Chapter 26

This was unbelievable, truly unbelievable.

At first, Hu Xiu should have been the only one frozen in place, but the three of them stood there, staring at the figure at the door, completely motionless like statues.

Diao Zhi Yu looked at the lifeless atmosphere in the café and asked, “What’s wrong with you all?”

Zhao Xiaorou forgot she was recording: “Damn, he’s alive. Qian Xiao Yi came out of the theater.”

It was as if Ning Zechen hadn’t been tricked out of the theater by her. After coming back to her senses, Hu Xiu locked eyes with Diao Zhi Yu, and the last thread of rationality snapped. This wasn’t a joke. After waiting at the unit building downstairs for her, Diao Zhi Yu had come to REGARD to find her.

When she couldn’t see him, she had imagined him as a young boy, but seeing him in person, his manly charm made her forget that he was only twenty-two. Yes, stepping out of the show, he was an attractive, dangerous man.

With a thud, Zhao Xiaorou slammed her phone down on the table, pushed Li Ai out, and smiled at Diao Zhi Yu, “Um, Qian Xiao Yi, sorry, I need to talk to Li Ai outside for a moment, just a quick smoke. Hu Xiu and I have something important to discuss, three minutes.”

After that, she half-pushed the two men out of the café. Once she turned around, Zhao Xiaorou’s mind was on fire: “What are you standing there for? Quickly, retouch your makeup, where’s your lipstick? Do you know you’re missing half of your eyebrow? There’s a full set of makeup in my bag, even makeup lights, hurry up!”

Hu Xiu was confused: “Huh?”

“You thought the dim lights would make it romantic? No, you look like a salted olive, facing the dirt with your back to the sky. Sit down, I’ll do your makeup.”

The brush moved quickly over Hu Xiu’s face, from nose to cheeks and eyes. Before Hu Xiu could count how many different brushes were used, Zhao Xiaorou pulled out a spray from her bag and sprayed it on Hu Xiu’s head: “This man is no joke, his scheming is deep. He probably came to the café to see your awkward look so he could give up on you. Hu Xiu, go out and do your best, turn your right cheek to him, show your best angle, don’t laugh too much, don’t look like you’re sulking. When you sulk, you get those angry brows. We’re running out of time, I’ve done enough. He’s a straight man, he probably won’t notice this subtle makeup.”

Hu Xiu glanced at the mirror—her lip gloss was so shiny it could drip, and there were even glitters on her eyelids—ridiculous.

She stood up, wiped the makeup off her eyes, and felt somewhat righteous: “It’s fine. Maybe he’s here because I accidentally took something from the Snowpiercer, and he’s here to get it back.”

Before she could take three steps, Zhao Xiaorou casually said behind her, “Yeah, you took his heart.”

Hu Xiu couldn’t take it anymore and turned back, “Stop saying those suggestive things!”

Before she left, Hu Xiu swiped the lip gloss on the back of her hand. Based on her instincts, both the character Qin Xiao Yi and Li Rong in the show were clear-eyed and saw through every trick, there was no need to act so deliberately outside of the show.

In the night, Li Ai was smoking, the smell of tobacco strong. Whenever he had something on his mind or needed to socialize, he would take out his cigarette pack to share. Diao Zhi Yu and Li Ai, surrounded by smoke, seemed to be getting along well, talking about grown-up topics.

They seriously discussed the magazine style of An Di, the excessive use of Chinese architecture and décor, and how the designer’s notes were too artistic and out of touch with reality.

Li Ai laughed, “I didn’t expect you’d have some insight into this.” Diao Zhi Yu took a drag of his cigarette, his voice deep and magnetic: “I helped them shoot a promo video before. How should I put it? The magazine exposure and photos are all part of the packaging—half true, half fake. They don’t even know which parts are from the heart.”

He was so mature that Hu Xiu even wondered if he had aged himself up.

When Diao Zhi Yu noticed Hu Xiu, his gaze changed. Li Ai turned around and saw the nervous Hu Xiu, smiling as he patted her shoulder.

This sexy, limping man actually gave a thumbs-up at this moment, definitely the same as Zhao Xiaorou inside the store, enjoying the gossip.

Hu Xiu walked up to Diao Zhi Yu, feeling like there were fiery eyes staring at them from behind. When she turned around, the warm lights of the café were gone, and the two men had disappeared. Now, it was really just her and Diao Zhi Yu left.

Hu Xiu, stay calm. He’s just a boy, just an NPC actor, you’ve watched him in the show countless times, what’s there to be nervous about? Can’t even count how many times you’ve acted in this role, you’ve got this. Stand up straight.

Even as she thought this, Hu Xiu’s palms were sweaty, her eyes darting everywhere. Unfortunately, she had worn a white shirt and jeans—her Prince Charming persona had followed her outside the show. The closer she got, the faster her heart beat, just a glance made her lose control. And to her surprise, he was nervous too.

“Looking for me?”

“Mm…”

“Did I forget something on the Snowpiercer? Do you need to bring it back?”

“No, I came to apologize for what happened last time.”

“What happened?” She had to wait for him to say it.

“I got married to another player. I felt like you were a bit upset that day.”

So direct. Of course, she couldn’t admit it. Hu Xiu turned her head away, forcing a smile back. The night view of Yuyuan Road Financial Park was pretty, with red-brick three-story villas glowing in the night. Two windows on either side of the villa were lit, like tender eyes staring at her.

“That’s okay, it’s also the first time I learned that you can get married in Snowpiercer. Those sisters taught me some new ways to play.”

“I really can’t leave. I wanted to sell you your pass and ticket. And... I didn’t know when you’d come.”

He actually remembers it clearly. Holding back laughter was really hard. Hu Xiu lowered her head, her voice muffled in her nose, “Oh, that’s fine. If it weren’t for that day, I wouldn’t have seen you playing Li Rong, so sly.”

“Coincidentally, it’s a character issue. I’m not usually like this.”

“Really?”

“Of course. In daily life, I’m more like Qin Xiaoyi, I guarantee it.”

An awkward silence hung in the air. All their shared topics were within the play. Hu Xiu quickly realized in the wind that there wasn’t much she could talk to Diao Zhiyu about. Even though Li Ai could talk about the magazine style of Andi, she only knew he was a student at Shanghai Theatre Academy, majoring in performance.

Apart from that, she knew nothing, and these were all things she had secretly looked up, not directly usable for opening a conversation.

She wasn’t ready to meet Diao Zhiyu outside the play yet. The wind blew through his hair, and the faint smell of shea butter was in his hair—so clean, Hu Xiu thought.

“So you came to find me just to explain this...”

“Yeah...”

“Then there’s no need to specially come here...”

“There is a need... I haven’t seen you recently.” Diao Zhiyu paused for a few seconds, “I don’t have many friends outside of the play, and it’s rare to find someone I can talk to. So, I had to figure out a way to find you.”

He didn’t mention standing downstairs at the girl’s building, really loves his face. His hands were tucked into the back pockets of his pants, his toes raised, swaying his body, still childlike.

“Friend...” The next part of the conversation was left unfinished. Hu Xiu thought for a moment and decided to let him keep his manly pride.

She pouted, pretending to be casual, “That makes me quite happy to hear.”

“Mm?”

“You didn’t treat me as a player or a customer. It sounds like I’m different from those sisters who’ve brushed dozens of times.”

“Of course...” Diao Zhiyu looked up at the sky, “You’re much more important.”

“How important?”

As soon as she asked, Hu Xiu regretted it, mentally cursing herself—Why ask that?

There are so many things to talk about in this world, why break the window paper so impulsively?

If the other person really only saw her as a friend, this would instantly push her back to square one.

The social death level was probably a spontaneous cremation, and she’d lie awake thinking of awkward things. This would definitely top the list of embarrassing moments. Why ask? Why not try to test things slowly? Damn!

Why was he silent?

Diao Zhiyu seemed a little unsteady, swaying slightly, as if he was shy too.

Hu Xiu thought to herself, next, he’s definitely going to come up with an excuse to reject her. So close, he must steal a second glance. Who knows when they’ll be this close again?

This glance was bad—Diao Zhiyu was looking at her too. Their gazes locked, and Hu Xiu stood there dazed. Diao Zhiyu leaned in closer and closer. The barrage of thoughts in her mind piled up more and more, and her whole brain crashed.

Whether it’s Qin Xiaoyi or Diao Zhiyu, it can’t get any closer. If we get any closer, we’ll kiss. Do you know? This isn’t right, I didn’t expect that flirting in the theater would be like this. This is too much! I never planned for this!

But he showed no sign of stopping.

Since it really was like this, a kiss from you wouldn’t be impossible, but I can’t guarantee that after the kiss, I won’t get confused.

Hu Xiu closed her eyes, even slightly turning her face, positioning her right cheek at a 45-degree angle toward him.

It really felt like an idol drama now. Being so close to a handsome person felt so different—she felt fifteen again. Her blood rushed to her head, and it felt like if someone made a hole in her head, magma would pour out.

Qin Xiaoyi had put a necklace on her in the play, and held her when they went through the haunted house. If there was a kiss outside the play, she would definitely be his girlfriend. He liked her, and once they kissed, there would be no turning back—exactly!

When there were only a few millimeters left between them, the roll-up door was suddenly kicked open, startling Diao Zhiyu, who stepped back and started shifting awkwardly with his hands in his pockets.

Who could ruin the moment like that? Zhao Xiaorou pinched Hu Xiu’s phone, “Hu Xiu, your senior sister is calling.”

Why is the timing always so perfect?

Hu Xiu walked toward the phone, her heart sinking. Her luck in love was really bad. The only chance in her life to kiss a handsome guy, on this beautiful night with the crescent moon hanging in the sky, was ruined by a phone call.

She picked up the phone, dejected: “Hello, senior sister, it’s so late, won’t brother-in-law be mad?”

“Dedicate yourself to your work. We’re old married couple now. He’s up at midnight watching Hupu, having a great time.

Little Hu, I need to tell you something. The regularization quota will be announced soon. I’ve recommended you to the doctors. You have strong translation skills, and your abilities are well recognized. But now there’s a problem.”

Diao Zhiyu followed her into the coffee shop, pulled up a chair, politely accepted the coffee Li Ai prepared for him, and started drinking while fiddling with his phone. The coffee shop was unusually quiet, and the voice on the phone was very clear: “Next, you need to build a good relationship with the doctors. Most of our work revolves around them. Chen Yang is a big shot in front of many doctors, and if you rely on connections, you’ll lose. It’s best if you have a doctor backing you.

Are you close to Pei Zhen? I saw you two chatting happily last time.”

“Dr. Pei?” Hu Xiu instinctively glanced at Diao Zhiyu. He was drinking coffee, with a little coffee stain on the corner of his mouth, his eyes fixed on her face. The name Pei Zhen sounded especially clear.

“Once you’ve got Pei Zhen on your side, the head nurse will definitely be swayed into keeping you. No matter how good Chen Yang is, he can’t compare to Dr. Pei, who is the apple of everyone’s eye.

Hey, Little Hu, seize the opportunity. Do you know how popular Pei Zhen is? People lining up to get a number to see him, all the way to the Lujiazui subway station, but he’s not interested in anyone, so calm and detached.”

Within two years, you’ll definitely be an associate professor, Xiao Hu, you’ll understand what I mean. I’ll just leave it at that, I’m hanging up now.”

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Xiaorou completely ignored the person sitting at the next table, Diao Zhi Yu: “Hu Xiu, who is Pei Zhen?”

“Colleague...”

“Don’t be in a hurry to distance yourself. We’re both single, there’s no question of first-come, first-served. As for relationships, it all depends on who works harder.”

Zhao Xiaorou’s words clearly piqued Diao Zhi Yu’s interest. He put down his coffee cup and said, “Boss, we should collaborate more. The coffee is excellent. I recently bought a prime lens and a macro lens, I can help take photos for the shop if there’s an opportunity.”

“That would be very much appreciated.”

“Has the rent issue been resolved?”

“Of course, thanks to a friend.”

“Your girlfriend?”

Li Ai shook her head: “No...”

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhao Xiaorou slammed her bag onto the table with a loud noise, stood up abruptly, and made sure every movement was heard. “Ning Zechen is about to finish work, I’m going home to cuddle with my boyfriend. Hu Xiu, do you need me to take a taxi to drop you off?”

“No need...” Diao Zhi Yu stood up. “I’ll take her home.”

The two sat in separate taxis, one in front and the other behind, without speaking. Hu Xiu sat in the back seat, playing with her phone, sighing deeply.

She kept thinking about how close she was to Diao Zhi Yu—just a few millimeters away. What would that kiss feel like? Would it be like familiar peppermint candy? Would his lips be soft? Was he skilled? Would the kiss be gentle and lingering, or more possessive and intense? Why did it all get interrupted by a phone call?

After finishing the scene, Diao Zhi Yu surprisingly didn’t check his phone. Instead, he turned his face to look out the window, lowering the car window and letting the wind mess up his hair.

In the rearview mirror, their eyes met for a moment, and he quickly looked away, pretending to be disinterested as he gazed out at the view.

When they arrived at the neighborhood, they walked in single file, talking aimlessly about Ning Zechen.

Diao Zhi Yu sounded a bit helpless. “Wang Wei is blunt, especially after playing Ning Zechen. He likes to exaggerate and stir up trouble in other people’s relationships.”

“Did you forget how he tried to frame me during the interrogation? I may have faked being dizzy, but getting shoved and hitting the door was real.”

The “Snowpiercer” was the only smooth topic of conversation. When they reached the entrance of the building, Hu Xiu felt they had talked enough for the night. She was about to say goodnight and head upstairs when Diao Zhi Yu suddenly called out to her, “Wait a minute...”

“Hm?”

“We can only meet in the play, and I don’t know when you’ll be back. It’s too passive. So... let’s exchange WeChat.”

This was unexpected. Hu Xiu suppressed her excitement, pulled out her phone calmly. “Aren’t you worried about the private contact being discovered and getting your salary deducted?”

“What’s the big deal if they deduct it?” He scanned Hu Xiu’s QR code, tapped on the screen a few times, and then looked up at her. “I’ll wait until you confirm it before I leave.”

“Afraid I’ll run away?”

“Afraid...”

That made Hu Xiu’s heart skip a beat. How many times had he been in relationships? He was a master of language, always knowing how to balance flirtation and respect, leaving her heart yearning.

Before, exchanging contact information was something she dreamed about. Now that Qin Xiao Yi himself added her on WeChat, Hu Xiu felt like she could leap up to the sixth floor in one breath.

If it really got to this point, with physical contact already made at the downstairs and in the coffee shop, a little more effort wouldn’t be impossible…

She took a deep breath, opened the entrance door, and closed it again, stepping down three stairs to stand in front of Diao Zhi Yu. She cleared her throat deliberately. “It seems you left something unfinished outside REGARD earlier. If you feel like you need to finish it... I’ll wait for you.”

What an awkward, yet bold statement. The night was still young, and with the moon hanging overhead, if Diao Zhi Yu didn’t follow through with the kiss now, it would be hard to end things smoothly.

Diao Zhi Yu leaned in close to Hu Xiu’s face and lifted his chin slightly, indicating her lips. “Are you talking about this?”

Her heart was pounding in her chest as she tightly closed her eyes. Yes, exactly like this.

His fingers gently parted her eyes, not with much force, just teasing her. It was a prank, just like Li Rong would do: “Why are you so nervous? I was just looking at the mole on your lower eyelid. I didn’t notice it before. You’re overthinking.”

Diao Zhi Yu stared into her eyes, taking slow steps backward, turning around to leave, but his gaze remained on her. It was almost like a form of temptation, or maybe even a challenge.

The movement was slow, like a slow-motion scene, his clothes fluttering as he turned, his dark bangs swaying in the wind. His steps were light and carefree as he walked away.

That innate sense of charm returned. Hu Xiu didn’t understand why a boy with such youthful energy could carry so much allure in his expressions.

But one thing was certain: something that happened tonight had sparked his competitive spirit. The mischievous smile on his face was like a gentle yet sharp declaration of war.