qingzhou, Xu Jun is at the same crossroads in my life that I did back then. I hope you can help me persuade him."
"After all, what I need to sacrifice is love, but you two are siblings. Even if Xu Jun enters the entertainment industry, he doesn't need to cut off contact with his sister, right?"
"Your choices are much easier than mine were back then."
*
Before I knew it, snowflakes started falling from the sky again.
Xu Qingzhou rode on his electric scooter, gazing at the world before him where the cold wind swirled snowflakes, Chen Mi's gentle and pleasant voice echoing in his ears—
Even if we were still together, would I still like him now that I'm stuck in the quagmire of life?
Will love gradually turn into hatred as the daily grind wears down? Will you regret not entering the entertainment industry for love?
Chen Mi's ex-boyfriend must have loved her very much to let her go.
Even with such deep love, it's possible to let go.
Besides, there was no romantic love between her and Chi Jun; they were just friends.
—Your choices are much easier than mine were back then.
At the intersection ahead, Xu Qingzhou mingled with a stream of cars waiting for the green light, his gaze lingering as he looked around.
Suddenly, her gaze froze.
Across the intersection, a familiar figure emerged from the coffee shop on the left.
The green light is on.
The traffic flowed forward again. Xu Qingzhou stood with her feet on the ground, but through the falling snowflakes, she watched Chi Jun standing by the roadside, helping the woman into the car. She watched for a long, long time.
Xu Qingzhou had caught a glimpse of that woman at the door of the private room that night.
This should be the agent Rolly that Chen Mi mentioned.
yes.
Her and Chi Jun's choices were much easier than Chen Mi's and the others'.
*
The thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month.
Most of the snack shops on the street had suspended operations, and Xu Qingzhou didn't deliver any more food that day.
She finally had some free time and went with Chi Jun to the nearby small market to buy New Year's goods—snacks, candies, couplets, and firecrackers.
Chi Jun seemed very interested in these things. He not only wanted to buy the fireworks, but he also lingered for a long time in front of the stall selling handmade festive tiger hats.
Xu Qingzhou didn't pay attention at first, until after buying a bag of chocolates and candies, just as he was about to turn around, he suddenly felt a warmth on his head, as something furry covered him.
She was taken aback, looked at the rearview mirror on the electric scooter, and realized that she was wearing a red, festive little tiger hat.
Chi Jun also has the same style on his head.
She smiled and reached out to take it down, but Chi Jun half-pressed her hand.
Why did you take it off?
Hsu Ching-chou speaks frankly: [There are almost no occasions where it's appropriate to wear it.]
"How can there be no occasion? I'm going to wear it to the internet cafe next time. Don't you think it's cool to play basketball with this on? It's truly—powerful and majestic."
Xu Qingzhou: "..."
Xu Qingzhou smiled as he imagined the scene.
Seeing her smile, Chi Jun was even more satisfied and pulled her forward.
"It's over, the money's already paid. Don't take it down."
Xu Qingzhou had no choice but to wear it.
Along the way, I indeed attracted many curious glances, and even an old lady sitting in front of a shop, basking in the sun, munching on sunflower seeds and praising the shop with a smile:
"This little hat is cute."
Chi Jun was very pleased with himself. He glanced at Xu Qingzhou deliberately and said loudly:
"Right? I bought it, and I guess I have good eyesight."
The old lady gave a thumbs up:
"Okay, okay."
Because the market closed early in the afternoon, after leaving the small market, the two rushed to the market in the last hour and bought a lot of vegetables, meat and eggs.
Xu Qingzhou thought he had bought a bit too much.
Chi Jun, however, felt it wasn't too much at all. Looking at the bags full of meat, he ordered with great enthusiasm:
"On the first day of the Lunar New Year, I'll eat braised pork ribs; on the second day, I'll eat lamb spine hot pot; on the third day, I'll eat braised beef and pork belly; on the fourth day..."
He spoke with such seriousness that Xu Qingzhou couldn't help but look at him, but his gaze seemed to be looking through him at something distant and ethereal.
After Chi Jun finished speaking, he asked her:
"what's on your mind?"
Xu Qingzhou snapped out of her reverie and smiled: "They must all be delicious."
"Heh, trying to find a way to brag about your cooking skills?" Chi Jun said, pinching her cheek again. "You shameless little brat."
Xu Qingzhou lowered his head and rubbed his face, then remained silent.
*
On the eve of the Lunar New Year, the usually bustling rental compound became deserted during the Spring Festival. Only two or three tenants remained in the compound, including Xu Qingzhou and Chi Jun.
However, the remaining tenants did not let the quietness distract them from the upcoming Spring Festival.
All afternoon, the courtyard was filled with the aroma of various dishes being fried, boiled, steamed, and baked.
Xu Qingzhou also fried crispy pork and meatballs.
Chi Jun helped out on the side. When he wasn't needed, he would stay in the room playing games while eating the fresh fried food that Xu Qingzhou had just brought in. Occasionally, he would be kind and throw a few meatballs or crispy pork to the rabbits in the cage for a treat.
As a result, he didn't know exactly what dishes Xu Qingzhou had made.
When a table full of dishes was laid out in the evening, Chi Jun was astonished.
Braised pork ribs, braised beef, braised pork belly, lamb spine hot pot...
Xu Qingzhou prepared all the delicious food he ordered that was meant for the first, second, third, and fourth years of junior high school in one afternoon.
"How can we possibly finish all this food in one night? It's like I'm leaving tomorrow and it's too late if I don't eat now."
Xu Qingzhou paused, holding the plate, and lowered his head without saying a word.
The delicious food was served ahead of schedule, and Chi Jun naturally didn't want to disappoint.
A home-cooked meal took more than an hour to eat.
They ate until they were stuffed and bloated.
While we were eating, we could hear the intermittent sound of firecrackers going off outside.
Not to be outdone, Chi Jun dragged Xu Qingzhou outside to set off fireworks and firecrackers after dinner.
The crackling sound echoed through the night sky. Xu Qingzhou laughed, covered her ears, and moved to the side. Chi Jun looked at her and couldn't resist taking out his phone to secretly take a few pictures.
When Xu Qingzhou turned around, he pretended to put his phone back in his pocket, acting as if nothing had happened.
Around 9 o'clock, the two returned to the small rented room.
Fireworks went off in the distance, some people set off fireworks, and colorful sparks bloomed in the sky, which was very dazzling and beautiful.
Xu Qingzhou and Chi Jun sat by the door, with a small table in front of them covered with melon seeds and candies. They listened to the live broadcast of the Spring Festival Gala on their phones while admiring the fireworks in the distant night sky.
The host spoke in a passionate and resonant voice about the joys and sorrows of the past year, and about the prospects and expectations for the coming year.
Hearing the sound, Chi Jun casually popped a chocolate-covered liqueur into his mouth, then turned to Xu Qingzhou and asked:
"Zhouzhou, what is your New Year's wish?"
Since New Year's Eve, Chi Jun has started calling Li Rui's cousin, Li Ming, "Zhouzhou."
It started out as a joke or a tease.
After a while, it became a habit to call it that.
Xu Qingzhou turned to look at him, thought for a moment, and then wrote on the paper: "I hope that in the new year, I won't have to worry about anyone or anything anymore, that I won't have to work so hard, and that I can focus solely on preparing for the exam."
Chi Jun glanced at the words on the paper and casually said:
"Why do I feel like you're targeting me? You're not implying I should leave, are you?"
After saying that, Xu Qingzhou remained silent.
Chi Jun looked at her.
Xu Qingzhou also watched him quietly.
His calm gaze seemed to say nothing, yet it was as if he had a thousand words to say.
Chi Jun's casual smile froze for a moment. Finally, in the silent darkness, as if a premonition was rapidly taking root in his heart, he stared at Xu Qingzhou, and his smile completely vanished.
"What do you mean?"
He asked.
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