Chapter 52

The Erotic Film Hero

While trying to get some sleep, Hu Xiu had a vivid dream. She was in the bathroom, about to take a shower. When she pulled back the curtain, she saw two men turning around, one biting his lip and looking at her provocatively, the other turning around and opening his arms gently.

Hu Xiu took a step back but was grabbed. She felt their arms, which were soft and elastic. The sound of running water pulled her deeper into a state of arousal.

Someone was biting her ear. Who was being so playful? And someone’s hand was reaching towards her chest. Please, no, if I look down, I’ll see what I shouldn’t see...

With a start, Hu Xiu opened her eyes and found herself leaning against a latex pillow. Li Ai had left a massage chair in her shop, and she had been napping on it. Her hand was on the back of the chair, and her fingers were in a very suggestive position.

Diao Zhiyu was standing nearby, wiping a cup, and looked at her in confusion, “Goodness. What did you dream about? Your expression is so lewd.”

“Don’t talk nonsense!” Hu Xiu jumped up and tried to defend herself.

“See, you’ve been caught,” Zhao Xiaorou added, “If you deny it vehemently, it usually means you haven’t dreamed of anything. But if you react this way, it definitely means you had a spring dream. Did you dream about rolling around in bed with Diao Zhiyu?”

“You!” Hu Xiu shouted, “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Diao Zhiyu was clearly enjoying himself. Hu Xiu pointed at him, “Why are you still here? Shouldn’t you be taking photos?”

“I told you I wouldn’t let you out of my sight.” Diao Zhiyu said calmly.

Hu Xiu was furious. She had previously told Diao Zhiyu not to show up at her workplace, and he had actually obeyed.

But in the middle of the night, she had received a message: “Pei Zhen is at the hospital. It’s not fair. No matter where you go after work, as long as I’m free, I won’t let you out of my sight. Don’t try to bargain, I won’t give in.”

So, whenever Hu Xiu got off work, whether she went to REGARD or home, she would always see a figure dressed in a hoodie and jacket following her. He was like a ghost, always there, and she couldn’t escape him.

Although she didn’t dislike him, seeing Pei Zhen during the day and Diao Zhiyu at night had caused her to have strange dreams in just a few days.

The little shop was packed with thirty or forty customers, each bringing a different gift, making it feel more like Christmas.

With no place to sit, Diao Zhiyu leaned against Hu Xiu. When he turned to look at her, his eyes were the same as they were in her dream. Hu Xiu’s face flushed. There was no doubt that he was the one who had teased her in her dream. She snapped back, “Why are you looking at me?”

“You were the one who looked first.”

“So what if I did?”

“Nothing...” Diao Zhiyu smirked, looking a little shy. “You were looking at me like I was naked.”

Li Ai had prepared twenty-three types of coffee beans, from Africa to South America, each labeled and placed in a sealed jar. He had also given everyone a form to fill out, making it feel like a scientific experiment.

He seemed to care more about coffee beans than women. Hu Xiu watched as Li Ai, despite his limp, walked around the shop, almost looking like he wasn’t disabled.

It was true that finding the love of your life could change a person. He was explaining earnestly, “Everyone says that Sumatran Mandheling is bitter and strong, but its aroma is actually very intense.

But because it’s quite famous on the market, many people haven’t really tasted its flavor.

I just freshly ground this bean yesterday, so the aroma is still very good. I’ll brew it for everyone now...”

His technique was still as skilled, and he wasn’t nervous at all in front of a group of discerning customers. The way he held the pour-over kettle was both charming and professional, like a true barista.

After New Year’s, he had patiently helped Zhao Xiaorou build her team, interviewing dozens of people in three days and poaching a product selector and a businessperson from another company. He had hardly done any of his regular work at the coffee shop.

Zhao Xiaorou was hiding in the crowd, replying to messages. She was sitting with her legs crossed, a computer on one lap and her phone in the other. She glanced at Li Ai, smiled unconsciously, then frowned as she gave instructions to her assistant.

After the incident with Xu Meng and Christmas, it seemed like neither of them wanted to talk about their relationship. Xu Meng no longer appeared at the coffee shop, and the old seat was occupied by a new customer. Li Ai seemed to have healed quickly, and he never mentioned it.

The unpleasant incident three days ago seemed to have been buried in the past. Mature adults didn’t dwell on the past.

The small cups for tasting the beans were crystal clear. People would hold the cup with two fingers and bring it to their lips, taking a sip that could be swallowed in one gulp. The real tasting was done by the tongue and palate, and the rest was spit out. Professional coffee tasters had to taste two to three hundred different types of beans every day. If they drank them all, they would die.

The customers there were all coffee lovers who wouldn’t waste a drop. They tasted each bean carefully and gave their scores: 7 points for sweetness, 9 points for bitterness, and 0 points for those that were tasteless.

Li Ai was very satisfied with the customers’ honesty. He had prepared fresh cinnamon carrot cake and purple sweet potato muffins, and the room was filled with a sweet aroma.

Diao Zhiyu stood next to Hu Xiu, his eyes following her as she filled out the form. Hu Xiu felt uncomfortable, “What are you looking at?”

“I’m just seeing which one you like.”

“I like them all. Li Ai’s beans, I’ll try anything.”

“Your desire for food reflects your heart. So, your views on love are also very casual. Maybe you wouldn’t mind dating both Pei Zhen and me.”

Hu Xiu could tell he was retaliating, remembering what he had said about her acting skills at 4 am.

She didn’t get angry, but calmly replied, “Since they’re all delicious, why not have more? How often in life can you be so lucky?”

He didn’t respond. Hu Xiu smiled inwardly. She felt like she was outsmarting him. Since he thought she was playing dumb, she might as well play the role of a smart woman. After all, she was clumsy most of the time.

But seeing that Diao Zhiyu wasn’t speaking, she felt a little soft. “You’re so good in so many ways, but you’re also so arrogant.”

His eyes showed a hint of dissatisfaction. Hu Xiu sighed, pretending to be regretful, “Who knows if what you’re doing to chase me is real or fake.”

She had returned his words to him.

When the customers left, only the staff remained. Zhao Xiaorou was sitting at the round table in the back, staring at her computer, so busy she couldn’t look up.

Li Ai brought over two cups of SOE, “I saved some good beans for you.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a bean I got from Zhong Ge. It’s fruity, sour at first, but sweet aftertaste, and it gets sweeter the more you drink it. I remember you like this flavor.”

“Okay, just a moment, I need to tell my assistant about the next video.”

Only the sound of the keyboard clicking could be heard. Diao Zhiyu sat opposite Hu Xiu and also took a cup from Li Ai.

He watched as she swallowed the liquid, his eyes following the movement of her throat. Hu Xiu noticed it but pretended not to see. He only chatted with Li Ai, saying that the man sitting by the window looked familiar. Was he the author of Mengya?

“You’re too young to have read his books,” Li Ai said.

After a while, Li Ai picked up another cup and handed it to Zhao Xiaorou, “Try this. It’s gotten sweeter, right?”

Normally, Zhao Xiaorou would have scolded him for interrupting her work, but she calmly took a sip and smiled gently, “Yes, it’s definitely sweeter. This bean is very unique. Maybe we can make it into a special blend for this season. I can promote it for free.”

Hu Xiu was checking her work emails. There was a notice about filming a promotional video for the hospital, and all staff members were required to participate.

After discussing the decoration and the coffee, the sun was setting. Li Ai was still trying to persuade Zhao Xiaorou to take another sip of coffee.

Hu Xiu found it amusing to watch the two of them.

Hu Xiu found it strange that Zhao Xiaorou, who used to grit her teeth at Li’e, had suddenly become so calm. Something was off.

Diao Zhiyu saw the screen of Hu Xiu’s phone, “I saw it accidentally. I’m in charge of the filming team for your hospital’s promotional video.”

Hu Xiu’s jaw dropped, “What?”

Diao Zhiyu rubbed his nose, “I’m telling you in advance so you won’t think I’m disturbing your work.”

The hospital, located in Huangpu District, was originally quite small, but with the relocation of nearby areas, the government had allocated a new piece of land to the hospital. In addition to the newly built inpatient and emergency departments, a small artificial lake had been built and planted with greenery, making the environment more vibrant than before.

The administrative staff liked to take a walk and chat by the lake during their lunch break, but Hu Xiu rarely participated. She would stay at her computer to organize documents, translate, or simply memorize words. She was a homebody at heart.

Diao Zhiyu, wearing a baseball cap, appeared in the early morning shooting team. People in the administrative building and the doctors who were free kept exclaiming, “Where did that guy with the hat come from? He looks like a young Hu Ge, so handsome!”

Hu Xiu thought to herself, that was indeed how people from Shanghai complimented young boys. Those from Pudong were compared to Zheng Kai, and those from Puxi were compared to Hu Ge.

Pei Zhen was not there. According to the schedule, he was in surgery. Director Cai, who was standing behind her, said, “We should have called Xiao Pei to come and join us. This is such an important occasion, and he’s not here. He’s the face of our hospital!”

The shooting was about to start. Diao Zhiyu, who was holding the camera, was giving instructions seriously, “Move a little to the left, the top right corner is out of frame. Next, we need some shots in the office...”

In the office, there were many older generations meeting and shaking hands. Hu Xiu, as the translator, stood behind them and felt like the camera was always focused on her.

Pei Zhen, who had just finished surgery, was caught by surprise. When he saw Diao Zhiyu with the camera, he paused for a moment and leaned against Hu Xiu, pretending to be discussing the meeting content. A colleague behind them commented, “They’re a perfect match, a handsome couple. They’re the face of our hospital.”

Hu Xiu subconsciously felt that Diao Zhiyu would cut out this part.

They spent the whole day walking around the two buildings with the camera. After the main shots were finished, Director Cai said to Hu Xiu, “Xiao Hu, if you don’t have anything else to do, can you accompany them to shoot some empty shots?”

Hu Xiu’s legs were already sore, but she didn’t dare refuse. Diao Zhiyu carried the camera and followed Hu Xiu around the artificial lake, supposedly shooting empty shots, but the camera was always focused on her, from far to near, from wide to close-up. Hu Xiu noticed something was wrong and warned him, “It’s still working hours. Don’t disturb me. You can leave after you’re done.”

“There are five of us scattered around the hospital. If you say it’s disturbing, then you’re the one always walking into my shots.”

There was a small grove by the lake that couldn’t block the buildings in the distance but could hide them from people walking nearby. Hu Xiu walked ahead, the heels of her shoes clicking on the stone path, while the footsteps behind her crunched on the dry grass. Neither of them spoke, but they both knew what was on each other’s minds.

Hu Xiu smiled bitterly. The man behind her had so much energy. He had changed the camera’s battery three times already, and he was still going strong. Except for when he was eating, he never seemed to get tired.

Thinking about it, she heard the man behind her laugh, “What’s wrong? Are you thinking that I have a lot of stamina?”

“No...” How did he know? Did he have mind-reading abilities?

“I not only have good stamina, but I’m also very strong. If we fought, I would hurt you.”

Hu Xiu was exasperated, “Diao Zhiyu, why do you say such things after leaving Snowpiercer?”

Before Diao Zhiyu could respond, Pei Zhen walked out of the administrative building, seemingly looking for her.

“There’s a patient from the surgery department who ran away. Have you seen him?”

“No, why?”

“His family is not satisfied with the treatment plan and had a conflict with the hospital.” He patted Hu Xiu on the shoulder. “I’ll go upstairs. Call me if you need anything.”

Why was Pei Zhen so nervous? Maybe it was because it was January 5th, and he would be going to America in two days.

Diao Zhiyu put the camera back in his bag and walked with Hu Xiu around the hospital.

Hu Xiu smiled, “Diao Zhiyu, don’t be afraid. The patients won’t do anything.”

But the next second, a few figures rushed out from behind, one of them carrying a wooden stool. He was running very fast and looked very angry. He was chasing a female doctor, and it seemed like he was going to hit her with the stool.

Hu Xiu thought, it didn’t matter if the administrative staff didn’t work.

But doctors took twelve years to train. If she was injured, it would be a huge loss to the country.

She pushed the man with all her might. He stumbled and fell, sliding on the stone path. Hu Xiu had pushed too hard, and she lost her balance and fell backward into the artificial lake.

The last thing she saw was Diao Zhiyu jumping into the lake to save her.

No, no, it’s not worth it...

Hu Xiu’s vision gradually cleared, and she returned to her teenage years. Her expression was young and innocent, and she was wearing a blue dress. Her mother was sitting at the bedside, carefully sewing a green lace blouse.

“Hu Xiu, how does this look?” her mother asked. “I learned this from your grandmother, but I’m not very good at it.

You’re so beautiful. And remember, being beautiful and gentle is a woman’s greatest asset.”

No, really, you don’t need it.

What, do you not like it? It might be a bit old-fashioned, but when you really need it, it’ll definitely be your most charming weapon.

Mom always used it whenever she was in danger, and it worked every time—very strange. Whether by luck or by protection, it kept her safe.

Mom, I want to know... why you never seem to feel sorry for yourself.

You have a grace that I could never learn, and a pride that most women can’t understand. For freedom and love, you’d abandon me and leave without hesitation—even if people would disapprove of such behavior.

I’ve never felt embarrassed about having you as my mother. But did you know? Because of you, I’ve become someone who doesn’t dare to do anything at all.

When Hu Xiu woke up, Diao Zhiyu was lying next to her. In the quiet night, she was hooked up to an IV on a hospital bed—it seemed they had brought her straight to the ward after the incident. Just fell into some water, she thought, no big deal.

Thinking back to that dream, they really did drown. Dreams do sometimes predict the future, it seems.

“You’re awake...”

“Mm-hmm...”

“You fell into the lake. Pei Zhen came earlier; he couldn’t stay because he was on night duty.”

“The doctor tried everything during surgery, but there was nothing more they could do about his cancer. The family feels like they spent hundreds of thousands of yuan with no results, so they’re understandably angry.”

“Your push was supposedly settled by the hospital’s legal department. It wasn’t a big deal—there’s even a video of it trending on local search.”

“And... your dad came to visit,” Diao Zhiyu added.

“He didn’t say much. Dr. Pei argued that you protected his safety.” Hu Xiu remained silent. Hearing her father’s name while dreaming about her mother in one night felt like more information than she could handle at once.

Recalling how she had fallen into the water and been saved, Hu Xiu looked at Diao Zhiyu’s clothes. “Did you jump in too?”

“It was nothing...” Diao Zhiyu patted his chest. “My clothes dried. How are you feeling now?”

“Just slipped... I don’t want to make things sad tonight. Being happy with you is enough; we don’t need extra worries.” Hu Xiu smiled back, trying to lighten the mood. “If you get sick, don’t blame me—it was your choice to jump down.”

The forced smile seemed strained, making Diao Zhiyu feel uneasy. He pondered for three seconds by the window, then took a deep breath and returned a joke with a straight face: “After you jump, so do I.”

Qin Xiaoyi, who had been on the Snowpiercer train, hadn’t changed at all. He could still pick up on subtle emotions effortlessly. Since Hu Xiu didn’t want to talk about it, he let it go—a sign of his sharp intelligence.

Seeing Hu Xiu grimace, he propped his arm on the bed with his cheek in hand and continued joking. “Doctor Pei went crazy when he saw you fall into the river. He thought someone had pushed you in.

“But it was just an accident. You choked on some water and fell asleep—nothing to get so worked up about. I rescued you just in time.”

“Rescued me?”

“Yeah, I gave you CPR—mouth-to-mouth and chest compressions. So now, there’s not a spot on your body I haven’t touched.”

“You!”

“What’s wrong with that? Should I have let you drown by holding onto you like that? If we’d run upstairs like that, you would’ve suffocated for sure.

“I’m pretty good at first aid. On the Snowpiercer, I always handled emergencies. So you’re not the first person I’ve given mouth-to-mouth to.”

“But I can tell you this: The other two times were both guys.”

Hu Xiu wanted to laugh at the jokes but tried to pretend she was mad. Diao Zhiyu’s hand unconsciously moved near her face. He checked behind her ear for a moment before placing it on her forehead, repeating the process several times to see if she had a fever.

His gentle gaze made her heart warm, and her eyes softened. What she appreciated most wasn’t that Diao Zhiyu liked her, but that he was there for her right then. This was something Qin Xiaoyi had never considered before.

Diao Zhiyu caught her wandering gaze. “What are you thinking about? Your eyes aren’t focused. I know hospitals can make people think of all sorts of things, but this time it’s not me bringing up dirty jokes.”

“What am I thinking about?”

“It must be something like a sexy nurse or a hot doctor, doing stuff behind closed curtains. In your mind, I’m probably the leading man in one of those romance movies.”

Feeling so embarrassed she wanted to disappear, Hu Xiu covered her face with the quilt.

Diao Zhiyu leaned closer, refusing to give up. “Hey, are you pretending to sleep? If you keep that up, I’ll kiss you for real.”

No response came from under the quilt.

“Then I’m leaving...”

After a minute of silence, Hu Xiu peeked out slightly. Diao Zhiyu’s face was right next to hers, his soft yet passionate lips brushing against her cheek.

“There might be some things you don’t want to talk about, and we can keep them secret between us. But you need to know this: From today on, I’ll always be by your side. So there’s no need to be afraid anymore.”

He didn’t seem at all like a younger brother.